Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center hosts full day of merry-making

March 12, 2010 (Valley Center) – Highland games, archery, medieval music and cooking demonstrations are all part of the fun this Saturday, March 13th . Historical re-enactors from the Society for Creative Anachronism Inc. Renaissance Group will host a Renaissance Faire at Bates Nut Farm in Escondido from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets still available for La Mesa Chamber’s James Bond bash at Town & Country Resort

March 11, 2010 (La Mesa) – Try your luck at Monte Carlo-style gaming tables amid a night of glitz, glamour and prizes galore at La Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s Casino Royale Night on Thursday, March 18th . The event takes place in the Golden Ballroom at the Town & Country Hotel, where a silent auction, raffle, and elegant food stations will all be part of the fun.

 

March 8, 2010 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Music Fest benefit concert is March 20, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Dos Picos Park, 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd. in Ramona. The third annual event hosted by Ramona Kiwanis and Ramona Rotary clubs will feature two stages and wandering musicians.
 
A variety of music is promised, from mellow rock to jazz, from ’50s rock to country, headlined by Cactus Twang & Whyte, whose music is reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Performances also slated in Vista and Mira Mesa

March 3, 2010 (El Cajon) – Children and the young at heart savored thrills and chills at Circus Vargas, now showing in a big top tent pitched in the parking lot at Parkway Plaza. Prior to the main show, the ringmaster invited all kids into the center ring for lessons in juggling, feather balancing and other circus tricks.

March 3, 2010 (Vallecito) – Vallecito Stage Station once served as a rest stop for weary travelers along the Southern Overland Trail on the Butterfield Stage Coach. On March 5, 6 and 7, history will come alive as the 1850s camp in the Anza-Borrego desert welcomes visitors to tour the original adobe Vallecito Stage Station and participate in frontier-style activities.

 
February 28, 2010 (Poway) -- The nation's pre-eminent participatory children's theater company returns to the Poway Center for their eleventh season. Missoula Children's Theatre will cast local children in a magical new musical. More than 50 local students will participate in a one-week theater camp that takes them from auditions to rehearsals to two full-scale productions of King Arthur's Quest.

February 20, 2010 – Valley Music invites the public to its relocation celebration today at the store’s new location at 1611 North Magnolia Ave., Suite 310, in El Cajon’s Gateway Magnolia Plaza, from 12:30-5:45 today. Schedule of events:

February 4, 2010 (El Cajon)-- Martin Atkins could be the definition of entrepreneurial activity in cultural arts endeavors spanning genres, borders and industries. For over three decades, the producer, drummer, and documentary filmmaker has been at the cutting edge of the entertainment industry, says Pat Seltzer, chair of the performing arts college at Cuyamaca College.

 
February 4, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego State’s Department of Africana Studies is partnering with campus cultural groups and the Department of Music and Dance to present a series of social and education events in February honoring Black History Month. Upcoming events include films, lectures, jazz concerts, a convention, dinner, Black History Bowl, and a parade  Schedule and details:
 
 

January 22, 2010 (Julian) -- Owners of a gourmet restaurant, Jeremy's on the Hill, and Shadow Mountain Winery will host a five-course wine pairing and dining event on Wednesday, February 3rd at 6 p.m.  All proceeds of the event will benefit Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Julian. The organization raises awareness on the importance of agriculture for past and future generations.

“With lack of funding, we will lose this important educational component of our community,” said Jeremy Manley, 23, Chef de Cuisine at Jeremy's on the Hill “We are hoping you will be able to join us and support your local FFA chapter while enjoying fabulous food and wine from our back country hidden treasures."

January 27, 2010 (San Diego) -- Smith Recital Hall at San Diego State University will feature sounds of gospel music as SDSU hosts the second annual GospelFest on Sunday, Jan. 31.  Kicking off Black History Month in February, the event features groups from across San Diego County. The free event starts at 4 p.m. and is open to the public.

 
January 15, 2010 (La Mesa) The public is invited to join La Mesa’s 14th annual Multicultural Festival. The event will be held this Sunday, January 17 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.

January 14, 2010 (Ramona) – The Ramona Grasslands, a protected resource area, is home to 19 species of raptors including golden eagles, hawks and falcons.

Each Saturday through February 27 from 9am-noon, the Wildlife Research Institute is hosting “Hawk Watch” at the Ramona Grasslands.

The Salvation Army Kroc Center is opening its doors to the community for FREE on Saturday, January 9. Guests can take guided tours, and enjoy special membership savings as well as a free all-venue pass for the day.  Visitors can also experience skateboarding, ice skating, rock climbing, swimming, fitness classes, weight lifting, arts and crafts, an acting workshop and more. 

 
December 28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for a festive party or a special restaurant to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Below is our guide to New Year’s Eve attractions in East County and San Diego’s eastern regions on December 31st, including live music and dancing, fireworks, special menus, casino promotions, and activities for children, families and seniors.

 
December 20,2009 (Escondido) – Want to create a gift for a lion, elephant, vulture or meerkat? The San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is hosting enrichment days for guests to view animals playing with hand-painted boxes, popcorn-stuffed bags, insect-filled tubes and more. You can even create your own meerkat maze, paint a lion toy, or prepare a taco for an elephant with hay and food pellets.

 
December 8, 2009 (Pauma) – Are you adventurous, in top physical and mental condition, and willing to live in a remote location for seven weeks without contact from the outside world? Can you outwit, outplay and outlast others to avoid being voted off the show?  Can you handle living off the land, cut off from the outside world and filmed round the clock?
 
If so, producers of the TV reality show “Survivor” may pick you to vie for a million dollar prize. Open auditions are being held December 16th at Pauma Casino  in northeast San Diego County.

Yes, there's still time to RSVP and join East County Magazine for feasting, fun & merry-making at our HOLIDAY HOOPLA PARTY on Sunday, December 13th 2-6 p.m. in La Mesa.  Festiivities will include great food (turkey, ham and all the trimmings!), wine-tasting, prizes, games, and a rib-tickling presentation by Emmy Award-winning comedian Russ T. Nailz.

La Mesa’s historic shopping district offers a Victorian-style holiday celebration, rides, bonfires, specialty boutiques and unique gifts

December 4, 2009 (La Mesa) – For two days and nights, La Mesa’s historic downtown village transforms into a Victorian winter wonderland complete with strolling minstrels, carolers, street entertainers and several stages. Bonfires will fill La Mesa Boulevard, where you can roast chestnuts over an open fire or delight in a horse-drawn carriage ride. You’ll also find carnival rides, puppet shows, and Santa Claus.

November 30, 2009 (Lemon Grove) – If laughter is the best medicine, this may be the cure for those mid-winter blues.  Doug Williams, dubbed one of America’s most popular actors/comedians by Starz.com, will be performing at Sews and Shows in Lemon Grove on Saturday, December 12th.

Williams is host of “Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand Up.” Filmed in Washington D.C.’s historic Lincoln Theater, it features star comics and up-and-coming edgy talent performing before a live audience.’

Also named a BET's Comic View All Star, Williams will be starring in a 2010 Comedy Central Stand Up special. He has also appeared in The Mind of the Married Man, Ally McBeal, Comic View, It’s Showtime at

 
November 25, 2009 (Julian) -- Julian celebrates the holiday season by lighting up the town's living Christmas tree at Pioneer Park on Saturday, Nov. 28.  The historic gold rush town will also paysl homage to individuals who contribute time, skills, and energy to making Julian what some townspeople consider the best small town in Southern California.  The event marks the beginning of the annual Julian Country Christmas celebration--three weeks of holiday festivitird during which visitors and residents  capture the spirit of the season in an old-fashioned way. 

November 26, 2009 (Valley Center) - Ho, ho! Santa arrives November 27 and 28 at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center. The visits comes amid a weekend-long arts and crafts fair with over 100 artisans selling hand-crafted wares.
 
Santa will be visiting with children and the young at heart at 1 p.m. both days. Other activities include face painting, Kids ‘n Paint, visits to the farm zoo, a country barbecue and kettle corn.

November 23, 2009 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College Music Department‘s Grossmont Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with San Diego Ballet, will present two special performances of The Nutcracker at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. The ballet will be presented at the 1,142-seat East County Performing Arts Center, 210 East Main St., in El Cajon.

 
November 18, 2009 (San Diego's East County) - If you don't want to cook this Thanksgiving, you'll find an array of sumptuous holiday repasts in San Diego and East County.  Choose from an old-fashioned feast amid rustic rural charm, a football fan's favorite, a bountiful budget buffet, a potluck at an outdoor retreat, or a Thanksgiving Day jazz festival to liven up your holiday. 

November 22, 2009 (Poway) - California Ballet Company will present The Nutcracker, a holiday classic ballet performance at the Poway Performing Arts Center.  This is the longest running Nutcracker performance in San Diego and has been voted "Best Local Dance Performance" by Ranch & Coast Magazine in 2008.

November 21, 2009 (El Cajon – Bring your dog for the first annual “Jingle Paws” Walk for Pets on December 5th.

Sponsored by the El Cajon Animal Center for Education Services (ACES) and Camp Bow Wow, the event will raise funds for medical needs of the animals at the El Cajon Animal Shelter. Participants can also try out an agility course, walk a hay bale maze, visits Santa's Village, adopt a pet, and get a photo of your pet with Santa.

November 19, 2009 (El Cajon) – The 63rd annual Mother Goose Parade, East County’s most famous holiday tradition, will be held this Sunday, November 22nd.
 
The parade, which was saved thanks to generous community donations, will begin at 10 a.m. on East Main St. at the corner of Magnolia Ave., traveling east to Second St. Fans arriving early can join a 9 a.m. red carpet review at Prescott Promenade (200 E. Main St.), where parade grand marshals—the World Series champion Park View Little League All Stars--will be welcomed, along with some members of the 1961 and 1957 La Mesa/El Cajon Little League All Stars.  Additional special guests - Actor Adrian R'Mante, who plays Esteban on Disney's "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." See members of the military, and a Black Hawk Helicopter.

 
November 19, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley invites you to a “patio release party” this Saturday, November 21. Admission is free and includes free viewing of the pay-per-view United Fighting Championships (UFC) matchup between Tito Ortiz and Forerst Griffin 2 with Ashlee from Rock 105.3 radio’s Mikey Show.

 
November 18, 2009 (El Cajon) –Sophie's Gallery invites you to “rekindle the magic of the season” at its 10th Annual Holiday Show celebration, “Wings of Snow.” The exhibit features a collection of unique angels and winged mosaic pieces hand-crafted by developmentally disabled individuals from St. Madeline Sophie’s Center.

November 16, 2009 (Julian) -- Julian Stage Company and the Julian Chamber of Commerce present the 2009 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol--a Julian holiday tradition.

Give your holiday spirit a boost with the classic story of a lonely, miserable, hard-hearted old man who finds the true meaning of life and love during one haunted Christmas Eve. Editor's hint:  Allow time to take in the quaint holiday charm of small-town, historic Julian, with its horse-drawn carriages, strolling carolers, and hot spiced cider.