March 19, 2018 (El Cajon) - Grossmont College continues its performances of The Heir Apparent, a French farce by Jean-Francois Regnard that was relevantly unknown in American theatre until David Ives’ adaptation more than 300 years later. The production has been updated it for a modern ear, yet keeping the rules of a French domestic farce::decorum, repartee, rhyming couplets, satire without being condemning, sexually charged characters, mistaken identity, a sometimes macabre tone and doors slamming in faces--everything needed to make things fun.

East County News Service

March 15, 2018 (La Mesa) – The San Diego County Gun Owners (SDCGO), a Santee-based political action committee promoting Second Amendment rights, will host its 2018 California Gun Laws Convention, an event open to the public, from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 17, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Surfside Race Place, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes St. Patrick’s Day teas in Julian, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Alaska String Band in concert, The Music Man, and Plein Air artist’s works in Borrego Springs.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a water-wise home garden tour, a bunny train, Spring Eggstravaganza, Spring Harp Fest, a comedy film night, the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest, Meet the Winemaker Weekend, Sweet Pea Day, Cajon Classic Cruises, Heritage of the America Museum’s anniversary party, an antique and crafts fair and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Mimi Pollack

Photo:  Rosen’s painting: “Romance in the Desert”.  Photo by Mimi Pollack

March 13, 2018 (Borrego Springs) -- “Plein Air” means fresh air–think outdoors-in French and many painters feel inspired when working outdoors in natural light surrounded by the splendors of nature. The Borrego Art Institute currently has an exhibit called, “Borrego Art Institute 12^th Annual Plein Air Invitational.” This exhibit, which runs from March 5 to April 2, showcases the beauty of the desert. The curator is Shannon O’Dunn who owned an art gallery in downtown La Mesa before moving to Colorado.

By Kathy Carpenter

East County News Service

March 11, 2018 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Valley Vineyard Association presents Meet the Winemaker Weekend, taking place at 10 local Ramona wineries on April 7^th, 2018 and April 8^th.  The event features a behind the scene taste, tour and exclusive meeting with the winery owners and winemakers.

East County News Service

March 9, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – Back by popular demand at the Anza Borrego Foundation’s Front Porch Revue on March 17^th and 18^th at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, Jimmy Smith promises this year will be even more outrageous than last time as he gathers the talent in Borrego together.  Enjoy a night of laughter, music, and good spirits, all in support of the work Anza-Borrego Foundation does in partnership with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

East County News Service

March 8, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a Plein Air art show in Borrego Springs, mountain men at the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Tomatomania at the Water Conservation Garden, a lavender farm brunch and more.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Alaska String Band in concert, the Bunny Train in Campo, a Spring Extravanza at Santee Lakes, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, Saps at Sea comedy films in Spring Valley, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, the Peg Leg Smith Liar's Contest, Meet the Winemakers Weekend in Ramona, the Cajon Classic Cruise season opener, an antique fair in Flinn Springs, and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

Source: Monica Zech, City of El Cajon

March 5, 2018 (El Cajon) -- There are lots of activities and opportunities coming up in El Cajon, from this month’s Antique and Collectible Show and Arbor Day celebration, to youth of the year nominations and applications for the Miss El Cajon Pageant. Plus find a preview of events in April and May, including America on Main Street, a Weighorst gallery reunion, El Cajon Lions’ Gunsmoke event,  spring break camps, Kids Night Out and more.

East County News Service

March 5, 2018 (San Diego) -- On March 24th, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program's 29th Women and Families Resource Fair will provide free legal, medical, and social services to women and families in need - on one day, under one roof.  The Fair is an annual one-day event which will be held at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, located at 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92114, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Free refreshments will be provided.  The purpose of the Fair is to provide women and families with free access to a wide range of essential services.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: “Passing Through Borrego,” by Arizona oil painter Robert Goldman

March 2, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – “I am proud to be the 2018 Curator for the Borrego Art Institute 12th Annual Plein Air Invitational paint-out and exhibit,” says Shannon O’Dunn.  “Fifteen artists in oils, pastel, and watercolors will be in painting the field all week, March 5-9.” 

East County News Service

March 1, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes gallery art shows in La Mesa and Ramona, the Boots Ball in Borrego Springs, live music with the Sporadicals in La Mesa, a Gregory Page concert at Mission Trails, a plein air paint-out in Borrego Springs and a St. Patrick’s Day half marathon race in El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Tomatomania at The Garden, the Circle of Art show in Borrego Springs, the Alaska String Band in concert, a Bunny Train in Campo, Spring Extravaganza at Santee Lakes, the Harp Fest in La Mesa, a comedy film night in Spring Valley, Sweet Pea Days in Flinn Springs, Cajon Class Cruise season’s opener, an anniversary party at Heritage of the Americas museum, an antiques fair at Summers Past Farms and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

February 27, 2018 (El Cajon) – Learn all about beekeeping at a presentation by local beekeeper Richard Edwords on Saturday, March 10 at 2 p.m. Fletcher Hills Library, 576 Garfield Ave, El Cajon, 92020.

Edwords will bring some of his beekeeping equipment, including a bee box. He will explain how the box works and what is necessary for beginning beekeepers. He will explain the health benefits of using honey over white sugar. Edwords will give a brief history of beekeeping, which became big business in the 1800’s due to Mr. John Harbison’s successful enterprise. The presentation will also include safety tips on what to do if you get attacked by bees.

East County News Service

February 27, 2018 (La Mesa) – Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present ‘Night, Mother March 2-25. 'Night, Mother, Marsha Norman's explosive 1983 play, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play.

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

January 8, 2018 (La Mesa) -  In 2018, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is celebrating their 10th anniversary and this year’s “Salute to Local Heroes” is a special evening that begins this year-long celebration. La Mesa is known as the “Jewel of the Hills” and this evening will be the first “jewel” of this celebratory year that is themed, “One Jewel of a Night.” This evening will honor local heroes, install the Board of Directors and includes a silent auction, raffles and a delicious dinner. This special evening will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Town & Country Resort Hotel (Town & Country Ballroom), 500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley.