By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2016 (San Diego) – Each year, over 300 aspiring writers from around the world attend the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference. This year, the conference will be held January 20^th through 22^nd at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley.   The conference was the first to pioneer one-on-one appointments for writers with editors, agents and other top-tier publishing professionals who can provide direct feedback on your writing.

East County News Service

Photo: George Runyan

December 27, 2016 (La Mesa) – Unite San Diego, a coalition of pastors, elected officials, business owners and community leaders, will host a New Year’s Day “Prayer Summit” from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, January, 1, at the Mount Helix Park Amphitheater, 4901 Mt. Helix Dr., La Mesa. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free. The program will include music, worship and prayers. A prelude to worship will begin at 1 p.m. Several hundred people are expected to attend, said Michael Griffiths of Unite San Diego.

Source: City of El Cajon

December 21, 2016 (El Cajon) --Newly elected El Cajon City Councilmember Steve Goble and the El Cajon Police Department are hosting a “Free Christmas Tree” giveaway this Friday, December 23rd.

These free Christmas trees will be given out from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Cartwright Pest Control, located at 1376 Broadway in El Cajon.   There will be 150 trees, up to 8’ tall and some will include flocking.  The trees will be given out first come, first serve, while supplies last.

East County News Service

December 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a cribbage tournament, a brass band concert and off-road excursions into the Anza-Borrego desert.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including New Year’s Eve bashes in Alpine and La Mesa, an International Music & Art Festival in Poway, a library concert, ice skating, a hike up Mt. Helix and a performance by Ben Vereen.

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

December 16, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Join us for East County Magazine's annual "Feasting and Merrymaking"  holiday party this Sunday, December 18 from 3-7 p.m. at our editor's home on Mt. Helix!  Our elves have been busy preparing a fabulous feast,  plus we'll have live music provided by singer/guitarist Paul Nichols and pianist Andrea Ladmer,  wines from San Pasqual Winery and a wealth of prizes,  holiday games and surprises!

Our party is open to our subscribers, donors and friends by invitation. Subscriptions are free!  Subscribe here to our newsletter and/or wildfire alerts or donate here. 

RSVP is required.  Call 619-698-7617 or e-mail editor@eastcountymagazine.org to reserve space and get the address to join the fun at our fabulous event--and support award-winning community journalism!

East County News Service

December 15, 2016 (El Cajon) - Become part of a program that gives the  elderly grandparents a gift at Christmas.  The fourth annual "Adopt-a-Grandparent" program will take place at Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare (1391 E. Madison Ave.,) on December 22 at 1:00 p.m.

East County News Service

December 9, 2016 (El Cajon) – iHeart Media San Diego’s KOGO-AM News Radio 600 is planning a live broadcast from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Target store parking lot, 250 Broadway, El Cajon, in support of the 40th annual East County Toy and Food Drive. KOGO's Cliff Albert, LaDona Harvey, Ted Garcia and Cal Walker will help collect donations benefiting the Salvation Army El Cajon Corps and East County families.

By Miriam Raftery

December 7, 2016 (Dulzura) –The Highway 94 Club, in partnership with East County Vintners, will present their 4^th annual Wine Tasting on Thursday, December  15^th at 6:30 p.m. in the Barrett Junction Café on Highway 94.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

December 7, 2016 (El Cajon) - Peace on Earth, good will toward men. This is the time of year for giving. Give yourself a gift by taking time away from the stress of shopping, baking, social events, wrapping, the list goes on ... Add time for yourself helping others. For$7.00 you can't even go to a movie,  but you can enjoy going toyouth theatre. The look on the faces of the cast as they look out and see a full audience is priceless.

Listen now:  Hear  this week's Destination East County by clicking the orange audio link.

East County News Service

December 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes several Christmas theatrical productions, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village celebration, Victorian teas in Julian, and a holiday wine trail in Ramona.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Santa’s reindeer at Grossmont Center, a singing and clogging fiddler at Parkway Plaza, full moon fishing at Santee Lakes, a Jingle Concert by the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus at Sycuan, an excursion to Split Mountain in the Anza Borrego Desert, and a winter solstice hike to the top of Cowles Mountain.

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

East County News Service

November 30, 2016 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Historical Society invites you to celebrate the end of the year in style at its annual Christmas Open House on December 11 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the McKinney House, 8369 University Avenue in La Mesa.

Source: Santee Lakes

November 30, 2016 (Santee) - Santa and snow are in the forecast on Sunday, December 11^th from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 16^th annual Santa at the Lakes event at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

Kids of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities including Snow Hill, photos with Santa, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, carnival rides, holiday crafts, and hay rides.

East County News Service

November 30, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a parade of lights and snow festival, a murder mystery theatre, a pottery studios tour, a holiday concert by the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and a Christmas festival at Lions, Tigers and Bears.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village celebration, a holiday wine trail in Ramona, Victorian Christmas teas, and a production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in Julian.

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

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2016 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to enjoy the magic of the holiday season at La Mesa Shimmer on Thursday, December 1^st from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.   A lighting ceremony will be held at 5 p.m.at Legacy Park in the heart of the city’s historic downtown village, where you can also enjoy a hot chocolate bar, live music, and holiday window displays, shopping and dining.  For more information, visit www.cityoflamesa.us/shimmer.

East County News Service

November 29, 2016 (Spring Valley) - Moni Blom, Pierre Bounaud, DiAnne Broussard, Richard Burkett, Clay Associates, Sunshine Cobb, Nan Coffin, Steve Cook, David Cuzick, Mary Cuzick, Danae Fasano Dehne, Ellen Fager, Robert Farmer, Jeremy Gercke, Bernie James, Ashley Kim, Roberta Klein, Merle Lambeth, Sam Lopez, Lisa Maher, Janet Martini, Hasuyo Miller, James O'Brien, Maricarmen Olimón, Mike Ridge, Linda Royster, Harumi Sako, Mike Sisson, Julie Thompson, and Lynn Zimmer will all be featured potters at the 2016 San Diego Pottery Tour on Saturday and Sunday, including many artists in East County.