92127 Community Hub - June 2023

On July 26, 2020, I found myself inching each time I heard explosions and saw the brilliant lights from commercial-grade reworks detonating outside the barricaded doors of the Mark O. Hat eld federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon.

Earlier in the day, Antifa members had told me they planned to burn it down. ey were wearing all black and had large umbrellas to conceal their identities. I watched them move forward, wielding their umbrellas and communicating via handheld radios. Some members began using battery-powered grinders to cut down the metal perimeter fences of the courthouse.

RAY SHAY BROKER I OWNER

A CITIZEN JOURNALIST

As a San Diego Police O cer for over 24 years, I have frequently led the police response to mostly peaceful and some violent civil disturbances. I knew what would happen next.

e metal courthouse doors burst open with a loud clank as the federal o cers exited, rapidly ring low lethal munitions and deploying ash bangs to push back the overtly violent attackers.

mination to protect his fellow o cers. I could tell he did not want to shoot the man with the baseball bat, but as he yelled for him to back up, the man refused and pressed closer, raising the baseball bat above his head.

As a reporter, I did not want to be part of the story, but I also had to do something. I put down my phone and intervened. I grabbed the attacker by the collar of his shirt and pulled him back as he yelled at the o cer, “I’m ready to die tonight!”

I lied to the baseball bat-wielding criminal. I told him, “Not tonight; we need you back tomorrow!” e rioter continued screaming, and in the videos, you can see him brandishing the baseball bat and yelling at the o cers that they were “pigs and telling them to get back in their hole.”

As daylight lightened the darkened sky, things quieted. Walking back to my small hotel room, I re ected that both good and evil people must be exhausted.

ey then detonated multiple small metal canisters containing CS chemical agents at our feet. Each canister rapidly pushed its chemical irritant into the cold and damp air with a sinister sounding hiss as the screams of rioters continually threatened the federal o cers.

I o en wonder if being at these riots is a good idea. I am north of sixty years old and travel alone as a fully credentialed independent journalist. Although many of the rioters are a third of my age and are yelling that they want America to start over, I know their moms and dads are likely still paying their cell phone bills.

I moved to the north side of the federal courthouse, slid my iPhone behind the metal perimeter fence, and pushed the slow-motion record icon. at’s when I saw the icker of a ame as a Molotov cocktail tumbled awkwardly over the metal fence. e glass bottle shattered as it struck the heavily scarred concrete sidewalk and exploded into a rising inferno of ames illuminating the federal o cers.

On this single evening, I saw countless attacks on federal o cers. In one instance, a rioter struck an o cer in the back with a baseball bat. e o cer to his le quickly raised up his short-stock MP-5 ri e and pointed it at the assailant.

I saw fear in the o cer’s youthful eyes and could tell he was about the same age as my sons. I also saw his deter-

A few hours later, I brought my recorded evidence to Portland’s downtown police station, which ironically is right next door to the Federal Courthouse. A er showing my retired SDPD Lieutenant’s badge and my press credentials to the front counter o cer, I asked him to look at my phone. When I began playing the video, He had a shocked look on his face and suddenly turned away and yelled, “I cannot look at that! I would have to make a dozen phone calls, and I still couldn’t look at it or help you!”

I was dumbfounded. I turned to the sheri ’s deputy, who was guarding the front door of the police station, and he also declined to help. e sheri ’s deputy added that they had been ordered by the Mayor of Portland and the Governor of the State of Oregon not to assist the Federal Government in any manner.

It explained why in the pitched battle a few hours earlier, I would see local and state police o cers drive quickly past the riot and pull into the safety of the underground parking lot of their police station. e federal o cers fought alone for their lives and to protect the courthouse. is new information added to my foul mood, and I took a deep breath and turned to walk out.

Portland Federal Courthouse

Before I got to the door, I stopped and turned around. Holding my phone in my right hand, I asked, “Gentlemen, am I still in America?” e Portland Police O cer said nothing and just stared at me. He could see I did not like him or the response he had given me. A er an extended pause, I looked at the Multnomah County Sheri Deputy to my right, who audibly exhaled, shook his head from side to side, and said, “I know, LT. It sucks.”

at morning I forwarded the rebombing recording to our San Diego FBI O ce and the FBI O ce in Portland, Oregon. Still, neither of them was interested in investigating the re-bombing. I watched the Senate hearings in Washington in dismay when they said there were no re-bombings at the courthouse. I then posted the re-bombing video on Facebook. e very next day, Facebook disabled my account.

I have learned a lot in the last few years, and one is how to get my material published. I never charge news outlets for videos or still photographs. I just want the truth out. If you want to see videos of various protests and civil disturbances, you can see them at www.rayshay1097.com, or on Twitter @rayshay1097.

It took me almost a year, but evidently, my video of the assailant with the baseball bat striking the federal o cer nally landed on the right investigators desk. e man below was arrested and pled guilty in federal court to assaulting a federal o cer.

ose experiences and many others over the last ve years as a part-time independent citizen journalist have changed my perspective on America and our news sources. I remain passionate about our rights as Americans to protest peacefully and the freedom of the press.

I rmly believe for our democracy to remain intact, people must know the truth about what is going on. Much of what I have seen on television does not accurately re ect what I witness in person.

I have seen law enforcement o cers and protestors do illegal or improper things. Observing much like an umpire at a sporting event, calling the balls and strikes at a civil disturbance increases my unique area of expertise. I was on the ground in many cities, including Seattle, Hong Kong, Paris, Los Angelos, and San Diego. I was also in Kenosha, Wisconsin, that fateeful night where I spoke brie y with Kyle Rittenhouse a few minutes before his high powered rounds exited the barrel of his AR-15 style assault ri e.

Last year at the request of the San Diego County District Attorney’s O ce, I provided an extensive report for opposing counsel and a local San Diego Federal Judge that explained why certain things occurred in a riot. My report detailed why the San Diego Sheri ’s Department Deputies had done the right things. It was personally rewarding because few people understand what happens in a riot and the tactics used by both sides. Having in a sense played for both teams, I have learned the rhythm of riots and where to be and not to be.

People sometimes ask how I can lead a successful real estate business and still go to breaking news events or civil disturbances worldwide. First of all, airfare has been cheap the last few years, and secondly, to my friend’s delight, I stopped gol ng. I also always answer my phone. More than once, I have stepped out of the fray in some strange city, removed my ballistic helmet, and pushed up my gas mask to respond to a text message or tell another REALTOR©, “Yes, our clients can do that deal.”

ere are few jobs where you can occasionally sit in the front row of life and still make a living. I nd that by deploying alone to these riots or other breaking news stories, I can also assist the other news reporters in getting the truth out.

About two weeks ago, I traveled down the I-5 and arrived at our international border with Mexico on the day Title 42 expired. I arrived long before daybreak, and I was on my mountain bike.

I rode past six or seven satellite news trucks, reporters, and their support vehicles at what the Border Patrol said was a “Media Staging location.”

I then rode my bicycle up a steep hill to a spot no other reporters had found. It was a location where I could actually see another gate was open and where the US Border Patrol was conversing with thousands of immigrants. See below:

When I was younger and wore a gold badge, I would have called “ABLE” SDPD’s air unit to get a better look, and they would have responded immediately. In my news-reporting world I have to be more patient, I could only text a good friend at a local news station. Within about thirty minutes or so, I could hear the news helicopter approaching and had to smile because they began lming the second open gate, and I knew they had a part of the story they did not have previously.

I will continue to grow Shay Realtors and our dedicated team of REALTORS to continue to provide outstanding service to each of you. If I am on a day o in a strange city, don’t be surprised if I am sni ing when I answer your call. Sometimes those tiny chemical agent particles have a funny way of sneaking under my gas mask.

Have a great day and remember to seek the truth, and it really is OK to be skeptical of your news sources.

Cheers,

Hong Kong Paris Portland Seattle

2nd International Border Gate

Does marijuana make you gain weight or increase your metabolism and decrease your mass?

Summer is upon us, and everyone wants to be beach body ready – or at least try to look good! In 2022, we clocked $76 billion in sales in weight loss programs, diet soda, low-calorie frozen food, gym memberships and more. Everyone wants a silver bullet, and the choice du jour is Ozempic, the diabetes drug. From the cabbage diet to fasting to the gut buster, everyone wants a trick to lose weight. But what about marijuana????

It is clear alcohol helps gain but what about cannabis? Does it affect your metabolism and your stomach/body size?

There’s some evidence that cannabis interacts with cannabinoid receptor 1 , which plays a role in metabolism and food intake. High amounts of cannabis appear to increase metabolism and reduce energy storage, resulting in a lower BMI. But like most effective weight tools, it takes time as opposed to sudden weight loss.

Different cannabis strains have different effects on these neurons. “THC may increase appetite, but CBD helps carbohydrate metabolism, fasting insulin, and metabolic function, mitigate and curb cravings—they work synergistically,” says Junella Chin, M.D., an integrative medical physician in New York and California specializing in medical cannabis and osteopathic neuromuscular medicine. “Having a cannabis formulation that is balanced in THC:CBD, or dominantly CBD, is helpful in minimizing the munchies.”

In 2013, the American Journal of Science released a report that noted the low prevalence of obesity in cannabis users despite an abundance of empirical and anecdotal evidence linking marijuana users to high-caloric diets. According to the study, “the most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers,” Murray Mittleman, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the lead author of the study, told Time. “Their fasting insulin levels were lower, and they appeared to be less resistant to the insulin produced by their body to maintain a normal blood sugar level.

What about “the munchies”, the long-standing association between weed and snacking?

A study showed an increase in sales of “junk” food, largely defined as chips, cookies, and ice cream, in U.S. states where cannabis is now legal. However, you should keep in mind that correlation doesn’t mean causation. Just because there was an increase in sales of these foods where cannabis is legal doesn’t mean that the cannabis was responsible.

Body maintenance is a tough thing, and you should consult your physician before you start a

significant weight loss program. Changing your body takes time, and you should never expect large changes in a short period of time. And it

is not healthy for your system. Exercise, a sound diet, and sleep are key factors to maintain a healthy body.

North county Woman to Premiere Film in Norway

By Richelle Cicero

Poway’s Abby Boretto has added a new skill to her already full resume. Well known as a philanthropist, influential community member, Mrs. California All Star United States 2021 and founding contributor to the Silver Sisters Campaign, serendipity has called her in a new direction.

She is now a filmmaker and is busily planning a premiere in Norway for September. Her unique and fascinating story has been featured internationally, on ABC, as well as locally in the Union-Tribune.

The film tells us the story of her late father, 1st Lieutenant Henry N. “Rick” Pilger, He has long been a mystery to her, having died tragically in 1972 while serving in NATO Operation Strong Express when Abby was just 15 months old. Her family miraculously received his Naval Academy ring from Dr. Hans Krogstad who discovered it while hunting grouse on a remote island when she was 23 years old. After 21 years in a rocky crevice, the ring remained intact and nearly perfect. Even after this spiritually charged gift, she knew very little, says Boretto, who bears a striking resemblance to her father, “There was no real fanfare. I don’t believe any of us understood the magnitude of this treasure.”

She spoke of her father’s ring from time to time, but for the most part it remained in the original brown envelope in a memory box with the two letters that accompanied it on the journey home.”I brought it out on occasion,” says Boretto, “only to fantasize about the man’s finger who once wore it and that far away land in which it was discovered.” The land she refers to is Norway, more specifically, the island of Grytøya.

Early summer she received a message from her Aunt, Mary Lou Wadsworth, who still resides in Farmington, Connecticut where Abby grew up. “I believe she said ‘Oh Abby, I think someone stole your story!’” says Boretto. Things happened fast after that. The story was not stolen but an eerily similar story became known to her. Another Naval Academy ring had been on its own journey and had been told through the film, The Last Ring Home.

“I quickly reached out to the storyteller of the film, Minter Dial, and he responded right away! The connection was instant.” Not many can connect on a story like this. Boretto knew she wanted to create a film of her own, but until this chance connection, had no idea where to begin. This led to another courageous act, reaching out to that film’s director.

Joshua Shelov, coincidentally also from Connecticut, returned the message within a day, and the project suddenly took on a life of its own. “52 days later we were in Harstad, Norway, having never met in person, to film a documentary about my father’s life and tragic end,” says Boretto.

The process and the connections made during the creation of the yet unnamed film have taught Boretto more than she could have hoped. Not only did she learn about the life and promise of her 24 year old Marine pilot father and the tragedy that took his life and the souls of four other Marines on board, she found herself overwhelmed with kindness and support.

“The Marines have been extraordinary! I’ve met men along the way who knew my father and have been generous in sharing their stories about ‘those times’. I feel embraced by the Marines as a whole,” Boretto says, “I never expected them to rally around me or my father’s story after 50 years, but their motto, “No man left behind” is the real deal!”

The film and Boretto’s efforts led to the erection of a memorial on the island of Grytøya, which was dedicated in September 2022 on the 50th anniversary of the mission with US and Norwegian Military officials present. Boretto has been able to connect with the next of kin (NOK) of each of the four other Marines that

perished alongside her father, bringing comfort to these families with the knowledge that their loved ones have not been forgotten and have been memorialized forever. Boretto says, “It has been my sincere honor and privilege to bring this news to those families.”

In addition, the story and the mission are now a permanent exhibit at the museum on the island.

Boretto’s message to all “I am excited to bring this story to a worldwide audience. I hope it inspires others to ‘open their envelope’, whatever that might be. I could never have imagined this journey when I opened mine!”

The film premieres September 7, 2023 in Harstad, Norway with US premieres planned for both coasts in 2023.

AN EXCERPT FROM ABBY’S STORY... by Abby Borretto

His life was one of full circles in so many ways. He grew up a North Syracuse boy after

being born in San Diego. He flourished as a child and dominated as a teen in the late 60’s. Dashing and determined to excel, he was class president and captain of the soccer team; he sat on civic organizations alongside Richard “Dickie” Gere. His dream was to serve, first steps, the Naval Academy. He received his appointment from the Honorable Robert F Kennedy, step one, on track! He was a natural leader as a Naval Academy cadet, graduating with a mathematics degree and dreams of flying. Along the way he fell in love and moved quickly into marital bliss, a beautiful addition

Abby Boretto

to his overarching goal of a life of purpose. His dreams of flying were momentarily derailed at the Naval level due to an eye injury during a soccer game at the Academy, but true to form, that opened doors to the USMC. Flight school became a reality; he and his beautiful pregnant wife moved to Pensacola Fl. Young pilots and their wives become fast friends as it happens in this world. Family away from family in the military creates a unique family bond. Most would not understand this if they have not been part of the military culture, it is tight and intimate, with a sense of urgency; a group that can easily relate to one another given their circumstances. A baby girl is born as Rick graduates flight school and is assigned to New River joining Squadron HML-167 in Jacksonville NC. He is to fly the newly introduced Bell Twin Engine Huey! One can only imagine the emotions, this young pilot has it all! He’s a dashing new helicopter pilot with a stunning young wife and their new baby girl. His time with the new squadron is short lived when a mission is presented. It is understood that Rick was a standout pilot as such, a former USNA grad and former trainer hand picked him to deploy to Norway for NATO mission Exercise Strong Express, 200 miles above the arctic circle. Considering this time of unrest, this assignment was a cakewalk, war games in cold weather in breathtaking Norway with lots of flying time. With her husband deployed, Rick’s wife is busy taking care of the baby, their home, and building community with the other pilot wives who became fast friends. As the weeks went by, postcards were exchanged, his, an image of Andenes, a fishing village in Norway, talking about the weather and missing his girls, hers of the Hackensack River Crossing in its “grandness”, letting him know they were low on funds and that they were headed to CT to be with her family. That would be their last correspondence.

On a crisp fall day in September that dreaded knock came to the door. You don’t need to be in the military to understand the image. At 22, suddenly and unexpectedly widowed, a mother of a thriving 15 month old, now what……….

I am that 15 month old girl, who lost her father on that fateful day in 1972. It was during a time when America still had an expectation of a stiff upper lip so to speak. My mother, silently grieving, began picking up the pieces of her now new reality and carrying on. She was the daughter of a Naval Captain and I’m assuming that was all she knew how to do. Life went on as it does and looking back I lived a charmed life for all intents and purposes. I was embraced by my family, and experienced great

adventures that most would probably envy, but there was always a void. I could never put my finger on it, turns out, it was my father. My father was never really discussed except for the occasional anecdotal story or a notice of the similarities we shared. It wasn’t a negative, it was just the way it was.

When I was 23 years old we received my fathers Naval Academy ring that he wore with so much pride in the mail. It had been lost on the fateful night in Sept of 72. As I recall there was no real fanfare about this treasure we had just miraculously acquired, maybe a small discussion might have occurred. None of us truly understood the magnitude of this treasure, it sat for the next 26 years in that same brown envelope with the two letters that accompanied it all those years ago. I spoke of the ring and brought it out on occasion only to fantasize about the man’s finger who once wore it and that far away land in which it was discovered..

On the cusp of turning 50, I began to reflect on my own life. I pulled out my memory boxes and wondered, who am I? Where have I been? What have I accomplished? Where can I improve and do better moving forward? That quintessential brown envelope presented itself! I pulled it out, opened it up, reread the letters and closely inspected that beautiful class ring. Like a bolt of lightning it hit me, I must find Dr Hans Kronstadt, the man who found the ring all those years ago, and finally thank him!! My journey had begun but to no avail.

Nine months later, I received a message from

a writer in Norway asking if I was Abby Pilger and had I received a ring all those years ago. I excitedly wrote back with an enthusiastic YES to his question. I wondered, how did this writer find me and asked that very question. I had been seeking answers as well. I learned that he just heard this fantastic story from Hans himself. I was so confused. You see, unbeknownst to both Hans and I, we were looking for each other at the same time and our worlds had finally collided.

Fast forward 15 months, I travel to Norway to embark on a pilgrimage of discovery. Upon our arrival we were received with much fanfare from strangers who not only embraced me with open arms, but also my fathers story and now his legacy. As you can imagine meeting Hans was simply incredible for me. This man has positively and unequivocally enhanced my life in profound ways! We spent a week together, preparing to ascend the mountain, that fateful place that changed the trajectory of my life. Climbing the ominous and mysterious mountain of Grytoya was a daunting physical challenge, it was no “Sound of Music ‘’ as some might have envisioned, The trek started at the ocean and ascended nearly 2500 ft straight up. One and a half miles and 3 hours later I crested the mountain and had eyes on the area of my fathers last moments. I have never felt so much freedom in my life!!

We had an incredible memorial celebration! It was an EPIC moment in my life as you have

probably gathered by now. With new found senses, admiration and with a palpable understanding of the loss and sacrifice, I descended the mountain whole, this time with a new found purpose.

When the story landed in the states and started to circulate I began hearing from people from his life and the holes that I didn’t know existed started to fill; I was becoming full. My life started to make more sense, I do not have words to express this feeling!

Here’s what I know for sure, my father was on a clear path to do great things when his life was abruptly taken from not only himself but the world! He must have had a magic spark because that prestigious Naval Academy ring sat in the Norwegian elements for 22 years like a beacon waiting until Hans saw it glimmering in the gray scape. Is it me or is there a cosmic intersection on the timing of it all!! I like to think that my whole life has been guided to this moment, and upon reflection, it is the only answer I can really come to. All these years and on my 50th birthday the doors slowly began to open to give me the knowledge to map my father’s life because this was a time that I could cherish with dedication. Through artifacts, investigation, and the tremendous amount of people who have reached out to tell me beautiful stories of a man I never knew, until now……

Marine by Day, Artist by Night

By Vince Meehan

Tierrasanta resident Victor de la Flor has been a Marine for a good part of his life. But he will tell you that he has been an artist for all of his life. His love for drawing has been with him throughout his school days, and up until now, has been a hobby he does for fun.

“I’ve been doing it since I was a kid!” De la Flor said. “There’s a newspaper clipping I have that my parents saved from when I was five or six years old. I mean, it was just kid art that they submitted to the newspaper and I still have it. I guess I’ve been doing it ever since!”

But the main thing that has dominated his life until now has been the United States Marine Corps. De la Flor enlisted out of Orlando, Florida shortly after the turn of the century, and has made a solid career out of it, working his way from the enlisted to the officer ranks. “I’ve been in now for right under twenty years, it’s taken me around the world. I’ve been to places I never thought I’d go. I lived in Japan and was fortunate enough to live in Hawaii for some time before I came to San Diego. Once my family and I came out here, we stayed. I guess we called this place home because we had moved around so much.”

Recently, his love of art has manifested into a force, which now seems to be taking on a life of its own. De la Flor has always drawn whenever he can. In fact, he says his office at MCAS Miramar resembles an art gallery with all his work on display. “I’ve been doing legal work my entire career– I’m a Legal Administrative Officer – I manage a legal service support team of about 50 Marines attorneys and paralegals, both officers and enlisted. I make sure that they have everything they need to complete their mission, training and facilities-wise.”

But he always considered his art to be just a fun hobby; in fact, he didn’t come out publicly until last year when he met an artist at an exhibit in Mission Valley. “It was a small ComicCon-style event at the Scottish Rite Center,” De la Flor recalled. “The guy saw my work and asked me: ‘Dude, do you have an Instagram?’ It was then that I decided to go public with my work; he convinced me.”

De la Flor would do a portrait for a friend and post it on Facebook. Then, friends would see it and request one of their own, which he was happy to do. From then, it blew up. Eventually this led to displays at the Oceanside Museum of Art, Liberty Station, Fleet Week and he even earned a trip to Chicago through a veteran’s art scholarship.

“I went to Chicago and attended the ‘Surviving the Long Wars’ exhibit. It was a group of artists from across the country exhibiting their work, most of which served in the War on Terrorism, but I didn’t go to exhibit my work this time around because it was my first time attending and I didn’t know what to expect. All the other artists had been out there for several years. I got to meet a lot of good people, make connections and now I’m in talks with the Salmagundi Club gallery in Greenwich Village, New York City. I’ll fly out there in June or July when the exhibit takes place, just kind of walk through it and see my stuff on the wall.”

De la Flor’s preferred medium is watercolor and also graphite pencil. “That’s always been my go-to. I always have a pencil and a sketchbook on me anywhere I go – whether it be a small or large one.” He also has a love for sumi ink painting, a deep black ink made from pine branch soot, done with ornate brush strokes, painted with calligraphy brushes, traditionally a Japanese art form. His time in Japan helped him get a lot of inspiration, which he utilizes to this day.

“I’m a big history fan, I actually got in contact with one of the Japanese jurisdiction folks that worked in my office and she showed me

around. She introduced me to a gentleman named Koshimizu Morikazu who lived in the mountains of Ōtake. He’s a seventh generation swordsmith and knife maker. His ancestors actually made swords for the samurai clan of that prefecture. He had these swords and artwork on display around his home, it was amazing! I saw these Japanese calligraphy characters on scrolls all over his house and I thought, ‘Wow! I like the brush strokes!’ That was the start, that’s what got me into it. If I can recreate something like this, like bamboo or koi fish, that would be amazing!’ It was hundreds of years old and it was really impressive to see that.”

Much of his work is military-themed, and he’s created a unique style of drawing where the image is represented as being on a crinkled piece of paper, using light and shadows

as his guide for making the drawings feel almost lifelike. A couple of his works are currently on exhibit at Liberty Station and include not only an image of Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres, but also the iconic image of the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima.

He now calls San Diego his home after settling here for the sake of his wife and kids having a permanent place to call home after traveling around so much the past two decades.

“The Marines has been a wild ride for the last twenty years!” De la Flor stated. “But now I have a solid home and a new chapter in life!”

At a Glance: Victor de la Flor

Marine/Artist

Facebook: Victor de la Flor Art

Instagram: @vtdelaflor

Two of Victor de la Flor’s works on exhibit.

A unique take on the Marines at Iwo Jima

The artist at the Oceanside Museum of Art

Time spent in Japan helped Victor hone his sumi ink skills.

A military-themed watercolor

TINA AFTER DARK Speakeasy Bars

San Diego de nitely has no shortage of bars, especially when it comes to speakeasy bars. Across San Diego, you’ll nd an array of hidden bars, most of which are tucked behind a secret entrance or require an exclusive code for entry.

e term “speakeasy” is said to have originated during the Prohibition era because patrons had to whisper while visiting the illegal establishments. e revival of the speakeasy began about two decades ago as an alternative to the noisy, boisterous, hyped-up nightclub scene. ere was also a huge retro fascination with the 1920s era and its classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Manhattan, and Gin Fizz. If you want to have a unique night out, San Diego has multiple speakeasy spots to explore.

1. Realm Of e 52 Remedies- In order to nd the Realm of 52 Remedies, you must rst head inside Common eory and look for the white door. Your journey here starts in a room decorated as a futuristic apothecary, inspired by an ancient manuscript of traditional Chinese medicinal recipes. Continuing into the drinking den, guests are led down a portal to the past with opulent seating, dramatic decorations and overhead sculptures, all of which further enhance the spectacle created inside e Realm. Secret Tip: e four-seat “Emperor’s Bar” inside the Realm of 52 Remedies o ers exclusive access to a collection of premium spirits. is is a unique experience as the cocktails are paired with an accompanying dish.

2. Part Time Lover-I’m not sure this one is technically considered a speakeasy; however, I would categorize it as one as it is tucked away and you wouldn’t know it was a bar just from looking at it on the street. Part Time Lover, is a newly renovated Japanese-inspired listening bar and record store. Here you can sip on Japanese highball cocktails while vinyl music plays from their sound system.

3. Convoy Music Bar-With a hidden entrance o an alley, this is an elegant space that is modeled a er the listening bars of Tokyo. A place where “music comes rst and sound matters

most,” the vinyl record soundtrack is transmitted through a custom-built sound system imported from Japan and the cocktails focus on the classics.

4. Youngblood- a “speakeasy tucked within a speakeasy.” A personalized cocktail experience hosted in a bar with only 16 seats, each visit is di erent as three hand-cra ed cocktails are prepared based on the individual guest’s likes and wants.

5. Shibuya Nights-Cloak & Petal’s revamped private bar in the back of the venue continues its Tokyo underground aesthetic with bursts of colors and art inspired by the Harajuku district. e space serves a menu of Asian fusion dishes and o ers special weekly deals; don’t miss out on Toki-O Tuesdays and Wa e and Wine Wednesdays, Chicken and Wa es and half o bottles of wine!

6. Room 56-Room 56 is the top-secret tavern inside Moxy San Diego. It hides behind a bookcase, which you can access only a er conferring with the resident “librarian” and sharing the closely guarded password. Among its inventive cocktails are the Martha Mary Mercy sour, with St. George All-Purpose Vodka, vanilla orgeat, blackberry, and lemon. Secret Tip: e password may be accessible on the bar’s rather mysteriously designed webpage. Text it to the number provided in order to ensure you’ll make it inside.

I haven’t had the chance to try them all yet, but my birthday is around the corner, can you guess which one I will be going to?

It is currently 1:12 am and I have to submit my article for review in less than 6 hours. While I admit I have procrastinated, I usually have some type of epiphany on what I should formulate for my travel section. I truly pride myself on writing something I’m passionate about and didn’t want to compile anything inauthentic to me. However, I think my patience, a great alternative word to procrastination, led me to what I have been waiting to write for a long time.

is may sound strange to 99.999% of the world but there is something exhilarating about luxury travel and more importantly, helping people get there. Whether it’s once in a lifetime experience or a recurring opportunity, either way, it is simply one of my greatest passions in nding and curating trips of a lifetime. I always shied away from discussing this odd fascination with high-end stays as it can come o as shallow or oblivious but to me, the phrase “luxury travel” can transcend an ordinary moment in time to become a moment you cherish for the rest of your life.

For many years now as a hobby, I’ve helped countless friends, family, and colleagues book their perfect vacation, or what I prefer to call a journey. It’s one of my favorite things to do with spare time and I want to start to help others do the same. Whether it’s a weekend trip to Laguna Beach or across the globe to a luxury glamping site in Australia I want to be a part of it.

As I will always help curate a trip around your dream vacation spot, I also have a reputation to inspire you to try somewhere new and exciting. Much of my inspiration originates from the ability to nd 5-star hotels and ights for relatively less than market value as I know how to plan.

I nd the best time that is maybe right a er peak season but is just as perfect as the week before. I call ahead of time to speak to the manager and explain the special occasion even

TRAVEL WITH TROY

if it’s a promotion at your job and I sell it like it’s your honeymoon so you get that added service. I nd what packages the hotel is o ering and then compare it to all other travel companies and see which one is the best. I am constantly researching and keeping up with the new trends in travel so I can stay ahead. e list goes on and on in hopes of setting a blueprint for the ultimate journey.

I know what’s worth the money or not. Too o en people overspend on “iconic hotels” that don’t match the quality. You won’t have to worry about that with me because I got you.

e landscape for the luxury travel market is constantly evolving but so is the customer and in my experience that is leading to a lack of understanding of the clientele. As a travel advisor, I aim to seek what the traveler(s) is looking to experience and properly adjust the journey accordingly to their preferences. All in hopes of not meeting their expectations but rather surpassing them, now that’s a glimpse of what true luxury travel will be with “Troy’s Journeys”.

If you are interested in setting up your next personalized journey, please send me an email at troyjourneys@gmail.com or check out www.troyjourneys.com!

This week the median list price for San Diego, CA 92127 - Rancho Bernardo is $2,869,500 with the market action index hovering around 70. This is an increase over last month's market action index of 68. Inventory has decreased to 32.

Home sales continue to outstrip supply and the Market Action Index has been moving higher for several weeks. This is a Seller’s market so watch for upward pricing pressure in the near future if the trend continues.

Each segment below represents approximately 25% of the market ordered by price.

Updated top to bottom with new interior and exterior paint, wide plank luxury vinyl throughout, 5” baseboards and new light fixtures. Sits on 1/4 acre private lot in the gated community of Isla Mar and is minutes away from the beautiful beaches of Carlsbad and the Batiquitos Lagoon and wildlife preserve. In addition to the proximity to the beaches and gorgeous views in the area, itʼs a short walk to Hyatt Aviara Resort for golf, tennis & fine dining!

Ground floor location provides easy access for guests to enter directly from the street. Downtown living at its finest!

This house is on a 2 acres of land with gorgeous views in guard gated community of Palo Verde Ranch in Alpine. No expense was spared updating this home. All interior design elements were curated to inspire Spanish Revival design and the home has the option of coming fully furnished, equipped and stocked with all the home goods you would want!

This house has each bedroom has its own ensuite and primary has 2 separate retreats. Sits on over 1/2 acre with pool/ spa and owned solar.

2131 Corte Plata Espuela, Alpine 91901

Free Summer Concerts Are Back!

One of San Diego’s most beloved traditions, Free Summer Concerts, is returning strong for 2023. Numerous area parks are set to provide free musical entertainment through the end of August. Many events were still being confirmed at press time, so please check your local park for additional summertime happenings. Here’s just of a few of the locations around town where you can find some of the family friendly fun!

Coronado Promenade Concerts at Spreckels Park

June 18: Crown Town, June 25: Big Time Operator, July 2: The Suenamis, July 9: Al Paris & The Heartbreakers, July 16: PHT and The Honky

Tonk Nights, July 23: The Mighty Untouchables, July 30: Flashpants, August 6: Detroit Underground, August 13: The Dreamboats, August 20: The Zippers, August 27: Ron’s Garage, September 3: tba

Dinner and A Concert at the Prescott Promenade, El Cajon

June 16: Jimmy’s Buffet, June 23:

80’s All-Starz, June 30: Billy Nation: A Tribute to Billy Joel, July 7: United States Marine Corps Band, July 14: High Tide Society, July 21: tba, July 28: Stone Soul, August 4: The Siers Brothers, August 11: Back to the Garden, August 18: The Soul Persuaders, August 25: The Ronstadt

Revival, September 1: The Morgan

Leigh Band, September 8: The Verge, September 15: The Heart of Rock and Roll, September 22: The Journeymen, September 29: The Mighty Untouchables

La Jolla Concerts by the Sea at Scripps Park

July 16: The Heroes, July 23: Atom-

ic Groove, July 30: The Springsteen

Experience, August 6: Full Strength

Mission Valley Sundown Sunday Concerts at Civita Park

June 11: The Sully Band, July 9: Betamaxx, August 13: The Cody Carter Band, September 10: The Mighty Untouchables Point Loma Summer Concerts at Point Loma Park

July 14: Big Time Operator, July 21: Scot Bruce as ELVIS, July 28: Beatles vs Stones, August 4: Full Strength, August 11: DSB Journey

Santee Summer Concerts at Town Center Community Park East

June 15: Betamaxx, June 22: Cassie

B Project, June 29: Yacht Rock, July 13: 8 Track Highway, July 20: Billy Nation: A Tribute to Billy Joel, July 27: Back to the Garden, August 3: Branded Country, August 10: Santana Soul, August 17: Country Nation

New Releases Top 5 Concerts!

June 16th - The Benedetti’s Celebrate Paul McCartney’s Birthday / Dizzy’s, Bay Park. 7 p.m.

New and Upcoming Singles: A

Lens to the Sun - “Everything I Do”, Ashes and Urns – “Worth the Wait,”

Be Mine Phantom ValentineDon’t Let Me Bullet,” Tamar Berk

– “Drop In The Bucket,” Bloodstone the Street Preacher – “Hard on the Internet,” Alicia Champion - “Fan To Flame,” Creature Canyon – “Imperfect,” Nick Crook – “Blood & Water,” Sloat Dixon – “Rabbit Hole” (produced by Sly Beats), Jonathan Karrant & Joe Alterman - “For What It’s Worth” (Buffalo Springfield cover), Ashley

E Norton – “Wine, Wine, Wine” - Adult. & Planet

B – “Glass in the Trash/ Release Me,” Sorry It’s Over - “Feel Like It’s the 60s,” Swive – “Something,” Ryan Valenzuela – “The Core”

New and Upcoming Albums & EP’s: Tamar Berk – Tiny Injuries (August 18), Black Market III - Soul Survivor, The Zach Gutierrez Trio - tba, Nathan Hubbard - Translation Has Failed Splinter Moon, Liquid Blue – tba, Marujah – Holiday Kids (July 28), Safety Orange – Positive Flow, Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi – The Wolf & The Lamb / Live at The Shakh.

In honor of Sir Paul McCartney’s 81st birthday, guitarist Fred Benedetti performs a set of the former Beatles and Wings members classic songs, joined by vocalists Regina Moomjean & Julia Picone, multi-instrumentalist/ bassist Jeff Pekarek and percussionist James Morton.

June 19 & 20 – Blink 182 / Pechanga Arena.

7:30 p.m.

Local reunited rock trio made good, Blink 182, return to San Diego for two shows at Pechanga Arena. The current tour is averaging 25 songs a night with music from their beginnings up to their latest hit, “Edging”.

June 24 – 43rd Annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cookoff / Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In addition to all the great food and sights at this beachside event, there will be three stages with continuous music, featuring a wide range of area talent, including Jeff Berkley & The Banned, Seawall Prophet, Electric Waste Band, Amanda Cogan and more.

July 11 – Happy Together Tour / Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island.

6:30 p.m.

An incredible musical jukebox of artists responsible for 61 Billboard Top 40 hits! On hand will be The Turtles (“Happy Together”), Little Anthony (“Goin’ Out of My Head”), San Diego’s own 1960’s legend, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (“Young Girl”), The Vogues (“Five O’Clock World”), The Classics IV (“Spooky”) and The Cowsills (“Hair”).

July 15 –Blue Oyster Cult / The Sound, Del Mar. 8 p.m.

Legendary rockers Blue Oyster Cult return to San Diego for a show at The Sound on July 15. The band has a new album, The Symbol Remains, but expect the set to focus on classics such as “Godzilla” and “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” Be sure to arrive early to catch the opening set from new combo, miniaturized.

San Diego Music News

The Red Barn , is the lates album by Garrison Bailey , due out this month. Guests include Wayne Riker, Sue Palmer, Laurie Burke, Jennifer Jane Sandoval Schwartz and Cathryn Beeks.

Acclaimed musician Cindy Lee Berryhill is available for acoustic / electric guitar, songwriting and ukulele lessons, on Thursdays at La Jolla Music.

Tamar Berk has just released the first single off her third solo album, Tiny Injuries, due out August 18. “I wanted to release this song first, because the album title is actually in the bridge of the song and I wanted to hint at the theme of the album,” Berk said. “The video features me and a professional ballroom dancer, Ksenia Stavrica . I worked with her for several months to choreograph a dance that I felt would be interesting, fun and slightly bizarre. I wanted her to represent my female side and I would represent my male side. The idea actually came from a dream! I woke up one morning from a dream in which I was ballroom dancing and I just thought, “well maybe that should be the first video!” Berk next performs on Saturday June 17 at the Kensington Club with the Proctor Valley Monsters and Swive. https://linktr.ee/tamarberk?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Jeff Bloom’s song, “The Return,” is featured and in the credits of the documentary, Corky. The film is about an Orca Captured from B.C. Canada December 11th 1969, currently at Sea World. The documentary will screen at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on June 30 at 2:30 p.m. “They have me onscreen about halfway, at the 45-minute mark, with a short interview that was recorded in San Diego. I am now 56. She is now 56,” he said.

studio, the all original, twelve-song album will thrill Two-Tone fans. The band line-up includes John Roy , currently of Smoke + Mirrors Sound System, as well Steve Kader , one of the area’s top music promoters (Adams Avenue Street Fair etc.), with a guest appearance from trombonist Stanley “Bronco” Farwell , best known for his work with the legendary ska combo, Donkey Show.

Hemisphere will be performing a special set, Acoustika at The Jazz Lounge on June 23. Hosted by Leonard Patton , “we have a very exciting set, with a 9-piece band and a few special guests,” said the band’s guitarist Rob Shinno.

This year’s International Pop Overthrow music festival takes place August 18 – 19 at the Black Cat Bar . Performers tba.

Hard rock icons Iron Butterfly’s 1968 single B-side, “Iron Butterfly Theme” is included in the forthcoming box set from Cherry Red Records, We’re An American Band: A Journey Through The USA Hard Rock Scene 1967 – 1973.

Singer Adam Lambert has a new line of nail polish available, High Drama, available from ORLY.

BLUSD.ORG is holding their Annual Blues Music Summer Camp, from August 7 – 11, at Northminster Presbyterian Church. Kids, 11 – 17 years old can take part in this wonderful Day Camp, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., learning the instrument of their choice – Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys, Harmonica and Vocals. Music teachers are set to include Mercedes Moore, Michele Lundeen, Fuzzy Rankins, Jerry ‘Hot Rod’ Demink, Robin Henkel and Karl Dring.

Award winning band, Liquid Blue has a new EP, Electric Warrior. The five track release features songs written by Liquid Blue members Scott Stephens and Michael “Groveler” Vangerov in the late ‘70s but never recorded. “In 2023, they’ve finally been brought to life,” says Stephans

Guitarist Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) has teamed up with Epiphone Guitars for a new signature Flying V Custom and a limited-edition Flying V Prophecy.

Encinitas based Surfdog Records is releasing a collaboration between Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. The single, a cover of the Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer penned classic, “Moon River,” is due July 14, complete with accompanying video.

Producer Sven Erik Seaholm (pictured with guitarist Charlie Loach ) recently released a “lost” album by the late, beloved, singer-songwriter, Jeffrey Joe Morin , Songs for Ginny. “20 songs from a bygone era, lovingly recorded solo/acoustic for his mom,” said Seaholm. “In retrospect, it sounds like the Cash sessions. Intimate and honest.”

Switchfoot has rerecorded and reissued their album, The Beautiful Letdown, now adding “Our Version” to the title. The album features the band’s biggest hits, “Dare You To Move” and “Meant To Live.”

Congrats to Alison Brown! On May 20 her latest album, On Banjo, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart. It’s her fourth Top 10 album and first #1.

Congrats to guitarist Laura Chavez! On May 11, she won the Best Guitarist Award at the Blues Foundation’s National Blues Music Awards held at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee.

Good things come to those who wait! After 33 years, ska favorites Gangbusters have released their debut album! Recorded in 1990 at Steve Vaus’s North County

Director Yale Strom’s new documentary on folk music icon Lou Curtiss , Recordially Yours, Lou Curtiss, will screen on June 23-25, at the Digital Gym.

Ugly Things Magazine is hosting a 40th Anniversary Weekender August 25 – 27 at The Casbah. One of the top music mags on the planet, published by Mike Stax , amongst the talent set to perform are The Loons, The Nashville Ramblers and The Wylde Gooms. Also set to take part is an all-star band celebrating legendary San Francisco group, Crime, with John Reis (Rocket From the Crypt), Rick Froeberg (Hot Snakes), Dean Reis (Sultans) and Victor Penalosa (Flamin’ Groovies).

On July 15 Black Market III will debut their new album, Soul Survivor , at a CD release show set for the Hacienda on the Hill.

Blame Betty celebrates the release of a 6 song EP, Big Betty’s Alright!, with a CD Release party on July 2 at Fast Times in Clairemont. The EP was produced, recorded and mixed by Jeff Berkley at Satellite Studio, with cover photos by Dave Preston.

MotherNature Promises Pleasant Summer Nights

By Bob Morey

Ohhhhh My Friends, strap in; it’s going to be a fast and fun ride from now through September. The State of California has finally kicked Mother Nature back her share of the Carbon Tax, you know, one that we have all been paying since the voters approved Prop. 32, so we’ll finally be back to having the nearperfect weather we have come to love once again. I have been told by reliable sources that the sun will be out in the mornings and the nights will be warm and pleasant. For San Diego, this will last through early October with predictable weather forecasts. However, the clear mornings won’t begin until around July 1st as it will take about 30 days to process the payment to Mother Nature, however, the pleasant warm evenings will already be happening by the time you read this as a gift from Ms. Nature. Now that we are officially into summer, let’s go out and play.

On June 4th, on The Old Globe’s outdoor stage, The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre opens for its summer season with one of William Shakespeare’s most perfect plays, The Twelfth Night. Shipwrecked and alone in foreign Illyria, young Viola masquerades as her lost twin brother and becomes the go-between for the lovesick Duke Orsino and the beautiful Countess Olivia. Soon Viola finds herself in the middle of a topsy-turvy love triangle with lunacy and laughs on every side. This one has it all -- romance, music, poetry, comedy, swordplay, and more! Directed by Three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Globe’s Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labor’s Lost), The Twelfth Night is one of The Bard’s true comic masterpieces and will be one of the perfect nights under the San Diego stars you can have.

Running indoors on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage through June 25th is the hit Destiny Of Desire

On a stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico, two babies are born — one into a life of incredible wealth and one into a life of poverty. When a ruthless ex–beauty queen swaps the newborns, the stage is set for two outrageous misfortunes to grow into an extraordinary destiny. Directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (August Wilson’s Jitney) and filled with vibrant choreography and live music, Destiny of Desire explores the emotional rollercoaster and social commentary that make the telenovela the most popular form of storytelling on the planet.

Opening on June 7th, The North Coast Rep presents the West Coast Premiere of Eleanor. Written

us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up, and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room. Based on the hit Adam Sandler movie, “The Wedding Singer’s” sparkling score does for the ‘80s what “Hairspray” did for the 60s. Just say yes to the most romantic musical in twenty years. It’s 1985, and rock star wannabe, Robbie Hart, is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer. He’s the life of the party until his own fiancée leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. As luck would have it, Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of a decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever. The Wedding Singer has a short gig and closes on the 24th.

Old Town is always a great place to be this time of the year and one of the best stops you can make is the Cygnet Theatre, which brings us the suspenseful, slow-burning dark comedy Sharon, running until July 2nd. Not all is as it seems in this hilarious and Hitchcockian story that makes you question…well, everything. Sharon and Jakey are a loving mother and son, running the crumbling apartment building in Everett, WA, that’s been in the family for generations, repainting the walls as the tenants move in and out. Soon we start to realize that perhaps this family is not what they seem. Or are they…? Over the course of a very tense dinner, the story unfolds, and power switches hands. We finally get to the bottom of this comedic thriller, asking the question: What does survival look like? And who the f*ck is Sharon.

The La Jolla Playhouse has a hit on their stage with The World Premiere of Love All in The Mandell Weiss Theatre. Written By Anna Deavere Smith and Directed by Marc Bruni, Love All is the triumphant story of the rise of a sports icon and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King. The trailblazer for equality faced tough competition on the court and adversity in the world, all against a backdrop of the massive social changes of the 1960s and 70s. Love All evokes the highs and lows of Billie Jean’s extraordinary career and asks not just what it takes to be a champion but what it takes to change the course of history. “We’ve been curtsying for years. Now it’s time to stand up.” Love All leaves us on July 2nd

By Mark St. Germain

and Directed by David Ellenstein (see our interview with Mr. Ellenstein in this issue). While sitting on her favorite park bench in Washington, D.C., Eleanor Roosevelt reveals the many facets of the dynamic and iconic First Lady. Award-winning actress, Kandis Chappell takes on the portrayal as the witty, feisty, vulnerable woman who was considered the heart of FDR’s presidency. Exploring both the public and private persona of this remarkable woman, Mark St. Germain (Dancing Lessons, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Freud’s Last Session) deftly captures the essence of the woman who left an indelible mark on American history.

June is the month for weddings, The Moonlight Amphitheater in Vista has another show pulled from a fan favorite film with The Wedding Singer opening on June 7th under the stars. The Wedding Singer takes

The Rady Shell is already getting a solid workout of events (see their website for the schedule). However, The San Diego Symphony officially opens its 2023 Summer Season on June 30th with Trumpeter Pacho Flores joining Conductor Rafael Payare and The San Diego Symphony Orchestra with a night of dancing and iconic melodies. Flores will perform the West Coast Premiere of Roberto Sierra’s Salseando. Written for him in 2020, the concerto blends jazz improvisation with salsa rhythms and melodies. Starting the night off is Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and closes with Sergei Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45.

So, enjoy your day at the fair, but don’t forget to check your calendars for all the great shows this month. Most of these shows will come and go if you blink a couple of times. But you can count on San Diego’s Performing Art Community to keep you entertained all summer long, and a memorable summer it’s shaping up to be, so don’t miss out.

Charmed, Fortunate, Or Lucky?

OUR INTERVIEW WITH DAVID

ELLENSTEIN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE

By Bob Morey

We all know San Diego is one of the premier places in the world to not just visit but to live in. Athletes look forward to their playing away game here. Artists from all over the world often make San Diego a destination to perform in. Occasionally, a unique talent arrives here in San Deigo, believing they won’t be here for too long before the next great gig in another city calls. Then something happens. The stars come into alinement. The job they came to do turns out to be what they were groomed for since childhood. They fall in love with the city, and the roots begin to grow. Before you know it, 20 years have passed. Just as it happens in sports, it also happens in the performing arts, a player or artist comes to town, and then they stay, and they and the city become one. What Tony Gwynn became to the Padres, David Ellenstein is to The North Coast Repertory Theatre. Mr. Ellenstein is the Artistic Director of The North Coast Rep and is celebrating his 20th year in that position. With a new show, ‘Eleanor’, opening this week following on the heels of the recent announcement of a new collaboration with the Laguna Playhouse just last week, we were fortunate to get a few minutes with him, for you.

Mr. Morey: Mr. Ellenstein, I know you are running at full throttle this week, so I’m very thankful for your time.

Mr. Ellenstein: It’s my pleasure.

You were born to parents who were working in theatre and television. How old were you when you first knew theatre life was for you?

My father, Robert Ellenstein, was an actor and director in Theatre, Film, and TV his whole life. When I was 4 years old, he was starring opposite Juliet Prowse in the National tour of Irma La Douce - when I saw it, he looked like he was having so much fun up there that I decided then and there that was what I was going to do – and I never wavered. When I was 7, my Dad was the Artistic Director for The Company of Angels in L.A. They did a production of Telemachus Clay by Lewis John Carlino, which featured the voice of an unborn child from the womb, they recorded my voice for the role, and that was my acting debut.

What were some of your early jobs in the entertainment industry?

I got my SAG (Screen Actors Guild) card when I was 18 and my AEA (Actors Equity Association) card at 20, so I began working as an actor in film and theatre then. I did about 2 dozen guest TV gigs and worked extensively in regional theatres from coast to coast. I like to say I have worked in theaters from San Diego to Maine, from Miami to Anchorage, and most places in between. Like most actors, I held all kinds of jobs when I was younger to help make ends meet.

What path led you to the North Coast Rep?

I was married and living in Los Angeles, but with a career in regional theatre as both an actor and a director, I found myself on the road at least six months of the year. When it was suggested that I apply for the position at North Coast Rep, my wife, Denise, and I had just had our first child. I was skeptical about applying for a job at a small theatre that required us to move and then

professionalize a company. My wife’s response was, “You’re applying, you’re getting it, and we are moving” Before I even applied, she began packing our house. I figured I would be here for 3 to 5 years. I have now past the twenty-year mark, and this has become my artistic home.

What are some of your most memorable productions over the years?

Playing Hamlet at the Los Angeles Repertory Company and then again at The Los Angeles Theatre Center was definitely a highlight. It was very impactful on me both as an artist and as a person. Directing Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Chosen, and A Shayna Maidel have all been standout experiences. Working at historic theatres like Coconut Grove Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse, Off-Broadway, and The Alabama Shakespeare Festival have also been highlights. The opportunity to have worked with amazing actors on many of the greatest plays ever written has been immensely gratifying and rewarding. I was fortunate to have gotten to work with my father many times as actors, he directed me, and I directed him. That might be the most special memories of all. There have been so many standout productions at North Coast Rep during the past 20 years - it’s hard to play favorites with your children.

After all the years of crisscrossing the country doing over a hundred shows as an actor or director, now that you’ve been at the Rep for 20 years, are some of the people you met during your travels showing up at the Rep for a show or two? Over the years, I would think that some of the people that enjoyed the pleasure of working with you would have been a few of them knocking on your door from time to time.

I have been fortunate to work with so many amazing people throughout my career. Getting them involved in a production or a special event here at North Coast Rep has been a highlight. Also, the likes of Richard Dreyfuss, Leonard Nimoy, Lucie Arnaz, Ben Vereen, and Marilu Henner, have lent their talents to our company of amazing actors who work here regularly; they have lifted our profile and enriched the experience of our loyal audience.

One of the true blessings I’ve had was to be able to work with the San Diego icon Jonathan McMurtry. Not only was he a dear friend, but we worked together on over two dozen shows over the years. Jonathan was one of the few amazingly gifted artists who lent his talent and reputation to the North Coast Rep and was instrumental in helping us to elevate our reputation to a higher level. Today, The North Coast Rep has established a Patron Program, The Jonathan McMurtry Actors Fund, as a way to honor and remember him for all that he has given us not just here at the Rep but to so many of San Diego’s theatre companies over the years.

It was just recently announced that you and Bill Kerlin have taken on the Artistic and Management duties for the Laguna Playhouse. What effect will this have on the NCR?

Bill and I will remain as the artistic and business leaders at North Coast while assuming the same roles in Laguna. Though both institutions will

remain distinct and separate in their identities, they will share some programming and other functions that will benefit both financially and organizationally. The North Coast Rep managed to navigate the pandemic and the tricky times for Arts organizations that currently prevail with great success. We will be devoting all the requisite time needed to ensure that this continues. The Laguna Playhouse, like most theatres, faced challenges during this time period. Bill and I plan and hope to bring the successful working model we have found to The Laguna Playhouse that will bring back audiences and continue its great 101-year history. It is an extremely exciting opportunity for both organizations.

There are some who would say about Mr. Ellenstein, “He’s led a charmed life; he was born into it.” Yeaaah, crisscrossing the nation back and forth with stops along the way in Alaska, going from city to city, theatre to theatre, and if you are lucky to work enough to earn a living, you might be home about four or five months a year, and not all for any long period of time. It’s called ‘paying your dues’ while you’re living those lean feast or famine years while building a career. It’s very much like walking a high wire outdoors on a windy day. Some shows are a great success, and others…well, not so much, and you never know until after all the time and effort is put in and the show opens. And when it closes, it’s off to the next show in a different town. Sure, having a Father who’s a successful actor-director can open some doors from time to time, but Mr. Ellenstein still had to deliver the performance that came from his own talent and skills.

Fortunate, yeah – I’ll accept that. Fortunate enough to have met Denise, who joined him on his adventure and became his Wife and Mother of his children. Fortunate to have been able to work so many times with his Father and create those special memories that they must be. Who did Fortunate smile on when Mr. Ellenstein applied for the job at the Rep? Perhaps both of them. Lucky? We’re the lucky ones. Lucky that Mr. Ellenstein is at the Rep, and over the years has given us so many memorable shows that we can cherish and will continue to do so for years to come. Congratulations to you Mr. Ellenstein, on your 20th Anniversary with the North Coast Rep, and Thank You for so many fond memories of our own.

David Ellenstein and Amy Beidel

“Brilliant and emotionally resonant.”

While sitting on her favorite park bench in Washington, D.C., Eleanor Roosevelt reveals the many facets of the dynamic and iconic First Lady. Award-winning actor Kandis Chappell takes on the portrayal as the witty, feisty, vulnerable woman who was considered the heart of FDR’s presidency. Exploring both the public and private persona of this remarkable woman, Mark St. Germain (Dancing Lessons, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Freud’s Last Session) deftly captures the essence of the woman who left an indelible mark on American history.

WEST COAST PREMIERE NOW –JULY 9

NorthCoastRep.org

858-481-1055

Group Sales

858-481-2155, x202

— WALL ST. JOURNAL

Runway Chardonnay event raises funds for local nonprofit Music Therapy for Veterans

The Second Annual Runway Chardonnay event featuring wine, fashion, music, and stunning views at beautiful Trevi Hills Winery in Lakeside was celebrated on May 27.

The fundraising event benefited Music Therapy for Veterans. Founder Floyd A. Smith (Bass Baritone (Basso Profundo) vocalist for the six-time Grammy Award winning group The Fifth Dimension) entertained attendees with his smooth voice, singing favorites while guests sipped Trevi Hills selections and feasted their eyes on local designer Dawn Sebaugh’s new spring collection from WALA (Wear Art Live Art). The fashions were a beautiful compilation of one-of-a-kind dresses inspired from Sebaugh’s original art.

Donate to Music Therapy for Veterans

Music Therapy For Veterans

www.musictherapyforveterans.org

WALA www.WearArtLiveArt.com

Photos by Ernie Tyler

SHAY REALTORS A

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