By Miriam Raftery

February 21, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) – You’re invited to step back in time and enjoy an authentic 1805-1840s Rocky Mountain fur trader’s encampment March 9-18 at the Mataguay Scout Reservation in Santa Ysabel.  Visit part of our historic past by attending a fun, educational and exciting mountain man rendezvous.

East County News Service

February 18, 2018 (Campo) -- The Easter Bunny will board the train at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum’s depot in Campo on March 24^th, 25^th and 31^st to visit with passengers as the train travels through San Diego’s beautiful east-county mountains.  

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes President’s Day weekend activities at Lake Jennings, a jazz concert at San Pasqual Winery’s tasting room in La Mesa, the Martin Luther King Community Choir in Lemon Grove, a star party and a Celtic harp concert at Mission Trails, Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley, tips from La Mesa Beautiful, and hawk watching in Ramona.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including Boots Ball in Borrego Springs, a St Patrick’s Day run through El Cajon, Gregory Page in concert at Mission Trails, Tomatomania at the Garden, a harmonica festival in La Mesa, Santee Lakes’ Springtime Extravaganza, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, the season opener of Cajon Classic Cruise nights, an antique and crafts fair, and Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary party.

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

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 9, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) - Countless people are heard to utter, “There is nothing like eating a homegrown tomato” at Scott Daigre’s Tomatomania® event every year in March. Tomatomania® returns on March 10^th and 11^th from 9.a.m.  to 3 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.  This famous weekend-long sale features heirloom and hybrid tomato seedlings of every size, shape, color, and taste profile.

East County News Service

February 7, 2018 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers  will lead a guided hike this Saturday to the Desert View Tower, one of the oldest roadside attractions/historic landmarks in this region, with a spectacular view of Imperial Valley.

Fundraiser to benefit adults with developmental disabilities

East County News Service

February 2, 2018 (El Cajon) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Auxiliary will host its first Mardi Gras Gala on Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Marina Village’s Seaside Room to benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) in El Cajon. Ticket prices for the gala cost $55 per person prior to the event or $60 per person at the door.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

January 31, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Mean Mary in concert in Santee, a pow-wow at Cuyamaca College, Hawk Watch in Ramona, the Oak Ridge Boys at Sycuan, Inside the Actors’ Process at the Stagehouse Theatre, and a violin and cello concert at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including Cupid and Canines at Grossmont Center, a chamber music concert at the La Mesa Library, open farm day at the Oasis Camel Dairy, a Valentine’s Dinner in Julian, gardening tips and tours, live music at local night spots, the Martin Luther King Choir’s ensemble in Lemon Grove, a star party and a Celtic harp concert at Mission Trails, Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley, and a St. Patrick’s Day half marathon run through El Cajon.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

January 24, 2018 (Ramona) -- You’re invited to bring the family to open farm day at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona on February 10^th and 11^th from 1 to 4 p.m., with a live animal show at 1:30 p.m. The show features talking parrots, galloping, gobbling turkeys, dedicated farm dogs and of course the biggest stars – camels!

NAN is also organizing a “100 ministers and the people” march Jan. 15

By Miriam Raftery

January 15, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – National Action Network (NAN) San Diego announces two events in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

“Where are we 50 years later?”  a celebration honoring civil rights leaders will be held on January 19 at the Lemon Grove Community Church “the Lagoon”, 3122 Main Street in Lemon Grove.  Doors open at 6 p.m. with a 7 p.m. start.  The event will feature guest speaker Jane Elliott, an anti-racism activist who will discuss her historic brown eyes-blue eyes exercise. Honorees will include BAPAC State President Dr. William Blair, Dr. Cheryl Morrow of the San Diego Monitor newspaper, Alan Cabrera of Ideas Cabrera, and Raymond Wiley, a 67-year-old African-American man who has contended he was racially profiled by a San Diego police officer in 2017.

For tickets ($15), visit http://www.nansd.net/janeelliottevent.

East County News Service

January 17, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the award-winning Danny Green Trio at Mission Trails Golf, the Mousetrap at Lamplighters Theatre, in La Mesa, Hawk Watch in Ramona, Santee’s 50-kilometer race and Active Lifestyle Expo, author Diana Lindsay at local libraries, guitarist Jim Earp at San Pasqual Winery, and coffee with La Mesa Conversations.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including Mean Mary in concert in Santee, a Laurel and Hardy film night in Spring Valley, a local author expo in El Cajon, the Oak Ridge Boys live at Sycuan, a violin and cello concert at Mission Trails, San Diego Chamber Music Society musicians at the La Mesa Library, Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley, Stage 4 Jazz at San Pasqual Winery’s La Mesa tasting room, live music at the Riviera Supper Club, a Star Party at Mission Trails, and the Martin Luther King Jr. choir’s ensemble performing in Lemon Grove.

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

January 7, 2018 (La Mesa) --You’re invited to a Russian and Ukrainian feast with our East County Dining Club on Thursday, January 25^th  at 6:30 p.m. at Village House Kalina (8302 Parkway Drive, La Mesa). As always, we’ll have prizes galore! Proceeds benefit East County Magazine and our wildfire/emergency alerts.

 Join us on our culinary adventure to the land of hearty and flavorful fare  – food that nourished the creative powers of Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky,  Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Pasternak, Cossack dancers and the Bolshoi Ballet.  Da!

This restaurant seats only 38 people so we expect to sell out; early RSVPs are recommended.

We must receive your RSVP no later Jan. 24, along with choice of entree (see list below) since these special dishes take time to prepare!

East County News Service

January 6, 2018 (Santee) – From fishing events to movies, concerts, and holiday celebrations, you’ll find lots of activities coming up in the New Year at Santee Lakes—starting with Trout Re-Opener days on January 13 and 14, when the lakes will be stocked with 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout.

Scroll down for details and learn more at www.SanteeLakes.com.

By Miriam Raftery

January 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes hawk watch in Ramona, falconry demonstrations in Wynola, a star party and ancient Tibetan music at Mission Trails, Sinatra and friends in Borrego Springs and Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including a pianist John Nilsen in Descanso, llore of the Kumeyaay at the Water Conservation Garden, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, the Mousetrap at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa,  Martin Luther King Day events in Lemon Grove, live music at the San Pasqual Winery and Riviera Supper Club in La Mesa, a local authors expo in El Cajon, the Oak Ridge Boys in concert at Sycuan, San Diego Chamber Music Society performers at the La Mesa Library, a star party at Mission Trails, and Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 30, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – Rams Hill Golf Resort in Borrego Springs is hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner/dance on December 31^st starting at 5:30 p.m.   Before the ball drops, you can enjoy live Sinatra-esque music from the Golden Era.

The evening begins with tray pass hors d’oeuvres, followed by a three-course meal at $99 a person.