By Robert Gehr

May 15, 2016 (El Cajon) - Saturday, May 21^st is the day to mark your calendar this year. The annual America on Main Street in El Cajon is back. This year’s theme is “The Beach Comes East” and admission is free.  You can bring the entire family to this friendly, safe event and enjoy hours of good old-fashioned, wholesome fun. I’m quite sure you won’t be disappointed.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: “Happy Hour” painting by Grace Schlesier, created on location on El Cajon’s Main Street

May 15, 2016 (El Cajon) – The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center will host a show of nationally known local artists including Gloria Chadwick and Grace Schlesier starting in June.  An “Art After Five” meet the artists opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.

East County News Service

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to have a ropin’ good time at a Cactus Garden BBQ at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum, a hidden gem at 131 Rea Street, just off Main Street in downtown El Cajon. On June 4^th and 5^th from 5 to 9 p.m. Sons of Charity Inc. will celebrate western Heritage and famed artist Olaf Wieghorst’s iconic art with a cowboy BBQ and concert by “Smith and Western.

East County News Service

May 12, 2016 (Santee) - The city of Santee announces Fido Fest, a “paws in the park” event on June 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee. 

East County News Service

May 11, 2016 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont Healthcare District, a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County region and Alzheimer’s San Diego, a local, independent nonprofit organization providing care and support for San Diego families, will jointly present “Living in the Moment: A Workshop for Caregivers,” from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 17 at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd., La Mesa. Admission is free.

Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce press release

May 10, 2016 (La Mesa) --The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces that the 8th Annual “Taste of La Mesa” will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa. The public is invited to sample fare from many local restaurants and other food providers.

By Norma-Jeanne Hennis

May 9, 2016 (Los Angeles) - On Saturday, May 14th, many San Diegans will head to Los Angeles along with thousands of other Californians to participate in a mass rally in downtown L.A. to Break Free from Fossil Fuels.

Butterfly Pavilion Will Be Open through July 31

East County News Service

May 7, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to its third-annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, May 14 for an exciting day of activities that will engage all ages with butterflies. The event highlights the important role these insects play in the ecosystem as well as how visitors can attract and support butterflies in their home gardens using drought-tolerant plants. A large selection of native milkweed plants will be on sale.

East County News Service

May 5, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Jacumba Hot Springs Blues Festival on May 14^th from 1-8 p.m. will feature blues, brews and barbeque—as well as live music, vendors, kids’ activities and an art council raffle.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

May 4, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the opening of Dinner and a Concert season in El Cajon, the Campo Roundup, the Coyote Music Festival, a Taste of Julian, Rihanna in concert, and a Jacumba community yard sale complete with Chinese Castle tour and rides in a flying saucer!

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Ramona Rodeo and Parade, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears,  a Laurel and Hardy Wacky Western night in Spring Valley,  a one-man musical show at Mission Trails Regional Park, and El Cajon’s America on Main Street  celebration.

So stay tuned for all of these events and more!

East County News Service

April 29, 2016 (Ramona) – The Ramona Rodeo takes play May 19-22, along with other activities including a parade down Main Street on the 21^st and dancing to the country band Patrick Howard Trampus on the 20^th and 21^st after the rodeo.  There’s also a free slack rodeo performance on the 19^th, as well as a kids day on the 22^nd featuring the youngest cowboys and cowgirls riding sheep in the mutton bustin’ competition.

 Adult rodeo events include bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, a tie-down competition, steer wrestling and more. Winners may advance to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association national rodeo championship.

April 28, 2016 (El Cajon) - A mystery dinner theatre production by Toby Otero. Come spend the evening at the Salty Dog Seaside Seafood and Steak restaurant and see what happens when Captain F. “Bigbeard” McQuarrie and his misfit crew decide to stop their pirating ways and try to sail the straight and narrow. With the notorious French Privateer, “The Razor,” always on his tail, and a drunken pirate head waiter who always seems to do the wrong thing, can Captain Bigbeard and his crew ever truly live a peaceful life? This is the manic tale of a stolen treasure chest, a sensational swashbuckling swordfight, mayhem, mischief, and…MURD-ARRR!!! Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday nights, April 29^th and 30^th, at 7:00pm and on Sunday May 1^st at 2:00pm. The venue is Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon. All seats are $20.00 and include a themed meal. For reservations, please e-mail thecircleplayers@gmail.com or phone (619) 588-5348.

Event helps kids stay active and keep learning all summer long

Source:  East County YMCA Press Release

April 25, 2016 (Santee and Rancho San Diego)--On Saturday, April 30, the Cameron Family YMCA in Santee and McGrath Family YMCA in Rancho San Diego are holding free community events to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marks the 25^th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day^®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families.  The day-long event features activities such as games, arts, crafts, wellness education, fitness demonstrations, and water safety in preparation for the upcoming summer months. All activities are designed to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.  

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Alpine) – You’re invited to a party complete with a rib eye steak dinner, art show, live jazz, blues and swing music by Chet and the Committee—all to benefit revitalization of the Alpine Community Center, which needs help to keep its doors open.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Spring Valley) – Howdy, partner! It’s time to travel out West. The San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, Saps at Sea Tent, will present Laurel and Hardy – Wacky Western Night on Saturday, May 14^th in Williams Hall at Trinity Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley. Doors open at 6:30 with show time at 7 p.m.  There is a $6 donation per person.