East County News Service

November 6, 2015 (Anza-Borrego) – Discover the Old West of Western novelist/artist Marshal South with historian and travel writer Diana Lindsay along the Butterfield Overland Stage Route on Saturday, November 21^st.  This one-of-a-kind journey aboard a California Overland Adventures vehicle begins at 9 a.m. at the Carrizo station and ends with an optional hike to the relics of South’s homestead atop Ghost Mountain.

South promoted Anza-Borrego’s history in the 1930s and ‘40s , as well as Native American culture and desert lore through his cliffhanger western novels reminiscent of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour.  On this excursion back in time, you’ll travel the old stage route and explore the places that inspired South and still echo with the past.

By Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the 50^th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival, Haunt Fest on Main Street, a trick or treat dog show, Lamplighters Theatre production of “Stage Fright,” and a melodrama in Julian titled “Keeping the Doctor Away.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a Marshall Scary Scotty’s haunted amusement park trail, the Odeum guitar duo in concert, and much, much more!

Listen to Destination East County, also airing on KNSJ radio, byclicking the audio link.

By Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County include the Enchanted Garden Gala, Tournament of the Phoenix and Festival of History, Fall Fest in La Mesa, and a Trick or Treat dog show.   Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including A Desert Festival in Borrego springs, Marshall Scotty’s Haunted Amusement Park, Haunt Fest on Main Street, and the opening of the sixth season of the Visionary Dance Theater.

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District          

October 5, 2015 (El Cajon)--Omali Yeshitela, founder of the African People’s Socialist Party and the African Socialist International, is the featured speaker at Cuyamaca College’s Diversity Dialogues workshop, “Day in Solidarity with African People: Reparations for Stolen Black Lives,” set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Performing Arts Center. The workshop is free and open to the public.

East County News Service

September 26, 2015 (Palomar) – Palomar Mountain State Park invites the public to its 2015 Palomar Apple Festival on Sunday, October 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

This free festival includes delicious apple goodies, spinning and weaving demonstration, arts and crafts,  games and activities, a pie eating contest,plus  live folk music and square dancers  (join in – all are welcome!).

East County News Service

September 20, 2015 (Descanso)—Three local  alpaca farmers are teaming up to offer an open house Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Descanso as part of National Alpaca Farm Days.

Visitors are invited to “feel the fleece” as well as tour the Atlas Alpacas Farm (9718 River Drive in Descanso), experience live demonstrations, learn about raising and breeding alpacas, and shop for alpaca products.

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

September 16, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County features the Chaldean American Festival in El Cajon, a Music Festival with Apple Pie in Julian, a live musical theatre production and Supervisor Jacobs with an event for seniors. 

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Julian Apple Days,   Oktoberfest El Cajon hosted by the German American Society followed by a new event, Fallfest in La Mesa and a water issues forum in La Mesa.

So scroll down tuned for all of these events and much, much more.

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

September 10, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features a Car-B-Que at Santee Lakes, live musical theatre productions, the Sycuan pow-wow and a bluegrass festival in Santee.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Julian Music Festival, the opening of the silver anniversary season of the Poway Performing Arts Center featuring Kenny Loggins as well as some major fall festivals including Julian Apple Days, Fall Fest, and of course, Oktoberfest!

So scroll down for all of these events and much, much more.

Listen to a podcast of Destination East County, originally aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

This week’s Destination East County features a grape stomp, a pow-wow an art show and a deep pit barbecue.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a production of the hit show Hairspray, Santee’s bluegrass festival, a dinner theatre show and as the season turns to Indian summer, yet another pow-wow.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

Listen to Destination East County by clicking the audio link of our podcast, originally aired on KNSJ.

Photo: Percussionist Scott Robinson performs Aug. 29 at Mission Trails Regional Park

August 28, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County features dinner in a mountain meadow, a percussion concert and classic car show .

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Native American Pow-Wow, a Bluegrass Festival in Santee and deep pit BBQ in Descanso.    

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

East County News Service

July 25, 2015 (Poway)—The Marine Reconnaissance Foundation supports past, present, future and fallen recon brothers and their families.  On Friday, September 11, a day of remembrance, golfers and donors are invited to join in the 1^st annual Marine Recon Foundation Charity Golf Tournament and auction.

The event will be held at the Maderas Golf Course at 17750 Old Coach Road, Poway, 92064. Lunches are available on the course followed by a dinner and awards ceremony with auction featuring fabulous prizes.

Hear our interview on KNSJ radio: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

By Miriam Raftery

July 9, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re looking for a stirring summertime musical experience, the San Diego Concert Band will be performing at the Water Conservation Garden on the campus of Cuyamaca College on July 26^th at 6 p.m.  “An Evening of Music at the Garden” will benefit both of these nonprofit organizations. (Guests are welcome to come early for a stroll through the gardens to learn some tips on how to have beautiful low-water gardens.)

Recently, the East County Magazine Show sat down with Chuck Brown, President of the San Diego Concert Band, and John Bolthouse, Director of the Water Conservation Garden, for an interview on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ radio.

Ultimate Dance Party and ‘80s dress-up contest July 18

July 14, 2015 (San Diego) -- Visionary Youth Theatre presents another installment of “Pop Rock”, a musical revue featuring Pop and Rock celebrating music of the 80s. The performances will be held  at the Visionary Performance Space (7202 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115). On July 16-18 at 7 p.m. with a matinee on July 19 at 2 p.m. The show is directed by Spencer John Powell with choreography by Mr. Powell and Ramon Montes.

This upbeat, fun, dance-heavy musical revue will have cast members rocking and popping to the sounds of the 1980’s.

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 25, 2015 (Santee) -- With the slogan "changing lives one goal at a time" the One World Soccer Fest will kick off at the Sportsplex USA Santee (9851 Riverwalk Drive, Santee) on Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the Chisomo Idea and the Homeless World Cup.  Soccer carnival games and a mini soccer clinic are all part of the day's fun, as well as viewing a round-robin soccer tournament.