East County Magazine
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
September Festivals
By Miriam Raftery Sept. 1, 2008 (East County)–We first planned to call this column Festival of the Month. But after discovering how many great events communities and groups are hosting in San Diego’s eastern region we changed the column name to tell you about as many fun-filled festivals as possible. Many are free, though some charge admission. Check out details on
Vines and Steins – Gio Wine Bar
Editor’s note: Gio’s has gone out of business, however a new restaurant has opened in its place. By Richard Noel If you’re out and about in East County and in the mood for a great glass of wine in an elegant atmosphere, relax with the knowledge that this urge will not require you to drive into the urban core of
Green Houses – Jamul Home is Green and Fire-Safe
Eco-friendly EAST COUNTY homes By Miriam Raftery After twice having to evacuate during wildfires, Keith and Danya Jolley decided to build a new, fire-safe and energy efficient “green” home on their Jamul property. The home was featured on last year’s GreenBuilt Homes Tour. One year later, the Jolleys remain thrilled with their new home. “The house turned out better
Celebrating 100 Years: Cleveland National Forest Centennial
Fiddlin’ Foresters, Living History Week Cap Festivities in Local Mountain Parks By Miriam Raftery A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt signed a declaration to create the Cleveland National Forest–a 460,000 acre preserve that is home to golden eagles, mountain lions and other wildlife species. To celebrate the centennial, the U.S. Forest Service is hosting several free special events in
People Power – Magic Horse Miracles: Therapeutic Riding Program Benefits Disabled Kids
By Miriam Raftery Avery Titus rides tall in the saddle at The Magic Horse, guided by riding therapist/founder Robin Pawl. Before, he could not sit up on his own. September 2008 (Lakeside)–Ten-year-old Avery Titus squeals with delight, pressing his face against the sun-warmed backside of Iggy, a quarterhorse at the Magic Horse Therapeutic Riding program in Lakeside. “Before, he couldn’t sit
Cool Places to Beat the Heat
By Miriam Raftery Looking to cool off? No need to battle crowds at the beach. Check out our editor’s “cool picks” for places to beat the heat in San Diego’s eastern areas. MAKE A SPLASH AT THE SANTEE AQUATIC CENTER: Waterslide and in-pool playground, Santee Aquatic Center East County’s best-kept aquatic adventure area features a spiral slide plus children’s play
East County Eater – Superb Sushi in Santee
OISHII JAPANESE & THAI CUISINE 10251 Mast Blvd., Santee 619-596-4852 www.oishiisantee.com September 1, 2008 (Santee) — Santee Sushi? If you thought East County only has cowboy and biker bars, you must not have ventured east of I-15 lately, where you will find a rich assortment of sushi bars sprouting up at prices far less than you’d pay at chi-chi sushi
Notes On Air – Tracy Lee Nelson
By Richard Noel Notes On Air is a monthly music column highlighting local artists, events, and other music-related news. In this month’s column, we talk with Tracy Lee Nelson, accomplished blues musician who is also tribal chairman of the La Jolla Indian Reservation in Pauma Valley. Nelson’s music places an emphasis on his heritage, bringing a Native American perspective to
East County Magazine’s Guide to Fresh, Local Foods
By Miriam Raftery September 30, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — Growing concerns over food safety, environmental issues, health and desire to support our local economy have given rise to a new trend: consumers seeking out locally-grown and produced foods. Sales of locally grown foods increased 25% in 2007 from $4 billion to $5 billion – and could hit
New Border Patrol Facility Opens
By Miriam Raftery New Campo Border Patrol facility (photo credit: Leon Thompson) Public reactions varied to a new Border Patrol/Homeland Security facility in East County varied sharply. One local conservative blogger thought it was a casino under construction, adding that it resembled “a palace.” But an immigrant rights supporter observed, “It looks like a prison.” Beauty, it appears, is in
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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