November 29, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- While residents in other parts of the country are shoveling snow, and even coastal residents are contending with foggy winter days, here in East County it's been a week to savor some beautiful moments.  We hope you'll enjoy a few of the best shots captured by our readers and staff this week in East County!

November 29, 2010 (La Mesa)—During La Mesa’s Christmas in the Village holiday celebration on December 10 and 11, the Readers, Inc. bookstore will have numerous authors speaking. Below is a schedule of events.

By Walter Davis

November 29, 2010 (San Diego) --According to a recent CNN report, the number of billionaires in this world had nearly tripled since 2000. With Americans losing their homes in record numbers and the Seventh Fleet headed to waters off the coast of Korea, catastrophe is in the air. Our gridlocked government is unable to respond effectively to the needs of Americans.

By Dennis Richardson

Photo by Trever Richardson

November 28, 2010 (Lakeside)--Lakeside Historical Society opens its annual Christmas Resale Shoppe on December 1st.  The  shoppe will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Christmas Eve, December 24th. 

November 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The Salvation Army Kroc Center Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company will A Christmas Carol on December 10-12. The beloved holiday production retains its emotional power and pure joy thanks to the marvelously-told story by Ockrent and Ahrens and the powerful Menken/Ahrens score filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. Sixty youths ages 7-19 will perform.

November 27, 2010 (Lakeside) – Lakeside Fire Protection District received a report of a paraglider that had experienced a rough landing at the Blossom Valley Glider Port, resulting in injuries to the pilot. A rescue response was dispatched, including one structural engine, one rescue unit , an ALS ambulance, and Battalion Chief Lawler.

Discovery leads to arrests and significant marijuana seizure

November 27, 2010 (Otay Mesa)—More than 20 tons of marijuana have been seized and eight people have been arrested following discovery of the second major cross-border tunnel found in the past two weeks. The half-mile-long tunnel links an Otay Mesa warehouse to a residence in Tijuana, Mexico.

November 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) --Before you pull out a ladder to put up holiday decorations or clean the attack, please read these holiday decorating and clean-up safety tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

November 26,2010 (Lemon Grove) – An early morning fire the day before Thanksgiving destroyed a home at 2759 Washington Street in Lemon Grove. Just before 4:30 a.m., firefighters responded to fin heavy flames coming from the windows. A family of five was able to escape the burning home safely before fire crews arrived.

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2010 (San Diego, California) – As temperatures hit record cold Thanksgiving night, San Diego’s homeless still had no winter shelter.

“People are literally freezing out there,” said Bob McElroy, director of the Alpha Project, which helps San Diego’s homeless and mentally ill get off the streets.

Council first considered a shelter in the East Village area, to serve homeless people countywide. (East County has no winter shelter.) Then in October, Council voted to open Golden Hall as a temporary winter shelter—but reneged on that pledge the day after the election, voting to shift the shelter to Barrio Logan instead. But yesterday, workers were still assembling beds—leaving the homeless outside in a bitter cold that dipped below freezing.

Funds to benefit senior citizens with no local family members

November 25, 2010 (Lemon Grove)--The Sheriff’s Lemon Grove Station, Lemon Grove Kiwanis, and Spring Valley Kiwanis will host a Holiday Pancake Breakfast on Friday and Saturday, December 3 & 4,  from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice will be served. Children can also visit with Santa at the United Methodist Church.

November 25, 2010 (Sacramento) -- After hearing that a Salvation Army in Compton was overwhelmed with 140 more requests from needy families for turkeys than it could fill, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took action.  He called the center and wrote a check for 240 turkeys, "to make sure you don't run out," the Los Angeles Times reported.  

November 24, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Enjoy a ride on the Holly Jolly Trolley in downtown El Cajon!  There is no charge to ride the authentic British-style double-decker bus, which passengers can board at East Main Street and Sulzfeld Avenue, across from Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon.

November 24, 2010 (San Pasqual Valley)--Kiburi, a 10-day-old cheetah cub, opened his eyes today (Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Animal Care Center. He took in the world, gobbled down a bottle, played for a little while, and then went back fast asleep in the window of the nursery. 

November 24, 2010 (Descanso) -- The Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest is conducting 300-500 acres of prescribed burning in the south eastern part of San Diego County. The projects are located near the communities of Alpine, Pine Valley, and Mt Laguna. Prescribed burning will be conducted from November of this year, through June of 2011 as weather and fuel conditions permit.