DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS FEB. 10 - MARCH 2

East County News Service

February 4, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a jazz and soul food event at Grossmont College, an owl discovery event in Lakeside, open farm day at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, a lunar new year celebration at Barona, hawk watch in Ramona, a star party at Mission Trails, a Celtic dance show in Poway, a Moxie theatre world premiere play, a Valentine’s tea in Julian, Black History month open mic night and a film showing at Grossmont College, and a mega-pet adoption at Grossmont Center in La Mesa..

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Butterfly Day, a Laurel and Hardy fan club event titled “Laughter is the Best Medicine,” a Borrego Historical tour and a living history presentation in the steps of explorer Juan Bautista de Anza.

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

JAZZ KITCHEN WITH SOUL FOOD SPECIALS AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE WEDS. IN FEB.

In honor of Black History Month, Grossmont College’s Griffin Grill will host “Jazz Kitchen with Soul Food Specials” each Wednesday in February from noon to 1 p.m.

This event features singers and musicians from the college’s Jazz Vocal Ensemble and Jazz Studies Department.  

For a map and directions, you can visit www.Grossmont.edu.

OPEN FARM DAY AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY FEB. 9-10

Love is in the air at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, where the next Open Farm Day will be held on February 9th and 10th.

Visitors can cuddle with camels, watch an exotic bird show, feed and ride camels, take camel selfies and shop for items such as camel soaps and camel wool scarves at the gift shop.  Tickets are available at the door or online at www.CamelDairy.com.

OWL DISCOVERY FEB. 17 AT STELZER PARK IN LAKESIDE

The Louis A. Stelzer County Park in Lakeside will host an Owl Discovery day on  Sunday, February 17th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Learn about the owls that live around the park and how these birds of prey survive and behave. Activities are designed for kids ages 5 to 12.  Be ready for a short hike and bring water. RSVP required; call 619-561-0580. For details, visit SDParks.org.

LUNAR NEW YEAR NOW THROUGH FEB.19 AT BARONA

Barona Resort will host a Lunar New Year celebration February 5th through 19th to ring in the Chinese Year of the Pig.

Festivities include a parade of lion and dragon dancers, lucky Hong Bao red envelopes, all-you-can-eat lobster and other dining specials, Party People games, and giveaways.  

You can find a schedule of entertainment and Asian-themed restaurant specials by visiting www.barona.com.

HAWK WATCH IN RAMONA: SATURDAYS THROUGH FEB.

The Wildlife Research Center in Ramona continues its presentations of “Hawk Watch” each Saturday through the end of February at the Begent Ranch in Ramona.

You can arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and doughnuts before the program begins at 10 a.m. in the Ramona Grasslands. Charles Gailband of Wild Wings, his apprentice Spencer and fellow falconer Cisco will bring birds  prey to share with the public.

Binoculars, a folding chair and a jacket are recommended. For details, you can visit www.Wildlife-Research.org/hawkwatch.

STAR PARTY AT MISSION TRAILS FEB. 16

You’re invited to a star party for viewings of the night sky through telescopes at Mission Trails Regional Park on February 16th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Meet amateur astronomer and Mission Trails guide George Varga at the far end of the Kumeyaay Lake Campground’s day use lot. Guests will view the planet Mars, the Orion Nebula and other constellations. Learn more at MTRP.org.

MURPHY’S CELTIC LEGACY FEB. 17 IN POWAY

Murphy’s Celtic Legacy will be presented by Poway Onstage on Sunday, February 17th at 7 p.m.  

The show features Irish folklore featuring dancers and musicians from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Celtic Women.  The show is composed by Irish musicians, combining traditional Irish and modern dance with multimedia elements, song, and music performed by a seven-piece band.

For tickets, visit www.PowayOnstage.org.         

 

MOXIE THEATRE PRESENTS HERLAND JAN. 20-FEB. 17

The Moxie Theatre presents “Herland” now through February 17th.  The world premier play is all about growing up, growing old, and rocking out to the beat of your own drum.

The lead character, Jean, is NOT moving into a retirement home. She recruits her best friends, all in their 70s, and a high school intern to hatch a bold plan for a Utopian alternative. Formerly the domain of a Bruce Springsteen cover band, Jean’s garage becomes the stage for a hilarious story about growing into yourself and getting what you want.  

Find tickets at MoxieTheatre.com.

VALENTINE TEAS IN JULIAN FEB. 14-18

Julian Tea and Cottage Arts invites you to savor Valentine Teas February 14th through 18th.  

A romantically inspired menu includes freshly brewed teas, choice of soups, finger sandwiches and savories, scones, a luscious dessert tray and more. There is also a children’s tea and options for vegetarian or gluten-free menus with advance notice.

There are several seating times and reservations are recommended.  For reservations and details, you can visit http://juliantea.com.

CUPIDS AND CANINES FEB. 16 AT GROSSMONT CENTER

You’re invited to discover puppy love at Cupids and Canines, a  (free) mega pet adoption event at Grossmont Center on February 16th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The San Diego Animal Support Foundation is bringing in dozens of rescue groups and shelters offering hundreds of adoptable dogs as well as cats.

From chihuahuas to Great Pyrenees, you’ll find purebreds as well as plenty of loveable mutts—and maybe find a new best friend for your household.  Details are available at www.GrossmontCenter.com.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH OPEN MIC FESTIVAL AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE FEB. 21

Grossmont College will host an Open Mic Festival for Black History Month on February 21st from 5 to 8 p.m. in Building 26, Room 220. The third annual event will feature poetry, rap, spoken word and more. Directions are available at www.Grossmont.edu.

OTAY VALLEY REGIONAL PARK BUTTERFLY DAY FEB. 23

The Otay Valley Regional Park will host an adventure passport butterfly day on Saturday, February 23rd from 9 a.m. to noon.  

You’re invited to join in planting native milkweed plants to help transform the park into a Monarch Butterfly sanctuary! Gardening gloves are encouraged.

RSVP via email by Feb. 16 for the February 23rd Butterfly Day to AdventurePassportOVRP@gmail.com.

SAPS AT SEA: LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE FEB. 23

Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel and Hardy fan club, will meet on Saturday, February 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Church in Spring Valley.

The Saps will feature a trio of Stan and Ollie's best shorts. This month's cartoon is Hot Cross Bunny with Bugs Bunny . Next is Leave Em Laughing, with Russ Peck will be on the keyboard, followed by Three Stooges’ comedy in Men in Black.  After intermission, the second half will feature Stan and Ollie in County Hospital and Thicker Than Water.

The show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Saps at Sea Facebook page.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH MOVIE NIGHT FEB. 27 AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE

Black History Month Movie night will be held on February 27th at Grossmont College’s Griffin Gate.

The film showing will feature “Hidden Figures” the true story of three African-American women mathematicians who provided crucial calculations for NASA’s space race against the Soviets while dealing with racist and sexist assumptions of white co-workers.  

See www.Grossmont.edu for a map and details.

BORREGO HISTORICAL TOUR AND LIVING HISTORY PRESENTATION: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JUAN BAUTISTA DE ANZA MARCH 2

The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association will host a Borrego Historical on Saturday, March 2nd from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The tour begins at the association’s building on Christmas Circle, followed by a tour of Old Borrego, farming and agricultural sites where Caesar Chavez once led the farmworkers’ strike, lunch at the Palms at Indian Head, and a tour of Seley Rench.

In the evening from 6 to 8 p.m. visitors will enjoy a lecture titled “In the Footsteps of Juan Bautista de Anza”  followed by wine, cheese, and a living history presentation around the campfire to hear a historical reenactor bring to life a soldier from the expedition talking about his daily life on the historic trail.

To register for the program and get more information, you can visit the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association at www.ABDNHA.org.

​That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more in the calendar and events section at our website, www.EastCountyMagazine.org.

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!