By Liz Alper

April 12, 2016 (La Mesa) - NUA Sparrow, a Waldorf-based charter program, is hosting its 5th annual Spring Festival on Sunday, May 1st at 4207 Spring Gardens Road in La Mesa.

Native Gardens Tour April 2-3 previews

East County News Service

April 1, 2016 (Deerhorn Valley) --Two Deerhorn Valley couples who addressed their need for a fire-safe landscape using native plants discovered that native plants in the garden not only save water and reduce fire risk, but provide year-round beauty that appeals to all the senses.   They will be sharing their gardens and their experience as part of the California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS) Garden Native Tour, April 2^nd and 3^rd, which features a total of twenty gardens in inland San Diego County.  

East County News Service

Photos by  R. Jordan Photography

Photo, left, Best of Show in 2015

March 31, 2016 (El Cajon) – The Cajon Classic Cruises season will rev to life starting April 20^th in downtown El Cajon.  This annual family-friendly event will take place each Wednesday evening from  5 p.m. to 8 p.m. along Main Street near Magnolia.

East County News Service

March 27, 2016 (Alpine) --The Alpine Woman’s Club Victorian Tea has been compared to the teas at the Hotel Del Coronado and Westgate Hotel. This is the perfect venue to showcase your finest hat, share good conversation with good friends and introduce your daughter or granddaughter to their first Victorian Tea. What a wonderful experience for any young lady ages 8 years and up. Entertainment will feature piano music by William D. Young, playing songs from yesteryear. There will also be a raffle, door prizes and other surprises. Period attire is recommended but not required.

East County News Service

March 25, 2016 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s Western Days Parade will roll out along Maine Street on April 23 starting at 9:35 a.m.  Celebrating its 51^st year, this year’s parade hosted by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce will feature the theme “America Strong, Lakeside Strong.”

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, 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

March 17, 2016 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes unplugged at Parkway Plaza, open house at Oasis Camel Dairy, the Borrego Garden Tour, Snoopy the musical and an a cappella quartet at the Joan Kroc Theater.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Spring Harpfest, Santee Lakes Eggstravaganza and a Water-wise Garden tour.  So scroll down for all of these events and more!

By Helen Ofield

March 11, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society will sponsor "Vietnam Remembered" on March 26 at 2 p.m. in the Lemon Grove Library, 3001 School Lane.  The event will fall a few days in advance of national Vietnam Veterans Day and is part of "The Remembrance Project" of LGHS, which kicked off last Nov. 21 with "JFK Remembered."

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, 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

March 10, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Gatlin Brothers concert, a St. Patrick’s Day fun run, a Circle of Art Show in Borrego Springs, and live theater including Mack and Mabel, set in the silent movie era of yesteryear.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including Tomatomania for garden lovers, Lake Jennings spring carnival,  garden tours galore and the Spring HarpFest in La Mesa. So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Liz Alper

March 9, 2016 (Alpine) - The Alpine Woman's Club cordially invites you to their 23^rd annual Victorian Tea.

East County News Service

March 4, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Tomatomania!, the renowned Heirloom tomato seedling sale, returns to excite an enthusiastic group of gardeners in El Cajon this spring at the Water Conservation Garden, on March 12 and 13.

East County News Service

March 3, 2016 (La Mesa) - You’re invited to the 16^th annual Spring Harp Fest, a musical celebration on March 26^th  from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa.  The festival features top harmonica performers playing blues music and more, as well as an unknown artists’ jam session.  The mission is to inspire appreciation for the harmonica in the next generation. 

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

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

By Miriam Raftery

This week’s Destination East County includes a night hike with stargazing at the Santa Ysabel preserve, a Pirate’s Cove run/walk at Lake Cuyamaca, live music in La Mesa, and the Julian Doves and Desperados performing wild west skits in Julian.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, egg hunts, garden tours, a desert art show, a backroom beer pairing, a harmonica festival, a spring carnival, Snoopy the musical, and a hike to the Valley of the Moon..

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

East County News Service

February 27, 2016 (Lakeside) – You’re invited to bring the kids out to Lake Jennings second annual Spring Carnival.  The festivities on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include an egg hunt, face painting, paddle boating, and a fully-stocked kids pond plus 2,000 pounds of trout.

February 24, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a musical production of Charlotte’s Web, a Black History Celebration, and the final weekend of Hawk Watch in Ramona.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a hike to the Valley of the Moon, the Borrego Garden Tour, a St. Patrick’s Day walk and fun/run through downtown El Cajon, and much more.  So scroll down for all of these events and more.

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

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

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a harpsichord and violin concert at Cuyamaca College by the San Diego Early Music Society, an author speaking on San Diego Legends, and an open artists’ studio tour in Borrego Springs.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a concert by country music stars the Gatlin Brothers, a moonlight hike in the Anza-Borrego desert, an all-night run/walk at Pirate’s Cove along Lake Cuyamaca’s shores, the La Mesa Chamber’s Mardi Gras and Salute to Local Heroes, plus a St. Patrick’s weekend run/walk in downtown El Cajon to benefit local charities.

So croll down for all of these events and more.