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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
MARCH 26, 2010
File out on King murder suspect
ODD FILES
by CHUCK SHEPHERD
LEAD STORY It’s a simple recipe, said A-List New York City chef Daniel Angerer: a cheese derived from the breast milk of his wife, who is nursing the couple’s 3-month-old daughter. As a chef, he said, “you look out for something new and what you can do with it,” and what Angerer could do is make about two quarts of “flavor(ful)” cheese out of two gallons of mother’s milk. “(T)astes just like really sweet cow’s milk.” He posted the recipe, “My Spouse’s Mommy Milk Cheese,” on his blog and invited readers’ participation: “Our baby has plenty (of) back-up mother’s milk in the freezer, so whoever wants to try it is welcome to try it as long as supply lasts (please consider cheese aging time).”
Cultural Diversity — Florida’s Agriculture Department, acting on a tip, confiscated Giant African Snails believed to have been smuggled into the country by Charles Stewart of Hialeah, Fla., for use in the religion Ifa Orisha, which encourages followers to drink the snails’ mucus for its supposed healing powers. Actually, said the department (joined in the investigation by two federal agencies), bacteria in the mucus causes frequent violent vomiting, among other symptoms. At press time, Stewart had not been charged with a crime. — A growing drug problem facing Shanghai, China, is stepped-up use of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs at all-night parties, but not the “rave” parties favored by young fast-lane types in the U.S. These Shanghai druggies, according to a February dispatch in London’s Guardian, are often middle-aged and retired people, who use the drugs to give them strength for all-night games of Mah Jongg played at out-of-the-way parlors around the city. — Modernization Kept at Bay: (1) Despite Fiji’s strides into the 21st century, the island nation’s court system remains relatively primitive, according to a January report from Agence France-Presse. Transcriptions of court proceedings are still made by ordinary reporters, writing out the dialogue by hand and thus calling on judges, lawyers and witnesses to periodically slow down or repeat themselves when they speak. (2) Papua New Guinea retains many of its historical tribal conflicts, and one flared up in January, according to a dispatch by an Australian Broadcasting Corp. reporter. Two people were killed in skirmishes that were provoked in a quite TURN TO ODD FILES ON 28
By Randy Kalp
ON THE MIC Steph Grant provided live entertainment at Art N Soul on 101 on March 20 during a celebration of partnerships between the gallery, nonprofits and local artists. Photo by Wehtahnah Tucker
Gallery celebrates charitable partnerships By Wehtahnah Tucker
ENCINITAS — Art N Soul on 101 isn’t your typical art gallery. The splashes of color and full sunlight streaming from the storefront windows provide a welcome feeling for customers who are intrigued by the unique mix of artistry. And they don’t even know the whole story. The gallery — filled with handmade crafts and artistic creations by local artists — is the vision of realtor Cindy Blumkin and landscape designer Paige Perkins. The two forged ahead to expose local artists to a wider customer base while giving back to the community. The gallery celebrated the mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses, artists, charitable organizations and the community during a celebration March 20. With hundreds of loyal customers, artists and community groups in attendance, the festivities spilled out onto the sidewalk of downtown. In addition to creating a nurturing environment for local artists, the owners have designed a revolutionary business model for allocating the store’s profits. An artist receives 60 percent of the proceeds of the sale of their work while the store takes the remaining 40 percent.
ART N SOLD Encinitas Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan took a closer look at the unique crafts on display during the Art N Soul celebration March 20. Photo by Wehtahnah Tucker
The entire staff consists of volunteers, including Blumkin and Perkins. “High school students are enrolled in a work-study program, retired people enjoy staffing the store because of the energy it has and we have artists who help out as well,”
Perkins said. After the low overhead is paid, all of the profits are donated to specific local charities. “This is a marriage between support of the artist and support of the community,” Blumkin said. Since its opening in
August 2007, the Art N Soul on 101 has donated more than $35,000. “That’s a huge achievement,” said Sara Parker who was shopping during the party. “For so many organizations, especially with the current economic situation, it’s important to have consistent financial support to do the good work they are doing.” The regional nonprofit organizations that receive quarterly donations from the store change each year, according to Blumkin. Current recipients include Shakti Rising, Casa De Amparo, Guitars in the Classroom, Kids for Peace and Project Talk. Featured artists were also on hand to discuss their unique artistic approaches. Diane Colletti’s designer jewelry was a hit, but pieces sold out quickly. “I was just looking at a necklace and as soon as I put it down, someone bought it,” exclaimed Laura Jordon. Sissy Cutchen’s folk art and Russ Coletti’s designs also proved to be crowd pleasers. “Just having something downtown in the evening that’s family-friendly is a huge benefit,” said Mark Jansen. He was joined by his wife, Mary, and their 3-yearold daughter Meghan. “It’s TURN TO CHARITY ON 30
Local tennis star named to Connolly Cup team RANCHO SANTA FE — The United States Tennis Association recently announced the selection of Carolyn Nichols of Rancho Santa Fe as a member,and the playing captain, of the U.S. Maureen Connolly Cup Team for women 55-and-older. Nichols will represent the United States at the 30th International Tennis
Federation Seniors World Championships on the red clay courts of Mexico City March 29 through April 3. Nichols is one of four players selected to the team, chosen by the USTA from all American players in the age group, based on outstanding performance. Nichols finished 2009 ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in 50-
and-over singles and No. 5 in doubles.As of Feb.1,she is No. 6 in the world in 55-and-over singles but also finished 2008 ranked No.2 in the world in 50 singles. She has won 18 national championships and has been active in international team competitions. Her selection to the 2010 Connolly Cup team marks her 13th year of repre-
senting the U.S.The team has won the championship eight of those times, and all have finished in the top three. This is also Nichols’ fourth time as captain. Nichols has represented both the sport and her fellow competitors, while running a Web site for senior tennis both nationally and internationally at www.carolynnichols.com.
RANCHO BERNARDO — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on March 17 released the central file of convicted sex offender John Albert Gardner III, who is accused of murdering Chelsea King near Lake Hodges. The 282-page document contains the probation department’s report relating to Gardner’s sentencing for beating his then13-year-old female neighbor during a sexual assault in 2000 as well as records from prison staff and handwritten notes by the felon defending his actions after being reprimanded for prison violations, which included smoking cigarettes and possessing a butane lighter. The Department of Corrections decided to release Gardner’s file because they determined public interest outweighed the need to withhold the file, a spokesman with the Department of Corrections said. Under the California Public Records Act, the state is allowed to keep the majority of the central file confidential, and the Department of Corrections generally declines requests to release complete files. Earlier this month, Gardner pleaded not guilty to the special circumstance murder of 17-year-old Chelsea King, whose body was found in a shallow grave a short distance from her car in Rancho Bernardo Community Park. Gardener is also charged with assaulting another woman in the same park last December and is under investigation for the 2009 disappearance of 14-year-old Amber Dubois. The Escondido teen’s remains were found March 8 near Pala. If convicted of murder with the special circumstance allegation that the crime was committed for or during a rape, Gardner could be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. The District Attorney’s Office will make that decision at a later date. Earlier this month, a judge placed a gag order on Gardner’s case barring attorneys and law enforcement officials from discussing it with the media. A preliminary hearing is set for August. Gardner, 30, pleaded guilty in 2000 to the aforementioned sexual assault on his teenage neighbor, whom he described as being like a “sister” to him. In lieu of his plea agreement, he received six years in state prison; however, he was released after five. Throughout that case, TURN TO FILE ON 33