Review and photos by Gerald Stevenson 

September 15, 2019 (El Cajon) -- What can be said about the incomparable Luann de Lesseps? The sky is the limit, her fans would say. Also known as The Countess, she held the audience in the palm of her hand during the opening week of El Cajon’s newly reborn concert hall, The Magnolia.

Friday the 13th was Luann’s night to entertain. Bringing her cabaret show to El Cajon was a nice gift for our city, and the wider region of San Diego. My only wish was for her to remind the audience where we are:  El Cajon, not San Diego. Come on Luann, give our city some recognition! But, that’s a small thing. Maybe future stars will give us a shout out.

The Magnolia was a sell out on Friday. The audience was frisky and full of life, eventually clapping and chanting, "Luann! Luann! Luann!’ as encouragement, hoping their cries reached her dressing room. With phone cameras in everyone’s hands, the fans had time to take "selfies" and photos of the growing crowd.

This event has been cancelled due to not enough RSVPs to meet the restaurant's minimum.  Refunds will be issued to those who purchased tickets. 

September 9, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Our next East County Dining Club event is a Mideast feast at Happy Times Mediterranean Restaurant (2441 Jamacha Rd., El Cajon in the Rancho San Diego area) on Thursday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Come savor the flavors of Iraq with authentic foods and a special musical performance by Fouad Sawa and the Peace Band performing on authentic Middle Eastern instruments. Meet the media and make new friends, plus we'll have opportunities win win prizes.

This restaurant requires us to RSVP no later than Sept. 17 - no exceptions  Early reservations are strongly recommended!

By Miriam Raftery

Roger Coppock contributed to this story

September 8, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Extreme heat is poised to rise steeply in frequency and severity over the coming decades, bringing unprecedented health risks for people and communities across the country. That’s the disturbing finding of the Union of Concerned Scientists in a just-issued report titled Killer Heat in the United States: Climate Choices and the Future of Dangerously Hot Days.

The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay nation will hold its 30th annual powwow from Friday evening, September 6 through Sunday, September 8 at the Sycuan powwow ground (5577 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon). 

The event features bird singing and Native American dance competitions, drumming, Native arts and crafts vendors, foods and more.

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

Photos via Creative Commons

September 3, 2019 (El Cajon) -- When you arrive at your home-away-from-home lodging for a business trip or a family vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is drunken brawls, prostitution, drug activity, bed bugs, and dirty room conditions affecting your stay. You have a certain expectation that the property’s owners and managers are abiding by a certain set of standards. 

San Diego’s largest manufacturing expo is a unique opportunity to inspire students 

August 28, 2019 (El Cajon) – The East County Economic Development Council’s (EDC) Manufacturing Expo is right around the corner, and more manufacturers are registering by the day to exhibit their companies and products. On October 1, the fourth annual event will bring manufacturing to Main Street. The Expo will be held in downtown El Cajon at Prescott Promenade from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and expects to bring in over 500 attendees. 

Join us at our exciting new event, which we hope will be the first in a series.  Come be in the know about news shakinng up East County, and meet movers and shakers in our region! Just $16 in advance ($20 at the door).

EAST COUNTY MOVERS, SHAKERS & NEWSMAKERS

Thursday, August 29

• Reception (wine & foods from local restaurants*)  5 p.m.
• Program with our newsmakers/speakers  6 p.m.
• Plus prize drawings galore, museum tours, silent auction
• Musical entertainment by  Paul Nichols and Cindy Burnham

Heritage of the Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College

12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon

                                          (Museum entry is between the Water Conservation Garden's two driveways)

Speakers:

Jim Price, Pacific Southwest Railway Museum:  See a sneak preview of the railway’s Centennial Celebration coming up this fall , hear tales of the railroad's colorful past, and learn why it's called San Diego’s “Impossible Railway.”

Taylor O’Sullivan, Sullivan Solar Power: Sullivan’s project developer and NABCEP Certified Energy Practitioner will share info on the latest and greatest local solar trends including solar & storage technology, how to profit from new SDG&E time-of-use rates, and what residents can do to avoid missing out on the last year of a 30% federal tax credit.  Plus see a solar system on display.

Christina Whipple:  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member on fire insurance options for property owners who receive nonrenewal notices

Barry Jantz, Stop Cottonwood Sand Mine: Hear the latest updates on a controversial proposal for a sand mine on the Sweetwater River at the site of the Cottonwood Golf Course, adjacent to homes and a federal wildlife preserve, also near schools and businesses.

Historical reenactor Victor Contreras will bring to life Bonifacio Lopez, cattle “king” from the 1800s, and speak on efforts to outreach to local schools and community groups with historical reenactments as we commemorate San Diego’s 250th birthday

Miriam Raftery and Paul Kruze,  Editor and Contributing Editor, East County Magazine: Hear the latest on breaking news stories & exciting events coming up, includng the opening of the Magnolia Performing Arts Center in East County.

Prize drawings with prizes galore, a silent auction, museum tours and more!

Buy tickets:  https://www.eastcountymedia.org/east-county-moversshakers#

General Admission: $16 in advance ($20 at the door); Students: $12.

Reserve early – seating is limited!

Questions? (619)698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org

Special thanks to our event's undewriter: Sullivan Solar Power

By Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Through a new pilot program, customers of Helix Water and Sweetwater Authority can received a $100 rebate on a qualifying smart leak detector purchased August 1st or later, while supplies last.  Learn more and apply here.