FESTIVALS OF THE MONTH: MARCH 2009

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March 1, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--Spring is in the air! This month's events include street fairs, music festivals, St. Patrick's Day celebrating, stargazing, train rides, eco-events, nature hikes, a free job search program, a soap box derby, and a baseball contest where winners can advance to finals at a Major League All-Star game. Also a "running of the goats" in Crest. No bull...No Pamplona, Spain--just 250 goats running wild--we kid you not! (View video of another community's goat run here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDJP8yMbLjQ

 

For more lively times, stop by the "SanTree" Fest and Earth Day Celebration in Santee on the 21st. In addition to nature walks and tree plantings, you'll find bluegrass musical entertainment, environmental booths, and food sampling from local restaurants. Or head up to Ramona's Music Fest on the 28th complete with family fun, food, auction, reverse raffle, and music under the trees.

 

Yet another festival in March is the La Mesa Antique Village Street Faire on the 29th, featuring live music, antiques for sale, plus savory street fare provided by local restaurants and pubs. For a quieter contemplation of our natural wonders, take a guided nature walk or enjoy a stargazing party at Mission Trails Regional Park--all on our calendar of events for March.

 

Or take a ride aboard a historic train to Tecate from the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo on the 28th. Kids can get revved up at the Drew Ford/Kiwanis Soap Box Derby Rally Races in La Mesa on the 7th and 8th. Also a sure hit for budding baseball players ages 7 to 14 : girls and boys can participate in the Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run Competition in Santee on the 8th. Winners can advance to the national finals at the Major League All-Star Game!

 

Sure and there's no finer place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on the 17th than at Hooleys Irish Pub! Now Hooleys has 2 locations--and to celebrate, a double-decker bus will ferry party-goers to and from Hooleys La Mesa and Rancho San Diego locations--where live music including a U-2 tribute band will perform. Music aficionados can also enjoy a flute and harp concert at La Mesa Methodist Church on the 8th or the City Limits Band in Ramona on the 27th.

 

Art events include a painting demonstration by artist Jacqueline Nicolini in La Mesa on the 5th. Don't miss the opening of famed artist Olaf Wieghorst's home in El Cajon, now a designated city historic landmark. History lovers won't want to miss the "Corps of Discovery: Lewis and Clark" display and booksgining by author James E. Thomas at the Heritage of Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College on the 21st. If current events is more your fare, SDSU professor Dipak Gupta speaks on challenges faced by the U.S. in Afghanistan and Pakistan on the 4th in La Mesa. On a lighter side, Spring Valley Library hosts free vegetarian food day on the 15th.

 

Looking for work? There's a free job search meeting at Grossmont College on the 12th. Other interesting classes open to the public this month include a homebuyer's fair in El Cajon, a "Sustainable Julian" presentation by ecological designer Jim Bell, a free class in Escondido on selling to farmer's markets, a class on finding career success for people over 40, and a program in Lemon Grove on national healthcare sponsored by the League of Women Voters. You can also tour a windfarm on Kumeyaay land, learn how to create a green roof, or learn about building designs that are both sustainable and fire resistant.

 

There are also several hot political hearings coming up, including SDG&E's open house on Sunrise Powerlink in Scripps Ranch on the 4th , Alpine on the 10th, and in Jacumba on the 25th. In addition, La Mesa's strategic planning meeting on the city budget takes place on the 17th. Find all of these events and more at our calendar of events (http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/calendar.php?crd=eastcountymagazine&). Check back often, since we're adding new events every week!


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