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East County Magazine
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Advancing Healthy Communities
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Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…

League of Women Voters of San Diego continues nonpartisan candidate forums ahead of June primary
YouTube video screenshot of League of Women Voters’ District 2 candidate forum on March 5 East County News Service March 25, 2026 (San Diego) –…

Destination East County: April festivities and Easter events
By Miriam Raftery March 20, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Upcoming events in our inland region include egg hunts, a bunny bash, and a…

Advancing Healthy Communities: Building resilience in the backcountry
Printer-friendly versionCommunity Unites to Reimagine Campo’s School Field By David Shorey, Institute for Public Strategies Photo: Campo Elementary field (photo courtesy of Estrada Land Planning) December 17, 2025 (Campo) — In the

Rehabilitated bobcat released after 4-month recovery in Ramona
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy San Diego Humane Society East County News Service Feb. 23, 2026 (Ramona) — A bobcat kitten was returned to her native habitat yesterday (Feb. 22) after undergoing

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…

Buon appetite! New Gino & Gianni’s Pizzeria by Mamma Mia in La Mesa offers artful and delicious dining experiences
Printer-friendly versionBy Heidi Hope December 2, 2025 (La Mesa) – Gino & Gianni’s Pizzeria by Mamma Mia, a new pizza restaurant in La Mesa, evokes Italian ambience from delicious food

Destination East County: Dreamy December events to remember
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Listen to an audio version of this story. November 30, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – ‘Tis the season to be jolly—and there’s plenty

From the Fire Chief’s Corner: Thanksgiving safety tips with a side of manners
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna November 22, 2025 (San Diego) — Thanksgiving signifies the beginning of the holiday season. Many will be spending more time in the kitchen preparing for the

ACT II provides budget-friendly and stylish women’s fashions
Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope November 18, 2025 (La Mesa)– For 43 years, Act II has been a thriving and successful boutique offering women’s resale fashion in La Mesa’s downtown
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CLICK TO READ ALL CURRENT AND PAST COLUMNS BY THESE COLUMNISTS:
Scroll down to see the most recent column entries by all columnists, or click your favorite columnist’s link below to see all current and past columns.
Advancing Healthy Communities
Destination East County
Earth Talk ®
East County Eater
From the Chief’s Corner
Media Watch
Archived Columns(Columnists no longer active.)
Scroll down to see the most recent column entries by all columnists, or click your favorite columnist’s link above to see all current and past columns.
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: GREAT ANIMATION BUT UNWISE APPROACH TO OWL STORY “LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS”
Printer-friendly versionBy Brian Lafferty September 24, 2010 (San Diego)–I watched Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole in a packed theater. Much of the audience consisted of parents
MARKETING MATTERS: IS GIVING HOLIDAY BUSINESS GIFTS A NECESSITY?
Printer-friendly version Tips and tricks for business success and growth By Rama Beerfas September 19, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Anyone who has known me professionally for at
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: CLICHES, UNORIGINALITY HOLD UP ROMANCE IN “THE TOWN”
Printer-friendly versionBy Brian Lafferty September 17, 2010 (San Diego)–The Town opens with Ben Affleck and his crew robbing a bank. The action here is standard but one shot stands
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: TOO MUCH PLOT OVERCOOKS “SOUL KITCHEN”
Printer-friendly versionBy Brian Lafferty September 17, 2010 (San Diego)–A lot happens in Soul Kitchen. Too much, actually. Just as a film can rarely survive on the flimsiest of plots,
WILL POWER REPORT: JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!
Printer-friendly version Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power September 13, 2010 (San Diego) — Since it is clear banks and brokers would rather lay people off then hire them,
OFF THE SILVER SCREEN: CANCER IN THE FAMILY NO MATCH FOR CRITIC’S LOVE FOR FILM
Printer-friendly versionBy Brian Lafferty September 13, 2010 (San Diego) — Today I will venture out into the Realm of the Off Topic. What follows is not exactly movie-related but I
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: “I’M STILL HERE” GOES WAY OUT THERE IN JOLTING, COMPELLING PORTRAIT OF JOAQUIN PHOENIX
Printer-friendly versionBy Brian Lafferty September 13, 2010 (San Diego)–“I don’t want to play the character of Joaquin Phoenix anymore,” says Phoenix, the subject of this documentary. “I want to
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: SHADOW OF COENS’ “BLOOD SIMPLE” LEAVES “A WOMAN, A GUN AND A NOODLE SHOP” IN THE SOUP
Printer-friendly versionBy Brian Lafferty September 12, 2010 (San Diego)–A Woman, a Gun, and a Noodle Shop is not a bad movie per se but an unnecessary one. I could
FREEBIE ALERT! DO YOU HAVE MORE TASKS THAN TIME?
Printer-friendly version By Nancy Clement September 12, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — It’s back to school time and for many Moms that means more of your time
DOG BLOG: TRAVELING WITH YOUR DOG (JACK’S BLOG)
Printer-friendly version Jack guest blogs for his owner, Dawn Celapino this week September 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — After getting back from a great road trip
Columns
East County Magazine
CLICK TO READ ALL CURRENT AND PAST COLUMNS BY THESE COLUMNISTS:
Scroll down to see the most recent column entries by all columnists, or click your favorite columnist’s link below to see all current and past columns.
Advancing Healthy Communities
Destination East County
Earth Talk ®
East County Eater
From the Chief’s Corner
Media Watch
Archived Columns(Columnists no longer active.)

Lemon Grove Forward Club announces annual Sock Drive for November
Printer-friendly versionSource: Lemon Grove Forward Club November 4, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Forward Club is kicking off its annual sock drive, “Socktober,” a tradition that has made a