East County Magazine
Oaks from Acorns Grow
Printer-friendly versionBook by Richard Opper Reviewed by Pennell Paugh November 4, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego resident Richard G. Opper is releasing the last book in his Oakheart Trilogy, Oaks from Acorns Grow. It’s written in deep point of view of each player in the story, including the criminals. Mona Oakheart goes to Guam to find her leading porn
Save a life, honor a Legend at Bill Walton Memorial Blood Drive on Nov. 5
Printer-friendly versionLast 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
Pala Band of Mission Indians invites community to honor local heroes at Veterans Day celebration
Printer-friendly versionSource: 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
Little Black Dress event at Goodwill starts in November
Printer-friendly versionEast 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,
Seven women honored at East County Chamber WILL event
Printer-friendly versionEast 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
Events planned to support family of La Mesa Police officer killed in car crash
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 23, 2025 (La Mesa) — At least three events are planned to honor fallen La Mesa Police officer Lauren Craven, one tomorrow night at Pink Rose Cafe in La Mesa and another Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Casa Gabriela in La Mesa. The La Mesa Police Department is also having a candlelight vigil
Full Moon Walk in Anza Borrego’s South Palm Wash Nov. 5
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 21, 2025 (Anza Borrego)—You’re invited to walk by the light of a full moon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park’s South Palm Canyon Wash on November 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.. The hike will be led by Mike McElhatton, education director at the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA). “Experience the unique
Destination East County: Notable November Events
Printer-friendly version October 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – November brings numerous noteworthy events to East County, including the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, an Antique and Craft Fair at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, the Wheel of Fortune live game show at Viejas in Alpine, the award-winning play Copenhagen at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, stargazing at
Looking for Tank Man by Ha Jin
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh October 18, 2025 (San Diego) – National award-winning author Ha Jin, who became a U.S. citizen after the Tiananmen Square uprising. explores themes of rebellion in China and the struggles of a Chinese student in America in his novel, Looking for Tank Man. His main character, Lulu, who is a young woman from China, attends
El Presidio de San Diego: Excavating Southern California’s Lost City by Richard Carrico
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh October 19, 2025 (San Diego) – History buffs will love Richard Carrico’s new book, El Presidio de San Diego: Excavating Southern California’s Lost City. The book briefly covers San Diego area history before the first pioneers arrived. The author’s preview to European colonization is short but extensive. Richard Carrico’s greatest focus is upon the presidio
No Kings rallies across San Diego County and nation Oct. 18
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 16, 2025 (San Diego) – Organizers are predicting that this Saturday’s “No Kings” demonstration against the “authoritarianism of the Trump regime” may be the largest yet, including over 2,500 sites in all 50 states as well as territories and other nations. Locally, a large rally is planned at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego
Lemon Grove film premiere Oct. 17 and 18 shines light on community spirit and history
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 16, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Town Films proudly presents the hometown premiere of Welcome Home to Lemon Grove, California, a new documentary by local filmmaker Michael Fanter. The film celebrates the community’s history, landmarks, and the people who have shaped “The Town with the Giant Lemon.” The event will take place at The
Olaf Weighorst Museum announces 1st annual fashion show fundraiser: ”Boots and Belles: Fashion at the Wieggy”
Printer-friendly version East County News Service October 16, 2025 (El Cajon) – Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center will host its first annual Fashion Show Fundraiser – “Boots and Belles: Fashion at the Wieggy” on November 8 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature stunning designs of local artist and designer Dawn Hough Sebaugh, whose WALA Collection
13th annual Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival set for Nov. 1
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 15, 2025 (Ramona) — The 13th annual Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival is heading to the Begent Ranch in Ramona on Saturday, Nov. 1. The popular event, set from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the ranch at 18528 Highland Valley Road, will include wines and craft beverage tastings, all-day live
Hear our interview: Santee filmmaker Natalie Camou de Zavaleta talks about #1Bad Dad, her short comedy airing at the San Diego Film Festival
Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope October 8, 2025 (Santee) – Natalie Camou de Zavaleta is a Santee resident and award-winning filmmaker whose short comedy, #1 Bad Dad, will be showing at the San Diego Film Festival, which runs October 18 and 19. ECM interviewed her for our radio show on KNSJ, 89.1 FM on her film, which explores the theme
Jewish Family Service hosts drive-thru food distribution for government workers on Oct. 15
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy Jewish Family Service East County News Services Oct. 14, 2025 (San Diego) — Jewish Family Service of San Diego has found another way to help those impacted by the United States federal government shutdown. The nonprofit that helps the entire community, along with The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, is hosting a
Local children’s book author and filmmaker named finalist in San Diego Magazine’s “Celebrating Women” Awards
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (San Diego) — Anat Tour, a children’s book author, singer, documentary filmmaker, and math teacher based in East County, has been named a finalist in San Diego Magazine’s “Celebrating Women” Awards in the Education category. In addition to her writing and filmmaking, Anat is a passionate singer and host of East County
Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa presents Copenhagen Oct. 17 – Nov. 9: The moment that changed the world
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (La Mesa) – The Tony-award-winning play Copenhagen explores explores an explosive confrontation inspired by actual events that have intrigued and baffled historians for more than 50 years: a 1941 meeting between two brilliant physicists, Niels Bohr of Denmark and Germany’s Werner Heisenberg. The two men were long-time friends whose work together opened the way to the atomic bomb,
All that and pumpkins, too: 50 years and counting at Christmas Tree Farm in El Cajon
Printer-friendly version Photo courtesy Family Christmas Tree Farm East County News Service Photo by Scott Lagace October 13, 2025 (El Cajon) — Don’t let the name fool you — Family Christmas Tree Farm is geared up for Halloween, too. As autumn settles in over San Diego County, El Cajon’s Family Christmas Tree Farm has rolled out
Chili Cookoff Nov. 8 to benefit Circle TLC Ranch
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 12, 2025 (Lakeside) — Circle TLC Ranch-Equine Therapy is holding its 14th annual chili cookoff in November. Dubbing itself “the best chili cook off in East County,” leaders of the group say they are currently seeking chili cookers for the event, which costs $25 as a donation to enter a chili to contend. The
Search by Specific Date
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
LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION! FILM FESTIVAL AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE AUG. 8
Printer-friendly version August 3, 2009 (El Cajon) Grossmont College in El Cajon will host a one-day film festival featuring 20 films produced by students and independent filmmakers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8. The public is invited to attend. An all-day admission ticket is $5. In addition to film viewing, workshops will be delivered on script
IT’S IN THE HOLE! GOLF TOURNAMENT TEES OFF OCT. 16 AT COTTONWOOD
Printer-friendly version August 2, 2009 (El Cajon) –Looking for some fun in the sun? Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites community members to take their best shots with local business members in the “It’s in the Hole Golf Tourmanent” Friday October 16. The event will be held at the brand new Lakes Course at Cottonwood Golf Course in Rancho San Diego.
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
Search by Specific Date
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