By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a murder mystery theatre in Julian, a meteor watch in Lakeside, a hike for you and your dog in Santa Ysabel, an antiques and crafts fair at Summers Past Farms, girls night out at Cajon Classic Cruises, and a lilac festival.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the San Diego Concert Band’s American salute, the Lakeside Rodeo, a garden and butterfly festival at the Water Conservation Garden, a medieval music concert at Mission Trails, History Alive and film nights at the Library in Lemon Grove, El Cajon’s dinner and a concert series, Vintage Alpine, the Final Adventures of Sherlock Holmes onstage at Grossmont College, a Salsa Fiesta in Lemon Grove, a Taste of Julian, and the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College.

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

East County Dining Club invites you to join us at:

SWAMI’S CAFÉ

8284 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa

Friday, April 27 at 6 p.m.

Swami’s Cafe has high ratings from Zagat, Trip Advisor and Yelp. Their dinner menu has an amazingly diverse menu of delicious dishes with fresh ingredients, healthy options plus heartier fare and exotic choices. There’s something for all, and dinners are affordable! (Most entrees are under $20 including seafood, chicken, steak, burgers, pasta, salads, vegetarian options and more.) Plus we have a great array of prizes lined up.

For this event, you can order anything off the menu, but please RSVP to reserve space. You will be entered into an earlybird drawing for a Swami’s gift certificate if you RSVP by April 21.  Come meet your neighors and the media, and enjoy some of the best food in town!

 RSVP NOW TO RESERVE SPACE: 619-698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org

View menus: http://swamiscafe.com/menu/la-mesa/. 

Read our review:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/east-county-eaters-swarming-swamis-la-....   Scroll down for delicious details!

East County News Service

April 14, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Diego Concert Band presents its 29^th Annual Spring Celebration Concert--a musical journey through our country’s most trying times, from the Revolutionary War to the present.

East County News Service

April 13, 2018 (Ramona) – Conservative candidates will be participating in a candidates forum hosted by Ramona Tea’d on Saturday, April 28 at 11:30 at the Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main Street in Ramona.

Twelve candidates for Sheriff, Judge, State Assembly, State Senate and Congress were invited.  Confirmed participants so far include Judge Gary Kreep, Vicky Rothman, Tom Palzer, Dr. Robert Newman, and Larry Wilske. Other invitees include John Cox, Travis Allen, Rep. Duncan Hunter, Bill Wells, Brian Jones, Judge Herbert Exarhos, and Steven Bailey.

You’re invited to bring your questions and comments. Doors open at 11 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (Descanso) — The Descanso Fire Safe Council invites you to a program on fire operations in the wildland urban interface.  Come learn what firefighters learn to protect your home and your community.

This special program will be held on April 21^st from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Descanso Library, 9545 River Drive in Descanso.  Registration is required.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a Kidz Danz Company production of The Constitution, a Warbirds Expo at Gillespie Field, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, the Jamul Hot Rod and Chili Cook-off, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary celebration, a harp recital at Mission Trails, the Cajon Classic Cruise season opener in El Cajon, and a Lilac Festival in Wynola.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a meteor shower watch, a furry friends hike, an antique and crafts show, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days parade, a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, the San Diego Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert, Renaissance music at Mission Trails, outdoor concerts in El Cajon, and winetasting at Vintage Alpine.

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

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

April 9, 2018 (San Diego) -- As both the Christian and Jewish communities celebration of their holiest time of the year is coinciding with one another this year, the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra is joining forces with the voices of the East County San Diego Mormon Chorale in a landmark concert featuring the world premiere of an orchestral cantata written for cantor, choir, and orchestra called “Unetofah Takef” (Day of Reckoning) written by John Michael Luther. The performance features shofar (ram’s horn) virtuoso, Steve Ovitsky.

East County News Service 

April 7, 2018 (La Mesa) – On Thursday, April 26, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them for a unique evening and opportunity to meet some of the local businesses within our community. The 4th Annual “Spring Fling - Business Expo” has been requested by local businesses to provide them an opportunity to showcase their goods and services.

East County News Service

April 6, 2018 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters Community Theatre ends its historic 80^th season with fun for the whole family in a presentation of Peter and the Starcatcher. Tony-winning Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan).

East County News Service

April 2, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - The County of San Diego seeks volunteers to help plant thousands of trees in celebration of Earth Day during April, helping to replenish the tree canopy at parks across our region. Additional activities are also planned to restore the health and natural beauty of our parks.

In East County, the following events are planned:

East County News Service

April 2, 2018 (La Mesa) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will present Health Fair Saturday, one of the largest annual free health fairs in San Diego’s East County Region, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, in the promenade area near the movie theaters at the Grossmont Center mall, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa.

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2018 (El Cajon) - If you have treasures in your attic or garage that you’d like to have appraised ($5 per item) or just enjoy looking at collectibles, you’re invited to stop by the Antique and Collectible Show on Wednesday, April 11. This event will be held 12 to 4 p.m. at Unity Church Hall, 311 Highland Avenue in El Cajon.

Source: City of El Cajon

April 1, 2018 (El  Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Recreation Department will be hosting an afternoon of pool safety and fun - called “April Pools Day!”  This family event will be held on Friday, April 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Fletcher Hills Pool, 2345 Center Place in El Cajon.

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (Alpine) - Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego's only accredited big cat and exotic animal rescue, will host its annual springtime fundraiser, “Wild in the Country” on Saturday, May 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. This year's theme is Rock 'n' Roar.