Podiatrist in Carlsbad, CA

Lola Sherman’s Seaside Musings column

Not having any lines to memorize is a big part of what makes play reading attractive to actors, they agree, but they say it’s a lot more than that.

“It’s super fun.” says actor Zachary Scott Wolfe. “It’s a blast.”

And, say director Berto Fernandez and actor Melissa Fernandes, it gives the public a chance to see plays that perhaps are lesser known and especially those that have social relevance.

The three are among many who have performed or directed at Carlsbad Playreaders.

In its quarter-century of existence, the Playreaders has presented more than 100 productions.

Fernandez said other theatrical groups might occasionally present play reading, but the Carlsbad organization is the only one in the county given over to a year-round slate of purely read productions.

“I don’t know of any other company in town that is doing it,” Fernandez said.

There’s no need for elaborate sets or costumes, which make plays harder and expensive to stage. There’s no need for props or makeup.

It doesn’t have to make a profit.

At the last Carlsbad PlayReaders presentation, earlier this month, actor Eddie Yaroch, playing an aging poet, kept fumbling with his manuscripts, and, he and Dagmar Fields, playing his wife, exchanged bathrobes at one point, but that was about it.

Instead, the words of Tina Howe, author of the play “Painting Churches,” stood out.

Often, the actors keep their scripts on a music stand in front of them, but Fields held hers in a bright-red book in front of her at all times, making it easier for her to read close-up and giving her freedom of movement. She left no doubt that she was reading.

“Painting Churches” was presented in memory of Jim and Pat Hansen, who founded Carlsbad Playreaders in 1995. The Hansens, 92 and 90 respectively, died last year.

Jim Hansen had been a teacher at Oceanside and El Camino high schools and she a Carlsbad elementary school teacher before working for the Carlsbad Public Library for 25 years. They established the Playreaders upon their retirement.

The play readings usually are held on the first Monday of the month in the Schulman Auditorium at the city’s Dove Lane main library.

It’s been a great partnership with the library, Gerilyn Brault, ex-artistic director, said.

Artistic directors, who serve for two years, and the Playreaders board help select the actors and directors.

Some plays, like “The Adventures of Huck Finn” or “The Mousetrap,” are well known, others less so.

Jack Missett, artistic director when the play first was presented, reminisced for the audience at the most-recent production, remembering when that performance was staged during mealtime at the Carlsbad Senior Center and one attendee persistently loudly interrupted the performance to demand his chocolate pudding.

Thanks to a Carlsbad Community Arts Grant, Brault said, actors and directors — all professionals like herself from theaters around San Diego County — get a small stipend, basically covering gas.

For that reason, rehearsals usually are kept to one, and Mondays are chosen for them as well because it’s a day other theaters are closed.

Since costs are maintained, Brault said, tickets can be kept to a requested $5 donation.

With little money and time for them, there are no auditions, although hopeful performers may leave a photo and résumé on the Carlsbad Playreaders website.

To even up the costs, a show with four or five actors, like the yearly musical, might alternate with one with a sole performer, like the next show, March 6, “Every Brilliant Thing,” with Fernandez in his directorial debut

He said the show will engage the audience a lot and it’s been tweaked a bit, to develop a Latino theme to reflect his Puerto Rican and actress Daisy Martinez’s Colombian heritage.

Fernandes, who’e acted in a half-dozen shows with Carlsbad Playreaders, also is excited to direct her first, “Motherhood Out Loud,” on May 1.

Other shows are June 5 and Sept. 11. The musical is “tick...tick...BOOM!” on Oct 2. The season ends Nov. 6.

Sherman is a freelance columnist. Contact her at lola@seaside-media-services.com.

Carlsbad California is well-known for a variety of reasons, including its gorgeous beaches, Legoland, the La Costa Resort and Spa, the Chopra Center, and the Four Seasons Aviara Resort. Carlsbad boasts a laid-back seaside environment away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but close enough for easy access. Oceanside Pier, Mission San Luis Rey, Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, and Sea Life Aquarium are among its other attractions. Carlsbad is the gateway to Carlsbad Caverns National Park as well as Living Desert State Park.

In Carlsbad, you will find some delectable dishes that you just cannot miss! There are some mouth-watering dishes and tasty dishes like Breakfast Burrito, Bizcochito, and Green Chili Stew and many more. Continue reading to know more.

1. Breakfast Burrito

Breakfast burritos are found all over the world and come in so many varieties and sizes. Most commonly they use a flour tortilla where the filling is put inside and the tortilla is rolled over it. It is easily eaten in your hand, so it is great for people on the go.

2. Bizcochito

This type of dish, often served as a snack or dessert, consists of crisp and buttery cookies that are flavored with anise. Anise is a spice that is both flavorful and aromatic. Bizcochito usually come with a topping of sweet cinnamon sugar. The dough for these cookies is traditionally rolled thin and cut into various shapes that include crosses, stars and moons.

The most popular places to try out Bizcochito are GelatoLove Carlsbad Village and BATALOGIANNI.

3. Green Chili Stew

Green chile stew is sometimes topped with contrasting, cool, crunchy toppings of shredded cabbage, radishes, cilantro, lime, and avocados. While it has the distinct flavor of green chilies however it isn’t necessarily spicy unless it has been made with fresh chilies which can vary in heat.

The most popular places to try out Green Chili Stew are Oblix`, 1. Casa de Bandini and pollos maria.

4. Green Chile Cheeseburger

Green chile cheeseburgers are definitely made for lovers of green chiles as they are usually covered in them. Most green chiles sold in the United States come from New Mexico. These green chiles are only in season for a limited time as they will turn red when they ripen more.

The most popular places to try out Green Chile Cheeseburger are what a bagel, Egyptian Nights and Croissants.

5. Pudding

The modern American usage of the word pudding to denote primarily desserts has evolved over time from the originally almost exclusive use of the term to describe savory dishes, specifically those created using a process similar to that used for sausages, in which meat and other ingredients in mostly liquid form are encased and then steamed or boiled to set the contents. Black (blood) pudding and haggis survive from this tradition.

The most popular places to try out Pudding are Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe and Beigel Shop.

6. Chimayó Cocktail

The Chimayó cocktail is a great autumn cocktail that is a signature New Mexico drink. It pairs tequila with the full-flavored taste of unfiltered apple cider, adding a hint of sweetness via crème de cassis. The Chimayó cocktail was created by Arturo Jaramillo, owner of the Rancho de Chimayó restaurant in Chimayó, New Mexico in 1965, the Chimayó Cocktail is a tequila and apple cider based drink.

The most popular places to try out Chimayó Cocktail are Islands Restaurants The Shoppes At Carlsbad, Croissants and what a bagel.

National Weather Service officials said this storm will bring a combo of cold temperatures and gusty winds that haven't been seen in years.

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego authorities cautioned residents ahead of what could possibly be the coldest storm to hit the area in several years, the National Weather Service said.

A flurry of warnings were issued for San Diego County in anticipation of the storm beginning Tuesday night through to Saturday afternoon including winter storm, high winds and dangerous surf warnings.

“The coldest storm of the season, and possibly of the last several years is expected to impact southwest #CAwx Wed-Fri or Sat with showers across coasts and valleys with mainly snow across the mountains and deserts,” NWS said on Twitter.

Temperatures will be significantly colder, going 10 to 20 degrees below normal. Areas in San Diego County were especially warned to anticipate dangerous winds with deserts getting wind gusts up to 95 miles per hour, valleys seeing gusts of up to 85 miles per hour and coasts expecting winds up to 60 miles per hour.

Officials cautioned against driving, saying travel will be difficult and winds could cause severe damage to trees and other objects. Philip Gonsalves with NWS San Diego said travelers looking to visit snowy areas should be prepared for drastic conditions and should be very cautious.

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“There will be no place in San Diego County that is going to be untouched by these winds,” Gonsalves said. “The potential for physical damage as a result of the wind is pretty high.”

Mountains in the county can expect up to five inches of snowfall with areas at higher elevations expected to see multiple feet of snow. This storm system will bring snow down to lower elevations than normal, impacting areas about 1,500 feet and above Stewart said. This storm system will bring snow down to lower elevations than normal, impacting areas about 2,000 feet and above, Gonsalves said.

Rain is also forecasted to hit San Diego for several days starting Wednesday and ending Sunday. San Diego County residents should expect light rainfall starting Tuesday night in the mountains, with most rain for this storm to pick up Thursday evening into Saturday, Gonsalves said.

Coastal areas can expect waves to reach up to 14 feet tall according to NWS officials.

“There is going to be a lot of significant impacts so stay aware and cautious,” Stewart said. “There is pretty much a bunch of everything going on all at once.”

CNN —

A winter storm dumped massive amounts of precipitation across southern California this weekend, including more than 6.5 feet of snow to Mountain High and more than 5 inches of rain to Cucamonga Canyon.

The hefty snowfall totals included 5 feet to Snow Valley, 57 inches to Bear Mountain Snow Summit, 50 to 55 inches to Wrightwood Acorn Canyon, 45 inches to Green Valley Lake, 38 inches to Mount Baldy, and 36 inches to Lake Arrowhead, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego.

In addition, heavy rainfall brought several inches of rain to the area, including more than 4 inches in Holy Jim Canyon, Lower Silverado Canyon and Henshaw Dam; more than three inches in La Jolla Amago, Costa Mesa, Mount Woodson and Carlsbad Airport; and more than two inches to John Wayne Airport, Escondido, San Bernardino and Temecula, according to the service’s 5-day rainfall reports.

The precipitation came as a rare blizzard warning was in effect for parts of southern California and the Los Angeles region, spawning unfamiliar wintry conditions at higher elevations.

The storm made for dangerous travel conditions in some areas. In Los Padres National Forest, State Route 33 was closed due to rock slides and erosion from this and previous storms, according to video from the California Department of Transportation.

Lynda Sandoval and her husband, who live in Frazier Park, about 65 miles northwest of LA, have been unable to leave their home since Friday, Sandoval told CNN. Heavy snow created dangerous driving conditions in the area and officials have closed sections of Interstate 5.

She told CNN she prepared for the snowstorm and has enough food to last her a few days but is shocked by how much snow has fallen in the area.

“I never have seen this much snow living up here. Neighbors that have been here longer than us said the last snow related to this was back in 2011 but not this severe,” Sandoval said. “It took over 4 hours to get our truck out yesterday and all our neighbors are shoveling snow whenever there is a break. The community up here is amazing with neighbors helping neighbors during this time. They’re sharing groceries and shoveling snow in driveways.”

The same storm system is moving east and is expected to produce a significant damaging wind event across the central US on Sunday. More than 20 million people are under the threat of severe storms Sunday from western Texas to Illinois, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, Fort Worth, and St. Louis.

Meanwhile, a new winter storm is set to bring more rain and snow to the western US, starting with the Pacific Northwest on Sunday.

More than a foot of snow is possible with the system across the Sierras and Cascades. A second system will be right on the first’s heels, pushing inland across the Pacific Northwest tonight bringing even more snow.

An additional 1 to 2 feet of snow is possible across the Cascades, Sierras, and Rockies through Tuesday. Isolated areas of the Sierras could see up to 3 feet.

The snowstorms will create dangerous or impossible travel conditions across the western mountain ranges through the beginning of this week.

CNN’s Caroll Alvarado contributed to this report.

"P-22" mountain lion memorialized, V-Day dining, heart-shaped pizzas, & more SoCal news for your weekend.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — To keep your weekend light, Patch presents some Southern California stories from the past week — many that hopefully will brighten your day.

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Coastal Commission OKs Navy Pier Conversion To Public Park

Tiny California Mouse Wins Guinness Award For Longevity

Heart-Shaped Pizzas For Valentine's Day: Where To Find 'Em Near You

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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SoCal Guides To Weekend Fun:

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Costa Mesa Man Learning To Read, Gaining TikTok Fans Along The Way

'Can You Hear Me Now?' Murrieta Dead Zones Clear For Cops, Fire

'Long Live P-22': Thousands Memorialize Beloved LA Mountain Lion

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Valentine's Day Dining Guides:

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Street Art By Banksy, Cee Pil, Others Coming To Palm Desert Gallery

13-Year-Old South Orange County Actress Claims 11th Best Acting Award

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Shake Shack To Make OC Debut With New Irvine Location

Temecula's LongHorn Steakhouse Opening Date Announced

Mastro's Co-Founders Open New Steakhouse In Beverly Hills

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K-9 Trials Return To Murrieta, Public Invited Feb. 18

Legendary Rock Band Foreigner To Perform In Indio

Knott's Berry Farm To Hire 2.5K New Employees During Hiring Event

Eatery Opens In Mission Viejo; Garden + Grille Serves Up Fresh Links

The Ranch At Laguna Beach Debuts 2 New Cultural Experiences

2023 'Super Bloom' Preparations Underway In Lake Elsinore

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