East County Magazine
USDA CANCELS PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDED LOCAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND FOOD BANKS
The USDA has cut funding for two programs that allowed schools and food banks to purchase fresh food from local farms, also halting deliveries to food banks. By G. A. McNeeley March 21, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Trump administration has cut two programs that provided more than $1 billion to
CITY DECLARES MARCH 30TH LEMON GROVE INCIDENT DAY: CELEBRATION PLANNED OVER 1931 SCHOOL DESEGREGATION VICTORY
East County News Service March 21, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – On March 18, Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow issued a proclamation declaring March 30 as the “Lemon Grove Incident Day.” There will be a celebration on March 30 at 1:00 p.m. in front of the mural that tells the story of a historic school desegregation case victory for students
INTERNATIONAL AEROBATICS COMPETITION TAKES PLACE APRIL 10-12 IN BORREGO SPRINGS
By Miriam Raftery March 21, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – An international aerobatics competition will be held at the Borrego Springs airport Thursday through Saturday, April 10-12, organized by the International Aerobatic Club’s Chapter 36. A highlight for viewers is Saturday’s four-minute freestyle flights set to music, usually involving smoke, flown by top pilots, IAC36 president Bryan Jones advises. Thursday is
Our guide to local farms and farm-fresh products sold directly to consumers
Find farm-fresh meats, eggs, fruits and veggies, flowers, herbs, honey, nuts, soaps, wool and fiber goods, pumpkin patches, nursery plants, trees, wineries and more By Miriam Raftery Photos by Miriam Raftery and creative commons images via Bing East County Magazine has compiled our region’s most comprehensive guide to local farms, ranches, nurseries and wineries offering direct-to-consumer sales
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: AWESOME APRIL EVENTS
March 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s springtime in East County—the season for flower festivals, Easter egg hunts, Lakeside’s rodeo and Western Days Parade, outdoor roller skating at Viejas , an aerobatics competition in Borrego Springs, and bunny rides aboard a historic train in Campo. This April, you can also enjoy a roaring ‘20s party atop Mt. Helix
CHEERS TO THE VALLEY WINE FESTIVAL APRIL 5 IN RAMONA
East County News Service March 20, 2025 (Ramona) — The Ramona Valley Vintners Association and the Ramona Chamber of Commerce invite you to Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival on Saturday, April 5 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Begent Ranch (18528 Highland Valley Rd., Ramona). The event includes catered small bites, arts and craft vendors, live music by a
EGG PRICES STILL RISING RAPIDLY AMID AVIAN FLU OUTBREAKS; JUSTICE DEPT. LAUNCHES PRICE GOUGING INVESTIGATION
By G. A. McNeeley Photo courtesy of Brian McNeeley March 19, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Agriculture Department predicts egg prices could rise by more than 40%, on top of already steep price rises in 2024. While egg producers blame bird flu outbreaks, the Justice Department this month announced an investigation into whether egg producers might be sharing information and
MYSTERY DINNER THEATER AND FRENCH CUISINE DINNER APRIL 5-6 IN EL CAJON
East County News Service March 20, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Circle Players will be performing the dinner theatre production of “Everyone’s A Critic” on April 5th at 6:30 p.m. and on April 6th at 1:30 p.m. Performances will be held in Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon. All seats for this mystery dinner theatre show are $30 and includes a 3-course French-themed
SAPS AT SEA HOSTS LAUREL AND HARDY FILM SHOWINGS APRIL 5 IN EL CAJON
East County News Service March 19, 2025 (El Cajon) — Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the International Laurel and Hardy fan organization, presents: Ollie Feigns Illness to Attend Lodge Events! Films include Laurel and Hardy in “Be Big!” and “Sons of the Desert”, plus Harold Lloyd’s “High and Dizzy” and
TASTE OF LAKESIDE APRIL 8; SAVOR FOODS FROM 10 RESTAURANTS TO SUPPORT THE MAINE AVENUE REVITALIZATION
East County News Service March 18, 2025 (Lakeside) — The Maine Avenue Revitalization Association (M.A.R.A.) invites you to the Taste of Lakeside, its upcoming fundraise on April 8 from 5-8 p.m. This event brings together ten local restaurants, including Cali-Stack, Ranch House, Octavio’s, East Bound, Yogurt Barn, The Parks, Caffeine Queens, and the VFW, offering attendees the opportunity to sample
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues
MISS LA MESA AND MISS SANTEE QUEENS CROWNED
Santee Mayor, Randy Voepel presenting Sierra Billock and Nicole Ehlke La Mesa Mayor, Art Madrid presenting Stephanie Packard and Katarina Schweitzer March 10, 2009 (Santee) — Cheers and tears of joy greeted the crowning of Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee on Friday, March 6, 2009. The pageants have been a tradition in the two cities since the late 1960’s,
EIGHT YEARS AFTER SANTANA AND GRANITE HILLS SHOOTINGS, PEACE PATROL PROGRAM TEACHES NONVIOLENCE; ROTARY AWARDS PEACEMAKER AWARD TO STUDENT EVY PONCE
By Miriam Raftery Evelyn Ponce, 9, receives Peace Award from La Mesa-Sunrise Rotary Club President David Roberts (Miriam Raftery) March 8, 2009 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Sunrise Rotary chapter has presented its Peacemaker of the Year Award to Evelyn (Evy) Ponce, a nine-year-old student at Lexington Elementary School in El Cajon to honor her “outstanding work” with Peace
COCONUTS SPA BRINGS TOUCH OF TROPICS TO LA MESA
By Miriam Raftery Bob Lyon and his wife, Deedee March 8, 2009 (La Mesa) — Luau foods, seashell leis, and other touches of the tropics greeted guests at the grand opening of Coconuts Salon & Day Spa in La Mesa this weekend. Located behind the Brigantine Restaurant at 9340 Fuerte Drive, the salon formerly known as Transformations has been transformed
SANTREE FEST AND EARTH DAY CELEBRATION MARCH 14
March 10, 2009 (Santee)–Santee invites the public to participate in "SanTree Fest," an Earth Day celebration from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14th at Mast Park, located at 9125 Carlton Hills Blvd. Festivities begin at 9:45 with a nature walk departing from a trail entrance at the northwest side of the Wal-Mart parking lot. A community tree
HEARTLAND LIONS CLUB PRESENTS TOUCH OF SPRING FASHION SHOW & SILENT AUCTION MARCH 28 IN EL CAJON
March 6, 2009 (El Cajon) –“ Fashions by Dress Barn will be modeled at the Heartland Lions Club’s 21st annual Touch of Spring fashion show. The event also includes a champagne luncheon featuring chicken cordon bleu, a silent auction, and a raffle–all to benefit worthy causes. The fashion show will be held on Saturday, March 28th at the Elks Lodge,
CULINARY STUDENTS AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE SERVE UP FIVE–COURSE MEALS: PUBLIC WELCOME!
March 8, 2009 (El Cajon)–You don’t have to be a starving student to enjoy feasts prepared by Grossmont College’s Culinary Arts Department, which is hosting five-course dinners prepared by culinary students on Thursday evenings from now through mid-May. The public is invited on the campus for the dinners. Cost is $15 per person. Funds will help raise money for travel
ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVITIES AT HOOLEYS: LIVE BANDS, IRISH FARE & A BRITISH-STYLE DOUBLE-DECKER BUS
By Miriam Raftery Shepherd’s Pie March 7, 2009 — Sure ‘n there’s no finer place to hoist a pint of ale and toast St. Patrick’s Day than at Hooleys Irish Pub and Grill, the most authentic Irish setting you’ll find this side of the Emerald Isle! Charmed by the warmth of an Irish Pub in Ireland, Craig MacDonald and two
EAST COUNTY EATER: OY VEY! BEST DELI IN TOWN: DZ AKINS
Photos of celebrities who have dined at DZ Akins Editor’s Note: Due to a family member’s illness, the East County Eater has been eating mostly hospital food for the past month. So guest columnist Denise Di Mascio fills the Eater’s shoes this month with a review of a local favorite. DZ Akins 6930 Alvarado Rd San Diego, CA 92120 (619)
EL CAJON EMPLOYEES GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY
March 3, 2009 (El Cajon)—From blood drives to helping families during the holidays, City of El Cajon employees take pride in getting together throughout the year to help others. When City employees learned of the shortages occurring at the local food banks due to the struggling economy, the Employee Special Events Committee launched a food drive. For over a
RELIGIOUS ART FESTIVAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT St. MARK’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Resurerction Flower,award-winning photo by mkona Schlesinger of Poway March 4, 2009 (San Diego)—Many East County residents were accepeted into the 46th annual all-media Religious Art Festival of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church by juror Hiroshi Miyazaki. In the poetry division Elaine Parker, Rancho San Diego won second place and Eldon (Mike) Meyer of Lemon Grove received two Honorable Mention Awards.
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues