Rancho Bernardo Community Council

Community News

A webpage for announcements of community news and events.

Is your club, service organization or nonprofit organization having a fundraiser, upcoming meeting, guest speaker, looking for volunteers or have news to share with the rest of the community? If so, please send your information to us as the Rancho Bernardo Community Council is adding this Community News page to our website which will help inform the public of any information you wish to share.

BARRACADE FIRE GEL DEMONSTRATION: Saturday, May 10, 1pm, at Kit Carson Park in Escondido. Bring your own lawn chair. The gel will be applied to a flammable surface and then ignited to demonstrate its effectiveness. This event has been organized by 'Firestorm Survivors', a group of San Diego residents who lost their homes in the 2003 and 2007 firestorms and are working for change in the way our County deals with fighting fires. All San Diego residents are invited to the event. Please RSVP to tishasart@sbcglobal.net or call (760) 743-4686 so the presenter can have enough hand outs for distribution at the event.

The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club has announced their speaker schedule for May.

--Tue, May 13 Program: City of San Diego Councilmember Brian Maienschein
--Tue, May 20 Program: Cathy Kosich – Coordinator, Abraxas S.A.F.E. Center
--Tue, May 27 Program: -- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

The meetings start promptly at 7:15 am at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego, CA 92128. Speakers begin their presentations at 8:00 am. Members of the public are invited to attend these meetings. A $14.50 fee will be charged to those staying for breakfast. The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club can be found online at www.rbsunrise.org.

Continuing Educatiion Center at Rancho Bernardo: Reserve the evening of May 22 for the Continuing Education Center’s final free Community Lecture of the season. Commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the Model T, Dr. Dennis Rohatyn discusses the automobile’s impact on our culture as he muses on “What Hath Ford Wrought? a Meditation on Models.” Location is Oaks North Community Center, 12578 Oaks North Drive in Rancho Bernardo. The lecture is at 7:30 p.m. following refreshments at 7:00. Reservations are not needed. For more details, call (858) 592-6087

The Sandy Devito Trio
The jazz Trio led by RB guitarist Sandy Devito plays from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday nights in the Cafe on the Park at the Courtyard by Marriott in Rancho Bernardo. Guest performers in May will be vocalist Coral Thuet on May 16th, saxophonist Ross Rizzo on May 23rd and both saxophonist Tony Higgins and trombonist Dave Murray on May 30th.

RB Swingtet
The RB Swingtet performs its monthly concert from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Monday,May 12 at the Rancho Bernardo Library, 17770 Bernardo Center Drive. Featured are Don Loeffler on vibes, Arch Martin on trombone and Kenny Powell sitting in on drums.

The NORTH COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL will hold its Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Thursday, May 22, at 11:30 A.M. at the Bernardo Heights Country Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway, Rancho Bernardo. The Guest Speaker will be James Goldsborough, former Foreign Affairs Columnist for the Union Tribune. His topic will be, “Election Perspectives and Bush’s Foreign Policy Legacy”. Since space is limited, send reservations and a check for $22. by May 15, to, Arthur Schiff, 12071 Tretagnier Circle, San Diego, CA 92128. Entree choices are, Chicken Piccata with Rice, or Grilled Salmon with New Potatoes. Entrees include Salad, Organic Vegetables, Beverage, and Dessert.

SAN DIEGO WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL NORTH COUNTY CHAPTER MEETINGS 10:00AM, Thursdays, at THE REMINGTON CLUB, 16916 HIERBA DRIVE, Ranch Bernardo. Everyone is welcome to attend and to participate in these meetings; no charge, no need to reserve.

May 1 - Mr. Abe Gruber, member and anthropologist, taught for many years at Palomar College, will speak on “Anti-Americanism: Why do they hate us?”, including a review of Paul Hollander’s book “Understanding Anti-Americanism” that describes how the Iraq invasion has inspired a worldwide outpouring of protests.

May 8 - Mr. Abdi Hohamoud, a 1982 refugee from Ethiopia, who has spent the past ten years in a leadership role within the East African community, in San Diego, through his work as founder and Executive Director of the NGO, ‘Horn of Africa’, will speak on “Advancing Peace in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia”

May 15 - Mr. David Fathi, Director of the U.S. Program at Human Rights Watch, based in Washington D.C. and formerly a lawyer with the ACLU National Prison Project, will speak on “Counter-terrorism and Immigration in the Post 9-11 Era"

May 22 - Mr. James O. Goldsborough, journalist and foreign affairs commentator will be the keynote speaker at our Annual Meeting/Luncheon, at Bernardo Heights Country Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway and will discuss “Election Perspectives & Bush’s Foreign Policy Legacy”. $23, must reserve, Arthur Schiff - 858 487 5240.

May 29 - Dr. Vojin Joksimovich, member, will provide a preview of his third book, “Kosovo Crisis: When U.S. Sponsored Muslim Terrorists Amputate a Sovereign Country’’, in which he will focus on events relating to Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia that he argues has been orchestrated by the U.S.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Call Al Myers, (760) 721 9072 or almyers123@cox.net or joksimovich@yahoo.com or www.sdwac.com

Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo's Weekly Meeting Information: The club will be meeting every Thursday, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. at the Bernardo Heights Country Club. The cost of the luncheons, with various guest speakers, is $17. For more information, please contact Dan Malloy at (858) 245-2412 or DanMalloy.RBRotary@cox.net.

The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society announces the 3rd annual Pancake Festival at the Bernardo Winery on Saturday, May 24, 2008 from 8 am to Noon.

RB Historical Society's Pancake Festival will be honoring local Military hero Abe Baum on May 24th. 8 am through noon. All military eat for free and join the museum's permanent wall of honor. There will be a sketch artist and entertainment by the Dixie Strutters, besides fluffy pancakes and sausage cooked by our own RB Kiwanis.

Click here for details and a printable flyer.

Memorial Day in Webb Park ~ The Ranch Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association invites all veterans and their families and guests to attend its annual Memorial Day ceremony at the lake in Webb Park, Avena Place off Bernardo Center Drive, Monday, May 26, 2007. The ceremony, to honor and remember our deceased veterans of all wars, will begin at 10:40 am.

The featured speaker will be Major General Thomas D. Waldhauser, Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California with an introduction by Maj. Gen. McMonagle, USMC Ret. The Master of Ceremonies for the event is Rear Admiral Richard K. Fontaine, USN Retired. The Invocation and Moment of Silence will be by LCDR Israel Narvaez, ChC, USN. The Color Guard MCB, Camp Pendleton will present the colors. Members of the VFW Post 7766 and General J.P. Holland Chapter MOWW will post the Service, MIA, MOWW and VFW flags.

Other participants in the ceremony include a flag ceremony by VFW Commander elect Colonel William Kuhn Ret. USA. The Pledge of Allegiance by MOWW Past Commander COL Dave Epstein. The National Anthem by the Rancho Bernardo High School Madrigals. In Memoriam by MOWW and VFW Chaplain John Cantor. Abe Baum, President of the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association, will make the Presentation of Wreath. Firing of Volleys by Honor Guard. MCB, Camp Pendleton and the retirement of colors. The Benediction will be by LCDR Israel Narvaez,ChC,USN. Appropriate music by the Rancho Bernardo High School Madrigals, Lisa Friedrichs, Director.

A Memorial Day sandwich buffet luncheon will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Rancho Bernardo's Webb Park immediately following the ceremony. The cost is $12 per person. Seating is limited so your early reservations are suggested. Make your reservation by calling 858-485-6121 on or before Monday, May 19, 2008. Make your check payable to RB Veterans Memorial Association and mail to David Olivet, 11982 Avenida Consentido, San Diego, CA 92128-3243

Please bring your chairs to the ceremony.

Continuing Education Center at Rancho Bernardo Presents ~ Dr. Richard Lederer, columnist, author and radio host, will headline another free community lecture for the Continuing Education Center on March 13 at Oaks North Community Center, 12578 Oaks North Drive. His topic will be Presidential Trivia. After the talk, Dr. Lederer will be available to sign copies of his books, including his latest on the presidency. Refreshments will be served at 7:00 p.m. followed by the lecture at 7:30.

Opera lovers may join CEC at three more matinee performances of the San Diego Opera: Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci on March 30; Aida on April 20; and The Pearl Fishers on May 11.

Orange County Performing Arts Center will be CEC’s destination on June 28. The day will include a backstage tour of Sagerstrom theater, luncheon at the center, and a performance of Romeo and Juliet by the La Scala Ballet from Milan, Italy.

Drawing classes and a Chopin lecture/recital will be among CEC’s offerings during March at Remington Club II, 16916 Hierba Drive. For information and reservations for any of these events, please call the CEC office at 858 487-0464 or access the web site, www.cecrb.org.

The RB Chorale announces its upcoming Spring Show, “Broadway USA”. Performances will be held on Friday May 16th at 7:30 pm and Saturday May 17th at 7:30 pm at the Poway Performing Arts Center, 15498 Espola Road, Poway, CA. These shows will feature performances from three graduating high school seniors each night – all vying for scholarships to help further their musical education at the college of their choice. The chorale will award a total of $5,000 each night for a cumulative total of $10,000. Applications for the scholarships are still being accepted and must be postmarked no later than March 25, 2008. See www.rbchorale.org for more information.

Tickets will go on sale in April and can be purchased through chorale members, the web site and at www.powayperformingarts.com. Preferred Seating $30; General Admission $20; Seniors, Active Military & Students $18; Children $10. Save the date. You won’t want to miss this salute to Broadway!

Costco has a new program to recycle your old electronics computers, cameras, etc --any age. They will send you a prepaid shipping label to send in your item, thus shipping is free. If it's of any value, they may send you a cash card to use at Costco. Also, they have a zero tolerance landfill policy meaning that none of the components of the recycled item will end up in a landfill -- all of it is utilized!

Rides & Smiles™, a program of Jewish Family Service, launches a new Volunteer Recruitment Campaign for 2008. Rides & Smiles™, a volunteer based senior transportation service, has provided over 12,000 rides since the program was launched in March 2004. The campaign’s goal is to assist the many older adults on the waiting list by enrolling 30 new volunteers by July 2008. All new volunteers will receive a coupon for a free full service car wash upon enrollment. Current volunteers will also receive a coupon for a free full service car wash for every new volunteer they recruit.

Help open the car door for someone in need by becoming a volunteer driver for Rides & Smiles™. Volunteering is easy. You decide who you drive, where you drive and when you drive. At your convenience, once enrolled, you can access the web based scheduling system and accept rides that will work for you. There’s no minimum number of rides required to provide. Jewish Family Service provides mileage reimbursement and secondary auto insurance.

For more information or to schedule an orientation, contact Marilyn Greenblatt, Rides & Smiles™ Coordinator at 858-391-0033 or marilyng@jfssd.org or visit www.jfssd.org

Important Notice for Poway Residence:
Poway , CA - The City of Poway has learned that individuals are contacting residents requesting entrance to their homes in order to test the water quality. These individuals claim to be with Water Quality, are carrying some type of badge, and are presenting blue door hangers printed in Spanish. The City of Poway is not conducting water quality tests. Additionally, employees of the City of Poway would not ask to enter a home. Residents are advised not to let these individuals into their homes. If approached by an individual who wants to enter your home to test your water quality, please contact the City of Poway Customer Services at (858) 668-4401 or the Poway Sheriff's Office at (858) 513-2800. For more information, click here: http://www.ci.poway.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=13&recordid=131&returnURL=%2Findex.aspx

For Music Lovers ~ If you love music from the '40s and '50s, Sandy DeVito Trio plays every Friday night at the Courtyard by Marriott, at 11611 Bernardo Plaza Court, from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Boy Scout Troupe 680 in RB ~ Troupe 680 picks up newspapers, magazines, aluminum cans and phone books the second Saturday of each month (rain or shine). For more details, email Mike Burgess at the following email address: mike@burgess.com

Lake Hodges Native Plant Club ~ The Club mission statement is: Preservation, conservation, and education about the native plants of Southern California. We meet on the 4th Monday of every month at 2 pm, at the Rancho Bernardo Public Library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. For more information on upcoming guest speakers and other events, please visit our website at
Lake Hodges Native Plant Club or call 760-745-6435.

Protect Your Identity ~ Do you receive a large amount of unsolicited advertisements which fill up our landiflls? If so, the Environmental Services Department encourages you to contact the credit reporting agencies and the Direct Marketing Association and request to opt out of receiving mail advertising.
-Reduce credit and insurance offerings by calling the three top credit reporting agencies ~ Trans Union, Equifax and Experian at 1-888-567-8688.
-Trim down on direct mail advertisements by writing to: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 15012-0643. Request to 'activate the preference service' and include your complete name address and zip code. For more information, go to www.creditsourceonlin.com/opt-out.html and www.dmaconsumers.org/dmasponsorship.html.

Burning Questions Regarding Recycling? ~ Do you or your children have burning questions regarding the mysteries of recycling? If so, email Bonita Blue Bin at recycleorelse@sandiego.gov or write to Bonita Blue Bin at City of San Diego Enviornmental Services Department, 9601 Ridgehaven Court, Suite 320, San Diego, CA 92123.

Free Smoke Alarms for Seniors ~ The Burn Institute Smoke Alarm Program provides free installation and free smoke alarms to people 55 years or older who own their own home and do not have working smoke alarms. To sign up for the program, call the Burn Institute at 858-541-2277.

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS!
The Rancho Bernardo Community Council wishes to give a very special thank you to Print Pros, Commercial Print and Copy Center in Rancho Bernardo. Print Pros generously donated their printing services to the Community Council, designing and printing our business cards. Mike Griffin, owner of Print Pros often donates the companies services to local organizations in our community. Print Pros also generously donated their printing services for the printing of the Rancho Bernardo Off Leash Dog Park Liaison's business cards. Thank you Print Pros for your support and generosity to our community.

The Troubadours ~ a barbershop harmony group perform every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Oaks North Community Center. For more information call 451-7706.

Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility ~ Location is at Miramar Landfill entrance on Convoy Street, just north of the 52 freeway. The facility is open every Saturday, except holidays, 9:00am-3:00pm. Appointment and proof of San Diego residency is required. Call (858) 694-7000 to ask questions or make an appointment.

Rancho Bernardo Farmers Market ~ every Friday, 9am-12pm, Bernardo Winery parking lot, 1330 Paseo del Verano North.

California Wolf Center ~ An educational program beginss at 2pm every Saturday at the facility near Julian, http://www.californiawolfcenter.org/ . Cost is $4 to $8, free to members. Reservations are required. For more information, call (619) 234-9653.

Blue Sky Walks ~ Every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve Park off of Escala Road. The slow paced guided tour is free and is geared for the whole family. Bring comfortable shoes and bottled water. For more information, call 679-5469.

4S Ranch Boys & Girls Club ~ The 4S Ranch Boys & Girls Club gym is presently forming summer basketball leagues for all girl and boys 1st grade through high school. For more information, call (858) 676-2230.

IDENTITY THEFT AND MERCHANTS: The Truncation Law, a state law which requires merchants to blot out all but the last few digits of your credit card number on your receipts is not being followed by all merchants. This leave a person wide open for identity theft. Review your credit card receipts. If your entire credit card number is displayed, the merchant is in violation of the Truncation Law. You can report the incident anonymously by either calling toll free (877) 662-6384 or visiting the Meth Strike Force Website (who sponsors this) at www.no2meth.org. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob initiated the Meth Strike force in 1996. Ms. Jacob wrote a column in the May 4, 2006 Rancho Bernardo News Journal entitled Meth-fuled ID thieves are out for receipts.

West Niles Virus Information ~ West Niles Virus is a serious situation in our County. To help prevent this, please make sure there is no standing water on your property. To learn more on how to safe guard your property, click here: West Nile Virus - Safe Guard Your Home . To learn more about Vector Control and other West Niles Virus information, click here: Vector Control Program - West Nile Virus Home Page.

CPR Class in Poway ~ The Poway Fire Department offers these classes 8:30 am - 2:30 pm on the first and third Saturdays of each month, at the fire station located at 13050 Community Road. Reservations for classes are required. Call 858-668-4460 for information and reservations.

RSVP - Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol - Free Services for Rancho Bernardo Residents
Vacation House Checks
If you are leaving your house for five days or more, would you feel safer knowing trained personnel were checking your house six days a week? This is a free service to the people of Rancho Bernardo.
Your Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (R.S.V.P.) will check your home while you are away, up to 30 days. RSVP has checked more than 144,000 homes since the program started in 1992.
YOU MUST complete a Vacation House Check form, which is our permission to be on your property. You will need the name, address and phone number of a LOCAL emergency contact WITH A KEY to your house. Come into our office, upstairs in the library a few days before you leave.
If you have business in our Police Storefront you may park in the stalls marked "San Diego Police" for fifteen minutes maximum. (Note: RSVP cannot check residences that are "For Sale" or "For Rent".)
You Are Not Alone (Y.A.N.A.) Program
Do you have a friend or loved one living alone in the RB area who would benefit from scheduled visits by RSVP? Call the storefront office or stop by to sign up for the "You Are Not Alone" (Y.A.N.A.) program. This is another free service to the people of Rancho Bernardo.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol is here to serve your community! We are completely funded by the generosity of citizens, businesses, service clubs and similar organizations. All contributions are tax deductible. RSVP does not charge for any of the above services.
Rancho Bernardo Police Storefront - (858)538-8146. 17110 Bernardo Center Drive - Upstairs in the RB Library. Open Monday through Friday - 7:30 am to 11:30, 1 pm to 3:30 pm.

Questions about new recycling rules: For information on locations for recycling or on properly disposing of household electronics, batteries, light bulbs, thermometers, etc., contact: www.earth911.org or (800) CLEANUP.

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve: Tours include a walk through the adobe, the barn and the spring house. Free tours on Saturdays at 11 a.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. For more information call: (858) 484-7504.

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum: A leisurely 1 1/2 hour historic train ride and tour at the museum takes place on Saturdays and Sundays. Train departs 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on both days. For more information call (619) 465-7776 or visit their website at www.psrm.org

Ner Tamid in Poway -- offers various adult courses which are open to the public. For more information visit their website at www.nertamidsd.org or call (858) 513-8330.

Project Wildlife -- is seeking volunteers to assist in helping injured, sick or orphaned wild animals found in San Diego. Volunteer information can be obtained on their website at www.projectwildlife.org or by calling (858) 866-0557.

Conserve-A-Tree Nominations Open -- The City of San Diego has launched a new program that gives local citizens the opportunity to nominate trees for preservation and historic designation. There may be a tree in your neighborhood that’s been there since your grandmother lived in her house, or one that is an important landmark. Through efforts of the City’s Community Forest Advisory Board (CFAB), citizens can now do something to help keep those trees from being cut.
“It is extremely important for us to promote protection and preservation of our trees,” said Nancy Huges, Chairperson for the CFAB. “We encourage community members to join us in this effort to make a difference in our environment.”
Criteria taken into consideration for tree protection will vary from: aesthetic or historical value, size, shape, health, age, species and form. To nominate a tree to be considered for protection by this designation, citizens must fill out and submit a “Conserve-A-Tree Nomination Form” to the City of San Diego’s Street Division. Once the form is received, the tree will be inspected by the Street Division Urban Forester to ensure all designation criteria are met. An Arborist will then evaluate the nominated tree for confirmation. The nomination must also be approved by the CFAB. Upon approval, the tree will be added to the City of San Diego’s Tree Protection Status, as described in the Tree Protection Policy adopted by City Council in May 2005. The policy states that construction or renovation permits must now recognize the need to keep these trees alive.
To obtain a “Conserve-A-Tree Nomination Form” contact Drew Potocki at (619) 527-3145. Completed forms can be faxed to (619) 527-7534.

Love On A Leash Pet Therapy -- do you have a well behaved pet (dog or cat) who does well with people? If so, you and your pet can become a certified pet therapy team and bring joy to people in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, etc. You can help children learn to read better at two of our libraries or our local schools. To learn more on how you and your pet can become one of these wonderful volunteers, please visit our website at: www.powayloal.com

Seniors Helping Our Kids -- Local elementary schools are seeking volunteers to come to school an hour a week and read with a child. Your one-on-one encouragement is priceless. No special background needed. Call Jane Radatz (858) 485-5449 for details.

Pomerado Hospital -- Pomerado Hospital is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions throughout the hospital -- lobby desks, gift shop, parking lot shuttle, emergency department, wheelchair service, offices, etc. Be part of a friendly community hospital. Call (858) 613-4659 for details.

Friendly Visitors -- The Friendly Visitors program is seeking volunteers to make social calls on local seniors who don't get out much. To volunteer or to request visitors, call Sandie Dewane at 858-487-9324, extension 4.