By Monica Zech

August 13, 2016 (El Cajon) – Monica Zech from El Cajon has provided a list of hot happenings in the city coming up, including  anew El Cajon Walks! Meet-up group, Cajon Classic Cruise night, Island Music at the next “Dinner and a Concert,” Oktoberfest, classes, council hearings, nomination deadlines for Women in Leadership and a Veterans’ committee,  a fire station open house, free disaster preparedness class and more.

East County News Service

August 4, 2016 (Ramona) - The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present the 46th annual Ramona Country Fair, Thursday, Aug. 25 to Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per carload.

East County News Service

July 28, 2016 (Julian) -- On Saturday, July 30th, 2016, the Julian Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2nd Annual ‘Sip of Julian’. The Sip features eight of Julian’s alcoholic beverage purveyors. Proof that we’re not just about apples and great pie, we have growers and producers of wine, craft beer, delicious hard cider, and mead, an ancient honey-based beverage, offering up a sampling of their delicious hand-crafted specialties.

East County News Service

July 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)—This week’s Destination East County includes the Pine Valley Days festival and parade, a Sip of Julian, a Musicians showcase in La Mesa, Helix Water’s customer appreciation day at the Water Conservation Garden, and our own Roaring 20s party at the San Pasqual Wine Bar in La Mesa. 

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a theatrical production, night fishing at Santee Lakes, a barbecue and dance, HeART of Mt. Helix, the Julian StarFest, and Viejas Summer Nights.

 So scroll down for all of these events and more!

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (Lakeside) - Join the Lakeside Community Center for a night of entertainment, games, food and fun for the entire family.. As part of San Diego's Movies in the Park series, the Center will be hosting two movies at the Lindo Lake Baseball fields featuring "The Incredibles" on Friday, August 26.

East County News Service

July 13, 2016 (Ramona) - Watermelon Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy is back and better than ever with more shows, a new children's area (featuring a new sheep-feeding farm), games and more!

East County News Service

July 7, 2016 (Pine Valley) --Pine Valley Days will take place July 29^th and 30^th in the mountain town of Pine Valley.  A highlight of the two-day festival is a parade along Old Highway 80 through Pine Valley on July 29^th starting at 9 a.m. featuring horses, bagpipes, clowns, cars, dragons, marching bands and more. 

Other activities include a craft village at the Pine Valley County Park on Saturday, a Friday night deep pit barbecue and dancing in the park after dark, plus a burrito breakfast on Saturday and a music festival.

East County News Service

July 4, 2016 (Ramona) – What could be more delightful on a summer’s eve than to savor supper in a vineyard with an array of tantalizing menus and wines?   Hatfield Creek Vineyards in Ramona is hosting summer suppers on the second Sunday each month (July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11) for $35 a person, with a limit of 20 guests.

East County News Service

July 2, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - The San Diego Astronomy Association hosts events throughout the year.  You can visit their calendar or scroll down for events that the SDAA will be participating in or sponsoring in the next month–including several at East County locations. Inclement weather may postpone or cancel outdoor events, so check with the SDAA or the event coordinator to be sure the event is still scheduled.

• Stars in the Park
• Stars at Mission Trails
• Stars at Sycamore Canyon
• Stars at West Sycamore
• Program Meetings
• Tierra del Sol (TDS)
• Julian Star Fest

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

June 28,2016 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Fourth of July activities galore, including picnics, parades, a train ride and of course, fireworks!

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including Descanso Days, Pine Valley Days, and a production of the Lion King. 

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

Emergency SOS!  KNSJ, which has the emergency broadcast network for East County, is off the air due to vandals. Help us get KNSJ back on the air -- and also support East County Magazine!

SATURDAY, JUNE 18:  4 to 7 p.m.

Don't miss our summer solstice celebration of artists, authors, musicians, and thinkers will support East County Magazine and KNSJ, nonprofit media in the public interest.

Performers include: Fabio Rojas playing Latin music, comedians Benji Garcia  Karl Weiss, classical Indian dance by Nilanjana, dancer Gargi Chttopadhyaya, Indian drummers Sai Payan and Dijan Ashtianti, novelist Scott Sigler, and hip-hop by Poalypse Gotadajuice.

Savor delicious foods and libations! Plus win fabulous prizes in our opportunity drawings and silent auction, includnig Julian carriage rides, harbor cruises, dinners, dance classes, designer hand-crafted jewelry(coral/turquoise/shells and hand-painted stone), wine lovers baskets, boutique gift certificates, original art "Neptune's Capture" by Denver Native American artist Michaela Beavers, museum-quality Central AmericanMata Ortiz pottery, music CDs, books, gallery framing, butterfly kite, restaurant and cafe gift certificates,  yoga lessons, bakery basket of goodies, old time photography shoot, antiques, Fiesta basket, yoga lessons,and more!

Open to East County Magazine subscribers (subscribe free at the top right side of our homepage), KNSJ members, and invited guests. 

RSVP today for early bird rates: ($19, or $17 each with purchase of two tickets, groups of 6 or more $13 each.)   At the door: $22.  Call 619-698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org to RSVP.

We're hosting an emergency benefit "Bohemian Bash" this Saturday, June 18 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at our editor's home on Mt. Helix.  Come celebrate our communities' creative roots and savor summer solstice revelry at the hottest party of the season!

Last week, vandals and thieves knocked our radio show and KNSJ's station off the air, doing thousands of dollars of damage at the transmitter site on Mt. Laguna. Come help us rebuild and assure that our communities' voices will be back on the air!

Festivities at this free-spirited gathering with artists, authors, musicians, and thinkers will support nonprofit media in the public interest, local news reporting, and coverage of arts, music and culture. Hear live musical entertainment, savor delicious food and libations, enjoy comedy with Second Chances for Grace, hear poetry readings, watch San Diego Asian Artists Ensemble performers, and win fabulous prizes!   Share your ideas, mingle with our Bohemian crowd, and meet the media. 

Proceeds benefit KNSJ "people powered radio" and East County Magazine, both nonprofit organizations.

RSVP today for early bird rates! ($19, or 2 for $34 in advance, $22 at the door.)   Call 619-698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org to RSVP. You can prepay online at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/donate, check"East County Magazine" off our publisher's list of options and write"Bohemian Bash" on the designation line to secure your reservation.

Click "read more" for more delicious details:

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Julian) -- The stars and stripes will move down Main Street in Julian during this year’s Fourth of July parade honoring Independence Day. For over 20 years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers turn out to watch what some call the “the best little town parade in America.” Pre-parade events start at 10:00 a.m. The parade begins at 12 noon and ends around 2:00 p.m.

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon will hold its annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks at Kennedy Park.  The fun starts at 1 p.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities and live music from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   The fireworks display will be held at 9 p.m.