East County Magazine
Christmas with the wild animals at Lions Tigers & Bears
East County News Service Nov. 18, 2025 (Alpine) — Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego County’s lone accredited animal sanctuary is getting ready for the winter holidays. The nonprofit organization is holding Christmas with the Animals Fundraiser in December at its 142-acre site in Alpine. The event will include gift-giving, holiday lights and music, and will support ongoing
Marinelli Brothers Circus brings big top shows to El Cajon Nov. 12 – Dec. 5
East County News Service November 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A brand new circus is coming to San Diego’s East County. The Marinelli Brothers Circus brings its brand-new production titled “A New Experience”, bringing its signature mix of magic, heart-pounding excitement, and family fun to Parkway Plaza November 12 – December 5. An entertaining outing for families, the Marinelli
La Mesa Tree Lighting Ceremony Coming Nov. 7
East County News Service Nov. 4, 2025 (La Mesa) — La Mesa City Council member Laura Lothian and The Cohn Restaurant Group are partnering to transform a tree at a local downtown La Mesa restaurant into a Christmas tree with a special star on top. Casa Gabriela will be the site of the towering 80-foot tall Christmas tree,
Lemon Grove Forward Club announces annual Sock Drive for November
Source: Lemon Grove Forward Club November 4, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Forward Club is kicking off its annual sock drive, “Socktober,” a tradition that has made a positive impact on the lives of the unhoused in Lemon Grove. The club is asking for new sock donations to help local non-profits provide warmth and comfort during the cold winter months. The
Thousands of San Diegans receive emergency food assistance at Snapdragon Stadium amid federal shutdown
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank partners with the State of California, City of San Diego, and San Diego State University to provide relief for CalFresh recipients impacted by the federal benefit pause. East County News Service November 3, 2025 (San Diego) — In a powerful show of community partnership and coordination, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego
San Diego-based International Relief Teams responds to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica
East County News Service Photo via Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on X November 3, 2025 (San Diego) — International Relief Teams (IRT) in San Diego is actively responding to the widespread devastation in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa. Entire communities have been left without safe shelter, access to clean water, food, or basic medicines. A press release from the
Save a life, honor a Legend at Bill Walton Memorial Blood Drive on Nov. 5
Last year’s inaugural Bill Walton Memorial Blood Drive hosted by the San Diego Blood Bank was in Mission Valley. This year’s Nov. 5 drive will be at Grossmont Center, in Walton’s hometown. Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Oct. 30, 2025 (La Mesa) — The San Diego Blood Bank is calling on the community to roll
Pala Band of Mission Indians invites community to honor local heroes at Veterans Day celebration
Source: Pala Band of Mission Indians October 29, 2025 (Pala) – The Pala Band of Mission Indians and Pala Veterans Program will honor the service and sacrifice of local veterans with a Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The event will start at 9:00 a.m. with the Presentation of Colors and remarks from guest speakers, followed by a community
Little Black Dress event at Goodwill starts in November
East County News Service Oct. 25, 2025 (San Diego County) — Goodwill Industries of San Diego County‘s Little Black Dress event featuring a custom gown by top designer Evan Hirsch is set to begin in November. Goodwill San Diego’s Little Black Dress (LBD) event is when stores in the region will showcase a wide selection of LBDs, shoes
Seven women honored at East County Chamber WILL event
East County News Service Oct. 23, 2025 (East County) — The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce awarded a group of top females from around the county last Friday at its 23rd annual Women in Leadership event. The Women in Leadership Luncheon, with more than 450 attendees at Sycuan Casino, honored seven women who excel professionally and as
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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
Prost! Oktoberfest events across East County
East County News Service October 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Ready to savor German beers and foods, kick up your heels to traditional German music as well as contemporary bands, enjoy games, carnival rides and vie for prizes? All of these opportunities and more can be found at Oktoberfest celebrations across East County include large festivals in La
Got extra fruit in La Mesa? Donate it!
East County News Service October 3, 2025 (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa is partnering with ProduceGood to pick La Mesa residents’ trees, donate the fruit to a local food pantry, and send a receipt for the donation. No property is too small – even one tree makes a big difference. Don’t have trees but still want to
Wild Night Out: Camp alongside rescued big cats at Lions Tigers & Bears’ spooky campover
East County News Service Oct. 3, 2025 (Alpine) — For a unique, once-a-year experience, Lions Tigers & Bears sanctuary in San Diego County is inviting the public to its annual Spooky Campover event on Friday, Oct. 24. The overnight campout offers the rare chance to sleep under the stars — surrounded by the sounds of rescued big cats and
Photo of the week: Egret at Lake Morena amid dead plants and green water
East County News Service October 3, 2025 (Lake Morena) — Karen Pearlman snapped this photo of snowy white egret searching for fish at Lake Morena, casting a reflection in the deep green waters. The visit raises a curious question: Why are all the plants in the water at Lake Morena dead? It isn’t drought, since plants further up the shoreline
The Garden Goes Batty Oct. 18
East County News Service October 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — Miss Smarty-Plants will bring a “batty” show to the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy trick-or-treat stations, the youth rock band Epidural, and partner booths. Cost is $15 for members, $18 for nonmembers, or $20
Borrego Days Desert Festival October 18-19
East County News Service October 3, 2025 (Borrego Springs, CA) — Borrego Springs hosts its annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on October 18 and 19. Saturday features a morning flyover and parade, as well as the “Shine and Show” vehicle show. There’s also a beer garden, kids’ zone, food stations, and booths featuring everything from art to information. Plus you can
Pack the Pantry virtual food drive launches to help local college students facing food insecurity
Source: Cal Coast Credit Union October 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Imagine being a college student, striving for a better future, yet unsure where your next meal will come from. Research shows this is the heartbreaking reality for nearly half of our local college students who face food insecurity every day. Without reliable access to food, many are forced to
Labor Council hosts protest today over ICE raids, shutdown impacts and “escalating attacks on the working class”
East County News Service October 2, 2025 (San Diego) – With the Trump administration shutting down the federal government and thus critical services for the working class, the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO will host its weekly “ICE Out of San Diego” rally—this time, bringing together workers, immigrants, and allies to condemn the Trump administration’s escalating attacks
Harvest Fest returns to Julian Farm and Orchard: celebrate fall in the mountains each weekend in October
East County News Service Photo courtesy of Julian Farm and Orchard October 1, 2025 (Julian) – The crisp air of fall and the golden glow of pumpkins signal the return of Harvest Fest at Julian Farm and Orchard, open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 26, 2025. Families, friends, and
Dream weaver: Beryl Warnes at Julian Weaving Works keeps traditions alive
By Heidi Hope October 1, 2025 (Julian) – For anyone interested in exploring the historic aspect of weaving on a loom, or buying hand-woven products, you won’t want to miss Julian Weaving Works in Santa Ysabel. Julian Weaving Works is a weaving academy and store created and run by Beryl Warnes. She has been in this weaving business for 30
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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