March 3, 2011 (Santee) -- Grab your gardening gloves and head on out to the SanTree Fest, a fun family event in Santee.  Guests can volunteer to help plant  over 50  trees or assist with river cleanup, enjoy live musical entertainment, sample healthy foods, enjoy kid crafts, and visit interactive environmental booths.

On our visit last year, some booths were also giving away plants, flowers, and even a potted pine tree. Kids and grown-ups had fun getting dirty--while helping to beautify the community.

 February 15, 2011 (Alpine) – Victorian dress is optional at the 18th annual Victorian Tea, sponsored by the Alpine Woman’s Club on February 26, 2011.

Harkening back to a bygone era, the event will feature finger sandwiches, English scones, delectable desserts, and a melodrama production titled “And the Lamp Went Out” directed by Tim Arends.

November 20, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites you to enjoy a traditional Christmas holiday social. The Rancho San Diego Olde Time Christmas Village will be held on December 11 from 4-9 p.m. featuring carolers, a snow sculpture contest, and a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves.

November 3, 2010 (El Cajon)--Grossmont College Music Department will present the Grossmont College Symphony Woodwind Quintet’s performance of “An Evening of Chamber Music” starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Cuyamaca College Arts Center auditorium, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend.

East County News Service

October 11, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The public is invited to join in the fifth annual Passport Road Trip on Saturday, October 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 2 pm. The “cruise” will begin at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, motor along scenic Historic Highways 94 and 80, then end with special activities at a fundraising event at Gio’s in La Mesa Village from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

September 3, 2010 (Lakeside) – The public is invited to attend the 40th annual Barona PowWow. The event, which has free admission, will be held September 3-5 at the Barona Baseball Field. More than $60,000 in prize money will be awarded in Native American dance competitions. The powwow, which attracts competitors from all over North America, also features vendors selling Native American arts, crafts, and jewelry.

July 30, 2010 (Descanso) --  A Hawaiian vacation is the grand prize at an annual luau hosted by Chapel of the Hills Community United Methodist Church (www.chapelofthehills.org) on Sunday, August 1st from noon to 4:00 p.m. All are invited to the Hawaiian-style pit-barbequed pork dinner. Music and authentic Pacific Island dance entertainment, carnival games and  door prizes round out the afternoon.

Fun Continues Tonight at Gio's with more headliner comics

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2010 (La Mesa) – Brew-Ha-Ha’s first weekly comedy show upstairs at Gio Bistro and Wine Bar in La Mesa opened to a sold-out crowd last Sunday night. The act proved a rollicking success—artfully blending universally funny jokes with some East County-oriented punch lines.   Brew Ha Ha is the remedy for the blues--serving up light-hearted relief from tough times in an intimate yet friendly atmosphere with palate-pleasing food at Gio's.

“This is going to be something special and everyone is invited and welcome to attend.  I have some magic tricks up my sleeve from my recent internship at The Marine Room.”--Chef Jeremy Manley

July 9, 2010 (Julian) -- On Friday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m. Jeremy’s on the Hill California Style Bistro will host a four-course wine pairing dinner featuring wines from four back country wineries: Menghini Winery and J. Jenkins Winery from Julian as well as Shadow Mountain Vineyards and La Serenissima Vineyards from Warner Springs.

July 2, 2010 (La Mesa) – Brew Ha Ha "Sunday Night Comedy" opens July 11 at Gio Bistro and Wine Bar, 8384 La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa’s downtown village. The weekly performance will be the first of its kind in East County, according to producers.

Up! Down! Flying Around.

Looping The Loop And Defying The Ground.

They're All, Rightfully, Kings!

Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.
 

May 12, 2010 (Alpine)  – The DreamCatcher at Viejas Casino in Alpine announces a concert lineup featuring musical styles ranging from country to jazz, as well as rock, rhythm and blues. 

The series includes country legend Merle Haggard and other musical stars such as the Temptations, as well as a two-woman show, Vicki Lawrence and Mama, inspired by characters from the Carol Burnett TV comedy show.