Tickets are on sale for the Eighth Annual heART of Mt. Helix held at East County’s most recognizable landmark, the memorial cross and historic amphitheater atop Mt. Helix. The Park is pleased to announce Tom Karlo, KPBS General Manager, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for this Park fundraiser.

The sunset event will be held on August 15 from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm and will feature vignettes by local performing and visual artists. After enjoying the 360 degree view and listening to two stages of local musicians perform, guests can dance under the stars to the Mighty Untouchables, a well known San Diego band. Mt. Helix painters Nora Clemens, Debi Nicols, Roz Oserin, Penelope Quirk, and Wood Turner Sally Ault will each be demonstrating their technique to showcase the variety of visual arts talent in East County.

July 10, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - The Mountain Empire Men’s Club will present Pine Valley Days on July 24^th and 25^th.  This mountain town’s annual summer event includes a parade rolling out on July 25^th  at 9 a.m., plus other activities both days at the Pine Valley Park (28810 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley).  The fun begins with a deep pit BBQ dinner on Friday night with live music and dancing under the stars to Barbwire, the North American Country Music Association International’s New Country Band of the Year for 2015 and other entertainers. There will also be a craft village, a free music festival, kids’ zone, food from local vendors and more.

July 9, 2015 (Pine Valley) --The Mountain Empire Men’s Club will present Pine Valley Days on July 24^th and 25^th.  This mountain town’s annual summer event includes a parade rolling out on July 25^th  at 9 a.m., plus other activities both days at the Pine Valley Park (28810 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley).

Listen to our podcast of this week's Destination East County by clicking the audio  link.

July 6, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County features lots of  community concerts, from jazz in a lavender field to blues in a park, plus the Descanso Days Parade, and more. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Pine Valley Days, outdoor movies, off-road madness and Jimmie Johnson night in El Cajon. So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

Photo: Kayla Douglas of Spring  Valley landed this 5 lb. 4 oz Channel Catfish at Hermits Cove

July 1, 2015 (Lakeside) – The Lake Jennings Fish Report for July is out-with plenty of tips and news for fishing enthusiasts. The lake is open every day in July. Here are a few highlights:

July 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – There is a lot of free summer entertainment in La Mesa this month, including concerts in the park, a movie under the stars, community theater and a walking club, not to mention a host of club activities for all ages and interests at the library.

June 30, 2015 (El Cajon)--Camp Bow Wow and Behavior Buddies of El Cajon will host their 5^th Annual Yappy Hour season at the Downtown Café in El Cajon. The Yappy Hour is held every third Thursday of the month from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. The event includes “puptinis” for pups, a happy hour menu and more.

 In addition to a fun social event, each Yappy Hour is dedicated to raising money for a local charity, with this year’s proceeds benefitting Labs and More Dog Rescue.

Through sales of opportunity drawing tickets, participants will be entered to win many fabulous opportunity-drawing prizes. The pups will enjoy free Puptini’s while owners can order off of the Downtown Café’s delicious Happy Hour Menu.

East County News Service

June 29, 2015 (San Diego) – You’re invited to the world premier of Visionary Dance Theatre’s fun, family-oriented adventure movie “Olivia’s Island Adventure.”  The film showing will be at the San Diego Performing Arts Center (4579 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego) on July 10 and 11 at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 for individuals or $35 for a family four-pack.

Filmed in San Diego, “Olivia’s Island Adventure” is tale of courage, trust, and friendship.

June 26, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes gold rush days in Julian, outdoor movies and a preview of coming attractions including 4^th of July Festivities, Mary Poppins on Mt. Helix, and the annual Descanso Days Fair and Parade. So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

June 25, 2015 (Santee) -- With the slogan "changing lives one goal at a time" the One World Soccer Fest will kick off at the Sportsplex USA Santee (9851 Riverwalk Drive, Santee) on Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the Chisomo Idea and the Homeless World Cup.  Soccer carnival games and a mini soccer clinic are all part of the day's fun, as well as viewing a round-robin soccer tournament.

Dads and their kids can enjoy a free game of bowling on Father’s Day, this Sunday, June 21^st at the Viejas Bowl in Alpine.  You can also enjoy galactic bowling every Friday and Saturday night all summer long.

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes some amazing events to delight dad this Father’s Day weekend, from an air show to a vintage train ride and a brunch with Cowboy Jack. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including 4^th of July Festivities, a country music concert in Santee, and the annual Descanso Days fair and parade.  So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

Now for a preview of coming attractions…

June 4, 2015 (El Cajon)--The spirit of the Olympic Movement will roll into El Cajon as LionHeart Academy hosts a celebration of Olympic Day for the community. This event is one of over 1,100 in the country being held in June. LionHeart Academy’s celebration will take place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2015. The location is 1331 N. Cuyamaca Street, El Cajon, CA 92020.

June 17, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Air Show San Diego will take to the skies over Gillespie Field in San Diego June 20 and 21. This year’s “AirShow San Diego” (formerly known as “Wings Over Gillespie”) will feature a representative collection of aircraft and acts to support the commemoration of the 70^th anniversary of the end of WWII.

May 28, 2015 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to “eat your heart out” at the 7^th annual Taste of La Mesa, featuring tastings from 29 local restaurants.  This year’s event will be held on Monday, June 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Community Drive).