May 5, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) hosts the 19th annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival. The festival, rich in culture, talent, and Jewish soul, is organized and directed by Todd Salovey, associate artistic director, San Diego REP.

April 25, 2012 (Alpine) – The Center to Help Instill Respect & Preservation for Garden Wildlife, Inc. (CHIRP) is hosting the 15th Annual Alpine Sage & Songbirds Festival & Garden Tour May 4-6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m at the Show Court at Viejas Outlets, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine.  This year’s theme is Waterwise & Butterflies and the garden tour will include 6 bird and butterfly friendly gardens, a place of worship habitat garden and a raptor rehabilitation facility.

May 1, 2012 (La Mesa) --  The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announced that the fourth annual “Taste of La Mesa - Taste of the Century” event will be held on June 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. This year the Chamber has added “Taste of the Century” to celebrate the City of La Mesaʼs 100th Anniversary.

The evening allows guests to sample fare from many local restaurants and food providers, as well as winetasting and craft beers.

April 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Wieghorst Museum Auxillary presents “A Spring Fling Fashion Show” April 28 at the Elks Club, 1400 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon at 11:00 a.m.  The fashions will be from Peggy Harris’ Glamour Girlz with hair and makeup by Marinello School of Beauty.

The event includes a no host bar, boutique, Chinese auction and consulting.  The luncheon will begin at 12:15 p.m.

April 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- San Diego’s original fine art festival, Mission Federal ArtWalk is back for its 28th year. Featuring artists who live in the East County area as well as San Diego, the event will be held on Saturday and Sunday , April 28 and 29, when 17 blocks of Little Italy will be transformed for this free festival. ArtWalk offers a unique opportunity for members of the public to engage directly with over 350 artists who will be there to display their original works for exhibit and sale. The art on display will include a wide range of paintings, sculpture, mosaics, glasswork and photography.

April 19, 2012 (San Diego) – A trio of performances this weekend at Mission Trails Park include the play “Squawk”, Edgar Allen Poe readings, and a Santee Community Chorus Concert.  Scroll down for details, or visit www.mtrp.org.

April 19, 2012 -- Join the San Diego Astronomers Association (SDAA) volunteer astronomers and park staff at the Hwy 67 staging area, 16281 Sycamore Canyon Rd., Poway, for a night under the stars starting at sunset. Experience the chance to view the galaxy using the same technology used by the professionals. Viewers will get a chance to see many amazing sights, which they wouldn’t normally see without the trained eye.

April 16, 2012 (Lakeside) – The 48th Annual Lakeside Rodeo will take place at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. The annual event has been a tradition since the first rodeo was held back in 1920.  It encompasses a series of events April 20-22 that celebrate the community’s Wild West heritage.

Each day’s rodeo performances include seven events: saddle bronco riding, tie down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, and barrel racing. Other events, including Saturday’s Western Days Parade sponsored by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, are also slated.

April 14, 2012 (San Diego) – The College Area Business District is holding its 2nd Annual College Area Taste on April 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The Old Town Trolley will be available to drop patrons off in front of every participating restaurant’s door.  The tour starts at the BID Office at 4704 College Ave., San Diego.

By Kate Yapjoco

April 14, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- The annual free Spring Valley Community Health and Wellness Festival is being held April 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Spring Valley County Park, 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley.

April 14, 2012 (Santa Ysabel) -- Spring is the perfect time to enjoy a guided hike in the beautiful Santa Ysabel Preserve.  Join park Rangers and explore the many wildflowers of the area, and watch for the varied wildlife. The April 22 hike will depart from the Highway 79 Staging area at 9:00 a.m.  The April 28 hike will leave from the Farmer Staging area located at 500 Farmer Rd.

April 13, 2012 (Lakeside) -- Join the Ranger April 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., for a moderate hike to explore the world’s second most endangered habitat, the Coastal Sage Scrub at the Lakeside Linkage Preserve, NE corner of Los Coches Rd. and Ha-Hana Rd. You will learn how the Native Americans used the plants, and will be looking for wildlife that calls this habitat home.