30 Restaurants, 4 Wineries, & Signature Beer Sponsor Karl Strauss Brewery 

May 24, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Olaf Wieghorst Western Heritage Center will present the 2nd Annual Wieghorst Western Music Jubilee!  The event will take place on Saturday, June 2, at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theater in Rancho San Diego.

Belinda Gail, Sourdough Slim, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Tom Hiatt & The Sundown Riders, are just a few of the artists who will be entertaining. The show begins at 7:00 p.m.

May 24, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The 17th Annual Wings Over Gillespie air show will be taking place the weekend of June  2-3, 2012.

This year’s show will feature WWII bombers, F4F Wildcat, the TBF Avenger, the A6M Zero, the SBD Dauntless, and many more "Flying Museums" including the only remaining of their type, the Northrop N9M Flying Wing and the F3F Flying Barrel. Also on hand will be USN/USMC helicopters and other static displays, Navy SEALs, special military and law enforcement vehicles and equipment, daring aerobats performances, and much more.

May 18, 2012 (Escondido) – The San Diego Archaeological Center will be celebrating 10 years in San Pasqual Valley with its annual BBQ on June 2, from noon to 5:00 p.m. at 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido.  The catered event will include smoked pork sandwiches, beans, coleslaw, drinks and dessert for $6.00.

May 27, 2012 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Archaeological Center is hosting a trio of events in June starting with the Center’s Annual BBQ on June 2 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The event is catered and will be held at the Center located at 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido.  For $6.00 you will receive smoked pork sandwiches, beans, coleslaw, drinks and dessert.  Games and contests will round out the fun.

May 26, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Historical Society presents Alpine History Day Celebration on June 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2116 Tavern Road, Alpine.  The event will feature new displays in Dr. Nichols’ carriage house, tours of two pioneer houses, a Model T and an organ concert on the veranda.

May 26, 2012 (Santee) -- The Santee Street Fair is back May 26 at RiverView Parkway from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  This year’s featured bands include Atomic Groove, Creedence Relived and Liquid Blue. 

There will be rides, entertainment, arts and crafts, vendor booths, a variety of food and a Beer Garden. The free festival is open to all ages.

May  25, 2012 (Alpine)--Alpine Veterans Wall of Honor is planning a big Memorial Day celebration honoring our veterans Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pilots Mike Meloche and John Hickman are heading up a group of pilots who will lead a flyover of refurbished WWII "trainer" planes during the ceremonies at noon. Festivities also include the Rhythm Jacks playing live rhythm and blues music for dancing. Kids can enjoy an inflatable jumping bounce house--plus savor an All American Meal Deal, along with cotton candy, snow cones and ice cream.

May 26, 2012 (Ramona) – At Dos Picos County Park, 17953, Dos Picos Park Rd. in Ramona this Saturday, two family fun activities are planned:  A scavenger hunt and a “Snakes N’ Skins” ranger presentation complete with live animals.  Scroll down for details and for directions see

http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/Camping/dos_picos.html

May 19, 2012 (Valley Center) – The San Diego County Farm Tour Day, sponsored by the Farm Bureau, on June 16 gives a close-up look at what fresh and local agriculture is all about from those who know it best: San Diego farmers. Eight local growers will open their farms to the public for San Diego County Farm Bureau’s third annual Farm Tour Day, with guided walking tours starting every half hour from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at each site. 

May 17, 2012 (Flinn Springs) – The Strings of Spring Music Festival is being held at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs on May 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Bring lawn chairs and blankets. The event benefits the Challenge Center which provides physical therapy and assisted fitness services for the disabled.

May 16, 2012 (Lakeside) – A free Birds of Prey Presentation by Sky Hunters Raptor Education and Rehabilitation will be held on May 19 at Lakeside’s River Park, 12108 Industry Road, Lakeside from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity to see live birds of prey up close and learn about their life spans, habitat and diets. 

May 12, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- Maness Vineyard is holding the 4th Annual Food and Wine Mixer June 2 at historical Vineyard Mansion, 12685 Campo Road, Spring Valley from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  The event is to raise awareness for the local vineyards and wineries that are emerging across San Diego County.

The day will include entertainment such as local personality Diane Jean from The Brew Ha-Ha and Josh Tafoya on the baby grand.  A grape stomping contest will be held as well.  A charity raffle will benefit The House of Peru.

May 12, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego County Parks and Recreation has a cornucopia of events happening around the region in May.  There’s something for everyone – from guided hikes to campfires and stargazing.

May 11, 2012 (Lakeside) -- Lakeside’s River park Conservancy is presenting a free guided Mother’s Day hike on May 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  River Park biologist, Monica Winters, will lead a five mile loop of the San Diego Riverbed in East County.

Winters will point out plants, birds and insects along the way.  All mothers will receive a beautiful native plant to take home.

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2012 (Alpine) -- Looking for a wild time this weekend?

Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego's only exotic animal rescue facility, will be holding its annual fundraiser May 12 from 2:00  to 6:00 p.m. with a VIP reception from 1:00 to 2 p.m.
 
Festivities include silent and live auctions, ranch animal encounters, , food, live entertainment and visits with the big cats.

May 8, 2012 (Eastlake) – KIFM / 98.1 Smooth FM is set to host an “American Idol Viewing Party” this Wednesday night (May 9) at The Brewhouse at Eastlake and cheer on hometown “idol” contestant Jessica Sanchez of Chula Vista.

May 7, 2012 (La Mesa) – The “Sundays at Six” summer concert series will be held in the amphitheater at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street in La Mesa on Sundays, at 6:00 p.m. during June, July and August.  In honor of the City’s centennial celebration each concert will celebrate the music of the ten decades from 1912 to 2012.

May 6, 2012 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber is hosting a special evening mixer at North Island Credit Union, 7968 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa on May 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  It is an opportunity to meet the business banking team from NICU.

May 5, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) hosts the 19th annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival. The festival, rich in culture, talent, and Jewish soul, is organized and directed by Todd Salovey, associate artistic director, San Diego REP.

By Miriam Raftery

May 6, 2012 (Julian) – If you missed the many riveting films at yesterday’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Julian, you can still catch repeat showings today .  I caught the afternoon  movies yesterday—a delightful combination of powerful and emotional  films along with breath-taking cinematography, inspirational stories and even some humor in the mix.

Kadoma weaves a spell-binding and tragic tale of adventurers kayaking in the Congo.  Another film, Cold, ends in triumph atop a Pakistani mountain in winter. It’s not hard to see how both have won awards at other prominent film festivals.   

May 4, 2012 (Julian) – Through the beauty of films celebrating the environment, the Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival promises to inspire activism and appreciation for the natural word. 

This weekend's May 5-6 festival in Julian, a historic gold rush mountain town, brings touring films from the famed Nevada City Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The fun debuts with a party tonight and another Saturday featuring lively tunes of Grand Canyon Sundown. Hikes on Volcan Mountain and in Santa Ysabel Preserve are also planned, as well as award-winning films, a non-fiction filmmakers workshop, and guest speakers.

Film highlights include Connecting the Gems, which tracks two National Geographic Adventures of the Year on a 520 mile trek through the Rockies’ premier wildlife corridors.  Chasing Water, winner of  Best Environmental Film and Best Documentary at other film fests, traces a Colorado watershed from river to the sea. 

April 25, 2012 (Alpine) – The Center to Help Instill Respect & Preservation for Garden Wildlife, Inc. (CHIRP) is hosting the 15th Annual Alpine Sage & Songbirds Festival & Garden Tour May 4-6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m at the Show Court at Viejas Outlets, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine.  This year’s theme is Waterwise & Butterflies and the garden tour will include 6 bird and butterfly friendly gardens, a place of worship habitat garden and a raptor rehabilitation facility.

May 2, 2012 (San Diego) -- The Allied Gardens SpringFest is May 11-12 at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center, 5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego.  The kick-off party begins at 5:00 p.m. on May 11 with a concert featuring Fusion Beat at 7:45 p.m.  Saturday’s events begin at 9:00 a.m. with a Pancake Breakfast, followed by the SpringFest Parade.

Festivities include a car show, vendor booths, including food and a beer garden.  Saturday’s performances will be by Pullman Standard and Rockola. Children’s activities include a carnival, pony rides, inflatables, a rock climbing wall and a dunk tank.