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Archived Columns(Columnists no longer active.)
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.
DESTINATON EAST COUNTY: HALLOWEEN HAUNTS AND MORE LATE OCTOBER OUTINGS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)—Looking for a frightfully good time? You’ll find plenty of spooky special events, from a Haunted Forest at Banner
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: DISPOSING UNWANTED MEDICATIONS PROPERLY SAVES LIVES AND HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT
Printer-friendly versionBy David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies October 6, 2023 (San Diego) — In the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic and the environmental
RED SEA ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT IN CITY HEIGHTS GIVES EAST COUNTY EATER AN AUTHENTIC AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
Printer-friendly versionRestaurant to be featured at East County Magazine’s “Taste of Africa” Oct. 8 By: Jessyka Heredia September 29, 2023 (City Heights) — Ethiopian cuisine is known for spicy meats
CHIEF’S CORNER: WE’RE ALL GOING TO FALL FOR SANTA ANA WINDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna September 23, 2023 (San Diego) — This is the first week offFall, and with it comes Santa Ana winds! Though fire season is year-round, fall typically
BUNNY CHOW: SOUTH AFRICAN CUISINE THAT WILL HAVE YOU WANTING MORE
Printer-friendly version Restaurant to be featured at East County Magazine’s “Taste of Africa” Oct. 8 By Jessyka Heredia September 23, 2023 (San Diego) Have you tried African food before? East
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: APPLE FESTIVALS, HAUNTING HAPPENINGS AND MORE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery September 21, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) — As autumn arrives and Halloween draws near, East County has a wealth of festivals and events coming
FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: STORM DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME — WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna September 8, 2023 (San Diego) – The storm has passed – now what? Though the heavy rains have subsided, more rain is
CHIEF’S CORNER: FLASH FLOOD SAFETY
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna September 7, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) — We all face storms in life. They say those are the association dues for being alive.
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: MAKING LEMON GROVE CLEANER, SAFER AND MORE FAMILY FRIENDLY
Printer-friendly versionBy David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies September 3, 2023 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove’s main business corridor on Broadway is the center of
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: FUN FALL FESTIVITIES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery September 3, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Fall is in the air –ushering in some of East County’s most iconic festivals including Oktoberfests, Alley
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.
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.
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna November 17, 2025 (San Diego) — November is the time to spotlight early detection, community support, and lifesaving education. Local leaders and national
East County Eater: Fresheria, a new La Mesa eatery, offers delicious healthy foods
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: cauliflower ceviche November 16, 2026 (La Mesa) – If you’re looking to eat healthy and savor a wide array of delicious options, you’ll
Advancing Healthy Communities: From conflict to connection: Trauma-informed dialogue in a time of unrest
Printer-friendly versionBy Venture Griswold, Institute for Public Strategies Photo: “Kitchen Table Conversation” by Peter Alfred Hess is licensed under CC BY 2.0. November 4, 2025 (San Diego) — If the world feels heavy to
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: Let’s “move it” this November
Printer-friendly versionGrowing Conversations, Saving Lives By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna October 24, 2025 (San Diego) – Each November, a global movement takes root, one mustache at a time. Movember isn’t just
Shawn Dixon named president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Oct. 23, 2025 (San Diego) — Shawn Dixon has been named the new president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Advancing Healthy Communities: 2025 substance use and overdose report card released
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County sees progress in overdose prevention, but challenges remain By Seraphina Eberhardt Photo: District Attorney Summer Stephan, standing with other county officials, speaks at a press conference recognizing
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
Media Watch: Free speech groups denounce deportation of Emmy-award winning journalist for live-streaming ICE raids and protests
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 5, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) – In an action that has drawn condemnation from journalism and civil liberties organizations, the Department of Homeland Security on Friday
Chief’s Corner: Charge into Safety National Fire Prevention Week Oct 6th
Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version
East County Eater: Happy Hour at Casa Gabriela features authentic Mexican cuisine, elevated
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Photo, left: mural of talented chef Gabriela “Gaby” Lopez September 20, 2025 (La Mesa) – Casa Gabriela in the La Mesa Village has a first-rate, affordable
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