February 28, 2010 (Anza Borrego) – record rainfall in January and February is expected to produce a banner season for wildflowers in Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

Blooms are expected to peak through mid-March, so plan your trip east to the desert on any clear day over the next couple of weeks.

 
February 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for some creative ways to romance the sweetheart on Valentine’s Day weekend? San Diego’s eastern region has many unique options for romance, ranging from free hiking and picnic spots to gourmet dining, upscale resorts and sweetheart spa retreats.
 
For the adventurous at heart, thrill to your heart’s desire with options such as sky sailing, trail rides, a train trip, and overnight Jeep tours for two. There are also special events planned including a chocolate lover’s festival, winery parties, a romantic comedy musical, an exotic night at the Wild Animal Park and a “Cosby and Cupid” live comedy performance. Scroll down for 25 romantic ways to delight your Valentine!
 

December 29, 2009 - At year's end, we'd like to share with our readers a few of our favorite images taken along East County's backroads and byways during the four seasons in the past year.

Anza-Borrego: A Photographic Journey. By Ernie Cowan.
Foreword by Diana Lindsay (Anza-Borrego Foundation and Institute).
San Diego. Sunbelt Publications. 2008. Illustrated with full color plates. 80 pages. $19.95.

Reviewed by Walter Hall

Cowan captures the essence of this grand desert Park and shares it with the world in this heartfelt account. Mark C. Jorgensen, Superintendent, Anza-Borrego.

December 17, 2009 (Borrego) -- This is the story of a desert love affair. A romantic journey suitable for all ages. San Diego author Ernie Cowan put his heart on his sleeve for Anza-Borrego many years ago. With this luminously illustrated volume, it is easy to understand why.

Rural retreat to host Thanksgiving potluck feast--and soon, a writer’s retreat

By Miriam Raftery

November 23, 2009 – It's not Plymouth Rock--but it may be the most dramatic natural setting in San Diego County to celebrate your Thanksgiving. 

“When I saw this, I felt sure there were ceremonies here in ancient times,” said Sharon Courmousis, standing before a natural rock cathedral at Sacred Rocks Reserve in Boulevard. “I also felt a sense of sacred space.” Sharon and her husband, Dmitri, offer guests opportunities to nurture creative artistry, enjoy stargazing, stroll a labyrinth--and savor a Thanksgiving Day potluck amid a natural retreat complete with campground, cottages and a clubhouse for the feast.

September 4, 2009 (Chula Vista) –Looking for a place to keep cool over this sweltering Labor Day weekend? Make a big splash with the kids by taking them to Knott’s Soak City. Located in the eastern portion of Chula Vista, the water park features a variety of water rides and pools for kids and the young at heart. What better way to end the summer and cool off amid triple-digit heat?

(For additional fun places to stay cool in our eastern region of the County, see our 2008 story, “Cool Places to Beat the Heat” at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=beattheheat.)

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
August 25, 2009 (La Mesa) –Young women in flapper costumes and men in dapper attire strolled the streets of La Mesa in mid-August, offer visitors a walk back through time to the city’s heyday as a silent movie filmmaking Mecca and a turn-of-the-century boom town.

By Miriam Raftery and Takayuki Higuchi

August 20, 2009 (El Cajon) –Heritage of the Americas Museum stands out as one of East County’s shining jewels—and best kept secrets. Located on the campus at Cuyamaca College in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon, the museum contains a dazzling collection of art as well as anthropology, natural history and archaeological artifacts sure to delight children and adults alike. (You can enjoy a tour led by the museum's curator at "Celebrate East County", a benefit event for East County Magazine on Saturday, August 29th.)
 
“This is one of the finest museums on a college campus,” said curator Kathleen Oatsvall. Asked what is most special about the facility, she replied, “The quality of the collections that the Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian Institute would love to have. The quality is outstanding, but at the same time, our focus and dedication is to educate children.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Could East County someday rival Napa Valley as a prime winemaking locale?

San Diego County has over 40 wineries, nearly all in the eastern regions. Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo is the County's oldest; Orfila in San Pasqual has won more than 1,000 awards. But now some East County winemakers are producing vintages gaining attention of wine connoisseurs--winning awards and savoring the fruits of their labors.

By Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2009 (Warner Springs)—“It’s always fun when we get an adult to volunteer to be the cow,” Sherri Freeman quipped, then deftly lassoed a running parent. Nearby, youngsters saddled up on a bucking mechanical horse, ground acorns, studied history of the Butterfield Stage Coach, hiked with an ecologist, visited farm animals, and learned about wild herbs from a Native American healer.

Watch our slideshow

View our videos! Acorn-grinding lesson; teacher lassos a parent “cow”

By Marisa Kezirian

Editor’s Note: In our quest to bring you the best of everything east of I-15, we sent ECM intern Marisa Kezirian on a fledgling flight to review San Diego Wild Animal Park’s new zip-line ride, which benefits the Park’s program to preserve endangered California condors. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it!

June 1, 2009 (Escondido)—Looking for adventure? Flightline, at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, provides visitors with a great new zip-line experience, as you soar over the park like a bird.

View the slideshow

By Miriam Raftery

“Just like the Roman Empire, things that are built can decay, but they’re never lost as long as you keep them in your heart.” – Christian Woempner

May 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—Traveling down Old Highway 80 with a man who helped build it proved a nostalgic and fascinating journey. “I love the sound of tires,” Craig Woemper, a 39-year veteran of Cal-Trans, said as the road ker-thumped beneath us. Raised in rural East County, Craig and his son, Christian, joined ECM’s editor and videographer for a trip down memory lane, providing insights not only into the road’s colorful history, but also sharing lore and legends of our region, assuring that these memories will not be consigned to the dust bin of history.

By Miriam Raftery

House finch

May 1, 2009 (Lakeside)—Towering wild lilacs line trails at Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary in Lakeside, where signs of new life abound five and a half years after the Cedar Fire. New trunks sprout forth from charred oaks. Wildflowers abound—including monkey flowers and golden eardrops—species never seen here before the fire. Bluebirds, gold finches, juncos, house wrens and nuthatches are among the many species of birds at feeders and bird houses in the preserve owned by the Audobon Society, which is also home to woodpeckers, hawks, owls, coyotes, foxes and bobcats.

By Miriam Raftery

Bird dancers demonstrate hand-made gourds at Warner Springs Native American museum.

--A broken song beneath the snow, the echo of a soaring joy, a shape in the mist, a touch, in the rain in wilderness you come again. You tell us what we used to know. You speak for all the free wild things whose ways were ours when the world had wings.—Bev Doolittle

April 20, 2009 (Warner Springs)- Inscribed on a wall in the new Outdoor Academic Experience (O.A.E.) Native American Museum in Warner Springs, the quote above reflects the rich cultural heritage and traditions of local Cahuilla, Luiseño, Cupeño and Kumeyaay tribes preserved and displayed here. To commemorate the museum’s grand opening on April 13, a trio of Native American bird singers performed traditional songs for visiting Girl Scouts from Troop 3125 and demonstrated gourd rattles which they crafted by hand.

Hundreds turned out for a wearin’ of the green, Irish fare and festivities at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grille in Rancho San Diego and La Mesa.  From kilts to kitch, East County party-goers got into the holiday spirit!

By Miriam Raftery

Models Emily Withers-Roberts, Penny Shidner, Judy Godde, and Monica Zech

March 28, 2009 (El Cajon)—Local celebrities including former TV and radio broadcaster Monica Zech strutted their stuff as runway models in the 21st annual Touch of Spring Fashion Show and Silent Auction to benefit the Heartland Lions Club. Held at the Elks Lodge in El Cajon, the event included a champagne luncheon, silent auction and drawing for prizes. Over 176 people attend this year’s show, which raises funds for the many local charities supported by the Lions. Lest you think the Lions Club is an all-male bastion, the ladies clearly ruled the day on this festive occasion.

Wild horse sculptures

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2009 (Borrego)—Visitors to Anza-Borrego may be startled by the vision of life-sized metal sculptures of dinosaurs, mastodons and other prehistoric creatures rising from the desert floor like sentinels of a forgotten era.  Other sculptures portray wild horses, birds of prey, tortoises, a saber-tooth tiger and Native American themes.  The creations by sculptor Ricardo Breceda are just some of the many surprises in store for those who visit the Anza-Borrego Desert, a treasure trove of hidden gems.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2009 — Where are the sweetest spots to savor a romantic Valentine's dinner for two in San Diego's eastern region?

East County Magazine's restaurant reviewers, staff and editors have teamed up to offer these recommendations for places that offer not only fabulous food, but a cozy ambience ideal for wining and dining your sweetheart this Valentine's Day.

By Miriam Raftery

February 1, 2009 (San Diego's East County) — Winter's chill is past--time to step out in the sunshine and savor some of the many fun-filled events this month in San Diego's eastern regions. Find details on all of these events and more. Just click the calendar link at the top of our homepage!

This is the prime season to visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where a wealth of activities are slated in February--from a desert night sky lecture on Feb. 6th to Archeology Weekend on the 21st-22nd and a hike through slots, vistas and side canyons on the 28th.

Music, Dance, and Storytelling Highlight 13th Annual Event -- VIEW OUR VIDEOS!

Moreton Bay Fig Morris English Dance Troupe.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Miriam Raftery and Leon Thompson

January 18, 2009 (La Mesa) — "On Tuesday, we will celebrate a historic day--I never thought I would see the day when we would have an African-American president," Dr. Eugene R. Bailey, retired U.S. Navy captain, told an audience of several hundred people at La Mesa's Multi-Cultural Festival. "Today I have to pinch myself to believe I actually commanded ships," said Bailey, who entered the Navy when opportunities for minorities were restricted. "We Americans have actually come a long, long way."