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Hello El Cajon! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A downtown district vote, Cajon Cruise, and $1 Summer Movies: Despicable Me 4 + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around El Cajon help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A downtown district decision: Downtown El Cajon’s revival faces a key test as property owners vote on a 20-year business district plan. Ballots are due September 15, deciding whether to keep funding improvements -- read the full story.
Academic excellence on display: Four San Diego State golfers were named 2025-26 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars by the GCAA, including seniors Chanachon Chokprajakchat and Tyler Kowack, a point of pride for El Cajon fans -- read the full story.
Neighborhood concerns continue: La Mesa’s apartment project cleared its final hurdle earlier this week, renewing worries about parking in neighborhoods. Neighbors share new parking concerns for streets bordering El Cajon -- read the full story.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Closet glow-up time: Secret Boutique nails that sweet spot between everyday and event-ready, with curated styles that feel special without trying too hard. When the week’s already doing the most, grab one standout piece and let it do the heavy lifting while the compliments roll in.
Make something cool: TuTuFun San Diego is a DIY arts and crafts studio where you can try rug tufting, pour art, decoden art, bracelet making, or DIY candles... all skill levels welcome. Great for a low-key date, kiddo energy burn, or friend hang, and you leave with a personalized keepsake.
Four museums, one stop: If your brain needs a field trip, Heritage of the Americas Museum packs natural history, archaeology, anthropology, and fine art into one cozy spot, plus lush tropical and desert garden patios. Wander a Journey Through Time and come home with conversation ammo for the next backyard hang.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎬 $1 Summer Movies: Despicable Me 4 @ Regal Edwards | Wednesday (8/5) at 11:00 AM – Regal is doing $1 summer movies, and Despicable Me 4 is up, basically cheap AC with bonus Minions. Pay a buck at the kiosk or $2 online, bring a snack and a drink, and tell the kids, or your inner child, you planned something cultural.
🚗 Cajon Cruise @ Prescott Promenade | Wednesday (8/5) at 5:00 PM – Take a midweek victory lap in Downtown El Cajon as Cajon Cruise rolls in every Wednesday, April through August. Classic and modern rides glow under the neon, live music and good food fill Main Street, and the only traffic we like is parked, polished, neighborly.
🚗 Safety Orange @ Downtown La Mesa | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Classic rides, live tunes, and that La Mesa Lumber truck stage, because who needs a fancy venue when you’ve got chrome. Safety Orange sets the soundtrack as you stroll La Mesa Blvd, browse beauties, sip something cold, and quietly rank the paint jobs.
🎵 Music on Main @ Prescott Promenade | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – Whether you staked out the same patch of grass since the aughts or just need a reason to stretch your legs downtown, Music on Main is back on Friday nights at Prescott Promenade. Local bands, easy eats nearby, actual neighbors, and mercifully civilized hours.
🎣 Fishing 101 @ Santee Lakes General Store | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Take a break from tangling your line solo and meet the ranger outside the Santee Lakes General Store for Fishing 101. Bring a rod, permit, and bait, or snag the last two inside. Ages 5+, little ones with an adult, cozy class size, actual tips.
🎵 Sounds of Summer Concert Series @ Grossmont Shopping Center (La Mesa) | Saturday (8/22) at 5:30 PM – The Sounds of Summer Concert Series is taking over the shopping center with breezy outdoor tunes, free parking, and plenty of eats. Our annual excuse to camp in lawn chairs, sip something cold, and know all the words. Bring a folding chair.
💧 Water District Wave-In Day @ The Water Conservation Garden | Saturday (8/29) at 9:00 AM – Wave-In Day means free admission for everyone, thanks to our neighbors at the Heritage of the Americas Museum teaming with Balboa Park’s House of Peru. Expect Peruvian eats, alpacas, and performances, with music in the Garden’s amphitheater, a cultural detour that beats yard work.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — El Cajon report Weather forecastToday — High: 87°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 1%
Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 2am. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 1%
Patchy fog before 11am. Sunny, with a high near 89. Later: Patchy fog after 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 68. This house is wildThis custom Singing Hills Estates retreat sits on over an acre at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, with a circular drive for about 20 vehicles and a four-car-plus garage. Inside are five bedrooms, five baths, two bonus rooms, a dramatic stone fireplace, and a chef’s kitchen with a 12-foot ash island. The pool, outdoor kitchen, solar, and upgraded Comex container workspace add serious flair.
Take a peek inside → |
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