January 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--Residents of La Mesa can drop off holiday trees to be recycled and receive free holiday tree mulch on a self-load/self-haul basis at EDCO, 8184 Commercial Street in La Mesa. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. through January 15th.

 
December 28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for a festive party or a special restaurant to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Below is our guide to New Year’s Eve attractions in East County and San Diego’s eastern regions on December 31st, including live music and dancing, fireworks, special menus, casino promotions, and activities for children, families and seniors.

 
December 30, 2009 (San Diego) -- Need a ride after New Year's revelry?  On December 31st,  all bus and trolley routes in San Diego County will be free after 9 p.m.  This free service is made available through a partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We're making our list and checking it twice....finding you lots of great holiday coupons!  Take a sneak preview.....and keep checking back for more great bargains as our busy elves add new coupons each week.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Also scroll to the bottom to find links below to even more discount coupons at malls and shops in East County.  

If you would like to run a holiday coupon for just $150 on this page, e-mail ads@eastcountymagazine.org.

The Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society, an equestrian unit of nine women from several East County communities including Descano, Lakeside, Campo, Alpine and El Cajon, will appear in the 121st annual Rose Parade on New Year's Day, Jan. 1st, in Pasadena.

December 25, 2009 (San Diego) – Now that the 12 days of Christmas and the eight days of Hanukkah are over, if you're ready for some more celebrations, check out the Kwanzaa activities which begin tomorrow at the Malcolm X Library in East San Diego, followed by more events Sunday at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park and on Monday at the Black Contractors Association in San Diego. In addition, the Pan-African Association is holding a food drive from December 26-January 2.

All events are free, open to the public and children are welcome.

By Miriam Raftery

December 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Waited too late to order online? Hate battling crowds at the malls? Or perhaps you’ve been holding out for gifts that are unique and locally made.
 
Good news! This year our “Gifts from the East” guide has plenty of great ideas for last-minute holiday shoppers who are seeking great gifts—all without venturing far from home. Be sure to tell these vendors that you heard about them in East County Magazine!

Still time for shoppers to donate food purchases for needy families in East County

December 22, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--Record numbers of shoppers are bagging hunger this season to match record numbers of the needy, with help from Henry's Farmers Market's annual Grab 'n' Give holiday food drive, which runs until January 4, 2010. Henry's  is on the way to top its 2008 donation amount of 7,000 pounds of food donations.

 
December 23, 2009 (North Pole) – For more than 50 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), have tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight. Starting before dawn on December 24, you and your children can log on at http://www.noradsanta.org/ to watch videos via “Santa Cams” tracking Santa’s journey around the world to homes of all children who believe in him.

December 22, 2009 (Ramona) -- Sheriff William D. Gore announced this year’s Christmas Bicycle Program, which provided pre-selected deserving children with a free bicycle, helmet and bike lock. The event was hosted by the Ramona Sheriff’s Substation and firefighters from the Ramona CalFire Fire Department.

December 22, 2009 (La Mesa)--With the holidays rapidly approaching, many East County residents wille will be giving and receiving valuable items as gifts.  La Mesa Police offers tips to protect your valuables by keeping accurate records.

By Miriam Raftery

December 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Where can you find Christmas tree ornaments that are unique and reflective of life in the eastern areas of Sa Diego County? Here are a few of my favorite finds, from hand-blown glass to Native American handicrafts to critters crafted from corks at a local winery.

December 20, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) –Looking for some spectacular holiday lighting displays?
 
We found the home in these photos on Kildare Lane in Santee (1 block west of Fanita). Yes, these elaborate displays are all on a single house! (Glad we're not paying this electric bill--but the display is definitely dazzling.)
 
To find more neighborhoods that light up with elaborate holiday illuminations, visit http://sandiego.about.com/od/thingstodo/a/holiday_lights.htm.

 
December 20,2009 (Escondido) – Want to create a gift for a lion, elephant, vulture or meerkat? The San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is hosting enrichment days for guests to view animals playing with hand-painted boxes, popcorn-stuffed bags, insect-filled tubes and more. You can even create your own meerkat maze, paint a lion toy, or prepare a taco for an elephant with hay and food pellets.

Courtesy of the Julian Grille, Julian

This recipe is a favorite among diners at the Julian Grill in Julian, San Diego County’s historic gold-mining town. Celebrating its centennial this year, Julian today is best known for its apple festival and array of delicious apple-based recipes—including this sweet and savory salad dressing featuring apple cider.

December 17, 2009 (San Diego) – In celebration of Hanukkah, San Diego Jewish Academy kindergarten through fifth grade students lit the menorah, ate potato pancakes and learned about Hanukkah in Israel and Israeli culture. The third-grade choir, Kol Tikvot, took singing voices on the road as they visited Seacrest Retirement Home and Jewish Family Services and brought their joy of Jewish music to the elderly community during the Hanukkah season.

 
Dec. 15, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is encouraging  customers to deck the halls with energy-efficient holiday decorations to help the environment and save money at the same time.
 
“As we prepare for the holidays, we hope customers will keep safety and energy conservation at the top of the list,” said Hal D. Snyder, vice president of customer solutions for SDG&E. For example, he noted, switching to LED bulbs for holiday decorations has a number of benefits; LED lights are shatterproof and cool to the touch, making them safer as well as about 90-percent more efficient.

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

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

December 17, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - We all know the holidays can get extremely expensive. Not only do people buy many gifts to give away, they also spend a good chunk of change on gift-wrap for those gifts. There are ways you can save on gift-wrap, however. You just need to get a little creative. You can even use the money you save to buy more presents!

December 15, 2009 (San Diego's East County)-- In  East County's mountains, Santa got some help to airlift in toys just in time for Christmas.
 
The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has been collecting toys for needy children in the community. Members of The Ninety-Nines, a women's flying organization (1st President Amelia Earhart), packed their airplanes full of toys at Montgomery Field & Gillespie Field on December 5th, then flew into the Ramona airport to deliver the Toys for Tots.

Councilman Anthony Young Spearheads 13 Mini-Concerts at select Orange Line Trolley Stations in December and January

December 14, 2009 (San Diego)--The Orange Line’s third annual Holiday Entertainment Series starts today at the 62nd Street/Encanto Trolley Station. Rodney Hutsona, a jazz vocalist will kick off the series which will feature performers from the Southeast San Diego area.

 
The holiday music tradition is spearheaded by San Diego Councilman and MTS Board Member Anthony Young, with support from the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, Coca-Cola, and MTS. This is Councilman Young’s third year to offer the holiday music series.

Dear Readers,

December 14, 2009 (San Diego) -- Did you know that 200 homeless people a year die on the streets of San Diego? That’s what a counselor who works with the homeless told me at our holiday party last night. Children account for 39% of all homeless people nationally—and families are the fastest growing segment. This holiday season, as most people are opening gifts and enjoying warm meals, nearly 10,000 homeless men, women and children are living on the streets or in their cars, enduring bitter cold, hunger, and hopelessness. Many have lost their jobs and homes in this difficult economy. Fortunately, there are some things that each of us can do to help this holiday season.

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.