By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2019 (Mt. Helix) – The San Diego Astronomy Association will be setting up telescopes in Mt. Helix Park on September 14 starting at 6 p.m. for free astronomical viewings.  

By Miriam Raftery

August 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features Miner’s Day at the Julian Mining Company, berry picking at Julian Farm and Orchard, the Barona Pow-wow, Julian Fall Art Show, Sky Hunters in Julian, and a Laurel and Hardy comedy night in Spring Valley.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including the Sycuan Powwow, Julian Grape Stomp Festa, a “Holy Smoke” BBQ, Campo Grape Picking and Stomping Party, the Ramona Grape Stomp, fall at the Farm, a bluegrass festival in Santee, plus concerts and car shows in El Cajon.

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

By Miriam Raftery

August 26, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – As fall and cooler weather approaches, the Jacumba Hikers have released a schedule of upcoming hikes from Sept. 21 through Oct. 26. The hikes range from easy to hard to destinations that include peaks in Anza Borrego, Kitchen Creek Falls, Jacumba’s fall festival, Valley of the Moon, Devil’s Canyon and Carrizo Creek. Below is the full schedule with details, and be sure to read the group’s safety tips. 

East County News Service

August 26, 2019 (Ramona) — It’s time for stompers and swabbers to create their two-person teams to challenge brother, sister, classmates, boss, colleague or best friend to win the  title of “Ramona Grape Stomp Champion” at the third annual Ramona Grape Stomp on Saturday, September 14 at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center (ROCC) from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event offers fun for the entire family—children’s activities, wine tasting, competitive and fun stomping, music, line dancing, food, and shopping. 

Join us at our exciting new event, which we hope will be the first in a series.  Come be in the know about news shakinng up East County, and meet movers and shakers in our region! Just $16 in advance ($20 at the door).

EAST COUNTY MOVERS, SHAKERS & NEWSMAKERS

Thursday, August 29

• Reception (wine & foods from local restaurants*)  5 p.m.
• Program with our newsmakers/speakers  6 p.m.
• Plus prize drawings galore, museum tours, silent auction
• Musical entertainment by  Paul Nichols and Cindy Burnham

Heritage of the Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College

12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon

                                          (Museum entry is between the Water Conservation Garden's two driveways)

Speakers:

Jim Price, Pacific Southwest Railway Museum:  See a sneak preview of the railway’s Centennial Celebration coming up this fall , hear tales of the railroad's colorful past, and learn why it's called San Diego’s “Impossible Railway.”

Taylor O’Sullivan, Sullivan Solar Power: Sullivan’s project developer and NABCEP Certified Energy Practitioner will share info on the latest and greatest local solar trends including solar & storage technology, how to profit from new SDG&E time-of-use rates, and what residents can do to avoid missing out on the last year of a 30% federal tax credit.  Plus see a solar system on display.

Christina Whipple:  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member on fire insurance options for property owners who receive nonrenewal notices

Barry Jantz, Stop Cottonwood Sand Mine: Hear the latest updates on a controversial proposal for a sand mine on the Sweetwater River at the site of the Cottonwood Golf Course, adjacent to homes and a federal wildlife preserve, also near schools and businesses.

Historical reenactor Victor Contreras will bring to life Bonifacio Lopez, cattle “king” from the 1800s, and speak on efforts to outreach to local schools and community groups with historical reenactments as we commemorate San Diego’s 250th birthday

Miriam Raftery and Paul Kruze,  Editor and Contributing Editor, East County Magazine: Hear the latest on breaking news stories & exciting events coming up, includng the opening of the Magnolia Performing Arts Center in East County.

Prize drawings with prizes galore, a silent auction, museum tours and more!

Buy tickets:  https://www.eastcountymedia.org/east-county-moversshakers#

General Admission: $16 in advance ($20 at the door); Students: $12.

Reserve early – seating is limited!

Questions? (619)698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org

Special thanks to our event's undewriter: Sullivan Solar Power

East County News Service

August 15, 2019 (El Cajon) - August 28 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon is set for the East County Boomers & Seniors Expo.  It is free for the public and free parking is provided.

Informational speakers and health screenings are included.

East County News Service

August 6, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features the HeART of Mt. Helix food, wine and art festival, Mary Poppins Returns at MacArthur Park in La Mesa, a star party at Mission Trails, a twilight walk at Mission Trails, Beat the Heat activities at Stelzer Park in Lakeside, DJ nights at Viejas Roller Rink in Alpine, the Captain Marvel movie August 17 at Wells Park in EL Cajon, Elvis Tribute concerts in Lemon Grove and El Cajon, Queen Nation in concert in Santee, Cajon Speedway family night and more.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including powwows at Barona and Sycuan, a sky hunters demonstration with birds of prey in Julian, a Laurel and Hardy comedy night in Spring Valley, the Campo Grape Picking and Stomping Party, and more.

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

East County News Service 

August 4, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Mission Trails Regional Park has several events coming up for bird lovers.  Hawk watch demonstrations are held on the first Sunday of each month.  In addition, the park offers its next monthly bird walk on Saturday, August 10th, plus a “birding basics” class for aspiring birdwatchers on August 31st.

Scroll down for details.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: HeART of Mt. Helix

Listen to our interview, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

August 1, 2019 (Mt. Helix) – Krista Powers with the Mt. Helix Park Foundation shared some fascinating history of Mt. Helix and the evolution of the foundation in an interview on our East County Magazine Radio Show. 

She also talked about the upcoming heart of Mt. Helix food, wine and art festival coming up on August 10^th.  The benefit event features live music and dancing, art demonstrations, a high-value raffle and auction, food tastings from local restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries and more – all at the mountaintop amphitheater with 360 degree views. This year, the Old Town trolley will shuttle people to the event.

“They come up the mountain and right away, guests walk into a live art experience,” Powers says. Up to Sunset Peak, you can do tastings and enjoy music, after which there will be a live auction with vacation stays and more, cooking demonstration, and even a new VIP seating area with lounge chairs and continued tastings. After sunset, the Good Mojo band will provide dancing under the stars. 

The event helps fund habitat restoration in the park and a wealth of other events held there, including a Halloween Harvest Festival, yoga, astronomy nights, classes, concerts, and a holiday event that this year will including the annual caroling party as well as an event similar to the Christmas markets of Europe.

By Carol Morrison

July 31, 2019 (Alpine) – The Alpine Historical Society invites you to a meeting and potluck lunch on Sunday, August 18 at the Alpine Woman’s Club (2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine).  Sam S. Webb, a fourth generation Californian and family biographer, brings stories of Alpine’s earliest and most influential settler and his family’s many adventures in the area. Hear about Alpine’s first school, the toll road to Julian’s gold mines, protection of the first school marm from dastardly deeds of a Frenchman and more.

Source:  City of La Mesa

July 30, 2019 (La Mesa) - Enjoy two free outdoor movies as part of the 2019 Summer Movies in the Parks series. Movies are free to the public and will be shown on a large screen. Bring a picnic along with a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this family activity in the park. Movies will begin at dusk. 

East County News Service

July 22, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features some end of July festivities and hot August nights events including Pine Valley Days, a Sip of Julian, the Jamul Winetasting Festival, Herman’s Hermits at Sycuan, a concert at Santee Lakes, Julian’s Natural Wonderfest, the Ramona Country Fair, a grape stomp in Campo, a Laurel and Hardy event in Spring Valley, the Julian Star Fest, the HeART of Mt. Helix art and wine festival, a twilight walk at Mission Trails Regional Park and the Barona Powwow.

There are also some all summer long events including rollerskating DJ nights in Alpine, outdoor concerts and movies in parks across our region, movies in La Mesa, classic car shows and dive-in movies at the Kroc Center’s swimming pool.

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

East County News Service

July 20, 2019 (Spring Valley) - Christian Rods & Customs Car Club announces its 20th Annual “Classic Car Show” to be held on Saturday, August 24th, 2019 from 9am until 2pm at Faith Chapel located at 9400 Campo Road in Spring Valley. Pre-registration fee of $25 due by August 20th or $30 day of show. The first 100 registrants will receive a dash plaque, T-Shirt, goodie bag and raffle ticket. All cars, trucks & bikes welcome! No year or model limits!

East County News Service

May 16, 2019 (Jamul) - D&S Farms, home to Granite Lion Cellars (2801 Jamul Highlands Rd., Jamul) will host a wine tasting that also features live entertainment, food, and craft beer on Saturday, July 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  The event will benefit St. Pius X Catholic Church’s parish improvement fund, earmarked for heating and air conditioning repairs.

By Miriam Raftery

July 11, 2019 (Campo) – The San Diego & Arizona Railway, known as the “Impossible Railway” for the many challenges faced during its construction, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with two major centennial events on September 7 and November 16.

On Saturday, September 7, a Groundbreaking Festival will commemorate the 1907 groundbreaking of the railway, which took a dozen years to complete. 

Then on Saturday, November 16, a Centennial Celebration Day will include a reenactment of the 1919 golden spike ceremony, when John D. Spreckels drove in the final spike to complete the rail line in Carriso Gorge.

Both events will be held at the Campo Railroad Park & Museum operated by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, a nonprofit organization. 

At the events, the public is invited to come and enjoy train rides, view vintage railway cars and unique railroad equipment including a 1902 steam pump engine, an operating scale steam train exhibit, plus food, drinks, souvenirs, commemorative program and fun for the whole family.