Solar Shines Bright To Help San Diego Fight Construction Of Gas Power Plant 

July 25, 2012 (Santee) – San Diego’s Planning Commission voted last week against rezoning open space near Mission Trails Regional Park to install a gas-fired power plant. But the decision can be appealed at City Council.  Residents in Santee and San Diego have voiced strong opposition to the Quail Brush power plant on the site  bordering both communities. 

“We have created the San Diego Solar Program to offer a reliable clean energy solution that benefits our local communities,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power. “Not only are program participants saving money and helping our region meet our energy demands, they are getting paid to do so.”

To help with declaring energy independence, a free San Diego Solar Program informational solar luncheon is being hosted for East County residents on Saturday, August 4, at 11 a.m. at Santee City Hall, Civic Building #7 (10601 Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA 92071).

July 15, 2012 (Ramona) -- Here’s a juicy story: the Oasis Camel Dairy will host  its second annual Watermelon Days on July 21 & 22 from 1:00 to  3:30 p.m. at 26757 Old Julian Hwy in Ramona.  Festivities include feeding watermelon to the camels, camel rides, an exotic bird show featuring talking and singing parrots and tours of the camel dairy.

July 18, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Fletcher Hills Library is holding its annual Ice Cream Social on July 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 576 Garfield Avenue, El Cajon.  The Friends of Fletcher Hills Library will be serving up the ice cream.  Firefighters with Heartland Fire and Rescue in El Cajon will be stopping by as well.

For more information call 619-466-1132.

July 12, 2012 (Descanso) – Help fund preservation of Descanso’s historic town hall, built in 1899, by joining in this vintage Americana celebration in East County. Descanso Days fun begins with the “Proud to be an American” parade on Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m. The parade route starts at Viejas Grade Road in Descanso and ends at the town’s elementary school. 

Later, enjoy live music by Pine Creek Posse Band as well as a bluegrass band and a “tin” band. The fair, held at the Descanso Town Hall, 24536 Viejas Grade Road in Descanso, also features arts and crafts, games, rides for kids, food and beverages.

June 28, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Due to the continuing litigation by the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) and its lead attorney, Marco Gonzalez, the Lake Murray July 4th Music Fest and Fireworks Committee has regretfully decided to not hold the fireworks display over Lake Murray this year.

June 27, 2012 (Poway)—Bring the family and your friends to celebrate Independence Day in “turn of the 20th Century style” at Poway’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July” celebration at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road in Poway.  Ride an old-fashioned steam train through a historical village setting and watch for train robbers! 

See our coverage and video from last year’s event:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/6592. Also enjoy live music on the gazebo bandstand and a host of other family-fun activities. (Scroll down for details).

Fireworks will be held at Poway High School, 15500 Espola Road in Poway at 9 p.m. (gates open at 7 p.m.) 

June 27, 2012 (Valley Center) –How sweet it is! Keys Creek Lavender Farm, 12460 Keys Creek Road, Valley Center will hold its end of season music celebration on June 30 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  

It will take place in the Special Events area of the private residence, with a main stage for live music, a beer and wine garden, prizes, drawings and other activities.

June 23, 2012 (Alpine) – Viejas Outlets is hosting free movies in the Show Court every Wednesday through August 29.  The movies begin at 8:00 p.m.  It is recommended to arrive early and bring a blanket.

June 19, 2012 (Poway) – Taste of Our Towne will be held at the Poway Center for Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway on June 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The event includes live music performed by Gipsy Menco, wine from local wineries and signature dishes from favorite restaurants.  A silent auction, a live auction and dancing are part of the fun.

East County Magazine to form carpools from San Diego to desert vigil June 23-24

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2012 (Ocotillo) –  As bulldozers raze their ancestors’ graves, Native American tribes across the southwest are asking for the public’s help to stop the desecration. 

If you believe this heartbreak funded by taxpayer dollars is wrong, please join with tribes of all nations to take a spiritual stand together against despoilment of these once protected desert lands for private corporate gain.

Determined to halt the Pattern Energy's Ocotillo Express wind energy project, tribes of all nations will gather for a traditional dusk-to-dawn ceremony to mourn disruption of their ancestors' burial sites. From 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 to dawn on Sunday, June 24, members of the public are encouraged to join with Native American neighbors in the Ocotillo desert for these spiritual ceremonies.