Source: Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural project

Photo: Artist Rik Erickson works to complete expansive 12 feet x 70 feet Mt. Woodson mural to be placed at the Ramona Fitness Center on Jan. 27

January 14, 2018 (Ramona) -- A dedication ceremony for the “Hiking on Mount Woodson” mural will be held on Saturday, January 27 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Ramona Fitness Center at 558 Main Street, Ramona. The public is invited to attend. In addition to refreshments, attendees will receive a picture of the mural, autographed by the artist.

East County News Service

January 11, 2018 (La Mesa) - On Tuesday, March 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them for an evening mixer at one of the newest wine bars in La Mesa and East County, the Proprietor’s Reserve Wine Bar at the Riviera.

East County News Service

January 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Historical Society will host a lecture on Saturday, Jan. 20 featuring local historian Jim Newland discussing his latest book on the history of Grossmont Hospital. The lecture, which is open to the public, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Requested admission donation is $5 per person. For more event info, visit www.lamesahistory.com or call (619) 466-0197. To RSVP, visit http://bit.ly/2BQFPzz.

East County News Service

By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the trout season reopener at Santee Lakes, pianist John Nilson in Descanso, the Lore of the Kumeyaay at the Water Conservation Garden, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, the Mousetrap onstage in La Mesa, a Martin Luther King commemoration in Lemon Grove honoring local civil rights leaders, as well as hawk watching events in Ramona and Santa Ysabel.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including a local authors’ expo at the El Cajon Library as well as authors at libraries in Julian and Rancho San Diego, live music by local bands and soloists at Riviera Supper Club and San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa, a 50 kilometer race and Active Lifestyle Expo in Santee, the Oak Ridge Boys at Sycuan, a chamber music society concert and a jazz performance in La Mesa, a concert by the Martin Luther King Choir ensemble in Lemon Grove, a star party at Mission Trails, and Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley. 

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

East County News Service

January 6, 2018 (Santee) – From fishing events to movies, concerts, and holiday celebrations, you’ll find lots of activities coming up in the New Year at Santee Lakes—starting with Trout Re-Opener days on January 13 and 14, when the lakes will be stocked with 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout.

Scroll down for details and learn more at www.SanteeLakes.com.

East County News Service

Photo:  Lisa Sanders

January 3, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - The San Diego County Library’s Acoustic Showcase series offers a variety of top local singer/songwriters, folk music performers and storytellers in free concerts for the community.

Upcoming performances include two in East County.

Source: City of Santee

January 3, 2018 (Santee) - The City of Santee is again hosting a national 50 km. race-walk championship on Jan. 20 in conjunction with a local special event aimed at promoting health and fitness.

The second annual Santee Active Lifestyle Expo is set for Jan. 20 at the Trolley Square Shopping Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The expo is free and offers fun activities for children and adults.

East County News Service

January 2, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Happy New Year! And what a better way to kick off (or on) 2018 than with San Diego's official Laurel & Hardy fan organization! The Saps at Sea present their 40th Anniversary SAPS Funtastical gathering of film and food.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley with the show starting at 7 on January 27.

East County News Service

December 30, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Keeping the brain sharp is vital to enjoying a full and rewarding lifestyle at any age. Dr. Linda Sasser will present simple strategies to maintain and even improve brain function during “Keep Your Brain Fit and Your Memory Sharp,” a free program scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., at Mount Miguel Covenant Village, 325 Kempton St., Spring Valley.

East County News Service

December 30, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – Rams Hill Golf Resort in Borrego Springs is hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner/dance on December 31^st starting at 5:30 p.m.   Before the ball drops, you can enjoy live Sinatra-esque music from the Golden Era.

The evening begins with tray pass hors d’oeuvres, followed by a three-course meal at $99 a person.

By Miriam Raftery

December 28, 2017 (Descanso) – Acclaimed pianist, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter John Nilsen from the Pacific Northwest will perform a solo piano concert on Saturday, January 13^th at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Hills Community Church, 25153 Viejas Blvd. in Descanso. The concert is free of charge. The church will provide light refreshments, a chance to chat with the artist in a reception after the performance, and his musical CDs will be available for purchase.

According to his bio, Nilsen is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most successful performance and recording artists, with records that have sold well over a million copiesl His love of the outdoors is reflected in many of his works. Chosen a Deering Banjo artist in 2016, he has performed in all 50 states and many foreign countries, also speaking and conducting residencies on songwriting and music performance at schools across the U.S.  He has performed with luminaries such as Jose Feliciano, Jesse Colin Young and Marc Cohn and Kenny G.

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes New Year’s celebrations in Alpine and Jamul, New Year's Day at an Alpaca Farm, plus an art show at the Wieghorst Gallery in El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including Hawk Watch in the Ramona Grasslands, falconry demonstrations at Wynola Pizza, a Star Party at Mission Trails, Sinatra and Friends in Borrego Springs, Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, an ancient Tibetan music concert at Mission Trails, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, pianist John Nilsen in concert in Descanso, and a fingerstyle guitar concert at San Pasqual Winery’s La Mesa tasting room.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 20, 2017 (Santa Ysabel) - Master falconer Cisco Clibourne will present a falconry demonstration at Wynola Pizza each Saturday in January from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wynola Pizza is located at 4355 California 78 in Santa Ysabel, just outside of Julian.

By Miriam Raftery

December 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes New Year’s celebrations in Alpine and Jamul, falconry demonstrations at Wynola Pizza, a Star Party at Mission Trails, Sinatra and Friends in Borrego Springs, Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, and Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa.

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