July 14, 2011, (El Cajon) -- Bryon Harrington, local Alpine author, will appear at s meeting of the El Cajon Historical Society on Thursday, July 28 at 11:30 a.m.  Mr. Harrington will share stories and sign copies of his self-published book,Campo, The Forgotton Gunfight. See the East County Magazine review here.

History buffs will enjoy this true local history of the gunfight which occurred in December, 1875, in Campo--a confrontation that surpassed the famed OK Corral shootout in duration and bloodshed. 

July 12, 2011 (San Diego, CA) – The San Diego River Park Foundation will be celebrating its tenth birthday on July 17 from 4-7p.m. at Mosaic Wine Bar

July 8, 2011 (Alpine) -- Come enjoy the performers at the Viejas Outlet Centers Live Music in the Park on Saturday and Sunday nights in July. The acts range from jazz to country, to flamenco and more. The list of performances is below; for more on acts performing, check our calendar. 

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

 
July 6, 2011 (Santee) -- The City of Santee hosted its annual "Santee Salutes" patriotic celebration on July 4th, drawing families from across East County for this major event.

Scroll down to view photos of participants enjoying fun in the sun, followed by fireworks in the park after dark.

July 4, 2011 (Poway) –Decked out with red and blue bunting on wooden railway bridges, water tower and gazebo/bandstand, Old Poway Park today looked like a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The Old West-themed park exemplifies the best of Americana this 4th of July, compete with rides on the Baldwin steam train (watch for train robbers), a Dixieland jazz band, square dancing, quilting show/contest and craft show—plus two-acres of picnic grounds and family-oriented activities such as three-legged races.

July 2, 2011 (Crest) -- For the past 65 years, the small town of Crest has hosted a 4th of July parade that's like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. 

Festivities include floats, decorated horses, wagons, and bikes. A young girl and young boy are the reigning royalty. Sometimes there are bands from schools. Often you'll see the Lawnchair Brigade of ladies marching with folding lawn chairs, spinning them around their heads, and sitting down on them as they parade. People line up along the street wearing red,white, and blue, waving flags as dignitaries drive by.

June 22, 2011 (San Diego)--SummerFest tickets are selling fast!  Join us June 26 at Mission Trails Regional Park for a  feast cooked up by Chefs de Cuisine, plus wine and beer tasting, live music, thousands of dollars in prizes and more -- all for just $25 ($20 if you buy 2 or more tickets) if you buy in advance online (at the door: $30 or two for $50).

Get tickets and prize list here: www.eastcountymagazine.org/summerfest-2011

Scroll down to view the juicy details of the full menu--then make plans to join us for this fabulous midsummer feast!

June 14, 2011 (Valley Center) -- The Key Creek Lavender Farm will be holding a Forage Dinner on June 25 at 6:30 p.m. This unique, five course dinner will serve local, organic vegetables grown at Morning Star Ranch, as well as fresh produce from other local organic farmers.  

June 16, 2011 (Campo) -- The public is invited to the annual Fathers' Day gala at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum living-history & train-operation center, Campo, on Sunday June 19th from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The event will feature a complete barbeque lunch prepared onsite from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m., live folk music, and vintage train rides at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. 

June 14, 2011 (San Diego) -- On Saturday, June 18 the Nile Sisters will be holding an open house from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in recognition of World Refugee Month. The Nile Sisters help refugee women in the San Diego area with the needs they have to get settled. 

The cost is free, but donations are appreciated. The event will include cultural music, and Hors d'oeuvre from different ethnicities. African artifacts will also be available for purchase. Please RSVP to Sistersinitiative@sbcglobal.net.

 By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2011 (San Pasqual) –Doff your shoes, kick up your heels and dive into a barrel of ripe grapes at Orfila Vineyards annual Grape Stomp on Saturday, August 27^th.   This popular event sells out early each year and includes a wine-tasting reception with hors-d’oeuvres, dinner buffet, live performance by Java Sounds featuring saxophonist Adrienne Nims, tractor rides, and grape stomping.

June 11, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa, in partnership with the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation, San Diego County La Mesa Branch Library, Readers Inc., and Friends of the La Mesa Library, will co-host Reading in the Park on Sat., June 18 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at CollierPark, 4401 Palm Avenue, La Mesa.  

Hear children’s book authors give theatrical readings of their works and explain how their stories are created. Visit the craft table where kids can decorate a bookmark to take home. Everyone in the family can bring a gently used book to the event’s book exchange table and take home a fun new read. Guests can also sign up for La Mesa Library’s Summer Reading Program.

Tea, Cakes and Frivolity Planned 

June 10, 2011 (Julian)--Residents throughout San Diego County are invited to attend the Julian Woman’s Club Apple Blossom Tea today. The annual event, attended by people of all ages, offers a formal English tea serving with sandwiches and sweet pastries. The event also includes opportunities to win themed gift baskets.

June 6, 2011 (Flinn Springs) – The South of France is famed for its lavender fields. Yet many local residents don’t realize that lavender is grown right here in East County.