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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PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER IN LA MESA

East County News Service   June 6, 2025 (La Mesa) — Heartland Firefighters of La Mesa will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser and emergency preparedness training on Sunday, June 8, at La Mesa Fire Station 11.   The event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 8034 Allison Ave., is open to all ages. Tickets are $5

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MT MIGUEL HS FOUNDATION HOSTING QUARTERMANIA FUNDRAISER

East County News Service   June 6, 2025 (Spring Valley) — Mt Miguel High School Foundation, the nonprofit organization devoted to helping Mount Miguel High School, is hosting Quartermania this month.   Quartermania is a cross between an auction and bingo.   The event, set from 1 to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, June 21, will be held at the Mount Miguel

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SAN DIEGO LAWMAKERS ANGRY OVER ARMED ICE RAID ON SOUTH PARK RESTAURANT

San Diego lawmakers reacted with fury Monday to last weekend’s armed ICE raid on a popular South Park restaurant, accusing the federal government of heavy-handed tactics in support of arbitrary arrest goals. Reprinted, with permission of author, from Times of San Diego, a  member of the San Diego Online News Association Rep. Juan Vargas speaks to media outside the federal

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CALLING ALL FOODIES: TASTE OF SAN DIEGO-EAST JUNE 23

    East Couinty News Service June 3, 2025 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join businesses and food providers at the 16th Annual “Taste of San Diego East” on Monday, June 23 at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in Mission Valley. Guests can “taste, savor, and mingle” as you meet business vendors

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“ARTIVAL” DEBUTS IN DOWNTOWN EL CAJON JUNE 7

June 3, 2025 (El Cajon) — Artival– an art, wine and music festival–makes its debut in downtown El Cajon on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to celebrate art, culture and community. Organizers describe the new festival as “where art meets vibes: immerse yourself in creativity, community and craft.” Enjoy an art walk featuring works by talented local

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SYCUAN BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT COMING JUNE 4

East County News Service   June 2, 2025 (El Cajon) The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation is hosting its 34th annual Sycuan Cup Golf Tournament this Wednesday morning, June 4, at the Singing Hills Golf Club in El Cajon.   This year, the event aims to raise $100,000 for four deserving local nonprofit organizations: Elymash Yuuchaap – The Native Resource

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SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND FOUR LOCAL CITIES LISTED AS “SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS” AT RISK OF LOSING FEDERAL FUNDS

Update June 3, 2025 — Homeland Security has taken down its list of sanctuary jurisdictions amid controversy nationwide. By Miriam Raftery Image via Immigration and Customs Enforcement:  ICE stop in Florida May 30, 2025 (San Diego) –A list of over 500 “sanctuary jurisdictions” published by the Dept. of Homeland Security yesterday includes San Diego County and four local cities: Santee,

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TOPWATER GRILL IS NEW SANTEE LAKES CONCESSIONAIRE

  By Mike Allen May 30, 2025 (Santee) — After more than six months of being vacant, the concession stand at Santee Lake No. 4 will reopen June 14 under a new name and operator: Topwater Grill and Pacific Dining Group.  The San Mateo-based firm, which operates 28 locations in California, was selected by the board of directors of Padre

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40 MILITARY HOMES UNINHABITABLE AFTER MURPHY CANYON PLANE CRASH: NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY PROVIDES SUPPORT

Nonprofit immediately provided $77,000 in direct emergency assistance and continues to provide long-term support to 40 families displaced   East County News Service May 29, 2025 (San Diego) – Dozens of military families evacuated their homes when a private Cessna aircraft crashed into military housing in the Murphy Canyon area at 3:45 a.m. on May 22. The families had no

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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