Limited space still available! RSVP deadline extended.

September 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – Our next East County Dining Club event on September 21st at 6:30 p.m. just got even better! Sicilian Excellence will be offering tastes of Anticatindari and Buone Sergio Sicilian wines -- along with a delicious Italian special menu feast at Tiramisu Trattoria (8273 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa) plus local wine tasting  with the award-winning San Pasqual Winery,  Italian popular songs and arias performed by talented vocalist Valerie Watts, a wealth of prize drawings, and more are all part of the fun! 

We have a few seats left, so you can pay at the door ($28) but please call 619-698-7617 to RSVP or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

Cost  includes plated four-course special menu dinner, wine tasting, tax, tip, entertainment, opportunities to meet neighbors and make new friends.

Special menu:  Bruschetta, choice of soup or salad and choice of entrée:  Ravioli Ricotta, Spinaci or Zucca, Melanzana Alla Parmigiana, Pollo Marsala or Picata, Fettucine Bolognsee, Rigotoni Alla Norcina, Cavatelli di Ricotta, and delicious dessert: Tiramisu (plain or strawberry)

East County News Service

September 17, 2017 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to join La Mesa Conversations at their next mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27th at La Mesa Wine Works. The mixer topic will be an update to La Mesa's Climate Action Plan.

By Miriam Raftery

September 10, 2017 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to bring the family and stroll through downtown El Cajon’s “art alley” on Rea Street at the 2017 Alley Cat Art Walk on Friday, September 15 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Enjoy over 20 outdoor art and craft vendor booths three live music stages, plus select galleries and businesses serving up complimentary hors d’oeuvres and more. Sophie’s Gallery, for instance, will have beer tasting in addition to foods and art demonstrations.  There will also be food trucks on hand.

East County News Service

August 21, 2017 (San Diego) -- Kidz Danz Kompany, the acclaimed children’s dance troupe based in La Mesa, presents “Bamboozled” at the San Diego Performing Arts Center (4579 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego) on September 22-23 at 7 p.m. 

Volunteers will give City parks extra TLC  

East County News Service

September 8, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- “I Love a Clean San Diego” and the City of Lemon Grove are co-sponsoring the Lemon Grove Park Beautification and Clean-Up Event at Lemon Grove Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Join in the fun and participate in your choice of park beautification activities from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Event registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a concert by the Kelly Rae Band in downtown El Cajon, the Sycuan Pow-wow, the first-ever Ramona Grape Stomp, an art show and reception with famed artist Jack Jordan, and a Twilight Tasting at Mission Trails.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Alley Cat Art Walk, Julian Music Festival, a Latino Film Festival at Grossmont College, Lakeside River Park’s Once in a Blue Moon, the Lemon Grove Lion’s Club Salsa Fiesta, an International Day of Peace in La Mesa, Kidz Danz Kompany’s new show “Bamboozled,” Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside and the Borrego Days desert festival.

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

East County News Service

September 4, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Music Department will present "Salsa Under the Stars," a fundraiser for student scholarships and a CD release celebration for music instructor and internationally known salsa bandleader, composer and recording artist Manny Cepeda.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 4, 2017 (San Diego) - Summertime fun will carry into the fall this year. Summer Movies in the Park continues with two dozen free outdoor movies in September and October. So pop the popcorn, grab your picnic blanket and get ready for family-friendly films under the stars.

East County News Service

September 2, 2017 (Poway) -- The Poway OnStage 2017-2018 season at the Poway Performing Arts Center opens this month with the arena rock of KANSAS. It continues with GRAMMY winning artists: Los Lobos, Aaron Neville, BJ Thomas and Roger McGuinn.

Next event is Sept. 21 at Tiramisu Trattoria in La Mesa

September 1, 2017 (La Mesa) – Thanks to all who turned out to help make the launch of our East County Dining Club a big success! 

Over 75 people attend our premiere party  at Fabrison’s Country French Restaurant in  Jamul, where guests feasted on all-you-can-eat crepes and  savored wines from the award-winning Deerhorn Valley Vineyard.

If you haven’t yet joined our dining club (just $10 a year!) we strongly recommend doing so now since we expect future events to sell out.

East County Dining Club members  will receive early invitations and  first options to reserve space at all of our future special culinary events, two free drawing tickets at their next event, and a free “Best of East County” cookbook we are compiling with recipes from top restaurants, wineries, farms and more in our region. Join us to savor the flavors of the world at great restaurants here in East County!

Source:  Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

August 30, 2017 (Ramona) - The 5th annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival will be held at Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Road, Ramona, Calif., on Saturday, November 4, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Early-bird discounted tickets are available now at http://ramonaartandwinefest.net.

Documentary on education apartheid in Iran against Baha’I minority to premiere at Harlem International Film Festival

East County News Service

August 30, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Changing the World, One Wall at a Time, is a documentary feature film on Education Is Not a Crime – the world’s largest street art and human rights campaign, which raises awareness about education apartheid by Iran’s government against tens of thousands of Baha’is in the country. 

By Valerie Watts

August 29, 2017 (Lakeside) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District presents its Kids Care Fest Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview Street in Lakeside.  This event will offer FREE checkups and health information as well as safety demonstrations and fun activities for the whole family.  This year there will be dental and vision screenings and flu shots (while supplies last),   The District hasn’t forgotten the adults--they can have their cholesterol and blood pressure checked.  To alleviate the sting of the flu shots,  the kids can ride ponies, climb a wall or participate in other fun activities.  For more details and to see a video of last year's event, go to kidscarefest.org.  You can also get more information by calling 619-825-5050.

By Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – Works by Jack Jordan, a distinguished El Cajon artist, art teacher and former art director of the Evening Tribune, will be displaced at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum (131 Rea Ave.) in El Cajon from September 9-28, with a reception on September 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  This is a benefit event to honor Jordan and raise funds for the aging artist’s medical expenses.

East County News Service

August 28, 2017 (San Diego) -- Kiwanians in East County are hitting the trail come September – at least the trails at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Members of the Kiwanis Clubs of Lake Murray, La Mesa and Fletcher Hills are combining their efforts to raise funds for their youth scholarships and community sponsorships by presenting “Twilight Tasting at the Trails” from 6 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, September 9.