August 12, 2013 (Alpine) – San Diegans will be able to revisit the sixties this fall at “60’s Rockin’ Mania – the ultimate battle of the bands” being held at Lions Tigers & Bears, September 7 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The concert showdown will feature Elvis impersonator James Kruk v. The Beatles “The Concert Experience.”

Guest will also be able to visit with the big cats and bears from 2 – 3 p.m., bid on door prizes and participate in opportunity drawings.  Food and drink will be available for purchase.  Guests are invited to bring blankets or low chairs.

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2013 (La Mesa) – “For my first show, I want to start off with a bang!” Eric Knowles told ECM.  Knowles is launching a comedy show at the Regal Bar in La Mesa the last Thursday in each month at 8:30 p.m., starting August 29.

The opening program will feature nationally renown actor/comedian Tommy Chunn as well as is Brian Simpson, a regular at Mad House Comedy Club who helps produce the famed Comedy Juice shows. 

August 20, 2013 (Lakeside) – The 43rd Annual Barona Powwow will be held August 30 through September 1 at Barona Baseball Field, on the Barona Indian Reservation in Lakeside. The Powwow begins on Friday at 6 p.m. with Gourd Dancing followed by the Grand Entry at 7 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday will feature Gourd Dancing at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and the Grand Entry at 7 p.m. each day.

August 16, 2013 (Campo) – The “Gaskill Brothers Gunfighters” will be putting on a reenactment of the Campo Gunfight at Golden Acorn Casino as part of the casino’s BBQ Cook-off.  The cook-off is a free event and runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The skit’s director and producer, Bryon Harrington will narrate the show. He has authored the novel “Campo the Forgotten Gunfight” and will be signing copies of his book after the show.

By Miriam Raftery

August 8, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – The 36th season of the "History Alive" lecture series, sponsored by the Lemon Grove Historical Society, will begin on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove with "A Fireside Chat with Donna Beckley Adams," announced Estelle Lauer, vice president for Programs.

Adams is a veritable "Founding Mother" of Lemon Grove having worked for civic incorporation and spearheaded the "Family Town Meeting" workshops in April 1977 that led to the establishment of urban planning and management practices in the fledgling city.

EARLY BIRD RATES EXTENDED THROUGH FRIDAY: $15 INCLUDES WILD WEST SHOW, BBQ DINNER, LIVE MUSIC, DANCING & THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PRIZES!

Late breaking news: Wind Spirit Drum, winner of the Native American Music Awards, to perform

Our "Wild West Fest" this Saturday, August 10 from 4-7 p.m. is shaping up to be our wildest event ever with some amazing prizes. entertainment and great food!

Want to be a cowboy for a day (or cowgirl) and ride the range at a working cattle ranch?  We're giving away this experience---for two--thanks to Campo Creek Ranch. (view video) Or win a stay at the new Viejas Resort, plus steakhouse dinner and outlet center shopping spree?

How about $165 in hay bales? Gift certificates to restaurants, salons, markets, major stores and shops?  Wine baskets? Leather bag from McClintock Saddleworks? Event tickets to "Magic in the Mountains" in Julian? Wine baskets? And much more? All to benefit wildfire reporting in this severe fire season.

Don't miss the fun - we still have tickets left so we've extended the early bird rates through Friday.  We've also added kid rates - $10 for kids ages 4-12. The fun takes place this Saturday, August 10 from 4-7 p.m. at the historic Descanso Town Hall, 24536 Viejas Grade Road in Descanso (Please note corrected address of event).

Western wear is encouraged - channel your inner cowboy (or cowgirl), round up the family and head on out! 

August 1, 2013 (San Diego's East County) – On Tuesday, August 6, the El Cajon Police Department will be holding a National Night Out community event in the parking lot of the El Cajon Police Station located at 100 Civic Center Way from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Enjoy a wide variety of booths and displays from numerous organizations offering health and safety information with a special emphasis on ways you can better protect your family, your home and your vehicle.  Emergency vehicles will be on display and there will be a K-9 demonstration. For more information, please call (619) 579-4227.

August 1, 2013 (Dulzura) – Dulzura-Barrett Fire Dept. and the Dulzura Community Center host a Deep Pit BBQ on August 4 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Camp’s Grove, 17087 Hwy 94, Dulzura.  A dinner of beef, pork, coleslaw, beans, corn-on-the-cob, roll and 8oz drink will be served from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.  The entertainment will include music from DJ, Bill the Breeze, dancing, Chicken Game, horseshoes, raffles, an auction and activities for the kids.

Thousands of dollars in fabulous prizes--and a wild west show!

Listen to our audio preview for this exciting event 

July 12, 2013 (Descanso) --Descanso Junction is firing up the BBQ to help us celebrate East County's western heritage at our Wild West Fest and BBQ on Saturday, August 10 from 4-7 p.m. at the historic Descanso Town Hall (24536 Viejas Grade Road, Descanso).  Prince includes BBQ feast, wild west show, dancing, live music, and prizes galore!

Your ticket ($15 at early-bird rates, $20 at the door) includes a delicious tri-tip and chicken barbecue feast,  Wild West show, live music, dancing, and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes.The Hole in the Wall Gang and  Gaskill Brothers Gunfighters will provide live western reenactments with a full half-hour wild west show. Author Bryon Harrington will be there with his book, Campo, the Forgotten Gunfight. Plus we'll have a Doc Holliday reenactor. Pine Creek Posse Band will provide live music- so bring your dancing shoes (or your cowboy boots!)

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PRIZES: Prizes include a vacation at the Viejas Resort, "cowboy for a day" at Campo Creek Ranch, gift certificates from delicious restaurants, $165 in hay bales, gifts from feed stores, retail shops, salons, leather bag from MCClintock Saddleworks, hay bales, winery gift baskets, bowling, buffets, event tickets and even a free rental at Descanso Town Hall! and more. Descanso Junction will serve up the barbecue feast. KNSJ 89.1 FM radio will be on hand to record YOUR stories, too.

July 19, 2013 (San Diego) – The Little Saigon 5th Annual Lantern Festival begins tonight at 5 p.m. and preparations are underway at Hoover High School, 4474 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, as volunteers are assembling and hanging thousands of lanterns, erecting vendor booths and building the stage and Vietnamese Cultural Village.  This year’s festival celebrates the formal designation of the new Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District.

July 15, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – This summer the music is floating over Berry Street Park, 7071 Mt. Vernon, Lemon Grove on Thursday evenings.  The free concerts are sponsored by the City of Lemon Grove and are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

July 13, 2013 (La Mesa)—The  City of La Mesa presents “Movie Night Under the Stars” on July 26, at La Mesita Park. The movie, “Wreck it Ralph” (rated PG), starts at 8:00 p.m. with pre-show entertainment starting at 7:30 p.m. This is fun family entertainment at its best “Under the Stars.”

The movie is FREE to the public and will be shown on a 25’ x 14’ screen. Bring your lawn chair, spread out a blanket, sit back and enjoy.  La Mesita Park is located adjacent to the Junior Seau Sports Complex at 8855 Dallas Street, La Mesa.

July 10, 2013 (Pine Valley) – Pine Valley Days returns to Pine Valley County Park, 28810 Old Highway 80 on July 26 and 27.  It begins on Friday with a Deep Pit BBQ from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with dancing under the stars following.  Saturday kicks off at 9 a.m. with a 2 hour parade down old Highway 80 from Pine Valley Road to Pine Blvd.  Parade entries include equestrian, bands, clowns, old cars and fire trucks, among others.

View videos of Eric Runningpath:   Video 1 (Crow Dance) and Video 2 (Hoop Dance)

By Ariele Johannson

If you missed the festivities, our East County Magazine event, “Celebrate Our Roots” at the Heritage of the Americas Museum on June 19 was a huge success! The event brought together people in a fun and educational way to celebrate East County’s cultural and agricultural heritage. Highlights of the event were recorded by Mike Hancock from KNSJ, East County’s NEW Community Radio Station with its transmitter in Descanso.  The East County Magazine LIVE! Radio Show will debut this week, airing Mondays through Fridays at 5 p.m. and 9 a.m.