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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!
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT VIEJAS DEC. 31
Once again, Viejas Resort will host its signature New Year’s Eve ball drop reminiscent of the one in New York’s Times Square. You can rock the house with fellow revelers in the Park at Viejas and party under the stars while awaiting the ball drop.
Other options include cocktails in the park or party seating in the Oak Ballroom. For more information, you can visit www.Viejas.com.
NEW YEAR’S DAY HIKES IN STATE PARKS JAN. 1
California State Parks are joining the National First Day Hikes program for the fifth year, inviting visitors to enjoy guided hikes on New Year’s Day. All 50 states participate and over 90,000 hikers took to the trails in 2016. Here in San Diego’s East County, you can start the New Year off on the right foot with three hiking options on January 1st.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park will hold its guided hike at 10.a.m. on the Azalea Glen Trail. Meet at the Pasa Picacho Day Use area on State Route 79 for this three-and-a-half-mile moderate hike.
The other two ranger-led hikes locally are in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Pets are not allowed on these trails. The first desert hike departs at 9 a.m. along the Bill Kenyon Overlook Trail. Meet at the Yaqui Pass Primitive Camp on Highway S3, just south of Borrego Springs for this easy two-mile hike to an overlook with an awesome view.
The other desert hike is along the Panoramic Overlook Trail. Meet at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center at 2 p.m. This is a moderate 2-mile hike, including steep slopes, to an overlook with a commanding view of Borrego Valley.
For all of these hikes, bring water, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes or boots, and sun protection.
TRIVIA NIGHTS EACH THURSDAY IN LA MESA
Sunset Trivia will host trivia nights each Thursday in January from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wine Works in La Mesa (8167 Center Street). Their motto is “Think, drink and win,” with wine related prizes up for grabs. For details visit www.LaMesaWineWorks.com.
JOE RATHBURN AT RANCHO SAN DIEGO LIBRARY JAN. 3
Joe Rathburn will perform positive music that speaks to the listeners’ hearts and minds on January 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Rancho San Diego Library (11555 Via Rancho, El Cajon). His music has been likened to singer/songwriters of the’60s and ‘70s including Paul Simons, James Taylor and Cat Stevens. He’s performed at venues ranging from night clubs to festivals to coffeehouses, headline his own shows as well as opening for top talent including Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, the Guess Who, and Kiss.
PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS
FAMILY FUN FEST JAN. 7 AT KROC CENTER
You can bring the whole family to a (free) family fun fest at Kroc Center on January 7th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities include arts and crafts, an inflatable fun park, sports challenges, giveaways and more. Kroc Center is located at 6845 University Avenue in San Diego, just one block east of La Mesa. For more information, you can visit http://www.sd.kroccenter.org/ (SD-dot-KrocCenter.org)
TRAIN RIDES IN CAMPO RESUME JAN. 7
The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo reopens January 7th after its holiday season hiatus. In addition to viewing vintage railroad cars, you can ride the rails on a one-hour Golden State Excursion departing at 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday in January. For details visit the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum website at www.PSRM.org .
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC & ART FESTIVAL JAN. 7 IN POWAY
An International Music, Dance & Art Festival sponsored by the San Diego Chinese Art & Cultural Society will be presented on Saturday, January 7th at 7 p.m. on the Poway Performing Arts Center. The festival will not only promote the awareness of Chinese art and culture but also embrace and promote other cultures. Scholarships will also be awarded to winners of the Youth Art Competition. For tickets and details visit www.PowayCenter.com.
WALK UP MT. HELIX JAN. 7
You’re invited to start the New Year off on the right foot by joining the Grossmont Mt. Helix Improvement Association’s Walk Up Mt. Helix on Saturday, January 7th at 10:00 am.
Walkers will gather at the Fire Station on Vivera and stroll to the summit. At the amphitheater, enjoy live music by Jan McBride Jazz, tasty refreshments, and the beauty of this unique community.
This (free) event is open to everyone in the community to join old friends, meet new neighbors, and relish a beautiful morning in the Park. Children and dogs are welcome to participate.
LORE OF THE KUMEYAAY CLASS JAN. 7 AT THE GARDEN
The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College invites you to participate in "Lore of the Kumeyaay," a class offered on Saturday, January 7th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Native Americans have inhabited San Diego County for a least 10,000 years! Come find out how they lived, their history, spirituality, and daily lifestyle with Jan Tubiolo, long-time student of Kumeyaay culture. Students will see tools and other items important to their lives and take a tour of the Habitat Garden. To enroll or learn more, you can visit www.thegarden.org.
BEN VEREEN ON STAGE IN POWAY JAN. 12
Tony Award-winning Broadway icon Ben Vereen brings his show, Steppin’ Out Live with Ben Vereen. to the Power Center for the Performing Arts on January 12 at 7:30 p.m. The program is a unique blend of artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. This show includes Vereen’s three-piece ensemble and the Ben Vereen Youth Orchestra. For tickets and details, you can visit www.PowayCenter.com.
CASABLANCA FILM AT ALPINE LIBRARY JAN. 17
A showing of the classic film “Casablanca” will take place at the Alpine Library (1752 Alpine Blvd.) on Tuesday, January 17th at 12:30 p.m. and again at 5:30 p.m. You can watch the movie starring Ingrid Berman and Humphrey Bogart on the big screen, followed by a film discussion as part of the ALFA film classic series.
WHAT THE BUTLER SAW: JAN. 20-FEB. 19 IN LA MESA
Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present “What the Butler Saw,” a classic British farce opening January 20th and running through Feb. 19th.
When a psychiatrist tries to seduce an aspiring secretary, his botched efforts lead to comic bedlam involving his insatiable wife, a randy bellhop, a befuddled police officer and Sir Winston Churchill. For tickets and details you can visit www.LamplightersLaMesa.com.
SDSU WRITERS CONFERENCE JAN. 20-22
Each year, over 300 aspiring writers from around the world attend the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference. This year, the conference will be held January 20th through 22nd at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley. The conference was the first to pioneer one-on-one appointments for writers with editors, agents and other top-tier publishing professionals, who can provide direct feedback on your writing.
This year’s keynote speakers include R.L. Stine, one of the best-selling children’s authors in history; J.A. Jance, a top-10 New York Times best-selling author, Jonathan Maberry, five-time winner of the Bram Stoker award, and Sherrilyn Kenyon, international and New York Times number one best-selling author of fantasy, horror and more.
For information on fees and registration for the 33rd annual SDSU Writers Conference, visit NeverStopLearning.net/writers.
AUTHOR ROGER CONLEE IN ALPINE JAN. 21
You can meet author Roger Conlee at the Alpine Library (1752 Alpine Blvd.) on Saturday January 21 at 1 0 a.m. He has written seven fact-based historical novels, including several that have won awards. The latest is Deep Water, set in the early days of the Cold War and the red-baiting hysteria of the McCarthyism era.
ICE SKATING AT VIEJAS NOW THROUGH JAN. 29
The largest outdoor ice skating rink in Southern California is open at Viejas from now through the holiday season, until January 29th. Under the glow of holiday lights, guests and visitors can glide around the rink or enjoy seasonal goodies. Feel the cool Pacific mountain air on your face while you bunny hop, camel spin, and swizzle your way around our ice rink—right here in San Diego. For details, you can visit www.Viejas.com.
That’s all for this week!
If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.
We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!
Audio:
Destination East County 12-28-16
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