East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (Julian) -- The Julian Grape Stomp Festa invites you to kick off your shoes and squish grapes beneath your feet at the 22^nd annual event on September 1^st from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Menghini Winery in Julian. Taste wines from multiple wineries as well as food and drinks from a variety of local establishments.

Learn what firefighters know about protecting homes and communities from wildfire

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (Potrero) - The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County is taking fire safety training to local communities that are at high-risk for wildfires. Some of the most vulnerable areas are those in the Wildland Urban Interface, or WUI, which is defined as residential areas that abut to open space. The next workshop, called Fire Operations in the Wildland Urban Interface, will be in Potrero on Saturday, September 8, 2018.

East County News Service

August 28, 2018 (San Carlos) -- A binational celebration commemorating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego’s San Carlos community is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 26, complete with mariachi music, a gourmet Mexican meal and more.

East County News Service

August 28, 2018 (Borrego Springs) -- What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a parade—a holiday? Decorated floats? Marching bands? What about thousands of people gathered in the middle of the desert for a parade themed “eyes to the skies?” Far from your average hometown parade, the 53^rd annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on October 20^th will feature an all new gravity-defying air parade.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Saturday, August 25th 

6-10 p.m. (VIP reception at 5:30 p.m.)

Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center

One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego

It’s the party of a decade!

East County Magazine invites you to join us at East County Fest, our 10^th anniversary celebration!  Proceeds benefit our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and our award-winning community news reporting.

Festivities include: Foods, wines, cider and beer from top restaurants, wineries and breweries in East County, wonderful artists, artisans, authors, athletes, communitiy leaders, live music and entertainment, raffle, auction, stargazing, guest speakers, a look back at the last 10 years and forward to the future!

Tables and individual tickets are available, plus there’s a VIP reception.  Buy a table or a VIP reception ticket and get our free “Best of East County” cookbook on a souvenir thumb drive as thanks, plus preferred parking, auction preview, gourmet goodies and more.

Our VIP party is catered by Bekker's Catering, known for their fabulous food for weddings and other special occasions, and sponsored by California Coast Credit Union. Our thanks to Bekker's for generously donating most of the delicious foods for the VIP reception.

Individual tickets: $65 ($60 for sustaining donors and dining club members) or for $20 extra add VIP reception ($85 total).

Tables: $480 ($60 a person) or $680  ($80 a person) with the VIP reception. 

This event is for age 21 and up.

CLICK ARROWS BELOW TO VIEW AND CHOOSE ALL PRICE OPTIONS.

  For all the delicious details, click "read more" and scroll down.

These are just some of the nearly $10,000 in prizes at East County Fest, our "Party of the Decade" celebrating our 10th anniversary on Saturday, August 25 from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails  Regional Park's beautiful visitors center. Get tickets.

By Miriam Raftery

Want to win a video production about your company or organization created by Raul Sandelin Films--a $1,200 value? 

Take home sports memorabilia from NBA superstar Bill Walton’s personal collection?

Get poker lessons from Richard Lederer, who taught his two children and they became world and national poker champions? 

Savor happy hour with friends at Hatfield Creek vineyard?  Or a vacation at an adobe inn at a winery? Or take home a barbecue for a cookout in your own backyard.

Wouldn't you love to win a beautiful pearl and silver ring and earrings set, baskets of wines, autographed books, restaurant gift certificates, San Diego Zoo passes, dance concert tickets, or tickets to a concert featuring a well-known performer at SDSU’s Cal Coast Open Air Theater?

By Miriam Raftery

August 17, 2018 (San Diego) – Language expert, author, columnist and radio personality Richard Lederer will be a special guest at our East County Fest 10-year anniversary party of the decade on Saturday night, August 25. (Tickets are going fast! Get tickets and learn more.)

In addition to speaking and signing copies of his latest books, Lederer has generously donated two special auction prizes – an entertaining and educational appearance by Lederer for your group, and a poker lesson by Lederer, whose skills enabled his two children to become world and national poker champions.

Lederer is the author of 50 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current books, Amazing Words, Lederer on Language, and The Joy of Names. He is a founding co-host of “A Way With Words” on KPBS.

Dr. Lederer’s syndicated column, “Lederer on Language,” appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States, including the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel winner.

Celebrating the future of East County’s water with a FREE, fun event

Source:  Padre Dam Municipal Water District

August 15, 2018 (Santee) - Celebrate water at the East County Water Festival on Saturday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East County Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project Visitor Center in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

Our East County Fest 10-year anniversary celebration for East County Magazine on August 25^th at Mission Trails features an array of top musical talent from East County including prominent jazz/pop/ classical/Nuevo Flamenco guitarist Miles Moynier, award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Jim Earp, talented and creative performers from Visionary Dance Theatre, and the San Diego Native American Flute Circle, honoring 12,000 years of Native American history in our region.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A highlight of our upcoming East County Fest on August 25^th from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park (advance tickets required) will be prominent artist Chuck McPherson, who will create a painting live to be auctioned off at the event. 

Self-described as “flamboyant and a stand out creative,” this talented local artist and teacher has won international recognition and received hundreds of awards in juried art shows. Cherished by collectors, recent works by McPherson have sold for thousands of dollars.

His works have been displayed around the world, including locally at the Ola Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center, San Diego History Center, California Center for the Arts  and Marston House Museum. Internationally, he holds three Signature Memberships with The San Diego Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies; A Signature in watercolor is like a PhD in medicine.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a kayak tour at Lake Morena, a jazz concert at Mission Trails, Hall in Oates and Train in concert at SDSU, the Julian Natural Wonderfest, the HeART of Mt. Helix, and the Price is Right game show at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including our own East County Fest at Mission Trails, celebrating the 10^th anniversary of East County Magazine, as well as the Barona Powwow, Sycuan Powwow, Ramona Grape Stomp and the Julian Grape Stomp Festa,

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

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2018 (Ramona) – Three Ramona wineries invite you to bring your well-behaved dog to enjoy the Dog Days of Summer this Saturday and Sunday, August 4-5. Participating wineries are Hatfield Creek, Ramona Ranch and Vineyard Grant James.

East County News Service

July 19, 2018 (Pine Valley) -- Pine Valley Days will take place on July 27^th and 28^th.  Sponsored by the Mountain Empire Men’s Club in the mountain town of Pine Valley, Pine Valley Days will include a parade on Saturday at 9 a.m., live music by Barb Wire, craft fair, deep pit barbecue, kids zone, horseshoe tournament and other activities throughout the weekend.

For a full schedule of events, you can visit https://www.facebook.com/185443142839/photos/gm.253729028534281/10156350830237840/?type=3&theater.

Source: Mt. Helix Park Foundation

July 12, 2018 (La Mesa) - Tickets are on sale now for the 11th annual heART of Mt. Helix. You’re invited to come and experience local art, music and cuisine at Mt. Helix Park’s popular celebration/fundraiser held at one of East County’s most extraordinary venues.