East County Magazine
JAZZ 88.3 TO LAUNCH “THE SPEAKEASY” JAZZ PROGRAM ONLINE
Printer-friendly version By Bill Pogue March 10, 2010 (Mt. Helix) — Snap your fingers, toss your head, and toe-tap to the rhythms of all kinds of jazz on KSDS 88.3 FM, a San Diego jewel. Mark DeBoskey, station manager and a Mt. Helix resident, has helped to make Jazz 88.3 one of the world’s premier jazz stations. Now the radio
CUYAMACA COLLEGE INSTRUCTOR 1 OF 4 IN STATE TO WIN COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ HIGHEST TEACHING AWARD
Printer-friendly version Music Professor Pat Setzer to receive Hayward Award for Excellence in Education EL CAJON – Cuyamaca College music instructor Pat Setzer, a key player in the planning and construction of a performing arts complex inside the campus’ sprawling $45 million communication arts center, is one of four community college faculty members statewide to win the 2010 Hayward
RIVER PARK FOUNDATION HOLDS “SAVE THE SOURCE” PROJECTS MARCH 13
Printer-friendly version March 10, 2010 (Lakeside) –On March 13th, the San Diego River Park Foundation and its partners will team up for a new event to raise awareness about the San Diego River. More than 100 volunteers will participate in five special projects in Lakeside, Ramona, and Julian areas. The public is invited to participate in the events, which include
RAMONA MUSIC FEST MARCH 20
Printer-friendly version March 8, 2010 (Ramona) — The Ramona Music Fest benefit concert is March 20, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Dos Picos Park, 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd. in Ramona. The third annual event hosted by Ramona Kiwanis and Ramona Rotary clubs will feature two stages and wandering musicians. A variety of music is promised, from mellow
PUBLIC HEARING ON PERFORMING ARTS THEATER MARCH 9
Printer-friendly version March 6, 2010 (El Cajon) – A public hearing on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) will be held on March 9 at 1:30 p.m. at El Cajon Council Chambers, 200 East Main Street. The City has proposed to close the theater for up to two years due to remodeling. CitizensOversight.org, a watchdog
SHOW GOES ON: CIRCUS VARGAS NOW PLAYING IN EL CAJON THROUGH MARCH 8
Printer-friendly version Performances also slated in Vista and Mira Mesa March 3, 2010 (El Cajon) – Children and the young at heart savored thrills and chills at Circus Vargas, now showing in a big top tent pitched in the parking lot at Parkway Plaza. Prior to the main show, the ringmaster invited all kids into the center ring for
SIMONE AABERG KÆRN: SEIZE THE SKY
Printer-friendly version SDSU Exhibition inspires us to rise above By Kristin Kjaero March 4, 2010 (San Diego) – Who hasn’t dreamed of flying? Seize the Sky explores this archetypal image in women’s lives across cultures and generations, to rise above circumstance and make their own destiny in the metaphorical and literal freedom of the sky. Simone
SDSU WOMEN’S STUDIES DEPT. PLANS YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION
Printer-friendly version 1970-2010: Forty Years of Community Activism, Scholarly Excellence and International Programming March 4, 2010 (San Diego) – March is women’s history month. However, the women’s studies department at San Diego State University plans a year-long celebration to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Upcoming events include: SPRING • “Documentary Filmmaking: The Shape of Water”
EXPERIENCE LIFE ON THE 1860s FRONTIER AT VALLECITO DAYS MARCH 5-7
Printer-friendly version March 3, 2010 (Vallecito) – Vallecito Stage Station once served as a rest stop for weary travelers along the Southern Overland Trail on the Butterfield Stage Coach. On March 5, 6 and 7, history will come alive as the 1850s camp in the Anza-Borrego desert welcomes visitors to tour the original adobe Vallecito Stage Station and participate
MUSICAL “I LOVE YOU BECAUSE” OPENS AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly version March 2, 2010 (El Cajon ) – The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department presents “I Love You Because,“ a romantic musical comedy. The production will be presented March 11-13 and March 17-20 at 7:30 p.m., as well as 2 p.m. matinees on March 13 and 20 in the Stagehouse Theatre. Critics hail it as “a charming piece
CERAMIC WORKS EXHIBITION OPENS AT GROSSMONT’S HYDE ART GALLERY MARCH 15-APRIL 22
Printer-friendly version March 2, 2010 (El Cajon)– Grossmont College Hyde Art Gallery will present “Ceramic Works,” a free exhibit of ceramic artwork by Patsy Cox and Eric Rempe, on display from March 15 to April 22. The exhibit is open to the public. Cox’s work consists of thousands of small objects combined to form one large installation, featuring a blend
KING ARTHUR’S QUEST BRINGS NEW MUSICAL MAGIC TO POWAY PERFORMING ARTS MARCH 6
Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 (Poway) — The nation’s pre-eminent participatory children’s theater company returns to the Poway Center for their eleventh season. Missoula Children’s Theatre will cast local children in a magical new musical. More than 50 local students will participate in a one-week theater camp that takes them from auditions to rehearsals to two full-scale productions of King
MUSIC TO THEIR EARS: BANDS, CROWDS TURN OUT FOR VALLEY MUSIC EVENT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery February 23, 2010 (El Cajon) – A standing-room-only crowd turned out to savor music from seven different bands at Valley Music’s grand reopening on Saturday. “This has been the best way to get people to find us,” co-owner Andrea Long said, noting that providing entertainment has been a successful way to
IT’S A CIRCUS! BIGTOP BRINGS ITS MAGIC TO EAST COUNTY & SD IN FEB. & MARCH
Printer-friendly version February 23, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Circus Vargas opens this week at Westfield Parkway Plaza in El Cajon, with additional shows in National City, Vista, and Mira Mesa. This year’s theme of an enchanted forest features “magical creatures, mystical fairies, pixies, sprites, butterflies and more”—along with crowd-pleasing favorites such as an aerial bungee ballet, acrobats,
O’DUNN FINE ART EXPANDS OFFERINGS IN NEW LA MESA LOCATION
Printer-friendly version February 20, 2010 (La Mesa) – Leaders in the arts and business communities gathered Thursday for the grand re-opening of O’Dunn Fine Art, which moved into an expansive new space across the street from its original location in La Mesa’s downtown village. “I have about 60 artists represented and 120 paintings,” said gallery owner Shannon O’Dunn. The
7 BANDS PERFORM TODAY AT VALLEY MUSIC RELOCATION CELEBRATION IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version February 20, 2010 – Valley Music invites the public to its relocation celebration today at the store’s new location at 1611 North Magnolia Ave., Suite 310, in El Cajon’s Gateway Magnolia Plaza, from 12:30-5:45 today. Schedule of events: 12:30-1:00 Billy Leonard 1:15-1:45 Cain Street 2:00-2:30 The Winchester Friendly 2:45-3:15 Keeper 3:30-4:00 Kilgore
STORYTELLING & OTHER EVENTS CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Printer-friendly version February 19, 2010 (San Diego) – Storytelling, the passing down of tales from generation to generation, has kept cultural heritage alive through the ages. In celebration of Black History Month, several black storytellers will give performances this weekend in San Diego and Spring Valley. In addition, Southwestern College hosts a Black History Cultural Day and the Malcolm
O’DUNN FINE ART CELEBRATES GRAND RE-OPENING TODAY AT 5:30
Printer-friendly version February 18, 2010 (La Mesa)–The public is invited to a reception and grand-reopening of O’Dunn Fine Art from 5:30 to 7:30 today. The gallery has moved to a newer, larger location at 8325 La Mesa Boulevard, across the street from its original space in La Mesa’s downtown village. For more information on the gallery and artists with works
DOLLAR-WISE DIVAS: UNCLE SAM WANTS TO GIVE YOU MONEY TO BUY A HOME
Printer-friendly version “Kiss Your Landlord Goodbye” – free seminars Feb. 27 in La Mesa, March 1 in El Cajon Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle! By Nancy and Dawn Clement February 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — Uncle Sam wants to give you
SIMPLY STEINBECK: PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT FEB, 12-MARCH 17, SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version February 11, 2010 (Spring Valley) — From his quiet beginnings in the small farming town of Salinas, California, John Steinbeck went on to live a larger-than-life existence. Steinbeck achieved worldwide recognition for his keen observations and powerful descriptions of the human condition. He championed the forgotten and disenfranchised while affirming the strength of the human spirit. Steinbeck drew
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La Mesa Multicultural Festival Videos
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FORMS IN METAL EXHIBITION OPENS IN HYDE ART GALLERY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 14, 2008 (El Cajon) — To mark the 1st anniversary of the opening of its new, state-of-the-art Sculpture facility, the Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College will host Forms in Metal , a group exhibition of contemporary metalwork from January 26-February 26; An opening event is scheduled for February 10th from 7-9 p.m. The exhibition will feature the
INAUGURATION CELEBRATION AND COMMUNITY BALL– PUBLIC WELCOME
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Miriam Raftery San Diego (January 12, 2009) — Malcolm X Library will host an all day Community Inaugural Celebration to mark the momentous occasion of the Inaugural of President-Elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday, January 20th. The Library envisions San Diego residents from all walks of life attending
FESTIVAL OF THE MONTH — MULTI-CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN LA MESA CELEBRATES OUR REGION’S DIVERSE HERITAGE
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 8, 2008 (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa’s 13th annual Multicultural Festival on January 18th aspires to be an afternoon of civic pride and festivities for the family in a celebration honoring our community’s rich diversity of cultures and international traditions. The ceremony, held on Martin Luther King Day weekend, also honors the slain civil rights
SAN DIEGO YOUNG ARTISTS SYMPHONY POPS CONCERT: MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 5, 2008 (San Diego) —The San Diego Young Artists Symphony (YAS), conducted by Mary Gerard and Hernan Constantino, performs at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre (6611 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92115) on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. The concert will feature movie music from the Phantom of the Opera, Amadeus, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry
OUR GUIDE TO EAST COUNTY’S HOTTEST NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES
Printer-friendly versionDecember 28, 2008 — Looking to party hearty on December 31st? Here are our picks for the best places to ring in the New Year east of I-15. From a Chinese dragon parade to a cozy mountain inn, from an alcohol-free celebration to a lavish multi-band bash, you’ll find it all in East County and San Diego’s eastern region.
HOLIDAY TEA TRADITION BREAKS NEW GROUND FOR FRIENDS OF EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 11, 2008 (El Cajon) — This year’s holiday tea, sponsored by Friends of East County Arts, Inc. served up something new along with the traditional tea, scones and finger sandwiches. “This is the first year that men have been invited,” said Howard Bagley, director of St. Clair Gallery and a strong supporter of the organization.
KRUGER BROTHERS CONCERT IS BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
Printer-friendly version By Jackie Hanson Photos by Gian Vaitl December 10, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — If you’ve heard of the Kruger Brothers, then you’ve likely heard the superlatives used to describe their music: sublime, inspiring, sheer genius… (the list goes on). If you’ve been fortunate enough to actually hear the Kruger Brothers live, you’ll realize that words pale
KWANZAA CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly versionDecember 6, 2008 (San Diego) — A series of events commemorating Kwanzaa have been announced, including several in San Diego’s eastern region. The 18th annual Pan-African Associations of America Umoja Day program will take place December 26th at the Malcolm X Library located at 5148 Market Street in San Diego. This a day long event and includes an adult
Armchair Impressionists Exhibition December 1- 31, 2008
Printer-friendly versionBy Tammy Lawhead December 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — The Armchair Impressionists, including Jeffrey Graham, Rustin Holec, David Lawhead, Karen Marsh, and William Marsh, will feature their paintings December 1 – 31, 2008 at the Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego; El Cajon, CA. Please join them at the Artist’s Reception, December 7th from 2 –
Christmas in the Village
Printer-friendly versionQuintessential hometown fun By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero La Mesa (December 1, 2008) — Santa Claus is coming to town! On December 12-13, the La Mesa Village will magically transform with Christmas lights, sparkling window displays and open fire pits. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, puppet shows, four stages showcasing homegrown talent, and ride ponies, carriage, and fire truck. ENTERTAINMENT
KRUGER BROTHERS TO PERFORM CONCERT & HOST WORKSHOP AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE DEC. 5
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 2008 (El Cajon) — Kruger Brothers will perform an exclusive concert at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon on Friday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. Winner of the National Endowment for the Arts Artistic Excellence Award for their “Music from the Spring: A Romantic Serenade for Banjo, Guitar, Bass & Orchestra”, the Kruger Brothers’ music combines
HOTEL CASSIOPEIA
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Kathy Carpenter Now showing at the Don Powell Theatre at the San Diego State University campus, through December 7, 2008. Sundays 2:00 p.m. all other days 8:00 p.m. For ticket information call 619-594-6884 or check online at www.theatre.sdsu.edu. Charles L Mee’s Hotel Cassiopeia follows the American collage artist Joseph Cornell. Cornell’s dreamlike abstract art is the theme
COOL! OUTDOOR ICE RINK OPENS AT VIEJAS OUTLET CENTER: ICE SHOW, TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY NOV. 22
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 17, 2008 (Alpine) — Looking for the coolest place in East County? The largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California is now open for the holiday season at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine. Skating costs $12 for 90 minutes, including skates. (Watch skating live via the Viejas webcam) An ice show extravaganza will be held
MOTHER OF ALL FESTIVALS – A STAR-STUDDED MOTHER GOOSE PARADE!
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 17, 2008 (El Cajon) — The mother of all East County festivals takes place this Sunday, November 23rd. The Mother Goose Parade in downtown El Cajon is the largest parade in San Diego County and the biggest parade of its kind west of the Mississippi. This year, parade organizers have assembled a dazzling array of
HOPE BEGINS IN THE DARK
Printer-friendly versionBook Review by Dennis Moore Jamie Reno, an award-winning journalist and an 11-year survivor of stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has written a book about the resilience of the human spirit. Hope Begins in the Dark chronicles the lives of 50 lymphoma survivors, revealing their exclusive stories. The book speaks of the frailty of our existence as human beings and
WEEKEND HALLOWEEN SCENE & MORE EAST COUNTY EVENTS
Printer-friendly versionFor a frightfully good time this week (not to mention satisfying your sweet tooth cravings), you’ll find plenty of Halloween haunts in East County. Start with Wednesday night’s “Trunk or Treat” in El Cajon, where classic car club members will be doling out goodies. On Thursday, dig into a pumpkin pie-eating contest and costume party in Valley Center, or
HUNDREDS FLOCK TO ELKS OKTOBERFEST
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 20, 2008 (El Cajon) – Over 800 people flocked to an Oktoberfest celebration hosted by El Cajon’s Elks Lodge 1812, a tradition that dates back to 1975. “I started the Oktoberfest,” said Giselle Howard (photo, left), who was also the festival’s first Oktoberfest Queen. “This is why every year, they honor me.” Still radiant at
ARTISTS’ RECEPTION Oct. 19 for 6th EL CAJON INVITATIONAL ART EXHIBIT
Printer-friendly version By Jolene Crowley Sisters III by Sammy Pasto (El Cajon) – The public is invited to a free artists’ reception hosted by the St. Clair Gallery in East County Business Center on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 3-6 p.m. Nearly 200 pieces of art in all fine art categories will be displayed, including photography by 22 San Diego artists,
EAST COUNTY OKTOBERFESTS: WUNDERBAR!
Printer-friendly versionOctober 1, 2008 (East County) – Time to get into the zeitgeist (spirit of the time) and take to the streets for some old-fashioned celebrating at East County’s multiple Oktoberfests! Began in Bavaria to celebrate the marriage of royalty, Oktoberfests have since gained popularity worldwide. Below are details on our region’s oldest and biggest Oktoberfests, where you can savor
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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.
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