East County News Service

May 31, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes Fly Day at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, the In-Ko-Pah outdoor overnight concert at Jacumba’s Desert View Tower, La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, and Family Day at the Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, the Julian Dance, Fido Fest in Santee, summer concerts in La Mesa and Santee, a Taste of La Mesa, night fishing at Santee Lakes, Julian Blues Festival, a Father’s Day brunch with Cowboy Jack, a Father’s Day adventure at Fort Cross, the Secret Life of Pets showing at Santee Lakes, Julian’s 4^th of July Parade, plus Independence Day events with fireworks in Santee and El Cajon.

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

Photo:  Suggested attire for reporters asking tough questions of government officials

Media Watch column by Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter, asked by capitol reporters what he thought about Montana Congressional Candidate Greg Gianforte bodyslamming a reporter, replied that is’ “not appropriate behavior” then clarified, “unless the reporter deserved it,” the Hill reports.

Gianforte was charged with assault against a reporter from the Guardian last night who asked his views on a Congressional Budget Office report on the GOP healthcare bill.  

The violent assault was caught on tape by Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs. The attack was also witnessed by a Fox News crew, who confirmed that Gianforte “grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground,” then began punching him. Three newspapers revoked their endorsements of Gianforte over the brutal incident, which broke the reporter’s glasses. On tape, Gianforte can be heard shouting at Jacobs to "get the hell out" after smashing him to the ground.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

May 23, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a catfish opener at Santee Lakes this Memorial Day weekend,  Ramona Valley Wine Country’s Summer of Wine kick-off events, the Coyote Band in an outdoor concert in downtown El Cajon,  the Baja Blues Boys live in Ramona and open ranch  day at the Oasis Camel Dairy.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including the La Mesa Flag Day parade,  Fly Days at the Gillespie Field Café,  Family Day at the Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farm, Boars and Brew at the Lakeside River Park, the Julian Dance, Fido Fest, a Taste of La Mesa,  summer concerts in  Santee, Father’s Day adventures, a Julian Blues Fest, and the Secret Life of Pets at Santee Lakes featuring a movie plus close encounters with animal ambassadors from around the world. 

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

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 18, 2017 (San Diego) -- Did you know that one in five adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition? Did you know one in 25 adults in the country lives with a serious mental illness?

East County News Service

May 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Mother’s Day brunch, tea and dinners as well as a butterfly festival, classic car events, the Manzanita Rendezvous with mountain men and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest, America on Main Street, Explore Mission Trails Day, Fly Day at Gillespie Field, Night Fishing at Santee Lakes, the launch of Santee’s Summer Concert series, and a Father’s Day brunch with Cowboy Jack.

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

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

First Class Graduation!

May 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- Graduation is upon us and we want to make sure we graduate with our class safely this year.

Let’s start with the first class:  underage drinking can result in tragedy so let’s keep those critical lines of communication open when it comes to talking about the dangers of underage drinking, driving and graduation parties and events.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills!  It’s also along the freeways, in open fields and vacant lots in your neighborhood. That lush green vegetation and pretty wildflowers from recent winter storms is now turning golden in color and soon to become dark brown, brittle and extremely dry.  Fire season is already here and getting extremely dangerous quickly. We’ve already seen quite a few fast moving grass/brush fires throughout Southern California.

East County News Service

April 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a star party in Julian, an eco-folk musical at Mission Trails for Earth Day, Open Farm Days and Animal Shows at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, Jazz Sunday at La Mesa Wineworks, and a Clint Black concert at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade, a Wine Festival in Jamul, El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert Series, Vintage Alpine, America on Main Street and much, much more.

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

East County News Service

April 12, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes an Eggstravaganza in Santee, an Easter carnival in Alpine, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, a Save El Monte Valley fundraiser in Lakeside, the opening of Cajon Classic Car season and a Clint Black is Back concert at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Lakeside’s Western Days, parade and rodeo, spring garden festivals, butterfly releases, a fashion show to benefit local arts, the Art of the Quilt in Lemon Grove, community concerts, and Vintage Alpine, a wine tasting experience in the country to benefit children’s causes.

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

By Liz Alper, ECM film reviewer

Photo via Facebook

April 10, 2017 (San Diego) - The Armenian genocide was a horrific event in September of 1915 in which Turkish forces (then still under the control of the Ottoman Empire) slaughtered thousands of Armenian men, women and children.  Director Terry George attempted to put this tragedy on screen in The Promise, starring Oscar Isaac, Christian Bale and Charlotte Le Bon.

Gala on May 19^th benefits Alpine nonprofit

By Mimi Pollack

April 5, 2017 (Alpine) -- Giving back to others is always good, but when you can give back to both animals and children, that is even better! Local humanitarian Agnes Barrelet is doing just that by heading up two non-profits, Hands United for Children and Children’s Nature Retreat in Alpine. 

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – A new study finds that 54% of Americans surveyed oppose cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds Public Broadcasting Service ie. public television.  The poll conducted March 24-25 by Morning Consult among a national sample of 2,201 U.S. adults found that only 31% support cuts.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 23, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The hillsides throughout the state have never looked so pretty. Lush and green, it’s hard to imagine we were ever in a drought for the past five plus years.

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2017 (Jamul) – Final Cut Steakhouse offers a premier menu of artfully prepared dishes served up amid the glamour of vintage Hollywood. You can also savor spectacular scenic views through a wall of windows high atop the new Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego.

You don’t have to be a gambler to be a winner at Final Cut Steakhouse!

East County News Service

March 8, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a honey festival, TOMATOMANIA, open house at a camel dairy, a healthy living fair and a stargazing party.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including the Circle of Art show, a lilac festival, a piano and violin concert, a street fair with carnival rides, the famous Peg Leg Smith liar’s competition, Sweet Pea days, a Taste of Julian, and a chili cook-off with a hotrod contest.

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