December 11, 2009 (El  Cajon)--Join Stoney's Kids, the Salvation Army, Viejas & AM 600 KOGO in the Target Shopping Center Parking Lot on Broadway in El Cajon for the live radio broadcast of the East County Toy & Food Drive Fire Truck/Toy Parade. 

Handle cooking oil and grease carefully all year round, but especially this time of year

Editor’s note: This consumer advice provided by Otay Water District stikes an all-too-familiar chord, since our household once had drains back up after cooking up rich foods for a holiday party. Read below to learn how you can avoid this hassle.

December 9, 2009 (Otay) –‘Tis the season to enjoy excellent holiday food. For homeowners and wastewater operators alike, however, the holiday season can be a troubling time of year.

Yes, there's still time to RSVP and join East County Magazine for feasting, fun & merry-making at our HOLIDAY HOOPLA PARTY on Sunday, December 13th 2-6 p.m. in La Mesa.  Festiivities will include great food (turkey, ham and all the trimmings!), wine-tasting, prizes, games, and a rib-tickling presentation by Emmy Award-winning comedian Russ T. Nailz.

December 6, 2009 (San Diego) -- Cal Fire has provided this poem filled with tips for keeping your family safe during  holiday celebrations. 

CHRISTMAS POEM

by Darleen Hayden

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
but alas and alack ‘twas no fire screen there!
A few feet away stood the holiday tree
so majestic, so regal, and as dry as could be . . .

46 Back Packs for severely wounded military packed and ready to ship

December 6, 2009 (San Diego) -- Today, World Emergency Relief (WER) does not have to travel thousands of miles to provide for needs. Through its program, Project NOT Forgotten, WER provides backpacks to returning severely wounded military personnel. Medical care is so good today that a severely wounded serviceman (or woman!) can be in a bed here in a U.S. Military hospital in three days. However, they are often med-evaced so quickly that all of there personal belongings are left behind.

December 5, 2009 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Recreation Department is offering a safe and fun camp to engage the kids during the winter break. Hillside Center will be hosting “Winter Wonderland” Day Camp for ages 6-12 on December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

December 5, 2009 (El Cajon) --CCT Musical Theater presents the 17th annual Traditionsl of Christmas--A Musical Spectacular at the East County Performing Arts Center December 10-13 and December 17-23 .   The performance includes high-kicking Rockette-style dancers, Santa and his workshop of elves, and a live Nativity Pageant. The event also showcases holiday customs from around the world, favorite Christmas songs, and inspirational scenes. The family-friendly show also displays favorite holiday traditions from every century, every culture, and every generation.

Courtesy of Hacienda de las Rosas Winery

December 5, 2009 (Ramona)--Hacienda de las Rosas Winery, located in Ramona, also has a tasting room in Old Town. Hacienda Sangria has been served at many special holidays in Old Town state park and is a favorite of many guests. It will be served every weekend through the holiday season.

“We receive lots of requests for this recipe,” says co-owner Tammy Holzauer. “Use it and enjoy with your friends!”

Recipe ingredients and instructions:

Low-energy holiday lights set garden aglow; children's activities include cookie decorating

December 4, 2009 (El Cajon) – The public is invited to attend this year’s Holiday in the Garden event at the Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, in El Cajon on Friday, December 4, 5-8pm. The Garden’s meandering paths and exhibits will glow with thousands of energy saving LED lights, courtesy of San Diego Gas & Electric company.

December 4, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Cajon Classic Cruise annual Parade of Lights Holiday car show is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on downtown’s Main Street. Admission is free and this year's event will feature the East County Toy & Food Drive in cooperation with The Salvation Army. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate for needy children this holiday season.

La Mesa’s historic shopping district offers a Victorian-style holiday celebration, rides, bonfires, specialty boutiques and unique gifts

December 4, 2009 (La Mesa) – For two days and nights, La Mesa’s historic downtown village transforms into a Victorian winter wonderland complete with strolling minstrels, carolers, street entertainers and several stages. Bonfires will fill La Mesa Boulevard, where you can roast chestnuts over an open fire or delight in a horse-drawn carriage ride. You’ll also find carnival rides, puppet shows, and Santa Claus.

December 3, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--eNature’s ringtones are a way to bring a unique ring tone to your phone. There are many free ring tones available from elk to turkey. Have fun with this freebie and learn what our nation’s treasures sound like in the wild.  http://wild.enature.com/ringtones/

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

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

December 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Ready or not – the holiday gift-giving season is here!  Our gifts to you are ideas and tips to help you spend less money and feel more relaxed and peaceful during this special time of year. It is important to remember why we are celebrating, and to not be caught up in a whirlwind of consumerism.

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 (San Diego)-- Christmas trees bring  beauty to many homes during the holiday season.  But they can also become fire hazards, turning holiday joy to tragedy if safety precautions are not followed.  (View a video  posted at YouTube to see just how fast a dry tree will burn.)

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.

December 2, 2009 (El Cajon)-- San Diego’s own book publisher, Sunbelt Publications, whose latest local-interest book is San Diego’s Finest Athletes: Five Exceptional Lives, turns twenty–five years old in December with a wide array of new books for all ages, and a big holiday party. On December 3, 2009, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, Sunbelt will host their annual Holiday Party, with presentations by local authors, refreshments (including samples from three cookbooks), open warehouse shopping with discounts on books, and prize drawings.

December 1, 2009 (Alpine) -- The San Diego East Visitors Bureau & San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invite the public to a holiday mixer and open house/grand opening of the San Diego East Visitors Bureau. Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped gift for Stoney’s Kids East County Toy Drive while joining in an evening of festivities that includes ice skating, bowling, refreshments, and more.

December 13, 2009 (Mt. Helix) - One of East County's unique holiday traditions is the annual caroling party atop Mt. Helix, where hot cocoa, coffee and baked goods await community members who join the free holiday caroling event in the Mt. Helix ampitheater.

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. 

Among the options for gift-shopping are local wineries and breweries, artists and artisans, and companies offering gourmet foods, spa and personal care products, clothing, kitchenware, and more. 

November 28, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – Rusty Nails, a.k. “The Executive Imposter” will entertain guests at the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce annual holiday breakfast. Festivities take place on Friday, December 11 at Peter Piper Pizza, 2983 Jamacha Road in El Cajon from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

November 25, 2009 (Julian) -- Julian celebrates the holiday season by lighting up the town's living Christmas tree at Pioneer Park on Saturday, Nov. 28.  The historic gold rush town will also paysl homage to individuals who contribute time, skills, and energy to making Julian what some townspeople consider the best small town in Southern California.  The event marks the beginning of the annual Julian Country Christmas celebration--three weeks of holiday festivitird during which visitors and residents  capture the spirit of the season in an old-fashioned way. 

November 26, 2009 (Valley Center) - Ho, ho! Santa arrives November 27 and 28 at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center. The visits comes amid a weekend-long arts and crafts fair with over 100 artisans selling hand-crafted wares.

Santa will be visiting with children and the young at heart at 1 p.m. both days. Other activities include face painting, Kids ‘n Paint, visits to the farm zoo, a country barbecue and kettle corn.

November 25, 2009 – El Cajon Fire Department tells us that –we kid you not— each holiday season, 911 receives calls from people asking how to cook a turkey. Please do NOT call 911 for turkey-prep instructions! Instead, check out the free turkey roasting and safety tips posted at the El Cajon Fire Department’s website http://elcajonfire.com/archives/2009/11/holiday-safety-cooking.php.

Be sure to check out their video demonstration on the dangers of deep-frying a turkey--complete with action fire-fighting footage. (Please don't try this at home!)

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

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

November 26, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)-The term “Black Friday” dates back to the late 1960's and refers to the Friday after Thanksgiving – the start of the traditional Christmas shopping season, and the day most store ledgers hit “the black” (show a profit). Retailers nationwide get a jump-start on the season by having sales on Black Friday.

For many stores, this means opening their doors at midnight after Thanksgiving. If you are a night owl, that is the time to go (before all the sale items are picked over).

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.

Rural retreat to host Thanksgiving potluck feast--and soon, a writer’s retreat

By Miriam Raftery

November 23, 2009 – It's not Plymouth Rock--but it may be the most dramatic natural setting in San Diego County to celebrate your Thanksgiving. 

“When I saw this, I felt sure there were ceremonies here in ancient times,” said Sharon Courmousis, standing before a natural rock cathedral at Sacred Rocks Reserve in Boulevard. “I also felt a sense of sacred space.” Sharon and her husband, Dmitri, offer guests opportunities to nurture creative artistry, enjoy stargazing, stroll a labyrinth--and savor a Thanksgiving Day potluck amid a natural retreat complete with campground, cottages and a clubhouse for the feast.

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 22, 2009 (Poway) - California Ballet Company will present The Nutcracker, a holiday classic ballet performance at the Poway Performing Arts Center.  This is the longest running Nutcracker performance in San Diego and has been voted "Best Local Dance Performance" by Ranch & Coast Magazine in 2008.

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.