January 12, 2011 (La Mesa)--The City of La Mesa’s annual Multicultural Festival in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr will be heldr Sunday, Jan. 16th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive. The 15th annual event, presented by the City of La Mesa Human Relations Advisory Commission, is free and open to the public.

Featured entertainment includes appearances by the Helix Charter High School Bagpipe Band, Moreton Bay Fig Morris, an English Folk Dance Troupe, and Axis Gospel Singers. Dr. James Kitchen, Vice President, Student Affairs, San Diego State University, will serve as guest speaker.

January 6, 2011(LMt. Helix)--Kick off the New Year with a January 8 neighborhood walk from the San Miguel Fire Station, at 10105 Vivera in La Mesa, up to the amphitheater in Mt. Helix Park starting at 10 a.m.

The walk, co-sponsored by the Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association and the Mt. Helix Park Foundation, is a chance for neighbors to get to know each other.

December 18, 2010 (El Cajon) – Christmas on Prescott, a unique Chaldean Christmas Celebration, will be held Saturday, December 18 from 1-5 p.m. on Prescott Promeande in downtown El Cajon. The event will feature Christian Arabic carols and music, English carols and music, skits, Santa Claus, face painting, balloons, and more. In addition, downtown stores and restaurants are open while you enjoy the free Holly Jolly Trolley around downtown, strolling Christmas carolers, and merchant specials.

December 15, 2010 (Alpine) – Giving the reindeer a rest, Santa is bringing a helicopter to the Albertson’s store, 2955 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.

Free Santa photos with your children and pets will be provided.  Free popcorn, candy, hot chocolate and hot cider will all be part of the festivities this Saturday, December 18 from 1-6 p.m.

Rancho San Diego festivities also include snowman contest, bonfire, and more

December 11, 2010 (Rancho San Diego)--The Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Olde Time Christmas Village December 11th from 3-9 pm in the Rancho San Diego Professional Center, 3855 Avocado Bl., La Mesa.

This free public event celebrates children and community. Activities include a snowman building contest, a bonfire, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday treats, sweets and more.

TOY DRIVE PARTY TONIGHT AT VIEJAS;

FIRE STATIONS ALSO ACCEPTING TOYS

“To date, we’ve hardly received any toys.” – Monica Zech
 

December 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Donations for the East County Toy & Food Drive are lagging far behind prior years, says Monica Zech, public information officer for the City of El Cajon. “To date, we’ve hardly received any toys,” she said. “I know times are tough, but we usually have individuals and civic groups donating toys by now…I hope you can help.”
 

New unwrapped toys may be dropped off at all fire stations throughout East County. In addition, the public is invited to a Holiday Toy Drive Party tonight at the Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge, 5000 Willow Road at Viejas Casinio in Alpine from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $20, or $10 with a new, unwrapped toy. The event includes a silent auction to benefit the East County Holiday Toy & Food Drive.

December 3, 2010 (Rancho San Diego)--The public is invited to enjoy holiday-merry making at The Water Conservation Garden’s third annual ‘Holiday in the Garden’ event. The five-acre water-saving garden will be illuminated with thousands of energy-saving lights, courtesy of SDG&E.

Alpine artist’s work celebrates Tchaikovsky’s homeland and her own Russian heritage

December 2, 2010 (Alpine) – Alpine Boulevard transforms into a winter wonderland on December 3, when the town hosts its annual Alpine Village Christmas celebration.

Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m., riding in the 15th annual Parade of Lights.  Afterwards, Santa and his helpers will light a holiday tree at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., and join in a holiday sing-along. Kids and the young in heart are also invited to stay and play in a free mountain of snow, complete with sledding.

November 29, 2010 (El Cajon)--Grossmont College Music Department will present “Jazz Night,” an evening of Grossmont College students performing a recital of various styles of jazz music, starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5, in Room 220 on the Grossmont College campus. The public is invited to attend. Also performing at the event will be Grossmont College Music Dept. co-chair Derek Cannon and Kamau Kenyatta of the Cannon/Kenyatta Project.

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 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.