DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: JANUARY 20-FEB. 22

East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a presentation by historical author Roger Conlee in Alpine, a British farce onstage in La Mesa, and the San Diego State Writer’s Conference.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Laurel and Hardy night in Spring Valley, a California’ dream series on immigration and migration in Borrego Springs, a mountain bike ride in Mission Trails, a powwow at Cuyamaca College, Valentine’s Teas in Julian, and a Salute to La Mesa’s Local Heroes.

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

WHAT THE BUTLER SAW: JAN. 20-FEB. 19 IN LA MESA

Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present “What the Butler Saw,” a classic British farce opening January 20^th and running through Feb. 19^th. 

When a psychiatrist tries to seduce an aspiring secretary, his botched efforts lead to comic bedlam involving his insatiable wife, a randy bellhop, a befuddled police officer and Sir Winston Churchill. For tickets and details you can visit www.LamplightersLaMesa.com.

SDSU WRITERS CONFERENCE JAN. 20-22

Each year, over 300 aspiring writers from around the world attend the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference. This year, the conference will be held January 20^th through 22^nd at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley.  The conference was the first to pioneer one-on-one appointments for writers with editors, agents and other top-tier publishing professionals, who can provide direct feedback on your writing.

This year’s keynote speakers include R.L. Stine, one of the best-selling children’s authors in history; J.A. Jance, a top-10 New York Times best-selling author, Jonathan Maberry, five-time winner of the Bram Stoker award, and Sherrilyn Kenyon, international and New York Times number one best-selling author of fantasy, horror and more.

For information on fees and registration for the 33^rd annual SDSU Writers Conference, visit NeverStopLearning.net/writers.

AUTHOR ROGER CONLEE IN ALPINE JAN. 21

You can meet author Roger Conlee at the Alpine Library (1752 Alpine Blvd.) on Saturday January 21 at 10 a.m.  He has written seven fact-based historical novels, including several that have won awards. The latest is Deep Water, set in the early days of the Cold War and the red-baiting hysteria of the McCarthyism era.

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…

CABARET NIGHTS JAN. 27-28 IN SPRING VALLEY

Young Actors Theater will host cabaret nights on Friday and Saturday, January 27^th and 28^th at the YAT theater in Spring Valley.  The cabaret nights showcase talented YAT members performing musical, dance and acting performances to benefit the theatrical group.  For tickets ($10) and details you can visit  www.YATSanDiego.org.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: THE STORY OF MIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION JANUARY 28

The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association will present a three-part program titled “California Dreamin’” on the story of migration and immigration.  All three parts will be presented on Saturday, January 28^th and will encompass the history of the early Californians, Western women, and the impacts of immigration on Native Americans.

For reservations and details, visit the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Society website at www.ABDNHA.org.

LAUREL AND HARDY NIGHT IN SPRING VALLEY JAN. 28

Saps at Sea, the local Laurel & Hardy fan club, begins its 39th year with a meeting on Saturday, January 28 at Williams Halls at Trinity Church in Spring Valley. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. 

The evening includes showings of the cartoon “Screwball Squirrel,” followed by Laurel and Hardy causing mischief in “You’re Darn Tootin’” with live music by Russ Peck and comedian Charley Chase in “Snappy Sneezer.”  After an intermission and treats, you’ll see “Them Thar Hills” and “Tit for Tat,” two more Laurel and Hardy short films, the latter nominated for an Academy Award.

(Suggested donation: $7.  View full flyer here.)

ICE SKATING AT VIEJAS NOW THROUGH JAN. 29

The largest outdoor ice skating rink in Southern California is open at Viejas Outlets Center through January 29^th. Feel the cool Pacific mountain air on your face while you bunny hop, camel spin, and swizzle your way around our ice rink in Alpine.  For details, you can visit www.Viejas.com.

COURTLY NOYSE CONCERT JAN. 29 AT MISSION TRAILS

Mission Trails Regional Park will host a concert featuring Courtly Noyse on January 29^th at 3 p.m. performing Renaissance music.  The group began singing madrigals atop Mount Palomar and has since added instrumentalists. For details visit www.MTRP.org.

CUYAMACA COLLEGE POW WOW FEB. 4

The Native American Student Alliance at Cuyamaca College will host its 3rd Annual Powwow on Saturday, February 4^th from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in front of the Communication Arts complex. The powwow aims to promote Native American heritage, with activities including Bird Singing, a native singing style of the Kumeyaay people honoring the culture and traditions of local tribes in our region.

The powwow will also include arts and craft vendors, food vendors, drums, native dances and more. Admission and parking will be free.

MOUNTAIN BIKE GUIDED RIDE FEB. 4 AT MISSION TRAILS

Mission Trails Regional Park invites you to a guided Mountain Bike Nature ride with a park ranger on the first Saturday of the month now through June from 9 to 11 a.m.

The next ride will be on Saturday, February 4^th, starting at the West Sycamore portion of the park at the east end of Stonebridge Parkway in Scripps Ranch. You may see birds of prey rising on the winds from canyons below as you ride through Beeler Canyon. This 10-mile ride is for moderate to fit riders.

If you arrive early, volunteers from San Diego Mountain Biking Association will help you make adjustments to your bike. Upcoming rides’ difficulty will increase a little so you can try new skills and get comfortable with your bike. Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and snacks. Wet trails cancel rides. For more information, visit the Mission Trails Regional Park website at www.MTRP.org.

HAWAIIAN AND CELTIC GUITARIST IN LA MESA FEB. 11

Acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter Jim Earp will perform Hawaiian and Celtic guitar music, as well as folk-rock songs at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room and Gallery in La Mesa on Saturday, February 11^th from 7 to 10 p.m.  Wine and cheese are available for the performance in the winery’s cozy back room.  For details or to get a full February schedule of events at this venue, you can visit www.SanPasqualWinery.com.

VALENTINE’S TEAS IN JULIAN FEB. 9-14

Julian Tea and Cottage Arts will host Valentine’s Teas from February 9^th through 14^th, with several options for seating times.

The set menu is a romantically inspired version of their Cottage Classic Tea, a four course extravaganza starting with tomato or pumpkin soup with mini cheese scone, then a variety of finger sandwiches and savories, followed by a scone with curd, jam and whipped cream, and the grand finale is a luscious three-piece dessert tray.

A Children’s Tea is also available for children under 12. Vegetarian or gluten-free versions can be prepared with advance notice. For reservations, visit www.JulianCa.com and click on the calendar.

LA MESA CHAMBER’S SALUTE TO LOCAL HEROES FEB. 22

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its 9th Annual Salute to Local Heroes dinner on February 22^nd from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Town and Country Resort’s Golden Ballroom in Mission Valley.  The Chamber will honor heroes chosen by the La Mesa Police Department and Heartland Fire Department.  This year’s event has an “All That Jazz” theme and includes a silent auction and raffle.  For tickets and details visit www.LaMesaChamber.com.

That’s all for this week!

If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org   Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.

We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!