reflections Rosemary Joles
The best gifts in life are not things. n average American’s go into debt purchasing gifts each holiday season to the tune of nearly $1000. Many are still carrying that debt a year later and paying over 18 percent interest to boot! Gifts that are no longer being used, are broken, go out of style, or in the case of technology, are out of date. The pleasure of those gifts by pure human nature wears off after a very short period of time. In the case of children, it wears off within a nanosecond. Personally, I don’t think that is what this upcoming holiday season is about. Now, before you call me Ebenezer Scrooge, please hear me out. I believe in giving wholeheartedly, only in a different way.
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For the past few years, we’ve chosen to give experiences over material gifts to our children and grandchildren. What’s an experience gift you ask? We purchase gifts like tango, cooking, or photography classes. The experience, of course, is based upon the recipient’s interest. The only caveat we have when we give the gift is that they have to send us a photo of them partaking in that experience. It brings us great joy to see our gift in action. Here’s why we’ve chosen to give in this fashion. 1. In our humble opinion, we all have too much stuff already. Why add to the chaos of things to maintain and store? 2. Experiences help to not only grow the person intellectually and educationally, but many times a new skill is acquired that increases self-confidence. 3. Experiences bond families together. 4. Experiences continue to provide happiness from memories long after the event has occurred. 5. New friendships are developed with people who share a common interest Photography class photo taken outside their normal sphere of acquaintances or friends. by our daughter Rochelle Wheeler. 6. We save time, anxiety, and money! Since all of our family lives in other parts of the country, we don’t have to find a box to pack the material gift in, stand in line at the office, and then pay U.S. Postal rates, plus insurance, to get the gift to them. Sometimes the shipping costs more than what was purchased. That’s just crazy in my world! With the experience route, I do all of my shopping online and by phone in the comfort of my PJs and rocker. 7. We pay cash for the experiences so no debt is accumulated and no interest payments are made. 8. Giving gifts in this fashion leaves room for us to experience the holidays in an entirely different frame of mind than we have in the past. No more crowded lines, stores filled to the brim with distractions, and no stress! The holidays are calmer and we open ourselves up to experiences that we otherwise wouldn’t partake in. We would love to hear from you if you choose to give experiences instead of material gifts. We hope it brings you the same joy that it gives us. FROM THE FRONT PORCH JOURNAL october/november/december contributors:
Front Cover Photography
Staging
Scott Carmella
Staged Today Sold Tomorrow
Copyright ©2010- 2018 From The Front Porch Journal
Reflections: Rosemary Joles A Note from Rosemary: Alix Kammeyer and Shawn Harris Mortgage Memo: Carolyn Plummer On Our Porch: Rosemary Joles Feels Like Home: Lisa Vasey Transforming Spaces: Cheryl Starbuck Insurance 411: Susanne Romo The Nibblers Digest: Marco Sawrey & Karin Zonis Sawrey The Cork Connoisseur: Beth Fraitag Downtown: Samuel Antonio | Dreamstime.com Upcycle: Gail and Jim Hallemeyer Travel The World: Beth Taylor Travel San Diego: Rosemary Joles Useless Knowledge: Todd Joles Bravo and Mia Bites: Todd Joles In Our Library: Todd Joles On Our Playlist: Todd Joles Photo credits if not noted: dreamstime.com & Rosemary Joles Editing for Rosemary’s Articles: Barbara Allen
contents
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OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 2018
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18 From the Front Porch Journal Published by and compliments of:
Rosemary Joles
REALTOR®, Cal BRE # 01095314
619·405·7673 Homes@LivinInSD.com LivinInSD.com 258 N. El Camino Real, Ste. C Encinitas, CA 92024
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Follow our blog at: LivinInSD.com Like us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/LivinInSD Follow us on Pinterest Pinterest.com/rosemaryjoles/
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reflections the real estate brief a note from rosemary the mortgage memo home on our porch –victorian farmhouse feels like home –2018 trends nitty gritty organize it –hoarder or collector insurance 411 –business policies bon vivant the nibbler digest –cloak and petal the cork connoisseur –new zealand time-out –belmont park et cetera where’s rosemary delish –fig jam around our town –downtown san diego voyage travel the world –st. lucia travel san diego –sheriff’s museum minutia useless knowledge bravo and mia bites rosebud’s garden –libertia peregrinans upcycle –tree trunks and branches bits and pieces ponderings podsibilities books or blogs park exploration –kit carson park sd word find –native plants four lifestyle sd theatre sd adventures sd concerts domiciles from east county to the coast tidbits front porch wisdom out of the mouths remember when –old globe theatre
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a note from rosemary Home is the nicest word there is.
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the life of an escrow e are ending 2018 with the final piece of the home buying puzzle—the escrow process. It is with great pleasure that we invite Carol Paopao, Escrow Officer with Fidelity Title’s Escrow Division to this issue of From The Front Porch Journal.
An escrow holder’s primary responsibility is to act as a “neutral third party” in assisting buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and their transaction coordinators, as well as lenders with the opening, processing, and closing of their purchase or sale transaction. An escrow holder also coordinates with termite companies, home warranty companies, natural hazard companies, and homeowners’ associations. This process commences with the escrow holder’s receipt of a fully executed purchase contract and joint escrow instruction, which typically is sent to us by the listing agent. Upon receipt of the contract, the escrow holder officially opens the escrow file and proceeds to check the contract for signatures, opens the preliminary title order (or title search) with the title company indicated on the contract, and also orders the homeowner’s association documents. The escrow holder also immediately contacts the buyer to provide secured wiring instructions for remittance of the initial earnest money deposit. Upon receipt of the preliminary title report, the escrow holder will either mail or e-mail out the buyer and seller’s opening packages, which include miscellaneous escrow documents, such as the statement of information, preliminary change of ownership (buyer form), and federal and state forms (seller forms), as well as the grant deed, which must be signed by the seller in the presence of an approved notary. The preliminary title report, which reflects any and all existing loans, liens, easements, and CC&Rs, is also included in the buyer’s opening package for approval. Within 24 to 48 hours of opening, the escrow holder is normally contacted by the buyer’s lender to provide estimated escrow and title fees so that the lender can initiate their required “disclosures.” The lender will also require a copy of the buyer’s earnest money deposit and preliminary title report when available. The homeowner’s association documents normally take seven to ten days to arrive after the seller has paid the required “upfront fee,” so those documents are normally e-mailed and/or sent by Federal Express to the buyer upon receipt of the fee. As the escrow holder receives the buyer’s and seller’s completed opening paperwork, she or he will continue to process the file by sending the completed statements of information to the title company to clear all parties, as well as order any existing seller payoff demands currently secured against the property. Once the buyer’s loan has been approved, the lender e-mails the loan documents to the escrow holder. After we have printed and reviewed the loan documents, we contact the buyer to arrange the loan document signing appointment and to confirm the final amount due from the buyer to close the transaction. The escrow holder will also e-mail the seller at this time with a final closing statement to review and sign. Some lenders allow the escrow holder to scan the executed loan documents back for funding but others require that we Federal Express the originals back before funding. Typically, the file is ready to fund within 48 hours of the date the documents are signed. The escrow holder arranges for a messenger service to deliver the original deed of trust and grant deed, along with any other recordable documents to the title company and requests that they review these items and set the title file up on hold to record, pending receipt of the lender’s final wire. Upon the escrow holder’s or title’s receipt of the lender funds, the escrow holder will release the title file to record. Most lenders wire by noon and their wires are received by either the escrow holder or the title company by 2:00 pm, so the file is released to record by 2:30 pm, and recording confirmation is received by the escrow holder between 4:30 and 5:30 pm. The escrow holder typically receives the final title charges by 5:30 pm on the recording day and will proceed to disburse the file by wiring and/or cutting checks the following business day. The escrow holder will also send final closing statements to the buyer, seller, realtors, and lender. Carol Paopao has worked in the real estate industry for over 30 years and continues to enjoy working with all that are involved in a real estate transaction of which there are many! Even though regulations continue to be more stringent and time consuming there is nothing more rewarding to her than helping buyers and sellers achieve their end goal.
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the real estate brief
carolyn’s mortgage memo
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va financing –what you may not know
any veterans are aware of the traditional VA financing option to purchase or refinance a home by themselves, with a spouse or with another veteran. However, there are some little known features to VA financing that could help you utilize the VA financing option you thought may not be available to you. Over the next three issues of the Front Porch Journal, I will be explaining some of these features starting with this article on Joint VA financing. Joint VA financing allows a veteran and/or veteran and spouse to purchase a home with a third person that is not a veteran. I recently had a family come to me for financing of a home purchase. It was a complicated multiple layer scenario. The husband and wife, *Joe and *Beth were living with their two small children in a home they owned. Beth’s mother, *Joan, was retired and living in the home she owned with her husband, * George, who was recently moved to a skilled nursing home due to his declining health. Joan was now living by herself trying to take care of the home. She was also lonely and spent most of her time either at the skilled nursing home visiting her husband or at her daughter’s home with her grandchildren. As the months went on, Joan, Joe and Beth started discussing the idea of selling their homes and purchasing a larger home together that would accommodate all their needs. Now the question was how to figure out the financing since Joe and Beth had both a bankruptcy and short sale in their recent past. Even though they would be using the equity from their current home sales to put down 25%, Joe and Beth’s credit history excluded them from conventional financing. FHA financing was an option, but that would mean month mortgage insurance (MI) would be added to their payment amount. Joan didn’t earn enough from retirement and social security to qualify for the new mortgage on her own. Her husband, George, wasn’t able to be on the loan so we couldn’t include his income. So we turned to VA financing since Joe is a veteran and had never use his VA eligibility before. Joe and Beth qualified for VA financing without Joan’s income so Joan didn’t need to be on the loan. However, a big part of the down payment was coming from Joan and she wanted to be on the loan as well as the title for tax reasons. Doing a Joint VA loan allowed for a non-veteran or veteran’s spouse to be a co-borrower on the loan. The key to this being allowed was the down payment. VA will finance 100% of Joe and Beth’s portion of the purchase. VA required Joan to put down a minimum of 15% of her portion. The purchase price was $800,000. VA covers 100% of Joe and Beth’s portion of the purchase price of $400,000. The remaining $400,000 was considered Joan’s portion and she needed to put down a minimum of $60,000 (15% of $400,000). Joe, Beth and Joan were putting over $200,000 down, well over the 15% required. The Joint VA loan follows the standard VA guidelines for the borrower and the property. The rate is the same as a traditional VA loan. There is no MI even though Joan could have put less than 20% down if she wanted to do so. Doing a Joint VA loan was a good solution for their complex scenario. In the next issue of the Front Porch Journal, I will be discussing using VA eligibility when you currently own a home with VA financing. For more information on Joint VA financing, please contact me at 619-813-8934 .
Carolyn lives in Rancho San Diego with her husband, daughter and 2 dogs. She has lived in East County for the past 28 years and loves the sunshine and sense of community. Carolyn can be contacted at cplummer@s1lending.com or at 619.813.8934. Equal Housing Lender. I am a licensed mortgage originator, NMLS# 256447, licensed to originate mortgage loans in the State of California.
*names have been changed for privacy
Synergy One Lending, 3131 Camino Del Rio N., Ste. 190, San Diego, CA 92108 (Corporate NMLS # 1025894). 1-877 -276-1974. Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates, and programs are subject to change without prior notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. CA: Licensed by The Department of Business Oversight under the CA Residential Mortgage Lending Act.
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raparound porch charm has hit our cover this quarter, in all of its yesteryear appeal. Filled with Victorian farmhouse allure with modern conveniences, this 2003 custom-built home is like no other in the highly coveted Encinitas Highlands, with its old-fashioned, sidewalk-free streets. Double-hung windows, crown molding, oak wood floors, and a beautifully crafted parlor fireplace add to its ambiance. High Tea anyone? The accessory unit styled in the vibe of an old California beach cottage only adds to the magic of this property. The perfect candidate for a vacation rental, the living room’s wood-beamed ceilings, retro kitchen, French doors, and wood deck will entice vacationers to hang their hat for their beach town getaway. Within walking distance of the library, downtown Encinitas, foodie-inspired restaurants, Swami’s, and Moonlight Beach, this home has all the stuff that California dreaming is made of.
on our porch Details Main House: 3 BD 2.5 BA Year Built: 2003 Sq. Ft. 2400 Guest House: 1 BD 1 BA Year Built: 1954 Sq. Ft. 1100 Garage: 3 Car Lot Size: 9265 Price: $1,995,000 See more at livininsd.com Listing courtesy of Maria Rubenstein of Bennion Deville Homes.
home
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recently returned from a trip to the Las Vegas Market, a design industry semi-annual event that showcases 4,000-plus vendors of the new and upcoming home furnishings and accessories...in other words, the designer’s equivalent of Disneyland and a candy store, rolled into one. Each time I attend the show, I walk away inspired and filled with ideas to implement in my home staging and design projects, and this year proved no different!
Photo Credit: John Lewis
feels like home
We all know there are trends in home design, as in fashion – but, home trends, in general, tend to last a little longer (anyone remember the days of Tuscan themed design?)
And brass is back! But not the shiny brass of the 80’s and 90’s – now it’s brushed brass, which adds an elegant touch to almost any design. Something else that is now also popular are using mixed metals – for example, in a kitchen you can use stainless appliances, but have brushed brass pulls and light fixtures…it’s not essential that everything matches exactly. In fact, good design mixes a variety of elements that form a cohesive whole - so if you like the eclectic look, this is the era for you!
Photo Credit: Tami Smight Interiors
Photo Credit: State Architects
What this translates to is a more simple and stream-lined aesthetic, a “comfortable contemporary” without being harshly modern. The grey palette of recent years is still a neutral that is trending, but warm rather than cool grays and some new combinations are adding fun and interesting elements. If you’re not attracted to Millennial Pink (it’s still here) greys with accents of lavender or violet, or citrine (a green-yellow) can make a space feel fresh and updated. Jewel toned velvets were also everywhere, with emerald green and navy being quite popular, so if you want the Hollywood-glam look, there are a lot of options.
Photo Credit: hop1.com
As with any trends, home design is highly influenced by the majority share of the marketplace. In 2018, that means the Millennial generation – which is the largest percentage of home buyers. So, if you want to update your home, either for selling or dwelling, it’s important to be aware of what is attractive to the home buying population.
If you’re not up to doing a big remodel, there are a lot of ways to incorporate some of the new ideas into your existing space. A new coat of paint is one of the easiest, and inexpensive, ways to give your room or home a facelift. Then by using textiles (pillow, throws, rugs) you can add some of the new color combinations without breaking the bank. Bottom line – have fun! Sometimes, just a few new accents can help your space feel completely refreshed!
Lisa Vasey, lives in El Cajon with her husband and two pugs. When not staging or redesigning, Lisa likes to try new restaurants and recipes, travel, read, and enjoy live music. You can find Lisa on the web at stagedtodaysoldtomorrow.com. Reach out to Lisa at 619.335.8550 or email her at lisa@stagedtodaysoldtomorrow.com for help with your redesign or staging project.
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transforming spaces
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are you a hoarder or a collector? t is not always easy to know if you or someone you love is a collector or a hoarder. Below I have listed common identifiers for each category.
The Collector
The Hoarder
Collect things because they have to. Like to have large quantities of certain items. Collect things they do not put on display or take care of and these items are often hidden or scattered randomly. Save things they never will use. Their environment is disorganized and some area may not be usable. They do not have people come into their homes even if something needs to be repaired. Making decisions about things can be physically painful and causes high levels of anxiety. Experience high level of gratification/euphoria from buying something or getting something for free. Their attachment to an item is very strong and the item can take on an animated persona.
A collector, collects because of a love of an object; the history, the value, the uniqueness, the rarity, the design. A collector has a strategy for collecting and the collection. A collector attractively displays their collections in an orderly manner. The collections are maintained and visitors are drawn to look at them. The collector likes to talk about their collection in social situations. They attend meetings or conventions with other collectors and will engage in trading items with other collectors. Collectors can let go of an item to make room for a new one. If the collector has more items than can be attractively or safely displayed, they will pack them carefully and store in a protective container. A collectors’ space is generally organized, each room in the house is used for its intended purpose.
There are great self help books that can support you, the hoarder, or you, the loved one of a hoarder. See my recommendations below.
Buried In Treasures, 2nd Ed. David F Tolin, Randy O Frost, Gail Steketee, The Hoarder in You, Dr. Robin Zasio Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding & Compulsive Acquiring, Michael Tompkins, Ph. D. Tamara Hartl Ph.D. Cheryl is passionate about helping people enhance their space. Whether helping people de-clutter and organize, or assisting seniors getting ready to move their belongings, her enthusiasm for the project brings enjoyment to the process. Cheryl is patient, calm and flexible allowing her to meet her client’s needs in a way that supports them in the process. Allow Me specializes in assisting people who are chronically disorganized. When needed, Cheryl is knowledgeable in holding Estate Sales. Cheryl can be reached at 619.772.5444 or email her at Cheryl@allowmesolutions.com. You can find her on the web at allowmesolutions.com.
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nitty gritty
insurance 411
not all business insurance policies are the same
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s a small business owner, you have a choice on what kind of insurance you wish to purchase. Your landlord will require general liability, usually for $1,000,000 of coverage, and you also may wish to protect the interior of your business, such as the walls and
interior walls, floors and any permanently attached fixtures. For example if there were a fire and the interior of your office were completely gutted, it is generally the business owner’s responsibility to rebuild the interior of the space, not the landlord’s.
BOPs can also cover business interruption insurance, which provides coverage for the loss of income that occurs due to a fire You can purchase a General Liability (GL) policy which covers or some other covered catastrophe that shuts the business down. you, your business and your employees from claims that include This may include the costs of running your business in a bodily injury to others and property damage to the property of temporary location while repairs are completed. others. General liability may also include personal injury Business umbrella policies can also provide extended coverages. coverage. Business insurance is rated based on the type of business, the Business Owner Policies (BOP) are a combination of general dollar value of property, optional coverages, and any previous liability and property coverages. A BOP can include coverage for claims history, as well as the level of experience in the industry a business property owned by the company. This can include business owner has. furniture, supplies and equipment, plus limited or special coverage for computers and data-processing systems, as well as Neither BOPs nor GL polices cover professional liability, optional Employment Liability Practices Insurance (EPLI) and workers compensation, auto insurance, or any type of health insurance. These are all separate policies that are issued as needed, Cyber-data breach coverage. furnishings.
BOPs can also cover Tenant Improvements (TI), which are the Talk to your agent and schedule a review of your policies and your needs on a regular basis. Susanne Romo, LUTCF has been working in insurance since 1986. Her passion is showing her clients that there can be a vast difference between just ‘having’ insurance…and being properly insured. She can be reached at: 619.200.3594 or at susanneromo@yahoo.com
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Marco Sawrey & Karin Zonis-Sawrey
Cloak & Petal cloakandpetal.com 1953 India St. San Diego, CA 92101
Wagyu Tartare
Japanese to English
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Garlic Edamame
loak & Petal is one of the many new modern restaurants on India Street. This area of Little Italy appears to be sprouting—not the little Italian eateries of yesteryear— but spacious and rowdier establishments, like Juniper & Ivy and Herb & Wood.
We sampled the mushrooms, one of the daily specials. The ceviche, not a necessary item at a Japanese restaurant unless you are paying homage to the Japanese population in Peru, is a bit spicier than most people anticipate. For a sure thing, try the Rainbow Roll which was divine.
As soon as you walk into Cloak & Petal, you are welcomed by faux cherry blossoms at the center of the large circular bar. The walls are covered in loud neon décor, which is meant to invoke some kind of underground Tokyo subway with graffiti-strewn walls. Although on the somewhat green side, the wait staff is generally good. One of the two spaces has a clubby feel, but it’s comfortable and it’s not too loud for conversation.
Our go-to beverages at any Japanese restaurant is cold sake and a Sapporo, but Cloak & Petal’s mixologists know what they’re doing. You won’t go wrong with a craft cocktail or a local beer.
The menu is simple, but nuanced. While it has the typical sushi fare, like California Roll and Shrimp Tempura, there are several items you’ve probably never tried: elk sashimi anyone? Yes, please!! We tried it twice and both times it was delicate and melted in our mouths. There’s wagyu beef, which if you have never tried, is a must. There’s sashimi, nigiri, and even a glazed duck breast. Try the garlic edamame; you won’t stop licking your fingers.
After visiting several of the new restaurants in Little Italy, Cloak & Petal stands out as a refreshing take on an old favorite.
“Try the garlic edamame; you won’t stop licking your fingers.”
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bon vivant
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exploring the best of new zealand wines
ne of the most famous wine producing regions in New Zealand is Marlborough. The region is considered the home of the modern New Zealand wine industry. It is well-known internationally for Sauvignon Blanc in particular, while Pinot Noir is quickly attracting world-wide attention. The most popular varietal grown here is Sauvignon Blanc, closely followed by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Other French varietals do well here as well, including Pinot Gris & Bordeaux grapes. Recently, several Marlborough wineries formed an incorporated society called Appellation Marlborough Wine. Its aims are to protect the integrity and quality standards of wine from Marlborough through a certification process like appellations in other countries. To qualify for Appellation Marlborough, wines must be made from grapes grown sustainably and entirely in Marlborough, comply with annual cropping rates, and must be bottled in New Zealand. Marlborough's first vines were planted in 1873 by local David Herd, but in 1931 his son pulled up the last of theses vines and no others were planted in the region until the 1970s. Wine giant Montana Wines (now Brancott Estate) returned wine making to Marlborough with the purchase of 1173 hectares in 1973, 100 years after the first grapevines were planted.
The Picturesque Marlborough Region of New Zealand
Wine grapes love the diurnal fluctuation of temperatures and therefore thrive in this region. The strong contrast between hot sunny days and cool nights help vintners extend the ripening period of their vines, resulting in unique expressions of their grapes. For the Sauvignon Blanc varietal, the climate & soil from Marlborough help to develop their unique aromas and flavors, which earns them high praise from international wine critics. In the 1980s, wineries in New Zealand, especially in the Marlborough region, began producing outstanding, unforgettable, Sauvignon Blanc. It was in 1985 that the Sauvignon Blanc from a vineyard in the Marlborough region finally brought international attention and critical acclaim to New Zealand wine. I once read a quote that explained New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc being like a child who inherits the best qualities from both parents—exotic aromas found in New World wines and the pungency and limy acidity of an old -world Sauvignon Blanc like Sancerre. When exploring New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc look for some of the following characteristics: Sweet bell pepper, gooseberry, lush tropical fruit overtones, lemongrass, grapefruit & lime. Another important production from this region is sparkling wine. Instead of high quality traditional method sparklers, a sparkling Sauvignon Blanc phenomenon has exploded in the last couple of years. These bubbles are all about, fun, frivolity and varietal definition. There are numerous adventures throughout the wine world! Take a leap of faith‌you never know when you will find your new favorite! Beth Fraitag is a lead wine consultant with Quigley Fine Wines. Wine is her passion and she works one on one with individuals who also enjoy popping the cork from time to time. Her specialty is small production wines from around the globe where sustainable farming practices have been the norm for generations. Her belief in biodynamic methods to bring mother nature's bounty into our lives is the basis for the wines she represents. She can be reached at 619.742.0245 or beth@quigleyfinewines.com. Check out the QFW website at quigleyfinewines.com for additional information.
time-out family-friendly places to go with kids
Why Kid Friendly? Giant Dipper Roller Coaster Numerous other rides Mini Golf Sky Climb (Rock Wall Zip line Laser Maze & Tag Arcade & Midway Games Dole Whip So Much More!!!! 3146 Mission Blvd. San Diego, CA 92109 belmontpark.com info@belmontpark.com
where’s rosemary?
In every issue of From the Front Porch you’ll find a photo of different places that I’ve been in San Diego County. Your goal is to figure out where I took the photo. Be specific and submit your guess as fast as you can (You have competition!!!) The first correct answer will win movie tickets for two! You can email, Homes@LivinInSD.com, or call us at: 619-405-7673.
pinterest.com/rosemaryjoles/home-cookin-wee-humble-cottage-approved/
et cetera
delish
Easy Fig Jam Recipe Ingredients
1/2 cup water 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice 16 ounces (1 pound) figs, cut into wedges Instructions
where was rosemary?
1. In a medium sauce pan place the water and sugar. 2. Heat over medium high heat until sugar is dissolved.
Wild Horses Artist: Ricardo Breceda Creekside Park Vista, CA Winner Neil & Ellen Cadwallader Vista, CA
3. Add figs and lemon juice. 4. Bring to a boil. 5. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook one hour, partially covered.
6. Mash with a potato masher if you prefer a slightly less chunky fig jam. 7. Let cool and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Recipe Credit:: suburbia-unwrapped.com
around our town
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voyage freestyle on a budget in st. lucia Beth Taylor
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t. Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean with its breathtaking natural resources such as the emerald green covered Piton Mountains, dense bird- filled rainforests and beautiful waterfalls. Most tourists end up in the northern area of the island near the capital city, Castries. Rodney Bay, Cap Estate and Gros Islet are home to some of the most sought-after luxury resorts in the world, where celebrities are frequently spotted dancing to calypso music. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy the luxuries of this exceptional vacation spot. Some truly hidden gems that will not pinch your pocketbook can be found in the southern part of the island. Unlike some of the other Caribbean islands, this island is not known for a lively night scene, except on weekends. Weekdays are spent swimming, snorkeling, walking, diving, wind surfing, sunbathing, taking leisurely drives and relaxing under waterfalls. Most of these activities are very reasonable, some even free. Renting a car is the best way to enjoy the island but for budget conscious travelers, there is island wide bus service that is very affordable. No matter how you get to it, the town of Soufriere has some fantastic attractions including the Diamond Falls Botanical Garden which has mineral baths from the days of King Louis XIV, where you can soak and take in the therapeutic waters that pour straight from a volcano. The gardens are a visual treat with luscious tropical flowers, homemade benches and stunning waterfalls. Some of the very best snorkeling on the island is in this southwest corner near Soufriere. Anse Chastanet has a snorkeling area called Fairy Land which drops from 20 to 140 feet into a wall of coral and spectacular underwater life which is an underwater photographer’s paradise. While you’re out exploring the island, be sure to stop at Piton Falls. A ten-minute walk through the tropical gardens leads you to a mineral waterfall cascading into a refreshing waist high pool. After you take in the warm thermal waters of this pool, all of your aches and pains will melt away. St Lucia is abundantly rich in culture and beautiful scenery. A trip to this spectacular island should be high on your bucket list!
Diamond Falls Botanical Garden Waterfall
Beth Taylor is a local travel consultant who has been in the travel industry for over 30 years. She specializes in group and family travel. Her experience has taken her to places around the world. She’d love to help you plan your own unique vacation or simply “talk travel” with you! She can be reached at TMTravel@cox.net or 619-303-8771. Visit her website at BethTaylorMadeTravel.com for more tips about travel and some of the latest travel specials.
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destination-butterfly farms Rosemary Joles Photo: Jeni Mendes
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Giant Swallowtail on Mexican Flame Vine
Photo: Doris Potter
’ve become quite enamored with butterflies in the last year with all of the discussion about the decrease in the Monarch butterfly population. This has led to my interest in all things having to do with native pollinators, bees, butterflies, etc. These lowly insects provide a much needed service to our human existence. They supply one out of every three bites of food. They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce. So what does all this have to do with travel San Diego? I’m glad you asked. My little obsession had me on an adventure to find out about all things related to our native butterflies here in San Diego County. My quest led me to a visit to Butterfly Farms in Encinitas, located at 441 Saxony Road. Not only do they have a 3000 sq. ft. Vivarium (butterfly-free flight house) that holds some beautiful native butterflies, but where one can also purchase organic plants that will feed everything from the hungry caterpillar to the newly emerged butterfly. Here you can learn what each type of butterfly caterpillar looks like, what its host and nectar plants are, how to protect them from pests, and so much more. I recommend following them on their Facebook page (facebook.com/ butterflyfarms.org) as they are always updating it with great information you will need to for your own butterfly garden. You can also get more info on their webpage at butterflyfarms.org. Cost to get into the Vivarium is a voluntary $5.00. The best time to see the butterflies in action is during the months of June thru September.
Monarch Caterpillar
Gulf Fritillary on Lantana
Monarch Butterfly on Tropical Milkweed
Photo: robwilbourn.com
Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar
18
minutia In Raider’s Of The Lost Ark, the scene where
Indiana
Jones
shoots
the
swordsman was ad-libbed by Harrison Ford because Ford needed a bathroom break. Todd Joles is now known as Mr. Useless Knowledge (this is an affectionate title), is a business associate of his wife Rosemary, a passionate woodworker by night, mandolin/bluegrass aficionado by choice, chief cook and bottle washer because he loves his wife and a purveyor of this useless knowledge.
bravo & mia bites
useless knowledge
“Ever wonder where you’d end up if you took your dog for a walk and never once pulled back on the leash?” -Robert Brault
Photo compliments of: Rebecca Johnson Bravo and Mia are the fur-children of Rebecca Johnson. They are the grand puppies of Rosemary and Todd
botanical name: Libertia peregrinans common name: Orange Libertia Likes: Sun or Shade Needs: Medium Water Needs Blooms: White Note: Once established water once a week. May not require additional water during rainy season. Photo credit: coastalcacti.blogspot.com
rosebud’s garden
“A yard is a blank canvas waiting for an artist’s brush.”
-Stephanie Buckley
Photo credit: nymansgardenblognt.wordpress.com To see more SD plants go to: livininsd.com
Rosemary Joles is passionate about low-water gardening in San Diego. She loves creating gardens that look like lush water thirsty gardens, yet need very little moisture to maintain them. Her other passions include real estate, lattes, spending time with family and friends, reading, music and laughter!
upcycle
I
19
upcycled–trunks & tree limbs At Upcycled Home and Garden, we focus on “what can be” rather than “what it was”.’ Gail and Jim Hallemeyer
f you have trees on your property and find that they need trimming or perhaps they need to be taken out, you might think of some ways to repurpose that wood. Having the tree trimming services grind it up into mulch is a common way to dispose of the wood but it also adds to your cost. Several ideas come to mind if you have some time and access to a chain saw or a chop saw. Starting with a chop saw, I like to use the small branches of about 1 to 2 inches in diameter that have some nice bark on the side. First trim off the small side limbs. Then on the chop saw, cut the big limb in slices of an inch or less. Sand these disks smooth and then on one side coat it with a wood sealer. For a matte, semi-gloss or gloss appearance, finish that side off with a coat of lacquer, the spray version works well. Now you have a very interesting coaster to set under your drink glasses. With the larger trunks, use a chain saw and slice them into 3 to 4 inch thick disks. Let them dry and then sand them down. Depending on the diameter, you can make all sorts of cutting boards or trivet trays out of them. Placing a glass dome over the disk, it can become a focus point for displaying a cherished item or a holiday decoration garnished with pinecones and garland.
For the bigger tree trunks, you night get your tree trimming service to slice the trunks lengthwise. If there is enough material, slice off the sides or split it in half. These dried sides can become great outdoor bench seating as you mount these slabs on other shorter stumps or trunk parts. If the trunk is big enough, after slicing off the two sides, the center section can be used as a tabletop or perhaps that center section can be again sliced in half giving you two nice wood slabs. Joining the two makes a nicer wider tabletop. For a tabletop would need it to be at least 2 to 3 inches thick. It all needs to dry for a good long time in a covered ventilated area. The wood may warp as it dries so heavy sanding could be necessary along the way. For some of the good-sized trunks or limbs, you may want the tree trimmers to slice some disks about 2 to 3 inches thick. These disks will then become individual seats and perhaps back rests as you find metal chair frames or legs to mount the disks on. A lot of old patio furniture gets tossed because the seat cushion has been damaged. This would be a great material to repurpose that metal frame. Lastly, some trunk pieces could be cut just 2 foot in length and used as potted plant stands around the patio or garden area. So the next time the trees need a trimming, rather than pay the tree trimming service to grind and haul the wood away, perhaps a few of these ideas will come to mind and you can create a rustic natural look to your landscaping using what was created naturally on the grounds. Upcycled Home and Garden is located at 4747 Oceanside Blvd, Suite I, Oceanside CA 92056. We can reached at 760-908-9800 or info@upcycledhomegarden.com. We offer classes in Milk Painting, Succulent Planting, Garden Art, Chair Upholstering and more, check out our website upcycledhomegarden.com for detailed information. You can also find items we have upcycled on our site. We are open Wednesday thru Saturday, 10:00am-5:30pm. Come by and say hello.
20
on our playlist
In
August we lost a legend of such stature, that I can’t begin to describe the impact this woman has had on the music industry. Aretha Franklin. Her 60 year, yes that’s right, 60 year career was launched with her first gospel recording in 1956. It was during this time that the great Dinah Washington told Quincy Jones that Aretha was the next “Great One!” At only 16 years old she toured with Dr. Martin Luther King. Whether it is an early appearance on the Steve Allen show in 1964, hitting us in the face with “It Won’t Be Long” (youtu.be/G1p92gQTQCg) to her powerful appearance in the movie The Blues Brothers with “Think!” (youtu.be/Vet6AHmq3_s) she was the undoubtedly the undisputed Queen Of Soul!
in our library
bits and pieces Can you describe your life in a six word sentence?
Starting
from marcandangel.com
ponderings
with the Crusades of 1095, this epic series spans four generations and most of the known world of the day. Each generation embraces their quest given to them through visions by St. Andrew and are guided by the Monks of the Celé De, or The True Path. The heretical Celé De were established throughout Wales and Scotland before there was solidification of the church in Rome, thus had no ties church in Rome. The first book, The Iron Lance, saves the lance that pierced the side of Christ and establishes a home for the Celé De. The second, The Black Rood, saves a piece of the cross of Christ from the machinations of the Templars. The Mystic Rose, the third book, saves the cup of Christ from yet another Templar plot to find and steal the cup for their own vicious ends and establishes the secret future of the Celé De.
park exploration
Kit Carson Park 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy S Escondido, CA 92025 word search –native california plants four
Bladderpod Blue Palo Verde California Bay Laurel California Lilac Canyon Coral Bells Coffeeberry Coast Live Oak Dutchman’s Pipe Vine Farewell to Spring Huckleberry Native Sword Fern Quaking Aspen Redwood Sorrel Sacred Datura Snowberry Sugarbush Toyon Western Wild Ginger Download this puzzle online at livininsd.com Find the answers at www.LivinInSD.com/ws
22
lifestyle
Lamb’s Players Theater lambsplayers.org
Broadway San Diego broadwaysd.org
The Old Globe theoldglobe.org
Persuasion October 5-November 8
Beautiful October 2-October 7
The Heart of Rock & Roll September 6-October 21
Lamb’s Festival of Christmas November 30-December 30
Wicked October 31-November 25
Julius Caesar October 20-October 28
San Diego Rep sdrep.org
Vista’s Broadway Theater broadwayvista.biz
How The Grinch Stole Christmas November 3-December 29
A Doll’s House, Part 2 November 21-December 16
Dancing Lessons November 1-November 18
Looking for Christmas November 11-December 16
Santa’s North Pole Follies November 29-December 16
North Coast Repertory northcoastrep.org Blithe Spirit September 5-October 7
Cygnet Theatre cygnettheatre.com
Holmes & Watson October 17-November 17
HIR October 3-October 28
Always...Patsy Cline December 12-December 30
A Christmas Carol November 28-December 30
San Diego Adventures Trolley Dances October 5-7 sandiegotheater.org/trolleydances
San Diego Veteran’s Day Parade November 10 sdvetparade.org
Maker Faire October 6-7 sandiego.makerfaire.com
Encinitas Holiday Street Fair November 18 kennedyfaires.com/encinitas
Polish Festival October 12-14 polishmission.org
Balboa Park December Nights December 7-8 sandiego.gov/december-nights
Borrego Days Desert Festival. October 19-October 21 borregodays.com
San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 December 8, 2018 worldbaseballclassic.com
Fleet Week San Diego 2018 October 22-28 fleetweeksandiego.org Bike The Coast November 3 Spectrumsportsevent.com/bike-the-coast Escondido Tamale Festival November 3, 2018 escondidotamalefestival.org
2018 ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship December 12-16 isasurf.org
Go to livininsd.com at the end of November to view all of the December holiday events from boat parades, light displays, to concerts happening in San Diego County.
Photo: ISA/Sean Evans
october | november | december
23
sd concerts
Celtic Thunder X
The Romeros
AMSD Concerts Sweetwater Union High School 2900 Highland Avenue National City, CA 91950 619.303.8176 amsdconcerts.com
San Diego Theatres Balboa Theatre 868 Fourth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 619.570.1100 sandiegotheatres.org
10/5 Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa 10/11 The David Bromberg Quintet
10/3 Wynton Marsalis 11/11 Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music 11/14 Celtic Thunder X 11/18 98° at Christmas 12/7-12/9 All is Calm 12/11 Jose Feliciano 12/13 Merry-Achi Christmas
California Center for the Arts 340 North Escondido Blvd. Escondido, CA 92025 800.988.4253 Tickets 760.839.4183 All others artcenter.org 10/3 Voices of Our City Choir 10/4 Montreal Guitar Trio & California Guitar Trio 10/5 G. Puccini Tosca 10/6 Lucia Micarelli 10/13 Flamenco Arana: Tierra Mary Aired 10/18 We Banjo 3 10/21 Duet to 10/28 A Night With Janis Joplin 11/1 Estes Tone-The Breath of Sound 11/30 Ten Tenors: Home for the Holidays 12/4 Beats Without Borders 12/4 The Charlie Daniels Band 12/19 Irish Christmas in America Poway On Stage Poway Center for the Performing Arts 15498 Espola Road Poway, CA 92064 858.668.4798 powayonstage.org 10/7 The Romero's 10/12 Starship featuring Mickey Thomas 11/18 The Kingston Trio 11/30 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
San Diego Theatres Civic Theatre 1100 Third Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 619.570.1100 sandiegotheatres.org 12/6 Casting Crows-Its Finally Christmas 12/29 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 12/30 John Legend San Diego Symphony Copley Symphony Hall 750 B St., San Diego, CA 92101 619.235.0804 sandiegosymphony.org 10/4 Lang Lang Plays Mozart 10/24 Marinisky Orchestra 10/27 An Evening with Pat Metheny 10/30-11/4 Conrad Tao 11/9 Rickie Lee Jones & Anders Osborne 11/24 Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band 11/27 Kelli O’Hara & Matthew Morrison 11/30, 12/2 Mozart & Dvořák 12/6 Baroque and the Mandolin 12/7-8 Vivaldi and Bach with Avi Avital 12/15, 16, 21, 22 Noel Noel
Graham Nash
Belly Up 143 S. Cedros Ave. Solana Beach, CA 92075 858.481.8140 bellyup.com 10/6 Keller Williams 10/21 KT Tunstall 11/8 Three Dog Night 11/9 Greensky Bluegrass 11/15 Bill F Gibbons 11/28 Jake Shimaburkuro 11/29 Bret Michaels 12/9 Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn 12/13 The Robert Cray Band 12/20 Dick Dale Humphreys Concerts By the Bay 2241 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, CA 92106 619.224.3577 concerts@humphreysconcerts.com 10/5 America 10/13 Graham Nash 10/23 Basia 10/28 Oingo Boingo Dance Party 10/30 Joan Baez 11/1 Lea Michele and Darren Criss
front porch pickin san diego music from classical to bluegrass
domiciles
San Marcos-San Marcos Manor · $375,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Vista-Vista Del Mar · $415,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Pacific Beach-Crown Point Villas · $659,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Bankers Hill-Cypress Hills · $660,000-$680,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Coronado Cays-Port Royale · $1,195,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Marina District-Renaissance · $1,390,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
from east county to the coast
Oceanside · $534,500 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
San Carlos · $639,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Vista · $685,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Mission Hills-1 Mission · $909,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Olde Carlsbad · $1,500,000-$1,650,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Historic Mission Hills · $1,649,000-$1,699,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Front Porch Wisdom
Your best teacher is your last mistake. -Ralph Nader
Millicent
and Company Salons
MEGAN MCGHEN Hair Stylist
619·464·3166
Out of the Mouths….
"C'mon, Elsa! Get it together!" My almost 3-year-old said this to her doll who kept falling over.
-Macey Cossey 4695 Palm Avenue · La Mesa · CA · 91942
1941
Remember When
The Old Globe Theater
Built in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exposition 1363 Old Globe Way | San Diego, CA 92101|oldglobe.org
Photos: sandiegohistory.org & Scott Carmella
2018
C
all me now to sell your home!
For Lease · $1,600 · 1/1 livininranchosandiego.info · Remington
SOLD · $315,000 · 2/1 livininranchosandiego.info · Rancho Villas
SOLD · $345,000 ∙ 2/2 livininsancarlos.info · San Carlos
SOLD · $345,000 · 2/1.5 livininpeacockhills.info · Oceanside
For Sale ∙ $360,000 ∙ 2+/2 livininpeacockhills.info ∙ Oceanside
SOLD · $635,000 · 4/3 livininsd.com · Chula Vista
SOLD · $725,000 ∙ 3/2.5 Livinincivita.info · Frame & Focus
For Sale · $799,000-$850,000 · 4/4 livininlakeside.info ∙ Ranch · Lakeside
Exclusive · $899,000 · 2++/2.5 lvinincivita.info ∙ Penthouse · Civita
Whether you are looking to sell, buy, or lease a home we have the skills to get the job done right. LETS GET STARTED TODAY! CALL 619.405.7673
Rosemary Joles Every home is a masterpiece 2014-2018 Five Star Real Estate Agent REALTOR® | Cal BRE #01095314 Residential Sales· Leasing· LUXE Director 619· 405· 7673 Homes@LivinInSD.com | LivinInSD.com
