Source: City of La Mesa

November 23, 2017 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa’s holiday celebrating begins with La Mesa Shimmer. You’re invited to experience the brightened downtown village Wednesday, November 29 starting at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy live music, refreshments, and performances as you dine, shop and explore the Village. Visitors are invited to bring the entire family (pets too) to stroll the Village and enjoy the festivities.

By Miriam Raftery

November 21, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes holiday hay rides in Santa Ysabel, holiday lighting and skating in El Cajon, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, and Julian’s Country Christmas heralding in the start of the holiday season.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions over the next month including Lemon Grove’s holiday bonfire complete with ice skating and hay rides,  Ramona’s holiday tree lighting with sleigh rides and carolers, the Spirit of Christmas on Maine Street in Lakeside, a hike up Volcan Mountain during a Super moon, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, a Christmas cabaret, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s holiday concert, and a presentation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, a Christmas Carol, in Julian.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

November 18, 2017 (La Mesa) – Looking for holiday cheer?  San Pasqual Winery’s tasting room in La Mesa is offering cork wreath making classes, an evening of wine and cheese, and live music nights featuring musicians specializing in jazz, classical, and guitar ranging from country to classic rock and more.  For a full schedule of holiday season happenings, scroll down.

East County News Service

November 14, 2017 (Ramona) - Shy, but by no means cowardly, our hills are alive with mountain lions. 

If you’re interested in learning about local wildlife, you’re invited to attend “Living with Lions” this Saturday, November 18^th at 1 p.m. at the Ramona Ranch Winery. 

You’ll hear about local mountain lions roaming San Diego County in this special presentation by the Mountain Lion Foundation. In addition, learn about the Julian Project focused on increasing safety for people, pets, livestock and lions.

East County News Service

November 15, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a Swing with Santa charity golf tournament, live music at La Mesa Wine Works, a meteor shower watching event at Oakoasis Park in Lakeside, and the ever-popular Mother Goose Parade.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions over the next month including Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon, holiday hay rides in Santa Ysabel, a Julian Country Christmas, a bonfire and ice skating in Lemon Grove, Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas on Maine, a Christmas Cabaret, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s “Sounds Good” performance of Handel’s Messiah and other holiday favorites.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

Red Cross and SDSU team up for community event

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 14, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State and the American Red Cross are partnering to play host to the Aztecs for Life Blood Drive, presented by California Coast Credit Union, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Viejas Arena. Multiple SDSU groups and associations have joined forces with the goal of collecting 400 pints of blood during the 10-hour event.

By Robert Gehr and Miriam Raftery

November 10, 2017 (El Cajon) – Just in time for Veterans’ Day weekend, Golden Corral Buffet & Grill is open in downtown El Cajon. On Monday, November 13,  the restaurant will host Military Appreciation Day from 5 to 9 p.m. – serving up free meals for all active duty and retired military members as well as veterans.

East County News Service

November 9, 2017 (Ramona) - The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to Pomegranate Days on November 24^th through 26^th. 

You can cuddle with camels, feed them apples and pomegranates, watch an exotic bird show and a turkey stampede, shop for camel’s milk soaps and lotions, and see the Russell Brothers family circus performing magical feats beneath a big top tent.

For details on this one-of-a-kind event, you can visit www.CamelDairy.com.

East County News Service

November 8, 2017 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Village Association hosts its annual Holiday in the Village celebration on Saturday, December 9^th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, December 10^th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

East County News Service

November 8, 2017 (El Cajon) - The city of El Cajon invites you to Holiday Lights on Main on November 25^th from noon to 7 p.m., in Prescott Promenade, with the lighting of a giant holiday tree at 6 p.m.

Activities include ice skating, Santa’s Village, carnival rides, live music, food and holiday shopping.  For a map and more information, you can visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.

By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2017 (Alpine) – The largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California is now open for the season  (through January 28) at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine, transforming the grounds into a winter wonderland.  On Saturday, November 11, the rink will feature a Holiday on Ice  show and lighting of a large holiday see.

East County News Service

November 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Veterans Day celebration and Heroes Concert at Grossmont Center in La Mesa, a ceremony honoring veterans in El Cajon, plus stargazing, mountain biking, and Native American flute music at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions over the next month including a Swing with Santa golf event at the Sycuan Resort, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, the Mother Goose Parade and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Holiday Hay Ride activities in Santa Ysabel, a Julian Country Christmas, a Christmas Cabaret, and La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village.

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

October 25, 2017 (Alpine) -- Alpine Inn Steakhouse (2225 Alpine Blvd., Alpine), the coziest steakhouse in East County is now reopened under new ownership -- and East County Dining Club will host our next event sizzling event there on Friday, November 10th. 

Join us for cocktails (cash bar) at 5:30 in the steakhouse bar and dinner at 6:30 in the private captain's-style dining room. Enjoy live music by Paul Nichols and Cindy Burnham, plus you can win prizes!  You don't have to be a dining club member -- all are welcome!

This event requires an RSVP by November 5 and pre-reserving your choice for entrée, 2 sides, and a dessert. See the delicious details below!

By Sam Warren © 2017

Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.  --Albert Einstein

Speaking about imagination you might want to check out UC San Diego's New Writing Series on November 9^th.

Click Here to Read More or Scroll Down.

East County News Service

November 3, 2017 (Ramona) — November is National Zinfandel Month. Vineyard Grant James in Ramona invites you to celebrate these special red wines on November 18 and 19.  Winemaker Susanne Sapier will be giving Zinfandel talks at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.