East County News Service

March 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the 1000 Lights water lantern festival at Santee Lakes, Les Miserables at Steele Canyon High School, Latin vocal star Roberto Carlos at San Diego State University, and Off Broadway Live’s The Bridge in Santee.

Plus we’ll have a preview of April activities including Julian Gold Rush Days, Meet the Winemaker Weekend, the Catfish Opener at Santee Lakes, Lake Jennings Spring Carnival, a Star Party at Mission Trails, a Spring EggStravaganza, a warbirds event in El Cajon, Cajon Class Cruise celebrating its centennial season, live music at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room in La Mesa, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, Earth Day celebrations in La Mesa and Jacumba Hot Springs,a heavenly harp concert near Mission Trails, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade, and a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival at the Water Conservation Garden.

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

East County News Service

Photos: Creative Commons images by S.A.

March 17, 2019 (Lakeside) -- River Valley Charter School will hold a craft fair with a Renaissance flair on Saturday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The school is located at 9707 Marilla Drive, Lakeside, CA 92020.

March 13, 2019 (Hooleys) -- Several St. Patrick’s Day activities are planned in La Mesa this weekend. Hooley’s Public House is celebrating 20 years in East County with the return of Hooleyfest on Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17 at Hooley’s Grossmont Center location. The hours Saturday are 5 p.m. to midnight and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Ticket are available in advance at Hooleys or at the door.

On Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on March 17th, Grossmont Center kicks off a St. Patrick’s Day Family Fun Run, followed by a kids’ concert from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Review By Kathy Carpenter

East County News Service

March 11, 2019 (La Mesa) – The Wheelchair Dancers Organization is offering free wheelchair dancers classes in ballroom and Latin dance on Monday nights from March 11 through April 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Classes will be at the Grossmont Hospital Conference Center (enter through the Rehabilitation Center) at 5555 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa.

Copyright 2019 by Sam Warren, SDWriteWay@gmail.com

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—Jacqueline Kennedy

March 10, 2019 (San Diego) - Here are this week's readers' events, just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

March 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – On Saturday, April 13, Californians will come together to make a difference in state parks across California for the State Park Service’s annual Earth Day celebration. You’re invited to participate in special volunteer projects focused on climate resiliency, or join in a new family-friendly open house.

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

March 6, 2019 (El Cajon) -- In recognition of Women’s History Month, designated by Congress in 1987, both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have a number of events planned that are free and open to the public:

East County News Service

March 6, 2019 (San Diego) - Summer Safari is returning to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, bringing fun activities and entertainment for the whole family May 25 through September 1. Guests can enjoy an array of activities, live music, arts and crafts, pop-up entertainment for all ages, and more. Guests at the Safari Park will also have the unique opportunity to encounter fascinating animals up-close and enjoy a variety of special evening shows.

Source:  St. Madeleine Sophie's Center

March 5, 2019 (El Cajon) - St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, will hold its 18^th Morning Glory Brunch on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The brunch will be hosted at SMSC’s Garden and Aquatics Center, located at 2119 E. Madison Ave, El Cajon, CA 92019.

East County News Service

March 3, 2019 (La Mesa) - From Beauty and the Beast’s hauntingly melancholic “If I Can’t Love Her” to the impassioned spirituality of Vaughn-Williams “Five Mystical Songs,” noted baritone Bill Marshall “sings it all!”  Think the exuberant “They Call the Wind Maria” from Paint Your Wagon and Theodore Roethke’s disturbing tale, “My Papa’s Waltz.” All these and more will be showcased when Marshall, accompanied by Jim Tompkins-MacLaine,  appears as featured artist in program eight of East County’s popular Valerie Victor Concert Series. The concert will be held Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m. at The Table: United Church of Christ of La Mesa, 5940 Kelton Ave., La Mesa.

East County News Service

March 3, 2019 (Santee) -- 1000 Lights, a water lantern festival company specializing in events for families, will host a festival at Santee Lakes on March 23 from 4 to 8 p.m.  Thousands of attendees will launch their lanterns at 7 p.m., just after dusk, to enjoy an incredible view of the water.

Photo by Robert Gehr

March 1, 2019 (El Cajon) -- A St. Patrick’s Day 5K run and half marathon will be held a wee bit early, on March 3^rd in downtown El Cajon starting at the El Cajon arch.

Funds raised will benefit East County charities. There’s also a beer garden and more at the annual event hosted by the Run East County Foundation.

By Miriam Raftery

February 28, 2019 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to an East County Solar Experience on Saturday, March 2 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at the Salvation Army KROC Center community center room, 6845 University Ave. in La Mesa. 

Hear from nationally accredited energy professionals and nonprofit climate champions to learn about the evolving solar power landscape including what’s changing for solar power and clean energy policy in 2019. You’ll also learn from neighbors who went solar.

Register at www.SDSolarExperience.org for this event hosted by Sullivan Solar Power and Climate Action Campaign.  There’s power through education!