East County Magazine
California’s Zone Zero defensible space law is now in effect for new home construction; existing homes must comply by February 2027
By Paul Levikow April 3, 2026 (San Diego County) – New structures being built in Very High Fire Severity Zones in California must now comply…
Rally against city of San Diego Measure A on April 1
East County News Service March 31, 2026 (San Diego) — Leaders from across San Diego County will gather at San Diego City Hall tomorrow (April…
La Mesa City Council grapples with housing and parking concerns
Councilmember Laura Lothian criticizing city tactics on parking issues By Alexander J. Schorr March 29, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City council met…
Early ending to voucher program puts hundreds of San Diegans at risk of homelessness
By Drew Sitton, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Housing officials are struggling to meet the needs…
Early ending to voucher program puts hundreds of San Diegans at risk of homelessness
By Drew Sitton, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Housing officials are struggling to meet the needs of hundreds of at-risk households that are set to lose federal voucher assistance. Photo courtesy of San Diego Housing Cnmmission February 14, 2026 (San Diego) – By every metric, Katrina Lewis’ life is better than a
Lemon Grove City Council approves emergency ordinance to assist evicted tenants
“Every day we sit on our hands and pretend like there’s nothing we can do, is one day that one more person joins our homeless…
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,…
The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026
Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026. The schedule includes educational opportunities, community connection
Santee approves contract to build $26.8 million community center and gives ok for new condos
By Mike Allen Image: rendering of new community center December 15, 2025 (Santee) — Santee’s City Council has unanimously approved a contract to build its long-planned Community Center next to the Cameron YMCA for a total cost of $26.8 million, or $3.3 million more than the city staff’s estimate given in April. At the Dec. 10 meeting, the City
The stress of apartment searching in San Diego: monthly rents and cost of living exceed national average, while scammers target renters
By Heidi Hope December 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Hunting for an affordable apartment in San Diego County is a recipe for aggravating stress. Rents and living expenses in the city of San Diego are among the highest in the nation. East County communities are also too expensive for a single person working a low-wage part-time job to afford. Scam
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East County Arts Organizations
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HOT KITCHEN TRENDS ON DISPLAY AT ASID KITCHEN TOUR
By Miriam Raftery and Mayan Avitable November 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – What are the hot styles, materials and design trends in kitchens today? ECM spoke with Lynn Wyndham Morris, communications director for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) San Diego Chapter and owner of a Touch of Tradition Home & Garden Shoppe in the Miramar
FITDESK PEDAL DESK TURNS SEDENTARY COMPUTER WORK INTO A HEALTHY EXERCISE OPTION
November 11, 2011 — (Nashville, Tennessee) – FitDesk is a unique product that combines two seemingly polar opposite activities – exercise & computer work – into one productive and efficient activity. The FitDesk Pedal Desk is an innovative product that allows a person to exercise comfortably on a stationary bike while using a laptop computer or playing a video game.
SUSTAINABLE HOMES TOUR NOV. 5 SHOWCASES CREATIVE LIVING—FROM A STRAW BALE HOME TO AN AIRPLANE HANGER
November 4, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — Lakeside River Park Conservancy will host a Sustainable Homes Tour on Saturday, November 5. The tour includes about 10 sites on tour, including many in East County. These homes have a variety of sustainable applications from the construction of the homes, products, landscape and conservation. The variation from new build
ASK THE DESIGNER LANDSCAPE CONSULTATIONS DURING FALL HOME AND GARDEN FESTIVAL NOV. 5
November 4, 2011 (El Cajon) — The Water Conservation Garden is offering a 20 minute landscape design consultation at the Fall Garden & Home Festival. A professional designer who focuses on drought tolerant landscapes will meet with you. After the meeting, you’ll leave with design ideas, and a list of plants. Bring photos of your house and the area
SIXTH ANNUAL LA MESA HISTORIC HOMES TOUR NOV. 5
November 1, 2011 (La Mesa) – Take a step back in time on the La Mesa Historic Homes Tour on Saturday, November 5. Sponsored by the La Mesa Historical Society, this year’s tour features five historic houses by noted local architects, some of whom went on to even greater architectural fame. The houses include two mid-century moderns, an original Cliff
AT HOME IN DEERHORN VALLEY: AN ARTIST’S STRAW BALE STUDIO RISES FROM THE ASHES, DOUBLING AS COMMUNITY CENTER
"At Home” is a new series highlighting creative homes and lifestyles in San Diego East County communities. By Miriam Raftery “Straw bale building is like a barn raising—a wonderful, friendly activity that reaches out and brings people together.” – Kim Hamilton October 30, 2011 (Deerhorn Valley) – Four years after the Harris Fire
SUSTAINING THE GOOD LIFE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—THE ART OF CONSERVATION
Fall Garden and Home Festival abounds with conservation ideas, gardening tips, art and family fun October 24, 2011 (Rancho San Diego, CA)–The Fall Garden and Home Festival, hosted by The Water Conservation Garden and Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy will take place on Saturday, November 5, 9am-4pm on the campus of Cuyamaca College. The multi-faceted event takes conservation and sustainable
SEVEN EAST COUNTY KITCHENS ON THE ASID KITCHEN TOUR ON OCT. 22
October 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)–The American Society of Interior Designers’ self-guided Kitchen Tour, set for Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will showcase 14 beautifully remodeled kitchens in San Diego County — including several in East County and San Diego’s inland regions. designed by some of the region’s own design stars. “This is an
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST TO EAST COUNTY: ARCHITECT CRAFTS HOMES THAT ARE ENERGY-SAVING AND BEAUTIFUL
By Rachel Ford July 28, 2010 (San Diego) — Green architecture is hot right now. For San Diego architect Simi Razavian, who developed techniques in her Middle Eastern homeland, it’s also a way of life. Designing homes that utilize energy saving construction and passive solar design is a simple solution to save
WATER-WISE PLANTS FOR THE SOUTHWEST: A WISE ADDITION FOR YOUR BOOKSHELF
Review by Miriam Raftery July 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Thirsty for ideas to use less water yet still have attractive landscaping? Water-Wise Plants for the Southwest (Cool Springs Press, 2010) offers a wealth of practical solutions ideal for homeowners in San Diego County, where drought, cutbacks in water supplies and rising water rates
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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