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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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
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…
La Mesa City Council unanimously approves changes to sidewalk dining guidelines
“This is so critical to La Mesa and to our businesses.” – Councilmember Laura Lothian By Armando Rasing II Photo by Miriam Raftery: Outdoor dining…
Treat your sweetheart to Valentine’s chocolate and wine at San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa
East County News Service January 26, 2026 (La Mesa) – San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa invites you to enjoy an evening of wines paired with artisan gourmet chocolates by Swete Petite Confections on February 12 and 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Printer-friendly version
Immigration arrests quietly surge by 1,500% in San Diego: ‘I feel the temperature rising’
By Wendy Fry and Natasha Uzcategui-Liggett, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: members of Unión del Barrio gather by flashlight in the predawn hours before patrolling the Linda Vista neighborhood in San Diego on Jan. 13, 2026. The group by alerts residents to the presence of ICE agents in the community. Photo by John Gastaldo for
Immigration arrests quietly surge by 1,500% in San Diego: ‘I feel the temperature rising’
By Wendy Fry and Natasha Uzcategui-Liggett, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters . Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: members of Unión del…
Outrage over Minnesota killings of citizens by federal agents grows; NRA, politicians on left and right weigh in
By Miriam Raftery Screenshot from bystander’s video: Border Patrol agent takes aim at Alex Pretti, a VA nurse who was shot nine times at point-blank…
Thousands of San Diegans join marches to support Minneapolis
By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Hundreds marched on Sunday in an interfaith show…
Thousands of San Diegans join marches to support Minneapolis
By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Hundreds marched on Sunday in an interfaith show of support for people on the ground in Minneapolis and elsewhere. Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego January 26, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diegans joined marches all over the county on Sunday, offering a show of
A sweet and Grand (Avenue) time in Escondido with the Chocolate Festival
East County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Escondido) – Wrappers will crinkle and corks will pop next month along Grand Avenue in Escondido. The Escondido Chocolate Festival is set for Feb 7, turning the city’s historic downtown into a literal moveable feast for those with a sweet tooth, a penchant for chocolate pairings and an appreciation for local flair. Hosted by the Escondido
Fort Cross brings ‘Old Timey’ adventure to Julian region
East County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – A family farm in the Julian mountains is bringing back its popular guided tour that brings rustic adventure and recreation education to the outdoors. Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures will host its popular Farm Tour Adventure on Jan. 31, a high-energy, two-hour guided circuit at its farm, nestled in the scenic landscape of
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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