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By Miriam Raftery
January 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the trout season reopener at Santee Lakes, pianist John Nilson in Descanso, the Lore of the Kumeyaay at the Water Conservation Garden, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, the Mousetrap onstage in La Mesa, a Martin Luther King commemoration in Lemon Grove honoring local civil rights leaders, as well as hawk watching events in Ramona and Santa Ysabel.
Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including a local authors’ expo at the El Cajon Library as well as authors at libraries in Julian and Rancho San Diego, live music by local bands and soloists at Riviera Supper Club and San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa, a 50 kilometer race and Active Lifestyle Expo in Santee, the Oak Ridge Boys at Sycuan, a chamber music society concert and a jazz performance in La Mesa, a concert by the Martin Luther King Choir ensemble in Lemon Grove, a star party at Mission Trails, and Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more!
TROUT REOPENER JAN. 13-14 AT SANTEE LAKES
Attention, fishing fans! Santee Lakes will host its trout season reopener on January 13th and 14th. The lakes will be stocked with 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout, and you’re invited to come drop a line. For more information you can visit www.SanteeLakes.com.
PIANIST JOHN NILSEN IN DESCANSO JANUARY 13
Acclaimed pianist, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter John Nilsen will perform a solo piano concert on Saturday, January 13th at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Hills Community Church, 25153 Viejas Blvd. in Descanso. The church will provide light refreshments, a chance to chat with the artist, and his musical CDs will be available.
Nilsen is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most successful performance and recording artists, with records that have sold over a million copies. His love of the outdoors is reflected in many of his works. Chosen a Deering Banjo artist in 2016, he has performed in all 50 states and many foreign countries.
Three of his CDs charted nationally. His newest release, Local Ocean, features SWIMFISH. The late Dan Peek, founding member of the rock band America, wrote of SWIMFISH, “The music is superb, the lyrics inspired and the production/arranging is top notch. The songwriting hangs together well and the tracks flow, carving out a groove as naturally as a river carves a canyon.”
For more info on John Nilsen and his work, see www.johnnilsen.com and/or www.magicwing.com. The church's website is www.chapelofthehills.org.
LORE OF THE KUMEYAAY JANUARY 13
The Water Conservation Garden will present “The Lore of the Kumeyaay” on January 13th from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
You can learn about the Native Americans who have inhabited San Diego County for over 10,000 years. Jan Tubiolo, long-time student of Kumeyaay culture, will teach about the history, spirituality, and daily lifestyle of the Kumeyaay, displaying tools and other items that were important to their lives. Students should bring a cushion or blanket to sit on, and in case of rain, the program will be moved indoors.
For more information, you can visit TheGarden.org.
FULL MOON FISHING AT LAKE JENNINGS JANUARY 13
You’re invited to fish by the light of a full moon on Saturday, January 13th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Lake Jennings in Lakeside.
The lake is stocked with trout, bass, bluegill and sunfish. For more information, you can visit www.LakeJennings.org.
THE MOUSETRAP AT LAMPLIGHTERS THEATRE JAN. 13-FEB. 4
Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present Agatha Christie’s classic mystery, The Mousetrap from January 13th through February 4th.
A terrible snowstorm traps a group of strangers in a quaint boarding house. To everyone's horror, it soon becomes clear that a murderer is hiding among them. This thrilling whodunit by Agatha Christie, author of so many classic English murder mysteries, is known for its unpredictable ending ... Can you pinpoint the murderer before the characters do?
The original production of The Mousetrap on London's West End has now been running continuously for 61 years, during which period it's been performed more than 25,000 times, making it the most popular whodunit of all time and the longest-running show of any type in the modern era
For tickets and details, visit www.LamplightersLaMesa.com.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. EVENT JAN. 19 IN LEMON GROVE
A celebration commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and honoring local civil rights leaders will be held on January 19th at 7 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Church in Lemon Grove.
For tickets and information on the honorees, visit NANSD.net.
HAWK WATCH AT RAMONA GRASSLANDS EACH SATURDAY IN JAN. AND FEB.
The Wildlife Research Institute invites you to Hawk Watch. Each Saturday in January and February at 10 a.m., visitors can see birds of prey such as hawks, eagles and owls. Sponsored by the Wildlife Research Institute, this year Hawk Watch will not be held at the Institute’s headquarters, but instead at Begent Ranch (18528 Highland Valley Road), a private ranch open only for the Hawk Watch events.
Guests are advised to arrive a half hour early for parking, bring binoculars, and enjoy coffee and doughnuts before viewing the raptors that make their homes in the Ramona Grasslands. For more information, you can visit http://www.wildlife-research.org/.
FALCONRY DEMONSTRATIONS AT WYNOLA PIZZA EACH SATURDAY IN JANUARY
Master falconer Cisco Clibourne will present a falconry demonstration at Wynola Pizza each Saturday in January from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wynola Pizza is located at 4355 California 78 in Santa Ysabel, just outside of Julian.
Guests will see interactive flights and educational demonstrations with hawks and falcons. You can watch Pancho the Peregrine Falcon swoop from the sky to a lure, observe other falcons fly to a drone used to train them to reach elevated heights, and experience interactive flights with two Harris hawks who fly to the fist of a falconry glove. You can also take up close and personal photos with the raptors.
NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…
AUTHOR DIANA LINDSAY AT LOCAL LIBRARIES JAN. 20 AND 23
Diana Lindsay, author of the new guide book, Anza-Borrego Desert Region, will be speaking and signing copies of her book at two upcoming appearances on East County. She’ll be at the Julian Library on January 20th at 10:30 a.m. and at the Rancho San Diego Library on January 23rd at 6:30 p.m.
JIM EARP FINGERSTYLE GUITARIST JAN. 20 IN LA MESA
Fingerstyle guitarist Jim Earp will perform at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room in La Mesa Village on January 20th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. He’ll be playing original music in a style that blends Hawaiian slack key with Celtic guitar, also singing popular folk rock favorites such as songs by Neil Young and James Taylor.
Wine, cheese and dessert are available for purchase in the winery’s cozy back room. For more information, visit www.SanPasqualWinery.com.
SANTEE 50 KM RACE AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLE EXPO JAN. 20
The City of Santee will host a national 50 kilometer race walk championship on Jan. 20 in conjunction with the Santee Active Lifestyle Expo aimed at promoting health and fitness.
The Expo will be held at the Trolley Square Shopping Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with activities for kids and adults. Before the expo, spectators can watch the USA Track and Field National Championship race walk competition withOlympic-caliber athletes walking faster than most people can run.
The race will take place on Town Center Parkway and Riverview Drive from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The winner of the 50 kilometer race walk – that’s over 31 miles-- will receive an $8,000 prize.
At the expo, breakfast sandwiches and acai bowls will be given out while supplies last. A Kids’ Fit Fun Zone will feature a climbing wall, obstacle course and giant fitness board game. BMX professionals will fly through the air on a half-pipe ramp. In addition, nearly 50 vendor booths will have samples, info, health and wellness tips.
Attendees wearing fitness attire and athletic shoes can try out a different fitness class every 30 minutes on the amphitheater stage. They can also run through the Extreme Fit Obstacle Course with more than 200 feet of inflatable obstacles and firefighter challenges.
More information and a list of the fitness classes can be found at CityofSantee.gov.
COFFEE WITH LA MESA CONVERSATIONS JANUARY 20
You’re invited to come join the La Mesa Conversations leadership and your neighbors at a no-host coffee on Saturday, January 20th from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Light Bulb Coffee. La Mesa’s newest coffee shop is located at 8138 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa.
Everyone is welcome at this event to discuss upcoming events and panels (healthcare, homelessness, education). La Mesa Conservations wants to hear from you and encourages you to “join the conversation” and bring your friends and family.
Please RSVP:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffee-and-conversation-january-2018-with-la-mesa-conversations-tickets-41936625576
SAPS AT SEA PRESENTS: FLIRT WITH FEMME FATALES...AND REGRET IT! JANUARY 27
The Saps at Sea, the local Laurel & Hardy fan club, present their 40th Anniversary SAPS Funtastical gathering of film and food. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley with the show starting at 7 on January 27.
The Saps will present a Tex Avery riotous cartoon masterpiece. Then, the Saps' own Russ Peck will provide the amazing live music score for the silent gem, We Faw Down. The comedy comes fast and furious in Mixed Nuts (1934) when the guest comedians are a bushel of Hal Roach guys and gals who run rampant at a local Girls Finishing School.
The Saps will also reveal their special 40th Anniversary Logo provided by artist extraordinaire Ken Mitchroney. And the Saps will give you a surprise look at some special events and guests greeting the Saps this year! Start the 40th year off in a hilarious way. All this entertainment, laughs and food for a measly $7.
LOCAL AUTHOR EXPO AT EL CAJON LIBRARY JANUARY 28
The El Cajon will host its third Local Author Expo on Sunday, January 28, at 2:00 p.m. featuring presentations by three local authors and a reception afterwards where attendees may meet the authors, buy books and enjoy refreshments.
The authors featured include Wanijiru Warama, a La Mesa resident and author of Unexpected America, a memoir of her experience coming to America after growing up as the daughter of peasants on a farm in colonial Kenya.
Karri Thompson, a San Diego author of young adult fiction, also writes adult fiction under the pseudonym Kalli Lanford.
Roger Conlee, a former reporter for the San Diego Evening Tribune , has authored seven historical novels including his latest, Deep Water, a political thriller that takes place during the early days of the Cold War.
"MEAN MARY" IN CONCERT FEB. 2 IN SANTEE
Mean Mary in concert on February 2 at 7 p.m. at the Summit Universalist Unitarian Fellowship in Santee. The artist is an Americana, bluegrass, blues, and folk artist based in Nashville, stopping here on her “Blazing Tour” through Southern California.
Mary read music before she could read words and was proficient on guitar, banjo and fiddle by age seven, according to a bio provided by Summit. She is known for her lightning-fast fingers, haunting vocals, and intricate story songs.
The church is located at 8778 Cottonwood Ave. in Santee. Doors open at 6:30. For more information, visit www.SummitUUF.org.
OAK RIDGE BOYS FEB. 3 AT SYCUAN
The Oak Ridge Boys, who were recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, will perform on Saturday, February 3rd at 5 p.m. in Sycuan’s Live and Up Close Theatre in EL Cajon. Their four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have won many awards including a Grammy, Country Music Association and American Country Music awards—and they’re still going strong after more than 40 years. For tickets, visit www.Sycuan.com.
SAN DIEGO CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY FEB. 10 IN LA MESA
Bruce and Beverly Dorcy with the San Diego Chamber Music Society will perform a concert with piano and horn at the La Mesa Library on February 10th at 1 p.m. The La Mesa Library (8074 Allison Avenue) hosts free concerts on the second Saturday each month, thanks to support from Friends of La Mesa Library.
STAGE 4 JAZZ CONCERT FEB. 17 AT SAN PASQUAL TASTING ROOM, LA MESA
San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room (8364 La Mesa Blvd.) in La Mesa’s downtown village will host live music by Stage 4 Jazz on February 17th at 7 p.m. Stage 4 is a dynamic group with a repertoire that spans jazz, rhythm and blues and more. Learn more about Stage 4 at http://www.stage4entertainment.com/ and visit San Pasqual Winery’s website at http://www.sanpasqualwinery.com/.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY CHOIR ENSEMBLE CONCERT FEB. 17
The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir of San Diego’s Ensemble will be performing gospel and inspirational songs at the Lemon Grove Library on Saturday, February 17th at 2 p.m. The Lemon Grove Library is located at 3001 School Lane in Lemon Grove.
The ensemble’s music celebrates the history of negro spirituals, aspiring to be inspirational and uplifting. For more information, you can visit the musical group’s website at MLKCCSD.org.
STAR PARTY AT MISSION TRAILS FEB. 17
View the Andromeda galaxy, the Orion Nebula and other celestial sights during a Star Party at Mission Trails Regional Park on Saturday, February 17th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Amateur astronomer and trail guide George Varga will have a telescope available for viewing the night sky at the far end of the Kumeyaay Lake Campground’s day use parking lot. Learn more at www.MTRP.org.
SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL FEB. 22 - MARCH 4 IN SPRING VALLEY
Young Actors Theatre will present “Seussical, the Musical” at the Encore! Theatre in the Casa de Oro area of Spring Valley (9260 Campo Rd.) from February 22 through March 4th. This musical production brings to life your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, from the Cat in the Hat to Horton the Elephant. For tickets, visit www.YATSanDiego.org or call (619) 670-1627.
LIVE BANDS AT RIVIERA SUPPER CLUB IN LA MESA
Riviera Supper Club (7777 University Ave.) in La Mesa has live bands onstage in the Turquoise Room most nights throughout February and March. Upcoming Saturday night headliners include Baja Bugs, Ron and the Reapers, Gino and the Lone Gummen, Black Market 111, Swanq Bastards, Shark Jones, and Vinyl Pirates. For a full list of entertainment, visit http://rivierasupperclub.com/.
That’s all for this week!
If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ Radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.
We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!
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