East County Magazine
Nature Day on Mt. Helix March 14: Butterflies, plants galore and more
East County News Service March 6, 2026 (Mt. Helix) – You’re invited to celebrate Nature Day at the Mt. Helix Park, where Earth Day is…
East County Chamber honors leaders, organizations at 114th annual soiree
Printer-friendly versionSycuan Casino Resort hosted the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce’s 114th annual East County Honors Awards Gala over the weekend. Photos and story by Karen Pearlman March 2, 2026 (El Cajon) — More than 400 business and nonprofit leaders, community advocates and public officials gathered at Sycuan Casino Resort last Saturday for the 114th Annual East County
San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce hosts 114th annual East County Honors Awards gala
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 27, 2026 (El Cajon) — On Saturday, February 28, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 114th anniversary of its annual East County Honors event at Sycuan Casino Resort at 5 p.m. Since 1912, the Chamber has held the tradition of swearing in the new Chamber Board of Directors and recognizing
Poway Symphony concert March 22 features Mendelssohn Classics
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (Poway) — The Poway Symphony Orchestra will perform a “Mendelssohn Classics” concert that starts at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 22, at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Poway Symphony Orchestra, a 65-member ensemble, will perform under the baton of Conductor and Music Director John LoPiccolo. Ensemble leadership said that the afternoon will showcase
The Bloodstones of Power: The Norwesis Chronicles, Book 3 by Alain Lescart
Reviewed by Pennell Paugh February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — Alain Lescart, a resident of San Diego, entered his latest fairy story in the San…
The Bloodstones of Power: The Norwesis Chronicles, Book 3 by Alain Lescart
Reviewed by Pennell Paugh February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — Alain Lescart, a resident of San Diego, entered his latest fairy story in the San…
Hot times! Lemon Grove Lions & Lemon Grove Forward Club host Chili Cookoff fundraiser March 28 for service projects
Source: Lemon Grove Lions February 24, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove Lions Club and Lemon Grove Forward Club, organizations devoted to volunteering and supporting…
Hot times! Lemon Grove Lions & Lemon Grove Forward Club host Chili Cookoff fundraiser March 28 for service projects
Source: Lemon Grove Lions February 24, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove Lions Club and Lemon Grove Forward Club, organizations devoted to volunteering and supporting…
Tacos, taxes and targeted relief — Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson hosting resource fair
East County News Service Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — As the April income tax filing deadline looms, State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-SD)…
Tacos, taxes and targeted relief — Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson hosting resource fair
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — As the April income tax filing deadline looms, State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-SD) will serve up a unique blend of financial relief and local flavor next month. Weber Pierson’s office on Saturday, March 14, is hosting “Tacos & Taxes” at the Jackie Robinson YMCA. The event offers
Galloping into the Year of the Fire Horse in East County
East County News Service Feb. 18, 2026 (San Diego County) — The thunder of hooves isn’t just coming from local farms and ranches this week;…
Galloping into the Year of the Fire Horse in East County
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 18, 2026 (San Diego County) — The thunder of hooves isn’t just coming from local farms and ranches this week; it’s the sound of the Year of the Fire Horse. Lunar New Year festivities — some of which will last all year long — are trotting through the region. The 2026 celebrations carry a
San Diego State, San Diego Humane Society team up to support furry friends
East County News Service Feb. 15, 2026 (San Diego) — While many people chomped on chocolates and bequeathed bouquets of red roses on Valentine’s Day,…
Hear our interview with Chris Pierce, Spring Valley Community Alliance President, on Feb. 19 Spring Valley Changemakers Summit and more community happenings
By Miriam Raftery February 14, 2026 (Spring Valley) – “The main goal is to connect people and build inspiration. We have a lot of talented…
Destination East County: Springtime festivals and events
By Karen Pearlman Feb. 13, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — As the chill of winter fades, seasonal events are blossoming across San Diego’s inland…
Treasure hunters wanted at Parkway Collectibles event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 12, 2026 (El Cajon) — Whether you are hunting for a rare holographic Pokémon Charizard or looking to add the latest vaulted Funko Pop to your shelf, Parkway Plaza is the place to be later this month. Parkway Collectibles, the monthly pop-up event hosted by The Coin Toss, is set to return from 11 a.m. to 7
Treasure hunters wanted at Parkway Collectibles event
East County News Service Feb. 12, 2026 (El Cajon) — Whether you are hunting for a rare holographic Pokémon Charizard or looking to add the…
La Mesa Lions, Lemon Grove Lions partner for fundraising dinner
East County News Service Feb. 11, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The sweet aroma of garlic and simmered marinara sauce will fill the air in Lemon…
California opens $2.5M in grants to reimagining State Parks through art and culture
East County News Service Feb. 10, 2026 (Sacramento) – Looking to literally bridge the gap between nature and the diverse communities of the state, California…
GUHSD Superintendent backs DA’s appeal against potential release of 2001 Santana shooter
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 10, 2026 (Santee) — Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kirsten Vital Brulte has sent a letter to District Attorney Summer Stephan expressing full support for her appeal of the San Diego Superior Court’s decision to grant a recall and resentencing hearing for Charles “Andy” Williams, the perpetrator of the 2001 Santana
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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.
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YEE-HA! RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR JULY 30-AUG. 2
Printer-friendly version July 30, 2009 (Ramona) — From watermelon-eating contests to waterfights, Ramona’s down-home country fair offers family fun and crowd-pleasing favorites including carnival rides, live music, food, livestock auctions, junior livestock exhibitions, many vendors and more. Ramona’s 39th annual country fair is more affordable than the Del Mar Fair, too. Ride tickets run $15 ($12 at select presale
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT–KROC CENTER AUG. 4
Printer-friendly version July 29, 2009 (San Diego)–Join Crime Stoppers, Target and the Salvation Army Kroc Center for the free National Night Out Against Crime. Meet your neighbors and enjoy giveaways, games, face painting, live entertainment, police K-9s, rockclimbing, balloon animals, community booths and more. This free community event will be held on Tuesday Aug. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at
DIVINE BOVINE: THE COW, THEN & NOW
Printer-friendly version ART SHOW AUG 18-30, ARTIST RECEPTION AUG. 22IN LA MESA July 29, 2009 (La Mesa) – Holy cow—a unique art show is coming to La Mesa! O’Dunn Fine Art has acquired some “udderly” delightful images of the cow by Danish impressionist Gunnar Bundgaard (view a complete 20th Century collection at www.odunnfineart.com.) Providing delicious contrast are post-modern renderings of the divine
EXPLORE 7 MILLION YEARS OF EVOLUTION AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO
Printer-friendly version Author of New Book on Anza-Borrego Desert’s Fossil Treasures Featured at Aug. 15 Event July 29, 2009 (San Diego)—Lowell Lindsay, co-author of Fossil Treasures of the Anza-Borrego Desert: The Last Seven Million Years, will be at the San Diego Zoo’s new Elephant Odyssey Exhibit on Saturday, August 15. He will be discussing, in a hands-on presentation, one of
PREMIER WESTERN , LANDSCAPE & PORTRAIT ARTIST JACK JORDAN HAS AUGUST SHOWING IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version July 28, 2009 (La Mesa)– Twenty oil paintings by El Cajon resident Jack Jordan are now on display through the end of August at the Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa. The artwork includes landscapes, western themes and portraits. Jordan is a premier oil painter whose work has appeared in
IT DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS
Printer-friendly version A review of Lemon Grove’s Concerts in the Park By Leon Thompson July 23, 2009 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove’s Berry Park was filled with the summer smell of barbecue, the music of children laughing and the vision of families having fun. The occasion was Lemon Gove City’s third “CONCERTS IN THE PARK” with the country
EL CAJON ARTIST WINS BEST OF SHOW AT ALLEY CAT SUMMER FESTIVAL
Printer-friendly version July 24, 2009 (El Cajon)–Gloria Chadwick, noted local artist and community art activist, received the Best in Show award at the Third Annual Alley Cat Juried Art Show produced by Friends of East County Arts, Inc. (photo (l to r): Bonnie Fredensborg, president of Friends of East County Arts, Inc., artist Gloria Chadwick, and El Cajon Councilwman Jillian
ET BY STARLIGHT: LA MESA OFFERS FREE MOVIE SHOWING JULY 31
Printer-friendly version July 22, 2009 (La Mesa)–The City of La Mesa is offering a free movie night under the stars on Friday July 31st. This family-oriented event will feature the movie “ET: The Extra-Terrestrial”, rated PG. "Come see if ET phones home," states a press released issued by La Mesa, which invites the public to bring family, spread out a blanket
A “VINE” TIME IN EL CAJON: CROWDS SAVORED CHAMBER’S WALKING WINE TASTING & ART TOUR
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 18, 2009 (El Cajon)—Over 200 people signed up for a “Taste of Wine & Art” event sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. Held in conjunction with the Alley Cat Summer Fest, the tour featured samplings of appetizers and desserts, beers, tequila, live music and artwork displays at venues throughout downtown. The
YOU’RE INVITED! HAVE A HOT TIME A HOOLEYS WITH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE
Printer-friendly version July 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–East County Magazine invites you to meet the press and join ius for an evening of food, fun and festivities. "Have a Hot Time at Hooleys with East County Magazine" will be held on Wednesday, August 12th from 6-9 p.m. at Hooleys Irish Pub and Grill in Grossmont Center, La Mesa. Reserve space now for the happening event of the summer. The
THE CAT’S MEOW: ALLEY CAT SUMMER FEST 2009 ON JULY 17 AND 18
Printer-friendly version5,000+ EXPECTED AT EL CAJON COMMUNITY CONSORTIUM July 15. 2009 (El Cajon)– On the prowl for some fun this weekend? El Cajon community art groups, museums, restaurants, and other downtown businesses are staging Alley Cat Summer Fest 2009, an event best described as the cat’s meow. Organizers predict 5,000 people at the two-day event on Friday, July 17, 4
SUMMER POPS! CONCERT SUNDAY JULY 19 IN ALLIED GARDENS
Printer-friendly version July 17, 2009 (Allied Gardens) — Navajo Events will host the 5th annual Summer Pops Concert on Sunday, July 19th at the Allied Gardens Community Park. The concert is free to attend and be enjoyed by people of all ages. The public is invited to pack a blanket, some snacks to munch on and join friends in the
PAINT THE TOWN: ARTISTS WANTED TO BEAUTIFY DOWNTOWN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version July 13, 2009 (El Cajon)–The El Cajon Community Development Corporation (El Cajon CDC) is looking for artists to turn unattractive utility boxes into works of art through the Utility Box Art Program (UArt). Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on July 30th. Painting of the utility boxes was begun several years ago by the former City of
NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE FRIDAY JULY 10 AT FREE “CONCERTS ON THE GREEN”
Printer-friendly version July 10, 2009 (El Cajon)–“Diamond Is Forever,” the popular Neil Diamond Tribute band, will perform tonight at El Cajon’s Concerts on the Green, the free weekly summer concert series featuring live music for all ages from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on the Prescott Promenade in Downtown El Cajon. Concerts on the Green has performances every Friday evening through
COOLEST PLACE IN TOWN: POOL FLICKS & HOT KROC NIGHTS
Printer-friendly version July 9, 2009 (San Diego) — Here’s some news the kids will "snap" up: Salvation Army Kroc Center announces its popular "Hot Kroc Nights" and "Pool Flicks" are back for the 2009 Summer Season. Hot Kroc Nights offer family specials for ice skating or swimming every Wednesday night through August 26. Pool Flicks, July 29 and August 19,
“MAGNIFICENT MILKY WAY” WITH ASTRONOMER DENNIS MAMMANA AT BORREGO SPRINGS AUG. 15
Printer-friendly version July 5, 2009 (Borrego Springs)–Few celestial sights are as stunning as an August desert sky. On Saturday, August 15, famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana offers an evening of galactic viewing along the Milky Way. Mammana invites guests to "witness some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere" from “the nearest of stars and glowing
PICNIC, FIREWORKS & STREET CLOSURES ANNOUNCED IN EL CAJON FOR 4TH
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (El Cajon)–A dazzling display of fireworks will light the skies over El Cajon this 4th of July thanks to a generous donation by Waste Management in partnership with the City of El Cajon. Patriotic festivities take place at Kennedy Park,1675 East Madison Avenue, across the street from Granite Hills High School. This daylong event starts
IT’S A BLAST: LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS SHOW & MUSIC FEST WILL GO ON
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (Lake Murray) – Thanks to last-minute donations from community members, Navajo Events announced today that ample funds have been raised to have tonight’s 4th of July fireworks show at Lake Murray, capping off an all-day Music Fest. Music kicks off at noon for the event, which is free. Here’s the entertainment lineup: 12:00-1:00pm
SOCK HOP, FONZIE LOOK-ALIKE CONTEST AT MAJOR’S DINER 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY IN PINE VALLEY JULY 11
Printer-friendly versionJuly 1, 2009 (Pine Valley) – Happy Days are here again — Major’s Diner is turning 50! To celebrate reaching the half-century mark, Pine Valley’s ‘50s style diner is hosting a sock hop, Fonzie look-alike contest, and showing off vintage ‘50s cars. In addition, prices will be rolled back to the 1959 menu—with 29 cent hamburgers and 10 cent
EAST COUNTY SKIES TO LIGHT UP ON 4th OF JULY: FIREWORKS SHOWS LISTED COUNTYWIDE
Printer-friendly versionJuly 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–No need to endure bumper-to-bumper traffic to watch fireworks at the beach areas. Instead, grab a blanket, beach chairs and your favorite refreshments, then head to one of the East County or North County inland areas listed below. (For those whose family festivities may lead you to venture west of I-15, we’ve also included all
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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
East County Magazine
Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa’s arrival at Parkway Plaza on November 21
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 11, 2025 (El Cajon) — Parkway Plaza will light up the night with its beloved Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Arrival to kick off the
Racing turkeys stampede at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 9, 2025 (Ramona) – This is not a turkey trot. The Wild West Turkey Stampede returns November 15, 28, 29 and 30 at the
BalletCenter Studios bringing a twist on a holiday classic
Printer-friendly version“Clara & the Nutcracker Soldier” Comes to the Joan B. Kroc Theatre East County News Service Nov. 8, 2025 (San Diego) — A fresh take on the
Christmas with the wild animals at Lions Tigers & Bears
Printer-friendly versionEast 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
Marinelli Brothers Circus brings big top shows to El Cajon Nov. 12 – Dec. 5
Printer-friendly version 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
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues