Columns
East County Magazine
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Advancing Healthy Communities
Destination East County
Earth Talk ®
East County Eater
From the Chief’s Corner
Media Watch
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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: NEW EVENTS IN THE NEW YEAR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 20, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – January and February are prime times to enjoy a full moon desert walk, Valentine’s dinners and wine pairings,
CHIEF’S CORNER: REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna January 10, 2024 (San Diego) — Making a New Year’s resolution is one thing. Remaining resolute and seeing them through is quite another. It’s
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: HEMP PRODUCTS ARE THREATENING YOUTH SAFETY
Printer-friendly versionBy David R. Shorey, East County Programs Director, Institute for Public Strategies January 8, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) — As the landscape of cannabis legalization continues to evolve, a new concern is emerging. It’s the proliferation of hemp-derived Delta 8 and Delta 10 products found in
EAST COUNTY EATER: PERFECTLY SMOKED MEATS AND MORE AT PAPALO SONORAN-STYLE BBQ IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Atkinson December 8, 2023 (La Mesa) – As a Texas BBQ aficionado, I’ve been anxious to try the newly-opened Papalo Sonoran-Style BBQ in La Mesa Village.
FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: CHRISTMAS TREE AND INDOOR SAFETY FOR HOLIDAY SEASON
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna December 8, 2023 (San Diego) – This last week, we covered outdoor Christmas safety, let’s look at a few indoor safety facts and tips. Did
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES:METHAMPHETAMINE IS STILL A PERVASIVE PROBLEM DESPITE THE ATTENTION TO OPIOIDS AND FENTANYL
Printer-friendly versionBy David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies Photo courtesy USDOJ December 7, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) — There’s no denying the urgency of
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: DELIGHTFUL DECEMBER EVENTS
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 27, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – December brings the magic of the holiday season, with many delightful events and activities. This year’s options
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS NOV-DEC. 2023
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 16, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – East County has a wealth of treasured holiday events coming up this season, from holiday lighting displays
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
Printer-friendly versionBy David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies Photo courtesy UnitedAgainstHateWeek.org November 2, 2023 (San Diego) — Our world is feeling increasingly divided along lines
CHIEF’S CORNER: THE ESPERANZA FIRE–DEDICATED TO THE MEN OF ENGINE CO. 57
Printer-friendly version By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna October 28, 2023 (San Diego) — I would be remiss if I did not write this as we step into and are preparing for
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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.
Trump ramps up bullying and censorship efforts against media
Printer-friendly versionBy G. A. McNeeley September 20, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has been waging an aggressive campaign against the media, unlike
Destination East County: October outings
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — October brings Oktoberfest celebrations in La Mesa and El Cajon and Borrego Days in the desert, as
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: it’s Fall Prevention Awareness Month
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna September 19, 2025 (San Diego) – Each September, as the seasons shift and leaves begin to fall, we turn our attention to a quieter
Advancing Healthy Communities: Cannabis data shows significant impact on physical and mental health of youth and young adults
Printer-friendly versionBy Seraphina Eberhardt Photo: “Cannabis Understands – 2017” by Jurassic Blueberries is licensed under CC BY 2.0. September 4, 2025 (San Diego) — New data shows a concerning trend: today’s high-potency cannabis products are
Destination East County: Memorable September events
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery August 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As summer transitions into fall, September brings seasonal events such as an Autumn Jubilee, Sycuan’s Powwow,
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: August is national immunization month
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna This is no shot in the dark August 16, 2025 (San Diego) — Viruses and bacteria that cause illness and death still exist
Advancing Healthy Communities: one year of change: Revitalize Broadway Lemon Grove celebrates its first anniversary
Printer-friendly versionBy Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies East County Photo: members of the Revitalize Broadway Board celebrate the one-year anniversary of its founding. Photo by Revitalize Broadway
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: hot blooded?
Printer-friendly version By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna July 25, 2025 (San Diego) — Warm temperatures can have a surprisingly complex impact on your blood and cardiovascular system. Here’s how your
Destination East County: hot August nights bring late summer celebrations
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Advancing Healthy Communities: Inside the Bing and Underage Drinking Initiative’s 2025 Annual Status Report for County
Printer-friendly version By Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies July 1, 2025 (El Cajon) — Community leaders, prevention experts, and local advocates came together at Singing Hills
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