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!

August 25, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Newberry, S.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,068,467 pounds of turkey bacon products that may be adulterated because it may spoil before the “Best When Used By” date, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The company has received reports of illness related to the consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

August 25, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces the creation of a new project designed to assist seniors in need within our community.

City Manager announces a successor to replace retiring Police Chief Jim Redman

August 24, 2015 (El Cajon)--City Manager Douglas Williford announced today that Police Captain Jeffery “Jeff” Davis will become El Cajon’s next Chief of Police on December 5, 2015. Davis, a long-time member of the El Cajon Police Department, will replace retiring Chief Jim Redman. Earlier this month, Redman announced that he will retire on December 4, 2015.

Nationally Recognized Sexual Medicine Expert, Dr. Irwin Goldstein of San Diego, Discusses Flibanserin and Lack of Libido Drugs for Women

East County News Service

August 24, 2015 (San Diego) – Although there are 26 drugs approved to treat male sexual dysfunction, there are no drugs specifically approved to increase women’s libido. On August 18,  the FDA approved the first drug, flibanserin—nicknamed “female Viagra.”

By Miriam Raftery

August 24, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The newest growing wine region in our area is along historic Highway 94. A website has been set up at http://www.thewineriesonhighway94.com/ by growers and wine producers bringing their vision of a wine-region in the southeast county to fruition.

East County News Service, courtesy of NBC News “Meet the Press”

August 24, 2015 (San Diego)--Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina spoke with “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd on a variety of issues, including the California drought.  Below is an excerpt of her remarks, including her response to criticisms of her stance raised by Governor Jerry Brown.

August 24, 2015 (Scripps Ranch) – The Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council will host a Wildfire Preparedness Forum September 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marshall Middle School, 9700 Avenue of Nations in Scripps Ranch.

Part III:  Latino contenders Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz

A series by Miriam Raftery, Devoreo Bell and Juwan Armstrong

August 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –Winning the general election would be a daunting task for Republicans without support from the growing number of Latino voters across the U.S.  Two of the Republican contenders have Hispanic roots that could be a draw among Latinos, though their stances on immigration and deportation issues are largely at odds with the views of the major immigrant rights groups.  But there are key differences in their positions on core Latino issues, as well as a wide range of other topics. 

Source: California Attorney General

August 23, 2015 (Los Angeles)—California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert to Californians based on an increased number of complaints regarding student loan debt consolidation scams received by the Attorney General’s Public Inquiry Unit.

By SharonAnn Hamilton

Dear SharonAnn,

August 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - My wife and I are 60 and 62 respectively looking at retirement in a few years. She is a medical researcher and I am a CPA. We feel we have an adequate income prepared for our future but what concerns me is lifestyle. What are we going to do with the 50-60 hours each week when we are not working anymore? Our kids are grown and independent, our parents are happy in their community of friends. We need outside interests, but who has time? We want to make a difference in our world but how and where? I expect we could live 30-40 years and that is a lot of time ahead of us that right now seems daunting. Signed Kind of Lost.

Dear SharonAnn,

Our planned retirement and move in 12 months is heading toward us like a bullet train and such big changes in our lives are really scary. What if we cannot make new friends? What if we would have been better off to delay it for five years? What if we run out of money? What if we get bored not working? What if we detest our new community? Signed Nervous about Change

August 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Dear Nervous: There is no doubt that life changes are nerve wracking. In fact for most of us any change pushes us into fight or flight impulses, even those changes we initiate ourselves. There is no substitute for doing your own investigation. Having Plan A and Plan B is also a smart strategy when thinking about your retirement or any move.  Our best remembered baby boomer good-bye is remembered in the words of Spock, “Live long and prosper.” We all want that!

By Janis Russell

August 22, 2015 (Campo)- Mountain Health hosted its second back to school night for this year in Campo earlier this month. (Others were held in Escondido and Sherman Heights.). The goal of these back to school nights is to provide backpacks and school supplies to K-12 students served by its Mountain Empire family medicine location.

August 18, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- Subscribers and donors to East County Magazine are cordially invited to celebrate summer's end (and our 7tht anniversary!) at our Barbecue Bash at our editor's home on Mt. Helix on August 30th from 4 to 7 p.m.

Not yet a subscriber?  Sign up for our weekly newsletter and/or wildfire alerts here FREE,  or donate here.  Then join us as we show our appreciation for our wonderful subscribers and donors! You can also sign up at the door at 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa.  Suggested donation: $20.

This festive celebration will include live reggae music with Ed Barrena, wine tasting by Ramona Valley Vineyards, bourbon grilled chicken from Pick Up Stix, BBQ pulled pork (slow-roasted), juicy watermelons from Baron's Market and scrumptious deserts from Grove Pastry Shop. We'll have drawings and a silent auction with lots of prizes including a large barbecue grill with all the fixings, Visionary Dance Theater "Hairspray" show tickets, wine baskets, pottery from Get Centered Clay studio, Julian Wolf Preserve passes, Santee Lakes passes, wine tasting coupons, Water Conservation Garden memberships, Kwai Sun karate lessons, a hand-painted treasure chest, and much, much more!

East County News Service

August 22, 2015 (Poway) – Knights, squires and damsels bringing medieval events to life will convert at the Tournament of the Phoenix ™ on October 16-18 at the Poway Rodeo Grounds.