Valley Center’s main roads Sunday are expected to be jammed with spectators hoping to glimpse Lance Armstrong, or other biking stars as the Amgen Tour of California Race passes through VC, Pauma and Palomar Mountain on a 96.8-mile leg that begins at Lake Hodges at noon and ends in Escondido about 4:30 p.m.
Valley Center, North Lake Wohlford and Cole Grade roads will all be closed at various times between 11 a.m.–4 p.m. in rolling closures that will follow the bicyclists. See page A10 (or, if you are reading this online, elsewhere on our Web site) for a chart of where the racers are expected to be at given times to judge when your access will be blocked.
The full race is a grueling nine-day, 900-mile trek that began in Sacramento, moved west to the coast and followed it down to San Diego, where it will turn north on Sunday.
Weather is looking good for the event, although the bicyclists will have to pass through some heavy snowdrifts on Palomar that are being created as we write these words.
The VC Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Tour of California Valley Center Festival, Sunday, Feb. 22 at Adams Park from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
According to Chamber Pres. Shawneen Burdick, spectators can enjoy race-day festivities at Adams Park, along Cole Grade, as they wait for riders to pass by. Pony rides, a petting corral and an inflatable jumper will be on-site for children along with various booths, games and food.
B.J. Williams of the Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Unit will have a crime prevention booth at Adams Park from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. She will have a bicycle safety display with literature for distribution and games for the kids.
Portino’s Italian restaurant is working with Christiansen Amusements out of Escondido to sell churros and pretzels and to provide pizza by the slice at the park.
Jay Kopelman, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), executive director of Freedom is Not Free (www.freedomisnotfree.com) will have a booth at Adams Park. He will offer various items.
Light and Life Palomar School will have an inflatable jumper and fruit at Valley Center Road & Cole Grade and the Adams Park locations.
The Chamber is offering booth opportunities at Adams Park for $40 or $20 for members. Call the Chamber office at 749-8472 to reserve your spot.
Another place to hang out and relax while you watch the bikes go by is Dave Biber’s property on Cole Grade, just as the road starts to head down into Pauma Valley. There will be an inflatable jumper and food at this location, which is the last grade that the bicyclists will have to climb before the end of the grade.
At Cole Grade Road & Miller Valley Baptist Church will serve free carne and pollo asada, cotton candy and popcorn from 1–4 p.m.. It will also have an inflatable jumper.
There will be a two-mile stretch of VC Road where parking will be available—along with games.
Abe Boulos of the Country Junction deli at Old Town Center plans to be open during the event, and to take some of his business outside to the road’s edge, near the intersection of Cole Grade & VC Roads.
Also on VC Road, halfway between Cole Grade & Lake Wohlford Roads (29919 VC Road), Mrs. Burdick and her husband, Terrell will have an inflatable jumper and parking.
The Kiwanis Club will provide refreshments at the corner of Lake Wohlford & VC Road.
At the same location, but across the street, the firefighters of Station 73 will grill hot dogs and hamburgers and sell drinks as a fund-raiser. They will also have a TV where you can watch the closed circuit race.
Ridgeview Church, also on North Lake Wohlford Road, just past the middle school, will also serve refreshments and have a live feed TV of the race.
Smokey’s Lake Wohlford Café, 25484 Lake Wohlford Rd., will be a spot to see the racers go by twice in one day, as they race to Palomar Mountain and return to Escondido via Lake Wohlford Road.
There will be happy hour prices on all beers that day, special appetizers and games. You can play a game of pool, watch movies on the big screen, have a picnic at the lake with the cafe’s sack lunches to go, and watch the race on one of the TVs at the café.
Water and soft drinks will also be sold at Lake Wohlford.
Up on Palomar Mountain watch the King of the Mountain climb and follow the rest of the race live on the big-screen TVs at Mother's Kitchen. Food specials and a drawing will be held.
Due to the road closures, it is advised that wherever you choose to view the race from to stay put until it is over.
A wealth of information is available on the race by visiting www.sandiegonorth.com/amgen/
The Miss Valley Center Pageant has announced the names of the contestants for the Miss Valley Center and Junior Miss pageants, which will be held March 21, 6 p.m. at the Maxine Theater.
The pageant is broken into the Junior Miss Valley Center and Miss Valley Center pageants.
Junior Miss Valley Center Contestants
Contestant No. 1 Maria Macovichuk is 16 years old and in 11th grade at Valley Center High School (VCHS). She is the daughter of Jane Stratford and has six brothers and five sisters. Maria stands 5’2”, has brown hair and hazel eyes.
She belongs to many clubs including California Scholarship Federation (CSF), Future Farmers of America (FFA), National Honor Society (NHS) Interact Club, Key Club and is an Ambassador Girl Scout. Her hobbies include tennis—and she takes every chance to play.
Her immediate plans are to finish her Girl Scout Gold award as soon as possible. After graduating she would like to attend Palomar College. Her favorite quote is “Don’t walk behind me I may not lead, don’t walk in front of me I may not follow, just walk beside me and be my friend.”
Contestant No. 2 Brittney Usher, is 14 years old and a freshman at VCHS. She is the daughter of Craig & Elizabeth Usher and has one brother and one sister. Brittney stands 5’10”, has blonde hair and hazel eyes.
Clubs she belongs to include CSF, AVID and Girl Scouts. Hobbies include tennis, assisting lower grades and riding quads. Her immediate plans are graduating high school and receiving the Girl Scout Gold award.
She would like to attend Palomar College. In ten years she sees herself working towards becoming an elementary school teacher. Her philosophy is “There is always a good side to people; you just have to find it.”
Contestant No. 3 Morgan Boberg is 16 years old and a VCHS sophomore. The daughter of Gary & Alison Boberg, she has one brother and one sister. Morgan stands 5’5”, has blonde hair and hazel green eyes. She belongs to many clubs, including drama and is a member of International Thespian at VCHS. Hobbies include singing, acting, dancing and if it’s a sunny day you might find her at Moonlight Beach playing volleyball.
She plans to graduate from high school and continue to work in the entertainment industry. She would like to pursue her musical career and land a role on a TV show. In ten years she sees herself performing on stage at the Staples Center, but in reality she would be just as happy being a mom. Her philosophy in life is “Why be negative when you can be positive?”
Contestant No. 4. Lauren Owensb is 14 years old and in ninth grade at VCHS. She is the daughter of Susan Padilla and has one brother. Lauren stands 5’ tall, has brown hair and brown eyes. Clubs she is a member of include American Sign Language (ASL) Club, San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra and CSF. Hobbies include playing the violin, making jewelry and doing community service. After graduation she wants to attend Princeton and major in writing with a minor in science. In ten years she sees herself working as hard as she can as a writer and jewelry designer. Her philosophy in life is “There is always more you can do.”
Contestant No. 5 Haleigh Collie is 14 years old and in ninth grade at VCHS. She is the daughter of Tim & Carrie Collie and has one sister. Haleigh stands 5’7”, has dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Hobbies include playing the saxophone, softball and listening to music. Her immediate plans are to start high school and go on to college and law school. After high school she would like to attend Yale and get her law degree. In ten years she sees herself working hard and fulfilling her dreams. Her philosophy in life is “Always treat people the way you want to be treated.”
Contestant No. 6 Allyson Crouthamel is 16 years old and a VCHS junior. She is the daughter of Eric & Kelly Crouthamel and has one brother. Allyson stands 5’6”, has strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. Hobbies include dance, VCHS swim team, going to Lake Havasu and off-roading in the desert. Her immediate plans are to graduate from high school and attend college. She would like to become a psychiatrist and have a loving family. In ten years she sees herself finishing her medical degree in psychiatry. Her philosophy in life is “I will never finish all that I have started because life is about doing, the process, not the result. My life is a constant work in progress. Set Your Goals.”
Miss Valley Center Contestants
Contestant No. 1 Mackenzie Rizzo is 17 years old and in 11th grade at VCHS. She is the daughter of Don & Tiffanie Rizzo and has one sister and one brother. Mackenzie stands 5’6”, has golden brown hair and brown eyes. She belongs to many clubs including VCHS Cheer and ASB. Hobbies include dance, choreography, music, and shopping. She plans to grow academically, apply for colleges and graduate from high school. She would like to attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii. In ten years she sees herself working in her chosen career and maybe married with a couple of children. Her philosophy in life is “Go forward in faith.” She believes with a strong and positive attitude she will have many wonderful opportunities available to her.
Contestant No. 2 Kristina Joor is 18 years old and a freshman at Cal. State San Marcos. She is the daughter of Tim & Roxanne Norton and has six sisters. Kristina stands 5’1”, has blonde hair and blue eyes. She belongs to many clubs, including 4-H swine and AVID. Hobbies include motivational speaking dancing, pilates, and watching football and baseball. She plans to continue working and going to school. She wants to earn 60 units by the end of her sophomore year so she can transfer to a different university. In ten years she sees herself with a family of her own and a great job that she enjoys. Her philosophy in life is “Live life with a smile on your face.:
Contestant No. 3 Darcy Gray is 22 years old and a junior at San Diego State University. She is the daughter of Jim & Donna Gray and she has two brothers and one sister. Darcy stands 5’2”, has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Club memberships include Student Public Administration Assn., Public Relations and Student Society of America.
She works at the Charter School of San Diego. Hobbies include reading, sailing, and working out. After graduating from college she plans to obtain her master and doctorate degrees in public administration. In ten years she sees herself working for the California Legislative Branch within the educational system. Her philosophy in life is “She, who attempts the absurd, can achieve the impossible.”
Contestant No. 4 Rachel King is 17 years old and in 12th grade at Escondido Charter High School. The daughter of Radford King and Laura Gleed, she has four brothers and one sister. Rachel stands 5’7”, has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is the musical director and assistant choreographer for Christian Youth Theater at school. She works as one of the lead performers in the musical Journey to the Lost Temple at Legoland. Her immediate plans are to attend a 4-year university and double major in theatre and music/vocal performance.
In ten years she sees herself gaining critical acclaim as a stage actress on Broadway. Her philosophy on life is a quote from Galatians, “For I have been crucified in Christ, and it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.”
The Miss Valley Center Pageant is March 21, 6 p.m. at the Maxine Theater.
The Miss Valley Center Pageant is produced by the Valley Center Pageant Assn. (VCPA), a non-profit organization committed to providing opportunities for the education and personal growth for young women in Valley Center.
Donations of goods, services and education funds help improve the program.
For more information, contact VCPA President, Debra Jockinsen at 751-1051.
A VC woman was killed Sunday, 5:15 p.m. on VC Road, on the Rincon Grade, in a head-on collision.
At 5:15 p.m. Sunday evening Cal Fire Valley Center Fire Dept., Rincon Reservation Fire Dept., and San Pasqual Reservation Fire Dept. responded to a multi patient head-on traffic collision.
The deceased was a 28-year-old Hispanic woman, Maria Caballero Rangel, of Valley Center. She was a passenger in a ‘94 Nissan Sentra with two other companions. They were traveling east on Valley Center Road north of North Lake Wohlford road, when an ‘08 Hybrid Ford Escape traveling westbound veered into their lane for unknown reasons.
The driver of the Escape had OnStar which alerted the local fire department. Upon arrival, paramedics confirmed the woman’s death.
Two patients with major injuries were transported to local hospitals.
One patient with moderate injuries refused treatment. The road was closed for several hours and re-opened around 8:40 p.m.
County “Poetry Out Loud” winner, VCHS senior Samantha Carr (right) with VCHS English teacher and competition co-coordinator, Kellye Bojorquez. The winner and a guest will go to Sacramento next month for the state finals. If successful she's off to Washington, D.C. for the nationals and a chance to win a $20,000 college scholarship.
The VC Pop Warner Jags, Competitive Cheerleading Team went to Las Vegas Feb. 9 to fight for the title of Jams National Champions. They took first place in their division, a first! Top Row: Chelsea Diepstraten, student coaches: Tatianna Batalla & Sarah Mitchell, Katelyn Apodaca, Hailey McFall, Rachel Rivera, Breanna Todd, Jennee Roeder. Middle row: Logan Lucero, Marissa Neumann, Tessa Redmond, Reyna Norwood, Faith Mitchell. Bottom Row: Brenda Green, Venessa Rivera, Courtney Mullay & Arianna Todd. Not shown: Cierra Nigro and head coach Jeanna Slattery & asst. coach Joanne Rivera.
The annual Valley Center 4-H Pie Auction will be held Wednesday Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m. at VC Elementary School.
The money raised will benefit the Jason Armstrong and Matthew Cully memorial scholarship funds.
After 30 years, the Bose family is not continuing with its Karen Bose Memorial Scholarship Fund, which it began in 1978. Last year was it. During those 30 years the family handed out well over $100,000 in scholarships.
Jack Bose said it was time to let other 4-H members who had passed away be remembered.
“It’s been twenty-five years and a lot of people really don’t know who Karen and Kristen [daughters both killed in car accidents] were. We will, of course, continue to financially support the pie auction,” Bose said.
The students in whose name the scholarship money will be raised are Jason Armstrong and Matthew Cully. Jason, the son of Michael & Sue Armstrong, was killed in 1995 in a car accident. Matthew died in a motorcycle accident in 1999. Both were active members of 4-H and FFA.
In the past proceeds from the auction have always gone back into the community in some way.
Some of these donations were: a Fax machine donated to the Sheriff’s Office, donations made to the VC Fire Dept. for equipment, and donations to the Aerie Park equestrian park and to the Just Say No program, for the Red Ribbon program.
However, for the past dozen years proceeds have gone entirely to the various scholarship funds. The pie auction is their sole means of support.
Both of these funds have provided many students with college scholarships.
At Wednesday’s pie auction first year members are the pie runners and the older members help with the paper work.
The pies are made and donated by the families in 4-H and the friends and families of the scholarship funds. There is every kind of pie that you can imagine and some are still warm from the oven.
Jason Armstrong’s grandfather makes his famous salsa, known as “Grandpa Jack’s Salsa,” which is a very popular item, even though the event is a pie auction.
For more information, contact Robey Cobb at 749-0294.
By DAVID ROSS
Several decades ago some misguided fool put an initiative on the ballot that seemed like a good idea at the time: that the California legislature should become full-time, i.e. instead of being in session a couple of months a year, that it should be in session most of the time.
It’s time to repeal that initiative.
Our excellent Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries agrees with me. Recently he wrote an opinion piece about reforms that should be made in the legislature, and that one was one of about ten.
Now why, you may ask, should we cut the hours of legislators who can’t even get a budget done—and are still struggling to figure out how to shrink a $40 plus billion deficit?
Because they really do have too much time on their hands.
For example, last year state law made it mandatory for new cars to have a “Global Warming Score” label.
Maybe if they had fewer days to mull laws such as the one that was introduced a few years ago that would have required that the principles of Feng Shui be considered in building public edifices.
Or the law that almost was passed last year that would have required that consumers pay extra in order to get plastic bags when they go to the supermarket.
If they only had two or three months out of the year to craft laws, it would tend to concentrate their efforts on the important laws—and things like the state budget. And let’s face it, the state budget wouldn’t be nearly as large if our lawmakers didn’t have so much free time to think of new projects to spend money on. Another fact of political life—heck, any kind of life—is that we expand our work to fit the time that we have to accomplish it.
About 40 states manage to accomplish everything they need to do in a few weeks each year. There’s no reason why California couldn’t make that number 41.
Have you ever noticed how much you accomplish when you are absolutely strapped for time?
This is not something that California legislators should have a say about. We, as their bosses, should impose it on them. And I say—let it start here!
San Diego county is, after all, where the Recall Gray Davis movement was born. And despite the fact that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is arguably a worse governor than Davis, and in fact is arguably our Blagojevich, without the corruption, the recall WAS a good idea. We just made the mistake of assuming that Arnold would be the kind of tough guy as governor as that guy he plays in the movies.
Come on you women of the VC Republican Women Federated! You know this would be a great project for you! And given that the Republicans are about as low in the doldrums in this great state as they have ever been, it’s time to lead the way upward and onward!
Excelsior!
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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