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
Archived Columns(Columnists no longer active.)
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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.
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
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