East County Magazine
Ramona Country Fair brings summertime fun Aug. 1-3
By Regina Elling Carnival rides are a big part of the fun at Ramona Country Fair. Photo by Regina Elling July 25, 2025 (Ramona) — Visitors to the Ramona Country Fair, set for Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3, can expect to enjoy amusement rides, vendor booths, carnival food, a variety of musical acts, a car show, a dog
Destination East County: hot August nights bring late summer celebrations
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Julian Mountain Brewfest set for Aug. 23
East County News Service July 24, 2025 (Julian) – The Julian Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the Julian Mountain Brewfest at Nickel Beer Company at 1485 Hollow Glen Road from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23. A $25 ticket includes eight tastings, a commemorative cup and live music by the Sun Valley String Band. For more
Mt. Helix Park Foundation Food & Wine Festival Aug. 16 features Gatsby theme
By Karen Pearlman Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report Last year’s Mt. Helix Park Foundation Food & Wine Festival event was a hit. (Photo courtesy Mt. Helix Park Foundation) July 24, 2025 (La Mesa) – A privately owned “public” park and nature preserve with an outdoor ampitheater toward the top, East County is fortunate Mount Helix Park
Destination East County: midsummer fun
By Miriam Raftery July 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As the weather heats up, late July has many cool events including visits to the new Camel Lavender Farm in Ramona, Music on Main in El Cajon, Cajon Cruises, Movies at county parks and recreation centers, La Mesa’s Sundays at Six concerts and classic car shows, outdoor concerts in
State Parks Photo Contest Running Through Sept. 30
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park photo (left) by Karen Pearlman East County News Service July 15, 2025 (San Diego County) — California State Parks Foundation is inviting park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities and unique landscapes of California’s state parks. The California State Parks Foundation Photo
Grocery Workers at Ralphs, Albertsons Vons and Pavilions Vote to Ratify New Contracts
East County News Service Image via UFCW San Diego’s Facebook page July 14, 2025 (San Diego) –Grocery members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442 voted this week overwhelmingly to ratify new three-year agreements with Ralphs (a subsidiary of Kroger) and Albertsons (which includes Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions). The union local members
Deaf Mongolian Immigrant Held by ICE In Otay Mesa for Months Without Access to Interpreter
The Otay Mesa Detention Center operated by CoreCivic. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego) By Wendy Fry, CalMatters Update July 23, 2025 — ICE has released this immigrant, Cal Matters reports, after four months in custody and following a judicial order to provide a Mongolian interpreter. He is now living with a family member. July 14, 2025
You’re Invited! July 17 Feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa with East County Magazine’s Dining Club
You’re invited to East County Magazine’ s DIning Club feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit our local news reporting and our wildfire and emergency alerts! Everyone is welcome to attend. Himalayan Cuisine features delicious cuisine from Nepal, Tibet and India. Plus we’ll have a fabulous raffle with many great prizes including
La Mesa Grandmother Detained By Ice While Serving as Legal Observer for Immigrants at Courthouse
By Miriam Raftery July 11, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa resident Barbara Stone, a 71-year old U.S. citizen and courthouse observer at immigration proceedings, is free tonight after being detained by Immigrants and Customs agents (ICE) for eight hours without access to an attorney, according to her daughter and witnesses. Jessica Kort, posted a plea for help after the
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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.
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WEEKEND HALLOWEEN SCENE & MORE EAST COUNTY EVENTS
For a frightfully good time this week (not to mention satisfying your sweet tooth cravings), you’ll find plenty of Halloween haunts in East County. Start with Wednesday night’s “Trunk or Treat” in El Cajon, where classic car club members will be doling out goodies. On Thursday, dig into a pumpkin pie-eating contest and costume party in Valley Center, or chill
EAST COUNTY FAMILY YMCA `URBAN BRANDING’ A SUCCESS RAISING FUNDS TO HELP YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS
Hundreds of East County residents and YMCA members attended event, which raised $176,000 Halle Aiken serves food to Branding guest, Phil Conard. Picture taken by Brian Blue. November 1, 2008 (Rancho San Diego) – East County residents shined their belt buckles and donned their best pairs of jeans for East County Family YMCA’s annual fundraiser, The Urban BRANDING on September
LIBRARY FRIENDS ANNOUNCE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
November 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC) announced the winners of its annual essay contest, with this year’s theme, "Libraries, Loud or Quiet?" First, second and third place winners in the youth, teen and adult categories will be honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, November 18 meeting,
A QUESTION OF POWER ON SDG&E’S PROPOSED SUNRISE POWERLINK:
Video documentary distributed to CPUC is now online October 23, 2008 (San Diego, CA) – Stubborn Mule Productions and Backcountry Against the Dump, Inc. announce that “A Question of Power” is now available online. This one-hour locally produced grassroots documentary about the ongoing battle over the 150-mile “Sunrise Powerlink” transmission line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric was
ONLY IN EAST COUNTY
Mayor Mark Lewis and Mother Goose congratulate winners in the Chicken Hat contest at El Cajon’s Oktoberfest, sponsored by the German American Societies. Alpine dancers add to the festive atmosphere at La Mesa’s Oktoberfest. Printer-friendly version
HUNDREDS FLOCK TO ELKS OKTOBERFEST
By Miriam Raftery October 20, 2008 (El Cajon) – Over 800 people flocked to an Oktoberfest celebration hosted by El Cajon’s Elks Lodge 1812, a tradition that dates back to 1975. “I started the Oktoberfest,” said Giselle Howard (photo, left), who was also the festival’s first Oktoberfest Queen. “This is why every year, they honor me.” Still radiant at 86,
EAST COUNTY EATER – ARRIBA! SAVOR OLD TOWN’S BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT–IN LA MESA
CASA DE PICO 5500 Grossmont Center Drive La Mesa, CA 91941 (619)463-3267 November 1, 2008 (La Mesa) – The longtime standard for the finest in Mexican food and ambiente is now in East County’s Grossmont Center. San Diegans have always considered Casa De Pico the perfect example of Mexican dining. Whenever my relatives showed up from Minnesota and wanted to
POLITICKIN’ EAST COUNTY STYLE
Counting down to the November 4 election, folks in East County and San Diego’s eastern region are pulling out all the stops to campaign for their favorite candidates. Printer-friendly version
WEEKLY EVENTS OCT. 22-29: BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL, WATER-WISE GARDENING FEST, PARADES, COSTUME CONTEST, & SKY SHOW
October 21, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – This weekend’s hot events include Borrego Days Desert Festival, California Friendly Garden Festival, Pine Valley Pet Parade, Bates Nut Farm Costume Contest, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory performances, 2008 Fall Kitchen Tour, and a Sky Show following the Aztec football game. Borrego Springs hosts its three-day Borrego Days Desert Festival this
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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