View video of countdown and ball drop:  click here or scroll down.

December 30, 2012 (Alpine)--Thousands of people looking to get a jump on their New Year's Eve celebrations gathered at Viejas Casino Friday night.

Friday marked the start of a four-day New Year's Celebration at Viejas Casino. Each night, including New Year's Eve, New York City's Times Square is re-created at Viejas Casino, including a massive, 700-pound New Year's Ball that drops at midnight, with a countdown and fireworks to ring in the new year.

Each night, the party is free and features New York-style food, drink specials, free music and dancing to the local band Rising Star and DJs all night. And each night from now until December 31, at 9pm, a Porsche Boxster will be given away on the Viejas Casino floor.

December 24, 2012 (Lemon Grove) --The distant hoof beats of America's ancestral horses echo across the centuries into the living present in a thrilling presentation by Kathleen Hayden, president of Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza, scheduled for the "History Alive" series, hosted by the Lemon Grove Historical Society, on Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove.

Founded in 2004 by Robert and Kathleen Hayden, the nonprofit Coyote Canyon organization, headquartered in Santa Ysabel, is restoring San Diego's only Heritage Herd of wild horses to their historic habitat.

November 28, 2012 (El Cajon)--Like the incessant sounds of a metronome, the clock is ticking for music students working behind the scenes on the Winter Wonder Jam -- Cuyamaca College’s answer to Lollapalooza -- set for Saturday, Dec. 7, in the performing arts theater.

Open to the public, the event will showcase five local bands rocking at the Rancho San Diego college from 7-10 p.m. This year, students in the college’s Music Industry Studies Program came up with the idea of a toy and food drive for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and the campus food bank for needy students with families.

November 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – ECM videographer Paul Kruze captured video highlights from the 2012 Mother Goose Parade, celebrating 100 years of El Cajon history in the city’s centennial year. 

This year’s parade featured fewer Hollywood celebrities than in the recent past, drawing on hometown heroes, Western equestrian groups, high school marching bands and a city centennial float for this once-in-a-century celebration. In keeping with tradition, the parade's finale featured Santa Claus and his reindeer-drawn sleigh, ushering in the start of the holiday season.

View videos:  Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV

November 18, 2012 (San Diego) – The Far East Project will celebrate its firs year with the 2012 Closing Ceremonies to be held at 3rd Space, 4610 Park Blvd., San Diego on November 30 at 7:00 p.m. The first year of The Far East Project draws to a close with an enormous amount of accomplishment under its belt: a conference on the future of East County arts, a photo contest, a website archiving populist submissions, events on two college campuses, and the first published volume of a people’s history of East County, “Everything Just as It Is”.

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2012 (El Cajon )—Congressional members Duncan Hunter and Susan Davis, community leaders, a  Navy color guard and citizens from across East County turned out this morning for a ceremony honoring veterans, celebrating the city of El Cajon’s centennial, and dedicating two legacy projects.

“May El Cajon continue to be the gateway to East County, a refugee to many, a thriving community and  place we all call home,” Chaplain Chuck Price with the El Cajon Police entreated in the invocation. 

November 9, 2012 (San Diego) -- Much is happening in San Diego County parks and recreation centers this November.  There is something for everyone, from crafts to wild life and nature hikes.  Visit www.sdparks.org for more information regarding the events listed below.

"Ask the Experts" and the most diverse water-wise plant sale in the County

November 8, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) -- Considering fall and winter as, “prime gardening months” would be scoffed at in many parts of the United States, but not in San Diego.

With its Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild-to-cool wet winters, and warm-to-hot dry summers, the Fall Garden Festival, held at the Water Conservation Garden from 10am-4pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012, helps San Diegans make the most of the region’s fall-to-spring planting season…and save water while they do it!

By Janis Mork

October 29, 2012 (Poway)- “We thought the fires would defeat us, but instead we have risen,  phoenix-like, from the flames,” English competitor Dominic Sewell declared back in 2007. The Witch Creek fire had just ravaged our region, but organizers decided that the tournament would go on.  Hence a name for the event was born—and it’s been held ever year since, with more competitions, displays and exhibitions each year. 

The 6^th annual Tournament of the Phoenix took place at Poway Rodeo grounds October 27-29.

October 27, 2012 (Santee) -- The Santee Sheriff's Station and Santee Fire Station invite you to the 14th Annual Santee Pancake Breakfast. It's a great way for people to get to know their local deputies, firefighters, neighbors, as well as help those in need. 



Money raised from the two-day breakfast will benefit two organizations. 

October 26, 2012 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Historical Society’ hosts its 2012 Centennial Home Tour on November 3, which will focus on 5 historic/classic homes in the Date Avenue/Mt. Nebo area.  The event will be from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and will begin at the Shuttle Bus Stop at the City Parking Lot on the northeast corner of Date & Allison.

October 23, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Make plans to come to downtown El Cajon on October 26th for HauntFest On Main! The Promenade District and St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center will be hosting their first annual HauntFest on Main in Downtown El Cajon on Friday, October 26th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

October 23, 2012 (San Carlos) – Italian and food lovers across America’s Finest City are about to celebrate one of San Diego’s oldest restaurants next month:  Nicolosi’s Italian Restaurant announced its plans for its 60th anniversary party today. The weeklong celebration will begin on Saturday, Nov. 10 with an Italian street fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. followed by a special four-course dinner. In addition, Nicolosi’s will feature a special menu showcasing its 1952 inspired dishes until Sunday, Nov.18.

“Sixty years of being in business is a landmark to celebrate,” said Ron Burner, owner of Nicolosi’s Italian Restaurant. “We want to thank the San Diego community for its loyal support during the past 60 years and making Nicolosi’s what it is today.”

Friday, Oct. 19 is Debut of East County's New Halloween Attraction; scary movies also to be shown

October 14, 2012 (Rancho San Diego)  - The Halloween Spirit has taken over Cottonwood Golf Club. A 10,000 square foot maze is being constructed with hay bales on Cottonwood's driving range. It's been labled "Scary Maze" and it opens to the public on Friday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

October 13, 2012 (Palomar) – The 2012 Apple Festival at Palomar Mountain State Park will take place October 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Admission to the park is free courtesy of Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association. The park is located at 19952 State Park Rd., Palomar.