By Miriam Raftery

September 7, 2018 (El Cajon) – Enjoy “A Night To Remember,” a masquerade ball at the beautiful Crystal Palace in El Cajon to benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center on September 28 from 7 p.m. to midnight.  No need for a tux – your mask is your costume!   Ticket deadline is Sept. 23.

Also savor dinner and an open bar, view a fashion show with local designers and models, and enjoy live entertainment by saxophonist Doug Allen and violinist Melissa Barriso, plus a DJ to dance the night away. An event photographer will capture special photo backdrops during this magical evening of festivities.

“Everybody forgot the Mission. But we are making a comeback. Our goal is to recognize and reconcile long-time differences between the Native, Anglo and Hispanic populations by restoring the Mission and bringing back historical community events like the annual Harvest Festival and Fiesta.” -- Gil Koda, parish finance councilman, volunteer

By Miriam Raftery

August 31, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) – A Herculean effort is underway to restore the Santa Ysabel Indian Mission (23013 Hwy 79) in time for its bicentennial celebration on Sunday, September 16th,^, 2018 at 10 a.m..  The multi-cultural celebration will include an outdoor mass and brunch with the Bishop, Native American bird singers and drummers, a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels, military salutes, multi-cultural dance groups, local celebrities, a historical wagon train show, tours of the mission and museum, Native speakers and historians, an arts and crafts show, and more.

Two other long-time community traditions are also being revived: the Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 20^th and a Fiesta in June 2019. There will also be a golf tournament on September 8^th at the Warner Springs resort as a fundraiser for these ambitious plans.

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Barona Powwow, Julian Grape Stomp, and Descanso Deep Pit Barbecue.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Sycuan Powwow, Ramona’s Grape Stomp, raspberry picking and farm tours at Julian Farm and Orchard, Hank Williams Jr. at Viejas, Gregory Page and Sky Ladd in concert at Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona, spooky camping at Lake Jennings, and our own East County Dining Club at Fourpenny House in La Mesa.

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

These are just some of the nearly $10,000 in prizes at East County Fest, our "Party of the Decade" celebrating our 10th anniversary on Saturday, August 25 from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails  Regional Park's beautiful visitors center. Get tickets.

By Miriam Raftery

Want to win a video production about your company or organization created by Raul Sandelin Films--a $1,200 value? 

Take home sports memorabilia from NBA superstar Bill Walton’s personal collection?

Get poker lessons from Richard Lederer, who taught his two children and they became world and national poker champions? 

Savor happy hour with friends at Hatfield Creek vineyard?  Or a vacation at an adobe inn at a winery? Or take home a barbecue for a cookout in your own backyard.

Wouldn't you love to win a beautiful pearl and silver ring and earrings set, baskets of wines, autographed books, restaurant gift certificates, San Diego Zoo passes, dance concert tickets, or tickets to a concert featuring a well-known performer at SDSU’s Cal Coast Open Air Theater?

By Miriam Raftery

Our East County Fest 10-year anniversary celebration for East County Magazine on August 25^th at Mission Trails features an array of top musical talent from East County including prominent jazz/pop/ classical/Nuevo Flamenco guitarist Miles Moynier, award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Jim Earp, talented and creative performers from Visionary Dance Theatre, and the San Diego Native American Flute Circle, honoring 12,000 years of Native American history in our region.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A highlight of our upcoming East County Fest on August 25^th from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park (advance tickets required) will be prominent artist Chuck McPherson, who will create a painting live to be auctioned off at the event. 

Self-described as “flamboyant and a stand out creative,” this talented local artist and teacher has won international recognition and received hundreds of awards in juried art shows. Cherished by collectors, recent works by McPherson have sold for thousands of dollars.

His works have been displayed around the world, including locally at the Ola Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center, San Diego History Center, California Center for the Arts  and Marston House Museum. Internationally, he holds three Signature Memberships with The San Diego Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies; A Signature in watercolor is like a PhD in medicine.

East County News Service

July 26, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Sip of Julian, Pine Valley Days, Gregory Page in concert at the garden, Lemon Grove concerts in the park, convertible night at El Cajon classic cruises and a Laurel and Hardy fan club film night.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the HeART of Mt. Helix, the Barona Powwow, Sycuan Powwow and the Julian Grape Stomp Festa, So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

Source: Mt. Helix Park Foundation

July 12, 2018 (La Mesa) - Tickets are on sale now for the 11th annual heART of Mt. Helix. You’re invited to come and experience local art, music and cuisine at Mt. Helix Park’s popular celebration/fundraiser held at one of East County’s most extraordinary venues. 

UPDATE: WALK-INS ARE WELCOME! BUT PLEASE RSVP.

July 4, 2018 (El Cajon) -- You're invited to our next East County Dining Club event, which benefits our nonprofit East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts.  

Please join us in a Mediterranean Feast on Sunday, July 15 at 1 p.m. at Eat a Pita! (1255 Avocado Road in the Vons shopping center at Chase and Avocado in  El Cajon).

$28 INCLUDES: Mediterranean feast!  Beef kebab, chicken kebab/souvlaki, falafel, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), rice, Greek salad, pita bread and hummus, tax, tip, beer or wine, soft drink & refill, & 1 opportunity drawing ticket. Prizes include restaurant gift certifictes, a night's stay at Triple H Ranch Bed and Breakfast in Lakeside, jewelry, cookbooks, novels, Kamp's Propane gift certificate, ladybug planter, Prete-a-Porter Salon haircut, Club Pilates class and more!

RSVP BY JULY 10 for earlybird prize drawing: editor@eastcountymagazine.org   or 619-698-7617.

Find Fourth of July fireworks, parades, picnics and more

By Miriam Raftery

June 28, 2018 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes Sha Na Na at Sycuan, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, El Cajon’s 4^th of July picnic and fireworks, Deerhorn Valley's Independence Day Parade, Santee Salutes, Julian’s Fourth of  July Parade, the Lake Murray Music Festival, a patriotic painting class, and a 90^th birthday party for Lemon Grove’s giant lemon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Descanso Days Fair and Parade, open house at the Oasis Camel Dairy, Pine Valley Days, and a local Laurel and Hardy fan club's 40th anniversary film fest party.

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

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Star Party at Oakoasis preserve in Lakeside, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, the Julian Dance and Back Country BBQ, Art in the Park and a firefighters breakfast in La Mesa, the San Diego Concert Band at Harry Griffith Park, a Taste of La Mesa, and the start of Santee’s summer concert series.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Queen Bee Brunch in Alpine, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, Julian’s Quilt Show, Santee Salutes, Julian’s star-spangled Fourth of July Parade, and the Descanso Days Parade and Fair.

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

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Blue Breeze Band in El Cajon, La Mesa’s Flag Day parade, Our Secret Garden Party at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, and the Lego Ninjago movie playing at Stelzer County Park in Lakeside.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, a firefighters pancake breakfast in La Mesa, the San Diego Concert Band in La Mesa, a Taste of La Mesa, Art in the Park in La Mesa’s McArthur Park, Santee’s summer concerts, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, a historic quilt show, Santee Salutes and Julian’s Fourth of July parade.

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

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Taste of Julian, the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College, the Jukebox Kings in downtown El Cajon, a Salsa fiesta in Lemon Grove, Sherlock Holmes Final Adventure at Grossmont College, and the Manzanita High Rendezvous in Lake Morena.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Mother’s Day hike on Volcan Mountain in Julian, a salute to military families including kayaking and mountain biking at Lake Morena, a star party at Oakoasis in Lakeside, hiking in Flinn Springs, wilderness survival for families in Lake Morena, a bicycle ride and safety talk at Lindo Lakes in Lakeside, the Ramona Rodeo, the America on Main Street festival in El Cajon, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, Laurel and Hardy comedy night in Spring Valley, La Mesa’s Flag Day parade, a Secret Garden Party at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Fido Fest in Santee and Santee’s summer concert series.

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

By Miriam Raftery

May 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the premier of El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert series, a Dive-In movie at Kroc Center, the La Mesa Beautiful plant sale, Vintage Alpine wine and food tastings, and a production of Sherlock Holmes, the Final Adventure at Grossmont College.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Manzanita High Rendezvous in Lake Morena, Salsa and Salsa in Lemon Grove, a Taste of Julian, the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College, film nights in the Lemon Grove library, the Ramona Rodeo, La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, and the San Diego Concert Band at La Mesa’s Harry Griffen Park.

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

East County News Service

April 30, 2018 (Lemon Grove) - San Diego County Library’s Lemon Grove branch is partnering with the City of Lemon Grove for the second  annual Art Days: Family Art Festival. The event takes place in front of the Lemon Grove Library (3001 School Lane) on May 19 from 1-3 p.m.  The highlight will be an engaging community art project, led by local artist Ben DeHart. Art Days allows the community to get creative and participate in a variety of explorative art options, including button making and painting.