'Christmas Time for the Jews' -- Darlene Love, Robert Smigel (VIDEO)

HAPPY HAPPY...

'Christmas Time for the Jews' -- Darlene Love, Robert Smigel (VIDEO)

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)

Q&A with Ravi Shankar

Nov 4, 2012. A rare concert. The Ravi Shankar Foundation and the Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego presents An Evening with the Maestro Ravi Shankar, Celebrating His Tenth Decade. Performing with Ravi Shankar will be his daughter, Anoushka Shankar (sitar), Tanmoy Bose (tabla), Ravichandra Kulur (flute), and B.C. Manjunathl (mridangam). Time: 7:30pm, Location: Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment. Ticketmaster or 1(800) 745-3000 for more ticket info.

 (For more: Visit 'The Culture Files' here...)

Acclaimed for bringing Eastern music to the West, Indian musician Ravi Shankar is returning to the stage – and for the first time in five years he’ll be joined by his daughter and disciple, Anoushka. It’s a reunion with special significance since the 92-year-old Encinitas resident recently had a health scare that left him in intensive care. An undisputed sitar virtuoso who taught the likes of George Harrison to play the instrument, Shankar will take the stage of the Long Beach Terrace Theater this Sunday night, November 4. But before then, we caught up with him and his wife, Sukanya Rajan, who chatted about his music, his foundation, and what inspires him.

How do you feel about being back on stage?

SR: He suffered from heart failure and pneumonia. He was in intensive care for two months so this is really a miracle.

RS: This is really a memorable time because of my condition. It’s also special to be performing in my hometown. Since 1956, I performed on my own all over the world and I’ve loved this area so much.

How do you feel about performing with your daughter?

RS: It is the ultimate pleasure. She is like an extension of myself. It’s a tremendous joy to work with her. She’s my best disciple and I’m very proud of her.

SR: She lives in England, so this is rare. It hasn’t happened since 2007. They improvise together. Even though she’s been performing with him all her life, he always surprises her. She’s always caught off-guard, it’s a challenge to accompany him.

How would you describe your style of music to new listeners?

RS: I always improvise and don’t think very much beforehand about what I’m going to play. I will be performing special ragas [melodies] I have not performed before. I love [improvising], it’s my specialty. For any new listener I would say it’s not pop or rock, but we have classical Indian music. We play melodies, ragas -- there are thousands of ragas and we choose three or four of them -- different talas, rhythm cycles. The listener needs to be open-minded, and I can assure them they won’t be disappointed.

What is your inspiration?

RS: I feel strongly the vibration of the people who are there, even if I don’t see them. The love and intensity gets into our music, and I feel connected. My big joy at present is my little grandson Zubin, my daughter Anoushka’s son. He’s such a joy. He’s named after Zubin Mehta, my great friend.

The concert is meant to bring awareness to the Ravi Shankar Foundation.  Could you tell us more about it?

SR: The foundation started in 1997. There is a beautiful center in Delhi, India, where upcoming musicians and dancers come to show their art. We aim to take music more into schools and introduce it to children here in the US.  We have an archive and recording studio there and we have a festival every year. The festival is about three to four days in February. We called it the George Harrison Festival after he passed away.

RS: George was a student, friend, and son. I started teaching him the sitar and he got into studying Indian philosophy and religion. We produced the concert of Bangladesh; it was the one big thing we did together.

Local Obama supporters help get out the vote in battleground states

Organizing for America (OFA) is betting on get out the vote (GOTV) efforts to make the difference in November’s presidential election. To help secure a win for President Barack Obama, OFA is organizing North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County volunteers to phone voters in battleground states and encourage them to cast their votes for Obama.

 OFA, a grassroots organizing campaign operating under the auspices of the Democratic National committee, is launching three call centers — in Oceanside, San Marcos and Temecula. OFA is running traditional GOTV phone banks beginning this weekend and running every weekend until Election Day, staffed by volunteers. The goal remains of all three centers to make over 75000 calls on November 6, and many in weekends before. 

Joe Comella of Fallbrook, a retired teacher and former Army reservist, is OFA’s local deputy regional field director. He believes volunteer efforts are the heart of Obama’s campaign. 

Comella said, “President Obama was put in office by a hopeful electorate in 2008. The last four years have been tough, primarily because of gridlock in Congress. But people remain hopeful, and the level of volunteerism we’re seeing is proof of that. We have staging directors, data entry coordinators, and folks to train other volunteers on how to make calls. Early voting has begun, and we welcome all volunteers who want to join the effort at any of our three phone center locations.”

Volunteers are working three-hour shifts from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. People interested in lending their time to the effort can writevolunteersyeswecan@gmail.com or contact the following location coordinators:

Oceanside: Show Palace, 1527 Mission Avenue

Contact French Prescott at 760-215-4157 or Joe Comella at 760-468-0800

San Marcos: Autumn Terrace Apartments Community Room, 251 Autumn Drive

Contact Rolf vom Dorp at 760-978-0965

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.

Doggone for it at Del Mar Fairgounds Saturday, Feb.26 for Silver Bay Kennel all-breed show

San Diego's annual dog spectacle, the Silver Bay Kennel Club Dog Show, sets up at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 26-27, 2011. And what better way to spend the weekend than to check out all the amazing breeds: small, large, huge, cute, ugly, prim, sloppy...but they're all lovable. And the best thing is that admission is free.

Do Something About This Climate Change Rich People Or You Too Will Perish

Do Something About This Climate Change Rich People Or You Too Will Perish

Sniff Sniff Pounce Seize: San Diego County Crime Dog Stops Ag Pests In Their Tracks...

 (Dog handler Jeremy Partch and his 4-year-old Labrador retriever, Friday, work conveyor belts at county shipping centers in San Diego and North County five days a week, looking for plant and animal material that might be carrying crop-killing insects from out of town.)

The San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures recently seized 10 Kaffir lime trees from Florida after detector dog Drake discovered them in an unmarked box at a North County commercial shipping terminal.

Detector dog Drake and his handler, Ted Olsen, found the shipment two weeks ago during a routine inspection of packages coming into San Diego County. Each tree had leaves, roots and soil which increase the potential for pests to be present. The shipment was in violation of federal domestic quarantines that guard against the importation of plants that may carry certain agricultural threats. Those include citrus canker, citrus greening and the Asian citrus psyllid, imported fire ant, citrus black spot, and sweet orange scab. Quarantine violations against burrowing and reniform nematodes and other citrus pests were also cited in the case. If introduced into local agriculture, any one of these pests could have a serious impact on San Diego County’s $78.5 million citrus industry.

“Kaffir lime from the state of Florida is prohibited,” said County Agricultural Commissioner Lisa Leondis, “This one shipment of trees violated seven different quarantine requirements, and is a perfect example of how valuable our detector dogs are in protecting the County’s $1.652 billion agriculture industry.”

San Diego County has two United States Department of Agriculture-trained detector dog teams that are part of a statewide network of 13 teams coordinated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Our first team, Jeremy Partch and Friday, came on board in January, 2009 followed by Ted Olsen and Drake in January, 2010. Last year, the two teams inspected 10,571 marked packages and found 747 unmarked packages containing fruit, plants and live animals. Unmarked packages of illegal plants and certain live animals represent a route of entry for unwanted, damaging pests.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture are handling the investigation regarding the origin and intended destination of the shipment. After testing for other pests, the trees will ultimately be destroyed.

For more information about the county Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures and its role in protecting county agriculture, visit the department's website.

Casey Gerry Announces $1.25 Million Settlement Following Mediation with Troon Golf, LLC, The Crosby National Golf Club, LLC...

Northridge Woman Awarded Settlement Following Rancho Santa Fe Accident

In a case that reaffirms the right to safe public access for the physically disabled, Casey Gerry announced today that  a $1.25 million out-of-court settlement has been reached in a lawsuit involving the country’s longest survivor of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) — a disease in which victims progressively lose muscle control.

Defendants Troon Golf, LLC and The Crosby National Golf Club, LLC agreed to pay more than $1.1 million to Northridge, Calif. resident Marilyn Cooper, 67.

The rest of the settlement was paid by Summers/Murphy & Partners, Inc., a landscape architect and Masson and Associates, Inc. an engineering firm. According to attorney Robert J. Francavilla, a partner with Casey Gerry, his client Marilyn Cooper, who has had ALS -- also known as Lou Gehrig's disease -- for 36 years, suffered... (more)

Casey Anthony gone from Rancho Santa Fe but not forgotten: her RSF attorney Todd Macaluso threatens lawsuit against The Morton Report...

UPDATED 6 P.M. THURSDAY, AUG. 11 AT LOS ANGELES (LALATE EXCLUSIVE) – Is Casey Anthony heading to Houston, Texas? The plane, originally linked to Casey Anthony by NBC33, departed from Orange County this morning. It set to arrive in Houston, Texas this afternoon. In July, NBC33, the Baton Rouge NBC News affiliate, reported that Casey Anthony had been travelling on N950KA, not just from Orlando to Orange County, but across the country. Last month, the news station reported “sources say the plane is the same one she [Casey Anthony] was seen boarding in other parts of the country.”

For more, visit LALATE HERE...

                                            (Photo: Jose Baez, Casey Anthony, Todd Macaluso)

O.K., I'll come out and say it. In my OPINION based on investigations and information, I BELIEVE, THINK, FEEL, the infamous tot mom Casey Anthony was at 4805 Linea Del Cielo for a period of time, possibly from Thursday, Aug. 4, following a much publicized Columbus, Ohio, photo shoot on Aug. 3 until Tuesday, Aug. 9. The numerous reasons, rationale and back story have been published here at http://tiny.cc/9s66p. Or look below in the queue. Our first story is at: http://ahharsfnews.com/2011/08/07/tot-mom-casey-anthony-spot .

I further state that I spoke with a woman on the intercom whom I now believe was Ms. Anthony. I just happened to be there at the right/wrong time when they were expecting somebody else. I believe I know precisely the identity of the woman who told Anthony to get off the intercom and closed the gate Anthony opened, but I don't want to be sued, you know. I am confident in the identifications, however. The fact is the inappropriate nature of stashing tot mom away at a $5.2 million Covenant estate, no matter how secure and well-appointed with helipad etc., and the attendant publicity moved the fugitive show along...to an as-yet undisclosed location.

The story from the Morton Report Blog and here has spun near and far with  HLN's Nancy Grace devoting helf of her Monday show to the sighting. That's when the kitchen got hot and the going got going, if you catch my drift. 

An interesting sidebar has developed over this story between Macaluso, with his residence under foreclosure at Rancho Santa Fe according to sources, and The Morton Report. The legal threats by Macaluso directed against Dawn Olsen apparently began when KSWB-TV's Fox Morning Show contacted Macaluso to ask for comments about the reported sighting of Anthony at his disputed property. KSWB also had invited Olsen and myself to the studio for a Thursday morning appearance.

Macaluso sent an email to the station making untrue charges, which he forwarded to Dawn and me. In my case, I pointed out I never said I spoke to his neighbors -- the emails are posted below -- and he seemed to apologize, or at least square things with me. Dawn out of Los Angeles, wasn't so lucky. I will start off her account here and then direct you to The Morton Report account of the Macaluso legal threats.

THE MORTON REPORT BLOG...

Last Saturday we published an article about a tip we received on the whereabouts of Casey "Tot Mom" Anthony.  

Our source, a reporter for The Morton Report, had attended a dinner party in Southern California last Friday, August 5, when others at the dinner party stated they had seen a woman appearing to be Casey Anthony, accompanied by what appeared to be two body guards, in and around the Rancho Sante Fe area; and in particular, in the vicinity of a luxury home owned by Anthony's former defense attorney, Todd Macaluso.

We researched ownership of the home, verified that it was owned by Macaluso, and came to the conclusion that there was enough corroboration to post a story on these rumors.

Then we were contacted by HLN's Nancy Grace show to comment on our story. Grace's team also felt the connection between Anthony and Macaluso was strong enough to make this scoop a reasonable possibility.

Meanwhile, local reporter Dan Weisman of Ah Ha Santa Fe did some investigating on the ground. For his story, he discovered the home was listed on the market at $5.2 million, featured a private helipad, an Infinity pool, and was in a secure, gated community...

THE FULL STORY DETAILING THE MACALUSO EFFECT IS HERE. The Morton Report is at: http://www.themortonreport.com/

HERE NOW LIVE AND DIRECT TO BEHIND THE SCENES OF A MEDIA INTERVIEW REQUEST GONE WILD....

1.)

2.)

FYI 

Regards, Todd Macaluso

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Todd Macaluso <tmacaluso@macalusolawsd.com>
Date: August 10, 2011 1:55:11 PM PDT
To: "Luck, Brad" <bluck@tribune.com>
Subject: Re: kswb fox5 request

BradThe reports of these "bloggers" are completely false. If there any false statements aired, we will pursue any and all legal remedies available by anyone who disseminates such false information. We have verified with our neighbors that no such statements were made to the Ah ha Rancho Santa Fe news or the Morton report. We will pursue an action against Mr. Weiss an and Ms. Olson of false information is disseminated. 

Regards, Todd Macaluso
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 10, 2011, at 1:46 PM, "Luck, Brad" <bluck@tribune.com> wrote:

Dear Mr. Macaluso,  

My name is Brad Luck and I’m the Executive Producer for the FOX5 Morning News on KSWB-TV here in San Diego.  

   

We are having on Dan Weisman from Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News and Dawn Olsen from The Morton Report tomorrow morning at 8:15 a.m. to talk about their stories that Casey Anthony is living at your Rancho Santa Fe home.  

I wanted to see if you would like to come on our show at that time to give your response to their reports.  

We could also send a live truck to you so you wouldn’t have to come in studio.  

   

If you are not interested in appearing live on our show, we would be interested in any written statement from you on these reports.  

   

Thank you in advance.  

   

Brad  

   

Brad Luck  

Executive Producer  

FOX5 Morning News  

bluck@tribune.com  

direct: (858) 573-6538

newsroom: (858) 573-6500

twitter: @BradLTV

7191 Engineer Road

San Diego, CA 92111

 

KSWB-TV, a Tribune Broadcasting station

http://www.fox5sandiego.com

3.)

Todd Macaluso

FYI Regards, Todd Macaluso Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: > Fro...

Aug 10 (1 day ago)

Reply

92067 Rancho Santa Fe Free Press to Todd

show details 4:38 PM (22 hours ago)

That's cool, but if you read the story I never said I spoke to neighbors, I cited Ms. Olsen's reporting. I'm very careful in how I approach possibly touchy subjects and have won first place investigative reporting awards from both the California and Florida press associations. Dan

- Show quoted text -

-- 
Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News, dedicated digital media for an independent and unique population. Visit us at  http://ahharsfnews.com/

4.)

Todd Macaluso to me

show details 4:41 PM (22 hours ago)

Ok Dan

We are at our wits end with the media. 

Regards, Todd Macaluso

Sent from my iPhone

- Show quoted text -

4.)

Hi Dan,

I’m sorry we actually have to cancel.

Something came up and we won’t have the time to be able to do this tomorrow.

But please stay in touch and let us know if you write anymore on this subject.

Thanks,

Brad

From: 92067 Rancho Santa Fe Free Press [mailto:92067freepress@gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 6:41 PM

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

WELL, THERE YOU HAVE IT...FOR NOW.  REMEMBER TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MEDIA!!!

BYE BYE RANCHO SANTA FE, CALIF: Casey Anthony ON THE ROAD AGAIN for parts, and legal implications, unknown...(For previous coverage: http://ahharsfnews.com/2011/08/07/tot-mom-casey-anthony-spot.)

Casey Anthony possibly says good-bye to all that up, up and away from the helipad perhaps, but to where??? Good luck to the next town on the Anthony courtroom victory tour!

 (Photo: The scene Wednesday as business becomes the usual at the $5.2 million Lineo Del Cielo estate reputed to have housed tot mom Casey Anthony last weekend. The 'for sale' MLS listing was removed Wednesday and a very public TV news crew tour staged to show that Anthony was not on the property. Speculation resumes on her whereabouts...)

With all due respect to Willie Nelson, the Casey Anthony road show apparently has departed Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. and is on the road again. Where it will stop, nobody but attorney Todd Macaluso, and other Anthony confidantes, probably know.

An Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News investigation in conjunction with The Morton Report reveled the probability that indomitable Ms. A,  was at a $5.2 million-plus Linea Del Cielo estate for about a week. Our belief based on information at hand is she departed sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday following increased media attention to her 92067 whereabouts, not to mention the outrage that she may have been living at an estate in the exclusive Rancho Santa Fe Covenant.

Macaluso has offices at La Jolla, Carlsbad and downtown San Diego and regularly jets from Palomar Airport. Macaluso's website features a Pilatus PC-12 jet on its home page "which enables us to travel anywhere within the united states in seven hours. We also ow and operate a Bell Jet Ranger 20-6 helicopter..."]

Suddenly, activity was reported at Macaluso's Linea Del Cielo house that features, among other amenities, a helipad, perfect for secretive comings and going. The estate was fully gated and secure with access available only on a small private road.

An Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News and Morton Report reveal on Aug. 8 that circumstances surrounding the estate appeared suspicious aroused speculation Anthony was there. Two luxury vehicles were on the property. An attempt to contact the residents resulted in a suspiciously disguised voice, followed by the gate opening. This was followed by a woman's voice, sudden intercom cut-off and the gate immediately closing.

As media descended on the property in question, sheriffs deputies and security personnel kept them at bay. Suddenly prominent personalities at the estate also instructed media to leave and briefly posted a "keep out" sign.

However, the tenure changed considerably late Tuesday or early Wednesday as the estate suddenly opened its doors to a local television crew who said everything seemed normal there. Estate activity became pronounced with gardening crews and visible lifestyle activities. The presumption, then, is Ms. A would have departed sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. 

Here is the immediate timeline for Anthony following her acquittal on charges she murdered her four year old daughter Caylee.

Aug. 3 -- First photos of Anthony surface on TMZ. Speculation abounds the Anthony camp arranged for the photos shoots. Claims were made she posed inside the shop window at which she was photographed. Also noted were her seeming to walk to a coffee shop several miles away while wearing sandals.

Aug. 5. -- First reports of Anthony being sighted around Solana Beach or Rancho Santa Fe surface.

Aug. 7.  -- Speculation begins that Anthony may be at  one of the homes of one of here attorneys, Todd Macaluso. A visit by Ah-Ha Rancho santa Fe News to the estate revealed unusual activity although no sighting of Anthony.

Aug. 8 -- Nancy Grace, the Morton Report and other national media host the ongoing discussion of where anthony is located and what it means should she be at the Macaluso mansion.

Aug. 10 -- Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News sounds the all-clear. Anthony has moved on...

"Tot Mom" Casey Anthony Spotted At Exclusive $5.2 Million Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Estate?

Casey Anthony Spotted At Exclusive $5.2 Million Rancho Santa Fe Estate, Calif.?

Say what one will about infamous "tot mom" Casey Anthony, she also now may be at an exclusive 5-bedroom, $5.2 million Rancho Santa Fe estate just off  Linea Del Cielo, according to published reports and sources.

Dawn Olsen of the Morton Report Blog reported this weekend that Anthony was sighted around Solana Beach or Rancho Santa Fe late last week. Speculation arose she was at the house of Todd Edward Macaluso Sr, 48, one of her defense attorneys.

Furthermore, documentation showed Macaluso's private jet, right after her release last month from jail, took Anthony to Columbus, Ohio, where she was last spotted publicly. Macaluso has offices at La Jolla, Carlsbad and downtown San Diego and regularly jets from Palomar Airport.

"The residence apparently was on the market for a while but didn't sell and now she's staying there with two body guards. There is a helipad on the property. While Todd has denied that she is there, neighbors have reported seeing and hearing her," Olsen said.

The 5-bedroom, 5 1/2-bath, Spanish-style home was built in 2005, according to real estate records. It is within the ultra-exclusive Rancho Santa Fe Covenant. It is MLS# 110040046 listed at $5.2 million.

KNOCK KNOCK

Who's there?

 After surveying the yard with luxury black sedan and unidentified black hybrid SUV in the garage area, an attempt hatched to call the residence on the intercom outside the gate. A weirdly shaped voice answered, something between that of a young child and/or drunk woman. The gate opened. Attempting to enter the yard, however, another voice came on the intercom, uttered an admonition, and the gate quickly closed.

Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe Investigation Concludes: Something funny is going on there, but whether it is related to Anthony can not be confirmed at this time. Local media reported contacting Malacaluso's office and getting no comment. Possible Anthony destinations outside of San Diego included Palm Springs or Orange County. 

(Photo: Lead attorney Jose Baez, Anthony and Macaluso at trial.)

This is not  the first time the notorious Miss A has been linked to highly upscale North County San Diego. Also linked to Macaluso, she was reported [possibly] in Carlsbad just following her acquittal of murdering her infant daughter last month.

NBC's "Today" show broadcast from Carlsbad in July said Anthony left Orlando, Fla., on a plane owned by Macaluso, and that flight records indicated the plane eventually landed at Orange County's John Wayne Airport after making stops in Panama City, Fla.; Prescott, Ariz.; and Northern California.

"Sources say she climbed on board an airplane, an aircraft that's kept at a hangar right here," NBC's Kerry Sanders reported from Palomar Airport. "That aircraft, flying west, making multiple stops where she may or may not have stepped off."

IN A NUTSHELL:

Anthony did not report her daughter's disappearance for a month and was arrested after telling a string of lies about the case to police. Caylee's remains were found in December 2008 near the home Casey Anthony shared with her parents.

Prosecutors alleged that Anthony suffocated her daughter with duct tape because motherhood interfered with her desire for a carefree life, but her lawyers said the girl drowned in an accident that snowballed out of control. Some of the jurors who acquitted Anthony said they believe she bears some responsibility for her daughter's death, but that prosecutors failed to prove that she murdered the child.

Anthony had remained in jail to finish a four-year sentence for lying to investigators. With credit for the nearly three years she'd spent in jail since August 2008 and good behavior, she had only days remaining in her jail term when she was sentenced July 7.

'Feeding the Rich' RETURNS With Twist! 'The Kingdom of Eric Parker, Where I Rule the Internet'...

Editor's Note: Enough of this cookie-cutter commentary claptrap. Eric Parker is back WITH A VENGEANCE, or at least an edge. Good for you!

When last we met the longtime local resident and former Leucadia Pizza delivery driver around Rancho Santa Fe -- hence the name f his legendary 'Feeding the Rich ' blog -- he was laid off, out of unemployment benefits and recently relocated to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to an appointment as an English instructor at the University of Alabama.

Eric survived the deadly Tuscaloosa tornadoes, and now, like the Anicent Mariner, is here to enthrall you.

Visit his blog directly at  http://networkedblogs.com/kcw6n.

 

"cutest. picture. ever." bullshit!

We've all seen this poor behavior. As unregenerate children, we have probably done it ourselves. In the social media world, we want our friends to know how great of a time we're having or how wonderful something of theirs is, so we resort to hyperbole and punctuation abuse: "cutest. picture. ever." (This was an actual facebook comment made on a picture of a woman and her baby.) One of the major downsides to the Internet Age is that office speak travels like wildfire. (Office speak? Think of the rising intonation people use when describing the list of shit they did at work today.) This kind of behavior will not be tolerated in the Kingdom of Eric Parker for several reasons:

1) You sound like an idiot. If you verbalize that comment above aloud––"cutest. picture. ever." [emphasis added]––you sound like what people my age would call a stupid Valley Girl (not a good thing). It really translates to "Oh, my God, that is, like, the cutest picture, ever!" The Valley girl dialect, unfortunately, has become the dialect of reality television and much of everyday life. Avoid it.

2) You're following a trend, which makes you boring. Think of something original to say.

3) You're misusing the period. I know, rules are meant to be broken, you punker, but not in my kingdom. A period follows an independent clause that can stand alone. It does not mean a pause. It needs a noun and verb; that's it. Eric rules. That is a complete sentence (and true). If you insist on sounding like a stupid Valley Girl who works in an office, try this: "That is the cutest . . . picture . . . ever." At least you're using proper punctuation.

4) You're lying, on several fronts.

First, the said picture or nail job or day at the beach was probably not the cutest or best in the history of the world, or even your own dumb life. I get it: you're using hyperbole. You're smart. You're funny. All your friends like you. But good hyperbole, while always an exaggeration, captures an emotional truth: "It took an eternity for me to lose my virginity." We know, for most people who haven't entered a monastery, this isn't true. But the two to four (six? eight? ten? twenty? are you serious?) years it took from reaching puberty to losing your virginity felt like an eternity, and it gave most young boys a distinct understanding of what hell must be like.

Second, you're being insincere, which makes you a bad person, an ego stroker.

Third, you're lying. Especially in the case of the comment mentioned above: "cutest. picture. ever." The baby wasn't even that cute. The mom was actually much better looking. And on the scale of cuteness, human babies don't even come close to other animals. Do you need evidence?

 The above image of a polar bear cub is, on a cuteness scale of one to ten, as close to a ten as you can get. The picture of the mom and baby, if we're being honest (and honesty is valued in my kingdom), would be a five.

DEL MAR RACING THOROUGHBRED CLUB – OPENS WITH THE ONE AND ONLY TRULY FABULOUS HATS CONTEST...

When: Wednesday, July 20

Where: Plaza de Mexico

Time: 11:30 a.m. to  3 p.m.

Del Mar Racing Thoroughbred Club – Opens with The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest

Hats that win cash at Del Mar? Yes! Del Mar offers more than exciting racing events by the beach. One of its special event days includes, "The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest”.

The opening day of the Del Mar is celebrated in style and more than 40,000 race fans gather to enjoy racing, betting, and, all the summer festivities there are to offer at the coastal race course.

The most fabulous and fashionable event of them all is "The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest”. People can sign up for the contest, which is presented by the San Diego Hat Co. and completes the tradition at Del Mar, which takes place on the opening day.

The entrants, who will participate in the contest, will solely be judged on their hats, the creativity, and, style of their hats. There will be a panel of judges to choose the winner.

To make it more exciting "The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest” has four categories for this contest that are highlighted by the nature of the hats people wear. Category number one is the Best Racing Theme, Category number two is Funniest, or, most Outrageous, Number three is the most Glamorous and number four, Is Best Flowers/All Others.

The winner of this competition receives cash money of $300 and a $100 gift certificate the runner up gets $200 and the contestant in third place gets prize money of $100.

This will be the 17th running of the "The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest”, which got started in 1995. Julie Sarno is the inventor of this fabulous event, which takes place on the opening day, of Del Mar, and said that after watching the Royal Wedding it seems as if no dress is complete without a hat. She herself has been involved in two hat events in the Royal Wedding. Since 1995 Julie Sarno coordinates this event at Del Mar every year.... (more)

Jake DeRaadt's Last MOO-RAH: Harmony Grove to Lemoore to Del Mar Fair Odyssey of Cows...

Since there’s no place like home, Jake DeRaadt came down from Lemoore with just enough cows to save the day for this year’s San Diego County Fair dairy exhibit. It's the last 'moorah' for the effervescent Harmony Grove native. Satisfied others will take up the challenge in future fairs, and wanting to devote more time to family matters, this is DeRaadt's final year leading the cornerstone dairy exhibit. 

“This is going back home for me,” said DeRaadt, 49. “June is fair month. I’ve been involved with this for 35 years. They got plenty of people milking in the valley at valley fairs. You’re preaching to the choir ‘cause many up there know the ag industry. Hardly anybody is left down here in San Diego.”

The DeRaadt family were dairy mainstays for decades in Harmony Grove, between Escondido and San Marcos. Dairy production once was big business in North County with well over 100 dairies as late as the 1970s producing the equivalent of $80.6 million in Year 2000 dollars. County milk production fell to an all-time low of $12.4 million in 2003.

But, changing times ended the local dairy industry for all practical purposes. With urbanization and environmental challenges costing local dairies too much money and energy, DeRaadt joined the migration north to the Central Valley in 2000 where he could expand his herd and work in an environment more amenable to dairy production.

“I came down two summers ago and was kind of disappointed hearing that zero dairy cattle were going to be at the fair,” DeRaadt said. “There were just no cows here. I talked to (livestock coordinator) Kim Jacobson and said  if we can get the dairy display going, I’ll get you the cows if you get someone to milk them. I just can’t be at the fair the full three weeks.”

Deal made. DeRaadt brought kids Arie, 15; Eileen, 16; and Katrina, 18, back home for the fair where they tell other kids on 4H Club barn tours about raising cows. Dairy Council of California educators hold several milking demonstrations a day – with DeRaadt’s imported cows. 

All three DeRaadt children take unique roles at the fair. Katrina, 18, creates visual displays; Eileen, 16, loves working with the school children; and his youngest, Arie, at 15, seems to share especially in the joy of showing the cows. He's even conducted a few milking demonstrations for smaller crowds. "It's a family tradition," said Arie. "Cinnamon rolls in the morning, our cousins coming out to watch on Fridays and Saturdays ---- it's just a lot of fun. "And you can hear Grandma in the back of the stands cheering us on, too," he added with a smile.

It’s all more than good for DeRaadt who combined a healthy dose of nostalgia for his old Escondido home with the practical business of acquainting urban youth with their farming roots. As if to punctuate this point, DeRaadt flew the family dairy’s old sign  – Eden Vale 2531 Country Club Rd., Escondido – above his Lemoore, Kings County, cows at the dairy barn.

“The reasons we’re here are multi-pronged,” DeRaadt said. “It’s a lot of fun and a great experience for the kids. We’re also educating the public that for the most part is fairly urban or far removed from the farm.”

 DeRaadt’s dairy cows have saved the day for this important, and historical, element of the county fair, said Efrain Valenzuela, Southern California education manager for the Dairy Council of California who has been conducting the daily milking demonstrations.

”Jake DeRaadt has been very helpful as far as bringing the animals to use,” Valenzuela said. “It’s harder and harder finding animals to bring to the public. He’s been there for us when cows have gotten sick. We called him and he said sure, he’d bring another one up. It’s tough finding cows to use.”

The industry has all but disappeared as land became more valuable and stringent environmental rules regarding cow manure and clean water took effect. Most dairies were forced to close long ago or to relocate to Central California. In 1948 and 1949, San Diego County Farm Bureau Executive Director Eric Larson said, milk was the main agricultural product here. That was supplemented later by beef, then avocados, and since the mid-70s, nurseries. “It’s just the reality of what happened,” Larson said. “I think it’s great we still have a few dairies here, but I don’t see anyone opening a new one. “You have to be fairly large in the dairy industry, and to get larger they had to move out of the county.” Only four dairy farms remain and one milk processing plant. They owners of the farms for the most part keep a low profile since the milk they produce is processed out of the county and not marketed locally.

The milking demonstrations have proven quite popular with dozens of students and even adults at each show.

“You get that wow factor,” Valenzuela said. “There’s nothing like seeing that little squirt come out and it lights up their faces.  Ag is slowly moving out little by little, so we’re happy to bring the farm to them.”

Part of that farm at the fair is the barn tour, this day conducted for a second year by Nicolina Prestininz, a Fallbrook 4-H member. She tells a group of elementary school students that only six dairies remain in San Diego County. Arie and Eileen DeRaadt show off their cows, explaining how they care for the animals.

“How many of you think chocolate milk comes from a brown cow?” Prestininz asks. Several students raise their hands. Jake DeRaadt laughs. That’s what he’s talking about.

OK, Fried Kool-Aid Balls at Chicken Charlie's, Del Mar Fair, Is Breaking News Across The USA...

It's a little hard to ignore, maybe a slow news day, but the damn fried kool-aid balls apparently are more than just a new San Diego County Fair hit. They are getting traction across the nation with social network bizz and news coverage.

The balls look like red donut holes, and while some say they also taste rather like donut holes, other fair attendees seem to like the new junk food. One customer of fried Kool-Aid told Sign on San Diego, "It starts off tart and tangy, and then finishes really sweet... I love this stuff."

Boghosian is no stranger to fried candy concoctions. He claims to have invented more than 100 deep-fried treats to serve up at county fairs. In previous years he has created fried fare such as fried Klondike Bars, fried Pop Tarts, and fried Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies.

The tangy red dough balls have really taken off, doing much better than Chicken Charlie's previous new products. Over the fair's opening weekend, the food stall quickly went through its first 150 pounds of Kool-Aid powder and 1,500 pounds of flour - though the rest of the ingredients are top secret.

Boghosian, who weighs about 300 pounds, said he has sold 100,000 fried Klondike bars last year and 2 million fried Oreo cookies over the past decade. But the $5.95 fried Kool-Aid is quickly becoming his top seller.

"It's been huge," Boghosian said. "People are loving it."

Deep-fried Kool-Aid in its finished form is like a pastry, first sweet and then tangy, according to delighted tasters.  The recipe is top secret but it involves a whole lot of Kool-Aid powder, flour, powdered sugar and hot oil. 

"It's really good, different, but a little more like a doughnut than Kool-Aid," Angelyn Lucia told the North Caroline Times after polishing off a serving of deep-fried cherry Kool-Aid.

Another taste described it as a "New Orleans  Hushpuppy with Kool-Aid flavor. 

Boghosian's fried fare has gained him a cult following as well as appearances on the Travel Channel and CNN. He said that his latest invention was a runaway success, outselling his other deep-fried items two to one.

"That's because it tastes so darn good," Boghosian said.

Fried foods of the sort served up at county and state fairs get the thumbs-down not just from obesity specialists but also cardiologists. The American Heart Association urges people to limit their intake of deep-fried foods, noting that they contain saturated and trans fats that can raise the risk for heart disease by increasing levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

A SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD BE BUTTERED TO BE FRIED AND STUFF...

The San Diego County Fair, never fails to impress. As usual, all sorts of amazing stuff was going down in plain sight. As a crowd expert, I as able to cut through the chase for a few. I've got some good stories and coverage and stuff to follow this week and next week. After that, by the way, it's the annual Fourth of July Parade at Paseo Delicias. I've got some interesting stuff there, too.

As for the Fair, these are a few quick Summer Solstice images with more to follow later. I was there when that ride went bonkers and injured the guy and that kid. Hmmm. I also could not bear to be part of the elephant opression clique so wished them solidarity from afar, appropriately enough the Fairgrounds security Apparatchik gathering hole.

As I've said, I've got a bunch more, but got to run just now.Anyone wanting to post their own photos, videos and stories from the Fair, feel freeto do so or email them to me at 92067freepress@gmail.com and I'll do it.

Dan W.

Country Friends spring membership luncheon brings 23 new members and help for local groups

                                    (Photo: Betsy Heightman, Shelly Dew, Annie Garcia, Melissa Brown)

The Country Friends, based in Rancho Santa Fe where their Consignment Shop is situated, moved their Spring Membership Luncheon plus Fashion Show east and enjoyed the amenities of the Rancho Bernardo Inn.

More than 140 women came to shop May 4 and enjoy the styles presented by TRE Boutique (The Rare Earth), with outlets in Del Mar, Carlsbad and 4S Ranch. Thirty ensembles from the shops owned by Rochelle Johnson and Sheree Vihon were paraded.

The event co-chairwomen were Anna Waite and Kathe Votsis.

Among those attending were Yvette Letourneau, Cheri Salyers, Terri Chivetta, Laing Rikkers, Deborah Cross, Sophia Alsadek, Tonita McKone, Jo Ely, Laureen Bolstad, Donna Ahlstrom, Andrea Muir, Eileen Menees, Edna Sahm, Betsy... (more)

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

Socal regional water authority standoff will not affect Carlsbad, Calif. desalination, Poseidon says...

Plus bonus coverage: EXCITING LEGO-INSPIRED INFORMATION VIDEO FROM MS. KRUEGER'S SIXTH GRADE CLASS. -- DESALINATION AND YOU.

Poseidon Resources on 16 June 2011 denied reports that the current standoff in Southern California between the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) will affect the Carlsbad Desalination Project.

"This claim is incorrect and shows a disappointing lack of understanding about the project's status and financing." Poseiden officials said to the Desalination & Water Reuse Quarterly industry website.

On 14 June 2011, the MWD voted to cancel funding to increase water recycling at the San Vincente facility in the Ramona Municipal Water District and for programs to encourage local water-use efficiency and retrofit homes with low-water-use landscaping. MWD also said it would refuse to fund any pending or future local water supply projects in San Diego County.

A press release from SDCWA stated, "The pending agreements included the Carlsbad Seawater Desalination Project, which would have been eligible for up to US$ 14 million in annual payments, and an agricultural water conservation audit program, which would have been eligible for up to US$ 500,000 in annual funding." 

MWD's move is the latest in a dispute about SDCWA contributions to MWD projects that goes back decades. In June 2010, SDCWA filed a lawsuit challenging MWD's 2011 and 2012 wholesale water rates. The water authority alleged that MWD improperly overcharged for the transportation of water and used that money to lower artificially the cost of MWD water. 

The next hearing in the lawsuit is on 17 June 2011, and a final decision is not expected until 2012.

Ziggy Marley, DEVO, Jimmy Eat World and Jimmy Crack Korn MUsicK @ SD CtY FAre (Yay!)

In 1994 Del Mar brought the funk to Fridays with free concerts. Over the years the free Summer Concert Series has attracted the likes of Cake, Weezer, ZZ Top, Billy Idol, Devo, Gnarls Barkley, Ziggy Marley, Matisyahu, Violent Femmes and Jason Mraz, but in 2001 a singer/songwriter/surfer named Jack Johnson put Del Mar on the musical map (or was it the other way around)?  Fast-forward 18 years and 128 concerts later to Del Mar’s 2011 Summer Concert Series.

This year will mark the debut of the series' new Seaside Stage, which will be located just west of the race track's Grandstand, with the ocean as a backdrop. In previous years, concerts took place in two locations: On Saturdays in the infield area of the racetrack and on Fridays at the racetrack's Plaza del Mexico (until last year, when the Friday stage was moved to the Seaside Cabana area).

"This year we decided to create one stage to accommodate all of our shows," said Josh Rubinstein, senior vice president of development for the Del Mar Racetrack.

"We feel the new stage location will provide better sight lines and a better concert experience for everybody who attends. Having one stage allows us to invest more in one location, as opposed to having two."

Elephant rights advocates never forget -- Accuse Del Mar Fair of uncivil PachyDerm treatment...

(Editor's Note: I've been to the San Diego County Fair lo these many years and must confide that I, too, have wondered about the elephants and those damn rides. The elephants, to me the untutored eye, don't look very happy. In fact, they look kind of surly. I mean, would you like trudging around all day with screaming meanies on your backs? I sure as shooting wouldn't. I also was offended in a very personal way by Tim Fennell, the Fair manager, dismissing the elephant abuse allegations with smirks and the observation that all the elephants at the Fair were treated well. How does he know? Is he an elephant expert? Or just a smarmy a-hole...But I digress. Better late than never for the elephants. Here's a tidbit from news partner KSWB-TV, Channel 5/69 today. And see you at the fair, just don't patronize the elephant handlers.

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

"Animal rights activists picketed the San Diego County Fair on Sunday because a Riverside County company is offering elephant rides inside the Del Mar event.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Animal Defenders International are attacking the company ---- Have Trunk Will Travel ---- over its treatment of their animals. The activists have recently released video that purports to show beatings, elephants being hooked with bull hooks and electric shocks being administered.

The elephant owners say the tapes were deceitfully edited."

Animal Defenders International: 

WHAT:            A peaceful demonstration and education outreach is being held 

                 immediately outside the gates of the San Diego County Fair to 

                 protest the alleged abuse by elephant ride provider Have 

                 Trunk Will Travel (HTWT) during their elephant training. 

                 Animal Defenders International (ADI) recently released video 

                 footage showing beatings and electric shocks during elephant 

                 training by HTWT. 

--------------- 

WHERE:           The Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del 

                 Mar, CA 92014-2216 

--------------- 

WHEN:            Sunday, June 12, 2011, from Noon to 1:00pm 

--------------- 

WHO:             Concerned citizens and supporters of Animal Defenders 

                 International (ADI), People for the Ethical Treatment of 

                 Animals (PETA), and Animal Protection and Rescue League 

                 (APRL) 

--------------- 

SPOKESPERSON:    Matt Rossell, ADI Campaigns Director, will be onsite for 

                 interviews and can provide copies of the video footage. 

                 Contact Matt onsite at 323-804-9920 

--------------- 

NOTES TO MEDIA:  ADI recently released footage taken in Perris, California at 

                 Have Trunk Will Travel's facility in Perris, California, the 

                 company providing elephant rides at the San Diego County 

                 Fair. The video revealed hitting and 'hooking' the elephants 

                 with bull hooks and shocking them with 'hot shot' electric 

                 shocking devices. ADI presented this video evidence to the 

                 22nd District Agricultural Association Board of Directors, 

                 which oversees the fair. ADI is pleased Board President Barry 

                 Nussbaum directed the fair staff to investigate the abuse 

                 allegations, but ADI is asking the board to immediately 

                 suspend the elephant rides in light of the egregious abuse 

                 depicted in the video by the owners and trainers at Have 

                 Trunk Will Travel. More information is available on ADI's 

                 website: 

                 http://www.ad-international.org/media_centre/go.php?id=2128&

---------------  

     Broadcast quality footage available upon request from media contact 

    CONTACT: Agnes Huff Communications Group 

BREAKING NEWS 11 P.M. - HELEN WOODWARD ANIMAL CENTER 'SPRING FLING' KICKING IT  UNTIL DAWN...

 Several hundred of Rancho Santa Fe and San Diego's finest are dining, dancing and doing the Bow-Wow-Wow at Helen Woodward Animal Center as the Wayne Foster Entertainment conglommeration fills the Big Tent with the sounds of forever.

 (Robin Shull and Machel Shull hosted the best Lemon Twist table ever at the best Spring Fling in memory.)

The event kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with hors d-oeuvres for those who dared compromise appetites before the big restuarant for-all. I couldn't get to ALL of it, but what I did BLEW MY MIND (and stomach buds).  Everything was so good, ummmm, yum. Some faves were the lambchops from somewhere that wasn't listed in the program, Sbicca Bistro's I don't what it was, but it was gooood, Zel's Del Mar pizza, Trulocks fish in batter something that brought me to my knees, Lemon Twist choco-covered-strawberries. I couldn't find Phil's BBQ, but they were supposed to be there. Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, Firenze Trattoria, Cin Cin, THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

 Broadway Tails, as the 'Spring Fling' was known also feaured silent and live auctions, presentations and awards, opportunity awards and even a special lounge where people and the pets that own them could hang for a few.

As soon as we know, we'll let you know what they took in to help the center's varied and important operations throughout the year. But we gotta get ito our doggie bag for some more of them lamb chops. YEOWWIE...

(Photos above: Live auction and dancing or somethng done in the 'impressionistic' style...)

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 23rd Annual Spring Fling is Saturday, June 4

 Promises! Promises! That’s Entertainment! 

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 23rd Annual Spring Fling

We’re making, “Promises Promises” that guests will say, “That’s Entertainment” when Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) hosts its 23^rd annual Spring Fling fundraiser, “Broadway Tails,” on Saturday, June 4, 2011. 

The Spring Fling presented by The Fish Market and EDCO, is San Diego’s premiere black tie event in support of animals and people in-need. The curtain rises at 5:30 PM (until Midnight) under the Center’s covered arena at 6461 El Apajo Road. 

“Most of the upper level tickets have been sold, but we still have a few seats in the other levels,” says HWAC Special Events Supervisor Meghan Trejo. “Co-Chairs Kerry Appleby Payne, Elizabeth Wohlford MacLeod, and Charlene Hooker, with Honorary Chairs Steve and... (more)

English Surfer Ben Ellis Does Cardiff (-at-the-sea, Calif.) on his way to enlightenment, or at least San Clemente...

For more from Ben Ellis, check out Surftide/UK at http://www.surftide.co.uk/.

 The kindness of strangers

So I’ve been staying in Cardiff By The Sea for 5 nights now and loving every moment of it. The weather has been perfect, sunny with a cool breeze. Waves have been a mixed bag. But what has topped it all off is the kindness and friendliness of everyone I have met.

After leaving the boys in Vegas I have been travelling solo and camping out of the back of my SUV. I don’t have any blankets, pillows, sleeping bag or anything. So I improvised and have been sleeping in the back of the car in my board sock, fully clothed, using my dirty laundry sack as a pillow. Some may call that RAW camping!

Anyway, yesterday I met a bunch of people who I guess thought I was in need of a little TLC as I have had a tent, sleeping bag, roll mat, beers and firewood all given to me, without me even asking for a thing. Just goes to show, there are a lot of cool people out there!

I’m now in San Clemente staying at the San Mateo State Park and am fully kitted out and you could say I am almost glamping! Might even treat myself to a hot shower tomorrow as I haven’t had a proper wash since last Sunday!

Tonight I’m going downtown in San Clemente to see Mike (another Mike) and having a few beers and some pizza with my new OC crew!

Happy times!

Catching a few at Cardiff By The Sea, CA from Ben Ellis on Vimeo.

 Meeting Shaun Tomson at Cardiff By The Sea

So last night after spending the afternoon surfing at Cardiff By The Sea I headed over the railroad tracks and up into town in search of some food. I decided to pop my head in the Patagonia store on the way and to my surprise there was a little book signing event and presentation by former pro-surfer Shaun Tomson.

Shaun is one of those guys who is inspirational and full of stoke. I had previously bought his book: The Surfer’s Code and loved it. He has just bought out a second edition and I took the opportunity to purchased a signed copy. Whilst I was there I couldn’t resist getting my skateboard signed and also getting a photo with the man himself.

One word, stoked!

Cardiff By the Sea - Ride #1 from Ben Ellis on Vimeo.

Cardiff By the Sea - Ride #2 from Ben Ellis on Vimeo.

San Clemente friends

So I met Mike Morse in the surf back in Cardiff By The Sea a few days back.

After trading waves with him, Ben and Eli for a few days I was invited to come down to San Diego for the weekend for a house party.

Last night I met a bunch of Mike’s friends, all super cool and chilled out. We had a blast having a few beers and some take out food down here in PB.

This morning we all grabbed breakfast and did a little thrift shopping.

Heading back to San Clemente soon and then one last surf and then it’s time to say my goodbyes and I’m driving up to San Francisco for the flight back home tomorrow.

It’s been a great end to an awesome trip and hopefully well keep in touch and get a few more waves in the near future.

Great people and good times all round, you’ve gotta love SolCal.