January 2, 2014 (San Diego) – You’re invited to a star party with Mission Trails Regional Park guide and resident astronomer George Varga on Saturday, January 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Moon is past First Quarter and waxing. Jupiter will be rising in the Eastern sky. Up for viewing are The Pleiades (Seven Sisters), the Double Cluster in Perseus, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) high overhead as well as the great Orion Nebula rising in the East.

By Nadin Abbott

December 22, 2013 (East County) If you’re looking for some festive ways to ring in the New Year, you don’t have to head to the East Coast, since East County has plenty of celebrations--from New York-style parties to gourmet dinners, concerts, an art show, and more.

December 10, 2013 (La Mesa)--La Mesa is transformed into a Victorian wonderland on December 13-14 during its old-fashioned Christmas in the Village. The family friendly event features horse-drawn carriages, strolling minstrels, carolers and street entertainers along La Mesa Boulevard.

Carnival rides, ponies, puppet shows, live music stages, bonfires and an outdoor market round out the traditional holiday fun.

December 4, 2013 (Rancho San Diego)--Cuyamaca College’s Annual “Winter Wonder Jam” takes stage this Friday, December 6  at 7 p.m. This event is to promote students' efforts in showcasing new local talent; the public is invited to come out and enjoy the music. These home-grown singer-songwriters will present a variety of acoustic, rock, jazz and hip hop genres

This concert takes place at the Performing Arts Theatre at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego.  The festival features four local artists performing their all-original music compositions. This event is FREE with a donation to the San Diego Food Bank and there is  plenty of free parking.

November 15, 2013 (El Cajon) – The 67^th annual Mother Goose Parade will roll out at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 24 complete with floats, marching bands, and radio personality Shotgun Tom Kelly as grand marshal.  Mother Goose Village will also be set up at the Prescott Promenade, 201 East Main Street, with fun actiivites from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The parade, a cherished East County tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators, begins at the corner of Main and Magnolia in downtown El Cajon, continuing eastbound to Second Street and East Main.

November 16, 2013 (El Cajon ) -- Saturday, November 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will be a day of food, crafts and entertainment for the whole family in El Cajon, where a craft fair will be held to support Rady Children’s Hospital.  Activities include bounce houses, face painting, carnival games, a Kid Zone, an on-site DJ and live band.

The location is the 900 & 1000 block of Arnele Avenue, at Lexus El Cajon, Subaru El Cajon and Mazda El Cajon.

November 14, 2013 (San Diego) -- Join Mission Trails Regional Park's resident stargazer, George Vargas, for a "star party" on Saturday November 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.  Meet at the far end of the Kumeyaay Campground day use parking lot, where a telescope will be available to veiw the nighttime sky. 

The moon will be one day short of being Full so it will contribute to light pollution. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and its companion M32 are well in position for viewing. Light from these two objects takes about 2.5 – 2.9 million years to reach Earth. The Double Cluster in Perseus will also be visible be in the northeastern sky.

November 8, 2013 (Alpine) – The Alpine branch of the San Diego County Library will be honoring our veterans on November 7 at 6 p.m., at 2130 Arnold Way, Alpine. 

The event will feature speaker Diana Saenger, author of “Mission Honored – A Dream Achieved; True stories of the Veterans on the Alpine Wall of Honor.”  A musical tribute will be performed by the East County Children’s Choir. 

November 7, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band of San Diego County is having its 65th annual Tartan Ball on Nov. 16, 2013 at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. The Camerons have a long history, being one of the oldest continuously competing bands in the west coast.  The group also offers free bagpiping and drumming lessons at Helix High School every Wednesday from7 to 9 PM.

"We are always in the look out for new guests to join us for an evening of bagpiping, singing, dinner, and highland dancing," said spokesman Robert Yslas, Jr.

November 6, 2013 (El Cajon) – Exceeding expectations, the second Annual HauntFest on Main celebration, held on Friday, October 25, was deemed as an overwhelming success by City officials. The Halloween themed event drew an estimated 20,000 people to downtown El Cajon. 

Festivities were from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. with free admission.  Partygoers enjoyed live bands on multiple stages, such as: Paul Cannon, Fuzzy Rankins, Rockola, Jason Weber and Back to the Garden.  Families enjoyed the Terror Truck, the classic cars, the trick or treating booths, the movies on the giant movie screen, rides and games, pumpkin patch, craft booths, costumes, art show, and more.

October 27, 2013 (San Diego) – The African American Writers & Artists, Inc. presents an anti-bullying event and masquerade party, “Boo on Bullying” on October 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Malcolm X Library and Performance Arts Center, 51458 Market Street, San Diego.  The event will include an SDSU students’ panel on Anti-Bullying Strategies, a presentation on identifying bullying and bullies, as well as entertainment, raffles and prizes.

By Miriam Raftery

September 28, 2013 (Lakeside) – On the tenth anniversary of the Cedar Fire, community leaders and fire survivors will gather to dedicate a historic memorial commemorating the worst wildfire in California history.  The ceremony will take place on October 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.at River Park Fire Station #2, 12216 Lakeside Avene in Lakeside, a community that suffered devastating losses when the firestorm trapped people caught unaware of the inferno raging during the fire's first night.

The event will also honor first responders and celebrate fire survivor families’ lifelong connection as guests pause to “reflect, remember and reconnect.”  There will be exhibits, disaster prevention program information, book signings by Sandra Younger, author of The Fire Outside My Window, a VFW band, food and beverages, a moment of remembrance, and appreciation of community support.

Speakers will include Supervisor Dianne Jacob, Fire Chief Andy Parr, David Kassel from the Cedar Fire Rebuilding Resource Group, and Fire Chief Andy Parr. Presentations will be made from the offices of Senator Joel Anderson, Assemblyman Brian Jones, and Congressman Duncan Hunter.

October 23, 2013 (Borrego Springs) – Dori Holladay’s 48^th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival is October 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and October 26 & 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This year’s event, renamed in honor of Dori Holladay (1937-2013), fondly called the Grand Dame of Borrego Springs will be anything but dry with a weekend filled with family entertainment.

The free festival features a music festival parade, artists, arts & crafts and food booths, and beer garden.  There will even be a carnival for the little ones. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 19, 2013 (Jamul) – SoCal Parrot, the only local nonprofit which rescues wild parrots in our region, invites the public to  “Picnic with the Parrots” on October 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The event will be held at the SoCal Parrot Sanctuary and Garden, 3621 Hidden Ridge Road in Jamul.

Activities include tours, wild parrot aviary viewing,  meet the SoCal parrot ambassadors, a petting zoo, koi pond feeding,  harvest festival and pumpkin carving.  A silent auction and raffles will also be held.  The event also features guest speakers.  Box lunches can be purchased or bring your own picnic. The event costs $15 per adult, $10 per child, or $40 per family.