By Miriam Raftery

June 5, 2018 (La Mesa) –Fourpenny House (8383 La Mesa Blvd.) in La Mesa’s downtown village is a natural fit in a community that’s home to the Helix High School Highlanders and bagpipe band. 

The Scottish pub and restaurant was inspired by owner Peter Soutowood’s family travels to his ancestral homeland in Scotland.

“Scottish food represents the flavors of the landscape,” says Soutowood, wearing a Scottish kilt during an industry night sampling of the fare. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Blue Breeze Band in El Cajon, La Mesa’s Flag Day parade, Our Secret Garden Party at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, and the Lego Ninjago movie playing at Stelzer County Park in Lakeside.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, a firefighters pancake breakfast in La Mesa, the San Diego Concert Band in La Mesa, a Taste of La Mesa, Art in the Park in La Mesa’s McArthur Park, Santee’s summer concerts, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, a historic quilt show, Santee Salutes and Julian’s Fourth of July parade.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 27, 2018 (San Diego) -- This Memorial Day weekend, let’s all take part by being responsible for ourselves and others. Here are a few safety tips:

Review by Liz Orient

May 18, 2018 (Ramona) -- Downtown Ramona is home to a collection of quaint and charming eateries. Marinade on Main uniquely presents itself as a beloved farm-to-table cafe. One Sunday afternoon, my colleague and I decided to stop in for brunch.

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Taste of Julian, the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College, the Jukebox Kings in downtown El Cajon, a Salsa fiesta in Lemon Grove, Sherlock Holmes Final Adventure at Grossmont College, and the Manzanita High Rendezvous in Lake Morena.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Mother’s Day hike on Volcan Mountain in Julian, a salute to military families including kayaking and mountain biking at Lake Morena, a star party at Oakoasis in Lakeside, hiking in Flinn Springs, wilderness survival for families in Lake Morena, a bicycle ride and safety talk at Lindo Lakes in Lakeside, the Ramona Rodeo, the America on Main Street festival in El Cajon, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, Laurel and Hardy comedy night in Spring Valley, La Mesa’s Flag Day parade, a Secret Garden Party at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Fido Fest in Santee and Santee’s summer concert series.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

April is National Distracted Driver Awareness Month

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

April 23, 2018 (San Diego) --The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that road rage “involves a criminal act of violence, whereas aggressive driving can range from tailgating to speeding to running red lights.”

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a Kidz Danz Company production of The Constitution, a Warbirds Expo at Gillespie Field, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, the Jamul Hot Rod and Chili Cook-off, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary celebration, a harp recital at Mission Trails, the Cajon Classic Cruise season opener in El Cajon, and a Lilac Festival in Wynola.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a meteor shower watch, a furry friends hike, an antique and crafts show, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days parade, a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, the San Diego Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert, Renaissance music at Mission Trails, outdoor concerts in El Cajon, and winetasting at Vintage Alpine.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Greg Dunne                

April 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Pigeons are the ultimate urban birds. At our parks, on top of our downtown skyscrapers, even at the beach we see them.

Pigeons and Doves seem to be everywhere in the County—but even though it’s ordinary to see them on a daily basis, there are some extraordinary facts about these birds that may surprise you.

By Miriam Raftery

April 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - Social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter are taking steps to combat bots, or automated accounts that have been used to spread Russian propaganda, influence U.S. politics, spreading fake news stories as well as inflammatory posts intended to divide Americans on issues such as race relations and gun control.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, a comedy film night in Spring Valley, Hawk Talk at Mission Trails, a Lilac Festival in Santa Ysabel, and jazz great Chuck McPherson at Cuyamaca College.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including an event honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest, Meet the Winemakers Weekend, a dance presentation of the Constitution, Sweet Pea Days at Summers Past Farms, Cajon Classic Cruises season opener, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary celebration, an antique and crafts fair, and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

March 21, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a lilac festival in Santa Ysabel, a water-wise garden tour, Spring Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes, a Bunny Train ride in Campo, and a Plein Air art show in Borrego Springs.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Harp Fest, Laurel and Hardy comedy night, a remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. in Lemon Grove on the 50^th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s death, the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest, meet the winemaker weekend, Sweet Pea Days, Cajon Classic Cruises, Heritage of the America’s 25^th anniversary celebration, an arts and crafts fair, and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes St. Patrick’s Day teas in Julian, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Alaska String Band in concert, The Music Man, and Plein Air artist’s works in Borrego Springs.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a water-wise home garden tour, a bunny train, Spring Eggstravaganza, Spring Harp Fest, a comedy film night, the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest, Meet the Winemaker Weekend, Sweet Pea Day, Cajon Classic Cruises, Heritage of the America Museum’s anniversary party, an antique and crafts fair and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”

By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®, President, Blue Summit Wealth Management

March 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Socially Responsible Investing tenet of "knowing-what-you-own" is adding another layer of reflection to those affected by the recent gun violence in Parkland, Florida.  Educators in Florida may be surprised to learn they’ve been helping fund the firearms industry—including the company that made the gun used during the February 14th shooting.

East County News Service

March 1, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes gallery art shows in La Mesa and Ramona, the Boots Ball in Borrego Springs, live music with the Sporadicals in La Mesa, a Gregory Page concert at Mission Trails, a plein air paint-out in Borrego Springs and a St. Patrick’s Day half marathon race in El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Tomatomania at The Garden, the Circle of Art show in Borrego Springs, the Alaska String Band in concert, a Bunny Train in Campo, Spring Extravaganza at Santee Lakes, the Harp Fest in La Mesa, a comedy film night in Spring Valley, Sweet Pea Days in Flinn Springs, Cajon Class Cruise season’s opener, an anniversary party at Heritage of the Americas museum, an antiques fair at Summers Past Farms and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

February 25, 2018 (San Diego) – The San Diego Press Club will present a program on Snopes.com, a fact-checking and reference website, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 at its downtown San Diego offices at the Spreckels Building, 121 Broadway, Suite 640. Cost to attend is free for members and $10 per person for non members. The event is open to the public.