East County Magazine
New blockbuster set in Borrego already a big hit in San Diego County
By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo: Zach Pope, Youtube screenshot September 24, 2025 (San Diego) – It doesn’t arrive in theaters until Friday, but a new blockbuster movie generating Oscar buzz has already been a big financial hit for San Diego County. “One Battle After Another,” a new Warner Bros. movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del
Bonitafest melodrama “Here Comes the Sun” recalls ill-fated attempt to silence Southwestern’s student newspaper
Source: Bonitafest Photo: campus police officer threatens to arrest the newspaper faculty advisor for refusing to turn over students in the 48th annual Bonitafest Melodrama “Here Comes The Sun,” based on the true story of the 2010 South Bay Corruption Scandal story broken by Southwestern College journalism students. Pictured (l-r) Randy Phillips, Ella Aldridge, Dalia Candelario, Alec Zelaya, Kloie Blunt-Coleman, Sofia Petroulias
East County Eater: Happy Hour at Casa Gabriela features authentic Mexican cuisine, elevated
By Paul Levikow Photo, left: mural of talented chef Gabriela “Gaby” Lopez September 20, 2025 (La Mesa) – Casa Gabriela in the La Mesa Village has a first-rate, affordable Happy Hour that features unique, scrumptious food full of flavor, and a list of drink specials including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. The food is not just delicious, it’s presented well.
Newsom signs laws to resist Trump’s immigration crackdown; including ban on masks for ICE agents
By Cayla Mihalovich and Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. September 20, 2025 (Sacramento) – Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed a set of bills meant to check the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown in California, including a first-in-the nation measure to prohibit officers from wearing masks and others that limit their
Destination East County: October outings
East County News Service September 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — October brings Oktoberfest celebrations in La Mesa and El Cajon and Borrego Days in the desert, as well as an array of spooky events such as a haunted circus, haunted trails in county parks, a Day of the Dead celebration, Hauntfest on Main in El Cajon, a haunted
Top hat and tails is theme of La Mesa Chamber’s Salute to Local Heroes Oct. 8
September 19, 2025 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces its 15th annual Salute to Local Heroes, which will incorporate the theme “Top Hat & Tails” This night celebrates local heroes, recognizes the incoming Chamber Board of Directors, includes a silent auction, raffles and more. This event will be held on October 8 from 5:30 p.m. to
Adams Avenue Street Fair is this weekend
East County News Service Sept. 18, 2025 (San Diego) — The free two-day Adams Avenue Street Fair, considered San Diego’s favorite music festival, and attended by more than 50,000 people in Normal Heights, is happening this weekend, Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21. Presented by San Diego Foundation, the 43rd annual Adams Avenue Street Fair features 75 musical acts
HauntFest Headed to El Cajon in October
East County News Service Sept. 18, 2025 (El Cajon) — Spooky fun is coming to downtown El Cajon with the annual HauntFest in October. The community-centered event that typically draws more than 20,000 people, is set for 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17. The city says that the annual free Halloween block party is the largest in
Lemon Fest coming to St. John of the Cross this weekend
East County News Service Sept. 17, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — The annual St. John of the Cross Catholic Parish Fall Festival, the Lemon Fest, is coming to the church on Broadway this weekend. The community event, from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, will feature a car show and
Church hosts Compassion Experience Sept. 19-21 on global child poverty
East County News Service Photo: Compassion Experience participants step into the global mission field without leaving the country. September 17, 2025 (San Diego) — College Avenue Church in San Diego will host Compassion Experience, an immersive experience transporting visitors to vulnerable communities where Compassion International works on Sept. 19-21. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire compassion and action for children
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Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues
Rare Collection: the Etchings of Olaf Wieghorst on Display at the Wieghorst Museum
East County News Service Photo: “In Trouble” depicts a twisting bronc as it tries to throw its rider. It is the artist’s best known etching. September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon opens an exhibition of the Etchings of Olaf Wieghorst on Friday, September 12 and runs through October 10.
Author Tanya Harris hosts book signing Sept. 21 at Grossmont Center to benefit domestic violence survivors
East County News Service September 5, 2025 (La Mesa) — Local author, domestic violence survivor and advocate Tanya Harris will host a powerful community book signing and awareness event on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gazebo at Grossmont Center mall (5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa). The community-focused event is designed to raise
Steel Magnolias onstage at Julian Town Hall Oct. 17-26
East County News Service September 4, 2025 (Julian) — The East County Performing Arts Association invites you to experience the heart, humor, and resilience of Southern women in Steel Magnolias. The play will be performed in the Julian Town Hall the weekends of Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees
Cajon Cruise returns next week in El Cajon, hosted by Downtown Café
By Paul Levikow September 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – East County car enthusiasts have cause for celebration, after the El Cajon City Council on Tuesday approved a two-month extension of the Cajon Cruise on Main Street and Prescott Promenade, this time hosted by Downtown Café. The revived car show will rev up on Wednesday nights Sept. 10 through Oct. 22
Horses of Tir Na Nog Holds Fundraiser Sept. 20; Group also seeking support for moldy hay
Story and photo by Karen Pearlman Aug. 30, 2025 (Descanso) –Horses of Tir Na Nog, the nonprofit animal rescue group with a ranch and more than 100 animals, is having a fundraiser at Kings Inn in September. The group is also trying to cover the cost of hay that was compromised during a storm in late August. The fundraising
Jacumba Bathhouse Bazaar Coming Sept. 6
East County News Service Aug. 28, 2025 (Jacumba) — The next first Saturday will once again be an evening for visitors and locals to shop, eat, drink and soak in the high desert. The Jacumba Bathhouse is holding its next First Saturday bazaar from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 6 at 44450 Old Highway 80 at Jacumba Street. The
Hunger in San Diego: Closer Than You Think
By Casey Castillo, CEO, San Diego Food Bank August 26, 2025 (San Diego) – When people think of hunger, they often imagine faraway places or extreme poverty. But hunger is a very real issue right here in San Diego County. It’s in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces affecting families, seniors, military households, and children in every ZIP code. This September, during
Clothing Swap Coming to La Mesa Sept. 6
East County News Services Aug. 26, 2025 (La Mesa) — Local environmental-focused nonprofit I Love A Clean San Diego is hosting a clothing swap at the La Mesa Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 6. The event allows community members the opportunity to trade gently-used clothes, accessories and shoes for those donated by others for
Photo of the week: Santee Fire Department’s new brush rig
Photo and story by Patrick Ward August 24, 2025 (Santee) – The Santee Fire Department this week held a push-in ceremony with its new home-type 3 brush engine, a symbol of the department’s commitment to safety and efficiency. The brush rig is designed to handle any emergency with precision and speed. The cost of the apparatus was $627,000,
Reichert’s Restore San Diego newsletter spreads misleading claims about AB 495
By Jesse Kendrick Image: Restore San Diego founder Amy Reichert August 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – “State-sponsored kidnapping loophole” is the epithet lobbed at Assembly Bill 495 by local “Restore San Diego” newsletter. The bill, officially entitled AB 495: Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, outlines a series of revisions to existing laws surrounding parental rights and
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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