By Miriam Raftery

March 4, 2017 (La Mesa) – I come from a farming family, so I’ve looked forward to sampling the farm-to-table fresh cuisine at Farmer’s Table in La Mesa. The restaurant lives up to its pledge of “honest food done right” with locally grown, organic vegetables and an array of tasty dishes to savor.

East County News Service

February 28, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes Run East County in El Cajon, a Queen Bee Tea in Alpine, Jungle Book for Kids, Diva, Baja Blues Brothers and Bon Jovi in concert.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a Lilac Festival, the Rolando Street Fair, a Star Party in Lakeside, the Circle of Art show in Borrego Springs and more.

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

 By Fire Cief Sam DiGiovanna

February 20, 2017 (San Diego) -- With the Academy Awards approaching, stars will walk down the red carpet and then, a lucky few will have the honor of taking home an Oscar. Each year we honor these actors for their impressive performances—their ability to move us, to bring characters to life on the screen, to communicate something profound.

What does this have to do with you? We have opportunities to put on our best performances every day – it’s a choice. But there’s one thing we routinely do in which our power to communicate is truly profound: being kind and considerate.

By May Strong

February 19, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – An outcry raised by citizens nationwide over the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s removal of all animal welfare records off its website, as well as a lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has resulted in partial restoration.  But the Humane Society says that’s not enough, and is threatening litigation to force the agency to restore records relied upon by the public and animal rights organizations.

East County News Service

February 16, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes Latin music at a winery, a gardening with nature program, an All That Jazz salute to local heroes, a star NFL quarterback coming to East County, and a stage production of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Karamu, a black history month celebration in Spring Valley, more Black history events at local colleges, Jungle Book for Kids, a Queen Bee Tea in Alpine, internationally acclaimed Gregory Page performing at Mission Trails, a healthy living fair for seniors, the annual Run East County St. Patrick’s Day half marathon, plus carnival rides and more at the Rolando Street Fair.

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

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2017 (Washington D.C.) — An estimated 42,000 eligible voters, most of them minorities, were denied their right to vote in George due to minor typos and data entry errors. In a landmark settlement for voting rights advocates, the state of Georgia has agreed it will no longer use the “exact match” system. The suit had contended that the system violated voters’ constitutional rights.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

February 6, 2017 (San Diego) -- Did you know there are over 2 million heart attacks and strokes each year resulting in 800,000 deaths and even more depilating injuries?

Valentine’s Day is coming up, so besides the chocolate and flowers, consider the best gift you can give someone this year is a commitment to a healthy heart! This is a great gift to give (and receive) to any loved ones in your life. I promise, they want YOU more than candy or flowers!

Listen to Destination East County by clicking the audio link.

East County News Service

February 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a powwow, a jazz piano concert, a guitar and mandolin duo at a winery, and a British farce onstage.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a Celtic music concert, Cupids and Canines, Dining and Dancing with your Valentine, a production of To Kill a Mockingbird, and quarterback Marlin Briscoe at Grossmont College in honor of Black History Month.

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

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Consumer advocates are voicing concern over Ajit Pai, President Donald Trump’s newly appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Pai has a record of opposing net neutrality and supporting big media mergers. A former corporate attorney for Verizon, Pai could also enable Trump to escalate his war on media outlets such as CNN that he has harshly criticized for broadcasting hard-hitting news reports on his administration.

By Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2017 (Washington D.C.) - In his book, 1984, George Orwell wrote, “The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history.”

Recent actions by the Trump administration to discredit journalists over truthful reports and stifle public comments have alarmed First Amendment supporters, constitutional scholars, journalists, and government watchdog groups.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 23, 2017 (San Diego) -- With inaugurations, drought, protests, storms etc we seemed to have forgotten that about 23 years ago this month was the Northridge earthquake. The 6.7 quake killed 16 people and damage was reported up to 85 miles away!

We are “way” over-due for an earthquake and we ALL live near a fault line. Now is the time to prepare, not afterwards reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a presentation by historical author Roger Conlee in Alpine, a British farce onstage in La Mesa, and the San Diego State Writer’s Conference.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Laurel and Hardy night in Spring Valley, a California’ dream series on immigration and migration in Borrego Springs, a mountain bike ride in Mission Trails, a powwow at Cuyamaca College, Valentine’s Teas in Julian, and a Salute to La Mesa’s Local Heroes.

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

East County News Service

January 12, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes a writer’s conference, a British comedy, a Casablanca film showing in Alpine, and Ben Vereen onstage in Poway.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including cabaret nights, a Celtic guitarist, and a Powwow.

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

East County News Service

January 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes an artists’ reception, a family fun fest, train rides, a walk up Mount Helix, a Lore of the Kumeyaay class, and an international music and arts festival.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including theatrical performances, a writers’ conference, a Hawaiian and Celtic guitarist and song writer, outdoor ice skating, an author’s book signing, and a Native American powwow at Cuyamaca College.

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

East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a New Year’s Eve Party, New Year’s day hikes in local state parks, a Joe Rathburn concert, and trivia nights at a winery!

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a family fun fest, vintage train rides, a classic movie night, a writers’ conference, and a stage production of “What the Butler Saw.”

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