By Miriam Raftery

October 22, 2015 (Borrego Springs) – Treasure hunters have long been drawn to the Anza-Borrego Desert, seeking gold and precious gemstones. But the real treasure to be found today is La Casa del Zorro Resort, restored to its former splendor with a hospitality that welcomes all—a sparkling oasis amid the desert sands.

Whether you’re heading out for this weekend’s 50^th anniversary Borrego Days Desert Festival and parade, or seeking an off-season adventure in summer, spring or fall, La Casa del Zorro provides a delightful haven year-round.

East County News Service

October 2, 2015 (Flinn Springs) – If you’re looking for the pick of the patch to carve your Jack-o-lantern, Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs has a pumpkin patch that’s now open Wednesdays through Sundays, with kid-friendly activities on weekends.

Stop by on Saturdays or Sundays to also enjoy an inflatable jump, popcorn, corndogs, coffee drinks and smoothies, as well as browsing through a gift shop while enjoying a day in the country.

September 4, 2015 (Alpine)--Bobbi Brink, Founder/Director of San Diego's Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) sanctuary announced that a 2.5 month old tiger cub found roaming the Southern California neighborhood of Hemet is being transferred to the accredited sanctuary in East San Diego County on Friday afternoon.

By Miriam Raftery

August 24, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The newest growing wine region in our area is along historic Highway 94. A website has been set up at http://www.thewineriesonhighway94.com/ by growers and wine producers bringing their vision of a wine-region in the southeast county to fruition.

July 28, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Here’s an event that happens only once in a blue moon. The County’s Parks and Recreation department is offering a free Sunset-Blue Moon hike at Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve  in Julian on Friday, July 31 starting at 6:45 p.m.  Bring a flashlight and a sense of adventure for the two-mile hike on Five Oaks Trail to the summit for views of Julian at sunset before making your way back under a shimmering blue moon. (Which is not actually blue, by the way. That's just the nickname for the second of two full moons in one calendar month.)

By Mark and Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Milky Way galazy and dragon sculpture in Anza Borrego Desert; © Dennis Mammana/dennismammana.com

July 4, 2015 (Borrego Springs) – Stargazing guru Dennis Mammana has been photographing the night sky for nearly a half century and leading night sky tours for nearly thirty years.  He also teaches workshops that provide in-depth tips on how you can photograph everything from the Milky Way to constellations – and  as we discovered last weekend in Borrego, you don’t have to have a backpack full of professional camera gear to come up with some gorgeous images.

Borrego Springs in 2009 became the first designated International Dark Sky Community in California--thanks in part to the efforts of our helpful host, teacher and guide.  That means there are no bright lights at night to interview with your night-sky viewing pleasure.

June 26, 2015 (Julian) – The Volcan Mountain Foundation is offering a series of events, from hikes to beer-tasting to a summer film festival.  Scroll down for highlights, and visit www.VolcanMt.org. for full details.

East County News Service

June 12, 2015 (Borrego Springs)--Dazzling sights can be viewed each night in the clear dark skies over Southern California's Anza-Borrego Desert―including colorful stars, stellar clusters, planets, star-forming nebulae, Earth-orbiting satellites, distant galaxies and more. 

Famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana invites you to treat yourself or your family to an inspiring and personalized tour of the cosmos above Borrego Springs—California’s first and only International Dark Sky community – with the power of a large telescope and one of America’s favorite celestial tour guides. The summer 2015 night sky tour schedule is now available at http://www.borregonightskytours.com/.

By Sharon Penny

May 5, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - I’m a lifelong resident of East County and, for the past 25 years, I’ve lived four miles from Green Valley Falls. Until last week, I had never heard of the Airplane Monument hiking trail just north of Green Valley – literally 4.5 miles from my house.

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2015 (Alpine)—Teddy and Baloo, two “moon” bears (also known as Himalayan black bears) were released this week into a new multi-acre habitat at the Lions, Tigers and Bears sanctuary in Alpine.

Source: County News Service

March 27, 2015 (San Diego)--Looking to get away from the stress of everyday life? Or perhaps you have a new personal fitness goal for 2015? Maybe you just enjoy nature or have an adventurous spirit and want to get out and explore your surroundings. Spring is here- and it’s a great time to put down the electronic devices and participate in a sport you can do at your own pace.

No matter your motivation, the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department has more than 300 miles of trails throughout the County.  The County has picked out ten trails for you to check out in 2015 with a wide variety of lengths, skill levels and sights.

Photo: "Hummingbird Moth (9691010084)" by Larry Lamsa - Hummingbird MothUploaded by PDTillman. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons -

March 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Anza Borrego’s desert wildflowers are both beautiful and fragile.

February 24, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Spring is in the air – and the Jacumba Hikers and Walkers are hitting the trail. On Saturday, February 28^th the group will meet at the Jacumba Spa (44500 Old Highway 80) then head out along the Border Patrol Trail to Airport Mesa and the Rock House for a five mile hike.

Story by Barbara Loveless

Photos by Barbara Loveless and Cindy Myers

“De bat – he rat got wings – all de children know dat”

December 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - And so goes the chiroptera-phobic Carly Simon song from the 1970s. But all the half-dozen or so children – and about that many adults –who attended “Batty for Bats” at Lakeside River Park Conservancy  know that bats are not even closely related to rats and their ilk. They’re more closely related to … you might want to sit down … well, us!

By Randy Zuniga

December 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - A mountain of a mere 1,594 ft. high borders three cities -- San Diego, Santee, and La Mesa. For some, it's an epic hike accompanied by packs filled with snacks and water. For others, it's a quick jog up and a small water bottle waiting for them back at their car. No matter who you are -- everyone seems to love this mountain.