Thursdays June 16-August 25

East County News Service

June 22, 2016 (Santee) - In Santee, summertime means it’s time to grab a beach chair or blanket and head down to the outdoor performance stage to hear live music at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive.

East County News Service

June 21, 2016 (Alpine) - The Alpine Mountain Empire Heroes, Leadership & Public Service recognition dinner will be celebrated on August 27, 2016 at Viejas Casino Resort. This premiere event hosted by the Chamber recognizes Alpine heroes, organizations and individuals that have demonstrated community heroism, leadership and public service for the benefit of Mountain Empire communities.

Emergency SOS!  KNSJ, which has the emergency broadcast network for East County, is off the air due to vandals. Help us get KNSJ back on the air -- and also support East County Magazine!

SATURDAY, JUNE 18:  4 to 7 p.m.

Don't miss our summer solstice celebration of artists, authors, musicians, and thinkers will support East County Magazine and KNSJ, nonprofit media in the public interest.

Performers include: Fabio Rojas playing Latin music, comedians Benji Garcia  Karl Weiss, classical Indian dance by Nilanjana, dancer Gargi Chttopadhyaya, Indian drummers Sai Payan and Dijan Ashtianti, novelist Scott Sigler, and hip-hop by Poalypse Gotadajuice.

Savor delicious foods and libations! Plus win fabulous prizes in our opportunity drawings and silent auction, includnig Julian carriage rides, harbor cruises, dinners, dance classes, designer hand-crafted jewelry(coral/turquoise/shells and hand-painted stone), wine lovers baskets, boutique gift certificates, original art "Neptune's Capture" by Denver Native American artist Michaela Beavers, museum-quality Central AmericanMata Ortiz pottery, music CDs, books, gallery framing, butterfly kite, restaurant and cafe gift certificates,  yoga lessons, bakery basket of goodies, old time photography shoot, antiques, Fiesta basket, yoga lessons,and more!

Open to East County Magazine subscribers (subscribe free at the top right side of our homepage), KNSJ members, and invited guests. 

RSVP today for early bird rates: ($19, or $17 each with purchase of two tickets, groups of 6 or more $13 each.)   At the door: $22.  Call 619-698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org to RSVP.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a Bohemian Bash, Boars and Brews, an art exhibit at the Wieghorst Museum, and Gunsmoke night with the Lions in El Cajon.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including outdoor movies, community concerts, and 4^th of July festivities from small town parades to fireworks extravaganzas.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

East County News Service

June 12, 2016 (La Mesa) - You're invited to celebrate the grand opening of The Lookout at Legacy Park in La Mesa on June 29th at 6:00 p.m. in honor of La Mesa's centennial.

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Julian) -- The stars and stripes will move down Main Street in Julian during this year’s Fourth of July parade honoring Independence Day. For over 20 years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers turn out to watch what some call the “the best little town parade in America.” Pre-parade events start at 10:00 a.m. The parade begins at 12 noon and ends around 2:00 p.m.

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon will hold its annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks at Kennedy Park.  The fun starts at 1 p.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities and live music from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   The fireworks display will be held at 9 p.m.

UPDATE:  THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO ORGANIZERS HELPING WITH FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS. 

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Deerhorn Valley) — Residents of Deerhorn Valley will be holding a true Americana-style parade on Monday, July 4^th starting at 10 a.m.  Residents of this rural community south of Jamul are invited to take a tractor, lasso a llama, hop on a horse, drive a donkey, walk with a wagon, jump aboard a Jeep or just walk on two feet, festooned in patriotic red, white and blue.  The parade will include Clydesdale horses, an antique fire engine and live drumming.  Spectators are encouraged to bring flags, drums, rattles and shakers.

East County News Service

June 8, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club will combine their fund raising efforts again this year with the Winchester Widows who will help them present their 6^th annual Casino Night on June 18th at 6 p.m. in the Pacific Southwest Service Center at 1150 Broadway El Cajon. 

East County News Service

June 7, 2016 (Santee) -- Night Fishing is coming to Santee Lakes on Thursday evenings June 9, 23, July 7, 21, and August 4, 18.

East County News Service

June 2, 2016 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its eighth annual Taste of La Mesa from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 6, at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa.

Participating restaurants as of press time include Anthony's Fish Grotto, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Bo-beau kitchen + garden, Brigantine Restaurant, Cali Comfort BBQ, Continental Catering, Cucina Basilico, Edible Arrangements, El Torito, Himalayan Cuisine, Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill, Luna Grill, Marie Callender's, O's American Kitchen, Pick Up Stix, Riviera Supper Club, Souplantation, Sycuan Casino, Tarantino Gourmet Sausages, Terra American Bistro, The Hills Local Pub, Tiramisu Trattoria, and Valley Farm Market.  Samuel Adams is the exclusive beer sponsor of the evening. Wine sponsors include Nonno’s Ristorante Italino, Riviera Supper Club, The Regal Bar and San Pasqual Winery.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

June 1, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes fiddle and pickin’ in Julian,  the 8th Annual “Taste of La Mesa” and the largest roller skating rink in Southern California.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions … Julian dance and back country barbecue, antique and craft fair in flinn springs and fido fest - paws in the park

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

By Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2016 (La  Mesa) – Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera and other beloved characters from Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book will come to life to enchant and delight audiences in Visionary Youth Ballet’s presentation of “The Jungle Book Ballet.” This special program choreographed by Kiona Daelyn, Visionary’s Director of Dance Education, wil be held Friday and Saturday, June 3-4 at 7 p.m. at Visionary’s new studio (8693 La Mesa Blvd.) in La Mesa.

East County News Service

May 31, 2016 (Julian) – You’re invited to grab your partner and mosey on up to Julian for the annual Julian Dance and Back Country Barbecue on Saturday, June 11^th from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

East County News Service

May 29, 2016 (Ramona) — In April 1862, the Battle of Shiloh was a key early victory for the Union Army during the Civil War.  On Memorial Day, May 30^th, Norm Case, co-owner of the Hatfield Creek Vineyards and Winery in Ramona, will be displaying the historic drum on which his great-great grandfather, Philo Case, played the long roll to begin the Battle of Shiloh.