By Miriam Raftery

June 21, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a summer solstice party, a passport through time, a queen bee brunch, outdoor concerts and local parks.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Sha Na Na at Sycuan, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, Santee Salutes, Julian’s Fourth of  July Parade, the Lake Murray Music Festival, Descanso Days Fair and Parade, Pine Valley Days, and a local Laurel and Hardy fan club's 40th anniversary party and film fest.

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

Local business owners celebrate refugees’ positive economic contributions: over 64,000 foreign-born residents add $1.4 billion in business income to San Diego County

Source: Business For Good

June 20, 2018 (El Cajon) – On June 20, small business owners will gather at an immigrant-owned restaurant to honor the positive economic impact of immigrants and refugees on the San Diego economy. The event will take place on World Refugee Day, observed annually to honor the courage, strength and determination of people who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. at Suri Restaurant, 461 El Cajon Blvd, El Cajon, CA 92020. If you’d like to attend, check out the event link.

Business for Good San Diego, a local nonprofit that unites small business owners to drive policy that improves the community, works to support policies that recognize the importance of immigrants to our local economy. Staying true to this perspective, Business for Good partnered with International Rescue Committee San Diego to bring this summer mixer to Suri Restaurant, a Syrian restaurant in El Cajon.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff's Department

June 18, 2018 (Santee) - The Santee Sheriff's Station is holding a Coffee with the Community on:

Tuesday, July 17th

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Santee Branch Library

9225 Carlton Hills Boulevard, #17

East County News Service

June 15, 2016 (Lakeside) – The Shirthouse Band will perform summer bluegrass music this Saturday, June 16^th at 2 p.m.

This free concert will be held at the Lakeside Library, 9839 Vine Street.

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (San Diego) – The Eureka! SDSU restaurant (5140 College Ave.) is helping guests kick off summer with an outdoor music fest and beer garden, all on an expansive patio, featuring five live music acts and five of the best local craft breweries to San Diego. The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 23.

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest will celebrate Independence Day on July 4^th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with live bands, food, fun and a fireworks finale. 

The festival will be held on the San Carlos side of Lake Murray, but the full lake will be open during the day for fishing and other family-fun activities.

For more information, you can visit www.LakeMurrayFireworks.org.

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes hikes in local parks after dark,  El Cajon movies in the park and more movies in county parks, Santee’s Summer Concerts series, Wags and Wine at the Water Conservation Garden, a Queen Bee Brunch in Alpine and a Passport Through Time along historic highways in East County.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Sha Na Na. live at Sycuan, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, Julian’s Quilt Show, Santee Salutes, Julian’s Fourth of July Parade, the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest, and the Descanso Days Parade and Fair.

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

Source: Ilan Lael Foundation

Cover photo credit:  Michael Gerdes and Chris Henry

May 16, 2018 (Wynola) -- The Ilan-Lael Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Wynola, will host its annual Father’s Day Open House and Studio Tour on Sunday, June 17^th.

Just three miles west of Julian, this picturesque spot with views of the Volcan and Cuyamaca Mountains is home to renowned artist James Hubbell.  Between the late 1950’s – 1960’s, using natural local materials, James designed and constructed a handful of artistic buildings that became his family’s home, now a designated historic landmark.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy SDSU News Center

June 11, 2018 (San Diego) – Billed as the largest pyrotechnics show west of the Mississippi, the 43^rd annual KGB SkyShow fireworks program is scheduled for September 8^th after the San Diego State University Aztecs home opener. 

By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – What good is sitting alone in your room? As the song goes, come to the cabaret this Sunday, June 17 at San Pasqual Winery’s tasting room in the La Mesa downtown village. This night of story and song in the winery’s intimate back room will feature four talented singers Roylee York, Tim Moore, Amy Rubinate and Ron Snyder on piano, organized by Los Angeles producer Clifford Bell. 

The 6 p.m. show has a $15 cover charge plus two items minimum (beverages and light snacks are available).

For tickets, visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3476298.

Saturday, July 28, 6-8:30 p.m.

East County News Service

June 10, 2018 (El Cajon) - The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College welcomes back the Gregory Page Trio for a summer concert on Saturday, July 28 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Gregory will capture your heart with his engaging lyrics and soothing melodies reminiscent of the 1920’s sweet jazz era.

Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Star Party at Oakoasis preserve in Lakeside, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, the Julian Dance and Back Country BBQ, Art in the Park and a firefighters breakfast in La Mesa, the San Diego Concert Band at Harry Griffith Park, a Taste of La Mesa, and the start of Santee’s summer concert series.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Queen Bee Brunch in Alpine, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, Julian’s Quilt Show, Santee Salutes, Julian’s star-spangled Fourth of July Parade, and the Descanso Days Parade and Fair.

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

East County News Service

June 8, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College invites you to “Sips and Succulents” on Wednesday, June 27 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Enjoy a summer evening garden tour. Go Green- and bring your own glass to fill with wine and maybe even succulents! Docent Kathryn Clayton shares some of her favorite gardening and design tips with succulents.

Members $10, Non-Members $15

Register HERE

East County News Service

June 7, 2018 (El Cajon) - Families and folks of all ages are welcomed to the Rancho San Diego Library (11555 Via Rancho San Diego) for their annual Celebrate the USA event, an old-fashioned Fourth of July festival. This event will be taking place Saturday, June 30^th  from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free for all ages.

East County News Service

June 5, 2018 (Alpine) – Summer concerts at the Alpine Community Center Park return on select Friday nights starting at 6 p.m.  The park is located at 1830 Alpine Blvd. behind the library.

Presented by the Alpine Community Center and Alpine Library, the concerts provide live music for all ages.  Bring a picnic dinner or you can buy food from local vendors.

The summer concerts schedule is: