December 2, 2014 (San Diego)— The County of San Diego asks your help for its annual Public Guardian Holiday Gift Drive. The Public Guardian serves as the legally appointed guardian or conservator of persons found by the Courts to be unable to take care of themselves or their assets. These are mostly older, frail and vulnerable adults who are at risk or have been a victim of abuse or neglect.

December 1, 2014 (Mt. Helix) – The annual Mt. Helix Park Sing-Along Caroling event will be held Sunday, December 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the ampitheater atop Mt. Helix.  Gina Seashore, and her talented group of musicians, will be leading the caroling at this free and festive event for the whole family.

November 28, 2014 (El Cajon)--Holiday cheer is in full effect this December with the opening of Flyway, the art exhibit of this year’s “Wings & Snow” show!  St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, an El Cajon-based center serving over 400 adults with developmental disabilities through innovative programs, is hosting its 14^th holiday art show featuring bird-themed art.  Flyway, at Sophie’s Gallery in El Cajon, will offer artwork created by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center’s students. The artists have crafted mosaic birdhouses, bird plaques, clay angels, fused glass ornaments, soap dishes, and felted bird art. The art will be displayed at Sophie’s Gallery El Cajon (109 Rea Ave.) from December 1^st–31^st.

November 26, 2014 (El Cajon)--Winter Wonder Jam -- Cuyamaca College’s homegrown music fest put on by students in the Music Industry Studies program and featuring four local bands and musicians playing pop, rock and folk music – is set for 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the performing arts theater.

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes some wild Thanksgiving happenings—form a swinging holiday party at Sycuan to a Thanksgiving feast for the beasts at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including several  holiday home tours, community holiday festivals, Santa at Santee Lakes, and a Feliz Navidad celebration with mariachis and more at Jacumba Hot Springs!

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine.

East County News Service

November 20, 2014 (Alpine) – Concerned about senior citizens who are alone over the holidays in convalescent homes, an East County businesswoman has started an “Adopt a Grandparent” program.

East County News Service

November 23, 2014 (La Mesa) – Each year, La Mesa’s downtown village transforms into a Victorian-style winter wonderland. This year, La Mesa’s downtown village merchants are hoping for a big attendance to help offset business lost during the downtown village streetscape project. 

Chirstmas in the Village will be held on Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13 from 5 to 10 p.m.  A holiday parade will be held each night at 5 p.m., with a pre-parade at 4:30 featuring a Salute to America honoring 50^th anniversary Vietnam War veterans. The festival also features strolling minstrels, carolers and street entertainers, live music on multiple sages, and bonfires filling the boulevard.  Plus kids can free visits with Santa at the Goodwill Plaza (8250 La Mesa Blvd.) after the parade up until 10 p.m. and also enjoy carnival rides,, ponies and puppet shoes.

By Kathleen Jorgensen

November 22, 2014 (Borrego Springs) -- Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs will hold its Holiday Home Tour on Saturday, December 6 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.  You will tour five lovely homes in the Borrego Valley, each uniquely adorned for the holidays. From "ultra-modern" to "old school", each home will reflect the distinct decorating style of the homeowner.

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2014 (Alpine) --The Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 29^th, is a special day at the Lions Tigers and Bears ranch in Alpine. It is the day the animals celebrate with their version of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. 

You’re invited to join in a special feeding visit at 10:30 a.m. to watch big cats and bears enjoy their feast. Turkey and fish donations are greatly appreciated. Click here to donate a turkey for the cats or fish for the bears in advance.

East County News Service

November 22,2014 (El Cajon) – Warbirds West Air Museum invites you to bring a new, unwrapped toy and attend a pancake breakfast and open house on Saturday, December 13 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

You can view World War II aircraft and displays, see over 40 antique and classic cars, and meet Santa Claus.  Families are welcome to attend.  The museum is located at 1725 North Marshall Avenue in El Cajon at Gillespie Field.

November 19, 2014 (San Diego) - The San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present a Joyful Holiday Music Celebration on December 7^th at 3 p.m. in the College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Avenue, San Diego. The performance will include Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and Robert Shaw’s “The Many Moods of Christmas.”

December 1, 2014 (Lakeside)--The Lakeside Historical Society will be hosting their annual HOLIDAY HOME TOUR on Saturday, December 6 from 10 a,m to 2 p.m.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from the History Center, 9906 Maine Avenue (corner of Parkside) from 10am until 2pm Tuesday through Saturday. They can also be purchased at the homes on the self guided tour.

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon)--You can help a family in need during the holidays.  On Tuesday, November 25, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Salvation Army in El Cajon will hold a special “drive-thru food drive” at their offices located at 1011 East Main, El Cajon.  The Salvation Army Drive Through Thanksgiving Food Drive rallies the San Diego East County community to contribute Thanksgiving dinners for families in need. To participate, drive to The Salvation Army El Cajon Corps to donate a frozen turkey, and/or any of the fixings, or make a cash donation.

El Cajon plans special activities

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon) - Small Business Saturday is a day to recognize and shop small businesses held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.  Avoid the hectic crowds and fighting for parking spaces, shop in your neighborhood.  Small Business Saturday activity is scheduled for the downtown El Cajon area from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

East County News Service

One of the most unusual holiday season traditions in East County is coming up: the fourth annual Pomegranate Days celebration at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from noon to 5 p.m.  Festivities include camel rides, bird and camel shows, shopping for holiday gifts and feeding pomegranates to the camels.