East County Happenings, Nov. 27: Lemon Grove bonfire, El Cajon Winter Wonderland, La Mesa Holiday

St. Martin of Tours hosts Gift Faire

A Fair Trade Gift Faire will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 4 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 7710 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa. Shop for handmade gifts from local store Fair Trade Décor, The Guatemala Project, and other local vendors including Lumily, SSEKO/Noonday and Ember Arts Jewelry. Meet Dressember founder Blythe Hill, who is celebrating a 10-year anniversary with a special documentary at 11 a.m. Also, enjoy browsing handmade quilts, Christmas ornaments, cards, and a raffle and bake sale, as well as fair trade products such as Equal Exchange coffee, chocolate and tea. There will be a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. (pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon/sausage, juice/coffee and fruit, $7 adults (ages 12 and older) and $5 kids, and pizza slices will be sold from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Anne Pacheco at (619) 466-3241.

La Mesa opens Holiday in the Village

The seventh annual La Mesa Holiday in the Village takes place from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday in the city’s historical downtown. The free event offers live music, local craft vendors, food, a holiday 360 photo booth, “Selfies With Santa,” and a kids’ area bigger than Santa’s Toy Shop! Play carnival games, listen to carolers and enjoy food and drinks from local businesses. Entertainment includes traditional holiday songs and music, local bands and community performances. Visit lamesavillageassociation.org or email info@lamesavillageassociation.org.

Lemon Grove readies holiday bonfire

Lemon Grove hosts its 25th annual free Community Bonfire from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday in Treganza Park, 3200 Main St. The bonfire will be ignited at 6 p.m., and a community aerial photo will be taken at 6:15 p.m. Ugly Sweater Contest at 7 p.m. Enjoy a game truck, bounce house, arts and crafts, rock climbing and live music. Free hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies, and food trucks will also be selling goodies. Visit lemongrove.ca.gov/community/community-events.

Sharp offers free class for unpaid caregivers

Are you caring for a loved one at home and in need of some pointers? The Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center is offering a free class from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday for unpaid family caregivers, taught by registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and other medical professionals. The class will be held at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa, and will highlight: proper transfer techniques, dressing and bathing tips, safe feeding practices and more. Free parking onsite. Sign up at (800) 827-4277 or visit www.sharp,com/classes.

Holiday party will also help Food Bank

The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women is planning a holiday party to also help the San Diego Food Bank. Club members and the public are invited to bring canned food and non-perishables on Dec. 10 to the Foothills United Methodist Church’s King Hall, 4031 Avocado Blvd., La Mesa. The goal is to collect 200 pounds of food. Money donations are also welcomed. The social hour begins at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting starts at 10. Meetings are open to the public, and members are encouraged to invite friends, family, co-workers and associates. Returning this year are The Merry Ukes, led by Marge Saberg. There will also be a photo opportunity with some of Santa’s helpers. Visit lamesaelcajon-ca.aauw.net.

El Cajon preparing a Winter Wonderland

El Cajon hosts a free “Winter Wonderland” event from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Ave. The movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be shown around 5:30 p.m. Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will arrive about 3:30 p.m. in a fire engine. Snowman Bounce House, train rides, costume characters (including the parrot mascot, Parker), free crafts and games, and youth performances. The award-winning Rec Squad will host games and activities. Free popcorn and hot chocolate, and local food trucks will be selling food, including Mexican food from Taco Land, Jamaican food from Little Dutchie, desserts from Belgium Waffles and treats from Gelü Italian Ice. Visit https://bit.ly/3Xo3bne.

Bach recital at Cuyamaca College

The San Diego Early Music Society presents award-winning French keyboard virtuoso Benjamin Alard from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Samuel M. Ciccati Theatre at Cuyamaca College. The harpsichord concert will present the complete first book of Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier, which Alard just recorded as part of his complete J.S. Bach keyboard works series. Tickets from $10 to $40 at bit.ly/3tQMmDM. Cuyamaca College is at 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy., El Cajon. Call (619) 291-8246.

Blood drives

The San Diego Blood Bank hosts these donor opportunities. Both events are offering donors a voucher for a free entrée (up to $15) from The Broken Yolk.

• 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Skyline Church, 11330 Campo Road, La Mesa, by the fountain
• Noon to 5 p.m. Monday , Barons Market, 1347 Tavern Road, Alpine

Those 17 and older, weighing at least 114 pounds and in good health, may be eligible to donate. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended before donation. Appointments are honored first and walk-ins are welcome. Photo ID required. Call (800) 400 8251 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org.

Please send notices of events to fyi.east@sduniontribune.com at least two weeks before they take place.