East County News Service

January 14, 2019 (San Diego) - Yuko Maruyama, pianist-composer-arranger, will perform jazz compositions from her CD albums as well as her uniquely modern interpretations of favorite American classics from the 1940’s Big Band era with the Mercantile Alley Band – piano, bass drums, accordion, percussion, vocals. This free concert will be held on February 10 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mission Trails Church, 4880 Zion Avenue.

East County News Service

January 11, 2019 (Alpine) — Baron’s Market in Alpine will host a backroom beer pairing with 100% of proceeds donated to benefit Alpine schools/PTA. The fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, January 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.  As the market transforms its loading dock and stockroom into a local brew speakeasy, guests will sample beers from Refuge Brewery with gourmet bites made from the market’s natural ingredients.

East County News Service

January 8, 2019 (Santee) -- The Santee Historical Society announces San Diego Trolleys, a presentation and book signing by Douglas W. Mengers on Saturday, January 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Santee Historical Society and Museum, 9200 Magnolia Avenue in Santee.

Starting with the first horse-drawn trolleys introduced by the San Diego Streetcar Company in 1886, San Diego’s history includes the growth and decline of several transportation systems. After electricity arrived, San Diego was the site of early experimentation for electric trolleys on the West Coast.

East County News Service

January 7, 2019 (San Diego) – Mission Trails Regional Park has discontinued its free, bi-monnthly Sunday afternoon concert series which has run for seven years, despite near-capacity audiences for music ranging from indigenous to classical to jazz, The Mission Times Courier reports.  The decision to axe the concerts was made following the retirement of Jay Wilson, head of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation who established the popular concert series.

Fortunately, musicians have found a new home at the Mission Trails Church (4880 Zion Ave., San Diego 92120), where concerts will continue in a larger space with more parking on the second Sunday of each month from 3 to 4 p.m.

East County News Service

December 19, 2018 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes New Year’s Eve celebrations in Alpine, Lakeside and Jamul plus events coming up in January including a circus in Otay Ranch, classes at the Water Conservation Garden, live music and open mic nights at Wynola Pizza, ice skating at Viejas, desert hikes and a paleolithic conference in Borrego Springs, a star party at Mission Trails, and the musical “Songs for A New World” at the Encore Theatre in Spring Valley.

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

By Briana Gomez

Miriam Raftery, editor of East County Magazine hosted a spirited holiday party on Sunday, December 16 at her home on Mt. Helix.

In attendance at our "Feasting and Merrymaking" celebration were staff members, board members, and volunteers for the non-profit publication, as well as community members who purchased tickets to support the online magazine.

Click here for  free circus pass for children age 10 and under

East County News Service

December 19, 2018 (Oray Ranch, Chula Vista) -- American Crown Circus is bringing its Circo Osorio to the Otay Ranch Town Center January 10^th through 14^th.  A family tradition for over 90 years, the show includes aerial acrobats, trapeze flyers, illusions, a wheel of death, daredevils, creative costumes and theatrical showmanship. 

You're invited to "runaway to the circus."  The Las Vegas-based show promises spellbinding performances as aerial artists swing, acrobats tumble and artists defy the laws of gravity just inches from the audience.

East County News Service

December 13, 2018 (El Cajon) – The Olaf Wieghorst Museum at the Wieghorst Western Heritage Center, 131 Rea Ave., El Cajon, is presenting an exhibit of 25 quilts created by East County residents, including Cheryl Minshew, Daniela Stout and Sylvia Thomas. “Visitors to the Wieghorst will be impressed by the variety and creativity of patterns designed by East County residents,” said Minshew, the show’s curator. The exhibit runs through Saturday, Dec. 29.  Admission to the museum is free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. For more information, phone (619) 590-3431, or visit www.wieghorstmuseum.org.

Copyright 2018 by Sam Warren

“Finishing a book is just like you took a child out in the backyard and shot it.”  —Truman Capote 

December 8, 2018 (San Diego) – From a writers’ and editors’ holiday potluck party to author book signings, writing classes and library events, there’s a lot happening in our local literary community.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

December 7, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Picture it – a horse-pulled wagon filled with carolers young and old making its way through suburban streets as the neighbors call out Christmas greetings.  It’s the annual Hayride and Chili Dog Dinner at The Table: United Church of Christ of La Mesa, 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa 91942.

You're invited to our Holiday Party!

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Join East County Magazine, East County Wildfire & Eergency Alerts and the East County Dining Club at our

Feasting & Merrymaking Holiday Party

Sunday, December 16th, from 3-7 p.m.

at our editor's Mt. Helix home: 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa 91941

• Kaleidoscope Carolers

• Guitarist/vocalist Paul Nichols

• Holiday feast

• Prizes galore

• Meet the media and community VIPs

Tickets in advance: $15 and bring a dish to share ($20 at the door)

(Volunteers and staff are comped free.)

All others, please buy tickets online:

Number of Tickets

Be sure to RSVP! (619)698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org and please let us know if you’ll bring an appetizer, main dish, side dish, desert or sealed beverage

Our party is open to all East County Magazine or wildfire alert subscribers, dining club members,  their guests and our friends.  You can subscribe FREE at the top right side of our homepage.

Giveaways:  All guests will receive pass for a child 10 or under to the American Crown Circus performance in January in Chula Vista, plus free certificate for skincare dermabrasian treatment at Alvarado Skincare Institute in La Mesa. 

Raffle: Prizes include restaurant gift certificates, spa/skincare gift certificates, children's books, wine lover's basket, jewelry, hand-knitted scarves, candy and more!

Thanks to our sponsors: American Crown Circus, California Coat Credit Union, Red Lobster, Giardino, Alvarado Institute of Skin Care, Julian Wine and Chocolate, Barnes and Noble, Julian Weaving Works, Gypsy Treasures and more to come.

Invite your friends and family-the more, the merrier!

East County News Service

December 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The 11th annual San Diego Pottery tour will be held this weekend, December 8th and 9th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Nine studios are on the tour, including several in East County.  See list below, and for details, visit http://www.sdpotterytour.com/.

Source:  Saps at Sea

December 3, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, invites you to their last meeting of the year on December 29 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.

East County News Service 

December 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Happy Chanukah! The eight-day Jewish celebration this year runs December 2-10.  A community Chanukah dinner willbe held on Friday, December 7 at 4:20 p.m. at Chabat of East County, 7290 Navajo Rd., Suite 207 in the San Carlos community of San Diego, featuring lighting of a menorah and Shabat candles, followed by dinner.

East County News Service

November 28, 2018 (San Diego) – Now in its 18^th season, the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present “Sounds of the Season” on December 9th at 3 p.m. at College Avenue Baptist Church (4747 College Avenue, San Diego 92115).  Based in East County, the group performs choral masterworks and popular programs, regularly filling up the 1500-seat venue for its concerts.