By Penelope Andrade

Is self care last on your holiday list? Winter's dark, short days invite you inside your home and self to slow down, rest . . . rejuvenate. The holidays pull you out into festive, hustle bustle. Torn in two directions you may feel more acutely the stress of lives that don't suit you or nourish you. You remember previous holiday disappointments and hope for fulfillment . . . maybe this year.

Viejas Outlet Center transforms into a winter wonderland complete with ice skating, holiday tree lighting & shows

November 10, 2009 (Alpine)– Viejas Outlet Center officially kicks off the holiday season this Friday, November 13, with the opening of Southern California’s largest ice rink including skating show at 6 p.m., holiday tree lighting at 7:30. p.m., the return of the Legend of the Ice Princess performance, plus  holiday savings at all retail stores.

November 9, 2009 (Alpine) -- Hate holiday shopping? Here’s something to purr about. Lions, Tigers and Bears, a big cat rescue facility in East County, invites you to a holiday party where you can help big cats while shopping for those on your gift list.

 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH

By Rama Beerfas

November 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - While most people believe that the best time to give holiday business gifts is in the week or two leading up to Christmas, there are several compelling reasons to choose either Thanksgiving or New Year for business-related gift-giving.

November 4, 2009 – Want to get an early start on holiday shopping or pick up some fall decorations? East County’s backcountry area has several events this weekend. Fall is a beautiful time to visit East County’s rural areas—and pick up some one-of-a-kind, hand-made or vintage items as well. Here are details on events in Alpine, Descanso, Julian and El Cajon this weekend, plus a folk art country Christmas sale in Escondido next weekend.

October 29, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to be a winner at a casino—without having to gamble any money? Several area casinos are hosting Halloween costume contests and paying out big cash prizes. Others are offering parties, gifts, and Halloween eve concerts.

October 27, 2009 (San Diego) – Looking for a safe and fun place to celebrate Halloween? The Salvation Army Kroc Center offers a “hauntless jaunt” with family-oriented activities on Saturday, October 31, starting at 5 p.m. Kroc Center is located at 6845 University Avenue in San Diego (two blocks west of 70th Street in La Mesa). Activities include trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, cookie decorating, face painting, carnival games, snacks, and a live performance by The School of Rock Band.

October 25, 2009 (Vallecito) – Looking for a chilling Halloween adventure? Paranormalist/ historian Charles Spratley will lead visitors on a ghostly tour of the reportedly haunted Vallecito Stage Station and stagecoach route on October 31st, telling true tales of the colorful characters whose ghostly apparitions are rumored to roam the desert landscape along what was known in the 1850s as the Devil’s Highway.

Choose from an evening program with chuckwagon-style dinner, or for the brave at heart, an overnight campout (gear provided), or opt for lodging in Borrego Springs. The Anza-Borrego desert has claimed hundreds of lives--and what the desert spared, the hand of man sometimes took in strife or the murderous pursuit of gold. By campfire, hear tales of spirits said to inhabit the station (including the forlorn Lady in White) and hear stories of their untimely demise.

Restaurant Recipe Favorite Series

This savory seasonal favorite recipe is provided courtesy of Garden Fresh Restaurant Corporation, owner of Souplantation, a San Diego-based restaurant. 

If your restaurant has a recipe you would like to share with our readers, please send recipe and .jpeg photo to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

Seasonal Family Activities, Camping and Old West Costume Contest All Part of the Fun

October 21, 2009 (Boulevard) - Sacred Rocks Reserve and RV Park, a 163-acre wilderness reserve with RV and tent camping sites (formerly Outdoor World RV Park), is offering a taste of the Old West with their “Old West Harvest Fest,” celebrating the harvest season and Southern California’s historical heritage. The event will be held Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25. Seasonal family activities to include a hayride, pumpkin painting contest (paints provided, pumpkins $5 or bring your own) bonfire and cookout, stargazing, an old time radio play (“The Lone Ranger”) and an Old West 1850’s costume contest.

October 22, 2009 (El Cajon) – Here’s the purr-fect event to bring your pet—or find a pet if you don’t already own one. The Third Annual Animal Shelter Open House this Sunday, October 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The shelter is located at 1275 North Marshall Avenue in El Cajon and admission is free. Games, food, prizes, clowns and a miniature horse are among the attractions—along with an animal Halloween costume contest at 1 p.m.

Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle!

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

October 22, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)-Costumes are not about how much money you spend. You could spend hundreds of dollars and still have a less-than-exciting costume. What make a costume great is a little creativity--along with a few accessories. For example, take a man in an ordinary suit, slick back his hair, give him a pencil thin mustache and a string tie, and voila – Clark Gable! Take the same man, in the same suit, give him a wide tie, spectators, and a waist chain, and you have a Mobster. The clothes you wear are a mere canvas on which to paint your costume.

If you need a little inspiration, check out these sites:

October 19, 2009 (Julian) –The California Wolf Center in Julian will host two Halloween-themed events that are among the most unique in San Diego County. Where else can you participate in a howling contest, take a twilight wolf tour, and learn about werewolves?

OCTOBER 18, 2009 (La Mesa) – Want to save money on some early holiday shopping--and help raise money for breast cancer patients and their families?