STUDENT RATES ADDED: $10 at door

EARLY-BIRD RATES EXTENDED! ($15 if you pre-pay online; $20 at door)

May 18, 2011 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) invites constituents to a town-hall style public meeting on Wednesday, May 18 from 6-7 p.m. in the Normal Heights Community Center at 4649 Hawley Blvd., San Diego 92116.

“Please come share your ideas, ask a question, and get an update about what’s happening in Congress at my Mid-City/Uptown Neighborhood Day this Wednesday evening,” the Congresswoman said.

By Abigail Migala

May 5, 2011 (La Mesa)--Approximately 300 students from the Grossmont Union High School District plunged into designing water-themed jewelry in the 3rd Annual Golden Artistry Jewelry Design Competition. The twenty-two finalists will be honored this Thursday evening, May 5th from 5-9 p.m., at La Mesa’s Community Center.

This FREE event is a fundraiser for the arts, with funds distributed by Friends of East County Arts, Inc. The evening will have FREE food from Tiramisu Trattoria and El Cajon Applebys.  Wine and beer will be available for purchase. The evening also includes a live auction and opportunity drawing prizes. The event is open to all who want to support the arts.

Thanks to all who made our SummerFest a sizzling success!

Over 300 community members who attended, dozens of sponsors, a legion of loyal volunteers, the talented Chefs de Cuisine,  Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation for hosting our event at their beautiful facility, and our VIP guests including two members of Congress.

All proceeds benefit East County Magazine's nonprofit community news reporting and wildfire/emergency alerts to keep our reader safe and informed.

Thanks to our generous sponsors:

Chefs de Cuisine, Mission Trails, East County Magazine, Holiday Inn on the Bay, Julian Meadows Inn, Sycuan Resort, Golden Artistry, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Main Street 5 Gallery, Sportsplex, Heritage of the Americas Museum, Crunch Fitness, Lemon Grove Historical Society, Gio Bistro Wine Bar, Golden Artistry, Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, Elephant & Castle, Nights of the Sound Table, Lions, Tigers & Bears, Dube Vineyards, San Pasqual Winery, Gloriosa Vineyards, La Serenissima Vineyards, Mangio Bene, Sea World, San Miguel Fire, John Hammerstand flight instructor, Olaf Wieghorst Gallery, artists Gloria Chadwick, Abigail Migala, and Denise Strahm.

May 7 5K Run/walk will give public glimpse of new park lands—see it first in our ECM video adventure

By Miriam Raftery
Photos by Pam Wilmer
Video by Billy Ortiz

April 27, 2011 (Santee) – San Diego River Run is moving its 5K fun run/walk to the Walker Lakes property in Santee this year.  Participants will be the first members of the public to experience this site, which will soon become part of the San Diego River Trail, which is not yet open to the public.

East County Magazine’s Billy Ortiz got a special preview tour.  View his video adventure here.

April 26, 2011 (San Diego)--A jazz concert benefiting the Grossmont College Music Dept. Scholarship Fund will be held starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at Humphrey’s By the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr. on Shelter Island.

April 28, 2011 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to express yourself in public through the spoken word, poetry, song or dance at the Space Bar Internet Café at 7454 University Avenue in La Mesa tonight from 7:30-10:00 p.m.  The event, hosted by Jim Moreno, will feature author, poet and musician Lalo Velasco, recipient of a California Arts Council Grant. Refreshments are available.

"We've got a conga player from Cuba, and a percussionist from Ghana, and another from Zimbabwe that make the evening an interesting combination of music and spoken word," Moreno said.

Jan McAdams, national grantwriting expert with over $125 million in funded grants and sponsorships, will speak at event sponsored by Heartland Coalition/UnitedGREEN

By Jeremy Los

April 18, 2011 (San Diego) – The Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber is brewing up a big event – presenting America’s Finest Beer Festival. The festival will feature more than 120 California breweries as well as live music and food. The festival is on tap for July 22-24 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

April 15, 2011 (El Cajon ) – Main Street 5 Gallery will host an art and jewelry show Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. to showcase works by artisans Chuck McPherson and Jeff Fulkerson.

“McPherson’s paintings swim in rich color and vibrant brushstrokes, complimented by Fulkerson’s jewelry that will make any night on the town a unique experience,” said Esther Beish, owner of the gallery.

April 15, 2011 (Valley Center)--Heartbeat Classics Chevy Club hosts its 13th annual classic car show, the Heartbeat Happening XIII, on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Road in Valley Center. Activities include a craft fair with over 50 vendors, Lion's Club pancake breakfast, barbecue, car painting and petting zoo for the kids. The show and other events are free to the public.

April 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Brew Ha Ha Comedy presents two “rainbow headliner” shows this weekend. On Friday, April 15, funny lady Sarah Burford stars in an “All Women Comedy Show” from 7-8:30 p.m. at 6784 El Cajon Blvd.

April 8, 2011 (Flinn Springs) -Guests are invited to stroll through a towering fragrant sweet pea maze--and cut your own sweet pea bouquets during this event, while they last!  The event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—however ECM’s editor arrived too late last year to snip the fragrant blooms, so early arrival is recommended. Viewing time starts at 9 a.m. and cutting time begins at 11 a.m. at a cost of $3 per bouquet.