May 16, 2009 (Escondido) – Over 700 booths, live entertainment, a farmers’ market, international foods plus arts and crafts displays will be featured at the Escondido Street Faire this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event, sponsored by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association, claims to be the second largest street fair in California with fun for the whole family. The faire is held on Grand Avenue between Centre City and Ivy.

If you miss the fun, don't worry--a second Escondido Street Faire will be held in October.

LA MESA, CA (May 8, 2009) – Concerts in the Courtyard will feature free live entertainment produced by Grossmont Center in Macy’s Courtyard every first and third Thursday now through July 2ND from 6p.m. – 8p.m.

May 1, 2009 (El Cajon)--Cajon Classic Cruise, the largest weekly classic car show in Southern California, returns to Main Street in Downtown El Cajon on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm with its 2009 Season Opener. In addition to viewing classic cars, the grand opening includes live music by the little Efert Band, a DJ from 104.2 FM radio, and children's activities including face-painting by a clown, a bounce house and jump slide.

BIG RIDE: Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce leader Valerie Harrison (front) joins East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery and Caroline Braun from Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s aboard an elephant at the Carson & Barnes Circus.

May 3, 2009(San Diego’s East County)--Hosted by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, the world-renowned Carson & Barnes Circus presented a dazzling performance in La Mesa last week. For over 70 years, the circus has been a source of entertainment, bringing joy to people of all ages—and East County proved no exception. Performers, including a menagerie of exotic and domestic animals, captivated the crowd and gave smiles to youngsters and the young at heart. View our videos: Flying High: Trapeze Artists and Jumbo Stars: Elephants!

Allied Gardens (April 29, 2009) – Spring Fest, one of East County's favorite community parties kicks off Friday night, May 1st at 6 p.m. with a concert by Rockola. Bring your dancing shoes! Enjoy classic rock ‘n’ roll music as well as food, a beer garden, and more. Known for their Beatles tributes, Rockola has concert clips you can view and listen to here: http://www.rockola.com/music_samples.html.

April 28, 2009(San Diego’s East County)—Elephants hoisted a big top tent to open the 73rd edition of Carson & Barnes Circus in Rancho San Diego/La Mesa, where the show goes on with a 4:30 matinee and a 7:30 evening show tonight. The circus brings nearly 100 performers and a traveling zoo to East County. Proceeds help benefit local hosts--including the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce--making this one of the more entertaining economic "stimulus" programs East County has seen yet.

April 22, 2009 (Alpine) – Here’s an appetizing event blossoming with opportunities: The Vine Wines Bar & Bistro has teamed up with Petunia & Pomegranate Nursery in Alpine to co-host Springtime with the Vintners. Savor an afternoon of wine, music, appetizers and art amid two picturesque venues this Saturday, April 25th, from 1 to 4 p.m.. Admission is $15.

April 20, 2009( Alpine)--Are you looking for ideas to “spruce up” your garden or yard? The Sage & Songbirds Garden Tour has a wealth of ideas for creating beautiful gardens that also provide wildlife-friendly habitat. The 12th annual event, set for May 1-3, spotlights five unique gardens, chock-full of plants, waterscapes, pathways, structures and other very interesting features.

Drawing to win a High-Efficiency Clothes Washer or Home Landscape Re-design April 18, 2009 (RANCHO SAN DIEGO)—On Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m,, Cuyamaca College’s campus will bloom with activity as three of its on-campus venues—the Ornamental Horticulture Department, the Water Conservation Garden,and the Heritage of the Americas Museum—invite the public to celebrate spring at their sixteenth annual Spring Garden Festival. “Conservation in Bloom” is the theme at this family festival that includes tips on green living, and both free admission and parking.

April 15, 2009 (Lakeside) The 45th annual Lakeside Rodeo has gained national exposure over the last 44 years, from a small hometown event to being named the International Professional Rodeo Association Rodeo (IPRA) of the year FOUR times! Events include bull-riding, bareback bronc, steer wrestling, team riding, and more. The annual Lakeside Rodeo held every April is the largest fundraiser for the El Capitan Stadium Association.

April 9, 2009 (Santee)—Carnival rides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, inflatables and pony rides are among the attractions planned for “Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes” on Saturday, April 11th. Continuous egg hunts will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Egg hunts are limited to children eight and younger. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand—and “hoppy” to have photos taken with children.

There is a $4 parking cost at Santee Lakes, though admission to the event is free. Ride tickets cost 50 cents apiece. Cash only will be accepted at the event.

Wildflower Hike Planned April 16. 

April 1, 2009 (Borrego Springs) – It’s not too late to see Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in bloom. As we move past the peak flower time, the show is moving from the desert floor to canyons and higher elevations, where there are a wide variety of plants just beginning to bloom. Anza-Borrego Institute will offer a full-day hike among the flowers on the Pacific Crest Trail on Thursday, April 16 from 8:00 to 4:30, for $45 or $35 for ABFI members. Visit theABF.org for more details.  If you’re interested in venturing off the pavement for other hiking opportunities, here are prime locations to find blooms:

By Miriam Raftery April 1, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--Aloha! Viejas teams up with El Cajon to host a brand new festival on Saturday, April 4. The new "It's 5'clock Somewhere Party" includes transformation of a downtown warehouse into an inland "beach" paradise complete with tiki bar, Hawaiian food and music by Shipwrecked, a Jimmy Buffet-style band. Also this weekend, community members are invited to turn out for a Community Mural Project and "River Blitz," both hosted by the San Diego River Park Foundation. Need a laugh?

March 26, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — With the economy in the tank, many college students are staying in San Diego over spring break. So after you get sunburned at the beach, what’s there to do for the rest of the week? Check out our guide to the coolest spots to have fun in San Diego’s eastern region.

IT’S 5 O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE PARTY: On April 3rd, a warehouse at 131 Main St. in El Cajon transforms into a tropical resort complete with tiki bar, food, and live music by Shipwrecked, a Jimmy Buffet-style band. El Cajon Community Development Corporation is organizing the event, with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego East Visitors Bureau. Food and Beverage Supporters: El Cajon Grand, Main Tap Tavern, Viejas, Rita’s Catering, New York Bakery, L&L Hawaiian Barbeque, Quiznos, Angus Smokehouse Barbecue, and Panda Express.Cost: $20 per person. Festivities run from 4:47 to 8 p.m. and the site is accessible via trolley with a few blocks walk. Aloha!

March 17, 2009 (San Diego)--San Diego Las Hermanas, a group of East County women who raise money for East County charities, is hosting Casino Night with the San Diego Las Hermanas Riverboat Queens on Friday, March 27. The spring fundraiser is being held aboard the William D. Evans Riverboat, launching from the Bahia Hotel in Mission Bay.