
East County Magazine

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

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

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,

VALLEY VIBES COMMUNITY EVENT IS SET FOR JUNE 1 IN ESCONDIDO TO FUND CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Organizers are seeking a headline sponsor East County News Service March 26, 2025 (Escondido) — Mark your calendars for Valley Vibes, a free, family-friendly fiesta with interactive exhibits, great food, crafts and live music courtesy of North Park Rock-n-Blues Band. Valley Vibes will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at the Sikes Adobe Historic

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

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

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
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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.
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
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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.