By Ariele Johannson

May 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes all kinds of outdoor activities in East County parks and golf courses and a couple of film and theatre events. Our preview will tell you about a mock medieval battle taking place and a healing waters festival. We also have a section of ongoing weekly or monthly activities, so let’s get started!

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2014 (La Mesa)—Meet local authors and artists from 9 .a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, May 10 at the La Mesa Civic Center, 8174 Allison Avenue).  This free, fun and informative "Authors and Artists" event supports arts and literature in La Mesa.

The event also includes special presentations, notably by   Richard Lederer, renowned wordsmith from public radio and the Union-Tribune, speaking on “The Writing Life.”

Lakeside's River Park Conservancy's 7th annual San Diego River Run 5k is scheduled to be held on May 10, 2014.  A  morning run will be followed by a day of fun.

This year, organizers are combining efforts with the City of Santee and their annual SanTree Fest. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the festivities directly after the race.



Also, new this year will be a beer garden where each participant over the age of 21 (with proof) will receive a wristband that entitles them to one (1) free beer following the race.

May 9, 2014 (Julian)--Talented artists from Julian and nearby communities will present their paintings, photography, mosaics, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry and other works of fine art. Admission to the Julian Arts Guild show on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. is free, and many of the artists will be available to discuss their work.

May 8, 2014 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers & Bears, the Alpine non-profit exotic animal sanctuary, invites guests to  “follow the yellow brick road” to its annual Wild in the Country Gala on May 10, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. The event, held at the sanctuary and open to the public, features a silent and live auction, live entertainment and music, a catered dinner, visits with the big cats and bears, interactions with ranch and farm animals in Animal Encounters and fun for the whole family.

By Ariele Johannson

Butterfly Pavilion is still open for viewing

April 24, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)--The Butterfly Festival at the Water Conservation Garden marked the opening of their new Dorcas E. Utter Memorial Butterfly Pavilion on Saturday, April 5^th, 2014. The celebration involved participants traveling through the pleasant maze of The Garden with a Pollinator Parade led by Miss Metamorphosis. The event also featured a butterfly-habitat plant sale, face painting, animal encounter, Miss Smarty Plants, a butterfly laboratory, kids’ arts, and crafts, live music; and of course, the new Butterfly Pavilion.

April 24, 2014 (Lakeside) Tomas Gracilazo, trick roping expert, will perform his dazzling showmanship routine at each performance of the Lakeside Rodeo, which celebrates its 50^th anniversary with performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday  April 25-27 this weekend.

You can also see a full range of other rodeo events including bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, steer wrestling, tie down roping, bareback bronc riding, and saddle bronc riding. There’s also a special stick horse riding competition for children.

Registration deadline April 24

April 23, 2014 (Santee) – You’re invited to the 13^th annual Wil Wilson Memorial Spring Valley Lions Club Kids Fishing Derby this Saturday, April 26.  T he derby will take place on Lake 4. Check in at 6:30 am ends at 11:00 am. Awards will be given for the biggest fish, smallest fish, and most fish.  A barbecue lunch follows the Awards Ceremony.

April 19, 2014 (Lemon Grove) - Continuing this season's theme, "immigrant history alive right now," the Lemon Grove Historical Society will present Warda Yonan on the "History Alive" lecture series on May 1 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove.

April 17, 2014 (Alpine)--The 21st Annual Alpine Woman's Club Victorian Tea - Saturday, May 17, 2014 at the Alpine Woman's Club. The club is located at 2156 Alpine Blvd in the historic Town Hall.  Mark your calendar for this very special occasion! As momentum builds for the Club's Centennial Celebration coming up in October, this year's Tea promises to be extra special!  This year's entertainment will be "Fashion Through Time," a show spanning a century of fashionable attire presented by members of the San Diego Costumer's Guild.

April 16, 2015 (El Cajon) – Homegrown live music from seven bands with a diverse mix of styles will be coming to Cuyamaca College with the return of the Coyote Music Festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. Now in its sixth year, the free outdoor festival has retained its eclectic vibe, with a host of young talent playing everything from coffeehouse acoustic pop to Tejano rock. The mostly young crew of volunteers is a reminder that the event is actually a class assignment for students enrolled in Music Industry Studies, a transfer degree program unique locally to Cuyamaca College that focuses on the practical aspects of developing careers in the music industry.

By Nicolee Hill          

April 1, 2014

April 15, 2014 (La Mesa)-- Master Goldsmith and Jewelry Designer, Terry Whyte of Golden Artistry Jewelry Design is hosting this annual competition to be held in conjunction with Golden Artistry’s 30th anniversary. The event will be held on May 2, 2014 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at the La Mesa Woman's Club, 5220 Wilson, La Mesa , CA 91942. Numerous local vendors and restaurants will be donating gifts and services to be raffled off. In addition, Terry Whyte will auction off one of his original pieces of jewelry and the Grand Prize winning design.  All proceeds will go to the Golden Artistry Foundation which will disperse funds to local schools’ jewelry programs and to the internships at Golden Artistry.  Members of the community are encouraged to participate in this event.

By Miriam Raftery

April 10, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The weather is warming up and the Jacumba Hikers are hitting the trail, with a trip to Blue Angel’s Peak  and Nopal Peak planned this weekend and more outings later in the month.  For a list of hikes, click here.  To read hiking safety tips, click here.

April 9, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has some hot rods, hoofbeats, hoppin’ good fun with the Easter Bunny, and a Sweet 16 party! Click read more and scroll down for details.

April 8, 2014 (Ramona)--Aviation enthusiasts and war history buffs will enjoy an exciting display at Ramona Airport when the Wings of Freedom Tour flies into town this month. World War II aircraft, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator and P-51 Mustang, will be on display April 23 to 25 at 2898 Montecito Rd., Ramona.