DECEMBER 2011 / JANUARY 2012 ISSUE

The holidays approach, which is when we at The Boulevard run some of our best articles of the year about some great causes.

Like Toys for Tots—this Hidden Meadows and Castle Creek tradition, now in its 13th year, is part of the national U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Gwen Herbert, the local organizer, says Toys for Tots changes lives in a positive way. Read Dawn Berry’s article about this year’s effort.

You can’t think of the holidays without thinking about kids, can you? Finding things that are fun for kids to do is probably a high priority for you. We’ve got you covered in this issue with a collection of really fun things for kids to do during the next few weeks.

One of the most fun things is the Fallbrook Christmas Parade, which has a magical element many holiday parades lack: it happens at night. Every float and entry is festooned with bright lights. They try to outdo each other in presenting a glittering spectacle. Kids of all ages start setting up chairs for the parade in the morning. So it must be extra special. See for yourself.

Speaking of kids, recently we met Jeff Guzzardo, executive director of the Joe & Mary Mottino Family YMCA in Oceanside. He has noticed that the Bonsall/ Fallbrook area has lots of activities for families, but that it is missing a YMCA. He would like to do something about that and is seeking the assistance of local people to find out what they think the area is missing—so that the “Y” can fill the gap. Our article this month chronicles his efforts in that direction.

We also have ferreted out and collected some of the best holiday shows to take the whole family to, ranging from traditional shows like variations on A Christmas Carol, to traditional shows like It’s a Wonderful Life, to other, uh, traditional shows. You begin to see a pattern here, I’m sure.

The Escondido Mounted Posse will be seen on TVs around the world on January 1, 2012 during the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. President Ronald Reagan, no slouch when it came to horses, was heard to remark, “Gee, that’s a fine looking group,” when they rode by at a parade where he was officiating. They are still a fine looking group, and soon everyone else will know it!

Recently we discovered a new restaurant in Escondido, La Farfalla, which specializes in good, healthy food with lots of flavor. It’s small. It’s intimate. It is, as a customer told us, “like eating at Terry’s kitchen.” That’s Terry Meihaus, who says, “Food should energize you and taste good too.”

Taste is important, and the just completed 21st annual Temecula Valley Wine Country Harvest Celebration 2011 had plenty. We sampled those tasty snacks and delicious wines so you wouldn’t have to. But you can read about it.

Finally, if you’d like to buy some great designer casual and sportswear at below warehouse prices AND help the local arts scene, read about and then visit Susan Dunn Designer Outlet in River Village.

Happy holidays to all! See you next year.

David Ross, Editor

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The Boulevard Magazine is a lifestyle magazine with the purpose of celebrating and enhancing the lives of those who read it. Please join us in The Boulevard Magazine to celebrate the glorious hills and tranquil valleys enjoyed by the communities adjacent to the I-15 corridor in San Diego County.