East County News Service 

July 5, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- “San Diego County needs your input on how best to invest federal funds in our low- to moderate-income communities,” says Supervisor Dianne Jacob. 

The County is holding a series of public forums at county libraries, each one hour, including these East County locations, to hear your ideas:

• Alpine, July 8 at 12:30 p.m.
• Ramona, July 10 at 1:30 p.m.
• Julian, July 12 at 11:30 a.m.
• El Cajon, July 22, 3:30 p.m.
• Borrego Springs, July 24 at 11:30 a.m.
• Spring Valley on July 29 at 11:30 a.m.

You can also share your thoughts and suggestions in an online survey: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/sdhcd/ 

By Miriam Raftery

July 3, 2019 (Ramona) -- Visitors at the Begent Ranch got hands-on artistic experiences at Ramona’s eclectic new event, the Anomar Arts Festival, last weekend. The festival is the creation of the 2CreateGallery and The Art Center of Ramona, with a goal to help everyone explore the world of art.

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2019 (San Carlos) – The Tennessee Stiffs, performing folk rock/American music, are are making their first west coast outing, the Wayward and Westward tour. Their songs recount “the veiled stories of characters so down and out and steeped in the lonesome tradition of American folklore, they seem more real than anyone would like to believe,” says spokesman Adrian Voorhies. Based in Texas, the performers are receiving national and international acclaim – and on Wednesday, July 24, en route to the Wildwood Music Fest in Oregon, the group will be performing a special no-cover show at The Navajo Live (8515 Navajo Rd., near the corner of Lake Murray Blvd. and Navajo Rd., San Diego) in the San Carlos community from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.

“30 Pieces,” the group’s record released last summer, is described by Voorhies as “an undeniably tasty blend of Outlaw Country, old time Rock ‘n’ Roll, Bluegrass & Folk” from soaring harmonies to grit fiddle riffs and catchy guitar hooks flowing through the record along with evocative songwriting and “just plain fun.”

The group has attained recognition on international and domestic radio. Their song “Nightery” was featured on The Daily Show. Their album, “Bet Americana Album” was an executive top pick by The Akademia Music Awards.

Check out their rave reviews:

East County News Service

June 28, 2019 (Campo) – Golden Acorn Casino announces launch of an "Open Aire Market" that will be held the first and last Saturdays of each month from 3:30 to 7 p.m. starting this Saturday, June 29.

The market, held in the grand entry of the casino, will feature fresh produce, eggs from pasture-raised hens, dried and canned goods and other locally grown goods as well as a variety of vendors plus live music.

East County News Service

June 26, 2019 (La Mesa) -- Adventurer, musical alchemist and mythological scholar Mindy Dillard plays clawhammer banjo and rhythm guitar, often in alternate tunings to accompany her electric and raw, crystal-clear voice.  Through her music, which pulsates with funky rhythmic grooves and sparkles with heartfelt storytelling, she transforms the ordinary into the magical. A genre hopper, Mindy’s sound holds shades of old-time Appalachia, contemporary folk, gospel, musical theatre and rhythm and blues.  In the words of Ruthie Naccarato, “...She will make you laugh and cry and you’ll leave her performance with a genuine smile and feeling of goodness.”

East County News Service

June 21, 2019 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its 6th annual Summer Bash Business Expo on Thursday, August 15 from 5-8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive).  Attendees can meet representatives from over 45 local businesses,  enterdrawings to win door prizes and savor foods and beverages from local restaurants, breweries and more.

East County News Service

East County News Service

June 17, 2019 (Pala) -- Pala Casino Spa & Resort will present Havana Days Pool Party, with the Summer Days – Fun in the Sun Pool Party series.  On select Sundays all summer long, Pala will be hosting themed events in the recently remodeled pool area for guests 18 years old and over.  From DJs and live performers, to customized menus for all tastes, guests will experience a day packed with entertainment.

East County News Service

June 12, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- From Father’s Day to the Fourth of July, we’ve got lots of festive events coming up across East County. In late June, you can enjoy night fishing at Santee Lakes, the Bayou Brothers concert at Santee Lakes, Father’s day on artist James Hubbell’s Julian mountain retreat, a Father’s Day pit barbecue at the Santa Ysabel mission, and the Anomar Arts Festival in Ramona.

Plus, enjoy 4th of July parades in Julian and Alpine, the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival as well as Independence Day celebrations in Santee, El Cajon and Poway. We’ll also have some all summer long events including outdoor concerts, movies in the park, classic car shows and dive-in movies at the Kroc Center’s swimming pool.

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

East County News Service

June 5, 2019 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Classic Car Show season opens this Thursday, June 6 and will continue each week through August 29 from 5-8 p.m. (except July 4).  In addition to vintage pre-1974 cars, trucks and vans parked along La Mesa Blvd. between Spring Street and 4^th Avenue, this free community event also features live bands, DJs, and awards for each evening’s best classic cars.  This Thursday, Four Way Street will provide live musical entertainment. 

East County News Service

May 30, 2019 (La Mesa) -- Six gifted San Diego area high school musicians, appearing in concert, will vie for scholarship honors in a new program to be featured annually as part of La Mesa’s popular Valerie Victor* Concert Series.  The featured finalists are Derek Savage, West Hills High – Guitar; Lydia Schmidt, Carlsbad High – Soprano; Mikel Ibaibarriaga, St. Augustine High – Baritone; Jacob Francisco, Montgomery High – Baritone Saxophone; Andrew Hendrix, Steel Canyon High – Alto Saxophone and Kartik Sundaram, Canyon Crest High – Tenor.

East County News Service

May 28, 2019 (Alpine) - Grab your popcorn – it’s time for (free!) summertime movies at the outdoor roller skating rink at Viejas Outlets shopping mall (5005 Willows Rd.) in Alpine.  Showtimes start at 7:30 p.m. The season opened May 24 with Top Gun. The lineup of popular movies coming up include:

• May 31  – Hotel Transylvania 3 (PG)
• June 7 – Moana (PG)
• June 14 – Bumblebee (PG13)
• June 21 – Antman and the Wasp (PG13)
• June 28 – Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse (PG)
• July 4 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG13)
• July 5 – How to Train Your Dragon 3 (PG)
  

By Miriam Raftery

May 28, 2019 (Lakeside) - The Lakeside RiverPark Foundation announces two events next weekend.  A guided hike originally set in May has been rescheduled for Saturday,b June 8 due to rain last month. Plus, you can help clean-up the River Park on either Friday or Saturday, June 7-8.  Below are details.

By Miriam Raftery

May 27, 2019 (Santee) – The Bayou Brothers will present a rollicking concert complete with Cajun, Zydeco and blues  music at Santee Lakes on Saturday, June 15th at 7 p.m. Enjoy the sounds of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayous – and you just may get a free lesson in how to play the rub board.

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Trevon Harris, 13, dreamed of becoming an NBA player and played basketball with the Young Bulls, a recreational team in Lemon Grove.  But on May 3, he slipped on gravel outside his home in Lemon Grove and fell into the path of a vehicle, suffering a fatal head injury.

On June 1^st, the Lemon Grove Improvement Council and Coach Mark Horton will hold the first annual Trevon Harris 3-on-3 basketball tournament for players ages 10-14 at the Lemon Grove Rec Center, 3131 School Lane.  Teams are encouraged to sign up at Trevon-Harris.eventbrite.com. There will also be music, food, games and more.

“This charity event will memorialize Trevon who was taken too soon from his family and from our community,” says Teresa Rosiak-Proffit with the Lemon Grove Improvement Council. “The funds raised will allow us to award prizes to the players and we are going to set-up a scholarship/endowment fund so that we can help the youth of our community with the sports needs they may have. If a youth cannot afford to join in on a sport or needs sports equipment they can contact us and we will assist."