By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Luscious lemon cakes, cream cakes, doughnuts, muffins, bagels, and more are available once again in Lemon Grove, now that the Lemon Grove Bakery has opened its doors at 3308 Main Street. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Jacques Sapier serves up a glass of peach and cherry sangria

May 28, 2017 (Ramona) – What better way to start off summertime than sipping sangrias on a stone patio in the noontime sun?  At Vineyard Grant James, a sangria contest  began Friday and continues through Monday for Memorial Day reason. 

Savor three tasty options – peach cherry, lemonade or a red wine and jalapeño based sangria—and then vote for your favorite.  Glimpsing the jarful of ballots, the votes appeared split between all three of these creative choices, which went well with a delightful  locally made cheese that we savored as well.

East County News Service

May 23, 2017 (Ramona) -- Winery members of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) will kick off the Ramona Valley Wine Country Summer of Wine with extended tasting days and/or unique experiences and tasting opportunities over the Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-29, 2017.

East County News Service

May 18, 2017 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce encourages you to taste foods and beverages from dozens of local restaurants at the ninth annual “Taste of La Mesa” being held on Monday, June12th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.

Update: The County has provided a list of additional locations for CalFresh eents in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  seagull-bt/Pixabay

May 10, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The desire to eat healthier often comes with an all too familiar roadblock: staying within the family food budget while grocery shopping. There is help for families and individuals to supplement their food budget through CalFresh, a supplemental nutrition program for families and individuals that meet income guidelines.   CalFresh is designed to reduce food insecurity and increase food budgets, improving participant’s access to fresh and healthy food.

East County News Service

Photo via Mike Mozart on Flickr

May 6, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - A New Jersey company is recalling Aunt Jemima frozen pancakes, waffles and French toast due to a listeria contamination.

Pinnacle Foods issued the recall Friday night.  It affects products distributed in the United States and Mexico, but does not include dry mixes and syrups.

East County News Service

April 29, 2017 (Santee) -- Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Helix Water District, City of El Cajon and the County of San Diego were recently honored with being named “Recycled Water Agency of the Year” - medium agency category - from the WateReuse California Section and the WateReuse California Board for their work on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program. To celebrate,  they teamed up with Ballast Point Brewing Company to serve up a”Padre Dam Pilsner,”  a  beer made with treated wastewater from the East County Advanced Water Purification Program  at a reception last month at the Westin hotel downtown.

East County News Service

April 19, 2017 (Ramona) – Hatfield Creek Vineyards in Ramona invites you to savor a sunset dinner on May 14^th at 4 p.m. The menu will include:

East County News Service

April 18, 2017 (Jamul) – Fantastic local wines, great food and live entertainment will be just a few of the highlights of the second annual Wine Festival benefiting St. Pius X Catholic Church's building fund.  On Saturday, April 29, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., wine lovers will enter the event grounds in Jamul, Calf. and begin tasting wines from the following participating wineries:

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2017 (Ramona) –Joanne Bennett and her daughter, Paige Duffy, have a passion for baking authentic English pastries, from classics with a modern twist to a lemon curd recipe dating back over 100 years from the family’s roots on London’s east side.  Together, the mother-daughter duo opened their London Bakery in Ramona (632 Main St.) with the slogan “food fit for a Queen.” 

Both have been stricken with major medical conditions and are facing healthcare staggering bills as they struggle to keep their business open.  So an employee has organized a fundraiser tomorrow at the bakery from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The public is urged to stop in, buy some goodies, and if possible, make a donation.

East County News Service

March 21, 2017 (La Mesa) – Linda McWilliams, winemaker at San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa, has picked up six more awards in the 2017 San Diego County Fair’s Toast of the Coast Wine Competition! Her latest honors include gold, silver and a special award:

East County News Service

March 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re in search of Irish music, Irish beer or feasting on Irish foods to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,  here are some St. Patrick’s Day happenings in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

March 10, 2017 (Ramona) – “We’re crazy about all things local,” say the owners of Ramona Ranch Winery.  Besides offering locally produced wines and cheeses, the winery is now offering customers the opportunity to take home boxes of fresh vegetables from JR Organics.  

By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – I visited Sheldon’s Service Station, La Mesa’s newest coffee shop, looking forward to a tasty and piping hot cup of java.  The Espresso Mocha lived up to expectations, but the most delightful surprise was the array of creative and healthy breakfast and lunch menu options.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Eastbound Bar & Grill is turning seven on February 11^th and is throwing a birthday party with a lineup of events that aren’t to be missed!  Because everyone knows that no Eastbound celebrations are complete without the Pajama Brunch, live music, charitable giving and the annual Beer Belly Contest.