East County Magazine
Stylish fundraising
The fashion show enriches lives of disabled students from St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center By Heidi Hope Photos by Heidi Hope and Miriam Raftery August 7, 2025 (San Diego) – Haute with Heart, a fashion show themed “London Calling,” evoked English fancy style while supporting students with disabilities and pivotal programs at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, an El
Destination East County: Memorable September events
By Miriam Raftery August 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As summer transitions into fall, September brings seasonal events such as an Autumn Jubilee, Sycuan’s Powwow, the Alley Cat Art Walk in El Cajon, Grape Stomp Festa and Apple Time Tea in Julian, Oktoberfest in El Cajon, a 911 Memorial walk in Lakeside, a roaring ’20s fashion show
Never Forget: 9/11 memorial walk in Lakeside
East County News Service August 17, 2025 (Lakeside) – The Maine Avenue Revitalization Association in Lakeside will hold its sixth annual “Never Forget” memorial walk to commemorate the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The walk will be held on September 11, 2025 starting at 6:15. Participants are asked to meet at 6 p.m. at Mary’s Donuts, 10101 Main Ave. A
Our guide to the Ramona Wine Region
By Miriam Raftery Overview Nestled in the foothills of San Diego’s East County, The Ramona region is nationally recognized as an American Viticultural Region (AVA). You can savor wines at over 40 tasting rooms. Ramona is also home to a historic downtown district with shopping, galleries and restaurants, a western museum, a camel dairy, a paint ball range, colorful
Mount Laguna Living History brings past alive August 30-31
East County News Service August 16, 2025 (Mt. Laguna) – Enjoy a free tour to learn about indigenous people and settlers who have lived in the area at the Mount Laguna Living History event on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. Meet at the Red-Tailed Roost Activity Center, located at mile marker 22.5 on Sunrise Highway in Cleveland National
‘Bring home the bacon’ for rescued pigs
Story and photo by Karen Pearlman Aug. 15, 2025 (Guatay) – Horses of Tir Na Nog is going hog wild with its latest event. The nonprofit equine rescue group, which also rescues other animals, is hosting a fundraiser, “Wine for Swine,” to support its pig rescue efforts. The Aug. 23 event (for those 21 and older) will
Migrant children sites in El Cajon and Lemon Grove shut down: Trump admin. drops lawsuit that accused operator of sexual abuse
Actions raise concerns over children’s wellbeing; their locations are undisclosed By Karen Pearlman Miriam Raftery contributed to this story; photos by East County Magazine staff Updated Aug. 15 with responses from federal officials Aug. 14, 2025 (El Cajon) – Nonprofit Southwest Key Programs Inc. (photo, left) is no longer operating its site in El Cajon that
Protestors demand El Cajon repeal ICE cooperation amidst recall effort against city councilmember
By Paul Levikow August 13, 2025 (El Cajon) – Dozens of East County residents filled El Cajon City Council chambers Tuesday, demanding the City repeal a resolution allowing police to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The effort was organized by Latinos en Accion and Activist San Diego to urge speakers to address the Council during public comments.
Momentum Tutoring hosts Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes Aug. 16
East County News Service August 12, 2025 (Santee) – Momentum Tutoring (www.momentumtutoring.org) invites the community to the Santee Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes, a dynamic one-day marketplace where young entrepreneurs will showcase their creativity, hustle, and heart. The event takes place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Lake #2, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.
ICE stops: exercise your rights with knowledge
By Alexander J. Schorr August 4, 2025 (San Diego) — In an age when it is uncertain who is a lawful agent of the US government and who is a vigilante, it is important to remember to stay safe and stay informed. Some immigration agents are wearing masks, but there have also been instances of people abducted by individuals falsely
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Reader’s Editorial: What I saw and heard in the ICE detention facility in California City
By Senator Alex Padilla February 6, 2026 (San Diego) — People are dying in ICE custody. Medical care is routinely denied. Individuals held for weeks…
Photo of the Week: Here’s the buzz!
East County News Service February 7, 2026 (La Mesa) — Kristin Kjaero snapped this photo of a honeybee pollinating flowers in her succulent garden in…
La Mesa hosting Home Energy Fair in March
East County News Service February 5, 2026 (La Mesa) — With San Diego County residents navigating some of the highest utility rates in the nation,…
Trump administration’s new version of food pyramid draws criticism from health experts on fats and alcohol, praise for advice to “eat real foods” and avoid processed products
By G. A. McNeeley February 6, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Health and Human Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month announced new dietary guidelines for Americans that are focused on promoting whole foods, proteins and healthy fats, according to NPR. Health and nutrition experts have praised portions of the new guidelines, but sharply criticized other changes as lacking a scientific basis.
Calif. Attorney General asks for help to identify “unlawful” activity of ICE and Border Patrol
East County News Service Photo: ICE and CBP agents shoot non-lethal weapons at protesters in Minneapolis; by Chad Davis cc by 4.0 February 4, 2026 (Sacramento) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has set up a website for the public to submit reports, photos and/or videos as evidence of potentially unlawful activity in California by federal agents or personnel. This includes officers
County Supervisors to decide on amplified music for boutique wineries
Photo by Miriam Raftery By Karen Pearlman Feb. 4, 2026 (San Diego County) – For the winemakers of East County, the sound of progress has long been a quiet one. Under current San Diego County laws, the region’s smallest “boutique” wineries — the family-run operations that make up an important part of the local agriculture scene — have been silenced
Jamul Casino continues to support Black-led organizations
East County News Service Feb. 4, 2026 (Jamul) — Jamul Casino Resort announced this week that its total contributions to organizations supporting the Black community…
First-Ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit Feb. 19 set to connect community and inspire action
Source: Spring Valley Community Alliance February 2, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Alliance and Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce along with SEEDS partners invite residents and community members to the first-ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit, a free community gathering designed to connect neighbors with local organizations and nonprofit partners, offering opportunities to learn about local projects, share ideas,
First-Ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit Feb. 19 set to connect community and inspire action
Source: Spring Valley Community Alliance February 2, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Alliance and Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce along with SEEDS…
Get RAMped up and ready for a new radio station out of Borrego Springs
Graphic courtesy Ram Media Foundation By Karen Pearlman Feb. 1, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – K-RAM 90.5 FM is hitting the airwaves this week. After years of radio static, the new station out of Borrego Springs will start broadcasting to the greater San Diego County desert community starting Wednesday, Feb. 11. Its license was granted March 19, 2025. Gabriel Wisdom, a
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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