One of the best things about being Escape's editor is that I get the early scoop on what is going on out there, entertainment-wise. Of course I pass the information onto you as soon as I can, but getting my personal plans together early enables me to make better use of the details compiled - and, so, better experience many of the events and activities we bring you on these pages. For those reasons, and for artistic and purely personal reasons, here you will find my choices of the best Escape issues of the past year. 

Holiday Light Tour
Dec. 17 - 23
So, OK, my choice for the best Escape issue of 2010 was the Holiday Light Tour issue. Yes, this is the same as last year. But it's hard to beat an issue packed with photos of holiday decor and lights, and a tour that gets Signal staffers out among the friendliest people in the world. Beyond that, this issue is the one folks can't seem to live without. This year they began calling and e-mailing well before the tour, asking us when we were going to publish the information on where the best holiday lights could be found in the SCV.
Restaurant profile: There just wasn't room for a restaurant profile in this issue.

Heritage Haunt
Oct. 8 - 14
Was this the final year for Heritage Haunt? Only time will tell, but either way Escape gave you all the information you needed to enjoy this event, which is always one of the most popular of the year.
Restaurant profile: Egg Plantation

Dinosaurs
Sept 1 - 9
Escape considers anything good as "local," and so the Walking with Dinosaurs extravaganza at Staples Center was brought to you with amazing color photos.
Restaurant profile: Sabor Cocina Mexicana.

Dare in the Air
Aug. 13 - 19
There were two venues where you could experience some of the best of aviation this past August, and Escape "went" ahead of you each of them to make your follow-up experiences that much better.
Restaurant profile: Smok'n Joe's BBQ Pit

Fun on the Fourth
July 2 - 8
The Fourth of July is quite an event in the good old SCV and out beyond. And whether you wanted to stay close to home or not, we set the table in red white and blue.
Restaurant profile: Catch 21Salad Bar & Grill

Summer Movies
June 4 - 10
We know that many of you picture "summer" in terms of what you'll catch on the big screen, and Escape prepared you for upcoming films of every genre.
Restaurant profile: Mohito Cuban Cuisine - which has, sadly, gone out of business.

Hidden places
May 21 - 27
In a departure from the usual, Escape offered up the best "quiet" spots to be found in the SCV - the sort of secret places where you can relax with nature or man made works and contemplate the universe.
Restaurant profile: El Trocadero.

Faire Tymes
April 23 - 29
Those of us who produce Escape love the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, so each year you are guaranteed to experience it, even if only vicariously, via these pages. For all the lords, ladies and wannabes.
Restaurant profile: Bella Cucina.

Cowboy Festival
April 16 - 22
If anything is the "signature" event in the SCV, it's the Cowboy Festival, and Escape puts on the spurs for you each spring with our coverage of this delightful community experience.
Restaurant profile: New Moon.

Academy Awards
March 5 - 11
The SCV is, indeed "Hollywood's backlot," with so many of your neighbors involved in the movie and television business. And beyond that, we all love to tune into the annual Academy Awards broadcast.
Restaurant profile: Maria's Italian.

Just Desserts
Feb. 26 - March 4
Escape's panel of dessert-ists picked their favorite locations for decadent delights - and beyond that our cover photo by Dan Watson was enough, in itself, to put this issue over the top.
Restaurant profile: Longhorn's Barbeque.