April 25, 2007 - Top Stories
Valley Center High School has been honored as a California Distinguished School.
It is one of nine high schools and middle schools in the county, and 171 in the state, to get the award, which is the highest given by the state Dept. of Education.
The main criterion for getting the award is strong test scores, followed by quality of instruction.
Supt. Lou Obermeyer told The Roadrunner: "I'm very proud of our high school staff and students and appreciate the support we've received from parents and the community.
“Valley Center High School is most deserving of the recognition which is the highest award given by the California Dept. of Education,” she said.
The award, according to the California Dept. of Education, “Honors some of the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools. Schools selected for Distinguished School awards are strong, well-rounded community schools.”
Schools selected for recognition are honored as Distinguished Schools at a statewide awards ceremony where the state superintendent will present each school with a 2007 California Distinguished School plaque and flag.
“Congratulations to us all!” said an ecstatic Kelly Crews this week. She has been working to get donors to help make the July 4 fireworks show happen after the show lost its original sponsor.
The current total is $27,500.
With a new donor, Angelo Damante of Mercedes Benz of Escondido, and his donation last week of $10,000, the July 4 fireworks show now has enough money to guarantee that it will take place, as it has for the past nine years.
Damante was brought into the circle of donors last week by George & Cindy Weir, who themselves have pledged $10,000. They had also previously recruited Martha & Kevin Grangetto.
Mrs. Crews says she has contacted the fireworks company and is working to set up a bank account to hold donations.
Donations are still needed to help pay for some of the bells and whistles that make the fireworks show such a family event, such as the various games that are put on, and which have, in the past, included the three-legged race and egg toss.
Sponsoring such an event would be the perfect thing for a church or service club, she said.
Although the bare minimum to put on the show has been raised, more money and particularly quality volunteers, are needed.
“We don’t want only one thousand dollar donations,” said Mrs. Crews. “We’ll take twenty dollars or even five dollars. We want everybody to be a part of what they are creating.
“The show will happen. What we are determining now is how big of a pre-event we will have. We’ll do whatever we can get support for.”
She is also looking for a special, competent person to be in charge of things such as supervising the installation of the portable toilets as well as when the lights at Jaguar Stadium go on and off during the show.
“We need someone as capable and competent as we have had in the past for this job. That person will have to have references,” she said.
Donations may be mailed to Bank of Escondido, 200 West Grand Ave., Escondido, CA 92026.
You can reach Kelly Crews by e-mailing kelly@michaelcrews.com. or calling her at 760-535-6166.
Donors
So far, donors for the fireworks show include:
$10,000 from Cindy and George Weir of Weir Asphalt and Paving.
$10,000 from Angelo Damante of Mercedes Benz of Escondido.
$1,000 from Martha & Kevin Grangetto, Grangetto's Farm and Garden Supply.
$1,000 from the Price Family, of Price Products.
$1,000 from Jack Bose of A-1 Irrigation and Supply.
$1,000 from Rotary Club of Valley Center.
$1,000 from the Bank of Escondido.
$1,000 from Dale & Shirley Good of the Valley Roadrunner.
$500 from Sam McCuskey of McCuskey Group Inc.
$500 from Mark Miller of Frontier Fence.
$500 from Brad Becker of Becker Plumbing.
$200 from Tim & Allison Bell.
$100 from Captain Ken Baldry.
Carol Mohrbacher is the Chamber’s candidate for Honorary Mayor.
Carol M. (her campaign moniker) has a varied platform of goals that many would regard as impossible, but which she regards as merely astronomical:
1. Skyway over Eureka Springs for VC residents only!
2. New state-of-the-art Park, Community Swimming Pool & Community Hall to provide family enrichment.
3. Free buses that will provide residential pick-up so all residents can attend Valley Center events, special functions and shopping opportunities.
4. Horse trails to be re-opened and greatly expanded.
5. All major roads/highways in the VC area will have protective barriers to protect cyclists from vehicular traffic.
You may be familiar with Carol Mohrbacher since in early January she was installed on the Chamber board of directors as secretary and she is sharing her journey through breast cancer in The Roadrunner series “The Other Side of Tuesday.”
Carol M. is very active in the community and has worked most of her life.
She has been producer of a community theater, taught as part of her profession and in church, been in Toastmasters and competed in Ms Sr. America.
She produced and directed the children’s cartoon series pilot The Adventures of Sidecar Ole and Tazzmo—The Birthday Party, which teaches children the “Art of Caring.”
She rides Harleys with her husband, Don.
She founded Patrons of Special Care for Special Seniors Foundation. This recognized Alzheimer’s Care Organization and charitable non-profit will bring private specialized, state of the art, care centers to seniors with Alzheimer’s. This 501(c)(3)organization plans a prototype center for VC.
Two years ago she opened a start up, home based gifting service Express Executive Gift Service.com that takes the ‘stress’ out, for business professionals and volunteers! Each gift is customized to their friend or client.
A native San Diego, she and her husband, Don, raised two daughters and one son.
One daughter has an MBA and is vice president of an Electronics firm. One has a doctorate in education and is president of an affiliate of National University. Her son graduated from Valley Center High School and is at Cal Poly SLO studying to be a mechanical engineer.
Carol also has two grandchildren, a 21 year old grandson and a 2 year old granddaughter, who thinks she is the Dragonfly Princess!
Carol feels fortunate to also have a God-daughter, more like an actual daughter, who has been a big part of her life over the past 20 years. When the Mohrbachers moved here from San Diego, her God-daughter and family moved here too.
She retired from Dal-Tile Corp. as the San Diego Architectural Representative, for which she received outstanding performance awards, to devote full time to Patrons and to get it up and running, which is now happening. Though she has stepped down as president and CEO, she will remain on the board as Founder and is currently CFO.
Her most important attribute, if elected, is a heart for her community. Whether it is seniors, kids, business, schools, parks, beautification, planning or roads.
“My goal,” she says, “will be to do whatever I can to enhance this very special place we call Valley Center.
Some of other goals as mayor:
• Making Valley Center the best place to live on earth!
• Helping to bring loads of good health, happiness and perfect weather to the wonderful people in Valley Center.
• Being a Survivor of Breast Cancer, and enjoying every day here in this wonderful community.
• Sharing with everyone…that everyday is like Christmas…it is a gift!
Send donations directly to the VC Chamber of Commerce, POB 8, Valley Center, CA 92082. Or drop by the office between 9 a.m.–1 p.m. M–F and say Hi to Sue the secretary and drop off your donation personally.
Remember to specify that this is for the Carol M. for Valley Center Honorary Mayor 2007.
You will also see her around town, collecting donations and giving out custom-designed campaign buttons in cosmic orange, a must for every type of attire!
A portion of all contributions go to the Jack Vosberg Scholarship at VC High School. The balance will go to the VC Chamber, whose volunteers serve the local business community and you.
Carol M. says “Please say hello when you see me and please VOTE with your DOLLARS!”
On Friday, Valley View Casino presented a check for $20,000 to the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce for this year's Western Days celebration. Pictured (from left): Bruce Howard, general manager, Valley View Casino; Tom Bumgardner, Past President, VC Chamber; Verle Yoder, Vice President, VC Chamber; Bob Payne, Treasurer, VC Chamber; John Yeager, President, VC Chamber; Carol Mohrbacher, Secretary, VC Chamber; Joe Navarro, President/CEO, San Pasqual Casino Development Group, Inc.
Tumblin’ Dice, The Working Cowboy Band, and Nitro Express are scheduled to entertain Western Days crowds this year.
Three of the region’s top country bands, Tumblin’ Dice, The Working Cowboy Band, and Nitro Express have been scheduled to provide some true, down-home country western entertainment.
“We are very excited about this year’s entertainment lineup,” said Roger Leydecker, VC Chamber Director and chairman of this year’s Western Days. “We are sure that everyone will agree this is one of the best slates of country bands that Western Days has ever had!”
Tumblin’ Dice will appear May 25
One of the hottest country/variety acts in the San Diego area, Tumblin’ Dice pulls its members from some of Southern California’s most popular bands.
While a lot of bands define themselves as “variety” this one really “walks the talk” (or in this case, walks the beat). They can play an entire night of kickin’ country, an entire night of classic dance rock, and can easily blend the two into an evening of upbeat, down home tunes that will keep all ages tapping their feet and on the dance floor. Tumblin’ Dice will be performing on Friday, May 25th from 5 p.m.–midnight.
The Working Cowboy Band will appear May 26
Formed in 1995, The Working Cowboy Band is not by any means your average country band.
Steeped in the tradition of Honky Tonk and Texas Swing, once this band takes the stage you will find yourself swept up in a trip back to the days when country and swing music blended and the singing cowboy was the king of the airwaves and the silver screen.
At the same time, The Working Cowboy Band can rip up the stage with tunes popularized by such current country music stars as Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley. The Working Cowboy Band will play on Saturday, May 26 from Noon–6 p.m.
Nitro Express – May 26-27
Nitro Express is known as one of the hardest working bands in Southern California—and is certainly one of the best Country Rock bands!
With a song selection that includes New and Classic Country, Classic, Southern and Oldies Rock, Classic R&B, Surf and even Tex-Mex, Nitro Express is a band with universal appeal. When they play a Classic Country song, it is so authentic they could be playing from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry! Nitro Express will play on Saturday, May 26, from 6 p.m.–midnight and Sunday, May 27 from 2–4 p.m.
For more information about Valley Center Western Days, contact Roger Leydecker through the Chamber office, at 749-8472.
The 2007 Rodeo Queen line-up will have a Senior Rodeo Queen and, for the first time, a Junior Rodeo Queen.
Saturday May 12 at VC Community Center, “Competition Day” will begin at 5 p.m.
The girls will give their speeches to the audience and judges.
The speech will be 3–5 minutes long on selected topics that the girls will be given beforehand.
Contestants will be in proper western evening attire for the competition evening. After their speeches, contestants will begin their interviews with the panel of judges.
Individual interviews will last 2–3 minutes. Contestants will be asked a series of questions selected by the judges.
This will be followed by a potluck dinner for judges, contestants and the audience.
After the speeches and interviews a potluck dinner will be served to judges, contestants and the audience.
On Sunday May 13 the public will get to see these cowgirls show off their horsemanship skills and riding skills.
But before anyone sees these girls ride the three different patterns with only one pattern chosen for the competition day, they will give up Sunday mornings to practice the three different patterns and hone their riding skills.
Contestants will be judged on how well they control their mount (horse), how well they ride mounting, dismounting and their ability to understand all of these basic horsemanship skills.
Also being judged is the overall appearance (grooming and cleanliness) of horse and equipment. They may be asked questions by the judges about their horse, the appropriate dress apparel for a rodeo queen, and be able to perform a Queen’s presentation ride.
The young contestants will be introduced to the community within a couple of weeks.
Just a reminder: the rodeo will have a pie baking contest, a petting zoo for kids small and large. Friday May 25 is a free dance after the rodeo.
There will also be an extra day of barrel racing Sunday May 28.
For more information check out the Valley Center Rodeo Web site.
Tickets for the Valley Center Rodeo Queen 2007 competition on May 12 may be purchased from any one of the young cowgirls competing for this year’s title.
Hundreds of guests will be taken on an escorted bus tour of historic sites in Valley Center this Saturday (April 28) while hundreds more will be left behind, unable to secure tickets.
“The popularity of the event, sponsored by the Valley Center Historical Society, exceeded all expectations,” said Bill Hutchings, President of the VC History Museum, which benefits from the tours.
“Tickets for every tour were sold in the first ten days,” he said. When the waiting list reached more than 100, two more tours were added. Eventually, said Hutchings, another 400 calls came in seeking tickets, indicating that at least 800 people would be disappointed.
The tours will depart from the level 4 parking garage at Valley View Casino which is providing all buses without cost to the museum.
The event is also supported by Supervisor Bill Horn’s community projects fund.
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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