“Myself, I’m one of the generations.  My mother is one of the generations, wandering out there in alcoholism, and death, and murder and domestic violence, and thinking there’s no way out…like I tell my grandchildren, ‘You don’t have to walk the road of alchcolism and addiction. I walked that road. I took all those beatings for you guys. You don’t have to walk that road.’” -Verna Bartlett, Ph.D. Native American Elder and sexual abuse survivor.

September 17, 2018 (Alpine) -- For American Indian people interested in healing addictions, social and family relations, as well as other physical and emotional illness that infect native communities, and are resistant to Western healing programs, a conference entitled, “Calling upon the Warrior Spirit, inspired by our Creator, to Heal Historical Trauma among Native America through Indigenous Wisdom,” will offer presentations and ceremonies from the indigenous perspective.

By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

September 15, 2018 (Julian) – Is Julian losing its roots?  The historic gold rush town has dropped its Apple Days, a tradition dating back more than a century, replacing it with a season of other harvest celebrations.

East County News Service

September 14, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) - You’re invited to step back in time to an 1800s-era Rocky Mountain fur trading camp at the 30^th annual Laguna Mountain Rendezvous October 12^th through 21^st at the Mataguay Scout Reservation in Santa Ysabel.

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) - Local nonprofit Hope for Iraqi Christians is hosting a gala fundraising dinner on Friday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.  All proceeds will benefit refugees in Iraq and throughout the Middle East who have been driven out of their homes by conflict and genocide in the Middle East throughout the last several years. The event will be held at the University of San Diego Forums Hall, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego.

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) - The German-American Societies of San Diego will host their Oktoberfest at their headquarters in El Cajon the last weekend in September and first weekend in October (Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 5-7). 

By Miriam Raftery

September 14, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Alley Cat Art Walk in El Cajon, the Julian Music Festival, Santa Ysabel Mission’s Bicentennial Celebration, a Tom Petty Tribute in El Cajon, and the opening of raspberry picking season  at Julian Farm and Orchard.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Julian’s Old Fashioned Country Fair, Gregory Page and Sky Ladd in concert at Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona, Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, a masquerade ball in El Cajon, spooky camping at Lake Jennings, our East County Dining Club at Fourpenny House in La Mesa, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Pumpkin Express haunted train ride, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and the Borrego Days desert festival.

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

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “QPR: Question, Persuade and Refer, Suicide Prevention Training,” an informational program about how to offer hope and help someone in a suicide crisis, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Handouts will be available.

“Everybody forgot the Mission. But we are making a comeback. Our goal is to recognize and reconcile long-time differences between the Native, Anglo and Hispanic populations by restoring the Mission and bringing back historical community events like the annual Harvest Festival and Fiesta.” -- Gil Koda, parish finance councilman, volunteer

By Miriam Raftery

August 31, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) – A Herculean effort is underway to restore the Santa Ysabel Indian Mission (23013 Hwy 79) in time for its bicentennial celebration on Sunday, September 16th,^, 2018 at 10 a.m..  The multi-cultural celebration will include an outdoor mass and brunch with the Bishop, Native American bird singers and drummers, a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels, military salutes, multi-cultural dance groups, local celebrities, a historical wagon train show, tours of the mission and museum, Native speakers and historians, an arts and crafts show, and more.

Two other long-time community traditions are also being revived: the Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 20^th and a Fiesta in June 2019. There will also be a golf tournament on September 8^th at the Warner Springs resort as a fundraiser for these ambitious plans.

East County News Service

September 6, 2018 (Spring Valley) – Mt. Miguel High School Foundation will present “QUARTERMANIA,” a cross between an auction, raffle and bingo. The event will take place on October 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mt. Miguel High School’s brand new event center, 8585 Blossom Lane in Spring Valley.

East County News Service

September 5, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Challenge Center of La Mesa, provider of skilled physical therapy rehabilitation, specialized assisted fitness training and wellness programs for physically challenged people, will host its 2018 Comedy Night Gala fundraiser Friday, Sept. 7 at the Paradise Point Resort and Spa at Mission Bay, 1404 Vacation Road, San Diego. Reception and silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., live auction, a program highlighting the work of the Challenge Center and entertainment starring Colin Quinn, who appeared on the “Saturday Night Live” TV show.

East County News Service

September 2, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints First Ward in La Mesa (5555 Aztec Drive) invites you to a free, family-fun Broadway sing along on Saturday, September 15th at 7 p.m.

East County News Service

August 31, 2018 (Lakeside) – Lake Jennings in Lakeside is hosting Spooky Camp-o-Ween events the two weekends before Halloween, Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28, complete with ghost stories, s’mores, a campsite decorating contest, trick or treating and creepy crafts.

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Thanks to all of you who turned out to help make our 10-year anniversary celebration, East County Fest,, a huge success! 

Hundreds flocked to Mission Trails Regional Park to enjoy foods and wines served up by over 20 local restaurants, wineries and a cider brewery, also enjoy live music, meeting local authors and artists, vying for raffle and auction prizes, stargazing, viewing our “Best of East County” video, mixing and mingling with a veritable who’s who of East County who turned out to help us celebrate our special occasion.

Special thanks to Joe Gabaldon from SDG&E for their major sponsorship of our special event. We also thank California Coast Catering for sponsoring our VIP party and Diego Party Bus for transporting our guests in style.

Bekker Catering served up our VIP party in style with ceviche, watermelon-feta skewers, cheese platters and more, showing why they’ve been voted best caterer in San Diego County in a San Diego Union-Tribune reader’s poll. Special thanks also to San Pasqual Winery for treating our guests to some wonderful summertime wines for both the VIP party and the main event!

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (El Cajon) – Alley Cat Art Walk will take place on Friday, September 14^th from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  It’s the purr-fect place for lovers of arts and music, plus you can enjoy wine tasting, a beer garden, artisan crafts booths, boutique vendors, live music and children’s activities in addition to fine art.

The event’s activities will be held in Arts Alley between Main and Rea streets, as well as surrounding street.  Alley Cat Art Walk is sponsored by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center and supported by a San Diego County Community Enhancement grant.