By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Julian Grape Stomp, Barona Powwow, Descanso Deep Pit Barbecue, and the Julian Arts Guild Fall Show.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Ramona Grape Stomp, Alley Cat Artwalk in El Cajon, the Sycuan Powwow, Julian Apple Festival, Apple Tea Time, the hot new dance show Bamboozled, a Twilight Tasting at the Trails, an International Day of Peace celebration in La Mesa, Julian Music Festival, a reception with artist Jack Jordan, Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Once in a Blue Moon Gala, Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, and more.

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

By Valerie Watts

August 28, 2017 (Julian) - As the days start to shorten and the mountain air (finally) starts to get a little nippy, our thoughts drift to warm drinks and apples and then to Julian.  What better way to indulge during the season than with an apple-themed tea at the lovely Julian Tea & Cottage Arts?  From September 21 through Monday, September 25, they are offering an apple-themed menu highlighting that Julian specialty.  Tucked away a block from the busy Main Street in a historical home at 2124 Third Street, their "special-tea" features Hungarian apple soup, apple themed finger sandwiches, scones with apple butter and an apple dessert, and, of course, fine teas.  Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advance notice. 

By Jonathan Goetz

August 28, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - The Lemon Grove Lions Club is hosting a Salsa y Salsa Fiesta to raise money to buy new bleachers for Lemon Grove Little League.

Lemon Grove Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza cited safety concerns with the current bleachers . “Lemon Grove is one of the poorest communities in San Diego,” she said. “Our Little League has been here for some fifty years and is showing its age, so our Lions Club adopted it as our project.”

By Valerie Watts

August 26, 2017 (Julian) - “Stomp the grapes.  Drink the wine.” 

The Menghini Winery is hosting the 21^st Julian Grape Stomp Festa on September 2 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.  The festivities are located at 1150 Julian Orchards Drive outside of Julian.  This unique event invites you to immerse yourself in the old-world Italian experience, tasting wines from ten local wineries, humming to Italian tunes by Roman Holiday, trying your hand at bocce ball, eating and shopping.  This year a falconry demonstration has been added to the list of attractions, where you can watch these regal birds “volare.”

Premier Event:  August 25 at Fabrison's Country French Restaurant

13881 Campo Rd., Jamul

We still have a few spaces--and the restaurant has graciously allowed to take a few people at the door with checks to East County Magazine but please RSVP to be sure there is still room.   Reserve now for summer's hottest party! 619-698-7617 or 619- 303 8593 after 3 p.m.

August 3, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Magazine proudly announces launch of our East County Dining Club! 

We've pulled out all the stops for our launch party at the fabulous Fabrison's Country French Restaurant on August 25 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. We have thousands of dollars in prizes, a delicious all you can eat gourmet French feast, winetasting from the Toast of the Coast winning Deerhorn Valley Winery, music by "Diva" star Lenelle Wylie and more!

Try fabulous foods, win amazing prizes, bring your friends and meet new ones, plus help sustain nonprofit news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts for East County.

Sign up for invitations to future East County Dining Club adventures to savor cuisines from around the world (and the best American foods, too!)-- all in East County.  Email editor@eastcountymagazine.org with "Dining Club" in the subject line.

Reservations and payment are required by Aug. 20 for this very special dining club launch party. See the delicious details below!

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Interfaith Council of La Mesa invites the public to join millions of people around the world participating in activities to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 17^th. The La Mesa event will be held starting at 3 p.m. in Aztec Park, 7945 Morocco Drive, La Mesa.

East County News Service

June 27, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Thelma, Stan & Ollie - the next gathering of the Saps at Sea, the Laurel & Hardy Sons of the Desert association in San Diego, high-lights one of their favorite gals, Thelma Todd. This bubbly blonde was not only a highly respected actress and comedian, but a long time favorite of the Saps.

By Sam Warren, copyright 2017

August 19, 2017 (San Diego) – From a happy hour adventure with a New York Times best-selling author to the San Diego Festival of Books, you’ll find many local events for literary lovers coming up across our region.

East County News Service

August 16, 2017 (La Mesa) – The public is invited to join members of the business community to view the goods and services they provide, mix and mingle on Thursday, August 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.). You can also taste foods from many local restaurants and win over40 door prizes from participating vendors.

East County News Service

August 16, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a jazz concert at Mission Trail, the Heroes in concert in El Cajon, and the finale of Santee’s summer concert series with the Mighty Untouchables.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Ramona Country Fair, the Barona and Sycuan pow-wows, Descanso’s Deep Pit Barbecue, Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Alley Cat Artwalk, Julian Apple Festival, Julian Music Festival. Laguna Mountain Rendezvous and more.

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

Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren

August 13, 2017 (San Diego) -- This week we have monsters, robots, goddesses, etc. to keep you occupied. Scroll down for a full list of local readers and writers’ events.

Events provided by Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon

August 11, 2017 (El Cajon) – This Saturday, El Cajon hosts a free e-waste and paper shredding event. Coming up this week are the Heroes in concert, and Cajon Speedway Night downtown.  Other upcoming activities include the Alley Cat art walk and an Air Group One breakfast featuring World War II aerial crew heroes sharing their historic memories.  Scroll down for these events and more – all in El Cajon.

Wood-smoked BBQ fired up night in annual town tradition featuring slow-cooked beef, beer garden, live Western music, cash prize darwing, vendor booth, kids' activities and more

By Valerie Watts

August 9, 2017 (Descanso) --Ready for a nostalgic mountain community bash on Labor Day weekend?  Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Descanso invites you to their 80th annual deep pit barbecue. 

This family-friendly event will be held the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, September 3, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 9163 Riverside Drive.

The menu features their famous hand-wrapped deep pit barbecue beef, mountain ranch beans, handcrafted slaw and western rolls.  It doesn't stop there-- they also offer home made apple pie, "drinks galore" and more.

Review by Kathy Carpenter

Associate Reviewer sdtheatrereviews.com

Freelance writer Splash Magazine

August 3, 2017 (El Cajon) - Adventure is where you make it. In this rendition of Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson's beloved tale adapted for the conservatory by Jeanette Thomas, Jim is now Jamie, a girl, and she finds life is the adventure. Escape your every day life for a couple of hours and live the adventure of Treasure Island, directed by Brian Rickel & Mitzi Smith and with scores by musical director John Reynolds, complete with pirates, surprises and fun.