August 31, 2010 (El Cajon -- Hyde Art Gallery, located on Grossmont College’s campus in El Cajon, is presenting  through September 16 an exhibit of 31 paintings from three different artists: Wade Cline and William Glen Crooks, both of San Diego and Suong Yangchareon of Los Angeles. The paintings feature local landmarks and sights, including famous traffic intersections and waterfront scenes from San Diego, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Pasadena, San Francisco and New Mexico.

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.

 
Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2010 (Jamul) – “This is the most unusual ribbon-cutting I’ve ever done,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob declared, moments before driving a vintage 1907 REO car through a red ribbon at yesterday’s ceremony honoring the state’s declaration of Old Highway 94 as a historic highway. The event was held at Simpson’s “Garden Town” Nursery in Jamul—starting point for motorists’ weekend adventures.
 
To participate, just stop by the Nursery to pick up a map with a list of discounts and free items offered by merchants along the route, then present the flyer to shops and restaurants along the drive from Jamul to Boulevard today.

August 28, 2010 (Julian) – Julian, the historic mining town in San Diego’s East County mountains, has a wealth of talented local artists. From Friday, September 3 through Monday, September 4, you can enjoy works by many artists in one location: the upstairs of Julian’s Town Hall on Main Street. Meet the artists at a reception Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Also enjoy viewings of oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, pastels, clay, photography, weaving, jewelry, mixed media and more.

 
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:

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 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to save water--and reduce your bill?

Residents of San Diego’s unincorporated areas can pick up rain barrel systems for half-price ($30.35 + tax) this Saturday morning. The system is designed to connect to a roof downspout and gutters.  Residents who don’t qualify for the subsidy can buy a rain barrel system for $60.69.

 
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 23, 2010 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB), San Diego’s largest county-wide business membership organization, will host a BBB business-to-business (B2B) networking mixer from 4 to 6 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 2, at Toyota of El Cajon, 965 Arnele Ave., in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend.  Admission cost is $25 per person.

 
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 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.”

Revealing art exhibit Aug. 18-Sept. 26

August 13, 2010 (La Mesa) – O’Dunn Fine Art in La Mesa unveils “A Century of Naked Ladies”, kicking off the month-long exhibition with a special celebration August 18 from 5 to 9 p.m.
 
“These artists offer their interpretation of the female form: lush, humorous, pitiless, or compassionate,” says gallery owner Shannon O’Dunn. “Each piece portrays a particular woman nuanced by her place in time, her mood, and culture.”

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.

Watch Perseid Meteor Showers at Stargazer Plateau, Sacred Rocks Reserve: Aug. 12-14

August 4, 2010 (Boulevard) Sacred Rocks Reserve, a 163-acre wilderness park with RV and tent camping sites, will offer “Streakin’ Star Party” packages for guests who want to view the Perseid Meteor Showers streak through the night sky from Thursday, August 12 through Saturday, August 14.
 
The park is located at an elevation of just under 4,000 feet, near Boulevard, California, approximately 65 miles east of San Diego along Interstate 8. Far from city lights, the property offers a clear vantage point from which to view the stars.

August 3, 2010 (San Diego) -- "Oh my, isn't fashion fun?" is the theme for the 33rd annual Haute with Heart fashion show.  The program will benefit St. Madeleine Sophie's Center in El Cajon, which meets the needs of developmentally disabled adults.  

The benefit event will be held August 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

San Pasqual Winery hosts “A Perfect Pairing” event with Chef Dave and champion BBQ pitmaster secrets

August 2, 2010 (La Mesa) – San Pasqual Winery’s new tasting room in La Mesa’s downtown village invites the public to join its inaugural cooking class and sumptuous winemaker dinner on Saturday, August 7.

August 1, 2010 (Julian)--Jeremy’s on the Hill California Style Bistro in Julian will host a Seven-Course Wine Pairing Dinner featuring fine wines from five back country wineries on Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m.

"We have so much talent here in the back country and it is such a pleasure to work with these amazing vintners,” said Jeremy Manley, the restaurant’s Cordon-Bleu trained chef.

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.

Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle!
 
By Nancy Clement

July 30, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) What are your summer plans? Do they include travel or is there no budget for taking a trip this summer? Fortunately, our beautiful San Diego and East County offer wonderful places to have a stay at home vacation, to play tourist while sleeping each night in your own bed. A staycation is an inexpensive way to play and not spend a lot of money on travel, lodging, meals and souvenirs.

 
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."
 

Fun Continues Tonight at Gio's with more headliner comics

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2010 (La Mesa) – Brew-Ha-Ha’s first weekly comedy show upstairs at Gio Bistro and Wine Bar in La Mesa opened to a sold-out crowd last Sunday night. The act proved a rollicking success—artfully blending universally funny jokes with some East County-oriented punch lines.   Brew Ha Ha is the remedy for the blues--serving up light-hearted relief from tough times in an intimate yet friendly atmosphere with palate-pleasing food at Gio's.