'Belle at the Castle' featured show at Arts & Learning Conservatory Theater

Background

The Arts & Learning Conservatory is an outgrowth of Artistic Director Debora Wondercheck (Professor of Instrumental Music, Vanguard University) and her desire to envision youth of all backgrounds with a love of the arts through hands-on learning. A&L began in 2004 as a summer performing arts camp with 13 string musicians and 8 actors. The following summer the program had an enrollment of 142, and a successful school year program was launched in the fall. In 2005 Arts & Learning became Incorporated and recognized as a non-profit organization. Today the Arts & Learning Conservatory performs for over 3,500 people yearly and provides arts education to nearly 800 children of Orange County annually.

Mission

The Arts & Learning Conservatory creates a fabulous experience on & off stage for each student through its unique performing arts program offering dynamic instruction in theater, voice, instrumental classes, and dance. Arts & Learning'... (more)

 One of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, the tragic tale of two young star-crossed lovers, Romeo and
 Juliet, whose romance will leave you believing in
 everlasting love.

“But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?”

 Romeo talks directly to the audience. He seeks their advice. He includes them in the story as characters who may either help him or hinder him.

 In North Coast Rep. Theatre School’s 2013 production of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, director Benjamin Cole takes his cues directly from Shakespeare and invites the audience to participate as active members of the character’s world.

 Observing techniques that Shakespeare’s original acting company may have used will hopefully make the play more active for the actors, and more engaging for the audience. The lights will remain ON the entire performance to remind both audience and actors that in Shakespeare’s world there was no electricity. The actors could see who was watching them and indeed intended to use them to help... (more)

iPhoneography: An art form exploding at Macworld/iWorld

 With better lenses being packed into tinier phones, photography has become something almost anyone can participate in now.

At this year's Macworld/iWorld, the convention is highlighting the explosion of photo-themed apps and gear that has come out for the iPhone. These “iPhoneography” sessions will teach attendees how to turn the iPhone into a mobile photography lab.

“It's becoming an emerging area of interest for Apple product users,” says Paul Kent, Macworld vice president and general manager. “It's one of the hottest areas for both products and what people are doing interesting things with.”

It's an art form that's beginning to explode, and in the last two years a flood of apps and equipment have sprung up to support it. That's why Macworld/iWorld is featuring a host of Tech Talks and showroom floor space devoted to iPhoneography, Kent said.

The photo theme kicks off Wednesday with a full-day workshop on the subject, called “iPhoneography: The Mobile... (more)

Dear Abby, Dear Abby: No local angle, but IT'S DEAR ABBY DAMMIT and she's gone

(For more from Amee Ellsworth visit: http://www.allvoices.com/users/VoiceforHope)

California housewife Pauline Phillips wowed writers for almost 60 years with her advice, twists on situations and valued perspectives. She has died at the age of 94 in Minneapolis. Universal Uclick announced her death on its website. Mrs. Phillips suffered from Alzheimer's for many years.

Under the pseudonym “Abigail Van Buren,” Mrs. Phillips went from being an ordinary housewife to becoming America’s psychological counselor. Her syndicated column was read in more than 1,200 newspapers. It was read by 95 million people per day, who enjoyed her advice and guidance. It all started when she began writing for the San Francisco Chronicle.

“They gave her a bunch of letters, thinking that, that they would never see her again — and she immediately took all of the letters to my dad’s nearby office and whipped out answers... (more)

Del Mar, Calif. gets 'D' grade for lousy tobacco policy from American Lung Association

The American Lung Association in California gave the city of Del Mar a D rating for its tobacco policies.

The annual report, which was released Wednesday, issues grades for all cities and counties in California on local tobacco control policies including those for smokefree outdoor environments, smokefree housing, and reducing sales of tobacco products.

Despite the city's overall low grade, Del Mar along with Solana Beach and El Cajon lead the pack with A grades in the Smokefree Outdoor Air category.

Overall, the association said the state of California "falls short in adequately funding tobacco prevention programs to protect children and curb tobacco-caused disease." California earned an A grade for its smokefree air policies but received a D for its low cigarette tax, an F for failing to adequately fund tobacco prevention and control programs, and another F for poor coverage of smoking cessation and treatment services.

“Safeguarding... (more)

Police sketches released of two suspected of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. home invasion

Authorities asked the public Wednesday for help in identifying two men who forced their way into a Rancho Santa Fe home five days before Christmas, holding a housekeeper at gunpoint while stealing valuables and handcuffing her before fleeing.

The thieves, suntanned white men who appeared to be in their late 20s or early 30s, confronted the victim at the large house in the 5000 block of El Mirlo shortly after noon on Dec. 20, according to sheriff's officials.

A housekeeper was home when two unknown men – one of whom was armed with a handgun – forced their way inside, holding the housekeeper at gunpoint.

The men allegedly handcuffed the woman to something so she couldn’t call for help while they ransacked the home, stealing jewelry, antique clocks and other expensive items, deputies said.

After gathering jewelry and antiques, the bandits handcuffed the maid to a door to keep her from calling 911, then... (more)

Encinitas, Calif. resident and famed pop singe Patti Page dead at age 85

Grammy Award winning 1950s music legend Patti Page died Jan. 1 at the age of 85 at an Encinitas, Calif. nursing home after suffering congestive heart failure, her manager, Michael Glynn, told Reuters.

"She'd been having some health issues for the past couple of years," Glynn said. "She was actually doing better yesterday. I spoke to her and she sounded well."

Ms. Page was scheduled to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the February 10 Grammy Award ceremonies from The Recording Academy for Recording Arts and Sciences.  Reportedly Page recorded over 1,000 songs in her 60 plus year career – over 100 albums and sold over 100 million albums.

Seeing artists “crossover” between musical... (more)

This guy is driving his BMW M3 E46 from Rancho Santa Fe Road to Zumaque for 27 minutes

Course I take, warning, Zumaque St is a dead end unless you know the gate code.

I start off in the abandoned parking lot on Rancho Santa Fe Road:

1 Turn left onto El Camino Del Norte

2 Turn right onto Lago Lindo

3 Turn right onto El Montevideo

4 Turn left onto Via De Fortuna

5 Turn left to stay on Via De Fortuna

6 Turn right onto San Elijo Ave

7 Turn right onto La Granada<... (more)

Scenes from a region: Cardiff to Rancho Santa Fe to Campo Del Dios, Calif. 

Welcome to our world. ...

Cardiff State Beach where the surf meets the parking lot.

The Cardiff Plein-Air Playas.

 Tom Chino, Tom Chino, where are you???

 Water, water everywhere at Bheau View Ranch's Awe Center.

 The guys who used to be IndyMac. The failure of IndyMac cost US taxpayers almost $8 billion. Then, the IndyMac leaders got money from the US Treasury at 10 cents on the dollar and opened OneWest Bank. This is its office at the historic downtown plaza on Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe. Note the sign, middle right, warning people about bank burglaries. Anyone find this to be financial pornography?

 Hanukkah Harry visits Rancho Santo Fe Community Center, Dec. 10, 2012.

 HMMMMM...LATKES, otherwise knows as potato pancakes, with apple sauce for good measure.

Campo Del Dios...

Buddha or somethin'

Who Dat?

The operator of the Del Mar Fairgrounds announced today that it would move forward with renovations after settling a lawsuit over its master plan.

Political leaders of Del Mar and Solana Beach sign the Del Mar Fairgrounds agreement with Adam Day, president of the 22nd District Agricultural Association.

 Political leaders of Del Mar and Solana Beach sign the Del Mar Fairgrounds agreement with Adam Day, president of the 22nd District Agricultural Association.

Political leaders of Del Mar and Solana Beach sign the Del Mar Fairgrounds agreement with Adam Day, president of the 22nd District Agricultural Association

Photo By Alison St John

The 22nd District Agricultural Association, the state agency that runs the fairgrounds, agreed to take several steps to settle the court action filed in May 2011 by the cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority.

The litigation challenged the plan's environmental impact report. The sprawling park is home to the annual... (more)

SAN DIEGO LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER RESPONDS TO SUPREME COURT DECISION TO DECIDE GAY MARRIAGE LAW --  CALIFORNIA’S PROPOSITION 8

Today, the United States Supreme Court has decided that it will review and rule on the Perry case regarding Proposition 8 in its current term. Proposition 8 was the 2008 California ballot measure that rescinded marriage equality for same-sex couples in California.

(Jan Garbosky (left) and Bonny Russell (right), who have been a couple for 20 years were congratulated yesterday by Caroline Dessert, a staff member at The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center in Hillcrest.)

“To have the opportunity to have this case heard before the United States Supreme Court is an historic step forward in our movement for full equality,” said Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer of The Center.

“This is one of the most significant civil rights cases to reach the high court since , and provides an opportunity for the Supreme... (more)

Solana Beach-Del Mar-River Park environmental impact lawsuit against Fairgrounds settled

The 22nd District Agricultural Association, the cities of Solana Beach and Del Mar, and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority have settled litigation over the District’s Master Plan Environmental report.

The cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach and the San Dieguito River Park had sued the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operates the state-owned Del Mar Fairgrounds regarding the district’s master plan for upgrading its facilities. The lawsuit challenged the adequacy of environmental studies conducted in support of the master plan.

Concerns about the Master Plan impacts were addressed to the satisfaction of both cities and the SD River Park JPA, officials said.

“The settlement over our Master Plan EIR paves the way for the 22nd DAA to work towards the renovation of the Fairgrounds’ old and outdated exhibit facilities, and at the same time implements additional measures beyond what is called out in the EIR,... (more)

The Bridges & Santa Fe Creek Open Space Preserve established

After eight years, the Bridges & Santa Fe Creek Open Space Preserve is now established. The Preserve consists of two parcels totaling 112.09 acres along Escondido Creek; 99.7 acres  within Santa Fe Creek and 12.39 acres within The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe. San Diego Habitat Conservancy (SDHC) will own the 112.09 acres of open space habitat and manage it in perpetuity. The Preserve lies  within a large contiguous block of undeveloped lands which has been identified as potential core habitat for a number of species, including the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher. The Preserve links other open space areas to the west, north, and east within the County and extending into Carlsbad and San Marcos. 

The  Preserve  contains  a  diversity  of  important  habitats;  coastal  sage  scrub,  riparian  woodland, southern  mixed  chaparral,  coastal  and  valley&... (more)

Calculating your odds to win the Powerball jackpot

The winning Powerball numbers for the drawing held at 11:59 EST on Nov. 28 are:

5 - 16 - 22 - 23 - 29 Powerball 6.

(For more from Joe visit his Allvoices page at http://www.allvoices.com/users/JoeKukura.)

The jackpot in tonight's Powerball drawing has powered past a half-billion dollars, and now stands at a staggering $550 million. Reasonable folks nationwide are suspending their cynicism, blowing money on lottery tickets that they would normally never buy, and daring to dream. Is this a low-risk proposition with a tiny chance of a huge reward, or a just plain silly waste of money? What are one's odds of actually winning that $550 million?

If you live in California, your odds are zero. There is no Powerball in California, but the California State Lottery Commission is expected to adopt regulations this week to allow California to participate in 2013. The only other states not participating in the Powerball drawing are Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Mississippi,... (more)

Party hardy goes awry on Los Morros with stabbing, fights, underage drinking and arrests

A party in exclusive Rancho Santa Fe attended by more than 200 people late Friday night led to a stabbing, fights and arrests for disorderly conduct and resisting officers, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

One person was stabbed, another hit with a sheriff's stun gun, and six people arrested at a raucous house party at 17434 Los Morros. 

Deputies said the stabbing suspect got away in the confusion as they arrived just after midnight to a report of a stabbing at a home on the 17400 block of Los Morros, near the intersection of La Bajada, a crossroads just southeast of Encinitas.

The owner of the property on Los Morros was arrested for violating the county's social host ordinance against allowing underage drinking. Deputies used a Taser to arrest one person on the property. Several people younger than 21 were found drunk.

San Diego Sheriff's Sgt. Joe Passalacqua said arriving deputies... (more)

Super-luxury Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa back in business following $30 million facelift

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in San Diego’s upscale neighborhood of Rancho Santa Fe, has officially re-opened its doors following a $30 million transformation. The Mediterranean-inspired, all-suite property offers 49 guest casitas, spanning 45 acres.

Upon arrival, guests enter the San Diego resort’s private gates followed by a short drive to the clubhouse, exuding the newly designed reception lounge and courtyard, Sheridan boutique and new restaurant and bar.

The resort’s 49 all-suite, guest rooms average 1,000 square feet – among the largest in the United States – now feature custom-made, rustic furnishings, high-beam roofs, walk-in closets, spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, expansive living spaces, fireplaces, intricate design pieces and private patios boasting private fireplaces and whirlpools. Special design enhancements were also made to the property’s 5,000-square-foot Hacienda. The estate-styled, private guest... (more)

Be Wise Organics, gnat flies and San Diego County supervisors reach 'last resort' measure

 A 4-0 vote, with Bill Horn recusing himself from the vote and discussion because he owns an organic farm, gave initial approval with adoption scheduled for Dec. 5. If approved, the ordinance would take effect Jan. 4.

“I think the ordinance we have before us today is an excellent ordinance,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

“One of our charges here is to protect the public,” said Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. “We have a lot of people who cannot use their own property.”

Eye gnats, approximately 1/16 of an inch long, feed on protein from body fluids including the eyes, noses, and mouths of humans and animals. They are native to San Diego County and breed in organically-rich soil.

“Eye gnats are a nuisance for which we have no existing authority to address,” said Jack Miller, director of the county’s Department of Environmental Health (DEH).

Approximately 350 organic farms have commercial operations in San Diego County. Complaints... (more)

Encinitas fire destroys apartment, send firefighter to the hospital

A fire destroyed the upstairs unit of an Encinitas duplex early Sunday morning and sent one firefighter to the hospital for heat exhaustion, authorities said.

Residents of the building on Cambridge Avenue told firefighters they woke to a crackling sound and a smoke alarm around 1 a.m. and then found a box near their fireplace completely engulfed in flames, said Encinitas Deputy Chief Mike Daigle.

About 25 firefighters and six units responded to battle the blaze. One unit reported seeing flames from the freeway, Daigle said.

All residents escaped unharmed, however one firefighter was later transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas to be treated for heat exhaustion. He was released about two hours later, said Daigle.

He estimated damage to the building at about a half-million dollars, plus about $50,000 for the contents. The upstairs unit was destroyed and the unit downstairs suffered water damage, said Daigle.

By 5 a.m., the... (more)

Wondering what to do the week of Nov. 4...Here's some community events

 RANCHO SANTA FE

Annual food and wine benefit slated

The Equinox Center will hold its annual benefit at 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, 18378 Calle Stellina. The event will include an evening of gourmet food and rare vintage wines and help raise awareness and funds for Equinox Center, which works to improve water, energy, jobs, housing, land use, transportation and economic prosperity and preserve quality of life in the San Diego region. Talented chefs and well-known sommeliers will prepare food and wine. Live entertainment and a small private auction will also be featured. Tickets start at $250 through Nov. 5; or $300 thereafter. Register at equinoxcenter.org/donate/event.html.

Solana Beach

Library to hold used book sale

The Friends of the Solana Beach Library will hold a used book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 17 at the Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave. Shoppers may fill a grocery bag... (more)

Wondering what to do the week of Nov. 1...Here's some arts and entertainment events Part 2

Collie Buddz & New Kingston: Reggae/dance hall music with Los Rakas, Nala Kete and DJ Carlos Culture; 9 p.m. today; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $23-$25; bellyup.com or (858) 481-8140.

“If You Ever Leave Me … I’m Going With You!”: Longtime married performers Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna co-star in this new 100-minute comedy on the real-life whirlwind ride of their marriage, with anecdotes, film clips and scenes from many of their best-known shows; opens today and runs through Nov. 11; showtimes, 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 6:30 p.m. Sundays; Welk Resorts Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; $44 ($59 with buffet meal); welktheatresandiego.com or (888) 802-7469.

“The Wizard of Oz”: The Classical Academy presents a student production of this stage musical based on the 1939 film version of L. Frank Baum’... (more)

Wondering what to do the week of Nov. 1...Here's some arts and entertainment events

 The Hutchins Consort: Classical violin octet performs neoclassical and romantic Russian works by Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Balakirev; 7:30 p.m. Friday; Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad; $15-$25; hutchinsconsort.org or (888) 996-2838.

Rome: Lead singer of Sublime With Rome; 9 p.m. Friday; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; bellyup.com or (858) 481-8140.

Palomar Chamber Singers and Palomar Chorale: “There and Back Again”: Choral music from American composers such as Samuel Barber, Alice Parker, Kirke Mechem, Libby Larsen, Leonard Bernstein; 8 p.m. Saturday; Performance Lab (D10), Palomar College, 1140 W. Mission Ave., San Marcos; $12, general; $10, seniors and staff; $8, students; palomarperforms.com or (760) 744-1150, ext. 2453.

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus: “Hero/Anti-Hero”: Season-opening program features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica&... (more)

True crime author brings story of sexual predator John Gardner to Fallbrook

 Fallbrook’s Writers Read will feature best-selling author Caitlin Rother at its November 14 free monthly reading of poetry and prose. 

Rother will read from and discuss her controversial true-crime thriller, “Lost Girls,” the story of the rape and murder of local teenagers Amber Dubois and Chelsea King by John Gardner.

The reading, hosted by the Café des Artistes, begins at 6 p.m. with open mic for poetry and prose.

 “Lost Girls” chronicles the quest to identify King’s murderer, which ultimately led authorities to Gardner and then Dubois. Rother examines the systemic failures that allowed a convicted sex offender to remain at large, without treatment, putting the entire community at risk. The author also reflects on the ways the Gardner case will forever change how we consider convicted sex offenders.

"Lost GIrls" and several of Rother's other books will be available... (more)

Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club hosting military care package drive

Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club

Collection bins are located in various spots around the Village, including two at the garden club, 17025 Avenida De Acacias, and two at the library, 17040 Avenida De Acacias. Bins are also located at the community center, 5970 La Sendita; the pharmacy, 6056 El Tordo; the village market, 16950 Via De Santa Fe; and the offices of James Jan, 16921 Via De Santa Fe.

Needed items include granola or protein bars; beef jerky; unscented hygiene products like soap, shampoo, deodorants and lotions; chapstick; disposable razors; wipes; foot powder; and bug repellant.

Monetary donations, to help cover the cost of shipping, are also welcome.

The community is invited to help pack up the boxes at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Garden Club.

Last year, 107 boxes were shipped to three different units of Marines in Afghanistan. Each box included a personal note, most written from kids from the community center. The kids also decorated the outside of the boxes with messages like ‘Please come home safe’.

Big Changes Afoot at Del Mar National Horse Show Next Month...

The 67th edition of the Del Mar National Horse Show is scheduled for Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, May 6 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Arena. The Del Mar National Horse Show continues to be among the most respected, distinguished and popular equestrian events on the West Coast, if not the entire nation. Consisting of three distinctly different equestrian disciplines — Western, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper — the Del Mar National represents the best in competitive opportunities for world-class equestrians and is unrivaled in its entertainment appeal for everyone. 

“The difference between ‘good enough’ and ‘top of the line’ can make or break a reputation and a career," said Kenny Baker, Equestrian Manager. "The Del Mar National Horse Show management remains committed to continually improving the facility to accommodate the comfort and safety of horses, riders, and spectators. Upgrades started with the&... (more)