September 27, 2012 (El Cajon) -- For fans of Oktoberfest in El Cajon, festivities will run September 28, 29 and 30, and again October 5, 6 and 7 at 1017 S. Mollison Avenue. Come and enjoy authentic German food and a variety of German pastries.

September 27, 2012 (Palomar) -- Did you know that Palomar Mountain State Park is made up of pioneer homesteads that included magnificent apple orchards still producing delicious apples to this day? On Sunday, October 21 from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. you’re invited to join in a celebration of  the Park's apple heritage with fresh apples picked from the park's 100 year old orchards, apple dishes, live music, cider, arts and crafts for kids, prizes and living history volunteers /re-enactors.

Guests are welcome to bring their own homemade apple dish-- and come dressed in 19th century homestead period attire. Admission is free to this second annual celebration.

September 22, 2012 (Alpine) – The annual Alpine Viejas Western Days Parade will be September 30 at 2 p.m. beginning at 2955 Alpine Blvd., Alpine (Albertsons).  The event includes a craft fair and car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

The real Wells Fargo Stagecoach will be on display.  A rock-climbing wall and children's bounce house will also be available.  Enjoy live music and family fun at this event coordinated by the Alpine Stagecoach Lions. 

Please join us this evening to enjoy some cheer and help fund live reporting of wildfires and other hot news in East County! We now have THOUSANDS of dollars in great prizes!

Join us Wed. Sept. 26 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at El Cajon Brewing Co. for beer-tasting, great food, live music by Charlie Rae (she's opened for Sheryl Crow and other stars), tons of prizes, hot cars from Carrera Coachwerks and more during El Cajon's Classic Cruises' season finale.   

First 100 guests get a $10 voucher for FREE FOOD OR BEER!

Over 1,000 children anticipated to attend with their families

Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa will present Kids Care Fest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.

Kids Care Fest is a free, family-oriented event featuring free health care screenings open to the public. Over 1,000 children under age 12 are expected to receive free, potentially life-saving health care screenings including hearing, vision and dental from healthcare professionals at 50 exhibit booths. Free medical information from pediatricians, dermatologists and pharmacists will also be available, as well as flu shots.

More free hands-on activities will include arts and crafts, water safety, astro jumps and pony rides, demonstrations and displays from police and fire officials--plus giveaways and more.

September 18, 2012 (San Diego) – The 2^nd Annual Adams Avenue Beer Taste is being held in conjunction with the Adams Avenue Street Fair on September 29.  There will be over 15 brewers in attendance, with more than 30 beers to sample.

Find inspiration, savor a fresh foods buffet, and learn the latest in sustainability

By Walt Meyer

September 16, 2012 (Lakeside)--At Heartland Coalition/UnitedGREEN's  Forging a Sustainable Future event at San Diego State University in March, keynote speaker Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared the importance of changing how we all live in light of the global climate crisis. But as has been said many times, all global change starts with local action--and there has never been a better time to take steps for real change. Toward that end, Heartland Coalition’s UnitedGREEN division is producing a series of customized Forging a Sustainable Future Solutions events to advance its mission of transforming the San Diego region.

The first FSFS event will be “Living Green at Blue Sky Ranch” on September 29 from 3-6:30 p.m. Exhibits and experts will explain permaculture, wildfire protection, Community Supported Agriculture, grey water, water catchment, organic farming and gardening, and other aspects of this self-sustaining community in Lakeside. The aim is to encourage others to emulate techniques used at Blue Sky Ranch (BSR) and invite people to showcase their innovations on the property. Early bird rates of $20 have been extended; at the door rates are $35/person or $60/couple.

September 14, 2012 (Julian)--For the 43rd year, Julian celebrates the end of summer with music.  The Julian Music Festival will be held on September 15 from 12 noon to 9 p.m. This year brings a change in location to the Menghini Winery.

Originally this festival was a banjo fiddle competition, and more recently known as the Julian Bluegrass Festival.  Now in its 40th year, the Festival expands to offer not only bluegrass, but an Americana mix of Western ballads and classic folk music. This year, an evening dance under the stars from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. is also new--so bring your dancing shoes and plan to kick up your heels.

September 11, 2012 (Santee) -- Don’t pass up a chance to relax on a bale of hay under the soft glow of moonlight with live bluegrass music playing in the background.

Santee is offering adults a chance to have a great night out with gourmet food and spirits while simultaneously supporting the local teen center at the recession-busting price of $35 per person.

September 8, 2012 (San Diego) – Nile Sisters is hosting its Annual Brunch and Auction on September 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 7715 Draper Avenue in La Jolla.  A sumptuous catered buffet brunch will be served.

September 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The stars shine brightly at Mission Trails Regional Park! Join members of the San Diego Astronomy Association (weather permitting) on Friday, September 14 and on the 2nd Friday of each month, from sunset to 10 p.m. Telescopes will be available for you to view the stars and planets.

August 24, 2012 (El Cajon)—Native Americans from across the nation will convene September 7 -9 at the Sycuan reservation for the 23rd annual Sycuan Pow-wow. 

More than $125,000 in prize money will be awarded for top participants in bird singing and dancing and a drum/singing contest.  Native American arts and crafts will be available for purchase, as well as food.  The event, which is free and open to the public, is an opportunity to learn more about Native American culture and heritage. 

By Dennis Moore

September 5, 2012 (San Diego)--A NEW PATH, or PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing), is a voluntary, non-profit group of concerned parents of individuals suffering from addiction. They partner with health care professionals, the criminal justice system, recovering addicts and concerned members of society to seek better understanding of the illness and to create "therapeutic justice" for substance abuse related crimes. PATH's goals are  to reduce recidivism, save lives, heal families and move toward a healthier society.

On September 8, PATH invites you to the organization's annual “Strut for Sobriety” fashion show celebrating recovery from addiction.  The event, held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, will also feature a luncheon, awards, silent auction, live entertainment and boutique.( For full details, see http://www.anewpathsite.org/newevents1.html.)

August 29, 2012 (San Diego) – ArtsNFashion Magazine presents “Welcome to Ramallah”, a play by Sonja Linden and Adah Kay at Swedenborgh Hall, 4144 Campus Avenue, San Diego on Fridays and Saturdays from September 7 through 30 at 8:00 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturdays. 

The play tells the tale of a Palestinian man, Daoud, in love with a Jewish woman, Mara.  Together they are trapped in an apartment in Ramallah in the West Bank, along with his uncle and her sister.  They are forced to confront the painful history of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict.