Discover East County

In Episode 34 of Discover East County, we sit down with Andrew Lawson, a candidate for California State Assembly District 79 in the 2026 election.

As a member of the Spring Valley Community Planning Group and a former substitute teacher, Andrew brings a background in community involvement and education to his campaign. He shares what inspired him to run for office and discusses his priorities, including housing affordability, public safety, economic opportunity, and government accountability.

Join us as Andrew shares his perspective on the challenges facing East County residents, his goals for District 79, and what he hopes to accomplish if elected to the State Assembly.

Tune in to Episode 34 of Discover East County to learn more about Andrew Lawson and his campaign for State Assembly.

In Episode 33 of Discover East County, we meet Rimon Hirmiz of Cali Stack Burgers & Grill, a local Lakeside restaurant serving up stacked burgers, fresh ingredients, and a menu full of comfort-food favorites.

From their signature Cali Stack Burger to creative burger combinations, sandwiches, and more, Cali Stack brings plenty of flavor to the East County food scene. But running a local restaurant is about more than what’s on the menu — it’s also about creating a welcoming place where people can come together and enjoy a great meal.

Join us as Rimon shares the story behind Cali Stack Burgers & Grill, his experience as a local business owner, and what makes this Lakeside spot worth discovering.

Tune in to Episode 33 of Discover East County to meet Rimon and learn more about Cali Stack Burgers & Grill.

In Episode 32 of Discover East County, we sit down with Kimberly Schafer, founder of BringThings, Inc. and the inventor of Ring Thing, a San Diego-based product created to solve a simple but surprisingly common problem: where do you safely put your rings when you need to take them off?

Kimberly came up with the idea while working at UC San Diego and spent eight years developing Ring Thing from an idea into a patented product. Today, the waterproof and floating ring holder gives people a safe place to keep their rings while they work out, hike, swim, travel, or simply go about their day.

Kimberly also shares what it was like to transition from a 33-year career at UC San Diego into becoming an inventor and entrepreneur, and how she has built a company focused not only on innovation, but also on giving back to the community.

Tune in to Episode 32 of Discover East County to hear Kimberly’s story and learn how a simple problem turned into a San Diego-based business and patented invention.

In Episode 31 of Discover East County, we sit down with Jaden Nam of Phở Mai Cali in Santee, a restaurant bringing authentic Vietnamese flavors and culture to East County.

Jaden’s journey to becoming a chef is just as meaningful as the food he serves. After moving from Saigon to San Diego in 2013, Jaden worked his way through the culinary industry, building his skills and passion for Vietnamese cuisine along the way. Today, he brings that experience to Phở Mai Cali, where traditional flavors, fresh ingredients, and thoughtful presentation come together.

Hear Jaden’s story, learn about his journey from Vietnam to Santee, and discover what makes Phở Mai Cali unique in the East County food scene.

Tune in to Episode 31 of Discover East County.

In Episode 30 of Discover East County, we sit down with Anthony and Ashley Carnevale to talk about their involvement in East County schools and Anthony’s campaign for Cajon Valley School Board.

Anthony, a parent and local business owner, serves as a Cajon Valley Union School District trustee for Area 1, while Ashley has become an active voice for parents and families in the district. Together, they share their perspective on education, parental involvement, school leadership, and the issues that matter to families in East County.

Hear directly from Anthony and Ashley about their experience in the Cajon Valley community, Anthony’s vision for the school board, and why they’ve chosen to get involved in local education.

Tune in to Episode 30 of Discover East County.

In Episode 29 of Discover East County, we sit down with Josh and Grace Baker of Pizzabilities, a local business built around a mission that goes far beyond pizza.

The story of Pizzabilities began with Grace, who has Down syndrome, and her family’s struggle to find meaningful employment opportunities for her after high school. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to come along, Josh and his family decided to create one building a business where Grace and others with special needs could work, grow, contribute, and feel like they belong.

Today, Pizzabilities is creating meaningful jobs for people of all abilities while bringing the community together over great pizza. It’s a powerful story of family, purpose, and what can happen when you decide to create the opportunity you wish existed.

Tune in to Episode 29 of Discover East County to hear Josh and Grace’s story and learn about the purpose behind Pizzabilities.

In Episode 28 of Discover East County, we sit down with Jonny Van Ommering, a third-generation member of the family behind Oma's Family Farm, one of East County's most cherished family destinations.

Jonny shares the incredible story of how his grandparents immigrated from the Netherlands and built a dairy farm in Lakeside that would eventually become Oma's Family Farm. Today, the farm has become a tradition for generations of San Diego families, welcoming thousands of visitors each year for seasonal events, educational experiences, and unforgettable memories.

We talk about carrying on a family legacy, the challenges of preserving a local institution, and what it means to continue building on the vision that started more than 60 years ago.

🎙️ Real conversations. Local voices. East County stories.

#DiscoverEastCounty #EastCountySD #OmasFamilyFarm #JonnyVanOmmering #LakesideCA #FamilyLegacy #RealTalkMedia

In Episode 27 of Discover East County, we sit down with the new owners of The Grinder, the iconic El Cajon sandwich shop that has been serving the community for decades.

Taking over a beloved local institution comes with big shoes to fill, and we talk about what inspired them to take on the challenge, how they're honoring The Grinder's legacy, and what customers can expect as they lead the next chapter of this East County favorite.

From preserving longtime traditions to bringing fresh energy and ideas to the business, this conversation is all about entrepreneurship, community, and the responsibility that comes with carrying on a local landmark.

Whether you've been grabbing sandwiches at The Grinder for years or you're planning your first visit, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people shaping its future.

🎙️ Real conversations. Local voices. East County stories.

#DiscoverEastCounty #EastCountySD #TheGrinder #ElCajon #SmallBusiness #LocalBusiness #CommunitySpotlight #RealTalkMedia

In Episode 26 of Discover East County, we sit down with Angela May, founder of Stoney Oaks Ranch in Alpine a place where horses, leadership, and community come together to make a lasting impact.

What started as a passion for horsemanship has grown into a thriving ranch that serves hundreds of local youth and families through riding lessons, camps, leadership programs, and hands-on experiences that teach responsibility, confidence, and character. Angie believes that young people need more than just activities they need connection, purpose, and opportunities to grow.

With more than 20 years of experience in equine education and youth development, Angie has dedicated her life to creating a space where kids can unplug, get outdoors, and learn life lessons that extend far beyond the saddle.

From building Stoney Oaks Ranch from the ground up to investing in the next generation of East County leaders, Angie shares the story behind her mission and the impact she's seeing in the community every day.

🎙️ Real conversations. Local voices. East County stories.

#DiscoverEastCounty #EastCountySD #StoneyOaksRanch #AngelaMay #AlpineCA #YouthLeadership #Horsemanship #RealTalkMedia

In Episode 25 of Discover East County, we sit down with Brandi Terra, Nurse Practitioner and founder of Oak & Stone Wellness & Med Spa in El Cajon.

Brandi has built her practice around a simple philosophy: helping people feel their best from the inside out. Through a blend of wellness-focused care, hormone optimization, and advanced aesthetic treatments, she takes a personalized approach to helping patients regain confidence, balance, and overall well-being.

In this conversation, Brandi shares her journey into healthcare, what inspired her to launch Oak & Stone Wellness, and why she believes true wellness goes beyond treating symptoms—it starts with understanding the whole person.

From women's health and hormone therapy to confidence, self-care, and entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with insight from someone passionate about helping others thrive.

🎙️ Real conversations. Local voices. East County stories.

#DiscoverEastCounty #EastCountySD #BrandiTerra #OakAndStoneWellness #WomensHealth #WellnessJourney #RealTalkMedia