December 1, 2009 – Julian, CA: Many families are in crisis this year.  To help families provide a happy holiday for the family, Jeremy’s on the Hill, California Style Bistro is sponsoring a toy and food drive for families in Julian in conjunction with Pathways, a non-profit student and family support center that works with disadvantaged families in Julian.

December 2, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Music Department’s Jazz Ensemble will perform a holiday program starting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Cuyamaca College Arts Center auditorium, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend.

November 29, 2009 (Alpine) - How would you like to complete your Christmas shopping and help rescued big cats at the same time? On Saturday, December 5th from 1 to 5 p.m., a holiday party will be held at 24402 Martin Way in Alpine featuring food, wine, beer, a silent auction, and holiday shopping with over a dozen local vendors. 

November 23, 2009 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College Music Department‘s Grossmont Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with San Diego Ballet, will present two special performances of The Nutcracker at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. The ballet will be presented at the 1,142-seat East County Performing Arts Center, 210 East Main St., in El Cajon.

November 18, 2009 (San Diego's East County) - If you don't want to cook this Thanksgiving, you'll find an array of sumptuous holiday repasts in San Diego and East County.  Choose from an old-fashioned feast amid rustic rural charm, a football fan's favorite, a bountiful budget buffet, a potluck at an outdoor retreat, or a Thanksgiving Day jazz festival to liven up your holiday. 

November 21, 2009 (El Cajon – Bring your dog for the first annual “Jingle Paws” Walk for Pets on December 5th.

Sponsored by the El Cajon Animal Center for Education Services (ACES) and Camp Bow Wow, the event will raise funds for medical needs of the animals at the El Cajon Animal Shelter. Participants can also try out an agility course, walk a hay bale maze, visits Santa's Village, adopt a pet, and get a photo of your pet with Santa.

November 19, 2009 (El Cajon) – The 63rd annual Mother Goose Parade, East County’s most famous holiday tradition, will be held this Sunday, November 22nd.

November 18, 2009 (Santee) --The City of Santee will host its Holiday Lighting Celebration on Friday, November 20, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Santee Trolley Square, 9884 Mission Gorge Road in Santee. Festivities include ice skating, horse-drawn carriage, caroling, concerts, kids' activities, Santa visit, a tree lighting ceremony and fireworks.

November 18, 2009 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Forum will collect Christmas cards for the troops this year. To get them there in time, collection must be completed by the end of the month.

“Please contact everyone you know and ask them to buy a Christmas card, and write a greeting,” Dave Patterson, founder of the Ramona Forum, asked. “The cards will be mailed in boxes, so no stamps needed. Just a personal greeting.” Donations to defer the mailing cost are also requested.

November 15, 2009 (Alpine) – Pair skaters, magicians, and excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite on ice heralded opening of Southern California’s largest outdoor ice rink at Viejas Outlet Mall in Alpine last night. As a grand finale to the holiday ice, show, lighting of an 87-foot-high Christmas tree dazzled onlookers—including Maria Elena Avilla, 83, whose eyes alit in wonder at the sight.

November 16, 2009 (Julian) -- Julian Stage Company and the Julian Chamber of Commerce present the 2009 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol--a Julian holiday tradition.

Give your holiday spirit a boost with the classic story of a lonely, miserable, hard-hearted old man who finds the true meaning of life and love during one haunted Christmas Eve. Editor's hint:  Allow time to take in the quaint holiday charm of small-town, historic Julian, with its horse-drawn carriages, strolling carolers, and hot spiced cider.

November 13, 2009 (La Mesa) – Celebrities will serve up fare on Tuesday, November 24th from 5 to 10 p.m. at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill in La Mesa’s Grossmont Center. All tips and donations benefit the East County Toy and Food Drive to help the growing number of needy children and their families this holiday season. Celebrity waiters will include former Cy Young award-winning pitcher Randy Jones and others from the Padres, Paul Bloom from KUSI News, as well as KOGO radio representatives Cliff Albert, Chip Franklin, LaDona Harvey, Phil Farrar, Cal Walker.

Nearly 700 East County families have requested help to provide food and toys for their children this Christmas, signing up on the first day that assistance applications were available.