East County News Service

March 7, 2023 (El Cajon) --- Shelter to Soldier (STS), a San Diego nonprofit that adopts dogs from local shelters and rescue organizations and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Military Sexual Trauma, will hold its 4^th annual “Saving Lives, One Swing at a Time” golf tournament on Friday, April 21 at the Championship Oak Glen Course of Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan (3007 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon).

This event has been postponed to March 4 due to rain.

East County News Service

February 25, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove’s Black History Celebration 2023 will take place on March 4, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Treganza Heritage Park (3200 Main Street, Lemon Grove). The event has been rescheduled from Feb. 25 due to rain.

The celebration will include spoken word, drumming, African dancers, music artists, art, youth activities, steppers, soul food vendors, food trucks and special community recognition of local black businesses and organizations.

The annual event is hosted by Thrive Lemon Grove, a non-profit community organization dedicated to advancing public health and safety initiatives through collaborations to elevate the quality of life in Lemon Grove.

By Susan Taylor

February 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County has a gem of a theatre in Moxie Theatre, located at 6633 El Cajon Blvd, in Rolando.  It is a small venue currently playing Birds of North America, a thought-provoking drama that lives up to the theater’s mission statement.

East County News Service

February 18, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – Hot times are in store for guests at the Lemon Grove Lions club Chili Cookoff fundraiser on Saturday, March 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center(3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove). The event includes chili tasting, live music, hot dogs, water and admission for $30.  Raffle tickets will also be available to purchase and vie for prizes.

Love to cook? You can also sign up to enter the chili contest by contacting Chriss Murphy at 619-850-6581 or John Burke at 619-316-3225.

East County News Service

February 12, 2023 (San Diego) -- North America’s songbird population has declined dramatically in the last 50 years, and the most significant cause of the decline is loss of habitat. In a lecture on Thursday, March 2 at 6 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park’s visitor center, Kay Charter of the nonprofit Saving Birds Thru Habitat will offer tips on creating habitat in your own yard to help songbirds thrive.

By Kathy Carpenter

February 6, 2023 (Poway) - Does air turbulence scare you? Take a ride with a plane full of awkward characters facing both metaphysical turbulence and unpredictable aircraft motions. PowPac presents “Air Turbulence," a new comedy by local playwright Daniel Watts. Engaging characters tickle your funny bones as you are sucked into the airborne experience in this amusing perspective of a rough flight.

By Miriam Raftery and Jonathan Goetz

February 3, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s destination East County features events in mid-to late February across San Diego’s inland region.

Hot happenings include a tribute to Michael Jackson at Sycuan, a candlelight concert in Jacumba, Valentine teas in Julian, black history month events at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, new moon fishing at Lake Jennings, Laurel and Hardy night in Spring Valley, birdwatching classes at Mission Trails, Fido Fest in Santee, Touch-a-Truck in Lakeside, and Hawkwatch in Ramona.

East County News Service

January 31, 2023 (Lakeside) – A new moon fishing night will be held at Lake Jennings on Saturday, February 18^th. The lake will stay open until 10 p.m.; entry gate closes at 9 p.m. The lake was recently stocked with 2,100 pounds of rainbow trout. 

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2023 (Escondido) – Throughout February, admission is free to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido for seniors age 65 and up.

Enjoy the sights on an Africa Tram, see the platypuses and other Aussie species at Walkabout Australia, wander through Tiger Trail, take a stroll around Mombasa Lagoon, ride on the African tram, and relax with refreshments on the patio at Kijamii Overlook. There's a world of sights to see at the Safari Park.

POSTPONED:  Due to inclement weather, Fido Fest has been postponed until Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Due to inclement weather, The City of Santee’s seventh annual Fido Fest will be postponed to March 11. Our focus is on the safety and enjoyment of our furry friends and their families. The event is rescheduled to Saturday, March 11 from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, located at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee. Join us for a dog-gone good time…”

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2023 (Santee) – Fido Fest, the largest dog festival in East County, will be presented by the city of Santee on Saturday, February 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dog adoptions, giveaways, a dog agility course, costume contest and much more will be available at the free event held at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive).

January 26, 2023 (Pala) -- Pala Casino Spa Resort is excited to present legendary group Spyro Gyra and world-renowned prolific acoustic guitarist Peter White on Friday, February 17, performing live indoor at the Events Center. The show will start at 8:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $45.

This show is just one of the impressive lineup of headliner and tribute concerts that will be held at the Events Center and Starlight Theater.

East County News Service

January 24, 2023 (Julian) – Julian Tea & Cottage Arts invites you to romantically-inspired Valentine’s Teas from Feb.9 through Feb. 14.  The four-course menu features soup, finger sandwiches and savories, a scone with curd, jam and whipped cream, plus a grand finale served on a three-piece dessert tray.

By Jonathan Goetz and Miriam Raftery

January 21, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Upcoming festivities and events include concerts at The Magnolia in El Cajon and Viejas in Alpine, a star party, wildlife tracking and birding classes at Mission Trails, a play at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa and Hawkwatch raptor viewing in Ramona.

By Kathy Carpenter

January 19, 2023 (La Mesa) - After tragedy, life needs to be rebuilt. Lamplighters Theatre presents The Revlon Girl, written by Neil Anthony Docking. With so many tragic events hitting the news these days, it's hard to recall the details from month to month. Disasters need to be remembered and documented. The Revelon Girl humanizes Aberfan in England in 1966, delivering the stories and healing process of four women who lost their children and the woman who volunteers to help them.