22 years ago John Elway sent me to the Pro Bowl armed with many Sony Watchman TV's...

  (The National Football League today plays its Pro Bowl all-star game in Hawai'i. This marks the 22nd anniversary of my one, and only, appearance with the NFL all-stars at Aloha Stadium. I'm DVR'ing the BIG GAME, so don't tell me no stinkin' scores. This is MY Super Bowl in some respects, and I can thank John Elway for the honor.)

John Elway sent me to the Pro Bowl. Guess who is my favorite all-time NFL player.

The Pro Bowl generally is a laid-back affair, past and future, at Aloha Stadium. It features special rules such as no blitzing, no zone defenses, no trick offensive formations.

The games are low-key for a while, that is until the second half when the all-star competitive juices -- not, those kind, lighten up -- kick in and some rules are better honored in their breach than their observance.

But the Pro Bowl is an afterthought as yet, the week before the Super Bowl this year, and in past years the week following the Super Bowl when most everybody has gone football home.

Not for me. The Pro Bowl is mine, baby, all mine, thanks to Elway.

ESPN, 22 years ago, staged a "You Pick the Play -- Quarterback Challenge" contest. For four Sundays in November, viewers of the ESPN game of the week could call a 1-900 number at $5.95 a pop, limited to one call per quarter with the objective of picking the next play a team would run.

ESPN divided the field into sections by yard markers and hash-marks. Plays were assigned point totals. A running play to the right side was one point. A 10-yard pass to the left side was three points. A completed pass of more than 25 yards between the hash marks of the middle of the field had the highest point total. It was five freakin' points.

Under the very fine print section of the rules, ESPN deigned to disclose a toll-free number would be provided if requested. I believe there was some kind of law requiring this. I requested, baby, and I got to work. I studied the offenses of the teams that would appear in the four contest games.

 Elway's Broncos de Denver was one of the teams, and even played in two of the games. It soon became apparent Elway was the guy who was going to punch my golden ticket to Diamond-head. This was the one guy with the arm, desire and ability to max out my point total with long bombs down the middle of the field. I figured he was good for at least one per quarter of any game he played.

So it went and so I went. I missed one the four games for some reason. Guess I had a life beyond football then, can't remember. But basically, I won every quarter of the three games -- two by Elway -- I played. It all came down to that toll-free number and Elway's brain. People didn't much hanker to the $5.95 per call price tag. As an Elway expert, I rode his arm all the way to paradise.

I ended up with eight Sony mini-TV's, a sports video collection, and an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii, and cash, for the Pro Bowl.

Add 2011:

I won two more Sony watchman TV's, too.

However, I was watching one of the Sunday night games with -- believe it or not, one of my 89 Facebook Friends today for random reasons -- Also Aswell. We had just finished watching that darn new show at the time, "Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire" starring Will Smith.

I told him about the contest. Being a highly intuitive artist, Also also known as Chuck said if I won a TV during the next quarter, I should give it to him for the sake of karma. So, he got one TV.

Another TV was lost when Bruce, the curator of the Tulane Jazz Archive, and my supervisor, answered the archive phone. (I used several phone numbers as I recall as a safety measure.) He said, no, Dan would never enter a  contest like that. As I tried to yell from the back of the library to give me the damn phone, he hung it up with a grand flourish. Frenemy to the end,  me bad, he said with a wry smile.

I kept two TVs and sold the rest, mainly to Asian immigrants, although to an Iranian native as well. No matter what price I set, or how we negotiated, the final price always seemed to be $150. Guess that was market value.

One time, a scraggy-looking semi-street guy came around with several small kids and his wife in some ragged kind of jalopy. He said they were living in the car and wanted the mini-TV for entertainment. Was it true? Dunno, but I just gave him the TV. What the heck, they worked like s*** anyway. Sony only sold the model a few years.)

The trip was awesome, of course. I hung out with Japanese girl tourists who gave me strange tasting candy and a...well, PG-rated here. I sat behind the Miami Dolphins offensive line in the stands, amazing them with my play calling expertise as I shouted out each play before it happened.

Saint Morten Andersen, a favorite of mine, one of the top kickers in all-time accuracy, shanked the game-winning field goal attempt. A Dolphin turned around, laughed and advised how he saw Morton partying his arse away the night before at Waikiki.

Ah, good times. ESPN discontinued the contest after that. However, whatever, Elway earned a fan for life.

GOOD GRIEF: (Voice of) "Peanuts" Charlie Brown in a San Diego jail, accused of stalking and terroristic threats

Maybe Lucy jerked away one too many faux footballs. Perhaps Peppermint Patty piddled away too many brain cells. Or Linus, Snoopy and the gang got snared in a web tangled by 50 years of arrested development.

For GOOD GRIEF, the voice of Charlie Brown on several "Peanuts" television specials, now languishes in a San Diego jail, after authorities arrested him 8 p.m. Sunday at the San Ysidro Port of Entry as he returned from Tijuana. A background check revealed a San Diego County Sheriff's Department warrant for his arrest.

Peter Robbins (right) — aka the voice of Charlie Brown — poses more than a decade after the mid-60s “Peanuts” classics with creator Charles Schulz and Sally Dryer, who voiced Lucy Van Pelt. (courtesy of PETER ROBBINS )

Peter Robbins, the 56-year-old voice actor best known as the voice of Charlie Brown in the 1965 classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and the 1966 sequel "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is accused of stalking and threatening a former girlfriend as well as the plastic surgeon he paid to give her a boob job.

Robbins officially was charged Wednesday in San Diego Superior Court with two counts of stalking and 10 counts of making criminal threats. He pleaded not guilty and remained incarcerated on Friday, unable to make bail set at $550,000 by San Diego Superior Court Judge David M. Szumowski. A conviction could translate into a maximum sentence of nine years in prison, attorneys said.

 What's more, the longtime Oceanside, Calif. resident and former voice of Charlie Brown, reportedly has terminal pancreatic cancer. The arrest warrant cited his "increasingly erratic behavior," adding, "he told others he has nothing to lose."

Charlie Brown may have been a bit of a slacker, to say the least, but the voice of Charlie Brown, now all growed up and out on his own, was nothing if not persistent  when it came to the alleged pursuit of love. He is accused of threatening his former girlfriend with up to 37 calls to her cell phone in a 24-hour period demanding repayment for the breast augmentation surgery.

Robbins also said he would kill the ex-girlfriend, and her son, if she did not give back his dog and car. In a twist sure to pluck the heartstrings of devoted Peanuts fans, Robbins named his dog, what else, Snoopy.

The voice of Charlie Brown continued to be a clown, according to authorities, by continuing his threats during a confrontation New Year's Eve at a San Diego hotel room. In this case, he demanded, in person, a full refund for the breast augmentation surgery his former girlfriend had when they were together.

Robbins allegedly beat Snoopy, his dog, in front of her on New Year's Eve, saying he would continue beating the dog and kill her if she didn't get his money back. Prosecutors said Robbins grabbed his ex-girlfriend by the neck and shoved her to the floor before fleeing the scene.

Robbins also is accused of threatening the plastic surgeon, harassing her office with so many phone calls, she hired an armed guard for the La Jolla clinic. Prosecutors said Robbins recently bought a gun and started practicing at a shooting range.

During a jailhouse interview Friday with KFMB-TV, Channel 8 in San Diego, Robbins said he needed a mental evaluation to make sure he was OK and not a threat to himself or others. It may have been a more effective plea if the jailed former child voice actor hadn't a bunch of snot dripping down his nose throughout the interview.

And it may be a while before he gets back to his folowers on Facebook, where his page is dedicated to Peter "Charlie Brown" Robbins and recently featured a series of posts about Lance Armstrong's Oprah interview and solicitations for recipe ideas from "fans."

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)

The Lemon Twist also rises: From the ashes to fresh strawberries and more...

Once a lonely spot on the wide open road from nowhere to far away, the Lemon Twist Fruit Stand has weathered fires, frost and floods over the last 30-plus years, only to emerge in 2013 with fresh local strawberries and much, much more. 

The legend that is the Del Dios Highway farm stand began in 1981 with two recent college graduates, best friends Katie Shull and Trudy Tunstall. They figured the scenic two-lane road from Escondido to Rancho Santa Fe would be the perfect spot for local fruit and fresh produce.

(Photos: Kaie Shull et al at this used to be the Lemon Twist after the 2007 fire.)

The surrounding area featured significant citrus production, including world class lemons and oranges. The Shull family, as well as the McKrinks on the maternal side, ran significant citrus acreage, later opening packing and growing operations still in business at nearby Vista.

The San Dieguito River Valley that runs alongside the stand has flooded several times. Cold weather, on occasion, has hurt the nearby citrus farms. All that was trivial, however, compared to the 2007 Witch Creek Fire that raced down Del Dios Gorge to Lusardi Preserve utterly devastating the small wood farm stand structure along with anything that stood in its path.

With only a small, fragmented outer gate still standing, Robin Shull, the 30 year old co-owner and manager, and family, set out to rebuild the Lemon Twist, going bigger and better, to the delight of an ever-growing number of highway travelers. The reconstructed stand is several times larger, featuring expanded facilities and offerings.

Since it's strawberry season in North County, dammit, the fresh crop of locally grown berries are going into everything from chocolate confections made with fresh daily fruit to salads, desserts and kitchen tables from hither to yon. The Lemon Twist has created a national name for itself in this regard with chocolate-dipped strawberries, and other fruits and gourmet products shipped from its online store.

Also available: Seasonal organic produce an citrus; gifts, local gourmet items, fruit and gift baskets; flowers, orchid, plans and succulent gardens; local, raw, organic Rancho Santa Fe honey, Talavera pottery, garden art, fountains and statuary.

The Lemon Twist is  at 8175 Del Dios Highway. It's open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. The website features additional information and online orders visit http://lemontwistfruitstand.com/ . The stand can be reached by phone at (858) 756-0826.

it's not all champagne and roses in the skies above Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

 Or: Another day, another hot air balloon crash...

With the second downed hot air balloon in 10 days just after 5 p.m. Thursday, this time at Rancho Diegueno Road, not far from San Dieguito Road at Fairbanks Ranch, it's not all champagne and roses in the skies above Rancho Santa Fe. 

This was the scene on Jan. 8 at Rancho Penasquitos where, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesman Maurice Luque, a hot air balloon landed in the back of a home on Calle de los Ninos at Avenida De La Cantina shortly after 4:45 p.m.

The balloon operator who emergency landed Thursday scoured the brush topped hills for a landing space before touching down in a rural residential area near Fairbanks Village Plaza shopping center, according to San Diego County sheriff’s Lt. Mario Zermeno who shied away from saying the balloon crashed. No one was injured, Zemeno said. The "landing" site was within shouting distance of Rancho Santa Fe's newest fire station as well as the Helen C. Woodward Animal Center.

The forced landing followed a more eventful tilt at disaster's windmill on Jan. 8 when one person was slightly injured during a forced landing of a balloon carrying a 14-person wedding party at Rancho Penasquitos, about 10 miles southeast of Thursday's crash. The balloon crashed into a suburban home's yard.

Residents have cited numerous instances of balloon companies abusing landing rules, cutting gate locks, trashing areas including damaging environmentally sensitive landscapes, lying about emergency landings and generally disrespecting community norms.

"We have had confrontations with the balloon people calling us all sorts of names when they land on our properties," said Lynn Diamond, a Rancho Santa Fe Covenant resident who retired in 2010 as Carlsbad Police Department spokeswoman.

"They have put up chains, cut locks and put up their own locks on people's property," Diamond said. "Then, they claim they are landing due to an FAA emergency. Homeowners who try to ask them to leave private property are subject to verbal abuse, threats, lies and profanity.

"They are driving around with their trucks dragging equipment and trashing away," Diamond said. "They are also abusing open spaces and endangered habitat. They land wherever they want. It's definitely not what it is portrayed to be. They are a constant problem."

Likewise, Annie Fonte, a property owner and resident in the covenant area just beyond the Zumaque Gate, along the environmentally sensitive San Dieguito Riverbed, said balloon companies on several occasions had trespassed, scared her animals and generally ravaged the landscape.

"I'll be walking with my dogs and horses," Fonte said, "and often see the champagne corks, napkins and clues as to where they landed. You ask these folks who they are and they are elusive. They won't answer questions. It can be dark and you don't know who these people are. 

The end result, God forbid, is they crash into somebody's home. It would be a tragedy."

(Photo: A pumpkin patch in October, this area by Rancho Santa Fe Village shoppng center serves as a take-off and landing spot for hot air balloon operators although it is unclear if they have the property owner's permission)

Balloonists for hire have landed on her property without authorization three times in the last year, according to Fonte, who also has traced balloon skid marks along several parts of the nearby, and environmentally protected, Lusardi Creek Preserve.

Furthermore, balloon companies said a root cause of local communication problems and complaints stemmed from development in the area depriving them of once available open space landing areas.

Due to the fly-by-sunset nature of the commercial balloon ride for profit industry, it was impossible to determine how many companies offer such services locally. However, those involved in the industry put the number of operators at around nine. About four, or five, operate from San Diego County with the remainder based in the Temecula area
Generally, they offer flights along the Pacific Coast through Carmel Valley and into the Rancho Santa Fe area, starting around dusk and taking place on weekends.

Rides offer champagne or cider, photo opportunities and tours, generally lasting from 30 minutes to several hours. Costs vary but generally are around $80 per person for a half-hour ride to $200, or more, for an hour. A private charter may cost around $650 to $800 for one to two hours.

These businesses typically operate out of homes and meet customers at pre-designated open field areas. Currently, many meet customers near Flower Hill Mall off Via de la Valle or near MiraCosta College off Manchester Road in Olivenhain.

Local operators included Rancho Santa Fe resident Frank Reed and Sunballoon, Connie Von Zweck of Skysurfer from Del Mar, David Bradley of Temecula-based California Dreamin', Panorama Balloon Tours with a Del Mar post office box and apparent home-based location in Carlsbad, Sky's the Limit operated by James Lawson out of Encinitas and Balloon Addicts, location unknown.

Only Reed and Von Zweck agreed to speak on the record about the industry and their activities.

"The balloon companies have not done a good job of promoting themselves," Von Zweck said. "You only hear from people who don't like something. You don't always hear the positive. We need to communicate with the public to educate people and raise public awareness of ballooning."

Reed said, "For the most part, the people in the Rancho Santa Fe area have worked exceptionally well with us. Some people, who have been vocal about us, don't even own the properties. We don't trespass on properly posted property. But landing is an imperfect science."

The Balloon Federation of America is considered the leading voluntary, balloonist membership organization with 3,000 members.

The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, regulates hot air balloonists, according to Ian Gregory, the FAA Western-Pacific Region communications manager. Balloon pilots must pass a variety of written and hands-on flight tests to be commercially rated and allowed to charge people for rides, he said.

The FAA requires any emergency landings to be reported to the agency within 48 hours, but had no record of any in San Diego County from 2002 to 2008, according to the last available sources. There were eight reported balloon accidents in the state and 97 nationwide during that period, Gregor said.

As for liability to property owners would a balloon crash, "Balloonists in such circumstances are trespassers," Gregor said. "When they enter they have no right or privilege, the responsibility is theirs, and they must assume the risk of what they may encounter."

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)

Casting Couch: Real Housewives San Diego seeks Rancho Santa Fe women...

It looks like the Real Housewives concept is coming to San Diego, and for more than just  the great weather. The company making the TV show - Asylum Entertainment - has a casting call out right now looking for women who live in the area.  

The producers are looking for upscale, women who live fabulous, glamorous lives along with their busy social calendars. They say they are looking for the best and brightest, so to speak, when it comes to wealth, glamour, and if you've seen those type of shows, a certain amount of panache and drama.

A series of 50 Tweets sent by the casting agents this week said they were focusing on the La Jolla and Rancho Sante Fe areas.

No word yet on a production schedule or when the show might hit the air.

If you are interested in auditioning for the potential new “Real Housewives of San Diego” show, email your name, age, bio, current photos and phone number to: alex@alexshaw.tv .

Alex Shaw, Director of Casting at Asylum, reached out to a variety of influential San Diegans and media reps via Twitter. Her post read: “Bravo CASTING Housewives of affluent SD areas (Rancho, La Jolla etc). Gorgeous, living the life!” Sources followed up with Shaw for the real story behind the Tweet.

Shaw sent  the Asylum release for the ‘Untitled Housewives Show.’

“Asylum Entertainment is casting its next show in the San Diego area. We are seeking upscale, affluent women living fabulous and glamorous lives.

“We along with a Major Cable Network are looking for outgoing, exciting, strong, focused women who reside in and around the San Diego area that want to share their lives. We are looking for women who are lively and energetic, with defined opinions and views. Our featured women should have busy lives, be involved with the community, have a strong work ethic, and an active social calendar. Most importantly, they should be enjoying the good life.”

The housewives concept launched in 2006 with “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” The original O.C. series is still filming new seasons, although characters have come and gone over the years. The Bravo network also chronicles the lives of housewives in New York City, Atlanta, New Jersey, Beverly Hills and Miami.

Should an artist employ a sales rep? Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild members consider...

It wasn't easy being green for Kermit the Frog and it isn't easy getting greenbacks through selling art, according to Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild members at the group's winter show opening.

Guild members agreed most contemporary artists who haven't established an enormous reputation (i.e. 99.9 percent of artists) generally establish themselves at one, or two, local galleries; or show, and sell, through an art guild or club. Otherwise, it's not like literature or the music business where agents and reps are able to create careers, sometimes even demand.

Longtime art guild officer Cindy Klong had several pieces at the winter show, a valuable opportunity to display and publicize her efforts, she said. She also maintains online galleries and shows at other galleries.

Unfortunately, the chance to connect directly with audiences through galleries is becoming ever rarer, said Barbara Dawson, who owned galleries in La Jolla and Del Mar before returning to full-time curating and creating.

Economic conditions have caused most art collectors to pare down on purchases while rising property values have forced galleries into costly rental situations resulting in cutbacks and closures, Dawson said.

Long story short, unless you're in the $50,000+ per piece sales category, the best way to succeed and sell, for now,  is do it yourself, guild members say, which means aligning with a guild, group and gallery. Then, see if you can take it up a notch from there, fate willing and the Visigoths don't rise.

(Photo left: incoming RSF Art Guild president Kim Doherty)

As for the rest of the story, the new show was OK, the wine was good. They need to do a better job on appetizers and have healthy choices rather than pigs-in-a-blanket mini-hot dog cuisine. In other words, stay classy Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild.

And wait, here's more, straight from the art guild's mouth:

'Impressions of the Soul'

Award winning photographer Manss Aval, as featured artist, unveils his latest collection. 

Join us for a reception Thursday January 10th, 2013 from 5PM-7PM.  Wine & appetizers will be served. 

The show runs through March 2nd.

The gallery is located next to the Union Bank at 6004 Paseo Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe, California. 

Gallery Location
6004 Paseo Delicias (Faces Avenida de Acacias) Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 759-3545    
Gallery hours
Tuesday 10:30 - 1 Wednesday - Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Saturday 11:00-2:00 pm  

Visit: http://ranchosantafeartguild.org/

email: ranchoart@sbcglobal.net

....

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)

Brian Bilbray's last hurrah: Appropriate last speaker at the 112th 'Do-Nothing' Congress

                        (Photo: Brian Bilbray at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 2007.)

The 112th "Do-Nothing Tea Party" Congress ended just before midnight eastern time, Wednesday with a bang of the gavel that followed the last disjointed one-minute whimper from our favorite retiring congressman, Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad.

Representing Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. and the 50th Congressional District following the imprisonment on federal corruption charges of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, Bilbray was known as the congressional cigar club proprietor as well as leader of the anti-immigrant caucus, obviously a pressing issue at Rancho Santa Fe, one of the top 10 wealthiest communities in America.

 Or: Say goodnight, Gracie.

It was a busy day of doing nothing but arguing over nonsense for the GOP Tea Party and its House leadership throughout New Year's Day, but finally, at long last, a two-month stop gap fiscal cliff measure passed the House in painfully bipartisan fashion, just before midnight.

As the GOP House leadership refused to consider a $60 billion funding request passed by the Senate to provide Hurricane Sandy relief, Republican and Democratic congressmen representing Sandy-affected districts spoke in shock and disbelief on the House floor. They passionately assailed the GOP House leadership for adjourning the session before taking action.

Just before the 112th House adjourned for all time, one last speaker strode to the podium, asking for a minute of the House's precious time before dissolving in the mists of history, and not in the good way.

Was it Henry Clay or John C. Calhoun, Sam Rayburn or the second coming of...nah. As Gilda Radner's Emily Litella used to say on "Saturday Night Live," NEVER MIND.

It was the esteemed Imperial Beach native, lifeguard-turned-Washington lobbyist-turned Rancho Santa Fe congressman Bilbray. And he wasn't talking about the fiscal cliff compromise or hurricane relief, he was talking about, d'uh, immigration. IMM-I-F'IN-GRATION.

"In leaving, I just want to say one thing," Bilbray said. "I hear one of the new, major issues you're going to address when this new congress comes is the issue of immigration and those of us in California understand that. 

"I'd ask the one place Democrats and Republicans should be able to agree on this, especially with the budget crisis is when are we going to stop the practice of people who are committing a crime by employing illegal immigrants.

"Take the tax deduction away and require that if a business wants to claim a business deduction for employing somebody that we make sure those employees are legal just by requiring e-verify.

"Again Mr. Speaker, I'm going to miss a lot of these faces around here in Washington but as a San Diegan let me assure you, I will not miss the weather. God bless and thank you."

Say goodnight Gracie, I mean Brian. And for the rest of us, see ya at the next fiscal cliff next month. Immigration issues will have to wait.

They got a little sloppy at Poppy

They got a little sloppy at Poppy...

  POPPY BOUTIQUE

16087 San Dieguito Rd, Ste D2
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

phone 858.756.5528

Store Hours:
Mon-Wed
10am-5pm
Thurs-Sat
10am-6pm

Journey to the top of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (from the lemon twist to artesian road)

Tackling the three hills from the Lemon Twist Farm Stand to Artesian Road, a hearty journey to the very top of the world at Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Dec. 28,2012.

 Me, and tired at top of Hill#2

Heading up the road feeling glad...

 Anonymous secret lake

 Gravel rock trail

 Crosby Estate featuring golfing opportunities for the .1 percent.

 Trail on top of Hill#1, Hill#2 in the background

Osuna Property

 High fallutin' stables

Going up Hill#3

   Cutting through the haze towards home...

Actually, needed to jump this due to page break glitch, really, sorry...

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)

'You Got a New Christmas Puppy! Now What?'/'Don't Ignore New Year's Eve Safety for Pets'

 You Got a New Christmas Puppy! Now What?

Encinitas, CA -- My puppy cries, whines, trips me, nips me, jumps, pees on the carpet, and won’t come when it’s called. WHAT HAVE WE GOTTEN OURSELVES INTO? That’s normal for a new puppy, but the animal experts at Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) in Encinitas remind families with new Christmas puppies that it’s temporary.

“They were so cute at the shelter, rescue, or pet shop, but when you got home they started acting like puppies” says RCHS spokesman John Van Zante. “Like human babies, they’re learning every day. It’s never too soon to teach them the rules. Start with a routine, and stick to it.”  

Breeders and pet stores sell puppies as young as 5 weeks old. Experts agree that pups need at least 8 weeks with their mom and littermates or a trained puppy raising to avoid problems later.  

Here are some tips to help you and your puppy get started on the “right paw.” 
*          Relax and stick to the basics. Meals at regular times, trips outside, playtime, and naps.
*          Socialization and exposure to household noises, surfaces, and handling by humans. 
*          Teach the kids how to handle the puppy and be sure to supervise the interaction. 
*          Older kids can help with the leash, training, and tricks.  

Along with the “Do’s” there are also some “Don’ts.”
*          It’s okay to hug your puppy, but keep it away from your face.
*          No dragging by the leg, the collar, or a leash. 
*          No feeding from the table. 
*          No spanking.  

If you’re still looking for a pet, consider breed characteristics, your home situation, how much time you have for a dog, and your activity level. “Some smaller breeds bark a lot because that’s what they were bred to do. Dachshunds generally don’t make good running companions, while Dalmatians need lots of exercise. Get the dog that fits your lifestyle.”

Barney and friends from Rancho Coastal Humane Society on Vimeo.

Van Zante adds, “Getting a puppy should be fun! Your family needs to work together as a team.”  

The adoption kennels at RCHS, 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, are open Wednesday through Monday from 11 to 5, but will close at 3:00 on New Year’s Eve and be closed New Year’s Day. For more information call RCHS at 760-753-6413 or log on to www.sdpets.org.

 It Can be Dangerous! Don't Ignore New Year's Eve Safety for Pets.

Whether you got a new puppy or kitten for Christmas, or you want to protect your current dog or cat, Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) in Encinitas is sharing a few simple rules to follow to help keep them safe on New Year’s Eve.  

"More pets run away on New Year’s Eve than any other time of the year, except the 4^th of July,” says RCHS spokesman John Van Zante.

“With the commotion, guests, and midnight gunfire pets look for a safe place," Van Zante continued. "That could be under the bed, or out the door and down the street, where they just find more noise, so they keep running until they don’t know where they are.”  

Tips to keep your pets safe (and home) on New Year’s Eve include:
*          Provide them with a crate or other safe place away from the party.
*          Make sure they have food and water….and NO table food.
*          Remind your guests NOT to feed your pets.
*          NO ALCOHOL!
*          Keep pets away from the tree, packages, and other holiday decorations.
*          Even during the party, dogs need “potty breaks.”
*          Don’t put them in the yard and forget about them.
*          Watch out for “door dashing” as guests come and go.
*          If you’re going to go out on New Year’s Eve, leave the TV or radio on. 
*          There’s still time to have your pet micro-chipped so it can be identified if it escapes.  

Families that got new puppies for Christmas have been trying to get their pups into a routine with consistent behavior. Van Zante says New Year’s Eve can jeopardize the training. “Your guests will be there for a few hours, but your puppy will be with you for the next 10 to 15 years. Ignoring your puppy’s routine or allowing guests to teach it bad habits could impact the rest of its (and your) life. Keep your best friends…animal and human…safe this New Year’s Eve.”   

Ash from Rancho Coastal Humane Society on Vimeo.

The adoption kennels at RCHS, 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, are open Wednesday through Monday from 11 to 5, but will close at 3:00 on New Year’s Eve and be closed New Year’s Day. For more information call RCHS at 760-753-6413 or log on to www.sdpets.org.

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

HAPPY HAPPY...

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

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?

Indian music star, and longtime Encinitas, Ca. resident, Ravi Shankar dies at age 92

Ravi Shankar died this afternoon in San Diego after being admitted to Scripps Memorial Hospital last week complaining of breathing difficulties. He underwent heart-valve replacement surgery on Thursday. The legendary musician and his daughter Anoushka were both nominated last week for 2013 Grammy awards in the world music category. Recording star Norah Jones is also the daughter of Ravi Shankar.

Shankar had lived in Encinitas, on the coast north of San Diego, since 1992. The Ravi Shankar Foundation, based there, posted a note tonight saying "With profound grief and sorrow, we mourn the passing of Pandit Ravi Shankar on December 11, 2012. He died in San Diego at 4:30 pm Pacific time." A new DVD was released today of a live concert last year in Escondido.

The prime minister of India has confirmed the death and called Shankar a national treasure.

Three time Grammy Award winning Indian born sitar virtuoso and father of singer Norah Jones died on December 11 in San Diego at the age of 92.  He was surrounded by family members at the time of his death.  No official cause of death has been listed, but Shankar has had upper respiratory difficulties and had a heart valve replacement recently.

“We know that you all feel our loss with us, and we thank you for all of your prayers and good wishes through this difficult time. Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him as a part of our lives. His spirit and his legacy will live on forever in our hearts and in his music,” said family members in a statement.

Shankar’s last public performance was on November 4 with his daughter, fellow sitar player Anoushka Shankar.  Shankar’s latest album “The Living Room Sessions, Part 1” was nominated for a Grammy Award when the 2013 Grammy Award nominees were revealed on December 5.

Shankar is credited with being an influence of musical icons The Beatles - especially George Harrison – the Byrds, and Phillip Glass; and he is the first Indian artist to be recognized in the western world.

He was born Robindra Shankar in what was known as Benares, Uttar Pradesh, British India but is now the Indian city of Varanasi on April 7, 1920.  Shankar made his performance debut at the age of 10 dancing and singing as a part of his oldest brother Uay’s troupe introducing the world to Indian classical and folk music.  Shankar went on to become a teacher and prolific composer – including compositions for Jean-Pierre Rampas, Mstislav Rostropovich, Hosan Yamamoto, Musumi Miyashita, and the score for “Gandhi” - and recording artist.  Believing that he got better as he got older, Shankar composed his first symphony when he was 90 years old.

Throughout his career Shankar played at Woodstock, Monterey International Pop Festival, and the Concer for Bangladesh; he has earned India’s highest civilian award the Bharat Ratna, the Commandeur de la Legion d’Honneur from France, won the Swedish Polar Prize, an honourary British knighthood, and was appointed as a member of India’s upper House of Parliamnet the Rajya Sabha from 1986 to 1992.  Shankar has worked with Yehudi Menuhin, John Coltrane, George Harrison, Philip Glass, Andre Previn, Zubin Mehta, and his children.

Shankar is survived by his wife of over 20 years Kukanya, daughters Norah Jones and Anoushka Wright, her husband Joe Wright, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.  Shankar is predeceased by his son Shubho.

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)

Former 'General Hospital' star Bobbi Jordan dies at age 75 at Encinitas, Calif.

Actually, Bobbi Jordan was a lot more than Rick and Jeff Webber's older sister on "General Hospital," she starred in "The Rounders" and "Blondie" and appeared in the films "Mame" and "A Guide for the Married Man," among other television, film and stage projects over a 40 year career.

Ms. Jordan died of a heart attack at her Encinitas home on Nov. 9, but details were released today. A memorial service is set for 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple, 939 Second St., Encinitas, CA 92024.

She is survived by her son, writer-director Jordan Roberts (March of the Penguins); her grandchildren, Brandon Roberts, a rock musician and songwriter; Cameron Roberts, a high school sophomore and aspiring actor; her sister, Reba Sue Waters; and her stepdaughter, Jessie Jacobson.

Ms. Jordan, born Roberta Carol Bartlett, moved from her hometown of Hardinsburg, Ky., to Chicago, then settled in Los Angeles to study opera. While working as a cocktail waitress, her manager at the club heard her singing in the kitchen and offered her a chance to audition for a musical the place was producing.

Ms. Jordan was cast as the lead in a modern-day telling of the Cinderella story and signed by William Morris. She then landed a role on The Rounders, an ABC Western that debuted in 1966.

Throughout her career, she performed onstage around the country, including a lead role in the first national tour of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Company," as well as regional theater productions of "Guys and Dolls," "Damn Yankees" and "South Pacific."

She appeared in films including "A Guide for the Married Man" with Walter Mathhau in 1967 and "Mame" with Lucille Ball in 1974.

Ms. Jordan transitioned into television in 1966, landing a series-regular role on the ABC Western "The Rounders," followed by roles on "Blondie," "Barbary Coast" and "Joe and Sons."

In the 1970s, she did a two-year stint as Terry Arnett on the daytime soap opera "General Hospital." In one memorable story arc on the ABC daytime soap, she crashed her car after the wife of the man she was dating -- just released from a sanitarium -- tampered with her brakes. (Of course, he would operate on her to save her life.)

 Terri Arnett (née Webber), left, was a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera 'General Hospital'. She was portrayed by actress Bobbi Jordan from 1976 to 1977.

Background

Terri came to Port Charles to take care of her younger brother Rick and Jeff After their parents died. She married Dr. David Arnett, but he died soon after. After coming to Port Charles, she dated Dr. Mark Dante, but soon found out that he was married. Jeff later tried to commit suicide, and while he was lying in the hospital, Terri revealed to Steve Hardy that she had a secret. Terri's mother Helene had told her on her deathbed that that there was a letter that was to only be opened if Jeff's life was in danger. Terri and Steve went and got the letter. The letter said that Steve, not Lars, was Jeff's father.

Later, Mark's wife Mary-Ellen was released from a sanitarium, and she wanted to break up Mark and Terri. She had someone tamper with the brakes on Terri's car, and it crashed. Mark performed surgery on Terri and saved her life. Mary-Ellen later went back into a catatonic state. Terri then moved to Hollywood to pursue a singing career.

Relatives

Lars Webber (father; deceased) 

Helene Webber (mother; deceased) 

Rick Webber (brother; deceased) 

Jeff Webber (maternal half-brother) 

Laura Webber (adoptive niece) 

Mike Webber (nephew) 

Rick Webber Jr. (nephew) 

Steven Lars Webber (maternal half-nephew) 

Sarah Webber (maternal half-niece) 

Elizabeth Webber (maternal half-niece)

Later in the decade, Ms. Jordan had regular roles on the primetime comedies Turnabout, written by Steven Bochco and starring John Schuck and Sharon Gless, and Joe and Sons, with Richard S. Castellano and Jerry Stiller.

She also guest-starred on such series as The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Wild Wild West, Love, American Style, Ironside, Barbary Coast, The Odd Couple, Charlie’s Angels, Diff’rent Strokes, One Day at a Time, Quincy M.E., Nero Wolfe and Highway to Heaven.

TV Appearances 

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

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)

Artist Larissa Gorikh paints the town fantastic with colorful displays of emotive power 

 "Each work I create is a report in itself, which examines the status of my role as an artist in the society within which I function. I believe that the artist must work for the society, to which he or she belongs. This is my assignment as an artist, and my mission in life."

-- Larissa Gorikh

(For more: Visit  Larissa's new web site at http://larissag.artspan.com/)

Larissa Gorikh took the long way to 4S Ranch, Rancho Bernardo and Rancho Santa Fe -- the long, long way.

"I started to draw very early in my childhood," she said. "My grandmother encouraged me: 'Larissa will be an artist!' I copied the great Russian artist, Valentin Serov’s illustrations very often, which pushed my passion to a new world, and my direction to attend art school."

That was in a faraway place called Ussuriysk, a modest city of 160,000 people in Primorsky Krai, about 60 miles north of Vladivostok and 60 miles east of China. Graduating from art school, she went to art college at Irkutsk in Siberia,  prepping for a prestigious place at the St. Petersburg Institute for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, founded in 1757.

Unfortunately, the time was not right; 1991 and the dissolution of the old Soviet arts structure forced a change in plans. "The fall of the Socialist system in 1991 marked a long and profound crisis in Russia, and unfortunately, my desires did not materialize," she said. "I returned to the East and attended the Vladivostok Academy of Arts, where I continued to study and learn the secret of the profession."

 C'est La Vie. Larissa has painted murals at high-toned Cielo mansions and taught art and exhibited at Balboa Park, more recently at 4S Ranch and Rancho Bernardo.

"After completing my academic study, I discovered the theme that would define my paintings," she said. "I found my muse in the theme: 'People and the City'. I explore people’s attitude to life in general and their interaction with the urban situation in my paintings.

To this end, to wit:

"The city is full of noise; a conglomeration of skyscrapers, signs, facades, lamps, auto, rushing roadside pedestrians...I love all the heroes of my paintings. Picturing people close to me in spirit-young, energetic movement.

"Movement is life. I chose an elongated horizontally format, take turns of acceleration and deceleration, strain/energy and lightness. Through the asymmetry of construction suddenness, perspectives try to transmit live feeling of reality. I continue to work on the series: Restaurants, Billiards, Carnivals, and Beaches that continuously refine once found."

 Larissa adds: "I am not indifferent to flowers. I paint them often; in paintings, especially portraits. Flowers recur frequently in my works, in a decorative sense, to evoke emotions, or to add commentary to the subject of the painting."

Living at San Diego since 1999, the artist herself has won many awards and contests in fine art. She is a member of the San Diego Art Institute, Museum of the Living Artist at Balboa Park. She has won jurors choice awards there. She exhibits at many San Diego art festivals, such as ArtWalk, Little Italy, Rancho Santa Fe Art Festival, Harvest Festival, and Del Mar Art Fesitval.

Even better, her new web site at http://larissag.artspan.com/ shows all the latest and greatest work available for purchase as well as other information about Larissa and her quest for beauty.