
East County Magazine

Our guide to restaurants specializing in international cuisine in San Diego’s East County
San Diego is home to many immigrants from around the world. As a result, our inland region alone has restaurants specializing in cuisine from over 40 nations on six continents. You can take a culinary tour around the world—without leaving East County! Below is our directory of internationally-themed restaurants in San Diego’s inland region.. AFGHAN Kabul Kabob House (El

EL CAJON COUNCILMAN PHIL ORTIZ SERVED WITH RECALL NOTICE
Ortiz defends actions as “only about public safety” By Miriam Raftery April 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – “You betrayed the large immigrant community here,” Mairene Branham told El Cajon Councilman Phil Ortiz at yesterday’s city council meeting, where she served him with a recall notice. The recall effort was sparked by Ortiz’s vote on Feb. 11 in favor of a

Our guide to restaurants specializing in American cuisine in East County
Looking to chow down on an all-American burger, steak, or seafood dinner? Or savor regional cuisine such as Cajun, Southern, soul food, California cuisine, or Texas-style barbecue? Perhaps you’re hankering for health food, jarm-to-table fresh meals, or vegan options. Or you’re craving a sub sandwich or Jewish deli. You can even sample exotic foods from Hawaii or U.S. territories including

Sweets and treats in East County
Our guide to delicious desserts in San Diego’s inland region San Diego’s East County has many options to satisfy your sweet tooth, thanks to our diverse population and rich heritage. From all-American Julian apple pies, candy cottages and ice cream parlors to international desserts such as Franch pastries, Mexican cakes and Middle Eastern baklava, you’ll find a wide variety of

NASHVILLE AMERICANA DUO- GOLDPINE AT THE BARN IN RAMONA MAY 23
East County News Service April 19, 2025 (Ramona) – The Nashville Americana duo Goldpine, a husband and wife team, will perform at The Barn (344 Main St., Ramona) at 8 p.m., Friday, May 23. The duo won the 2022 Rocky Mountain Songwriter Contest and has performed at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium and the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion.

WILD IN THE COUNTRY FUNDRAISER COMING MAY 17; GALA HELPS LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS
Photo and story by Karen Pearlman April 19, 2025 (Alpine) – The permanent refuge for a bevy of rescued wild animals, Lions, Tigers & Bears isn’t your average animal sanctuary — so don’t expect its annual fundraiser to be anything but extraordinary. The Alpine-based nonprofit will welcome visitors to its big cats and bears haven for the annual Wild in

‘UNITED WE DREAM’ BAZAAR COMING TO EL CAJON IN MAY
East County News Service April 18, 2025 (El Cajon) — A special community event hosted by nonprofit License to Freedom will be held from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18 in El Cajon. The vibrant marketplace, called the United We Dream Bazaar, will feature handmade crafts, traditional food, cultural performances and small business booths run by refugee and

SPRING HARP FEST RETURNS TO LA MESA APRIL 19
East County News Service April 14, 2025 (La Mesa) – If you love harmonica music, head out to Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa this Friday, April 18. Spring Harp Fest takes place at Harry Griffen Park from10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy live music from many local harmonica players and groups. There’s also an unknown players jam.

WHAT’S BREWING? SANTEE STREET FAIR AND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL MAY 24
East County News Service April 13, 2025 (Santee) – The Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer returns May 24. This annual event features a beer garden featuring craft brews, wine and spirits, kids’ zones with carnival rides and games, live music and entertainment, plus over200 vendors showcasing local arrtisans and businesses. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6

RESIDENTS CHARGED UP OVER PROSPECT OF BATTERY STORAGE SITE IN LA MESA NEIGHBORHOOD
Story and Photos By Karen Pearlman April 11, 2025 (La Mesa) — “No matter how it’s sugarcoated, battery storage facilities are dystopian looking, loud, detrimental to real estate values and potentially deadly,” La Mesa City Councilmember Laura Lothian says. For several years, Lothian (pictured above, with Heartland Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Bent Koch) has been a vocal
Search by Specific Date
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.
KWANZAA CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS ANNOUNCED
December 6, 2008 (San Diego) — A series of events commemorating Kwanzaa have been announced, including several in San Diego’s eastern region. The 18th annual Pan-African Associations of America Umoja Day program will take place December 26th at the Malcolm X Library located at 5148 Market Street in San Diego. This a day long event and includes an adult workshop
Armchair Impressionists Exhibition December 1- 31, 2008
By Tammy Lawhead December 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — The Armchair Impressionists, including Jeffrey Graham, Rustin Holec, David Lawhead, Karen Marsh, and William Marsh, will feature their paintings December 1 – 31, 2008 at the Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego; El Cajon, CA. Please join them at the Artist’s Reception, December 7th from 2 – 4
The Will Power Report – THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD
Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power December 4, 2008 (San Diego) — The profitable is the enemy of the good. Nowhere is this more true than in U.S. health care. I’ve spent the last two days on the phone with my Senators, Congressmen, the NIH and the FDA. I’m rattling some cages! I’m trying to find out what it
BOXER ANNOUNCES NEW BORDER CROSSING
By Gayle Early December 2, 2008 (Otay Mesa) — Senator Barbara Boxer announced today that a new port of entry will be developed two miles east of the current Otay Mesa border crossing, a project she and Senator Diane Feinstein pushed through the Administration. In the announcement, she wrote that the new port should alleviate congestion and accommodate future trade
TOYS NEEDED FOR KIDS AND TEENS OF SINGLE PARENTS: CARE ORGANIZES DRIVE FOR DEC. 5 EVENT AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Grossmont College’s Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) program, which serves several hundred Grossmont College students who are single parents receiving public assistance, is hosting a holiday party at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 at the college’s Student Center. CARE is seeking donations of unwrapped toys and gift cards for distribution at the party to school-age children below age
Christmas in the Village
Quintessential hometown fun By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero La Mesa (December 1, 2008) — Santa Claus is coming to town! On December 12-13, the La Mesa Village will magically transform with Christmas lights, sparkling window displays and open fire pits. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, puppet shows, four stages showcasing homegrown talent, and ride ponies, carriage, and fire truck. ENTERTAINMENT Christmas
GIFTS FROM THE EAST
Our holiday guide to gifts unique to East County By Miriam Raftery Buckskin baby booties are available at Mountain Oaks Trading Post, Julian December 1, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — This holiday season, why not choose gifts that benefit our community and provide recipients with gifts that are unique to East County and San Diego’s eastern region? In today’s
KRUGER BROTHERS TO PERFORM CONCERT & HOST WORKSHOP AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE DEC. 5
By Miriam Raftery December 2008 (El Cajon) — Kruger Brothers will perform an exclusive concert at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon on Friday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. Winner of the National Endowment for the Arts Artistic Excellence Award for their “Music from the Spring: A Romantic Serenade for Banjo, Guitar, Bass & Orchestra”, the Kruger Brothers’ music combines elements
BEST BAKERIES IN EAST COUNTY
Story and photos by Miriam Raftery December 1, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — Holiday season brings warm memories of home-baked goodies–the yeasty aroma of freshly baked bread, rolling out cookie dough and decorating holiday cookies, not to mention savoring home-made pies and other sweet delights. Fortunately, if you don’t have time to prepare baked goods from scratch or just
THE WILL POWER REPORT – A BLANKET PARDON?
Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power December 1, 2008 (San Diego) — When I was about five years old, my father was a US Air Force Officer. He was involved in a Court-Martial in Wichita , Kansas. It seemed a considerable number of US Army blankets went missing, and several airmen were charged with stealing the blankets and selling
Search by Specific Date
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.