RSVP by May 1 to reserve space

You’re  invited to our next East County Dining Club event! This event benefits East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency alerts. Everyone is welcome to attend our event at this popular new eatery founded by chefs with international experience!

When: Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Where:  Lemon Grove Bistro & Beer Garden, 3308 Main St., Lemon Grove

By Jessyka Heredia

March 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) --Are you looking for that perfect spot to eat that the whole family will love? Look no further than The Barn House BBQ in Lemon Grove’s downtown district that is quickly becoming a foodie destination. The Barn House BBQ offers wonderfully smoked in-house meats and traditional sides, craft beers, wine, craft cocktails and even a game room the whole family will enjoy! Come for the food and stay for the fun.

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2024 (San Diego) – Victims of the flooding disaster in San Diego County are now eligible for temporary food assistance through Cal Fresh.  Qualified applicants will receive a debit card with at least $291 to purchase food.There is a short application window. In order to get Disaster CalFresh, people must apply by Friday, March 15.

Disaster CalFresh benefits are for people living or working in impacted counties including San Diego County on January 21 who experienced one of the following:

• Lost wages or income because of the natural disaster, or
• Had their home or place of employment damaged, or
• Have disaster-related costs (including lost food, evacuation expenses), or
• Cannot access savings or checking accounts. 

No social security number is required. 

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 12, 2024 (San Diego) -- Jobs and finances, food systems, health, and housing – data shows these areas have some of the largest equity gaps in the San Diego region.

The Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) released the County’s first Equity Indicators Report on Wednesday.

East County News Service 

Photo by Teresa Jenkins, Broken Yolk Cafe

February 9, 2024 (San Diego) -- Broken Yolk Cafe offers two seasonal specials to celebrate Valentine's Day. The raspberry swirl pancake is made with the restaurant's sweet buttercreambatter with a twist of raspberries, a drizzle of cream cheese frosting andpowdered sugar all topped with fresh raspberries.

By Jonathan Goetz

February 5, 2024 (La Mesa) – Need a laugh with a cause for Valentine’s Day? La Mesa’s Journey Community Church hosts their 9th annual night of clean comedy Wednesday, February 14 at 7 p.m. to benefit their Local Impact efforts. Doors open at 6:30. The show will be hosted by Josh Lawson featuring comedians Collin Moulton and Kellen Erskine. Tickets are $24 per person.

Childcare is provided as a fundraiser for their Summer Camps by their High School group, and is $15 per child, including dinner, with sibling discounts. Please RSVP for childcare with ticket purchase.

East County News Service

February 1, 2024 (San Diego) -- If you lost food during the storm due to flooding or a power outage, you can request a replacement of your CalFresh benefits until Feb. 21, 2024.

By Jessyka Heredia

January 24, 2023 (La Mesa) – Mastiff kitchen in La Mesa is serving up homemade sausages that will really knock your socks off, but their menu has so much more to offer, so you might want to share family style. From crispy pan pizza’s and burgers to Brussel sprouts, you won’t be disappointed.

By Mike Allen

January 12, 2024 (Santee)-- Both Karl Strauss and Trader Joe’s have  announced plans to open retail outlets in Santee, although the latter company isn’t saying much other than its intention to come.

By Mike Atkinson

December 8, 2023 (La Mesa) - As a Texas BBQ aficionado, I've been anxious to try the newly-opened Papalo Sonoran-Style BBQ in La Mesa Village. Chef Drew Bent has a legendary pedigree, most recently the founding chef behind San Diego's Michelin-recognized Lola 55 modern taqueria. 

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 9, 2023 (San Diego) - The Board of Supervisors voted to continue a temporary program set to expire in 2024 that supports home cooking as a small business. It also expanded the earning potential for its participants.   

View South Africa video

View Zulu Nyala video

September 7, 2023  (La Mesa) –Tickets are now on sale for our “Taste of Africa” event!  The festivities will be Sunday, October 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center in the Arbor Room (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa, CA 91941).

Join us for a fun-filled evening including tastes of African cuisine from local African restaurants and caterers, African dancers and drummers, DJ and dancing, speakers including wildlife conservation leader Coe Lewis of NSEFU and Assembly member Akilah Weber, Africa videos Community Champion awards, raffle, live and silent auction.

The grand prizes are six-night photo safari packages for two at Zulu Nyala - a fabulous private wildlife preserve in South Africa! Other live auction prizes include a larimar bracelet, wine basket, hand-crafted ukelele with African theme, camping gear, and more.

Our raffle and silent auction is huge with many gift certificates and gift baskets from local restaurants, stores, wineries and other vendors, as well as hand-crafted African items and more.

Suggested attire:  African themed (animal print fabric, traditional African, safari wear, or tropical)

Get tickets now! We are nearly sold out.  Questions? Call 619-698-7617

East County News Service

September 3, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- The maximum amounts for which you can be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in California will increase starting October 1st, 202312.