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.

Chatime San Diego, is open for business at 9870 Hibert St., suite D-6, in the same shopping center where Trader Joe’s is located. It’s grand opening will be celebrated Friday, Nov. 9 with a buy one-get one free offer which will run through Nov. 15. Store hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.

Chatime is the world’s largest teahouse franchise. It’s based in Taiwan and its stores serve an assortment of tea, boba tea, milk tea, smoothies and health drinks.

Chatime is unique because ingredients for its drinks are all imported directly from Taiwan.

Two San Diego partners own and run this newest franchise. They chose the location because of its proximity to Scripps Ranch High School, Miramar College, Trader Joe’s and the nearby restaurants in the shopping center. The owners also chose Scripps Ranch because they heard it’s a great community where residents are friendly.

The Scripps Ranch News Homecoming Dance Photo Contest for Grownups has been a fun way for entrants from Scripps Ranch to travel back to their youth, recall a few memories and have a few laughs. 

Christina Hornedo is the lucky winner of the contest. As first place winner, she will receive a $100 gift certificate to Yanni’s Bar & Grill and one free month of membership at F45 Training Scripps Highlands.

Barbara Schroer earned second place for a photo of her high school homecoming dance in Santa Barbara. She will receive a $50 gift certificate to Yanni’s Bar & Grill and one free month of membership at F45 Training Scripps Highlands.

Yanni’s Bar & Grill and F45 Training Scripps Highlands are the official sponsors of the 2018 Homecoming Dance Photo Contest for Grownups. Yanni’s Bar & Grill is at 12015 Scripps Highlands Drive. F45 Training Scripps Highlands is at 9872 Hibert St., Suite 4D. 

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.

Flippin’ Pizza, the award-winning San Diego based fast, casual pizza chain with Brooklyn roots, celebrates the grand opening of its new Scripps Ranch location on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 10006 Scripps Ranch Blvd., Suite 102.

Grand Opening festivities begin at 11 a.m. with free slices of hand-tossed NY pies plus complimentary beverages and Coca-Cola Freestyle® fountain drinks. It will feature live music throughout the event. This event is open to all members of the community — the first customers will receive select Coca-Cola® giveaways.

Flippin’ Pizza will give back to the society by partnering with The Seany Foundation in San Diego, whose mission is to bring relief and happiness to kids struggling with cancer and to their families, particularly siblings. Join in supporting the long-term emotional health of kids with cancer and their families.

Guests will have the option of purchasing raffle tickets in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the foundation. Drawings will be announced throughout the day for giveaways like cool memorabilia donated by Coca-Cola®, tickets and passes to local parks and events, free slice cards, free pie cards and other prizes, as well as a chance to win free pies for a year.

Flippin’ Pizza has contributed more than $1,000,000 to local communities across the country through donations, fundraisers and giveaways via the Raise Some Dough fundraising program. Flippin’ Pizza partners with local schools, sport organizations, non-profits, community groups and organizations by giving up to 50 percent back during fundraising events and by donating lots of dough to organizations to help generate funds. Through the Youth Sport League Program, every team in the league receives a free pizza party to reward players. 

Flippin’ Pizza has generated a cult following by serving authentic hand-tossed NY pizza since 2007, earning “best pizza” awards from coast-to-coast, as well as a place on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® list in 2015 and 2017.

The Erin Hanson Gallery will present a new collection of fall color paintings by contemporary impressionist Erin Hanson, a Scripps Ranch resident.

Erin Hanson invites the public to join her for an evening of art, wine and live music for the opening of the Fall Colors Show from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Erin Hanson Gallery, 9705 Carroll Centre Road. All are welcome to attend.

This 20-piece collection of works is an exploration of fall and the magnificent colors found within the season. The Fall Colors Show includes pieces inspired by Hanson's 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. Her exploration took her through the furthest reaches of Acadia National Park and on an East Coast-wide adventure spanning the coast from Maine to North Carolina. She then set out for Kyoto, Japan, for the ultimate in fall foliage or “leaf peeping” as many call it. This new collection focuses on her love for the unbridled hues of autumn. 

The “Pleasure of Your Company” music series, sponsored by the Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library, will present the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2:30 p.m. in the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center.

Under the direction of Ruth Weber, this accomplished ensemble will perform a varied program from its repertoire — from Yiddish and Israeli songs to opera, movie and Broadway music. The choir will be accompanied by Michael Munson with drummer Bob Weller and oboist Emilia Lopez-Yañez.

The choir’s recordings have won three Global Music Awards, among other honors. The San Diego Troubadour has called the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir “one of the finest vocal ensembles San Diego has to offer.”  

There is no charge for the concert, although donations are appreciated. Meet the musicians at a complimentary post-concert reception.

Scripps Ranch Swim and Racquet Club members and their guests are in for an afternoon of family fun when the club presents its 19th Annual Family Oktoberfest, 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 9875 Aviary Drive.

The event is open to members of the club and guests of members. Guests of members can attend using a guest pass or by paying $10 per person. Guests under the age of 4 are free.

“It’s our biggest event of the year,” said club manager Tal O’Farrell. “We had around 1,200 people attend last year.”

Visitors can expect, of course, a beer garden for those 21 and older, plus food trucks, music from DJ Tim Council, and a wide range of games and family-friendly entertainment.

“Food trucks were a new item last year, but this year we’ve added even more,” O’Farrell said.

The beer garden will feature more than just beer, although Ballast Point will be featured there. The garden will also offer mead (a drink made from fermented honey, yeast and water) from Bronto Meadery, hard cider from Newtopia Cyder, and red and white wines. While enjoying those refreshments, beer garden attendees can try their skill at shuffleboard or a life-size Jenga game.

At the entrance to the beer garden, 100 complimentary pint glasses will be available while they last starting at 4 p.m. While the limited supply of glasses is free, drink tickets will cost $4 each.

With adults occupied in the beer garden, kids will be free to enjoy activities like a climbing wall, a quad pod, wrecker ball game, six different carnival games, Astro Jumps, a giant LED foosball table, a hi-striker and a toddler obstacle course. There will also be pony rides and a henna tattoo artist.

Families can bring their own food for a picnic. However, no alcohol brought in from outside is allowed during Oktoberfest. Tables at the event are available on a first come, first served basis.

The much-anticipated opening of Public House 131, a family-friendly restaurant, has arrived. Public House 131 will have a soft opening to the public starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1. It is located at 10393 Spring Canyon Road in the Scripps Ranch Marketplace.

The menu will include locally-sourced farm-to-table food and local San Diego craft brews and spirits. The owners and partners of this new restaurant are a group of longtime Scripps Ranch residents.

Yanni’s Bar & Grill is not just another restaurant and owner Yannis Pihas is not just another restaurateur.

Pihas has been in the restaurant business for 33 years, and his vast knowledge of the industry is apparent. But it didn’t come easily. He immigrated to the U.S. from Greece and had to learn English. While he has worked in management in both the restaurant and hotel industries, he first worked as a cook, then as a server, wine steward, maitre d’, beverage manager, restaurant manager and then at several director positions.

Pihas opened a restaurant in Los Angeles before moving to San Diego in 2001. He eventually opened Yanni’s Bistro at 12205 Scripps Poway Parkway, and he said the majority of his customers came from Scripps Ranch. He was considering opening Yanni’s Bar & Grill at the new location and keeping Yanni’s Bistro going, but his wife, Denise, talked him out of it.

Pihas explained that Denise is the brains behind the business and taking her advice to run only one restaurant was “a very wise decision.”

Yanni’s Bar & Grill opened in July 2014 and the new location was an instant success, Pihas said.

The restaurant, located at 12015 Scripps Highlands Drive, occupies a building where other restaurants have failed. Pihas revealed a few secrets to his success.

“Treat people the way you want to be treated,” he said.

“You never serve something you won’t eat yourself,” he further explained.

“Treat your employees the best you can so they treat our guests the best they can. It’s always been a win-win situation,” he said, adding that the longevity of his employees is a testament to the restaurant’s success as well.

Ask Pihas a few questions about his restaurant and prepare for a journey through the fascinating world of cuisine and libations. As one would predict, Yanni’s menu features Greek food. But it also has Italian dishes because Denise is Italian-American, and the menu has Italian influences throughout.

Pihas said one of the most popular items is the lamb skewer, with marinated lamb, tzatziki and a pita. Other skewer selections include chicken, shrimp and beef tenderloin, each marinated in a different recipe of exotic and irresistible ingredients along with toppings. Plates come with vegetable and either mashed potatoes or Yanni’s rice.

Pihas said the pasta selection is incredible, stating his favorite is the capellini tourkolimano: shrimp with spiced tomato sauce served over pasta.

He also recommends any one of the dishes featuring salmon, which he orders from two different sources and receives several times each week. Pihas also suggests the penne chicken Marsala: chopped chicken, shallots, garlic, sage, mushrooms, Marsala wine, demi-glace and cream.

Yanni’s also has steaks, chops, hamburgers, sandwiches and a kids menu. The salads are made fresh and there is a special salad every day. Homemade soup is also available. 

There is nothing like hearing Pihas describe the menu items himself. It is too extensive to list in the detail needed to do it justice. To take a look, visit yannisbarandgrill.com. 

There is also a wide selection of offerings in the bar. It has an assortment of fine scotch and vodkas. The beer selection features microbrews from throughout Southern California. Of course, Pihas made sure the bar carries excellent Greek ouzo. In addition, Pihas said he is pleased with the mixology involved creating fine cocktails. Some of the more exotic drinks are a basil cucumber gimlet, a honey monkey and a hibiscus margarita.

“We are very proud of the drinks that we serve, top quality drinks,” he said.

Pihas has a passion for wine and has been collecting for many years, claiming his restaurant has one of the most extensive wine lists in San Diego.

“I enjoy wines very, very much because I believe food and wine go very, very well together,” he said.  

Customers can order appetizers of all sorts, including small bites with a single bruschetta or a single piece of spanakopita, or they can enjoy large plates of appetizers. Guests can also feast on a full meal from the dinner menu while in the bar. Yanni’s holds happy hour Mondays through Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.

There is a great deal of attention to detail at Yanni’s Bar & Grill, and dining there provides a comfortable experience. The meals are prepared much the same as the Pihas family cook and eat at home, with some additions, Pihas explained.  

“The concept came about to just have delicious cuisine with American influence … that is very fresh, prepared at the restaurant,” he said. “We make all our sauces. We make all our dressings. Now we have a garden (on-site), so we have a lot of our own herbs. … It’s an exceptional quality of food at a reasonable price.”

Yannis’ Bar & Grill is planning a special wine dinner on Nov. 6 featuring selections from Barr Estate Winery from Paso Robles. Wines will be paired with a five-course dinner selected by Pihas for this occasion. Cost will be between $75 and $85 per person. Visit Yanni’s Facebook page or website for future details.

Do you still have that old photo of you at your high school homecoming dance? Was it silly? Was it embarrassing. Was it magical?

Well, today it might be valuable.

“You know what? I’m thinking about going to Torrey Pines and going for a hike. Does anybody want to come with me?”

Scripps Ranch resident Avalon Hartman was providing and example of the kinds of posts one might see on her Facebook page titled Life 2.0.

It was this past Memorial Day weekend when the idea of creating this page came to fruition for Hartman. While previous years might have spent poolside barbequing with the family, she said this past year felt particularly lonely. Hartman said she has no family living in the area and has recently experienced divorce.

“It was obviously a hard transition to have the family break apart and I really found that, even though I had a really great set of friends, Scripps Ranch is just not a mecca for single women,” Hartman said.

While many people may think single women would be in pursuit of a better dating life, Hartman said this wasn’t her primary concern. As somebody who had always been very tight with the Scripps Ranch community, Hartman said experiencing divorce made it difficult to connect with people the way she previously had.

“(Scripps Ranch is) a very family-oriented place,” Hartman said. “So, I found that I was not meeting other single women who were going through this hard time in their lives. I just needed girlfriends. All of my girlfriends were kind of married.”

This is how Hartman came up with the idea of creating a Facebook page for recently divorced women. The Life 2.0 page has 32 members. However, Hartman said, the goal of creating the group was never for it to be massively popular.

“Whatever it ends up being is perfect,” Hartman said. “Even though it’s a small group, it’s amazing how similar we all are when we just sit down and start talking and getting to know each other.”

She said the group may see the occasional motivational post, however, most women seem to be looking for company more than anything.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Hartman said. “It’s a way for someone who may not have plans over the weekend but wants to go to a concert for them to post on (the page).”

For Hartman, one of the most important things for her to remember is that divorce is not the end of life, but the start of a new one, she said. With this in mind, the name Life 2.0 made a lot of sense.

“In my generation, it feels like there’s a stigma (of divorced women),” Hartman said. “And, we’ve got to shift that mindset. We matter and our lives can be just as happy and just as meaningful.”

To find the page, search Life 2.0 Scripps Ranch on Facebook. This is a closed Facebook group only for single women who have experienced divorce; therefore, requests to join will be filtered by Hartman.