East County News Service

September 6, 2016 (San Diego) -- The Somali-Bantu Association of America, a nonprofit dedicated to providing guidance and services to empower Somali Bantu and other refugees as they integrate into American life, presents its annual fundraising benefit, RAJA = HOPE!  The event is a cultural celebration featuring music, dancing and cuisine of the Somali-Bantu community.

In partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank

East County News Service

September 2, 2016 (Alpine) --The San Diego Blood Bank will accept blood donations at Viejas Casino on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 10 a.m. ‑  3 p.m.  The drive will be held at:

East County News Service

August 28, 2016 (Mt Laguna) -- Lore of the Laguna’s (Living History Pageant) returns as the Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association presents its 29th Annual LIVING HISTORY after a two-year hiatus. The past comes alive in this re-enactment of life in the Laguna Mountains, starting in the early 1900s and going back in time. Visit with Native Americans, rugged cowboys and turn-of-the-(last) century mountain men. Meet the first Laguna Forest Ranger, and relive the summer encampment of a 1908 pioneer family from Imperial Valley. How did they survive back then without any modern devices or conveniences and most of all, cell phones or social media? It was a slower pace, but lives were just as eventful and full of adventure as they are now.

East County News Service

August 20, 2016 (Lemon Grove) - Remember all those great ideas you delivered at a City workshop some months back?  They worked. They helped to lay the foundation for the Downtown Village Specific Plan.

East County News Service

August 18,2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County include night fishing, a jazz musical, and the Ramona Country Fair.  Plus we’ll tell you about coming attractions including grape stomp, a bluegrass festival, an apple festival and other festive finds.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

August 12, 2016 (Ramona) -- Ramona Ranch Winey and Round Up Grill/John Little Catering are partnering to host “Live at the Lake," an interactive outdoor music, food and wine fundraising event on Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm to benefit Shelter to Soldier, a non-profit organization that adopts and trains shelter dogs to serve as psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans. The event will take place at the Lake Henshaw parking lot located at 26439 Highway 78 in Santa Ysabel, CA, 92070.

East County News Service

August 9, 2016 (La Mesa) –  The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, is now hosting its Summer Art Exhibit featuring 19 watercolor paintings by award-winning artist Marilyn Hadley Hallam of La Mesa. The show runs through September 30. The exhibit features paintings of San Diego and Southern California landmarks, as well as landscapes.

July 29, 2016 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to celebrate the era of Great Gatsby, flappers, gangsters, silent film stars, ragtime and jazz. Join East County Magazine at a benefit to support our nonprofit community reporting on Sunday, July 31 from 4-7 p.m. at the San Pasqual Wine Bar (8364 La Mesa Blvd.) in La Mesa--all to benefit our nonprofit reporting and wildfire alerts through East County Magazine.

Festivities include wine tasting, sparkling drinks  and Italian dinner plus dessert,  “All That Jazz” musical performance highlights,  live period music by the Classics, Douglas Fairbanks and Laurel & Hardy film clips, games, opportunity drawings and silent auction, games, surprises and more!

Space is very limited! RSVP by July 30 for discount rates and your “speakeasy” password!  619-698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org 

• Live“All That Jazz” preview by singers/dancers from Visionary Dance Theatre plus  Laurel & Hardy and Douglas Fairbanks film clips;
• Live music by the Classics
• Toast the Prohibition Era with sparkling “bubbly” drinks ; relish a ‘20s style feast fit for Gatsby & guests, wine tasting, dinner & desserts by Tiramisu Trattoria, Swami’s & Little Roma that Al Capone would relish!
• ‘Cocktail attire or 20s attire encouraged (flappers, film stars, gangsters, robber barons, etc.)
• Opportunity drawings and silent auction; prizes and surprises!  Win a night on the town including steak dinner & “Chicago” theater tickets, Joe’s Crab Shack dinners, The Hills Pub and Lunchbox Cafe gift certificates, wine baskets, Hawaiian pearls, turquoise and coral jewelry, antiques, collectibles, elegant items, CDs, Julian Old Time Photos, T-shirts and more.
  

East County News Service

July 28, 2016 (Julian) -- On Saturday, July 30th, 2016, the Julian Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2nd Annual ‘Sip of Julian’. The Sip features eight of Julian’s alcoholic beverage purveyors. Proof that we’re not just about apples and great pie, we have growers and producers of wine, craft beer, delicious hard cider, and mead, an ancient honey-based beverage, offering up a sampling of their delicious hand-crafted specialties.

East County News Service

July 27, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will host a free Customer Appreciation Day for Helix Water and Sweetwater Authority customers on Sunday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Discover different varieties of drought-tolerant plants, learn how to "Toss the Turf" and get inspiration on how to incorporate water-wise gardening into your own garden. Plus you can enjoy free activities including docent-led garden tours, tips on butterfly gardening, veggie growing,soils and native habitat, meet Ms. Smarty-Plants, watch a butterfly release, savor free shaved ice, and get discounts on gift shop items.  See full schedule of events below.

East County News Service

July 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)—This week’s Destination East County includes the Pine Valley Days festival and parade, a Sip of Julian, a Musicians showcase in La Mesa, Helix Water’s customer appreciation day at the Water Conservation Garden, and our own Roaring 20s party at the San Pasqual Wine Bar in La Mesa. 

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a theatrical production, night fishing at Santee Lakes, a barbecue and dance, HeART of Mt. Helix, the Julian StarFest, and Viejas Summer Nights.

 So scroll down for all of these events and more!

By Miriam Raftery

July 25, 2016 (Alpine) — Secret Hills Ranch in Alpine is hosting a barbecue, dance and silent auction on August 6^th to help fund medical bills for colon cancer survivor Vicki Halsey, a horse trainer and advocate for children. The deadline for pre-purchasing dinners is August 1.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (Lakeside) - Join the Lakeside Community Center for a night of entertainment, games, food and fun for the entire family.. As part of San Diego's Movies in the Park series, the Center will be hosting two movies at the Lindo Lake Baseball fields featuring "The Incredibles" on Friday, August 26.

By Helen Ofield

July 18, 2016 (Lemon Grove) - Short films from six countries will delight viewers on Film Night in the Library, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the beautiful Lemon Grove Library, 3001 School Lane.