By Miriam RafteryDecember 21, 2024 (San Diego) – Our guests on our East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM this week were Brigette Browning, President of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, along with Ollivia Aguirre, a striking worker, mother of two young children, and psychosocial clinician currently on strike at Kaiser Healthcare in El Cajon. She is also a representative of the National Union of Healthcare Workers. We also spoke with Chris Chavara, a single father of three teenagers and member of the Ironworkers Local 229.Our guests spoke about the Labor Council’s recent holiday food and toy drive, including how it helped their own families. A downturn in the construction industry and the healthcare strike impacted their households directly, yet both Chavara and Aguirre volunteered at the holiday drive to help give back to others, as well as receive much-needed…
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City awaits Council’s next motionBy Rachel WilliamsJuly 14.2024 (El Cajon) -- With online sales taking a bite out of retail traffic, shopping malls across the U.S. are struggling and some have closed down. Seeking to avoid that scenario, the City of El Cajon commissioned a market analysis envisioning redevelopment options for Parkway Plaza, East County’s largest regional shopping mall.Council members unanimously favored a motion to move beyond proposed aspirational measures and begin the next step toward transforming Parkway Plaza into a mix of residential, retail, offices, entertainment and community space.These “Eatertainment” facilities would combine compelling, traditional dining options and immersive sport-centered bars with unique, dynamic lifestyle retail shops, all oriented around a linear park.The biggest takeaway from this market analysis is that the community wants…
East County News Service June 21, 2024 (Lakeside) — In honor of National Canoe and Kayak Day, Lake Jennings in Lakeside is offering guided kayak tours on Wednesday, June 26 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The hour-and-a-half tour costs $30 per person and includes a kayak rental. Learn about the lake’s history, biodiversity, conservation efforts and operations. Reserve space by calling (619) 596-1306. Kayak rentals and launches are also available. Just purchase a day-use permit and launch fee at the bait and tackle shop. No fishing will be permitted from kayaks for this event. (Personal kayaks must be sit-inside kayaks, at least 10 feet long, not self-bailing and have seats for all persons inside. Sit-on-top or inflatable kayaks are not allowed.) Lake Jennings is located at 9535 Harritt Road in Lakeside. For more information, visit www.LakeJennings.org.
East County News ServiceJanuary 8, 2025 (La Mesa) -- Forty-seven years after Wait Until Dark premiered on Broadway, Jeffrey Hatcher has adapted Frederick Knott's 1966 original, giving it a new setting. In 1944 Greenwich Village, Susan Hendrix, a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by a trio of men in her own apartment. As the climax builds, Susan discovers that her blindness just might be the key to her escape, but she and her tormentors must wait until dark to play out this classic thriller's chilling conclusion.Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present this updated twist on the classic thriller starting January 10 through February 2. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., except on Saturday, January 18, there will bea 2 p.m. matinee only.For tickets, visit https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/
East County News ServiceJanuary 16, 2025 (El Cajon)-- In honor of Valentine's Day, the Saps at Sea Laurel & Hardy club presents: Laurel & Hardy – Romantic Leads?? Films include "Should Married Men Go Home?", "Our Wife", and "Yes, Yes Nannette." The event takes place on Saturday, February 1, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at First Lutheran Church of El Cajon, 867 S Lincoln Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020. Admission is $10 and includes dessert. Children 12 and under are free. Movie-related books will be available for sale.Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; the program starts at 5 p.m.For more information,visit the Saps At Sea - San Diego Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/111118255744315
By Miriam RafteryNovember 29, 2024 (Pine Valley) – Camp Christmas in Pine Valley is back, with dazzling lighting displays and more from 5:30 to p.m. Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, and Dec. 13-22. Visitors to Camp Christmas, located in a mountain community in San Diego's East County, will see thousands of computerized lights strung on trees and a spectacular water show, both synchronized to holiday music.There’s also hayrides, a bounce house, laser tag, archery, food, live entertainment, and a talking Christmas tree, a Nativity presentation, Camp Christmas train rides, a children’s playground, climbing wall, face painting, gift shop, and more.Food options include a buffet, barbecue dinners, snack bar, sweet treats, and more.Pine Valley gets chilly in winter, so be sure to bundle up!For reservations and details, visit https://pinevalleycampchristmas.com/
Photo: Viejas will host a party at The Park on New Year's Eve. Photo courtesy Viejas Resort December 29, 2024 (San Diego) - San Diego County residents have myriad opportunities to ring in 2025 with New Year's Eve celebrations across the region.First Nation casinos across the county will be part of the variety of New Year's Eve events welcoming 2025: Jamul Casino guests can immerse themselves in shimmering lights and disco beats with "Shimmer & Shake." Festivities include a "Noon Year's Eve," with $20 free play for active players at noon, a Champagne Toast Mystery Game from 6 a.m. until midnight, Surf & Turf endless dining from noon to midnight at Tony Gwynn’s Sports Pub, a VIP dinner from 7 to 9 p.m. for invited guests at Prime Cut, a VIP Countdown featuring B.I.G. from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. New Year's Day and live entertainment across multiple venues. For more…
By Jonathan GoetzJanuary 9, 2024 (El Cajon) – January happenings include a film festival in Borrego Springs—ideal if you like the desert without the heat—as well as opportunities to see raptors up close in Ramona, take a group hike up Cowles Mountain, watch a thriller at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, or network with veterans in Santee.Scroll down for details on these entertaining options.WAIT UNTIL DARK IN LA MESA JAN. 10-FEB. 2Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present this updated twist on the classic Wait Until Dark thriller starting this weekend through February 2. The plot focuses on a blind woman trapped in an apartment with three men, then realizing that her blindness holds the key to escaping if she waits until after dark. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., except on Saturday, January 18, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee only.…
January 9, 2024 (El Cajon) – January happenings include a film festival in Borrego Springs—ideal if you like the desert without the heat—as well as opportunities to see raptors up close in Ramona, take a group hike up Cowles Mountain, watch a thriller at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, or network with veterans in Santee.Scroll down for details on these entertaining options.WAIT UNTIL DARK IN LA MESA JAN. 10-FEB. 2Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present this updated twist on the classic Wait Until Dark thriller starting this weekend through February 2. The plot focuses on a blind woman trapped in an apartment with three men, then realizing that her blindness holds the key to escaping if she waits until after dark. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., except on Saturday, January 18, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee only.For tickets,…