March 2010 Issue | Download the Full Issue

Once again the world of art is casting an eye towards Fallbrook—Large crowds are expected from San Diego and Los Angeles to attend the World of Watercolor exhibit—now being featured at the Fallbrook Art Center.
“Once again, that crazy little art town of Fallbrook has put themselves on the map by conceiving a show unlike any other watercolor exhibition,” declared Pulitzer Prize winning artist Berkeley Breathed recently.
The 2010 Travel Show from the National Watercolor Society's 89th Annual Exhibition is making its first stop in Fallbrook before continuing across the U.S. and Canada.
There are some stunning pieces among the 57 in the show featuring the medium that one of its most prominent exhibitors calls “the magic medium,” and you have until March 28 to see them.
The show is being presented in the Janice Griffiths Gallery and is the center’s Inaugural Signature American Watercolor Exhibition, featuring the National Watercolor Society’s 2010 Travel Show from the 89th Annual Travel Exhibition.
It features works by Signature Members of water media societies across the U.S.
What makes this show so special is the inaugural presentation of a show conceived by the Fallbrook Art Center–the Signature American Watercolor Exhibition.
This show is unique because only Signature Members of recognized national watercolor societies were eligible to participate. The show was judged by Frank Webb of Pennsylvania who has been painting and teaching for over 50 years. Webb, a nationally-known watercolorist of seascape landscapes of seaside towns and village, commented “I found these entries were very competitive since only credentialed artists were qualified, whereas most of the big shows are open to all.”
Webb who attended the opening of the show also conducted a workshop at the School of the Arts.
The top award of $1,500 for the Fallbrook show went to San Diego artist Su Y. Kown, a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society and the San Diego Watercolor Society for her painting “Odyssey.”
Louis Stephen Gadal, a Los Angeles watercolorist, was the only artist chosen for both shows.
Although from Los Angeles, Gadal is very impressed by Fallbrook and its growing reputation as an arts hub.
“Fallbrook is out of the way but it seems to be a huge art center,” he observes.
Gadal is a longtime watercolorist who attended the now defunct Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, which was one of the best art schools in the country at the time.
The celebrated California artist Rex Brandt was his first instructor when he taught watercolor painting and composition classes at the institute in the early 1950s.
“You get hooked on watercolors,” says Gadal. “It’s the magic medium. No other medium quite works like it. You can layer layers of different colors and visually the eye mixes them. You can’t do that with any other medium. On some of my paintings I have as many as seven layers and you can see all the way through!
“People say it’s the most difficult medium to work in and yet people often look on it as a second class citizen. It gets classified as the medium for the beginner, yet masters have a great deal of respect for the medium,” he says.
Gadal paints a lot of maritime subjects, such as “tall ships,” and is a member of the International Society of Marine Painters and the American Society of Marine Artists, which, he asserts, “has some of the best marine artists in the world.”
If you are a “traditional” painter you are somewhat limited to the venues of art, including Western art, maritime art and animal art. Those are generally the fields that traditional painters turn to, notes Gadal.
Gadal is not a sailor himself, although he has sailed on some of the tall ships that he has painted. He has had his work featured at a show on the Star of India in San Diego and also juried a show there.
He also finds subjects to paint at the national parks up and down the coast of California.
About the Fallbrook show he observes, “It is fairly well representative of the water colors shown in the society. Such a wide variety from the abstract to the very real paintings. These are some of the better painters in the country.”
Gadal is a Signature Member of several watercolor societies including the preeminent American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society among others.
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The show is open daily through March 28. Admission is $5 for FAC members while those under 18 as well as members of the military are admitted free of charge.
For a complete list of participating artists and photos, visit: www.fallbrookartcenter.org.
The Fallbrook Art Center is located at 103 South Main at Alvarado in Fallbrook.
Call 760-728-1414.

Hidden Meadows' April 10th Fashion & Garden Show Tea

The groundhog may have seen his shadow and retreated back into his burrow, but come hail, sleet, rain or snow, the 19th annual Hidden Meadows Fashion and Garden Show Tea will be held on April 10.
The venue for this annual event is the beautiful and historic Twin Oaks House and Gardens, located at 236 Deer Springs Rd. and is 1.8 miles west of the I-15, where there is plenty of parking. The event is from 1–4 p.m. and features an afternoon tea and coffee service with delicious finger sandwiches and pastries.
The fashion show and tea are inside a very large and elegant “party” tent that is carpeted and heated …however the organizers of the event suggest you bring a sweater or jacket just in case.
Once again fashions are provided by Macy’s North County Fair. The fashion theme this year is “what to wear around San Diego” and you will enjoy fashions from the very casual to what works for the opera!
There will be a no host wine and soda bar, raffle items (bring money to purchase your tickets!), free door prizes and two garden demonstrations-all within the Twin House environment that is filled with plants, shrubs, gardens and trees of every variety.
There will be beautiful garden pots and Hidden Meadows fabric bags to purchase for $10... Just to clarify, for just $10, you receive BOTH the pot and a Hidden Meadows fabric bag!
As in the past, there will be a variety of drawing items (housed in beautiful baskets!) for you to “bid on” by placing a purchased ticket in a box for that item-if your ticket is drawn-the item is yours. So bring your cash to buy lots and lots of tickets for lots of opportunities to win anything from jewelry to a golf package!
This article mentions free door prize tickets and you have THREE opportunities for a ticket… purchase an event ticket, bring a non perishable food item for the Interfaith Community Council AND wear your favorite and fun spring bonnet/hat/cap!
Buy your $29.50 ticket (there is no special price for children) for a great event that supports three very worthy non-profit organizations: The Salvation Army, the Escondido Interfaith Community Services and the Hidden Meadows Community Foundation.
Tables hold up to 10 guests so get your friends and family together for this fun outing! Reservations are easy: call Joyce Larson today at 760-532-1694 to reserve your space.
Joyce hopes to hear from you this week. Tickets go quickly (the event was sold out last year!) Where else can you go for under $30 and enjoy a delicious tea, bask in the beauty of incredible gardens, win fabulous drawing AND door prizes, enjoy fun fashions from Macys, learn something new about gardening, receive up to three free door prize tickets AND, at the same time, know that money spent at the event goes to three worthwhile non-profit organizations?
Questions? Call Betty Ann Field at 760-443-2828 or email her at bafield@cox.net.

Fallbrook Auxiliary Members Surpass One Million Volunteer Hours

They say volunteers make the world a better place. At Fallbrook Hospital, volunteers not only make the world a better place, they also make baby clothes, blankets, booties, as well as courier trips and newspaper delivery rounds.
With about 140 active volunteers, Fallbrook Auxiliary members are always happy to help. From the smiling faces you see at the hospital admitting desk, to the friendly faces delivering the menu to your hospital room, Auxiliary members have logged more than one million volunteer hours. Yes, more than one million—and they hit that milestone in 2006.
In 1959 when the Auxiliary was first established (the organization just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year), Fallbrook Hospital was a small, non-profit, 18-bed facility run by the Fallbrook Healthcare District. Being non-profit, the hospital was in constant and dire need of funds for new equipment. The Auxiliary played a major role in fund-raising, furnishing and ultimately building the foundation of the Fallbrook Hospital.
As the hospital grew, so did the Auxiliary’s service. In 1986 the Auxiliary established its popular Courier Program, which transports Fallbrook Healthcare District residents to medical appointments as far away as downtown San Diego.
“We’ll drive our patients everywhere from Temecula, to La Jolla, to Escondido and San Diego,” said B.J. Johnson, president of The Fallbrook Auxiliary. “Most of our volunteer hours are logged on the courier service, and it’s strictly volunteer.”
By “strictly volunteer,” Johnson means that their courier service is free of charge. It’s a donation-based program that relies heavily on fund-raising and grants.
While donations and grants go towards the Courier Program, other funds raised by the Auxiliary go towards scholarships for local students looking to pursue a career in the medical field. All proceeds from the gift shop go directly to the scholarships, as well as funds brought in from annual fund-raisers. In 2009, the Auxiliary gave $33,000 worth of college scholarship funds to 19 students from Fallbrook and Bonsall.
“Our scholarship program is the largest, single benefactor in the community and touches many lives,” said Johnson.
The Auxiliary’s main fund-raisers include Holiday Settings and the Stay at Home Tea. Holiday Settings is a dinner event held at Fallbrook’s Grand Tradition. Part of the fun is a small competition between hostesses as they each decorate a table and decide which one has the best theme. “Stay at Home Tea” is simple—the Auxiliary mails out bags of tea to its list of potential donors along with a letter asking recipients to take time out, enjoy a cup of tea, reflect on everything volunteers do for the hospital and make a contribution to the Auxiliary.
Fallbrook Hospital’s CEO Alex Villa said he will be sitting home drinking his cup of tea and making his donation soon because—in his eyes—the hospital just would not be complete without the help and endurance of the volunteers.
“The Auxiliary is more important than many people realize,” Villa said. “Close your eyes for just one second and picture a hospital without volunteers. It’s a lonely place.”
According to Villa, the group of volunteers at Fallbrook Hospital is one of the best he’s worked with. He feels that the small, close-knit community, the leadership of the program, and the pure passion for helping others is prominent at Fallbrook Hospital.
“We are truly blessed to have such a large group with such diverse backgrounds,” Villa said. “When you sit back and think about all they do, and the many different ways they affect our daily operations, I just can’t imagine the place without them.
“A lot of folks don’t realize that the hospital wouldn’t be here today without their efforts. It was the volunteers who created the seed money to start a hospital. They really pushed hard to get an organized healthcare facility running here in Fallbrook.”
In fact, it was the volunteers who did the yard work, sewed the drapes, and knitted blankets for the hospital. It was the volunteers who raised funds for much-needed medical equipment and furnishings. It was volunteers who forged ahead to get blood product delivered to Fallbrook when the concept of blood transfusions was just evolving in the bigger cities.
“The Auxiliary volunteers always have, and continue to look into the future when it comes to the welfare of the hospital,” Villa said. “And all they want in return is a little appreciation for what they do.”
It takes a special person to volunteer, though. It’s not just about getting in community hours. You have to want to be there to make the most out of it. Fallbrook Hospital Marketing Director, Monique Murphy-Mijares says they look for a certain type of person when they recruit volunteers. In addition to approved background checks, they are searching for good hearts with good intentions. Perhaps this is why all the volunteers you see at Fallbrook Hospital project goodness with kind eyes and kind souls.
The beauty of volunteering is that it’s beneficial for all parties involved.
“We volunteer at the hospital for the benefit of the patients,” Johnson said. “But it’s for us, too. I feel good every time I walk in here.”
Darlene Beringhause, a third year volunteer, says Fallbrook Hospital was the perfect match for her.
“I’ve always liked helping out and being part of the community,” Beringhause said. “It’s such a good group of people. I love it.”
If you would like to learn more about the Fallbrook Hospital Auxiliary (aka: The Pink Ladies), call the Auxiliary office at 760-728-1191.

Merriam Mountains Development is Still A Source of Controversy Ten Years Later

Four months after a deadlocked Board of Supervisors failed to approve the 2,700 unit Stonegate Merriam Mountains project on 2,327 acres near the intersection of I-15 and Deer Springs Road, they will take it up again.
The supervisors will hear the project at their March 24 meeting. Unless the board approves the general plan amendment (GPA) proposed by Stonegate Merriam Mountains LLC, the largest number of homes that could be built would be 345.
That seems unlikely to be the final result, especially since the Planning Commission approved of the GPA last October by a vote of 5-2.
However, what was once seen as a slam dunk for Stonegate became less so when Fifth District Supervisor Bill Horn committed a faux pas with the potential to be a game changer.
The Dec. 9 vote of 2-2 on the Merriam Mountains Master Planned Community was only the latest controversy in its history.
A 2-2 split on a land-use matter by the supervisors is rare—no one can recall anything like it in at least a quarter of a century. But it’s in keeping with the unique nature of the Merriam Mountains proposal—which has sparked opposition since Stonegate first brought it forward in 2000. Ten years later its fate has not been resolved.
But in the slow-motion development world of San Diego County—where some developments have been pending for 25 years—Merriam Mountains’ slow progress is not unheard of. For some developers, planning for a long range, protracted campaign to get a large project approved is part of the game—an almost expected cost of doing business. Especially since San Diego County has some of the most determined environmental groups in the state and nation—groups that also think in terms of decades when it comes to resisting developments that they don’t like—and that generally includes all developments.
But that creates sort of a zen-like equilibrium since Horn has rarely encountered a large-scale development that he doesn’t like.
A Little History
So what’s all the excitement about?
The Merriam Mountains project is a master planned community of 2,700 units on 2,327 acres with five “neighborhoods” of residential units that would include: 1,149 single family homes, 1,271 variable residential homes (townhomes, flats or small lot single-family detached), 270 multi-family attached home and ten estate homes. Most homes would be located north of I-15 and Deer Springs Road.
It would also have up to 110,000 square feet of neighborhood commercial, a fire station and recreational facilities. It would, in effect, be an entirely new community, on the order of, say, Hidden Meadows.
About half of those 2,327 acres would remain in open space—with 90 acres of parks and 18 miles of trails. The parks would be inside a 537-acre “fuel modification zone,” irrigated to make it into a wildfire buffer.
Some of the earliest opposition to the Merriam Mountains project occurred in Hidden Meadows (whose sponsor group has consistently opposed it) and Champagne Village, where public outcry led to an ouster of several members of the Deer Springs Fire Protection District board who were neutral on Stonegate with a majority who were dead set against it. That majority has since been replaced too, but the district continues to attack the development’s FPP (fire protection plan) as inadequate.
In large part due to the fire district’s objections, Stonegate has initiated often draconian measures to make its homes more fire-resistant, including banning wood burning fireplaces and planning large swathes of fire control buffers with plans for residents to “shelter-in-place” during a major fire emergency.
Critics counter that residents would actually be trapped during a fire and that “barbecue in place” is a more apt description.
But Bonsall, which traditionally opposes almost all developments in or near it (and whose sponsor group opposes this one too), has also been an epicenter of vigorous opposition to Merriam Mountains. One of its five “neighborhoods” would be in southern Bonsall.
Five neighborhoods would be northwest of I-15 and Deer Springs Road while residential estate homes would be built in southern Bonsall. Clustering homes in the five southern neighborhoods would allow for an open space buffer of 1,192 acres between the southern residential and commercial portion and the Bonsall neighborhood.
Besides fire, traffic is another issue opponents focus on. One such group is “Citizens Against Stonegate Traffic”—or CAST, which last year mailed out thousands of flyers pointing out the estimated 35,000 car trips the new development would empty onto local roads each day.
The 2-2 vote in December occurred because Supervisor Ron Roberts was attending to duties on the California Air Resources Board where he represents the County.
When Roberts got back he insisted upon bringing up the vote that he missed, and got it rescheduled—although not without protest from Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Pam Slater-Price, who voted no back in December.
Jacob was quoted in another publication complaining, “We had a full public hearing, a fair public hearing. I think it’s unfortunate that we have to take everybody’s time to do this.” Translation: She knows she will lose a second vote.
But that’s only if Horn votes and Horn got himself into hot water a few days after the Dec. 9 vote when he told a reporter that he had advised Stonegate that they should have waited for Roberts’ return before asking for the vote. Roberts is known to favor the project.
When a firestorm of protest erupted as a result of Horn’s statement, he claimed that he had misspoken when he said that he had a [illegal ex parte] contact with the developer.
That didn’t amuse the owner of the Golden Door spa, a 50-year-old posh getaway frequented by the rich and famous— Southern California’s original spa.
The spa sits on Deer Springs Road, very near to the proposed development. The Golden Door’s owners, the New York City-based investment firm the Blackstone Group, demanded that Horn recuse himself if a new vote were to be held—as of this writing Horn has refused to consider this option.
The project would have a profound affect on the roads of the area, since, Deer Springs Road, Twin Oaks Valley Road, I-15 north and southbound ramps at Deer Springs Road, and several other intersection improvements would be completed as a result of the new homes. For instance Deer Springs Road is planned to be widened to four lanes from I-15 to Twin Oaks Valley Road.
Additional emergency access roads would also be constructed.
If you’d like to learn more about the Merriam Mountains development, visit the County’s Web site where you’ll find the project’s specific plan: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/EIRs/MERRIAM-MTS.html

Celebrating St. Paddy’s Day

They say there are two kinds of people: those who are Irish, and those who wish they were.
That sentiment probably comes closest to being in the ballpark on March 17 when Irish everywhere celebrate St. Patrick’s Day—one of the best reasons we can think of for drinking green bear, eating corned beef and listening to the endless enchanting reels of Gaelic folk musicians while rosy-cheeked lasses toss their hair and kick up their heels in dance.
Among the Irish, even saints have fond nicknames, and so it is with St. Paddy, an excuse, similar to May 5 among Mexicans in America—but not, I’m told for Mexicans in Mexico—or just about any day in Australia, for running riot, eating a lot, drinking a lot and looking for pretty girls to kiss.
We decided to do a quick poll among Irish pubs in the area to see what all they are up to during the “Wearin’ of the Green.”
Let’s start at the northern edge of The Boulevard with Killarney's Irish Pub & Grill, located at 32475 Hwy 79 South, G101, Temecula, which greets its visitors with Céad Míle Fáilte: “One Hundred Thousand Welcomes.”
Denise Munson of Killarney’s tells us that on St. Paddy’s Day of 2009, “We saw over three thousand people last year walk through our gates, having a great time celebrating the best holiday of the year! Come listen to great bands, watch Irish dancers and have the best time at the only authentic Irish pub in Temecula. Every piece of Killarney's was built in and shipped from Ireland, including our beautiful mahogany bar.”
Well, you can’t get more Irish than that!
Here’s a schedule for the day:
Fence off half the parking lot for the biggest party in the Temecula Valley.
Music
Inside: 11a.m.—Randal Gobs & Friends
Outside: noon—Galway Hooker Band
3:30 p.m.—Donna Means Irish Dancers
4 p.m.—BlueFish
8:30 p.m.—BoxKutters
More Entertainment
Two outside bars
Jager Ice luge
Face painting
Vendors
Bag piper all day long
VIP Tickets: $75 presale or $95 at the door
Includes: VIP entrance, four drink/food tickets (good for draft, well & outside food items), t-shirt (while supplies last).
No Irish pub, not even the most authentic, serves true Irish cuisine in the strictest sense—and you can thank your lucky stars (see, there’s another Irish reference!) that they don’t! That’s because in the old country luxuries like a steak were as rare as a blue moon!
Instead, pubs such as Killarney’s serve excellent fare with a sprinkling of traditional Irish cuisine that will remind you of the real thing—but not too much!
So, on St. Paddy’s Day be prepared to dine on things such as corned beef and cabbage, steaks, meat pies and, of course, Guinness, as well as some of the better Irish whiskeys.
Another landmark Irish pub, closer to home is R. O’ Sullivan’s Irish Pub & Steakhouse, 118 East Grand Ave. in Escondido.
According to Jen Holeman, the bartender, R. O’ Sullivan’s pulls out all the stops on March 17.
According to Holeman, “Although times and purse strings are getting tighter, no one knows how to have a great time for free better than the Irish. This year at R. O’ Sullivan’s all our entertainment is free. We promise to make free fun the order of the day with no cover charge.
“We always have a big party,” says Holeman, with live Irish music, and all the traditional Irish food. The food includes (besides corned beef and cabbage) bangers and mash, Irish whiskey chicken boxty, shepherd’s pie and Gaelic steak. I’ve tried Scotch eggs, which is a hard-boiled egg, wrapped in a sausage and deep friend, and can attest to it being the perfect bite to down with some stout as you sing Erin Go Braugh.
The pub is a lively, comfortable, welcoming place on most nights, even when an Irish national holiday is not in the offing. It’s a fairly small pub, so get there early to get a good seat.
Churchill’s Pub & Grille in San Marcos (887 W. San Marcos Blvd.) isn’t, strictly speaking, an Irish pub. But any pub will do on St. Paddy’s Day, and, according to bartender Tony Dowson, “We’ll be busy from noon onwards.” They have no special events planned, because, as Dowson explains, “live music would take up too much space!” But they do a celebration with all of the traditional Irish beers being served.
Another North County Irish pub is O’Sullivans (no relation to the similar-sounding pub mentioned earlier) at 640 Grand Ave. in Carlsbad. This pub used to be known as Tom Giblin's Irish Pub.
The exterior is reminiscent of a pub in a far away village, complete with an artificial thatch roof. According to Elizabeth, the bartender, there will be live music all day long on March 17, along with all of the grub and drinks. Entertainment will be provided by the Clay Colton Band and Paddy’s Pig. Besides the beer, fun and food, there will also be giveaways of amusing prizes, says Elizabeth.
So there—you have no excuse not to go visit an authentic Irish (or British pub near you) and lift your glasses to one of the most fun excuses to party that happens all year.

Local Artist, Phee Sherline

When Phee Sherline started to dream in vivid technicolor wallpaper designs she decided,  four decades after putting away her paint brushes, to return to art.
Phee (It's an unusual enough first name to ask its origin. The answer: as a child she had a favorite piano teacher with six students named Phyllis. She dubbed her "Phee" and it stuck.) was born and raised in Twin Falls, Idaho.
She always had an artistic temperament. As a child she drew pictures all over everything, but especially in the margins of her notebooks. She painted oils of landscapes, movie stars, horses, ships, baseball players and dancers.
She graduated from the University of Idaho with majors in English literature and education and a minor in art. She put aside her artist's brushes and didn't pick them up again for many years.
She taught first in Bakersfield and then 4 years in Los Angeles. Then children and the guitar came along.  She taught guitar lessons for 10 years before moving into public relations and working in downtown LA.  Unlike many people who “flee” to these parts to escape Los Angeles, she loved it and left with great reluctance but an idea was lurking.  She wanted to find out what it was like to live as an adult in a small town having lived as a child in one.  The move to Fallbrook was something of a personal social experiment.
During the 40 years since she had last painted she had been sidetracked into folk music and raising children.
But the technicolor wallpaper dreams caused her to conclude: “art is calling me.”
About ten years ago she hooked up with Carolyn Vice, one of Fallbrook's leading watercolorists,  Jeanne Shanahan and others.
"I found myself in very good company," she recalls.
Why watercolors, instead of returning to oils?
"Something about watercolors is very satisfying because you are not in charge of the colors. They go where they want to. The Art of watercolor is taking advantage of what the color does of its own account while also pushing and pulling it in the direction the artist wants. 
She paints twice a week with two groups of  like-minded women. It usually takes her two or three sessions to get a painting to the point where she is satisfied with it.
“I finish it in parts and I like to give the painting a ‘rest’ in between sessions. It’s nice to stand back, see what's happening in the painting  and exaggerate things a little."
Occasionally she is surprised by how things turn out.
“Once I was doing one of the trees in Live Oak Park. I didn't care for the result. I brought it home and studied it for awhile and after a while I said to myself, 'Wait a minute, I like that!’ "
Her “studio” is often her kitchen counter although another favorite location is Fallbrook’s Live Oak Park, which has plenty of one of her favorite subjects to paint: big trees.
“I'm very fond of big trees and so I've done a lot of big trees ranging from red woods to sycamores and oaks,” she says, adding, “I'm also very partial to desert landscapes.”
She and Ken are members of a desert preservation support group, Death Valley 49’ers, and so they spend a lot of time in Death Valley.
Although she has been doing watercolors seriously for eight years, she still considers herself very much a student.
But that’s a view the buying public probably doesn't take. Once she brought a visitor to her house, where she keeps most of her paintings, and the visitor bought every one that was in the room!
But she tries not to think about such things as she works.
“The minute you paint to sell it changes what goes on in your mind,” she says. “Then you are not painting for yourself and you lose a lot of your freedom.
“The fine art, of course, is doing paintings for yourself and making a million dollars at it! But that’s very rare and not worth thinking about.”
You can see five pieces of Phee Sherline’s work  in the main dining room of the restaurant in Stove Pipe Wells 35 miles down the road from Furnace Creek in Death Valley. Her work has been shown at the Fallbrook Art & Cultural Center, Myrtle Creek Nursery, Brandon Gallery, Bob Burton Auditorium and the Rancho Buena Vista Gallery in Vista. Currently several pieces are on display at the Pala Mesa Resort and she hopes to participate in this year's Fallbrook Art Assn. show.
You can also see many examples by visiting her Web site at: www.pheezart.com.

Planning A Wedding Along The Boulevard

We recently sat down with Blue Pineapple Events owner, Chelsea Good, to discuss the busy upcoming wedding season. Chelsea has been in the business for over 10 years and has planned weddings coast to coast including Lake Tahoe and Boston.
“I’ve been very blessed to be a part of so many people’s special day,” says Good. Having started her career in the hotel industry, Good went on to become a certificated wedding planner and eventually started her own business.
“I wanted to focus on the entire process with the bride, take her from “Yes” all the way to the “I Do”.
Working with local vendors is a must for Chelsea. “Working with vendors that are familiar with the space gives the bride and groom a huge benefit and sometimes, a discount. Weddings are costly, whether the budget is $1,000 or $80,000. For each couple, the process of paying for their special day can be challenging, and thus any discounts I can gather, I happily pass on.”
To stay with the “local” theme, we decided to look along The Boulevard to find some very noteworthy wedding vendors. First we found SoCal Tanning Company who is happy to help give you that “glow” on your wedding day. Then we found Fit By Design. Peggy is an amazing personal trainer who is happy to create a custom program for the bride and groom. The world’s leader in women’s fitness, Curves of Bonsall, is a great place for the women in the bridal party to spend some time together getting ready for the wedding.
There are several beautiful locations located in your hometown. Pala Mesa Resort, Vista Valley Country Club and Welk Resorts all offer affordable, elegant wedding packages and a friendly, knowledge staff to help make your dream day come true.
If you choose to have your wedding in your backyard or at a friend’s house, don’t forget the rental equipment. Both Ace Party Productions and Allie’s Party Equipment Rentals are located along The Boulevard and both offer quality service at affordable pricing. And if catering is what you are looking for, then you’ve found it. Between Rio Rico, Fresco Grill, Sourdough Pizza and Da Giorgio Ristorante Italiano we have you covered. No matter the budget or type of food you are craving, these restaurants will not let you down.
“One of the largest parts of the budget is photography. Capturing the moments of the day to have to look back on is priceless,” says Good. Luckily Good knows an amazing, affordable photographer…Leslie Anne. “Leslie is an extremely gifted photographer and an amazing person. She does a great job capturing the little moments that really define the day.”
When all the planning is over, it’s time to relax and reward yourself. Stop by Simply Your Life in Bonsall for a couples massage or A New Bellissima Day Spa for a facial. Don’t forget your hair for the special day. Mary over at Provence Salon has a way with hair and is willing to create any look you desire.
Congratulations to all you recently engaged couples and remember there are people all over The Boulevard standing by ready and willing to help you create that special day. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness!

Tenth Annual Old Town Temecula Bluegrass Festival: Where Fans Are Also The Musicians

Local bluegrass band Highway 76 will join other pickers, jammers and fans who will gather March 20–21 on the streets of Old Town Temecula for the 10th Annual Old Town Temecula Bluegrass Festival, a free event that is one of the best of its kind on the West Coast.
The event highlighter will be Alan Munde Gazette, whose long, rich history in the bluegrass community has solidified him as the one the world’s foremost 5-string banjo players. He brings his Gazette band of Elliott Rogers-Guitar/Vocal, Bill Honker-Bass/Vocal, Steve Smith-Mandolin/Vocal, and Nate Lee-Fiddle/Vocal. Gazette will play twice Saturday and Sunday of the event.
“Pickers” (Bluegrassers’ term for musicians) jam anywhere along the streets of Old Town Temecula. Workshops on the mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo are held each day and are free. Organized jam sessions with host bands make it easy for pickers to find a group to join.
“It’s the greatest part about a bluegrass festival. Fans are also musicians, some of them quite good and notable in the music world,” according to Melody Brunsting, organizer of the event. “We’ve had Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek show up on our stage just to jam with Bluegrass Etc. before.”
Chris Beucler, a Fallbrook resident and leader of Highway 76, notes that all four members of the band have been playing music for 30 years and have played “in a bunch of different groups,” over 15 or so years.
The band has been together for four years, and with the current lineup for seven months.
Beucler is an accomplished bluegrass banjo player and singer. The founding member of the Highway 76 band, he is responsible for setting the direction of the band. Having played Banjo for over 30 years, Chris brings a sense of taste to his playing that only experience allows. In 2006 he won the four-corners banjo championship held in Wickenburg, Arizona. He has performed in numerous regional bands including the Rialto Brothers, The Banjo Boys, and the Good Brothers.
Dan Sankey (who plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, vocals), is one of San Diego’s most renowned Bluegrass players. Sankey has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, performing at bluegrass festivals, corporate events, casinos, and concert venues. He has also done extensive theatre work for the Old Globe Theater, the San Diego Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, the North Coast Rep, and Lamp Players Theatre.
Given Harrison (bass, vocals) plays a variety of instruments including guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo, and dobro. Given has played on stage since 1974 in a variety of bluegrass, old-time, country swing, and jug bands.
Steve Toth (dobro, guitar, vocals) has backed up bluegrass greats Mac Wiseman and Peter Rowan on several occasions and has performed at festivals and concerts, which included the Seldom Scene, Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe and the Newgrass Revival, among others. He plays dobro, guitar, banjo, pedal steel guitar, bass, and mandolin that he has used for both live performances and recording sessions as a studio musician. His first solo project Titled “Sliding Down the Road” received outstanding response form DJ’s, Programmers, Critics and Listeners. He is the author of several dobro instructional books including “Dobro techniques for Bluegrass and Country Music”.
Why the name Highway 76? “Highway 76 is where we do all of our rehearsals, along Highway 76 in Bonsall,” says Beucler.
Beucler, who plays banjo and the guitar, notes that the band plays bluegrass, swing and some old country western.
“We play a lot of ‘newgrass,’ which is a more modern version of traditional bluegrass.” That includes some Beatles songs done in the style of bluegrass.
“I got interested in bluegrass in the mid to late seventies when rock took on a bluegrassy thing with the Eagles and have loved it ever since,” he says.
Highway 76 is a regional band that plays at a variety of venues throughout Arizona and California. When I talked to Beucler in February the band had just returned from a showcase show in Blythe.
“San Diego is quite surprising for being a popular place for bluegrass,” he observes. “There are two large bluegrass clubs that meet three Tuesdays out of every month. There’s a big following. The North County Bluegrass and Folk Club meets at the Roundtable Pizza in Escondido with a featured act. It’s a very steady, consistent club, and there is also the San Diego Bluegrass Society.”
Another very popular local bluegrass festival where his band can be found every year is the Summergrass Festival held in August at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista.
Also performing at the 2010 event is: Bluegrass Etc., Lonesome Otis, Sligo Rags, Hunt Family Bluegrass and the Silverado Bluegrass Band.
During the Temecula festival bands will perform on two stages from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday. Weather is not an issue as two of the stages are indoors. The outdoor stage can be converted to another indoor venue should there be inclement weather. All daytime concerts, workshops and jam sessions are free. Saturday evening will feature a paid concert in the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, an intimate 350-seat theater known for outstanding acoustics. The concert will feature Alan Munde Gazette, Bluegrass Etc. and Silverado Bluegrass Band for $15 per person. A Sunday afternoon matinee with Alan Munde Gazette and Sligo Rags at 2 p.m. in the theater is $10.
To visit Old Town Temecula take I-15 (The Boulevard) to Rancho California Road or Hwy 79 south and follow the signs leading to Old Town Front Street. Public parking is free. RV parking is available in town for $30 for the weekend; reservations are recommended at 951-678-0831. For more information call 951- 693-3952 or visit www.temecula california.com.

Remodeling Is In For 2010: Fallbrook Bath and Kitchen Company Can Help You Do It

In spite of the recession, home remodeling has become more popular than ever over the past year. The reason is partly because homeowners are opting to change rooms instead of location. Rather than moving into a bigger or newer house, they are choosing to make home improvements instead.
The two most common rooms for remodeling are, of course, the kitchen and the bathroom. And just like there are new trends each year for fashion, there are new trends for remodeling as well.
Tony Raia, owner of Fallbrook Bath and Kitchen Company, is a California-licensed general contractor specializing in bathroom and kitchen remodeling. With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, he has seen how trends have changed.
One trend that Raia says is as prominent as ever is “going green.” From structures to appliances, the green revolution is changing the way we live our lives and more and more eco-friendly tools and gadgets are popping up.
“Green is the direction all appliances are taking,” Raia points out.
While going green can be expensive, homeowners are willing to pay the price for the long-term pay-off and investment.
Kicking it in the Kitchen
The kitchen is more than just a place to cook and eat. It often becomes the nerve center of the house—guests are entertained in the kitchen, homework is done on the kitchen counter, bills are paid on the island, and the most important conversations take place at the kitchen table.
Since so much takes place in the kitchen, homeowners want to make it a room they love to be in. Space and functionality are key. Custom storage areas, stylish cupboard inserts, hanging pots and pans, hanging cups and glasses, and open knife boards make a substantial difference in the way people live and work around the kitchen. Dark cabinet colors are also big this year.
Raia said his company sees a lot of hardwood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite tops and focal points like custom hoods over ranges in the kitchen remodel projects they have been doing.
Making Room in the Bathroom
Trends for bathroom remodels this year also include space and functionality. It’s all about going big.
“We’ve seen movement towards larger showers with features like benches, in-wall shampoo niches and multiple shower heads and sprays,” Raia said. “We are also seeing many remodels allow for aging at home, featuring safe and easy-access showers.”
He adds that most bathtubs are being tiled in natural stones or tile that looks like natural stone. However, in today’s age of water conservation, some homeowners are choosing to have the tub removed altogether in favor of expanding the shower because they are more conscious about the impact of filling up a large tub.
Quality, Cost and Investment
Any kitchen or bathroom remodel is a wise overall investment. Remodeling not only increases the value of your home, but the quality of your life.
Raia has been in business in Southern California since 1999, but has more than 25 years of experience in the industry. From project design, to plumbing, to carpentry, to electrical work, to tiling, to cabinet installation, wall repair, refinishing and more, his company does it all without dependence on subcontractors. This subsequently allows him to save customers money.
“We do ninety-five percent of the work ourselves with just five percent going to subs,” Raia said. “We can work on plumbing, electrical, tile, cabinets and more in the same day saving our customers time and money. We control the project from day one to finish and can accomplish it as quickly as possible. That's an important advantage when dealing with the two major hubs of any home.”
Raia said an average project can take four to six weeks depending on the design, which is actually one of his favorite things to do.
“I really enjoy the design and actual implementation part of my job,” Raia said. “That, and I love leaving work every day seeing the progress we made that day.”
If you are thinking of remodeling your home kitchen or bathroom, call Fallbrook Bath & Kitchen Company at 760-668-4653 or visit their Web site at www.fbkco.com.

Neiman’s Collision Has A Simple Slogan: Take Care of Your Customers

“Just take care of your customers and treat ‘em right.” It’s a simple enough ethic of customer service, but it seems to have taken Stan Neiman of Neiman’s Collision Center a long way.
Stan and his wife, Laura, own the business, which they started in 1999. Their son, Brian, works in the back as one of the ten body shop technicians.
Stan Neiman has been in the auto body business for 35 years, learning the business from the bottom up from his father, who owned Tri Cities Auto in Escondido.
His father taught him the basics of customer service. “He taught me to be sure to take care of people. He said, ‘You take care of them and they'll take care of you,’ ” he recalls.
In 1998, while managing a body shop in Escondido, Stan learned of a shop in Fallbrook that was for sale. He and Laura decided to buy it and she came on board to help run it.
Neiman’s gets a lot of its customers by word of mouth. And it gets a lot of customers! Over 100 cars pass through the shop every month.
“Auto body repair is an art,” says Neiman. “We can take a wreck with its variety of challenges and make it new and fresh.”
The Neimans are very involved in the community. Stan is past president of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce and the Fallbrook Village Rotary Club. He is also president-elect of the Bonsall Chamber.
Neiman’s Collision won the “Business of the Year” award for both the Bonsall and Fallbrook Chambers of Commerce for 2007.
One of the reasons is that they have the latest equipment for doing your body job right, including a heated down-draft Garmat paint booth with dual prep stations, Mitchell and CCC computerized estimating systems, Mitchell ABS Management System, Chief EZ-Liner and Maxima 3000H frame machines, Multi-Spot welders, as well as Chief Genesis computerized measuring systems.
Neiman’s offers free pick up and delivery within a five mile radius as well as 24 hour towing services. If towed after hours, your vehicle will be protected in an indoor facility until delivered to the shop.
Rental car services are provided by Enterprise Rent-a-Car. They also offer complete detailing services for all of their customers.
They are able to perfectly match your paint by using computerized state-of-the-art color matching systems.
They also care about the environment by using waterbourne PPG paint products, which is better for the environment—as well as recycling all of their cardboard and sheet metal.
One final note: “You have the right to have your car repaired at the shop of your choice, this is a California Law,” says Neiman. “You do not need to get 3 estimates. Make sure the shop you choose has a warranty. Don’t be afraid to ask questions at the shop. Find out how long they've been in business.”
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Neiman's Collision Center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The center is located at 1381 S Mission Ave., Fallbrook, CA 92028.
Phone: (760) 728-8810
Fax: (760) 728-7131
Email: info@neimanscollsion.com

Da Giorgio's: Fine Dining With A Casual Atmosphere

I don't know about you, but I sure do enjoy going out to eat at a restaurant that offers fine dining in an casual atmosphere.
In North County’s casual lifestyle getting all dressed up and going to a stuffy overbearing restaurant is fine sometimes, but just sometimes. If you can find a really good meal and enjoy a nice glass of wine with it and a wonderful homemade dessert, that’s a wonderful night out.
Da Giorgio Ristorante Italiano offers a delicious array of traditional Italian favorites and a few nice surprises from owner/chef George Alcaraz, who opened the restaurant about four years ago and has constantly worked on the menu, keeping it exciting and fresh.
Add to this extensive menu the wonderful daily specials for lunch and dinner, and you will really need to spend some time evaluating your choices. Chef George has an extensive background having been an executive chef at Vigilucci’s in Carlsbad and executive chef for the catering arm of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
The evening that I dined at Da Giorgio’s I found the dining room to be warn and appealing. Earth tone colors with a cozy southwestern style fireplace in the corner and an open beamed ceiling set the decor which highlights the casual and comfortable mood for the evenings meal.
The wine list at Da Giorgio's is not extensive but it has a very nice selection of both reds, merlots, pinots, chiantis and Cabs, along with some nice whites to compliment your meal. I enjoy the Pollo Marsala, a favorite of mine when I am not in the pasta mood. The Marsala—with a rich cream sauce and mushrooms atop a pan flashed dusted boneless chicken breast—was wonderful, one of the best marsala sauces that I have had and believe me, I have had many over the years!
It was accompanied with an excellent Caprese salad with tasty fresh tomatoes and basil, mozzarella slices covered in a homemade garlic vinaigrette.
My dining companion enjoyed a linguine dish with shrimp and mussels with a light spicy red sauce. Just wonderful!
The menu features a very good selection of pasta dishes for both lunch and dinner such as linguine ai frutti di mare, which is jumbo shrimp, baby clams and baby squid prepared in Da Giorgio's very special arrabiata sauce.
Or, if you prefer something a little more filling and rich, try the tottellini alla Genovese: Cheese filled tortellini in a creamy basil sauce with pine nuts, garlic, parmigiano and extra virgin olive oil.
There are 28 pasta dish choices on the menu, so you should not have any problem finding many to your liking over and over again. If pasta isn't your evenings or luncheon choice Chef George’s menu features a extensive selection of chicken and veal dishes. Besides the marsala dish that I loved, some of the other pollo favorites are the pollo picatta in a light lemon and caper sauce and pollo corciofi e funghi, with mushrooms, artichoke hearts in a white wine sauce.
The veal scaloppini dish is vitello alla pizzalola and is wonderful as is the saltimbocca Romano, thinly sliced veal with prosciutto and sage in a wine sauce.
For dessert you can enjoy Chef George's daily creations, the tiramasu that we had was light and delicious.
If you want to continue the Italian traditional meal there is a fine selection of homemade calzones.
We did not try the pizza during our visit, but there is a fine selection of thin crust gourmet pizzas to choose from and some traditional Chicago-style deep dish pizzas also.
Da Giorgio’s is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with daily specials for both. Chef George also does special event catering and even has a venue on site for up to 350 people.
Da Giorgio's menu prices are moderate with most pasta dishes in the $14 to $15 range with the veal and pollo dishes slightly higher. A party of two can have a feast with a nice bottle of wine at Da Giorgio’s for a very reasonable price.
For reservations call 760-723-1080 or check out their Website at www.dagiorgioonline.com. Da Giorgio’s is located at 3135 Old Hwy 395.
In late February Chef George opened a second restaurant in Fallbrook in the Albertson’s center. Bon Appétit!

WORLD OF WINE BARREL TOUR Focuses On Varietals

The World of Wine Barrel Tour March 6 & 7 is the only regional event where you get the chance to visit all 28 wineries in the Temecula Valley—which is one of the most dynamic wine-growing regions in the country.
According to Peggy Evans, executive director of the the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Assn., this is the 19th year for the event, which this year is described as a New World twist on Old World varietals.
“We have twenty-eight wineries participating in the event, and the wineries are close enough together not to walk to, but easy to drive to. Many people will make all of those twenty-eight over those two days. Some will choose their favorites and some will pick some they have never visited before,” says Evans.
Although she has been executive director of the association for a year, she has worked at several wineries in the area and has sat on the executive board of the association for 20 years.
“In this tour—as in past years—we try to focus on the Old World varietals, cabs and cab francs, hoping to educate people that there are regional differences. And to the fact that we have new ways of doing things, and our winemakers are up to date and cutting edge,” she says.
Most of these will be barrel tastings, although some wineries will do tank tastings. The wines will all be perfectly paired with scrumptious food samplings which will demonstrate the perfect marriage of wine and food.
According to Evans, the difference between sampling from a wine bottle is that, “You are tasting product that is unfinished. You might taste an ‘07 cabernet next to an ‘08 and taste the difference between a finished product and see how it progresses.
“It’s kind of an education. Their staffs will be really excited to talk about the future and the next vintage, particularly of red wines,” says Evans.
This gives consumers an opportunity to taste wines that are not being offered in the tasting room. You might be able to purchase some of the very wines that you are tasting, or more likely, you can buy a case with a future release date.
“It’s an opportunity to do things and taste things that you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do if you just walked onto a property,” observes Evans.
Ticket holders will receive a map of the Temecula Valley, a passport which allows a visit to each participating winery—and a souvenir glass.
This two-day event frequently sells out early, so you are advised to order tickets early.
You don’t have to be a seasoned oenophile to take part in this marriage of wines and foods. Any level of wine sophistication is appropriate. However, you do have to be 21 or older.
Here’s a sample menu from last year’s event:
Produced by Leonesse Cellars ~ leonessecellars.com
Wine sample:
2007 Viognier: Rich honeysuckle and citrus with delicate floral notes and a crisp, clean finish
2006 Melange De Reves: Rhone-style blend of Syrah, Cinsaut, Mourvedre and Grenache offering spicy blackberry and cherry aromas
2006 Vineyard Selection Syrah, Vista Del Monte Vineyard: Intense blackberry and plum with hints of black pepper, tobacco and vanilla
Menu: Savory-Bistro style braised short rib served over parsnip and fennel puree, garnished with leak confetti and wine reduction of
Leonesse Cellars Melange de Reves. Sweet-French milk chocolate cookies with malted cream.
Produced by Wilson Creek Winery ~ wilsoncreekwinery.com
Wine sample:
Petite Syrah Port – barrel sampling. Available summer 2009.
Grenache Rosé – Clear ruby in color, a shade or two darker than normal for rosé. Fresh and crisp in the mouth with strawberry and watermelon flavors finishing bone dry with good acidity.
Menu: Alcatra – Portuguese pot roast with wine, bacon and garlic. “Alcatra” comes from the term “alcatre” the Portuguese word for “rump,” or rump roast. Traditional Portuguese Aletria Doce – which translated means Sweet Angel Hair pasta, sweetened with sugar, egg yolks and cinnamon.
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Two day tickets are $89 per person.
Sunday Only and Designated Driver tickets are also available at a discounted price.
Tickets are available online at temeculawines.org or by calling 800-801-9463. Please email info@temeculawines.org for further information.

Vista Valley Country Club: It’s More Than Just Golf, It’s A Place to Play!

A few weeks ago I had a chance to visit with the good folks at Vista Valley Country Club for an update on the club, the golf course and the many happenings going on at Vista Valley.
John Ledenbach, the general manager, Ron Nolf, the golf course superintendent and Darlene Sayler, the membership director, all seemed very excited about the 36 new memberships in the last 90 days, the condition of the course, and the full agenda of social activities at the club.
Vista Valley Country Club is not just a place to come and play golf but a place to get as involved as you wish with all the social events that the club offers to its members.
Of course, in February the club hosted its annual Valentine’s Day Dinner, which featured not only a wonderful romantic dinner but entertainment as well. In March, the members will enjoy the St. Paddy’s Day Buffet with a special Irish menu, and in April, there will be the Easter Grand Buffet complete with an easter egg hunt and the Easter bunny for the kids and grandchildren. For mom, in May they have the Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch, and a whole host of other social activities throughout the year before you even think about lifting an iron or a wood.
But let’s face it, Vista Valley is about golf and the Vista Valley course is one of the gems in North County San Diego.
This Ted Robinson Sr. championship course plays at 6,345 yards, par 71, as it winds its way through the beautiful hills and valleys of rural Vista. Ron Nolf has been the superintendent of the course for the last 31 years and says that the course has never been in better condition.
This course will present a challenge to any low handicapper but is still very playable for the real duffer who loves the game for the beautiful walk in the park that it is. And the course at Vista Valley is just that, a beautiful walk in the park.
My favorite hole is the par 3 14th, the club’s signature hole. Number 14 plays just under 200 yards from the blue tees and you must hit the green or stay left to stay dry. But the real challenge on 14, as is the case on many of the golf holes at Vista Valley, is paying attention to your swing in such a beautiful place.
If your short game needs some work, Vista Valley offers a practice area that is second to none in the area. And in the months and years ahead Vista Valley and their ownership will continue to add more challenges to the course and in the not to distant future a new clubhouse is planned.
Vista Valley is a private club that is actively seeking new members who wish to join as social members or full memberships. You can contact John Ledenbach or Darlene Sayler for details at 760-758-2800 or visit their Web site (see below) for further information.
The club also is a perfect setting for your next corporate or group meeting. And for that very special day, Vista Valley offers a spectacular venue for weddings settled among the beautiful 100-year-old oak trees and the rolling terrain, with your every whim and wish fulfilled by their expert staff, designed to make that most important day perfect. Visit their Web site, www.vistavalley.com for details and contacts. Vista Valley Country Club is not just a place to play golf, but a place to play!

 

The Boulevard Magazine
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Tel. 760.749.1112 Fax 760.749.1688