August 30, 2010 (La Mesa)--Norm MacDonald, star of movies and Saturday Night Live (SNL), will take the stage at Challenge Center’s 13th Annual Comedy Night on September 11 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The event benefits the scholarship fund established by Challenge Center, a nonprofit gym in La Mesa that has achieved dramatic results helping patients with strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, as well as other debilitating conditions. Tickets for the event are $175.

 
August 26, 2010 (San Pasqual) -- Orfila Vineyards in San Pasqual invites you to celebrate the fruits of their labors at its annual Grape Stomp from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 28. Tickets ($85 each) include dinner, wine-tasting reception with hors ‘de oeuvres, live music, tractor rides, and of course, stomping of the grapes. Reserve early, as this event sells out each year.
Full menu includes:

August 26, 2010 (Alpine) – It’s comedy night at The Vine in Alpine on Friday, August 27 at 9 p.m. This month’s comedians include headliner Patrick DeGuire, as well as Graci Stumpf, Willy Wilson, and Josh Lawson—with a cover charge of just $7.

How do you top that act? On Saturday, August 28 from 4-7 p.m., the Vine is offering wine tasting—at just $10 for up to 10 tastes.

By Ray M. Wong
 
August 25, 2010 (City Heights) -- Phong Huynh came to the U.S. as a refugee with his family from Vietnam in 1990 at age 12. One of his fondest memories of the country where he spent most of his childhood is the Mid-Autumn Festival called “Tet Trung Thu” celebrated every year.
 

August 25, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Folk dancing, authentic Chaldean food, live music and singing performed in Aramaic-Chaldean and English will all be part of the festivities at the Chaldean Annual Festival in El Cajon. A $5 admission/voucher may be used towards food, children’s games, or purchases from vendors. An art and cultural exhibition will also be held.

 
August 25, 2010 (Lakeside) – The public is invited to attend the 40th annual Barona Pow-Wow. The event, which has free admission, will be held September 3-5 at the Barona Baseball Field. More than $60,000 in prize money will be awarded in Native American dance competitions. The pow-wow, which attracts competitors from all over North America, also features vendors selling Native American arts, crafts, and jewelry.

 
August 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Stoney’s Kids invites you to a birthday party this Thursday, August 26th from 5:30 to 8:30 on the lawn at Sycuan-Singing Hills in El Cajon. This free event honors founder Stoney Stone’s 85th birthday and brings together East County’s business, community and education leaders to benefit the health and welfare of local children. The evening includes a full buffet dinner, live auction, and raffle, and more. Donations of all amounts are welcome at the event, which is open to all ages.

 
August 20, 2010 (Alpine) –Viejas Casino (http://www.viejas.com) announced today that legendary singer, songwriter Michael Bolton will perform at the Viejas DreamCatcher Lounge on September 12.
 
Bolton has sold more than 53 million records, won several Grammys for Best Male Vocalist, earned a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and is currently on a world tour promoting his latest CD, “One World, One Love.”

 

August 20, 2010 (San Diego) – The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Verge Teen Theatre company will present Les Miserables School Edition, the first show for this teen-organized theatre company.
 
Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Miserables is set in France during the early 19th century. It focuses on the lives of several characters, including Jean Valjean, a paroled prisoner who seeks redemption as he strives to start life anew.

August 19, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- Does your funny bone need tickling? Young Actors Theatre invites you to bring the whole family for a performance by well-known comedy magician/ventriloquist Steve Taylor and his ventriloquist characters Alli The Crocodile, Pokey The Possum and Rudy O'Riley. Attendees are featured on stage with Steve as he selects a member of the audience to star on stage as a “living ventriloquist dummy.”

August 11, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – Tickets are now on sale for the third annual HeART of Mt. Helix on Saturday, August 14 from 5:30-10 p.m., billed as “the event of the summer at the top of the hill.” Big Daddy Orchestra  will headline this year’s event, which also features musical vignettes, wine tasting with Artesa Winery, art, auctions, food from local restaurants and dancing under the stars.

Tickets are only sold in advance ($50 general admission, $100 reserved table seating). The event, held in the ampitheater atop Mt. Helix, has sold out for the past two years. Buy tickets here.

East County News Service

August 7, 2010 (El Caon) – Sunshine Horton has been a “Miracle Maker” for Rady Children’s Hospital for 16 years, winning the “Most Creative Miracle Maker Award” in 2010. This year, she invites the public to her 16th annual birthday fundraising event, which includes a dance-a-thon and fashion show hosted by the Downtown Café, (182 East Main Street in Downtown El Cajon). Proceeds will benefit Rady Children’s Hospital and commemorate police officer killed by drunk drivers.

August 6, 2010 (Allied Gardens) -- Bring your blankets and beach chairs for free movie night at the Allied Gardens Community Park 5155 Greenbrier, on Saturday, August 7th.  A showing of the family-friendly movie "Madagascar, Escape 2 Africa" will begin at dusk.

 

August 5, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - “This has been a very big undertaking,” Valerie Harrison, president of the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, said of the first-ever Summer Music & Culture Festival set for this Sunday, August 8 starting at 11 a.m. in the Water Conservation Garden. “The Chamber has been working on this for nearly a year."  
 
The free event includes performances every hour on the hour, as well as free concert from 4-7 p.m.

 
East County News Service
August 5, 2010 (Julian) – The public is invited to an annual stargazing party and astronomy exhibition held on new moon weekend each August under the dark skies of Julian, amongst the grape vines and apple orchards of the Menghini Winery. Venus, Mars and Saturn will be within a 5-degree circle just after sunset, with Mercury also visible. The four-day event includes a free public star party (telescopes provided) on Saturday night, August 7, as well as presentations by noted astronomers.

July 30, 2010 (Descanso) --  A Hawaiian vacation is the grand prize at an annual luau hosted by Chapel of the Hills Community United Methodist Church (www.chapelofthehills.org) on Sunday, August 1st from noon to 4:00 p.m. All are invited to the Hawaiian-style pit-barbequed pork dinner. Music and authentic Pacific Island dance entertainment, carnival games and  door prizes round out the afternoon.

July 28, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual “Politics in Paradise” event on August 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden. The bipartisan program provides voters in East County with the opportunity to hear from legislators representing them in Washington, in Sacramento, and at the County level. 
 
The evening will allow guests  to pose questions to representatives and hear their opinions on hot button political issues and current events. Legislators confirmed to attend so far include Congressmen Duncan Hunter and Bob Filner, Assemblyman Marty Block, and Supervisor Dianne Jacob. More RSVPs are expected.

 
July 28, 2010 (Ramona) – If you thought the only place to find carnival rides, livestock exhibitions, Midway games, live music, local crafts and fair food was Del Mar, think again! Ramona’s 40th annual country fair has all of this and more –and admission is free! (There is a fee for ride tickets.) This event also includes such country favorites as a watermelon eating contest, egg toss, chicken bingo, and the Ramona Idol talent contest.

 
July 28, 2010 (Pine Valley) – The 40th annual Pine Valley Days takes place on July 30th and 31st in this normally quiet mountain town in East County to benefit charitable causes supported by the Mountain Empire Mens Club. Two full days of activities include a parade, rides, barbecue dinner, live music and dancing.

The Pine Valley parade rolls out at 9 a.m. on Saturday the 31st. This year’s parade will feature Herbie the Luv Bug, the Pad Squad, the Cameron Highland Pipe Squad, and much more. The celebration continues after the parade, culminating in a deep-pit barbecue dinner, live music and dancing from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday night.

 
 
July 20, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Where can you see a snake charmer and fire dancers, sample foods from around the world, savor music and dancing by top performers, enjoy beer and wine gardens, find face-painting for kids and a mesmerizing magic show—all free? Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites you to the first-ever Summer Music & Culture Festival on Sunday, August 8.

By Miriam Raftery

July 19, 2010 (San Diego) – A procession of around 100 visitors accompanied by their pets lined up yesterday morning outside the San Diego Mission de Alcala. The faithful and the curious turned out for the Blessing of Animals, a tradition started by St. Francis of Assisi in the 1200s.

The custom was practiced in San Diego by Father Junipero Serra, founder of the Mission, and has continued ever since--accompanied by barks, mariachi music, and an occasional "oink."
 

July 17, 2010 (San Diego) – Looking for some summertime family fun? San Diego County has announced “Movies in the Park” at parks and pools countywide. Grab your beach chairs, beat the heat, and head out to a park near you—including numerous locations in East County.

July 11, 2010 (Lakeside) – Bull-riding has been called “the most dangerous sporting event in America” by Sports Writers of America. On July 16-17, the Lakeside Optimist Club will host the 12th annual Bulls Only Rodeo at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. In addition to bull-riding, the event will also feature other rodeo events such as wild horse racing and mutton busting. All proceeds will benefit youth in the community.     
 

 Click the video for a "bullish" point of view:

July 9, 2010 (College Area) – What could be better than a free feast, music, and partying with East County Magazine? You’re invited to our “Midsummer Night Mixer and Mediterranean Feast” to welcome our region’s new restaurant, Garden Fresh Grill & Smoothie in the College area.

This free event will be held on Friday, July 30th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We’ll also have prize drawings—including a two-hour party with a D.J. from Nights of the Sound Table. RSVPS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT. Space is limited to the first 30 who reserve space, so RSVP now to writerink@cox.net.

July 8, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is offering two free summer movie nights. The movies are shown on large screens, providing family entertainment under the stars.  Now you can enjoy a "dive-in movie" while swimming or floating, or relish a movie in the park at dark.

 
Long before the Internet or cell phones, mission bells served as major means of communications. Tone sequences announced times for work, meals, mass and siestas. Bells guided travelers along El Camino Real (the King’s Highway), signaled danger, honored the dead, and pealed to celebrate joyous feast days, weddings and fiestas.

July 6, 2010 (San Diego) – Tucked away just east of I-15,  Mission San Diego de Alcala marks the birthplace of California. Founded on July 16, 1769 by Spanish padre Junipero Serra, the mission will celebrate its 241st anniversary on July 16-18 with one of California's most unique celebrations, Festival of the Bells.
 
 
All five bells in the campanario (bell tower) will ring out during Festival of the Bells. The event also includes a traditional blessing of the animals, talent show, fun zone, live music from local bands, dancing, basketball, foods,  and more.
 

 

 
July 5, 2010 (El Cajon) – On Friday, July 9th, fans of art, music, wine and classic cars will be prowling the streets of downtown El Cajon for the 5th annual Alley Cat Summer Fest. The event, which many consider to be the “cat’s meow,” is presented by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center to benefit Sophie’s Art Gallery, creating opportunities for artists with developmental disabilities.

July 5, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – C. Hook Theater will present Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat July 7-10. C. Hook Theater productions are held at the Performing Arts Center at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center, 6845 University Avenue in San Diego (one block west of 70th Street).

East County News Service

July 2, 2010 -- Ready for a fun and festive Fourth of July?   

 No need to fight traffic at the beach areas.   East County has many patriotic celebrations including parades, free concerts, and several fireworks displays.   Check out our guide below!

 
July 2, 2010 (La Mesa) – Brew Ha Ha "Sunday Night Comedy" opens July 11 at Gio Bistro and Wine Bar, 8384 La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa’s downtown village. The weekly performance will be the first of its kind in East County, according to producers.