October 14, 2021 (Lemon Grove) - Lemon Grove Lions Club, the nonprofit organization, is hosting a rummage sale on November 6, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at 7580 Roosevelt St. All proceeds will go toward Lions Club service projects.
There will be plenty of pre-owned items and must-haves at affordable prices. Items will go quickly, so come early to not miss out on the great deals. The Lions will also have snacks and water for sale. For more information, call Tobi Gary at 619-248-1387.
October 14, 2021 (Escondido) -- What can be better than knights in shining armor, jousting, pirates, music, food and Halloween? You can have them all at the upcoming Escondido Renaissance Faire.
October 13, 2021 (Ramona) - The 9th annual Ramona Art & Wine Festival will feature nine wineries participating in the three-day progressive event on Friday to Sunday, November 5, 6 and 7, 2021.
October 11, 2021 (San Diego) -- The ALS Association Greater San Diego Chapter will present its 2021 Walk to Defeat ALS, the nonprofit’s 21st annual fundraising walk, on Sunday, Oct. 17 as a virtual fundraiser. The fundraiser is free and open to the public. Registration is now open. Information is available at www.ALSwalkSD.com.
October 10, 2021 (La Mesa) -- Spacebar Café and Wine Bistro in La Mesa offers comedy nights the fourth Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. On October 22, headliner Lisa Gilbert and featured comic Brian Apprille will join comedians Jarwan Nelson, Toni Torquato, Mohammed Sahul, Iris Neal and Gene Levin.
October 9, 2021 (Alpine) – Love a mystery? Reading and chatting with fellow book lovers? Then you’re invited to come join the Mystery Book Club to find out who dunnit.
The club meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. at the Alpine Library, 1752 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The next meeting is October 19.
Children 11 and younger receive free admission all month at both wildlife parks
East County News Service
October 9, 2021 (San Diego) -- This year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is celebrating kids in a big way during October’s Kids Free Month, by offering activities and experiences for the whole family at the nonprofit conservation organization’s two wildlife parks. Throughout the entire month of October, kids ages 11 and younger will receive free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and can take part in special October weekend activities, such as unique entertainment, culinary delight, autumn and Halloween-themed events, and one-of-a-kind encounters with amazing wildlife—as they discover ways that everyone can work together to build a world where all life thrives.
October 9, 2021 (El Cajon) – Courage is the theme of the 19th annual Women in Leadership Lunch (WILL) presented by the East County Chamber of Commerce on October 22 at Viejas Casino & Resort.
October 9, 2021 (Santee) – You’re invited to join the Santee Chamber of Commerce at its third annual Veterans Appreciation Golf Tournament on November 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.at Carlton Oaks.
October 9, 2021 (El Cajon) – La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its 13th annual Salute to Local Heroes and installation of officers dinner on Wednesday, October 13 at Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon.
October 9, 2021 (La Mesa) – Former Secretary of State, First Lady, and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton will appear in a virtual event Monday, October 11 at 4 p.m. along with best-selling author Louise Penny to discuss their new international thriller novel, State of Terror.
Secretary Clinton brings her insider’s expertise to bear in crafting plot twists in the book, which has been named one of the most anticipated novels of the season by People, Associated Press, Time, Los Angeles Times, Parade, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Guardian, and Publishers Weekly
In the novel, a new president surprisingly chooses Ellen Adams, a political enemy for the vital position of secretary of state. With this appointment, he silences one of his harshest critics, since taking the job means Adams must step down as head of her multinational media conglomerate.
October 4, 2021 (Santee) -- \ Ladies at the Lake Fall Market will be held on Saturday, October 16 at Santee Lakes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shoppers and craft fair goers throughout San Diego have been anticipating this upcoming event that celebrates women owned businesses.
October 1, 2021 La Mesa) -- Into the theatre to watch a play, into the theater without delay. For the first time in over 18 months, Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre presents in its brand new beautiful theater with a production of "Into The Woods."
Photos: Left: Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber with East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery. Center: Slack Key Ohana. Right: Jamul Casino Manager Mary Cheeks accepts Community Benefactor Award on behalf of Chairwoman Erica Pinto; Paul Gomez speaks at presentation of Briana Gomez Award for racial and social justice.
By Miriam Raftery
October 1, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – A sell-out crowd turned out on September 25th at Jamul Casino’s “The Rooftop” venue to honor East County Magazine’s Community Champions awards recipients.
The awards, presented during a tropical-themed Party in Paradise, included winners and honorable mentions in Healthcare, Public Safety, Environmental and Wildlife Protection, and Humanitarian categories, as well as a special Community Benefactor Award for Jamul’s tribal Chairwoman Erica Pinto.
In addition, the Briana Gomez Racial and Social Justice Award (named after ECM’s multicultural journalist who lost her life in a car accident) was presented to three recipients: Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Rev. Shane Harris with the People’s Association of Justice Advocates, and Buki Domingos, a founder of San Diego’s Racial Justice Coalition and an advocate for human trafficking survivors.
October 1, 2021 (Lakeside) – Looking for some spooky thrills? The Lakeside community has a trio of spooktacular Halloween events: Trail of Terror at the Lakeside River Park, Spooky Camp-o-Ween at Lake Jennings, and Trick or Treat on Maine Avenue.
September 30, 2021 (Alpine) – The beautiful gardens at Summers Past Farms (15602 Olde Highway 80 in Flinn Springs) is the setting for the 30th annual Vintage Alpine: A Wine Experience in the Country. The event takes place on Sunday, November 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
September 30, 2021 (Julian) -- The Julian Arts Guild’s Open Studios tour is October 9 – 10 this year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A dozen artists are participating in the tour through the Cuyamaca mountains area of Julian in San Diego’s East County.
August 21, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – The 55th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival is slated to take place October 23 and 24 at Christmas Circle Community Park on Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free.
September 26, 2021 (San Diego) – The 18th annual San Diego Restaurant Week starts today and runs through October 3. This year, the 90 participating restaurants include six in East County. La Mesa’s emergence as a dining destination is evidenced in its five options: Antica Trattoria, Farmer’s Table, Oyster & Pearl Bar, Pioneer BBQ, and Smokey & the Brisket. Lemon Grove’s Giardino Neighborhood Cucina is also included. All have outdoor dining options.
September 22, 2021 (Allied Gardens) – Robin Henkel is a four-time recipients of the San Diego Music Awards “Best Blues” award. On Sunday, October 10 at 4 p.m., the Robin Henkel trio will perform at Mission Trails Church, located at 4880 Zion Ave. in the Allied Gardens neighborhood of San Diego.
September 21, 2021 (Spring Valley) - For this year's Halloween show, the Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel and Hardy appreciation society, present "Halloscream Sapstravaganza." The fun happens on Saturday, October 16 at 7 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive, in Spring Valley.
September 19, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes some thrilling and chilling October events, including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Festival of Sunflowers and Bathhouse Bazaar in Jacumba Hot Springs, an Autumn Jubilee in Santa Ysabel, the new El Cajon Foodie Fest, Dinner and Flamenco dancers in Lemon Grove, the Borrego Days parade and festival, the Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Trail of Terror titled “Curse of the French Quarter,” Trick or Treat on Maine in Lakeside, spooky campouts at Lake Jennings, and Haunt Fest on Main in downtown El Cajon.
September 19, 2021 (La Mesa) – The 48th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest returns October 1-3 with all of the event’s traditional activities including three bier gardens, Gluckglich games, Dackeldorft Daschsund Village, a Ferris wheel, Kinder Karneval, craft fair, over 100 vendors, live music including oompah bands, dancing, traditional and international foods and more.
September 17, 2021 (Santa Ysabel) – Fort Cross Old Timey Adventuresinvites you to their 5th annual Autumn Jubilee. The fall festivities happen Saturdays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sundays (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) from Sept. 18 through Oct. 30.
Online discussion hopes to decrease vaccine hesitancy in local Black community
Source: San Diego Association of Black Journalists
September 15, 2021 (San Diego) - On the heels of the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors declaring misinformation as a public health crisis, the San Diego Association of Black Journalists (SDABJ) will host a thoughtful virtual discussion on Wednesday, Sept. 22 to debunk myths about the coronavirus, and discuss vaccine hesitancy in the San Diego Black community. A panel of five distinguished Black doctors from the San Diego community will lend their expertise on these topics and answer any questions or concerns the community has about the coronavirus.
September 14, 2021 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters Community Theatre presents "The Front Porch," written and directed by local talent Geoge Bailey. Watching a video back in the winter of 2011 on Martin Luther King Jr, triggered a memory for Bailey. Growing up in Baltimore Maryland, Bailey was too young to recall the riots in 1968. But what he does remember is going with his father when things were safe to visit another family. He was shocked to see tanks and soldiers with guns in their arms—a vivid childhood memory that inspired the play.
September 14, 2021 (El Cajon) – The German American Societies invite the public to celebrate Oktoberfest in El Cajon the weekends of September 24-26 and October 1-3. Festivities include Oom-Pay music by the Guggenbach-Buam from Germany, German beers, food and desserts, dancing, kids’ activities, vendors and a raffle with a round-trip flight for two to Germany as grand prize.
September 12, 2021 (Poway) - Powpac Community Theatre presents "Native Gardens," a comedy written by Karen Zacarias. It’s described as "humorous, neighbors feuding," showing the best and the worst of new neighbors. "Family, life and growing together to become bigger than the issue at hand." Zacarias had one simple hope for her play: the audience would take a few moments to ponder the question, how can I be a better neighbor?
September 11, 2021 (El Cajon) – You could say it’s the cat’s meow. The 10th annual Alley Cat Art Walk will showcase works of local artists on Friday, September 17, 2021 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the “arts alley” between Main Street and Rea Street in downtown El Cajon.
September 11, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – If you’re hungry and live in Lemon Grove, there’s no need to suffer in silence. A drive-through food distribution will be held starting at 9 a.m. as long as supplies last on Saturday, September 18 at Lemon Grove Recreation Center, 3131 School Lane.
East County News Service
Event slated for Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 6-7
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Children 11 and younger receive free admission all month at both wildlife parks
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
Source: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
By Kathy Carpenter
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
Online discussion hopes to decrease vaccine hesitancy in local 
By Kathy Carpenter
By Miriam Raftery
By Kathy Carpenter
East County News Service
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