Out & About

I've done it again! I'm becoming a walking fanatic. After a thrilling experience of walking the 5k at the Julian Athletic Festival last summer, I couldn't wait to sign up for another organized walk.

While I had a few fleeting moments of doing the three-day American Cancer Society walk this month, I had to face the facts: I would never have endured three days, much less 60 miles.

So, instead, I opted for "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer," the 5-mile walk in Balboa Park on Oct. 19. I was invited to join the San Diego County Sheriff's Department's team, along with Mary Gallagher. Sounded invigorating so I went shopping for a new pair of walking shoes and headed down the hill early that Sunday morning.

It was great! But I have to admit, I wasn't quite prepared for walking 5 miles nonstop. Nor was I aware that the freeway would be closed and the majority of the walk was going to take in the northbound lanes on Highway 163.

The official estimate was 15,000 people participating - a few more than the Julian walk. I have to brag, I'm sure I finished in the top 5,000. And I learned a very important lesson: Don't wear new shoes on a 5-mile walk.

Linda and Ron Mulick have been busy getting ready for their semi-annual Seasons of the Heart Country Craft Faire, taking place Nov. 6-10 at Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua

Lane. It started out 13 years ago at a friend's house, moved to the Mulick's house, then into a large barn before finally taking over the fairgrounds.

Linda's mailing list has grown to 6,000 invitations being sent to folks interested in coming to Ramona. She also attracts crafters from as far away as Arizona and Arkansas, not to mention at least a dozen or more from Ramona. In all, the Mulicks will be hosting about 150 crafters setting up space to sell their wares.

That includes a handful of food vendors, with everything from homemade cookies, breads, pickles and crepes.

For more information, give the Mulicks a call at (760) 789-5284.

Where were you when the lights went out? Elisabeth Frederick and Jesse Mandel were in Connecticut visiting her sister, Rachel Barclay, when the East Coast suffered a 12-hour blackout in August.

They were traveling on a thruway (East Coast slang for freeway) after checking out universities in the Boston area. When they pulled off into a small town for a rest stop, they soon realized something was amiss.

"Everything was dark," said Elisabeth. "We had to turn on the radio to find out what was going on."

They got back to Connecticut in time to enjoy dinner by candlelight. They have now returned to their studies --Elisabeth at UCLA and Jesse at UCSD.

Superior Court judges from El Cajon take turns coming to Ramona to preside at the local court. The reason, according to one judge, is simple: "We always come back loaded down with Julian pies, Dudley's Bread and fresh eggs for everyone."

The Ramona court is the only satellite office in the county. Budget cuts eliminated one in Carlsbad but it looks like the judicial business in Ramona is here to stay.

Ramona talent Jennifer Mandala completed a successful summer at Starlight Musical Theater where she performed in "Company," "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Scarlet Pimpernell."

When she's not dancing around the stages at Legoland, Jennifer works with the Ramona High School show choir as the choreographer.

Another Ramona performer who is a regular on the Legoland stage is Shawn Grenier. He also is currently performing in at the Mystery Cafe in Balboa Park.

To contribute items for this column, send to Ruth Lepper, c/o Ramona Home Journal, 1735 Main Street, Suite K, Ramona, CA 92065 or email r.lepper@att.net.