December 5, 2015 (Campo)--The famous North Pole Limited returns to celebrate the holiday season at the Pacific southwest Railway Museum in Campo. This special holiday production is offered with the help of the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association’s volunteers in cooperation with Mountain Empire and Bonita Vista Valley High Schools.

East County News Service

November 30, 2015 (Alpine) – The community of Alpine welcomes visitors to the 20^th annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights and Snow Festival on Friday, December 4^th.

The free Snow Festival includes a real snow hill, lighting of the Alpine Community Christmas Tree, Santa Claus (bring your camera!), family activities, vendors, crafters and more.  The parade starts at 6:30  p.m. (with entrants lining up starting at 6 p.m. at Alpine Blvd. and West Victoria Drive,) and ends at the Alpine Creek Town Center (1347 Tavern Road) for the Snow Festival from 7 to 9 p.m.

December 5, 2015 (La Mesa)-- You're invited to celebrate "Christmas for Animals" tonight ta 6 p.m. in La Mesa. Enjoy live jazz, blues, and rock n' roll plus delicious foods and drinks, silent auction prizes and Santa Claus!

The party is at 4518 Mayapan Drive in La Mesa at the home of a wonderful benefactor, hosted by the American Polish Cooperation Society. Proceeds will benefit local animal rescue organizations as well as helping East County Magazine start a new special Animals Action section. 

For details, scroll down and please RSVP at www.acps.com.pl or by calling 619-698-7617.  Bring a donation from the heart to help animals in need across our region.  We hope to see you there!

November 30, 2015 (Descanso) – You’re invited to a Holiday Open House at Alpacas of San Diego, located at 10499 Highway 79 in Descanso, on December 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Admission is free.

Learn all about alpacas and alpaca ownership see why these animals are so loveable and eco friendly, and you can do some holiday shopping for gift items such as luxurious alpaca scarves, throws, socks, yarn skeins and plush toys.  There will also be a craft table and activities for the kids, as well as a raffle gift basket giveaway.

East County News Service

November 28, 2015 (San Diego)--Jamul Indian Village Chairwoman Erica Pinto and Council Members invite you to the complimentary premiere viewing of A Thousand Voices, a documentary of Native American women from the beginning of time. The film will premier on Monday, December 14 at 11 a.m. at Kroc Center, 6611 University Avenue in San Diego. 

The film is free and light refreshements will be served. Please RSVP to Lisa Cumper, lcumper@jamulIndianVillage.com, 619-669-4855.

About A Thousand Voices:

East County News Service

November 25, 2015 (La Mesa)—You’re invited to join the City of La Mesa in celebrating completion of the $5 million downtown streetscape renovation project on La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa’s quaint village. Experience the newly brightened Downtown Village on December 9th from 4:00-6:00 pm.

La Mesa Shimmer will feature a lighting ceremony at 4:30 pm at Palm Ave. and La Mesa Blvd.  Refreshments will be provided during the event at Palm Ave. and La Mesa Blvd.  and near Date Ave. and La Mesa Blvd.  Live bands and students from Peter Pan Junior Theatre will perform along the Boulevard from 4:00-6:00 pm.

By John Greenwall

November 23, 2015 (La Mesa) - La Mesa Conversations and the Friends of the La Mesa Library presented a joint program earlier this week titled: The Town Library: A Valuable Community Partner?  Members of the audience listened to various leaders from around the San Diego metro region about the evolving role of libraries and how they maintain relevance in contemporary civic life.  After the panelists presented their views, there was a very robust, but civil moderated discussion with more than 35 attendees, including La Mesa City Councilmembers Guy McWhirter and Kristine Alessio.

East County News Service

Photo, left: historic buildings at the Guy B. Woodward Museum in Ramona's Old Town

November 23, 2015 (Ramona)--The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas tree lighting event on December 5^th from 5-8 p.m. in Old Town Ramona. The event features sleigh rides, carolers, Santa’s Village, performers and Santa Claus.

The tree-lighting will be at the Guy B. Woodward Museum (645 Main St..),  which includes a collection of historical buildings form Ramona's western past. The Holiday Craft Village with Santa will be in Ramona’s Town Hall.  Around town, watch for other activities and shops competing for the best-dressed window contest.

In addition, Old Town Ramona shops invite you to join in a “Find the Elf” contest from 3 -8 p.m. on the same day.

By Robert Gehr © 2015

November 21, 2015 (El Cajon )—El Cajon’s first-ever Holiday Lights on Main celebration will be held November 28^th from 12 noon to 7 p.m.  Festivities take place at Prescott Promenade Park and in downtown El Cajon.

This special event features a Santa’s village complete with Santa Claus and an elf making an appearance just in time for Christmas! There will also be an ice skating rink, craft and food vendors, a train ride, community acts, plus live music featuring Danielle Tucker from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

A special Christmas tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. in front of Starbucks and Urbn St. Brewing Co. at Main St. and Magnolia Ave. will coincide with all the lights throughout downtown and Prescott Promenade Park being turned on to brighten the holidays for everyone.

November 18, 2015 (San Diego)--This holiday season Visionary School for the Performing Arts presents “Kracked Nutz”, a holiday musical revue, at the Visionary Performance Space (7202 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115) on December 3rd-5^th at 7 p.m. directed by the VSPA teaching artists.

East County News Service

Lions, Tigers and Bears invites you to a Christmas Festival on  Saturday, December 5^th from 1 to 4 p.m.  You can watch the animals open their Christmas presents –and get holiday shopping all in one day at the exotic animal rescue facility east of Alpine.

There will be also be many local vendors, food, entertainment and a special appearance by the man in red--Santa Claus.

November 17, 2015 (La Mesa) - Marking your calendar for the holiday season?  Mt. Helix Park has some winter events for the whole family...from Christmas caroling to a hike to start off the New Year.

November 12, 2015 (Lemon Grove)—“JFK Remembered,” a screening of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to San Diego on June 6, 1963, will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. by the Lemon Grove Historical Society at the Lemon Grove Library (3001 School Lane).

“If you were there that day, please bring your memories and join with former policemen, students, teachers, crew, military and civilians who were connected to JFK’s visit. We’ll be videotaping your memories for posterity,” says Helen Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society.  There will also be a display of memorabilia.

Kennedy visited San Diego State College (now San Diego State University) to deliver the commencement address at graduation and  stopped at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. He also traveled by open motorcade through San Diego—just 5 months and 16 days before his assassination on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate and Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

November 9, 2015 (Spring Valley) - Students at Monte Vista rock Radium Girls. Was the small theatre at the school full? No. Do the students who work hard for two months deserve a full house, with the school and peers behind them? Yes? I don't understand how the big theatres fill up and the small ones remain unoccupied. Their is no reason those seats should not be full. The arts benefit everyone in a positive way.

Factory workers treated unfairly is the theme of the play, still very much relevant throughout the world today. Is this a popular subject? No. A controversial subject, yes. As the "Grinder", a new television series said tonight, dramatic--which makes for a compelling play.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate and Youth Reviewer www.sdtheaterreviews.com



November 9, 2015 (Santee) - Anne Frank and Me by Cherie Bennet.is a play about keeping history and memories alive so as not to be forgotten. The question asked in today's world and Ms. Edwards, is how do we motivate students in this short span society to learn things like history?

Let me say bravo to Carrin Edwards for finding a way. Ms. Edwards is a teacher at West Hills in Santee, and the director of this profound piece.Kudos also go out to West Hills High administration for encouraging students and rewarding them to support the arts.