April 6, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Cuyamaca Community College invites you to its sixth annual “Coyote Music Festival” on the campus Grand Lawn on Saturday, April 26 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The festival features seven bands of up-and-coming local talent that will showcase all-original music compositions. These home-grown singer-songwriters will perform a variety of genres, including acoustic, rock, folk and pop.

Ariele Johannsen hosts our popular “Destination East County”program on the East County Magazine Radio show. Our show airs  Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on KNSJ 89.1 FM.  Destination East County is heard on Wednesdays and Fridays each week.

April 1, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) –Spring is in the air this week, complete with spring festivals, baby animals, classical music, poetry and art, golf events, and more! Scroll down for details on many happenings in East County for you and your family.

March 30, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--Friends of East County Arts, Inc. presents its 19^th Annual Garden Tour on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Six spectacular gardens will offer an amazing variety of settings and each garden is lovingly planned and cared for by its owner. Included in this year’s tour are:

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2014 (Crest) – From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m . Saturday, March 29 you can savor live music under the oaks at the Acoustic Crestridge concert.  The event is held at the Crestridge Ecological Reserve, 1171 Horsemill Road in the La Cresta area of Crest in unincorporated El Cajon.  The event benefits the Earth Discovery Institute, which supports youth science learning and environmental stewardship.

Enjoy music by San Diego’s Jeffrey Joe, Sierra West, Chris Avetta, Chad Taggart and the Harpers, as well a children’s drum circle, neighbors’ song circle and surprises.  Tickets cost $10 (kids under 12 are free) and can be purchased at http://www.earthdiscovery.org.

March 24, 2014 (El Cajon) – St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center is holding its 16th annual Morning Glory Brunch on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2119 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon.  The brunch will feature complimentary food and beverage tastings from over 20 local restaurants, art work from SMSC students and local artists, silent and Chinese auctions and the famous great frog race.

Sophie’s Vineyard will celebrate a special sneak-peek planting party on April 5

March 11, 2014 (El Cajon)-- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, the East County vocational day program for more than 400 adults with developmental disabilities, has announced the grand opening of Sophie’s Vineyard. As part of its expanding garden, the Center will install 290 vines in a unique double row design with the purpose of providing students with an education on grape agriculture, selling table grapes at local farmers markets, and the opportunity to partner with local wineries and wine makers.

By Miriam Raftery

The second annual “Run East County” 5K Marathon will be held on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2014.

You can walk or run three options of courses: a certified half marathon, the Main Street 5 K, or the Green Mile suited for children or adults with developmental disabilities. Participants compete for prizes including cash prizes for best costume, massage and beauty treatments and more.

February 28, 2014 (Santee) – Are you ready for a rollicking evening of New Orleans-style festivities including the award-winning Bayou Brothers band, Cajun/Creole dinner feast, masks and beads for all guests, prizes drawings and silent auction with thousands of dollars in prizes?   Then you won’t want to miss our East County Mardi Gras party March 12 from 6-10 p.m. at Pinnacle Peak restaurant, 7927 Mission Gorge Road in Santee!   

Hear our radio interview with the Bayou Brothers (and some lively music) here: http://kiwi6.com/file/lk1mwrss4u

March 1, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)—To celebrate the opening of its new Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavillion, the Water Conservation Garden invites the public to a Butterfly Festival on April 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

February 24, 2014 (El Cajon ) – Heartland Lions Club invites the public to its 26h annual fashion show, champagne luncheon and silent auction on Saturday, March 22.  The show will feature limited edition ECCOCI collections.

February 21, 2014 (Jacumba) - Back by popular demand, the Jacumba Hikers will lead a Jacumba Walk-About on Saturday, February 22. Walkers will meet at 8:00PM at Mr. Jalapeno's Restaurant, 44461 Old Hwy. 80, Jacumba Hot Springs. Breakfast is available starting at 7:00AM. This hike will take you to the Chinese Castle, the natural hot springs, Jacumba lake, the Cook's House, Sand Wash, Railroad Station, through the Jacumba Hot Springs neighborhood with stops at the Jacumba Spa, library/community park, border fence, and ending at Mr. Jalapeno's.

February 8, 2014 (San Diego County) - The Canyoneers from San Diego Natural History Museum will be leading a nature walk/hike in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on Saturday, February 15^th starting at 9:00 AM to the Indian Hill area in the park. This walk/hike is rated Moderate with a boulder scramble 6 miles up to 1000 ft elevation change.

Air Group One presents a Friday Fly Days fundraiser with World War II antique aircraft and show carss on Friday, February 7^th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.at the Gillespie Field Cafe at 2015 North Marshall in El Cajon. There will be free admission and parking.

Besides the planes, visitors can expect live music, food, craft beers, and wine. Specials guests will be the Navy League and a Mystery Warbird.

February 1, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Celebrating its 100^th year, Jacumba Hot Springs in San Diego's East County has launched a Centennial website at  http://www.jacumbahotspringscentennial.org/.

The site lists upcoming festivals in this historic high desert community, plus a historical timeline, attractions and tips for visitors.  Festivals include a Blues Fest on May 3, a Healing Waters and Arts Festival on May 24, a Fall Centennial Festival on October 4, and a Feliz Navidad Christmas festival on December 6. Scroll down for more details, and visit the Centennial webpage for additional information. The site will be updated throughout the year with even more details, including a separate page for each of these unique festivals.

January 29, 2014 (Spring Valley) – February is Black History Month. To celebrate, the Spring Valley Library will hold a free community event on Saturday, February 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. 

Entertainment will be provided by the Martin Luther King Jr. Choir and the WorldBeat Center’s drummers and dancers.  The public can also meet and greet legendary National Hockey League player Willie O’Ree.  In addition, crafts, refreshments and health screenings for all ages wil be provided.