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: 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.

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.