Grad Nite Fund-raiser Wednesday

A Valley Center High School Grad Nite 2011 fund-raiser at the Escondido Acapulco Restaurant, 1541 E. Valley Pkwy., will be on Wednesday, March 30 from 4–8 p.m. Bring the flyer and Grad Nite will receive 25% of your food sales. Flyers are available at the VCHS office or email fletchvc@netscape.net.

Kate Gordon Miss VC 2011, Alana Stroud Junior Miss at Saturday's pageant

Kate Gordon was named Miss Valley Center 2011 on Saturday night, and Alana Stroud became Junior Miss on a night celebrating “California Girls” at the Maxine Theater.
The 2011 Miss Valley Center pageant featured 14 contestants who showed why they were proud to be California girls, celebrating their love of skateboarding, snowboarding, tennis, going to the beach and riding horses.
Miss Gordon spoke with poise and passion about her desire to become a surgeon after high school, inspired by her mother, a cancer survivor. She also wowed the crowd in a flowing yellow dress in the evening wear competition, and answered her impromptu question about one thing about the world she would change with a desire to see more musical and performing arts educational opportunities to schools.
Miss Stroud also expressed her wish to see music used to enrich the lives of others, as she answered her impromptu question about what to do with a million dollars with a desire to put on a benefit concert to help fine arts programs in the county. Wearing a stunning black dress covered with jewels for the evening wear competition, she confessed (with a big smile) to being a “full-fledged choir nerd” and told the sold-out crowd about the inspiration she gets from serving others with a kind heart and an open hand.
Also receiving crowns were Miss Valley Center first princess Samantha Peters and second princess Jacqueline Bishop, as well as Junior Miss first princess Ashley Williams and second princess Jeneé Roeder.
Read the full story in the next edition of The Valley Roadrunner.

St. Paddy's Dinner on Palomar Mountain cancelled

The St. Paddy's Dinner on Palomar Mountain that had been scheduled for tonight (Saturday) has been cancelled.

The following statement was issued by the Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Dept: "Due to unfavorable weather, dangerous driving conditions, and other factors outside our control, we have been left with no choice but to postpone tonight's event. We apologize to everyone who might have planned on attending and/or donating to our auction.

We will notify everyone once we have a new date for the event. If you have already purchased a ticket it can be used for the newly scheduled event, or you can contact tracey chesney to receive a refund.

Sincerely, Your Board of Directors."

Valley Center's State Senator: Nominate a Woman of the Year

Senator Anderson Announces 36th Senate District "Woman of the Year" Nomination Process


CONTACT: Jim Kjol @ Office: 916.651.4036, Cell: 916.384.7146

State Capitol - Senator Joel Anderson (R - El Cajon) today announced that nomination forms for the 36th Senate District "Woman of the Year" award are now available.

"I am pleased to honor a 'Woman of the Year' for the 36th Senate District," said Anderson. "All of my constituents are encouraged to nominate a woman who has had a positive impact on their life, family or community."

Since 1987 the Legislative Women's Caucus has encouraged all legislators to honor a special woman in their district each year during "Women's History Month," which occurs in March this year. Examples of nominees include grandmothers, teachers, co-workers, community leaders, industry leaders and more.

Nominees for the 36th Senate District "Woman of the Year" Award must reside or work within the district - northeastern San Diego County (including the communities of Alpine, Bonita, Borrego Springs, Bostonia, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, El Cajon, Fallbrook, La Mesa, Julian, Jamul, Lakeside, La Presa, Pine Valley, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho San Diego, Rainbow, Santee, Spring Valley, Valley Center & Winter Gardens) or southern Riverside County (including the communities of Lakeland Villa, Murrieta, Murrietta Hot Springs, Wildomar, Sedco Hills, & Temecula).

Nomination forms can be obtained by:

1. Calling or visiting either of Senator Anderson's district offices:
Before March 24th - 1870 Cordell Court, Suite 107, El Cajon 92020, (619) 596-3136
After March 24th - 500 Fesler Street, Suite 201, El Cajon 92020, (619) 596-3136
27555 Ynez Road, Suite 204, Temecula 92591, (951) 676-1020
2. Visiting Senator Anderson's website: www.senate.ca.gov/anderson/

Nominations must be postmarked, faxed, emailed or hand-delivered on or before March 31, 2011. Senator Anderson will recognize all nominees and personally select the "Woman of the Year" during an awards ceremony later this year.

St. Paddy's Dinner on Palomar Mountain Saturday

Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will host a St. Paddy's Dinner and Auction Saturday, 5:30 p.m. at the fire station at 21610 Crestline Rd.,
Palomar Mountain.

Cost is $10 per adult. Children eat free. Vegetarian meals are available. Buy tickets at the general store at the door or email traceychesney@yahoo.com.



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DRUMLINE TAKES FIRST PLACE

Valley Center High School Drumline takes 1st place at Mission Hills High School. This past Saturday the VCHS Drumline competed in the ADLA Competition hosted by Mission Hills High School.

After competing in the Scholastic C Division our students not only took 1st Place, but were also moved up to the Scholastic B Division for the remainder of this competition season.

Valley Center High School and Valley Center Pauma Music Boosters will be hosting an ADLA Competition at VCHS on April 9. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Michelle Quiroz at 760-703-0861 or michelle@takingcareofyourbusiness.com.

IMPERIAL BEACH MAN DIES IN SOLO COLLISION

On Sunday at approximately 1:20 P.M., a 29 year-old Imperial Beach man was riding a 1997 Ducati motorcycle on South Grade Road northbound at an unknown speed. He was riding with two friends up the grade, and had pulled ahead enough that they lost sight of him. When they reached the top of the hill, the 29-year old Imperial Beach man was nowhere to be seen.

According to the California Highway Patrol they began to look for him up and down the hill but to no avail. At about, 2:15 PM, Roldan Cruz, age 29, of Irvine, was riding a 2007 Ducati motorcycle on South Grade Road northbound, approximately 1 and 1/2 miles north of SR-76, at an unknown speed. Cruz, lost control of his motorcycle and drove off the road and down an embankment. As Cruz was walking back up to South Cole Grade Road, he observed the second Ducati motorcycle 20 feet from him and the Imperial Beach man, lying next to the bike, unresponsive. Emergency personal arrived on scene shortly after and immediately administered medical aid but were unable to revive the Imperial Beach man. Cruz sustained a minor injury to his left knee and refused medical aid.

It is unknown if Alcohol/and or drugs were factors in this collision. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family.

WOMEN'S WEEK TO BE CELEBRATED AT CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS, ESCONDIDO

Countdown to Second Annual San Diego Women’s Week
March 30-April 2 Event Geared to Inspire, Empower and Connect Women

The region’s premier symposium for women—San Diego Women’s Week—gets underway March 30 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day event organized by the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and a host of corporate and community partners.
To encourage more women to attend, the event will be held each evening from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and Saturday 8:30am-4pm.
Wendy Walker, longtime executive producer of "Larry King Live," will be the opening night keynote speaker. Other scheduled speakers include: Tanya Brown, the sister of Nicole Brown Simpson; Ed and Lois Smart, the parents of kidnapped teen Elizabeth Smart; top golf instructor Tina Mickelson, sister of golfer Phil Mickelson; and bestselling authors John Assaraf of the Secret and Kim Barnouin. For a complete list of speakers and scheduled events, visit www.sdwomensweek.com .
San Diego Women’s Week, which runs from March 30 through April 2, is designed to inspire, empower and connect women of all ages and professions. The event, in its second year, will feature inspirational keynote speakers as well as provide more intimate breakout forums. Speakers at San Diego Women's Week will focus on a variety of topics, ranging from health and fashion to business and technology.
“Our speaker lineup is outstanding, and our venue is top notch, said SDNCC President and CEO, Debra Rosen. “San Diego Women’s Week will be a celebration of the thousands of women who make this region so great. There is something for everyone.” Men are welcome too.

Friday’s charity luncheon and fashion show benefits Becky’s House.

LEARN HOW TO CREATE JOBS

The U.S. Small Business Administration invites small business owners and entrepreneurs to attend one of 13 “Jobs Act Tour” events that highlight new tools and resources coming out of the Small Business Jobs Act, which was signed into law on Sept. 27, 2010. Sessions will include opportunities to comment on new federal contracting provisions and to learn about new SBA tools and resources targeted at increasing access to capital, expanding exporting, and providing more counseling and training. The free, one-day forum will be hosted by SBA experts and leaders.

WHAT: Small Business Jobs Act Tour, with sessions including:
· Jobs Act Provisions Affecting Small Business Participation in Federal Contracting (public comments will be taken)
· Opportunities in Accessing Capital & New SBA Loan Programs
· Resources for Counseling and Training
· Exporting Opportunities for Small Businesses
· Roundtable for current and prospective SBA lenders
· Size Standards Overview
WHO: The following SBA Offices are hosting the Jobs Act Tour:
· Office of Government Contracting and Business Development
· Office of Capital Access
· Office of Entrepreneurial Development
·         Office of International Trade

WHEN: April 11, 2011

WHERE: County Health Services Complex, (Coronado Room)
3851 Rosecrans St.
San Diego, CA 92110

IT'S TIME TO CHANGE SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES

Although I personally think that Daylight Savings Time is one of the stupidest and most non-productive ideas ever to come out of government, I think that VC Fire Chief George Lucia below makes a lot of sense when he says that Saturday night is the time to change batteries on our smoke alarms. See below:


As this spring time change approaches (Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 13, at 2 a.m.), the Valley Center Fire Protection District remindS residents to make another change that could save their lives changing the batteries in their smoke alarms.
An average of three children a day dies in home fires and 80% of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every ten years.
To save lives and prevent needless injuries in Valley Center, the Valley Center Fire Protection District has joined forces with the International Assn. of Fire Chiefs and Energizer for the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” campaign.
The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke alarm batteries when changing clocks to daylight savings time each spring, this year on Sunday, March 13, at 2 a.m.
“Working smoke alarms provide an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape,” said Valley Center Fire Marshal George E. Lucia Sr. this week. “This is particularly important for those most at risk of dying in a home fire, such as children and seniors. People at risk are eligible for free smoke detectors from the Burn Institute. Please contact us at 760-751-7600 for more information.”
In addition, Lucia recommends residents use the “extra” daylight hours saved from the time change to test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning “two ways out” and practicing emergency escape routes with the entire family.

Graphic Communication Career Day at Palomar College

Palomar College Graphic Communications Department
Presents Career Day, free to the public

Palomar College's Graphic Communications Department will hold its 14th annual Career Day on Wednesday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the new Multidisciplinary (MD) Building on the San Marcos campus. This event is free and open to the public.
“Career Day is an opportunity for students and community members to network with local businesses for prospective job opportunities,” said Dr. Lillian Payn, chair of the Graphic Communications Department. “We are also showcasing Palomar’s many courses, certificate programs, and Associate Degree program in graphic communications career fields,” she added.
Payn said that based upon past years, hundreds of community members are expected and will have the chance to select from three hourly simultaneous presentations and demonstrations throughout the day. Industry professionals will present best practices and tips and speak about various topics related to the graphic communications field, including Web Authoring, Multimedia, new 3D technologies, game development, digital publishing, graphic design, print services, prepress, publishing, advertising, job search and résumés.
Presenters from leading San Diego area companies will be available for questions after their sessions. Companies include: Alioscopy USA, Intl., 858 Graphics, EZ Ecommerce, Groovy Like a Movie, Jobing.com, Mad Media Design, Modern Postcard, Project X Media, Savannah College of Art and Design, Studio 2055 and others will present best practices and tips. Particularly exciting is Alioscopy USA, Intl.’s state-of-the-art immersive 3D experiences with its auto-stereoscopic (no need for glasses) 3D display technology. Attendees will interact with these displays during the session. Sessions begin every hour, on the hour.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn about the courses, Associate of Arts degree, and certificates offered by Palomar College’s Graphic Communications Department. Palomar graphics classes are offered during the day, evening, and Saturday, at each of the college’s education sites around North San Diego County. The program also offers television classes, online classes and Saturday seminars. All coursework is hands-on and project based. The department will showcase the new classrooms and state-of-the art equipment purchased through Proposition M funds and VTEA grants; visitors will also tour classrooms and labs, which were recently completed in time for the Spring 2011 semester.
The San Marcos campus of Palomar College is located at 1140 W. Mission Rd. in San Marcos. For more information about Career Day or the Graphic Communications certificate program and classes, please see http://graphics.palomar.edu or call 760 744 1150 ext. 2452.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TIME CHANGED

The Valley Center Pauma Unified School District board meeting for March, normally scheduled for the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m., will instead be held on the second Wednesday, March 9, at 6 p.m. at the Valley Center High School Media Room (library). The public is welcome to attend.

CHICKENPOX OUTBREAK REPORTED AT ESCONDIDO SCHOOL

Health Officials Urge Parents to Vaccinate Their Children 

Six students at San Pasqual High School in the Escondido Union School District have been diagnosed with chickenpox (varicella), according to San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials.
The children diagnosed include two 15-year-olds, three 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old. Two of the students are in 10th grade and four are in 11th grade. One of the children had one immunization, one had the recommended two doses of the varicella vaccine and the other four were unimmunized. The school has sent letters notifying its students and staff about the outbreak.
“Chickenpox is a preventable disease,” said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., County Deputy Public Health Officer. “We want to remind parents that by having their children immunized with both doses of the vaccine, they can help their children avoid chickenpox or have a milder form of the disease.”
This is the second school outbreak in 2011 for a total of 11 cases. There were 22 cases in four school clusters during 2010.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella virus. The disease is easily spread by coughing, sneezing or contact with chickenpox blisters. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Children should be vaccinated at 12-15 months of age and receive the second dose at 4-6 years of age.
Symptoms of chickenpox include a skin rash of blister-like lesions, covering the body but usually more concentrated on the face, scalp, and trunk. The risk of complications increases after puberty and includes bacterial infection of skin lesions, dehydration and pneumonia.
Most, but not all, infected individuals have fever, which develops just before or when the rash appears. If exposed, persons who have been vaccinated against the disease may get a milder illness, with less severe rash and mild or no fever. The incubation period is generally from 14-16 days from exposure, with a range of 10-21 days. The illness lasts about 5-10 days. For more information on chickenpox and immunizations in general, please call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966 or visit the website at www.sdiz.org.