November 18, 2011 (La Mesa)--Youth at United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM)  will host a Fair Trade Holiday Sale on November 19 and 20 featuring gifts made by artisans paid fair wages and clean, safe work conditions in communities across the globe.

November 16, 2011 (San Diego) – Talented musicians from 41 schools in the East County Youth Symphony will perform a concert of classical music at 7 p.m. tonight in the Joan B. Kroc Theater, 6611 University Avenue in San Diego (one block east of La Mesa).

Tree-lighting and ice show extravaganza  light up the night tonight

November 11, 2011 (Alpine) -- Skate into the holidays on Southern California’s largest outdoor ice rink, now open at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine. The  nearly 10,000-square-foot rink, one of our region’s most popular winter playgrounds, will remain open through Jan. 8, 2012.

November 8, 2011 (San Diego)--UnitedGREEN’s Forging a Sustainable Future event series begins on November 12 and 13 at Irwin M. Jacobs Hall at Qualcomm Corporate Headquarters in Sorrento Valley. This two-part event covers a wide array of topics including green building, green job training, building sustainable communities, community redevelopment, renewable energy sources, community- centered architecture, and green transportation. The goal of the conference is to plan for economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability in the San Diego/Tijuana region. View video of ECM publisher Mark Hanson of Lakeside discussing this global event (click screen above).

November 5, 2011 (Escondido)--Huzzah! The Escondido Renaissance Faire returns November 5-6 at Felicita Park in Escondido, 742 ClarencE Lane. Faire runs 10 a.m. to dusk.

Watch mock battles, stroll through Falconridge Village, take the kids on a treasure hunt, take an archery lesson, savor hearty fare and shop for Renaissance souvenirs.

November 2, 2011 (Jamul) Drama students from Santee High School will perform a free reading of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday, November 5 at Jamul Haven Bed and Breakfast Inn. The performance is part of students’ preparatory work for their November production of this classic holiday story.

Arrive at 4:30 p.m. for a light dinner, with readings beginning at 5:15 p.m. Talk back and dessert follows.

Other topics include new “top two” primary system and Twitter ID thefts by GOP leader

October 20, 2011 (La Mesa)--How will final redistricting boundaries affect races in East County?  What does the "top two" primary system really mean?

By Millicent Arko

October 19, 2011 (La Mesa) O’Dunn Fine Art will unveil the Ireland Paintings Exhibition by Paul Strahm, a signature treatment that examines the Irish countryside, street scenes, coast and waterways. The collection of 14 paintings will be on display from October 22 – November 27, 2011 and are available for pre-sale.

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2011 (El Cajon )— Prominent artists, music, wine and beer tastings, food and a classic car show are all part of this year’s Alley Cat Art Fest tonight--Friday, Oct. 14 from 5-10 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.
 

Originally focused on building a vital art district in the downtown El Cajon community, Alley Cat Art Fest has expanded to promote an event for art lovers and community members alike.

October 7, 2011 (Campo) – Pacific Southwest Railway Museum invites you to bring the whole family for the 8th annual old-time train ride to its pumpkin patch. Travel on a haunted train, then pick out and decorate a pumpkin to take home.

This year, the popular “Pumpkin Express” rides will be offered three full weekends from October 15 through October 30.

October 7, 2011 (Lakeside) – A tour of East County’s economic development opportunities will be offered on Wednesday, October 26th by the East County Economic Development Council

“East County offers a wide range of industrial, office and retail opportunities. With Gillespie Field located in the heart of East County, the sky's the limit,” a Lakeside Chamber of Commerce announcement states.

Event proceeds to benefit Aztec Club, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA and other local San Diego organizations

October 6, 2011 (San Diego)-- The Marshall Faulk Foundation announces the fourth annual Aztec For Life Homecoming Celebration on Friday, October 7 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center on the campus of San Diego State University.