“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.

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (Alpine) — The Alpine Chamber of Commerce invites you to come celebrate Alpine’s history at the Alpine Historical Society’s Museum (2116 Tavern Road in Alpine) on September 5th at 5:30 p.m. Baron’s Market will provide hors-d’oeuvres and Rock Canyon Vineyards will provide wine tasting.  

East County News Service

August 28, 2018 (San Carlos) -- A binational celebration commemorating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego’s San Carlos community is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 26, complete with mariachi music, a gourmet Mexican meal and more.

East County News Service

August 28, 2018 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to “shop with joy and purpose” at the annual La Mesa Fair Trade Shopping event on Sunday, October 14^th from 8 a.m. to 1 :30 p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Parish Hall, 7710 El Cajon Blvd. in La Mesa.  La Mesa.  Enjoy Fair Trade Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and lots of samples while perusing the aisles of hand made baskets, jewelry, purses, belts, wallets, handbags, jackets, scarves, toys, pottery, Christmas ornaments, gift baskets, coffee, tea, chocolate and lots more from many vendors.

East County News Service

August 27, 2018 (Ramona) - Gregory Page & pianist Sky Ladd will perform at the Schwaesdall Winery September 22nd from 1-4 p.m. for an afternoon of vintage and perhaps even some brand-new music on the vineyard stage. To borrow Gregory's famous lyrics: "Let's wine & dine" on Schwaesdall's estate wines and artisan pizzas while savoring music from the GP Duo.  

East County News Service

August 22, 2018 (Descanso) -- Throughout the New World, the indigenous peoples of the Americas cooked in the earth. The original use of buried cooking in ground pits was done by the Native Americans for thousands of years.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Saturday, August 25th 

6-10 p.m. (VIP reception at 5:30 p.m.)

Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center

One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego

It’s the party of a decade!

East County Magazine invites you to join us at East County Fest, our 10^th anniversary celebration!  Proceeds benefit our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and our award-winning community news reporting.

Festivities include: Foods, wines, cider and beer from top restaurants, wineries and breweries in East County, wonderful artists, artisans, authors, athletes, communitiy leaders, live music and entertainment, raffle, auction, stargazing, guest speakers, a look back at the last 10 years and forward to the future!

Tables and individual tickets are available, plus there’s a VIP reception.  Buy a table or a VIP reception ticket and get our free “Best of East County” cookbook on a souvenir thumb drive as thanks, plus preferred parking, auction preview, gourmet goodies and more.

Our VIP party is catered by Bekker's Catering, known for their fabulous food for weddings and other special occasions, and sponsored by California Coast Credit Union. Our thanks to Bekker's for generously donating most of the delicious foods for the VIP reception.

Individual tickets: $65 ($60 for sustaining donors and dining club members) or for $20 extra add VIP reception ($85 total).

Tables: $480 ($60 a person) or $680  ($80 a person) with the VIP reception. 

This event is for age 21 and up.

CLICK ARROWS BELOW TO VIEW AND CHOOSE ALL PRICE OPTIONS.

  For all the delicious details, click "read more" and scroll down.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

August 18, 2018 (Santee) -- On August 19^th, inside the Santee Library, the Santee Mobile-Home Owner’s Action Committee, Inc. (SMOAC) will hold their 4^th Annual Backpack & School Supplies Movement.  Backpacks filled with school supplies will be handed out, free to students, at 10 a.m. until supplies are exhausted.

East County News Service

August 18, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The critically-acclaimed and award-winning Kidz Danz Kompany, San Diego’s premier children’s dance company, presents “The Red Cloak," a re-telling of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood at Greenfield Middle School Theater (1495 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA, 92021) on September 7-8, 2018 @ 7 p.m.