Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

EAST COUNTY VIDEO ADVENTURES: FINDING TRANQUILITY AT KITCHEN CREEK FALLS

Printer-friendly version    Story and photos by Billy Ortiz View video by Billy Ortiz and Pam Wilmers: http://youtu.be/0Aelray-VZU   February 17, 2012 (Kitchen Creek) — The name Kitchen Creek brings up many thoughts of times gone by.  One can only imagine gold miners giving this creek its name.      My friends and I came to the falls in mid-May 2011.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: FLIGHT OF THE SUNBIRD

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 7, 2012 (Lakeside) — No, it’s not an insect or an invader from outer space. It’s an up-close view of the Erickson air crane "Sunbird" erecting the Sunrise Powerlink in Lakeside’s Wildcat Canyon/El Monte Valley area. Billy Ortiz snapped this head-on closeup image of the massive helicopter, which is capable of hoisting heavy loads including transmission towers. Printer-friendly version

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: A MID-WINTER HIKE IN LAKESIDE

Printer-friendly version  January 24, 2012 (Lakeside) — What could be more beautiful than a mid-winter’s sunrise over an East County mountainside?    Photographer Billy Ortiz shot these stunning images while hiking in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley, along El Capitan, over the Lunar New Year, marking an idyllic start to this Year of the Dragon.              

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: FULL MOON

Printer-friendly version  January10, 2012 (Lakeside)  – ECM photographer Dennis Richardson snapped this photo of the unusually bright full moon this weekend at his home in Lakeside.   “I took it from my back yard using a 100 X 400 mm Canon lens set on 400 mm,” he said.    Do you have a fabulous photo taken in East County or

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: MCCAIN VALLEY

Printer-friendly version January 6, 2011 (McCain Valley) — Charles and Laurie Baker sent in this birds-eye shot, taken from a rocky precipice while hiking in McCain Valley.  The scene encompasses portions of a site proposed for the Tule Wind Farm. Printer-friendly version

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EAST COUNTY VIDEO ADVENTURE: RIVER PARK COMMUNITY DAY

Printer-friendly version  View East County Magazine’s video of this event:  http://youtu.be/NrWud3-lEGM   By Billy Ortiz Photos and video by Billy Ortiz   December 21, 2011 (Lakeside) —  Early in the morning on December 10 at the Lakeside River Park Conservancy, students from El Capitan High School AP Environmental Science Group, Lakeside River Valley High School, and biology students from Cuyamaca Collage joined members

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: CHRISTMAS AT VIEJAS

Printer-friendly version December 16, 2011 (Alpine) – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Viejas Outlet Centers and Viejas Casino. ECM editor Miriam Raftery snapped this shot of holiday lighting at Viejas, where you’ll find San Diego’s largest outdoor ice skating rink, a holiday fountain light show, national-brand shops and more this holiday season.   Viejas employees pitched in to help collect over 3,000

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: GOLDEN TIMES AT THE JINGLE PAWS WALK

Printer-friendly version                 By Miriam Raftery November 20, 2011 (El Cajon ) – ECM editor Miriam Raftery snapped these images during a “Jingle Paws Walk” sponsored by El Cajon Animal Center for Education and Services (ACES) Foundation.  A new secret weapon for the Chargers was revealed: “Air Bud”, golden retriever of Disney movie fame put

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BUTTERFLY BEAUTY

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — ECM editor Miriam Raftery snapped this colorful image of a monarch butterfly on a lantana plant at the backyard of a home near San Diego State University on last weekend’s Sustainable Homes Tour. 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.

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,

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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

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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.”

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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

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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

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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

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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.  

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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

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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

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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.