DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS JAN. 23-FEB. 1

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Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant to support Destination East Couny.

 

January 19, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes disaster preparedness classes, hawk watching in Alpine, wine tasting with East County wineries from along Highway 94, desert hikes, and Health Awareness Month in Santee. 

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including California Dreamin’ in Anza Borrego,  the citizen of the year luncheon in El Cajon, as well as Laurel and Hardy movies and a Porky Pig cartoon.  So scroll down for all of these events and more!

THIS WEEK'S MAJOR EVENTS

WINE TASTING IN EL CAJON TO BENEFIT RESTORATION OF HISTORIC CHURCH JANUARY 23

A night of enjoying fine wines, great food and live jazz is on the horizon in East County.  On Saturday, January 23rd, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the community will come together for a fun evening to benefit St. Pius X Catholic Church's building fund.  The money raised by the event is earmarked for the restoration of the church's buildings dating back to the 1950s.  Guests will enjoy unlimited wine tasting and heavy hors d'oeuvres. 

The event will feature the following wineries, all of which are located in East County along Highway 94:

·         Dulzura Vineyard and Winery

·         Granite Lion Cellars

·         Deerhorn Valley Vineyards

·         Campo Creek Vineyards

·         Westfall Winery

"The wine tasting event is a fun way for the community to get together in a fun atmosphere for a great cause," explained Gary Gorton, wine-tasting/community coordinator for St. Pius X.  "We encourage people aspects of the community to join in this great event and get to know some of your neighbors."

Complementary coffee, tea, water and soft drinks will be available along with a full no-host bar.  Street parking as well as free valet parking will be available.  The public is welcome and encouraged to come meet their neighbors at this great event.  It will be held at the Tatar Hacienda, 2333 Pence Drive, El Cajon, CA  92019.

The event is open to the public (21 years of age and up).  Cost is $100 per person.  Tickets can be purchased at www.stpiusxjamul.com on the donations page or call St. Pius X, Jamul, 619-669-0085

 SPACE STILL AVAILABLE FOR FREE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CLASSES JANUARY 23

The new CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) disaster preparedness academies for 2016 have been posted. This valuable program is designed to help protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation/disaster and to possibly assist emergency agencies during large natural disasters.  Three academies are planned for this year; January 23, June 11, and September 10. Each academy consists of six classes.  Note: A few spaces left for the academy beginning this coming Saturday, January 23rd.  Visit www.heartlandfire.org for the full 2016 CERT Academy schedule, or call (619) 441-1737 for more information.

*For information on El Niño readiness, please visit www.heartlandfire.org and click on the El Niño tab.  There is a special educational video available.

CANYONEERS WALK JANUARY 24 AT MISSION TRAILS

Join naturalists, called Canyoneers, from the San Diego Natural History Museum, for a free guided walk in Oak Canyon in Mission Trails Regional Park on Sunday, January 24 starting at 9 a.m.  The three-hour walk starts past the Old Mission Dam (a nationally registered historic landmark) and follows a stream bed rimmed by Coast Live Oaks. The area is rich in both native plants and animals. Canyoneers are citizen scientists and volunteers with the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Meet by the kiosk at the end of the Old Mission Dam parking lot.

For more information on Mission Trails Regional Park or directions, visit www.MTRP.org.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ART SHOW AT THE WIEGHORST MUSEUM JANUARY 28

Mark your calendar for a photographic art show on Thursday, January 28, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum.   This special event features the art of Garry Anderson and Joe Payson, along with a catered reception.  The museum is located at 131 Rea Avenue in El Cajon.  For more information, please call (619) 590-3431.  

HAWK WATCH: A RAPTOR CELEBRATION IN RAMONA SATURDAYS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

Hawk Watch, a free celebration of raptors will take place at the Wildlife Research Institute in Ramona Grasslands at 10 a.m. each Saturday in January and February—rain or shine.   You can observe both wintering and resident raptors such as the Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Burrowing Owl.

Nineteen species of raptors have been recorded at this “raptor hotspot,” where you will learn the life histories of these beautiful birds as well as the importance of the Ramona Grassland ecosystem.  In addition to wild raptors, you will also see trained raptors and owls up close. Bring binoculars if you have them, though scopes will be available.  Refreshments, coffee, and pastries will also be provided. For more information visit http://Wildlife-Research.org

HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN SANTEE IN JANUARY

January is Health Awareness Month in Santee. To help increase health awareness in the city of Santee, California Health Network has partnered with dozens of organizations and companies to offer free and discounted health and fitness classes and services.  Whether you’re looking for free kickboxing and yoga lessons, tennis, personal trainer, or free checkups of your vision, hearing, spinal alignment or blood pressure, or discounts on other services ranging from dental care to massages, you can find it at all this month at  www.CaliforniaHealthNetwork.org/healthawarenessmonth

VISIONS ART SHOW NOW THROUGH JAN. 29 AT MISSION TRAILS

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation (MTRP) presents Visions, an exhibition featuring six award winning artists. Their colorful works celebrating nature will be on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery now through January 29th For directions, visit www.MTRP.org.

PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS….

LAUREL AND HARDY ANIMALS LOVERS JAN. 30

Sappy New Year! Saps at Sea, the San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, will present “Laurel and Hardy—Animals Lovers” on January 30th at 7 p.m. in  Williams Hall at the Trinity Church 3902 Kenwood Drive, Spring Valley. The event features several classic comedy films from the 1930s plus “Stan and Babe,” a Porky Pig cartoon. 



In “Wrong Again”(1929), the boys mistake the horse, Blue Boy with the painting of the same name!

The rarely seen short “Allez Oop” (1934), features guest comedian is Buster Keaton who meets the love of his life at the circus. Problem is she is in love with the Man on the Flying trapeze. Can Buster compete?  After intermission the program continues with “Laughing Gravy” (1931).  As the snow falls outside, the boys are hiding Laughing Gravy, an adorable dog from the landlord.

“The Chimp” (1932) is a trip to the Circus with Ringmaster Jimmy bestowing a Chimp instead of their paychecks to Circus workers Stan and Ollie. 

For more information visit the official SAPS AT SEA San Diego Facebook Page 

at: http://www.sapsatsea.com/ 


 

  “CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: THE IMMIGRATION AND MIGRATION HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA” JANUARY 29-30

The non-profit Anza-Borrego Desert History Association (ABDNHA) in Borrego Springs announces a special two day program entitled “California Dreamin’: The Immigration and Migration History of California” to be held in Borrego Springs on January 29 and 30. This two day event will bring together a best-selling author, an anthropologist, a historian, and a genetic anthropologist to tell the full story of movement over time into what is now known as the Golden State.

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 29 with “An Evening with Victor Villaseñor”, author of the bestselling book “Rain of Gold” as well as eight other novels, and more than 60 short stories.  Victor will tell the personal story of his family over several generations as they moved from Mexico into the United States.  This program will be conducted at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, 590 Palm Canyon Drive.  All seats are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.  There is no charge for ABDNHA members.

Programs on Saturday January 30 will be held in the ABDNHA library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive and space is limited. The day begins with “Californians: The First Humans” by anthropologist and Professor Manfred Knaak, telling the story of the people who moved into and through California before the Spanish arrived.   History professor Mary Jo Moore will then speak about the immigration history of California from the days of the Spanish to the present day. The program concludes with an evening presentation by genetic anthropologist Amy Non, who will speak about genetic research and how it is uncovering the story of early human migration.  Preregistration is required for these programs and space is limited.  Register online www.abdnha.org/californiadreamin or call 760-767-3098.

Additional information about this program is available online:  www.abdnha.org/californiadreamin , or by contacting Mike McElhatton, Program Director, The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, 760-767-3052, P O BOX 310, Borrego Springs, CA 92004.

BIRDING BASICS AT MISSION TRAILS JANUARY 30

Mission Trails Regional Park Guide and experienced birder Winona Sollock will lead a free educational bird identification class in the park on Saturday, January 30th at 1 p.m.  The hour-and-a-half class will help increase your enjoyment of nature by teaching you five simple techniques to identify birds at a glance.  You will also learn how to use a field guide, so bring one along if you have it.

Classes meet at the Visitor Center in Classroom “A” on January 30th and the last Saturday of every month from January through October at 1:00 p.m.  The class is free and open to the public, with no reservations required.  Details at MTRP.org.

GARNET MINE HIKE IN JACUMBA JANUARY 30

The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers will be hitting the trail to a garnet mine on January 30th.  Along the 4-mile, figure-8 loop trail hikers will encounter a waterfall, exhilarating views and other hidden treasures of the high desert area. This hike is rated moderate to hard, and dogs are not allowed.  Meet at 8 a.m. at the Jacumba Spa & Resort (44450, Old Hwy. 80, Jacumba Hot Springs) Breakfast is available at the spa, starting at 7 a.m. and lunch is available after the hike. Bring a swim suit & towel for soaking in mineral hot springs after the hike, courtesy of the Spa.

 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON FEBRUARY 1

The East County Chamber’s Annual Citizen of the Year Luncheon will take place on Monday, February 1, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the El Cajon Elks Lodge, located at 1400 E. Washington Avenue.  Join the Chamber as they honor the El Cajon Citizen of the Year Humbert Cabrera! For reservations, please call (619) 440-6161 or visit www.eastcountychamber.org.

That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more on our Calendar and in our Festivals and Events section online at 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.

Audio: 

Destination East County 1-21-16

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