East County Magazine and the Santee Solutions Coalition invite you to meet our editor on Tuesday, August 25th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Santee Library (9225 Carlton Hills Blvd.) Help us build our new Santee and Lakeside community section!

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August 12, 2015 (Santee)--The twang of banjos and fiddles will again fill the air, while delicious food and beverages fill appetites, at the 6th Annual Santee Bluegrass Festival on Sept. 12.

Listen to the podcast of Destination East County, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

August 12, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County features dancing under the stars, a star party at a Julian winery and a rocking outdoor concert. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Native American pow-wow, Julian’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival, the Nudestock music festival, and Descanso’s Deep Pit BBQ. So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

August 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - The 8^th annual HeART of Mt. Helix will be held on August 15^th from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the amphitheatre atop Mt. Helix. This festive event includes live music on two stages, dancing under the stars, and food samples from local restaurants, and artists creating works live.

East County News Service

August 6, 2015 (Alpine) – For Childhood Cancer Awareness month, the Kylie Rowland Foundation is hosting “Wine and Bunco Under the Stars” on  Sept. 9 at 6 pm.. to raise funds for promising less-toxic cancer treatments for children. The foundation was started in memory of Kylie Rowland, who lost her battle to neuroblastoma at age two in February 2015.

July 30, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) -- Join the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for free Night Out Against Crime events on Tuesday, August 4.  Sheriff's Stations and Substations all over the county will be hosting block parties to take a stand against crime, including numerous locations in East County.

By Kathy Carpenter

www.sdtheatrereviews.com Associate and Youth Reviewer

July 23, 2015 (El Cajon) - Grossmont College 2nd annual Summer Conservatory (where high school students work alongside college students in all aspects to put on a theatrical show) brought us Cinderella A New, Pop Musical. The classic story updated and written by Jennette Thomas, directed by Beth Duggan and Molly Stillens, with fresh music and songs from the 80's and 90's and a fresh attitude from Cinderella, who doesn't need a man to survive, a King willing to adapt to his son's happiness, and a Prince who still thinks Cinderella the most perfect of all.

The show was funny, fun, well-acted, and you couldn't help leaving the theatre with a smile on your face.  This is a perfect summer show for the students to weave their magic, proving as Cinderella's Godmother says "Anything is possible if you believe."

Listen to this week's Destination East County broadcast from the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ radio 89.1 FM! Click the orange link above.(note: sound files make take a few moments to load.)

By Miriam Raftery

July 28, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County features a once in a blue moon hike, a vocal and jazz trio concert, and a watermelon festival at a camel dairy. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including movies at Santee Lakes, a Sip of Julian, the reopening of Rancho San Diego’s Farmer’s Market, and a rollicking new Lamplighters Theatre production.  So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

East County News Service

July 28, 2015 (San Diego)--Mounarath-Powell Productions presents the premier of a new girl group, Tres, at the Visionary Performance Space (7202 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego) on August 14th at 7 p.m. 

This cabaret-style production features three powerhouse vocalists: Nicole Isablele, Caliope Marin, and Sophia Rogers. Listen to these young divas as they sing some of today's and yesterday's popular hits by artists such as Adele, Beyonce, Tina Turner and many more.

July 24, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) -- On Saturday, October 17th The Garden will once again be transformed into  "The Enchanted Garden." Wander a magical path through illuminated gardens as you enjoy ethereal music, delicious, garden-inspired fare and captivating entertainment.

July 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County features hikes and hops,Pine Valley Days, Music in the Garden and more. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Sip of Julian and Watermelon Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy. So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

East County News Service

July 20, 2015 (Julian) – From a film festival to guided hikes to a dinner in the meadow benefit and more, the Volcan Mountain Foundation is hosting an array of fascinating events coming up in August and September.  Below are details on these activities, which all benefit conservation efforts to preserve Volcan Mountain in the scenic and historic Julian area.

East County News Service

July 19, 2015 (Scripps Ranch)—In 2003, the Cedar Fire destroyed over 200 homes in Scripps Ranch. To make sure residents are better prepared, the Scripps Ranch FireSafe Council will host a Scripps Ranch Wildfire Preparedness Forum on Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marshall Middle School, 9700 Avenue of Nations in the Scripps Ranch community of San Diego.