East County Magazine
A ROARING GOOD TIME: EAST COUNTY CHAMBER MEMBERS GET UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH BIG CATS AT LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS
Printer-friendly version Story by Miriam Raftery; Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery August 2, 2011 (Alpine) — "Oh, you’re beautiful!" San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce President Scott Alevy exclaimed as his wife, Joanne, dished up a forkful of chicken. But he wasn’t complimenting her cooking. Instead, Alevy was admiring Raja–a 500-pound Bengal tiger that Joanne was feeding after winning a drawing at Lions,
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SNAKES ALIVE!
Printer-friendly version August 2, 2011 (Ramona) — ECM intern Elena Luz Pena snapped these "striking" close-ups of an unusually colorful rattlesnake at the home of her fiance’s father in Ramona. This two-foot-long critter’s message is crystal clear: don’t tread on me! Unlike some rattlers, Pacific Rattlesnakes are active both by day and night–often coming out at dusk to hunt
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SPLISH-SPLASH, I WAS TAKING A BATH….
Printer-friendly version July 29, 2011 (Lakeside) –Thanks to Mike and Cathy Sears for sending in this photo of a surprising visitor in the birdbath outside their home on Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside. “It’s one of two red shouldered hawks in the area,” Mike said. “The hawks will even in get in and splash around in the bird bath.”
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: WILDCAT!
Printer-friendly version July 29, 2011 (Anza Borrego) — Daren Sefcik captured this rare image of a bobcat peering out of a rocky cave at Potrero Canyon in Anza-Borrego, a remote location accessible only by foot or by horse. "I went out hiking the canyon to try and reach the base of Stephenson Peak," Sefcik said. "About a mile from the base
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WILDFIRE AT JACUMBA
Printer-friendly version July 16, 2011 (Jacumba) — Wayne Brammer captured these two images of a Cal-Fire crew and a San Diego Sheriff’s helicopter in action battling a brush fire near Jacumba this week. "With all the power lines running all over this area, my hat goes off to all of these
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MIDSUMMER BLOOMS
Printer-friendly version July 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — Joan McIntosh captured the fragile beauty of these night-blooming cereus at her backyard in Lakeside. The ghostly cactus flowers blossom just once in the warmth of a mid-summer’s night, then wither and perish. Printer-friendly version
FAMILY FUN AT SANTEE SALUTES 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Printer-friendly version Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery July 6, 2011 (Santee) — The City of Santee hosted its annual "Santee Salutes" patriotic celebration on July 4th, drawing families from across East County for this major event. Scroll down to view photos of participants enjoying fun in the sun, followed by fireworks in the park after dark.
MISSED THE FIREWORKS? WATCH FINALE HERE FROM SANTEE SALUTES!
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2011 (Santee) – An estimated 7,000 people turned out for Santee Salutes, including families from throughout East County as well as local dignitaries including Assemblyman Brian Jones and Mayor Randy Voepel. Live music, patriotic presentations, carnival rides and a spectacular fireworks show were all part of the festivities. Printer-friendly version
ALL ABOARD! STEAM TRAIN RIDES, SQUARE DANCING & DIXIELAND JAZZ AT OLD POWAY PARK’S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2011 (Poway) –Decked out with red and blue bunting on wooden railway bridges, water tower and gazebo/bandstand, Old Poway Park today looked like a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The Old West-themed park exemplifies the best of Americana this 4th of July, compete with rides on the Baldwin steam train (watch
EXPLORING CEDAR CREEK FALLS’ NEW TRAIL
Printer-friendly version Story, photos and video by Elena Peña June 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)–Nestled in between slopes in the Cleveland National Forest lies a gem known as Cedar Creek Falls, often referred to as The Devil’s Punch Bowl. A wondrous waterfall is the picturesque background to the swimming hole at the end of this approximately four-mile hike.
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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.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: AZTEC STARS VISIT VALLEY FARMS MARKET
Printer-friendly version Photo by Miriam Raftery April 1, 2023 (Spring Valley) – With Aztecs men’s basketball advancing to the “final four” for the first time in the team’s history, Aztec players Nate Mensah (left) and Matt Bradley (right) stopped by Valley Farms Market in Spring Valley earlier this week to meet shoppers and pose for pictures with fans, as well
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: REVOLUTION IN THE ORCHARD
Printer-friendly version March 31, 2023 (Santa Ysabel, CA) — East County Magazine interns Jacob Pamus and Daniela Torres visited Julian Farm and Orchard, where a recreation of a Revolutionary War battle was held. They interviewed participants in both the British and Colonists camps, including General George Washington. Julian Farm and Orchard is located in Santa Ysabel, California, just outside of
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BOOT DRIVE FOR BURN INSTITUTE
Printer-friendly versionMarch 22, 2023 (Lakeside) – Shiloh Ireland snapped these phots of firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department collecting donations for the annual Boot Drive in March. Proceeds benefit the San Diego Burn Institute. Printer-friendly version

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY
Printer-friendly versionMarch 15, 2023 (La Mesa) — Chuck Cibulka snapped this photo of a beautiful Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on pink lantana blooms in La Mesa. Printer-friendly version
CANINE FUN AT ANNUAL FIDO FEST IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly version By Daniela Torres March 15, 2023 (Santee) — The 7th annual Fido Fest was held Saturday, March 11 at the Town Center Community Park East. This event provided a great opportunity for dogs and dog lovers to enjoy themselves with giveaways, an agility course, contests, and much more for a tail-waggin’ good time. Originally, Fido Fest was supposed

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: EAST COUNTY SNOW
Printer-friendly versionBy Rebecca Person Photo, left: Shane Marie – Boulevard March 7, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – East County’s high desert communities saw a better-than-ever snowfall this winter and many residents have captured scenes unusual to the area in Campo, Jacumba, Live Oak Springs, Boulevard and Bankhead Springs. Photo, right: Greg Curran – In Ko Pah Spirit Retreat Jacumba Hot Springs

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: WILDLIFE AT LINDO LAKE
Printer-friendly versionMarch 4, 2023 (Lakeside) – No, that’s not a penguin at Lindo Lake in Lakeside. Here’s how photographer Shiloh Ireland described this startling image. “I took out the camera and thought I would look for something unusual. Well, the animal world is amazing. I was able to take many shots of a mammal with a bird, the heron hanging

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: IN-KO-PAH SNOW
Printer-friendly versionMarch 2, 2023 (In-Ko-Pah) – Greg Curran sent in these photos of a rare snowfall blanketing In-Ko-Pah in the high desert, near the Desert View Tower and Boulder Park. Printer-friendly version

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: HAIL IN ROLANDO
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 27, 2023 (Roland) — A rare hailstorm pelted much of San Diego County on Saturday night. Pat Bennett of Rolando sent in these photos, stating, “I have lived in San Diego for 55 years and have never seen more than a few hailstones fall. Tonight, my garden, deck, patio furniture and roof were covered

SNOW PLAY IN SANTA ISABEL
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Henri Migala and Miriam Raftery February 27, 2023 (Santa Ysabel)– The weekend storm brough snow to unusually low levels in San Diego County’s mountains. With popular destinations such as Julian, Cuyamaca and Mount Laguna blocked except to residents and chains required in the morning, followed by traffic jams when some highways later opened,
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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.