East County News Service

October 24, 2015 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Fall is in the air and it’s a great time to take a hike.  The Jacumba Hikers/Walkers have a series of hikes coming up to intriguing locations, with various levels of difficulties from easy to extreme. 

November’s destinations include Tule Canyon, Round Mountain, the Old Butterfield Stage Coach route, and Amadeo’s Straw bale cabin compound. In December, the group will hit the trail for an ancient waterfall and Davies Valley, wind caves in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, an ancient juniper forest, and the Valley of the Moon. 

“Thou shalt not” is soon forgotten, but “Once upon a time” lasts forever.” (Philip Pullman)

October 22, 2015 (Santee and Escondido)--Tellabration is a global celebration of the art of oral storytelling.  Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images and sounds, often by improvisation or embellishment.  Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and in order to instill moral values.  Crucial elements of stories and storytelling include plot, characters and narrative point of view.

East County News Service

October 20, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Circle Players of El Cajon will be performing “Wrangle at Red Mountain Ranch” November 13th and 14th at 7:00pm and November 15th at 2:00pm.  This mystery dinner theatre is set at a dude ranch and we encourage all attendees to wear their western attire and have a rip-roarin’ good time!  Performances will be held at Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon.

East County News Service

October 18, 2015 (La Mesa) – The San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room at 8364 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa announces a series of music nights in November featuring talented artists performing Spanish and classical guitar, blues, folk, bluegrass, country, classic rock, jazz with a Latin twist and more.  Admission is free; wine, cheese, crackers and dessert are available for purchase in this intimate back-room setting.  Scroll down for details on each concert, and for more information, visit www.sanpasqualwinery.com

East County News Service

October 17, 2015 (El Cajon)--East County’s only haunted amusement park trail debuts this Halloween season at the abandoned Marshal Scotty’s amusement park in El Cajon (14039 Ridge Hill Road, at the Lake Jennings exit).  Rumored to be haunted by past park employees, Marshal Scary Scotty’s “Scare Trail” will be open October 28-31, 2015 from 6 to 11 p.m.

This year, see the bumper car carnage, try to stay in one piece through the slaughter trailer and the haunted park offices, visit the frightening Ferris wheel….and don’t forget to brace yourself as you walk through the remains of the death coaster.

East County News Service

October 14, 2015 (Julian) – The Julian Triangle Club’s  59^th annual October melodrama, “Keeping the Doctor Away”  or “Take Two Apples and See Me in the Morning” continues this weekend and next at the historic Julian Town Hall. 

This year’s director, Sandi Bennett, is cracking the whip over the all-volunteer local cast, who come from all walks of life to put on the traditional Melodrama and raise money for our local charities including scholarships for local students.

Get your team ready or just come to watch the pumpkins fly!

October 14, 2015 (Alpine)--The 2nd Annual Alpine Education Foundation Punkin Chunkin is set forSunday, Nov. 8th, at 10 a.m. at Joan MacQueen Middle School. This family friendly educational fundraiser to benefit Alpine schools requires teams to create a launching device to chunk their pumpkins for accuracy and distance while competing for nearly $2,000 in cash prizes for distance and accuracy. Entry fee is $100. Admission is free.

October 10, 2015 (Alpine)--Could you use a bit of inspiration for your upcoming Halloween jack o’ lantern carving projects? There’s no better opportunity than learning from one of the best in the business – Master Carver Gene Granata. Granata will be displaying some of his jack o’ lantern creations, as well as offering carving tips, at the Alpine Education Foundation’s inaugural Night of the Jack o’ Lanterns event to be held at the Alpine Creek Town Center on Thursday, October 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The event is free for all ages.

On October 22/23/24, 2015 millions of Jews in over 500 cities in 65 countries around the world will join as one in celebrating a traditional, cohesive and momentous Shabbat

October 9, 2015 (San Diego)-- On October 22, 23 and 24, 2015 millions of Jews in over 500 cities in 65 countries around the world will join as one in celebrating a traditional, cohesive and momentous Shabbat, a day of rest and rejuvenation. Locally, Shabbat San Diego (www.shabbatsandiego.org) is coordinating and planning, in conjunction with local congregations, community organizations, schools and youth groups, a unique free three-day experience to inspire more than 20,000 Jewish San Diegans to join in and experience the uniquely joyful mind-body-spiritual restorative powers that a personally evocative Shabbat experience promotes.

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

East County News Service

October 8, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a production of Stage Fright, a craft and harvest festival, Oktoberfest, Fall Fest at Grossmont Center, and a  Fair Trade Gift Fair.  Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Enchanted Garden Gala, Tournament of the Phoenix and Festival of History, Haunt Fest on Main Street, and a Trick or Treat dog show.

October 5, 2015 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club will hold it's 25th annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday October 25th between 8 am and 12 noon at the Ronald Regan Community Center 195 E. Douglas El Cajon.

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.

October 3, 2015 (Flinn Springs)—The Alpine Stagecoach Lions Club is holding its inaugural “Trick or Treat” Dog Show on Saturday, October 24, at 15602 Olde Highway 80, Flinn Springs. Doors open at 10 a.m. Dog Show from 1 – 4 p.m. with a costume contest, prizes and trophies, and special guest appearance by Muttley Cyrus. Food and fun can be had for all, and, while you are there, you’re invited to visit the pumpkin patch at Summer’s Past Farms. All proceeds from this event go directly to purchase a seeing-eye service dog for someone in need!

October 2, 2015 (La Mesa)--Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa continues its current season with a mystery. Stage Fright by Charles Marowitz will run Oct. 9-Nov. 8.

A leading metropolitan drama critic is led by an attractive production assistant into a recently discovered 19th century theatre. There, the critic will film a television interview for a documentary on the actor John Wilkes Booth, who once acted on those very boards. The critic, F.F. Charnick, notorious for his venomous reviews, visibly warms to the classy elegance of the British P.A. But no sooner has he downed a glass of wine than he falls drugged and unconscious.

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

East County News Service

October 2, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – This week’s Destination East County includes the famous annual Oktoberfests held in both La Mesa and El Cajon and a reenactment festival about the 1800s. We also have a preview of some upcoming events in early to mid-October of theater, fairs, and classic cars.