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.

October 24, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)--The Jingle Paws walk will be taking place December 6, 2014 at a new location: the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.

PARTY WITH THE PRESS!

Yes we still have space available -- so come on out and "Party with the Press" & benefit East County Magazine's nonprofit community media:

Sunday, October 26 from 4-7 p.m.  at Next Door Wine & Craft Beer Bar

7235 El Cajon Blvd.in San Diego  (just east of La Mesa; take I-8 to 70^th, left on El Cajon Blvd.)

Includes wine tasting & craft beer tasting, a fabulous feast, lots of prizes, & fun galore! 

 Details below. Cheers!

By Miriam Raftery

Radio show hosted by Rebecca Williamson and Leon Thompson

October 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes some spooky Halloween happenings, a picnic with parrots, and our very own Party with the Press benefit event, all this weekend right here in East County. 

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a wine festival at a castle in Ramona and a hot chili cook-off in Lemon Grove.

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

October 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County has some awesome autumn activities, from a spooky hayride in Julian to classic car cruisin’ at Santee Lakes, plus an international jousting competition—all in San Diego’s inland regions.

Hear our interview before last year’s tournament with organizer/jousting competitor Jeffrey Hedgecock: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...  (note: dates mentioned in interview were for last year’s event)

October 9, 2014 (Poway) – An international jousting competition founded by Ramona resident and armor maker Jeffrey Hedgecock, will be held during the October 17-19 Tournament of the Phoenix and Festival of History. This fascinating event also features period camps from Rome to the Renaissance, all at the Poway Rodeo Grounds.

October 7, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County features an art show, a vintners’ harvest festival, a Fair Trade holiday sale, and the Pumpkin Express complete with a haunted train, among other attractions. Plus we’ll have a preview of some big events coming up later this month, from an Enchanted Garden Gala to the Borrego Days Desert Festival and HauntFest on Main Street.