LEISURE
Scripps Ranch gets
'Dancing Lessons'
'Dancing Lessons'
By Ken David
Theater fans are in for a night of smiles and interesting characters when Scripps Ranch Theatre (SRT) presents Mark St. Germain’s ‘Dancing Lessons,’ Jan. 25-Feb. 24.
Dancing Lessons is described as a heartwarming and humor-laced story of Ever Montgomery, a young man with Asperger’s syndrome, who seeks instruction from Senga Quinn, an injured dancer, so that Ever can prepare for an upcoming awards ceremony. As the lessons and a relationship unfolds, both student and teacher make interesting discoveries about each other and themselves.
Director Megan DeBoard noted that at first look, the characters in the play — there are only two — are the type of New York neighbors who live in the same building two floors apart but have never communicated.
“As you get to know these characters, you see that they’re both a little socially awkward; they almost don’t have the patience for each other’s unique personalities,” she said.
But that awkward stage of the relationship changes over time.
“It’s not quite a romantic comedy, but there’s maybe a little bit of romance and a lot of comedy,” DeBoard said. “Mainly, it’s a lot of communication and learning how to communicate with someone who isn’t like you, and what kind of friendship can grow from that.”
The dancer, Senga, will be played by Michelle Marie Trester, who has starred in previous productions at SRT. Ever will be played by Andrew Gumm in what DeBoard said will be his first performance at the local theater.
A native of Oahu, Hawaii, DeBoard completed her undergraduate studies at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, where she is now the director of the theater department and has directed numerous plays. Her local directing experience also includes plays at Grossmont College, San Diego Junior Theatre, Cygnet Theatre and Diversionary Theatre. “Dancing Lessons” marks DeBoard’s first time directing at SRT.
“What I love about ‘Dancing Lessons’ is that the entire play takes place in a New York studio apartment, so we don’t have walls that are getting in the way of various sight lines,” she said. “We’re just able to live in this New York apartment, and hopefully the audience will feel like they’re peeking in the windows.”
Scripps Ranch Theatre is on the campus of Alliant International University, 9783 Avenue of Nations. “Dancing Lessons” runs Jan. 25-Feb. 24. The Jan. 26 “opening night” performance will be followed by a post-performance reception including snacks and the opportunity to meet the cast and production team. To reserve seats, call (858) 578-7728. For ticket price information, visit scrippsranchtheatre.org.
Peterson is hard at work preparing to open School of Rock Scripps Ranch at 12090 Scripps Summit Drive, the former location of Sanctuary Lounge.
Unlike the movie, School of Rock is a very real company – an international franchise – with a program, classes and teachers to help guide aspiring rock ’n’ rollers through lessons in rock music.
“It started in 1998. It actually came out before the movie,” Peterson said. “There are schools all over the world. It’s very popular in Australia, South America, Europe.”
Peterson said he began listening to rock ’n’ roll when he was very young. He has played bass and guitar in several rock bands. The music has been a major influence throughout his life.
“It’s so fun. There is so much energy and so much passion in rock ’n’ roll. There is so much story,” he explained. “It’s part of our culture. It’s part of what defines our lifetime in so many ways. You hear a song you haven’t heard in 20 years and it makes you feel great.”
Opening the local School of Rock franchise will be Peterson’s first go at such a venture.
“I’ve been unwittingly preparing for this my whole life, honestly,” he said. “I came from the high-tech world. I worked for Intel and Qualcomm, but I’ve always somehow figured out a way to bring music into my work through different programs that I did with the big companies I worked for before. But now I get to do music full-time.”
Peterson said Point Loma and Encinitas already have franchises. His daughter, Melanie, is already taking classes at one of them. He chose to open his School of Rock in Scripps Ranch for a couple of reasons.
“This is a great community. … This area needed one,” he said. “This is what I want to do with the next 20 years of my life. I want to grow a community of young musicians who can play and have fun with rock ’n’ roll. In a lot of ways, it’s extending a legacy of the music that I grew up loving.”
Peterson is hoping to open his school in December or January, but much remains to be done, including securing the business permits and licenses.
When School of Rock Scripps Ranch does open, it will offer classes for everyone. Children can start as young as age 4, but the core programs start at age 7 and run through age 17. There will be a program for adults as well.
Experience is not necessary. One of the programs – Rock 101 – is for beginners.
“We get them up to speed and once they graduate from Rock 101, we put them into a program called the Performance Program,” Peterson said.
Students in the Performance Program will perform in a seasonal show. For example, Melanie Peterson recently performed in a seasonal show featuring music by Jack White of the White Stripes. She prepared for three months and learned six songs. She spent each week learning music and practicing the songs. By the time the show came up, she had all the music down, Peterson said.
Melanie has signed up for another show in the Performance Program. This one is themed “One Hit Wonders,” and she will have four months to prepare. This time she will get to play guitar, bass and might sing, Peterson said.
School of Rock Scripps Ranch will offer lessons in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals. Students will have the opportunity to occasionally perform at established venues in San Diego where rock fans regularly go to hear live rock ’n’ roll.
While Peterson is an experienced rock musician, he plans to hire other professionals to teach his students. He will have his hands full coordinating the operation.
Meanwhile, Melanie thinks she would like to pursue a career in rock. Her father hopes that she will one day teach students at his School of Rock in Scripps Ranch.
Those interested in learning more about School of Rock Scripps Ranch can visit bit.ly/2qGtEhn or email Steve Peterson at Speterson@schoolofrock.com.
STEM Floral Co., located at 9992 Scripps Ranch Blvd. in the spot formerly occupied by Posies, opened Nov. 5 to provide Scripps Ranch and surrounding communities with a fresh take on beautiful flower arrangements.
Co-owned by Scripps Ranch native Madison Jones along with Andi Supergan, STEM offers flower arrangements, vase arrangements, flower crowns, corsages and boutonnieres for student proms and other special occasions.
“We try to do custom-made arrangements,” Supergan said. “Most flower shops have pre-made bouquets. We don’t have anything like that. When a customer comes in, we ask what colors they are looking for, what style they like and if they like fragrance. Then, an arrangement is designed just for that person.”
“I would say our style is funky and unique,” Jones said. “We want everyone to feel like they’re getting something special.”
In addition to helping customers at the shop, STEM also takes phone orders and can deliver up to 25 miles away.
STEM is the first business venture for both women, but they bring a wealth of experience, having worked for years at Posies before that business’ owner, Leigh Fischer, decided to close that longtime Scripps Ranch flower shop.
“Leigh trained us and gave us the love for being florists and working in the flower industry,” Supergan said. “She was such a hard worker, and when she said she wasn’t going to continue having the storefront, she really supported us and said, ‘You girls can do this if you wanted to.’ So, we took a leap of faith.”
Jones reported that community response to their soft opening the weekend before the official opening was good.
“People were so excited,” she said. “Family and friends and the community all came in and wanted to see what we did with the shop.”
Before opening as STEM Floral Co., the space received a substantial makeover, including a new roof, new insulation, expanded walls for more workspace, and new floors and workbenches.
Now, STEM is open for business with two owners ready to meet the community’s floral needs with enthusiasm and their own style.
“Yes, we’re young, but we care about this business so much, so we’re ready to take this on completely,” Jones said. “Hopefully, the community likes it and likes what we’ve done with the shop and continues to support us the way that they supported Posies in the past.”
STEM Floral Co. is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 pm; and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit stemfloralco.com.
The striking painting above is titled “Mosaic Path” by contemporary impressionist Erin Hanson, a Scripps Ranch resident. It is one of 20 creations in her Fall Colors show, now on display at The Erin Hanson Gallery, 9705 Carroll Centre Road.
The collection focuses on Hanson’s love for the unbridled hues of autumn. It includes pieces inspired by her travels through the East Coast, Kyoto, the Pacific Northwest and the southern reaches of Canada. Hanson spent the fall of 2017 traveling to iconic autumn locales in search of premium fall colors at the very peak of the season change. She explored the furthest reaches of Acadia National Park and trekked through the East Coast from Maine to North Carolina. She then set out for Kyoto, Japan, for the ultimate in fall foliage. Visit erinhanson.com.
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The staff at Scripps Ranch News extends warm wishes to all our readers in hopes that each one will enjoy special times with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the holiday season.
The “Pleasure of Your Company” music series, sponsored by the Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library presents jazz pianist Yuko Maruyama on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 2:30 p.m. at the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center.
Yuko and the Mercantile Alley Band will perform original compositions from her albums “In Tone Nation” and “Piano Bento,” as well as her uniquely modern interpretations of favorite American classics from the 1940’s Big Band era. In addition to Yuko on the piano, this four-piece band features Taylor Smith on bass and vocals, Miles Clowminzer on drums and vocals, and Risa Schapiro on accordion, percussion and vocals.
Pianist-composer-arranger Yuko Maruyama is from Tokyo, Japan. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a master’s degree in Jazz Studies. A Kawai Pianos performing and recording artist, Yuko toured the U.S. with her CD “In Tone Nation,” for Kawai Piano Company in 2002. Her new album, “Piano Bento,” features her original compositions and arrangements and incorporates an assortment of pianos, from antiquated to electronic, to create a unique blend of sounds and instrumentation.
There is no charge for the concert, although donations are appreciated. Meet the artists at a complimentary post-concert reception.
Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center is located at 10301 Scripps Lake Drive near Miramar Lake. Overflow parking is available on Meanley Drive off Scripps Ranch Boulevard. Call (858) 538-8158 or visit www.srfol.org for information.
Scripps Ranch Theatre (SRT) will ease playgoers into a holiday mood with its second play of the season, “She Loves Me,” running Nov. 9 through Dec. 16.
Described on the SRT website as “perhaps the most charming musical ever written,” “She Loves Me” is a romantic comedy featuring music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, the same songwriting team behind “Fiddler on the Roof.”
“[‘She Loves Me’] is a love story but it also has a holiday theme to it, so it fits in perfectly with a November-December time slot,” director Tim Leib said. “The play takes place in a perfume shop around the holiday season. There’s even a big number called ‘12 Days to Christmas’ that counts down the days left to finish holiday shopping.”
The main story in the play is about Georg [yes, that’s how it’s spelled] and Amalia, two people who work in the same shop, but do not get along with each other. Both have a pen pal who they’re devoted to writing to each week and look forward to reading the letters sent to them. As the letters go on, both Georg and Amalia fall in love with their pen pals, even though they’ve never met.
If that story sounds familiar, it’s because this play, based on the 1937 Hungarian play by Miklos Laslo, is the story upon which the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movie “You’ve Got Mail” is based. The story was also the basis for a 1939 Jimmy Stewart film titled “The Shop Around the Corner.”
Subplots of the play include another couple working in the shop who have a different view on love, and the shop’s owner who is starting to think his wife of 30 years has been unfaithful.
“This show is a unique piece. A lot of people think this is the best score from the ’60s,” Leib said. “It is such a beautiful piece. I don’t know anyone who has seen a decent production of it who doesn’t love it.”
While written by the same team behind “Fiddler,” the songs of “She Loves Me” have a very different sound and feel from that play, featuring more of a classical musical theater style, according to Leib.
“The music is absolutely gorgeous. Some of the songs people likely would have heard before, like ‘Vanilla Ice Cream,’ the title song ‘She Loves Me,’ a beautiful tune called ‘Will He Like Me?’ and a song called ‘Ilona,’ which has a nice bossa nova feel to it,” he said.
Leib reported that the show is a favorite among theater actors and that fact prompted an enthusiastic response to the casting call.
“It’s not a show that’s done that often, but it’s something that a lot of musical actors know by reputation or experience,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun for the actors to perform and hopefully for the audience as well.”
The cast includes Taylor Magee, making her debut at SRT, in the role of Amalia; and Luke Monday as Georg. Tara Brown-Sampson makes her SRT debut as Ilona and Tanner Vidos plays Steven.
“This cast is energetic. They love one another. Everybody’s so excited to be putting this show on, and I think that’s going to translate to the audience,” Leib said.
The show on Friday, Nov. 9 is considered a soft opening, with Saturday, Nov. 10 being the official opening night. As is tradition at SRT, opening night will include a post-show reception that provides anyone who attended the show with the opportunity to meet the cast, directors and others who help put on the show.
Scripps Ranch Theatre is on the campus of Alliant International University, 9783 Avenue of Nations. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit scrippsranchtheatre.org.
Flippin’ Pizza, is celebrating its grand opening at the new Scripps Ranch location today until 2 p.m. at 10006 Scripps Ranch Blvd., Suite 102. A good crowd is already on hand.
Flippin’ Pizza is offering with free slices of its authentic, hand-tossed New York-style pizza plus complimentary beverages and Coca-Cola Freestyle® fountain drinks. It is featuring live music throughout the event. The event is open to all members of the community and includes giveaways and a fundraising raffle for The Seany Foundation in San Diego, whose mission is to bring relief and happiness to kids struggling with cancer and to their families. Drawings will be announced throughout the event.
Photos by Ralph LoVuolo. Visit ralphlovuolophotography.com.
SPONSORED STORIES
“When people think about alcohol, they tend to think about two problems: addiction and drinking and driving. This [report] shows there is another big problem – you can die from alcohol itself.”
~ Dr. David Jernigan, PhD, Director, Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
While the US drug crisis dominates the headlines, the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption are largely forgotten. And among those that DO remember, the conversation usually focuses on two subjects:
Alcoholism: According to the most-recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are over 15 million Americans age 12 and older who have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
Alcohol-Related Car Crashes: In 2016, 10,497 people died in car crashes involving alcohol.
And while these are huge issues indicative on the larger problem of problematic substance abuse, many people forget that it is also possible to die due to alcohol overdose—binge-drinking until the body shuts down.
An average of six Americans a day die because of alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol Poisoning Defined
Drinking a large quantity of alcohol in a short period of time can overwhelm the body’s ability to safely metabolize that alcohol. Such a rapid increase in Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) can impair brain function to the point that it cannot regulate basic life-support functions.
Here’s the thing—BAC can continue to rise even after the person has passed out, because even in unconsciousness, alcohol that was in their stomach or small intestine will enter the bloodstream.
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is ALWAYS a medical emergency, and all of the conventional wisdoms on how to sober someone out – cold showers, coffee, walking them around – won’t help.
Symptoms include:
- Extreme confusion
- Difficulty remaining conscious
- Breathing troubles
- Slowed heartbeat
- Cold, clammy skin
- Low body temperature
- Vomiting
- Impaired response – no gag reflex, unresponsive to pain, etc.
If you suspect someone is overdosing on alcohol, seek medical treatment immediately.
Approximately 88,000 Americans die because of alcohol-related causes every year. Lasting Recovery outpatient alcohol rehab in San Diego can help you and the people you care about safely regain their sobriety and return to a healthier, more productive life.
Sources:
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2016/NSDUH-FFR1-2016.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html
https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholOverdoseFactsheet/Overdosefact.htm
LASTING RECOVERY
OUTPATIENT TREATMENT CENTER
ADDICTION & MENTAL HEALTH
6046 Cornerstone Court W.
Suite 113
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 453-4315
www.lastingrecovery.com
The next time you need to renew your insurance policies, consider taking these steps to help you get the most out of them:
• Meet with your agent.
Your insurance needs change
over time. Conducting a home insurance review with your agent at least once each year can help you determine if your policies still make sense for your current situation.
• Ask about discounts.
During your annual home insurance review, ask about policy discounts. Before you renew your policy, speak with your agent about discounts that may be available. You may qualify for discounts for alarm systems or higher deductibles. Commonly overlooked discounts include infrequent or safe driver discounts.
• Insure your home for the estimated cost to rebuild rather than the real estate value.
State Farm® suggests you select a policy amount equal to at least 100% of the estimated replacement cost of your home, but the choice is yours. You also should make sure any replacement cost estimate reflects the actual characteristics of your home. Insuring your home for at least 100% of its estimated replacement cost — not the current market value — could give you the means to replace your home entirely in the event of a loss.
Carefully review the limitations on coverage and exclusions in your policy. Some items in your home might qualify for extra protection. For example, you may need more protection for jewelry and firearms. Business in the home coverage can protect furniture and equipment used for business purposes. Talk to your agent to make sure you’re not overlooking important add-ons to your policy.
Disclosure
Because insurance protection is a contract, any coverage descriptions in this article are general only and are not statements of contract. All coverages are subject to all policy provisions, including applicable endorsements.
Kevin Kane, Agent
State Farm
Insurance Lic#: 0E07261
kevin@kevinkaneagent.com
Bus: 858-514-0385
Most of us know that more sun exposure means higher risk for skin cancer, right? Well, there are also other, more specific factors that can also contribute to skin cancer.
- Fair skin (rarely tans but burns easily)
- History of bad sunburns as a child and teenager
- Family history of skin cancer
- Lots of moles and growths on body
If you are prone to sunburns and/or have a family history of skin cancer, then the latest I would recommend seeing a Dermatologist is at age 30.
The risk of skin cancer decreases if you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum.
- Olive toned skin (rarely burns but tans easily)
- Avoids extended sun exposure now and as a child and teenager
- No family history of skin cancer
- Little to no moles or growths on body
The most important rule when it comes to skin cancer prevention is to ALWAYS have a suspicious mole or growth evaluated by a dermatologist.
And remember your ABCDEs when doing self-evaluation for what is suspicious:
A - asymmetry (put an imaginary line in the middle of the mole or spot, the two sides should match, if not it is asymmetric)
B - border (should be smooth and not jagged)
C - color (should be uniform and even)
D - diameter (should be smaller than a pencil eraser)
E - evolution (watch out for any symptoms like itching, burning, and especially bleeding)
I hope this helps to serve as a reminder to begin getting annual skin exams and regularly examine your moles and skin growths. You may end up saving your life.
Dr. Tess Mauricio is a Board-Certified Dermatologist. She is a graduate from Stanford University School of Medicine and is the founder of M Beauty Clinic by Dr. Tess. She currently has three clinics: Miramar, Chula Vista, and Beverly Hills. Dr. Tess grew up in San Diego and is a long time Scripps Ranch resident.
M Beauty Clinic by Dr. Tess
9888 Carroll Centre Rd., Ste. 101
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 689-4990
www.mbeautyclinic.com
Regenerative Medicine is a revolutionary technology which uses OUR VERY OWN stem cells to repair degenerative conditions and signs of aging. We start out with millions of stem cells when we are born, but that number decreases as we get older, which makes it more difficult for our bodies to heal when we are injured. Regenerative Medicine allows us to harvest and process our stem cells to reintroduce them to different areas of the body where the stem cells are needed.
There are numerous ways to obtain stem cells, but we prefer getting them from your own fat via liposuction since fat is rich in stem cells and people also like decreasing the amount of fat they have on their stomachs.
Some conditions that I have specifically treated are: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Knee Pain, Ankle Pain, Foot Pain, Tendonitis, Sports Injuries, Failed Back Surgery, Fractures, Raynaud’s Disease, Sciatica, Hair Loss, Sexual Dysfunction, Neurological & Autoimmune Conditions and general Anti-Aging of the Skin.
Individual results will vary and we cannot promise the extent of your results because this procedure depends on your own stem cell’s ability to repair and regenerate. However, ALL of our patients so far have reported a noticeable improvement with pain and their quality of life after the procedure.
Contact our clinic at (858) 689-4990 for more information about Regenerative Medicine.
Dr. Tess Mauricio is a Board-Certified Dermatologist and a leader in Regenerative Medicine, training other doctors all over the world on the latest anti-aging techniques. She is a graduate from Stanford University School of Medicine and is the founder of M Beauty Clinic by Dr. Tess. She currently has three clinics: Miramar, Eastlake, and Beverly Hills. Dr. Tess grew up in San Diego and is a long time Scripps Ranch resident.
M Beauty Clinic by Dr. Tess
9888 Carroll Centre Rd., Ste. 101
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 689-4990
www.mbeautyclinic.com
