Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

East County Magazine

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MARY’S DONUTS CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY

East County News Service Photos by Karen Pearlman March 29, 2025 (Santee) – Mary Hennessy, the 90-something owner of Mary’s Donuts, grabs a sweet treat during her business’s 40th anniversary bash Saturday morning, March 29.  Hennessy, who plied the donut trade at a Winchell’s Donuts, bought the former Zona’s Donut Shop with her husband, and opened the original Mary’s Donuts and

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: TREED!

East County News Service March 28, 2025 (San Carlos) – San Carlos resident and ECM reporter Karen Pearlman snapped this photo of a pair of raccoons chased up a tree by her dog,Charlie. Printer-friendly version

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ICE RAIDS EL CAJON PAINTING COMPANY, ARRESTS UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

Update March 29:  Company owner John Washburn has been charged with conspiracy to harbor aliens; employees Gilver Martinez-Juanta, Miguel Angel Leal-Sanchez and Fernando Casas-Gamboa are charged with falsifying documents to obtain employment in the U.S., according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Diego. By Miriam Raftery Photo courtesy of Sky 10 via ABC 10 News,

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REVIEW: PIRATES OF PENZANCE AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE

Prepare for a rollicking good time in Gilbert and Sullivan’s uproarious comic opera, brimming with endearing pirates, bumbling policemen, zany escapades, and delightfully ridiculous paradoxes.   By G. A. McNeeley  Photos by Heather Longfellow March 25, 2025 (La Mesa) — The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera that was created by Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert. Directed and Choreographed by

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READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY ARE THERE NO LATIN HEROES IN THE USA IN 2025?

Cesar Chavez passed away in 1993. Where are today’s heroes? By  Dr. Sergio R. Conti, MPH March 23, 2025 (El Cajon) — I once asked a 12-year-old seventh grader who his Latin idol was. Without hesitation, he replied, “El Canelo Álvarez.” I explained to him that a hero is admired for their brave actions, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Heroes

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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

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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

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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

THE WILL POWER REPORT – Hawaii Blackout?

Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power January 11, 2009 (San Diego) —  I imagine lot of people have had Hawaii Blackouts after a few too many Mai-Tais. But I’m alarmed that President-Elect Obama was out of touch for the better part of a day. The power went out in Oahau. Now I realize he is not President yet. But just

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FESTIVAL OF THE MONTH — MULTI-CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN LA MESA CELEBRATES OUR REGION’S DIVERSE HERITAGE

January 8, 2008 (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa’s 13th annual Multicultural Festival on January 18th aspires to be an afternoon of civic pride and festivities for the family in a celebration honoring our community’s rich diversity of cultures and international traditions. The ceremony, held on Martin Luther King Day weekend, also honors the slain civil rights leader’s

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SOCCER COMMUNITY KICKS OFF FUNDRAISING DRIVE TO HELP COACH HOWIE HAWVER, DIAGNOSED WITH LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE

By Miriam Raftery January 5, 2008 (San Carlos) — More than 1,500 students, parents, coaches, referees and soccer players from throughout San Diego County teamed up to host a fundraiser December 29th for Howie Hawver, the popular Patrick Henry High School soccer coach recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  Friends of Howie Hawver raised over $15,000 to help pay his

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SHOULD PRESIDENT BUSH PARDON BORDER PATROL AGENTS RAMOS AND COMPEAN?

Border agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean January 5, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — Assemblyman Joel Anderson has written a letter to President George W. Bush requesting a pardon for Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compeon.  Both are currently in prison, serving 11 and 12 year sentences after being convicted by a jury of shooting the

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SAN DIEGO YOUNG ARTISTS SYMPHONY POPS CONCERT: MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES

January 5, 2008 (San Diego) —The San Diego Young Artists Symphony (YAS), conducted by Mary Gerard and Hernan Constantino, performs at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre (6611 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92115) on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.  The concert will feature movie music from the Phantom of the Opera, Amadeus, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter,

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EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S 2008 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR

By Miriam Raftery January 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–For better or worse, these are the East County people who made headlines in 2008.  Some are famous–elected officials and sports stars.  Others are unsung heroes and ordinary citizens who found themselves in extraordinary situations, battling foes ranging from cancer to large-scale developments in their communities.  Some have aspired to amazing feats, such

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2008 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR: HONORABLE MENTIONS

By Miriam Raftery Each of these individuals has attained remarkable achievements.  Some have sparked controversy for their views or actions.  Many are working to make our community, our nation, or our world a better place.  Our list includes people who triumphed over disabilities, animal protection advocates, artists and musicians, business leaders, citizen watchdogs, educators, fire heroes, healthcare reformers, humanitarians, social

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PASSAGES: IN MEMORIUM

San Diego’s eastern region lost several prominent newsmakers in the past year, among them: Jack Hardebeck, M.D.:  Former chief of staff for Grossmont Hospital and member of the Grossmont Healthcare District board, Hardebeck spent nearly half a century serving East County.  A family physician and surgeon, he chaired the Grossmont Hospital Foundation’s philanthropy committee in 1998 and 1999.  In recognition

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OUR GUIDE TO EAST COUNTY’S HOTTEST NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES

December 28, 2008 — Looking to party hearty on December 31st?  Here are our picks for the best places to ring in the New Year east of I-15.  From a Chinese dragon parade to a cozy mountain inn, from an alcohol-free celebration to a lavish multi-band bash, you’ll find it all in East County and San Diego’s eastern region.  Find

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THE WILL POWER REPORT – Nursing Home Problems Classified?

Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power December 28, 2008 (San Diego) —  Another “lame-duck” Federal rule concerning Nursing homes has been approved by the outgoing Bush Administration. The rule places State examiners who police Nursing Homes under a Federal Gag Order which prevents patients and relatives of elderly and infirm patients from finding out about lapses in patient care.

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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