July 15, 2012 (San Diego) – The 40^th annual Festival of the Bells continues today, with the annual Blessing of the Animals at 3 p.m.

The Festival celebrates the anniversary on which Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of San Diego’s 21  missions, was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1769.   

July 10, 2012 (City Heights)--Join the City Heights community as it celebrates the Fourth Anniversary of the City Heights Farmers’ Market this Saturday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is FREE and features colorful cultural performances highlighting the rich ethnic diversity of City Heights as well as children’s activities (arts & crafts and face painting). The farmers’ market is located on Wightman Street, between 43rd Street and Fairmount Avenue (across from the City Heights Weingart Library). Free parking is provided in the parking structure on 43rd Street (and there is also plenty of free street parking).

July 5, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Brew Ha HA comedians will host two live comedy events aimed at raising money to help a new radio station get on the air in East County.  KNSJ Radio, FM 89.1, has been approved for an FM license to broadcast from Descanso and also streaming live broadcasts online.  The network will focus on social justice issues while also providing an on-air forum to showcase community news, highlight local musicians’ works, and air local emergency alerts.   

June 28, 2012 (Campo) – Golden Acorn Casino will be celebrating Independence Day with a free fireworks show on July 4, at 9:00 p.m. at the casino, 1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo.  The fireworks will be preceded by a food and beer garden from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and live entertainment.

Visit http://www.goldenacorncasino.com/ for more information.

June 28, 2012 (Julian)—The historic gold rush town of Julian honors stars, stripes and pioneers at this year’s 4th of July parade.

Known far and wide as the “best little small town parade in America,” Julian presents a homegrown event that celebrates the town’s gold rush era history, the dedication of veterans and active duty military who serve our country, and local residents who cherish the special qualities of the little town tucked into the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego.

June 28, 2012 (Santee) – The City of Santee will host “Santee Salutes” festivities on July 4 featuring live musical entertainment by 80z All Stars, patriotic ceremonies, an inflatable zone for kids, food trucks,  and of course, fireworks.

This year, the event moves to a new location in Town Center Community Park East at 550 Park Center Drive in Santee.  Festivities run from 3:30-9:30 p.m..  A patriotic ceremony with color guard will be held at 6 p.m. and the fireworks display starts at 9 p.m. 

June 23, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Center Summer Concerts in the Park begin on July 1 with the Marine Corps Band.  The free concerts begin at 6:00 p.m. at Alpine Community Center Park, 1830 Alpine Blvd., Alpine.  Food is available at the concerts.

June 13, 2012 (Julian)—Music lovers will want to head east to Julian this weekend for a pair of popular events, both at the Menghini Winery.

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.