FOR SALE
THE MINGEI MUSEUM IN DOWNTOWN ESCONDIDO
ASKING PRICE SUDWEEKS GROUP
Rick@cbcsuds.com
Rick Marcus 760.747.8899 Coldwell Banker Commercial
$2,400,000
T
23,900 Sq. Ft. Over $3,000,000 In Renovations.
• • •
•
pvanelderen@hansoncommercial.com
www.cbcworldwide.com www.hansoncommercial.com
Paul Van Elderen 760.233.5301 Hanson Real Estate Commercial
om
e
Don’t Miss It! October 27 • 2-6 pm Downtown Escondido
www.wedgeescondido Tickets $35:
• 30 specialty cheese & local restaurant tastes • 15 beer and wine pairings • Commemorative glass • Chance to win prizes
Free Entry: Live Music Beer/Wine Garden Food-related vendors
($45 after 10/22/2012)
Escondido Downtown Business Association info@downtownescondido.com
AUTUMN
2012
ESCONDIDO
3
CITY
ESCONDIDO
MAGAZINE
FALL 2012
Published by the Escondido Downtown Business Association 262 E. Grand Ave., Ste E, Escondido, CA 92025 760.740.0658 • info@downtownescondido.com www.downtownescondido.com
NEW SERIES!
INTIMATE CLASSICS Classical artists take center stage in the intimate setting of the Center Theater.
Office Hours By Appointment Only
Board
of
Directors
Escondido City Magazine
Shawna Cruise, President The Loft Hair Design & Skincare
Co-Editor Kathy Rubesha
Dan Forster,Vice President Design Moe
Co-Editor & Creative Director Thora Guthrie
Kathy Rubesha, Secretary Rubesha Properties, LLC David Barkin, CFO David R. Barkin, Esq.
Art Director Thora Guthrie
Jim Rady, Ex Oficio Voluntary Member John Nigro Vineyard Travel
Associate Editor Jessica Petrencsik
Vicki Omstead Stitchers’ Treasures
Copy Editor Chris Anderson
Fran Ronalds The Sculpture Salon
Contributors: Briana Alfaro Michelle Geller Thora Guthrie Heather Harshman Jaime Kautsky Kurt Lightfoot Alexandra McHenry Erin Peet Jessica Petrencsik Audrey Schumacher Moe Cynthia Smith Tehara Tweed Wendy Wilson
Wendy Wilson Escondido Municipal Gallery eDBA
Staff:
Thora C. Guthrie Marketing & Development Connie Braun Accountant Marie Pegram Farmers’ Market Manager
Escondido CITY Magazine is published quarterly by the Escondido Downtown Business Association (eDBA), a 501(c)(6) non-profit, mutual benefit corporation, created in 1962. The eDBA is a membership-based organization with a volunteer Board of Directors and numerous committees committed to cultivating a vibrant, historic Downtown. The eDBA’s mission is to create and nurture a healthy economic and cultural environment through community, culture and commerce. The eDBA will consider submissions of articles deemed to be of interest to our readership. Advertising: Contact Thora Guthrie at 760-715-3230 or thora@ downtownescondido.com
Official Photographers
DANIEL LESSNER, PIANO Sat, Sep 22, 2012, 7pm Sponsored by Edna Sahm
STEPHEN SALTERS, BARITONE Sat, Oct 6, 2012, 7pm
Sponsored by Elisabeth and Bernard Jensen
BUY TICKETS NOW!
$47-35 ∙ 800-988-4253 ∙ www.artcenter.org 262 E. Grand Avenue (inside the Escondido Municipal Gallery) www.photoartsgroup.org
ALSO IN THIS SERIES PABLO SÁINZ VILLEGAS, SPANISH GUITAR Sun, Jan 6, 2013, 3pm GUSTAVO ROMERO, PIANO Sun, Feb 24, 2013, 3pm THE LINCOLN TRIO Sat, May 4, 2013, 7pm 340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido, CA 92025
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5/11/12 4:35 PM
CONTENTS FEATURES 18 ALL-AMERICAN BREAKFAST Erin reviews classic eateries that add character to Escondido STORY erin peet
20
PHOTOs TEHARA TWEED
HOMETOWN BREWS
Local brewers help uphold San Diego’s reputation as microbrewery capital of the world STORY JAIME KAUTSKY
24
PHOTOS TEHARA TWEED & JESSICA PETRENCSIK
REMEMBERING THE DEAD
A look at the diversity of views of death, dying (and returning) STORY Julie Desmarais
30
PHOTOS Kurt LIghtfoot, Wes Santos, TEHARA TWEED
Scott Kuhnly
The interview and article preceded Scott’s death in July. STORY kathy rubesha PHOTOS viki strand
38
OPEN HEARTS, OPEN ADOPTION
Opening their hearts and homes, a local family grows beyond expectation STORY JESSICA PETRENCSIK
PHOTOS TEHARA TWEED
departments
8
TO THE EDITOR Our readers comment on a variety of things
9
FROM CITY HALL
Key developments around the city
10 Business briefs A review of new businesses opening downtown 12
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Making your eyes shine
14
FACES & PLACES
Donors attend preview event at new hospital
16 CUISINE Eat, drink and be merry Background photo by
34
Wes Santos/Stone Photography
THE ARTS
Arts: Neither lost nor forgotten by our local artists
Wes shot during hair, makeup and costuming for The Day of
42 CALENDAR
the Dead photo on pages 28-29.
Learn what’s going on in Escondido this fall
Wes was also a model in the
44 COMMUNITY
photo spread.
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Literacy and lifelong learning at our library
AUTUMN
2012
Selling Escondido For 27 Years! #1 Agent Escondido Office 2011 & 2012 Best in Client Satisfaction Award 2012
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TO THE EDITOR
HHHHHHHHHH
HOMETOWN HERO
Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
I would like to invite your readers to become a part of ESCONDIDO 2012, an online forum that gives City Council candidates and Escondido residents a chance to discuss Quality of Life issues. Here’s how the forum works. Each Monday morning, a new question is posted along with the answers from the candidates. From that point on, readers are free to post comments, questions and concerns. We’re encouraging everyone concerned about the Quality of Life in Escondido to join in the discussion. Stop by any time, we’ll be open until the elections on Tuesday, November 6th. You can find the forum at escondido2012.wordpress.com.
Just a note to say hi and to show you a peek at what we experienced the day we took Leonard to show him his banner!
We extend our gratitude to you for heading up this very thoughtful project! Making this all the more special was the fact that the banners were put into place right before Father’s Day. It was wonderful for all of us to see my dad’s banner along with all the others! They are definitely our “Hometown Heroes.” Thank you!
US NAVY 1942-1945
HHHHHHHHHH Escondido Downtown Business Association
Diane Snyder On behalf of my mother (and Adan’s widow) Helen Galindo and the rest of our family
E SC ON DID O 2 0 1 2
Patricia Mues Moderator ESCONDIDO 2012
ADAN “Don” GALINDO
Dear Editor: Seeing our father’s banner downtown took our breath away. It was so fantastic... it is a wonderful tribute to all who have served. Sincerely, Rita Aguilera
Jan Lines
We received many such heartfelt letters about our Hometown Heroes Banner Project. We love getting letters from our readers. Send letters to us by email to info@downtownescondido.com or snail mail to 262 W. Grand Avenue, Ste. E, Escondido, CA 92025. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity.
ON THE COVER Detail from an untitled work by Scott Kuhnly, Oil on canvas. Scott Kuhnly very rarely titled his work. Our cover commemorates Scott. He will always be remembered as one of Downtown Escondido’s most memorable icons. This photo of one of Scott’s oils that he completed here in North San Diego County in recent years was photographed by his dear friend Greg Kalajian.
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FROM CITY HALL Updates from the City of Escondido
Economic Development On July 25, the Escondido City Council unanimously approved a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS will serve as a blueprint for economic development in the City over the next several years, with strategies that will create jobs and attract private investment. It is posted online at http://www.escondido.org/ business.aspx Amgen Tour 2013 At the August 8 City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to submit a proposal for Escondido to host the start of the May 2013 Amgen Tour of California bike race. Escondido hosted a final leg of the tour in February 2009, which drew approximately 40,000 people downtown. Palomar Medical Center The new Palomar Medical Center in the Escondido Research and Technology Center will “meld high tech within a healing environment of gardens, terraces, and outdoor balconies.” The 11-story, 740,000-square-foot facility officially opened its doors on August 19 and includes 288 private, single-patient rooms,
World-Class Care You Can Trust.
50 emergency and trauma rooms, and 12 operating rooms. The Palomar Hospital downtown will still offer medical services including Labor & Delivery, 24-Hour Urgent Care and the Rady Pediatrics & Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Stone Brewing Company Stone Brewing Co. broke ground on a new 59,815square-foot packaging hall near their current site to be used for bottling, kegging, small offices and quality assurance laboratory, and equipment storage. The project is expected to be completed at the end of the year. Maple Street Plaza The Maple Street Pedestrian Plaza is slated for completion at the end of August, with a grand opening and ribboncutting ceremony planned for the evening of September 7 in conjunction with Cruisin’ Grand.
What began as a hopeful idea is now a testament to forward-thinking, generosity, and the desire to meet the medical needs of a growing community. Today, your new Palomar Medical Center is alive and infused with a spirit of healing that is transforming the patient-care experience. An architectural and technological masterpiece, the facility features allprivate patient rooms with dedicated family space, beautiful gardens designed to promote healing, surgical suites built to optimize clinical excellence, and emergency rooms created to maximize
For more information, contact Michelle Geller in the City Manager’s Office at (760) 839-4587 or mgeller@escondido.org.
life-saving efficiency. The first step to receiving care in the new world-class Palomar Medical Center is choosing a Palomar Health affiliated physician. This fall, your employer may
Primary services include: • Emergency & Trauma Services • Cardiology & Cardiac Catheterization • Cardiothoracic Surgery • Vascular Surgery • Orthopedic Surgery • Neurosurgery • Neuroscience Services • Oncology • Interventional Radiology • Pulmonary Testing • Laboratory • Imaging • Robotic Surgery
offer an open enrollment period for health insurance. This brief window of opportunity allows you to make changes to your insurance coverage. Consider a health plan that provides you access to a Palomar Health physician. With more than 700 affiliated physicians, we have the perfect fit for you. For a free referral, call The HealthSource at 800.628.2880 or visit www.PalomarHealth.org/doctor. AUTUMN
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ESCONDIDO
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LOC AL BUSINESS NEWS
Entwined opens, offering “Eclectic Fusion” fare When Boyd Kerr and Kristi McGee discovered that the building at 113 East Grand Avenue was available, they jumped at the opportunity. They had been working on plans to open a new restaurant in a year or so in the area. “When we looked at the space, we realized it was meant to be and we couldn’t pass it up.” says Kerr. Kerr and McGee knew each other growing up in Escondido. “Everyone we know lives here in Escondido, so this just makes sense,” adds Kerr. Kerr has been in the restaurant business for decades, working for years from Miami to New York for Landry’s, owners of The Chart House and Peohe’s. He also worked in Colorado and Las Vegas and served as corporate chef for David Cohn who recently opened Vintana in Escondido. Kerr is dedicated to using all fresh, local farm ingredients in his “Eclectic Fusion” fare with global influences, adding that the menu will offer something for everyone, including lots of vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Entwined 113 East Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-9839; entwinedbistro. net
Microbrewery to open Downtown Aaron Calles is in the process of opening a brewpub in downtown Escondido. His Plan 9 Alehouse will fill the old Theatrix building near Kalmia and Grand, and Calles says its atmosphere will be “warm and inviting,” creating a space for community and friendship. “We don’t believe in eating or drinking alone – food and drink is meant to be enjoyed amongst friends and family,” Calles adds. (Read more in Hometown Brews, page 20). Plan 9 Alehouse 155 East Grand Avenue Escondido, CA 92025 http://www.plan9alehouse.com/
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Photo by Wendy Wilson
Holidays come early for the eDBA and downtown Escondido businesses
SDG&E Public Affairs Manager Juanita Hayes (center front) presents check to eDBA Marketing Director Thora Guthrie. Also pictured are board members (from left to right) Fran Ronalds, David Barkin, Kathy Rubesha, Jim Rady and Vicki Olmstead.
A check for $2,500 was presented by SDG&E to the Board of Directors of the Escondido Downtown Business Association at their monthly meeting in July. The grant funds are for the “Grand Avenue Holiday Lighting” project. Energy saving LED lights will be purchased by the eDBA and given out to business owners on Grand Avenue to decorate their businesses for the holiday season. The lighting will be coordinated with the installation of the holiday wreaths funded by Escondido Sunrise Rotary and decorating for the eDBA’s Holidays Downtown.
Gallery 262
Art in CrAft MediA Offering fine craft by local & regional artists 2nd Saturday Receptions - 5:30 - 8 PM Hours: 11AM - 4 PM (Closed Sun/Mon/Wed) 262 E. Grand Avenue (Inside the Escondido Municipal Gallery) 760.480.4101 | www.escondidoarts.com
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ESCONDIDO
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New Owner at Elements Salon
Businesses invited to learn about selling to agencies/large corps The North San Diego Small Business Development Center and Business and Entrepreneurship Center will present Meet the Buyers and Matchmaking featuring special guest Senator Wyland. September 28th 9am-1pm Escondido Library, 239 South Kalmia Street Escondido, CA 92025 No fees to attend. Register at www.sandiegosmallbiz.com or www.becsandiego.org Learn how to sell products and services to agencies and large corporations from the buyers and experts. Find out valuable tips and information about certifications, marketing, database registrations and bidding that will make a business successful pursuing contracts and purchase orders. There will be Matchmaking following “Meet The Buyers” featuring private one-on-one meetings with participating buyers and experts.
Escondido native Diana Jimenez became the new owner of Elements Salon in January of this year. Jimenez lives in Escondido with her husband and three sons, ages 7, 4 and 10 months.
Meet Buyers and Experts from the BEC, SBDC, Viasat, General Atomics, Department of General Services, San DIego County, San Diego Community College DIstrict, USMC–MCSS Camp Pendleton, San DIego Unified School District and more.
Elements Salon 158 West Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 743-5571, elementsongrand.com
To set up an appointment for consulting call and make an appointment for Linda Harasin at 760-795-8740.
300 W. Grand Ave. Suite 200 Escondido, CA 92025 760.466.2000 info@scottpeck.com www.scottpeckcpa.com
We can help with your business, tax or financial needs:
We provide assistance in the following areas: • QuickBooks Consulting & Accounting Services • Tax Compliance and Planning Services • Family Wealth & Estate Planning • Fiduciary Services • Special Projects
• Tax Return Preparation • Representation Before the IRS • Tax Planning
We help design a structure that: • Minimizes your income taxes • Provides asset protection • Results in a significant reduction to estate tax exposure • Pays attention to individual family dynamics • Where appropriate, provides assistance with investment matters of private fiduciary services
• Other State Tax Return Preparation • Relocation Tax Problems
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Get in SYNC... Just
$
BECOME A FRIEND
of Downtown
25 Your membership supports our downtown community
You get Escondido City Magazine delivered to your door
SY N C
Welcome to a whole new way to support your favorite local businesses AND save at the same time. Each time you present your SYNC Card at a participating location, you will: SHcreated • Get sweet deals for SYNC cardholders OP YOjust UR NEIG • Support yourClocal HBORH onneconomy e c ti n ODbeen g • Learn whichth businesses are local may not O have of COaware ondyou e buyin Escthat MMone id UNcard o bofupaper • Help the environment bygreplacing hundreds coupons with ITY power siness es with of odesires ur lofor Use your SYNC card as often as your heart approximately 12 months cal com munity from joining. No need to accrue points. No one-time-only restrictions. For a growing list of participating businesses and their special offerings, go to www.downtownescondido.com. The specials and freebies below are one time super deals offered to our members. Their locations can be found on the business listing page on the website. FREE FREE TAPA FREE SENSORY FREE SHELL FREE SIDE OF FREE SAMPLE FREE COOKIE EXPERIENCE. NECKLACE CHIPS & GUAC SPA SERVICE OR CUPCAKE CINNAMON AT AT THE LOFT AT THE WAVE AT ROLL AT VINZ WINE HAIR AT LA AT CALIF DESIGN CHAMPIONS BAR SHOPPE AVOCADO GRILL STUDIO 158 FARFALLA CAFE & SKINCARE
Discounts at member businesses and other benefits
www.downtownescondido.com
AUTUMN
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Donors enjoy preview opening of Palomar Medical Center Pictured are attendees of the July 26 Donor Celebration for major supporters of the new Palomar Medical Center which opened to patients on Aug. 19. (All pictured left to right) 1. Palomar Health CEO and President Michael H. Covert; John Forst, Palomar Health Foundation Board Chairman; 2. Dr. John Steele, Dr. Jaime Rivas, Dr. Michele Grad 3. Lisa Hudson, Director of Business and Physician Development; Nancy Bassett, Palomar Health Board Director, R.N. and Ann Braun, Palomar Health Foundation President and Chief Development Officer. 4. Louis and Dr. Lorie Shoemaker, Palomar Health Chief Nurse Executive. 5. Diego and Kristin Matthews and Marcelo Rivera, Palomar Health Board Director 6. Dr. and Mrs. Frank and Cynde Martin, Hidden Valley Surgical Medical Group. 7. Julius and Perla Fox, Foundation Donors. 8. Mr. H. Timothy Kuhn and Mrs. Gladys B. Young. 9. Foundation Board Director Angela Jensen; Karen and Michael Stelman, Foundation Board Vice Chairman Craig Brown, Foundation Board Directors Fred Nasseri and wife, Mitra Nasseri.
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ALEentory S G v
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AUTUMN
2012
ESCONDIDO
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The holiday season beckons us to eat, drink and be healthy By Briana Alfaro
Photo by Tehara Tweed
This may be especially true for the feast of all feasts--Thanksgiving. As healthy eating habits become a greater part of our lives, gluttony gives way to more balanced and natural holiday dinners. With good intention and planning, a healthy spread doesn’t have to break the bank. The first time Alex Carballo roasted a turkey, he was just out of high school. He followed his mom’s recipe, but didn’t quite get the timing right. He pulled the bird out of the oven at 10 p.m. Everyone had eaten sides by then, he recalled, but they waited for and enjoyed the anticipated main dish. Carballo, the executive chef at Stone World Bistro and Gardens, now has more experience putting together a Thanksgiving meal. At the request of his kids, the Stone chef makes mac ‘n cheese, but he likes to include lighter, healthier fare too, saying, “Not everything has to have butter and cream.” Carballo includes sides of fall vegetables, like beets. His citrus and beet salad needs little in the way of seasoning or special ingredients if fresh, seasonal produce is used. Deanna Smith, owner of Gluten Not Included Bakery, agrees with this principle, saying, “Stick with what’s in season when all flavors are at their peak.” Persimmons, pears and pomegranates all taste best in fall, when they can also be purchased at the best value due to their relative abundance. Consider planning desserts around the autumn treats when less sugar, spice or salt is needed to bring out their flavors. Smith avoids eating food items that come in boxes so she doesn’t have to worry about preservatives or other potentially harmful additives. If she does buy something in packaging, she reads the label. She recommends staying away from items with ingredients that you can’t pronounce. Kelly Hartford, marketing director at Jimbo’s Naturally and another avid label reader, suggests planning out holiday meals to get more bang for your buck. Check for sales and compare prices. 16
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Often shoppers will find that buying organically doesn’t mean spending more money.
Pumpkin Seed Quinoa Pilaf (Courtesy of Jimbo’s... Naturally)
She also suggests buying in bulk from bins, like those at Jimbo’s and Sprouts. Bulk bins allow the opportunity to buy just enough of the ingredients that shoppers need.
2 cups filtered water 1 tbsp organic vegetable broth 1 cup organic quinoa, uncooked 2 small organic shallots, diced 1 cup organic yellow onions 1 cup organic peas 1 cup organic celery, diced 1 cup organic bell pepper, diced 2 tbsp organic olive oil 1 teaspoon organic garlic, minced ¼ cup organic pumpkin seeds 1 teaspoon fresh organic thyme leaves, removed from the stem Dash of ground white pepper 1 bay leaf
Hartford offers a recipe for Pumpkin Seed Quinoa Pilaf, which appeared on Jimbo’s holiday menu last year. This dish mixes quinoa, a grainlike seed, with vegetables, broth and pumpkin seeds for an easy and complementary side to add to the table. “What I love about this recipe,” she said, “is that it doesn’t call for a lot of ingredients.” While Hartford gets most of her Thanksgiving meal through Jimbo’s holiday offerings, her mom enjoys making the turkey. Hartford generally cooks at home as a way to keep down costs while still eating healthfully. Also, that way she knows exactly what she’s feeding herself and her family. “You want to serve friends and family something that tastes good and is good for them.” Thankfully, natural and healthy often means delicious and affordable too.. Here is the recipe for Hartford’s quinoa salad. The recipe for the Citrus and Beet Salad from Chef Alex Carballo of Stone World Bistro & Gardens can be found at www.downtownescondido.com.
Soften the shallots, onions, celery, carrots and garlic in the olive oil, over low heat with a little water in the bottom of a medium stock pot; once onions are transparent, remove the vegetables from heat and add the peas. Add the vegetable stock to the water along with the white pepper, bay leaf, and thyme and mix well. Add quinoa and stock water to the medium stock pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Toast the pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet in the oven at 325º for about 5 minutes; ovens vary, so watch closely so the seeds do not burn. Seeds may also be toasted in a dry skillet on the stove top, stirring often. Combine the quinoa, pumpkin seeds and veggies together. The pilaf can be served as a side dish or used to stuff bell peppers or squash for a delicious vegetarian entrée.
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Buy Fresh • Buy Local Support Small Local Farmers Keep Your Money in our Community
Fresh Produce • Flowers • Gourmet Oils & Sauces Arts & Crafts & Imports • Seafood & Meats Artisan Breads • Relishes & Preserves House Plants • Fruit Trees Prepared Ethnic Dishes To Go
EscondidoFarmers’ Market Tuesdays on Grand Avenue 2:30 - 6 pm
760-740-0602 AUTUMN
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All- American
By Erin Peet Photos by Tehara Tweed
Never mind the health-food trends, come Saturday morning or Sunday after church, we are always going to crave an All-American breakfast of bacon and eggs, an omelet, biscuits and gravy, or a tall stack of pancakes. Escondido is lucky to possess a number of authentic, diner-style joints that serve up the ultimate morning comfort food in a room full of genuine vinyl and chrome. These days, some are offering healthier options as well. Check out one of these neighborhood favorites for your next weekend brunch. Champions Family Restaurant: An Escondido tradition, Champions offers home-cooked, well-priced food. Cinnamon rolls or biscuits and gravy are a delicious option instead of toast with most breakfasts. The Country Eggs Benedict features home-made biscuits, ham, eggs and gravy. For lighter fare, the Veggie Omelet with homemade salsa on the side and fruit instead of hash browns is a healthy alternative. 117 West Grand Avenue Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 747-0288
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Centre City Cafe: The Centre City Cafe serves up an extensive variety of breakfasts from omelets to Belgian waffles to steak and eggs. A local favorite is the Jack of Hearts Omelet that includes bacon and artichoke hearts topped with jack cheese, served with a side of sour cream. Make sure to try the biscuits and gravy which are full of sausage and are reputed to be out of this world. The Chorizo Scramble will never let you down. 2680 South Escondido Boulevard Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 489-6011
The Wagon Wheel Restaurant: Serving up breakfast since 1953, the Wagon Wheel has a long history with comfort food. They have thick-cut bacon with eggs (speaking of bacon...come back for lunch and get the BLT with Avocado Sandwich). The Buttermilk Hot Cakes with maple syrup are luscious. Breakfast specials like two eggs, two pancakes, two sausage links, and two bacon strips are a great value and will satisfy your breakfast cravings. 427 W Mission Avenue Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 745-3227
Charlie’s Family Restaurant: For good, oldfashioned home cooking, head on over to Charlie’s Family Restaurant. The “Charlie’s Special” with two eggs, two pancakes, two sausages and two pieces of bacon is a great value. Try the ABC Omelet or Belgian Waffle with bacon to start your morning off right. The “Texas Style” French toast is a treat as well. 210 North Ivy Street Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 738-1545
The Golden Egg Omelet House: The Golden Egg Omelet House has a little bit of everything, and their vast omelet menu is dynamite. You can’t go wrong with any omelet, but try one with avocado and you are sure to be pleased. The Eggs Benedict and the Belgian Waffles are divine, and the hashbrowns, crispy. The huge cinnamon roll is definitely worth sharing with your entire group. The Golden Egg carries local Dudley’s Bread, so try the Date Nut Raisin Bread with your breakfast. 316 W Mission Avenue #101 Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 489-6420
Move as One
Breakfast
Dance Classes
Basic Step Class for Newcomers TUESDAYS
6:30-7 • First Time FREE 7-8 pm Drop In Social Dance Class Covers two dances each class & dances rotate each week
Home Sweet Home Cafe: The breakfast menu at Home Sweet Home Cafe boasts many choices in a great homestyle environment. The French Toast Special with three halves of French toast, two eggs, two bacon strips or one large sausage link is an excellent choice. Specialty creamers are offered with coffee. To stay on the healthy side, substitute fruit for bread or order an egg substitute. Try a Breakfast Burrito or one of several delicious omelets and you will leave happy. 662 Enterprise Street Escondido, CA 92029 (760) 743-2233
The Westside Cafe:The newly remodeled and under-new-management Westside Cafe has an expansive menu that gives diners tempting meal choices such as The Veggie Scramble, featuring tomatoes, mushrooms and onions and a side of hash browns or home fries and toast, and the sumptuous Westside Omelet, containing Kielbasa, green onions and feta. This neighborhood eatery won’t let you go home hungry! 912 South Redwood Street Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 746-5773
8-9pm Series Class
Same 2 dances covered each week & those dances change each month
CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS ESCONDIDO 340 N. Escondido Blvd
**** Studio 4 ****
Behind CCAE Theater Buildings Adjacent to Grape Day Park
Beginners & solo welcome Private lessons also available student/senior/military discounts
Professional Instructor Dan Gibbons
(858)248-0593 www.sandiegodanceinstructor.com AUTUMN
2012
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HOMETOWN BREWS Marked by passion, creativity and community, Escondido’s burgeoning craft beer culture prepares to take flight
By Jaime Kautsky
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Looming large above Highway 55 in St. Louis, Missouri, is an enormous complex of imposing, old red-brick buildings emblazoned with an oversized mural of Clydesdales, the majestic horses that have become synonymous with mega-brewer Anheuser-Busch.
a landmark bottle shop, and a host of new beer businesses that insiders say could finally tip the city toward becoming a well-balanced craft beer destination in its own right.
As a child in the ‘80s, I loved peering at those mysterious structures as my family drove by, wondering what happened inside, and taking a deep breath of the pungent odor I now recognize as the smell of mashed grains. Twenty-five years after my childhood trips through the Gateway City, the beer industry is changing.
The headquarters of Stone Brewing Co., and its formidable, gargoyle-shielded Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, lie just southwest of the 15 and 78 freeway interchange, on what CEO and co-founder Greg Koch called in his recent book, “our little slice of heaven in Escondido.”
Commercial growth, craft style
Certainly, conglomerates still produce the lion’s share of the world’s beer. But the heroes of brewing are now the artists of the American craft beer renaissance, and it’s San Diego County, not a Midwestern metropolis, that stands as a bonafide capital of American craft beer.
As the largest craft brewery – and the largest American-owned brewery – in the southwestern United States, the company has averaged 43 percent year-to-year growth over the last 15 years. It is projected to produce more than 180,000 barrels of beer (including its signature Arrogant Bastard Ale) in 2012, and employs more than 450 people.
Anchoring the northern end of San Diego County’s craft industry, and the brewery-rich 78 freeway corridor, is Escondido – home to one of the nation’s largest craft breweries,
Stone Brewing Co. operates a 19-acre organic farm in north Escondido and offers brewery tours, Beer U classes, themed festivals, brewmaster meet-and-greets, family movie nights,
PHOTO BY TEHARA TWEED
PHOTO BY TEHARA TWEED
PHOTO COMPLIMENTS OF STONE BREWING CO.
and philanthropic events locally, and has twice earned BeerAdvocate magazine’s nod as the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth.” Though the company recently revealed expansion plans that stretch from Escondido to Europe, Koch says the organization stays true to the spirit of craft brewing. “The beautiful thing about the craft beer movement is that broad brushstrokes don’t apply,” he says. “We, by our nature as craft brewers, tend to just be more a part of our community. We tend to be socially conscious
types; we tend to be environmentally conscious types. We are creative, on the artisanal side of the equation, not the commodity side. The craft brewing community is filled, basically, with really good people.” Koch, whose 2011 book, “The Craft of Stone Brewing Co.” (co-authored with Steve Wagner and Randy Clemens) chronicles the resurgence of craft beer and rise of Stone Brewing, says he wants the people of Escondido, and San Diego County, to know “what a great overall brewing community we have. I think not everybody realizes that San Di-
ego County is considered to be the leading destination in the world for great beer. In the world.” He says, “In the 2010 World Beer Cup, which has more European judges than American, San Diego County [craft breweries] won more awards than Germany, Belgium, and the U.K. – combined.”
Local roots Tom Garcia, who worked at Stone Brewing Co. for several years as a brewer, lab technician, and cellar supervisor, left the organization in 2009 to found TAG Brewing Solutions, an Escondido-based consulting firm for comAUTUMN
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mercial breweries like Vista’s Mother Earth Brew Co. Garcia was raised in Escondido and still lives here with his wife, Sarah. When the two decided to embark on a “passion project” and open a brewery with longtime friend Dan Reed, an alumnus of Stone Brewing Co. and San Diego’s Green Flash Brewing Co., planting their business in Escondido was non-negotiable.
cal brewing legend from North County’s Pizza Port, inspired him to try homebrewing over a decade ago. The “addiction,” Danner says, was instant. He began talking about brewing incessantly with his fire chief, Dave Livingstone, and the two brewed together in Danner’s garage weekly. “It consumed us,” he says. Out on a jog together at the fire station one
“I have a heart for my home,” Garcia shrugs. Reed, the media and marketing manager for their aptly named Offbeat Brewing Co., agrees. “We love this town,” he says. “It lays claim to amazing diversity, a beautiful landscape, and some of the best artists and artisans we’ve been privileged to know. Escondido is a more vital and interesting place than most people give it credit for being.”
Garcia, Offbeat’s president and brewmaster, says the Escondido community will be a vital part of the brewery’s operations. He plans to share their spent grains with local farmers – the stuff turns compost into “black gold,” can supplement livestock feed, and be baked into bread – and to use lots of local flora, fauna, and produce in their recipes. “People will taste Escondido in our beers,” he promises.
Try this at home Like Garcia, Rancho Santa Fe firefighter Chris Danner was introduced to the craft community through the art of homebrewing. Jeff Bagby, an old friend of Danner’s and a lo22
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The two opened their shop, just down the street from Offbeat Brewing, in January 2012, and hope to offer classes in the future. They source as many of their ingredients locally as possible – offering customers yeast from San Diego’s ubiquitous White Labs and some of their hops from Valley Center’s Steadfast Hop Farm – and say they have enjoyed seeing people come together over the art of brewing at home. “(It) has given people a reason to get away from work and spend time with their friends doing something creative. We even had husband-and-wife brewing partners who told us that brewing has brought their family and marriage closer than ever,” Danner says. “The days of sitting in a dark bar drinking Budweiser are over.”
The Offbeat team wanted to bring more options to the city’s “burgeoning” craft beer scene, says Reed, and they wanted to bring their signature brand of “quirkiness and fun” to it, too. (There are limits, apparently; at press time, Garcia’s wish for a brewery chicken was still being held off by his vice-president/wife and business partner.) ffbeat’s brewery and tasting room, which is set to open this fall, was transformed with the help of family, friends, and a fair amount of ingenuity. The tasting bar is being created out of reclaimed wood, including discarded wooden pallets, planks from Reed’s parents’ old waterbed, and his uncle’s hardwood floor. Many of the room’s interior elements, including two of the beer tanks, are also re-used or repurposed.
brew, to come and feel at home in a relaxed atmosphere. We try hard … to give them all the tools and ingredients they need to brew some amazing beers.”
‘Intentional’ community Aaron Calles, a restaurant industry veteran and seasoned homebrewer, is counting on it. Calles will open a brewpub this fall in downtown Escondido. His Plan 9 Alehouse will fill the old Theatrix building near Kalmia and Grand, and Calles says its atmosphere will be “warm and inviting.” “We intentionally built community into the plan of the brewpub,” he says. “We want to
“In the 2010 World Beer Cup, which has more European judges than American, San Diego County[craft breweries] won more awards than Germany, Belgium, and the U.K. – combined.” day, Danner, who also owns an Escondidobased training company for medical personnel, suggested they open a homebrewing shop next to his existing business.
create space for community and friendship. We don’t believe in eating or drinking alone – food and drink is meant to be enjoyed amongst friends and family.”
Livingstone was all in; they started writing their business plan that day on a paper towel for Smokin’ Beaver, a name that honors the brass animal adorning the top of firefighters’ helmets.
Calles plans to source all of their food locally and fresh, and describes the dishes as “flavorful and familiar with our own unique twist” – think sweet roasted corn and pasilla soup topped with salted and peppered white popcorn, and bourbon and Sriracha duck wings. They will pair it with beer on tap “from new and local breweries, as well as traditional American and European brew styles,” and their own collaborations with local breweries. Though
“Escondido had a need for a solid local brew shop,” says Danner. “The biggest reason behind us opening Smokin’ Beaver was to provide a place for people like us who had a passion for brewing, or those who wanted to learn how to
the challenges of starting a small business in his hometown have thus far been primarily financial, Calles says it has been encouraging “getting to know our community on a much deeper level.” “It’s been rewarding to meet so many people who are excited about us opening a brewpub downtown,” he says. “We feel loved and supported already.” One of the aspects of the craft brewing culture that appeals so much to Calles is the camaraderie: “There doesn’t exist this dog-eat-dog mentality often found in many other industries, but a real sense of friendship, involvement, and collaboration.” Koch, the Stone Brewing Co. CEO, echoes that sentiment. “I don’t see competitors, I see compatriots,” he says. “Our philosophy is that anybody who is working to raise the bar, to increase the awareness and positive perception of what beer can, and, I think, should be, is a friend of ours. We’re vying for the same things. It’s a journey taking beer out of being the lowest-common denominator … into the beautiful works of art that it can be.”
Taste of art
I’m representing the brewer by making sure I keep the beer in its best state until it gets to the consumer. I want the brewery to do well, and have a happy beer drinker.” Alex Tweet, a Holiday customer and brewer at Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits, is a vocal fan of “The Beer Sanctuary,” and says that “walking into a cold room and picking up a recently bottled Imperial Pale Ale is the beer equivalent to picking your fruit right off the tree.” He calls the store a “great ambassador of craft beer in Escondido” and says Hodges’ “well-thought-out beer tastings” have made beer “as approachable as possible for newinto-craft customers.” Holiday began a homebrew competition and collaboration to celebrate the store’s 45th anniversary in 2010. First-place winners’ recipes are brewed, bottled, and sold by a Southern California craft brewer – thus far, those include Orange County’s The Bruery, San Diego’s Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits, and Vista’s Iron Fist Brewing Co. (Tweet was offered his position at Ballast Point after winning first, second, and third place in the 2011 competition.)
Hodges, who notices other shop owners stopping by to check out Holiday’s selection (“I take that as a compliment,” he says), is also seeing “new customers all the time, and some regulars making completely different choices in beer, from their usual to the extreme.” With the breadth and quality of artists setting up shop in Escondido, local fans of craft beer – longtime devotees and newbies alike – have increasing opportunities to savor inventive and influential brews in their own hometown. It’s energizing for the city’s industry and culture, and those involved don’t want to put any limits on Escondido’s potential for growth. “There are some exciting new places in, and in the works for, our town,” says Dan Reed of Offbeat Brewing. “We’d love to see a community of fun, creative people come together around them. I’d love to be hanging out in North Park on a Friday afternoon and hear someone say, “Let’s see what’s going on in Esco tonight.’”
Mark Hodges, the beer buyer at Escondido’s 47-year-old landmark bottle shop, Holiday Wine Cellar, is doing his best to educate the public about beer’s artistic potential through almost-weekly tastings in the store’s cellar and special events like quarterly bottle shares and annual homebrew competitions. Hodges, a former fisherman who grew up in neighboring Rancho Santa Fe, came of age in North San Diego County’s craft beer scene and says it is his “heart and passion.” Holiday enjoys a clientele that’s willing to travel from other counties, and a fan base of craft brewers themselves – who can often be found sampling the shop’s wares at those cellar tastings. The store, which Hodges says was the first ever to sell Stone Brewing Co. bottles in the late 1990s, currently offers more than 800 craft beers and built a cooler last year that many customers have taken to calling “The Beer Sanctuary.” “It’s awesome when a customer from out of state comes in and you hear them yelling and screaming in the beer cooler with excitement,” he says. “I look at it in a sense that AUTUMN
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Remembering By Julie Drexler Desmarais
To some, the flagrant skulls-and-skeletons imagery of Día de los Muertos may seem macabre, and the holiday’s proximity to October 31st implies an easy association with the ghoulish revelry of Halloween as it has evolved in American culture. Yet Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a distinctly separate tradition and not spooky at all. Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, Día de los Muertos is a time when loved ones who have died are remembered and honored. In fact, it is believed that the souls of the deceased physically revisit the earth annually on these days, allowing surviving friends and family the opportunity to actually sit and visit with them. While communing with dead people might sound a bit out of the norm to those raised in American culture, “In Mexico, spirits and ghosts are as much alive as people are,” says Diana Jiminez, a second-generation Mexican-American and owner of Elements Salon on Grand Avenue. “It’s not a question of whether they exist - they do exist.”
Photo by Wes Santos/Stone Photography 24
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The two-day tradition is a joyful reunion with those who have died, marked by family gatherings and plenty of eating and drinking. “It’s like having a party with them once a year and celebrating them,” says Jiminez. People share stories about their deceased loved ones, sing traditional songs, pray, and visit with one another. This may last for the evening or go on through the night with extended family holding vigil until daybreak when it is believed the spirits return to the afterlife. Just as with any
party, however, preparations must be made before the festivities can get underway. To prepare for their spirit guests, people make altars (“ofrendas”) in honor of the deceased, either in their own homes or at the loved one’s gravesite. Gravesites are often cleaned and swept. Altars in the home are usually a simple table laden with photographs of the deceased, as well as items that were important such as toys (for children) and favorite foods. Traditional celebratory foods may also be offered: moles, tamales, and pan de muerto (“bread of the dead”), a sweet egg bread sometimes in the shape of a person or animal. Tequila or traditional liquors such as mescal and pulque (both derived from the agave plant), or atole, a thick corn drink, are sometimes left on the altar as well. Although spirits have no physical bodies, it is believed that the living should provide sustenance for the souls who have traveled a long way from the afterlife to earth, and who must again make the journey back. The spirits consume the essence of the food, the remains of which are later given away or eaten. Other traditional elements include the marigold, called “cempazúchil,” which is thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings, and a special incense, “copal,” made from tree resin which is burned with the belief that the aromas are used or consumed by the spirits. Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Día de los Muertos, however, is the skull. Skulls
the dead made of ceramic, paper maché, or hardened sugar are painted and adorned with flowers and placed on the altars, often with the deceased person’s name inscribed on the forehead. Whimsical figurines of skeletons (“calacas”) grinning and dancing, smoking a cigarette, or dressed in wedding attire standing before a skeleton priest are common. In American culture, these images fly in the face of solemn attitudes toward death, which Americans believe is no laughing matter. But to those of Mexican heritage, these depictions of the dead “tie into the celebration of the lives they had when they were living,” says Jiminez. “They were all husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters,” and they are depicted as such, doing all the normal things they did when they were alive. Like the celebration in its entirety, these depictions aren’t about death at all, but about life.
From Past to Present The traditions of Día de los Muertos are rooted in rituals originating perhaps more than 3,000 years ago with the indigenous peoples of Mexico. Miccailhuitontli – the ninth month of the Aztec Solar Calendar or, roughly, August – was a month of ceremonies that primarily focused on celebrating the dead. During this month, food and offerings would be made to altars constructed in honor of the deceased. Skulls symbolized both death and rebirth, and the festivities were be-
lieved to be presided over by Mictecacihuatl, the goddess of the underworld and caretaker of the afterlife, most widely known today as “Lady of the Dead.” When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in what is now Mexico in the 16th Century, however, the practice ran contrary to the explorers’ Catholic beliefs. In an effort to Christianize the practice, they moved the festival from summer to fall so that it coincided with the Christian holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, November 1st and 2nd, respectively. In Mexico today, this merging of Aztec tradition with Christian celebrations is embraced both culturally and religiously. While the practice is a hallmark of Mexican culture, time will tell whether the tradition survives in America. “It’s definitely not a second-generation thing to do,” asserts Jiminez, who, despite having extensive knowledge of the practice, has never actually celebrated the holiday herself. Escondido resident Cristal Rodriguez, also a second-generation Mexican- American, concurs: “I have only celebrated it a couple of times with family when I was younger.” If it is losing momentum as younger generations of Mexican-Americans leave some of their cultural traditions to their elders, it will take a long time for the gears of Día de los Muertos to grind to a halt. A quick internet search yields links to dozens of festivals, parades, and other related activities across the
U.S. from California, to Wisconsin, to Florida. Many of these events have their own websites and Facebook pages, a sure sign that young people are carrying the tradition forth. Here in Escondido, the tradition is kept alive and well by the Mexican-American community and the city alike. During the latter half of October, a fourfoot tall traveling skull roams downtown Escondido. Made of paper maché, the skull is placed on a large wagon and stationed at various sites on Grand Avenue. Passersby are encouraged to decorate it with the name of a loved one who has died, or embellish it with a picture. This collaborative work was originally produced with resources from the Escondido Arts Partnership Municipal Gallery. It is stored in the gallery and brought into public annually to bring awareness to the upcoming Día de los Muertos holiday and the rich Mexican-American Culture present in Escondido. Both the California Center for the Arts and the Escondido Public Library hold events as well. (See inset calendar for additional information.) Another local tradition akin to Día de los Muertos is observed by the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, a local group of the Kumeyaay. The ceremony, called Ghost Dance, begins on the first full moon of the summer solstice and takes place over four days from sunset to sunrise. During the nights, “we dance to celebrate our life, but also the lives of those who have enabled us AUTUMN
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Models (left to right): Diana Jimenez, Penelope Leggett, Jennifer Fiallos, Tyler Muelhauser, Esmeralda Cifuentes, Maggie Villa & Wes Santos Special thanks to Wendy Barker and the Escondido History Center 26
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Photo by Kurt LIghtfoot/Deja Vu Photo Services Photo Direction by Thora Guthrie Costume Design by Julianne Jones, owner of Studio 158 Photo Styling by Shawna Cruise and Julianne Jones Assistant Direction by Alexandra McHenry Makeup Artists: Marissa Banda & Karina Cazarez Hair Design: Elyana Gomez, Shawna Cruise, Brenda Espinoza AUTUMN
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An old
to be here,” says Ulysses Belardes, Ceremonial Chief of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and Native American Spiritual Advisor to the State of California. “We are honoring those who have passed and asking the Creator to allow them to use us, use our bodies, as a will for them to dance with us again and sing with us again. It’s a celebration of their life and of their spirit.”
Mexican legend says that people
Similar to the Mexican community, Belardes says his people do not look at death as scary, but believe it is “more of an inheritance of spiritual knowledge that is given to us so we can channel our ancestors. As Native Americans, through dance, ritual, and song, we are giving thanks for those who have passed on.”
actually die three deaths: the
The dancing and singing is followed by a sweat lodge ceremony in the morning, and then rest during the day to prepare for the next night.
first when our physical
The lesson to be learned about death from these cultures may ironically be about life. Unlike in American culture where people are averse to discussing aging, let alone dying, other cultures view death as a natural transition or even continuation of life, not an ending.
bodies die, the second when we
“We are the most death-denying society,” says Jennifer Marsh, Community Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Elizabeth Hospice’s Center for Compassionate Care on Canterbury Place. She says that as a practice, Americans do not prepare themselves for death – their own or their loved ones’ – and while rehashing feelings of loss sounds emotionally difficult, she asserts “rituals in and of themselves can be healing.”
are buried, and the third when there is no
To aid in the healing process, Compassionate Care counselors assist children in North County schools with constructing memorials to honor deceased loved ones for Día de los Muertos.
one left to remember
Marsh says grieving and loss are highly personal processes, and as the Compassionate Care Center teaches, “Grieving is not about forgetting – it is about honoring, sharing, and preserving memories.” In fact, some believe keeping one’s memory alive is a means of keeping the individual alive.
us.
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A great deal of work and creativity went into the photography and the preparation for our Day of the Dead photo shoot. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this project possible (listed on previous page). We look forward to sharing more of this type of creativity in the pages of Escondido CITY Magazine in issues to come.
Photo by Wes Santos/Stone Photography
Behind the scenes
Studio 158 S A L O N • G A L L E RY B O U T I QU E
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Photo by Wes Santos/Stone Photography
Photo by Tehara Tweed
stylist for the Photo by Wes Santos
Photo by Wes Santos
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Escondido CITY Magazine, its editors, volunteers, and the Board of Directors of the Escondido Downtown Business Association, were saddened to hear of the passing of Scott Kuhnly this July. Our sincere condolences go to his wife, Patty, and to the many, many people who knew him, loved him and who will miss him. This interview with Scott took place in April of this year.
Atelier on Grand By A.K. Rubesha Photos By Viki Strand
“I trust everybody who buys art. People who buy art are more highly evolved and people who buy my art are like saints.” Artist Scott Kuhnly
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Mentor, friend, raconteur extraordinaire, and master painter. His atelier is on Grand Avenue in Historic Downtown Escondido. And while atelier may sound a little grandiose for a storefront, it is the honest to goodness working studio for nationally-known artist, Scott Kuhnly. Kuhnly has had his studio at the Arcade Building for 43 of his 73 years. Visiting him there is like being in Times Square - you eventually meet everyone you know. He is continuously visited by a stream of friends, admirers, collectors and people seeking advice on all matters related to art. He has learned, he says, to keep painting even as he dispenses his advice along with his ever-amusing anecdotes, wondrous stories and reflections on life. He has been a prolific drawer since he was a child. “Drawing is like magic,” he says. “I knew from the time I was a little kid that I was going to be an artist.” He goes on to say that he was privileged to have had parents who encouraged him and enabled him. His mother always had paper and pencils available for him to do his drawing, and he was 7 years old when he had his first art show. He vividly remembers his father, who died when Scott was 11, telling him that he had always wanted to be an artist himself, but instead went for business and became the Comptroller for Signal Oil. He encouraged his son to become an artist if that’s what would make him happy. And so, armed with his incredible talent and the support of his parents, he continued to pursue his art during his high school and college years, and
graduated with his BFA and MFA from CSU Long Beach. His studio is filled with a variety of pieces of artwork, and looking around, one wonders how one person can do so many different styles of art. Asked what style he’s working in now, he explains he’s doing plein air painting. (En plein air is French for “in the open air,” where artists take their canvas, paints and brushes outdoors to paint landscapes using natural light.) Usually he and his buddies go out to Lake Dixon. But, over the years Kuhnly has experimented with a variety of styles—some loose, some tight, some highly chromatic. “I’ve always liked doing different types of work”,”he said. He will work in a certain style until he’s learned everything he can from a certain painting method, and then move on to something else. “The most dangerous thing that can happen to people as they pursue their art is to be successful at one way of expressing themselves—they end up only doing that one thing and it ruins them as real artists,”he says. “I’ve always been able to do what I do and people have always been there to appreciate and buy my work.” His work is currently in many, many private collections across the country and in the permanent collection at the National Automotive and Truck Museum in Auburn, Indiana. Looking around his studio, one very large piece stands out. It’s a highly stylized, very brightly colored painting of a tree with no leaves. “I’ve always been fascinated by trees, and this one is right outside the Continental
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Unique Custom Designs
Scott Kuhnly painting of the tree outside Continental Deli. Photo © 2012 Viki Strand/PhotoArts Group.
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Deli on Kalmia Street. I looked and looked at that tree and thought that tree would make a great painting, and I should do it.” So he did. And it is.
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Reflecting back on his father’s advice, Scott believes that being an artist was his destiny. He has never done anything else, and he has never been sorry.
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Neither Lost Travel back in time to a world that did not have discount stores or shopping malls; when people relied on the specialized talents of others to get through their everyday lives. If they needed a new shovel, they went to the blacksmith. If they wanted a heavy blanket for cold winter nights, they stopped by the handweaver’s shop. If they needed a bassinet for a soon-to-arrive baby, they went to the woodworker. Although times have changed, many of these types of historical arts still exist in Escondido thanks to artists and artisans who are passionate about keeping them alive and thriving in our city. The delight they find in designing and creating their works is deeply inspiring and contagious.
Inspired by nature, whimsical, and full of color are the common traits of Garry Cohen’s diverse blown-glass pieces at the Glass Ranch Studio. He incorporates the movement and fanciful side of life into his work, whether it be table sculptures, lamps, functional ware such as pitchers and tumblers, teapots, or vessels like plates and bowls. He also enjoys creating customized, personalized spaces in people’s homes, serving as a consultant, creating commission pieces and gifts, and growing his art in new directions. Currently, he is creating a piece named The Hydra that was inspired by Avatar. It is intended to grace a garden or corporate/public space. The maze of climbing paths that Garry handdug in his yard and the beautifully varied plants and trees that create the oasis he calls his home and studio exhibit the source of the energy and vision that drive his passion. The development of his oasis also mirrors the creation of his glass work and his consistent desire to grow and expand his talents. The diversity of the plants reflects the variety of disciplines he incorporates into his work. His consistent nurturing of the yard and expansion of his creative vision show his desire to thrive in his art and promote culture through art. A family-owned business with hands-on involvement and attention to detail are the
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traits that will leave a permanent smile on clients’ faces with every woodworking job done by the McNew brothers of McFinn Designs – Shem and Amal. Sleek kitchen cabinetry, an entertainment unit handcrafted to fit the space and dreams of its owner, and an elegant credenza with an artistic flair are a small sampling of their creations. The diverse woodworking abilities of the McNew brothers provide clients with a broad variety of talents which they can tap into. Whether it’s designing or constructing a table and chairs for a new home, a music stand for a father’s birthday, or new cabinetry as a surprise for a spouse, they can accomplish the task. They also assist with aspects of remodeling such as mantels, moldings, doors, paneling, handrails, and shelving. Shem and Amal each derive part of their passion from a unique source. Shem thrives on the challenge of changing large spaces and the pleasure of working with clients to create their vision. He favors walnut and old growth Douglas fir and redwood. Amal enjoys designing and constructing furniture to fit the needs and desires of clients, with olive, walnut, and zericote being his favorite materials. Both agree, however, that their passion also stems from the blessing of being able to support their families with the art they treasure. With six (soon to be seven) children between
st Nor Forgotten
Story by Heather Harshman Photos by Tehara Tweed
The Revitalization of Historic Arts them, this is an admirable accomplishment. Unique textures mixed with great color sense are trademarks of the garments created by Jean Degenfelder of Jean’s Handwovens. She makes Sante Fe tops, scarves, baby blankets, swing vests, jackets, and ruanas. They are largely woven from natural products such as cotton, wool, and rayon. Her creations’ flowing nature and varied textures and designs make them stand apart from what one can find elsewhere. Her desire to continually challenge herself has led to designing new garments each year and exploring felting. She is currently experimenting with felting products, and she offers felting classes. Her business sense runs in the family, with her parents and five siblings having owned a business at one time. The talents of her family members have ranged from owning a bed and breakfast to being a dance instructor, but the devotion and zeal that Jean, her parents, and siblings exhibit in their respective arts is consistent. Keeping an old trade alive is the goal of those who pound on anvils at the blacksmith shop in Grape Day Park. Many of the blacksmiths who use the shop are taught by John Kawalski through the Regional Occupational Program of the Escondido Adult School or by master blacksmith Phil Ewing. Beginning students are
taught to hand make tools such as tongs. Custom-made tools are a blacksmith’s best and most-needed friend. Without them, a blacksmith can’t even make a knife blade, which requires four types of tongs. More advanced students are taught to hammer heated metals. They are instructed on drawing out the metal (making it longer or thinner), upsetting it (making it bigger or fatter), and hammering, which is the most challenging part due to the need for power and control. Knowing the qualities and needs of the metal is necessary because metal that is too hot or too cool may crumble or splatter. Once students complete the beginner class at Escondido Adult School they can join the Bandy Blacksmith Guild. Some benefits of joining the guild include having access to the shop on Saturdays for working on projects, and working and problem-solving with other blacksmiths. Some of the reasons to learn blacksmithing are reflected in how past students have used the art. One person creates tools for an auto body shop, another incorporates metal into her art, and others construct pieces for their homes or to give as gifts. But no matter what AUTUMN
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a person will do with the art, all are welcome at the shop. Even those who are simply curious about blacksmithing or want to pick up a hammer and give it a swing are encouraged to stop by. Be sure to wear jeans, a t-shirt, and closed-toe shoes if you want to take a hammer in hand. Enthusiasm and ingenuity are what potter Julie Brooke brings to the wheel when working with clients. After 35 years of “throwing on the wheel,” she is still enamored with her art. She thrives on continually learning about creating crystal-glazed porcelain, one of her specialties. The crystals’ flower-like appearance and diverse nature make every decorative piece unique and breathtakingly beautiful. Julie’s study of and work with this type of pottery has made her internationally known for iridescent red crystals that are created through the oil drip process.
SAFARI NIGHTS THE 2012 Y EVENT
The functional stoneware that is her second specialty is made to the clients’ specifications. Eight- or 10-inch plates, rice bowls, goblets – whatever is selected, Julie will custom make and decorate the pieces that are even oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe. Some of Julie’s pieces are available for purchase at the San Diego Potters’ Guild in Balboa Park. Wanting to create an experience rather than just an object is the goal of sculptor Peter Mitten, whether he is working with wood, stone,
Presented by
Saturday, September 29, 2012 San Diego Zoo Safari Park 6:00pm-10:00pm Enjoy dinner, auctions, live entertainment, animal exhibits and more while supporting the Palomar Family YMCA. Tickets
Individual Table of 8
$95 $700
PALOMAR FAMILY YMCA 1050 N. Broadway Escondido, CA 92026 P 760 745 7490 www.palomar.ymca.org 36
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Community Sponsors
concrete, or Escondido granite. Each piece has an emphasis on how people relate or react to it, which speaks to the depth and diversity of his work. A large part of his inspiration in creating the pieces comes from the structure of natural cliff faces. Although Peter is known for metal casting (pouring melted metal into a mold), he has expanded to welding, with a focus on aluminum. He creates pieces for residences, corporations, and municipalities, including portraits in bronze, garden sculptures, custom furniture, and gates. Clients can choose from his collection or meet with Peter to develop their individual ideas. Peter’s work is on display at the Escondido Transit Center and San Diego County Library in Fallbrook.
Glass Ranch Studio Garry Cohen Visits by appointment or attend the semi-annual Glass Ranch Studio Event November 23 – 25, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. http://www.cherrielaporte.com/ GlassRanch/Home.html McFinn Designs Amal and Shem McNew www.mcfinndesigns.com (858) 220-0837 Jean’s Handwovens Jean Degenfelder www.Jeanshandwovens.com (760) 740-9700 Attend the semi-annual show at Jean’s studio on November 23 – 25, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Blacksmith ROP http://www.escondidoadultschool-rop.org/ Bandy Blacksmith Guild http://bandyblacksmith.org/index. php; Blacksmith Shop at Grape Day Park; Hours: September 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every Saturday Julie Brooks - pottery By appointment: scotpot1@ yahoo.com Peter Mitten - sculptor www.petermitten.com
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OPEN HEARTS, OPEN ADOPTION by JESSICA PETRENCSIK
June 2012 “Mama, how much do you love me?” He looks at me expectantly. It’s a question he asks me several times daily, a sweet competition of love, rooted in the children’s story Guess How Much I Love You, a bedtime favorite when he was a year old. I tell him how much I love him, and he tells me how he loves me more. “Mama, mama, mama!” his sister toddles up beside him, grabbing my knee with her pudgy fingers, shoving a stuffed pink cat onto my lap. He is four years strong, with sandy blond hair that will one day turn brown, crystal blue eyes that catch the attention of strangers, rosy cheeks, and pale skin. His grin is marked at the corners with tiny creases that give his squarely shaped face an impish look. He is my Kid Sunshine. She is a year old. Her golden skin browns so easily that she’s almost a different shade when I pull her out of the sandbox on a shiny day. Her eyes are dark--the light reflecting off them appears to twinkle. Bright Eyes is what I call her. Nearly black hair curls gently around her narrow face, the face that spends much of its time wrapped around her toothy smile.
photo by brent PETRENCSIK
My kids don’t look anything like each other, but that makes sense; they share no DNA. 38
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floral tablecloths and a potluck selection of lunch food. Ten children run, crawl, or sit on blankets as the adults who accompanied them catch up on topics like health and hunting cabins and adjusting to life with another newborn. This is Benjamin’s birth mother’s home, and these are his birth father’s relatives. These are my son’s people, even as much as my husband and I are. The children play in the old peeling barn, and a photograph is taken of them all in the doorway. We all - my husband and I, the aunties, the grandparents, the family friends - want to remember this day. We want the cousins to know each other. And Grandma and Grandpa want a photo of all their grandkids on the wall. This scene is just a glimpse into our “living out” this open adoption. When we adopted my son, we resided on the other side of the country. While there, we saw his birth parents about once a month. Eventually we returned to my hometown, Escondido, and relationship-building became a thing of letters and phone calls, Facebook updates, and a family blog. Every year, however, we meet up with his birth mother. It’s just that important.
PHOTO BY JOHN GERARDY
And while my son and I might look similar enough to fool some people, I share none of his DNA either. We came to be family through open adoption. As with many folks who choose to adopt, my husband and I set out thinking we’d have a family like everyone else does - by getting pregnant. By entering a hospital nine months later and bringing home a smooshed little creature in whose face we would be able to discern her father’s nose or her mama’s eyes. But after five years, there was no pregnancy. One in seven couples in the United States experiences infertility. This equates to roughly
seven million men and women. When a cause is discernible, about half of the complications are related to the men, and half to the women. But then there’s the nearly 20% of us who appear perfectly healthy--for us, infertility is a mystery. While numerous medical treatments are available with varying potential for success, my husband and I decided to adopt. July 2011 It is summer, and we are back East, standing in the dappled shade of friendly trees on an acre of country land where Benjamin’s birth mother recently made her home. A couple of tables are lined up, covered with vintage
The term “open adoption” is not a very precise one. At minimum, it means that a woman giving birth has the opportunity to choose the adoptive parents for her child. Perhaps she chooses their profile, a description of their lives with a photo, from a stack of profiles given her by an agency. Perhaps she has the chance to meet them. At least she knows their names, and they have committed to sending her occasional photos and updates of her child. But that is only the most basic form of openness. Increasingly, open adoption refers to an ongoing relationship among the birth parents, the adopted child, and the adoptive parents.The birth mother has several months prior to the birth to get to know the adoptive family well. The adopted child is free to know and love and be loved by the biological family. Biological family members are invited to birthday parties and other events. The relationships take on the look and feel of extended family, not unlike adding family to one’s life through marriage. AUTUMN
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adoption began to blossom in the 1970s, though it is a frequently unknown or misunderstood arrangement even today. When we embarked on our journey, I had only one friend to look to as a model. At the time, her son was a couple of years old. She was close to her son’s birth mother, including her in family events. His biological grandmother would babysit. Her boy knew from the beginning that he had a birth mother, and that she loved him. Everything in me could see that if there was an ideal way to “do” adoption, this was it.
When you were a teeny, teeny tiny baby, you were growing in Anna’s tummy. And when the time came for you to come out, Kip called us and said, “Mama and Papa, it’s time for you to come to the hospital for your baby boy is about to be born.” And when we heard this, we smiled for we were so happy!
May 2011 The sun had dismissed herself from the sky by the time they arrived. They came in cautiously and handed us presents as I pressed my three-month-old daughter into their arms. They cradled her, then sat down on the couch and wept. These were my daughter’s abuelitos, and they were meeting her for the first time.
We packed our things and got into the car, for we lived about four hours from where you were born. And as we were driving, we were trying to decide on the very best name for you. We thought of many very good names, but we decided that the most special name for our special baby boy was Benjamin. It means “son of my right hand” which means that you would be a very important part of our family. And Anna and Kip gave you your middle name, Anwel, which means “beloved”, which means you are loved. And you ARE loved. Very much. And as we were driving the snow was falling, for you were born in winter in New York, and in New York in the winter time it snows.
“We thought we would never see her again, you know?” her abuelito shared, wiping his eyes.
Finally we arrived at the hospital. It was a very big hospital with many windows. We
Many times, unplanned pregnancies are messy situations. In my daughter’s case, the messiness almost excluded her kind grandparents. We ended up writing them a letter, telling them we wanted them to be her abuelitos, and inviting them to come see her. Within 24 hours of receiving the letter, they were at our door, and we were privileged to be part of this precious, redemptive moment. My daughter now gets to spend time with them at their house. She will grow up knowing her birth father, her cousins, and the language of her heritage. Sometimes people express awe when they hear our story. They wonder how my husband and I could open our hearts to so many who were not initially part of our family. I can only say that I am humbled by this opportunity to be part of people’s healing and restoration. It is a gift. Truly open, relational approaches to adoption are not as rare as they might seem. Open 40
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Today in San Diego County, we have a multitude of examples of open adoption. The facilitator who helped us adopt our daughter offers a monthly support group to families. Experienced families provide couples new to the process with perspective, and many families stay in touch as their children grow. Birth parents may also participate in a support group to help them navigate the emotions that arise as they follow through with this lifechanging decision. January 2008 On most nights before bed, my son requests the story of how we first met him. This is called a child’s birth story, and here is what I say:
parked our car and went in through the sliding glass doors. We walked down the halls and up the stairs and rode in an elevator and walked past many doors until we found the door that led to you. When we walked in we saw Anna and Kip and they were holding you and they said, “Mama and Papa, would you like to hold your baby boy?” And we said, “Of course we do!” And Papa held you first. You were so small, as small as a football all wrapped up in a pink and blue blanket with a tiny hat on your head. And Papa said, “This is my boy Benjamin and I love him!” And then he put you in my arms and I looked into your squinty eyes and I said, “I am so happy to meet you!”
For the adoptee, open adoption can prevent feelings of rejection or abandonment from pressing in. The child can hear from his birth mother how she chose life for him, against the odds; how he was so deeply loved that she carefully pored over the profiles of potential parents in order to choose just the right ones for him. He can know where he came from and embrace his other biological relatives and ancestry. In addition to us, a little sister, and the family dog, my son has a birth mother, a birth father, ten aunties, twelve grandparents, and, so far, nine cousins. It may sound confusing, but to Kid Sunshine, it’s simple: he’s surrounded by a whole lot of love.
And that is the story of how we came to meet you at the hospital. For a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, open adoption provides healing and comfort – she can see that her child is loved and cared for. She can become friends, in many cases, with the adoptive parents. She can take her child out for ice cream one day and answer her child’s questions.
Jessica Petrencsik has two children by open adoption and is presently fostering two more. When adopting in San Diego County, her family went through the Adoption Center of San Diego. More information on open adoption can be found at www.sdadopt.org or by calling 800298-9111.
Common Questions Who is actually the parent in an open adoption? The adoptive parents are the child’s parents legally and relationally. Birth parents are more like extended family members to the child. How long does a birth mother have to change her mind? In California, the birth parents are given the first 30 days of placement to change their minds. They may choose to waive this right. Isn’t it scary? At first, a little. But that goes away as adoptive parents and the birth parents get to know and trust each other.
Why is it so expensive? Shouldn’t it be easier to adopt? Many people and entities are involved in seeing an adoption through.The person or agency facilitating the adoption vets potential adoptive parents and offers mentoring throughout the process. This can include being extensively available by phone and email, offering a support group, and managing the paperwork. These same folks provide extensive personal support for the birth parents, including counseling when needed. Lawyers are required for both parties. Social workers, home studies, fingerprinting and background checks must be paid for. No one fee is outrageous, rather they all add up.
How much does a private adoption cost? An over-simplified answer is anywhere from $16,000 to $25,000. The actual expense varies depending on the circumstances of the specific adoption. Currently, adoptive parents receive a $13,360 tax credit. Many adoptive parents find creative ways to raise the money.
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OCTOBER 27 2 pm - 6 pm Downtown Escondido THE WEDGE 2012 AN ARTISANAL CHEESE EVENT The eDBA honors Escondido’s agricultural roots while bringing artisanal cheese, beer and wine to the historic downtown. The Wedge 2012 transforms Grand Avenue into a cheeses lover’s delight including an Artisanal Farmers’ Market with a Street Festival vibe including live music, beer/wine garden and vendors offering premium food and food-related items. Local businesses will host specialty cheeses as well as “off Grand” restaurant tasting stops while downtown restaurants will provide samples of their culinary creations featuring fine cheeses. For those 21 and older, tasting stops will feature craft beers and boutique wines.
September
8 RECEPTION: TAETRUM ET DULCE: LUX IN
5 WOW FIRST WEDNESDAYS - The Mar Dels 4 pm & 7 pm, Center Theater, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. FREE. artcenter.org 7 thru 30
THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS From the Pulitzer-Prize-winning play by Paul Zindel, this is the story of Beatrice Hunsdorfer, a middleaged widowed eccentric, looking for her life in the classified ads while all about her is the rubble of an unkempt house. Directed by Kristen Fogle and George Bailey, and produced by Jim Clevenger. Patio Playhouse, 201 E. Grand Avenue (entrance off Kalmia Street). 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, 2 pm on Sunday. Call for ticket information. 760-7466669. Patioplayhouse.org.
8 GRAPE DAY FESTIVAL Escondido’s most historic event includes a 5k fun run at 7:30 am, the parade down Grand Avenue starting at 9:30 am, and the festival at Grape Day Park from 9:30 am to 4 pm. A wine and craft beer tasting pavilion is new this year. FREE. Escondido History Center, 760743-8207. escondidohistorycenter.org
TENEBRIS Co Curated by David Vecchiato of MondoPOP and Dan Barry. 6 – 10 pm. Exhibition runs thru October 6. Distinction Gallery, 317 E. Grand Avenue. 760-781-5779. distinctionart.com
8 RECEPTION:
Fiber & Book Art (West Coast) The Escondido Arts Partnership will present their third juried Fiber & Book Art exhibition. Juried by Stephanie Bedwell. Exhibition runs thru September 29. FREE. 5:30 – 8 pm. Escondido Arts Partnership/Escondido Municipal Gallery, 262 E. Grand Avenue. 760-480-4101. Escondidoarts.org.
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Monthly bilingual book discussion facilitated by Miriam Ruvinskis. Selected title: “El jardin olvidado/The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton. Suitable for adults. 3:30 – 4:30 pm, Board Room, Escondido Public Library. 239 S. Kalmia St. 760-839-4329
29 GRAND WOOFSTOCK
RECEPTION: Gallery 262 – Art in Craft Media Reception for works by local artists working in clay, glass, fiber, wood, jewelry and gourds. 5:30 – 8 pm. 262 E. Grand Avenue (inside the Escondido Municipal Gallery). 760-480-4101
Grand Woofstock is a dog/pet expo for pet lovers, featuring all things poochie. 10 am - 4 pm, on Grand Ave. in Downtown Escondido, between Maple and Kalmia Streets. FREE to attend. A $5 entry fee for doggie contests supports Escondido Humane Society. 619-838-8020, escondidoevents.net
18 ROBERT L. WATSON LECTURES ON D-DAY
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World War II veteran and D-Day survivor, Robert L. Watson, will take us to that dreadful day where so many of our young American boys lost their lives: D-Day, Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944. 6 – 7:30 pm, Turrentine Room, Escondido Public Library. 239 S. Kalmia St. 760-839-4814
2 INTIMATE CLASSICS - Daniel Lessner, piano Daniel Lessner has toured around the world, performing solo & orchestral concerts in venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall & Los Angeles Disney Concert Hall. Sponsored by Edna Sahm. 7 pm, Center Theater, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. Tickets: $30-$47. 1-800-988-4253. Artcenter.org 42
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3 WOW FIRST WEDNESDAYS – Sublime Jazz Sublime Jazz combines the most popular music of the past with up-to-date present day musical experiences featuring a variety of improvisations by each of the musicians 4 pm & 7 pm, Center Theater, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. FREE. Artcenter.org 6 INTIMATE CLASSICS - Stephen Salters, baritone With over 30 roles on the opera stage, he has excelled equally in contemporary works and standard repertory. 7 pm, Center Theater, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. Tickets: $30-$47. Box Office: 1-800-988-4253. Artcenter.org
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RECEPTION: Fiber & Book Art (West Coast), & Fiber Collective: Designing Weavers The Escondido Arts Partnership will present their third juried Fiber & Book Art exhibition. Juried by Stephanie Bedwell. Exibition runs through September 29. FREE. 5:30 - 8 pm. Escondido Arts Partnership/Escondido Municipal Gallery, 262 E. Grand Avenue. 760-480-4101. Escondidoarts.org.
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THE WEDGE – An Artisanal Cheese Tasting Event The Wedge 2012 transforms Grand Avenue into an Artisanal Farmers’ Market with a Street Festival vibe, live music, vendor booths, and specialty tastings. Premium cheeses paired with microbrewed beers and boutique wines with tickets. Sponsored by the Escondido Downtown Business Association and downtown businesses. 2-6 pm on Grand Avenue. Free. Tasting tickets $35. Purchase tickets at TheWedgeEscondido.com. Information: 760740-0658
13 ANTHONY DORTCH JR. “THE PRIVILEGED” SERIES Works by artist Anthony Dortch. Exhibition runs thru November 3. 6 – 10 pm. Distinction Gallery, 317 E. Grand Avenue. 760-7815779. distinctionart.com
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reception: RECYCLED ART Solo exhibitions by: Sylvia T. Clark and Diane Hattula Art made from recycled materials. Exhibition runs thru November 2, 2012. 5:30 - 8 pm. Escondido Arts Partnership/Escondido Municipal Gallery, 262 E. Grand Avenue. 760-480-4101. Escondidoarts.org
13 RECEPTION: Gallery 262 - Art in Craft Media Reception for works by local artists working in clay, glass, fiber, wood, jewelry and gourds. 5:30 – 8 pm. 262 E. Grand Avenue (inside the Escondido Municipal Gallery). 760-480-4101 13 AMERICAN CHORAL CLASSICS - Center Chorale This is the debut concert of the CCAE Center Chorale. 7:30 pm, Center Theater, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. Contact Ticket Office for ticket information - 1-800-988-4253. Artcenter.org 14 ADOBE HOME TOUR The second tour of Escondido’s unique adobe homes will again bring you a mix of homes designed or built by the Escondido-based Weir Bros. as well as other local builders and designers. 12 – 5 pm. Sponsored by the Escondido History Center, 3221 N. Broadway, Grape Day Park. 760-743-8207. escondidohistorycenter.org
19 thru 28 PATIO PLAYHOUSE – “Haunting Melodies” Ghosts and Ghouls get together for a Halloween Party, singing Haunting Melodies that will chill you and thrill you. A Patio Playhouse Youtheatre Production, directed by Deborah Zimmer and produced by Gwyn Evert. Patio Playhouse, 201 E. Grand Avenue (entrance off Kalmia Street). Call for ticket information and start times. 760-746-6669. Patioplayhouse.org.
27 RECYCLED MATERIALS RUNWAY EVENT Edgy Eco-decadent designers from across the state will gather in Escondido to preview their socially relevant arte-couture and prêt-a-porter designs. Special fashion show of garments made from recycled material from 7 - 9pm. Runway event also features works in the “Recycled Art” exhibition. Escondido Arts Partnership/Escondido Municipal Gallery, 262 E. Grand Avenue. Tickets: 760-4804101. Escondidoarts.org
21 STREET FAIRE – Downtown Escondido The Escondido Downtown Street Faire is the second largest one-day street faire in the state. The Faire is sponsored by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association. More than 60,000 people converge to check out the 600 unique vendors, who have a little of everything. Grand Avenue between Centre City Parkway and Ivy Street. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Escondido Chamber of Commerce 760-745-2125.
21 ORCHESTRA NOVA - Amadeus in Concert Explore the music and story of the Oscar-winning film Amadeus with Jung-Ho Pak, artistic director/conductor. Sponsored by Jean Will. 3 pm, Concert Hall, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. Tickets: $10 - $40. Box Office: 1-800-988-4253, artcenter.org
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Selected title: El cementerio de Praga/ The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco. Monthly bilingual book discussion facilitated by Miriam Ruvinskis. Suitable for adults. 3:30 – 4:30 pm, Board Room, Escondido Public Library. 239 S. Kalmia St. 760-839-4329
O NG O ING TUESDAYS ESCONDIDO FARMERS’ MARKET The Downtown Escondido Certified Farmers’ Market and Other Purveyors, an open-air, international marketplace, is located in the heart of the historic Downtown Commercial and Antique District of Escondido, where local small farmers and California growers sell the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables (many organic), flowers, herbs, nuts, eggs and honey. You will also find gourmet chocolates, salsas, European breads, tamales, coffees, crafts, clothing and jewelry. Enjoy the tastes of the many ready-to-eat foods at the market or take them home for a great dinner! Tuesdays 2:30-6 pm. Information: 760-740-0602
FRIDAYS SATURDAYS
Cruisin’ Grand Every Friday night from April through the end of September, from 5 to 9 pm. Downtown Escondido is packed with every type of fantastic classic vehicle imaginable, as well as a few surprises! If it will run, it will show up on Grand! Come sit at an outdoor dining taable at one of the restaurants and watch car buffs and retro-dressed attendees wander amidst the cars! For details, contact Steve Waldron at Top End Tees: 760-746-8461.
2ND SATURDAYS Visit Downtown Escondido’s art and cultural scene every 2nd Saturday of the month. Gallery and artists’ receptions, hands-on art activities and other activities at participating businesses. Escondido Arts Partnership/Municipal Gallery, Distinction Gallery, The Artists’ Gallery, Gallery 262, Escondido Public Library Concert Series, and more. See the eDBA website: downtownescondido.com
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November
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WOW FIRST WEDNESDAYS – Michael Sanchez Trio A San Diego-based jazz trio that will play favorite tunes from the ‘20’s to ‘80’s. 4 pm & 7 pm, Center Theater, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. FREE
10 RECEPTION: Gallery 262 – Art in Craft Media Reception for works by local artists working in clay, glass, fiber, wood, jewelry and gourds. 5:30 – 8 pm. 262 E. Grand Avenue (inside the Escondido Municipal Gallery). 760-480-4101
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THE MONKEES The Monkees are returning to the stage! Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork will be performing together for the first time in 15 years. 8 pm, Concert Hall, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. Tickets: $50 - $100 on sale August 11, 2012. Box Office: 1-800-988-4253. Artcenter.org
1 DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS - Day of the Dead Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead is a time to gather family and friends to celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Features live music, entertainment, crafts and traditional Mexican refreshments. Free Community Event sponsored by Crescentera Foundation. 6 - 9pm, Sculpture Court, Education Studios, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. Artcenter.org
10 RECEPTION AT DISTINCTION GALLERY Works by artists Casey Weldon and Andrew Shondrick. Exhibition runs thru December 1. 6 – 10 pm. Distinction Gallery, 317 E. Grand Avenue. 760-781-5779. distinctionart.com
Literacy Services and Lifelong Learning In San Diego County alone more than 500,000 people have low literacy skills. The Escondido Public Library has been providing literacy services to residents of Escondido since 1990. In our early days, we offered oneon-one tutoring for adults. Volunteer tutors were provided 16 hours of training prior to being matched with an adult learner. Escondido Public Library Literacy Services has undergone major changes since those early days. Our learners are now supported with an orientation where we teach them to set goals, measure and track their progress, and understand the pathways to success. We have broadened our reach to include small learning communities, book discussion groups, ESL classes and labs, and computer literacy. We provide services to families with young children, with the hopes of making literacy a family activity. Our bookmobile participates in community events, bringing books to 44
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children and encouraging the implementation of home libraries. We facilitate a book discussion at the Senior Center, and sponsor “Born to Read” at Palomar Hospital. To ensure that our learners are recognized for their accomplishments, we host an annual Learner Recognition Ceremony which, for the past few years, has been held at the Lexus Centre Escondido. For our new fiscal year, we are expanding into Lifelong Learning, providing workshops and seminars to the community at large. With the changes that we have experienced as a nation, many among us can benefit from specialized training. Some may wish to upgrade job skills, transition into a new workforce, or develop entrepreneurial skills to begin new chapters in their lives. To promote Health Literacy, we are partnering with the Escondido Adult School to present Escondido’s Ce-
lebrity Chef, a cooking competition among our learners. Prior to the competition, the learners are studying how to eat healthily, make smart choices, and discover new ways to balance their family meals. The competition is scheduled for late September. Our Board of Directors volunteer time and expertise to support literacy activities, including hosting our annual signature event, Scrabble-thon, where die-hard Scrabble fans form teams and play for trophies and bragging rights. Our 8th Annual Scrabble-thon took place last February. If you are interested in volunteering, or know someone who you think would love to tutor, teach, or facilitate a workshop, please send them our way. Our program thrives on community volunteers. Many volunteers were professionals in the fields of education, engineering, and technology. Many of them have raised children and understand the importance of mothers as the first teachers. In addition to tutoring, they have formed lasting relationships with their learners, becoming coaches and mentors as well. Join us, and learn how rewarding it can be.
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ORCHESTRA NOVA – Nova Goes Hollywood Escape to Hollywood with musical scores that will sweep you away with JungHo Pak, artistic director/conductor. Sponsored by Jean Will. 3 pm, Center Theater, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. Tickets: $10 - $40. Box Office: 1-800-988-4253. Artcenter. org
30 SAN DIEGO ACADEMY OF BALLET The Nutcracker Celebrate your winter holidays with San Diego Academy of Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” 7:30 pm, Concert Hall, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido. Tickets: $17 - $42. Contact Ticket Office for on-sale date. Ticket Office: 1-800-988-4253. Artcenter.org
The Grand Tea Room FULL SERVICE TEA ROOM AND GIFT SHOP
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PERFORMANCE: IN OUR HOME A charming original holiday musical written by local playright Grant Gelvin features songs by local songwriters. Performances run thru December 16. Patio Playhouse, 201 E. Grand Avenue (entrance off Kalmia Street). Call for ticket information and start times. 760-746-6669. Patioplayhouse.org. SECOND TUESDAY BOOK CLUB This month’s selection is “Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard,” by Liz Murray. Suitable for adults. 6 – 8 pm. Turrentine Room, Escondido Public Library, Escondido Public Library. 239 S. Kalmia St. 760-839-4214
We look forward to serving you as
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WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!
760-233-9500
NOW SERVING NIEDERFRANK’S ICE CREAM
Hard-to-find Candies • Tin Toys & Novelties • Gag Items & Magic Shop
105 E. Grand Avenue • Escondido 92025 • 760-432-9947
www.swirlzcandy.com
In Historic Downtown Escondido 145 West Grand Avenue Escondido, CA 92025 www.thegrandtearoom.com AUTUMN
2012
ESCONDIDO
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Insuring for
Wildfire Season By Audrey Schumacher Moe Photo by Tehara Tweed
Wildfires can occur at any time, but they are most threatening in the summer and fall. The wooded hills and canyons of northern San Diego County are especially vulnerable and have suffered a number of devastating blazes. As recently as October 2007, the Witch Creek Fire began several miles east of Escondido, ultimately burning over 200,000 acres, 1,600 structures, and causing several deaths. At the same time, the Rice Canyon fire near Fallbrook raced over 9,500 acres. Two hundred and forty homes were lost and the damage was estimated at more than $100 million.
The “2003 Firestorm,” dubbed the worst fire disaster in California by then-Governor Grey Davis, was responsible for 15 fatalities, 2,232 lost homes, and 427 square miles of charred ground. In one week, 13 massive fires were burning throughout the southern part of the state. Stretching 45 miles from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to the historic gold mining mountain town of Julian, the Cedar Fire burned over 500 homes and destroyed 90 percent of Cuyamaca, a lakeside town of about 160 residents. Nearby, the Paradise Fire traveled at a furious pace, eating up rural communities along the way. These recent fires prove that none of us is immune from an overwhelming disaster. So what can we do to prepare for the possible loss of a home or business? Most homeowners insure for fire damage, but important differences in coverage will
dramatically affect recovery after loss or damage. When evaluating your coverage, consider: Do you know exactly what your policy will cover? Is the entire cost of rebuilding your home or business to current standards included? If you have remodeled or added on to your home or business, have you updated your policy? Do you have loss-of-use coverage to pay for living expenses while you are rebuilding or making repairs? Have you talked to your insurance agent recently to make sure you have the coverage you think you have? Most of us really don’t like taking care of these kinds of details, but having the coverage you need could make the difference between saving your home or business and losing everything. While we have no control over natural disasters like wildfires, we do have some control over how well we prepare for them.
WE OFFER YOU COMPLETE INSURANCE PROGRAMS Personal Coverage Homeowners (any location) Automobile Umbrella or Excess Liability Boats/Yachts Valuable Property (Jewelry, Art, Etc.) Business Coverage Commercial Property Commercial General Liability Worker’s Compensation Business Automobile Commercial Excess Liability Financial Coverage Universal Life Insurance Term Life Insurance Mortgage Life Insurance
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ESCONDIDO
AUTUMN
2012
NORTH COUNTY INSURANCE WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENCY Working for YOU since 1940 We represent a carefully selected group of financially sound and reputable insurance companies. This allows us to place your policy with the company that gives you the best coverage at a competitive price. We invite your inquiries. We will provide you with a no cost - no obligation review and comparison of your insurance. 940 Canterbury Place, Ste. 100 • P.O. Box 907 Escondido, CA 92033 (760) 745-9511 www.northcountyinsurance.com
Timely Scheduled AppoinTmenTS convenienT hourS WAlk-in ServiceS 50 phySiciAnS And prAcTiTionerS
• Family Medicine • Internal Medicine • Pediatrics • OB/GYN • Urgent Care • Ear, Nose, & Throat • General Surgery • Ophthalmology • Radiology • Physical Therapy
Escondido | san Marcos | norTH coasTaL | FaLLbrook | TEMEcuLa
JUDSON REAL ESTATE
Aaron Anaya 760-846-0766
The only name you need to know for real estate in Escondido!
Andy Judson 760-604-9895
Residential Arleen Lively 760-594-1355
Cindy Cochran 760-845-1261
Jeff Peters
760-644-2499
Land Commercial
Jimmy Clemons 760-390-6340
Emilie Nazaroff 760-685-2190
JoAnn Case Rady 760-884-6943
Industrial Property Management
Kaye Atkins
Matt DeWitt
Mike Jaspering
Jim Bordeaux 760-207-4435
Priscilla Bozarth 760-594-1040
Vicki Stone 760-522-5110
Patti Sanshey 760-533-7743
Karen Braaten 602-803-2033
760-500-0882
760-801-5363
760-613-5074
Service That Exceeds Expectations
760.741.9895 JudsonRealEstate.net