June 7, 2012 (Campo) – The Mountain Empire-Campo Kiwanis presents a Barn Dance at the Star Ranch, 31310 Hwy 94, Campo on June 9.  The BBQ begins at 7:00 p.m. with the dance following from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.  The “Honkey Tonk Kings” will be the featured country dance band.

June 1, 2012 (Jacumba) – Local artist Bill McGee is showing two pieces of his work at the Jacumba Library, 44605 Old Highway 80, during the month of June. The artwork will be for sale and McGee will donate all proceeds to the Jacumba library and the Mountain Health Center, except for a small amount to be used to replenish his paints.

May 24, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Olaf Wieghorst Western Heritage Center will present the 2nd Annual Wieghorst Western Music Jubilee!  The event will take place on Saturday, June 2, at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theater in Rancho San Diego.

Belinda Gail, Sourdough Slim, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Tom Hiatt & The Sundown Riders, are just a few of the artists who will be entertaining. The show begins at 7:00 p.m.

Update May 28, 2012 with a video news report by Paul Kruz, exclusive to East County Magazine, including interviews with the developer and Councilman Wells:

By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery

May 23, 2012 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Council drew applause yesterday when by a unanimous decision, Council members rejected a proposal to tear down the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site.

Instead, Council agreed to work with community members and a newly formed ECPAC Foundation to reopen the theater long heralded as a centerpiece of El Cajon's downtown revitalization. 

ECPAC Foundation, SAVE ECPAC groups  plan rally to save theater at 1 pm;  workshop at 2 p.m.; Council meeting at 3 p.m.

May 22, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Today at 1:30 p.m., the El Cajon Council will hold a special workshop on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center.   Council has given an exclusive 180-day agreement to a developer to propose plans for tearing down the theater and building a hotel.  Today, developer E. Neal Arthur will present his plans at the workshop.

May 17, 2012 (Flinn Springs) – The Strings of Spring Music Festival is being held at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs on May 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Bring lawn chairs and blankets. The event benefits the Challenge Center which provides physical therapy and assisted fitness services for the disabled.

May 8, 2012 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale will present two performances of “Resonantes Musica,” featuring the works of choral music composer Morten Lauridsen, at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 11, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 625 Pennsylvania Ave., San Diego, and at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 7710 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa.

May 3, 2012 (El Cajon) – It's been two years since the East County Performing Arts Center went dark.  But on Monday, a group of concerned citizens seeking to "Save ECPAC" took a behind-the-scenes tour last week to determine the extent of repairs needed to reopen the cherished community landmark. 

Although challenges are steep, the good news is that the cost for critical repairs appears to be significantly less than the estimates  provided by the city for a more ambitious renovation.

May 2, 2012 (San Diego) -- The Allied Gardens SpringFest is May 11-12 at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center, 5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego.  The kick-off party begins at 5:00 p.m. on May 11 with a concert featuring Fusion Beat at 7:45 p.m.  Saturday’s events begin at 9:00 a.m. with a Pancake Breakfast, followed by the SpringFest Parade.

Festivities include a car show, vendor booths, including food and a beer garden.  Saturday’s performances will be by Pullman Standard and Rockola. Children’s activities include a carnival, pony rides, inflatables, a rock climbing wall and a dunk tank.

April 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – Chuck McPherson, of the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS), will be doing a live watercolor demonstration at the Cuyamaca College Spring Garden Festival on April 28.  Attendees can create their own watercolor painting and join SDWS Paint-out at 12:30 p.m. for a critique of the day’s paintings.