The Village Rancho Santa Fe

Wine Lists, We Don't Need No Stinking Wine Lists At Delicias. We got I-somme apps...

 Award Winning Wine Lists Passe' at Delicias: C'est i-Somme interactive wine apps for peeps

Delicias Restaurant Owner Removes Paper Wine Lists for Wine List App i-Somm.

Delicias owner Owen Perry ditched the last of his restaurant’s paper wine lists this week, replacing them with the i-Somm interactive wine application.  Released in 2010, the app was written for iPads to display the restaurant’s wine list, along with information on each wine, including ratings, pricing and pairing suggestions. (Delicias is known in the region for its award-winning wine list, y'all.)

“I came in one night, collected all the printed wine lists, stuck them in the trunk of my car and drove off,” said Perry (pictured, right with new wine list I-pod app).  “Printed wine lists are expensive and constantly have to be updated.  We had a long transition period going from the printed lists to the i-Somm, and I thought it was time to make Delicias fully electronic.”

The i-Somm wine app is for restaurants, hotels, private clubs and retail wine stores.  Designed for use by establishments with a large selection of wines, 10 restaurants nationwide have already adopted the app, including Delicias, the Hilton BayFront in San Diego, Oneida Indian Nation in Verona, New York, Café Largo in Key Largo, Florida and The Wine Mapp in Greenwich, Connecticut.  Waiters present diners an iPad with the app, on which they can find search options for name, price, region, color, flavor profile or critics’ ratings.  Another option displays the food menu and suggests wine pairings along with detailed tasting notes for each wine as well.

“The i-Somm has been a great asset to our business," Brandon Rinker, manager of Delicias, said,.  We’ve seen wine revenues jump by 10% since we implemented it. It hasn’t replaced our sommelier, but has been an important and fun tool in helping him steer our customers to the right wine choices.” 

Additionally, Delicias is the first client to make use of iSomm’s POS integration to update wine inventory on the fly so listings are always current.  

Designed for the hospitality and restaurant industry, the i-Somm app helps provide the patron with new knowledge so he can make better wine choices believes Mark Sessions, Vice President of Operations for i-Somm.  He remarked, “The i-Somm interactive and user friendly interface assists the customer to make the best wine choices.  It is also tailored to the specific restaurant, so it can offer recommendations, inform about promotions and include graphics and images specific to each establishment.”

While there are other wine apps in the marketplace, Sessions added, i-Somm is offered at a lower price point and can therefore work with all size businesses.  Another advantage is that it is pre-cached and can be operated offline at locations which do not have an Internet connection. 

i-Somm was the brainchild of Perry, a renowned hotel and restaurant developer, working in conjunction with technology expert Alex Marxer.  Its purpose was twofold: to improve the dining experience of the customer and increase the profitability of the restaurant owner.  They are currently marketing the product to restaurants and hotels worldwide.  For additional information about i-Somm, visit  here or call (800) 790-4186. Delicias is at 6106 Paseo Delicias  Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091; (858) 756-8000.

HEY FLOWER LOVERS, Get Yer Bloom On @ RSF Garden Club Floral Arrangement Workshop March 21

The Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club is offering a workshop in floral arranging for beginners at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 21 at 'The Club', 17025 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe.

“If you have ever wanted some guidance in how to do basic floral arranging this is the workshop for you,” says Laverne Schlosser, Garden Club board member. “The workshop is entitled Floral Arrangement Workshop 101 and will be taught by Elma Garcia, who is a Master Judge and award- winning floral designer. So many community members have beautiful gardens, but when they want to bring some of their glorious florals inside they don’t know exactly how to make it work.

The cost of the workshop is $30 for Garden Club members and $45 for non-members. All materials will be provided. Just bring you own clippers. You will go home with a finished arrangement. Reservations are a must and space will be limited so that the workshop teacher will be able to give all of the participant’s individual attention.

To register, make your check payable to RSF Garden Club, and mail to PO Box 483, RSF, CA 92067.

For more information, contact event chair Laverne Schlosser at 858-756-4529 or laverneschlosser@yahoo.com. Or click the Upcoming Events section on the Garden Club website at rsfgardenclub.org.

Machel Penn Shull of 'Machel's Ranch' TAKES CHARGE AT MILLE FLEURS Mardi Gras 2012...

 Think its easy organizing social events? Check out Machel Penn Shull, of Machel's Ranch Social Column, taking charge of the photo opp at Mille Fleurs on Mardi Gras Day for an upcoming column. Identify the ladies in the photo for bonus points. Or check them out next month at Machel's Ranch. 

And then there's the observer from fringe unit...

 MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE ABBEY...

Adios...

Presidents Day and U.S. History with a twist @ Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center Feb. 24

 Richard Lederer who co-authored “American Trivia: What We Should All Know about U.S. History, Culture and Geography.” with Caroline McCullagh, Lederer will speak about U.S. presidents and their role in history at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center.

Lederer will offer “a treasury of fascinating firsts, mosts, and onlys about American presidents,” according to event organizers program staff. He has written more than 40 books about language, history and humor. Drawing from what he learned while researching his newest book, Lederer will regale listeners with other interesting tales that slipped between the cracks of history.

“Writing is an amazing way to learn,” Lederer said. “I discovered a wealth of things I didn’t know before, and it’s a lot. For example, take the interesting deaths of presidents 20 years apart.”

Lederer  puts the Q&A sessions in the middle of his performances, giving him the opportunity to riff at the audience’s questions.

“The older you get the less agenda conscious you become,” Lederer said. “The facts will eventually come out. Questions in the middle let me know go in several directions and keep the audience engaged.”

Lederer is especially excited to bring his oratory skills to the Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center.

“It’s a very bright group of people there,” Lederer said. “The Rancho Santa Fe citizens make education a fun and life-long process. The Center is really trying to build their programs and extend their outreach, and I really respect that,” Lederer said.

The Rancho Sante Fe Senior Center is a nonprofit that provides resources, educational programs and social activities. Lederer will also speak at the Center for a three-part series about language in September.

“We’re delighted to have Richard,” said Terrie Litwin, executive director of the Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center. “He’s a perfect match for what we do in that he’s entertaining and informative.”

Rancho Santa Fe Second Graders Aid Kids Korps In Sending A Little Warmth To Homeless Children In Ensenada, Mexico

 Mrs. Kim’s second grade class at RSF’s Roger Rowe Elementary took time from their scheduled holiday festivities on December 16th to focus on some goodwill.  Rather than painting pine cones or making gingerbread houses that would eventually end up tossed aside like used wrapping paper and bows — this year the children, together with their parents, turned their attention to creating something that would be a blessing to someone else.

 At the urging of Lynn Frank, class mom, Mrs. Kim’s class teamed up with Kids Korps. After enjoying a spirited class performance and some yummy treats, parents assisted their children in weaving soft fleece strips into snuggly scarves.  The scarves, along with other cold weather staples such as blankets will be delivered to Ensenada, Mexico and distributed to homeless children.

(Kids Korps offers more than 1,000 hands-on service opportunities each year, bringing lasting benefits to the community and developing leaders for life through youth volunteerism. For more informationvisit http://www.kidskorps.org/.)

F'in advisor Steve Sexton, legalite Mike Walters, and Kerman Beriker from the Inn at RSF

 (San Diego Entertainer Magazine goes all puffy at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Enjoy!)

Each month San Diego Entertainer Magazine presents entertainment and lifestyle segments on E&L TV. The show airs the first Sunday of the month at 5pm on Channel 6 (CW).

Past shows have included segments with financial expert Steve Sexton, local artists like The Riders, and local businesses from the Coronado Boathouse to Vasseur Day Spa. In this month’s show, you’ll be treated to find even more great San Diego stories.

The show is hosted at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. This location is a true San Diego staple for visitors and locals alike. It’s a hot spot for celebrities and has played host to past presidents and Hollywood royalty. It’s tucked in the hills in North County San Diego and overlooks rolling hills and riding trails, giving guests a taste of the country just a few miles from downtown. Hear from Kerman Beriker, the managing director at the Inn about what makes the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe so special.

In the September show you’ll also see a familiar face — expert financial advisor Steve Sexton. Steve has been providing financial advisories to Entertainer readers for over 2 years now, and we’re happy to share more advice on how to manage finances in these turbulent economic times. In Steve’s segment you’ll also learn more about finding money that has “fallen through the cracks” and how many people in San Diego have used those monies to help charities in need.

The Prestige Estates Endorses The Philanthropy Club Foundation at Rancho Santa Fe Back-to-School Social...

Local businessmen Steve Knight and Dave Baker are “Changing the Age of Philanthropy.” To introduce the rewards ofgiving to the youth of the community, the co-owners of The Prestige Estates created The Philanthropy Club Foundation.“We wanted to teach kids the importance of philanthropy, and to do so, we break down and explain the valueof selflessly giving one’s time, talent, and treasure,” says Steve. Dave adds that it was important to them that thechildren “learn what philanthropy is in the classroom and then take it home to their families to spread the lesson ofgiving.”

After Steve and Dave introduce the concept in the classroom, they give the students a homework assignment; they mustgo home and discuss philanthropy with their parents or guardians. Additionally, the students are given a short list ofcharities and, from this list, they decide how much each will receive and why. They discuss their decisions back in classwith their peers, and the funds are then allocated among the selected charities.

The Philanthropy Club’s classroom–to–dinner table approach has been well received by Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary,Solana Highlands Elementary, and Solana Vista Elementary, and will also be part of the Rancho Santa Fe School Districtbeginning fall semester of 2011.

 (PHOTO: Solana Vista School presents The Philanthropy Club check to Rady to Children's Hospital.)

The Philanthropy Club Foundation provides the funding for each school project and, to date, the following charitableorganizations have been recipients: Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, Community Resource Center, Helen WoodwardAnimal Center, La Jolla Playhouse, North Coast Repertory Theater, Rady Children’s Hospital, Rancho Coastal HumaneSociety, San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, Solana Center for the Environment, Special Olympics North San Diego, Surfrider Foundation, and United Through Reading.

To support the great work The Philanthropy Club is doing and to attract new donors, The Prestige Estates is hosting a Back to School–themed event in Rancho Santa Fe on August 25th from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.

IN A NUTSHELL:

	The foundation's primary goal is to teach youth the meaning and rewards of giving without expectations. Whether it be time, talent or treasure, everyone has something they can give.
	The Philanthropy Club Foundation was established in 2009, and has presented to multiple classes and donated considerable funds on their behalf to numerous nonprofit organizations.
I	Goals & Objectives - Educate today's youth about philanthropy and how to become a philanthropist - Clearly differentiate between giving with expectations and giving with no expectations - Demonstrate that philathropy includes giving of your time or your talent or your treasure ...See More
	Here's How You Can Help 1. Donate Money: 100% of your donations go directly to the students' classrooms for them to donate out to qualified nonprofit organizations. 2. When referrals are made to The Prestige Estates, the company will contribute 10% of the net commissions to The Philanthropy Club Foundation. 3. We are looking for individuals to take the program into their schools of choice and personally present to the students. The presentation materials are easily adapted to your own philanthropic stories to share with the students.

	info@theprestigeestates.com
	http://thephilanthropyclub.org/default.aspx http://www.theprestigeestates.com/our-fo...

 

Please feel free to bring a guest and make sure to RSVP by August 19, 2011, to Yvette at Admin@thephilanthropyclub.org or call 760-419-6270. Location is The Prestige Estates offices at 6030 El Tordo, Suite #B, in Rancho Santa Fe.

A Diffierent Theft.......

(From the files of the Rancho Santa Fe Patrol, Thursday, July 21, 2011...)

Over the past week we have taken reports for the theft of Back Flow Preventer Manifolds.  What the heck is a Back flow Preventer Manifold?   Well, its the "U" shaped pipe object you see coming out of the ground- usually near a water meter.  Its made to prevent water back flowing through the pipes into your plumbing.  The pipes are being stolen for the brass or copper value of the metal.  But, not all back flow preventers are brass....

The stolen valves are taken to a metal recyclers and the crooks try to get cash for them.  Changes in the laws prevent an immediate handout of cash- the recyler has to take the persons name and information and contact the authorities before handing over the cash. 

Both cases we investigated occurred late at night.  If you happen to see a car or truck stopped on the side of the road looking suspicious, please give us a call.

LINKS

• Vacation Check Form
• CHP Traffic
• Crime Stoppers
• Rancho Santa Fe Association
• RSF Fire
• San Diego Sheriff

We Have Moved

We have moved our office to 16936 El Fuego.  This is on the south side of the Fire Station in the village.  Our mailing address and phone numbers do not change.  To reach us- 858-756-4372 or 858-756-9966.   There may be a delay in answering emails for a day or so. 

Mountain Lion Seen

On July 5, 2011 at about 2:00pm, a resident in the area of  16100 blk of Via Del Alba,  saw what he described as a Mountain Lion cross his driveway.  The animal was walking.  It was not aggressive.  The sighting was reported to Fish and Game.  If you see a Mountain Lion you should not approach the animal.   If you should see a mountain lion, you are encouraged to call Fish and Game at 858-467-4257.  If the animal is a threat, call 911. 

Although historically sightings are rare, there are several types of wild animals that live here in Rancho Santa Fe.  Mountain Lions main food source is deer and coyotes.  Eliminating plant species that attract deer help discourage mountain lions from coming into the area. 

Please take precautions – mountain lions are most active at night as well as dusk and dawn.  Do not leave children outside unattended; don’t leave pet food or food that may attract animals outside.  Do not leave animals outside unattended.  Horses should be kept in stalls in the barn.  Be careful when walking/ jogging at dusk and dawn time periods.   If you see a mountain lion- make noise-lots of it.  Yell, scream, and bang on something.  For example, pocket sized air horns are a good way to do that.

If you have any questions please call the Dept of Fish and Game at 858-467-4201  or the RSF Patrol 858-756-4372.

For more information:  www.keepmewild.org.

State Superintendent Says Unequal Funding For Rancho Santa Fe School District And Other Basic Aid Districts Could Lead to Lawsuit...

"At least eight excess tax districts districts statewide – two of which are located in San Diego – more than doubled their revenue limit spending per pupil through excess revenues. Rancho Santa Fe received an additional $5,871per student over the $4,963 state-determined revenue limit, and Solana Beach brought in $5,080 per student more than its $4,965 revenue limit."

  By Joanne Faryon, KPBS and Kevin Crowe, Watchdog Institute

Search statewide maps of basic aid districts

For a KPBS audio report on the issue go here...

If California doesn’t act soon to fix inequities in public education funding, it could face a civil rights lawsuit. That’s the message from State Superintendent Tom Torlakson (photo left).

In an interview, Torlakson responded to an ongoing investigation into K-12 education funding in California by KPBS and the Watchdog Institute, an investigative reporting nonprofit based at San Diego State University. The investigation has found a system of inequity: some districts in wealthy neighborhoods benefit from high property values and property taxes; districts in middle-class and poor neighborhoods rely on the state to make up for their falling property values and taxes, a losing proposition in today’s economy.

The Institute’s analysis of education funding data found that some districts have doubled per pupil spending because of increased local tax revenue.

Statewide, 125 basic aid districts have generated a combined $644 million in excess tax revenue. But, the increased funding per student varies greatly across the group, with one district bringing in an extra $4.85 per student while another has more than $13,000 in additional funding to spend per student.

“There are certainly big differences between the resources for various communities, that’s a fact,” said Randolph Ward, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools.

In a 1968 case, Serrano v. Priest, the California Supreme Court ordered the state to address the gap in funding between schools in poor neighborhoods and those in wealthy communities, which could raise more money from property taxes.

In an effort to close that education funding gap, the state introduced revenue limits in 1972, which put a ceiling on how much money schools could raise.

Then, the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 caused property tax revenues to drop. Most neighborhoods didn’t – and still don’t – raise enough money in local property taxes to reach their school revenue limit. So, the state has made up the difference.

But, rising property values and state cuts to education funding have once again created a widening gap between rich and poor districts.

“Some districts, very few, about 124 or so in 2009-2010, have more than enough property taxes to meet their entitlement,” said Margaret Weston, an analyst with the Public Policy Institute of California. “They used to be called basic aid, and now we tend to call them excess tax districts.”

The excess tax districts get to keep the extra tax revenue and can spend it on students.

Revenue limit funds typically make up about 70 percent of a district’s funding. The rest comes from a mix of categorical funds, grants and stimulus funds.

At least eight excess tax districts districts statewide – two of which are located in San Diego – more than doubled their revenue limit spending per pupil through excess revenues. Rancho Santa Fe received an additional $5,871per student over the $4,963 state-determined revenue limit, and Solana Beach brought in $5,080 per student more than its $4,965 revenue limit.

Carmel Unified in Monterey County topped the list with an additional $13,094 per student over the $5,208 revenue limit.

More than one-third of the districts are located in the bay area, and eight are located in San Diego County.

But not all basic aid districts are swimming in funds. Santa Barbara Elementary School District received an additional $4.85 per pupil based on local tax revenues, and San Dieguito Union High got an additional $111 per student. In all, thirteen districts received less than $200 per student in additional funding.

For per-pupil figures, the Institute examined excess tax districts with at least 500 students average daily attendance.

A bill that aims to clarify district financials and simplify school funding is making its way through the state legislature. The bill, AB-18, would base funding on the needs of a district, rather than outdated spending formulas. Torlakson said he is in favor of the legislation.

“I think a wiser way to go is to look at the increase in revenues that come back in to the state budget and differentially target those increased revenues towards the districts that are at the low end of the totem pole,” he said.

State and local education officials have known about the inequities created by basic aid districts, but have been at a loss for what to do about them. They’ve cut funding to the districts twice. The 2009-2010 cuts totaled $104 million.

According to the independent Legislative Analyst’s office, the state has the power to redistribute funds among districts within a county. But Torlakson said that’s not the solution.

“That’s just going to create turmoil and conflict between legislators from different regions of the state and between school districts in different regions of the state,” he said.

Rancho Santa Fe School District upcoming events: Ocean Weeks Are Here! RSF Players Proudly Presents...Summer Camp Flyers...

(Information courtesy Rancho Santa Fe School District. For more visit http://www.rsfschool.net/.)

Ocean Week Kick-off Assembly, May 23

Rancho Santa Fe’s annual Ocean Weeks will kick off on Monday, May 23

Environmental artist Teresa Espainola will present beach trash art projects, including the “Ride the Wave to a Cleaner Ocean” sculpture, and the K-3 “Keep Track of your Beach Toys” mural and accompanying song.  All students are encouraged to wear MARE shirts, beach or surf-themed clothing and bring their beach towels to sit on during the performances. 

Ocean Week Activities

From May 23 – June 2 students will engage in a variety of ocean-related activities and experiences.  All grade levels will participate in habitat-themed activities, rotating through different lessons among teachers at their grade level.  In addition, 2

Ocean Open House, June 1, 5:00 – 7:00 PM

This year’s Open House will take on an ocean theme with an “Ocean Open House”. Parents and students will be treated to a Spring concert (including ocean-themed music) starting at 5:00, followed by classrooms festooned with ocean projects, a courtyard full of exhibits featuring ocean art, habitat murals, live animals from Birch Aquarium, an inflatable whale from Sea World, Surfrider, ROV demo, ocean podcasts, and more.

Ocean Share Day/Closing Assembly, June 2, 9:30 – 11:30 AM

All classes will participate in an Ocean Share--visiting different grade levels to learn about, and hosting different grade levels to teach about their ocean studies. The Ocean Weeks Closing Assembly will conclude the celebration in the gym, with 8

Ocean Weeks Calendar of Events

Monday, May 23

• All School Dress Theme: Beach, surf, or Hawaiian wear.
• Kick-Off Assembly Grades 4-8; 9:15-9:45 AM in the Performing Arts Center
• Kick-Off Assembly Grades K-3; 10:30 – 11:10 AM in the Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, June 1

• Ocean Open House; 5:00-7:00 PM PAC, courtyard, and classrooms

Thursday, June 2

• Ocean Share; 9:30 – 11:00 AM
• Closing Assembly; 11:15 – 11:30 AM

“Ain’t Fooling No Body," a hilarious whodunit murder mystery filled with zany characters  and an all-star cast of 5^th -8^th graders who can’t wait to take the stage. Mrs. Moreno and her drama students have been working hard to prepare their debut performance in the PAC.

Performances are Tuesday, June 7^th with a Matinee Performance at 1:30pm for 4^th-8^th grade students and parents and an evening show at 6:30pm for all to see.

Don’t miss the fun and suspense as you try to figure out whodunit and more importantly…why? Admission is free and refreshments will be sold after the evening show.

Summer Camp Flyers

SDSU WATCHDOG INSTITUTE - Basic Aid Districts Like Rancho Santa Fe School District Rise above the Limits...

Gerry Kirkeby points to the three Spanish-style buildings, brightly white-washed, lining a leafy corner of one the country’s wealthiest communities, Rancho Sante Fe.

“We just recently built a huge new modern wonderful school,” said Kirkeby, a real estate agent and long time resident of Rancho Santa Fe. “People come here from all over the world.”

Rancho Santa Fe is home to two of the highest ranking public schools in California, which despite a state budget crisis and cuts to public education, have seen a 25 percent increase in revenue since 2005.

A KPBS/Watchdog Institute investigation found the budgets of eight of San Diego County’s 42 public school districts have been steadily increasing in recent years. Some of them provide thousands more dollars in per pupil funding than other publicly funded schools in less affluent neighborhoods.

And the increases come from property tax dollars.

The districts, a majority of which are located in North County neighborhoods, received between $100 and $5,800 in additional revenue for each of their students in the 2009-2010 academic year – and that trend will continue through next year.

Data Source: San Diego County Department of Education

The extra funding comes from a series of court rulings and propositions during the past 40 years that have created a convoluted and, according to some, inequitable system of public education funding in California.

“Inequity has been the basis for many court challenges,” said Deborah Verstegen, an education professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the author of a national study on education finance.

In a 1968 case, Serrano v. Priest, the California Supreme Court ordered the state to address the gap in funding between schools in poor neighborhoods and those in wealthy communities, which could raise more money from property taxes.

In an effort to close that education funding gap, the state introduced revenue limits in 1972, which put a ceiling on how much money schools could raise.

Then, the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 caused property tax revenues to drop. Most neighborhoods didn’t – and still don’t – raise enough money in local property taxes to reach their school revenue limit. So, the state has made up the difference.

But, rising property values over the decades and shrinking state funding to schools have once again created a widening gap between rich and poor districts.

“Some districts, very few, about 124 or so in 2009-2010, have more than enough property taxes to meet their entitlement,” said Margaret Weston, an analyst with the Public Policy Institute of California. “They used to be called basic aid, and now we tend to call them excess tax districts.”

Basic aid, or, excess tax school districts get to keep the extra property tax money, said Weston, who has studied the funding sources of the state’s 978 districts.

In Rancho Santa Fe, the additional funding helps the district reduce class size from 32–1 to 17–1. The school district also hires music and art specialists. An additional 10 percent of the district’s operating budget comes from a parent-run private foundation.

State legislators have known about the inequity for years, and for the past two years have taken away some of the extra funding from the excess tax districts. But, not enough to level the playing field.

The state cut about $23 million in basic aid from the districts’ budgets in 2009 and 2010. During those same years, the districts’ combined local revenue hit $505 million.

“Variations in funding can also mean variations in opportunities to do well,” Verstegen said.

Rancho Santa Fe Superintendent Linda Delaney said rather than take away opportunity from her kids, the state ought to be providing it for all kids.

“I think it’s a funding issue and a systems issue,” Delaney said.

But for now, with a budget crisis in California and more education cuts looming, that opportunity might come at too high a price for many: owning a home in Rancho Santa Fe.

“There’s a fixer upper right now I think for 965 (thousand dollars),” Kirkeby, the real estate agent, said.

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A KPBS/Watchdog Institute investigation found the budgets of eight of San Diego County’s 42 public school districts have been steadily increasing in recent years despite state cuts to education. Some of them provide thousands more dollars in per pupil funding than other publicly funded schools in less affluent neighborhoods.

Read the report.

And the increases come from local property tax dollars.

The districts, a majority of which are located in North County neighborhoods, received between $100 and $5,800 in additional revenue for each of their students in the 2009-2010 academic year – and that trend will continue through next year.

These “basic aid” or “excess tax” tax districts can spend more per pupil than other public school districts which rely on state funding to meet revenue limits.

To search the maps, click on a district to view revenue and per student funding information about that district. The highlighted districts are basic aid districts.

Elementary and Unified School Districts in San Diego County

State Superintendent Looking in to Funding Gaps

California’s school districts are in deep financial trouble, but some districts in rich neighborhoods are faring quite well, according to aKPBS/Watchdog investigation.

In California, neighborhood property values should not determine how well a public school is funded. A 40-year-old court ruling was supposed to put an end to the funding gap between schools in rich and poor neighborhoods.

But an analysis of government statistics revealed some small school districts in affluent communities have nearly twice the per-pupil funding as other districts.

Above: Tom Torlakson, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Credt: CA Dept. of Education

Tom Torlakson is the state’s newly elected superintendent of public education. In response to the KPBS/Watchdog Institute investigation, Torlakson said on twitter he’s concerned about the inequities and his transition team has a committee looking at the issue.

Brooks Allen, the Director of Education Advocacy for the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, said education cuts across the state are painful for everyone, but the inequities in the system are “quite disturbing.”

“These wide disparities in funding between one district and a neighboring district are precisely the issues that drove plaintiffs to file the Serrano v. Priest action,” Allen said. That 1968 California Supreme Court ruling ordered the state to address the gap between rich and poor neighborhoods.

Search a map of the basic aid districts.

Listen to the investigation on KPBS.

” Let’s Cook Together” at The Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.  Garden Club with California Greek Girl, Mary Papoulias-Platis...

  Welcome to my cooking  classes!

Just recently I have partnered with the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club to teach and direct a new culinary program for the community.  My goal and emphasis for the program is to build a relationship with our community by scheduling educational programs, introducing new foods, and experiencing the practice of  ”eating daily as close to our homes”  as our motto. Our menu will represent what is in season locally from our nearby farmers as the source of our class ingredients which will support and encourage our farmers to continue bringing us farm fresh ingredients to our tables.

We are beginning a C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture) delivery with Suzie’s Farm for our neighbors, also purchasing locally from our organic health-food stores, and in the future building a children’s program for our younger audience.  I ‘m just thrilled to have the opportunity to organize and develop my own program of inspiring events, involving the talents of our local writers, chefs, and artists surrounding our beautiful city.

My joy will be when we can gather together for a meal and enjoy many “culinary discussions around the open table”. The center began from the garden community in town as far back as 1926 and many of my classes will continue to be focused around the family garden. A  few classes I will be teaching include the use of  herbs in our daily dishes, vegetables grown from our gardens, and seasonal fruits and berries for your summer entertaining. The complete class schedule will be available soon. Classes are scheduled to begin May 10th, every Tuesday morning at 11:00 and Thursday evening at 6:30 in the kitchen.

More about Mary Papoulias-Platis

Mary stayed in Southern California to pursue a college education. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a teaching credential, and a Master in Computer Education. She has always been most passionate about teaching students how to read and write. Mary has taught many years in North County San Diego, and over the years has continued to create innovative ways of engaging her students. One of her favorite tactics is to include cooking classes into her lesson plan!

In addition to her teaching career, Mary opened the first children’s bookstore in North County San Diego called “The Reading Patch”. Here, she held author signings, live events, art classes, and wrote a children’s newsletter that was sent out to the local teachers and parents. While Mary has enjoyed her many years as an educator, she has also loved being a chef.

More than 15 years ago she combined her love of cooking with her entrepreueial skills to become Co-Owner and executive chef of the Greek Gourmet, a family run concession business and catering business. Her successful business has provided Mary with an array of opportunities to express her culinary talents, as well as the perfect outlet to provide her community with fine Greek Cuisine. Mary is currently working on her first collection of recipes for her first Greek cookbook. Mary’s blog is about her travels along the beautiful California coastline, as well as her enjoyment of Greek cooking, gardening, and the lifestyle that she has created with her family and friends over the years.

You can reach me for special engagements, food demonstrations, cooking classes, or catering  events at: Thme4Mary@sbcglobal.net.

RANCHO SANTA FE WIKILEAKS: County allegedly stiffs local San Dieguito Planning Group and Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District. At issue? Some $25 per month to rent a fire agency conference room for regular monthly volunteer planning group meetings.

(Editor's Note: This is the actual e-mail trail regarding a somewhat mind-blowing bit of penny-pinching on the part of San Diego County government. Keep in mind that the San Diego Watchdog Institute found San Diego County paid more than $100,000 in annual salaries to 1,016 employees in 2009.

"County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price said many of the employees making over $100,000 are well educated and highly skilled. She called a $100,000 salary 'pretty cheap' for an attorney, for example, and said the proportion of county workers making that salary is smaller than in some local governments. She also cited the influence of labor unions whose contracts drive the raises."

The San Dieguito Planning Group is a volunteer position advising county planners on local planning applications and issues. Many members have served for many years devoting much personal time to investigating, and analyzing, local public land use issues.

This e-mail exchange between Paul Marks, the planning group chairman, and county officials involves the county not paying the $25 per meeting rental fee to the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection Department at whose offices planning group meetings take place.

Your county government in action -- follow this edition of RANCHO SANTA FE WIKILEAKS!!!)

Troubled school inspectors slip through state’s oversight at RSF's Rowe Elementary School

A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION BY CALIFORNIA WATCH APRIL 2011

(Editor's Note: The Center for Investigative Reporting, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious nonprofit investigative news organization, newest venture is California Watch, a major new reporting initiative to produce in-depth, high impact multimedia journalism specific to California and to engage the public on issues of critical importance to the state. For more visit: http://californiawatch.org/)

A California Watch investigation uncovers systematic failures by the state's chief regulator of construction standards for public schools.

As far as officials at the Rancho Santa Fe School District knew, Richard Vale had a reliable work history when they hired him in 2009 to inspect a top-to-bottom reconstruction of R. Roger Rowe Elementary and Middle School.

The Division of the State Architect had approved Vale to inspect public school and community college projects four years earlier, without ever checking his background. But Vale had been convicted of a felony in a construction safety case and fired from the inspector program in Los Angeles.

Prosecutors had in the early 1990s accused Vale of knowingly overlooking unsafe seismic anchors installed in the walls of numerous unreinforced masonry buildings throughout Los Angeles. He pleaded no contest to conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Despite this, the state architect’s office allowed Vale to monitor the $37 million job in Rancho Santa Fe, a wealthy San Diego suburb. Contractors built a new performing arts center, music room, and technology and science labs. They replaced old portable classrooms with two-story buildings – revamping a campus now large enough for 850 students.

(Photo courtesy Doug Devine/Los Angeles Department of Building and SafetyRichard Vale was certified by the state to inspect school construction despite having a felony conviction in a construction safety case. Vale is shown here on the day he was served with a search warrant in the 1990s.)

The state architect’s office in 2007 also approved Vale to inspect the $10 million construction of a new gym, locker room and swimming pool at Palo Verde College in Riverside County. And that same year, he worked as the welding inspector on a $2 million renovation project at Needles High School in San Bernardino County. 

Vale declined interview requests, saying during a brief phone exchange that questions about his past had been "put to rest." Others are not so sure.

“If they let this guy through, what else is going on out there that we don’t know about?” said Doug Devine, an inspector with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, who assisted in the criminal investigation of Vale. “What other corners are they cutting? What other safety issues are being ignored?”

Vale is not the only school building inspector who has slipped through the state’s loose system of oversight, a California Watch investigation has found. 

Nearly 300 inspectors have been cited by the state for work-related deficiencies. But at least two thirds were allowed to keep monitoring school construction jobs, a review of state performance ratings shows. For decades, the state kept these ratings confidential until California Watch fought for their release.

Internal e-mails, project records and other documents show that multiple inspectors working on school construction jobs have been accused of filing false reports with state regulators and failing to show up during key moments of construction.

Some inspectors missed safety defects that were later discovered by state field engineers. 

Inspectors overlooked unsafe wiring connections, unsecured anchor bolts, faulty framing, and flaws in steel frames that “could have resulted in extremely unsafe buildings,” according to inspector performance ratings. 

Unlike standard construction projects, which use city or county inspectors, public school and community college building projects are monitored by a special network of 1,500 inspectors trained in the Field Act, California’s landmark seismic safety law. 

School districts hire these inspectors. Field engineers, who work for the Division of the State Architect, supervise their work. Districts pay $70 to $100 an hour for the services of an inspector and pay the state thousands of dollars for field engineers on each project. 

One Bay Area district paid the state architect’s office nearly $6,000 for a field engineer who never showed up during the construction of a dozen elementary school buildings, records show.

In an interview, acting State Architect Howard “Chip” Smith said there is “room for improvement” in the inspector oversight program, but he defended it as generally effective.

"The field engineers, by and large, know their inspectors and their territory,” he said. “They work with them on a regular basis. They know their capabilities, strengths and weaknesses, and that has been predominantly how the system worked.”

But former state Assemblywoman Sally Lieber said the state architect's office lacks the will to discipline school inspectors – and that compromises safety.

“There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that as we sit here today that there are situations going on where an inspector is pressured to approve something that they didn't,” said Lieber, a Santa Clara County Democrat and frequent critic of California’s inspector programs. “Or a project is kept moving when it really shouldn't be.”

In the past three years, the state architect’s office has revoked only a single inspector’s license – a whistleblower from Fresno. Thomas Conway, who has since died, admitted in a legislative hearing that he had overlooked potentially dangerous problems. Two months later, then-State Architect David Thorman told Conway that he could no longer work on school construction projects.

Smith said the office requires inspectors to meet basic standards before they are certified. They must be at least 25 years old and have at least three years of work experience. But the state does not run criminal background checks or screen for a history of performance problems. It tests inspectors only on their ability to read construction plans and their knowledge of building codes.

One longtime inspector said the oversight system is broken.

Bruce Tyson-Flyn, a project inspector in San Jose for more than 20 years, said the division “shouldn’t be afraid at all to come out here and say, ‘This guy doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing. Get him off this job. Shut it down.’ (That) doesn’t happen.”

Rating forms document poor performance

The value of sharp-eyed field engineers and experienced inspectors is undisputed. Field engineers frequently catch problems that inspectors have missed. In an earthquake, seemingly minor construction details overlooked by an inspector can affect the way a building holds up. 

“Ninety percent of the time, the contractor is trying to cut corners,” said David Bridi, a certified inspector who worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District until budget cuts prompted the elimination of about three dozen inspectors last year. 

“I’ve seen it in roofing material; I’ve seen it in flooring material; I’ve seen it in drywall material; I’ve seen it in framing material, concretes, rebars, down to fasteners,” Bridi added.

(Photo Marjorie McAfee/California WatchDavid Bridi, an inspector who worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District, says that contractors on school projects try to cut corners "90 percent of the time.")

The state has rated the performance of nearly 1,800 inspectors over the past three decades. Most received passing marks for attendance, record keeping, knowledge of building codes and plans, and communication with builders and with the state architect’s office.

Records show that 297 inspectors were written up for poor performance. They either received  “unsatisfactory” marks or were told their work needed improvement. Yet, California Watch found, at least 66 percent were approved for additional jobs.

The state architect’s office has a written policy that says it can stop using individual inspectors who receive poor evaluations. But inspectors routinely have been able to avoid any kind of formal scrutiny.

On 43 percent of the rating forms reviewed by California Watch, field engineers with the state architect’s office stated they could not assess the performance of inspectors under their watch because of “insufficient contact.”

All of the Division of the State Architect’s regional offices are missing rating files on active inspectors. The Los Angeles office has largely abandoned the practice of reviewing inspectors. It filed performance ratings on only 210 building projects during the last decade – out of about 4,500 renovation, repair and new construction jobs. 

Across California, the state architect’s office has performance ratings for about 17,000 construction jobs during the last three decades. But since 1998, the division has approved more than 25,000 projects, from fire alarm upgrades to new construction of classrooms and gyms, leaving a large gap of projects without inspector performance reviews. 

Smith, the acting state architect, downplayed the ratings’ value.

“The rating form is simply a perfunctory role function at the end of the project,” he said. “In the real world of interaction between DSA (the Division of the State Architect) and the inspectors, they are continuously rated through the entire process.”

Field engineers struggle with caseload

The state architect’s office operates with a budget of about $60 million, much of it funded by fees from construction projects and inspector testing. The office employs 25 field engineers who oversee more than 3,100 active building projects.

Sandy Pringle, who runs a school inspection firm in Southern California, said he was surprised by how little contact field engineers have had with the inspectors they are supposed to be monitoring.

Click on the image to enlarge the graphic.

“I think that needs to be stepped up,” he said.

The state architect’s office has acknowledged the failure of its own field engineers to show up at worksites – blaming the enormous workload of its small staff.

According to a 2006 study by the Department of General Services, the parent agency of the state architect’s office, visits by field engineers to construction sites were “inadequate in number and quality to effectively observe and evaluate the project inspector and construction.”

That same year, another internal report written by field engineers warned that some school construction jobs had started without approved district inspectors on site or with unqualified assistant inspectors. 

The testing of concrete, masonry and soil was judged inadequate, while some jobs were finished with unspecified “dangerous construction flaws,” the report found.

In one 2004 case, a field engineer failed to appear during construction of a dozen new classroom buildings at Anna Kyle Elementary School in Fairfield.

The project file does not indicate any evidence of shoddy construction or incompetent work by the inspector, but taxpayers took a hit: The school district paid the state architect’s office $5,850 for the field engineer who did not show up.

The problems have mounted without any official response or discipline.

In 2002, Robert Marquez was assigned to inspect a $300,000 seismic upgrade to the auditorium building at Newhall Elementary School in the Santa Clarita Valley. But state field engineer Natwerlal Patel wrote in Marquez’s file that Marquez had not been present for either of his two oversight visits – including when contractors were installing the roof.

According to Patel’s notes, a contractor said Marquez was frequently absent and stayed for only an hour or so when he did appear. Patel also discovered that Marquez submitted post-dated reports outlining his work over several two-week periods – before actually completing it.

In his review of Marquez’s performance on another project in 2002, at Hart High School in Newhall, Patel wrote that Marquez appeared “unappreciative of code regulations” and did not inform the state architect’s office when construction started or when concrete was to be poured, as the law requires.

Marquez continued to work on at least 19 more construction projects in Southern California over the next eight years – all but three of which had higher construction costs than the Newhall Elementary project did. Regulators did not rate him on these additional projects. 

For two of the jobs – a fire alarm upgrade at Marlton School for the hearing impaired in Los Angeles, and renovations to classroom buildings at Antelope Valley High School in Lancaster – the state architect’s office has no documentation that a field engineer ever visited to review Marquez’s work.

Seven building projects that Marquez inspected are lacking Field Act certification from the state architect’s office, records show.

Marquez is still a certified inspector today. In an interview, Marquez said he showed up at each job site whenever he was needed and that his work was thorough and effective.

“I’m basically being judged on what one person said, and I never had a chance to rebut or discuss (what) that person wrote about me,” Marquez said. “If this was so critical, he would have called me and shut the job down.”

State worries about inspector’s workload

Under the state’s Field Act, public school and community college inspectors must provide continuous inspection, sometimes working eight hours a day to make sure the construction conforms to approved plans. The law requires inspectors to check things such as the size of bolts and the strength of concrete and steel.

But the state has struggled to manage the workload of school inspectors.

Click on the image to enlarge the graphic.

Consider the case of Wayne Edgin. In January 2009, a state field engineer gave Edgin an unsatisfactory grade on an inspection at Fischer Middle School in San Jose. The engineer noted that Edgin's work schedule was “excessive.” 

That summer, the state architect's office denied approval to Edgin to inspect six additional projects because the office maintained it was more than the inspector could adequately handle. Edgin worked the jobs anyway. 

Rather than discipline him, a regional manager with the state architect’s office and other staff members met with Edgin to discuss his performance. Edgin signed a resolution agreeing to follow code requirements.

A year later, the state discovered Edgin was in the early stages of inspecting nine projects at schools stretching across a 60-mile swath of the Bay Area. Five of the projects cost $5 million or more. 

In documents, the state architect’s office noted one critical project where Edgin was needed full time, all day for at least a month – a solar-power installation at two high schools in Morgan Hill. 

The state architect's office removed Edgin from three of the nine jobs. Edgin sued, saying the division’s judgment of “too much work” was arbitrary and unscientific. The complaint, which is pending, alleged he had lost $180,000 in potential income as a result. 

Edgin remains an active, certified inspector.

In an interview, Edgin said he could have adequately inspected all nine of the school projects because the timing of construction on each varied. And he contended that the state architect’s office had given him permission in 2009 to inspect multiple jobs.

“They’ve never been in the (construction) field,” said Edgin, referring to the state’s field engineers. “They’re structural engineers. I know how long it takes.”

State overlooks significant problems

The state architect’s office has repeatedly allowed inspectors to work on school construction projects despite known problems with their work.

Supervising structural engineer Nathan Larson acknowledged as much in an internal e-mail regarding inspector discipline in April 2010. “Denial or withdrawal of approval based on poor past performance is almost non-existent,” Larson wrote.

Robert Sigman worked as the inspector on the relocation of five portable buildings at Discovery Charter School in San Jose, without notifying the state architect’s office when construction started. He failed to get approval from the state to act as the inspector before construction began. Most importantly, he did not submit a verified report attesting to the project’s safety before students moved in.

When he visited the site in January 2009, field engineer Michael Fretz questioned whether Sigman had even inspected it, according to memos and field notes obtained by California Watch.

That day, Sigman handed Fretz a final report saying the project followed approved plans. But Fretz found a number of deviations: Two new gates were not accessible for the disabled as required. A gate that was supposed to be installed for fire department access was missing. Finally, the buildings weren’t installed in the right location, according to the site plan – and Sigman wasn’t aware of the discrepancy, Fretz wrote.

In all, Fretz found 12 problems that needed correcting. An inspector hired for the project after Sigman left the job found that an electrical grounding system for a portable building at the campus had not been tested.

The problems remain unresolved, according to the state’s records.

Sigman told Fretz that he had inspected the project as a favor to his close friend, the project manager, John Croswhite.

In an interview, Sigman acknowledged that he had broken the rules. But he insisted that he had a strong track record. He said his transgression was an attempt to help Croswhite meet the Moreland School District’s scheduling demands.

“I was wrong,” Sigman said. But, he added, “If you go through the rest of my file, you will see that I have no other letters of reprimand from any of the field engineers that I’ve worked with, and I’ve inspected almost $500 million worth of work for different school districts."

The state architect's office approved Sigman to inspect two projects totaling $19 million at Ross Elementary School in Marin County last year, records show.

The state architect’s office has overlooked other issues with inspectors.

Courtesy Doug Devine/Los Angeles Department of Building and SafetyThe Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety found that a contractor had installed these makeshift and faulty seismic anchors in numerous unreinforced masonry buildings.

In 1990, Doug Devine, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety inspector, was investigating a problem. One contractor had been installing faulty seismic anchors in numerous unreinforced masonry buildings. The thin, foot-long anchors – critical to holding a building together during an earthquake – shattered when dropped to the ground.

One inspector, Richard Vale, had approved them all.

Vale and the contractor, Jose Aguilar, denied wrongdoing when they were accused of installing the makeshift and faulty seismic anchors during a series of earthquake retrofitting jobs.

But after Vale and Aguilar finished, city officials required property owners to repair the buildings again. The City of Los Angeles revoked Vale’s inspector license in 1991. 

“I didn’t want him out there ever inspecting anything in our city again, especially with school buildings with children in it,” Devine said. “That’s unconscionable.”

But that’s exactly what the state architect’s office approved Vale to do in 2005. 

Vale got a project inspector job at Palo Verde College in Blythe. The district hired Vale through Riverside-based Inland Inspections & Consulting Inc., which was paid $315,000 for Vale’s services.

In 2006, Paige Vaughan, a construction manager for another private firm, alerted the state architect’s office to Vale’s background in an e-mail obtained by California Watch.

“I really believe that individuals like this should never perform inspections again,” Vaughan wrote in the e-mail. “This act of misconduct could have caused injury or death.”

David Ritsher/California WatchSeismic anchor bolts such as this one are designed to hold floors and walls to the foundation during an earthquake.

Vaughan’s note to Jeff Enzler, a district structural engineer for the state architect’s office, was forwarded to top officials, including then-State Architect Thorman. The e-mail included a stinging rebuke: “An inspector with poor integrity is pretty worthless.”

Yet the message was ignored.

After Vaughan’s warning, the state architect’s office allowed Vale to remain as the project inspector at Palo Verde. Later, he was approved by the state as the welding inspector on the Needles High School project and the Rancho Santa Fe job.

Meanwhile, on the Palo Verde job, Vale’s performance came into question. He often failed to show up, said John Madole, director of facilities and operations for the community college.

“He just wasn't here,” Madole said. “He was on-site, but he was over in our welding shop; he was over in our auto shop fixing his car or his boat. Just really strange.”

Vale’s work also drew criticism from regulators. In 2007, field engineer Sergio Ferrernoted that Vale did not observe masonry work when required. In 2008, Vale was written upfor failing to file required reports and for improperly testing masonry samples.

Madole was surprised to learn of Vale’s conviction. The district did not order a background check on Vale because officials assumed state regulators took care of it, he said. The state architect’s office “should have been the one that nailed him right off the get-go,” he said.

But Madole defended the safety of the buildings that Vale inspected. 

“I’ve been in the construction trade ever since 1966,” Madole said. “And you pretty much know when somebody’s trying to cross you up or not do something proper.”

Acting State Architect Smith acknowledged that entrusting an inspector who had helped install faulty seismic anchors does pose problems. 

“If that were indeed the case, I would have a problem with that myself,” he said.

Still, Smith said he did not know whether the state should conduct background checks on inspectors in the future. Such reviews “could be explored through the regulatory process, perhaps,” he said. 

Vale and Aguilar sought for years, unsuccessfully, to withdraw their no-contest pleas in the Los Angeles case. Marilynn Van Dam, a lawyer who represented Aguilar, wrote in an e-mail to California Watch that the prosecution’s evidence was weak and that the unapproved anchors had held up under stress tests she had commissioned.

During his brief telephone conversation with a reporter, Vale, 50, said the conviction occurred many years ago.

“You’re talking about trying to smear me and also one of the finest agencies in the state of California,” he said, “over something that was a long time ago and was put to rest by a lot of people.”

Reporters Kendall Taggart, Anna Werner and KQED's Krissy Clark contributed to this story. This story was edited by Robert Salladay and Mark Katches. It was copy edited by Nikki Frick and Joanna Lin.

Rotarians at Work Day is April 30, 2011 for some RSF Senior Center landscaping and such; PLUS Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club Foundation Helping Others Update...

For more visit the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club Website at: http://tiny.cc/xyqbm

-- LORI BROCKETT

RSF Rotary Club Foundation

The Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club Foundation has been in existence for many years and serves three main functions:  It is the entity into which charitable donations to the Club are accepted; it is the entity that facilitates the charitable grants from the Club; and funds that are to be placed into permanent endowment also flow through the Rotary Foundation to the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, which is the steward of the Club's Endowment.

The RSF Rotary Foudnation has been very successful over the years as the Club has supported:

• Blanket and food programs in Rosarito BEach, Baja California
• Given thousands of dollars worth of grants to individual non profit organizations in the San Diego County Region
• Supported Water for Sudan
• Facilitates grants to military organizations with the guidance of the Military Advisory Committee

The RSF Rotary Fuundation is a way for every Rotarian to participate in the work of our club, in our community, in the nation and around the world.

UPDATE - WATER FOR SUDAN - In 2010 a total of 49 wells have been drilled and an estimated 300,000 lives have been saved because of this project.

UPDATE - PROJECT AMIGO - Colima, Mexico went from no education to College Degrees in impressive numbers.  From 2009 - 2010, one law degree, and seven other degrees from the University of Colima were granted.  Numerous others were able to attend Jr. High an dHigh School with the assistance of Rotary financial aid.  Without this aid, no educations! 

Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild - The Big Show - Reception, Fun, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 10...

 (Photo Above: Sebastian Capella holds court at previous Art Guild show highlighting his students' work)

Come meet the artists, see their work and enjoy complimentary food and drink at the artist reception for the “Warm Whispers of Spring” exhibition from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 10 at the Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild Gallery at 6004 Paseo Delicias.

 Darlene Katz is featured artist at the gallery. She is an award-winning artist working extensively with acrylic paints, pencil, charcoal and clay sculpture inspired from her travels and everyday scenes.

Katz studied art at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, Northwestern University in Illinois and has also studied under well-known artists Sebastian Capella and Vanessa Lemen.

A scientist by training, and an artist by choice, Katz believes that identical skills are necessary for both art and science. “Art requires both sides of the brain to come into play for an artist to be successful: technical and creative aspects of the painting are both essential in developing an emotional response in the observer.”

Other off-site exhibits include the works of Dori Starkey at Wells Fargo Mortgage (6046 El Tordo); Annette Frimtzis at the RSF Library (17040 Avenida de Acacias); Richard Warner at Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney (6037 La Flecha, view during business hours); and Margot Wallace at The RSF Tennis Club (5829 Via De La Cumbre, view during business hours).

 The “Warm Whispers of Spring” exhibition runs March 7 – April 29. Artwork may be purchased.

The Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild, a 501(c )(3) organization whose purpose is to embrace the visual arts, provide exhibit space, enhance community awareness & foster artistic skills.

The Gallery is at 6004 Paseo Delicias, RSF, CA 92067.

Website: www.ranchosantafeartguild.org.

Gallery hours are Tuesday- Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday to Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; Closed Sunday, Monday.

Phone: 858-759-3545.

AGENDA WORLD: San Dieguito Planning Group. Rancho Santa Fe School District. Each meet Thursday, March 3. Bonus coverage, Del Dios newsletter in pdf files...

PUBLIC NOTICE

SAN DIEGUITO PLANNING GROUP

P.O. Box 2789, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, 92067

NOTICE OF MEETING:    March 3, 2011

Place of Meeting:    RANCHO SANTA FE FIRE STATION  (meeting room), 16936 El Fuego, Rancho Santa Fe, California.  TBM 1168-D3, (El Fuego intersects Linea del Cielo at the west end of the village.)

FINAL  Agenda  --- REGULAR MEETING

A final agenda, including changes and additions if any, may be posted in front of the U.S. Post Office, Rancho Santa Fe, seventy-two (72) hours before the meeting.   Certain matters, as may be noted, will be set for a time certain.  Matters on the agenda are NOT necessarily heard in the order listed.  Continuances, if any, will be announced at the start of the meeting or may be contained in a final agenda.  Time devoted to an item will vary depending on its complexity, importance to the group and public, and the length of the agenda.

NOTE: Please complete a speaker slip if you wish to speak on an issue. (Including Open Forum)

1. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00P.M.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  

2.  AGENDA REVIEW

3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Misc. Prior Meetings   [Circulated to Members during Meeting for initials, comments if any]  

4.OPEN FORUM:  Public and group member comments on non-agenda items only. (3 minute time limit per speaker.)  No official action may be taken at this meeting on any new matters raised.   Complete speaker slip prior to your presentation.

 GENERAL PLANNING ITEMS:    

General Plan Update; Draft response to DPLU re: our position on General Plan drafts, including conservation subdivision language; planning group control of projects through the community plans.

Review suggestions for road improvements/ maintenance needed throughout San Dieguito Region.

6.     MAJOR PROJECTS AND LAND USE ITEMS:

A. AD 10-032  Northwood Barn – 16330 Rambla de las Flores, RSF @ Calle Chaparro – second dwelling unit attached to barn:  650 sq. ft. unit over 1660 sq. ft. barn - Applicant Contact Maxwell Wethrich 858-756-1735  County Planner:  Michelle Chan 858-694-2610  SDPG Planner: Laurel Lemarie. [to trail for RSF Art Jury action]

B. VAR 10-011  Rancho Cielo Estates – Cielo Montagna – Avenida Manantial & Via Rancho Cielo rear yard setback variance  from 40 ft. to 15 ft.     apn 264-670-18 & 19,   applicant contact:  Jim Kilgore 858-751-0633 jim.kilgore@latitude33.com   Planner:  Douglas Dill  

C. AD 10-045  Lennar – Bridges – Suerte del Este Gate – electric gate with card reader/keypad for controlling access to Via de las Flores from Suerte del Este –will affect or control access to existing Escondido Creek crossing from RSF to Elfin Forest over existing dirt road – use to be restricted to authorized users of the road - apn 264-650-09-00  Applicant contact:  Mike Shapouri;  Planner:  Laurel Lemarie.

D.    P 10-037 REZ 10-004 CHINESE BIBLE MUP/REZONE – Santa Fe Valley Chinese Church 16919 Four Gee Road n/o Tallus Glen.    Proposed church in Santa Fe Valley Specific Plan area – 1000 seat main sanctuary, to expand to 1500, with classrooms, offices recreation, school, and ancillary uses.  43 ft. high with two 57 ft. towers; S88 zone to RS-2 zone  [Subject to continuance]

E. P10-031 - Del Mar Country Club - Verizon Wireless Facility - Major Use Permit - 6001 Club House Drive, RSF - Allow the installation of two (2) new, 12' high omni antennas and one (1) E-011/GPS antenna to the existing cell site at the Del Mar Country Club - three (3) 6 ' antenna current exist at the site - Project Contact: Ted Marioncelli (760) 807-1850 / Planner Alia Kanani DPLU (858) 694-2069 / Planning Group: Don Willis (858) 481-6922

F. STP 11-003  Grotting Variance 15940 Via Del Alba [off easement road n/o Alba], RSF Administrative Permit to reduce front yard setback from 100 ft. to 83’ from centerline – existing deck in setback measured from easement road  apn: 268-270-64 Planner:  Paul Marks

G. TM 5447  Quantum Estates II; s/o Del Dios Hwy at Camino Del Norte  apn 267-031-02,03,10,11,12,14 Request for Time Extension on Tentative Map   Applicant Contact Brian Ardolind  858-259-8212  [Paul Marks]

H. AD 11-003  Amaji Trust Solar Panel Permit 17109 El Vuelo @ El Mirador, Request to install solar panels on adjacent lot in common ownership, 30 ft from property line s/o main house on other property, with underground conduit.   Applicant Contact James Laret 858-259-4812

I. Leach Fire Rebuild – 9588 Camino Santa Fe, Santa Fe Valley SPA. Previously heard – anticipate re-design  Applicant Contact:  David Hinton  951-579-8147  Planner:  Paul Marks   760-489-0900 [tentatively to be heard 3/17]

J. No Parking requested along Deer Ridge Road @ 200 feet beginning at Lone Quail Road and southerly to Fox Valley Way across the street from Del Norte High School to ease congestion – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days – plus 50 ft. of red zoning in front of school on each side of driveway.  

7. REPORTS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION:

DEL DIOS NICOLAS CHRISTENFELD 

PARKS / TAC/COUNTY PARKS                   JACK MC GEE

GENERAL PLAN 2020 + COMMUNITY PLAN LOIS JONES

SAN DIEGUITO RIVER PARK BRUCE LISKA/CHACO CLOTFELTER

4S RANCH TOM HICKERSON

RSF ASSOCIATION BILL SCHLOSSER/LOIS JONES

ROADS & TRAFFIC / SANDAG BILL SCHLOSSER

EL CAMINO REAL/VIA DE LA VALLE DON WILLIS/JACK McGEE

ELFIN FOREST DOUG DILL / JACQUELINE ARSIVAUD-          BENJAMIN

8. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

A. Consideration and comments on circulation mail

B.   Future agenda items and planning

C.   Adding potential projects to Transnet & PLDO Funds Lists for future votes – no action to be taken, except as noted above.

D. Election of Officers for 2011

E. Election to Reappoint Bill Schlosser to the group.

NOTE:  There is a vacancy on the planning group as a result of the expiration of terms.  If you wish to participate, we request you provide the chair with a current resume and attend 2 or 3 meetings, depending on our meeting schedule in the next few months.

Future Meeting Dates:   NOTE:  Temporarily, pending further notice, we may skip every other meeting because of a lack of filing of new projects.  We do, however, reserve the right to schedule meetings as needed, including the use of the following dates, so watch your e-mail and public notice posted at the RSF Post Office.

Paul Marks, Chairman          760-489-0900   FAX 760-489-4881     e-mail:   paul@paulmarks.com                              

Doug Dill, Vice-Chairman 760-736-4333   FAX 760-736-4333     e-mail:    heddills@worldnet.att.net   

Lois Jones, Secretary 760-755-7189   FAX 760-755-7204     e-mail:    loikaj@cox.net

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The Rancho Santa Fe School District meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 3 at the performing arts center at 5927 La Granada. The agenda is attached here in pdf form...

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For those who want to be in the know...about Del Dios. Attached pdf files is the Del Dios newsletter issued Tuesday...

Delicias Restaurant hosts Women's Empowerment Lunch Series

This unique oportunity is a weekly lunch series geared specifically towards women. Get your friends together for an afternoon of empowerment, enlightenment, and education at Delicias! Topics range from health, fitness, finance, to fashion. There's a topic for everyone, so reserver your seat at one of our luncheons today!

Delicias supports the community and our supporters! Would you or someone you know like to host an event geared towards women?

Get creative and find a way that you can touch the lives of the women in your community.

To host a luncheon for the Women’s Empowerment Series, please contact Jennifer at jennifer@deliciasrestaurant.com.

For reservations, call (858) 756-8000 or visit Delicias at 6106 Paseo Delicias at The Village.

Water rates continue to roil as Santa Fe Irrigation rate-payers question district board benefits...(Photo below: San Dieguito Reservoir off Camino Del Norte, the district's emergency water storage area.)

 Who do you think has more responsibility, the general manager of the Santa Fe Irrigation District or the Vice President of the United States? How about Santa Fe Irrigation GM v. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, U.S. Senate Majority Leader or Speaker of the House?

                                                              (Who gets paid more? These men...Or maybe...)

                 (...This man, far right, the general manager of the Santa Fe Irrigation District, Michael Bardin.)

Well, obviously the general manager of the Santa Fe Irrigation District because Michael Bardin receives a base salary of $191,500, plus $8,400 car allowance, $1,150 cell phone allowance, retirement contribution, health insurance, and benefits for a total package of $279,290.

Vice President Joe Biden receives $208,100. Chief Justice John Roberts gets $208,100, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gets $194,000 and House Speaker John Boehner gets $193,000.

Actually, nine water district employees receive six-digit base salaries. The 10th highest-paid employee, the operations supervisor had a total compensation package of $144,842, base salary.

By contrast, Congressman Brian Bilbray, as all congress people, gets $174,000. In fact, when even Congress rejected a pay raise last year, Congressman Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., who led the House effort to limit pay raises, said, “To raise congressional pay at a time when so many families are still struggling to make ends meet would be unconscionable and glaringly out of touch.”

It wasn't just Bardin, and the other district employees, who brought out the long knives at the irrigation district boardroom off Linea del Cielo. Several rate-payers showed up at the regular irrigation board meeting last week demanding board members review their OWN compensation.

Sam Ursini -- representing 20 local rate payers, their letter run on this site here -- said board members should cut back on perks. The district's own accounting shows the 5-member board receives about $100,000 annually since 2008 for expenses in the $20 million annually budget district.

Ursini's group wants board members to cut 20 percent of their benefits, including eliminating paid medical and dental care.

Directors reportedly weren't excited about the challenge to their benefits. One guy who was at the hearing last week said board member Andy Menshek said it was disrespectful and inaccurate although he "loved" the public input.

The guy also said director Ken Dunford said, "“Does public service equate to free service? I say it doesn’t. This is a tough job, ladies and gentlemen. It takes tough people to do it,” 

Editorial comment here: Yeah, tough job, tough pay. Shouldn't you be solving North Korea, Iran and the Middle East; that is to say, based on your pay, benefits and experience.

 TheSanta Fe Irrigation District imports 70 percent of its water from the Metropolitan Water District. The other 30 percent comes mainly from Lake Hodges. That water must be treated heavily to remove debris.

The district provides water to about 22,500 residents and businesses in Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach and most of Fairbanks Ranch, officials say. The average residential customer uses 63 units of water per month, and each unit equals 748 gallons, according to officials.

Under the rate increase that went into effect on Feb. 1, a customer who uses 60 units of water per month would see bill issued every other month increase from the current $216 to $242 in 2011, $271 in 2012 and $303 in 2013.

See the attached pdf file for more information on the rate increases that continue at 12 percent annually for the next three years.

Mainly Mozart making music magic at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. with Spotlight Series Mandelring Quartet...

Mainly Mozart has three core program areas: the annual Mainly Mozart Festival(founded in 1988, one of the largest, most prestigious Mozart festivals in North America), Spotlight Series (begun in 1996, the Spotlight Series features chamber music with world-class musicians in intimate settings) and Education/Outreach programming.

The Mainly Mozart Festival is housed in the historic Balboa Theatre while the Spotlight Series offers San Diegans three distinct concert locations based on geographical preference including the acoustically superb, Neurosciences Institute – La Jolla, The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe and St. Elizabeth Seton Church – Carlsbad.

Coming up at Rancho Santa Fe

Sunday, February 27, 2011 - 6:30pm

The Mandelring Quartet

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Tickets & Details

Mozart – String Quartet No. 19 in C “Dissonance”, K. 465
Beethoven – String Quartet in C, Op. 59, No. 3

Sunday, March 13, 2011 - 6:30pm

Robert Levin (piano)

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Tickets & Details

Mozart – Prelude and Fugue in C, K. 394
Mozart – “Adagio variee“ K3 Anh. 206a = K6 Anh. A 65
Mozart – Suite “In the style of Handel”, K. 399 [Sarabande completed by R. Levin]
Mozart – Piano Sonata No. 15 in F, K. 533/494

 Mainly Mozart is more than just a summer festival. Begun in 1996 at the Neurosciences Institute, Mainly Mozart’s Spotlight Series features world-class musicians in chamber music concerts during the winter and spring.

The Spotlight Series has showcased such familiar Mainly Mozart Festival artists as pianists John Lill, Anton Nel, and Anne-Marie McDermott; violinists William Preucil, Martin Chalifour, and Andrés Cárdenes; violist Cynthia Phelps; and flutist Timothy Day.

The series has also brought such renowned ensembles as the Beethoven Trio Vienna, the Altenberg Trio, Boston Chamber Music Society, Borromeo String Quartet, St. Petersburg String Quartet, Brentano String Quartet, Fine Arts Quartet, Cuarteto Latinoamericano and the Eroica Trio to San Diego. The principal home for this 18 concert series is the Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla, with additional performances at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe and St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Carlsbad.

-- http://www.mainlymozart.org/

5951 Linea Del Cielo

Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091

Phone: (858) 756-1131

Extend your concert experience at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe by enjoying a three-course dinner and wine after the performance (7:30pm dinner seating). Concert ticket and dinner: $125 per person

For reservations call Mainly Mozart’s Box Office at (619) 230-0100, ext. 2.

Parking

Limited free parking is available in the front lot (enter from Linea Del Cielo) or in the back lot (enter from La Gracia).  Additional street parking is available.

About the Event

Evenings at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe begin at 5:30p.m. with a pre-concert reception for all attendees featuring wine and delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by the award-winning Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. The hour-long intimate chamber concerts begin at 6:30p.m. and are followed by an optional dinner also at the Inn.

These concerts came about because "Rancho Santa Fe residents want an authentic classical music experience without the hassle of a 30-minute drive or the parking challenges often found in urban areas. Our partnership offers patrons the convenience of an intimate Rancho Santa Fe setting coupled with five-star musicians from around the globe. Purchasing tickets is not only a unique gift alternative for friends and family, but supports keeping this caliber of arts and culture enrichment in Rancho Santa Fe," said Mainly Mozart Executive Director Nancy Laturno Bojanic.

Open Letter to RSF School Families: You can give to the school through OneCause.com...

Dear RSF School Families,

The Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation will host a special evening in recognition of Scholar’s Circle level donors at the gracious home of Laing and John Rikkers on Saturday, Feb. 26.

The evening will be filled with music, food, wine and fun! The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe will be preparing four delicious food stations. A jazz trio will provide musical entertainment while guests participate in a light-hearted “Champs and Challengers” wine tasting contest.

Scholars’ Circle members continue a tradition that began in 1997 when a group of 25 Rancho Santa Fe school families came together to provide considerable funds to supplement the RSF School District annual budget allowing for an enriched public education. Today’s Scholars’ Circle is made up of parents and members of the community who pledge $30,000 or more, usually over a three-five year period.

The funds that The Education Foundation provides to the RSF School District, $1 million this year, are used to support the “Five-Star Education” campaign, over half of which is spent to help the district meet its small class size objective of 20 students or fewer per class, grades K-8. The rest of the monies fund teaching specialists across science, Spanish, arts, athletics, math and music in addition to special programs such as the Columbia University Reading & Writing Program and Global Literacy.

Getting multi-year pledges of a significant level is important as they not only allow the RSF School District to more accurately plan and make staffing and program commitments, but they also help families that are not able to cover the cost of their children for the benefits provided from “Five-Star Education.”

This event is generously underwritten by the Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation’s community partner Wells Fargo The Private Bank. The volunteer co-chairs for the event are Glenn Oratz and Lynn Frank, and organizers are Alex Coe and Roni McGuire.

For more general information: Call Leslie DeGoler at 619-985-1351

Rancho Santa Fe Library, Garden Club; Solana Beach Love Bunch...and I-5 on-ramp closings?

FREE, the best things at the Rancho Santa Fe Library Feb. 11-12.

Get ready for some FREE  fun this weekend at the Rancho Santa Fe Library!

On Friday, Feb. 11, The Rancho Santa Fe Library Book Club proudly presents a lively discussion on "Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu" by Laurence Bergreen

Be there, ready to discuss at 2 p.m. For more information, call (858) 756-2512.

And then there's the big Valentine Card Craft fest at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. It's F-R-E-E, You'll make handmade Valentine's Day cards with all supplies available free of charge.

This very special crafts program us suitable for tweens/teens and, of course, adults.

For more information, call (858) 756-2512.

 Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club is on the road again...

...Not on the Willie Nelson bus, however much "fun", but something fun in the garden clubby kind of way -- the annual club trek to the fabulous Huntington Library and Gardens.

The garden club bus leaves at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. the day trip costs $55 for members, $65 for non-members. Call the club at (858) 756-1554 to make reservations or Ginger Bord for more information at (760) 761-0989.

Located at San Marino, The Huntington is considered one of the world's great cultural, research and educational centers.

A private, nonprofit institution, The Huntington was founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, an exceptional businessman who built a financial empire that included railroad companies, utilities, and real estate holdings in Southern California.

Huntington was also a man of vision – with a special interest in books, art, and gardens. During his lifetime, he amassed the core of one of the finest research libraries in the world, established a splendid art collection, and created an array of botanical gardens with plants from a geographic range spanning the globe. 

-- http://www.huntington.org/default.aspx

Feel the Love with the Solana Beach Art Association

Heck, somebody's got to feel the love, it's Valentine's Day, almost for the ever-trendy Solana Beach Art Assocation.

The Association stages a live poetry reading, writing and reception (art) 6:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 at The Book Works and the Heather Roddy Art Gallery on the second level in Flower Hill Promenade in Del Mar.

"Feel the Love" is its name, nice.

For more information visit The Book Works online at www.book-works.com or www.solanabeachartassociation.org

Then in case you got to take Interstate 5 this weekend....

DON'T!!!

The Encinitas Boulevard on-ramp to Interstate 5 north will close at 9 p.m. Friday and reopen Monday at 5 a.m.

The Encinitas Boulevard off-ramp from I-5 north will close Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. and reopen at 5 a.m. the next day.

Blame it on "construction work," the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) sure does. Crews need to complete avement work on the darn I-5 northbound on-ramp, FYI ACC. TO CALTRANS.

Rancho Santa Fe Community Center upcoming events -- Business to Business Sundowner, Neighbor Night, Rummage Sale...

Business to Business Sundowner – Mark your calendar for Feb. 10
Calling all local business men and women; Join us for a fun evening of food, drinks and mingling with other business owners in the community at The Inn on Feb. 10. $10 for business members and $20 for all other attendees. Call 858-756-2461 for more information and to RSVP.
Sunset Soiree & Kids Night Out – Feb. 25

Meet new neighbors while having fun with your friends. This popular event is held inconjuction with our Kids Night Out Program. All attendees are asked to bring a plated appetizer and bottle of wine to share. Held at a private residence from 7 – 10 p.m.

Rummage Sale: In partnership with the RSF Rotary and R. Roger Rowe School we are still collecting rummage at the RSFCC. Drop offs happen weekly all day Wednesday and Thursday until noon. Now’s a great time to clean out your closets! Stay tuned for Saturday drop off information…We have changed to date to March 26 so we can continue to collect more rummage!

The Rancho Santa Fe Community Center is a nonprofit organization which does not receive federal or state monies. We rely upon memberships, program fees and annual fundraisers to finance our daily operations.

The Community Center is committed to building the future of this community through a diversified income stream from programs and membership fees, fundraisers and donations from pledges, wills and securities.

For more information, visit the center website.

Rancho Santa Fe Community Center - PO Box 1834 - Rancho Santa Fe CA 92067 - phone: (858)756-2461 - fax: (858) 756-2986.

Bizness of Rancho Santa Fe is bizness (and banking) just ask Castle Creek Capital Partners who went $330 million all-in community banking Tuesday...

Castle Creek Capital Partners goes $330 million all-in community banks in its fourth such fund. 

All things considered, it's probably not a bad idea to invest in banks. A lot of community banks are getting revenue from all sorts of federal programs and the vagaries of the foreclosure market for example.

Rancho Santa Fe money is nothing, if not savvy. Castle Creek Capital Partners Tuesday said it had raised $330 million in private and public funds to close a fourth  community bank acquisition fund.

 "We formed our fourth fund because we believe the severe recessionary downturn over the last three years has caused significant distress in the banking arena," Castle Creek Managing Partner John Eggemeyer said.

"The valuations of select community banks will benefit greatly from a combination of additional capital support, the ongoing economic recovery, and a building wave of M&A activity," Eggemeyer added. "This is the most opportune time in the past two decades to invest in the community banking sector."

Castle Creek officials said investors represented "a diverse group of institutional investors, including public and private pension funds, prominent fund of funds and financial institutions, with Thomas Capital Group serving as placement agent."

For more information, you can contact former Rancho Santa Fe School District trustee Carlie Headaphol, director of investor relations at (858) 756-8300. 

About Castle Creek Capital Partners

Castle Creek® focuses on recapitalization, growth equity, and buyout investments in U.S.-based community banks.  The firm is led by John M. Eggemeyer III, William J. Ruh and Mark G. Merlo (the "Principals").  Since 1992, the Principals have overseen the investment of over $1.9 billion of capital primarily for bank transactions and have completed over 60 bank investments and acquisitions.  The Principals apply their significant industry experience by becoming actively involved with the management of their portfolio companies with a view toward materially enhancing their efficiency, scale, profitability and franchise value.  Further information about Castle Creek® can be found at www.castlecreek.com.

About Thomas Capital Group

Thomas Capital Group ("TCG"), a registered broker-dealer, was founded in 1997 to assist and guide alternative investment managers worldwide in structuring funds and raising capital.  TCG's team possesses extensive placement and marketing experience, a global network of close investor relationships, and strong buy-side investment experience.  Working with a select group of fund managers, TCG has helped raise billions of dollars from leading investors around the world.  More information can be found at www.thomascapitalgroup.com.