East County Magazine
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SDG&E’S NEW “ECO” SUBSTATION
Printer-friendly version February 15, 2014 (Jacumba)—Wayne Brammer sent in these photos of SDG&E’s new Eco Substation in Jacumba. The project is (so-named for hooking up to industrial-scale renewable energy projects. But to most backcountry residents, the project is an ecological disaster that destroyed the landscape and used three times more water (90 million
MT HELIX ACADEMY KIDS SHOW THEIR TALENT IN “LIKE TO HAVE FUN” VIDEO
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery February 15, 2014 (Mt. Helix)—The Mt. Helix Academy in la Mesa, which has students from kindergarten through ninth grade, takes pride in “happy kids who love to learn,” says Tracey Singer, marketing coordinator. So Singer wrote and directed a music video starring kids at the school “to show what a fun place we have,” he
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: RED-TAILED HAWKS AT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN JAMUL
Printer-friendly version February 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Debbie Ekhaml photographed these red-tailed hawks at three different locations around East County recently. They were taken in the National Wildlife Refuge in Jamul. Printer-friendly version
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MICA GEM/TABLE MOUNTAIN
Printer-friendly version February 4, 2014 (McCain Valley) – Charles and Laurie Baker sent in these surreal images taken while hiking in the Mica Gem and Table Mountain wilderness areas in McCain Valley, where winds and weathering have carved out fantastic rock formations in this rugged terrain. Printer-friendly version
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: THE BEAUTY SOITEC WANTS TO DESTROY
Printer-friendly version January 30, 2014 (Boulevard) — Is a “green” energy project really green if it destroys these beautiful scenes? Soitec wants to industrialize our backcountry with over 8,000 solar panels, each 30 feet high, scraping the earth bare and destroying sensitive wetlands and wildlife habitat. Thanks to Teresa DeGroot for documenting what
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: CARRIZO GORGE
Printer-friendly version January 23, 2014 (Carrizo Gorge) – Laurie Baker sent photos taken while hiking at the rugged Carrizo Gorge in McCain Valley, near the site of a planned industrial wind facility. Her images show the dramatic rock formations that make this area one of the most spectacular scenic vistas in San Diego’s East County. A highlight of
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: A CHILD’S PARADISE AT INDIAN SPRINGS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery January 7, 2014 (Descanso) — Duncan McFetridge sent in these idyllic images of his “spiritual grandson,” Ki, enjoying a swim at Indian Springs along the Sweetwater River, about a half hour hike from the town of Descanso. Printer-friendly version
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: RED TAIL HAWK
Printer-friendly version January 2, 2013 (Santee) – Laurie Baker sent in this photo of a Red Tail Hawk eating an American Coot, also known as a mud hen. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Baker says of the raptor, photographed at Santee Lakes. Printer-friendly version
INTERNATIONAL SKATING CHAMPION HEADLINES KROC ICE HOLIDAY SHOW
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 19, 2013 (San Diego) — Christopher Caluza, Philippine national champion, performed as the grand finale at last night’s holiday ice show at the Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center Ice Arena. The show also included performances by skating school students, from tots to senior citizens. Caluza got his start training at local
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: FALL AT MISSION TRAILS
Printer-friendly version December 11, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) — Mission Trails Regional Park forwarded these images taken by David Cooksy, showing resplendent fall foliage and a coyote in the park—the largest urban regional park in America. Printer-friendly version
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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: PALISIDES FIRE IN LOS ANGELES
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 8, 2025 (Los Angeles) – No, that’s not a tornado or mother ship descending. Henri Migala snapped this apocalyptic image of the Palisades Fire which is devastating Los Angeles. This photo was taken from the Westin Hotel near Los Angeles International Airport. As of today, the fire has burned 15,832 acres, has destroyed many

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BOBCAT ON THE PROWL
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 6, 2025 (Deerhorn Valley) – Jordan Valladares snapped this close-up portrait of a bobcat near his home on Deerhorn Valley Road south of Jamul on Sunday. “I spotted the little guy sneaking about while I was enjoying some warm morning sunshine,” he writes. “So I ran in, grabbed my camera and a 300mm
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: NAVY ASSOCIATION TAKES DOGS DAY OUT TO PACK LEVEL
Printer-friendly version By CNC TV, County of San Diego Communications Office Video by Alex Aguirre December 14, 2024 (San Diego) – A dozen smiling dogs with wildly wagging tails led by Navy officers headed out to a Bonita trail for some exercise and fun Friday. When the Navy’s Second Class Petty Officer Association reached out to the County’s Department of Animal

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: INTERVIEWS WITH FIRE CHIEFS AT BARONA CONTROLLED BURN
Printer-friendly version Click here to view video full screen, or scroll down: https://youtu.be/n_au8Pk7gCM December 5, 2024 (Lakeside) – Shiloh Ireland interviewed Barona Fire Chief Ken Kremensky and Cal Fire Division Chief Eric on December 3 during a 160-acre controlled burn on the Barona reservation in Lakeside. Burning old brush has ecological benefits, also protecting communities from wildfires since it’s far
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: A BIPARTISAN BIRTHDAY BASH FOR COUNCILMAN KENDRICK
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 30, 2024 (El Cajon)–El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick celebrated his 70th birthday on October 26 with a poolside party at his home. The guest list read like a who’s who of East County, with bipartisan comunity leaders turning out to honor the long-serving East County Councilmember. Current or former

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S ROARING ‘20s PARTY CELEBRATED JAZZ AGE IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 28, 2024 (La Mesa) – Thanks to all of you who turned out in style at our Roaring ‘20s party on November 17 at Wineworks in La Mesa. We appreciate your support, which is vital to sustain our independent news reporting as well as our wildfire and emergency alerts. The event recreated the era

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN ABLOOM FOR ANNIVERSARY EVENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Mark Robak, chair of the Water Conservation Garden’s joint powers authority November 21, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College celebrated its 25th anniversary on November 9 with a free celebration commemorating a quarter century of educating the public on water conservation and more. Visitors filled the garden to

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: RESTORED FISHING FLOAT RETURNS TO LOVELAND RESERVOIR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 26, 2024 (Alpine) – Nearly two years after a severe storm damaged the floating fishing dock at Loveland Reservoir in Alpine back in January 2023, a restored fishing dock is back. When Sweetwater Water Authority drained the reservoir to dead pool status in late 2022, the fishing dock was left on dry land, subsequently torn

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: CONTROLLED BURN IN CAMPO
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 24, 2024 (Campo) – Eileen Martinez of Boulevard took these photos of controlled burn conducted by Cal Fire in the Cal Fire area on November 22. She wrote after receiving our alert, “Thanks for keeping us up to date! I was driving thru Campo this evening and this fire was visible all

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MT. HELIX SUNSET
Printer-friendly versionOctober 27, 2024 (Mt. Helix) — Karen Pearlman stopped atop Mt. Helix with her dog, Charlie, last weekend and captured some stunning sunset shots. The Mt. Helix Park Foundation maintains the preserve atop Mt. Helix and has several events coming up including a Turkey Trot Nov. 29 and Christmas on Mt.
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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.