By Miriam Raftery

December 3, 2025 (Alpine)—Paul Nichols, aka Retro One-Man Band will provide lively entertainment on the patio at Mike Hess Brewing in Alpine this Friday, December 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

He performs on fingerstyle and slide guitar, vocals, harmonicas, and foot percussion as well as signing in a wide variety of styles, from blues, roots, and roadhouse boogie to Latin, classics and instrumental jazz.  He’s performed at many venues, including East County Magazine events over the years.

East County News Service

December 3, 2025 (San Diego) – An investigation led by the FBI’s San Diego Field office has resulted in the Scam Center Strike force seizing a third web domain used to defraud countless Americans, including at least 400 victims in San Diego.  

East County News Service

December 3, 2025 (San Diego) – Great Lakes Cheese Co. has recalled shredded cheeses sold in 31 states due to possible metal fragments in the products. The cheese was sold under multiple brand names, including Borden, Good & Gather, Great Value, Publix, Food Lion and Food Club, and at stores such as Walmart, Target, Aldi, Publix and H-E-B.

Products have expiration dates ranging from January 2026 through March 2026 and may still be in consumers’ refrigerators. The recall includes shredded mozzarella as well as mixed cheeses.

By Heidi Hope 

December 2, 2025 (La Mesa) - Gino & Gianni’s Pizzeria by Mamma Mia, a new pizza restaurant in La Mesa, evokes Italian ambience from delicious food to images of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel paintings on the ceiling.  

Source:  Jamul Casino Resort

December 2, 2025 (Jamul) - Jamul Casino Resort is celebrating the holiday season with a continued commitment to uplifting the San Diego community. Rooted in the Resort’s mission, Jamul Casino Resort and the Jamul Indian Village actively partner with local organizations that provide essential resources to those in need to continue connecting with and supporting their local community.

A neighborhood shaped by scholarship, culture and charm

Overview:  Set at the core of San Diego’s mid-city region, a blend of campus culture and neighborhood charm can be found here. The College area, centered around San Diego State University, brings together longtime residents, students and visitors to a community known for its events, diversity and good eats. 

From entertainment venues, sports sites and community centers to specialty shops and eateries on and around the university campus, the college area offers an array of places to explore.

The College Area’s bordering communities add even more to the area. Kensington’s historic charm and standout dining, City Heights’ global flavors and community spirit and Rolando’s walkable streets all contribute to making the region an attractive place to both settle down and visit. Together, these neighborhoods create a diverse blend of spots to frequent in one region that is easy to explore.

Source: California Fire Foundation

November 29, 2025 (San Diego) - The holiday season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. As families across California prepare for festive celebrations, it’s essential to prioritize safety—especially in a state prone to wildfires. Here are some key holiday safety tips from the California Fire Foundation:

By Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 28, 2025 (San Diego) - The holidays are a time for food, family and celebration. But the extra activity, rich meals and decorations can create hazards for pets.

By Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery

Overview: San Diego County's beautiful coastline often steals the spotlight, but the eastern side of the county offers a serene and varied landscape.  Our Rivers and Lakes region encompasses  eastern portions of the San Diego River, which flows from its headwaters in the mountains to the sea, along with reservoirs, many parks, rocky crags, and our county’s only natural lake.

This area also celebrates its wild west roots, offers many nature trails as well as contemporary comforts, providing a wealth of recreational opportunities here.

From the bird-laden banks of the San Diego River in Lakeside to the popular Lake Murray Reservoir, the waterways and places around them continue to draw visitors with their inviting features. The County also operates numerous parks in the Lakeside area, including some with rugged terrain and adventures awaiting visitors.

Novel by Larry M. Edwards

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

November 28, 2025 (San Diego) -- Larry Edwards, a San Diego resident, has written another Rent Beacham mystery. San Diego journalist Rent receives information about a cold-case homicide in Washington State. His investigation leads him to investigate links between illegal disposal of hazardous waste from a San Diego boatyard in 1995 to corruption involving geothermal energy, and lithium extraction.

“They meant to hurt us, but they’re hurting our kids.” –Jason Balisteri, Mount Miguel history teacher and former teacher-librarian

By Armando Rasing II

Photos, left:  protest signs at GUHSD board meeting when the majority voted to fire all teacher-librarians.

November 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) - The 2025-26 school year marks the first school year that the Grossmont Union High School District doesn’t have a teacher-librarian for any of its nine schools, following mass layoffs. 

East County News Service

Nov. 25, 2025 (Lakeside) -- The heart of cozy Lakeside will transform into a hub of festive activity next month, anchored by two of its warmest community traditions: the annual "Spirit of Christmas" celebration and the return of the popular "Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Resale Shoppe."

Sponsored by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, the Spirit of Christmas event will include two all-day events, lasting from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both., Saturday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec. 19.

From 3 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, Maine Avenue will be temporarily closed to traffic and transformed into an old-fashioned Christmas celebration, complete with the sights, sounds and scents of the season.