June 26, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—The City of La Mesa denied a request from Navajo Events to provide funding for the annual fireworks show at Lake Murray. “The 4th of July Fireworks Music Fest is just over $4,000 short of being a reality, so with all of our participation, we can make it happen!” Pam Melody of Navajo Events has informed East County Magazine. Last weekend’s pancake breakfast raised a portion of the funds, but more is still needed. So a bake sale will be held this Saturday, June 27 from 10 am to 3 pm.

June 27, 2009 (Alpine_ Looking for a wild time? East County's only big cat sanctuary invites you to spend a wild night in the country with Raja and Bakari at Lions Tigers & Bears. Pitch a tent and set-up camp next to the big cats--or opt for more luxurious lodging--complete with wine and dinner.

BON APPÉTIT! OVER 20 RESTAURANTS ADD FLAVOR TO 1ST TASTE OF LA MESA AND BUSINESS EXPO, LA MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES June 22, 2009 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announced that more than 20 restaurants and food providers have signed up to participate in the first annual “Taste of La Mesa” slated for Monday, July 20, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa. The Title Sponsor of this event is Gio Bistro Wine Bar, owned by Gabriel and Tracy Giordano.

June 16, 2009 (La Mesa) -- Gio Bistro Wine Bar and the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invite area residents to savor the first annual "Taste of La Mesa" event. Sample fare from many of the La Mesa area’s finest restaurants and food while savoring an East County evening complete with music, food and drinks. The event will to be held at the La Mesa Community Center 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

June 12, 2009 (San Diego)—Organizers of the Fourth of July Music Fest and Fireworks planned for Lake Murray need public support to save this year’s event. A pancake breakfast June 20th at Casey’s Place, 7375 Jackson Drive, San Diego will help raise funds for this annual East County tradition.

Breakfast costs $5.00 and will include pancakes, sausages, orange juice and coffee. The meal will be served until 10:30. Attendees can also register kidsr for Crusaders Soccer, while helping to preserve the patriotic celebration at Lake Murray.

June 10, 2009 (Alpine) — Viejas Outlet Center will host “Tuesdays in the Park” featuring the 2009 Movies in the Park Season with free, family-friendly movies starting June 16. In addition, the center will host "Market in the Park", Alpine’s first farmers' market, beginning June 23. Both events are free to the public.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — June 1, 2009 — For the first time, Viejas Outlet Center is excited to welcome all dogs to the center for a “doggone” day of fun. On Saturday, June 6 Viejas will host the 5th Annual Novelty Fun Dog Show and the Service Dog Celebration.

June 1, 2009 (El Cajon)—The Wild West comes alive at the 7th annual Olaf Wieghorst Museum Western Heritage Days in El Cajon. Free to the public, the event highlights our nation’s heritage West of the Mississippi from the 1700s through the early 1900s. From reenactments of the Old West to a Saturday night street dance under a full moon, this event is one of East County’s most colorful festivals. Watch for gunslingers, shoot-outs, saloon girls, mountain men, Buffalo Soldiers and Native American dancers—as well as a blacksmith shop, stagecoach and much more.

June 1, 2009 (La Mesa) -- Step back in time to those lazy, crazy carefree ‘50s days at the La Mesa Village Back to the 50s Car Show. The event runs every Thursday evening between June 4th and August 27th.

This Summer Event draws more than 2,500 spectators. Classic cars line La Mesa Boulevard and compete in the weekly contest. The car show runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy live music with DJ Jumpin' Jack Flash, shopping and dining every Thursday night until 9 pm in the Village.

ALPINE, Calif. — May 28, 2009 — As the weather begins to heat up and children get out of school, Viejas offers a place to beat the heat with an array family-friendly events. The annual Power of Nightfire show will feature performances at 9 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday, until Labor Day. The unique performance intrigues the audience with water fountains, lasers, pyrotechnics, special effects and intricate choreography. The show tells the story of an ancient Kumeyaay Indian who saved his people from the evil “water spirit” and brings the valuable water back to his village.

May 28, 2009 (Santee) – Live bands, carnival rides, crafts, vendors, a beer garden and food (including a 65-foot-brat grille) will be featured at the Santee Street Fair this Saturday, May 30th from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free to the public, the event will be held behind the Trolley Square shopping center in Santee, at 101 Civic Center Drive, near the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and Riverview Parkway. There is a trolley station in the shopping center, making the event easily accessible.

“I had a dream that I would have a drum,” recalled Neka’asawe, a drum maker who was among the many vendors displaying indigenous crafts at the Sage & Songbirds Festival at Viejas Outlet Center in early May. “I went into a sweat lodge and prayed. A spirit told me I would make many drums.”

May 16, 2009 (Scrpps Ranch)--The Scripps Ranch Commuity Association invites you to help celebrate the 10th Annual Community Fair on Sunday, May 17, at the Scripps Ranch Community Park, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive, San Diego.The fair runs from noon to 5:30 pm, followed by the first Symphony in the Park concert of the year at 5:45 pm. The concert will feature the Siers Brothers Band, a Scripps Ranch favorite, performing classic rock `n roll.

The East County Community Action Coalition (ECCAC) is sponsoring a fundraiser on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 11-4 pm at Hazy Meadow Ranch in Lakeside, CA. This is an all-county event that will feature live music, raffle, opportunity drawing, carnvial games, pony rides, and more. The organization seeks public help to fund legal action to "sunset" Sunrise Powerlink.

May 9, 2009 (Escondido)--The independent arts organization contACT ARTS (formerly xDrop Arts Organization) is sponsoring The Harvest Project, a benefit event to help Archi’s Acres organic farm build a new greenhouse to serve more combat veterans in its Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) program. The event is on Sunday, May 17 from 1 – 6 pm at the World Beat Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park. (Photo: Ex-Navy Lt. Olaf Hansen tends hydroponic basil at Archi's Acres.)