East County News Service

November 3, 2017 (Ramona) — November is National Zinfandel Month. Vineyard Grant James in Ramona invites you to celebrate these special red wines on November 18 and 19.  Winemaker Susanne Sapier will be giving Zinfandel talks at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.

East County News Service

October 25, 2017 (Alpine) – Viejas Outlets in Alpine invite you to “trick or treat off the street” on Tuesday, October 31^st from 5 to 8 p.m.

You’re invited to bring your whole family of goblins, ghouls and witches! Visit any retail shop to receive Halloween treats.

By A.J. Herrington

Originally published in the San Diego Reader

Photo:  remote wildlife camera, courtesy of the San Diego River Park Foundation.

October 19, 2017 (Julian) -- As I glance in the passenger-side rearview mirror, a dusty plume billows behind us, brightly lit by the low morning sun. Next to me in the driver’s seat, Shannon Quigley-Raymond guides her car along winding Eagle Peak Road, southwest of Julian. As we snake along the mountain roadway, she shares how three years of conservation work have recently come to fruition.

 By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

October 15, 2017 (Santa Ysabel) – The Laguna Mountain Rendezvous in Santa Ysabel continues this week through October 22nd, offering fascinating glimpses into the rugged skills of mountain men, frontiersmen and Revolutionary War era militia members. 

October 15, 2017 (Warner Springs) -- The #Wilson Fire in Warner Springs is now 10 to 15 acres with a moderate rate of spread, Cal Fire reports.

The blaze began around 1:30 p.m. at Wilson Road, east of San Felipe, according to Cal Fire.

By Miriam Raftery

Click to view video of Emms shooting black-powder, muzzle loaded gun

September 24, 2017 (Mount Laguna) — If you stop by the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous October 13-21, you’re likely to feel as though you’ve been transported into the past –a mountain man encampment bringing history to life.  Activities for participants include black-powder shooting instruction, archery, tomahawk throwing, tool-making, camp stove cooking, early American music, and a traders’ row selling vintage and replica items from Colonial times in the 1770s through around 1840.

In an exclusive interview, Richard Emms, president of the Laguna Mountain Shooting Club, resident gunsmith and Rendezvous Booshway (leader of a group of mountain men)shares insights on how the group got started and what attracts folks to don historical garb for the 10-day encampment in period-style tents. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Ariele Brooke and Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (Alpine)—One of Alpine’s most iconic restaurants, the Alpine Inn Steakhouse, has reopened after being closed for five years.  The reopening is welcome news to the community, which has reacted with praise and delight.

At a ribbon cutting held by the Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce,  the Chamber’s Chairman Joseph Perricone stated, “Alpine Inn is an icon in our town and we’re all proud as punch that you’re back.”

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 5, 2017 (San Diego) - It’s frightening how much fun you can have at parks this month. The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation will host a dozen chilling and thrilling Halloween events including haunted hikes, pumpkin parties and a day of the dead.

Don’t be a scaredy cat. All events are family-friendly, for all ages and some are even in the daytime. Most are free, though some have parking fees. Inclement weather may cancel some of the outdoor events.

East County News Service

October 3, 2017 (Ramona) -- The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona joins in celebrating Julian’s apple season, inviting visitors to treat camels to sweet, tart, crisp apples.  On October 7, 8 and 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. the celebration also include an open farm tour with friendly farm animals and curious camels. Plus, at 1:30 p.m. each day, you can enjoy a humorous and entertaining animal show.

East County News Service

October 2, 2017 (Ramona) -- Caltrans has announced lane closures on State Route 67 at Dye Road and Highland Valley Road on Monday and again this Wednesday and Thursday night from 7 p.m.to 5 a.m. each night.

East County News Service

October 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) this week announced a $100,000 charitable grant to purchase essential equipment and medical apparatus for San Diego County Fire and rural fire agencies to better serve local communities and protect the region from future fires.

Concerned raised by Jamul residents who say inequities in fire mitigation grants favor Alpine areas at lesser risk

By Paul Kruze

September 24, 2017 (Alpine) -- Nearly 60 East County residents attended the first open house held by the Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Group (SPFMG) at the Alpine Community Center on Sept. 19. The purpose of the open house was to educate residents about the fire mitigation grants program and the results of the 2017 grant program.

By Duncan McFetridge, Director, Cleveland National Forest Foundation

September 21, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - Cleveland National Forest Foundation’s lawsuit against the county’s attempt to subdivide the Hoskings ranch near Julian brings out three extremely important points:   

Source:  Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

Photo:  winemaker Micole Moore and co-owner Teri Kerns in the vineyard with ponies Thelma and Louise.

September 14, 2017 (Ramona) — Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery is the first in San Diego County to be designated Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE) as a result of meeting a comprehensive set of standards for “environmental stewardship, conservation of natural resources and socially equitable business practices” set by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).

Video: Teams compete at the 2017 Ramona Grape Stomp Competition

By Miriam Raftery

September 10, 2017 (Ramona) – To the strains of songs like “Mountain Dew”,  teams of competitors vied to see who could crush the most grapes in two minutes and emerge champion at the first-ever Ramona Grape Stomp this weekend.

Teams chose names such as the “Juicy Lucys” or the “Toe Jammers.”  One team member stomped the ripe purple grapes, the other filled a cup with juice spurting out of a spigot on a wine barrel.

A Grape Stomp princess was also on hand to help officiate as contestants hopped in feet first, demonstrating their stomping skills on stage as the audience cheered them on with gusto.