Things to Do: December 2008 Archives

Written by guest author Debbie Yocum:

A new year is a fresh start, so here is my resolution:

Debbie Yocum
Guest Author

I will try to spend more time with my kids doing more of the things that they like to do. When they want to show me something, I tend to not get up right away to check out whatever it is that they want me to see or hear.

This year, I am going to try to listen to them a little more and make them more of a priority. I quit my job in an office years ago to be closer to my family at home. It isn't always easy to balance work and kids because sometimes I fail to stop working when my family might need me for something important to them.

I hear myself saying "Just a minute. I will be there in just a minute" but then I keep working. Then they have to hunt me down and ask me again. We have become so good at multitasking that we do too many things at once.

Sometimes we need to realize that the really important things should be done without anything else going on. Right now my 10 year old son is asking me to talk to him. He asked me a few minutes ago and I told him..."Just a minute. I will be right there".

See, I need to work on this resolution a little more. I better go find my son and see what he wants to talk about.

The Lake Elsinore Outlets is inviting moms and their preschoolers to spend some mornings together at the center's Kids' Outlet, which is a free weekly program with kid-friendly activities, arts, crafts and treats.

The program will take place every Friday in suite 106 near Bath & Body Works from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in January. For more information, call 951-345-0087 or visit www.lakeelsinoreoutlet.com.

January 2: Twist N' You Gym - Twist N' Gym visits Kids' Outlet to help children start their New Year off with a healthy jump start.

January 9: L.E.A.F. - Lake Elsinore Animal Friends of the Valley will visit with some of their animal friends to discuss pet safety and pet care.

January 16: Crunch Art - Children will create their own Crunch Art critter.

January 23: Anthony the Magic - A magician will visit and perform some of his greatest magic tricks.

January 30: Sherry Bean - Juice Plus Coordinator - Sherry will discuss traffic light eating and what red light, yellow light and green light foods are.

Kids can ring in the New Year at the Taco Bell Discovery Science Center's Noon Year's Eve party Wednesday, December 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Taco Bell Discovery Science Center

More fun than any grown up party, this celebration will include activities such as building seltzer rockets and making party hats. Visitors will also investigate different time zones, highlighting a different time zone's rollover into 2009 each hour.

There will be a countdown to the noon hour, then a balloon drop and ginger ale toast.

Visit www.discoverycenter.org or call for more information. The Science Center is located at 2500 N. Main Street, Anaheim.

Redlands-based LifeHouse Theater will ring in the New Year with the laughter, romance and suspense of "Beauty and the Beast," which starts January 10 and will continue through February 15.

Follow Rose's adventure as she meets Beast and all the enchanted household objects in performances Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:15 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:15 p.m.

LifeHouse Theater

"Beauty (Allison Brown) receives a rose as a token of love from Beast (Taylor Joseph) in LifeHouse Theater's musical, "Beauty and the Beast."

In addition to the weekend performances, there will be a special Thursday performance on February 12 at 7:30 p.m. The 7:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, January 24 will feature an interpreted presentation for the deaf.

"We look forward to staging our dazzling rendition of this fun classic that always tickles our audiences," said Wayne Scott, LifeHouse founder and president. "The relationship between Beauty and the Beast pulls at the heart strings. It's no wonder this is one of our most requested musicals."

There are over 20 Inland region performers featured in the production. Allison Brown of Moreno Valley will play the part of Rose and Riverside's Taylor Joseph will play the Beast.

Tickets for performances can be purchased over the phone with Visa or MasterCard at 909-335-3037, ext. 21 or checks can be mailed to LifeHouse, provided reservations are made far enough in advance. They can also be purchased in person at the box office, which is open Fridays from 1-6 p.m. and one hour prior to weekend performance times.

Advanced ticket prices are $12 or $18 for adults, $6 or $9 for children ages 3-11 (children under age 3 are not admitted). Tickets are an additional $1 if purchased on the day of the performance.

The theater is located at 1135 N. Church St., Redlands. Visit www.lifehousetheater.com for more information.

Families can find everything from a dueling mouse to gumballs falling from the sky in this year's holiday family flicks. The three big films are "The Tale Desperaux," which opened in theaters December 19, and "Bedtime Stories" and "Marley and Me," both coming out on Christmas Day.

Adam Sandler in Disney's "Bedtime Stories" opening Christmas Day.

"Bedtime Stories" is expected to be the biggest draw, said Nikki Kealalio, who marketing director for the Southern California chain Krikorian Theaters. "It's PG-rated, it's Disney and has Adam Sandler. "It's always great to have PG movies the whole family can get to see."

"'Marley & Me' ... it looks so cute!" said moviegoer Tina Schumacher of Highland.
"There are some old favorites we watch at home every year at Christmas time," she said. But for the big screen, she's voting for "Marley."

"Desperaux" is the only movie of the three with a G rating, so it could be considered the most in line with the family movie genre, said Steven Smith, marketing director at Movie Marketplace, a service that complies box office statistics.

The animated movie is an adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's Newbery-winning fantasy book about a brave little mouse named Despereaux. He refuses to live a life of fear, like all the other mice, and instead embarks on a brave journey that will change the way mice look at their world - and him - forever. It features the voice talents of Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman and Sigourney Weaver.

Disney's "Bedtime Stories" has a PG rating for some mild crude humor and language. It's an adventure comedy about a hotel handyman, Adam Sandler, who finds the bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew are coming true.

Anyone who has read John Grogan's "Marley" books is familiar with the "world's worst dog." The film adaptation stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. The loveable, but super naughty Marley teaches the couple what family is really about.

"We're hoping for a big turnout over the holidays," Kealalio said. "There's a little something for everyone this year with the family films ... action movies like "The Spirit" and "Valkyrie," comedy with "Yes Man" and drama with "Seven Pounds" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

The Big Bear Lake Resort Association is inviting families to come up and celebrate a white Christmas. With more than three feet of snow and more to come, ski resorts are in full swing, sledding and tubing parks have prime conditions and lodging is still available.

William Wilson Lewis III / The Press-Enterprise

Mike Hoon, 39, left, and son Ian Hoon, right, 3, take a slide at Big Bear Snow Play.

There are still open rooms at many of the lodges in the area and guests are encouraged to bring holiday decorations with them to deck the halls, said Dan McKernan, manager of marketing and public relations at Big Bear Lake Resort Association.

Both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain will have all 26 lifts open Christmas Day, McKernan said. And the Resorts are offering mid-week specials throughout the season.

"The objective this winter season is to give our customers an opportunity to save money during this economic crunch," said Ken Brengle, CEO of the association. "It makes more sense for people living in Southern California to stay close to home for their snow fix."

The best thing about both tubing parks is the Magic Carpet Uphill Lifts, McKernan said. The lifts are large conveyor belts that transport riders to the top of the slope.

"A lot of people come up with the plastic sleds they buy and try to chug up the hills, getting tired out," McKernan said. "The Magic Carpets make/s/ it so much easier. You can enjoy the whole day on the slopes."

BIG BEAR SNOW FUN
Snow Summit: 909-866-5766, www.snowsummit.comBear Mountain: 909-866-5766, www.bearmountain.com
Big Bear Snow Play: 909-585-0075, www.bigbearsnowplay.com
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain: 909-866-4626, www.alpineslidebigbear.com
Lodging: 800-424-4232, www.bigbear.com
Road conditions: 800-427-7623

A survey conducted by MotherProof.com found that, on average, moms spent 405 hours in their cars in 2008. That's about 17 days spent behind the wheel going to and from work, grocery shopping, carting kids to and from soccer practice, etc.

"The reality for today's busy families is that so much of our 'quality family time' is spent on the road," said Kristin Varela, chief mom at MotherProof.

To make the most of that time, Varela and others on her team at MotherProof offered these suggestions:

• Pull over to make and take phone calls. Even with hands-free headsets, it's still safer to stop the car.
• Ditch the drive-through. 85 percent of moms resort to eating in their cars, and 47 percent eat at a restaurant drive-through one to three times per week. Eat healthier, save money and keep the car cleaner by packing healthy, car-friendly snacks at the beginning of the day.
• Go green by using recyclable and reusable water/juice bottles and coffee mugs. You'll cut down on the mess too.
• Get organized by cleaning out the car. It's easy for backpacks, supplies, and even those reusable coffee mugs to build up. Use a tote bag to store your car's necessities and to transport daily stuff all in a single load.
• Get smart with audio books. Use car time for building the brain cells while driving. Books for kids are great, but find some interesting titles for yourself too.

"FamilyFun" magazine offered some great tips in the December/January 2009 issue for those of you who might be hosting the holidays this year:

Warming welcomes: Personalize decorations with items such as a welcoming banner with digital photos or scanned snapshots of family and friends or a guest book framed and hanging on the wall for fun messages.

Traditions with a twist: Give holiday traditions a fresh take with activities such as a wrapping paper battle after unwrapping is complete. But if you play, you must help clean. Or, get guests involved in New Year's fortune telling by melting wax in a metal cooking spoon over a flame and then submerging it in a bowl of cold water. Hold up the hardened shape so it casts a shadow on the wall. The shape is said to foretell that person's future.

Parlor games: Play Present Scramble by putting a prize in a small box, gift wrapping it, then putting that gift in a bigger box, wrapping it and then putting it in another box, and so on. Take turns unwrapping each box and the person who unwraps the actual prize gets to keep it. Or play Wooden Spoon Guess Who with a couple of long-handled wooden spoons. After being blindfolded, one player has to guess the identity of another by touching that person with spoons only.

Check out the complete article with a lot more tips at familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/feature/holiday-hosting-ideas/holiday-hosting-ideas.html.

The Taco Bell Discovery Science Center turns 10 Saturday, December 20. To celebrate the anniversary, the Center will host a bash from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free cake, activities and a record-breaking competition - at least they hope it will be.

Discovery Science Center

The Center, known for its giant cube structure, is inviting the public to join in on an attempt at a new Guinness Book world record - the most people solving the Rubik's Cube at one time.

"The current record is 75 people," said Julie Smith, public relations manager at the Center. Register at www.discoverycube.org to join the competition and also get $1 off admission to the Center by showing your Rubik's Cube.

One of the world's top competitive Rubik's Cube solvers, Tyson Mao, will demonstrate how to solve the puzzle at 11 a.m. before the big competition, which will take place at 1 p.m.

Other activities will include logic games, memory puzzles and presentations about brain science by University of California, Irvine, neuroscientists.

Admission price includes special exhibitions, "The Science of Gingerbread" and "Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats."

Visit www.discoverycube.org to register for the Cube competition and for pricing information.

See the LifeHoue Theater's production of "Miracle on 34th Street" in Redlands two more weekend and for two special weekday times.

Performances are Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20 at 2:15 & 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21 at 2:15 p.m., Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m., Dec 27 at 2:15 & 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 28 at 2:15 p.m.

"All the fun, familiar characters we have come to know and cherish for generations will be part of this musical," observes LifeHouse founder and president, Wayne Scott. "This is truly a heartwarming rendition of a family favorite."

The production features more than 30 Inland performers with Jerry Cason of Riverside playing the part of Kris Kringle, Laura Johnson of Redlands playing Susan Walker and Amanda Cason of Riverside portraying her mother, Doris Walker.

The theater is at 1135 N. Church St. in Redlands. Advance tickets prices are $12 or $18 for adults and $6 or $9 for children age 3-11 (no children under 3 are admitted). Tickets purchased the day of the performance are an additional $1.

Visit www.lifehousetheater.com or call 909-335-3037 for more information or to purchase tickets.

A Wildomar Elementary School teacher has brought rock 'n roll to a place you'd never expect to find it - California State Standards. And guess what? It's a chart topper.

"Math" by Rockin' the Standards has held a top 10 position in bestseller downloads in the Children's Music/Compilations/Education category of Amazon.com for several months - it's sitting at No. 8 today, December 11.

Elementary school teacher Tim Bedley has spent over 20 years in the classroom. A few years ago, he decided he wanted to put education concepts to music and, since he teaches upper elementary school students, it had to be rock.

"Most of the songs have been set to familiar tunes," Bedley said.

Now he and band-mates Ben Jacobs and Ryan Shultz are putting together a new CD that will have half original tunes that will be out sometime in 2009.

If you've got a rockin' kid with a Christmas stocking that needs stuffing visit www.rockinthestandards.com/site/pages/store.php to buy a CD and cotton fan club t-shirt. Cost is $20 and shipping is included.

Visit www.rockinthestandards.com and www.youtube.com/user/rockinthestandards for info and to watch a video.

Big Bear's Snow Summit and Bear Mountain officially kicked off ski season today opening at 8:30 a.m. to waiting snow boarders and skiers.

"With our extensive snowmaking system and only a short window of snowmaking opportunity this week, we've been able to open the top of the mountain," said Chris Riddle, director of marketing. "With a possibility of natural snowfall over the weekend and favorable snowmaking conditions through next week, it's looking like a perfect set-up for the upcoming holiday."

Both locations will have four chairlifts up and running with terrain available for beginner to advanced skiers and boarders. (Includes 13 jibs and two snow features).

Ticket windows open at 8 a.m. and lift hours are from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Early season lift ticket rates are in effect from December 11-14, with an All-day adult ticket for $35; young adult $28; child $15 and a half-day adult ticket for $30; young adult $23; child $10.

One ticket gets you access to both mountains.

Visit www.bigbearmountainresorts.com for more information.

The National Retail Federation released its big seller toy list for this year's holiday season and many of the usual suspects are at the top of the list.

Barbie, Disney's Hannah Montana, dolls, Bratz and Nintendo Wii are the top 5 on the list for girls. Whereas video games, Nintendo Wii, LEGOs, cars and Transformers are popular among boys.

Nintendo Wii's were hard to come by last year and I hear some stores may have the same shortages again.

Other popular toys that may be tough to find are the Nintendo DS Lite and XBOX Platinum.

If you are finding empty shelves instead of the toy or electronic device on your child's wish list, let me know. AND, if you have tips for parents looking for some of these hard-to-find toys, share your ideas!

Tanja Kern, SHOP.COM sent over these tips for making your home into a no-stress holiday sanctuary:

1. Shop online - Instead of fighting the mall crowds, look for Web sites that offer holiday decorations and inspiration.

2. Prepare hostess gifts - Since the holidays usually mean visits to friends, family, coworkers and gifts for teachers, it's a good idea to plan for these occasions early. Holiday candles, pretty boxes of soaps and little ramekins filled with Christmas candy make perfect gifts. For a hostess gift in a pinch, wrap a bottle of extra virgin olive oil or a bottle of wine in a holiday kitchen towel and tie it with a festive ribbon.

3. Decorate ever room - A touch of holiday can make a big difference when it's displayed in unexpected places such as Christmas bedding in the bedrooms, a jar of candy canes on a table in the foyer and mini Christmas lights on houseplants.

4. Display and conquer - Avoid clutter by grouping similar decorations on a round end table, sofa table or fireplace mantle. A collection of nutcrackers, Christmas candles or wooden holiday accessories can be beautiful when paired together. Add Christmas greenery to bring nature indoors.

5. Instant centerpiece - Your dining table becomes a focal point when you accessorize with holiday ornaments. Fill glass vases or layer serving trays with round glass ornaments for instant panache.

For more tips and holiday gift ideas, go to www.shop.com

Christian Arts and Theater will stage an original production, "Star of Wonder: The Civil War Christmas Play" December 11-14 at the Corona Civic Theatre in Corona.

The way the play came about is a story in itself, said Cyndi Monroe, artistic director.

Paul Alvarez/The Press-Enterprise

Angela Sanicola and John Estep in a scene from the production of "Star of Wonder: The Civil War Christmas Play."

Monroe first came across the idea about seven years ago in a book of short stories, "Our Simple Gift: Civil War Christmas Tales," written by Ralph Peters under the pen name of Owen Perry.

Peters is an author and columnist for the New York Post and that's where Monroe was finally able to track him down in late November of this year to ask permission to turn one of his short stories into a production.

"He granted permission based on the letter I wrote, with the understanding he would read the final script and that I would protect the integrity of the story," Monroe said. "When he read it, he loved the play."

It is set on Christmas Eve in 1862. A wounded Union soldier is on the brink of death and finds his way to an Irish widow's home. She nurses him back to health and this sets off a chain of events that changes their lives.

"It's an intimate story ... about the loss of hope and finding it again," Monroe said.

The story is "really a testament to never giving up," said Daniel Monroe, who plays the part of the Union soldier. "It's a concept that is still relevant today when a lot of people are struggling."

'Star of Wonder: The Civil War Christmas Play'Also see the 1st Annual Civil War Living History event on Saturday, December 13 on the front lawn of the Corona Civic Center.
Where: Corona Civic Theater, 815 W. Sixth St., Corona
When: 7:30 Dec. 11; 8 p.m. Dec. 12; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 13, 4 p.m. Dec. 14
Cost: Online and presale - $13 adults; $11 students/seniors; $50 family of five. At the door - $15 adults; $13 students/seniors; $60 family of five
Information: CAT Box Office, 170 N. Maple, #104, Corona, 951-279-2298, www.catcorona.org

1st Annual Civil War Living History Event Where: Corona Civic Center front lawn, 815 W. Sixth St., Corona
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
Information: reenactmentthq.com

Looking for a fun family outing? Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa has some holiday activities for families, including building a gingerbread house and trimming your own tree.

And, I hear snow might be on the way ...

The Resort is setting up its annual Gingerbread Village and this year, families can sign up to build their own.

For $49 per family, the Resort will supply all the fixings for making a gingerbread house, which can be created at the fireside in the lobby living area.

There will also be a personal chef available to help out and keep families supplied with hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks.

Gingerbread house building, which is available by reservation only, will be from December 12 to 24.

The "Trim a Tree" package is for visitors who stay at the Resort between December 12-24. For $49, visitors get a tree and decorations delivered to their room.

Best of all, the tree goes home after the stay.

Call 800-800-6792 to make reservations for a family gingerbread house or the "Trim a Tree" package.

For more information visit www.laresort.com

The Children's Fund in San Bernardino is working to make sure every child has the opportunity to wake Christmas morning with gifts waiting under the tree and lots of love.

The non-profit agency, which is partnered with the County of San Bernardino, serves at-risk children in the county. The goal is to prevent abuse and neglect and provide shelter, clothing, medical care and education, as well as an equal opportunity for social development.

If you want to lend a hand supplying gifts for some of these kids, drop off a toy or two at The Children's Fund warehouse at 1140 E. Cooley Ave in San Bernardino Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Collections will be going on through December 12.

If you want to donate money, give to the Holiday Fund, which will be used to purchase gifts for children.

100 percent of donations go to the kids.

Visit www.childrensfundsbcounty.org for more information.

Santa's landing at My Learning Studio in Riverside December 13 and he looking for kids with their "lists."

It's by appointment only though, so moms and dads need to call first to schedule the photo shoot.

Stick around for the Studio's Holiday Gifts Workshop from 10 a.m.-Noon to learn how to make at least four holiday gifts.

"I will also be sharing my Chai tea and bath salts recipes," said owner Lorna Jenkins.

Be sure to call 951-789-5402 for pricing details and specials or visit www.mylearningstudio.com.

My Learning Studio
17032 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside

Santa Claus is coming to the San Bernardino County Museum and he's throwing a pajama party!

Families are invited to hang with Santa Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Museum from 6-8 p.m. for an evening of crafts, games and other holiday activities.

San Bernardino County Museum

Andrea and Peter Morics visit with Santa at last year's Pajama Party.

Visitors will rotate between four stations at the museum.

One station will have holiday games, "such as Pin the Nose on Rudolf, Ornament Toss, Snowman Bowling and others," Kirkwood said.

Another station will have crafts where children can make reindeer ornaments or snowmen out of natural materials.

Children can read an "unusual" Christmas story or and then check out the museum's live animals at other stations.

"Our live animals include insects (walking sticks, hissing cockroaches, millipedes and more), spiders, several kinds of snakes, lizards, geckos, frogs and turtles, a bird and a rabbit," she said.

There will also be pictures with Santa and Christmas refreshments.

"To participate in all the activities, families should check in at the museum by 5:55 p.m.," Kirkwood said.

Santa's Pajama Party
Registration is required for this event, so visit the Museum to register or call for information.
Where: San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday (sold out), Saturday (still room, but register ASAP)
Cost: $10/person over age 1; free under 1
Information: 909-307-2669 ext. 256 or ext. 271

Political commentator, author and syndicated radio show host Michael Medved will broadcast live today from the Richard Nixon Presidential Library (East Room) from 12-3 p.m. and then from the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center (Celebration Hall) tomorrow from 12-3 p.m.

Michael Medved

The live broadcasts are part of the tour for his newest book, "The 10 Big Lies About America: Combating Destructive Distortions About Our Nation."

He will be signing copies of his book after the broadcasts.

Medved, a frequent guest on "Larry King Live," "Nightline," "Good Morning America" and many other shows is well known for his journey from liberal activist to outspoken conservative.

This book is about the same set of fallacies he said he heard over and over again when taking calls on his radio show.

"One of the great things about doing a radio talk show is that you're part of the national conversation," Medved said. "A trademark of the radio show is we always say, 'It's another great day in this greatest nation on God's green Earth.'

"There's nothing I say on the radio that is as controversial as that. Literally, I get hundreds of e-mails and calls with people complaining."

People who disagree with this statement want to know what's so great about a nation that based its wealth on slavery, or has become an imperialist nation built by destroying smaller nations or is morally corrupt, etc.

Medved has listened to these complaints and offered his rebuttal so many times; he finally decided to compile the information into book form.

The broadcasts today and tomorrow will be about whatever is the news of the day.

"Whatever the news of the day is, chances are, a great deal will relate directly to stuff in my book," Medved said. "Those lies are so directly relevant to the stupid political mistakes people make in all of our current operations."

The Micahel Medved Show
Yorba Linda
Where: Richard Nixon Presidential Library (East Room), 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda
When: 12-3 p.m. today
Information: 714-983-9120

Rancho Cucamonga
Where: Victoria Gardens Cultural Center (Celebration Hall), 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga
When: 12-3 p.m. Thursday
Information: 909-477-2752

On the Web
Visit Medved's site at www.michaelmedved.com

Charity organizations need an extra boost this year, so when deciding where to lend a hand - be in money, time or goods - be sure to check into the agency so your donation will go where it should.

"Find charities doing work you want to support and then be sure their financial house is in order," said Sandra Miniutti, spokeswoman for Charity Navigator, an organization that evaluates charities. "There are people who could really use some extra help this year, so be sure your funds are going where they should."

Ed Crisostomo/The Press-Enterprise

Vanessa Perez, 6, gets outfitted with school clothes and supplies by Assistance League member and volunteer Linda Wolff.

As a rule of thumb, Miniutti says at least 75 percent of the donations should go to agency programs - with the remaining spent on overhead and fundraising costs.

The Children's Fund in San Bernardino has the unique ability of using 100 percent of donations on children in need.

The agency is a public/private partnership with San Bernardino County, so the county assumes overhead costs for the agency and the non-profit assures donations are used for at-risk children in the county.

"We work really hard to meet a wide spectrum of needs, things like food, shelter and clothing," said Rebecca Stafford, executive director of The Children's Fund.

Another organization, Catholic Charities U.S.A., was ranked No. 10 in Charity Navigator's "Slam Dunk Charities" top 10 list.

Both San Bernardino and Riverside County chapters are accepting applications from families who need help providing a holiday meal.

"We're praying the resources will come in to meet those applications," said Beverly Earl, director of San Bernardino Catholic Charities.

The Riverside Assistance League is working to keep kids dressed for school and eating healthy snacks with two of its programs - Operation School Bell and Operation Snack Attack.

"We can outfit 1,400-1,500 children with our budgeted funds," said Sue Simonin, public relations chair for the Riverside Assistance League. "We also deliver snacks to 15 Riverside Unified schools."

"This is the second full year we've been doing this," she added. "The demand is going crazy!"

Information/contacts:

The Children's Fund, www.childrensfundsbcounty.org or 909-387-4949
Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.com
Catholic Charities, www.ccsbriv.org or 909-388-1239
Riverside Assistance League, http://riverside.assistanceleague.org or 951-682-3445

Written by guest author Debbie Yocum on the Weekly Topic Budgeted Holiday:

Almost everyone is feeling the economic pinch this year. Maybe this year can be more about Christmas and less about buying Christmas gifts. This year all 6 kids will get together and select a cookie, cake, fudge or brownie to make, then package it up and deliver it to the neighbors.

Debbie Yocum
Guest Author

We will go out together and pick the best tree (always a living tree) and bring it home and decorate it in front of the fireplace. We could make some of the decorations ourselves like my sister and I did when we were little. Then there is the Mission Inn Festival of Lights that we've been too busy to see over the last couple years, which we'll do this year.

Who wouldn't feel the Christmas spirit by just spending an evening drinking hot chocolate and walking around looking at the lights? Maybe taking a ride in the carriage?

Why couldn't we start a new Christmas tradition and buy a few extra gifts for a family that might not get a Christmas this year because of the economy? What about the men and woman in the military? There has to be a way that as a family, we could buy a gift for someone in the armed forces and send it to them?

Then there is the Christmas dinner which is always overlooked because opening gifts always took center stage. Maybe this year we could invite more family and friends over and make the dinner a bigger event than ever before.

We plan go to Christmas Eve services at our church before dinner and after dinner we will do a white elephant gift exchange. We do the white elephant gift exchange every year and everyone looks forward to it and it doesn't cost a dime.

Our kids will get gifts this year but not as many as years past. We will focus on things that they need and get during the year such as new motorcycle gear or snow gear. These are things that they always want and always need but that we usually buy for them outside of Christmas.

We plan to be more practical this year. Then we will spend more time together as a family snow boarding or riding the motorcycles on the property my husband's parents own. This economy is horrible and I wish that things were better but it doesn't have to ruin our Christmas.

I am looking forward to Christmas this year because I am going to spend less time in the stores and more time with my family doing things that bring the Christmas spirit alive.