East County News Service

Hear our radio "Destination East County" broadcast with Rebecca Williamson and Miriam Raftery on KNSJ!  Listen now by clicking the orange arrow.

August 11, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes a Pokemon, the movie at Santee Lakes, a star party a Mission Trails, and the Heart of Mt. Helix celebration.

Plus we’ll tell you about coming attractions including an All That Jazz musical theatre show, night fishing, the Ramona Country Fair, Santee Music Festival.



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

East County News Service

August 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes events coming up in August including star gazing parties, a summer business bash in La Mesa, outdoor movies, concerts, night fishing and the HeART of Mt. Helix celebration.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- It’s that time of year when we notice large cumulous clouds forming around southern California. And I love a good thunderstorm!

From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Why do environmentalists consider Hawaii “ground zero” in the fight against genetically engineered crops? -- Michael Van, Poughkeepsie, NY

July 24, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Most of us think of beaches, surfing and luaus when we think of Hawaii. But the constantly warm and moist climate actually provides some of the most productive land in the world with a never-ending growing season. As a result, Hawaii has become a major player in commercial agriculture, and is frequently used to test new farming techniques.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

June 28,2016 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Fourth of July activities galore, including picnics, parades, a train ride and of course, fireworks!

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including Descanso Days, Pine Valley Days, and a production of the Lion King. 

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- It’s hot, it’s dry, it’s the 4^th of July! These words make fire officials cringe, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. It will be a long three-day 4th of July weekend and the fire department needs your help!

Review by Maridian Broadus

June 20, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Are you out of ideas of what to cook for dinner? Does your palate crave something other than the ordinary salt and pepper fare that comes out of your kitchen? If you answered “yes” to at least one of the questions posed, then pack your appetite, flee your house, and head over to Sajj House (1255 Avocado Ave., El Cajon), a marvelous new Mediterranean style restaurant where you can savor the flavors of exotic spices.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a Bohemian Bash, Boars and Brews, an art exhibit at the Wieghorst Museum, and Gunsmoke night with the Lions in El Cajon.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including outdoor movies, community concerts, and 4^th of July festivities from small town parades to fireworks extravaganzas.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

By Mimi Pollack

June 3, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Last month, as I was walking around checking out all the booths at the San Diego Humane Society Walk event, I saw two sweet and funny little faces that drew me in. They were two senior chihuahuas named Fred and Ethel, like the couple who lived next door to Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on the “I Love Lucy” show. What perfect names for those silly little faces!

Fred and Ethel are two lucky pooches that were taken in by Lionel’s Legacy, a non-profit organization, out of El Cajon that specializes in rescuing senior dogs.

Answering your questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books

By Sarka-Jonae Miller

Writing duo Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke are dropping by to talk book covers, chick lit and favorite spots in San Diego. Although Steinke currently resides in Chicago both authors are San Diego natives. The writers have been best friends for decades and have some advice for people thinking of writing with someone else. Their published works include The Year We Turned Forty, The Status of All Things, and Your Perfect Life.

They say, "Don't judge a book by its cover" but with today's market, how important are book covers to overall exposure and success, and by extension, does the same theory also apply to e-books as well? - Sahar Abdulaziz, author of Secrets That Find Us

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

May 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a  barbecue with firefighters,  the Santee Craft Beer and Street Festival, the catfish opener at Lake Jennings and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, Fido Fest in Santee, the Taste of La Mesa, an Apple Blossom Tea in Julian, and a Western luau in Descanso.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

May 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a rodeo and parade, America on Main Street, those lively Rhinestone Grannies, a catfish opener, Peter Pan and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, a Cactus Garden Festival, Julian Fiddle and  Pickin’ Contest, La Mesa Flag Day Parade, Taste of La Mesa, Boars and Brew along the San Diego River, plus concerts, live theater shows and outdoor movies – all part of the summer fun herein East County.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Prom and graduation season is here again. You want to make sure you graduate ‘with’ your class! Unfortunately, these happy occasions sometimes involve underage drinking which can result in tragedy.. It is therefore critical that parents keep the lines of communication open when it comes to talking to their kids about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving.

By Greg Dunne 

May 9, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Birdbrain? No, I’m not talking about my life-long friend Bud Morris and definitely not the Western Scrub Jay.  Make a mistake or do something considered stupid and you might be call a birdbrain by fellow humans. This phase could not be further from the truth. We have really missed the mark on judging and understanding the cognition of the bird kingdom. Memory, tool using, ability to learn, and communication are all skills used by most birds and are far above the rest of the animal kingdom with the exception of dolphins, whales, elephants and great apes.