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 and the East County Dining Club at our annual

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)

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, and their guests.  You can subscribe FREE at the top right side of our homepage.

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: 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.

East County News Service

November 12, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season in East County has many fun and festive events coming up, including Santee’s holiday tree lighting, the Mother Goose Parade, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy, a Julian Country Christmas, El Cajon’s Holiday Lights on Main Street, North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Ramona’s tree lighting with sleigh rides, outdoor ice skating at Viejas, the Alpine Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village and more.

Plus, there are some non-holiday happenings this season including concerts by such stellar performers as LeAnn Rimes, Tony Orlando and the Kingston Trio, a radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life, and a swingin’ holiday party with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

World War II paratrooper Tom Rice to serve as Grand Marshal

By Miriam Raftery

November 13, 2018 (El Cajon) – The Mother Goose Parade, El Cajon’s most cherished tradition for 72 years, will roll out on Sunday, November 18^th starting at 1 p.m. in downtown EL Cajon.   

The theme this year is “The Sky’s The Limit!”  The parade’s Grand Marshal Tom Rice, a 96 year-old World War II Veteran and a former Army paratrooper.  He flew over the skies of Normandy on D-Day on June 6, 1944, as part of the Army’s 101^st Airborne Division, called the “Screaming Eagles.” He's been awarded both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart!

In addition to elaborate floats, marching bands, giant inflatable balloon characters, clowns and equestrian entries, there’s also a star-studded cast of child and adult celebrities in the line-up.

Topping the list are Brandon Tyler Russell, best known for his role as Dr. Gregory Williams (aka Baby George/Baby O’Malley) on Grey’s Anatomy, Colton Shires from the daytime soap “Passions,” and two-time Emmy Award winner Vincent DePaul best known for his role as Father Leon on The Bay, British feature film star Scott Butler. (photos)

East County News Service

November 10, 2018 (Campo) -- The famous North Pole Limited returns to celebrate the holiday season at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo. Aboard the historic 1920s train, Santa’s elves will sing Christmas carols, read a popular holiday story, passing out cookies and hot chocolate to all—then stop at Santa’s workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus.