East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- London West End musical theatre star Dean Chisnall, returned to Steele Canyon Charter High School May 17 through May 20 to instruct and inspire the SC Players and musicians. He shared  his professional practices, experiences and wisdom through workshops, seminars, and discussions. The visit culminates with a live performance by Mr. Chisnall on Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m.in the Steele Canyon HS Theatre.

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) - San Pasqual Winery recently received a total of seven awards at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and 2023 Toast of the Coast International Wine Competition.  

San Pasqual Winery received the following awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Gold for their 2022 Riesling (San Diego County), Silver for their 2022 Albariño (San Diego County), and Silver for their 2018 Right Bank Blend (San Diego County). 

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, started in 1983 as the Cloverdale Citrus Wine Competition, is the largest and most well known in North America. This year, there were over sixty judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating 5,500 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries. 

San Pasqual Winery received four Silver awards at this year’s Toast of the Coast International Wine Competition, including: the 2022 Albariño (San Diego County), 2018 Right Bank Blend (San Diego County), 2018 Left Bank Blend (San Diego County) and 2016 Teroldego (Clarksburg).  

“We’re especially proud of our 2022 Riesling for receiving a Gold this year!” says winemaker, Linda McWilliams. “We have recently shipped a supply of Riesling to Germany for our wine & river cruise that we are hosting so that our participants can taste the differences and similarities between our Riesling and the ones they’ll discover there!”

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual popular “foodie” event is set for Monday, June 26 from 4:30 to  p.m. at the newly renovated Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley. The popularity and crowd of this annual event has outgrown the La Mesa Community Center, where it was held for the first 10 years.

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (Casa de Oro) - The Friends of the Casa de Oro Library will hold a benefit concert Sunday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in a private home.

The featured entertainment will be Fred Benedetti (photo) and Robert Wetzel, an award-winning guitar duo. Light refreshments will be served.

Lemon Grove Lions Club celebrates eighth anniversary with night under the stars at their Salsa y Salsa Fiesta

May 15, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Lions Club is pleased to announce its upcoming Salsa y Salsa Fiesta, which will take place on Saturday, June 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 3205 Olive Street in Lemon Grove. The event will celebrate the Lions Club's 8th anniversary and raise funds for local service projects. Tickets are available for $35, and attendees can expect an evening of fun and entertainment, including a no host bar, raffles, silent auction, salsa contest, DJ, and a performance by the Fabulous Five Dancers-SD Forever Lions Club. The event will be catered by Big Boz Taco Cart, ensuring that attendees will enjoy delicious food throughout the evening. 

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) - Members of the Letitia Coxe Shelby Chapter, NSDAR held their annual tea in Santee on April 14th, 2023. The tea was held in honor of their Revolutionary War patriots. The Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization dedicated to community service, preserving history, educating children, as well as honoring and supporting all who serve and have served this great nation.

East County News Service

May 14, 2023 (Julian) — The Julian Community Heritage Foundation will host its second annual Town Square Music Festival on June 3rd. This music festival will feature seven live bands, as well as food, local artisans, raffles, silent auctions and more.

By Shiloh Ireland

May 13, 2023 (Lakeside) - Lakeside Rodeo, which is Lakeside's largest event of the year along with the parade, was Thursday through Sunday, April 27^th. - April  30^th. And the annual Lakeside Western Days Parade rolled out on April 29th^. and it too was a fun-packed venue and family event.

ECM was at Texas Roadhouse Restaurant in El Cajon and spoke with and photographed the 2023 Rodeo Lakeside Queens, Emily Cullins, Miss Rodeo Lakeside and Junior Miss Rodeo, Stella Erb, who were greeting guests and signing autographs. They were at the rodeo and signed autographs and rode in the parade.

East County News Service

May 11, 2023 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel & Hardy appreciation society, present their June meeting "Stan & Ollie in Cop Troubles" on June 17 at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.  

Source:  SDG&E

By Miriam Raftery

\May 9, 2023 (Warner Springs) -- You’re invited to enjoy a self-guided driving tour through San Diego’s beautiful backcountry, savoring vintages from award-winning local wineries and discovering unique works by talented artists and artisans. The festivities include live art demos, fine arts and crafts, wine tasting, craft beer, picnicking, hiking and live music.

East County News Service

May 7, 2023 (El Cajon) - ‘Tis the merry month of May, and Shakespeare’s hilarious fairytale about the fickleness of love comes to life in the Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre just in time for spring. Spend the evening in an enchanted forest filled with fairies, a quartet of confused royals, and a troupe of actors desperately trying to put on a play for the king. 

East County News Service

May 2, 2023 (Campo) - Scott Lagace snapped images of a Bald Eagle taking flight at Lake Morena in rural East County.

By Jessyka Heredia

May 2, 2023 (Spring Valley) - On Saturday April 29^th the Spring Valley Community Alliance (SVCA) put on its first annual Spring Valley Day with great attendance and lots of things to see and do once inside.

By Mike Allen

April 29, 2023 (Santee) - Santee’s City Council unanimously approved a four-story, 97-room hotel at the Trolley Square Shopping Center to be operated by either the Hilton or Marriott chains at its April 26 meeting.