Local education leaders look ahead to 2010

The following are answers to questions about goals for the upcoming year submitted by the Rancho Santa Fe Review to TPHS Principal Brett Killeen; Canyon Crest Academy Principal Brian Kohn; San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent Ken Noah, and Solana Beach School District Superintendent Leslie Fausset. RSF School District Superintendent Lindy Delaney could not be reached by presstime for this article.

Q&A with Michael Bardin, general manager, Santa Fe Irrigation District

The following are answers to questions about goals for the upcoming year submitted by the Rancho Santa Fe Review to Santa Fe Irrigation District General Manager Michael Bardin.
RSF Review: What do you believe are the most important issues facing your organization in the coming year?

DUI crash leaves one dead

A man described as a designated driver was in custody Monday — booked for alleged DUI and vehicular manslaughter — following a fiery crash that killed a man in Torrey Pines, police said.
Michael Patrick Landri was driving an Infiniti G35 that rear-ended a Volkswagen Passat at Genesee Avenue and Torrey Pines Road around 10 p.m. Sunday, causing both vehicles to burst into flames, according to the San Diego Police Department.
A bystander pulled Landri and a “very drunk” male passenger from the burning Infiniti but was unable to rescue the driver of the Passat, police said. The men in the Infiniti were on their way home from an employee Christmas party, according to police.
The San Diego man driving the Passat died at the scene, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. Another person was taken to a hospital, according to a San Diego fire-rescue dispatcher. Landri was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving counts and booked into San Diego Central Jail, according to jail records.
Police said Landri was supposed to be a designated driver — a person who refrains from consuming alcohol in order to safely drive home passengers who have imbibed.
— This story was written and edited by City News Service staff. More news on www.SDNN.com (San Diego News Network)

Barbara Groth elected president of San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustees

At a recent meeting, the San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustees approved their meeting schedule for 2010 and elected the following officers:
Barbara Groth, Board President
Beth Hergesheimer, Vice President
Joyce Dalessandro, Board Clerk
Linda Friedman, Board Trustee
Deanna Rich, Board Trustee
The meeting schedule is available on the district website: www.sduhsd.net.

Approaching 100th birthday, RSF woman looks back on a life well lived

By Matt Liebowitz

Thyra Fellows is witty and humorous, her stories rich and complete, her memory sharp for poignant personal details and conversations.
One wouldn’t be misguided thinking her upcoming birthday is her 80th. But, in fact, Fellows is getting ready to celebrate a milestone birthday many never reach.
On Dec. 18, Fellows, a Rancho Santa Fe resident since 1962, will turn 100 years old.

RSF firefighters team up with Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Drive

The Rancho Santa Fe firefighters are once again hosting their annual holiday toy drive in hopes of making the season a bit brighter for local children. This year they have teamed up with the Toys for Tots Program.
“We look forward to this event every year,” said Dave McQuead, toy drive coordinator. “It’s a simple gesture, but it can make such a difference for these kids. We hope that partnering with Toys for Tots will allow us to reach even more children this Christmas.”
Donations of new, unwrapped toys are now being accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 23. While toys for all ages will be accepted, there is an increased demand this year for donations for boys and girls ages 10 -14. Please drop toys off at any one of the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District’s fire stations:
• Fire Station No. 1: 16936 El Fuego in Rancho Santa Fe
• Fire Station No. 2: 16930 Four Gee Road in 4S Ranch
• Fire Station No. 3: 6424 El Apajo in Fairbanks Ranch
• Fire Station No. 4: 18040 Calle Ambiente in Cielo
Directions to our fire stations can be found on our website, www.rsf-fire.org.
The mission of the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District is “To protect life, property, and environment through prevention, preparedness, education and emergency response.”

RSF artist hopes work on exhibit at San Diego Cancer Center will help patients with the healing process

By Diane Y. Welch

The work of Rancho Santa Fe artist Heidi Rufeh portrays passion and thoughtfulness through the use of intense hues and energetic form. Her provocative, aesthetic style, developed over several decades, draws the viewer in.
Thirty of Rufeh’s art pieces are now on exhibit at the San Diego Cancer Center in Encinitas and will remain there through Jan. 18. Under the curatorship of Dr. Yanina Yadler, who is also an artist herself, the center has opened it’s facilities to local, acclaimed artists. It provides both exhibition opportunities and an aesthetic, calming environment for its patients.

RSF School board names new president, vice president

By Matt Liebowitz

At its Dec. 7 meeting, the board of trustees of the Rancho Santa Fe School District elected a new president, vice president, and clerk.
Scot Cheatham will now serve as president, taking over the role previously held by Carlie Headapohl. Jim Depolo was named vice president, and Richard Burdge was named clerk.
Superintendent Lindy Delaney thanked Headapohl for her service as president, calling her a “great leader” of the board.

Bishop’s School Equestrian Team jumps to new heights

Sophie Greenspan

The Bishop’s School Equestrian Team is riding high. In early November, juniors Sophie Greenspan, Stephanie Holmes, Megan Watson and Ryan Wilkinson competed in the Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League horse show in San Juan Capistrano. Watson was the champion in the varsity jumpers division, and the rest of the teammates placed as ribbon winners. The rider’s individual scores brought the equestrian team’s season total to 294 points.

Ryan Wilkinson

Forty-six schools competed in this show mostly from Orange and LA counties; five schools represented San Diego County. The Bishop’s riders mainly focus on the Hunter and Jumper Divisions. This is the second season that The Bishop’s School Equestrian Team has participated in the show. The equestrian season runs from September until January with eight shows (competitions) through the fall and winter sport seasons.
Sophie Greenspan, the daughter of Dr. Ronald and Deborah Greenspan, is a resident of Rancho Santa Fe. Ryan Wilkinson, the son of Philip and Wendy Wilkinson, is also a resident of Rancho Santa Fe.