November 19, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes events ushering in the holiday season, from a tree lighting and snow sledding in Santee to the annual Mother Goose Parade …plus we’ll have previews of some coming attractions in the next week or so, including musicals, Lemon Grove’s holiday bonfire and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Holiday Party. 

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine.

East County News Service

One of the most unusual holiday season traditions in East County is coming up: the fourth annual Pomegranate Days celebration at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from noon to 5 p.m.  Festivities include camel rides, bird and camel shows, shopping for holiday gifts and feeding pomegranates to the camels.

November 6, 2014 (Ramona) – One of the most unusual holiday season traditions in East County is coming up: the fourth annual Pomegranate Days celebration at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from noon to 5 p.m.

The festivities include camel rides, bird and camel shows, shopping for holiday gifts such as camel’s milk soaps, and the highlight of the event, feeding pomegranates to the camels.

By Ariele Johannson

October 30, 2014 (San Diego)--Brightly colored flowers of scarlet, white, orange, violet, yellow, and blue adorn the carpet where student immigrants from as far away as Europe are seated. The friendly group here in the Exhibition Gallery at New Americas Museum is preparing the flowers for a unique exhibit to celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead on Saturday, November 1, 2014.

The New Americans Museum is creating an altar for the late  dancer and film star Rita Hayworth to be exhibited November 1st from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., along with other open museums and galleries celebrating Dia de los Muertos at Liberty Station that day.

Dia de los Muertos at Liberty Station runs from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., when galleries and studios are open to the public, some with demonstrations, workshops, altars, and “Meet the Artists” events. There will be performances and live music, food trucks, sugar skulls, face painting throughout the day. Admission to the galleries and studios is free.

By Miriam Raftery

Radio show hosted by Rebecca Williamson and Leon Thompson

October 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes some spooky Halloween happenings, a picnic with parrots, and our very own Party with the Press benefit event, all this weekend right here in East County. 

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a wine festival at a castle in Ramona and a hot chili cook-off in Lemon Grove.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

Paul McCartney’s OUT THERE Tour has added a San Diego concert set for Sunday, Sep 28th at 8:00 p.m. at Petco Park. Our freelancer, Ariele Johannson, attended the McCartney concert in August at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles—and also shares memories of a Beatles concert in New York 50 years ago that she attended back in 1964. Written for the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles first U.S. tour, this article is a “must read” for all Beatles fans of today and yesterday.

Photo, left: Beatles in 1964,  Library of Congress image

THE BEATLES! IN PERSON                                                                             

By Ariele Johannson                         

September 23, 2014 (San Diego)--The year was 1964, and I was touched by a movement—the craze of “Beatlemania.” An eleven-year-old girl in Long Island, New York, my life still felt like a closed book. I didn’t fit in anywhere…yet. I was quiet, smart, freckle-faced, and wore glasses. Yes, they called me “four eyes.”

August 30, 2014 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino & Resort will attempt to launch the world’s longest chain of fireworks—more than 10,000 – to celebrates its 23^rd anniversary on Friday, September 12th at 8 p.m. You’re invited to the festivities near the Viejas Hotel pool to witness the sky come alive with fireworks during this Guinness Book of World Records setting attempt.

August 28, 2014 (Julian) -- Talented artists from Julian and nearby communities will present their works at the Julian Labor Day Weekend Art Show August 30 through September 1. The show wlil be held in the Julian Town  Hall, 2129 Main Street in historic Julian, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Works dissplayed will includepaintings, photography, mosaics, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry and other works of fine art. Admission to the show is free, and many of the artists will be available to discuss their work.  For more details, visit http://www.julianartsguild.org.

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – This week’s activities in East County include living history presentations complete with mountain men and cowboys.  It’s also the start of pow-wow season at Barona and football season for the Aztecs—plus we’ll tell you about an art show,  free concerts and a family movie in the park.  Plus we’ll have a preview of next week’s top events, including a popular annual tradition in East County’s wine-growing region: a grape stomp festa!

Proceeds raised will benefit more than 400 adults with developmental disabilities

August 14, 2014 (San Diego)-- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center will host its 37th Haute with Heart Fashion Show on Saturday, August 16 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront (1 Park Boulevard San Diego, CA 92101). This year’s event, titled “Fashion on Pointe,” is a ballet-themed fashion show inspired by SMSC student John Agostini’s painting Ballerina, available for viewing at the event. 

“We are excited to present the Haute with Heart Fashion Show again this year, with the help of our sponsors making it our 37th,” said Debra Emerson, CEO of St. Madeline Sophie's Center in El Camjon. “This year’s event is unique in that the theme was drawn from SMSC student John’s Ballerina painting and will include our students’ performing arts production of Grease.”

August 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--The  37th Haute with Heart Fashion Show will be held on August 16 to benefit disabled adult programs for St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon. This year’s show will be held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, featuring boutique shopping, live and silent auctions, opportunity drawings and a performance from the Center’s Singers and Dance Troupe.

Plus previews of coming attractions

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Les Miserables on Mt. Helix

This week on Destination East County, we’ll start with some hot concerts and summer plays, a star party campout and the Pine Valley Days Parade.  Plus we’ll have previews of more super summertime events, from jazz in Julian to some rollicking times at the Ramona Country Fair.

Plus previews of coming attractions

By Miriam Raftery

July 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- This week’s Destination East County has some hot summertime events, from a dive-in movie to Descanso Days, a pet parade in Campo, and an extreme horsepower classic cruise night revving up in El Cajon.

We also have previews of some events later in the month, from twilight walks at Mission Trails to wine pairings in Ramona, and from live theater atop Mt. Helix, and a family campout complete with stargazing in Lakeside.

July 1, 2014 (Ramona) – What could be finer than to savor a “Lavender and Wine Experience” plus catered delicacies?   Ramona Ranch Winery, Trezette’s Catering and Volcan Vista Farm invites you to “evoke your sensations” and meet the farmer, wine maker and chef on Wednesday evening, July 23 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. 

Learn about growing Lavender and Ramona’s exploding wine-region while creating your own custom sachet over a Lavender-themed buffet style dinner paired with a glass of Ramona Ranch Wine as the sun sets on the outdoor tasting terrace at Ramona Ranch Winery in Ramona.