By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery

Mayan Avitable, Nadin Abbott, and Serena Scaglione also contributed to this report

June 10, 2012 (San Diego County) – It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. So we took a team of our reporters and photographers to a media night preview of the San Diego County Fair at Del Mar, which opened yesterday.  We watched bungee jumpers, an acrobatic dog, and 4-H kids with pigs and goats. We savored our fill of fair food. Plus we met up with some East County participants--including Chief Don Butz and the Viejas firefighters, who showed off the shark-toothed, souped-up car they will be driving in the demolition derby on June 16.

Here are our helpful hints and highlights for your fair-going enjoyment this season:  

June 9, 2012 (La Mesa) – Gingham Restaurant is hosting Backyard Movie Nights on its patio, at 8384 La Mesa Boulevard every Wednesday beginning at 7:30 p.m.   The show will go on rain or shine and the popcorn is free.

June 9, 2012 (La Mesa) – Le Mesa will host “Movie in the Park”, featuring “How to Train Your Dragon”, July 27 at La Mesita Park, 8855 Dallas Street, La Mesa.  The movie begins at 8:00 and will be played on a high definition Blu-Ray projection system that includes a twenty-sex foot wide screen and amplified sound.

June 6, 2012 (San Diego) – The San Diego Shakespeare Society will perform excerpts from several of William Shakespeare’s “Nature Related” works on June 10 at 3:00 p.m. in the Mission Trails Regional Park’s Visitor Center Outdoor Amphitheater.  The readings will include the Pyrmamus & Thisbe scene from a Mid Summer Night’s Dream, Rupert’s Readers performing an interactive open reading and Surprise Sonnet presentations.

June 7, 2012 (Jacumba) – Telemagica’s Galaxia 2012 takes place June 8, 9 and 10 beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday on the grounds of the Institute of Perception (Railroad Street) in Jacumba. 

The event is a yearly gathering of collective performance art dedicated to the evolution of the human spirit through the arts.

June 2, 2012 (Lemon Grove) --   The Lemon Grove Historical Society is kicking off Dr. Amorita Treganza Centennial Week with a Flamenco Potluck Birthday Party on June 3 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at her ancestral home, 3251 Kempf Street in Lemon Grove.  There will be a performance by the Juan Carlos and Juanita Flamenco Dance/Guitar/Singer Troupe from 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

May 24, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Olaf Wieghorst Western Heritage Center will present the 2nd Annual Wieghorst Western Music Jubilee!  The event will take place on Saturday, June 2, at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theater in Rancho San Diego.

Belinda Gail, Sourdough Slim, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Tom Hiatt & The Sundown Riders, are just a few of the artists who will be entertaining. The show begins at 7:00 p.m.

This year’s show will feature WWII bombers, F4F Wildcat, the TBF Avenger, the A6M Zero, the SBD Dauntless, and many more "Flying Museums" including the only remaining of their type, the Northrop N9M Flying Wing and the F3F Flying Barrel. Also on hand will be USN/USMC helicopters and other static displays, Navy SEALs, special military and law enforcement vehicles and equipment, daring aerobats performances, and much more.

May 27, 2012 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Archaeological Center is hosting a trio of events in June starting with the Center’s Annual BBQ on June 2 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The event is catered and will be held at the Center located at 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido.  For $6.00 you will receive smoked pork sandwiches, beans, coleslaw, drinks and dessert.  Games and contests will round out the fun.

May 26, 2012 (Santee) -- The Santee Street Fair is back May 26 at RiverView Parkway from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  This year’s featured bands include Atomic Groove, Creedence Relived and Liquid Blue. 

There will be rides, entertainment, arts and crafts, vendor booths, a variety of food and a Beer Garden. The free festival is open to all ages.

May 26, 2012 (Ramona) – At Dos Picos County Park, 17953, Dos Picos Park Rd. in Ramona this Saturday, two family fun activities are planned:  A scavenger hunt and a “Snakes N’ Skins” ranger presentation complete with live animals.  Scroll down for details and for directions see

http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/Camping/dos_picos.html

May 16, 2012 (Lakeside) – A free Birds of Prey Presentation by Sky Hunters Raptor Education and Rehabilitation will be held on May 19 at Lakeside’s River Park, 12108 Industry Road, Lakeside from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity to see live birds of prey up close and learn about their life spans, habitat and diets. 

May 12, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- Maness Vineyard is holding the 4th Annual Food and Wine Mixer June 2 at historical Vineyard Mansion, 12685 Campo Road, Spring Valley from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  The event is to raise awareness for the local vineyards and wineries that are emerging across San Diego County.

The day will include entertainment such as local personality Diane Jean from The Brew Ha-Ha and Josh Tafoya on the baby grand.  A grape stomping contest will be held as well.  A charity raffle will benefit The House of Peru.