A VC resident for two years, artist, Analise Rigan will introduce her art to the local community for the first time at the Art & Music Festival on May 3 at VC Community Center.
This year’s Celtic theme coaxed her out of her studio. “I couldn’t, in good conscience, remain quiet on this one,” she says, “because of my history with Celtic art.”
In 1977, Rigan left her full time nursing position to pursue world travels. She returned four years later, having spent the majority of it living in Scotland, a published and award winning Celtic artist with illustrations in numerous magazines and books, having created a greeting card company from her own Celtic designs, and the author of a book, Celtic Renaissance.
“The paradox of this,” she says, “is that Harper & Row publishers out of New York had to buy the ‘foreign rights’ from the original Scottish publisher before printing in the U.S.”
While not of Scottish heritage, her introduction to this historical art form felt natural. “Years ago, few people were privileged to read. The art of the nomadic Celts, therefore, had the double purpose of decoration while also telling a story in picture form. Everything about the chosen designs has a purpose -- from the actions of the stylized human, animal and plant forms, to the elaborate interlacing woven designs. You do not see the names of individual artists accredited with these designs. It was the language of the peoples.”
For this reason, she was initially uncomfortable with the invitation to place her contemporary Celtic designs into a book. “I was agreeable only if it was presented in a way that required the viewer’s participation. It became a coloring book, hopefully inviting the viewer to engage in the design and experience some of the meditative quality that the earlier monks intended when creating their designs.”
For several years after her return to America, Rigan offered workshops and classes in this increasingly popular art form. Then the demands of parenthood drew her back into her first profession as a nurse.
In 1995, a return to the artistic world was inspired, curiously, by the direct experience of nursing.
“After spending two months caring for a dying 19 year old boy, his story about how the effects our inter-connectedness with each other, or lack of, can heal or destroy us was a story that needed to be told. And only the language of art could attempt this message.” A life size oil painting titled “Angel’s Lament” was created (see page A1).
As with Celtic art—or any indigenous art form—the image is imbued with symbols.
For example, the universal angelic madonna type of figure has opened up from the typical closed circle posture of a mother looking at her child, and looks towards the heavens creating an open ended spiral.
This archetypal divine feminine reminds us that the extended family of which we are deeply inter-related is endless. She squats in the natural birthing position of most cultures, indicating the power of regeneration that all of humanity shares with the earth upon which we live, and from which we draw our strength. She cradles her earth child over her fertile abdomen.
Perhaps it is no accident that the view of the earth in this image shows the land masses of the mid east and Africa. One can interpret the gentle holding of this globe and the expression of her face as a longing for a healing. “A cry from the giver of life for the wholeness of her offspring...including human as well as ecological concerns.”
Rigan has remained full time in the arts since the creation of this painting. Angel’s Lament and several others will be on view in the art show on May 3. She will also have one of many booths displaying local creative talent, offering originals and prints for the public to view or purchase.
The County has authorized a preliminary engineering study of widening Valley Center Road from Cole Grade down to the San Luis Rey River Bridge, a quarter mile before Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort.
The project, which is referred to by the county Dept. of Public Works as Valley Center Road (East), would widen and possibly realign sections of VC Road to accommodate a 12 ft. wide center two-way left turn lane and a 14 ft. wide traffic lane, 6 ft. wide bike land and 10 ft. wide shoulder in each direction for a total of 72 feet.
Just under six miles of road would be widened, according to Brendan McNabb, project manager.
The preliminary engineering study, which will cost about $200,000, will include topographic studies and aerial photography. It is expected to be completed by September.
The study will help determine the cost of the project and a potential timeline for it, said McNabb.
“Then we’ll have to look at funding. We wanted to position ourselves so that if the funding becomes available we would be ready,” he said.
That funding will come partially from funds provided by the Rincon tribe and partially from Transnet, if the one half cent tax on gasoline is extended in 2004.
Some funding has been allocated to widen the bridge over San Luis Rey.
Some funding for the Valley Center Road (East) project is being provided by the Rincon tribe itself.
Recently the tribe gave the County a check for $727,835 for road improvements.
This was the first payment in a $6.34 million, ten-year agreement to improve roads in VC.
This would be the third phase of widening Valley Center Road. The Southern section of the road (commonly called “The Luge) is scheduled to be done first, and is nearing final approval from the Board of Supervisors. They are scheduled to vote on the project April 30. Then the project will go to bid and then begin construction, possibly this fall.
The northern road (from Woods Valley to Cole Grade) should go before the Board of Supervisors for funding by April of 2004. Construction will start on it the summer of ‘04.
Each project is expected to take 24 months to complete and there will be an overlapping of one year during which work will continue on both sections.
McNabb promised that the community will have the opportunity to hear about the east road widening project, possibly at next month’s planning group meeting.
“I’m going to be working with the planning group. We feel it’s important to get the community involved early on,” said McNabb.
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At Monday’s VC water board meeting there was a discussion of the possible third road widening, which the district’s engineer, Patric Jewell, said is being described as “an aggressive program.”
“Does that mean this century?” quipped VCMWD Gen. Mgr. Gary Arant.
This project, like the northern road widening project, will offer the opportunity to replace old water mains at the same time.
The cost of construction will probably be high enough that the district will have to go the voters to authorize it.
The law requiring approval of the water district voters for large expenditures is Ord. 171. It is triggered if a reservoir project costing $2.5 million is proposed or a non-reservoir project of $1,688,242 is proposed.
Pipeline along that section of the road has been identified for replacement. It was installed in the 1960s-70s.
Commenting on the possibility of extending the road widening into Rincon, VC Planning Group Chairman Larry Glavinic commented, “I’m glad they’re doing it. I think it’s necessary. There’s no choice. it’s just necessary.”
Glavinic noted that the County will do the traffic signal at VC & North Lake Wohlford Roads at about the same time that the preliminary study for Valley Center Road (East) is being done.
“It’s all tied together,” he said.
McNabb said that funding has already been allocated for the improvements at N. Lake Wohlford & VC Roads.
He said it’s too early to say whether that will be a signal light or a “roundabout,” which was requested by some members of a planning group sub-committee that has been working with the County.
“When we complete the preliminary study we will go forward and possibly award the construction project for the intersection in the summer of ‘04,” said McNabb.
The project would be done by late ‘04 or early ‘05, he said.
School Supt. Karen Jobe told The Roadrunner that traffic problems at the middle school will be helped by a signal light.
“We have traffic problems every afternoon. Each day it backs up onto VC Road,” she noted.
By DAVID ROSS
The VC Municipal Water District board Monday voted to increase the budget for the replacement of pipeline at VC & Cole Grade Roads from the original estimate of $400,000 to $570,583.
One reason for the increased cost is the need to do the project at night, directors learned. This will minimize the impact on traffic on Valley Center Road.
The existing pipelines were originally supposed to be replaced in tandem with the County’s VC Road widening in the early 1990s. But numerous delays pushed that project back to 2004 (at the moment).
A water main break last June that closed three businesses on VC Road for several weeks highlighted the need to no longer delay the replacement of old pipes near the intersection of VC & Cole Grade roads.
The original $400,000 cost estimate was pushed up because it did not include the extra costs associated with nighttime construction. It also did not include special construction requirements to avoid contact with MTBEs that have leaked out of the tank of the gas station at the intersection.
At Monday’s meeting district Engineer Patric Jewell explained that staff wants to do the pipe and trench work at night “because of the incredible amount of traffic,” during the daytime.
Nighttime traffic is more associated with casinos than with residents commuting or going about the daily tasks of taking children to school.
“We’d rather inconvenience the people from outside of the town than the people of Valley Center,” said Jewell.
Mike Pumar, who will be in charge of the construction, expects work to begin June 15, the Monday after school lets out.
A total of 45 days are being allowed for construction, although it may take fewer than that.
Director Merle Aleshire commented, “I question whether there’s that much benefit to justify a $110,000 increase.”
Jewell answered that both district staff and county traffic officials were concerned about the traffic flow during the daytime.
“The kind of traffic that’s out here is very extensive, and with decreased sight lines you could set up an accident,” he said.
Traffic will be backed up even at night because one lane will be shut. This will increase when they have to do work in the intersection. At that time traffic will be backed up in four directions.
According to Pumar: “The county is very concerned about the project. Even after having reviewed the plans the county planning engineer wants three weeks after the application before issuing the permit. So in our eyes and the County’s the impact will be considerable.”
Traffic will be impacted from 10 p.m.- 6 a.m.
“We’ve never done a project like this at night,” Pumar said.
An additional reason for waiting until June 15 to begin the project is the road work being done by Escondido on Lake Wohlford Road will be finished. So will work at the intersection of Woods Valley & VC Roads.
Capturing the essence of the Valley Center rural lifestyle, Happy Hearts Clown Ally, a public service not for profit foundation will bring smiles and laughter to young and old at this year’s Valley Center Western Days Parade Saturday, May 24, starting at 10 a.m.
Grandpa Doubtfire and Grammy Pammy will perform their clown magic and making balloon hats for children as they walk this year’s parade route. Would you believe that Grandpa Doubtfire is really a prominent lawyer in La Jolla who donates his talent and time to making children laugh?
Grandpa Doubtfire and Grammy Pammy have traveled all over the U.S. doing performances. They have also performed in France, England, Scotland, Spain and Mexico.
Happy Hearts Clown Ally Foundation is a 100% volunteer organization which trains clowns for its community service efforts. Hands on Clownology and workshops are taught along with makeup, costume basics, balloon twisting, face painting, juggling and magic.
When Sandra Farmer-Rockefeller, chairman of this year’s parade committee contacted Grandpa Doubtfire about volunteering his clown talent and time, he said, “The world needs more clowns” and “I’ll do anything which brings a smile to a child’s face.”
This year’s parade will also have a healthy dose of marching bands, drill teams, classic cars, equestrian groups, scout troops and floats. The parade, put on by the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce, focuses on highlighting the achievements of local youth and youth organization.
“The whole point of this endeavor is for kids to have a good time and for parents to see their children out there in the parade,” says Farmer-Rockefeller.
A parade helps us all have a good time, without costing a whole lot of money. There is no charge to participants or spectators for the parade, which will start at the corner of Cole Grade Road and end at Valley Center Road by the VC Fire Station #72.
The parade committee is hoping to see a good turn out from its Valley Center residents and its neighboring communities, said the chairman.
Chuck Matteson could look at just about every tombstone in the VC Cemetery and tell you a story behind it. He loved to point out the graves of Civil War veterans buried there.
For 11 years Charles Kevin Matteson took care of the VC Cemetery like it was his own back yard. He did it with a compassion, warmth and humanity that made him beloved.
Last year, shortly before he left the cemetery for medical reasons, a person who had had contact with him exclaimed, “You have so much compassion. We’d hate to see you go.”
Mr. Matteson died Friday, April 18 at home, from liver cancer, although he also suffered from emphysema. He was 57.
Cemetery Board Pres. Stan Johnson commented, “Chuck was an unusual man, tall of stature and with a heart to match. He was one of those men that everyone seemed to like. He had a genuine gentleness about him and a very caring manner when dealing with those people who had lost a family member, friend, child or lifelong mate.”
Mr. Matteson was born May 14, 1945 in La Jolla, but grew up in Valley Center from the time he was 1 year old.
His stint as cemetery superintendent ended in January 2002 shortly after he was diagnosed with the disease that would take his life.
He was involved in developing the idea of a columbarium to provide a place for cremains. Today in a very prominent place in the cemetery that he loved stands the columbarium that he helped to plan and saw completed.
Previous to the VC Cemetery job he spent a decade working at the Oak Hill Cemetery. An avid reader, Mr. Matteson’s true love was reading and studying about history.
Mr. Matteson lacked a few credits to earning a master’s degree in history.
He knew Valley Center history particularly well.
Johnson told The Roadrunner: “Chuck brought with him to Valley Center ten years of experience with Oak Hill Cemetery in Escondido. This was the first time that we had someone with extensive cemetery experience as superintendent. For someone who loved history as Chuck did, the cemetery was a treasure filled with history.”
He liked to go gold hunting. He loved to garden. He loved his home.
Alice Turner, his wife of 21 years and he, never had any children, “except for the four-legged variety.”
Theirs’ was a true love match. “I saw him come through the door and it was love at first sight,” she said. “We’ve been together ever since.”
Survivors include his mother, Mary Matteson, of Valley Center; his wife, Alice Turner; two children (from a previous marriage), Chuckie J. Matteson, of Escondido and daughter, Marla Matteson, of Escondido.
Services will be announced.
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In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Elizabeth Hospice in Escondido, 150 W. Crest St. Escondido, CA 92025. Please specify that the donation is in his name.
The Valley Roadrunner
P.O.B. 1529, Valley Center, CA 92082
Tel. 760.749.1112 Fax 760.749.1688
Website: www.valleycenter.com
Email: editor@valleycenter.com
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