East County Magazine
Dia De Los Muertos Open House at Horses of Tir Na Nog
Printer-friendly version Nonprofit rescue organization Horses of Tir Na Nog cares for more than 100 animals, including Buttermilk the horse. The rescue group is having an Open House at its site in Guatay on Nov. 1. Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Oct. 11, 2025 (Guatay) — Horses of Tir Na Nog, the equine-focused rescue in
Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Oct. 13
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 10, 2025 (San Diego) – The annual Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration, organized by the San Pasqual Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, will take place at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on October 13, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event celebrates Indigenous communities, their cultures, and their commitments to wildlife. The event is open to
The art and spirit of Borrego Springs in downtown San Diego
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 10, 2025 (San Diego) — The heartbeat of the Borrego Springs art scene is coming to downtown San Diego this weekend. Metal sculptor Ricardo Breceda‘s Public Art Roadshow will be on the San Diego County Administration’s Lawn No. 2 from Friday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 13. Presented by Borrego Community Builders, a Rams
Linchpin encourages people to find their value in the workplace
Printer-friendly version Review by Heidi Hope October 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Linchpin focuses on the themes of changing the world for the better and making a difference in the workplace by embracing one’s individuality, artistry and uniqueness in visions and values, instead of simply following instructions and never getting to contribute creativity into any task. This New York Times bestselling book
Dog costume contest and Halloween party Oct. 25 in El Cajon aims to be a treat for pets and their owners
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 8, 2025 (El Cajon) – Last month, several dog owners in El Cajon got together to hold a birthday party for their dogs complete with music, cake, doggie gift bags, games and more. That event proved so much fun that organizers will be hosting a community Halloween party complete with dog costume contest, games and
Brews & Bites event coming to Santee Oct. 18
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 8, 2025 (Santee) — There will be plenty of treats — in the form of brews, boos and bites — with no tricks in sight at this month’s Santee Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser. The annual Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser, a Halloween-themed night of live music, food and beverage samples for those ages
Oktoberfest brings cheer to La Mesa Vlilage
Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope Miriam Raftery contributed to this report October 5, 2025 (La Mesa)—Oktoberfest continues through 8 p.m. tonight in La Mesa’s downtown village. The three-day festival, which began on Friday, celebrates Bavarian culture complete with good food, live music and fun games. Some of the prominent German themed dishes available are the homemade root beer, Bratwurst sausages and
Pretty Happy: healthy ways to love your body
Printer-friendly versionBook by Kate Hudson Review by Heidi Hope October 5, 2025 (San Diego) – Pretty Happy is a New York Times best-selling self-help book written by my favorite actress, Kate Hudson. She thoughtfully researched each area and provided a variety of questions to ask, as well as suggestions to reference and ideas for carrying out each lesson to take
Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez to host Wildfire Safety Town Hall in Ramona on Monday, Oct. 6
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo, L-R: CalFire Chief Tony Mecham, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, & Supervisor Joel Anderson October 3, 2025 (Ramona) – San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez are hosting a wildfire safety town hall during Fire Prevention Week in Ramona on Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ramona Library (1275 Main St., Ramona).
Prost! Oktoberfest events across East County
Printer-friendly version East County News Service October 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Ready to savor German beers and foods, kick up your heels to traditional German music as well as contemporary bands, enjoy games, carnival rides and vie for prizes? All of these opportunities and more can be found at Oktoberfest celebrations across East County include large festivals
Wild Night Out: Camp alongside rescued big cats at Lions Tigers & Bears’ spooky campover
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 3, 2025 (Alpine) — For a unique, once-a-year experience, Lions Tigers & Bears sanctuary in San Diego County is inviting the public to its annual Spooky Campover event on Friday, Oct. 24. The overnight campout offers the rare chance to sleep under the stars — surrounded by the sounds of rescued big cats
The Garden Goes Batty Oct. 18
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — Miss Smarty-Plants will bring a “batty” show to the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy trick-or-treat stations, the youth rock band Epidural, and partner booths. Cost is $15 for members, $18 for nonmembers, or
Borrego Days Desert Festival October 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 3, 2025 (Borrego Springs, CA) — Borrego Springs hosts its annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on October 18 and 19. Saturday features a morning flyover and parade, as well as the “Shine and Show” vehicle show. There’s also a beer garden, kids’ zone, food stations, and booths featuring everything from art to information. Plus you
Harvest Fest returns to Julian Farm and Orchard: celebrate fall in the mountains each weekend in October
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo courtesy of Julian Farm and Orchard October 1, 2025 (Julian) – The crisp air of fall and the golden glow of pumpkins signal the return of Harvest Fest at Julian Farm and Orchard, open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 26, 2025. Families, friends,
Beauty pageant and blues legend Doug MacLeod coming to Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center in October
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: award-winning blues musician Doug MacLeod September 29, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center 2025-2026 season is underway. In October, the center will host the Miss Borrego Springs Pageant on Saturday, Oct. 11, followed by legendary blues musician Doug McLeod in concert on Friday, Oct. 17. Tickets for the pageant, which begins
Heartland Coin Club’s bi-annual Coin Show in El Cajon Oct. 25
Printer-friendly versionSource: Heartland Coin Club September 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Heartland Coin Club announces its highly anticipated Coin Show, taking place on Saturday, October 25, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the El Cajon Elks Lodge, El Cajon, CA. This event offers opportunity for coin enthusiasts, collectors, and curious minds to come together and explore the fascinating
10th annual East County Manufacturing Expo Sept. 30 celebrates innovation, workforce pathways and job creation at Cuyamaca College
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 29, 2025 (El Cajon) — On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), in partnership with the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center, will host the 10th Annual East County Manufacturing Expo at Cuyamaca College. This year’s theme, Innovate, Integrate, Inspire – 10 Years of Manufacturing Growth, reflects a
An anthology features San Diego authors: San Diego Writers and Editors Guild releases its thirteenth anthology in October
Printer-friendly version East County News Service September 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego Writers and Editors Guild launches Good Luck with That—the Guilded Pen’s thirteenth annual anthology. The collection includes thirty-six stories written by twenty-nine members on the theme: “Good Luck or Is It?” Sandra Yeaman. In her twenties, Sandra traveled to Tehran, Iran, where she taught English
Ladies at the Lake fall market Oct. 11 in Santee
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 28, 2025 (Santee) — The ninth annual Ladies at the Lake Fall Market will be Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Lake 1 event area at Santee Lakes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shoppers and craft fair goers throughout San Diego are expected to attend the event that celebrates women owned businesses, and
Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure by Dave Grunenwald
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh September 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure is a children’s book for 5- to 10-year-olds. It is designed to inspire children and their families to volunteer in community programs that help those in need. In the book, two friends and a grandparent visit a group that make and deliver sandwiches. Next,
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HUMBUG! SCROOGE RETURNS TO STAGE IN JULIAN PRODUCTION OF “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
Printer-friendly version November 16, 2009 (Julian) — Julian Stage Company and the Julian Chamber of Commerce present the 2009 production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol–a Julian holiday tradition. Give your holiday spirit a boost with the classic story of a lonely, miserable, hard-hearted old man who finds the true meaning of life and love during one haunted Christmas
JULIAN ART GUILD OPEN STUDIOS & GALLERIES TOUR NOV. 21-22
Printer-friendly version November 15, 2009 (Julian) – On November 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., artists and artisans from the Julian Arts Guild invites the public to in an open studios and galleries tour. What better way to do some early holiday shopping and enjoy the beautiful backroads and byways near the historic gold mining town of Julian?
VIEJAS TREE LIGHTING AT S. CA’S LARGEST OUTDOOR ICE RINK FRIDAY NOV. 13
Printer-friendly version Viejas Outlet Center transforms into a winter wonderland complete with ice skating, holiday tree lighting & shows November 10, 2009 (Alpine)– Viejas Outlet Center officially kicks off the holiday season this Friday, November 13, with the opening of Southern California’s largest ice rink including skating show at 6 p.m., holiday tree lighting at 7:30. p.m., the return
GIO HOSTS BENEFIT NOV. 14 FOR 6-YEAR-OLD CANCER PATIENT AIDAN INMAN; BABY SISTER MAY OFFER “MIRACLE” CURE
Printer-friendly version November 10, 2009 (La Mesa) – Six-year-old Aidan Inman was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma on July 15th. The next day, his baby sister, Madison, was born. “Madison’s birth offered Aidan a miracle in that her stem cells were harvested from her umbilical cord. Her cord cells may be needed at some point in his treatment,” Aidan’s mother,
TEA TIME! FRIENDS OF EAST COUNTY ART CELEBRATE 25TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY TEA
Printer-friendly version Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Chancellor is Guest Speaker November 10, 2009 (El Cajon, CA) . . . Friends of East County Arts, Inc., celebrating their 25th year of supporting the arts in East County, will present its Annual Holiday Tea at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, Thursday December 3rd from 1pm to 3pm. This year’s event promises participants
ARMCHAIR IMPRESSIONISTS EXHIBITION NOV. 1-30: RECEPTION NOV. 15
Printer-friendly version By Tammy Lawhead, events coordinator, Armchair Impressionists November 7, 2009 (El Cajon) — Renown Western artist, illustrator, and art instructor Jack Jordon and watercolorist Carol Harris are special guest artists at this year’s Armchair Impressionists Exhibition. Paintings by armchair Impressionists Jeffrey Graham, Rustin Holec, David Lawhead, Karen Marsh, and William Marsh will be featured November 1 -30 at
VISIT THE PAST AT LA MESA HISTORICAL HOMES TOUR NOV. 7
Printer-friendly version The La Mesa Historical Society presents the 4th annual Home Tour on Saturday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour features five historic homes in the downtown La Mesa area. The tour will highlight 5 properties which will include Bungalow, Spanish Eclectic and Moderne styles. All will have artists working in the yards. Free
BELLA MESA GALLERY OPENS, BRINGS NATIONAL-CALIBER ARTISTS TO LA MESA’S DOWNTOWN VILLAGE
Printer-friendly version By Leon Thompson Photos by Leon Thompson, Takayuki Higuchi, and Miriam Raftery October 29, 2009 (La Mesa) – “In the ‘30s, La Mesa was an artists’ and film-makers destination,” Gabriel “Gabe” Giordano, co-owner of the new Bella Mesa Gallery at 8080 La Mesa Blvd., said at a grand opening party on October 10th. “Tonight, one has the feeling
CASH FOR BEST COSTUMES AT CASINO HALLOWEEN CONTESTS
Printer-friendly version October 29, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to be a winner at a casino—without having to gamble any money? Several area casinos are hosting Halloween costume contests and paying out big cash prizes. Others are offering parties, gifts, and Halloween eve concerts. Sycuan Casino in El Cajon is advertising the biggest Halloween Party in San
NEW SPORTS BOOK SCORES WINNING LOCATION FOR LAUNCH PARTY
Printer-friendly versionSAN DIEGO, CA October 20, 2009 Join author Joey Seymour in celebrating the launch of his new book San Diego’s Finest Athletes: Five Exceptional Lives on Thursday, November 5th. The launch party for the book, published by Sunbelt Publications of El Cajon, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the San Diego Hall of Champions. The San Diego
MUSIC IS THE BEST MEDICINE: GROSSMONT/SHARP HOSPITAL PHYSICIANS SAVORED “HAPPINESS COMMITTEE” MUSICAL EVENING
Printer-friendly version A review by Bill Pogue October 27, 2009 (La Mesa)–Grossmont Hospital Chief of Staff Michael Musicant M.D. recognized that the pace and structure of the medical practice today is stressful and tends to isolation of practitioners, compared to 30 years ago. So he set up a “Happiness committee” dedicated to getting staff together around social projects. Six
BOO BASH! OCT. 31 EVENT AT KROC CENTER OFFERS FAMILY FUN
Printer-friendly version October 27, 2009 (San Diego) – Looking for a safe and fun place to celebrate Halloween? The Salvation Army Kroc Center offers a “hauntless jaunt” with family-oriented activities on Saturday, October 31, starting at 5 p.m. Kroc Center is located at 6845 University Avenue in San Diego (two blocks west of 70th Street in La Mesa). Activities include
SCHOOL SPIRITS: “BOO” PARADE IN COLLEGE AREA USHERS IN HALLOWEEN WEEK
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 25, 2009 (San Diego) – Students from San Diego State University, high school marching bands and other community participants relished some pre-Halloween revelry in the BOO! Parade yesterday. From floats such as a giant black cat to cars draped with spiderwebs, parade participants showed their Halloween spirit. SDSU’s homecoming king and queen led a
TOURNAMENT OF THE PHOENIX: INTERNATIONAL JOUSTING COMPETITION IN POWAY CONCLUDES SUNDAY
Printer-friendly version October 24, 2009 (Poway)—The medieval sport of jousting takes center stage in Poway this weekend, where competitors from around the world vie in barred jousting contests at the Tournament of the Phoenix. The "Tournament of the Phoenix" derives its name from the circumstances surrounding the first joust event in October 2007. When the Witch Creek fires devastated
JOIN SDSU IN THE ANNUAL BOO! PARADE
Printer-friendly version Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 am – 6 pm October 23, 2009 (San Diego) — Hop on your broomsticks to experience a day of Halloween thrills and chills! It’s the return of The Boulevard BOO! Parade and Carnival, where ghosts and goblins of all ages are invited to encounter the magic. This Halloween tradition features the SDSU All-Greek
OLD WEST HARVEST FEST OCT. 23-25 AT SACRED ROCKS RESERVE IN BOULEVARD
Printer-friendly versionSeasonal Family Activities, Camping and Old West Costume Contest All Part of the Fun October 21, 2009 (Boulevard) – Sacred Rocks Reserve and RV Park, a 163-acre wilderness reserve with RV and tent camping sites (formerly Outdoor World RV Park), is offering a taste of the Old West with their “Old West Harvest Fest,” celebrating the harvest season
TRUNK-OR-TREAT & CAR SHOW OCT. 28 IN EL CAJON: FREE TREATS & PRIZES FOR BEST-DRESSED CAR
Printer-friendly version October 22, 2009 (El Cajon)–The public is invited to the annual Cajon Classic Cruise Halloween Car Show, Costume Contest & Downtown “Trunk or Treat” event on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in Downtown El Cajon. Admission and parking are free. Main Street will be closed to traffic in order to accommodate the cars and
ALL ABOARD! HAUNTED TRAIN TOUR & PUMPKIN EXPRESS
Printer-friendly version (Click arrows to hear the haunted train) October 19,2009 (Campo)— The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum at the historic Campo Depot invites families to board the Pumpkin Express and ride the rails to the great pumpkin patch. In addition to a scenic one-hour train ride, kids can tour the haunted train, pick out a pumpkin and decorate it
AOOOOOOO! HOWL-O-WEEN AT CALIFORNIA WOLF CENTER OCT. 24
Printer-friendly versionOctober 19, 2009 (Julian) –The California Wolf Center in Julian will host two Halloween-themed events that are among the most unique in San Diego County. Where else can you participate in a howling contest, take a twilight wolf tour, and learn about werewolves? On October 24th, the Center holds two separate events. The first begins at 12 noon and
A SPIRITED PERFORMANCE: FROM HANDEL TO HALLOWEEN
Printer-friendly version October 18, 2009 (La Mesa) – San Diego Master Chorale will present an encore performance of “From Handel to Halloween: Music for our Spirits” on Sunday, October 25th at 4 p.m. in La Mesa. Hear a wide variety of "spirited" choral music including classics, folk songs, popular music in keeping with the season, spirituals, and a special focus
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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