How to incorporate live entertainment at your event: 

Think about a party without music… Great food, décor and people are not enough to set the right atmosphere. Music plays a very important role in any celebration, and here’s how you can create a successful event for your guests. 

First of all, think about the kind of party that you are planning: Will it be a formal cocktail reception or a relaxed pool party? Do you want your guests to relax with background music or dance the night away? Are you inviting young people or older crowds? Or both?

If you are using a CD player or an iPod, make sure that you load your music selection in advance so that you can enjoy the evening with your guests, and create a logical sequence (start with slower tunes for cocktails and move to fast-paced hits for dancing later). 

My best recommendation is to hire a professional DJ or a live musician / band. These specialists will be able to read your crowd and get the party going. They are also able to please guests with special requests thanks to an extensive repertoire of different genres (country, rock, jazz, oldies, etc.).

If you hire a band, make sure to provide a stage (it provides a focal point) that is close enough to the people so that they can have a rapport going (the band should be an integral part of your event).

Cocktails – Midtempo tunes and jazz classics for a positive energy

Dinner - Smooth and timeless performers or instrumental music to let guests enjoy the conversation and their courses. If you opt for a buffet-style party where people move around, then you can go with more upbeat music. Having a romantic candlelight dinner for two? Go with passionate guitar virtuosos, sexy Brazilian sounds or intimate vocalists.

Theme parties - They are a lot of fun and the best thing to make them successful is to incorporate music and food specialties from a specific country: these are great conversation pieces and the ideal solution to flavor the atmosphere.

After-party – Top hits and disco classics from the 70’s and 80’s are perfect to get your guests on the dance floor. “The most requested songs at this summer events are California Gurls by Katy Perry and anything by Ke$ha or Lady Gaga,” says Spencer Bezy, owner of Mobile Music Plus*. He also goes on to state that, “Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey is still a great success.”

I asked Bezy what the number one tip for a successful event is, and his recommendation is, “Hire a professional DJ or band you trust. If you don't trust them, you shouldn't hire them, and you are just setting yourself for an unpleasant experience. You will either check on them all night because you're worried about them doing something you don't want them to do, or they actually do something you don't want them to do and ruin your night.  The small difference in cost of a great DJ and a not so great DJ will seem like a small price to pay to not have that aspect of the party ruined.”

This is especially true when it comes to an once-in-a-lifetime celebration such as a wedding. There are no repeats and everything will need to run smoothly. Always remember to ask your event or wedding planner for recommendations as my clients do when they hire me for their special celebrations. “Industry professionals work side by side all throughout the year and they may have some great input to help you make the right decision,” says Bezy.

Have fun at your next event and make your guests happy with good music, too!

Mobile Music Plus:

*Everyone wants a DJ they can TRUST. Someone who will play great music while paying attention to the music you want and don't want.  Spencer Bezy, professional DJ / MC and owner of Mobile Music Plus, is that DJ and much more. He's one of Southern California's best Emcees, able to gently guide your guests in an elegant, natural way without being intrusive or overbearing. Mobile Music Plus provides traditional DJ services and video DJ entertainment for private parties, weddings, and corporate events. Mobile Music Plus – 858.538.5740 – www.MobileMusicPlus.com.

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Editor's note:

Sabrina Cadini, of La Dolce Idea at La Jolla, has gracously agreed to provide tips, advice and information about event and wedding planning. Ah-Ha! will post these at 3 p.m. Thursday each week, allowing you to plan and enjoy for the weekend, and beyond.

Sabrina began her career in event and wedding planning in Italy, where she was born.

She had the opportunity to meet amazing designers while modeling and working as a TV announcer. "They could turn a bare studio into an incredible, and colorful, setting for a TV show, or photo shoot, with different materials, lighting, decor, and fabrics," she says.

At that time, Sabrina started helping friends with their parties, then social and corporate clients, creating the perfect setting for their events.

After moving to the United States, Sabrina volunteered on several boards and coordinated some fundraising events. She began managing events on a larger scale for medical conventions across North America as a tour operator and meeting planner.

Weddings and special events were her greatest passion. By fusing creativity, Italian style, and fashion into impeccably planned occasions, La Dolce Idea created singular and personal celebrations for many clients.

Sabrina was designated as a Professional Bridal Consultant by the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), the oldest, and largest, training organization for wedding professional in the world. She is co-director of  ABC, San Diego Region.

Sabrina has a collection of ideas, news, information, pictures, and trends from the event and wedding world at her blog, Something Dolce at http://ladolceidea.wordpress.com/

And, of course, La Dolce Idea's website at http://www.ladolceidea.us/site/#/home/

Follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/ladolceidea and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LaDolceIdea

Ah-Ha! is honored by Sabrina's gracious contributions to our community's ongoing conversation.

A morning at BlogPaws conference with Mike Arms, Helen Woodward Animal Center director...

Got Rid of Gaddafi...SO WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET RID OF DEADBEAT SOLANA BEACH CITY MANAGER DAVID OTT???

We are tired of these career bureaucrats bleeding taxpayers dry. This isn't a Tea Party position, but a progressive Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News opinion.

There are plenty of slings and arrows to cast at the numerous despicable North County and San Diego political officials and sycophants but that's for another day. Today, we bring you the worst of the worst, a most despicable thief of the public funds for his own greed and aggrandizement.

WE BRING YOU MORALLY DEAD, CORRUPT AND DIRECT --

DAVID OTT. Past, present and future Solana Beach city manager. Really, the only people making out better through greedy subterfuge are the 100 Rancho Santa Fe "farmers" receiving federal farm subsidies even though, obviously, they are not farmers and the few who do have "farms" use them as tax dodges.

 But back to ODD: Listen to the tale of his take:

"David Ott, who also served for years as the city's public safety director, officially retired from his city manager post in December and began collecting a pension of roughly $13,500 per month.

However, he still works under contract as Solana Beach's interim city manager, earning roughly $78 per hour in addition to a monthly cellphone allowance of $50 and car allowance of $450."

Ott continues to serve as interim city manager and no search for a permanent replacement is yet under way. He said last week he doesn't know exactly how many hours he has billed the city under his contract, but it's less than 960 hours, which is considered full-time employment by the California Public Employees' Retirement System and would jeopardize his retirement.

Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News says: DAVID OTT MUST RESIGN OR BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY.

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 More backstory, compiled from sources:

An email criticizing Ott's pension and pay arrangement was recently sent to several news agencies. It accused Ott of using his years as a public safety employee to receive a higher pension.

Ott said allegations he spiked his pension are untrue, but he acknowledged that his pension is unique because he held several positions in the city.

He said he believes the recent criticism is coming from firefighters who were unhappy with pension reform and worried about the potential for staff cuts in the Fire Department.

Solana Beach is working to close a nearly $700,000 budget shortfall in the current fiscal year. Proposed cuts include leaving two city administrative positions open to save nearly $300,000; reducing the amount of work scheduled to be done on the city's general plan to save $310,500; and cuts to various city departments totaling $153,700.

OTT GETS ON THE PUBLIC GRAVY TRAIN

Ott was hired by the city in 2003 as its director of public safety and fire chief. He said Thursday that he also served as the city's assistant city manager, before he was hired as city manager in 2006.

From 2006 to 2009, Ott retained his post as fire chief in addition to serving as the city manager and public safety director.

During those three years, Ott said his retirement was calculated using formulas for both regular government employees and public safety employees.

According to the city, 75 percent of his retirement was calculated using a "2.5 percent at 55" formula and 25 percent was calculated using the public safety workers' formula "3 percent at 50."

Government employees' retirements are calculated using a percentage of their highest annual salaries (2.5 or 3 percent here), multiplied by the number of years they worked, for up to 30 years of service.

When Ott retired in December, his annual salary was $180,250.

"I didn't spike my pension, I got promoted," Ott said.

YEAH RIGHT.  GET RID OF OTT TODAY. Over and sold-out...

When OneWest Bank opens its new Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe branch across from Mille Fluers, on Monday, Aug. 9, one might well say 'Who'? Who as in who the heck is OneWest Bank and 'Who' as in the legendary rock band The Who whose iconic song "Won't Get Fooled Again" features the memorable lines: "Meet the new boss/same as the old boss."

That's sorta what Rancho Santa Fe gets when the notorious La Jolla Bank gets replaced, amazingly enough, by an even more notorious OneWest Bank. Next story down in the queue, you'll find our Saturday story touching on some of the particulars of this peculiar changing of the financial guard. Or follow this link: http://tiny.cc/soms3

Want to learn more about failed La Jolla Bank's disposition by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation? Go to the source at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/lajolla.html.

On a personal level, I've had more than my share of misery courtesy of local, rip-off banks.  Union Bank, just across the street, totally ripped me off with an unwanted "draft overcheck courtesy" service, then refused to close it while they stole $50 to $120 a month for a year. Then, they demanded I repay them for other money they stole despite a court ruling they had to close this bogus account.

I went to the bank to complain in person. The branch manager directed me to "customer service downtown." Turned out to be a collection department number. This office...Well, I digress. I made a video about it outside the bank last year you can access at http://tiny.cc/r7iwl if you want to see more.

By the way, I receive monthly demand notes from the collection agency to whom the Union Bank pigs sold their fradulent paper about me for pennies on the dollars.

A lot has been said, and posted, about OneWest and its infamous predecessor Indymac Bank. Let's learn a bit about our new corporate neighbor. As part of our continuing Sunday Opinion series, Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News presents a series of views about OneWest and Indymac Bank from Bill Zielinsky.

Zielinsky's Problem Bank List: Tracking Problem Banks and Failed Banks blog at http://problembanklist.com/ provides a fantastic journey through the looking glass into the Alice in Wonderland disconnect between many Americans struggling to make ends meet and this criminal class of bankers and financial rip-off artists getting away with financial murder, some legal and some decidedly otherwise.

Also included at the end of the blog posting is the February video from fiercefreelancer about OneWest Bank.

Enjoy!

-- Dan Weisman, founder/editor Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News

FDIC Loss-Share Guarantees Balloon To $177 Billion Putting Taxpayers At Risk

By Bill Zielinski

FDIC’s Increased Use Of Loss-Share Program Enriches Some At Taxpayers Expense

The FDIC’s use of loss-sharing agreements has grown into a huge multi-billion dollar program that almost guarantees profits for the purchasers of failed banks.   Originally introduced in 1991, loss-share agreements have now become a standard tool of the FDIC for moving failed bank assets into the private sector.

Under a loss share agreement, the FDIC agrees to absorb losses on up to 80% of a failed bank’s assets that are purchased by an acquiring bank.  The loss protection provides the incentive for private equity investors or other banks to purchase failed banks from the FDIC.

From 2007 to date there have been 254 banking failures with the FDIC taking into receivership $616 billion of failed banking assets.  With potentially hundreds of additional banking failures and weak property markets, the FDIC has had to provide generous loss-sharing agreements on the majority of banking failures since 2007.   Through the end of June 2010, the FDIC has entered into 167 loss sharing agreements covering $176.7 billion in assets of failed banks acquired by other institutions.

The FDIC insists that loss-sharing agreements save the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund money.  From the FDIC’s standpoint, loss share transactions are simpler, reduce cash outflows and allow troubled assets to be sold or restructured in an orderly fashion instead of being sold at steep discounts in a poor market.   To investors in failed banks, the program means huge potential upside gain with very limited downside loss. 

According to the FDIC, a competitive bidding process is used to ensure that the best sales price is obtained on a failed bank.  In addition, a financial analysis of asset values is performed by the FDIC  which dictates the terms and conditions of the loss-share agreements.  Nonetheless, as Problem Bank has noted in the past, there are examples of buyers of failed banks reaping huge profits due to the loss protection guarantees provided by the FDIC:

OneWest Makes Billions On Failed Bank Purchases -

The FDIC has been heavily criticized lately by those who question whether OneWest got too good of a deal on its purchase of failed banks.  Indy Mac was the most costly banking failure in U.S. history at $10.7 billion and the FDIC could still face billions more in losses under its loss-share transactions with OneWest.  The question of whether OneWest received a windfall at taxpayer expense became even more relevant this week when OneWest reported huge profits of $1.6 billion last year.

The private investors who formed OneWest had initially contributed only $1.55 billion.  Bert Ely, a well respected banking consultant remarked that “This is one hell of a deal for those owners, but hardly a good deal for the banking industry, which pays the FDIC’s bills.  These are just incredibly sweet numbers..The public policy question is, why are they so good?  Particularly given the magnitude of the loss estimated at the FDIC.”

Insiders Reap Huge Profits On Purchase Of Failed South Carolina Bank -

This week’s bank closing is certain to raise the level of debate over the FDIC’s competence in resolving banking failures on the best terms for the taxpayers.

Investors also apparently view the purchase of failed Beach First as a huge profit opportunity for BNC Bancorp.  The stock of BNC Bancorp skyrocketed 12.5% in after hours trading, up $1.03 to $9.28.   Bank management and insiders who hold almost 20% of BNC’s float of 7.34 million shares, have instantly reaped a $1.5 million windfall, courtesy of the US taxpayer who ultimately pays for the cost of failed banks  (in this case alone $130 million).   Keep in mind that BNC Bancorp “purchased” failed Beach First with no money down and an FDIC guarantee to pick up most of the losses on the failed bank’s assets.

“Loss-Share Agreements” - Is The FDIC Postponing Losses On Bank Failures? -

The ultimate gain or loss by the FDIC on their long tailed obligation to absorb losses on the ultimate disposition of failed bank assets is impossible to predict.  If property markets eventually recover, the FDIC’s losses should be less than estimated.

It will be some time before the results of the loss share programs can be evaluated, since certain assets are covered by loss share agreements for up to 10 years.  The cost of expected losses on a failed bank’s assets covered by a loss share transaction is included in the FDIC’s estimated cost of a banking failure.

The FDIC  has used the loss-share program to unload failed banks which has resulted in huge gains for certain investors, while the losses on the failed banks have ultimately been borne by the taxpayers.    If property markets continue to weaken and credit losses are more than expected, the FDIC could be liable for billions of dollars in additional payments, exposing the American taxpayer to additional losses.   Meanwhile, the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is used to cover banking losses, has been depleted and currently has a negative balance of $20.7 billion.

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Regulators Were Blind To Risk In Biggest U.S. Banking Failure

By Bill Zielinski 

The most expensive banking failure in U.S. history was the closure of IndyMac Bank (IMB) in July 2008.   The original estimated loss to the FDIC of $8.9 billion  has recently been increased to $10.7 billion or 33% of IndyMac’s assets at the time of closure.  The story of how IndyMac Bank was allowed by regulators to pursue its reckless strategy of rapid asset growth and risky lending is detailed in a recent report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

In its role as insurer, the FDIC identified and monitored risks that IMB presented to the Deposit Insurance Fund by participating with the OTS in on-site examinations of IMB in 2001, 2002, 2003, and again shortly before IMB failed in 2008 and through the completion of required reports and analysis of IMB based upon information from FDIC monitoring systems. FDIC risk committees also raised broad concerns about the impact that an economic slowdown could have on institutions like IMB that were heavily involved in securitizations and subprime lending. Nevertheless, FDIC officials consistently concluded that despite its highrisk profile, IMB posed an ordinary or slightly more than ordinary level of risk to the insurance fund. It was not until August 2007 that the FDIC began to understand the implications that the historic collapse of the credit market and housing slowdown could have on IMB and took additional actions to evaluate IMB’s viability.

IndyMac’s high risk business profile (as detailed below by the OIG) was well know by both of IndyMac’s primary regulators.   Despite this fact,  regulators did not recognize the risks until after the real estate markets had started to collapse and IndyMac’s subprime loans began to default.

Table 1: IMB’s Business Profile
Pursued an Aggressive GrowthPosture
− IMB pursued an aggressive growth posture from its
inception as an insured financial institution. Rapid growth
in lending was facilitated by increasingly lax underwriting
within a very competitive market, primarily southern
California.
− IMB grew to become the seventh largest savings
association and ninth largest servicer of mortgages in the
United States.
Focused on an Originate-to-Sell Platform
− Originated residential loans for the purposes of sale,
securitization, and its own portfolio. Because IMB’s
business market model was an “originate-to-sell” platform,
its aggressive posture is reflected more in its originations
than asset growth.
− During 2006, the bank originated $91.7 billion in loans. In
the first half of 2007, the bank originated $46 billion in
loans.
Relied on Alternative A Paper (Alt-A) Loan Production for Growth
− The bank’s Alt-A loans (a type of mortgage between prime
and subprime) were generally jumbo loans that were
underwritten largely based on the borrower’s credit score
and the loan-to-value ratio. Many of these loans did not
have a full verification of income or assets. These are
referred to as “no doc” or “low doc” loans.
Created High-Risk Asset Concentrations
− Concentrations included non-traditional mortgages with
negative amortization potential, Alt-A mortgage loans, and
geographic concentration of loans in California that were
rated high- or very high-risk by several mortgage companies.
Relied on Non-Core Funding
− To finance its operations, IMB relied heavily on non-core
funding from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings and brokered deposits.
Source: OIG analysis of FDIC documents.

The non-core funding sources IMB relied upon increased the FDIC’s resolution costs at the time of failure because FHLB borrowings must be repaid first, and many brokered deposits are not transferred when the FDIC sells an institution’s assets. As of December 31, 2007, IMB had $11.2 billion in FHLB borrowings and $5.8 billion in brokered deposits for a total of $17 billion compared to total assets of $32.5 billion.

The Treasury IG’s material loss report stated that although OTS conducted timely and regular examinations of IMB and provided oversight through offsite monitoring, its supervision of the thrift failed to prevent a material loss to the Deposit Insurance Fund. The Treasury IG reported that IMB’s high-risk business strategy warranted more careful and much earlier attention. The report further stated that OTS viewed growth and profitability as evidence that IMB management was capable, and OTS gave IMB favorable CAMELS ratings right up to the time it failed. Moreover, the OTS did not issue an enforcement action until June 2008, less than 2 weeks before
IMB failed.

The report by the OIG provides scant assurance that future major banking failures will be prevented since current regulatory “reforms” are likely to keep intact the existing regulatory agencies - see Will Regulatory Reform Prevent Future Financial Crises?

The OTS and FDIC were not the only regulators oblivious to the risks of subprime, no doc and low doc mortgage lending.  The entire regulatory apparatus consistently turned a blind eye to repeated warnings of lending excesses and abuses until the financial crisis was upon them.   Consider  - As Subprime Lending Crisis Unfolded, Watchdog Fed Didn’t Bother Barking.

The visits had a ritual quality. Three times a year, a coalition of Chicago community groups met with the Federal Reserve and other banking regulators to warn about the growing prevalence of abusive mortgage lending.

They began to present research in 1999 showing that large banking companies including Wells Fargo and Citigroup had created subprime businesses wholly focused on making loans at high interest rates, largely in the black and Hispanic neighborhoods to the south and west of downtown Chicago.

The groups pleaded for regulators to act.

But during the years of the housing boom, the pleas failed to move the Fed, the sole federal regulator with authority over the businesses. Under a policy quietly formalized in 1998, the Fed refused to police lenders’ compliance with federal laws protecting borrowers, despite repeated urging by consumer advocates across the country and even by other government agencies.

But since its creation, the Fed has held a second job as a banking regulator, one of four federal agencies responsible for keeping banks healthy and protecting their customers.

During the boom, however, the Fed left those powers largely unused. It imposed few new constraints on mortgage lending and pulled back from enforcing rules that did exist.

The financial crisis has exposed how multiple regulators, responsible for ensuring safe and sound lending practices, all failed in their primary mission.  To date, there has been no fundamental restructuring of the financial regulatory agencies.   Those who believe that future crises can be averted by a “reformed”  financial regulatory system are not thinking clearly.

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Problem Bank List provides news and reporting on the status of the FDIC’s Problem Bank List and information on troubled and failed banks. The site is edited and written by Bill Zielinski with other contributing writers. Our coverage attempts to bring light to the ongoing problems in the financial system and scrutiny to regulatory and legislative measures.

Editor and Writer:

Bill Zielinski

Contributing Writers:

Michael Zielinski
Craig Stahl
Problem Bank List Staff

Contact Information:

Problem Bank List
c/o Worldengine Ventures, LLC
PO Box 267
White Plains, NY 10603

914-826-4408

info@worldengine.com

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YOU'VE BEEN WEINERED! -- Rep. Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, arrested for DUI at SacCity, according to reports confirmed by his office. He was trying to drive into the state Capitol building after 9 p.m. when...

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that California's former Assembly Republican leader was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after his state car allegedly was observed speeding Wednesday night in downtown Sacramento.

(Photo: Garrick with former Gov. Schwarzenegger and Nancy Reagan at Ronald Reagan 100th year birthday commission announcement at the Reagan Library. Garrick, arrested on suspicion of DUI, sponsored legislation in the state Assembly called "Sara's Law" AB 182, that would have deported illegal immigrants if they were found guilty of DUI. Should Garrick be deported to a rehab center, at least? You decide.)

Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, did not attend today's Assembly floor session but released a written statement, saying that driving after drinking alcohol is dangerous and apologizing for his "lapse of judgment," according to the Sacramento Bee. He was alone and headed home at the time, he said.

"I apologize to my family for the embarrassment I have caused them, and I hope they will forgive me for my actions," he said. "I also apologize to my constituents. They have the right to hold their elected representative to a high standard, and I regret that it was one I failed to meet last night."

"I will strive to never let them down again. Last night's incident was isolated, but it served as a stark wake-up call. I promise my family and my constituents in the 74th District that I will never drink and drive again."

Assemblywoman Connie Conway, a Tulare Republican who replaced Garrick as Assembly GOP leader this year, said she was unaware of the details but "my heart and prayers go out to Mr. Garrick and his family during this difficult time."

"We all understand how serious these situations can be," she said.

California Highway Patrol reports said that Garrick was spotted by bicycle officers traveling north on 11th Street at about 45 mph -- 20 mph over the posted speed -- shortly after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Garrick failed to obey a stop sign at O Street, failed to acknowledge officers who were asking him to stop, and proceeded to make a right turn at N Street and drive into the Capitol basement, said Sean Kennedy, CHP spokesman.

The CHP bicycle officers followed Garrick to the Capitol, observed signs of intoxication, conducted field sobriety and chemical tests, then cited and released the legislator on a charge of drunken driving, Kennedy said.

Kennedy declined to discuss why Garrick was not booked into Sacramento County Jail. He said the law precluded him from elaborating other than to say it had nothing to do with his status as a state official.

Elected to the Assembly in 2006, Garrick will be termed out next year. He served briefly as Assembly GOP leader before stepping down last year.

Garrick's arrest Wednesday came hours after the Legislature approved a state budget, through a majority vote by Democrats, after months of bickering between the state's two major parties. Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed that budget plan today.

The former Assembly Republican leader was elected to the Assembly in 2006 and will be termed out next year. He represents the 74th District including Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Vista, and portions of San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside.

"Recessionary times make for  great opportunities.

"People are staying at home and are becoming more involved in their community, which is good news  for us. Recessions are two edged swords, however, and this one brought low rental income to the club last year.

"Also, during ’08 and ’09, we spent the majority of  our reserves on renovations to the building so our finances are a bit light.  Fortunately, we are in better condition than many organizations and have lots of  ways to be successful."

-- Helen DiZio, Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club president

Editors note: Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News takes great pleasure in presenting an insider's look within the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club. While membership is limited to residents of the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant, club programs and opportunities often extend beyond its borderlines. We begin our presentation with the club's history, in its members' own words and a 92067 Free Press video. Following that is the presidential address for this month as presented in The Leaf newsletter along with an extensive calendar of club events and activities.

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The Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club was founded in 1926 by a small group of families. The purpose was to advance the gardening and landscaping of the Ranch, then just three years old!  An anonymous donor contributed funds to build a clubhouse. Lilian Rice, the noted local architect, designed and supervised its construction. The Club was incorporated as a non-profit, public benefit corporation in 1937.

Throughout WW II, the building was used as local headquarters for a number of war agencies, and was designated a civilian casualty center.

A cooperative program with the Rancho Santa Fe Association began in 1957 with the over-all beautification of roadside plantings, the landscaping of the school, the golf club, and the post office.

In 1971, the Articles of Incorporation were revised to broaden the scope and purposes of the Club which are reflected in our mission statement. The present site was gifted in 1974. After much cooperative work, planning, and the generous donations of the members, the present clubhouse was dedicated in 1975.

RANCHO SANTA FE GARDEN CLUB:  SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010

from 'The Leaf'

President’s Message  

Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club News 

Recessionary times make for  great opportunities.

People are staying at home and are becoming more involved in their community, which is good news  for us. Recessions are two edged swords, however, and this one brought low rental income to the club last year.

Also, during ’08 and ’09, we spent the majority of  our reserves on renovations to the building so our finances are a bit light.  Fortunately, we are in better condition than many organizations and have lots of  ways to be successful. 

Your new  board is enthusiastic and full of ideas for making the club a great value to its members. It will take some time but we know we need to cut overhead, trim expenses and find creative new ways to have fun.

In order for this Board to be successful we need to know our membership. How do you feel about the club?  What direction would you like to see it go? Are you ready to pitch in?

The Harvest dinner on September 18th is a hands-on, roll up your sleeves kind of event designed for us to have fun on a shoestring and to help the club at the same time. We are asking you to bring your own food, your own wine, a little money and lots of energy.

You may decorate your own table if you wish or we’ll do it for you. (I’ve heard decorating challenges flying around already.) So, come out and hear some wonderful music, enjoy our beautiful grounds under the stars. 

Many other new events are planned this fall. On September 28th The Garden Club and Library Guild join forces to bring Petals and Prose. If you spent lazy summer days with your nose in a book I hope you were inspired to create an arrangement to go with it. Please call to reserve a spot for your masterpiece and see if you can stump the fans as they try to match each arrangement with each work of prose. 

Carol Coburn and Bev Boyce are planning a series of craft classes. On Sept 8th don an old shirt, some gloves and learn how to make hypertufa planters. They are earthy, beautiful and fun to make. Obtain that designer look by doing a series for the center of  your outside tables. They are great planted with succulents but they will look equally wonderful with other posies and herbs.

Lots more is coming in Oct and Nov; Jazz, Crafts, Morning in the Garden, Dining by Design and Bridge. Please look at our website often and make sure we have  your e-mail address.  We’ll continue to send the Leaf but there will be more timely information coming by e-mail. E- mail also saves postage. 

Please remember to contribute items to our Shoppe and frequent it for fun finds. I found some great iron candle stands. They’ll look great with my tufa planters or even on my Harvest Table!!!! 

 -- Helen DiZio

CALENDARS 

SEPTEMBER 8 

HYPERTUFA CRAFT CLASS 

Make your own rustic planter box in this one day craft event . 

SEPTEMBER 18 

HARVEST DINNER 

Come and Enjoy a Lively Evening of al Fresco Dining with Live Music and the Bounties of the Season 

SEPTEMBER 28 

PEDALS AND PROSES 

Create a flower arrangement that is inspired by a favorite book.

OCTOBER 2 

GARDEN CLUB WORK PARTY 

Join other members in sprucing up our Club Garden. 

OCTOBER 13

JACK 'O LANTERNS CRAFT CLASS 

Turn gourds into Jack ‘O Lanterns that will last for years. 

OCTOBER 23 

DUBIOUS DUPLICATES 

A fun bridge game with Paul Foster and Donna Wood. 

SEPTEMBER 16 - NOVEMBER 18 

INSIDE THE THIRD REICH 

The Lifelong Learning Institute brings Prof. Jack Williams Ph.D  for a lecture series entitled “Inside the Third Reich: The Political Philosophy & Ideology of Nazi Germany. 

A Garden Club Fundraising Event 

Harvest Dinner 

A Casual & Lively Evening of al Fresco Dining. Live Music by Daniel Oldham & Friends At the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club Grounds and Clubhouse 

Saturday, September 18th

 6 pm ‘till 10 pm 

Form your own table of friends.  Bring your own meat to be grilled.  Bring beer, wine or soft drinks.   For the community harvest table each couple is asked to bring a house made salad, vegetable or dessert of seasonal bounty for sharing with ten.  All service items will be provided. 

Donations $100 per couple, $50 single 

Seating options: Tables of 6 - 10 are available or we will seat you with others. 

Participants are encouraged to decorate their tables upon arrival. 

Reservations are mandatory and limited 

Call the Garden Club @ 858-756-1554 

Craft days at the RSF Garden Club 

--  Wednesday, September 8th -   Hypertufa Planter Boxes 

--  Wednesday, October 13th -     Gourd Jack O’ Lanterns 

What the heck is a Hypertufa?  Diane Uke, a professional craft teacher will guide us through creating these Antiqued Planters.  These rustic planter boxes are made of a mixture of dry cement, sand, peat, perlite and vermiculite.  Students are asked to bring a shoe box and any succulent cuttings.  All other materials will be provided.   

Wednesday, September 8th, 9:30 - 12:30 at the Garden Club 

Members price is $35.  Non-members $45 if members don’t fill the class 

Get ready for Halloween by learning the art of dry gourd carving and create a Jack O’ Lantern that will last for decades. All supplies will be provided. 

Wednesday, October 13th, 9:30 - 12:30 at the Garden Club 

Members price is $35; Non-members $45 if space is available 

To Register for Crafts Class call  858-756-1554

It’s time to clean your closets 

Make a donation or come and find the bargain of a lifetime.  Or check out the Shoppe on our Club website for feature sale items. 

The Shoppe will gladly accept donations of new and gently-used clothing, tools, household goods, shoes, toys, jewelry, etc. Ask for a receipt for your tax-deductible donation. 

The Shoppe is located at RSF Garden 

Club 17025 Avenida de Acacias 

Tues., Wed. & Sat. 9:00 – 1:00 

More Information: 

Shoppe: 858-756-4101

Office: 858-756-1554

Fall Lecture Series 

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 

Professor Jack Williams will present a lecture series entitled Inside the Third Reich: The Political Philosophy & Ideology of Nazi Germany.  

Date: Thursdays, September 16 - November 18 

Time: 9:30 - 11:30  am 

Cost:  $110 

To Register Call 760-750-4020  

or visit www.csusm.edu/el/olli 

DUBIOUS DUPLICATES 

BRIDGE EVENT 

Join us for a fun game run by Paul Foster and Donna Wood. 

Saturday, October 23rd 

1:00 - 4:00 pm 

Members $10 

Non-members $15 

Bring your bridge partner or  we will find you one.

Call 858-756-1554 for Reservations

To Celebrate Rancho Days 

Petals & Prose 

FLORAL INTERPRETATIONS OF GREAT LITERATURE 

Presented by: The Garden Club & The Library Guild 

Exhibit & Reception at the Garden Club 

Tuesday, September 28th 5-7 pm 

For more Information Please Call

(858) 756-1554

North Coast Rep Presents the world premiere of 'The Perfectly Preposterous Pirate Adventure of Solana Beach from May 19 to 22...

When:
May 19- May 22, 2011

Where:
North Coast Repertory Theatre
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075

Ticket Prices: $9 - $12

For ticket information or reservations call (858)481-1055 or visit www.northcoastrep.org.

Box Office hours are Noon to 4pm daily and Noon to Curtain day of shows.

Showtimes: Show times are Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 2pm and 5pm.

Marauding pirates will seize the stage at North Coast Repertory Theatre May 19-22 in an original play about the history and unique qualities of Solana Beach. The world premiere of The Perfectly Preposterous Pirate Adventure of Solana Beach is the result of an educational grant by the City of Solana Beach and is being presented by NCR's Theatre School.

The play was co-written by Theatre School Director Matt Thompson and NCR Development Officer Kathryn Byrd, who wrote the grant proposal. "Winning the grant was a highly competitive process, so we were thrilled when our proposal was accepted," she said. "Matt has written a number of plays and said he always wanted to write a funny pirate adventure, because everyone loves pirates. We expect this play to appeal to kids and adults alike. It's a fun way to learn something about the community."

The Perfectly Preposterous Pirate Adventure of Solana Beach tells the tale of a band of misfit pirates who steal a sacred magic object from an island tribe and find themselves thrown into a time warp. A riddle sends them searching through history for the treasure and key that will send them home. However, they keep ending up in the same location - a beautiful stretch of pristine shoreline along the California coast. As they unravel the riddle, they meet friendly inhabitants who help them find the treasure and teach them about the history and culture of this wondrous place.

"Our cast and crew are having a ball mounting this production. The enthusiasm level is sky-high, and we're confident that audiences will react in the same way," Thompson said.

Featuring: Aria Balance, 13, from Digueño Middle School; Siena Balance, 14, Digueño Middle School; Bayleigh Bogan, 14, Digueno Middle School; Alyssa Cochran, 14, Earl Warren Middle School; Amanda Dodson, 12, Digueño Middle School; Molly Gillies, 14, Roger Rowe Middle School; Delaney Hulshof, 12, Ocean Knoll Middle School; Joelle Leib, 15, Canyon Crest Academy Ben Natkin, 14, Earl Warren Middle School; Emily North, 14, Earl Warren Middle School; Sarah Norton, 12, St. Michael's; Darius Paymai, 12, Ada Harris Middle School; Kate Ross, 13, San Elijo Middle School; Kira Sedayao, 12, Notre Dame Academy; Thor Sigurdsson, 14, Grauer School; Madison Vice, 13, Oak Crest Middle School.

The Design Team for The Perfectly Preposterous Pirate Adventure of Solana Beach includes: 
John Finkbiner(Set Master), Aaron Rumley(Production manager, Light and sound design), Jannifer Mah(Costume Design), Annie Bornhurst(Props design), Sarah Palmer(stage Manager), Cindy Cochran
(Costume and Make-up Assistant).... (more)

Brand spanking new $$ Helen Woodward Animal Center administrative center ready to roll

World-renowned Helen Woodward Animal Center has a date with destiny this week as the first administrative employees are scheduled to begin moving into parts of the new multimillion dollar administration campus,  6402 El Apajo, at Fairbanks Ranch.

This completes phase one of the multimillion dollar project started five years ago to replace a 40-year-old facility never intended for the range of activities now hosted by the groundbreaking center.

The main administration building capacity expands from 24,000 to 80,000 square feet to include the adoption kennels and education programs. Woodward officials have not provided an updated overall cost for the project. However,  fund raising continues through an ongoing capital campaign including up to $10 million for naming rights to the campus. Administrative wing naming rights are $2 million. Most naming rights range from $10,000 to $100,000, and there are lots of them available.

The small-animal hospital would increase from 6,000 to 15,000 square feet, while the 38,000-square-foot equine hospital center would be remodeled and the therapeutic horse-riding facility enclosed.

(Video below: Construction update from last summer)

The center's pet-boarding center, which accommodates about 90 cats and dogs, will add space for an additional 75 animals, and will even offer luxury time shares in one-week increments, with the degree of pet comfort dependent on how much the owners wish to spend on furnishings,  according to center president Mike Arms.

These suites, amounting to about 75 percent of the available space, will come with camcorders so owners can check up on their pets from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.

Donations provided much of the $12 million needed for Phase One. Center sources haven't disclosed the full cost of the project that went through years of planning and permit hearings.

For more, visit the center web site at:

http://www.animalcenter.org/

State of the Rancho Santa Fe Nation: Updating Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News

 We're working on two investigative stories.

 1. The Santa Fe Irrigation District's water rate increase has prompted serious questions in the community. What's more, executive director Michael Bardin recently was revealed to receive at least $272,000 annual salary --- $100,000 more than U.S. senators and congressmen earn annually.  We're looking into whether the justifications for the rate increase were legitimate and why Bardin gets such a large salary.

 2. The Rancho Santa Fe Foundation administers numerous multimillion dollar requests intended to benefit the community. However, long-time executive director Christie Wilson apparently looks at these funds as her own private domain -- a sort of personal slush fund -- to distribute to friends rather than as a contribution to the health, and positive direction, of the community. We are investigating Wilson's credentials as well as why, and how, she has maintained her position despite questions about her competency.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On other fronts, the beta test system used here is scheduled to cease operating around February. Neighborlogs has broken up as a company with its founder leaving and future operations keyed to maintaining Seattle blog ad networks. We are deciding on a new CMS for export.

Saturday, Dec. 18 was a great day for us with a record-busting 4,000 page views, 2,200 unique visitors shattering our old marks. We're now getting 3,000 daily views with visitors looking at an average of around 1.7 stories a session. [Hey, you guys looking at .7 stories, step it up some :).]

Considering Rancho Santa Fe has 4,500 residents, we are one of the most successful community news sites in the nation with a per capita resident penetration second to none. We intend to monetize the site in the new year, so we may continue to provide the state-of-the-art Web native journalism that will be prevalent during the next decade in the nation.

And, oh, by the way, since the Rancho Santa Fe Review last month moved its offices to Carmel Valley and the Coast News is based at Encinitas, we are now the only Rancho Santa Fe-based media source. As you have seen, we are by far the best. Our site traffic is 25 times greater than the RSF Review, and 50 times greater than the Coast News' Rancho Santa Fe site.

As always, thanks for your interest and support. It's a pleasure and a privilege to provide the real deal in community journalism.

-- Dan Weisman, founder/editor

Style Matters with Penelope Voisen: THE THANKSGIVING TABLE TOASTING AMERICA'S RICHNESS...

Ah, Thanksgiving – the holiday that toasts America’s richness and bounty as no other.

When we think of the loving labor that goes into preparing dinner for relatives and friends, it can anything but a holiday.  The Thanksgiving table allows us to keep the day special, beautiful, and relaxing without being stuck in the kitchen.

Whether you’re having a San Diego style get-together, celebrating somewhere in the country, or somewhere in between, holiday decorating should be consistent with your personal style and the look of your home.

The focal point for any dining room is the table.  How well you dress your dining table can transform your dining room from day to night, or season to season.

Starting ahead of time will help keep things organized in preparing your table for the Thanksgiving gathering.  One of the biggest pleasures of entertaining for me is dressing the table.  I love to spend time experimenting in setting what I think will be the perfect tablescape – from the dishes to the centerpiece to the candles, even the background music.

Staging the table sets the tone for a special meal.  When you lead guests into the dining room, you want them to see a beautiful, inviting place that you, the hostess, created to make them feel special.

 Today, tableware, linen, flatware, serving dishes, plates and glassware come in many intriguing colors, shapes, styles, and materials.  The choices are virtually endless when choosing a scheme for your Thanksgiving table.  Presenting your favorite collection in a creative, imaginative way, makes the difference between a so-so meal or an unforgettably elegant and charming one.

Linens, in any table setting style, define the look of the dining table.  For a formal, traditional table, using white or off-white, usually works best.

Heirloom, or fine china, sterling silver flatware, and fine crystal are expected at a formal table.  Other elegant touches to build on might include oversized, textured chargers in a metallic finish.  Mixing sterling and other classic touches add a luxurious  element to a formal table.

Decorative place cards are often used to give a warm welcome to guests.  It’s fun to mix modern touches in a formal setting.  A soft, fresh floral arrangement in a modern clear bowl or vase, or a more earthy arrangement using greenery and fruit can contrast a classic formal setting.

There are hard set rules to break about table setting style, so it’s always challenging and fun to pare down a formal adaptation as to not risk being too stuffy.

One of my favorite lines of fine china is Haviland.  Haviland has been manufacturing French porcelain china at its factory in Limoges, France since 1853.  I spoke with their National Sales Manager, Maureen Ferrel, to find out what the latest trend is at Haviland.

“Fashion for the table, Laque de Chine is getting a lot of attention right now,” she said.   “This is Haviland largest and most successful launch ever.  Laque de Chine is available in a dozen dreamy colors with gold and platinum trim, and be a stand alone pattern, or used as complimentary pieces to an existing collection.”

In a more casual, rustic setting, centerpieces and other table decorations should celebrate nature.  The simplest arrangements using pumpkins, gourds, apples and nuts, along with fresh floral and greenery work well.  Baskets, pottery,  or terracotta containers  work best for their textures and country feel.  Theses special touches make us feel thankful when we sit down to the Thanksgiving table.

A rustic Thanksgiving table demands earthenware, stoneware, and ceramics as opposed to china.  Wood accented flatware is wonderful when pared with these dishes, however silver seems to always go with everything, as silver adds a little sparkle to any table.

Other elements for the dining room should be lots of soft lighting, votive candles, and even a crackling fire in the fireplace, would blend to create a gracious, relaxed, elegant setting to enjoy your Thanksgiving feast.

Eating and drinking should be reveled in and make most of the celebrating feeling thankful.   May your Thanksgiving table, whether formal or rustic, be simply stunning, and the day enjoyed by family, friends, fabulous food – and plenty of football!

(Video above: Mercury's "farewell" weekly astrology roundup. He temporarily retired 1 1/2 years ago to complete work on personal and literary projects. However, as an Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News tradition, he looks ahead to the new year around The Occupied Zone.)

A visionary in more ways than one, Michael Mercury had a lot to say about the Ranch and its "ambiance" as well as future when he did a "community reading" recently.

"I really don’t know anything about Rancho Santa Fe," Mercury said. "I made sure not to look it up on the Internet so I could let intuition guide me. But, I feel I really tapped into the community."

Accepting the challenge to read the community, Mercury used 1 p.m. June 7, 1922 as the community’s birth date. That is the moment groundbreaking occurred for the new community of Rancho Santa Fe, according to Elise Esprit of Ah-Ha, based on Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society documents.

Mercury, who also goes by Clint Cochran, mystic, is a yoga instructor and former restaurant owner, A Sacramento resident who has developed a wide and enthusiastic following among astrology enthusiasts. For many years, he hosted America’s only radio astrology call-in show at KDVS-FM, the UC Davis station.

Mercury is further known around the state Capitol for his weekly astrology forecasts on KXTV-Channel 10, Sacramento’s ABC affiliate. He continues his radio astrology experience with "Spirit Speaks" that can be accessed at his Web site www.michaelmercury.com and is a member of the Conscious Media Network.

And now...The Mercury Report on Rancho Santa Fe, now and in the years to come... 

FIRST OF ALL let me state up-front, what I am going to try to do here actually what I am going to do here not just try, but what I am going to do is read the chart of Rancho Santa Fe as if it were a person and see how I can relate to the community at large what’s going to happen to the community in this coming year.

OK, so, Libra rising is the ascendant of Rancho Santa Fe, so the personality of Rancho Santa Fe is considered to be Libra-like and what does that mean, it means that relationships are very important. What is also interesting about this chart is that Saturn, the planet Saturn which deals with limits, limitations, authority, structure, is sitting right on the ascendant.

This is a very powerful position, so it kind of indicates that people who live in this community relationships are very important, however also finding balance within this community is extremely important as well.

There is a tendency within this community to maybe be a little bit one-sided in its presentation in the way it represents itself. If it’s extremely affluent maybe it is in its best interest as a community to make sure that those who are in need within this community are also being taken care of, not that it isn’t being done but that there seems to be a lack of variety, or dexterity of many, many social levels in this community due to there’s a need, an interest in doing this but it’s kind of like there is a contradiction in this community as well.

It’s kind of like it wants to expand, but it wants to contract. It wants to follow the rules, but it also wants to make rules. It doesn’t want to live by rules but somehow it wants to get around and somehow have its cake and eat it too by being unique being unusual and yet being structured. There seems to be this quality about this community.

The moon is in Scorpio in the second house of property, money and resources. There’s a strong emotional tie to the property, money and resources. People really love their homes. People come to this community to find their soul in their home, to make their home more than their castle but to represent who they are. There is a sense of secrecy, a sense of privacy in this community. People tend to be very private.

People don’t want other people necessarily unless they are invited to know about themselves. They want to keep themselves private. This is a community on the one hand wants to welcome the outsiders but at the same time want to be very private.

Mars in the third house, this is the natal chart I’m talking about, I’m just giving you a glow then I will talk about maybe what’s coming up in the next year. Mars in Sagittarius makes it a more philosophical open intellectual curiosity in terms of the community at large. It can have a very vocal voice in terms of what it represents and what it believes in and what it thinks should be done. It tends to be more open-minded, not necessarily liberal or conservative but certainly having an open mind from either camp.

Uranus in the sixth house really speaks to the idea of electronics of advancements. Uranus in Pisces in the sixth house of this chart of Rancho Santa Fe indicates that, again, innovative technology is a part of this community, but at the same time there is this kind of hometown kind of feel so that it wants the advances of the future but it wants the feel of the past. It wants to have a sense of community like in the old school but at the same time it wants to take advantage of all the high tech gadgets and technology that helps make life so much more pleasant.

Now, when it comes to relationships, we have Chyron, the south node in the seventh house of relationships, partnerships, marriage, all this kind of thing. One has to kind of be aware relationships, partnerships, things of this sort, it kind of makes the community a little bit, oh what’s the word, maybe a little bit apart from other communities, yet it wants to be a part of other communities, but at the same time it doesn’t want to be a part of the other communities.

So, there is kind of, again, contradiction within this community because of what one would call affluence. Based on this chart there is a real positive sense of affluence in this community but there is also a contradiction here, not that it feels guilty about it but there is a responsibility that comes with having so much.

The sun in Gemini -- the sun. What is the sun sign of Rancho Santa Fe, it’s Gemini. The sun sign is in Gemini. The rising sign is in Libra and the moon is in Scorpio. These are three important positions for this chart. It speaks to more air than water and no fire in the three important elements. However, Mars which represents fire in Sagittarius gives it a nice balance.

The real focus also is at the crown of this chart and we’re talking about Venus, Pluto, Mercury are all in Cancer. The sun is in the ninth house of education and travel. Mercury is a the crown of this chart in cancer, so home schooling looks like it is going to be a very important part of this community.

There is probably more people doing home schooling than people would recognize. Education is extremely important in this community, but at the same time there seems to be two sets of forms of communication. There is maybe the formal, regular type of schools, high schools, public schools, but there seems to be a really strong private school element in this community as well.

Pluto, Venus in Cancer in the 10th House of home, communication. Tenth House represents vocation, but with Venus in Pluto in Cancer, a very family oriented sign Cancer, it tells me that people are working out of their homes a lot more in this community than most communities, that authority can be derived, because of technologies concerning this community that one is maybe running their businesses out of their homes more than one would realize or that is certainly going to be an important part of this community as time goes on with technologies the way they are.

Neptune is in the Eleventh House of friendships so there is a real romantic quality, a charmed quality to this community. There is a basic feel if you will that borders on quality, romance, story-like making it a much more of a visual as well as a heartfelt community,. There is a real sense of sentiment also in this community. So, this is kind of a quick overview what I look at the natal chart of this community to be.

THE FUTURE, MICHAEL... 

Now, what’s happening right now in this coming year as we look into the year 2012, the real focus is going to be on work and health issues. I’m just pointing out that Uranus, this year, Rancho Santa Fe is coming up to what is a very unusual return and that’s what we call Uranus return. It takes approximately 84 years for Uranus to arrive at the same location as when it was born.

When you gave me the date for June 7, 1922 when the breaking of the ground, Uranus was at 13 degrees Pisces. Right now in the sky Uranus is at 11 degrees Pisces. So, in this year it is going to have a Uranus conjunct. It is going to return to its original position. So, there is a major cycle that is being completed in this community.

It is a cosmic cycle. It is a larger cycle. It is an evolutionary cycle of this community. This community has now matured in a complete way and at the same time now it’s trying to look at how do we continue into the future with our boundaries set, with our limits set. We have our personality is set basically.

It has an ambiance that has evolved organically and now where do we go. So, there is a completion that is literally happening in this community as we go into the year 2012, a total recognition that OK we’re saturated, we’re terrific, we have all these things, now where do we go from here, how do we refine the qualities the joys the things we associate with family with home with community, how do we address this in a new way in an innovative genius-like unique way without destroying the home sentiment, the communal sense of family that we have established for this community.

There is also Neptune is going through the Fifth House of children, of recreation of short trips and I have to say now my intuition is kicking in here somewhat and I am also saying this because of what I anticipate in 2013. Pluto, the planet Pluto will go into the Fourth House of home concerning, so I am looking a little bit further ahead besides the year 2012 because what I am anticipating here is that if you maybe you already have a sister city, maybe Rancho Santa Fe has a sister city somewhere in the world.

You may Want to take a look at this to see what is their sister city, but it seems to me there is going to be more of a focus here on if they haven’t picked a sister city they are not sharing with whether it is in Africa or Europe or South America wherever they have chosen to adopt another city and kind of exchange keys and all of that stuff for some reason that is coming up in this chart for me. I am either seeing there is going to be a renewal of that, there is going to be some kind of recognition of that coming up or there might be an establishment of that if that hasn’t happened already. Or maybe the city adopts another sister city or vice-versa, a kind of city exchange. I don’t know why this is coming up, but it is.

If it doesn’t happen this year, I see 2013 will become a very important year because Pluto goes into the Fourth House of home and Pluto represents revolution, change, death, rebirth, so there might be in 2013 looking down the road because of the concept of real estate, the concept of housing, the concept of family that there could be some kind of new revolutionary approach as to how families are going to deal with families, properties and their homes in the year 2013. This could be technologically related or this could be some sort of philosophical awareness that this community is going to re-evaluate where do they go from here.

There seems to be a real emphasis that keeps coming up in this chart of some kind of pinnacle, some kind of peak, like this community is reaching the top of the mountain. It can see, start looking at what it could be like going down the other side of this mountain but it hasn’t quite reached the end and is preparing for some kind of awareness of some kind of overall view of ah-ha, here we are, now what.

A culmination is also indicated in this chart that this community is coming to some kind of saturation, some kind of total blossoming of fullness, of ripeness, something that is being ripe is ready to drop from this community. Jupiter is moving through the Third House of communication right now as I look at this chart. Mars has been as it ends the year of 2006 has been going through the Third House of communication. Pluto is going through the Third House of communication. Mercury also and the sun leaving the Third House of communication as the year ends and the new year begins it all goes into the fourth house.

This new year we have the sense of structure, of family, of a movement going forward but again putting a focus on home, on family, the importance of family in this community. So, this community has the opportunity it seems to me embrace itself in a unique way reinforcing its values but also having an eye toward the future.
Saturn by the way is moving through the eleventh house of friendships, of hopes, of dreams so there is a realistic approach to what the hopes and dreams for this community can be making it structured, making it work making it practical so this is a community that has not only imagination but also has the talent and the financial wherewithal to make things practical and yet idyllic at the same time. That is also being emphasized and being realized at this time.

I would say, however, that starting at the end of 2011 going into 2013 this is going to be a kind of a plateau period in this community where more examination rather than results will start to take place. I think that the community is getting ready to re-examine where it’s been, where it’s going and do this for many years. If a new master plan hasn’t been done, or is being spoken of maybe it’s time for a new master plan to be looked at of where this community is going to be going 10, 20, 30 years from now or if that hasn’t been done maybe that is being re-looked at this time to see OK we made this plan X number of years ago how will we have fulfilled those plans to where we are now.

That also seems to be an emphasis for the community from the governmental bureaucratic point of view of what’s happening with this community. If there isn’t a city council or something, there seems to be some need of some kind of government structure. If it’s not there it needs to be created.

If it’s informally loose, some kind of guidance to who or what is this identity. Do we become our own city, Do we create our own community. Do we have our own city council or how are we relating to the overall neighborhoods that we are sharing.

That’s pretty much, a lot of material to work with...

Operation Invade Wall Street - A Message to the People

Operation Invade Wall Street - A Message to the People

TRANSCRIPT:

________________

Citizens of the World,

We are Anonymous.

For too long, the crimes of Wall Street bankers, CEOs, and a corrupt political system have created economic injustices that has gone unchallenged. A new civil rights movement has begun.

Today, the brave citizens of New York are standing up to these atrocities, a voice of reason in an ever-failing society. Over the past few days, thousands of people have chosen to take a stand against these injustices. The 1% has abused the freedom they have been given. We are taking to the streets to show the wealthy elite that we, the 99%, are no longer going to grease the gears of this abhorrent system.

The lifeblood of the country is the working class, without it our people and our economy will crumble. Those who sustain present-day colonialism are the enablers of modern-day fascism. Our government has granted hefty tax exemptions to the rich at the cost of our social services. We as taxpayers have served as the multi-billion dollar credit line to the companies and banks that continue to systematically abuse us.

We are here to say that we do matter. We will not be manipulated, threatened, or toyed with by the wealthy. No longer can you acquire profit and political power to our detriment. 

These few people are running the world, and they are running it into the ground.

Political power cannot be traded or bought; it must be earned and agreed upon by the governed. This is our chance to show them that the people will not allow this to continue.  

We are forced out of our homes. We are denied medical care. We suffer from poverty and pollution. We work long hours just to stay afloat, while the 1% reap benefits we can only imagine. Our sworn enemy is the corrupted corporation. --We are the 99%.

You have complained that something needs to be done. You now have an opportunity to make a difference.

Join the protests. Organize your own. Watch online. Be a part of the movement.

This is our movement. This is your moment.

Together, make history. 

Vox Populi, Vox Anon.

The Voice of The People is the Voice of Anonymous.

The voice of the weak that are unable to speak. The voice of those strong who are enslaved.

We are your voice. We are the 99%.

We do not forgive corruption. We do not forget mistreatment.

Wall Street, Expect us.

TARGET: nyse.com 10 October 3:30 PM EST

Uh-Oh, It's Minkow, Marsch v. The Bridges Again with Casey Anthony Attny. Macaluso in Mix...

 A real estate developer accused one of the world's largest law firms of legal malpractice involving a gated golf project in one of the world's richest communities, Rancho Santa Fe.

Nicolas Marsch and Briarwood Capital sued DLA Piper US LLP and law firm partner Brian Foster, in Superior Court. Marsch claims the defendants represented both Briarwood and Lennar Corp. during the development The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe DLA Piper, Foster and Nicolas Marsch in May 2010, claiming that Foster and DLA Piper helped Marsch get the better of Miami-based Lennar, causing it millions of dollars in losses. That case was settled for $37.5 million.

See the previous Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News stories on the subject here...

(Photos: The two faces of Barry Minkow...)

The disputes surrounding the real estate project also have ties to convicted fraudster Barry Minkow, who is serving a second prison sentence for fraud after pleading guilty to conspiring to damage Lennar by falsely accusing it of deceptive accounting. After Minkow's comments on YouTube and the Internet, Lennar's market value declined by more than $500 million. As part of his plea deal, Minkow agreed to help federal prosecutors investigate Marsch, which hired Minkow after his partnership with Lennar soured. Marsch has denied any wrongdoing

In his new complaint, Marsch claims that since 1997, DLA Piper represented Marsch's Briarwood, and Lennar Corp., Lennar San Jose Holdings Inc., Lennar Land Partners II LLP II, HCC Holdings LLC and Lennar Bridges LLC in connection with The Bridges golf project.

HHC Investors was founded by Lennar and Briarwood Capital to develop the project, according to the Bradenton Herald.

Marsch and Briarwood now claim that DLA Piper's "appalling and irreconcilable" negligence "caused continuous disputes between the parties," leading to a judgment against Briarwood and "various bankruptcies filed by the plaintiff."

Marsch claims that DLA Piper never revealed the conflict of interest while it represented Briarwood in Superior Court litigation against Lennar, though the law firm "informed Lennar of said conflict of interest and withdrew from representing the Lennar entities."

"Furthermore, defendants were representing Lennar and related entities unrelated to The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe and failed to disclose said information to plaintiffs," the complaint states.

"Put simply, defendants represented the Lennar entities in other litigation as their counsel of record simply because it presented an economic opportunity defendants could not pass up. Defendants placed its own interest in profiting from the Lennar entities ahead of the interest of the plaintiffs. Defendants' failure to disclose the conflicts of such representation is not only a breach of defendants' undivided loyalty owed to plaintiffs but a conflict of interest which must be adequately disclosed, explained and waived. Failure to do so was a breach of the duties owed to the plaintiffs."

"The HCC Operating Agreement failed to have adequate language to protect Briarwood, Marsch, HCC and Lennar Bridges from Lennar making contributions to HCC and Lennar Bridges without the knowledge, consent or permission of Briarwood, Marsch, HCC or Lennar Bridges. Defendants failed to adequately and properly define how Marsch and Briarwood would be paid back their investment of $37 million in HCC. Additionally, as a result of the negligence of the defendants, Lennar and Pacific Greystone unilaterally were allowed to take these funds because said agreements failed to protect Briarwood, Marsch and HCC from Lennar and related entities."

Marsch claims that DLA Piper also persuaded Brairwood to enter into inadequate tolling agreements. Those agreements were ruled invalid when Briarwood sued Lennar, and barred Marsch from pursuing further claims against the Miami home builder for fraud and accounting, according to the complaint.

Marsch seeks damages for legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duties, breach of contract, and fraud/concealment in connection with the law firm's "breaches of their duties of trust and undivided loyalty".

Marsch is represented by Todd Macaluso with Macaluso & Associates of Carlsbad. Macaluso was an important member of Casey Anhony's murder defense team. People even reported seeing Anthony in Solana Beach following her acquittal, but Macaluso vehemently denied reports he had brought Anthony to his Rancho Santa Fe home to rest following the trial.

Neither Foster nor DLA Piper immediately responded to requests for comment.

If you care what a 10-year-old says about movies, Carmel Valley's Perry Chen is for you!

 Perry Chen is a cool kid to be sure. He also has become kind of a mom-made sensation on the film front with numerous stories in the local, and even national, media about his film reviews, and appearances at film festivals nationwide.

The 10-year-old Torrey Hills Elementary School fifth-grader's "Perry's Previews" started his gig in 2008. He has regular postings at several local media sites and has been interviewed by practically every local television outlet as well as nationally on the CBS Evening News. He has a talent agent, a highly developed website and has interviewed a slew of famous film industry types.

 Perry's kid-friendly reviews generally center on films for the younger set and are interesting exercises in precocious insight.

Kudos to the kid, and very much so to the power behind the publicity macine, his mother, Dr. Zhu Shen, chief executive officer and founder of Bioforesight, which is  "a strategic consulting company providing licensing, partnering, investment advisory, outsourcing advisory, cross-cultural communication & negotiation training, and media/public relations services to clients in North America, Europe, and China." It's at http://www.bioforesight.biz/index.html.

 With that said, Perry was the youngest speaker at the "kids 2 kids" 2010 TEDxRedmond held over the weekend at the Microsoft Conference Center, Redmond, Wa. Perry is featured in this posted festival video.

More information on his appearance posted by his mother follows as well as a sample video review and links to the various web sites and experiences featuring Perry and his world.

Enjoy!

10-year-old award-winning film critic Perry Chen dazzled audience at TEDxRedmond conference, making many new friends -- Zhu Shen

Perry Chen speaking @ TEDxRedmond, rating movies with starfish, 9-18-10 (photo by Zhu Shen)

10-year-old award-winning film/entertainment critic & animator Perry Chen had a “Perrific” weekend Sep 17-19, speaking at the first TEDx conference organized by kids, for kids, featuring all amazingly high-achieving kids speakers and performers from around the country at Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond, on Sat, Sep 18, from 2 to 8 pm PST with LIVE webcast for people from around the world to watch.

In his speech “For the Love of Movies,” Perry dazzled over 700 conference attendees with his humor and insight, and shared his important lessons learned through his journey as a film critic and now budding filmmaker and animator.  The room roared with laughter and cheers.

TEDxRedmond attendeesPerry enjoyed quite a few media interviews, including with TEDxRedmond media sponsor AOL:

Perry Chen interviewed by AOL (photo by Zhu Shen)Amazing Kids (TEDxRedmond media partner) interview:http://youtu.be/Sgdnp5Xr0FU (edited by Jack Olmsted)

Perry Chen interviewed by Amazing Kids (photo by Zhu Shen)

Perry Chen interviewed by Microsoft's Stefan Weitz (photo by Zhu Shen)

Perry Chen interviewed by Bob Sprankle (speaker Zoe Sprankle's father) Perry enjoyed meeting other amazing speakers and performers at TEDxRedmond and their parents.  This is truly an experience of a lifetime!  Many new fans came to talk to Perry and asked for autographs and took photos with Perry, some read his movie reviews before attending TEDxRedmond.

Perry Chen with TEDxRedmond speakers & performers (photo by Zhu Shen)

Perry Chen with Adora (middle) & Adrianna Svitak (right) @ speakers dinner

Conrad Lee (Bellevue Deputy Mayor), Joyce Svitak, Zhu Shen (Perry's mom), Adora Svitak, Adrianna Svitak, Perry Chen, Lily & King Lee (Herald Monthly reporter) at speaker dinner

Perry Chen with fellow speaker Olivia Bouler & her bird drawing, a gift to Perry (photo by Zhu Shen)

Perry Chen with fellow speaker Jessica Markowitz

Perry Chen with Jenn Strutzel and Chelsea Loftis from TEDxRedmond sponsor Bing (Microsoft)

James Bouler (Olivia's dad), Jane Berman (Brigitte's mom), Bob Sprankle (Zoe's dad), and Zhu Shen (Perry's mom) at speaker dinner

Perry Chen signing autograph for fan @ TEDxRedmond

Perry Chen self intro @ speakers dinner (photo by Zhu Shen)

Perry Chen with Alaska Airlines flight attendants Teri and Eric, Sep 17, 2010 (photo by Zhu Shen)

Perry and his mom Zhu Shen took Alaska Airlines flight 483 from San Diego to Seattle on Sep 17, 2010, and met two wonderful flight attendants Teri and Eric, see photo above, who helped to get two seats together for Perry and Zhu.

They were happy to hear about Perry’s TEDxRedmond speech.  We want to thank them again for their kindness and wonderful service, and also thank passenger Mary who exchanged her seat with Perry.

Perry and mom had the most inspiring experience at TEDxRedmond, thanks to the tremendous efforts by host and organizer Adora Svitak, her parents, many sponsors and volunteers, and the exceptional contribution by all speakers and performers, who jointly made TEDxRedmond an unforgettable experience.

We look forward to partnering and connecting with fellow speakers, parents, and attendees alike and continue to spread new ideas.

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Perry S. Chen is a 10-year-old award-winning film critic & artist, TV/radio personality, Annie Awards for Animation presenter, TEDx speaker,  filmmaker and animator.  He is the youngest columnist and entertainment critic for the San Diego Entertainer Magazine and is represented by Rebel Entertainment Partners, a talent agency in Hollywood.

Perry started writing movie reviews using his unique kids-friendly starfish rating system on his website (www.perryspreviews.com ) as an 8-year-old third grader at San Diego’s Torrey Hills Elementary School from the Del Mar Union School District.

Perry became a national sensation when he debuted on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric in May 2009 as the youngest film critic in the country.  He was featured on National Public Radio (NPR) with host Liane Hansen in March 2010, and has reviewed over 30 movies and DVDs on a multi-media platform: TV, radio, print, and web.

He is the youngest member of the Asian American Journalist Association, the San Diego Press Club, the youngest blogger on Animation World Network, and the youngest honoree of Cox Communication Channel 4’s annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Perry reviews films on a starfish rating system, 5 being the best.  His reviews are available on his website: www.perryspreviews.com.

Watch his videos on www.youtube.com/perryspreviews.

Listen to his radio show on www.wsRadio.com/perry.

Read his press releases http://pressroom.prlog.org/

PerrysPreviews/Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/3aktsm

Twitter: http://twitter.com/perryspreviews (over 1400 followers)

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/perryspreviews (over 5 million connections)

PerrysPreviews - Perry's Family Movie ReviewsURL: http://www.perryspreviews.com/

ECopywriters find Solana Beach, Calif. great for farming, SEO content farming that is...

 ECOPYWRITERS.com

FOUNDER: Cody Maher

ANNUAL REVENUE: $1.2 million

EMPLOYEES: Five fulltime, along with 20,000 freelancers

LOCATION: Solana Beach

Two years ago, the Solana Beach entrepreneur launched a website to help businesses outsource content generation for the web. His website,  ecopywriters.com, is already generating $1.2 million in revenue. It acts as a middleman between the clients — which include Toyota, San Diego-based ProFlowers, Victoria's Secret and 1-800-PetMeds — and his 20,000 freelance writers and editors.

Businesses turn to ecopywriters.com for original corporate blog posts, product descriptions and other written material to help them show up in search engines such as Google.

It’s one of many websites seeking to leverage the ease of communicating and delivering jobs on the web to meet business needs. Other examples include elance.com, guru.com and Freelancer.... (more)