Shay 92127 Feb 2024

Opinion By Ray Shay

A day rarely passes when I don’t receive at least one text message, phone call, letter, or email from a company specializing in ipping homes in San Diego County. eir pitch is generally the same. If Shay Realtor’s Inc. can provide a person willing to sell their home without going on the open market, they will pay us our full commission on the purchase with the promise of a second commission when the home is re-sold.

e problem with this strategy is the home seller is o en le with the proverbial, “short end of the stick.” at is why my answer has always been, and will be a rm, “No, thank you.” In this month’s Community Hub ® Broker’s Corner, I will highlight the main points of what you can do to prevent a home ipper/contractor from taking advantage of you.

Let me start with a real-life scenario about a home we recently sold in 4S Ranch. e sellers approached us; their home was a “ ipper’s dream.” It was located in a great community and school district, yet the home was in disrepair. It had good bones but also had termites, the interior carpet and paint were in poor shape, the lighting was terrible, and the yard looked like something from Jurassic Park. e front and back yards were overgrown, and much of the yard needed to be improved.

is home project would look daunting to most homeowners unfamiliar with the right contractors to use and how to spend the right amount of money on the right things. You do not want to overspend on unimportant items.

Our team, including our designer consultant and multiple disciplines of licensed and insured contractors, went to work. It took us about thirty days to complete all the improvements, but when the home hit the multiple listing service and the market a er our very detailed pre-listing protocols. It was an absolute home run for the owners.

e home was on the market for less than ve days, and we received nine noncontingent o ers, pushing the price to well

over asking and over two million dollars. e home was around 3600 sq and only had two and a half baths. e preparation, pricing, marketing, and negotiation skills put us on the proper course to a successful close.

e owners told me, “Your team and the price we got exceeded all our expectations!”

Helping homeowners ip their own homes is something that is clearly in our wheelhouse. We have consistently been able to set price records by guiding sellers through this process with our Shay Realtor’s REFRESH™ Program.

a team of professional REALTORS that can represent your best interests locally, nationally, and internationally. We are fortunate to have a multilingual sta certi ed as International Property Specialists who can market your home globally.

For example, one of our agents recently represented buyers from Burma on an estate home in Carlsbad. In summary, If these three items are accomplished e ectively, you move on to #4, one of the most important aspects of residential real estate.

Having our Community Hub© paper distributed to over 22,000 homes each month helps expose our listings to di erent buyers. Our social media expert we have on sta does an excellent job of making sure your home is marketed broadly.

As part of our proven home improvement system, we cover the cost of improvements and oversee the work with our local contractors. Once the home is sold and closes escrow, we are reimbursed for what we invested in your home, allowing you to get top dollar and ip your own home.

Below are some items we evaluate in determining the best strategy to get top dollar for your home.

#1 Prepare your home for sale.

Painting is one of the most cost-e ective items to improve your home.

Painting the home’s interior does not necessarily mean painting the doors as well. On the exterior, you may be able to paint the wood trim and the stucco “pop-outs” without having to re-paint the entire home.

Carpet. We have excellent carpet cleaning companies that can o en just clean the carpet. Interestingly, some of the older carpets are better made than carpets manufactured today. We weigh it out to determine if we replace the carpet, install other ooring, or clean it.

Lighting is so important. It is very reasonable to replace many lighting xtures in a home. It is pennies on the dollar for the upward increase in value. e same can be said about staging. If the house does not present well, you are leaving money on the table.

#2 Price the home appropriately. is is one of the most critical elements in putting your home on the market. Having experience in the local market for over 20 years and developing a solid relationship with other professional REALTORS© helps us establish the proper price point to get a vigorous activity level so enough buyers come to see the home.

#3 Market the home e ectively.

I could talk about this area for a very long time. It starts with

#4 Negotiate the best possible price and terms. A home sale is not only about price. Strong terms for you as a seller can help protect you while moving the purchase quickly to closing. If you would like to learn more about our successful multiple o er and closing strategies be sure to call me or any of our licensed agents.

I thought I would list a few red ags if you are considering purchasing a “ ip home.” Like everything else, there are good ips and bad ips. Some ippers dress up their homes to look good, but they are still dogs.

Possible “Bad Flip” indicators.

You walk through the home and you can’t tell who the plumbing manufacturer was or who built the stove or oven.

e home looks great, but the fundamentals look shaky, i.e., roof, foundation, air conditioner, slope of the yard, etc.

You open the electrical box, and the interior looks old, with no space for expansion.

Cra smanship, cra smanship, cra smanship. Flawed grout lines and nish carpentry look like things you would do. OK, that’s not fair. LOL. Looks like something I would do.

You walk on the oor, and the luxury vinyl sounds like it is just too thin or the oor is uneven.

I hope you found this helpful. You also want to ensure you have an outstanding certi ed home inspector who can provide excellent examples of their past work. Remember to have a sewer scope inspection as well, and be sure to talk to the neighbors. It is amazing what you will nd out.

Even if you are selling your own home, don’t hesitate to give me a call. I would be happy to share with you what I have learned

Cheers,

FINDING YOUR PASSION & OVERCOMING ADVERSITY with Shannon Mac Millan - National Hall of Fame Athlete, Olympic Gold Medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion

CAREER FORWARD: STRATEGIES FROM WOMEN WHO'VE MADE IT with Grace Puma - former PepsiCo COO & Christiana Smith Shi - former Nike President of Consumer Direct

UNLEASHING YOUR LEADERSHIP AUTHORITY: A BLUEPRINT FOR WOMEN IN MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRIES with Dr. Alessandra Wall - Founder & Executive Coach - Noteworthy

YOUR FIRST MILLION: WHY YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE BORN INTO A LEGACY OF WEALTH TO LEAVE ONE BEHIND with Arlan Hamilton - Venture Capitalist, Serial Entrepreneur, Author, and Prolific Speaker

THE NEUROSCIENCE OF USING EMOTIONAL ENERGY TO BUILD EXCEPTIONAL TEAMS with Dr. Julia DiGangi - Neuropsychologist

UNITY IN ACTION: NURTURING YOUR CAREER & PASSION FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL with Dr. Kwane Stewart “The Street Vet“ - 2023 CNN Hero of the Year

PANEL DISCUSSION

STRENGTH IN UNITY: WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT THROUGH MENTORSHIP AND NETWORKING

PANEL DISCUSSION

EMPOWERHER: ADVOCATING FOR ONESELF IN THE WORKPLACE

PANEL DISCUSSION

LEADING LADIES: MASTERING THE ART OF BUILDING AND LEADING TEAMS

KICK OFF LUNCH

Monday, February 26

University of San Diego TICKETS - $89

WOMEN & WINE

Wednesday, February 28

Bernardo Winery TICKETS - $45

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Friday, March 1

Rancho Bernardo Inn or Virtual TICKETS - $269

Drinking to Better Health with Modern-Day Elixirs

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

Only in the last decade have we seen some of the most creative beverages emerge that omit preservatives, alcohol and added sugars. We’re talking about flavorful, healthy concoctions that cover a gamut of drinks using fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and at times, vitamin and protein boosters.

Even today’s bar culture has jumped onto the bandwagon with a plethora of intriguing mocktails that carry all the panache of fancy cocktails, but minus the booze and commercial sodas.

Whether you’re sprinting out of the gym with an intense thirst, or looking for an alternative drink to wash down a meal, we found some wholesome options throughout San Diego County for refreshing your palate and improving your well-being.

Jane’s Cafe

591 Camino de la Reina, Mission Valley 619-380-2501, www.janescafemissionvalley.com

Located on the ground floor of a white high rise called Tower 591, this hidden cafe adheres to the mid-Century style seen in the building’s lobby. It also offers affordable prices that extend to smoothies and crafty fresh-juice concoctions. The “green apple detox” combines the semi-tart fruit with cucumbers, lemon, kale and ginger. Aside from a boatload of fiber, the vitamin-rich drink carries the heart benefits of green apples, which nutritionists say can also help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. In addition, the pectin in green apples helps stabilize digestive issues.

Greens Please Wellness Kitchen

12202 Poway Road, Poway 858-842-1001, www.greensplease.com

nana crème smoothie, it is enhanced with dark greens, apples, hemp seed, vanilla, and a few other natural additives. Customers will also find bottled “wellness shots” on the menu such as the “tummy tamer” and “turmeric tonic.”

Trilogy Sanctuary

7650 Girard Ave., La Jolla 858-633-3893, www.trilogysanctuary.com

A hot spot for wellness, where yoga classes and vegan-vegetarian catering are part of the equation, Trilogy Sanctuary also features a rooftop restaurant and outdoor cafe. Fresh smoothies made with organic ingredients rule the day. They are each tailored to specific areas of well being. The “goddess” for example, delivers an immunity boost with gogi berries, blueberries, bananas and almond milk while the “lust” smoothie is meant to kick up your libido with cacao, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and other ingredients. There are more than a dozen healthy smoothies to choose from.

Vitality Tap

650 First Ave., Downtown San Diego 619-237-7625

If you’re feeling a little crispy the day after imbibing in Downtown San Diego’s nightlife, Vitality Tap comes to the rescue. Nestled inside a Discount Nutrition store, customers can kick start their days with immunity-boosting fresh ginger shots, or rely on the flavorful “lunch box smoothie,” which features a rich blend of almond milk, berries, banana, date paste, and chia. The menu extends to a large choice of juices, shooters and other smoothies in a variety of sizes.

Sipz Vegetarian Kitchen

protect the body against arthritis and diabetes. Other smoothies at the restaurant include mango and strawberry in addition to a meal-friendly watermelon-cucumber “refresher” accented with a touch of fresh mint.

Kindred

1503 30th St., South Park 619-546-9653, www.barkindred.com

Leave it to the hipster vegan haunt known as Kindred to be one of the first San Diego establishments to offer “zero-proof” cocktails from its stylish bar. Ingredients such as passion fruit, lemongrass and Thai basil find their way into the stimulating “miracle cure,” which at the very least wake up the senses. Even more intriguing is “the book of days,” which combines coconut water with matcha, lime and orange blossom. We’re not sure what bodily benefits the drink is supposed to provide, but you can bet that it’s a healthier option than Coke and Jack Daniels.

Senor Mango’s

4607 30th St., North Park 619-584-0041, www.senormangos.com

Imagine banana crème pie in the form of an ultra-healthy drink. This fast-casual vegan cafe offers a variety of “cleanse smoothies” that incorporate fresh fruits, leafy greens, flax seed, ginger and more. Their motto is: “We blend, not juice,” meaning the fiber is retained after breaking down many of the ingredients. And as we all know, fiber is a binding vehicle that moves toxins out of our bodies. As for the cafe’s ba-

3914 30th St., North Park 5501 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont 619-795-2889, www.sipz.com

The avocado smoothie at Sipz provides a good dose of fiber, potassium and healthy monounsaturated fat, considering that the greenish drink uses a medium-size avocado. It’s blended with almond milk, which is rich in Vitamin E to help

A cornucopia of fruit occupies the order

Juices that pack a healthy punch at Jane’s Cafe (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

The bottled “tummy tamer” shot at Greens Please Wellness Kitchen (Facebook)

Get your liquid health fix at Trilogy Sanctuary. (Facebook)

Vitality Tap’s popular “lunch box” smoothie (Vitality Tap)

A cleansing watermelon-cucumber refresher at Sipz. (Facebook)

The bar at Kindred slings crafty zero-proof cocktails. (Simpatika)

counter in a festive display of bananas, pineapples, mangos, papayas and more at Senor Mango’s. Throughout any given day the fruits are turned into agua frescas and licuados (thick smoothies made with low-fat milk and shaved ice). The drinks are rich in vitamins and nutrients and serve as the perfect come-on for washing down the eatery’s famous salads and tortas. If you weren’t craving a healthy, juicy drink before walking in, you certainly will upon entering.

The Kitchen

700 Prospect St., La Jolla 619-880-8719, www.thekitchenatmsasd.com

This bright, attractive restaurant located

within the renovated Contemporary Museum of Art San Diego in La Jolla conjures up equally eye-appealing elixirs under the menu’s “refresh” category. The rejuvenating drinks include the

popular “aquazul” made with strawberries, lime, mint, ginger beer and a restrained measure of soda water. Or the “vacation exhibit” offers a blast of Vitamin C with its delicious combination of passion fruit, oranges and pineapples. Most of the drinks receive small measures of soda water for effervescence. There are also a couple of hearty, healthy smoothies available, along with the option of adding to them collagen peptides or a reishi mushroom blend, which is believed to protect brain cells.

Mnemonic Coffee

2604 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill www.mnemonic.coffee

While dairy-free coffee drinks rule the day at this recently launched business, the owners were also adamant about offering a variety of cleverly named “mocktails” to the menu. “We love the cocktail culture and wanted to learn about drink styles, so we pulled from that by offering ‘zero-proof’ drinks made with coffee, tea or our housemade sodas and syrups,” said co-owner Gia Giambalvo. Among them is the soothing “lovesick punch” made with Assam tea, pomegranate, lime, and ginger-pepper syrup. Another, called “blue velvet” uses hibiscus foam to cap off a drink that brings

together house-made limeade, blue jasmine tea and Luxardo cherries.

Frutimania Juices & Delights

330 W. Felicita Ave., Escondido

760-294-4782, www.frutimania-juices-and-delights.business.site

A plethora of smoothies and juice blends can be found at this small, unassuming cafe in Escondido. The benefits behind some of their blended drinks speak for themselves when you consider their names such as the “eye fixer elixir” made with a base of carrot juice, or the

“alkaline fuel cell” containing cucumber, kale, parsley, lemon and green apple. If you prefer your juice straight up, the choices include cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberry and more.

Sharp HealthCare Names Susan Green as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Sharp HealthCare has named Susan Green as the new Executive Vice President and System Chief Financial Officer of its comprehensive health care system. She will succeed interim chief financial officer, Doug Watson.

For the past 15 years, Green has served as the chief financial officer of Tufts Medicine in Burlington, Mass. There, she played a pivotal role in guiding the financial operations and growth of the system, which includes Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital and MelroseWakefield Hospital, and Tufts Medicine, Care at Home.

In her new role, Green will hold overall fiduciary responsibility, strategic leadership and operational management for financial services to assure the long-term success of Sharp HealthCare. Leading the strategic development, activation, alignment and monitoring of the system financial plan, Green will provide a financial perspective on innovation, cost management and profitable growth.

In her previous role as the senior financial executive, Green oversaw the nearly $3 billion, not-for-profit Tufts Medicine health care network, which spans eastern Massachusetts from Cape Cod to New Hampshire and includes an acclaimed Boston academic medical center, four community hospital campuses, a home care organization and a network of more than 3,000 physicians.

She has a proven track record in building positive, collaborative relationships with executive leadership and boards of trustees, gaining their respect and confidence.

She partnered with Tufts Medicine physicians and administrative leaders to bring together their physician groups under Tufts Medicine Integrated Network. She also led the efforts to ensure the system raised capital at the best rates possible, as well as led the system’s innovative efforts to implement and redefine their delivery of care, including through the use of Epic, a leading electronic medical record system, which will also be implemented throughout Sharp HealthCare in early March 2024.

Green was recently recognized in the Becker’s Healthcare 2023 lists of women hospital and health system CFOs to know and academic medical center CFOs to know.

About Sharp HealthCare

Sharp HealthCare, San Diego’s largest and most comprehensive health care delivery system, is recognized for clinical excellence in cardiac, cancer, multi-organ transplantation, orthopedics, rehabilitation, behavioral health, women’s health, home health and hospice services. Sharp HealthCare has been widely

acclaimed for its commitment to transform the health care experience for patients, physicians and staff through an organization-wide performance improvement initiative called The Sharp Experience. The Sharp HealthCare system includes four acute-care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, three affiliated medical groups, a health plan and numerous outpatient facilities and programs, including the Sharp Prebys Innovation & Education Center. To learn more about Sharp, visit Sharp Health News

Tasty, pretty elixirs at The Kitchen (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

A tiki-inspired mocktail with house-made almond sweetener at Mnemonic Coffee (Courtesy photo)

Healthy drink choices abound at Frutimania Juices & Delights. (Frutimania)

Transformative Nutrition: How RDN Brittany Werner Guides Clients Toward Healthy Eating at Working Against Gravity

When Brittany Werner was growing up in Ripley, Ohio — a tiny farming town nestled on the Ohio River — she desperately wanted to look like her peers. Growing up in the 80s, she says she felt out of place as an overweight child.

“I remember thinking that if I could just ‘figure this out,’ everything would fall into place for me,” says Werner. “Of course, it wasn’t quite that simple.”

But sorting out the nutrition puzzle is exactly what she did: Today, Werner is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Director of Coaching at Working Against Gravity, a 1-1 nutrition coaching program that has worked with over 30,000 members. She has spent the last 17 years guiding thousands of clients toward their health and nutrition goals, using her own personal experience as a foundation for a balanced approach.

Through her coaching at Working Against Gravity, Brittany creates tailored meal plans, empowers clients to build sustainable relationships with food, and uses the company’s cutting-edge technology to connect with people around the country.

“My approach is ‘rooted in science, custom to you,’” says Werner. “We are all unique and what works for one person may not work for the next. However, as a medical professional, I have an obligation to approach your care from a scientifically backed approach that is also custom to your needs.”

Fostering a Mindset for Healthy Eating

In Werner’s home office in Pennsylvania, you’ll see a quote by Zig Ziglar hanging on the wall: “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”

For someone who has worked with top athletes, including Olympians, and has a storied career as a registered dietitian nutritionist, Werner is remarkably adamant about staying humble and keeping an open mind — both when it comes to healthy eating and life in general.

“Take a moment to pause, check your ego at the door, and be willing to listen to other ideas,” says Werner. “Consider for a moment that your preconceived notions and ideas of what your body may need to reach your goal are not accurate. You may need to make some challenging changes in your life.”

Werner graduated with a B.S. in Dietetics and later an M.S. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, but even she acknowledges that the nutrition space can be confusing. It’s difficult for many people to know what the “right” thing to do is in the midst of conflicting information on social media and beyond.

For instance, one common issue she’s noticed is that diet programs tend to be overly restrictive.

“While the intention behind these programs is often to promote positive health outcomes and fast progress, the strict limitations imposed on certain food groups or specific macronutrients can lead to clients feeling overwhelmed, deflated, and eventually giving up altogether,” she says.

Werner’s measured advice: Slow and steady really does win the race. It’s not a flashy approach, but sustainable changes that you can stick with and that fit into your lifestyle are the proven successful steps to long-term behavior change and healthier eating.

Go Ahead and Eat Your Favorite Foods

One day a few years back when Werner was watching Sesame Street with her daughters (now ages 12, 11, and 8), she had a lightbulb moment thanks to the Cookie Monster. He said: “A cookie is a sometimes food!” — the perfect way to explain balance.

Werner isn’t one to tell her clients to exclude their favorite treats. She believes that creating a plan that incorporates your favorite foods in

moderation helps to encourage sustainable eating habits. On the other hand, striving for absolute perfection is a recipe for failure.

“We know that extreme or restrictive diets are often challenging to maintain in the long term,” says Werner. “A balanced approach allows for flexibility, making it more feasible for individuals to adopt and maintain healthy eating patterns over time.”

In other words, if you love cookies or any other special treats, go ahead and munch on them. Just remember they’re an occasional add-on to staples like fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.

The Impact on Clients

It’s difficult for Werner to think of just one favorite story from her time with Working Against Gravity. She recounts several clients who have left their mark on her.

“Each client comes in with a goal, and I pride myself on making their goal mine,” says Werner. “Whether it’s to lose five pounds or

win an Olympic medal, that goal is the most important thing when we are working together.”

However, she does recount one client who came to Working Against Gravity with the goal of learning how to care for herself and fuel her body properly. She was eating all of her meals out or ordering in, so Werner started by teaching her how to make breakfast at home two to three days per week — and worked up from there. After months of working together, this client was eating most of her meals at home, a massive accomplishment for her.

“I’ve had clients go through knee replacements, win national medals in their sports, battle cancer, and sail across oceans,” says Werner. “But the most profound ones are those who walk away knowing that they can manage their nutrition and have learned what their bodies need. There’s nothing more special than that.”

To sign up for coaching with Werner at Working Against Gravity, visit www.workingagainstgravity.com/brittany.

Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla Offers an Exceptional Culinary Diversion

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

Looking for a breakfast-lunch spot with majestic ocean views?

San Diego’s well-established Urban Kitchen Group opened a restaurant last year inside the renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Known as The Kitchen, it’s located in the museum’s flagship La Jolla location, where diners are perched above the sea overlooking the area’s stunning coastline.

Behold the whitecaps from continuous rolling waves below as you savor wholesome Mediterranean-inspired cuisine crafted by executive chef Tim Kolanko and his team.

Restaurateur Tracy Borkum adds her creative

flair to the menu as well, just as she does for the other restaurants within her Urban Kitchen Group. Those venues include the lauded Cucina Urbana in Bankers Hill; Cucina Enoteca in Del Mar; the Urban Kitchen food pavilion at Rady Shell at Jacobs Park; and the global-driven Artifact inside Balboa Park’s Mingei International Museum.

A morning visit to The Kitchen potentially starts with an Americano using Dark Horse Coffee, or better yet, a latte spiced with turmeric, lavender or matcha. If smoothies are your kick starter, look no further than the fresh, tropical “Prospect” constructed with dragon fruit, mango, pineapple and banana. Another option named the “pearl” combines peanut butter with

blueberries, dates, chia seeds and oat milk.

Visiting as a twosome, we arrived at noon with a hankering for both breakfast and lunch. The menu accommodates with hearty dishes that are artfully presented and exquisitely flavored.

“We are very mindful that we’re in a museum—so we are creative,” Kolanko said when asked to summarize the gist of his menu. For that, he described the food as “general Mediterranean with style.”

And that is exactly what we encountered while kicking off our meal with two memorable elixirs from the “refresh” category. The top-selling “aquazul” is a palate-popping drink made with strawberries, lime, mint, ginger beer and

a splash of soda water. Equally enchanting is the “change,” which is a floral lemonade. Both drinks were love at first sip.

A breakfast sandwich capturing semi-spicy house-made sausage and a fried egg receives a gourmet boost with the additions of oven-roasted tomatoes, arugula, Provolone cheese, and garlic aioli. Served on a sesame bun, the sandwich comes with a generous side of smashed potatoes—the kind you see commonly demonstrated on social media but have yet to actually make at home.

Chilaquiles take a ravishing twist with chile morito mole sauce used in lieu of standard salsa. This gives the tortilla chips a dark coating and

deep flavor that play well with queso fresco, pickled onions, avocado and cilantro crema also on the plate.

The prettiest dish on our table was the avocado bowl, which is basically a deconstructed salad of pearl barley, spiced chickpeas, cubed sweet potato, carrots, and cucumber. At the center of it all was a halved avocado sprinkled with pistachio dust. Serving as the dressing was unique carrot molasses and garlic crème fraiche. This is one of those dishes that offer differing and delicious flavors with every forkful.

A sandwich of chicken salad layered with lightly brined artichoke leaves was a cut above

others, just as we expected. It offered a nice texture thanks to “pumpkin seed crunch” plus gem lettuce, pickles, and toasted sourdough bread. We also loved the accompanying za’atar-seasoned french fries, which delivered a delicate Persian essence to the spuds.

Beer, wine, champagne and spirits are also available, and the latter can be added to any of the “refresh” drinks for $5 extra.

The Kitchen offers indoor and outdoor seating in a clean, casual environment. It also features a monthly series of four-course dinners each based on a particular in-season food ingredient. Starting March 7, for example, the spotlighted ingredient will be cacao. That will be followed by shoots and sprouts on April 4; and then peas on May 2. The cost is $110 per person, with wine pairings available at an additional cost. Reservations are required.

The Kitchen at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is located at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. For information, call 619-8808719 or visit www.urbankitchengroup.com.

The chicken-artichoke sandwich with za’atar fries (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

A zesty breakfast sandwich with smashed potatoes (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

Chilaquiles (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

The avocado bowl (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

(l to r) The “change” and “aquazul” drinks (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

A front section of the museum (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

A big-windowed dining room awaits inside The Kitchen (H2 Public Relations)

Back in the day, I used to believe that to savor quality Chinese cuisine, a road trip to Orange County or LA was a must. But guess what? San Diego is rewriting the script, emerging as a hub for mouthwatering Asian dining. It’s like the city itself is saying, “Why travel when the avors are right here?” Similar to the in ux of Northern Californians relocating to San Diego, the demand for good Asian food has risen signi cantly. Now, with my pals from New Jersey in town for three weeks, our mission is clear: dive into the local food scene, with a special focus on Chinese gems. Below is a list of the restaurants we are eager to try:

1)Chef Zhu

In the heart of North County, Chef Zhu’s place is not just a restaurant; it’s a gathering spot where folks come together for good times and great food. We’re talking Shanghainese delights that make your taste buds dance - succulent lion’s head meatballs, tender braised pork knuckles, and the crispiest pan-fried glutinous rice cakes.

2)The Noble Chef (豪記)

Balboa Avenue has this hidden gem specializing in traditional Cantonese dishes. Chef Jia Hao Zhu’s expertise lies in gorgeous roast meat dishes, such as Peking duck and roast pork.

3)Taste of Hong Kong

A slice of Cantonese heaven, this place is a branch of Cui House, earning its stripes in China’s Black Pearl Restaurant Guide. Imagine sinking your teeth into Cantonese roast duck, crispy slow-roasted pork belly, and salted egg yolk chicken wings.

4)Golden Island And Diamond Palace

Mira Mesa is buzzing with the revival of Golden Island, a haven for Chinese banquet specialties, dim sum, and jazz lovers. And the excitement doesn’t stop - they’ve expanded to the College Area with Diamond Palace. Dim sum favorites like pork siu mai and shrimp har gow dumplings await, and there’s room for 700 guests to join the party with live music and dance oors.

5)YinTang Spicy Hot Pot

Convoy Street is now home to the popular Taiwanese hot pot chain, YinTang. Dive into mouth-numbing “mala” spicy soups with your own bowl creation at the do-it-yourself meat and vegetable bu et.

6)Tasty Noodle House

Straight from Los Angeles, Tasty Noodle House is a Shanghainese delight haven. Brace yourself for the numbingly spicy sh llet and beef with spicy sauce, and don’t miss out on the Shanghai pan-fried pork buns topped with black sesame seeds - trust me, they’re a game-changer.

7)Meet Dumpling

Point Loma is where you’ll nd this cozy spot that takes dump-

lings to a whole new level. Picture plump boiled dumplings with various llings, spicy beef noodle soup, and unique sides like shredded pig ears and seaweed salad with Szechuan peppercorns. It’s a dumpling paradise!

8)Qin West Noodle

Straight out of Los Angeles, this noodle joint is on a mission to bring provincial dishes to San Diego. House-made noodles, cold liangpi noodles, and spicy wonton noodle soups are just the tip of the iceberg, with the Guilin noodle soup stealing the show.

9)Village Kitchen家湘味

Part of the Dong Ting Chun chain, this spot in San Diego is like a cozy escape decorated with festive Chinese lanterns. Stinky tofu, steamed medicinal chicken soup, and Grandma’s braised pork with steamed buns - it’s a trip to traditional China without leaving the city.

10)Shancheng Lameizi Hot Pot

With a 30-year history, this hot pot spot from Beijing brings a touch of elegance to the Chongqing specialty. Choose your soup base, dive into house-made mashed shrimp paste, and indulge in wagyu and Kobe beef - it’s a hot pot experience like no other.

In a nutshell, San Diego’s Chinese food scene is not just about satisfying your cravings; it’s a journey into avors, traditions, and unforgettable moments. So, let the culinary exploration begin!

Tina Wu

Broker Associate® CalDRE #02070656

Direct: (760) 473-8649

STRAVEL WITH TROY

kiing and snowboarding are enjoyed by people all across the globe and growing up only a few hours away from a mountain I can attest that it is such a wonderful sport. However, with rising prices each year and limited time for vacations hitting the slopes may seem inaccessible or not worth the time and the money. As someone who doesn’t own skis or boots yet still tries to ski once a year it can easily push to $1000+ vacation taking into account ski lift tickets, rental equipment, lodging, transportation, food, and miscellaneous items. The biggest item on this list is the lift tickets as they can easily push $200+ for a single day and even with passes like Ikon and Epic, where you pay a flat fee for the whole year, it is still a lot if you are not planning multiple trips.

All of this leads to my story today about thinking of skiing outside the US and looking towards places like Japan, Europe, and South America. With world-famous ski resorts, inexpensive ski lift tickets, and beautiful lodging that won’t break the bank, international skiing can be a great alternative that you may never considered. Before I get ahead of myself I must address the first thought that popped into your head: it costs a lot more to get to the destination so this doesn’t make sense for me let alone a big family. So hear me out, I am all about maximizing your money and time and I would never lead you astray. Traveling to far places can be a headache and costly. I’ll address the latter first, if you have been reading my articles you know how much I stress how easy it is to find cheap flights on good airlines (aka One World Alliance, Skyteam, Star Alliance, etc) to places like Europe and Japan for around $450 to $650 round trip with companies like Google flights or Going (a free subscription dedicated to sending you cheap flights from your home airport). The secret sauce of then finding good deals you might ask? Just a little bit of patience and planning ahead. If you are looking to travel to top ski resorts like Jackson Hole or Aspen they easily can run $400 round trip which has always blown my mind. You can spend $50 more and get to Switzerland!

So now that we got the flight issue resolved let’s discuss the headache part of long-distance travel. I get it, there is no getting around the long hours spent traveling to a des-

tination however I am a big proponent of grouping your allocated vacation time and money towards a trip that can check off multiple boxes. In other words, if I were planning a trip to Niseko (one of the most iconic mountains in the world for fresh powder and arguably the best slopeside food in Japan) I would group a trip in Tokyo for a few nights, head down to Kyoto and Universal Studios near Osaka and make my way to the slopes to finish off the trip. I can safely say the pricing of lift tickets and lodging will be at least 70% cheaper. Now you got to visit the world’s #1 destination, Japan, according to Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards, while also getting your ski fix for the year as well! So you may break even or spend a little bit more in total but you also got to travel to a bucket list destination while getting to ski in a completely new and exciting environment. I wish I had more space to break down all the exact costs but I have already been told I take up too much space as it is, so I’ll leave just a few of my top destinations below where to ski and see a beautiful country at the same time.

• Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France

• Kitzbühel, Austria

• Cerro Catedral, Argentina

• Zermatt, Switzerland

• Revelstoke, Canada

sit at its finest. views over the golf course and to the ocean in all the main living areas. Interior features superior attention to detail with -

Exquisite Santa Barbara-style residence nestled in the prestigious guard-gated community of Santaluz, offering panoramic views of the golf course and the mesmerizing ocean from the main living areas. This luxurious, single level home is situated on a tranquil cul-de-sac street, providing a private and serene environment. With 5,683 sqft of spacious interior, the home was custom designed to incorporate indoor/outdoor living at its finest. You’ll enjoy sweeping views west facing views over the golf course and to the ocean in all the main living areas. Interior features superior attention to detail with beautiful hardwood floors, solid wood doors & cabinets throughout, copper clad doors and windows & custom chande liers. Featuring 5 generously sized bedrooms/4 full baths with an additional half bath within the residence & a conve nient half bath accessible from the back patio. Dream kitchen with Wolf double range/oven & warming drawer; SubZero fridge & beverage fridge; and expansive wood island for gathering & entertaining. Embrace the epitome of Santa Barbara style, where luxury meets functionality in this meticulously designed residence with unparalleled views and exceptional features.

MarketActionIndex

Thisanswers“How’stheMarket?”bycomparingrateofsalesversusinventory.

The market continues to get hotter. More

demand and fewer homes listed have contributed to a relatively long run of increasing prices. Current supply and demand levels show no sign of prices changing from their current trend.

Each

by price.

CoolGrays and Icy whites had a longer than average run for popular paint colors in interior design. Greige and Taupe ruled the hallways and walls. Kitchen and bath cabinets were mostly polar whites. To create contrast, island cabinets have been cold grays. Wait - I just described my kitchen!

Let’s face it, the years of grays and whites didn’t create cozy huggable environments, but we liked the vibe. We added so greige tones and charcoal black hardware to really warm things up. Sometimes a brass or copper color really made a room sizzle!

Well it’s time for a change! Colors for 2024 are moving in from the outside. Open your front door to nature and it’s warm, soothing colors. e zen greens and sky blues are really mixing it up! It’s a big change in the look of today’s homes. e colors are bold and beautiful. ey are dramatic in their design statement. at said, they are not for everyone!

Benjamin Moore chose Blue Nova for its 2024 Color of the Year. Sherwin Williams picked Upward. Pantone Color of the Year is Peach Fuzz! at’s quite a unique array of colors! So my take is “anything goes this year”.

e color trends range from so hues to bright bold statements. Accent walls are back creating a “wow” in boring rooms. When you delight in these strict colors you may restrict yourself in creation. And remember, you will have to see that rose-colored wall every day. So choose wisely and think about how that color makes you feel. Would it be better to add that rose color by adding a pillow or wall art?

Home colors can be very regional. California is distinctly di erent from many other areas of our country.

Southern California is in a world of its own. We live in a really active, outdoor environment with mostly warm weather. Our homes sometimes re ect that. Let’s face it, a family room in Kentucky won’t have a sur oard on a wall. Toile wallpaper isn’t a usual staple in our bathrooms like many homes in the south. We live in California, the golden state. Our designs are unique compared to many places. Anything goes!

So when new paint colors are introduced every year do not fret! Keep the colors you love and want to live with. It’s your house and what makes you feel good. You don’t need to start repainting. Add color in your rooms with accessories. at way you can always keep up with color trends.

I like my gray/blue island. I like my polar white cabinets. So to keep up with the times I bought a new rug with a bit of green accents and added a green candle to my island. I let nature in by adding a plant to my windowsill. It most likely won’t live long, but I tried! It can be as simple as that!

Decorate your home for you to enjoy!

Choose what you love!

at is always the right choice!

Nancy Crawford

Realtor CalDRE #02041919

Direct: (858) 775-8963

Ray Shay

Broker Associate® CalDRE #01946504

Direct: (858) 449-4970

Tina Wu

Broker Associate® CalDRE #02070656

Direct: (760) 473-8649

精通国,台语

eresa Whitty

Client Care Manager

Direct: (858) 740-0444

Nancy Crawford

Realtor CalDRE #02041919

Direct: (858) 775-8963

Tu Nguyen

Realtor® CalDRE #01358370

Direct: (619) 889-5777

Also speaks Vietnamese

Rancho Santa Fe Foundation Welcomes Linda Kitchens as Executive Board Chair

Linda brings a background in financial services and a passion for community to the role

Rancho Santa Fe Foundation celebrates the installation of its new executive board chair, Oceanside resident and longtime community advocate Linda Kitchens, who officially took the helm on January 1, 2024. As board chair, Linda will lead and engage Rancho Santa Fe Foundation’s 15-member board of directors, oversee a $14 million grants budget, supervise the Foundation’s chief executive officer, and represent the Foundation in the community, among other duties.

Linda’s involvement with Rancho Santa Fe Foundation began in January 2020 as a member of the Finance and Strategic Planning Committee. She was introduced to the Foundation through its former President and CEO, Christy Wilson, and grew to know the Foundation as the place to help people create and enhance their impact and family legacy. Linda hit the ground running by introducing and later implementing several enhancements to the Foundation’s budgeting and operational decision-making processes, which helped streamline grantmaking for greater impact. In January 2022, she ascended to the role of Finance Committee chair and also became the Foundation’s treasurer.

Linda brings investment and business acumen to her new leadership role—thanks in part to a successful career in wealth management—while maintaining a keen focus on the Foundation’s mission to connect philanthropists with nonprofits to amplify and accelerate the impact of both.

“Not only is Linda a brilliant leader and mentor, she is also someone who isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and get things done,” said Karen Sprigle, interim president and CEO, Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. “We are fortunate to work so closely with her, and I am confident that the wealth of experience and strategic vision she brings will propel the Foundation to new heights for even greater impact in our community.”

Linda has lived in North County since 1985. She currently resides in Oceanside, where she enjoys spending time with her grown children and granddaughter, practicing yoga, reading, cooking and enjoying the beach.

A history of giving back in San Diego (and around the world)

Over the years, Linda’s participation with nonprofit organizations in San Diego—including Girl Scouts San Diego, Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club, TERI Legacy Advisory Council and others—has served as a testament to her dedication to positively impacting and empowering local communities. While serving as president of Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club, Linda had opportunities to travel abroad and develop relationships and a sharp eye to best evaluate community needs and what’s needed to effect remarkable change. She is also a founding member of Hand to Hand, which focuses on empowering local women and girls to implement positive change in their lives, and served as head of the finance committee from 2008 to 2010.

In her career with financial services provider Aspiriant, Linda co-chairs the company’s Women Taking Charge initiative, which fosters mentorship and educational opportunities to empower women within and outside the organization. Additionally, Linda was recently recognized as a finalist in San Diego Magazine’s 2023 “Celebrating Women” awards, which spotlights extraordinary women who have greatly impacted various fields across San Diego.

“Linda is a shining example of a strong leader and she serves as a remarkable representative of the Foundation,” said Amy Myers, vice president of philanthropy, Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. “She is extremely dedicated to her family, her profession, and to growing Rancho Santa Fe

Foundation. We look forward to what the future holds for the Foundation with Linda at the helm!”

Spearheading goals for impactful giving at Rancho Santa Fe Foundation

For Linda, there is much to be excited about in her new role with Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. “I’m looking forward to leveraging our expertise and executing our growth plans so we can inspire others to come together to have an even greater impact in our community,” she shared. “At the Foundation, we creatively serve and exceed the expectations of our donors and fundholders. We are the place to help people enhance their impact.”

There are many ways to give through Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. The Foundation’s three collaborative grantmaking pillars can make a significant impact by providing a larger, collective fund that can be strategically directed toward

key community needs: Supporting Our Heroes (formerly, The Patriots Connection), Advancing Education and Building Healthy Communities. To grant a gift to one of the Impact Pillars, reach out to Rancho Santa Fe Foundation directly.

About Rancho Santa Fe Foundation

Rancho Santa Fe Foundation is the bridge that connects forward-thinking philanthropists in North County San Diego with outstanding nonprofit institutions. The Foundation serves as a convener, bringing the right people and organizations together to help donors leverage impact and nonprofits accelerate progress. Learn more at www.rsffoundation.org.

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The Face of

Banking

Adriana Brunner

Adriana “Adri” Brunner is a native of Medellín, Colombia. She is the Director of Business Development for MyPoint Credit Union. Adri has over 26 years of experience in banking, business development, marketing, PR, and partnership development.

She has championed business development, community relations, and partnership development for the credit union during the last 16 years. During her career, she has offered over 600 financial literacy workshops in English/Spanish and has worked closely with the small business community through education, activism, and leadership. She holds a B.S in Economics, Master’s in Strategic Management, and a Master’s in International Finances from Colombian Universities. She also holds an MBA with a Minor in Marketing and graduate certifications in communications, social media, and clean energy.

Adriana MyPoint Credit Union San Diego 858-495-3400 / mypointcu.com

Felena Hanson

My career has spanned everything from technology start-ups to higher education. In 2003, I set off to become an entrepreneur after my position as director of marketing was eliminated due to the sale of the venture-backed firm for which I worked. I have never looked back and proudly call myself unemployable!

When I launched my first business, Perspective Marketing, I found my passion for supporting other female entrepreneurs through leadership roles with several professional women’s organizations, including Women’s Global Network and Ladies Who Launch.

In 2010, I recognized the trend of the gig economy and the rise of coworking spaces. After nine months of research, I saw a gap in the market for a space that was especially welcoming to women. I launched my first coworking space in San Diego, California, in 2011 and have since built six additional locations across the country. Hera Hub, named after the Greek Goddess of Women, still stands out in the sea of thousands of coworking spaces. This is not only due to its spa-inspired elements but also because of the robust business support. In addition to in-person, communitybuilding events, our online platform provides members with daily mentoring, accountability, and educational sessions to keep them connected and productive.

Over the last decade, Hera Hub and its family of brands have helped over 13,000 women start or grow their businesses. I am on a mission to reach over 20,000 women. Hera Hub is a Certified Public Benefit Corporation, which commits our company to higher standards of purpose, accountability, and transparency.

In addition to just-in-time business acceleration through daily programming and GURUS, I created two virtual business accelerator programs, which are part of our

organization’s public-benefit mission. Each year, hundreds of business owners access these programs for free. In 2022, Hera Hub’s

The Green Flag Is Out, And The 2024 366 Begins!

It’s All About Romance and Fun!

THIS WILL BE A FAST AND FUN YEAR.

By Bob Morey

SIWelcome to 2024. Before you tell me ‘There are only 365 days in the year Bob’, it’s Leap year. But now that the green flag has dropped for the 2024 366, let’s make the most of it. While many of the performing arts companies took a short breather after a jampacked December, it’s now game on and some of the biggest shows of the year are coming through over the next month…and some that will be…well…just fun to see…so let’s get to it.

o far this month, you’ve already had fun with Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, The Super Bowl, and the Daytona 500. If you took my advice last month, you got tickets for a show (which you can still do) and used them as a double-up during your romantic dinner. If you didn’t double up, you still have about 12 days left this month to recover. So here are some options for you to choose from.

humor, mystery, and heart. Outside Mullingar Has been extended through March 3rd.

Now playing in the park at The Old Globe on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage is Age of Innocence, Written By Edith Wharton, Adapted by Karen Zacarías, and Directed by Chay Yew. This Globe-commissioned world premiere , based on Edith Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize–winning classic, is set in the 1870s Gilded Age New York City, where high society clashes with love. When the glamorous Countess Ellen Olenska sweeps into town, she upends the lives of everyone around her, especially the dashing lawyer Newland Archer. This new adaptation for the is the kind of lush period production for which The Old Globe is renowned. Age of Innocence plays through March 10 th .

Also currently playing at The San Diego Musical Theatre is Fiddler on the Roof, from a Book by Joseph Stein and Music by Jerry Bock with Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick . Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy, and sadness. Fiddler runs until March 10 th

The lavish and stunning Shen Yun is passing through our county, starting in Escondido on January 16th through the 18th at the Center for the Arts and from the 19th to the 21st at the Civic Theatre. For those of you who haven’t seen the mass advertising campaign that started in November, here’s the back story. Over the past decades, the Chinese Communist Party has treated traditional culture as a threat to its rule. Through campaigns like the Cultural Revolution, it has systematically uprooted traditional beliefs and destroyed ancient treasures, bringing 5,000 years of civilization to the brink of extinction. Starting in 2006, a group of classical Chinese artists came together in New York with a mission: to revive the traditional, divinely inspired culture of China and share it with the world. They created Shen Yun. China’s ancient name, “The Land of the Divine” tells of a world where deities and mortals together walked the Earth. Music, medicine, calligraphy, clothing, language, and much more were said to have been brought down from above. Buddhism, Taoism, and other disciplines were at the heart of society. Emperors sought to follow the Way of Heaven, and daily life was replete with rituals connecting the human and the divine. From the Yellow Emperor of antiquity to the splendor of the Tang Dynasty all the way to the exquisite elegance of the Qing, the lineage of Chinese civilization runs five millennia deep. It is a story brimming with heroes real and imagined, their legacy preserved in tales of courage and sacrifice, integrity and loyalty, compassion, and virtue. The ruling communist regime has viewed China’s rich spiritual and artistic heritage as a threat to its ideology and, for decades, tried to erase it. Nothing like this can be seen in China today, and 5,000 years of Chinese civilization were almost lost. In fact, Shen Yun is still not allowed to perform there. But outside of China, through dance, music, costumes, and legends Shen Yun has sparked a cultural renaissance that can be seen worldwide.

Not to be outdone, The San Diego Opera is bringing one of the greatest operas ever composed to the Civic Theatre with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s epic Don Giovanni on February 2nd and 4th Don Giovanni, which is considered by many to be the most perfect opera ever, is a dramatic opera full of seduction and revenge that tells the story of the legendary libertine and seducer of the same name. The opera explores love, morality, and the consequences of people’s actions, and revolves around Don Giovanni’s amorous escapades. Don Giovanni should not be missed, especially if this would be your first time at the opera.

Making its San Diego premiere at the San Diego Civic Theatre starting on March 5 th is MJ. One of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to San Diego as MJ , the multi-Tony Award-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage , MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ through the 10 th .

The Old Globe is back with its first of 2024 with English, from January 27th through February 18th at the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre. Written By Sanaz Toossi and Directed by Arya Shahi. English is the winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize, the Obie Award, and the Lucille Lortel Award. Set in a classroom near Tehran, four adult students prepare for an English proficiency exam. They each have a reason for being there: a chance at opportunity, access, or a new calling. But as they bond over this new way to express themselves, they also grapple with the lives they must leave behind. Told with hilarious wit and genuine compassion, Sanaz Toossi’s English is both a buoyant comedy of communication and a subtle but probing exploration of what it means to speak and feel understood.

Across the bay in Coronado and already playing at The Lamb’s Players Theatre is Outside Mullingar, Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley and features two of the region’s leading theatre couples, Robert Smyth & Deborah Gilmour Smyth and Brian Mackey & Rachael Van Wormer. Outside Mullingar is a marvelous Irish story about family, love, and property boundaries. Filled with

Popping through for one night only is Michael Flatley’s

One of the hottest tickets in town playing right now is Redwood at The La Jolla Playhouse. Broadway icon Idina Menzel makes her La Jolla Playhouse debut in the world premiere of Redwood, a one-of-a-kind theatrical event about one woman’s journey into the precious and precarious world of the redwoods. Idina plays Jesse, a successful businesswoman, mother and wife. She seems to have it all, but inside, her heart is broken. Finding herself at a turning point, Jesse leaves everyone and everything behind, gets in her car and drives… and drives. Thousands of miles later, she hits the ancient forests of Northern California, where a chance meeting and a leap of faith changed her life forever. In the presence of the magnificent, towering redwoods, Jesse finds strange and powerful connections, an unexpected sense of community, and a chance at healing. Acclaimed writer and director Tina Landau ( Beauty ) brings this immersive and cinematic new work to life with lush visuals and a soaring score from Kate Diaz. You will travel with Jesse into an intoxicating environment of dense greenery, fractured light and dizzying heights – a place where nature can help us heal, if only we don’t destroy her first. Redwood is with us until March 31 st .

Lord of the Dance on February 6th at the Civic Theatre. For a quarter of a century, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance has been dazzling audiences across the globe with its unique combination of high-energy Irish dancing, original music, storytelling, and sensuality. Michael Flatley once said, “Everyone in the world will tell you, ‘No, it can’t be done.’ Every time I hear that, I know I’m close to success.” For the 25th anniversary of Lord of the Dance, Flatley has taken the show to the next level with new staging, costumes, and choreography, plus cutting-edge technology, special effects, and remarkable lighting. Since its premiere 25 years ago, it has become one the most successful touring productions in entertainment history, having been seen by over 60 million people. It’s one of the shows this year that will be just sheer fun and a celebration of one of the world’s great entertainment experiences.

The Cygnet has become one of my favorite theatre companies of late, as they turn out some of the best theatre productions show after show. On the 24th, they kick 2024 off with Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Written By Lanie Robertson and Directed by Wren T. Brown. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill recounts Billie Holiday’s life story through the songs that made her famous. Set in 1959, in a small, intimate bar in Philadelphia, Holiday puts on a show that unbeknownst to the audience, will leave them witnesses to one of the last performances of her lifetime. Through her poignant voice and moving songs, one of the greatest jazz singers of all time shares her loves and her losses. Emerson’s Bar & Grill is an inspiring, soulful story featuring Karole Foreman (A Little Night Music) as Billie Holiday in what should be a Tour de Force performance. Billie sings through February 18th.

The North Coast Rep is keeping the laughs rolling with Molière’s Tartuffe. Translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur and Directed by Richard Baird. Molière’s Tartuffe is acknowledged as one of the most enduring comedic masterpieces in the theatrical canon, is given an astonishingly clever translation by two-time Pulitzer Prize poet Richard Wilbur. The charlatan Tartuffe worms his way into a wealthy family, causing disruption and pandemonium. With wicked precision and brilliantly rhyming verses, this highly satiric comedy skewers religious hypocrisy, duplicity, lust, and self-inflicted chaos. Lovers of classic theatre and ingenious wordplay will not want to miss this inventively entertaining evening. This exciting take on a classic is not to be missed! Tartuffe plays from March 6th to March 31 st .

Across the bay in Coronado and already playing at The Lamb’s Players Theatre is Outside Mullingar, Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley and features two of the region’s leading theatre couples, Robert Smyth & Deborah Gilmour Smyth and Brian Mackey & Rachael Van Wormer. Outside Mullingar is a marvelous Irish story about family, love, and property boundaries. Filled with humor, mystery, and heart. Outside Mullingar runs through February 18th

Already playing at The North Coast Rep is Intimate Apparel, Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist Lynn Nottage and Directed by Jasmine Bracey. Lynn Nottage has stitched together a powerful tale with an array of characters whose intertwining relationships are told with humor, heartbreak, and resiliency. In this deeply affecting story, we are taken into the world of a lonely, talented Black seamstress, living in a Manhattan boardinghouse in 1905 but dreaming of a more fulfilling life. This enduring favorite has enthralled, entertained, and touched audiences around the country for years. Intimate Apparel runs through February 4th.

And since we have a few shows that are just sheer fun for this month, I would be remiss if I left this one out: Ladies And Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Children of ALL ages! Circus Vargas, The Big One is Back! for another epic adventure under the big top for 2024 and something amazing is in the works!! More laughs, more thrills, and more priceless memories for all and it’s always a fun night at the circus. So See Circus Vargas Now! Circus Vargas is currently in National City and moves to Mission Valley on March 8 th

And since we have a few shows that are just sheer fun for this month, I would be remiss if I left this one out: Ladies And Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Children of ALL ages! Circus Vargas, The Big One is Back! for another epic adventure under the big top for 2024 with 3 stops starting on January 26th through February 12th at the North County Mall. Something amazing is in the works!! More laughs, more thrills, and more priceless memories for all and it’s always a fun night at the circus. So See Circus Vargas Now! Circus Vargas will move to National City starting on February 14th and Mission Valley on March 8th

As our 2024 season moves right along, it just seems to get better and better. There are some upcoming shows I have my eye on and have already marked my calendar. The next two months are going to go by in a blur, but I’ll do my best to keep track of the hot tickets for you. Until next month, Break-A-Leg.

This year is already off to a fast and fun start, and next month has several more shows slated to open that will match what’s playing this month. 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most memorable years that San Diego will recall for many years to come. Don’t miss out.

Our Ramona / A Community Unites in Song

BY BART MENDOZA ©

There are many fine music communities in San Diego, but currently nothing quite compares to what is happening in Ramona. The town’s musicians have banded together, creating new places and events to play, a new level of camaraderie amongst performers and recently released a compilation album, Our Ramona, celebrating both the town and its musical inhabitants. Helmed by the recently founded Ramona Music Alliance (RMA), numerous folks helped out in the process of getting the album to the public, with Doug Walker (funding), Jon Hasz (recording) and Ashley E Norton (organizing etc.), doing much of the heavy lifting. A total of sixteen artists are featured, including Chloe Lou, Desert Crossing, Thea the Band, Dusty Record and Danielle Hughes.

What was the inspiration for the Our Ramona compilation? “My first answer is … Ramona!”, Doug Walker said good naturedly. “The landscapes, the people, the town and the music scene collectively. Ramona, that was the inspiration. That’s what inspired us all to write Ramona songs.”

“But there’s more to it in terms of specifics,” Walker continued. “When my wife and I first moved to Ramona after 35+ years in a nice two-story tract home on a small lot in Scripps Ranch to a bigger single story custom home on 4.5 acres with almost 360-degree panoramic views, I was blown away. The mountains in the distance, the vast grasslands, the wildlife. All I could think of was that compared to any place else I’d ever lived… “it’s the Hills of Ramona for me” .“I sent, what now is just the first verse and chorus of a four verse and chorus song, “The Hills of Ramona”, to my realtor. He added pictures from Tim Connelly, posted it on his website and it got 20,000 views and hundreds of positive comments from so many people who love this town.” Walker sang his song at Wine and Jam, a monthly event at Three Hills Winery, co-founded with Danielle Hughes, Leah Keane and Steve Tally. “Then Danielle wrote a song about Ramona. I’d heard Ashley’s “Ramona Rockstar” song, so we had three Ramona songs. Then, at a Songbirds of Ramona concert, I heard (singer-songwriter) Thea’s “My Ramona” song so now four songs, four really good songs and it occurred to me we should do a CD of Ramona Songs… that was literally “the inspirational moment” for the Our Ramona compilation CD.”

Sharing that thought with Norton and Thea that evening, Walker also Jon Hasz how many songs would be needed to create a full CD. “Ashley put the word out to the RMA folks.

BAM! Twelve more Ramona songs showed up so now we had sixteen Ramona songs. I knew we had to do it, if only to have all of these songs together on one CD for the artists to enjoy, and maybe sell at their gigs. So I offered to fund the project having no idea it would explode into all it has become, not just a CD of great songs, not just an epic launch concert, not just a unifier of all kinds of people who supported this project, but a classic timeless recording that can be shared by businesses, realtors and citizens with customers, prospects, family and friends for decades to come.” Beyond being able to help promote

the artists and community itself, funds raised by album sales are being donated to the Ramona Town Hall Restoration Project. “They have an amazing performance hall that we are trying to raise awareness for,” said Hasz. “One day, it will be home to many concerts and community dances.” Norton concurs. “That and it has so much cool history!,” she said. “There’s a great story about when the Barnett family giving the town hall to Ramona in 1895. They were quite conservative and declared it dry. As in no alcohol.

So the Mason’s got mad and buried a bottle of whiskey into the adobe walls so there would always be alcohol at the townhall. This could just be folklore but I love the story and actually wrote a song about it. It kinda reminds me of the RMA. That’s definitely something we would do.”

Currently the album is available online via the RMA Bandcamp page, with CD’s available at shops throughout Ramona. “You can find it at Ramona Family Naturals, Pamo Valley Winery, Reds, Whites & Brews, Ramona Ranch Winery, Ramona Music Center, Cattle Dog Coffee, Ramona Chamber of Commerce and soon to be more,” Norton said.

Our Ramona was released with a special concert and more events surrounding the album are planned. “The event was a wild success.,” Hasz noted. “We sold over 250 albums by the end of the release date and sales continue to this day. In addition, it was our unofficial holiday party so there was a lot to celebrate and celebrate we did!” The performers all brought their A game “and we were so lucky to have Ramona Radio support the night. They coordinated a red carpet and limo entrance for all musicians and swinging sky lights to frame the night into something out of an old 40’s Hol-

lywood dream. Every song from the CD was performed by the musicians involved and set the bar very high for all our future events.”

Music fans will be happy to hear that a follow up album is under consideration. “Absolutely!.” Hasz said. “Our only question is about the theme. There are so many potential spin offs to possibly do, so we are very busy brainstorming.”

For her part, Norton is thrilled with the album’s success and community involvement. “I loved watching everyone come together and work towards a greater goal,” she said. “This project was never about single musicians; it was about a group of like-minded musicians and their love for their small town. People on the project donated their time for art direction (Cathryn Beeks), website development (Michael Dean Goodrich), funding (Doug Walker), and other volunteers at the show like Chloe Lou, Leah Keane, Dana Duplan, Leslie Liddie, Brett MacKinga and more!”

She is also grateful for gifts that organizers gave each other as thank you’s for their hard work “It was really cool. We printed out a big poster for Ramona Radio and everyone signed it, we gave Leslie a guitar shaped firepit, as she sold at least 150 of those CDs for us. Doug also gave some of us hats and shirts with the RMA logo and Brett MacKinga gave him a guitar signed by all of us. Plus, the party. Good luck to all of us in topping that one!” With the Our Ramona album now in the history books, Norton is looking towards the future. “The Ramona Music Alliance has only been around for a year and I can’t believe what we’ve accomplished. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

https://ramonamusicalliance.bandcamp. com/album/our-ramona

www.RamonaMusicCenter.com

The Game / 20 Years of New Songs

One of San Diego’s finest musical traditions, The Game, celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary this month, with a special show at the Ould Sod on February 25, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.. The events premise? Write a song to one of the offered titles and present it to your peers at the concert. This time out the proposed song titles are: “Fish Tank” and “Pressing On.” Some of the tunes proffered at show time might be good, some might be great, but all in attendance will have fun listening to the new creations. Notably this edition will be sponsored by Dave Michaels of Sanctuary Lab who will be selecting his favorite song and offering to produce the song at no cost to the songwriter.”

Helmed by Catherine Beeks of Listen Local Radio since it’s 2004 inception, she took inspiration for The Game from a quartet of notable songwriters. “In 2003 Jeff Berkley invited me to participate in a small offshoot of, The Game, a songwriter challenge started by Bob Schneider that Jeff often played with Steve Poltz and Gregory Page while on tour. The Game offers title prompts to inspire songs. I was so inspired by the experience that I borrowed the idea and Listen Local held our first Game at The Honey Bee Hive on January 17, 2004. It continued every few months at various venues and house concerts and we’re still playing 20 years later.”

Beeks notes that many great songs have been written for The Game… “and many bands formed over the years thanks to The Game,” she said. “There is a Facebook group for

The Game with past prompts and submissions from participants that people can join and enjoy and even write songs to our past prompts, too.”

Is she surprised by The Game’s longevity? “Honestly, not really,” she said. “I mean, it’s such a great tool for songwriters of all skill levels. We all get writer’s block at some point. Listen Local’s Game events, like all of our events, are really relaxed, welcoming and encouraging so we get a lot of repeat participants.”

What’s the most difficult thing about organizing the event? “Finding the right venue has been the most challenging,” Beeks remarked. “I’ve always tried to host The Game on a Sunday afternoon and we like to support venues or restaurants

when possible. Sometimes sports get in the way, lol. The Game requires finding a place with a “listening room” atmosphere with decent parking where we can gather and share our songs, which we normally do unplugged.”

In addition to The Game, Beeks continues to be one of the busiest music supporters in town. “Besides the Game, which will continue every few months, I’ve started The Acoustic Alliance again and plan to host that every quarter. I’m also hosting song circles a few times a month in my hometown of Ramona and I’ll be heading into the studio with Jeff Berkley in March to record a new collection of songs, most of them Game songs, to be released this Spring/Summer. Listen Local

Motion, my vintage bread truck, will be back in action this Summer, too, up here in Ramona on our Thursday Cruise Nights on Main Street, offering vintage clothing, a. With two decades of experience with The Game behind her, what’s Beeks favorite thing about the event? “Hearing other songs written to the same title you just wrote to is always cool,” she said. “It’s so interesting to see how different folks interpret and create to the same phrase or title. It’s fascinating. Plus, the camaraderie and time spent playing for each other is beautiful. We have a core group of Gamers that always attend, and we welcome those first time gamers, too!”

www.ListenLocalRadio.com

www.CathrynBeeks.com

NAMM 2024 / San Diego Musicians in the Spotlight!

NAMM 2024 (aka The National Association for Music Merchandisers) was another one for the record books, as it made its annual return to the Anaheim Convention Center, January 25-28, in Anaheim, CA. The four-day event, which showcased the latest in musical innovation and gear for merchants and musicians alike, attracted thousands of attendees from around the world. Notably, NAMM’s headquarters are in Carlsbad, also hosting the Museum of Making Music. Along with the educational seminars and vast array of exhibits, including an impressive display of Prince’s stately grand

host to a plethora of musical talent, including many performers from San Diego. The Anthony Cullins Band, Slack Key ‘Ohana and Daring Greatly were among the artists that joined such international legends as music icon Stevie Wonder, Elton John guitarist Caleb Quaye and Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer and guitarist Larry Mitchell, just a few of the artists on hand at this year’s NAMM to entertain the masses. A great time was had by all. Sandra Castillo

piano, on loan from the late performer’s Paisley Park estate, NAMM 2024 played

Inthis month’s article, I would like to introduce a 4S Ranch resident, Keith Barnett, and his wonderful family. Keith and his wife, Kristen, met when they attended SDSU. ey have two kids together, 13-year-old Juliana and 17-year-old Dylan, and both were born in San Diego. Juliana was about a year old when the family moved to New York.

In the summer of 2018, the Barnett family moved back to San Diego and directly into 4S Ranch. At rst, neither Juliana nor Dylan wanted to move from New York because of the friendships they had established. e reason Keith and Kristen chose 4S Ranch was due to Kristen’s sister, who was one of the original 4S Ranch residents and a cheerleader who talked them into it. e school district and personal safety were the two main factors they settled into 4S Ranch. Both Juliana and Dylan were able to assimilate and make friends quickly. Now, they love it here. Juliana is in 8th grade and goes to Oak Valley Middle School and Dylan is a junior at Del Norte High School, and he is involved in several clubs at the school. Kristen is a professional shopper and currently works for Nordstrom. She has been in the same industry for a number of years, and she is great at her job because she is such a people-person.

When they moved back to San Diego in 2018, Keith worked in the fashion apparel and footwear industry. His heart and passion were in fashion and soccer. In 2021, he took a leap of faith and ran a startup soccer brand company called “Vive Create Future” with a group of friends who shared a common passion for soccer, fashion, and helping children. Vive is an athletic premiere high level soccer gear brand with style and purpose. ey make and design soccer uniforms and soccer balls.

Vive has out tted soccer clubs from New York to San Diego as well internationally. eir very rst sale was sold here in 4S Ranch to the 4S Men Soccer League. Vive has been out tting them since its inception. ey have also sold to the San Diego Soccer Club who sponsors their recreational programs for RB Rec and PQ Rec. A lot of the kids who play soccer there actually live in 4S Ranch and Del Sur.

Vive’s concept is to have its independent brand, celebrating style and uniqueness with a social purpose. ey donate soccer gear to youths locally and around the world. Keith strongly believes the impact sports have on children is immense, from mental health to understanding teamwork and

camaraderie, and to understanding losing and winning. eir philosophy is if every child has a soccer ball and a safe place to congregate and play, the future these children can create is limitless. e purpose of the brand is for every child around the world to have access to soccer gear and Vive’s mission to provide soccer gear to every child is a beacon of hope.

Vive has a donation program called “Create Future.” So, on behalf of the sale to RB Rec Soccer, in Christmas of 2022, Vive took a portion of the sale and donated soccer gear to an organization called “ e Play and Learn Foundation” in Accra, Ghana (in West Africa). It’s an a erschool program that helps kids get o the street and focus on their education. Programs like this is exactly what Vive is all about. ey have tutoring, mentoring, and a soccer program. Every child wants to play soccer, but not every child has access to playing soccer, or even having a soccer ball. If a child goes through the tutoring and mentoring class, then he/she is allowed to play soccer in the soccer program. Vive donated and supplied these children with brand new custom designed uniforms and each child got his/her own soccer ball.

Vive’s goal is to do it again this year. Keith’s upcoming journey to Ghana in April aims to establish another donation program and soccer minicamps. Vive has also done donations in Kenya, Tijuana, and in San Diego.

When speaking with Keith, I could hear the passion in his voice for not only soccer, but also his passion for helping children. As Vive grows, so does its potential to make signi cant contribution to less privileged children locally and internationally. Explore the heart behind Vive at Vevicf.com and join the community in supporting their inspiring journey.

If you or someone you know who lives or runs a business in 4S Ranch or Del Sur would like to be recognized (or spotlighted), please reach out to me, Tu Nguyen, at 619-889-5777.

Tu Nguyen

Realtor® CalDRE #01358370

Direct: (619) 889-5777