By Miriam Raftery

June 5, 2021 (La Mesa) – Looking for laughs after a year of quarantining? At the Spacebar Café and Wine Bistro in La Mesa announces Friday night comedy as well as live on June 25th featuring top local talent.

East County News Service

May 28, 2021 (San Diego) — San Diego County’s summer movies in the park are back with new movies, new parks and a refreshing twist on outdoor movie screenings. Summer Movies in the Park is launching in 2021 as a hybrid series with showings on lawns, from cars and online via a secret access code. These changes align with public health guidelines so you can choose your own movie adventure. 

Source:  City of La Mesa 

May 27, 2021 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Flag Day Parade will not be held again this year but the annual tradition will be brought to life through a new online event. For this year’s salute to “Old Glory," a two-week long virtual event will run from Monday, May 31 through June 14, 2021. The first 100 households to sign up to participate will receive a take-home kit with activities, themed accessories and a guide to participating in tasks to complete their Flag Day Virtual Parade bingo card. Completed cards can be submitted for an opportunity to win great summer prizes.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Henri Migala

May 22, 2021 (Deerhorn Valley) – Visitors to Deerhorn Valley Vineyards’ tasting room in Jamul over Memorial Day weekend will have the opportunity to sample a wine directly from the barrel,  complimentary with any winetasting purchased.

If you visit, please tell them you learned of their event on East County Magazine. Many of our readers had the delightful opportunity to taste their wines at our recent event. For those who missed our festivities, stop by and enjoy a real treat!

The wines are hand-crafted in small batches, with red wines aged in oak.  The winery offers a full range of whites, reds, rosés and blends. In addition, you can sample a wide variety of flavored balsamic vinegars and olive oils.

East County News Service

May 18, 2021 (San Diego) – The International House at the University of California, San Diego will present a global forum webinar titled “Campus Free Speech in the Shadow of Foreign Governments: China/Hong Kong and Israel/Palestine. The forum will be held on Wednesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m.  

East County News Service

May 11, 2021 (Santa Ysabel) - Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures in Santa Ysabel, just outside of Julian, is open for educational and historical farm tours with lots of outdoor recreational activities. The nursery will also be open for shopping when you sign up for a farm tour package offered Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 

East County News Service

May 5, 2021 (El Cajon) – Butterfly season is back.  The Water Conservation Garden invites you to release your very own butterfly each Saturday in May and June from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at its Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion and Native Habitat Garden.

By Miriam Raftery

April 30, 2021 (Santee) – The city of Santee invites you to bring your furry friend and enjoy Fido Day at Santee Dog Parks on Saturday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for “arfs and crafts” as well as a Paw-caso paw print art and doggie spray tattoos.

East County News Service

April 19, 2021 (San Diego) -- The celebration is virtual, but the fun is real — San Diego County’s Virtual Earth Day Fair is back. Visit the County’s Land Use and Environment Group’s Earth Day webpage, which is filled with fun and education for kids and parents alike. You can play games, solve puzzles, take virtual hikes in our County parks, get hiking tips from a County park ranger, watch animated video stories about whales and watersheds, sing the Earth song, learn about beekeeping and invasive bugs, explore and travel around the world — even walk on Mars right in your living room.

Celebration caps Mike Curphy’s journey from moonshining to making award-winning spirits

By Henri Migala

April 16, 2021 (Spring Valley) -- East County is known for many things: beautiful wide-open spaces, nature, horseback riding and hiking, makers of some of the best banjos and guitars in the world, numerous wineries, and more. But many people don’t realize that East County is also home to internationally-recognized, award-winning distilleries.

One such distinguished distillery is Mike Curphy Distillery, located with two other distilleries in the business park off Via Orange Way, near the San Miguel Fire Station, in Spring Valley.

COMMUNITY PARTY SATURDAY, APRIL 17

Mike Curphy and two other East County distilleries (Liberty Call and San Diego Distillery), along with four local eateries and three live bands, will be hosting a community party on Saturday, April 17, from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. at the business park off 2731 Via Orange Way in Spring Valley.

There is no cost to attend the event; tastings, drinks and food will be available for purchase. Bring a chair to relax outdoors and savor tastes from the distillieries and local restaurants. (Also bring a mask, to comply with county health rules when not eating or drinking.)

In an exclusive interview with ECM,Mike Curphy shared secrets of his success and his extraordinary journey from moonshining to making award-winning spirits.

East County News Service

April 12, 2021 (San Diego) -- Steve Padilla, editor of the Los Angeles Times’ Column One feature, will share his favorite writing tips at the San Diego Press Club’s next “Write Better Right Now,” a one-hour, writing webinar from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20. The free webinar, held over the Zoom video-conferencing platform, is open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2021 (Santee) – Get your rods and reels ready.  Santee Lakes invites you to drop a line at its Catfish Season Opener, when the lakes will be stocked with 2,000 pounds of catfish.

East County News Service

(Photo by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson)

April 10, 2021 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Desert View Tower in Jacumba Hot Springs will host an Earth Day celebration on April 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You’re invited to come experience Earth in the high desert including an Earth blessing ceremony and Sacred black Star Eyed Eagle Dancer, an array of live music, healthy natural foods including vegan options, and a wildflower and plant walk. There will also be alternative healers, local arts and crafts, nature art, native plants for sale, herbal products and essential oils, EMF awareness, nutritional counseling, natural beauty, country collectibles and more.