By Miriam Raftery

June 4, 2023 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to bring friends, form a team with a creative name and vie for prizes in fun challenges at stations across Grossmont Center in La Mesa on Friday, July 28 from 4 to 7 p.m.  It’s all part of “Team on a Trek,” an event to raise funds for the nonprofit San Diego Oasis Learning & Wellness Centers.  The fun will also include music, entertainment and awards.

What is “Team on a Trek?”

“It’s essentially an Amazing Race type of event, but for all ages and levels,” says Oasis committee member Claudia Erickson.  Sponsors as well as teams are sought.

Update: Due to construction on the "barrier- the WALL"  organizers had to make adjustments and have the water merge at Imperial Beach by the pier on June 14. The driving access to the park will be gated. The water that was collected will still be taken/ran to the corner of Mexico and California. This was changed because this event is for everyone and easier for brothers and sisters with disabilities, according to a post on Bobby Wallace's Facebook page. 

By Miriam  Raftery

Photo, left:  Barona tribal members with Passamaquoddy tribal members in Maine

Photo,right: via "Run with the Sun" page of indigenousnetwork.org; Bobby Wallace (right) with run participants

June 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) --  Local Native Americans are about to complete the longest  indigenous prayer run in U.S. history. “Run with the Sun” is the brainchild of Lakeside resident Bobby Wallace, a member of the Barona Band of Mission Indians,  in hopes of protecting waters across America.

“It’s been awesome making changes in people’s minds about water everywhere,” Wallace told ECM in an interview today.  “We started running, traveling with the water over every footstep of this continent, over every major waterway, with a prayer for all water.”

The effort is supported by the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas tribes in San Diego’s East County, as well as participants from other tribes across the U.S.

By Miriam Raftery

May 27, 2023  (San Diego’s East County) – The County of San Diego is kicking off its annual movies in the park, which this year features 150 movies at dozens of parks across the County.  Bring the family—along with blankets and lawn chairs—to cozy up for a night under the stars.

The season opens this Memorial Day weekend at Waterfront Park downtown and runs through October.  East  County and inland locations include Anza Borrego,Campo, El Cajon, Encanto, Escondido, Julian , Lakeside,  La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Pine Valley,  Potrero, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Penasquitos, Rolando, San Carlos, and Spring Valley.

Theme weekends have also been scheduled, including Juneteenth (June 16 and 17), Comic-Con (July 21-22), Ladies Night (Aug. 12), International Dog Day (Aug. 25 and 26), Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) and Halloween (late October).

East County News  Service

May 22, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Concerts, comedy, a Flag Day parade, a musical play, food festivals, a pride walk, and a library fundraiser are all coming up in San Diego’s inland region during late May and June. 

Scroll down for full details on these and more festive events coming up.

East County News Service

May 18, 2023 (Santee) -- The Santee United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Pride Walk on June 10 supporting the LGBTQ+ community, diversity and inclusion in Santee.

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) - The California Note Catchers, a women's four-part harmony chorus, will be presenting "Sounds of Summer" on Saturday, June 17, at 2 p.m. The concert will be held at the La Mesa First United Methodist Church, 4690 Palm Ave., La Mesa. 

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) - Visionary Youth Theatre presents Grease: School Version at the Visionary Performance Space (8674 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa) on June 30 – July 9.  The hit musical with a hip-shaking, rock ‘n’ roll score, Grease celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-socked, gum-snapping glory. The fun-loving spirit and immortal songs that make Grease a favorite among rock ‘n’ roll fans of all ages.

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 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

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. 

Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

April 30, 2023 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber invites you to join in welcoming Casa Gabriela to the business community at a fun-filled evening on Wednesday, May 17. 

By Kathy Carpenter

April 26, 2023 (La Mesa) - Honky Tonk Angels delivers an electrifying dose of pure country energy with a powerhouse cast and a playlist of iconic hits that will have you singing along and cheering for these fierce, flawed and unforgettable women. Written by Ted Swindle, directed by Jonathan Sturch and with Jerrica Ignacio as music director, this musical revue is a must-see for fans of classic country music and the stories that come with it.

East County News Service

April 23, 2023 (Alpine) – You can taste up to 40 wines from 25 wineries, sip beers from a trio of local breweries, as well as savor foods from over 20 local restaurants at Vintage Alpine. The event will take place on May 7 from 1-4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms (15602 Olde Highway 80) in Flinn Springs, which is located between El Cajon and Alpine just off Interstate 8.

East County News Service

April 16, 2023 (La Mesa) – Renowned singer-songwriter Gregory Page is taking time out from his international tour to perform at San Diego Oasis in Grossmont Center, La Mesa with his haunting and illuminating songs. Opening the show will be local singer-songwriter Peter Boland.