July 24, 2009 (El Cajon)--Gloria Chadwick, noted local artist and community art activist, received the Best in Show award at the Third Annual Alley Cat Juried Art Show produced by Friends of East County Arts, Inc. (photo (l to r): Bonnie Fredensborg, president of Friends of East County Arts, Inc., artist Gloria Chadwick, and El Cajon Councilwman Jillian Hanson-Cox.)

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2009 (El Cajon)—Over 200 people signed up for a “Taste of Wine & Art” event sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. Held in conjunction with the Alley Cat Summer Fest, the tour featured samplings of appetizers and desserts, beers, tequila, live music and artwork displays at venues throughout downtown. The tour provided a rare opportunity to savor a variety of wines from East County’s burgeoning new wine-making industry; in fact nearly all of San Diego’s forty or so wineries and vineyards are located in our County’s eastern regions.

5,000+ EXPECTED AT EL CAJON COMMUNITY CONSORTIUM
July 15. 2009 (El Cajon)– On the prowl for some fun this weekend?  El Cajon community art groups, museums, restaurants, and other downtown businesses are staging Alley Cat Summer Fest 2009, an event best described as the cat's meow. Organizers predict 5,000 people at the two-day event on Friday, July 17, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., downtown El Cajon.