February 24, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a musical production of Charlotte’s Web, a Black History Celebration, and the final weekend of Hawk Watch in Ramona.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a hike to the Valley of the Moon, the Borrego Garden Tour, a St. Patrick’s Day walk and fun/run through downtown El Cajon, and much more.  So scroll down for all of these events and more.

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

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

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a harpsichord and violin concert at Cuyamaca College by the San Diego Early Music Society, an author speaking on San Diego Legends, and an open artists’ studio tour in Borrego Springs.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a concert by country music stars the Gatlin Brothers, a moonlight hike in the Anza-Borrego desert, an all-night run/walk at Pirate’s Cove along Lake Cuyamaca’s shores, the La Mesa Chamber’s Mardi Gras and Salute to Local Heroes, plus a St. Patrick’s weekend run/walk in downtown El Cajon to benefit local charities.

So croll down for all of these events and more.

East County News Service

February 15, 2016 (Santee) -- On Saturday, February 20th, at 8 a.m., Santee City Councilman John Minto will be leading a fitness walk through Mast Park in Santee. The award-winning park winds along the banks of the San Diego River between Carlton Hills Boulevard and Cuyamaca Street.  Participants will view natural habitat areas and follow the trail system surrounding the park, while enjoying a nice walk.

East County News Service

February 11, 2016 (La Mesa) — Looking for love from a canine companion? Grossmont Center (5500 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa)  will host “Cupids and Canines,” an adoption event featuring hundreds of dogs, this Saturday, February 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, 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

February 10, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes some romantic options for Valentine’s Day, from sweet dessert and wine pairings  at local wineries to an alpaca ranch open house.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including Black history month events, a lute concert,  a bluegrass jam, and an open art studios tour. 

So stay tuned (scroll down) for all of these events and more.

East County News Service

February 6, 2016 (El Cajon) – Registration is now open for East County’s St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk, Green Mile and Tribes & Clans competition on Saturday, March 12 (the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day).  This event aims to involve the entire family in fun and fitness. The Green Mile Fun Run, an enjoyable, short distance, non-competitive event, is also available. 

Source: Cuyamaca College

February 2, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) -- Coral Bradley (photo) may be only barely a teenager at 14, but when it comes to expressing her Native American heritage through dance, she is a seasoned veteran.

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

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

East County News Service

January 27, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes hawk watching in Ramona,‘California Dreamin’ in Anza Borrego and “Visions” at Mission Trail Regional Park.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including  a Valentine’s food and wine pairing at Vineyard Grant James in Ramona, breakfast with Supervisor Dianne Jacob, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performing live at  Sycuan.

So scroll down for all of these events and more.

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -

Mission Trails Regional Park Guide and experienced birder Winona Sollock will lead a free educational bird identification class in the park on Saturday, January 30^th  at 1 p.m.  The hour-and-a-half class will help increase your enjoyment of nature by teaching you five simple techniques to identify birds at a glance.You will also learn how to use a field guide, so bring one along if you have it.

By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2016 (Borrego Springs) - The non-profit Anza-Borrego Desert History Association (ABDNHA) in Borrego Springs announces a special two day program entitled “California Dreamin’: The Immigration and Migration History of California” to be held in Borrego Springs on January 29 and 30. This two day event will bring together a best-selling author, an anthropologist, a historian, and a genetic anthropologist to tell the full story of movement over time into what is now known as the Golden State.

January 9, 2016 (San Diego)—Greg Palast, one of the most celebrated investigative journalists on the planet, is coming to San Diego for  a fundraising meet and greet for KNSJ  radio, the Network for Social Justice, on Sunday, January 10^th at 6 p.m.  He’ll share results of his investigation into the “theft of the 2016 election and the billionaires behind it.”

The Chicago Tribune said of Palast, “What a journalist should be:  a truth hound, undaunted by power.”  San Diego news anchor Bree Walker called Palast “The best damn reporter in the USA.  Period.”  Britain’s Guardian called him “The most important journalism of our time.” Palast has broken front-page stories for BBC Television Newsnight, The Guardian, Nation Magazine, Rolling Stone and Harper's Magazine. 

East County News Service

January 4, 2016 (Jacumba)--The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers have announced their schedule of hikes for January and February in the high desert region surrounding Jacumba Hot Springs. 

The hikes range from easy to extreme, covering terrain from wilderness to a desert oasis, mountains and canyons.  You’ll also see sites rich in history reflecting the region’s Native Americans, Spanish, and pioneer settlers. Other excursions including a trip to the Chinese Castle, a Garnet Mine, Goat Canyon’s railroad trestle, and a waterfall, plus dips in mineral hot springs at the Jacumba Spa and Resort.

For a full schedule, scroll down, and also be sure to read these hikng safety tips.

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2016 (Mt. Helix) – The Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association invites area residents to celebrate the New Year with a walk up Mt. Helix on Saturday, January 2 at 10 a.m. 

Meet at the fire station at 10105 Vivera and stroll as a group to the summit.  At the ampitheater, enjoy live music by Jan McBride Jazz, along with refreshments while savoring scenic views.

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2015 (La Mesa) - As part of a week of  Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration, the Table United Church of Christ of La Mesa (5940 Kelton Ave., La Mesa) will present a showing of the film “12 Years a Slave” on Sunday, January 16^th  from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

East County News Service

December 18, 2015 (El Cajon) — The German American Societies of San Diego invite you to ring in the New Year during a gala at their headquarters in El Cajon (1017 S. Mollison Ave.) on Wednesday, December 31^st.   Come dressed up and enjoy dinner and dessert, the Blue Birds show band to put you in a dancing mood, party favors, a midnight snack and champagne.