Story and photos by Robert Gehr © 2014

November 24, 2014 (El Cajon)--Traditionally held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this year’s Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon was exciting. The day was lightly overcast with a slight breeze, providing a little relief from the warm midday sun.

East County News Service

November 21, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)--Jacumba Hot Springs closes out its centennial year on Saturday, December 6^th with a Feliz Navidad celebration. The event takes place at the Highland Center, 44681 Old Highway 80 from 2-5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2014 (Alpine) – You’re invited to an afternoon of yuletide fun watching animals open their Christmas presents at Lions, Tigers and Bears. The animal rescue facility hosts is annual Christmas Festival Fundraiser on Saturday, December 6^th from 1-4 p.m.  You can also do holiday shopping at more than 40 vendor booths, enjoy food from Descanso Junction and visit Santa Claus. (To buy tickets, click here.)

“This year we are putting out an extra special request for donated Christmas Trees that we can give to the animals on this special day. Trees are an amazing form of enrichment for the animals,” says founder Bobbi Brink. (Click here to donate a tree.)

In addition, a new bear habitat will be unveiled during the December 6^th event featuring rescued bears Albert, Cherry Bomb, Teddy and Baloo.

November 20, 2014 (Jacumba) – The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers are hitting the trail on November 22^nd to the Bankhead Springs Pictographs and Sage Winds Farm on a moderate-rated hike.  If you go, you will encounter ancient Native American rock drawings, caves and morteros. Then on to visit Sage Wind Farms and climb up boulder strewn hills for a panoramic view of the mountains in the area. Organic White Sage products & tye dye clothing are available for sale.

November 18, 2014 (Alpine) - The 19^th annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Snow Festival with real snow will be held on Friday, December 5^th from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon)--You can help a family in need during the holidays.  On Tuesday, November 25, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Salvation Army in El Cajon will hold a special “drive-thru food drive” at their offices located at 1011 East Main, El Cajon.  The Salvation Army Drive Through Thanksgiving Food Drive rallies the San Diego East County community to contribute Thanksgiving dinners for families in need. To participate, drive to The Salvation Army El Cajon Corps to donate a frozen turkey, and/or any of the fixings, or make a cash donation.

November 15, 2014 (Santee) – Santee Firefighters and Sheriff’s deputies will host their 16^th annual Santee Fire Pancake Breakfast at 9130 Carlton Oaks Drive in Santee on December 6^th from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m.  All proceeds will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation, which fulfills wishes for terminally ill children.

East Count News Service

November 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a barbecue and beer-tasting event, a star party, a health faire, a brass quintet concert, the musical Mulan, and a holiday open house!  Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, such as Woodstock the Musical, Pomegranate Days at a camel farm, live music in Lemon Grove, a World of Bats program for nature-lovers, the Mother Goose Parade, and for working up an appetite for all that Thanksgiving Feasting, the Waddle and Trot 5 K run!

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine.

November 9, 2014 -- On Thursday, November 27 at 8:00 a.m. Pathways Community Church will host the 3rd Annual Waddle and Trot 5K and Fun Run. All proceeds will once again go to Santee Santas and the Santee Food Bank.

This fun family event is intended for runners and walkers of every fitness level.

November 6, 2014 (Ramona) – One of the most unusual holiday season traditions in East County is coming up: the fourth annual Pomegranate Days celebration at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from noon to 5 p.m.

The festivities include camel rides, bird and camel shows, shopping for holiday gifts such as camel’s milk soaps, and the highlight of the event, feeding pomegranates to the camels.

November 4, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes the Aztecs homecoming game, a hike by the light of the moon, the musical Mulan, an acorn harvest festival and a holiday open house at Summers Past Farms. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a free concert by the Pomerado Brass Quintet and the much-anticipated East County holiday tradition, the Mother Goose Parade.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

By Robert Gehr

October 30, 2014 (El Cajon)--As the sun dropped low into the horizon and darkness began to envelop the land last night, evening twilight brought out hordes of costumed people - young and old alike - competing for candy  at Trunk or Treat, El Cajon’s fun-filled trick or treat Halloween festivity.

East County News Service

October 29, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes lots of fun festive activities including an ice-skating Halloween costume party in Alpine , an art and wine festival at a Ramona castle, and the trout fishing season opener at Santee Lakes. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including an Acorn Festival and a Hike by the Light of the Moon in our mountain regions.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

Story and photos by Robert Gehr

© Robert Gehr 2014

October 26, 2014 (El Cajon)—El Cajon’s third annual Halloween festival was a hit once again. The festivities took place in downtown on Main Street, Sulzfeld Avenue and Rea Street as well as Prescott Park. The area became quickly crowded with many costumed people enjoying themselves as dusk began to settle in and the night enveloped the area in darkness.