Brooklyn Boy Opens at the Scripps Ranch Theatre

Brooklyn Boy, an inspirational comedy-drama about going home again, back to family and friends and one's old neighborhood, opens at the Scripps Ranch Theatre (SRT) on Saturday, Jan. 21, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 19. Written by Donald Margulies, the play is a witty, emotional tale of a novelist who hits the best-seller list with his third novel just as his personal life unravels.

The play touches on the age-old themes of parental approval, the lure of fame, and the loss of romantic love. When Eric, the main character of Brooklyn Boy, finds that his novel has hit the best-seller list, his sudden rise to fame turns his world upside down and yet brings him back to his roots. Margulies draws us in with humor and drama. Critics called the play "tough, insightful, bittersweet, funny, and wise."

Directed by Ruff Yeager, the cast for this production includes Wendy Waddell, Paul Bourque, Adam Daniel, Amanda Cooley Davis, Charlene Koepf, Cris O'Bryon, and Fred Harlow.

The plot: novelist Eric Weiss, critically celebrated but financially unsuccessful, "arrives" when his new, autobiographical novel becomes a best seller. An outsider all his life, he is suddenly on the inside of everything: town cars, television studios, the Sunday book review. But as his career takes off, his personal life stutters. His father lies seriously ill in the hospital. His former friends and neighbors in Brooklyn celebrate his success while being suspicious about his attitude toward them--in life and in his novel. And his success leads to trouble for him and his writer-wife. Brooklyn Boy is loosely based on parts of Margulies' own life.

Now in its 33rd year, SRT consistently produces high quality and entertaining theater. SRT has earned a reputation as one of the finest small theaters in San Diego. For ticket prices, season ticket information, and more, visit our website at [www.scrippsranchtheatre.org]. For reservations, please call the box office at 578-7728.

Sustainable Scripps Ranch Movie Night

Join us for a thought-provoking film:

• Mother Nature's Child
• Wednesday, Jan. 11, 6:30 pm
• SRCA Community Center, 11885 Cypress Canyon Road
• RSVP or questions: Janice Swaisgood at 880-9836 or [ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ]

Mother Nature's Child explores nature's powerful role in children's health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood, and adolescents. The film marks a moment in time when a generation can recall childhoods of free play outdoors. This will not be true for most children today. The effects of "nature deficit disorder" are now being noted across the country in epidemics of child obesity, attention disorders, and depression.

Mother Nature's Child asks the questions: Why do children need unstructured time outside? What is the place of risk taking in healthy child development? How is play a form of learning? How can city kids connect with nature? After the movie Janice Swaisgood of the Scripps Ranch Family Adventures in Nature (FAN) club will lead a discussion and answer questions. Limited child care is available; let us know beforehand.

Happy 2012 from Scripps Ranch Women's Club!

January's a great time for positive changes, so consider joining a friendly group of women who enjoy day and evening events, try new activities, and support local organizations. Visit our website at [www.SRWomensclub.org] to discover the energy, generosity, and community spirit of our members.

For example, at last month's Cookie Exchange, 34 women shared dinner and a holiday concert and donated toys to the Hidden Valley House shelter. This month our bunco groups will meet, and we'll attend the Scripps Ranch Theatre on Friday, Jan. 27. Anne and Dave McClure will host our theater pre-party.

Our spring fundraiser is coming up, and it's an excellent time to get involved. Contact our membership chair, Joette Briggs, soon at 695-3441 and join us!

Anne McClure and Barbara Wesser, Publicity Chairs

Hidden Valley House Auxiliary

Throughout the past year Scripps Ranch residents, businesses, and organizations continued their support of the Hidden Valley House (HVH), a secure shelter for adults and children needing to escape from physically or mentally abusive relationships. This facility has served as a safe haven for many families, and again remained near capacity for most of the year--even though clients remain there a maximum of one month. Most of the families often arrive at the shelter with nothing but what they're wearing. In 2011 the HVH Auxiliary, through its fundraising efforts and networking, helped provide many of these families' basic needs such as food, toiletries, shoes and clothing, diapers, strollers, blankets, towels, and linens.

We'd like to thank Susan Kramer-Swafford, owner of the Baby Vie store, for her very generous gift of new maternity and children's clothing. Thanks, too, to the bunco and bridge groups and Village Quilters for their many donations. Also very much appreciated are the toys, gift cards, and gifts for moms that were collected by the Scripps Ranch Women's Club at their annual Cookie Exchange.

The HVH Auxiliary also would like to thank Scripps Ranch High School's Interact Club, Key Club, and National Charity League, as well as Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout troops who contributed their time during the year. They helped at the shelter, arranged birthday and Halloween parties, did art projects with the kids, staged food and clothing drives, and helped serve at our recent HVH Tea.

Current needs at the shelter are large size diapers--sizes 3-6--and wipes. Donations can be dropped off at the Scripps Ranch Library or at the home of Ellen Hawkins at 11528 Wills Creek Drive. As always, thank you for your continued support!

Lynn Parke

Welcome Club

There's always something happening in the Welcome Club, and December was a good indication. It started in early December with the holiday dinner at La Bastide. Two days later was the holiday general meeting with our fun gift exchange stealing. That always brings out a lot of laughter and fun. Cookies, tarts, éclairs, and hot cider set the tone for our holiday coffee at Carol and Walt Becker's lovely home.

If you'd like to have fun and meet some wonderful Scripps Ranch women, join us at one of our general meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 pm at the Scripps Ranch Swim and Racquet Club on Aviary. Check our website at [www.scrippsranchwelcomeclub.org]. For more information, please contact Becky McDonald at 578-5693 or Janelle Boustany at 271-4159.

JoAnn Farmen, 2nd VP/Membership Chair

Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary

What a wonderful 2011 we had! After working very hard on fundraising and advocacy events, including our Raising the Bar fundraiser and Kids' NewsDay, we got to enjoy some down time. Our Turkey Shoot was so much fun, and we discovered that we had some bowling ringers in our group with all of the Xs on the scoreboard. It is always nice to get together with friends during the holidays, so it was a real treat to close out the year with a holiday social at the beautiful home of Jan McGowan.

Also, we hope many of you were able to get outside and take advantage of ice skating in wonderful San Diego weather at Fantasy on Ice at Horton Square. Whew, a great way to work off some of those extra calories during the holidays.

It's not too late to join our group. We have welcomed eight new members in the last two months--Elizabeth McKinnis, Cathy Denis, Mary Williams, Tatis Cervantes, Raelee Pacheco, Dona Porreca, Sermsee Kerner, and Renee Lawson--and have two prospective members. Most were able to attend an orientation in November at the hospital, which included a tour and a presentation by a young boy and his mother who were touched by Rady Children's Hospital after the boy suffered a serious head injury from a pedestrian/auto accident.

Also, Scripps Ranch residents Craig Blower and Kevin Clark, on behalf of the Scripps Ranch Old Pros, were presented honorary memberships. For more information on our unit and the types of memberships available, contact Kami Evora at 831-9179 or [ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ], or Rebecca Flynn at 619-804-4915 or [ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ]. Follow us on Facebook at "Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary, Scripps Ranch Unit" or at [www.rcha-scrippsranch.org].

Scripps Teasers Toastmasters

Looking for a fantastic place to rapidly improve your communication skills? Join the Scripps Teasers Toastmasters Club. We are part of a network of clubs that offer a learn-by-doing program as part of the worldwide Toastmasters International organization.

We meet at the SRCA Community Center on Cypress Canyon Road. Meetings start at 7 am every Thursday and last one hour. Guests are welcome. For more information, please visit [http://scripps.freetoasthost.net], email [ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ], or contact Bob Hitchcox at 395-4222.

Join us to build the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. Become a better communicator and leader.

Village Quilters

Jan Krentz, author, lecturer, teacher, and prize-winning quilt artist, will present her lecture with a trunk show on Saturday, Jan. 14. She will provide an historic look at traditional eight-point star designs, ranging from lone stars and hunter stars to the new diamond quilts. There will be a slide presentation with the trunk show of beautiful quilts that illustrate the star designs. The event is at the Scripps Ranch Library starting at 9:30 am. The guest fee is $5.

Scripps Ranch Women's Networking Group

Welcome to the Scripps Ranch Women's Networking Group. Our goal and mission is to connect with other professional women in Scripps Ranch and to aid them in expanding their business opportunities while having fun socializing and building friendships.

Networking groups provide a unique and powerful marketing tool for women who want to be linked with resources and build deep and lasting relationships on both a business and personal level. Our group, the only one in Scripps Ranch for women professionals, will facilitate business and personal relationships through monthly meetings held at a private home in Scripps Ranch.

Each member will have the opportunity to be "Presenter of the Month," highlighting her business or special interest to the group. We encourage members or prospective members to bring in their Scripps Ranch friends to help us expand our reach, grow as an organization, and present opportunities for us to experience better and deeper business and personal relationships.

We are looking to add these occupations to our group: consultants, accountants, web or graphic designers, health, well-being, beauty, artists, interior designers, entrepreneurs, and more.

Our next meeting is on Friday, Jan. 27, from 8 to 9 am for breakfast. This meeting features a short talk by Susan Heck, our designated "Presenter of the Month." Please check our website at [www.srwnetworking.org] for more details. If you would like more information, please call Julia at 549-3070 or email us at [ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ]. We hope you join us at our next meeting.