June 17, 2015 (Julian)--Experience the history of the Old West with costumed hosts who interpret what life was like in a California mining camp in the 1880s at the Julian Gold Rush Days on June 27^th and 28^th.  

There are activities throughout the  historic gold-mining town, from gold panning to gunfighting, a chance to meet historical reenactors and much more. This year's host is the Julian Mining Company.

June 16, 2015 (Julian) --Artist Michael Steirnagle will be giving a demonstration of his techniques on June 23 at 6 pm in the Julian library. Sponsored by the Julian Arts Guild, this demonstration is free to the public and all who are interested are welcome.  It should be a wonderful program.  His work is outstanding.

April 9, 2015 (Julian) - Julian, San Diego’s historic gold community, hosts A Taste of Julian on April 11^th from 1 to 5 p.m.   This rural dining adventure features a self-guided culinary tour of restaurants, wineries and breweries.

Left to right:  Brian Kramer, CalFire Engineer Brian Hodo, Pat Landis, Jan Payne, Firefighter Dallas Tinsman, Sheana Fry, Firefighter Anthony Rossetti, Cathy Ozbun, Kathy Payne, Les Turner, Greg Hidley, Ron Ozbun

March 6, 2015 (Julian)—Julian Cuyamaca Fire Department  CERT and RED CROSS have partnered to develop a Disaster Action Team (DAT) to serve San Diego County back country. Disaster Action Team volunteers are the heart of American Red Cross disaster relief efforts. DAT members respond immediately to a disaster when called by emergency dispatch. The eight volunteers in the photo were trained on March 5th how to assess the scope of the damage, meet with the affected family or families to determine their immediate disaster-related needs, and ensure that those needs are met. Depending upon individual requirements, the Red Cross can provide assistance in the form of secure shelter, food, clothing, medical needs and mental health counseling.

February 6, 2015 (Julian) – What could be more romantic than classical guitar music and an aphrodisiac dinner cooked up by the Courdon-Bleu trained chef/owner at Jeremy’s on the Hill, nestled on the outskirts of the historic gold rush town of Julian?

The feast begins with “first love” stuffed mushrooms filled with almond-basil pesto. Next choose from  oysters on the half shell with champagne mignonette or butternut squash soup with coconut milk and cinnamon crouton.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: courtesy 10 News

January 2, 2015 (Julian)--This week’s snowstorm transformed much of East County into a winter wonderland.

Nine inches of snow fell in Julian and a full foot blanketed the top of Mount Laguna, with several inches all the way down to Descanso, KNSJ’s home town.

The road to Julian has been ploughed and cleared for travel – but over this holiday weekend, that’s led to traffic jams as snow-loving San Diegans headed to the mountains.

East County News Service

November 27, 2014 (Julian)—A body has been found about a half mile from Pinezanita Campground, where Sally Estabrook vanished on October 4^th.  Estabrook, who suffered from Alzheimer, triggered a massive search involving search and rescue teams from across Southern California. The Medical Examiner has confirmed that the deceased is Estabrook.

Yesterday afternoon, deputies responded to a radio call of a deceased person found in heavy shrubbery just off the roadway in the 200 block of Coulter Ridge Road in Julian.

By Nadin Abbott

October 18, 2014 (Julian)--Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are locally-based volunteer teams, there to assist in times of disaster. They are locally managed and they almost always are sponsored by an agency.

Brian Kramer, current administrator of Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Department-sponsored CERT team, told ECM that the County did not recognize a second CERT team in Julian sponsored by Johnny and Dianne Hake, since that team is not affiliated with any government agency.

The Hakes said they operate independently and that they broke off their relationship with the Fire Department over philosophical differences.

By Barbara Nigro

October 3, 2014 (Julian)--PROPOSITION “P” will be on the November 4th ballot. Resident-voters will have an opportunity to staff the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District with paid Firefighter-Paramedics. This would ensure that a Paramedic is always in the District and able to respond within minutes.

Services scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6th

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Descanso) – Julia Elizabeth Hills, 53, was killed in a motorcycle crash on State Route 79 in Julian on August 24th.  Her husband, Norman "Scott" Allen, broke his hip and suffered a compound break in his right leg in the crash. Hills is survived by her son, Chuck, as well as her mother, two sisters and a brother serving in the mlitary in Iraq.

Ericka Dehoyos, a friend of the famliy, has set up the Norman "Scott" Allen fund.  "They need financial help in burying the love of his life as well as his medical bills and help so he doesn't lose his home and what he has worked for," Dehoyos states.  To donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/djq08k.

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Julian) – For the 45th year, Julian celebrates the end of summer with music.  The Julian Music Festival will be held at the Menghini Winery on September 20th from 1 to 8 p.m.  This year’s event features bluegrass to celebrate the festival’s roots, Western ballads to remember the past, as well as music by current songwriters and singers.

Performers slated to appear include singer/songwriter Melanie Devaney, guitarist/singer Steve Ybarra, Cool Band Luke performing high energy favorites, and Trails and Rails performing train songs, cowboy tunes, pop, swing, vocal harmonies and whistling. 

East County News Service

August 21, 2014 (Julian)--The Julian StarFest runs from August 21-August 24 among the grape vines and apple orchards at Menghini Winery in Julian.Anyone can enjoy the Julian StarFest by participating in the free public star party on Saturday, August 23rd.

Arrive in Julian between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and you can enter the StarFest grounds (1150 Julian Orchards Ln, Julian, CA 92036) for free. Take a star tour of the heavens using the many telescopes set up in the viewing area. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about what your looking at and about the telescopes.

Dear  Readers:

A year ago when KNSJ radio launched, the station promised to air our live wildfire and emergency alerts. Saturday is their anniversary party - please send a message TODAY asking them to honor this promise!

In the July 2013 Chariot Fire the station did go live and I reported on the fire on Mt. Laguna.  For a few weeks, KNSJ aired our alerts with a delay of an hour or so, promising to improve technology to get real live alerts. Later KNSJ stopped airing wildfire alerts at all. I’ve pleaded with KNSJ to air Viejas Wildfire Alerts as promised, which we offer them free, to save lives and keep you safe. In the backcountry when power lines burn and some have no cell service,  battery-powered radio is often the only way to get news during fires.

KNSJ’s CEO says having the federal emergency broadcast system  in place is enough, but it’s not. It wasn’t activated during recent fires in East County.  KNSJ's CEO and Board  refuse to even guarantee a start date for alerts or an exact dollar figure that would guarantee these would air. They ask for more money, without delivering on promises made to donors who already gave to support getting alerts on the air.  KNSJ also has zero live broadcasting, even for breaking news during fires.

TAKE OUR POLL AND SEND A MESSAGE TO KNSJ:  Should the FCC ask KNSJ to keep its promise and air live Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts & have live news broadcasts during wildfires?

PLEASE VOTE HERE:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/poll/should-fcc-ask-knsj-keep-its-promise-air-live-viejas-wildfire-emergency-alerts-and-have-live-ne

Photo, left:  Cal Fire Chief Joe Rinaldi discusses need to cancel parade for safety's sake.

By Nadin Abbott

Photos Tom and Nadin Abbott

July 4, 2014 (Julian) The Fourth of July parade was an unintended victim  of the so called “Banner Fire” east of Julian, which destroyed two homes and injured a firefighter. The fire started at around noon and by this morning it has charred 217 acres, with 40 percent containment according to Captain Ken Bortisser of CAL FIRE.

The following road closures remain in effect: State Route 78 at Manzanita Drive, and  Manzanita Drive at Lakeview Drive.

The decision to cancel the parade, announced late yesterday by the California Highway Patrol and CAL FIRE, sparked consternation among some residents.

June 29, 2014 (Julian) – In the historic gold rush town of Julian, the 4^th of July starts with a parade and American Legion barbecue.  Guests are invited to finish up a day in the mountains at Jeremy’s on the Hill, where a Backcountry wine pairing dinner will be held featuring organic, local produce from Sage Mountain Farms and wines from Shadow Mountain Vineyards and Sierra Roble Winery and Vineyard, both in Warner Springs. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $44 per person, plus tax and gratuity.