Around the Ranch: Ed Asner as FDR a hit at PCPA

It was a journey back in time at the Poway Center for Performing Arts
last Saturday night as award-winning actor Ed Asner transported the
full-house audience back to the life and times of Franklin Delano
Roosevelt.

The one-man show, written by Dore Schary, began with Roosevelt’s
campaign for the governorship of New York; it chronicled exchanges with
world leaders during World War II; and it ended with Roosevelt’s leaving
his office for what he thought would be a renewing vacation, but turned
out to be his final days.

It was the drama part of this year’s professional performance series at
the center, and it was made possible by a generous grant by the Tim and
Jane McCarthy Fund, which was augmented in memory of Frank Goldsmith to
whom Saturday night’s performance was dedicated.

Basketball teams win first round of playoffs

So far, so good for the boys basketball teams from Rancho Bernardo,

Poway and Maranatha Christian.

The local squads won their
respective first-round games as the prep
basketball postseason
began on Tuesday. With their victories they
were guaranteed at
least another game in the championship tournament
that will crown
the top squads from all San Diego Section CIF divisions.

The Broncos
(now 18-7 overall and 7-3 in the Palomar League) won
their first
round game, 71-57 against Mira Mesa, who ended their
season with a
record of 18-10 overall. Rancho Bernardo will next
travel to La
Costa Canyon, the section tournament’s third seed, for a
game set
for 7 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 26). La Costa (24-4 overall)
opened
their playoff schedule with a win over Carlsbad.

Poway, meanwhile,
was able to withstand a fourth-period surge by
Hilltop High School,
winning its first round game against the South
Bay team 77-71.
Poway travels Friday night to Torrey Pines, the
tournament’s top
seed, which improved to 25-3 after defeating Otay
Ranch 71-58 on
Tuesday.

Mr. Marketing: Is your Web site working hard for you?

Should I track my Web site’s traffic?

— Robin Falk, Poway

Remember this exchange from “Alice in Wonderland”?

Alice: I don’t know where I’m going.

Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t matter how you get there, does it?

You take my point.

If your print ads didn’t bring customers to your door, you’d probably
stop running them. It’s equally important to track who’s entering your
Web site’s virtual door. Without this information, you’re wasting time
and money.

DoubleTree undergoing $2 million renovation

A $2 million renovation at the DoubleTree Golf Resort in Rancho
Penasquitos will mean locals and guests can experience trendier
facilities.

Locals who frequent its restaurant, coffee shop and bar overlooking the
golf course will find a more contemporary setting by early summer, said
Joseph Kruvi, general manager.

The renovations will begin in mid-May and take a couple of weeks. Work
will be done in segments and food facilities relocated so locals can
continue to patronize the DoubleTree, he said.

Editorial: Best wishes to LT

Rare is the public figure that inspires adults and children alike.  Many
of the celebrities that our society exalts often act in ways that cause
their fall from grace, most recently in the case of Tiger Woods.

LaDainian Tomlinson is so much more than a stellar running back who
literally changed the face and the fortunes of our beleaguered local
football team. In the nine years he played with the Chargers, LT
delivered his best performances, even while injured, and gave San Diego
football fans someone to cheer for, and reason to hope for a
still-elusive Super Bowl victory. He wanted nothing more than to give
San Diego the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and elevated his team as best as a
single player can, through his commitment to improve himself and his
team.

Letters to the Editor: Feb. 25, 2010

PHS grad, dog, win at Westminister

Poway High School graduate Tylia Smith spent countless hours training
her dog before last week’s Westminster Dog Show in New York — and it
paid off.

Jaca, a 2-year-old Papillon with a black-and-white fluffy coat,
impressed the judges and others so much that he captured the award of
merit in his breed — the equivalent of being second runner-up, Smith
said.

Westminster is considered one of the ultimate shows by breeders, dog
handlers and owners, as well as dog lovers, she added.

During such competitions, much depends on the relationship between the
dog and whoever “shows” the dog, while the canine parades before the
judges, Smith said.

Jaca’s registered name is CH (which stands for champion) Brevette Boy On
the Town. He was one of a litter bred by Brevette Kennels in Huntington
Beach. The dog’s breeders and co-owners are Susan Bleckley and JoAnne
Ybaben, to whom Smith said she owes a great debt of gratitude for
teaching her how to show dogs.
 

Guilty plea entered in fatal RB stabbing

 (CNS) – A Rancho Bernardo man who repeatedly stabbed his 28-year-old
neighbor, who was attacked as she was talking on the telephone with her
mother, pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder.

Richard Saldivar, 40, also admitted that he used a deadly weapon in
theOct. 22, 2009, attack on Jennifer Lee Jones.

Saldivar faces 26 years to life in prison when he is sentenced April 2
by Judge Charles Rogers.

The change of plea came right before a scheduled preliminary hearing in
the case. The defendant consulted with his attorney for about an hour
before admitting his guilt.

Deputy District Attorney Kristen Spieler said Jones had recently moved
into her Avenida Venusto apartment, directly across from Saldivar. She
had just come home from work and was speaking with her mother on the
phone when the defendant entered her apartment and stabbed her multiple
times, the prosecutor said.

“This was a completely unprovoked ambush,’’ Spieler said, “on a person
he barely knew.’’

Five show early interest in recall election

One week into the June 8 recall campaign, five residents have taken out
papers to replace Councilwoman Betty Rexford in the event she is voted
out of office.

Former council candidates Roger Willoughby and Howard Collins have
joined John Mullin, Pete Babich and David Grosch in taking out
nomination papers since the filing period opened on Feb. 17.

Each candidate must obtain the signatures of at least 20 registered
voters in the city, then return the papers to the city clerk’s office
before officially qualifying for ballot status.

Candidates have until March 25 to complete the process.

Willoughby, 74, on Tuesday became the first candidate to return his
completed papers, according to City Clerk Linda A. Troyan.

Auditions for PCPA children’s show are March 1

The world-renowned Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) is returning to
the Poway Center for the Performing Arts March 1-6 to produce “King
Arthur’s Quest,” a musical.

The troupe, which is celebrating its 11th year in Poway, travels the country putting on shows featuring local children.

The whole process, from auditions to rehearsals and shows, take place
within a short time. Troupe actors travel the country in red trucks
that carry the complete set, costumes, props and makeup and spend the
week teaching the children acting, voice, movement, directing and other
theater skills. Participation is free of charge.

Auditions will be held for children in grades K-12 at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 1 at the art center, 15498 Espola Road.