By Ariele Johannson

May 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination:East County features events to honor Mom for Mother’s Day, such as “Tea with the Queen,” along with family activities, art, an Old West Saloon, literature, and golf. In our preview, we have selected some film and theatre, and a patriotism event for next weekend.

Easter egg-stravaganza events and much more!

By Ariele Johannson

April 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination: East County begins with a Chamgane Brunch, glow-in-the-dark egg hunt and other Easter events--then ends with fishing and a Spring Harp Festival.

But that's not all. We have a fabulous preview of some great upcoming events all right here in East County and San Diego’s inland region.

Celebrating our cultural & agricultural roots

JUNE 19 4:30-7:30 PM AT HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM, EL CAJON

    Enjoy:

• International foods from Dolci Cafe Italiano, J's Greek Cuisine, Tiramisu Trattoria, Rubio's  & more
• Wine tasting with Campo Creek Vineyards, Maness Vineyards, and other wineries
• Meet authors of books on local history and culture from Sunbelt Publications
• Native American dancing with Eric RunningPath; Native American flute music by Jim Hannibal
• Live music by Krista Timm and Vicky Archibold from San Diego Performance Academy
• Learn from farmers, wine makers, a beekeeper, a chicken expert, A.R.C.H.E.S. and  San Diego Farm Bureau
• Get tips on solar power from Sullivan Solar
• Take a free museum tour
• Play the East County Trivia Quiz game and be on the radio!
• Win great prizes including  a resort vacation getaway, golf, restaurant gift certificates, garden basket, hand-made soaps, martial arts lessons, music lessons, pet owners' basket, Wild West Fest tickets, wine lovers' gifts, and more.

Don't miss this fun and festive event! Click "read more" and scroll down for details.

December 28, 2012 (Julian) – As part of the San Diego County Library’s acoustical performance series, The Yes Team will perform at the Julian Library on January 8.

The free concert will be held from 6- 7 p.m. The library is located at 1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036.

December 6, 2011 (Mt. Helix) --We joyfully invite our readers to join us in an afternoon of festivities at our annual holiday party!  Come join the fun -- and help support the East County Toy and Food Drive as well as East County Magazine.

The event will be held Saturday, December 10 from 2-6 p.m. at our editor's home on Mt. Helix. (Address/directions provided with RSVP). Join us for feasting and merrymaking, wine tasting, live music by jazz pianist Danny Green, prizes, drawings, and games galore! 

June 17, 2011 (La Mesa)--What is your image of summer? Being on the water, a back country visit, ripe grapes in the sun? We all have nostalgic and joyful memories of summers past, and hopes for relaxation, recreation and friendship in the months ahead.

"Images of Summer" at O'Dunn Fine Art in La Mesa will present--in the vernacular of painting--sunny days of over twenty artists, in oils, watercolor, and pastels. Landscape, figurative, and abstract pieces evoke the season, each framed and ready to hang. Proprietor Shannon O'Dunn invites you to join her for the opening of "Images of Summer", and to celebrate the Summer Solstice with music and art on Wednesday June 22, from 5 pm to 8 pm.

March 3, 2011 (Santee) -- Grab your gardening gloves and head on out to the SanTree Fest, a fun family event in Santee.  Guests can volunteer to help plant  over 50  trees or assist with river cleanup, enjoy live musical entertainment, sample healthy foods, enjoy kid crafts, and visit interactive environmental booths.

On our visit last year, some booths were also giving away plants, flowers, and even a potted pine tree. Kids and grown-ups had fun getting dirty--while helping to beautify the community.

 February 15, 2011 (Alpine) – Victorian dress is optional at the 18th annual Victorian Tea, sponsored by the Alpine Woman’s Club on February 26, 2011.

Harkening back to a bygone era, the event will feature finger sandwiches, English scones, delectable desserts, and a melodrama production titled “And the Lamp Went Out” directed by Tim Arends.

November 20, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites you to enjoy a traditional Christmas holiday social. The Rancho San Diego Olde Time Christmas Village will be held on December 11 from 4-9 p.m. featuring carolers, a snow sculpture contest, and a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves.

November 3, 2010 (El Cajon)--Grossmont College Music Department will present the Grossmont College Symphony Woodwind Quintet’s performance of “An Evening of Chamber Music” starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Cuyamaca College Arts Center auditorium, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend.

East County News Service

October 11, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The public is invited to join in the fifth annual Passport Road Trip on Saturday, October 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 2 pm. The “cruise” will begin at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, motor along scenic Historic Highways 94 and 80, then end with special activities at a fundraising event at Gio’s in La Mesa Village from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

September 3, 2010 (Lakeside) – The public is invited to attend the 40th annual Barona PowWow. The event, which has free admission, will be held September 3-5 at the Barona Baseball Field. More than $60,000 in prize money will be awarded in Native American dance competitions. The powwow, which attracts competitors from all over North America, also features vendors selling Native American arts, crafts, and jewelry.

July 30, 2010 (Descanso) --  A Hawaiian vacation is the grand prize at an annual luau hosted by Chapel of the Hills Community United Methodist Church (www.chapelofthehills.org) on Sunday, August 1st from noon to 4:00 p.m. All are invited to the Hawaiian-style pit-barbequed pork dinner. Music and authentic Pacific Island dance entertainment, carnival games and  door prizes round out the afternoon.

Fun Continues Tonight at Gio's with more headliner comics

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2010 (La Mesa) – Brew-Ha-Ha’s first weekly comedy show upstairs at Gio Bistro and Wine Bar in La Mesa opened to a sold-out crowd last Sunday night. The act proved a rollicking success—artfully blending universally funny jokes with some East County-oriented punch lines.   Brew Ha Ha is the remedy for the blues--serving up light-hearted relief from tough times in an intimate yet friendly atmosphere with palate-pleasing food at Gio's.