October 18, 2018  (La Mesa/Mt. Helix) -- You're invited to East County Magazine's Halloween party at our editor's "haunting Hideaway haven"  in the La Mesa/Mt. Helix area.  The fun begins at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 28th.

Costume contest for best individual and best couples costumes

Costumes are optional but recommended for those with the holiday "spirit!"

Music by Paul Nichols and Tim Luranc: guitar/harmonica/vocal: folks, blues, pop and of course, Monster Mash!

Cost: Just $10 and bring a dish to share.

RSVP required for address and directions: Call 619-698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org and please let us know if you'll bring an appetizer, side dish, main dish or dessert.

Over $1,000 in prizes!

Special thanks to our major sponsor:

Prize sponsors:  Granite Lion Cellars, EMed Spa, Giardino's, Mountain Mike's, Ranch Feed & Supply, Barnes and Noble, Maxwell's  House of Books, Club Pilates, Prete a Porte Salon, Maldini's Pizzeria, San Diego Festival Chorus & Orchestra, Filippi's Pizza Grotto, Gypsy Treasures, authors Joyce Strand & Teresa Burrell, Visionary Dance Theatre, & more.

Proceeds benefit:   East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts and East County Magazine community news published by the nonprofit 501c3 Heartland Coalition.

(actual photos of our past Halloween parties at our editor's Hideaway haven)

East County News Service

October 17, 2018 (Julian) - The Julian Triangle Club  presents a Julian melodrama titled “Lady Sophie’s Secret” running now through October 27^th.  You’re invited to join the floozies, boo the villain, cheer for the hero and laugh until you cry at this production written by Patricia McFarlane exclusively for the Julian Triangle Club.

You can find tickets at www.JulianMelodrama.com, at EventBrite.com or at the Julian Town Hall.

From Maine lobsters to wine slushies, games to rock ‘n’ roll music, urban winery is pulling out all the stops for anniversary bash Oct. 13 from  12 noon to 10 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

October 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – With a motto of “when all else fails, wine works!” La Mesa Wine Works opened its doors two years ago as a cooperative urban winery tasting room serving up award-winning vintages from San Pasqual Winery and Wyatt Oaks.  Now the space has become a hub of activities ranging from live music on weekends to trivia nights, classes, fundraisers for charities and the ever-popular $5 wine night complete with wine slushies and frozen sangrias.

“Business has been good,” says Mike McWilliams of San Pasqual Winery.  On Saturday, October 13^th from 12 noon to 10 p.m., Wine Works is celebrating its two-year anniversary with festivities that start with Cousins Maine Lobster truck from noon to 3 p.m. and Quick Stop Grill from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Live music wil include the Sock Monkeys from 3 to5  pm. and the Phoenix Band from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.  Guests can also enjoy games and in the afternoon, $5 specials on all glasses of wine, wine slushiness and frozen sangrias. The party will go on rain or shine.

East County News Service

October 10, 2018 (El Cajon) – Families are invited to attend Operation Kid Safe Day on Saturday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held in conjunction with a Trunk or Treat event, Operation Kid Safe is hosted by Subaru of El Cajon at 900 Arnele Avnue.  Families can get safety tips to set up a family safety action plan, as well as free digital fingerprints, photo safety program, and fee Amber Alert ready child safety form.

East County News Service

October 4, 2018 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Wine Works is pulling out all the stops for its second anniversary party – and not just stoppers in wine bottles.

For the celebration on Saturday, October 13 from 12 to 10 p.m., the wine tasting room will also have live music, food trucks including main lobsters, games, and during the afternoon hours, specials on all glasses of wine, wine slushies, and frozen sangrias ($5).

East County News Service

October 3, 2018 (San Diego) -- Throughout the month of October, kids ages 11 and younger receive free admission (with an adult) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in San Pasqual as well as at the San Diego Zoo.

Special activities for kids are planned each weekend.so you’re encouraged to “go wild” and come over and over again.

Kids Free admission in October 2018 includes the Africa Tram at the Safari Park – no separate ticket needed. Kids can ride the Conservation Carousel for $6. Purchase Carousel tickets at the Safari Park.

East County News Service

October 3, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Ramona Air Fair, a fishing class at Lake Morena, Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Oma’s Pumpkin Patch, the Pumpkin Express in Campo, and a Haunted Amusement Park in Flinn Springs.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including spooky campouts at Lake Jennings in Lakeside and at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Borrego Days desert festival and parade, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and trick or treating at Viejas Outlets in Alpine.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Alpine) – Viejas Outlets Center in Alpine will transform its roller rink into the largest outdoor ice-skating rink in Southern California once again. The winter wonderland with glow of holiday lights will open for the season on November 2^nd.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Santee) – Santee's Council races have attracted seven candidates for three seats, drawing strong public interest following a heated Council meeting recently over the future of growth and development in the community.  Scroll down for details on two candidate forums, as well as information on all candidates in the race.

Two candidate forums are slated on October 4^th and 9^th for Santee City Council candidates running in districts 1, 2 and 3:

Thursday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m. at Carlton Oaks Golf Club Crest Room, 9200 Inwood Drive, Santee

Tuesday, October 9, 6 p.m. at Pride Academy School, 9303 Prospect Dr., Santee

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (San Diego) - Susan G. Komen San Diego (Komen San Diego), the largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside of the U.S. government, will hold its sixth annual Dine Out for the Cure^® on Thursday, Oct. 18. The community fundraiser will take place at local restaurants, bakeries and coffeehouses across our region, including numerous East County eateries. Each restaurant will donate 10 to 25 percent of their sales to support free mammograms, financial assistance, breast cancer research and public policy. Komen San Diego hopes to raise $35,000 this year.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Alpine) – If you’re looking for a safer trick-or-treating option for children, Viejas Outlets in Alpine invites you to visit from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween night, Wednesday October 31^st, for a treat.  The movie “Hocus Pocus” will also be playing on the big screen at the ice rink at 6 p.m. (The ice rink will be opening for the season on Nov. 2.)

Viejas Outlets is located at 5005 Willows Road ∙ Alpine, CA 91901 ∙ (800) 847-6537 https://viejas.com/san-diegos-premier-outlets-mall/

East County News Service

October 1, 2018 (City Heights) – Visionary Dance Theatre of La Mesa will present “Questa," chronicles of an American family, at the City Heights Performance Annex (3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego) on October 11th-13th at 8 p.m.

The performance is based on the genealogical work of Artistic Director Spencer John Powell’s ancestors from the beautiful little village of Questa, New Mexico. He has traced his family’s roots back to the early 1600s and has developed work representing the family names of Duran, Rael, and Quintana, their indigenous, Spanish, Jewish, French and African lineage.  Powell also explores the beautiful landscape of this village nestled in the mountains.

East County Seeks to Inspire the Next Generation of Manufacturers

Source:  East County Economic Development Council

September 30, 2018 (El Cajon) -- San Diego’s East County is kicking off Manufacturing Week by hosting the largest Manufacturing Expo in the County on Tuesday, October 2 at Allen Airways Flying Museum (2020 N. Marshall Ave.) in El Cajon from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Expo brings together over 30 manufacturers ranging from the industrial and aerospace realm to candy and wine makers from throughout San Diego! The event is part of Manufacturing Day, a nation-wide effort to celebrate and showcase modern manufacturing and meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and skilled-workforce.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to come swing with Santa at Sycuan Golf on Friday, November 2^nd on the Pine Glen par 3 executive course. The event will raise funds to St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center’s developmentally disabled students’ holiday celebration.

San Diego’s big cat and exotic animal sanctuary celebrates global animal welfare event with educational visits and blessing of animals

East County News Service 

October 3, 2018 (Alpine) -- San Diego’s world renowned, non-profit big cat and exotic animal sanctuary, Lions Tigers & Bears is celebrating World Animal Day with a unique Blessing of the Animals and special promotion for visitors as part of an international effort to raise awareness and education about animal welfare. 

Father Jason Samuels of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine will deliver a blessing to all the rescued animals at the sanctuary including lions, tigers, bears, bobcats, leopards, a mountain lion and more on Thursday, October 4 at 10:30 a.m.