By Miriam Raftery

November 22,2014 (Ramona) – Fine art, music, wine and gourmet food -- all served up in a castle. What more could one ask to savor for in an event?

The second annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival, held on November 1st, was even bigger and better than the first. Held at the elegant Amy Strong Castle in Ramona to benefit the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural program, this year's event featured 18 local artists, a dozen local wineries and 10 local chefs.

By Janis Russell and Miriam Raftery

November 11, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A week after the election with 28,000 absentee and provisional ballots remaining to be counted countywide, two East County race remain too close to call.

Photo: This house rocks! Boulder in center of Jamul home absorbs heat by day and gives off warmth by night.

East County News Service

November 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—The San Diego Green Building Council will hold its Green Homes Tour this Sunday, November 9^th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour features innovative, sustainably designed homes throughout San Diego County.  There is a $5 fee for non-members. Several East County homes are on the tour.

November 5, 2014 (Ramona)--Ramona Author Joyce T. Strand will introduce her newest mystery novel, Hilltop Sunset, at Unicorn Books and Gifts, 738 Main St.; Ramona, CA on Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Strand will be available to sign copies and discuss the new mystery.

East County News Service

November 1, 2014 (Ramona)—A man who ran south across State Route 67 south of Mussey Grade Road was struck by a motorist and killed at 2:27 p.m. today.   “At this time, the pedestrian has not been identified,” said Kevin Pearlstein with the California Highway Patrol.

The unidentified man was struck by a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 24-year-old Ramona man.  According to the CHP, the driver was traveling eastbound at 50 miles per hour when he came around a curve and saw the pedestrian running across the roadway in front of him.

PHOTO: Workers can help report abuse of farm animals with a new national tip line. Photo credit: Kathy Milani/Humane Society of the United States.

By Monique Coppola, Public News Service-CA

October 31, 2014 (Ramona)-- Whistleblowers in California could earn up to a $5,000 reward if their tip leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the abuse of farm animals. The Humane Society of the United States has just launched a national tip line where callers can report animal abuse at farms, slaughterhouses or livestock auctions.

By Miriam Raftery

Radio show hosted by Rebecca Williamson and Leon Thompson

October 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes some spooky Halloween happenings, a picnic with parrots, and our very own Party with the Press benefit event, all this weekend right here in East County. 

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a wine festival at a castle in Ramona and a hot chili cook-off in Lemon Grove.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

Photo (left): Dolly adopted by new owner;

Photo (right): man on video wanted for animal cruelty

East County News Service

September 29, 2014 (Ramona) - PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is offering a $2,000 reward to anyone with information about a man who threw a 6 month-old puppy over a fence in Ramona. The brutal act was caught on video on August 28th, showing a man in a red shirt and dark pants committing the violent act. The video went viral, drawing over 7,000 viewers on Facebook, but the crime remains unsolved.

September 18, 2014 (Ramona)—It’s harvest time at our local wineries, and many now host grape stomps to encourage community members to join in crushing those ripe grapes.  Health rules prohibit drinking wine made from the stomps in California, but that didn’t stop patrons at Hacienda de Las Rosas Winery in Ramona from diving in and savoring the experience!  Our editor, Miriam Raftery,  caught the action with this video.

By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – I first discovered the enchanting music of the mbira while visiting Milagro Winery in Ramona.  It turns out the mbira, inspired by the African kalimba but much bigger, is a unique musical instrument invented by a local entrepreneur and crafted by musician Patrick Hadley.

On our East County Magazine radio show on KNSJ, we interviewed Hadley, who shared news about the crafting of this amazing instrument--and some famous musical stars now including the mbira in their performances. Hadley also gave an improve performance on our show.

Hear a podcast of his interview and music here:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

For more info and links, click "read more" or scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

August 20, 2014 (Ramona)--On August 9^th, Brandon Dodson’s life changed forever.  The Marine Corps Staff Sergeant from Ramona was on combat patrol in Hemand Provice, Iraq when an Improvised Explosive Device, or IED detonated.  He lost both legs and suffered other serious injuries including a fractured pelvis, broken tailbone and broken hand, KPBS reports.

Hear our interview at the Ramona Fund for Animals Wildlife Center: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2014 (Ramona) – The Ramona Fund for Animals Wildlife Center is one of only three facilities in San Diego County that rehabilitate injured or ill wildlife for release back into the wild. Currently the Center is nursing back to health two coyote pups found with burned feet during the May wildfires.

The Center, founded by Cleveland Amory, also has some permanent residents that cannot be rereleased, including  a hand-raised captive cougar in these photos (shot through the bars of its enclosure). This mountain lion was reported by a local veterinarian after its owner, who purchased it illegally from out of state, brought the cub in for a “well kitten” checkup.