Reserve space now at early bird rates—seating is limited!

You’re invited to a Spanish paella feast and fundraiser on Sunday evening, October 20 catered by Paella Valenciana at a private Mt. Helix home to benefit East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts!

 RSVP by Oct. 5 for early bird rates for this fun and festive event, which also features live Spanish guitar music by the Malamaña duet, a raffle with prizes galore, Spanish tapas, and three varieites of paella, plus and a historical reenactment by Early California Speaks. 

Below are the delicious details:

By Lindsay Elias

September 27, 2024 (La Mesa) -- On Saturday, November 2, the La Mesa History Center will hold its 18th annual Home Tour: "Peaks of Preservation". The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The tour will showcase homes in Grossmont/ Mt Helix.

During the pre-sale, La Mesa History Center members can purchase tickets for $30, and non-members can buy them for $40. The deadline to purchase pre-sale tickets is October 30th. On the day of the event, tickets will be $35 for members and $45 for non-members.

East County News Service

September 1, 2024 (El Cajon) -The German American Societies of San Diego invites you to  two full weekends of authentic German celebrations with Oktoberfest in El Cajon. The festivities will be held at 1017 S Mollison in El Cajon the last weekend in September and again the first weekend in October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors – or water, soft drinks and coffee – quench your thirst while you enjoy traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio “tent” for additional all-ages fun. Enjoy the Opening Day Parade with Club VIPs and dignitaries, the Tapping of the Keg, and the Crowning of our 2024 Oktoberfest Königin (Queen) on Friday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m..

East County News Service

September 8 ,2024 (La Mesa)-- From Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6, the quaint streets of La Mesa Village will transform into the largest German celebration in San Diego. This free event takes place Friday, October 4, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, October 6, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

This beloved Bavarian-style  festival has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands, drawing revelers for three days of vibrant live music, authentic German cuisine, and a plethora of German and Craft beers. This year, La Mesa Oktoberfest is set to exceed all expectations, capturing the spirit of Munich with unmatched enthusiasm and charm. From the traditional Bavarian decor and lively music to the delicious food and drinks, attendees can expect an unparalleled experience that honors the festival's rich heritage.

East County News Service

September 12, 2024 (El Cajon) – The 12^th annual Chaldean-American Festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 14 from 3-10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 15 from 3 to 9 p.m.  Celebrating the rich culture of the 50,000 Chaldeans who call San Diego County home, the festival includes authentic food, live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, raffle, vendors and more.

This year’s festival will be held at Hillsdale Middle School, 1301 Brabham St. in El Cajon.

East County News Service

September 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will host “Politics in Paradise” on Friday, Sept.20 from  5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego.

Candidates are invited to sign up and participate. Candidates can share their platform and discuss topics with both Chamber members and guests, give a one-minute speech,invite attendees to engage one-on-one questions and answers, bring a table with campaign materials, and solicit fundraising. Candidates must complete this candidate form.

The public is invited to attend and learn more about the people running for local offices seeking to represent East County residents.

East County News Service

September 1, 2024 (Ramona)—Enjoy live camel and talking  bird shows, meet camels and feed them treats during open farm days at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona.  The next tours are September 4 and 14 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

You can also enjoy camel milk products such as artisan soaps, lotions, chocolates,and camel milk to drink.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  CC by SA-NC via Bing

August 1, 2024  (San Diego’s East County) – Musical entertainment options in East County for September including Celtic Thunder singers from  Ireland, English protest singer/songwriter Billy Bragg, acclaimed songwriters/musicians Ray LaMontagne and Gregory Alan Isakov, country music singers Sara Evans and Eric Paslay, and the famed Jacksons.

 Below are details on their upcoming local concerts at venues including The Magnolia, SDSU, and Sycuan.

Source: Bonitafest Melodrama

Photo:  Ella Aldridge plays the star-crossed Sadie in the 47^th annual Bonitafest Melodrama "Thin Skins and Hayseeds."

August 26, 2024 (Bonita)--South County’s 47^th annual Bonitafest Melodrama will look a lot like the first.  “Thin Skins and Hayseeds,” the popular musical-comedy produced as the first ever Melodrama in 1978, returns in September, freshened up and still rich with local history. It is the true story of the epic Sweetwater Valley Flood of 1916, sprinkled with poetic license, including a dash of “Romeo and Juliet.”

“Thin Skins and Hayseeds” runs September 25-28 at the Sweetwater Church Theater, 5305 Sweetwater Road. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available by calling (619) 850-7126.

“The flooding of the Sweetwater and Otay Valleys in January 1916 remain the most remarkable historical events of this region,” said Bonitafest Melodrama Artistic Director Max Branscomb, a journalism professor at Southwestern College. “Weeks of epic rain caused the Sweetwater Dam to wash out and the Otay Dam to fail. Hundreds of people were killed and everything in the path of the water was destroyed.”

The flooding occurred after the city of San Diego pledged $10,000 to a purported rainmaker, Charles Hatfield, if he could end a drought. Hatfield promised to fill the Lake Morena reservoir and set up operations in Campo. Days after his efforts, heavy rains overflowed the dam at Lake Morena, causing devastation downstream throughout the Sweetwater river valley.  Coincidence, or did Hatfield truly have rainmaking secrets?  

East County News Service

August 15, 2024 – The Element Dance Center in La Mesa announces its upcoming charity event, "A Night of Hope," gala benefiting Dancers Against Cancer. This extraordinary evening of compassion, talent, and philanthropy is set to take place on August 24 at Joan Kroc Theater, just east of La Mesa at 6611 University Ave., San Diego.

The Element Dance Center has consistently demonstrated a commitment to nurturing young dancers' dreams while fostering unity and giving back to the community. "A Night of Hope" is designed to raise awareness and funds for Dancers Against Cancer, a nonprofit organization providing essential support and assistance to dancers and their families affected by cancer.