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.

The 17^th annual Blues Bash will be held at Menghini Winery in Julian on Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The music fest will include Jonathon Boogie Long and the Blues Revolution from Louisiana, crowned “King of the Blues” by Guitar Center. The event also features wine-tasting and dancing. 

East County News Service

May 29, 2015 (La Mesa) –A Craft Beer and Wine Summer Festival to benefit the La Mesa Historical Society will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 1 to 6 p.m. at 4888 Date Avenue at the La Mesa Farmer’s Market parking lot.  The festivities include unlimited tastes from 20 breweries plus a VIP lounge, live music, food trucks, and over 30 vendors.

April 19, 2015 (Ramona) – You’re invited to East County Magazine’s Spanish Fiesta celebration on Sunday, April 26^th from 12-2 p.m. at the beautiful Hacienda de las Rosas Winery in Ramona!

Your ticket includes wonderful wine-tasting, live flamenco guitar music by Myles Moynier, Peruvian Paso equestrian demonstration by Jorge Valenzuela, fabulous lunch by Jeremy’s on the Hill, delightful desserts from Grove Pastry Shop,  plus a silent auction and fabulous opportunity drawing prizes!

This event is limited to our subscribers--subscribe free at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts for our weekly newsletter, wildfire alerts or both.  Proceeds benefit our wildfire reporting for fire season. 

RSVP by Wednesday to enter a drawing for a Spanish guitar CD by the famous Romeros family. 

SDG&E will also be on hand with free gifts and energy saving tips.

For detail on the event, our fabulous line-up of prizes and more, click "read more" and scroll down.

Fabulous prizes! Olaf Wieghorst signed Western print, barbecue grill and accessories, Hacienda de las Rosas wine basket, happy hour at Hatfield Creek Vineyard, Ramona Ranch Vineyard wine, vintage jewelry from Antiques in the Village, arrowhead jewelry from Mountain Gypsy, earrings from Warm Hearth, Hand-wove scarves from Weaving Works in Santa Ysabel, gift certificate from Kathy’s Dress Shop, Array Mbira music lessons, guitar or vocal lessons from Ed Barrena, craft items, gift baskets, tickets to Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival, tickets to Sage & Songbirds garden tour and festival, Circle Players "Cafe Murder" theater tickets, wine and tastings from Woof 'n' Rose Winery, and more!

April 9, 2015 (Ramona) – The 12^th annual Ramona Open Studios tour will be held this Satudray and Sunday, April 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you've ever wondered what an artist's studio looks like, now is your opportunity to see for yourself. During the Ramona Open Studios Tour, artists in Ramona will open their studios to curious visitors, inviting them to talk, check out how they work, and buy artwork if they're interested.

March 3, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes an artists’ reception, a calypso star in concert, and live music at a winery. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including St. Patrick’s Day weekend and Easter egg hunts, Vallecito Day historical reenactments and Tomatomania! Stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.

February 3, 2015 (San Diego)--San Diego's Mission Trails Regional Park announces a three-day Kumeyaay Lakes Poetry Campout  in February with Poet Jim Moreno--complete with love-themed workshops for romantics at heart.

The Valentines Day Weekend (Feb. 13-15) will blend writing time for beginning to seasoned poets in four structured writing workshops. Star gazing with the San Diego Astronomy Association, a guided nature walk, and a Saturday sunset open mic for camping poets and community at the Kumeyaay Lake amphitheater will be blended with Valentine theme poetry events.

January 30, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has events ranging from  our own East County treasures event to an art show at Mission Trails Regional Park. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Ballet Folklorico dance performance and Circus Vargas bringing its mesmerizing performances to our region. Stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.

January 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has events ranging from an art show at Mission Trails Regional Park to a pipe organ concert in La Mesa and a photo tour of the Anza Borrego Desert. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Ballet Folklorico dance production in Lemon Grove to a circus coming to El Cajon. So stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.