By Briana Gomez

Miriam Raftery, editor of East County Magazine hosted a spirited holiday party on Sunday, December 16 at her home on Mt. Helix.

In attendance at our "Feasting and Merrymaking" celebration were staff members, board members, and volunteers for the non-profit publication, as well as community members who purchased tickets to support the online magazine.

Click here for  free circus pass for children age 10 and under

East County News Service

December 19, 2018 (Oray Ranch, Chula Vista) -- American Crown Circus is bringing its Circo Osorio to the Otay Ranch Town Center January 10^th through 14^th.  A family tradition for over 90 years, the show includes aerial acrobats, trapeze flyers, illusions, a wheel of death, daredevils, creative costumes and theatrical showmanship. 

You're invited to "runaway to the circus."  The Las Vegas-based show promises spellbinding performances as aerial artists swing, acrobats tumble and artists defy the laws of gravity just inches from the audience.

East County News Service

December 13, 2018 (El Cajon) – The Olaf Wieghorst Museum at the Wieghorst Western Heritage Center, 131 Rea Ave., El Cajon, is presenting an exhibit of 25 quilts created by East County residents, including Cheryl Minshew, Daniela Stout and Sylvia Thomas. “Visitors to the Wieghorst will be impressed by the variety and creativity of patterns designed by East County residents,” said Minshew, the show’s curator. The exhibit runs through Saturday, Dec. 29.  Admission to the museum is free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. For more information, phone (619) 590-3431, or visit www.wieghorstmuseum.org.

Copyright 2018 by Sam Warren

“Finishing a book is just like you took a child out in the backyard and shot it.”  —Truman Capote 

December 8, 2018 (San Diego) – From a writers’ and editors’ holiday potluck party to author book signings, writing classes and library events, there’s a lot happening in our local literary community.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

December 7, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Picture it – a horse-pulled wagon filled with carolers young and old making its way through suburban streets as the neighbors call out Christmas greetings.  It’s the annual Hayride and Chili Dog Dinner at The Table: United Church of Christ of La Mesa, 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa 91942.

You're invited to our Holiday Party!

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Join East County Magazine, East County Wildfire & Eergency Alerts and the East County Dining Club at our

Feasting & Merrymaking Holiday Party

Sunday, December 16th, from 3-7 p.m.

at our editor's Mt. Helix home: 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa 91941

• Kaleidoscope Carolers

• Guitarist/vocalist Paul Nichols

• Holiday feast

• Prizes galore

• Meet the media and community VIPs

Tickets in advance: $15 and bring a dish to share ($20 at the door)

(Volunteers and staff are comped free.)

All others, please buy tickets online:

Number of Tickets

Be sure to RSVP! (619)698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org and please let us know if you’ll bring an appetizer, main dish, side dish, desert or sealed beverage

Our party is open to all East County Magazine or wildfire alert subscribers, dining club members,  their guests and our friends.  You can subscribe FREE at the top right side of our homepage.

Giveaways:  All guests will receive pass for a child 10 or under to the American Crown Circus performance in January in Chula Vista, plus free certificate for skincare dermabrasian treatment at Alvarado Skincare Institute in La Mesa. 

Raffle: Prizes include restaurant gift certificates, spa/skincare gift certificates, children's books, wine lover's basket, jewelry, hand-knitted scarves, candy and more!

Thanks to our sponsors: American Crown Circus, California Coat Credit Union, Red Lobster, Giardino, Alvarado Institute of Skin Care, Julian Wine and Chocolate, Barnes and Noble, Julian Weaving Works, Gypsy Treasures and more to come.

Invite your friends and family-the more, the merrier!

East County News Service

December 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The 11th annual San Diego Pottery tour will be held this weekend, December 8th and 9th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Nine studios are on the tour, including several in East County.  See list below, and for details, visit http://www.sdpotterytour.com/.

Source:  Saps at Sea

December 3, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, invites you to their last meeting of the year on December 29 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.

East County News Service 

December 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Happy Chanukah! The eight-day Jewish celebration this year runs December 2-10.  A community Chanukah dinner willbe held on Friday, December 7 at 4:20 p.m. at Chabat of East County, 7290 Navajo Rd., Suite 207 in the San Carlos community of San Diego, featuring lighting of a menorah and Shabat candles, followed by dinner.

East County News Service

November 28, 2018 (San Diego) – Now in its 18^th season, the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present “Sounds of the Season” on December 9th at 3 p.m. at College Avenue Baptist Church (4747 College Avenue, San Diego 92115).  Based in East County, the group performs choral masterworks and popular programs, regularly filling up the 1500-seat venue for its concerts.

Source:  City of La Mesa 

November 27, 2018 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa kicks off the holidays on Thursday, November 29 starting at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy live music as you “Dine, Shop and Explore” the beautiful downtown La Mesa Village. 

East County News Service

November 25, 2018 (Santee) – The Santee Historical Society invites you to an old-fashioned Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 1st from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Santee Barn (9200 Magnolia, between Mast and Mission Gorge Rd.)

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2018 (Spring Valley) – The creator of the Magical Forest in Las Vegas has brought her talents to Noah Homes at 12526 Campo Road in in Spring Valley, where the Enchanted Village Festival of Trees & Lights will be open to the public December 14-16 and 21-23.  View video: https://vimeo.com/301286492/bf29b3c559

Tickets cost $14.99 for adults and $9.99 for children  ages 3-12; three’s a limit of 500 tickets per night so advance purchase is advised.  You can reserve tickets online at www.EnchantedVillage.org. All proceeds from this delightful holiday display will benefit programs to help Noah Homes residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

One-act Christmas opera in English; two performances only on December 22 at STAR Repertory Theatre in Escondido

November 20, 2018 (Escondido) - “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a one-act Christmas opera in English written by Gian Carlo Menotti, will be presented at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 22nd at the STAR Repertory Theatre, 329 E. Valley Parkway in Escondido.  The production by Genesis Opera Theatre features an all-star cast of talent drawn from Southern California’s San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, and is directed by Cynthia Leigh with musical direction by Tim Leon.

East County News Service

November 16, 2018 (Alpine) – You’re invited to bring the kids and savor breakfast with Santa at the Alpine Community Center (1830 Alpine Blvd., Alpine) on Saturday, December 8 from 9-11 a.m.

Every child will receive a gift from Santa! There will also be holiday crafts for kids.

Proceeds benefit the Alpine Community Center.  Tickets ($15 adults, children ages 4-9 $5, under 3 years free) are available at www.AlpineCommunityCenter.com.  For more information, call 619-445-7330.