Cooks needed for Irish Stew Cook-off
BOOK REVIEW
By Lynn Clark
In 1940 during WWII an organization called the SOE ( Special Operations Executive) was created in Britain to train agents to organize local resistance groups in Europe. Their purpose, as a clandestine operation, was to train saboteurs to disrupt the German army in occupied countries. This novel is based on the life of Yvonne Rudellat: the first female saboteur to be recruited and sent to France.
“The Woman With No Name” - historical fiction - by Audrey Blake
When Yvonne Rudellat was in her early 40s she found herself alone. Her daughter was married, and she was separated from her husband. She lived on the upper floor of her home, and her husband lived on the bottom floor. She worked to support herself.
This arrangement suited her until the bombing started, and she lost her home and all of her personal possessions.
Her family was safe, but she felt she needed to contribute to the war effort. Even though she was refused as a combat recruit because of her age, she was brought into the SOE to see what skills she had that might help the cause. What her recruiter found was with meager supplies she was very good at following patterns to create bombs. A skill that could be used in the field.
That skill and her ability to use a gun made her the first woman to enter France as a saboteur. Her mission was to organize a team of agents, and cause as much damage as possible to deter the German army. When she entered France she joined a team already formed and became known as “Jacqueline”.
She was overseas long enough to cause damage on several bombing missions; however, the more success she had the more she was hunted. She was eventually caught and injured, and unfortunately her health deteriorated to the point where she died in captivity.
The Valley Center Business Association is once again sponsoring the Valley Center Irish Stew Cook-off on Thursday, March 13 at St. Stephen Catholic Church hall, 31020 Cole Grade Rd.
Here’s your chance to cook up the winning stew for the 29th annual event. This event is open to the public. Folks from the community come to the Irish Stew Cook-off in their finest shades of 40 greens and for a small ticket price can try all the Irish Stews they can eat, meet the judges and enjoy the evening with friends and neighbors and purchase a pint and be Irish for the evening. It’s also the day when candidates for Honorary Mayor introduce themselves to the public.
Sign up today: www.VCIrishStew.com
Entry Category:
• Business
• Individual
• Service Club/Group
• Youth
Showcase your business, group, etc., while having a great time with neighbors.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen at 760-497-7007 or email info@VCIrishStew.com
Master Gardener On Roses 1/10/25
By Idalia Rewar
The New Year has begun with a greeting from the Santa Ana winds and the Hidden Meadows Garden Club breezing into Boonie Metzger’s lovely home for our annual membership enrollment and to listen to a lecture by a Master Gardener, who specializes in roses. We have three new members joining our group: Robin Rabens, Laurie Hill and Diana Procter. Welcome to our new members. Pat Tanabe, our new co-President, along with Kim Marin-President, proceeded to welcome all and collect dues for the coming year.
Beth Van Boxtel, Master Gardener, was introduced. She has 200 rose bushes which she tends with the acquired education of a Master Gardener. Beth gave us a brief synopsis of her background, and went on to offer her experiences, and tips on growing roses. Beth illustrated her lecture points on the screen with photos she has acquired working with roses. Some of the problems affecting or impeding a healthy, beautiful rose include various types of heat (reflected, dry, humid). She suggested watering in the early morning, and as you look at the rosebush watch for spider mites, mildew, root rot and mold.
Excessive water is bad for roses, so is wind which can damage the canes, and extreme frost. Planting roses is best in January. She advised not to buy rose plants in May through November. When pruning, cut the canes in the middle, roses need circulation and use a 45-degree outward cut when pruning. Use mulch, not chips around the rose bush. Compost is also good; she uses San Pasqual Valley Soils which has excellent compost.
She went on to show on screen an array of some of the tools she has in her arsenal such as good quality gloves, pruning
ROSES See Page 5
Hidden Meadows Garden Club members
Kim Marin, Pat Tanabe. Frances Munk
Guest, Karen Fant and Donna Hinke
Kim Marin
Beth Van Boxtel, Master Gardener
Danielle Milliken and Pat Tanabe
ROSES From Page 4
scissors, fogger (sprayer), shovel, etc. Beth also has a list of suppliers she uses and mentioned the easiest roses to buy, the most fragrant, and the years (2016 on) to buy, look at the date on the tag. However, for a good rose expect to pay $20 on up. She mentioned that Balboa Park is having upcoming events if you are further interested in roses.
Kim called for a lunch break. Yeah!! The kitchen filled with a gaggle of bodies and voices as everyone was in awe at what awaited us. Bonnie treated the club to a great salad, a melt in your mouth chicken sandwich ring, and a London Fog Bundt cake dessert.
To top off a great meeting, Kim had set up a trivia game on roses. Every one enthusiastically joined. We sure got an education, and the prize winners were Alexandra McWilliams and Pat Buntin. We then regrouped for a question and answer session in which Beth graciously responded. Our thanks to our host Bonnie, and for the delicious lunch she prepared for us. What a treat!! Kudos to Beth for giving us an exceptional and informative lecture on roses. Thanks also to Kim Marin and Pat Tanabe, and all attendees, for without you all this would not be possible. Altogether, it was a Numero Uno fun, and educational meeting. We always welcome new members – and if you are interested in joining the Garden Club, e-mail Kim Marin at kimgroggmarin@gmail.com
A Scam Alert from the CHP -
Phone scammers are posing as “AMBER Alert representatives”, offering to “register” your children. They ask for confidential info and to meet at your home. This is NOT how the AMBER Alert system works!
• The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is the only agency authorized to activate AMBER Alerts—no registration is required.
• Never provide personal information or answer calls from unknown or “possible scam” numbers.
• If you’ve been contacted by a scammer, report it to your local law enforcement agency immediately. Stay informed and protect yourself!
EAA celebrates Education Month with kid-related show
The Escondido Art Association (EAA will host its longest-running tradition in March: Arts Education Month, featuring Kids Kaleidoscope and the High School Senior Scholarship Show.
These programs showcase the artistic talents of local youth ages 5-18, providing a platform to inspire creativity and celebrate young artists. Students of all ages from all schools and homeschools are invited to participate, free. Visit the Education page of EAA’s website: https://www.escondidoartassociation.com/ education for more information and deadlines. The online application is due February 24.
A month-long celebration of youth art
Held at the EAA Gallery in March 2025, Kids Kaleidoscope welcomes children from kindergarten – high school to participate in an exhibition of their artwork. This program allows participants to see their creations displayed in a professional gallery for an entire month—an invaluable experience for young artists.
Running alongside Kids Kaleidoscope is the High School Senior Scholarship Show, an opportunity for graduating seniors to compete for cash award scholarships. Participants must submit three pieces of art in different styles, a letter of recommendation, and an essay describing their artistic journey and aspirations.
Both programs are supported by EAA’s Youth Education Fund, a community-driven donation initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of artists. Donations help these programs remain free for participants and allow EAA to continue offering
opportunities to young artists. To contribute visit: https://escondidoartassociation.org/donate.
EAA is seeking a corporate underwriter for this event. A partnership would help sustain this program and provide recognition opportunities for businesses committed to supporting the arts and education.
Awards, prizes, and recognition
Participants in both programs can win awards, with cash scholarships available for high school seniors. The exhibition and awards ceremony give young artists the thrill of being recognized by the community, inspiring confidence and passion in their craft.
Event details
Who can participate? Children and teens aged 5-18 (Kids Kaleidoscope) and graduating high school seniors (High School Senior Scholarship Show).
Cost: Free to participate.
Online Submission deadline: February 24, 2025
https://escondidoartassociation.org/education
Drop off Artwork at EAA Gallery: March 1, 2025 (11am-4 p.m.)
Gallery Reception: March 8, 2025 (3-5pm) at the EAA Gallery.
For more information, to donate, or to inquire about underwriting opportunities, visit www. escondidoartassociation.org. The EAA Gallery is located at 121 W. Grand Ave.
Laurie Hill
Bonnie Metzger
Hidden Meadows Women’s Group Kicks Off the New Year with “Putting on the Ritz” Dinner
By Pat Tanabe / Resident
The Hidden Meadows Women’s Group welcomed the New Year in style with a glamorous themed dinner - “Putting on the Ritz”. Attendees were encouraged to wear their sparkles and to dress up to bring in the New Year. The event, held at Karen Soriano’s home, was a delightful
evening filled with exquisite cuisine, lavishly set table, and captivating entertainment.
The evening began with a special Thai cooking demonstration. The hostess, Karen, had asked me to do a Thai cooking class as she knows I enjoy cooking. Attendees were treated to an interactive experience, as I guided them
through the ingredients and techniques used in the preparation of Pad Thai and Pad Mee Korat (vegetarian version of Pad Thai). I also shared information and resources for Thai and Asian food.
Did you know that the word “pad” in Thai means stir-fry? An excellent market for Southeast Asian foodstuff (especially Thai
Pat Tanabe and Karen Soriano at the stove
Tony Fleet (guitar) and Karen Soriano (flute)
ingredients) is Rice Pantry, located at 205 W. Mission Ave (www. ricepantrysd.com). The owners are super helpful and answered all my questions about specific ingredients used in Thai cuisine. Another good Asian market is “The Asian Market” formerly known as La Sopresa Barata Asian Market, located at 850 E. Valley Pkwy (AsianMarketEscondido.com). This market has Asian foodstuffs from China, Japan, Thailand and Viet Nam. It has a larger produce section than Rice Pantry and also carries a variety of fresh noodles (ramen, udon and vietnamese rice noodles). The recipes I use are from Hot Thai Kitchen ( hot-thai-kitchen.com/about/ ) whose owner is from Thailand and is a trained chef (attended Le Cordon Bleu) who makes Thai food accessible and understandable to home cooks.
As the delicious aromas filled the room during the cooking demonstration, members enjoyed a sumptuous dinner featuring the dishes prepared during the demo, along with a variety of other culinary delights contributed by attendees. There were egg rolls and a delicious Asian inspired pork tenderloin. There was a salad buffet set-up outside with an array of delicious salads. The atmosphere
was lively, with laughter and conversation flowing freely as everyone savored the flavors of the evening.
The entertainment for the night was equally impressive, featuring a talented lineup of performers. Eleven-year-old Harlan DeRisi captivated the audience with his piano skills, showcasing a range of musical pieces that delighted everyone present. He was later joined by Karen Soriano on flute and then Tony Fleet and Karen provided guitar and flute music. Their harmonious performances created a magical ambiance, enhancing the evening’s celebratory spirit. The music truly added a special touch to our dinner.”
The “Putting on the Ritz” theme encouraged attendees to dress in their finest attire, adding an extra layer of elegance to the evening. Karen’s beautifully decorated home, complete with sparkling lights and chic table settings, created a festive atmosphere that perfectly complemented the theme. The Hidden Meadows Women’s Group continues to foster friendships and provide a welcoming space for neighborhood women to come together.
If you are interested in participating, please email hmwsg92026@gmail.com
Amanda DeRisi, Lisa Saget, Rochelle Weber, Terese Charlson, Vicky Long, Laurie Wrona, Michelle Zipse, Karla Fernandez, Diane Rehagen, Debbie Lai, Dannielle Milliken, Shannon Antekeier, Carrie Hartwick, Harlan DeRisi, Pat Tanabe, Lynn Wheeler, Pia Courser, Svitlana Bailey, Alejandra CadenaPerez, Sima Kashani, Karen Soriano
AGING 2025
By Idalia Rewar / Resident
As I was watching television on YouTube (my daily physician), I came upon a video that I thought was helpful to me. I am not preaching, nor making recommendations to you all. I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist, just an old lady that watches a lot of videos on health and took a break to write an article that may be of interest.
Aging - As we age, or upon aging, there isn’t a manual that gives you a road map to this phase of our lives. Thoughts in our head betray us (spend too much time thinking), our physical body betrays us (I found a bunch of barnacles on my body and mercy me – wrinkles, and goodness, brown spots, aargh!! – Where did that come from?), and where did I put my phone, it was just right here, do I have Alzheimer’s? am I losing it (my brain is so overloaded with texting, e- mails, phone calls, ads – Help, I need a lobotomy – an MRI. Am I getting sick; what the heck is going on?
Should I seek help? However, in watching the videos, I found some answers to my misconceptions and fears that flow in my head. I found out I was not sick, loony – maybe a little, nor weird - just normal (yeah) - I’m just aging; geez no kidding! But don’t fear - suggestions were offered on how to cope, understand, alleviate, and slow down the aging process and be a happy puppy all at the same time. Hah, that’s a relief!
1) Names and details: These are a biggie for me. I seem to forget details and people’s names, where did I meet them, even people I have known for years. It’s quite embarrassing in a social situation. Ask the people in my Garden Club.
Remedy: Write down the name, try to associate a physical attribute to that person (blinks a lot; large nose, place (at the market); clothes (wore blue blouse); etc., so that recollection would be easier. When speaking with the person, use his/her name over and over again – it might be easier to remember her/him (politicians use this all the time).
2) Exhaustion: It seems you do some minor activity and you’re exhausted. Remedy: You are back in kindergarten, time out. Rest, take a short nap – it will recharge your body, drink water, just walk away and take a rest.
3) Weight: Metabolism is to blame on this one. It provides energy. We are all different, and so is our metabolism.
Remedy: Exercise – higher metabolism, walk, pay attention to what you eat and portion size, eat mostly fruits, vegetables, lean meat.
4) Doctor visits: As we age, there seems to be more doctor visits. They are good to some extent so that as you age, you are monitored, and may be able to get what ails you before it gets worse.
Remedy: Keep a journal, go holistic if you can. Watch YouTube – it has all kinds of videos on health and see if there is anything you can do to remedy the situation.
5) Memory: I forget why I entered a room, what am I there for? I forget names, where I put my glasses, and where the heck is the phone, etc.
Remedy: Your brain needs more activity. Do puzzles, crossword puzzles, learn something new - a hobby, language, instrument, dancing it’s never too late to learn line dancing, read and try to remember what you read. Sometimes I watch a movie twice until I get that aha moment Deja vous all over again – I have to work on that. This aging is no fun.
6) Sleep: I can’t sleep thru the night any more. Wake up a few times a night.
Remedy: have a bedtime routine, no exercise before going to bed, sleep in a cool room, no caffeine close to bedtime, listen to soft music, read a quiet book, a few deep breaths, I usually will get up, drink a glass of warm milk with a cookie, that usually works for me.
7) Loneliness: In many situations our partner has died, some of our family and friends have passed on, and you feel sad and lonely.
Remedy: Attend community events, socialize, visit or call friends, relatives, get a pet (dog or cat - not a turtle), and talk to it.
8) Balance: Do you hold onto something when putting on your pants or shoes? I do. I have to, otherwise I hit the nearest wall, and in the middle of the night it will wake others.
Remedy: There are stretch and balance exercises that are helpful, such as yoga. One of the things I do is when I take a walk, if there is a middle white line, try and walk it toe to heel. At first, I was wobbly, but after a while, I can honestly walk a straight line; and that is also helpful if you get stopped by the police after a bit of wine, you will pass the test and avoid jail.
9) Vision: I need to get really close to read.
Remedy: visit your optometrist, at our age, we sometimes develop cataracts, or may need a new prescription.
11. Hearing: Huh, what did you say? Come a little closer. That is another surprise gem in aging.
Remedy: Same as above - visit your otolaryngologist (wow, I just call him ear doctor for short), you might need a hearing aid or have some other problem. I had my son put subtitles on my viewing “Yellowstone”, I didn’t have to hear - that helped.
12. Temperature sensitivity: Brr, I am always cold. Others are too hot.
Remedy: Dress properly, dress in layers, wool and cashmere are great in winter, and cotton and linen in summer.
13. Short of temper ‘grumpy’: I didn’t know that was part of aging. That is how I am early in the a.m., oh well.
Remedy: deep breathing, be aware of your mood, be kind, focus on the positive. Suck a lollypop.
14. Lack of independence: I do not ask for help; I can do it all by myself.
Remedy: Ask for help, otherwise a fall from a ladder might land you in the ER.
ICE officers begin searching for illegals: ‘Warrant’s coming’
Sunday afternoon, January 26, agents of Immigration & Customs Enforcement in Escondido in the wake of a national emergency declaration by President Trump began knocking on doors.
An agent assigned to the ERO (Enforcement & Removal Operations) division was caught on video (see our Escondido Times-Advocate Facebook page) telling a woman who was livestreaming the operation from her home “That warrant’s coming” after the woman demanded to see a warrant.
A voice in the video was heard to be reassuring the family on a phone call, “Don’t leave the house, because they’ll be waiting for you.”
The agent told the family that the officers were only there for one person, but added, “I promise you this: If that warrant comes, we’re going to take everybody in the house.”
The group of agents eventually walked to a parking lot across the street from the residence and begin to reposition their vehicles. It was not immediately clear what happened after the live stream was cut off.
This comes as ICE field offices have been told to meet a quota of 75 arrests per day as part of the effort to increase apprehensions of migrants in the U.S., according to multiple sources.
Several federal agencies were reportedly granted additional authorities to arrest those who are undocumented, including the FBI, ATF, DEA, CBP, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
AI pilot shows patients lower blood pressure faster with no additional meds
Neighborhood Healthcare, a regional Federally Qualified Health Center that provides a wide range of medical, dental, and behavioral health services, released the preliminary findings of a high blood pressure pilot this week.
In collaboration with CIPRA.ai, the non-profit demonstrated that by utilizing mobile AI technology, participating patients achieved lower blood pressure measurements faster and maintained normal levels more effectively over 12 weeks.
“The positive results we witnessed came without needing to add more medication to most treatment plans,” said Michelle Hughes, PharmD, Director of Quality and Population Health at Neighborhood Healthcare. “Patients also took greater control of their blood pressure management using the AI app.”
The CIPRA.ai technology integrates an individual’s health data to create a “digital twin” that holistically understands how a person’s lifestyle, contexts, and preferences impact a patient’s chronic condition. Utilizing mobile phones and wearable devices, the system predicts how nutrition and other lifestyle factors influence a person’s condition and offers precise insights and tailored recommendations. Patients can share this information with healthcare providers for effective monitoring and customized care.
“Generic care contributes to the widespread issue of uncontrolled hypertension, with 80% of U.S. adults with the condition not having it under control,” said Jared Leitner, Co-Founder of CIPRA. ai. “Working alongside healthcare providers like Neighborhood Healthcare, we can empower patients and practitioners to deliver AIbased precise, personalized, and proactive care for hypertension and diabetes that delivers better, sustainable outcomes at a lower cost.”
The Neighborhood Healthcare pilot, partly funded by a grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation, has enrolled 130 hypertension patients, 46 men and 84 women between 24 and 84 years old. The current results demonstrate a reduction of over 30% in the Stage 2 hypertension population, with an average systolic blood pressure reduction of 14 mmHg and a diastolic decrease of 9 mmHg over 12 weeks.
“With blood pressure readings once in the 160s, I thought I was stuck with high numbers and increasing medication. But through participating in the program, my blood pressure improved to 105, and I feel better than I have in years,” said Tamara Yrigoyen, a Neighborhood Healthcare patient in the pilot program. “The personalized, focused recommendations, like parking farther away to increase my step count, have made all the difference. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to take control of their hypertension.”
The next phase of the pilot will emphasize patients with diabetes, including those with comorbid conditions like hypertension. The pilot aims to enroll 250 patients and will continue through March. The final report is scheduled for release in April.
White House border czar Tom Hoffman warned that if other undocumented immigrants are encountered over the course of authorities’ operations to detain immigrants with criminal records, they may also be arrested and detained, referring to those as “collateral” arrests.
The Hidden Meadows News reached out to the City of Escondido for comments. Councilmember Christian Garcia of District 3 told the paper: Over the weekend I received a number of messages asking for clarity on the situation. Our police department was notified by federal partners Sunday morning that federal agencies will be conducting operations in the San Diego and Imperial county region in the future.”
Garcia added, “The Escondido Police department will continue to operate within the guidelines established in California state law should those policies come into play in relation to immigration activities.”
“I know there’s a tremendous amount of fear, anxiety and confusion”, State Attorney General Rob Bonta said during an immigration rights presentation in San Diego Friday, alleging that “schools, churches and even hospitals are not safe.”
Bonta said the state will back immigrants with the “full force of the law.” The exact number of arrests made locally and nationwide currently remains unclear.
SUBMIT CONTENT FOR HMN
Deadline for local article submission: 17th of the month for the next issue. Photographs submitted for publication should be hi-resolution, unmodified originals, hi-res/300dpi. We cannot accept photos taken from social media sites such as Facebook. Send drafts and photos to Patricia Fox to LocalEditor@HiddenMeadows.news
HIDDEN MEADOWS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
HiddenMeadowsFoundation.org HMCF2023@gmail.com
Michelle Zipse, President
Vickey Ciarlanti, Vice-President
Shannon Antekeier, Secretary
Paul Schoos, Treasurer
Heather Davila, Director
Rob Enfield, Director
Kathy Moore, Director
Pat Tanabe, Director
Melissa Tomaszek, Director
Pete Tomaszek, Director
Jack Weber, Director
Lynn Wheeler, Director
Editor Patricia Fox
Median Maintenance
Paul Schoos, Chair
Donate via Zelle: HMCFDonate@yahoo.com
Donate online: www.HiddenMeadows.news/donate
HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS
211: Emergency and non-emergency county information hotline
Animal Services: 619-299-7012
CAL FIRE/Fire Information hotline: 619-590-3160
California Highway Patrol: 858-637-3800
Deer Springs Fire Protection District
Station 1 Headquarters: 760-749-8001
Station 2 Deer Springs: 760-741-5512
Station 3 Hidden Meadows: 760-751-0820 Burn Permits: 760-749-8001
Road Conditions/ Closures: Cal Trans 800-427-7623 or www.traffic.com
Hidden Meadows Community Resources and Organizations
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Contact Marc Weissman at 760-525-5170 or marcweissman11@gmail.com.
Community Sponsor Group
Contact Chairman Jim Chagala, at 760 751-2691 for more information.
Hidden Meadows Neighborhood Watch
Please join our facebook group: Hidden Meadows Neighborhood Watch. We’ll share neighborhood information, safety tips, and news of future events.
Contact Info: Erik Tyler 442-235-9060 erikdtyler@gmail.com
Deer Springs Fire Safe Council
Contact Steve Kerrin at 760-807-1141.
Emergency Communication System
To register, visit www.deerspringsfiresafecouncil.com
An information hotline is updated during emergencies or noteworthy events and may be called 24/7 at 949-472-1407. Red flags are placed on the “Fire Danger Signs” during red flag warnings.
Homeowners Associations
The Meadows Homes Association (MHA) 760-749-7278
Rimrock Homeowners Association 760-749-4008
Hidden Meadows Ranch Homeowners Association 760-407-7575
Silverado Management Services
Oak Meadows Glen Homeowners Association 760-749-4796
Organizations
Garden Club
Contact Kim Marin (kimgroggmarin@gmail.com) or Melisa Mitchell (melisamitchell6@hotmail.com)
Hidden Meadows Bridge Group
We play bridge at the MHA Pavilion every Wednesday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM.
Please call Curt Bruce at 442-222-0821 if you’d like to join us.
Hidden Meadows Community Foundation (HMCF)
Contact Michele Zipse at HMCF2023@gmail.com www.hiddenmeadowsfoundation.org
Ladies Bible Study
Contact Debbie Hamer at 760-297-1278 or Sue Shepard at 760-213-0325.
Tennis Club
Contact Katy Freeze at 760-749-9722 or clarkfreese@gmail.com
Women’s Golf Club
Contact Ellen at 760-749-1190
Women’s Social Group email to hmwsg92026@gmail.com
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