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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 (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 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.

November 13, 2009 (La Mesa) – Celebrities will serve up fare on Tuesday, November 24th from 5 to 10 p.m. at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill in La Mesa’s Grossmont Center. All tips and donations benefit the East County Toy and Food Drive to help the growing number of needy children and their families this holiday season. Celebrity waiters will include former Cy Young award-winning pitcher Randy Jones and others from the Padres, Paul Bloom from KUSI News, as well as KOGO radio representatives Cliff Albert, Chip Franklin, LaDona Harvey, Phil Farrar, Cal Walker.

Nearly 700 East County families have requested help to provide food and toys for their children this Christmas, signing up on the first day that assistance applications were available.