By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Photo:  Drummer Chase Richard with the band Horsefly

April 2, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Punked on April 1^st? Was it by punk music? Metal? Or grunge? That music was celebrated at WE68 Radio’s 5^th anniversary festival held at Spring Valley’s The Bancroft on April Fool’s Day.

East County News Service

Photo:  Sleek Siamese (c) Mark Rimland 1997

March 31, 2017 (San Diego) - "Secret Worlds:  Celebrating National Autism Awareness Month" will feature the 1st public viewing of the original illustrations by Mark Rimland from the book The Secret Night World of Cats and the whimsical sculptures of the prolific ceramic artist Colby Jackson.

By Kathy Carpenter

Journalist www.sandiegosplash.com

March 24, 2017 (La Mesa) - The Dresser is riveting, with powerful acting, giving the audience a knock-out performance.  This play within a play focuses on a group of thespians performing and trying to keep their troop going in the midst of World War II air raids.

East County News Service

March 14, 2017 (La Mesa) – The 18^th annual Spring Harp Fest, showing harmonica players and more, will be held on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park (9550 Milden St.) in La Mesa. 

The event is free though a $10 donation is suggested. Funds are used to donate harmonicas to local schools. This year’s lineup includes:

East County News Service

March 9, 2017 (La Mesa) – On Wednesday, June 21st, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Lamplighters Community Theatre will welcome members, local businesses and guests to the Lamplighters Community Theatre’s 80th Anniversary celebration.

East County News Service

March 3, 2017 (San Diego) - The film lineup has been announced for the 2017 San Diego Latino Film Festival.  #SDLFF 2017 is excited to present a variety of genres and movies coming from over 20 countries within Latin America, Mexico, U.S.A., and Spain.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea will hold its second meeting of the year on March 25 in Williams Hall at Trinity Church in Spring Valley.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00 p.m.

East County News Service

February 26, 2017 (Borrego Springs) — The 28^th annual Circle of Art Show and Art Sale celebrating art in the desert will take place Saturday March 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. .and Sunday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christmas Circle in the heart of Borrego Springs.

By Kathy Carpenter, Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

February 22, 2017 (Santee) – In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch admonished his children to walk in someone else's shoes before judging them. You cannot know another clearly until you have considered things through their eyes. That’s a lesson we could all benefit from if we chose to exercise the option more.

East County News Service

February 17, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Voices of the City Choir will appear in concert at the El Cajon Library, located at 201 E. Douglas Avenue, Saturday, March 4, at 2:00 p.m.  The 30-voice ensemble, composed of homeless singers, will present a wide-ranging program of ballads, jazz, and gospel infused pop songs, backed up by a professional, 3-piece rhythm section.

East County News Service

February 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) — Young Adult Theatre (YAT) bring The Jungle Book for Kids to life March 2^nd through 12^th at the Encore! Theatre (9620 Campo Rd.) in Spring Valley.  The jungle is jumpin' with a jazzy beat in this special adaptation from the classic Disney animated film, featuring a host of colorful characters and your favorite songs from the movie.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Dancers performed in front of ECPAC in its heydey.

February 9, 2017 (El Cajon) – The long-shuttered East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) may finally be reopened under management of Live Nation, which claims to be the global leader in live entertainment. According to the company’s website,  Live Nation operates in 7 nations, has produce shows in nearly 40 countries, and has a concert somewhere in the world every 20 minutes.

The El Cajon City Council will vote Tuesday, February 14^th at its 3 p.m. meeting on authorizing the City manager to negotiate a draft management agreement with Live Nation .  View agenda and attachments. 

"If our democracy is to work in this increasingly diverse nation, each one of us must try to heed the advice of one of the great characters in American fiction, Atticus Finch, who said "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."- President Barack Obama, Farewell Address January 2017

By Liz Alper

Photo:  Youtube screenshot

January 20, 2017 (San Diego) - One of San Diego’s most revered historical figures is Ray Kroc.  Kroc and his wife Joan donated billions of dollars to the Salvation Army and NPR.  The Kroc Center is practically a San Diego community landmark and where San Diego State men's hockey has their home games.  He's played by Michael Keaton in the film The Founder.