December 2010/January 2011 Issue | Download the Full Issue

What is more emblematic of the season than the “lights of Christmas,” sparkling from every street corner, gleaming from every parade float, and reflected in the faces of children of all ages?
About 30,000 spectators are expected to attend the 29th annual Fallbrook Christmas Parade, presented by the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, December 4, beginning at 5 p.m. and proceeding up and down Main Street between Ammunition Road and 15 blocks to Ivy. Between 125–150 entries large and small are anticipated.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Manny Ortega, Fallbrook’s Senior Sheriff’s Volunteer.
According to Roy Costello, who is chairing the parade for the 11th year, “Ortega is the organizer of our Sheriff’s Senior Volunteers. He has been doing that for several years. He checks on senior shut-ins and assists in the annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival, helping to organize all of the parade road closures.”
Costello added that Ortega also serves on the parade committee, but wasn’t allowed this year to vote on who would be grand marshal! “He has put in many, many years,” he adds. This year’s theme is “‘Twas the parade before Christmas.”
The parade happens at night, and all of the entries try to outdo each other in the lavishness of their lights. “It’s quite a light show,” said Costello, who added, “This year we are supposed to get some new decorations and lights along Main Street.
Each year residents are invited to submit ideas for the theme. The parade committee, made up of about 18 area residents, picks the winner. This year’s winner, Elaine Carloc, will be given a ride in the parade in a classic car provided by the Vintage Car Club.
Other dignitaries who will be riding in the parade are Fifth District Supervisor, Bill Horn, and Capt. Deb Schroder, California Highway Patrol commander for this area.
Costello took the opportunity to thank Horn. “He has always helped us financially with our Christmas parade,” he said.
Other possible entries: The USMC marching band from Camp Pendleton, Ronald McDonald, the Budweiser Clydesdales, and Thunder, the very popular mascot of the Lake Elsinore Storm.
Confirmed entries include the Shriners and their “Tin Lizzies,” one quarter scale antique cars. The Fallbrook Vintage Car Club will also have many entries.
Bringing up the rear will be the Fallbrook Masonic Lodge, who always chauffeur Santa, the guest of honor.
Lots of volunteers are needed to make an event such as this happen smoothly and on time, including the Fallbrook Radio Club and Sheriff’s Senior Volunteers, as well as section chairmen for ten different sections.
In the years that Costello has chaired the parade, it has grown quite a bit. “Now it’s just a matter of trying to get everyone facing one direction, which can be quite a chore. Things wouldn’t get done without all of our great volunteers. There are two blocks of staging areas, plus the alleys and sometimes the parade backs up all the way from Mission Road.”
For more information about the parade, visit the Chamber’s Web site: www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org and click on “Christmas Parade.”

Hidden Meadows’ Toys for Tots Collection Boxes are In Place

Remember how your face would light up as a kid when you got a toy at Christmas? This year, you can be that light in a child’s world by contributing to the annual Hidden Meadows Toys for Tots toy drive. With strategic locations throughout the Hidden Meadows area, coordinator Gwen Herbert anticipates this year’s drive to be the best one yet.
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve that donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. This heartwarming program was founded in 1947 by Major William Hendricks who was inspired by his wife Diane after she tried to donate a doll to a needy child but couldn’t find a place to do so. That first year, Hendricks gathered a group of local Marine reservists who collected 5,000 plus toys for local children. As of 2009, nearly five hundred million toys have been collected and distributed.
Over the past six decades, the program has undergone a few slight changes. While previously-used toys were once accepted and refurbished, they now only accept new toys. There are several reasons for this. It was becoming difficult to find the resources to refurbish the toys and there were some legal concerns, but most importantly the organization wanted to improve its mission of bringing hope to those in need. The organization also made a key structural change - in 1996, the commander of Marine Forces Reserve authorized Marine Corps League detachments allowing for local organizations to hold their own drives. This is how Gwen Herbert and her husband were able to start the Hidden Meadows program after they moved to the area in 1997.
“The Hidden Meadows community is where it all started for us,” Gwen Herbert said. “I love the response from this community. It’s incredible - people are so generous with the children.”
Now in its 12th year, the Hidden Meadows Toys for Tots program continues to be a growing force collecting toys for the Marine Corps Reserve at Camp Pendleton. Collection boxes are once again at all three Deer Springs Fire District locations (Meadow Glen Way East in Hidden Meadows, Mesa Rock Road at the Deer Springs off-ramp and the Circle R fire station just off the Gopher Canyon off-ramp). Collection boxes are also located at Meadows Deli Market, Meadow Lake Golf Club, Castle Creek Golf & Country Club and Herbert’s real estate office at 1761 S. Escondido Boulevard in Escondido.
The collection boxes will be out until Saturday, December 11, but if you can’t make it to one of the locations by the cut-off date, the Deer Springs fire station location will remain open through Christmas.
Toys for Tots only accepts new toys and asks that you please don’t wrap them. For more information on drop-off locations or program details, call Gwen Herbert at 760-751-1857.

You Are Invited To Bonsall Woman’s Club’s ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TEA

Bonsall Woman’s Club invites one and all to its annual Christmas Tea
It’s time to break out the fine China for the Bonsall Woman’s Club’s 18th annual Christmas Tea scheduled for December 7 & 8, 1– 4 p.m. at The Grand Tradition in Fallbrook.
This year’s theme is “Festival of Christmas Trees,” and promises to be a warm and fuzzy way to bring in the holiday season with all proceeds benefitting local charities.
“The Christmas Tea is our best event and we’re hoping to fill up every single table,” said Gail Golden, Bonsall Woman’s Club member and event participant. “The more tables we fill, the more money we can raise for the community.”
The Bonsall Woman’s Club gives money to The Boys & Girls' Clubs of North County, the San Diego Burn Institute for North County, the Foundation for Senior Care, Casa de Ampara, Animal Friends of the Valley, Fallbrook Music Society, REINS and more. The majority of these charities are funded with monies brought in at The Christmas Tea.
“Every seat at every table counts,” Golden said.
Speaking of the tables, they are somewhat the headliners of the event. Guests are warped into the Victorian time period with elaborate crystal and China dinnerware and lots of classy, eclectic Christmas frill. With ornate place settings and decorative holiday arrangements, each table is different and absolutely stunning.
“It’s a work of labor to set everything up, but that’s all part of the fun,” Golden said. “Each table is decorated by one of our members and they are always just so incredibly beautiful.”
In addition to the table showcasing displays, Bonsall’s Christmas Tea event will also feature drawings, musical entertainment by the Fallbrook High School Madrigals, and a toy drive for Camp Pendleton’s military families.
As a guest, if you bring an unwrapped toy for the toy drive, you’ll receive two drawing tickets to double your chances of winning a prize.
Prizes include decorative, tabletop Christmas trees, wreaths and themed goody-baskets (i.e. spa basket with massage, pedicure, facial and salon gift certificates). You can choose which prize boxes to drop your drawing tickets in, and then cross your fingers to win. Tickets will also be available for purchase, and you must be present to claim your prize. High tea will start at about 1 p.m., but the doors will open at noon.
“We encourage guests to come early to preview all of our specialty items that will be for sale on the Grand Tradition’s veranda,” Golden said. “There will be custom handmade jewelry, sterling silver, giftware, hand-painted crystal glass, original art, decorative gourds, custom sweatshirts, unique hats, handmade aprons, handmade Christmas stockings, designer handbags, holiday decorations and more! This is a wonderful opportunity to do your holiday gift shopping to find something unique and get a one-of-a-kind present!”
To make reservations for the 18th annual Bonsall Christmas Tea, contact Diane Trappen at 760-723-7718. The price is $50 a person, or $350 for a table of eight with all proceeds going to local charities. The event takes place 1 –4 p.m. on December 7 & 8 at the Grand Tradition, 1602 South Mission Road in Fallbrook. More information can be found at www.bonsallwomansclub.org.

ART OF THE HOLIDAY GIFT BOUTIQUE: Where You Can Find The Perfect Gift

The Art of the Holiday Gift Boutique will be held December 1–23 at the Fallbrook Art Center’s “Janice Griffiths Gallery.” Admission is free.
Show hours are Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, noon–3 p.m.
The boutique will present an assortment of handcrafted jewelry, glassware, clothing and accessories, leather goods, functional wood and ceramic items, unique glass and gourd ornaments, and more by 31 artisans of our region.
Let’s meet some of the local artists taking part in this show:
Kelly & Trent Berning
One of the greatest loves of Kelly and Trent Berning’s lives is working with clay, and for over 17 years, they have poured their hearts and souls into their work.
Fallbrook residents, both teach ceramics at local community colleges.
They spend their free time in their studio where they also run the Berning Clay Gallery, a gallery filled with handmade pottery and sculpture.
Learn more about them by visiting berningclaygallery.com/
Gail Roberts
Gail Roberts is a retired teacher who makes jewelry. The pieces she will have in the boutique are wire and gemstone necklaces, some with pearls and Swarovski crystals.
What makes her pieces different is her wire technique. The base of the wire is copper but the finish is a coating. The outside could be gold, silver, black, red or copper. They are made with various gemstones, none of which are fine or faceted.
Roberts has been making beaded jewelry for a long time. She and her husband have lived in Fallbrook since 1975.
When her three girls were in 4-H, she taught beaded jewelry and has always been interested in working with her hands. Using her talent in needlework and beading, she has taught classes and has traveled the world learning more about gemstones, pearls, and beads.
Her “Jewelry for Her” collection is comprised of five general designs: set gemstones, strung freshwater pearls, wire and gemstone, wire-woven, and wire-braided pieces.
This is her first show.
“I am very excited. I can hardly contain myself,” she says. “I think that with Fallbrook being an art community, this will be another way to learn about this town.”
Each of Roberts’ pieces features one of the following: amethyst, carnelian, aventurine, or tiger eye. Two necklace designs include freshwater pearls and Swarovski Crystals. Each necklace is named. For example, one piece is named “Victoria,” after her sister-in-law who is recovering from brain tumor surgery. “I usually have a person, place, or event in mind as I am creating the necklace,” she says.
Al Brandli
Fallbrook artist Al Brandli’s work in this show will be ceramic leaf bowls in various sizes and shapes–all with organic, free-flowing lines. These highly-decorative art pieces are hand-formed with very thin, overlapping leaf impressions. Inspiration for this work comes from Brandli’s love of nature and his horticultural background.
Brandli completed The Art Center curriculum at Orange Coast College when he retired in 1998. In addition to ceramics, other favorite art forms include plein air painting, clay and stone sculpture, and photography.
His bowls are hand built with overlapping impressions of large California Sycamore and Magnolia “Grandiflora” leaves.
His handbuilding technique produces work that is very thin and very light, more whimsical and free form, and less precise.
Marlene Rantanen
Fallbrook artist Marlene Rantanen is an artisan jewelry designer. Many of her pieces have sterling silver components that she hand formed and are textured or had patinas applied. She uses beads from all over the world.
In her opinion, the silver that she uses make the pieces stand out. She took classes in Taos, New Mexico from Marilynn Nicholson, who teaches a creative approach, using unusually shaped stones and hand forming.
In such pieces, the finishings are often what make a piece.
Rantanen uses interesting beads and things such as fossils.
Her pieces in the boutique will range from the easily affordable to the more expensive.
Patricia Hartman
Dr. Patricia Hartman divides her work between digital art and jewelry.
This Fallbrook artist has been making jewelry since 1970 and fused glass jewelry since 2004
“I think what attracts me about it is that it is hard to tell what you will end up with,” she says. “What’s interesting is that you put glass in the kiln and you don’t know what will come out. Sometimes it is ruined and sometimes it’s incredible.”
She melts the glass at 1600° in a kiln and fuses it with metals such as bronze and fine silver and then makes the result into necklaces.
She uses recycled glass and as many “green” materials as she can find. “I buy scrap from people who were going to throw it away,” she says. “I also use found materials. I use bolts and washers, because Steampunk is big,” she syas.
She emphasizes that her jewelry is artisan. “No two are alike. They are not just stringed beads. Thought is given to every piece. If you have a pendant with bronze glass and an aqua face, what should go with it?”
She does custom work as well. The prices of her work ranges from $10 to several hundred dollars. Her pieces at the boutique will fit any budget, going from $15 to $90.
She also does digital art that she creates with 3D modeling on the computer.
You can find more examples of her work on her Web site: www.hitekdesigns.com.
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The Fallbrook Art Center is located at 103 South Main at Alvarado in Fallbrook.
Show Hours are Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, noon–3 p.m.
Admission is free.

Kids Activities Make Christmas Special

Much of what is wonderful about Christmas is seeing the holiday through the eyes of a child.
Experience that again this year at activities that have been put together with your little ones in mind.
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Ice Rink
Through Jan. 2 • Old Town Temecula Ice Rink, located in the Town Square, is now open every day through Jan. 2. For more information visit www.cityoftemecula.org.
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Tree Lighting
Dec. 2, 7–8 p.m. The City of Temecula presents its 13th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a free, family-friendly event marking the beginning of the holiday season. Festivities include live entertainment, refreshments and holiday fun for the whole family. For more information, call the City at 951-694-6480.
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Light Parade
Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. This year’s Santa’s Electric Light Parade down Old Town Front Street in Temecula is themed “A Toyland Christmas” and incorporates lights on every entry! For more information, call the city at 951-694-6480.
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Carriage Rides
Dec. 4, 11 & 18 • Noon–7 p.m. • Downtown Escondido Business Assn. special events includes Horse & Carriage Rides on Grand Avenue. Visit www.downtownescondido.com, or call 760-745-8877.
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Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 4, 4–8 p.m. The 6th annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland event has become a California Center for the Arts, Escondido (CCAE) favorite and a free holiday tradition for families in North County and beyond. See the Center sparkle with dancing lights as patrons enjoy seasonal music and Victorian carolers, activities in the museum, a special visit from the man up north, and everyone’s favorite—real snow!
Kids will enjoy free art activities, costumed entertainers, and free cookies at this family-friendly event that is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. Lyric Court and Great Green at the Center. For more information visit www.artcenter.org.
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Christmas Parade
Dec. 4 from 5–7 p.m. The 29th annual Christmas Parade is Fallbrook’s second largest annual downtown event. The parade will travel north on Main Street from Ammunition Road past Alvarado Street. For more information on this free community event, call 760-728-5845.
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Winter Wonderland
Pennypickle’s Winter Wonderland at the Temecula Children’s Museum will be held Friday, Dec. 10, 6-8:30 p.m.
Snow at the Professor’s house! Have fun and make memories surrounded by holiday music, snowflakes, and twinkling lights. Try the Hot Chocolate bar, eat s’mores, discover the Professor’s Snow Science Lab, let the kids shop for mom and dad in Beaker’s Secret Store, start your Christmas shopping at Pennypickles, and play in the snow!
Entrance to Pennypickle’s Winter Wonderland is free.
Tickets for activities are $1 each; most activities (including playing in the snow) will cost 1 to 2 tickets each; food items will be available for 1-5 tickets each).
Tickets for Winter Wonderland are not available on-line. Located at the Temecula Children’s Museum, 42081 Main St., Temecula. www.pennypickles.org.
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Christmas on Broadway
Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. Who doesn’t love a Christmas Parade? The 60th annual Escondido Jaycees Christmas Parade, “Christmas on Broadway,” will travel down Broadway Avenue between Escondido High School and Grape Day Park. www.escondidojaycees.org.
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Family Holiday Workshop
San Diego Archaeological Center’s Family Day and workshop open house style, Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. San Diego Archaeological Center is located at 16666 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido.
Discover the San Diego Archaeological Center’s Culture Classroom as it is transformed into a “Family Holiday Workshop.”
Participants young and young -at- heart will enjoy hands-on experiences with natural resources such as clay and raffia. Fabric, glue and glitter are also provided for constructing Victorian era items. Combining imagination and personal style, each person will have the opportunity to create unique pieces, perfect for holiday gifts.
Bracelets, sculptures, vases, pendants, and sachets are waiting to be created for friends and family members.
All visitors to the Center Museum on Saturday, Dec. 11 are invited to enjoy a mug of hot cocoa or cider and cookies. No reservations are required.
Admission is free with Center Museum admission, $2 per person or $5 per family.
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Children’s Museum
Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. The second Saturday at Escondido Children’s Museum, 380 N. Escondido Boulevard in Escondido. www.escondidochildrensmuseum.org.
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Polar Express
Dec. 17–18 from 6–8:30 p.m. Moms and Dads, enjoy some “alone time” during this busy season while your PJ and robe clad child (age 5–10) boards Pennypickle's Polar Express at the Temecula Children's Museum, 42081 Main St., Temecula. You can shop or dine in Old Town Temecula as your little ones explore the science of winter at each of the station stops within Pennypickle's Workshop.
Tickets are limited to the first 50 passengers so make your reservations early; no tickets will be sold at the door! Cost of $20 per child includes dinner. www.pennypickles.org.
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New Year’s Eve for Kids
Dec. 31 from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Celebrate Pennypickle style at New Year's Eve at noon—instead of midnight—which is geared for those too young to stay up late. Be sure to buy your tickets early as space is limited. Tickets are $5 per person and will be held for you at the door. Pennypickle's Workshop is located in the Temecula Children's Museum, 42081 Main St., Temecula. Or visit www.pennypickles.org.

Holiday Shows For The Whole Family

The holidays are the time for good times with families and for holiday entertainment.
You don’t have to drive very far to find family-friendly live entertainment that is themed to the holidays, including two totally separate performances of the classic ballet The Nutrcracker.
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Tis The Season—
A Holiday Revue
Fallbrook’s Mission Theater is the scene for this annual holiday revue, December 3, 7:30 p.m. presented by Cast productions. This all music show stars local talented adults.
The Mission Theater is located at 231 North Main Street in Fallbrook.
Ticket Prices:
Adults: $10
Seniors (over 65): $8
Juniors (under 12): $8
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Mr. Scrooge & Mr. Dickens
Escondido’s Patio Playhouse is the location for Mr. Scrooge & Mr. Dickens, adapted and directed by multiple local author Charles Carr. The play is a faithful rendering of Charles Dickens’’s beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, with a new embellishment: Dickens appears on stage at key moments to read descriptive sections from the original work describing the people, the places, and the times.
The production is further enhanced by dancers, singers, music, and powerful sound effects. There will also be caroling before and after the show and, for the little ones, a visit at the end of the play by a very special person (parents: hint, hint!).
Patio Playhouse Community Theatre, 201 East Grand Avenue, Suite 1D, Escondido.
Evening shows 7 p.m. Dec. 16, 17, 18; matinees 2 p.m. Dec. 18 & 19.
Tickets
$12 adults
$8 seniors/students
$6 under 16 yrs.
Group pricing available. Ask about the Dec. 15 sign language interpreted event. Reservations 760-746-6669.
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Carols by Candlelight
Steve Vaus Productions presents Carols by Candlelight at the California Center for the Arts’s Concert Hall, Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.
This family Christmas concert celebrates its 21st anniversary this year. Over the years, “Carols by Candlelight” has featured pop and country stars including LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Loggins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Ann Womack, the Commodores, Sara Evans, John Michael Montgomery, B.J. Thomas and many others singing Christmas carols and their biggest hits. The net proceeds benefit Rady Children's Hospital. Find out this year’s line-up by visiting www.starsconcert.com/
Tickets: $32–$60
VIP Tickets: $200
Call the Ticket Office at 800-988-4253.
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West Coast Ballet
West Coast Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker Friday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 18, at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Concert Hall of the CCAE.
This family-oriented, grand-scale production of the classic children’s tale features international guest artists, spectacular sets, gorgeous costumes, dazzling pyrotechnics, special effects, flying fairies and snow. Visit www.sandiegonutcracker.com/
Tickets: $18.50 – $39.
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San Diego Academy of Ballet
The San Diego Academy of Ballet presents The Nutcracker Friday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4 at 1 and 7 p.m. at the CCAE’s Concert Hall.
Celebrate your winter holidays with this lavish production of a holiday staple. Join Clara, the Sugarplum Fairy, soldiers and mice, along with dancers from the Kingdom of the Sweets, in a magical evening featuring stars from American Ballet Theater. For more information visit www.sdab.org/
Tickets: $28 – $36
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A Christmas Carol
Community Players Theater, at 3575 East Valley Pkwy in Escondido, is presenting the popular holiday classic A Christmas Carol, a two act adaptation of the famous Charles Dickens story by Michael A. Youngs.
Get into the Christmas spirit with this beautiful play, presented in the newly renovated theater of Community Lutheran Church of Escondido. Casting includes many beloved actors from previous productions like Secret Garden and Sound of Music but also new talents. The show is directed by Chris Ryan.
Performances are Friday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7 pm, with a matinee Dec. 5 at 2 pm. General admission is $10, reserved seats $12.50. To buy tickets call 760-739-1650 or 760-751-5377.
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Big Band Christmas
Through December 31, Welk Theatre San Diego presents Big Band Christmas. Experience a sentimental journey back to WWII as four singers, accompanied by a ten-piece, swingin' Big Band, croon their way through your favorite catalogue of cherished Christmas songs. For tickets, call 888-802-7469 or book your tickets online at www.welktheatersandiego.com.
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Christmas Concert
Fallbrook Music Society presents the William Chunestudy Men’s Chorus and Mixed Chorus December 4 at 8 p.m. A capella works as well as those accompanied by instrumentalists will be featured. Call 760-451-8644 or visit www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org for tickets.

Just What Every Child Needs… A Lesson In Etiquette

When you sit down in an expensive restaurant, do you know which fork to use? When eating soup, should you blow on it—or wait until it cools enough to eat?
Jonnie Fox Flanagan, a daughter of the Deep South, where gracious manners were practically invented, can answer those questions for you—and more.
Mrs. Flanagan is the proprietor of the Magnolia School of Etiquette, based in Rainbow, which promises to teach “style, grace and social protocol.” She is an entrepreneur who created a niche for herself, filling a need that most people didn’t realize they were lacking: etiquette training. Or to be more precise: etiquette training for their children.
A successful business woman who has owned her own D.J. and karaoke companies and a health food restaurant—about a year ago she decided to branch out into teaching children manners.
As with many entrepreneurs who stumble onto a service, Mrs. Flanagan started off looking for information for herself, to teach to her 12 1/2 year old son.
She noticed his lack of table manners and the tendency among his friends to hold their utensils like “cavemen” and to talk with their mouths full.
She also observed the tendency of some children to address adults—even parents—by their first names, and not to say “please” or “thank you.” She told herself, “I sure would love to teach kids some manners!”
She has always been interested in the subject. She did a high school term paper on etiquette, which comes naturally from having been raised in New Orleans, in the heart of the gracious Deep South. She has read many books on the subject, although to her mind, Letitia Baldrige is the icon on etiquette and protocol.
Once she got the idea, she researched it online. She bought manuals of etiquette, put together a Web site and finally launched classes that began in October.
Once she started to advertise, she was swamped with applications. With the opening of school this year, she has made appearances at several private schools to teach one-day courses. The response was so successful that she hasn’t approached any public schools yet.
“It snowballed! Suddenly every day, I was getting phone calls from all over, as far north as Calistoga [in Northern California],” she says.
She is amazed to find such success in this economy, but notes, “There aren’t a lot of opportunities for kids to get training in etiquette.”
One six hour class includes time spent in a restaurant learning how to properly use utensils and maintain good posture at the table. They also learn the do’s and don’ts of giving a toast. Also covered are place settings and napkins; silverware and glassware; ordering from the menu; handling an accident; the buffet line; table talk and “do’s and don’ts of dining.”
One homework assignment is to go home and give a proper toast to their parents when they fix them a nice dinner. Kids also role play on skills such as standing up to do introductions.
In one lesson, kids learn to write “thank you” notes. “I have the younger children write a couple of lines on a Christmas card to American soldiers and the older group actually writes a nice full page letter on special holiday stationary I provide,” she says.
She then mails the letters to Operation Christmas Card, or Valentines For Soldiers, etc., depending on the season.
“It teaches them “more” than just  writing a note,” she says.
“A recent class of teens and tweens had a great time making chocolate covered strawberries as a socialization skill. This age group of 11-14 years old comes in with some reticence and trepidation, or just plain attitude, but after a couple of hours—and certainly by the end of the seminar day—they are all sharing stories, laughing, learning together, shaking hands without bumping fists, and displaying a much different presence than when they arrive.”
She adds, “There is a lot of activity to keep the kids from being bored.”
She hopes to eventually grow the business enough to hire assistants, create a franchise and branch out to teach kids all over the region.
“Meanwhile, I’m going to reach as many children as I can,” she says. “Teaching great manners one child at a time!”
She sees this as being her second phase of life. “I’ve tapped into something that was needed,” she says.
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The next class of the Magnolia School of Etiquette will be offered on Jan. 29-30 at the Elder House, 127 W. Elder St. in Fallbrook. The class on the 29th will be for children ages 5–10 and the class on the 30th will be for ages 11–14.
Contact the school at: http://magnoliaetiquette.com or call 619-977-9181.

CORRECTION: Please note that a restaurant meal is not included with all Magnolia School of Etiquette classes; weekly classes are offered to both public and private schools as after-school enrichment programs and public seminars are offered in a 4–6 hour one-day course. We regret the error.

The Dickens Carolers

You’re strolling in a mall, carried along by fellow shoppers, stopping to look into shop windows, dodging baby strollers and frantic, distracted parents trying to keep their children corralled—all the while you try to hang onto several bags of merchandise.
You hear a Christmas song that sounds so natural you marvel at the audio quality of the mall’s sound system. You round a corner and, tired though you may be, your mouth stretches into a smile. You see two men and two women, attired in clothes of 1830s London, the London brought to life in the classic holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol, singing in perfect harmony. You have encountered the Dickens Carolers.
You are both surprised and delighted.
People can’t resist smiling when they meet the Dickens Carolers, says Dr. Kevin St. Clair, who formed the group in 1987. They are in the midst of their 24th season, making them one of the oldest Dickens style carolers in the area. Based in Long Beach, they perform all over the Southland: San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County and Riverside County, always in quartets: a soprano, alto, tenor and bass. All of their music is arranged by Dr. St. Clair, to take advantage of their ability to sing unaccompanied in four-part harmony.
There are 48 singers in the company. They are sent out in quartets in Dickens-era costumes to sing from a collection of the most popular Christmas traditional songs and holiday tunes.
They are available for parties, corporate events, or, as they will do in December, to sing in malls. They will sing every Saturday from Nov. 12 to Dec. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Promenade shopping center in Temecula.
Dr. St. Clair, who founded the group, has a doctorate in vocal music from the University of Southern California and teaches music at three area colleges. He is also active as a performer with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and, frequently, appears as a soloist at orchestras and chorales throughout the region.
He will be singing at a couple of events in Temecula this December.
“It’s a lot of fun to sing in public,” says St. Clair. “The guests are not always aware that singers dressed in costume will be strolling through the mall. It’s great to see the reaction of people who thought they were hearing the PA. Suddenly they see four people dressed from the 1830s. It’s really fun to see the teens react to it. They are initially a little leery of it. Then they think it’s cool!”
As for children: “Some have never seen music performed live, and when they see and hear four part harmony, they are usually enthralled.”
At the Promenade, the singers will wander through different parts of the mall inside and outside—spending a lot of time singing for families waiting to visit Santa Claus.
Their repertoire encompasses traditional favorites, such as Silent Night, Joy to the World and Jinglebells, and secular holiday songs such as White Christmas and the Christmas Song. “What makes it really fun for us is when we sing songs that people don’t expect to hear,” says St. Clair.
That includes songs like Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, the Beach Boys’ Little St. Nick, and a doo wop version of Oh, Holy Night.
“It’s great fun to do the novelty songs like All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth,” he adds.
All are fulltime or part-time professional musicians. They usually have eight to ten openings in any given year and hold auditions to fill them. Usually around 200 singers audition for those spots.
Some of the artists were seen in a Christmas theme episode of a situation comedy, The Quintuplets. Others appeared as a capella singers in an episode of How I Met Your Mother. Still others are very active in singing film soundtracks.
Singing without accompaniment, also called a capella, is actually quite physical, says St. Clair.
“The carolers make it look easy but it requires a great deal of training to do so under less than ideal circumstances, in a noisy, crowded environment; to hold onto harmony parts and make it sound beautiful,” he says.
They spend two months in rehearsal prior to the season.
They have built up a a loyal clientele from people who have heard them over the years and for whom the season wouldn’t be the same without them.
“We would love to be part of your family holiday gatherings and company christmas parties,” says St. Clair.
There’s still time to reserve the Dickens Carolers for your next event!
Visit them at charlesdickenscarolers.com, call 800-951-9853 or email them at carolers@earthlink.net.

Bonsall’s One-Stop Postal & Imaging Shop

Bonsall Postal and Imaging is a unique medley of character, personality and services. From packaging and shipping, to document shredding and copying, to wedding photography and passports, Bonsall Postal and Imaging is essentially a one-stop shop when it comes to shipping and digital services.
What started off 13 years ago as a family-owned and operated MotoPhoto franchise in Ocean-side, has now turned into a full-blown mail parcel service in Bonsall.
“Having a photo studio and film processing center was something I always wanted,” said owner Seth Essenfeld. “After determining that Oceanside wasn’t the right fit for our business, we made the decision to make the move to Bonsall.”
The family first opened its doors to Bonsall’s MotoPhoto in what is said to have been the space once owned by the Marlboro Man. During this first year, the River Village Shopping Center asked the company to do the Christmas photos with Santa. This led the Essenfeld family to discover their current location in the shopping center.
“We just love it here,” Essenfeld said. “The Bonsall community is great. Here we’ve been able to reinvent ourselves to provide the services the community needs.”
The family actually credits the shopping center’s landlord for the company being what it is today. When they first relocated to the River Village Shopping Center, they had intended to continue with the photo studio and film processing store. However, that soon changed based on an economically-wise recommendation.
“Our new location used to be a mail parcel business,” Essenfeld said. “Our landlord suggested we also provide mail parcel services since there are so many office suites and companies in the area who really needed these services. Nobody wants to have to drive all over to mail a package and they shouldn’t have to.”
Now Bonsall Postal and Imaging has gone from doing 80–90% film processing to 80-90% mail services. But it’s not just limited to shipping and packaging. Need something notarized? Both Seth and his daughter, Lindsay, are certified notaries. Need traffic school? Bonsall Postal and Imaging is a registered traffic school test location for several online schools. Need a mailbox rental? Stop by.
How about getting a live scan of your fingerprints? Yep – Bonsall Postal and Imaging’s live scan system captures fingerprints turning them directly into digitized formats.
Some services are more profitable than others which is why Essenfeld said they keep involved with the YESS organization (Your Expert Shipping Store) to stay educated and informed on new ideas and services they can provide. Essenfeld is not only treasurer of the local San Diego YESS chapter, but he is on the board of directors for the national association.
“We need to stay active and current,” Essenfeld says. “We need to know when to phase out certain services and when to bring in new ones. Our ideas change all the time.”
While their ideas might change, one thing that doesn’t is their level of customer service.
“If you don’t have good customer service, what do you have?” Essenfeld said. “When you are a local family business that lives and works in the community you love, you have to provide good service. My wife, Bonnie, is our CFO and president, my daughter, Lindsay, operates and manages the store and someday my grandson, William, will take over.
William isn’t yet one-year-old, so it’s good to know the Essenfelds’ plan on Bonsall Postal and Imaging being around for quite some time.
To learn more about Bonsall Postal and Imaging’s services, check out www.bonsallpi.com or call 760-941-9221. Or you can always stop by the store. It’s located at 5256 South Mission Road, Ste. 703 in Bonsall’s River Village Shopping Center. Store hours are Monday–Thursday from 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Z Café Features All-American Food With A Little Aloha

Patrons looking for Bonsall’s Sunrize Café might be surprised to find out that not only does it have a new location, but it has a new name, too.
Trendy, modern and delicious, Z Café (formerly known as Sunrize Cafe) continues to serve tasty heaps of breakfast and lunch, with an intriguing twist of Hawaiian flare.
Whether you’re looking for pancakes, eggs, omelets and breakfast burritos, or soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, Z Café has an answer for your appetite. Their extensive menu covers the gamut of food from American burgers and BLTs, to Greek salads and omelets, to South of the Border scrambles and burritos.
With a touch of everything, what really sets the café apart is its Hawaiian fare. Z Café’s specialties include Hawaiian barbecue chicken and beef with steamed rice, wontons, mixed greens and macaroni salad (macaroni salad is a traditional side for Hawaiian dishes). They also offer a chicken katsu, Hawaiian tacos, mahi mahi, Kalua pork and Kalua ribs.
I went with the Avocado Lime salad and was not disappointed. The huge strips of Hawaiian barbecue chicken were almost hard to find in the mounds of healthy Spring-mixed greens. There was a good balance of avocado, tomato and cucumber as well with a blend of citrus and lime dressing. Topping off the salad was a touch of Hawaiian aloha with layers of crispy onion.
Needless to say, I wasn’t able to finish it all and definitely got my money’s worth.
While you’re waiting on your order, I recommend sipping on a frothy espresso. Their chai tea latte is one of the best I’ve ever had. Of course, they do it all from cappuccinos and mochas to macchiato and iced espressos. Everything from both their beverage menu and their food menu is reasonably priced.
If you haven’t yet been, it’s worth the trip to go. The service is efficient and pleasant and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. With a sleek and trendy bar, and relaxing tables and booths you can easily sit back and enjoy your meal.
Flat screen televisions and wireless internet access add to the café’s modern vibe, along with an energetic wait staff and amazing views of Bonsall’s surrounding hills and valleys.
Z Café is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located in the River Village Shopping Center at 5256 S. Mission Rd. in Bonsall. For more information call 760-940-1751 or visit www.sunrizecafe.com.

Buy A Round of Cupcake Cocktails!

Have you ever thought of your favorite cocktail as a cupcake? With the savory and tempting concoctions created by Dirty Dozen Cupcakes, you may just start to see happy hour in a whole new light.
Dirty Dozen Cupcakes is an online cupcake specialty store that features a line of cupcakes modeled after popular alcoholic beverages. Based out of Fallbrook, this boutique bakery has already established its own unique niche, with a fun and creative take on cupcakes.
“In late 2009, I realized there was a market in the cupcake world that no one had explored,” said owner Jill Kerwin. “The trend of cupcakes seemed geared mostly towards women and social events. The other aspect of parties is cocktails and alcohol, so what better way to combine two things that women love; dessert and happy hour?
“I began experimenting from scratch with flavors and quickly found that adding alcohol to baking ingredients required a lot of kitchen chemistry. Six months of trial and error resulted in the flavors that I carry in ‘the bar’ now.”
The ‘bar’ features two menus of cupcakes. “On the Rocks” contains 12 different cocktail flavors and “Off the Vine” has three premium wine-flavored cupcakes.
“Each cupcake not only reflects the taste of the drink it’s modeled after, but also it’s appearance,” explained Kerwin. “Being an artist by trade, the creative aspect of the company was very important to me. Everything from the Web site, marketing, packaging, down to the appearance and decoration of each cupcake needed to fulfill my artistic standards.”
The fact that the cupcakes actually look like their cocktail counterparts and use the same ingredients is intriguing. Just reading the cupcake descriptions makes you feel like you’re enjoying a top-shelf beverage. For example, the Margarita cupcake is a tequila and lime-infused cake with a splash of orange liqueur topped with lime-tequila icing, a sugary ‘salt’ rim and a slice of lime. It sounds just like the real drink, and the taste will remind you of it, too.
Other cupcake flavors include the Piña Colada (rum and coconut cake topped with pineapple icing, garnished with coconut, pineapple and a cherry), the Sangria (red wine cake, citrus icing and a blood orange slice garnish), the Cosmopolitan (cranberry cake, a splash of citrus vodka topped with cranberry icing, Cosmo sugar, and a classic lemon rind twist), the White Russian (coffee cake, a splash of vodka topped with coffee liqueur icing, a sprinkle of espresso and a chocolate covered vanilla bean), and more.
If you have a favorite drink, chances are Dirty Dozen has it as a cupcake. There are 12 flavors in all from Mimosas and Mudslides, to Fuzzy Navels and Mojitos, to Strawberry Daiquiris and Lemon Drop Martinis. They offer treats for the wine lover as well with their Port de Cocoa, Chateau Blanc and Rose Valley Reserve cupcakes.
These tasty treats are the perfect indulgences at baby and bridal showers, birthday parties, weddings and happy hours. They even come as mini “cupcake shots” which are ideal for large corporate events and holiday parties because people can try more than one flavor without feeling guilty.
Speaking of holiday parties, Kerwin said she has a few new seasonal drink flavors that will be available for a limited time for anyone providing food for a holiday party. The cupcakes also come in beautiful packaging for those who want to give them as a gift.
With a full bar of adult beverage cupcakes to serve, Kerwin said she is still constantly coming up with new flavors to add to the bar.
“There are endless possibilities, which makes the process fun and exciting for me,” Kerwin said. “I have another half dozen worth of recipes ready to go once the company expands further.”
That shouldn’t be long. Dirty Dozen Cupcakes currently operates as an online business working out of a commercial kitchen in Fallbrook. However, Kerwin has already expanded from personal parties to larger scale functions.
“We recently had our cupcakes at Thornton Winery’s annual ‘Champagne Jazz Concert Series’, Hospice of the Valley’s ‘Day of Wine and Chocolate’ fund-raiser, as well as a variety of other events,” Kerwin remarked. “Over the next few months we’re looking forward to being carried at select wine bars, restaurants, and coffee shops in the San Diego area. We’ve been delivering across north San Diego County, but soon we’ll be expanding our business into Orange County and Los Angeles for entertainment industry events.”
Whether you want your cupcakes “Half Shaken/Half Stirred” or as a “Vintage Blend,” Dirty Dozen Cupcakes is ready to open your tab. And yes, they do serve non-alcoholic cupcakes as well. For more information on flavors, pricing and sizes, or to order a round of shots, visit www.dirtydozencupcakes.com.

The Boulevard Magazine
P.O.B. 1529, Valley Center, CA 92082
Tel. 760.749.1112 Fax 760.749.1688