September 21, 2005 - Top Stories
On Sept. 17, the Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District’s Board of Education selected Lou Obermeyer, Ed.D., as the finalist for the position of District Superintendent.
“Dr. Obermeyer was selected from an outstanding field of candidates. She has had successful leadership at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Dr. Obermeyer has developed strong leadership teams focused on high expectations for all students and a commitment to continuous improvement,” said VCPUSD Board President Barbara Rohrer.
Dr. Obermeyer is presently the Superintendent of the Atwater Elementary School District in Atwater, California. She assumed the position in 2003 after serving as Assistant Superintendent in the Perris Union High School District. She worked with the high school to strengthen academic programs and to create career pathways for students for college or the workforce.
Dr. Obermeyer has also worked at the Riverside County Office of Education, Temecula Valley Unified School District, and Alvord Unified School District for a total of 26 years in Riverside County. Her doctorate is in educational management from the University of La Verne and she currently teaches in the doctoral program.
Dr. Obermeyer has been married to her husband Roger for 23 years. They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren who live in the Riverside area.
The board plans to formally appoint Dr. Obermeyer at a special meeting at 6:30 p.m on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the district office and she will assume her post in Valley Center-Pauma on Jan. 1, 2006. The Roadrunner was able to learn more about Dr. Obermeyer from Dr. Ray Easler, who is in his second year with the VC-Pauma School District as Director of Special Education. He was “very excited” to learn Dr. Obermeyer was coming and that “she will be an asset to our district.” He described Dr. Obermeyer as professional, ethical and knowledgeable with experience in K-12 and possessingexcellent leadership skills. He stated that in the 12 to 13 years he worked in the Riverside area with her, she was always very highly regarded. Every district in the county was always “thrilled to get her on their team”. Dr. Easler went on to say that Mrs. Jobe will be missed, but that Dr Obermeyer brings a great reputation with her.
The Roadrunner was also fortunate to reach Dr. Obermeyer directly. She said she is “honored” to be the finalist. She stated tje VC-Pauma District has an outstanding reputation and that is what first caught her attention when the position became available.
She described this opportunity as coming to a “great district in a great area only an hour away from children and grandchildren”. She will be in on the 13th to begin to meet everyone. She hopes to continue to build on the strengths of the district and to help expand programs and help meet AIP goals and expand programs at the high school for example
Dr. Obermeyer told us she is a farmer’s daughter, born and raised in the Imperial Valley. She indicated her husband is a retired eduator and administrator. They are looking forward to moving to and living in Valley Center.
A bit of old Germany will descend on Valley Center on Saturday, Oct. 8, when the seventh annual Oktoberfest will be held at VC Community Center.
This year's event will again be family-oriented and will again be sponsored by the Valley Center Optimists Club.
Hours will be from 11a.m.- 5 p.m. Valley Center's own live band, Triple Play, will play hits from past to present. This unique blend of musicians emphasizes rich vocals and harmonies coupled with the latest technology, and is always a crowd pleaser.
Hearty meals of bratwurst, hot dogs, sauerkraut, and potato salad will be available in generous portions. A shaded beer, wine, and soda garden will help quench peoples’ thirst on this autumn afternoon. Cotton candy will also be available.
Face painting will be offered for the little kids, and for the “big kids” a batting cage and a moonbounce tent will be set up.
There will also be drawings for prizes that include tickets to a hot air balloon ride. A drawing for a “booze wagon” worth $800 (currently on display at Fat Ivor’s) will be held, with tickets selling for $2.
Arts and crafts and baked goods will be set up (point of contact for vendors is Steve Blaze at 751-8726).
Proceeds from Oktoberfest will go to Optimist youth programs and scholarships within Valley Center.
Valley Center Wellness Spa will be encouraging people to donate to fight breast cancer all during the month of October.
Beginning the first week in October they will be taking donations and registering people to participate in the five-mile eighth annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, Sunday, Oct. 23, in Balboa Park.
We know that the American Cancer Society has a special place in the hearts of Valleyites. More than 1,200 people locally have been helped by the society or donated to it in the last five years.
Jana Limon, owner of the spa, said that they will have a booth open six days a week, all day in the courtyard in front of the spa.
“It’s a headquarters where people can make donations of $10, $20, $50 and pick up information on how to put walking teams together, or to buy items to help support the fight against breast cancer.” They can also make pledges if they don’t want to make the drive to San Diego.
All of the money will go directly to breast cancer. The spa is absorbing all administrative costs.
“We’re going to have a booth offering how to put teams together, tote bags, t-shirts, bracelets and water bottles,” she told The Roadrunner. “We want to make this a convenient, one-stop location for people wanting to donate to fight breast cancer.”
Limon would like to get together with other businesses in town to do breast cancer sponsorships.
She would also like to put together a team of people to take part in the walk.
Note: This is different from the 3-Day Susan Komen Walk that will also take place in October.
Although the kiosk won’t be open until October you can register anytime starting now until Oct. 23.
The Roadrunner will provide updates on their progress in upcoming issues.
Call Alison at 751-5303 or visit the Valley Center Wellness Spa for more information.
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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and throughout the year, the American Cancer Society staff and volunteers suggest that women tell their friends and family the following five important facts about breast cancer:
• All women are at risk for breast cancer – even those who have no family history of the disease.
• The two greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older.
• Survival rates are high for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, when the cancer is small and has not spread. Get annual mammograms beginning at age 40, and start regular breast exams by your physician at 20 years of age. Breast self-exam (BSE) is also an option.
• Smart strategies to reduce your risk of all kinds of cancer include regular physical activity, maintaining an appropriate weight for your height, and limiting alcohol intake.
• Through early detection and improved treatment, more women than ever are beating breast cancer.
If you or someone you know has been touched by breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society any time, day or night, for information or support at (800) ACS-2345.
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is one of more than 100 similar events held throughout the country.
During the coming year some 2,000 San Diego County women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to ACS statistics. In 2004, 10,000 walkers raised $650,000 for breast cancer research, patient and family support services, public education and advocacy to improve access to care.
In addition to raising funds, the walk promotes prevention and early detection as a woman’s best defense in fighting breast cancer.
The curtain is about to go up at our hometown's new venue, the 577 seat Maxine Theater. Tickets will soon be available for the opening which has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19. The event is being finalized.
Mark your calendars and watch for details to be released in the next few weeks in the Roadrunner.
The total cost to open the doors is approximately $7.4M. $1,700,000 is to come from community donations. These will be matched by a state program the school district was able to access through the joint use program with the Parks & Recreation District. The school district portion is $4M.
Many, many civic-minded people in the area have given generously, including, of course, the Finger family, Bill Horn and the County of San Diego, the Staples Foundation and the Shiley family. “The theater has enjoyed donations from children, from school groups, and from many families and individuals in the community. Every dollar has been a gift from the heart of the members of our community and will be enjoyed by the children and members of our community for decades to come,” said Mrs. Jobe.
Superintendent Jobe stated there is “one more pull of the proverbial curtain” to hopefully be completed before the real curtain goes up on Nov. 19.
“We are working hard to raise the final $170,000 (the last 10%) of the community donation portion.” Any additional donations small and large, would be most welcome and can be sent payable to the VC-Pauma Joint Use Project Fund at the district office at 28751 Cole Grade Road.
In addition, any fundraising ideas would be welcomed by Mrs. Jobe. You can reach her at 749-0464.
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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