By Miriam Raftery

Updated May 14, 2020

April 26, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – “Zoom our Zoo is an online, real-time animal show tailored for your audience,” a message at the Oasis Camel Dairy website reads. Owners of the Ramona-based family ranch, like many local ventures that rely on agritourism, face high costs to feed and care for their camels, exotic performing birds, racing turkeys and other animals without public events during the COVID-19 pandemic. So now they are offering interactive programs online to liven up corporate events or entertain kids with virtual birthday parties featuring “camel capers and parrot pranks” through Zoom – for a fee.

December 11, 2014 (Lakeside) – Many of our readers have asked us where to find locally made cheeses. At last, we’ve found a source! Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside has announced that starting in 2015, this family-owned farm will begin making artisan, farmstead cheese.  In addition, a cheese club, special events and creamery tours will be offered.