Colorado theater shooting, TV media news porn and us

Curiously in an abstract sense, not so in the actuality of today's despicable cable and TV news porn cycles, this media continues to pile on today's outrage, treating it like a 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina. This is today's major story, but not all that different from tomorrow's or the one the following day except for the shrillness and wall-to-wall nature of the coverage.

One take-away from the Dark Knight theater shooting's cable TV media coverage is the utter lack of morality and classic journalism values that plagues us as a society. This partially accounts for the inability of this nation, and the world, to deal effectively with catastrophic issues such as climate change, economic depression, politics and war, to name but a ghastly few.

As we are wont to do in this ever-moving age of communications advancement, I've addressed a few other issues related to the theater shooting on my Twitter feed and Facebook page.

For example at my site, https://twitter.com/AhHa_RSF :

Ah-Ha Ranch Santa Fe‏@AhHa_RSF

#theatershooting#aurora#breakingnews@cnn We say APPROPRIATE COVERAGE ONLY. This is major story among MANY. DON'T NEWS PORN FOR RATINGS.

Ah-Ha Ranch Santa Fe‏@AhHa_RSF

#theatershooting#aurora HEY @CNN AND ALL NEWS PORN: You're so media concerned with victims? How many people died in Syria or Congo today?

Ah-Ha Ranch Santa Fe‏@AhHa_RSF

#theaterkilling#aurora Dark Knight mass murder horrible, but TV, cable covering it wall-to-wall like 9/11 amounts to news porn for ratings.

Ah-Ha Ranch Santa Fe‏@AhHa_RSF

#theaterkilling#aurora Easy to cover, everything blown out of proportion. As sad in its media way as the killings. Ratings glee for TV.

  As well, I took to Facebook and received affirmative responses. However, these are my friends after all for a reason. I suspect though many others share their thoughts, and mine.

• Portia Caroline Jacobs So hard on news junkies like us! It'll be like this for a week at least. What are we going to do? News starvation.5 hours ago· Like
  Cara Davis Completely agree.
• Rachel Davis Actually, I have to hear about as much about Syria every day as we are about this. But Mark would say that all we are hearing about Syria is lies anyway, so maybe that doesn't count.

This all addresses the larger issue that we will stuff into the back story pack for future reference; how our society is poorly served by many areas of the media and how a site like Allvoices can cut through the official garbage of advertising-based greed-driven new coverage of events that greatly harm our society.

Ed Murrow and company in the 1950s would not have had, for example, negative political ads, entertainment and drug commercials regularly interrupt the breaking news. However, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, local TV stations et al were doing it with the theater shooting ad nauseam.

A disgrace to be sure, but we all will move on and the media certainly will as this becomes that. For all the breathless ah-ha news porn coverage of the moment, the media will move on as fast as a squirrel with a nut.

Not to pile on, but I do have a personal eye for details pertaining to this story. As a matter of fact, I edited several newspapers in the Torrey Highlands area of San Diego where alleged (we have to say that, but...) gunman James Holmes lived until college.

                           (Photo: Media news porn at Holmes' Torrey Highlands home, Friday, July 20, 2012.)

In fact, I regularly drove by his house, a detail I only know now because dozens of news porn media reps are camped outside that house. It's in a very upper middle-class suburb inhabited by extremely well educated and upwardly mobile San Diego residents.

As depressingly usual in today's America where very few people talk, or act, straight, the developers and real estate people dubbed the neighborhood Torrey Highlands, to associate the area with the tony Pacific Coast neighborhoods. However, the area is set in rolling hills about 20 miles from the La Jolla coast. It does, however, have beautiful scenery, easy living and a legitimate calling card as part of the Poway Unified School District, one of the best public school districts in California.

What immediately struck me about Holmes, the neighborhood and the incident, was the apple pie upscale suburban sprawl that framed each component. Let me digress briefly and then explain.

Firstly, I've spent a great deal of time in Denver as well and also recognized that Aurora area for what it is, a gritty, working class area about as far from Denver's downtown core as Torrey Highlands is from downtown San Diego. However, that's not the connection that came to mind.

No, I immediately thought about Denver's other mass shooting: Columbine. That took place in a Denver suburb exactly like Torrey Highlands; the same houses, the same economic class, same everything pretty much except for scenery and maybe rooting for the Broncos instead of the Chargers. Holmes is only a few years older than the Columbine shooters. The victims at the midnight Batman showing were predominantly young as well.

Just as I drove around Torrey Highlands all the time, I drove around unincorporated Jefferson County where Columbine was located a lot. There is a spiritual and intellectual blandness in these places. The kids are from great families. They go to great schools. Yet, something is missing.

There's not a lot to do. It's stifling. They hang out at shopping malls and skateparks. They're bright. They're bored. They're missing a certain something just as our society, as a whole, is missing something. Heart, soul, something.

These places feature vast spaces between veneer and truth. There is an emptiness of spirit, at least in my mind, that mirrors an emptiness in America, as greedy plutocratic pigs and political charlatans attempt to steal this nation, destroy the world for money or power or whatever drives evil people to do evil things. (Right now, they're winning as most of us are losing)

Everybody will draw their own conclusions about this event and pretty much everybody has an opinion about something like this. We could go on and on, but it's time to move on for me.

My final takeaway: Cable and TV news as well as many types of corporate greed-driven media have displayed their despicable 'porning' down of the news again at the very time our society more than ever needs a strong, just, credible journalism to help citizens create context and work towards better solutions to urgent problems. 

It's a shame. It's our shame. Unless we are able to correct this corrupt media and cultural environment, the future appears gray, even grim.

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Ride, Sally Ride

(Editor's Note: Sally Ride, the first US woman in space, died of pancreatic cancer at age 61 today, Monday July 16 at her home in La Jolla, Calif.  She soared into space on the space shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983.)

Sally Ride died today at San Diego. I did the FIRST INTERVIEW with her when I was at the Clear Lake Daily Citizen. (I also interviewed Tom Wolfe when he had just finished "The Right Stuff" at the same time.)

Lou Wortham sent me. He was a former city editor for both the Houston Chronicle and Houston Post who got term limited out into the boondocks, namely Clear Lake City, just outside the Johnson Space Center in western Galveston County, Texas. I was his trusty Sancho Panza, at least one of three reporters, two of whom were young women he didn't trust and couldn't stand. 

Wortham had a twisted old school journalist's sense of humor, and proper place. Among my more mundane duties, he made me editor of the society and religion page. Really? Apparently, he did it just because he thought it was so frickin' funny, he could laugh his ass off every day.

Think 'Front Page' with Lou sitting at his desk growling in undertones about the Rotary Club president tool of a publisher out to subvert the press for lousy cash money. Lou was tenacious about the news, competitive the way they were back then. He loved beating the other papers every which way he could. Nothing satisfied him more than seeing one of our articles appear a few days later in the Chronicle or Post. We got those suckers again, he would yell with glee.

Somehow, Wortham got wind of the first woman in the astronaut program, arranged an interview and sent me over to the space center. He was impressed she was from Stanford, but wondered how she would fare among the macho space men in the program. He wanted to find out all about her including if she were butch.

Fair enough, over the long, flat road to the space center, a collection of research-looking buildings and huge mega-warehouses. They ushered me into a small book- and report-lined office where I met Ms. Ride. 

The conversation lasted 20-30 minutes and I would be curious to find a copy of the article. She considered herself a scientist among the air force pilots, but had been motivated from early youth to be an astronaut, she said. When the space program expanded its astronaut base to include six women, she applied and was accepted.

Ride said was just one member of the team. She felt a bit uncomfortable being singled out just because she was a woman, but also wanted to inspire young girls growing up with the example they could do anything, she said

Ride was ruggedly attractive, a little nervous because it was her first official interview, and interesting enough. Not knowing the future, we were unaware she would be the first US woman in space on the seventh shuttle flight in June 1983. Oh well.

Wortham debriefed me when I returned with the all usual questions. Was she a troll? How smart was she? What da ya think? 30. Cool.

That's about it for the tale. However, interestingly enough, not soon afterwards, I was dispatched to the scene of a local bookstore where one Tom frickin' Wolfe was holding court. He had finished 'The Right Stuff' and was doing a book signing of some other more pedestrian effort, don't even remember its name.

As always, Wolfe was dapper beyond belief with the trademark white suit, all white everything, some kind of a cocky hat and cane. Of course, he was quite interesting as well. He also was quite eclectic. The crowd was - shall we say - sparse and we spoke for about 20 minutes.

The first major topic, as one might suspect, was about the space program and the men who made it. He was fascinated by the top flight attitude, the test pilot mentality of the men, as I recall just here just now for the first time in years. He liked their ladies for being so strong. I asked him a few questions about the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, because the Merry Pranksters once rolled through our part of town.

Major topic #2 was a bit of a surprise, or maybe shouldn't have been. Wolfe went on in great, and individual, detail about the merits and faults of every Mexican restaurant within a 20-mile radius of Clear Lake City. He really was into that stuff. Really. I can take Mexican food or leave it, but Tom Wolfe thought the Tex-Mex stuff was so amazingly great, awesome and so forth.

I rendered a few complimentary comments about his attire, which he thought was a bit much for the current midsummer mid-afternoon South Texas milieu. And so it went. 

Wolfe is still alive, at least according to Wikipedia, but Ride, Sally Ride, rode off into the great beyond for the last time today. More power to her and the dream of mankind finding peace and progress in space despite the challenges on Earth. She is, as Sun Ra liked to say, traveling the spaceways and  speed.

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Seven minutes of terror as Curiosity rover lands on Mars

After "seven minutes of terror," the Curiosity rover was right on time for a date with the Martian surface at 10:32 p.m. PST Sunday, as a crucial parachute deployed, and the groundbreaking Martian mission hit the ground, running.

"We're safe on Mars," said Allen Chen, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which manages the rover project at Pasadena, Calif. as the scientists and engineers at mission control broke into joyous applause, hugs and champagne cork popping celebration.

"We're on Mars again," said Charlie Bolden, NASA administrator. "It doesn't get any more incredible than this. It's a huge day for the nation. It's a huge day for all of our partners that have something on Curiosity and it's huge day for the American people."

On a scale of one to 10, "landing Curiosity on Mars is a 20," NASA scientists said of the soft landing, adding the latest in rover technology had to slow down from 13,000 miles per hour to zero in seven minutes.

Without active communication due to the rover's awkward placement just over the Mars horizon, NASA scientists nervously waited for the scheduled rendezvous with Gale Crater, Mars.

"We are pretty much right in target," Chen said at 10 p.m. PST. "Right where we need to be. We've had a clean night so far."

(For live updates, visit NASA's twitter feed at https://twitter.com/NASA, on the web at www.nasa.gov/mars or www.facebook.com/MarsCuriosity.)

After 10 years of planning, the one-ton, $2.5 billion Curiosity rover mission blasted off eight months ago on a 325-million mile mission through space. NASA wanted to land at Gale Crater, which has a three-mile stack of layered rock, similar to layered rock formation at places featuring water in earth's distant past. The rover will look for basic ingredients for life such as carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorous and oxygen.

Gale Crater also features an alluvial fan meaning ancient sedimentary material would have flowed into the basin where Curiosity hoped to set up shop, said John Grotzinger, the NASA project scientist from Caltech.

Really cool landing spot

"We're ready to go," Grotzinger added. "Gale is a really cool landing spot."

Curiosity straddled the Mars horizon as it hit the atmosphere at just the right angle, survived extreme heat from atmospheric friction, opened its parachute successfully, deployed radar and freed itself from the parachute at 200 miles per hour. Then, it fired eight rocket engines perfectly to slow to final descent, dropped down on four cables, locked its wheels in place before landing and cut the cable immediately upon touchdown, according to NASA.

Even with all that, possible scenarios including dust storms, wind gusts, large rocks and loose sand may impede Curiosity's future mission, scientists said. However, the payload should pay off big-time, they said.

"Our vision is to reach to new heights and reveal the unknown," said Lori Garver, NASA deputy administrator. "This mission with Curiosity, of course, reaches for new heights, but also will reveal the unknown. That benefit not only comes in the tangible ways of driving technology and innovation but also in the spiritual and emotional of recognizing we live in a time when we can explore.

"Humanity uniquely as a species explores for reasons beyond survival," Garver continued, "and that is what we are doing not only for NASA with this mission but for America and for the world."

As an engineering challenge, Curiosity rover represented a giant leap in advancing the science of planetary travel as well as helping determine whether we have the ability to land humans on Mars, where we can best go there and how to do it, Garver said. Experiments such as radiation experiments and ones showing how we can protect our astronauts when they go to the red planet also were key, according to Garver.

This exploration takes place even as NASA retools its Mars exploration policy. Due to funding cuts, the agency pulled out of an arrangement with the European Space Agency to land a rock-collecting vehicle on Mars in 2018. Russia will join the Europeans in that venture. NASA officials now speak of launching a joint mission with European and Russian space agencies to land astronauts on Mars in the early-to-mid 2030s.

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The Country Friends 57th Annual Art of Fashion Show transforms Rancho Santa Fe into center of fall/winter fashion on Thursday, Sept. 20... 

Something very happening catwalks Rancho Santa Fe way on Thursday, Sept. 20, across a plain public green magically transformed into one of the largest outdoor fashion shows in the nation.

The Country Friends, in partnership with trendsetting South Coast Plaza, and The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, stages the ultimate in outdoor fashion events, the 57th Annual Art of Fashion runway show. 

It's a must-attend event for fashionistas, usually featuring creations from the world's leading designers and front-line, center-stage fall/winter collections. Upwards of 550 people generally make the day's activities.

The amazing festivities begins at 10:30 a.m. with boutique shopping on the lawn at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe followed by lunch at 11 a.m. The ultimate in outdoor runway shows kicks its heels "PROMPTLY" at 1:30 p.m. Then, an Apres' Affair Wine Tasting hosted, by Falkner Winery, Lemon Twist and Allure Chocolates, back at The Inn toasts off around 2:30 p.m as boutique shopping continues until credit cards are maxxed.

 The show highlights fashions from the 2012 fall/winter collections of renowned international designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Valentino, Celine, Donna Karan, Roberto Cavalli, as well as clothes from Saks Fifth Avenue and Gucci. It's garnished with jewelry from such as  David Yurman and Black, Starr & Frost.

The Country Friends was founded in 1954 with 167 members. It has grown to more than 1,200 members and has distributed more than $12 million to San Diego County charities.

 The group funds more than two dozen charitable agencies each year, through events such as the Art of Fashion, and also proceeds from its consignment shop at Rancho Santa Fe, specializing in exquisite furniture, antiques, rugs, silver, china and objets d’art. Its mission is “helping people to help themselves.”

The event usually is sold out, so tickets probably are not available. However, it never hurts to check even at this late date. 

Valet parking is available at the event entrance. Tickets cost $225 for the fashion show and lunch, or $125 for the fashion show alone. They are available online at www.thecountryfriends.org or by calling (858) 756-1192, ext. 4.

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Living large with multimillion dollar real estate

Got $28 million?

Then, Shelly Curtis has got the estate for you.

That would be the mega-estate known as Montagna De La Paloma in Fairbanks Ranch encompassing 12 acres and previously owned by the late Joan Kroc.

"I'm one of the buyers' agents for the Joan Kroc House," Curtis said. "People buy the agent before they buy the house. To get the listing takes a little bit of luck, being at the right place at the right time and your being knowledgeable about the area."

The 92067 ZIP code area in Rancho Santa Fe has a mother lode of expensive properties in its flat-out high-end market. As of this month, 73 properties listed at more than $5 million. Forbes.com ranked 92067 as second most expensive ZIP code real estate market in the nation for 2005 with a median sales price of $2.45 million. This was just behind Sagaponack in Suffolk County, N.Y., at $2.79 million and ahead of Newport Beach at $2.39 million.

Topping the local price list was a modest little place at 16337 Los Arboles in the covenant referred to in its marketing campaign as The Ultimate Estate. The $40 million, nine-acre property even has its own Web site, www.theultimateestate.co

Next in line was an estate at 15651 Puerta del Sol, also in the covenant, listing for $36.5 million. The Joan Kroc estate at 17897 Cira Oriente was being offered at $28 million. Rounding out the Top 8 list, all with asking prices greater than $10 million were an El Montevideo estate at $21.5 million, the former C. Arnholt Smith estate on Calzada del Bosque at $18 million, a $14 million estate on Ladys Secret Drive in Del Rayo Estates, a $13 million property on El Camino del Nort.

With Sterling Properties, Curtis noted, as did other agents representing the most upscale homes and estates around town, the high-end homes practically sell themselves although hard work always is required in the end.

"It's harder for me to sell that $350,000 condo to a first-time home buyer than it is to sell a $10 million property," Curtis said. "The high-end buyers come in knowing more what they want."

CACHET DOESN'T FADE

While the highest end homes are caught up somewhat in a general real estate market slowdown, they also have a certain cache that never seems to fade. The $40 million estate at Los Arboles features a 12,889-square-foot main house with six bedrooms, seven full and three half-baths, a nine-car garage, horse training centers — two — as well as catering kitchen, separate two-story guest suite, caretaker house, orchid greenhouse and 50-foot pool.

Financing can be complicated, but owning "The Ultimate Estate" probably comes along with $204,371 in monthly mortgage payments, according to real estate analysts.

Michael Taylor, Andrea Dougherty and K. Ann Brizolis of Rancho Santa Fe are listing agents working out of their boutique estate division for Prudential California Realty based at Del Rayo Plaza. Prudential Orange County estate agents Nancy and Kevin Casebier also are part of the team necessary to move such a large property sale.

"We've had maybe five serious showings," Taylor said. "One person ended up buying a $19 million property in Rancho Santa Fe nearby. The Web site has had over 14,000 visitors, but it's one of those properties where your buying pool is small."

The Web site even includes an eight-minute video regaling the estate's splendors. The estate sale went through a "quiet phase" with lower-key publicizing, then went a bit more public with advertisements in the publications one expects to check for such listings, including a front cover spread in Dream Homes International showing mega-dream homes only $10 million or more, Taylor said, as well as the Wall Street Journal and Stratus Magazine that goes into upscale private airports only.

"We're trying to let the community know we've got one of the high end properties," Taylor said. "Agents need to know how to deal with high end buyers and sellers who are always very successful in what they do."

BIG PRICES = BIG PROFITS (FOR AGENTS)

Any sale can be lucrative for agents. Typically, listing agents split 3 to 4 percent of the sale price, according to Taylor, while buyer's agents split 2 to 3 percent as well. Sometimes, a top agent might luck into being both listing and buyer's agent, Curtis said.

Those trafficking in the uppermost crust of the upper crust of home and estate sales also know it can take some time sometimes to move a property. For one thing, the serious potential buyers must be separated from the general public just wanting to gawk at the fabulous estates. So, serious buyers they must be identified through rigorous financial checks. Then, estates must be prepped and readied for in-depth visits and tours.

"The Ultimate Estate" is the pride and joy of Rick Nicholas and his family. While reluctant to provide too many personal details in order to maintain family privacy, Nicholas agreed to discuss the sale to help acquaint others with the overall process of high-end real estate transactions from the seller's vantage point.

"This is not an immaculate conception," Nicholas said. "You have to open up a private part of your life and how you live when you do this, but it is part of the process. You, and your lifestyle, become a source of speculation, cocktail party chatter. Your kids hear about it at their school. People are always intrigued."

Nicholas bought the property in 1992. He and his family moved in there in 1999. His family put in considerable time and energy over the last seven years developing the property into a magnificent estate. After selling, the plan is to relocate to another Rancho Santa Fe property and do it all over again.

WAITING FOR THE RIGHT OFFER

 "It's not like this is a fire sale," Nicholas said. "One of the really cool things as an owner, you are creating a canvas, your own private resort. The property is unbelievably wonderful, a great place to entertain friends, where you can put up multiple families. It's like another little, very private world."

 Nicholas has been developing such properties for the last decade, including one on the ocean at Laguna Beach he sold before moving to Rancho Santa Fe. Recently, he sold a high-end estate in Aspen, Colo. That property went in two days. The $40 million Los Arboles estate will take longer, obviously.

"We knew it was not going to be a quick sale," Nicholas said. "But even though the chatter is the market is soft and on a decline, our analysis was at a certain level of the market you're selling something that is one of a kind and not so subject to the ebb and flow of market pricing…We know the process could take 12 to 24 months."

The Rancho Santa Fe multi-multi-million dollar properties rank behind the top listed property in the county. That's a $50 million, 10,700-square-foot property at 2808 Ocean Front Ave. in Del Mar with 120 feet of beach frontage, health spa, theater, pool, tennis court, greenhouse and two guest houses listed in July.

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True crime author brings story of sexual predator John Gardner to Fallbrook

 Fallbrook’s Writers Read will feature best-selling author Caitlin Rother at its November 14 free monthly reading of poetry and prose. 

Rother will read from and discuss her controversial true-crime thriller, “Lost Girls,” the story of the rape and murder of local teenagers Amber Dubois and Chelsea King by John Gardner.

The reading, hosted by the Café des Artistes, begins at 6 p.m. with open mic for poetry and prose.

 “Lost Girls” chronicles the quest to identify King’s murderer, which ultimately led authorities to Gardner and then Dubois. Rother examines the systemic failures that allowed a convicted sex offender to remain at large, without treatment, putting the entire community at risk. The author also reflects on the ways the Gardner case will forever change how we consider convicted sex offenders.

"Lost GIrls" and several of Rother's other books will be available for sale and signing by the author.

Entrance to the Café des Artistes is from the rear parking lot, off Alvarado Street, behind the Fallbrook Art Center at 103 South Main. The Café opens at 5:30, with a special supper menu available for those who would like to dine. For dinner reservations, call 760-728-3350. The reading is 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Coming to Fallbrook’s Writers Read on December 12: The Gift of Words, an all-open mic night for sharing favorite writings.

For more information, contact Kit-Bacon Gressitt at 760-522-1064 or kbgressitt@gmail.com, or visit the Writers Read page at www.ExcuseMeImWriting.com.

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Wondering what to do the week of Nov. 1...Here's some arts and entertainment events

 The Hutchins Consort: Classical violin octet performs neoclassical and romantic Russian works by Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Balakirev; 7:30 p.m. Friday; Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad; $15-$25; hutchinsconsort.org or (888) 996-2838.

Rome: Lead singer of Sublime With Rome; 9 p.m. Friday; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; bellyup.com or (858) 481-8140.

Palomar Chamber Singers and Palomar Chorale: “There and Back Again”: Choral music from American composers such as Samuel Barber, Alice Parker, Kirke Mechem, Libby Larsen, Leonard Bernstein; 8 p.m. Saturday; Performance Lab (D10), Palomar College, 1140 W. Mission Ave., San Marcos; $12, general; $10, seniors and staff; $8, students; palomarperforms.com or (760) 744-1150, ext. 2453.

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus: “Hero/Anti-Hero”: Season-opening program features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”; two pieces by John Cage and the West Coast profile of Missy Mazzoli’s “Violent, Violent Sea”; 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday (preconcert lecture one hour before performance); Mandeville Auditorium, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla; $15-$29; lajollasymphony.com or (858) 534-4637.

Peggy Watson: Acoustic folk solo concert; 2 p.m. Sunday; Fallbrook Library, 124 S. Mission Road, Fallbrook; free; peggywatsonsongs.com.

Jimmy and Enrique: New Village Art presents the fiery world-music duo; 7 p.m. Sunday; New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St., Carlsbad; $15; newvillagearts.org or (760) 433-3245.

Back to Back with Piolo Pascual and Angeline Quinto: Filipino pop artists; 7 p.m. Sunday; Pavilion, Harrah’s Rincon Casino, 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center; $40 and up; (800) 745-3000.

The Sterling Flutes: Professional and amateur flutists perform classical works; 2 p.m. Sunday; Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas; free; (760) 753-7376.

Michael Sanchez Trio: San Diego jazz trio; 4 and 7 p.m. Nov. 7; Center Theater, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; free; artcenter.org or (800) 988-4253.

The Monkees: Reunited ’60s pop trio; 8 p.m. Monday; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $50-$100; artcenter.org or (800) 988-4253.

“Classical Sax”: Museum of Making Music presents an educational concert featuring saxophonist/lecturer Thomas Liley and pianist Matthew Gianforte performing works by Mozart, Debussy, Feld and Piazzolla; 7 p.m. Nov. 9; 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad; $15, adults; $8, students; museumofmakingmusic.org or (760) 438-5996.

Neave Trio: Piano/string quartet performs works by Ravel, Beethoven and Dvorak; 3 p.m. Nov. 10; Turrentine Room, Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido; free; free; (760) 839-4839.

Joseph Angelastro Trio: Bread of Life Rescue Mission hosts its annual Jazz Fest Concerts fundraiser; 1:30, 4 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10; Oceanside Civic Center, 300 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; $26.50; whitedovecreations.com.

Coco and Lafe: Folk duo; 7 p.m. Nov. 10; Templars Hall, Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, Poway; $18; sdfolkheritage.org or (858) 566-4040.

The Saxophobia Quartet: Museum of Making Music presents Rob Verdi’s jazz ensemble performing classic jazz melodies on different sax instruments; 7 p.m. Nov. 10; 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad; $20; museumofmakingmusic.org or (760) 438-5996.

James Harman: New Village Art presents the blues vocalist’s “Bamboo Porch” CD release party, featuring guitarist Nathan James; 7 p.m. Nov. 11; New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St., Carlsbad; $25; newvillagearts.org or (760) 433-3245.

Celebration of Music Education: The San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory presents a showcase of more than 600 San Diego student musicians; 1 and 5 p.m. Nov. 11; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $25, adults; $10, students; artcenter.org or (800) 988-4253.

Blue October: 8 p.m. Nov. 11; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $29.50; bellyup.com or (858) 481-8140.

Rob Machado Foundation Benefit with John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Jon Swift: 8 p.m. Nov. 12; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $40; bellyup.com or (858) 481-8140.

“Popcorn Night”: Hill Street Country Club hosts the first of a monthly series of art video screenings, supplemented with popcorn, wine, beer, appetizers and candy; this month’s screening includes new short films by BB Bastidas and Jack Spies and the feature film “Dark City”; 7 p.m. Nov. 9; Linksoul Lab; 530 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside; $5 (bring your own blanket, yoga mat, sleeping bag and pillows); hillstreetcountryclub.com or (760) 917-6666.

“Cavalia, A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse”: The traveling equestrian big-top show features 49 horses and 39 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers and musicians; 8 p.m. Nov. 13, 15-17, 20-24; 3 p.m. Nov. 17 and 24; 2 p.m. Nov. 25; tented arena at Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego; $49.50-$154.50, adults; $44.50-$154.50, seniors and youths 13-17; $39.50-$114.50, children ages 2 to 12; cavalia.net or (866) 999-8111.

Dance Studio Hour: MiraCosta College presents an informal student program of ballet, jazz, modern, tap, commercial, Latin and other dance forms; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7; MiraCosta College, Room 5101, Dance Studio, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside; free; 760-795-6815.

BJM Danse: The Canadian dance company will present works never before seen in San Diego; 8 p.m. Nov. 8; Mandeville Auditorium, UC San Diego, La Jolla; $28-$46; artpower.ucsd.edu or (858) 534-8497.

Moscow Ballet’s “The Great Russian Nutcracker”: Touring production features a corps of 30 Russian dancers, larger-than-life puppets, nine painted backdrops, 3-D special effects and more than 200 costumes in this 20th annual production; 8 p.m. Nov. 10; Harrah’s Rincon Casino, 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center; $47-$68.50; ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000.

Performing Arts Workshop’s “The Nutcracker”: North County’s Performing Arts Workshop presents a performance of the holiday ballet featuring its Jr. Ballet Ensemble and students; 3 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25; Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; dancepaw.com or (760) 753-2671.

“Shapes and Reflections”: MiraCosta College presents a concert of ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip-hop, ballroom and other styles; preview, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29; regular performances, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; 2 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2; MiraCosta College Theatre, Building 2000, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside; $12, general; $10, students; $8, preview and students; 760-795-6815.

“Almost, Maine”: Carlsbad High School presents John Cariani’s romantic comedy; 7 p.m. Nov. 8, 9 and 10; Carlsbad Cultural Arts Center, 3557 Monroe St., Carlsbad; $7.50; (760) 331-5764.

“Almost, Maine”: San Dieguito Academy presents John Cariani’s romantic comedy; 7 p.m. Nov. 8, 9 and 10; Clayton E. Liggett Theater, 800 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas; $15, adults; $8, students; seatyourself.biz/sandieguito.

“Anything Goes”: Star Theatre Coast Kids presents a youth-cast production of this tap-dance musical classic; opens Nov. 9 and runs through Nov. 18; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; $15, general; $12, seniors, students, military; $7, youth; startheatre.biz.

“Britain’s Finest”: New tribute show to the music of the Beatles; 7 p.m. Tuesdays; Welk Resorts Theatre, Welk Resorts San Diego, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; $30, adults; $10, children; welktheatresandiego.com or 888-802-7469.

“The Cider House Rules”: Palomar College presents Peter Parnell’s stage adaptation of John Irving’s novel about a doctor-in-training’s coming of age at an orphanage in 1950s New England; opens Nov. 9 and runs through Nov. 18; showtimes, 4 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays; O2 Performance Studio, Palomar College, 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos; $12, general; $10, seniors; $8, students; (760) 744-1150, ext. 2453.

“Drinkin’ Singin’ & Swingin,’ Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!”: The Welk Resorts Theatre presents this holiday musical revue featuring the Rat Pack trio of “Frank, Sammy and Dino” in a Vegas-style nightclub setting; opens Nov. 14 and runs through Dec. 31; showtimes, 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 6:30 p.m. Sundays; plus some additional performances; Welk Resorts Theatre, Welk Resorts San Diego, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; $54-$57 (or $69-$73 with buffet); welktheatresandiego.com or 888-802-7469.

“NVA Cabaret”: New Village Art Theatre presents a fundraising evening of live music and song; 8 p.m. Nov. 10; New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St., Carlsbad; $50; newvillagearts.org or (760) 433-3245.

“Oedipus Rex”: MiraCosta College presents the classic Greek tragedy about family and fate; opens Nov. 9 and runs through 18; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; MiraCosta College Theatre, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside; $12, general; $10, seniors; $8, students and preview (7:30 p.m. Nov. 8); miracosta.edu/artsandevents or (760) 795-6815.

“Over the River and Through the Woods”: Broadway Theatre presents Joe Dipietro’s comedy about a young New Jersey man trying to break free from the overprotective affections of his Italian-American grandparents; 7:30 p. m. Nov. 1-3; 1 p.m. Nov. 3 and 4; Broadway Theater, 340 E. Broadway, Vista; $17.50; broadwayvista.com or (760) 806-7905.

“Rapunzel”: North Coast Repertory’s Theatre School presents a tongue-in-cheek retelling of the children’s fairy tale; 11 a.m. Nov. 3, 4, 10 and 11; 987D Lomas Santa Fe Road, Solana Beach; northcoastrep.org or (858) 481-1055.

“A Tribute to Thurgood Marshall”: UC San Diego Theatre presents this solo play starring Antonio T.J. Johnson highlighting key moments and speeches from the life of the legendary Civil Rights leader and judicial scholar; 7 p.m. Nov. 8; UCSD Visual Arts Performance Space, La Jolla; free; (858) 534-4004.

2012 Fall Academy Showcase: Oceanside Theatre Company’s Youth Academy presents a program of musical theater, mask, monologues and scenes; 5 p.m. Nov. 3; Brooks Theatre, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; free; oceansidetheatrer.org.

“Words By … Ira Gershwin and the Great American Songbook”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents this world premiere musical revue featuring George Gershwin’s lyricist brother guiding the audience through the Great American Songbook; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 18; North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach; $41-$47; northcoastrep.org or (858) 481-1055.

“The Wizard of Oz”: The Classical Academy presents a student production of this stage musical based on the L. Frank Baum’s novel; 6 p.m. Nov. 1; 4 and 7 p.m. Nov. 2; 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 3; 2 p.m. Nov. 4; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $9; artcenter.org or (800) 988-4353.

“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere musical by Wayne Coyne and Des McAnuff, featuring music by The Flaming Lips, about a young artist battling cancer in a modern psychedelic world; previews, Nov. 6-16; opens Nov. 17 and runs through Dec. 16; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; La Jolla Playhouse at Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla; ticket prices vary; lajollaplayhouse.org or (858) 55-1010.

“You Can’t Take It With You”: Oceanside Theatre Company presents this classic 1937 farce about a family hosting a number of unexpected visitors on the same night; preview, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14; opens Nov. 16 and runs through Nov. 25; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; Brooks Theatre, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; $14-$21; oceansidetheatre.org or (760) 433-8900.

“The Kitchen Witches”: PowPAC, Poway’s Community Theatre will hold auditions for this comedy by Caroline Smith; 7 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5; PowPAC, 13250 Poway Road, Poway; show runs Jan. 18-Feb. 17; jaymower4@gmail.com.

“South Pacific”: Welk Resorts Theatre San Diego will hold auditions for the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic; 11 a.m. Nov. 19; Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; show runs Jan. 4-March 17; welktheatresandiego.com.

Artbeat on Main Street: “Beyond the Trees,” an exhibit of paintings by Vista painter Alexsandra Babic; artists Kait Matthews and Kris Petersen operate this new gallery and studio; hours, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays; 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays; 330 Main St., Vista; artbeatonmainstreet.com or 818-415-4339.

ArtHatch Gallery: “In the Fold,” an exhibit of paintings by Casey Weldon and Andrew Shondrick, runs Nov. 10 through Dec. 1; reception, 6-10 p.m. Nov. 10; hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; 317 E. Grand Ave., Escondido; (760) 781-5779.

Artists Gallery: Starving Artist Super Sale runs through Nov. 3; hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 121 W. Grand Ave., Escondido; (760) 489-0338, (760) 741-3117 or escondidoartists.org.

Bernardo Heights Community Center: North County Society of Fine Arts presents its annual “Small Works: Beauty of the Season” exhibit in November and December; 16051 Bernardo Heights Parkway, Rancho Bernardo; ncsfa.org.

Bliss 101: “Saltwater,” an exhibit of work by husband-and-wife artists Kevin Roche and Susan Wickstrand-Roche of Encinitas, is on display; Roche is a surf photographer and Wickstrand-Roche creates beach/ocean-inspired collage-style paintings; 687 S. Coast Highway 101, Suite 151, Encinitas; (760) 487-1900.

Brandon Gallery: The sixth annual “Small Works Exhibition” runs Nov. 1-30; reception, 5-7 p.m. Nov. 3; hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays; 105 N. Main Ave., Fallbrook; fallbrookbrandongallery.org or (760) 723-1330.

Cannon Art Gallery: “Full Deck: A Short History of Skate Art,” an exhibit of more than 275 skateboards and skate decks, plus dozens of photographs and original skate art, runs through Dec. 30; hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad; (760) 602-2021.

Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League: An exhibit of reproductions and featured artist Scott Beale are on exhibit in November; hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 101, Carlsbad; coalartgallery.com or (760) 434-8497.

Encinitas Library Gallery: North County Photographic Society’s 17th annual Members’ Photography Exhibition runs through Nov. 24; hours, 9:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas; (760) 753-7376.

Escondido Municipal Gallery: “At the Edge of the Desert,” a solo show by Sylvia T. Clark, runs through Nov. 30; reception, 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 10; “Art Riot” runs Nov. 9-Dec. 1; hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (extended hours to 8 p.m. every second Saturday); Escondido Municipal Gallery, 262 E. Grand Ave., Escondido; (760) 480-4101.

Front Porch Gallery: The gallery’s “Spiral Bound: The Spiritual Journey of Aging” runs through Nov. 4; “Coastal Artists: Shared Inspiration” opens Nov. 18 and runs through Jan. 4; hours, noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 2903 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad; (760) 795-6120.

Kellogg Library Gallery: Cal State San Marcos presents “More than Casinos: California Indian Culture, Contributions and Communities,” an educational exhibit about the local American Indian communities, runs through Dec. 14; Cal State San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos; csusm.edu.

Linksoul Lab: “Mistaken Identity,” an exhibit of paintings by Carla Repice, runs through Nov. 17; 530 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside; (760) 917-6666.

Oceanside Art Gallery: “Cuba Libre,” an exhibit of photographs by Marv Sloben, Lisa Vella, Elaine McElhenny and Terry Scott Allen, runs through Nov. 19; Carlsbad Village Faire, Suite 103, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad; (760) 845-9017.

Re-Gallery: “Conversations in the Woods,” a solo show by gallery owner Lester Corral, inspired by creatures great and small, is on display; 348 S. Cedros Ave., Suite H, Solana Beach; regallery.org or (858) 259-2001.

Santos Fine Art Galleries: “Work by New Hampshire artist Rick Hunt will be shown Nov. 1-30; reception, 6-10 p.m. Nov. 10; 978 N. Coast Highway 101, Leucadia; santosfineartgalleries.com.

Surface Art + Culture: A new exhibit of limited edition wood print surf art photographs by Myles McGuinness opens Nov. 3; Artist Alley, 206 N. Coast Highway, #212E, Oceanside; 9mphoto.com.

Twin Oaks Art Gallery: The Boys & Girls Club Fine Arts Exhibit opens Nov. 9 with a reception from 6-8 p.m.; 757 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos; (760) 703-3889.

Vista Library Gallery: “Iris Gill: 1970-2012, Celebrating Her Life and Art,” a retrospective exhibition by the late artist, runs through Nov. 3; Vista Library Community Room, 700 Eucalyptus Ave., Vista; (760) 643-5100.

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Wondering what to do the week of Nov. 1...Here's some arts and entertainment events Part 2

Collie Buddz & New Kingston: Reggae/dance hall music with Los Rakas, Nala Kete and DJ Carlos Culture; 9 p.m. today; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $23-$25; bellyup.com or (858) 481-8140.

“If You Ever Leave Me … I’m Going With You!”: Longtime married performers Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna co-star in this new 100-minute comedy on the real-life whirlwind ride of their marriage, with anecdotes, film clips and scenes from many of their best-known shows; opens today and runs through Nov. 11; showtimes, 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 6:30 p.m. Sundays; Welk Resorts Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; $44 ($59 with buffet meal); welktheatresandiego.com or (888) 802-7469.

“The Wizard of Oz”: The Classical Academy presents a student production of this stage musical based on the 1939 film version of L. Frank Baum’s novel; 6 p.m. today; 4 and 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $9; artcenter.org or (800) 988-4353.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: El Camino High School presents William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy reset in the city and swamps of 1920s New Orleans; 7 p.m. today, Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10; 2 p.m. Nov. 11; 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside; $8, general; $6, students; echsdrama.com or (760) 580-0375.

Santos Fine Art Galleries opens exhibit: An exhibit of artwork by New Hampshire artist Rick Hunt opens today and runs through Nov. 30; reception, 6-10 p.m. Nov. 10; 978 N. Coast Highway 101, Leucadia; santosfineartgalleries.com.

Del Mar Art Center opens exhibit: “Season Four: New Work by 36 Members” runs today through Jan. 30; 1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 122, Del Mar; (858) 481-1678.

Watercolors exhibit in Encinitas: Encinitas watercolorist Mary Helmreigh is exhibiting her paintings through Nov. 27 at the Encinitas Civic Art Gallery; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays; 505 S. Vulcan Ave., Encinitas; (760) 633-2600.

“Zombie Prom” opens: Carlsbad Community Theatre presents the spooky rock ‘n’ roll musical comedy; 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Avo Playhouse, 303 Main St., Vista; $15; vistixonline.com or (760) 724-2110.

Rome: Lead singer of Sublime With Rome; 9 p.m. Friday; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; bellyup.com or (858) 481-8140.

The Hutchins Consort: Classical violin octet performs neoclassical and romantic Russian works by Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Balakirev; 7:30 p.m. Friday; Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad; $15-$25; hutchinsconsort.org or (888) 996-2838.

San Diego Brewers Guild Festival: The highlight of San Diego Beer Week is a tasting festival with more than 100 beers from San Diego craft breweries and food booths hosted by Allied Guild member restaurants, as well as live music; 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday; The Port Pavilion, Broadway Pier, San Diego; $35 ($55, VIP); sdbw.org/guild-festival or (800) 313-7960.

2012 Fall Academy Showcase: Oceanside Theatre Company’s Youth Academy presents its fall program of musical theater, mask, monologues and selected scenes; 5 p.m. Saturday; Brooks Theatre, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; free; oceansidetheatre.org.

Palomar Chamber Singers and Palomar Chorale: “There and Back Again”: Choral music from American composers such as Samuel Barber, Alice Parker, Kirke Mechem, Libby Larsen and Leonard Bernstein; 8 p.m. Saturday; Performance Lab (D10), Palomar College, 1140 W. Mission Ave., San Marcos; $12, general; $10, seniors and staff; $8, students; palomarperforms.com or (760) 744-1150, ext. 2453.

San Diego County Postcard & Paper Collectibles Show: Dealers will display and sell all forms of collectibles including postcards, advertising trade cards, cigar labels, valentines, scrap, travel brochures, photos, stereographs, aviation, auto, railroad, ship, movie memorabilia, Western Americana and more; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $5; artcenter.org or (626) 665-9435.

Kathy Griffin: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday; Pechanga Theater, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $65-$90; pechanga.com/entertainment or (877) 711-2946.

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus: “Hero/Anti-Hero”: Season-opening program features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”; two pieces by John Cage and the West Coast profile of Missy Mazzoli’s “Violent, Violent Sea”; 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday (preconcert lecture one hour before each performance); Mandeville Auditorium, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla; $15-$29; lajollasymphony.com or (858) 534-4637.

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Q&A with Ravi Shankar

Nov 4, 2012. A rare concert. The Ravi Shankar Foundation and the Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego presents An Evening with the Maestro Ravi Shankar, Celebrating His Tenth Decade. Performing with Ravi Shankar will be his daughter, Anoushka Shankar (sitar), Tanmoy Bose (tabla), Ravichandra Kulur (flute), and B.C. Manjunathl (mridangam). Time: 7:30pm, Location: Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment. Ticketmaster or 1(800) 745-3000 for more ticket info.

 (For more: Visit 'The Culture Files' here...)

Acclaimed for bringing Eastern music to the West, Indian musician Ravi Shankar is returning to the stage – and for the first time in five years he’ll be joined by his daughter and disciple, Anoushka. It’s a reunion with special significance since the 92-year-old Encinitas resident recently had a health scare that left him in intensive care. An undisputed sitar virtuoso who taught the likes of George Harrison to play the instrument, Shankar will take the stage of the Long Beach Terrace Theater this Sunday night, November 4. But before then, we caught up with him and his wife, Sukanya Rajan, who chatted about his music, his foundation, and what inspires him.

How do you feel about being back on stage?

SR: He suffered from heart failure and pneumonia. He was in intensive care for two months so this is really a miracle.

RS: This is really a memorable time because of my condition. It’s also special to be performing in my hometown. Since 1956, I performed on my own all over the world and I’ve loved this area so much.

How do you feel about performing with your daughter?

RS: It is the ultimate pleasure. She is like an extension of myself. It’s a tremendous joy to work with her. She’s my best disciple and I’m very proud of her.

SR: She lives in England, so this is rare. It hasn’t happened since 2007. They improvise together. Even though she’s been performing with him all her life, he always surprises her. She’s always caught off-guard, it’s a challenge to accompany him.

How would you describe your style of music to new listeners?

RS: I always improvise and don’t think very much beforehand about what I’m going to play. I will be performing special ragas [melodies] I have not performed before. I love [improvising], it’s my specialty. For any new listener I would say it’s not pop or rock, but we have classical Indian music. We play melodies, ragas -- there are thousands of ragas and we choose three or four of them -- different talas, rhythm cycles. The listener needs to be open-minded, and I can assure them they won’t be disappointed.

What is your inspiration?

RS: I feel strongly the vibration of the people who are there, even if I don’t see them. The love and intensity gets into our music, and I feel connected. My big joy at present is my little grandson Zubin, my daughter Anoushka’s son. He’s such a joy. He’s named after Zubin Mehta, my great friend.

The concert is meant to bring awareness to the Ravi Shankar Foundation.  Could you tell us more about it?

SR: The foundation started in 1997. There is a beautiful center in Delhi, India, where upcoming musicians and dancers come to show their art. We aim to take music more into schools and introduce it to children here in the US.  We have an archive and recording studio there and we have a festival every year. The festival is about three to four days in February. We called it the George Harrison Festival after he passed away.

RS: George was a student, friend, and son. I started teaching him the sitar and he got into studying Indian philosophy and religion. We produced the concert of Bangladesh; it was the one big thing we did together.

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AROund The Ranch...Ah-Ha hits 256,000  indexed Google pages; #518,992 in US traffic...

GOOD NEWS from the land of Web

This just in: Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News  now ranks #518,992 in US web traffic. (contrast: coast news ranks #924,601 with an -5.17 decline last month)

Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News now has 256,000 indexed Google pages. (rsf review has 6,740). 

AH RSF News has 11,000 indexed Bing pages (rsf review has 3,900)

So, who do you think is the actual local media moving forward? Expanded sponsorship opportunities soon will be available.

DON'T BE THINKING of robbing no avocado groves

In an effort to fight avocado theft in the area, San Diego County recently formed an Avocado Anti-Theft Task Force. The task force is a joint effort between Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM), the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Environmental Health (DEH).

AWM and DEH inspectors, along with representatives from the Sheriff’s office, will look for proper proof of ownership documents, avocado inspection stamps and labels on boxes and bins during routine visits to roadside stands, restaurants, markets and other businesses where stolen avocados may be found.

 Representatives from those agencies toured Henry Avocado in Escondido, where they received valuable training in how to recognize the differences between commercially packaged and purchased avocados versus stolen avocados

OK SO WHY DOES SOLANA BEACH executive david OTT get $193,250 a year in base pay? FOR WHAT?

It is being reported locally that Solana Beach city manager David Ott got a 7.2 percent raise in base pay, hiking his annual salary to $193,250.

Ott said the hike in base pay was actually 3.75 percent when adjusted to account for a cellphone and car allowance he no longer receives.

Ott had left Solana Beach after U-T San Diego conducted a similar city manager compensation survey in 2010. He rejoined the city last December, and said he has taken on several more supervisory duties than he previously had because of cutbacks.

The city eliminated its finance director and deputy city manager positions, transferring most of those duties to Ott.

“I have much more responsibility now, including parks and recreation and human resources and information technology,” he said.

The city avoided having to lay anyone off during the recession, but has eliminated some positions through attrition, he said.

Carlsbad City Manager Lisa Hildabrand, who resigned Oct. 22, was being paid $230,492 — a 6.1 percent increase from $217,200 in the last survey.

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Wondering what to do the week of Nov. 4...Here's some community events

 RANCHO SANTA FE

Annual food and wine benefit slated

The Equinox Center will hold its annual benefit at 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, 18378 Calle Stellina. The event will include an evening of gourmet food and rare vintage wines and help raise awareness and funds for Equinox Center, which works to improve water, energy, jobs, housing, land use, transportation and economic prosperity and preserve quality of life in the San Diego region. Talented chefs and well-known sommeliers will prepare food and wine. Live entertainment and a small private auction will also be featured. Tickets start at $250 through Nov. 5; or $300 thereafter. Register at equinoxcenter.org/donate/event.html.

Solana Beach

Library to hold used book sale

The Friends of the Solana Beach Library will hold a used book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 17 at the Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave. Shoppers may fill a grocery bag for $5. Call (858) 755-1404.

ESCONDIDO

Woman’s Club to meet Monday

The Escondido Woman’s Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Monday at 751 N. Rose St. Special guests will be artists Nancy Moran and Valerie Salatino of Nature Works. A demonstration of their “vine hose” will be presented. Cost of lunch is $10. Call (760) 489-0579.

Quilt show, sale slated

The North County Quilters’ Association will hold a Quilt show and sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Broadway. The show will include 100 quilts on display made by the group’s members; some will be for sale. Vendors will also be selling a variety of products. Attendees are welcome to buy tickets for a raffle to win the “Opportunity Quilt” made by one of the Neighborhood Groups in the guild. Proceeds from the show and raffle will be distributed among Elizabeth Hospice, the Escondido Humane Society, St. Claire’s Home, Casa de Amparo, and Interfaith Community Services. Entry costs $5; a $1 off coupon is available to print at the website. Visit ncountyquilters.com.

Piano and string trio to perform at library

The Neave Trio, a piano and string trio will be opening the Escondido Public Library’s free 2nd Saturday Concert Series at 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at 239 S. Kalmia St. The group, which includes violinist Anna Williams, cellist Mikhail Veselov and pianist Toni James, has enjoyed international concert and competition success spanning four continents, including a recital at the British Embassy in Oslo, Norway. Selections include works by Ravel, Beethoven, and Dvorak. This is the first in the 2nd Saturday Concerts Series. In the coming months, performances are scheduled by the Danny Green Jazz Quartet and Zimbeat playing the music of Zimbabwe. Visit library.escondido.org or call (760) 839-4839.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Travelers group to meet Friday

The Rancho Bernardo Travelers will meet at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive. Rudi Thurau will present “Mississippi River Adventure.” Guests 18 and older are welcome to enjoy the program and obtain a list of available trips. A drawing is held for door prizes. Call (858) 451-3964.

SOLANA BEACH

Heart of a Child concert Saturday

The third annual Heart of a Child concert event will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Lutheran Church, 424 Via de la Valle. Refreshments and a silent auction will be followed by the concert to begin at 7 p.m. Talent lineup includes: the Bunnell Strings, siblings Keren, Kimberly, Corrie, Cara and Ross Bunnell of Chula Vista, who will play two violins, viola, cello and bass; Sadie Duca of Carlsbad, a fourth-grader who sings, plays piano and writes music; Daniel Myers of San Diego, a solo vocalist who has performed with the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego Opera; and J*Company’s On The Town, young musicians from around the county who are ambassadors for the J*Company Youth Theatre in San Diego. Proceeds will benefit the Ariana Fund, a nonprofit formed in 2008 in memory of Ariana Miller, a 13-year-old Encinitas girl who died while awaiting a heart transplant. Tickets cost $15 for students or $25 for all others and may be purchased online or at the door. Visit thearianafund.org.

OLIVENHAIN

Arts and crafts fair slated

The Olivenhain Arts and Craft fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Olivenhain Meeting Hall, 423 Rancho Santa Fe Road. Crafters will be selling jewelry, clothing, lotions, baked goods, candy, cards, photos, plants, pottery, glassware and quilts. Call (760) 436-2128.

CARLSBAD

Women’s group to hold craft fair

The St. Elizabeth Seton Women’s Auxiliary will hold a “Handmade with Love: Love From Above” craft fair from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 6628 Santa Isabel. Handmade scarves, hats, shawls, leg warmers, silks, jewelry and ceramic and wood items will be for sale. Christmas gifts, baby items and cards, some with matching gift bags, will also be sold. Proceeds benefit the St. Elizabeth Seton debt reduction campaign to pay for the new parish center. Raffle to be held. Call (760) 942-8920.

Recycling event for paper, hard drives

St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church will hold a document and hard drive recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 6628 Santa Isabel, in the lower parking lot. Cost is $5 to have a copy-paper-box-sized container filled with paper destroyed, or for anything with a plug or battery. Cost is $10 to destroy a hard drive. Proceeds benefit St. Elizabeth Seton’s new parish center. Call (760) 419-9243.

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Well whadya know -- Rowe School gets into online journalism

(Editor's note: Yes, it's true. The first few issues of RSF Daily News has arrived via the web. While the few stories are on a corporate education website program with hundreds of other schools, and the links and widgets might be a bit, shall we say, rough, the first major stories by Andrew Conley, an eighth grader, was brisk and informative. In fact, thread-bare to date, the Rowe School's RSF Daily News makes the rsfreview and coastnews look like kid's play. Kudos to you, Rowe School, for entering the present and future of journalism...Here's Master Conley's effort ala' RSF Daily News.)

Organizer of upcoming race addresses potential concerns

Sunday, November 04, 2012

By Andrew Conley

SOLANA BEACH — In an effort to garner support for a race that will shut down Coast Highway 101 on a Sunday morning in 2014, the promoter, as promised, held an informational meeting Oct. 25 to better explain the event and address potential concerns. But only a handful of people attended and none of their questions focused on what the organizers and city officials expected to be the major issues — parking, noise and inconvenience from the closure of a main thoroughfare along the coast.

In August, race producers Peter Douglass and Rick Kozlowski presented plans to Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas for the California 10/20, a 10-mile run along Highway 101 that would start and end at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2013.

The California 10/20, beginning and ending at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, will take runners along Coast Highway 101 to the Cardiff Kook statue. The race is slated for Feb. 16, 2014, but the promoters have already started a public outreach campaign to better inform areas residents and businesses. Courtesy artwork

The route will include 20 bands along the way to motivate runners.

Douglass, president of Turnkey Operations and co-creator of San Diego’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, received approval from officials in Del Mar and Encinitas.

But council members in Solana Beach had concerns because the stretch of Highway 101 along which most of the race would be run is currently undergoing major renovations that aren’t expected to be complete until fall 2013.

In response, Douglass postponed the event for a year, saying it would give him more time to better market the race, now scheduled for Feb. 16, 2014, the Sunday during Presidents Day weekend.

During the first of what is expected to be at least a few more public outreach meetings, Douglass said although he wanted to have the race next year his goal was to show off each city at its best.

“We like to do everything first class in places that are interesting and when people want us to be there,” he said. “This is three really cool cities all in one package.”

Based on a similar race he held in Austin, Texas, Douglass said the event should have a positive economic impact on the three cities.

“We’re very serious about helping businesses,” he said. “We want to do this every year so we want it to be a win-win for everyone. We don’t want to be run out of town the first year.”

Douglass said he expects around 10,000 runners. About 10 percent will be from out of state and 20 percent to 30 percent will come from outside of San Diego. They will need hotel rooms and will shop and dine in area businesses starting as early as Friday, when expos and package pickups will be held at the fairgrounds.

He said runners often arrive early and like to check out the course before race day, meaning they will stop to shop and eat then as well as after the event. He said he didn’t expect a surge of business during the race, when the roadways will be closed, except for local residents who may come to watch.

Douglass said road closures will begin at 7 a.m. and the race will start 30 minutes later. He said the winner should finish in about 45 minutes and anyone taking longer than three hours will be guided off the course onto sidewalks. All roads will be open to traffic no later than 10:45 a.m., he said.

In response to questions at the informational session, Douglass said there will be no charge for spectators, although many are not expected to line the course path. He said onlookers will likely be there for the start and finish at the fairgrounds, where parking will be free the day of the event.

He is currently not planning any similar future events in the state, a decision hasn’t been made on team runners and he will partner with Amtrak to encourage train use by those coming from Los Angeles and Orange County.

He also reiterated that his company will donate $30,000 to local charities, although the specifics have not yet been determined.

Douglass was hesitant to estimate the amount of money the event could generate, but he said the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, which attracts about three times as many runners as he expects for the California 10/20, brings in about $35 million.

He said he will use area vendors for necessary items such as signs and will be hiring locals to work the day of the event.

There is a traffic plan to guide motorists to the freeway along Sierra Avenue and Coast Boulevard during the times the 101 and Via de la Valle will be closed.

Eight stages are currently planned in Solana Beach but their placement hasn’t been determined. Each band will play for about 45 minutes, primarily to motivate the athletes, starting as the first runner approaches and stopping when the last one goes by.

“We can modify the amplification if necessary,” Douglass said, noting the music will likely be upbeat pop and rock ‘n’ roll.

The course will take runners just north of the Cardiff Kook statue in Encinitas, where they will turn around and return to the fairgrounds along the same route.

Josh Lujan, general manager of Courtyard by Marriott, said the event will be a boost for the city and local businesses during the offseason.

Richard Moore, who’s lived in Solana Beach since 1964, said he didn’t have any problems with the event, although others may.

“But they should be willing to sacrifice a little to help out the city,” Moore said.

                                          (Shannon Mountain, Photo: Jessica Horton)

Association lauds planning of event

Sunday, November 04, 2012

By Andrew Conley

 RANCHO SANTA FE — Shannon Mountain received a thank you in the form of gift cards from the Association for her efforts in coordinating this year’s Rancho Days, which was deemed very successful.  

Mountain’s face is usually the first seen when someone enters the Association office. Not only is she there with a friendly greeting, she also has great organizational skills having also coordinated the July 4 parade and picnic for several years.

Oct. 7 was the final day of the community’s weeklong Rancho Days Celebration and at the Oct. 18 Association meeting, reports from each of the event venues were given, and they were all positive.

Matt Wellhouser, Rotary president, told the board their barbecue was successful.

“We had a good event,” he said. “Everyone I’ve talked to said they really enjoyed the event.”

The Association’s Taco Fest was a huge success with the staff feeding 200 people and entertaining them with country western music.

“We couldn’t get rid of people. They wanted to stay,” laughed Daria Quay, Association secretary.

Al Castro, general manager of the golf club, said the club’s first hoe down was “very, very successful.”

“I’m getting very positive feedback,” Castro said. “I hope it can be an annual event.”

He said about 150 people attended and many people brought their children.

“We were very pleased with the turnout,” Castro said.

Quay said the Osuna event was well-attended and that most people enjoyed touring the historic adobe.

All the riding events were also well-attended reported directors Roxana Foxx and Rochelle Putnam.

Director Craig McAllister reported the Tennis Club’s 50th anniversary celebration on the last day of Rancho Days hosted about 300 people and several tennis celebrities.

“Tracy Austin still has game,” he said of the tennis legend’s talent during the exposition games. He said the club’s professionals were also outstanding and were enjoyed by event-goers.

He said many families with children attended the celebration.

Also at the meeting the board approved the printing and mailing to the Association membership the 2011-12 audited financial statements.

Ron Mitchell, partner representing the Association’s outside auditing firm of ATK, LLP, presented to final audit report to the board.

“You can take this as a good report,” Mitchell said. “There were no material weaknesses.”

According to the Rancho Santa Fe Association Bylaws, the board is required to prepare and distribute to all members an annual report within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.

The Association meets at 9 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month in the Association’s office at 17022 Avenida de Acacias.

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Want to learn about Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. -- Let the Manions be your guide (VIDEO)

(Editor's note: Who knows more about Rancho Santa Fe living than the Manions, longtime residents involved in all aspects of Ranch life since the word Go...Here's a video from their real estate company that, in the words of the cognoscenti such as nguyen chelinh: "Now, that's what I call a good video!" Enjoy.)

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Taxicab Confessions

 Ed, the Escondido, Calif. cabby, piqued our interest. As he waited for a fare outside a local Albertson's, we asked Ed a few questions about those who also drive ---- for hire.

Let's put it this way: In New York, Chicago, San Francisco, even Orange County and Orleans Parish, Louisiana, cabbies are more than useful. But Escondido, Fallbrook, and even Solana Beach in suburban San Diego County... taxi cabs? What's the deal? Where are they all hiding?

North County San Diego cabs are expensive to take, for one thing. Plus cab companies come and go, literally. They merge, split, reform and change names constantly. And the bottom line: It's very, very hard to get a cab in North County, and good luck getting one if you are in a hurry.

Now, back to Ed. He was laid off from a computer manufacturer's job and lived near the Escondido Yellow Cab office. Plus, he didn't have a car of his own. So hey, what the heck, he walked on over and started driving passengers for a living.

Apparently, the job has its moments. Ed said fares have run away without paying several times. He has had people pop into his taxi for $160 rides to LAX. Most of his fares are locals, such as the one that found him waiting outside Albertson's for a lady to emerge with groceries. Her car was broken and she needed to stock up. A seemingly short round-trip like that, though, can cost $20 to $30.

Ed had a lot more to say but to make a long story short, I let my fingers do the walking after that. I took to the telephone book and called. And called and called and called.

We called North County Cab. They advertise as "Anytime Anywhere On Time." Good luck with that one. "We're too busy to talk," said the dispatcher who wouldn't even say where they were located. It's 4986 Voltaire St. in Pacific Beach by the way. Not even North County.

Then, we swept through the "color" cab companies. Orange Cab, White Cab, Yellow Cab and something called Pinky Transportation. Then there was Taxi Fiesta, which isn't a color but still a pretty good name.

(Below is a special Ah-Ha Solana Beach taxicab confessional...)

And Courtesy Cab of Vista. At last, a North County cab company worth something.

Courtesy owner John Gazdayka was the only manager of a local cab company to give me the courtesy of some insight into the state of the state of North County taxi cabs. He is a longtime cab company employee and owner in several different taxi-cabal incarnations. He has owned Vista-based Courtesy Cab since 1997, running 11 vehicles that his drivers lease.

"You license with communities to pick up people there," Gazdayka said. "The fees vary. Some places have a flat fee plus a per-passenger. It usually comes out to a couple of hundred dollars for each place.

"A lot of guys who drive cabs operate on their own," Gazdayka said. "They get a (taxi driver) license and the better the company, the more drivers you can attract. The drivers got to make money. If they can't make money, I can't make money."

Cab companies set their own fares which generally are about $2 per mile. However, some smaller, or even solo, operators may charge more and some companies may charge less depending on the competition.

Gazdayka said it was hard to know how many taxi companies operate in North County but three, or four, probably handle the bulk of the traffic.

As for what it takes to succeed in the business: "It's not overly hard," Gazdayka said. "You have to have a certain amount of people skills, take directions well, read a map. But there are some people driving who are over-educated for what they do."

Local taxi traffic consists of business travelers to airports and hotels, local trips and a lot of contract work with school districts, hospitals, senior groups and even the North County Transit District for passengers who can't ride buses, Gazdayka said.

Passengers, by the way, leave all sorts of items behind in cabs.

"Cell phones, wallets, you name it," Gazdayka said. "Cell phones, the most by far. Wild stuff, too. Clothing. You name it."

Hmmm. And what about "Taxicab Confessions" on HBO: Fake or real?

"I think anything is possible in a cab," Gazdayka said with a laugh. "Use your imagination and it happens."

Any North County taxicab confessions?

Gazdayka won't go there from here today.

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Be Wise Organics, gnat flies and San Diego County supervisors reach 'last resort' measure

 A 4-0 vote, with Bill Horn recusing himself from the vote and discussion because he owns an organic farm, gave initial approval with adoption scheduled for Dec. 5. If approved, the ordinance would take effect Jan. 4.

“I think the ordinance we have before us today is an excellent ordinance,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

“One of our charges here is to protect the public,” said Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. “We have a lot of people who cannot use their own property.”

Eye gnats, approximately 1/16 of an inch long, feed on protein from body fluids including the eyes, noses, and mouths of humans and animals. They are native to San Diego County and breed in organically-rich soil.

“Eye gnats are a nuisance for which we have no existing authority to address,” said Jack Miller, director of the county’s Department of Environmental Health (DEH).

Approximately 350 organic farms have commercial operations in San Diego County. Complaints of eye gnats have centered on Be Wise Ranch in the San Pasqual Valley and Bornt Farms in Jacumba, according to a county report.

The supervisors directed county staff to address the eye gnat problem last year. A group consisting of San Diego County Farm Bureau leaders, organic farmers, community members, a technical expert, and county staff met five times to craft a program. The draft program and ordinance underwent a public comment period that included two community meetings.

The ordinance gives DEH authority over eye gnats as vectors, makes eye gnat intervention eligible for Vector Control Program funding, and creates an Eye Gnat Abatement Appeals Board. Abatement will be in response to complaints with priority for voluntary abatement measures and inspections to verify compliance. Regulatory orders will be issued as necessary.

The “last resort situation,” if the nuisance persists, will allow the county to restrict the types of crops grown, and abatement measures may be issued without regard to grower costs.

The county will take abatement action only after public nuisance complaints are investigated and DEH finds that a source was the predominant cause of the nuisance, reported county staff. DEH cannot base a conclusion solely on community complaints; direct observations by staff and consideration of collected data are also required.

Under the voluntary abatement portion, commercial organic farmers can work with the Farm and Home Advisor to develop and implement a voluntary plan. If the plan fails to protect the community, DEH may order mandatory specific abatement measures. In the absence of a “last resort situation,” DEH cannot order a grower to cease organic operations or cease growing particular crops, and initial orders would be limited to those economically feasible for the farmer.

The abatement measures, whether voluntary or mandatory, could include trapping eye gnats, installing barrier fences, and preventing fresh vegetation from being turned into the soil.

An Eye Gnat Abatement Appeals Board would be established. District 1 would appoint a licensed pest control advisor, districts 2 and 3 would each appoint a community at large member, and districts 4 and 5 would appoint an owner or operator of an organic farm. Ramona is in District 2.

“The ordinance before you is the very essence of fair balance,” said Robert Morriss of San Pasqual Valley.

“We knew you had to find a solution,” said San Diego County Farm Bureau executive director Eric Larson.

Larson noted that the two farms that generated complaints weren’t negligent, but the majority of organic farms in the county produce tree crops and most of the rest are in less populated areas.

“Some organic farmers are just struggling with the location,” he said.

Bonsall organic avocado farmer Rick Carey was concerned about the lack of some specifics. “It’s too open-ended from a grower’s standpoint,” he said. “I wouldn’t know how to proceed if I had to mitigate the problem.”

Bornt Farms had been leasing the Jacumba property and vacated the site at the end of June 2012. The property owner allowed conventional pesticide application on July 12, and no complaints have been received since July 16, the county reported.

“The kids at school will be able to eat lunch outside and not be affected,” Jacob said.

In July 2012, Be Wise Ranch started a voluntary prevention plan that included offering free traps to neighboring residents. Data has shown a reduction in complaints from prior years of 85 percent to 95 percent.

“I’m quite proud to have been able to achieve what we have,” said Bill Brammer, who operates Be Wise Ranch.

Brammer and his staff placed 2,000 traps on Be Wise Ranch and installed 13,000 feet of three-foot-tall silt barrier. The nearby Vineyard golf course saw a 98 percent reduction from its 2010 trap collections.

“What we have here is a good approach,” Slater-Price said.

County supervisors previously created a fly abatement ordinance with an appeals board to address problems of flies which due to agricultural livestock manure.

“The fly abatement ordinance has been pretty successful. It’s worked pretty well,” Jacob said.

 San Diego County supervisors are tackling eye gnat breeding at organic farms with a new ordinance.

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Peters (D) near win; lead widens to 2,660 votes over Bilbray (R) in 52nd Cong. Dist. tilt

WED. MORNING UPDATE: Democrat Scott Peters is near an official, and hard-fought, victory over Congressman Brian Bilbray in the 52nd Congressional District race with a 2,660 vote lead that continues to expand as more votes are counted. Results must be finalized by Dec. 4,  according to state law. Peters traveled to Washington D.C. this week where he took part in the orientation sessions for new members of Congress.

As of Tuesday night’s update from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, with approximately 210,000 mail-in and provisional ballots from around the county yet to be counted -- about 40 percent of the vote -- Peters’ lead grew to 2,660 votes, further dimming Bilbray’s re-election hopes. Workers have been able to get through approximately 60,000 to 90,000 ballots per day, the Registrar’s office said.  Mail and provisional ballots should be counted by the weekend. However, election results for San Diego County might not be certified until Dec. 4, the deadline by which the final results must be turned in to the California Secretary of State, sources said.

(For more visit I-Newsource and KPBS Investigations Desk .)

Spark Photography

Congressional candidate Scott Peters (D) speaks with reporters at the Westin Gaslamp, November 6, 2012.

Port of San Diego Commissioner Scott Peters continues to pad his lead over Rep. Brian Bilbray, in their close congressional race.

Peters led by 1,899 votes out of about 235,000 cast for the general election, a net gain of more than 500 votes since Friday.

Bilbray has been a top target of Democrats for years, but survived previous attempts to oust him. However, redistricting moved him into some unfamiliar inland territory for this re-election bid.

"I didn’t see us quite this good. I think it’s going to really tighten up," Bilbray said after early results were announced showing him in the lead Tuesday night.

Then, when he spoke to supporters several hours later, he warned them it may take days to iron out the race.

After many San Diegans went to bed, Peters pulled ahead with a slight lead and held on until all precincts were in.

The fight for California's newly-drawn 52nd was targeted with some of the most campaign cash and coverage nationwide.

“This district was drawn to be the battleground for the Congressional seats the other Congressional seats are pretty darn safe,” Bilbray told NBC 7 San Diego. “I think this is a great process even though I happen to have to be in the battleground again.”

Bilbray is a Republican has represented the 50th District since 2006 as well as the former 49th District for three terms ending in 2001.

Bilbray voted Tuesday morning with his daughter, who was featured in one of his many campaign ads. Before voting, Bilbray went surfing. He told NBC 7 San Diego that if the warm reception he received from fellow surfers was any indicator of the night’s results, he felt confident in a win.

Peters is a Democrat who represented District 1 on the San Diego City Council for two terms, serving as Council president in his second.

In the region's other close race, Solana Beach Councilman Dave Roberts maintained a lead of 2,641 votes over Bilbray's chief of staff, Steve Danon, in their election for county supervisor. That's an increase of about 400 for Roberts since Friday.

The winner will replace the retiring Pam Slater-Price to become the first new supervisor in 17 years.

Peters only won 13 more precincts than Bilbray in the 420 precincts where votes were cast, including the vote-by-mail. If vote-by-mail locations are excluded, Peters only took four more precincts than Bilbray.

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The 52nd congressional district stretches from Poway west to Del Mar and then down the coast to Coronado. A slice of its voters also live in the city of San Diego.

The district is known for its fairly even numbers of Republicans, Democrats and Independents, and when when it comes to political tastes, many don’t appear to mind crossing party lines.

While they’re still counting ballots in the congressional district because it’s too close to call, I-Newsource analyzed the unofficial returns in precincts that overlap the congressional district and the city. We found that nearly two-thirds of the precincts that favored Democrat Scott Peters favored — Republican Carl DeMaio for mayor.

A lot of those voters were in neighborhoods such as La Jolla, Bay Park, Bay Ho, North Clairemont and University City south of UCSD.

It probably stands to reason precincts that favored Republican Brian Bilbray within the city limits almost perfectly favored DeMaio as well.

Here’s the breakdown for the non-vote-by-mail precincts:

- Of the 189 precincts Scott Peters carried, DeMaio won 120.
- Of the 157 precincts Brian Bilbray won, DeMaio carried 156 — almost a perfect match.
- Filner carried only 69 of the precincts Peters won, and one of the precincts Bilbray won.

So why did Peters do so well in areas that wanted to elect DeMaio?

Political scientist Carl Luna says this is a textbook case of all politics being local. Peters served two terms on the San Diego City Council representing the first district, which included some of the neighborhoods that turned out for him in the election.

“When you have a choice between voting for somebody you know and kind of thinks like you, or somebody you don’t know that you’re not quite sure how they’re going to think, you go with the guy you know,” Luna said. “And Scott Peters was a known quantity to many of his voters. And Carl DeMaio, coming from the city government, was a known quantity.”

Luna also said Bilbray’s campaign might not have gotten as much mileage out of some attack ads as they’d hoped.

“The (National Republican Congressional Committee) ad about Scott Peters’ performance on the city council probably played well in areas outside of (Peters’) council district, but obviously did not sway voters within it.”

As for mayor-elect Bob Filner, a lifelong Democrat?

Luna said, “Bob Filner comes from South Bay, he has no real play in that part of the city.”

-- I-Newsource and KPBS Investigations Desk

Congressional candidate Scott Peters (D) speaks with reporters at the Westin Gaslamp, November 6, 2012.

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Back to lobbying: Bilbray (R) concedes to Peters (D) in Cal's 52nd Cong. Dist.

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) has conceded defeat in his San Diego-area district, handing Democrats another pickup with just two intra-party races yet to be determined.

Bilbray trails San Diego Port Commissioner Scott Peters (D) by 3,877 votes. He called Peters to congratulated him and issued a statement acknowledging Peters’ victory.

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.). (AP photo)

“While Scott and I differed sharply on how to handle the issues facing our nation, now is the time to put those differences aside and find common ground to address our country’s many challenges,” Bilbray said, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Bilbray has served more than 12 years in Congress, returning to the chamber in 2006 by winning a hotly contested special election to replace jailed Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.). California’s citizen redistricting commission drew Bilbray a swing district this year.

With the win, Democrats have now gained six House seats in the 2012 election, with the GOP’s House majority reduced to 234-199.

Democrats also lead in the last two undetermined races, with Reps. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) and Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) holding small leads.

Reps. Charles Boustany (R-La.) and Jeff Landry (R-La.) will compete in a runoff next month in a merged district, but that race has no implications for the partisan balance of the House.

The Peters campaign released this statement:

“This afternoon, I received a very gracious phone call from Congressman Brian Bilbray. He wished me luck and offered his support. We agreed that while it was a tough, hard-fought campaign, now is the time to put it behind us. I thanked him for his service and look forward to his support as I transition into office.

“I’m in our nation’s capitol this week, working hard, and getting ready to hit the ground running on behalf of the people of the 52^nd District. I am very grateful to the hundreds of people who walked, called, contributed and gave me their support; it was their energy and enthusiasm that put us over the top in this close race.

“There’s much to do.  I’m encouraged by the tremendous group of colleagues I’ve met here so far: freshman members of Congress, because like me, they all heard loud and clear during their campaigns that voters are tired of the partisanship, tired of politicians who put party over people.  I look forward to working with everyone to get things done for San Diego and the American people.”

Peters said in a brief phone interview with the San Diego Free Press that Mr. Bilbray was very gracious when he called to concede.  ”He said something like ‘I’m making that phone call you’ve been working so hard to get.’”  He said that Bilbray suggested that he find a place close to the Capitol to live while in D.C., and offered to assist in any way he can to ease the transition.

Peters said he would “absolutely” carry on the work that Bilbray had touted in the closing days of the campaign on cancer research.  ”Not only is it an important cause, but it’s critical to the San Diego economy.  We need to continue to promote basic scientific research, and hopefully San Diego will be the place that finds a cure for cancer.”

Asked about his experience at the orientation in Washington for newly elected members of Congress and the reception he had received despite not yet having been officially declared the winner, Peters said “I’m just here trying to learn this job so that we can hit the ground running,” adding  ”I can’t wait to get back and visit Ocean Beach.  It’s cold out here!”

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Artist Larissa Gorikh paints the town fantastic with colorful displays of emotive power 

 "Each work I create is a report in itself, which examines the status of my role as an artist in the society within which I function. I believe that the artist must work for the society, to which he or she belongs. This is my assignment as an artist, and my mission in life."

-- Larissa Gorikh

(For more: Visit  Larissa's new web site at http://larissag.artspan.com/)

Larissa Gorikh took the long way to 4S Ranch, Rancho Bernardo and Rancho Santa Fe -- the long, long way.

"I started to draw very early in my childhood," she said. "My grandmother encouraged me: 'Larissa will be an artist!' I copied the great Russian artist, Valentin Serov’s illustrations very often, which pushed my passion to a new world, and my direction to attend art school."

That was in a faraway place called Ussuriysk, a modest city of 160,000 people in Primorsky Krai, about 60 miles north of Vladivostok and 60 miles east of China. Graduating from art school, she went to art college at Irkutsk in Siberia,  prepping for a prestigious place at the St. Petersburg Institute for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, founded in 1757.

Unfortunately, the time was not right; 1991 and the dissolution of the old Soviet arts structure forced a change in plans. "The fall of the Socialist system in 1991 marked a long and profound crisis in Russia, and unfortunately, my desires did not materialize," she said. "I returned to the East and attended the Vladivostok Academy of Arts, where I continued to study and learn the secret of the profession."

 C'est La Vie. Larissa has painted murals at high-toned Cielo mansions and taught art and exhibited at Balboa Park, more recently at 4S Ranch and Rancho Bernardo.

"After completing my academic study, I discovered the theme that would define my paintings," she said. "I found my muse in the theme: 'People and the City'. I explore people’s attitude to life in general and their interaction with the urban situation in my paintings.

To this end, to wit:

"The city is full of noise; a conglomeration of skyscrapers, signs, facades, lamps, auto, rushing roadside pedestrians...I love all the heroes of my paintings. Picturing people close to me in spirit-young, energetic movement.

"Movement is life. I chose an elongated horizontally format, take turns of acceleration and deceleration, strain/energy and lightness. Through the asymmetry of construction suddenness, perspectives try to transmit live feeling of reality. I continue to work on the series: Restaurants, Billiards, Carnivals, and Beaches that continuously refine once found."

 Larissa adds: "I am not indifferent to flowers. I paint them often; in paintings, especially portraits. Flowers recur frequently in my works, in a decorative sense, to evoke emotions, or to add commentary to the subject of the painting."

Living at San Diego since 1999, the artist herself has won many awards and contests in fine art. She is a member of the San Diego Art Institute, Museum of the Living Artist at Balboa Park. She has won jurors choice awards there. She exhibits at many San Diego art festivals, such as ArtWalk, Little Italy, Rancho Santa Fe Art Festival, Harvest Festival, and Del Mar Art Fesitval.

Even better, her new web site at http://larissag.artspan.com/ shows all the latest and greatest work available for purchase as well as other information about Larissa and her quest for beauty.

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Party hardy goes awry on Los Morros with stabbing, fights, underage drinking and arrests

A party in exclusive Rancho Santa Fe attended by more than 200 people late Friday night led to a stabbing, fights and arrests for disorderly conduct and resisting officers, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

One person was stabbed, another hit with a sheriff's stun gun, and six people arrested at a raucous house party at 17434 Los Morros. 

Deputies said the stabbing suspect got away in the confusion as they arrived just after midnight to a report of a stabbing at a home on the 17400 block of Los Morros, near the intersection of La Bajada, a crossroads just southeast of Encinitas.

The owner of the property on Los Morros was arrested for violating the county's social host ordinance against allowing underage drinking. Deputies used a Taser to arrest one person on the property. Several people younger than 21 were found drunk.

San Diego Sheriff's Sgt. Joe Passalacqua said arriving deputies found 200 people and evidence of a bloody crime, although the stabbing suspect and victim had fled. 

"As deputies attempted to investigate, a fight broke out between individuals in the crowd and a Taser was used to arrest one person, while four others were arrested for disorderly conduct or resisting officers," Passalcqua said. 

Deputies also discovered several intoxicated minors on the property. 

Deputies had gone to the property shortly after midnight after receiving a report that someone had been stabbed. Deputies went to a local hospital to find the stabbing victim.

"The victim became aggressive towards a deputy on scene and was subsequently pepper-sprayed and arrested," according to Sgt. Joe Passalacqua.

A man with stab wounds to his arm was later discovered by deputies at a local hospital. Passalacqua said the unidentified stabbing victim was pepper sprayed and arrested after he became aggressive with deputies. 

After being treated and released by medical staff, the stabbing victim was arrested by deputies. 

The suspect in the stabbing remains at large.

The investigation of the incident continued, deputies said.

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