East County Magazine
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: EAST COUNTY SHOWS ITS PATRIOTIC SPIRIT
Printer-friendly version June 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – From La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade to the Wings Over Gillespie Air Show in El Cajon, East County displayed its patriotic pride. At left, Dexter Levy drives a vintage auto in La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, heralding in the City’s upcoming Centennial year of celebration. Photo by Kristin Kjaero.
WINNERS IN MISSION TRAILS PHOTO CONTEST ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly version June 5, 2011 (San Diego) – Winners in the 19th annual Amateur Photography Contest sponsored by Mission Trails Regional Park have been announced. Verland Nolta received the Leonard Butterman Best of Show Award for “Old Mission Dam Moon Light.” The award is presented in
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: EXPLORING OTAY LAKES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 21, 2011 (Otay) – Last weekend, I took a drive to explore the southeast section of our readership area. I headed south on Highway 94, then west on Otay Lakes Road, passing a parachute center before meandering among the various lakes that make up this close-to-the-border region. This area has a colorful—if largely
EAST COUNTY VIDEO ADVENTURES: PARAGLIDING OVER EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version By Billy Ortiz View our video adventure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBqJStFzQD8&feature=player_profilepage May 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — On any day in this beautiful place in San Diego’s East County, you will find para-gliders–hang-gliders sailing the winds high above the El Monte Valley. Take off point is roughly 1,800 feet above sea level and is located in Blossom Valley,
EAST COUNTY VIDEO ADVENTURE: SNEAK PREVIEW! NEW ADDITION TO SAN DIEGO RIVER PARK IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly version May 7 5K Run/walk will give public glimpse of new park lands—see it first in our ECM video adventure By Miriam Raftery Photos by Pam Wilmer Video by Billy Ortiz April 27, 2011 (Santee) – San Diego River Run is moving its 5K fun run/walk to the Walker Lakes property in Santee this year. Participants will be
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: EAST IN EDEN
Printer-friendly version April 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — While beach denizens are contending with coastal fog, the sun is shining out here in East County–where it’s just another day in paradise this time of year. We hope you’ll enjoy our local photographers’ images of springtime in East County! Dennis Richardson and Chuck Palmer headed out on a back-packing trek along Pine Creek.
WE FOUND THE END OF THE RAINBOW IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery April 13, 2011 – It’s official—the rainbow ends in Jamul! A spectacular rainbow arched over a field behind Donna Hendrix’s Jamul home after last week’s rainstorm week—putting in a special appearance at a party celebrating Steve Rowe’s promotion from executive director of the East County YMCA to a leadership role in the
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MARCH 29, 2011
Printer-friendly version March 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)– Signs of spring abound! The past couple of weeks, our photographers found no shortage of birds and bees, flowers and trees resplendant in spring foliage. They also spotted signs of wild life both on the trail and off, as East County residents heralded in St. Patrick’s Day. Daren Sefcik spotted this red monkeyflower
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MARCH 9, 2011
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Daren Sefcik March 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — You just never know what you might encounter on the trails in East County! Photographer Daren Sefcek headed out to the Anza-Borrego Desert to take photos of wildflowers in bloom–and captured a close-up of this yellow-backed spiny lizard on the trail. Sefcek also shot this image
COOLEST SNOW PHOTOS
Printer-friendly version February 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — One of the heaviest snowfalls in memory, dropping snow down to under 1,500 feet, spurred many of our readers and staffers to send in photos of winter wonderland images across our region. Enjoy!
Search by Specific Date
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: Jacumba sunset
April 6, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Martin Eder sent in this photo, taken along Interstate 8 just west of Jacumba near the San Diego-Imperial…

Male lion joins pride at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
East County News Service View video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1484962496593617 March 24, 2026 (San Pasqual) — The lion pride at the Safari Park just got a little louder…

Sunrise to sunset is theme of 2026 Lake Jennings photo contest
East County News Service March 15, 2026 (Lakeside) – Lake Jennings invites you to enter your best photos taken at Lake Jennings between April 1…

Photo of the Week: Here’s the buzz!
East County News Service February 7, 2026 (La Mesa) — Kristin Kjaero snapped this photo of a honeybee pollinating flowers in her succulent garden in…
Photo of the Week: Beaver moon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 9, 2025 (Mt. Helix) — Dawn Sebaugh snapped this picture of the “Beaver Moon” on November 5, The November full moon was dubbed “Beaver Moon” because it’s the time when beavers are most active building their lodges for winter, and when the fur trading season was at its peak. The name has its origins

Photo of the week: Egret at Lake Morena amid dead plants and green water
Printer-friendly version East County News Service October 3, 2025 (Lake Morena) — Karen Pearlman snapped this photo of snowy white egret searching for fish at Lake Morena, casting a reflection in the deep green waters. The visit raises a curious question: Why are all the plants in the water at Lake Morena dead? It isn’t drought, since plants further up

Exclusive: ECM obtains video showing start of Coches Fire
Printer-friendly version View video September 17, 2025 (Lakeside) — East County Magazine photographer Patrick Ward has obtained surveillance video from a Lakeside homeowner who lives next to the spot where the Coches Fire began. The video from the homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, shows vehicles on the roadway around 2:56 p.m. on September 8, 2025, followed by brush igniting

Photo of the week: Santee Fire Department’s new brush rig
Printer-friendly versionPhoto and story by Patrick Ward August 24, 2025 (Santee) – The Santee Fire Department this week held a push-in ceremony with its new home-type 3 brush engine, a symbol of the department’s commitment to safety and efficiency. The brush rig is designed to handle any emergency with precision and speed. The cost of the apparatus was

State Parks Photo Contest Running Through Sept. 30
Printer-friendly versionAnza-Borrego Desert State Park photo (left) by Karen Pearlman East County News Service July 15, 2025 (San Diego County) — California State Parks Foundation is inviting park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities and unique landscapes of California’s state parks. The California State Parks Foundation

Photos of the Week: Crest Celebrates Independence Day
Printer-friendly version July 6, 2026 (Crest, CA) – Paul Levikow sent in these photos from the 79th Crest Fourth of July Parade near Nancy Jane County Park. Parade watchers lined La Cresta Blvd. and Suncrest Blvd., to watch motorcycles, offroad vehicles, bicycles, classic cars, floats, and equestrians. The community event also included a live band, crafts, venders, food,
Search by Specific Date
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.