May 2008 Issue | Download the Full Issue

My assignment was to write a story about possible gifts for Mother’s Day. I had decided to focus on massage and spa packages, as these are some of my very favorite gifts to receive.
What mom doesn’t appreciate a little quality pampering?
But every time I sat at the computer, memories started to flow instead of words about gifts.
Finally, I decided to share some of my most precious memories from a very special Mother’s Day (I promise we will do a story about massage and spa packages some other time).
* * *
It is early Mother’s Day morning. I had been told the night before to stay in bed and sleep late. And, of course, I always do as I am told.
I can hear a variety of sounds in the kitchen. The girls are giggling. There are sounds of the refrigerator door and cupboard doors opening and closing, and stirrings or mixing.
Perhaps they are using the blender or, I hope, the juicer. I hear conversation I cannot quite make out. Smells gently float down the hallway—like toast, perhaps just a bit well done. I recognize the sound of the microwave. I think I hear the front door open and close.
Then, they are coming down the hall towards my bedroom. Their voices growing steadily louder not just because they are coming closer, but also because of excitement.
I hear one say, “Daddy, we can carry it.” There is more giggling. They appear in the doorway with gorgeous smiles, one holding a tray and the other holding a just squeezed glass of orange juice.
If they aren’t heaven on earth, I do not know what is!
Beaming, they shout “Surprise!” and “Happy Mother’s Day!” Their eyes sparkling with a mixture of joy and pride, they serve me breakfast in bed.
This is the first time my little team has prepared such a feast all by themselves.
First, for a beautiful splash of color, I see the three flowers they picked themselves and carefully placed in a bud vase.
And, yes there it is—the gorgeous glass of just picked and just squeezed orange juice.
There is a cloth napkin and the required silverware. Oh yes, there is the toast I smelled, overly done as I expected but buttered graciously and cut in half just right.
And, there are scrambled eggs, done in the microwave to perfection.
I see one more delicacy, but I am a little puzzled. I am just not quite sure what it is.
Now that I have taken in this incredible wonder, I gush with gratitude and extract hugs and kisses from my beautiful little girl team, and daddy who supervised the delivery.
They are anxious to have me tell them how good it is. Which is easy, because how could anything prepared with that much love be anything but the best food ever made?
I am thoroughly enjoying my eggs, even though I do encounter the slightest little bit of shell, and fortunately I like my toast well-toasted.
It is time to taste the surprise item—the one I can’t quite figure out.
I compliment them on how pretty it looks. They proudly tell me it is fruit salad, a dish we make from time to time and that is one of their favorites. I gently ask how they made it. I know that it normally requires cooking a sweet syrup that is added to whipped cream to form the dressing. I am pretty sure they don’t know how to do that yet at their tender ages.
They are very proud to share their recipe. They used miracle whip (it is white and creamy so it makes sense) and added grapes (very good), coconut (we love coconut) and lettuce (surprise). They couldn’t remember exactly what fruit we use but thought the green looked pretty.
They proudly say they remembered to wash the grapes and lettuce.
“Well aren’t you two just wonderful to make this beautiful fruit salad,” I say. “I can’t wait to taste it.” Deep breath. “It tastes just great!” Swallow hard and it will go down. “OK, another bite. But I am SO full! I will have to finish it later.”
Now they have another surprise: Mother’s Day cards they made in school.
They are the most beautiful cards I have ever received or will ever receive, as each carries that special small child, handwritten note “I love you Mom.”
There is more—Inside an envelope is the best gift a mom could ever receive, special time with her children. Inside the envelope were coupons. One coupon was a date (activity to be of my choice) with my older daughter and she would pay (she still likes to go out and is a good little saver even now). Another was for a movie of my choice at home with my younger daughter (we still enjoy watching movies at home together when she comes home from college).
There were other coupons for a variety of chores that I could use to acquire services without complaints, including one from each daughter worth a picked up room. Move over MasterCard, these are truly priceless!
I was lucky enough to talk the girls into letting me use the coupons without giving them up. They are tucked away in the envelope in one of two files which I somehow have not yet managed to put into memory books like some other more efficient moms.
My little girls are now beautiful, talented young women. I love all of the wonderful, thoughtful Mother’s Day cards and gifts they always remember to give (it is OK to keep those coming).
It is amazing to me to be at their apartments and have them prepare something for lunch or dinner.
But, the best gifts are still the ones that include time with them, to talk with them and do things with them.
In the back of my mind and in my heart, I will always still see my two little girls giggling and smiling on Mother’s Day morning.
Happy Mother’s Day to all who have the amazing blessing of being a mom.

Zoofari: Get Up Close & Personal with a Cheetah

The magnificent cat looks at you with intense eyes that miss nothing. Its lean aerodynamic body, built for speed, looks like it was put together from whipcords of metal wrapped with tawny spotted fur.
In the African wild that cat can propel itself across the veldt at an explosive 65 mph and bring down a wildebeest in seconds.
In its enclosure the contrast couldn't be greater—the cat contentedly closes its eyes, rubs its head (crammed with razor sharp teeth) up against the bars, nuzzles the face of its keeper, Kimberly Wright and purrs with contentment. A happy chainsaw might sound like that. Then it rolls onto its back and demands to have its belly rubbed.
Meet Victor, the 18-month old male cheetah and the “goodwill ambassador” of the Zoofari in Bonsall.
Victor’s mother rejected him at birth. He was born in Pretoria, South Africa and he has been raised by humans all his life, including several weeks on the bottle.
Victor is still a wild animal, and no one forgets it. But it’s easy to forget how dangerous his kind is in its African homeland when you see how he reacts with his keepers as if he was a big house cat. He’s very happy when there are people around.
Yet when I am invited to come into Victor’s enclosure, my eyes widen. Now that’s a close encounter with a cheetah! That’s more than I had hoped for.
It’s obviously an offer that I can’t resist, even though when I enter the enclosure I have fleeting thoughts of Seigfried and Roy. Which one of them was put into a coma by his Bengal tiger?
Fortunately there’s a big pile of raw ground meat on the table for Victor, which undoubtedly tastes far better than I would. He eats four pounds a day to maintain his fighting weight of 85 pounds.
While not purring, Victor does allow me to stroke his fur, which is not rough, but feels like that of a large dog. He is magnificent.
He grabs playfully with his teeth for one of the buttons on my long sleeve shirt, but releases it gently at Kimberly’s urging.
Victor is part of Zoofari’s “Vanishing Spots, Cheetah Conservation Campaign.” Zoofari invites you to meet Victor, the world’s fastest land mammal, and also the fastest disappearing.
In his habitat he is as often the hunted as the hunter. Because he hunts in the daytime the cheetah is often blamed by farmers for killing livestock—because they see him and don’t see the other nocturnal predators.
Victor can travel to your venue or you can come and meet him at his home. Along with some of his friends and neighbors.
Zoofari’s mission is to ignite children’s excitement to do what they can to help keep Victor’s wild cousins from vanishing. Today there are an estimated 500-1,000 cheetahs in South Africa and a similar number in East Africa.
Kids are entranced when they see—and hear—Victor. “Nothing compares to hearing him purr,” says Wright.
None of the 120 animals at the 4.5 acre Zoofari enclosure come from the wild. They were abandoned, or are the result of overcrowding at zoos; some were confiscated from owners who imported them illegally.
The enclosure is in a residential neighborhood in Bonsall, just a few hundred yards from the San Luis Rey River, off Hwy 76.
It’s not a zoo. You can’t just pay $10 and enter. But it is available for tours and private parties. Its main purpose is education and conservation. But because Zoofari is a non-profit it also needs all the money it can get from the public to pay the thousands of dollars a month it expends on veterinary bills and animal feed.
It also funds grants to field biologists working to conserve animals like Victor in the wild.
Jackie Navarro, founder and director of Zoofari, doesn’t like the term “rescue” animals, feeling it is overused.
She prefers “non-releasable, displaced and abandoned.”
While Victor is perhaps the most dashing and dramatic inhabitant of Zoofari, he is far from being the only reason for visiting.
When you first enter you are greeted by the raucous laughter of the “laughing kookaburra,” a comical Australian kingfisher, whose hilarious call is instantly recognizable to anyone who has seen a Tarzan movie. His infectious laughter immediately puts you in the mood for the rest of your tour.
One of the first inhabitants we encountered was the white-lipped tamarind monkey, one of the world’s smallest monkeys. As our photographer focused on the little beast it reached out a tiny hand through its cage to touch the lens.
There are other animal treasures to discover: the East Africa Serval Cat, the Siberian Lynx, the coati (more than one are called coatmundi), the bintuong of Malaysia, also known as the bearcat; the fennec (the world’s smallest fox) and the bat earred fox.
If you visit Zoofari or are lucky enough for some of its inhabitants, like Victor, to visit you, it will be the experience of a lifetime.
* * *
To learn how you can help Victor and all of the other Zoofari animals, visit their Web site at www.zoofari.net or call them at 760-630-9230.
Make checks payable to Zoofari, Inc., POB 2771, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Your Guide To Local Camping: Along The Boulevard

With many campsites between Escondido and Temecula, you don’t have to go far to find fun. The scenic corridor of campgrounds along The Boulevard offers some of the best recreation in the country!
Amidst our beautiful mountains and valleys, you’ll find fishing, hiking, biking, golfing, kayaking, water rafting, horseback riding, beaches, parks, sporting events and more! You can busy yourself with hobbies and local attractions, or just kick back and relax.
To make your trip the best experience possible, consider several important things: Do you have a tent or RV? Are you bringing a pet? Do you want to fish? Do you require Internet access?
Below is a simple guide to start your search for a campground along The Boulevard. Be sure to research each site thoroughly to determine which one best suits your camping needs.
Accommodations
While most Boulevard campgrounds accommodate both tents and RVs, luxury campgrounds like Escondido RV Resort and Pechanga RV Resort (Temecula) are RV only!
For those who prefer solid walls while camping, Lake Cuyamaca and Butterfield Ranch Resort (both in Julian) offer cabins and huts to rent.
Fishing
Fishing is accessible at most campgrounds along The Boulevard. Dixon Lake (Escondido), Lake Skinner (Winchester), Pinezanita RV Park & Campgrounds (Julian), Vail Lake Resort (Temecula), Oakvale Park (Escondido), Lake Elsinore and Lake Cuyamaca feature permit fishing, while All Seasons RV Park (Escondido), Champagne Lakes Resort (Escondido), Indian Oaks (Temecula), Tucalota Springs RV Resort (Hemet), Lilac Oaks (Valley Center) and Woods Valley Kampground (Valley Center) feature Catch & Release fishing.
Pets
With the exception of Dixon Lake, dogs are welcome at all the campgrounds along The Boulevard. Some charge a small fee, and do not allow Pit Bulls or Rottweilers, but they are otherwise pet friendly.
If you are bringing horses, note that Butterfield Ranch Resort and Stagecoach Trails Christian Retreat (both in Julian) provide horse corrals.
Swimming
You won’t have a problem finding a refreshing pool of water to swim in while camping along The Boulevard. Escondido RV Resort, Pechanga RV Resort, All Seasons RV Resort, Champagne Lakes Resort, Lake Skinner, Tucalota Springs RV Park, Vail Lake Resort, Butterfield Ranch Resort, Lilac Oaks Campground, Stagecoach Trails, and Woods Valley Kampground all have pools and spas. Indian Oaks features lake swimming, and Lake Elsinore is close to the city’s public beach.
Rentals
Lake Skinner, Lake Cuyamaca and Dixon Lake provide reasonable priced boat rentals. Vail Lake Resort offers memberships to the lake for boating, fishing and water sports, and don’t forget about the paddleboat rentals available at Indian Oaks in Temecula.
Markets & Restaurants
If you like the convenience of stores nearby, several campgrounds can accommodate you. Champagne Lakes Resort has a market/deli, Indian Oaks has a snackbar, Dixon Lake and Stagecoach Trails both have grocery stores, and Lake Cuyamaca has a restaurant.
Internet
If you need Internet service, check out Escondido RV Resort, Pechanga RV Resort, Indian Oaks, Tucalota Springs RV Park, Butterfield Ranch Resort or Pinezanita RV Park.

Your Guide To Local Camping: Oak Knoll Campground

Nestled at the foot of Palomar Mountain, Oak Knoll Campground is a hidden treasure that is becoming less so as more people discover its pleasures.
As you approach the entrance, you might have to wait your turn as a flock of turkeys takes a leisurely promenade across the road from the opposite field.
The campground isn’t laid out in rows—instead a meandering road follows its contours between hundreds of oaks.
This campground has some history. It was once the home of George Adamski, the first American to claim to have seen a UFO—from this very spot!
A little exhibit in the office honors Adamski. Also in the office, which serves as a rec room, are two pool tables and a sideroom of vintage video games.
Whether Adamski ever met any aliens, you can have your own Close Encounter with the stars, which are intense at this location and altitude. The camp has two astronomical grade telescopes, a 6 inch and an 8 inch. It’s also a great place to set up your lawn chair and watch a meteor shower.
As the sun sets and evening falls on a weekend at Oak Knoll, visitors and residents gather around a campfire that blazes in an old washing machine tumbler.
It’s a companionable evening. Besides stories of the day they share a picnic dinner of hot dogs and egg salad. A hunter discusses his day seeking wild tom turkeys. Two friendly dogs sit on their haunches following the progress of the wieners in their buns with interest.
Oak Knoll has cabins to rent with a kitchen, bedroom, living room and loft and sleep six. They have TVs and DVDs but no telephone (who needs one in this bucolic setting?). However there IS wi-fi.
Cost is between $95-$125 a night depending on the season.
There is a mix of permanent residents (most of them casino employees), 36 camping spaces and 10 full hook ups with a fire ring, electricity and water.
That water IS special since it comes directly from the Palomar Mountain aquifer, some of the purest, most delicious on earth.
There are also laundry facilities and showers.
Some visitors have favorite spots they like to reserve, so it’s always a good idea to call ahead.
The casinos are a selling point to many visitors. The nearest is six miles away.
The campground was purchased last year by several Southern California families, including Todd Williams, Troy Kelly, Janis & John Pepper and Paul Hale. All have experience operating campgrounds.
Williams, the fulltime manager, is busy overseeing a general renovation of the campground, including expanding the existing swimming pool and adding a volleyball court to the existing ballfield.
Providing able assistance is the amiable Paul Busch, who has been grounds manager for four years and is considered “the face” of Oak Knoll Campground.
Paul and Todd sit at the office table and chat about how they are readying for summer, when they expect some visiting RV clubs. But any time of year is good at Oak Knoll, which is open year ‘round.
If you have a group, the campground has Reunion Hall, which can seat 100 people and has a commercial stove and fireplace.
While Todd and Paul talk, the screen door opens and slams and an 8-year old boy enters, and announces, unsolicited, “We had a great time!”
“You should do a testimonial,” I advise, but the tyke is headed back out the door.
Oak Knoll Campground is located at 31718 South Grade Rd. Pauma Valley, CA 92061
Call them at (800) 977-3920. E-Mail: service@oakknoll.net.

The Nitty Gritty on Green Flooring

In today’s environmentally friendly focused world, green carpet is more than just a color. According to Jennifer LaVine, Office Manager at Tri-City Carpet in Escondido, there is a great big green world out there with tons of information and numerous options for consumers.
“We see labels everywhere saying this was made from recycled material, or this is energy efficient,” LaVine says. “Industries are becoming more environmentally conscious, so we’re seeing an increase in green awareness.”
On a local level, LaVine said they are just starting to cross the bridge to the green side and people seem to be opening up to the idea of products such as recycled carpet.
Fellow Tri-City Carpet Sales Associate, Kim Itzaina, says she believes educating the consumer is key.
“The term ‘green’ is a broad description used for several concepts,” Itzaina said. “When we see the word ‘green’, we know it means it’s good for the environment, but does it mean recycled or recyclable? Does it mean reusable or renewable? These are each different and it helps to know what each one means.”
The Green “R’s”
So what does each one mean?
Recycled means that some, or all, of the product was made from recycled materials. Polyester carpet, for example, can be made from recycled soda bottles. This is a great demonstration of how recycled products can serve a greater purpose.
Renewable means the product was made from a material that regenerates and grows back such as bamboo or wool.
“Wool is one of the best renewable resources because it comes naturally from sheep who continue to grow more wool,” says LaVine.
Sheep can be shorn every nine to 12 months. Their wool is biodegradable, sustainable, uses no pesticides, is produced by grass (yet another renewable resource), and perfectly absorbs dye to match whatever color your heart desires.
Recyclable and reusable mean the product is made from material that can be recycled or used again elsewhere. For example, when this type of carpet reaches the end of its life, it can be reused to make new carpet or can be recycled into new products ranging from shingles, to brick, to yarn to automotive parts.
Currently, more than 4.6 billion pounds of carpet are being sent to landfills annually. The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), was initiated to reduce the amount of carpet going to landfills. While CARE is making headway in its efforts (746 million pounds of carpet diverted to date), members believe more can be done by consumers and manufacturers.
Mike Kenny, Sales Manager at Carpet Club in Escondido, says that carpet manufacturers are coming around.
“Manufacturers are pushing [green] more than anything,” Kenny says. “They are promoting products that take less energy and less water to make, stuff that is earth-friendly.”
Kenny also points out that synthetic carpet is made from nylon, which is oil-based. One of the country’s largest carpet manufacturers, Mohawk, has a new fiber technology called the SmartStrand, which is corn-based and renewable.
Of course, carpet isn’t the only green flooring available. In fact, wood flooring is the greenest of all flooring products and has its own list of options including reclaimed wood, bamboo and cork. There are also linoleum floors, recycled glass floors, natural fiber floors and even recycled rubber floors.
Where do you start?
It may seem like an ambitious goal to go green with flooring, but it is not impossible. Just be sure to do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. What are the origins of the raw materials? What are the manufacturer’s renewable energy and conservation practices? What is the product’s recycled content? Can the product be recycled after you use it?
You may find it easier to buy recycled carpet than to recycle it, because all the main recycling plants are in Georgia.
“One big downfall of recycling carpet is that there aren’t any plants on the West coast,” Kenny says. “There are a few drop-off locations in Los Angeles, and some installation companies will load your carpet, but they all ship to Georgia. Things are in the infancy stages, but they’re working diligently to improve it.”
Other downfalls include the costs incurred to recover, transport and process recyclable carpet and the fact that there are no financial incentives to consumers to recycle such as with aluminum and plastics.
“The important thing is that people are becoming aware of their options,” LaVine says. “And that is all good news.”
If you are considering going green with your flooring, both Tri-City Carpet and Carpet Club have informed sales associates and informational brochures.

Mission Cancer Diagnostics Center

A good man’s dream has been realized! Since retirement, Dr. Chahin M. Chahbazian has wanted to continue in medicine without a full-time practice.
His knowledge of cancer is profound, since he has practiced his specialty of Radiation Oncology for over 40 years.
He trained in Radiation Therapy at the Penrose Cancer Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the renowned Juan del Regato, MD, a founder of the specialty.
He became Dr. Del Regato’s associate, and director of the Resident Training Program. Eventually, he became medical director of Penrose Cancer Hospital.
Many of his students became respected directors of Radiation Oncology departments at prestigious hospitals nationwide.
He is a diplomate of the American College of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine.
After founding the Radiation Oncology Medical Group of Southern California and praticing there for 20 years until his retirement, he has decided to share his expertise with people in need— people with concerns about cancer, be it prevention, screening, or second opinions.
He gives advice after thorough examinations of the patient. He doesn’t treat the patient, but helps advise of the most appropriate treatment.
The American Cancer Society says 1,400,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2006 in the U.S., and 565,000 patients died. Despite advances in therapeutic therapies, surgery, radiation, or chemo-immuno therapy, the best survival results come from early detection.
“Such is the case of cancer of the cervix, yielding five-year survivals in the 90-95% range in stage I,” says Dr. Chahbazian.
“While the same kind of cancer in stage IV setting will yield only a 15% five-year survival rate. The same can be said for many other types of cancer, such as cancers of the breast, prostate, colon, upper air passages, lung, etc.”
Early detection plays a vital role in controling all forms of cancer. Many programs have been developed to detect it in its earliest stages. Such as breast cancer with mammograms, prostate cancer with PSA tests, cancers of the cervix and uterus with pap smears, cancer of the colo-rectal area with procto-colonoscopies, and cskin, upper air passages and oral cavity cancer with diligent physical exams.
Early detection combined with appropriate therapies increases survival rates.
“While these achievements have been greatly encouraging, more work is needed to extend this advantage to all forms of cancer, such as cancers of the lung, pancreas, stomach, and a few others,” he says.
Mission Cancer Diagnostics Center is dedicated to early cancer detection and to improving overall results.
His program includes:
1) Cancer prevention
2) Comprehensive cancer detection
3) Second opinions for patients who already have a diagnosis of cancer
“In our Cancer Prevention Program, the patient will learn to avoid cancer–causing elements, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive sun exposure, dietary and environmental factors. It will emphasize lifestyle changes, and overall healthy living.”
The Comprehensive Cancer Screening Program screens patients as a whole, rather than one organ at a time.
It submits the patient to a complete, thorough history and physical exam, appropriate radiological and lab tests, and if indicated, a colonoscopy. The purpose is to detect cancers in their earliest stages. Most work is done under one roof with one appointment.
If the finding is cancer, the patient and family will be told the details of the diagnosis, its character, prognosis and will be assisted and directed to the most appropriate form of treatment.
The Cancer Second Opinion Program is for patients diagnosed with cancer.
They get a complete history and physical exam, and a thorough review of all lab, radiological, and pathological findings.
Dr. Chahbazian adds, “Following the complete evaluation of the case, our opinion will be offered to the patient, as to the veracity of the diagnosis, and its treatment options.”
The recommendation may jibe with what the patient has already been told. If so, the patient will be reassured. If not then different treatment options will be discussed in detail with the patient and family. A copy of Chahbazian’s recommendations can be made available to the patient’s doctor.
Questions? Call Mission Diagnostics Center, 1434 S. Mission Rd, Ste. A., (in the Urgent Care Facility), 760-451-3500.

The Perfect Home: Just Ask a Homeowner at... Lake Rancho Viejo!

Priced from the low $400,000s, coupled with incentives of up to $30,000, no Mello Roos fee and a low 1.05% tax rate, Lake Rancho Viejo has become a favorite choice for many first-time home buyers.
Recent homeowners Jeremy & Jessica Kinder were so pleased with the value, craftsmanship and charming location, they knew their search was over. “After renting an apartment in Escondido for four years, we realized the time was right to purchase our first home. We have a young daughter, and we definitely wanted more room, a yard and a family-oriented community,” Jessica explained.
“After spending much time visiting different models, we discovered Lake Rancho Viejo by K. Hovanian Homes. The price range was great and the Residence Two was exactly what I envisioned.
“All of the bedrooms are upstairs and downstairs is a spacious, flowing area for entertaining. The architecture is also very traditional, which we both wanted.
“Jeremy and I were focused on the neighborhood that centered around family living and Lake Rancho Viejo is exactly what we were looking for. We moved in during October and were welcomed right away by other residents, which was a wonderful feeling. The quiet country setting, along with easy access to the freeway, offers us the best of both worlds, and we could not be happier.”
With quaint shops that offer country living and the warmth of a hometown a short drive away, Lake Rancho Viejo offers five floorplans with up to approximately 3,597 square feet of space, three to six bedrooms, 2.5 to four bathrooms and a two-car garage.
Hiking, walking, bike trails, horseback riding, beautiful parks and four of the best golf courses in the country all located within ten minutes, provide recreational opportunities.
Fine dining at some of North County’s best restaurants is also less than ten minutes away.
Lake Rancho Viejo is located in the foothills of North San Diego/Temecula wine country and a short drive from top name entertainment at local casinos, such as Harrah’s Rincon, Valley View and Pala.
Bonsall Elementary, Sullivan Middle, and Fallbrook High are located nearby.
Lake Rancho Viejo is an ideal location for the first time home buyer, a growing family realizing their dreams, or an active adult seeking a resort-at-home lifestyle.
K. Hovanian Homes is a nationally recognized homebuilder committed to excellence since 1959.
Lake Rancho Viejo is located at 3832 Lake Circle Drive, in Fallbrook. Their office is open Monday from 1–6 p.m. & Tuesday–Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 888-286-4573.

Timeless Gifts for Mother's Day at Howell’s Gift Gallery

Looking for an unforgettable gift for Mother’s Day? If you’ve ever heard your wife or mother mention Llardo, Swarovski, Crane, Boehm, Lalique or Stafforshire, then Howell’s Gift Gallery in Bonsall is the perfect place to look.
Owner Jim Howell modestly claims that his gallery consists of fine gifts and home accents from countries around the world.
I’d say it’s a little more than that—Howell’s Gift Gallery consists of any and all things “Mom,” from beautiful porcelain and crystal figurines, to designer jewelry, artwork, musical clocks, stationery and everything in-between.
There’s Armani, Fenton and Murano glass from Italy, Hummel figurines from Germany, Llardo collectibles from Spain, Swarovski crystal from Austria, Cybis Porcelain from the USA and more!
“There’s not another store like it in San Diego,” says Howell, who has owned the business for 25 years with his wife Marilyn.
The Howells spent the first 23 years in business on the coast (Solana Beach, Encinitas and Del Mar). They relocated the store to Bonsall about two years ago.
“This is one of our favorite locations. We have custom-built displays and a variety of inventory,” Howell said. “It’s a very unique store.”
Unique is too simple of a term to describe the exclusivity of Howell’s Gift Gallery. Think of it as Bonsall’s own Neiman Marcus offering high-end, designer collectibles with price tags from a mere $15 to more than $15,000!
“Our customers come in for the names we carry,” Howell said. “They may be looking for a limited edition item, or a new piece of crystal to add to their display.”
But you don’t need a taste for fancy things to appreciate Howell’s gallery. He carries everything from inexpensive frames and stemware to prestigious Western and Civil War sculptures.
“I have too big of taste for an old country boy,” Howell jokes.
Although it was hard to get into the specialty store niche, Howell said once he established a reputation with the vendors, they started coming to him with the latest and greatest items. And if he doesn’t have what you’re looking for, he and his wife can order it.
“We have catalogs available,” Howell said. “And we are also a redemption center for collection clubs such as Swarovski Crystal Society.”
If you’re stumped on what to get for Mother’s Day, check out Howell’s Gift Gallery. You’re bound to find something for the moms in your life, and it’s a pleasurable experience perusing the large collection of specialty items.
Need a tip? Take it from an expert: “Ladies love the Swarovski jewelry,” Howell said. “Without a doubt, it’s one of our biggest sellers.”
Oh yes, I should also mention that if you have a spring graduate, Howell’s would be a great place to visit to find that perfect, memorable graduation gift.
Howell’s Gift Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The store is located at 5256 S. Mission Road, Ste. 901 in Bonsall, and can be reached at 760-945-5256.

Jacob Caltrider: From Singing Phantom To Singing Dog

When Hidden Meadows resident Jacob Caltrider, 18, found his singing voice, one that resonates with bold range and vibrato, it was by accident. So accidental that even he was startled at its depth, range, fullness and intensity.
He had been in shows with the Escondido-based children’s theatre group, Arts Off Broadway, and was cast as the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He began practicing and “blew himself away” along with others, with his ability to belt out tunes, stay in key and on pitch without breaking a sweat.
At age 13 a whole new world opened up.
Caltrider attended Valley Center schools, participating in drama and musical theatre in middle school.
When he auditioned for his first high school musical, Bye Bye Birdie, he had already student directed it in Escondido. His junior year at VCHS he played Josh in Bang, Bang, You’re Dead and as a senior played Captain Hook in Peter Pan.
His drama teacher recommended Jacob for the Old Globe Shakespeare Conservatory where, in 2005, he played MacDuff in Macbeth. He studied dance, circus, voice, movement, working hard and with focus.
With Arts Off Broadway (now Broadway Theatre Arts Academy), Jacob’s roles honed his skills.
He played the beast in Beauty and the Beast; Tony in West Side Story and, most memorably, Jean Valjean in AOB’s 2007 Les Miserablés. Searching YouTube for Jacob Caltrider will bring up clips of Jean Valjean, the Phantom, and Fagin from the musical Oliver.
He produced and starred in Remember Me? written and directed by Scott Kolod, also of Hidden Meadows. In BTAA’s Broadway Extravaganza at Valley Center’s Maxine Theatre he sang Valjean’s haunting Bring Him Home and then the emotionally wrenching finale of The Phantom of the Opera. He played with two VCHS alumni, friend Gibran Lizano (Raoul), and Kelly Miller (Christine).
He directed Grease in 2005 at Kit Carson Park and teaches Drama and Musical Theatre at local elementary schools.
His recent role as Stonewall, the dog with a large, loving family but no “house” of his own, in the world premiere of The Daddy Machine, marks his first paying gig. (The Daddy Machine premiered at the Diversionary Theatre, and played at SDSU’s Theatre of the World Festival and Cal Sate Long Beach).
I interviewed him when he returned from performing for the Holland America Cruise Line.
Q: How did it feel to play on a ship?
A: It felt great! It was a little weird adapting to the swaying of the ship, but it was a lot of fun!
Q. How did your role add to your growth as an artist and as a person? How does it feel to get paid to act?
A. Stonewall is such an energetic, fun, and campy character—not to mention he’s a singing, dancing dog. He is onstage most of the show. It took awhile to adapt to the constant energy —he's always moving, always thinking, always excited—Having a chance to work with Rayme (composer, Rayme Sciaroni) and Patti (playwright, Patricia Loughrey) is just amazing. Being the first to create this character onstage, it was exciting to have the creative minds behind the work there to help flesh things out.
Once in awhile I stop and think, “I’m getting paid to do what I love most!”
The theatre and audience size (on the cruise ship) changed the performance because we had to make everything bigger. We are used to performing in intimate black box theatres.
Q. What do you want to play on Broadway?
A. I love the roles the audience loves. It makes me feel like I've really done my job. I really liked playing Jean Valjean, Fagin, The Phantom (even though it was a workshop scene). My dream role would be The Phantom. I love the show, and the character is so interesting. I grew up with the music, and would LOVE to play that role!

10 Places in North County to See Before You Die!: The San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park

Feel like going on safari, but without the Africa part? If you have never visited the San Diego Wild Animal Park, or haven’t been there in a few years, you owe it to yourself to visit.
Don’t use that word “zoo,” even though it IS a zoo facility.
What ZOO do you know where you can see herds of giraffes, antelope and rhinos roaming a landscape of hills that looks very much like their home?
The Wild Animal Park, which is set on Hwy 78 between Ramona and Escondido, in the San Pasqual Valley, is as much a habitat as it is an attraction.
It is the home of over 3,000 animals and 430 species spread out over 1,800 acres—which gives them plenty of elbow room!
Some of the more popular attractions include “The African Express,” an open air vehicle tour that is meant to give an experience akin to a safari. It provides an intimate, close-up view of the rare white rhino, Cape buffalo, gazelles, African crowned cranes and more. The African Express travels 2.5 miles around the perimeter of the park’s 213 acre African field.
After you’ve seen these grazing animals, you might want to see their natural enemies (in a separate enclosure, of course!) by visiting the realistic Lion Savanna. You’ll see a pride of the King of Beasts in their natural grassland environment.
They are separated from you by a 40-foot-long very strong glass panel that provides excellent photo opportunities.
Another popular attraction is the Wildlife Discoveries animal encounters. Guests can get close to cheetahs, alligators, servals and other exotic animals.
Of course, no trip to the park can be considered complete without a visit to Condor Ridge, where, in addition to seeing the largest bird in North America, which has been brought back from the brink of extinction, you can see some animals that share their habitat, such as bighorn sheep.
There are many family-friendly activities at the park, such as the Samburu Jungle Gym and the new Discovery Station, full of educational activities that teach kids about Africa using crafts, a puppet theater and a straw bale house.
Another kiddy treat is the Petting Kraal, in Nairobi Village, where you can pet and feed deer and antelopes.
If you’ve ever wondered just how fast a cheetah can run, find out at one of the park’s special tours, the Cheetah Run Safari.
This is offered for just a few people on weekends, but it is well worth the $69 price. You’ll be able to see the world’s fastest mammal go whooshing by as fast as a speeding car.
Reservations are required at (619) 718-3000.
Another activity that requires reservations is the Photo Caravan Safari where you can play bwana and shoot pictures of giraffes, Cape Buffalo and wildebeests from inches away.
For a bird’s eye view of the park try the Balloon Safari.
We know from personal experience that a true kid’s favorite is the Roar & Snore, which is basically a sleep over with your buds the giraffes, rhinos and lions. As your kids know, even if you do not, many of the park’s most interesting animals are nocturnal, which means that they come alive after sunset.
Roar & Snore is offered seasonally and reservations are required. Call (619) 718-3000. Cost is $89-$209.
For those with a more contemplative mood, you can always achieve peace by visiting the park’s botanical garden with 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens.
Some upcoming events at the park include the Epiphyllum Show May 3 & 4, Park at Dark, June 16 – Sept. 3 and the Garden Festival Oct. 4 &5, 2008.
And do NOT miss the Festival of Lights Dec. 7-23 & 26-30 when the park takes on a magical character, lit up by 100,000 lights.
For more information (760) 747-8702 or (619) 234-6541 (recorded) or visit their Web site at www.wildanimalpark.org.

Western Days Is Good, Old Country Fun!

On the Memorial Day weekend it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from the Boulevard to Western Days in Valley Center.
This slice of Americana harkening back to the good old days of Main Street and the Old West has been happening every year in Valley Center since at least the 1950’s.
The festival, which is sponsored by the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce on May 23-25 combines an old-fashioned parade, Western shoot-outs, a carnival, vendors, goooood eats, live music and boot scootin’ fun.
Opening Day begins Friday at 5:00 p.m. with a bank robbery at California Bank and Trust and then the announcement of the Honorary Mayor Race Winner at the Community Hall at 7:00pm. The carnival, which opens at 6 p.m. and stays open until 10:00pm will have rides for all ages including a ferris wheel and games where you can compete to win your date that large stuffed-animal. Gates will open to the beer garden at 6:00pm and stay open until 10:00pm.
Saturday morning begins 7:00 a.m. with the Rotary Club Pancake breakfast held in the Towne Center parking lot (corner of Valley Center & Cole Grade Roads). Warm pancakes, sausage links and fresh eggs are served up by the local Rotarians.
After breakfast everyone stakes out a spot along Valley Center Road to await the start of the parade.
The Parade, themed this year, “God Bless America,” runs from 10 a.m. - noon., active military and their families being the guests of honor along with Max Mazzetti, the grand marshal of the parade. The main body of the parade includes, floats, clubs, local businesses, fire engines and horses.
At the conclusion of the parade, the festivities will shift to VC Community Center where there will be vendors, food booths, exhibits, demonstrations, face painting, a carnival with rides for all ages and music/dancing, including salsa lessons. At 7:00pm, the #1 Jonny Cash Tribute Band, Cash’d Out will play on the outdoor stage to allow plenty of room for dancing under the stars.
While you’re there you may be tempted by the savory odors of the Homesteaders 4-H barbecue. The meal will be held Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until all the food is gone.
Entry into the Community Center on Saturday is $3 for ages 11 & up or FREE if you are wearing a 2008 Western Days T-shirt or show Active Military ID.
Parking will be across from the Community Center. Cost is $2. Proceeds will go to the VC Lacrosse team.
Make sure to keep an eye out for the Marshal’s Posse showdowns throughout the day as they throw men through windows and fall off buildings.
The Beer Garden will be open and the carnival will be in full swing until 11:30pm.
Sunday is “Community Day” and it opens with the Lion’s Club Pancake breakfast from 7–10 a.m. at the Community Hall.
Food, vendor booths and the carnival will open at 10 a.m. and local performers will take center stage throughout the day until 5:00 p.m.
For more information visit www.valleycenter.com.

Great Location, Unforgettable Food... 150 GRAND CAFE

If 150 Grand Café relocated from 150 West Grand Avenue in Escondido, it could still keep its name on the premise that you’ll say the food is “grand” about 150 times during your meal.
Yes, it’s that good.
Perhaps it’s because the meals are made fresh with healthy, organic produce from local growers.
Or maybe it’s the premium certified Angus beef and the all-natural oils they use. I believe it’s a combination of all the above, in addition to extremely passionate owners and extremely talented chefs.
When owners Mark & Faith Missler bought the already well-known restaurant more than three years ago, they transformed the ultra-contemporary menu into what Mark refers to as Contemporary American Cuisine (aka fine dining with classic food preparations and pairings).
“Food should make you feel good,” says Missler. “We use fresh, all-natural ingredients with creative blends and presentations. It’s classic American foods with fundamental flavors.”
One look at the menu will stimulate your taste buds—Honey Peppercorn Salmon, Braised Beef Ribs with Mocha Espresso Demi Glace, Apple Brandy Braised Pork, Raspberry-Orange Glazed Duck…are you hungry yet?
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, 150 Grand Café has the perfect plate for your appetite.
If you’re up for brunch on Sunday, stop by 150 Grand between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. These lively brunches feature a live New Orleans jazz band, a gourmet buffet of New Orleans flavored food and a complimentary glass of champagne, mimosa or juice.
Lunch is served Monday–Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with specialties such as Sauteed Idaho Trout, Oven Baked Honey Peppercorn Salmon, Pan Roasted Chicken Breast and Grilled Top Sirloin Steak.
Don’t miss dinner which is served from 5–9 p.m. nightly. 150 Grand’s ideal location makes it a great date night restaurant before performances at the California Center for the Arts, or a movie at Escondido’s Regal Cinema. From penne and linguini pastas to Chinese Chicken and Tequila Orange Beef Salads, you’re bound to have a tough time deciding just what to order.
What do guests keep coming back for? According to Missler, it’s their signature crab cakes and banana crème pie.
You can’t help but note how much crab meat is in a single crab cake. It’s all meat—delicious, fresh blue crab served with lemon Aioli and organic greens. Another must have appetizer is the Pepper Seared Ahi Tuna Tostada, which Missler said they changed a little once, but had customers asking for the original back.
If you’re up for a twist, try the Roasted Beet and Herb Goat Cheese appetizer. It’s drizzled with a homemade hazelnut vinaigrette that you’ll want to drink from a cup.
Dessert fans will love the popular Banana Crème Pie made with fresh bananas, rich banana crème and topped with chocolate and caramel sauce. Other desserts include Chocolate Lava Cake, Espresso Crème Brulee, Key Lime Sabayon Tart and more.
“It’s the little details that make our food so good,” Missler said. “And we add new meals regularly to freshen up our menu. This way repeat customers can still have their favorites, and try something new at the same time.”
Missler is a culinary professional with more than 25 years of experience in the business. He has done everything from serving, to teaching servers, to being a consultant for restaurants, to owning 150 Grand Café with his wife. He still gets excited while talking about food and compliments his incredible staff, especially Executive Chef Scott Clark.
“One of the first things I noticed about our chef is that he makes great soups,” Missler said. “And he makes an absolutely fantastic duck.”
It’s not all just about food at 150 Grand Café. There is ambiance, music, wine, service, décor and more! If you’re looking for a special date night, celebration dinner, or just want a delicious lunch, stop by 150 Grand Avenue. It will be a pleasant experience that you will remember for a long time.
For more information, see www.150grand.com or call 760-738-6868. Reservations recommended.

Thornton Winery

When in June the winemaker deliberately throws half the grapes growing onto the ground to improve the remaining fruit on the vine, you expect a more expensive, but also a superior, even a prize-winning, vintage to result.
Winemaker Don Reha of the Thornton Winery did that to produce the winery’s flagship wine, the limited edition 2005 Estate Bottled Syrah.
Sixteen clusters per vine is the optimum number. That will result in 7-8 pounds of nearly perfect fruit that will ripen to a more intense flavor. The result was this superior edition, says Reha.
That’s obviously something that he can’t do for every wine, but for the Estate Syrah, it was worth it.
Thornton, which was established in 1988 (and is celebrating its 20th anniversary), mainly to produce sparkling wines using the Méthode Champenoise, today uses those skills to make 14 still wines and six sparkling bottle-fermented wines.
I recently toured their winery, located in a French-style chateau with a view of Temecula Valley.
An estate bottled wine is produced from grapes grown on the winery grounds. Although Thornton buys 95% of its grapes from growers in Temecula, Reha reserves the syrah grapes grown on the property for the Estate Syrah. He uses about 2% petit syrah, a red grape, for the Estate Syrah.
“The petit syrah grape adds a little bit of structure and backbone to the wine’s normal velvety structure,” says Reha.
The wine was aged 21 months in new and used French oak casks.
When you taste this wine your palate will be touched by competing flavors such as black cherry, plum, a hint of cocoa, spices such as nutmeg, anise, lavender and rose petals. The wine has a deep, rich, red color and a matching rich flavor that marries well with a rack of lamb that’s not overly done on the rosemary, or a tri-tip roast.
The tannins in the Estate Syrah are silky and refined in this vintage, which, Reha says, will probably hit its peak of perfection in three to five years.
When you finally drain the glass the wine will leave vestiges of vanilla-spice and smoky oak on your tongue as you savor its lingering flavor.
Another very fine wine that I tried while visiting Thornton was the Nebbiolo. Another deep, rich, red wine, this one is a result of the well-known Italian varietal that has become one of the premier varieties in the Temecula Valley. Thornton’s Nebbiolo was first released last August.
I tried a glass and was, of course, immediately enraptured.
“It’s a huge, huge wine!” exclaims Reha, “with a lot of black fruit and spice and earthy tones.” This is another limited edition, one of 339 cases. It was aged for 20 months in one-half new French oak and 50% two-year-old American oak casks.
Limited edition wines are usually made from 3-7 tons of fruit that result in 300 cases of wine. That’s compared to a large lot of from 1,500-2,000 cases.
The great majority of Thornton’s wines are sold on the property, although soon some of them will be available in China in Yiwu, which is a large industrial city in the central part of the country.
Reha, who has been a winemaker for 23 years, grew up in Ukiah, in Mendocino County. His next door neighbor was a winemaker for the Fetzer Vineyards, and so he basically grew up learning the trade. He began his career at Fetzer Vineyards, went on to Cline Cellars, and eventually Renwood Winery in Amador County before coming to Southern California.
Thornton Winery’s mission is to promote the whole culture of food and wine.
“We don’t promote wines as ‘fast as you can,’ like some wineries,” says Reha. “We want people to walk away with a knowledge of wine.”
Cafe Champagne’s Executive Chef, Steve Pickell, offers a menu that marries dishes that are prepared using fresh, local produce from local farms, key ingredients and simple flavors.
“We are trying to regain our status as the number one spot for food and wine in the region,” says Pickell, who has been voted “Chef of the Year” once by the California Restaurant Writers Association and once by the Southern California Restaurant Writers’ Association.
When he says “regain” he’s not implying that their quality has gone down in recent years, only that there are many more new wineries to compete against—so they must try even harder.
The menu offers a variety of gourmet dishes, with suggestions for the best wines to go with them.
That combination of local grapes and local farm produce makes for not only a meal that wins awards, but one that wins the only sobriquet that you, as a discerning diner and oenophile care about—the award that you will give it when you sit down to dine!
For 20 years the Thornton Winery has hosted an annual summer Champagne Jazz Series, which combines the finest jazz with some killer cuisine provided by the Cafe Champagne and premium wine selected by winemaker Don Reha.
Artists this year include David Benoit, Richard Elliot, Jeffery Osborne, Boney James, Keiko Matsui and Bobby Caldwell. Cost is $65 general admission, with Gourmet Supper packages at $135. For tickets or questions call 951-699-3021. Tickets may be purchased online, and the entire concert schedule may be viewed at www.ThorntonWine.com
The Thornton Winery is located at 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula. Call them at 951-699-0099 or email them for information at info@thorntonwine.com.

Vista Valley Country Club: An Exceptional Course With Plenty of Character

Vista Valley Country Club is everything that you should, and would expect, from an exceptional private country club, a beautiful, well-manicured 18-hole championship golf course full of personality and character.
It has a courteous and helpful staff. It also offers tennis, one of North County’s most satisfying dining experiences, and, under new ownership, a link to one of the country’s premier spas, Cal-a-Vie, adjacent to the property.
The golf course, a 6,383 yard, par 71 layout, designed by renowned golf architect Ted Robinson, is a challenging experience for even the most dedicated duffer.
Given its challenges, this layout is best played the first couple of times with an experienced club member, one who has been there and done that.
The front 9, the Valley in Vista Valley, winds through some of the most picturesque canyons in North County.
Streams, some seasonal, placid ponds and hills dotted with sycamores and oaks surround the first half of your golfing experience. This course is not surrounded by homes or construction, which makes playing the front 9 a park-like experience. But don’t be deceived; playing Vista Valley is no causal walk in the park.
This is a course of elevated tee boxes and greens, lots of slope, and fairways and greens that are both undulating and in some cases tiered.
The greens are some of the best that I have played. Clearly Vista Valley has a greenskeeper who knows his or her trade. There are virtually no fairway bunkers, and the green side bunkers, currently being outfitted with new sand, are not particularly difficult or plentiful. But they are well-placed.
However, Vista Valley doesn’t need to be toughened up with bunkers, it’s plenty tough enough.
Many holes have doglegs, some severe. There are blind shots, and the fairways are tree-lined and tight, but at the same time fairly rewarding accurate tee shots. The par 5’s will test your endurance and strength, and the par 3’s your accuracy. It’s shot making and target golf whatever your choice of words, along with a solid dose of course knowledge that will yield benefits for your effort.
On the front 9, holes 4–7 are four of the most beautiful golf holes in all of San Diego—actually drop dead gorgeous. The scenery can easily distract you from the challenges of these holes, four of the most difficult on the course.
Number 4, a 433-yard from the blues, par 4 is the number one handicap hole. Number 4 is a slight dogleg left with an elevated tee box. There is no room for error off of the tee or on your second shot, tight all the way to the green. There is a seasonal creek on the right, plenty of trouble on the left, and the green is elevated. Avoid the front right bunker as it will present problems.
I loved this hole; I could play it and punish myself all day long. A great risk/reward hole.
Numbers 5–7 are not particularly long holes but will reward those who can execute accurately.
Number 5, the amen corner hole, complete with an amen corner bridge to the green, is a short 352-yard par 4, but deceptively difficult. A well-placed tee shot will let you chip over the creek in front of the green and onto this elevated green.
Number 6, another short par 4, 369 yard is a dogleg right. Hit your tee shot to the top of the crest of the fairway and have a good view downhill into a small, well-bunkered green. This hole is all about placement and accuracy, a wonderful golf hole.
Number 7, a 351-yard par 4, is the geese hole. Number 7 has a severe dogleg left. A well-placed tee shot will give you a good view up the hill to the green. Be careful of the geese on the right hand side of the fairway on your second shot.
The back nine is carved into the hills, and is the Vista 9 of Vista Valley, and is more of the same: tight narrow fairways, lots of slope, doglegs, and challenging greens. Add the prevailing breezes to the back 9 equation, and it becomes, in my mind, the more difficult of the course.
Number 15, a long 533-yard par 5, all up hill that plays with the prevailing winds will test both your strength and endurance. You would not want to play number 15 into a Santa Ana wind. You can use the driver on this course, but use it at your own risk, almost exclusively on the par 5’s.
The new ownership has big plans for Vista Valley. They have already put over $2 million into course improvements. Under way is the lengthening of several of the holes and the tee boxes, which presently offer four options for all different abilities. A multi-million dollar construction of a new clubhouse is planned, and the affiliation with one of the country’s most exclusive spas is certainly attractive.
The club offers a full range of practice facilities, including a driving range, putting green, and a short game practice area.
The dining room is open for lunch most days and for dinner on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Considering a private club in the area? Give Vista Valley Country Club a long, hard look. I believe you will be impressed.
For more information call 760-758-2800. For banquets, weddings, etc. ask for Sue Stein.

The Boulevard Magazine
P.O.B. 1529, Valley Center, CA 92082
Tel. 760.749.1112 Fax 760.749.1688