By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – You’re invited to the grand reopening and newly refurbished “Gifts from the Garden” gift shop at the Water Conservation Garden on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Discover one-of-a-kind crafts, art pieces, and garden treasures—the perfect gifts for Mom. Visitors will also receive a do-it-yourself succulent for Mom with every purchase.

The Garden is located on the campus of Cuyamaca College in El Cajon’s Rancho San Diego community.

RSVP to reserve space: Only a few seats are left!

You’re  invited to our next East County Dining Club event! This event benefits East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency alerts. Everyone is welcome to attend our event at this popular new eatery founded by chefs with international experience!

When: Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Where:  Lemon Grove Bistro & Beer Garden, 3308 Main St., Lemon Grove

 RSVP to editor@eastcountymagazine.org or call (619) 698-7617; include your name and the number in our party.

What:  The menu features European and American cuisine, including many delicious dishes such as Spanish paella, Scottish salmon, French-inspired Beef Bourguignon, Greek lemon chicken, pastas, fish, chicken, meatloaf, soups, fisherman’s stew, burger, and vegetarian options such as Cauliflower steak with Chimichurri, a variety of salads, spinach/cheese ravioli, and portabello steak. Plus savor wonderful desserts, beers and wine vintages.

Win prizes!  Our event includes an amazing raffle with many prizes and gift certificates galore donated by local businesses: 

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2024 (Lakeside)—The Lakeside Rodeo April 25-28 features events such as bronco and bull riding, barrel racing and more.

Plus Lakeside’s Western Days Parade rolls out on Saturday, April 27 starting at 9:35 am.

By Miriam Raftery

April 24, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Late springtime in East County is blossoming with unique events including a lilac festival in Julian, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade, concerts starring Neil Young and Tanya Tucker, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, a Spring Festival at Cuyamaca College, Vintage Alpine, Mother’s Day teas, a Taste of Ramona, and Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine.

East County News Service

April 21, 2024 (San Diego)-- CSA San Diego County invites you to learn about your rights as a tenant at a Fair Housing presentation on May 1 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Spring Valley Library(836 Kempton St., Spring Valley, CA 91977).  RSVP here for the Spring Valley  Fair Housing Presentation

 CSA San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is the promotion of social justice and public welfare through programs, services, and advocacy against all forms of discrimination, including advocacy for the eradication of housing discrimination to assure equal housing opportunity for all individuals. CSA can be reached at (619) 444-5700 or at outreach@c4sa.org.

Topics to be discussed in this presentation include: 

- What is Fair Housing? 

- What are protected classes?

- What to do if you have faced housing discrimination.

- What to know before you rent.

- Just cause and no-fault evictions.

Blood drive from 2-4 p.m. April 4 in Treganza Heritage Park, Lemon Grove

By Chris Ernest Nelson

March 29, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- Living in community is humankind’s primary means of survival. Our happiness, our well-being, and our purpose are all sustained by people working together in meaningful sympathy. Long-time San Diego County resident, Mrs. Charlene Waddell, knows from experience the importance of a healthy community, both in our general well-being and in the spirit of sacrifice. In 2006, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Her recovery required multiple surgeries that took parts of her colon, her liver, and her entire appendix. She required a lot of blood to survive. Thanks to the San Diego Blood Bank, which is there to help everyone in need of blood, Charlene got the precious blood she needed, and has made a welcome recovery.