New Chula Vista public library scheduled to open at the Otay Ranch Town Center on April 14th

Construction is almost finished and soon the books and computers will be moving in. The new Otay Ranch Branch of the Chula Vista Library at Otay Ranch Town Center is set to open on Saturday, April 14, 2012. The new library will be located in the food pavilion.

http://chulavistaliving.com/2012/02/28/new-chula-vista-public-library-scheduled-to-open-at-the-otay-ranch-town-center-on-april-14th/

This innovative partnership between the City of Chula Vista and Otay Ranch Town Center provides the residents of Eastern Chula Vista with a much-needed library location and is the only full-service public library located in a regional shopping center anywhere in California. Centrally located in the middle of this popular retail and entertainment destination, the new branch library also features free wi-fi that extends into the nearby Food Pavilion and beyond, providing even greater amenities for visitors.

“This new branch library is truly designed for the 21st century, with high-end features, modular work areas, colorful décor, self check out and a large collection of e-books,” said Betty Waznis, director of the Chula Vista Public Library. The library space offers a large amount of natural light with bright windows across the entire front wall and low-profile shelves, creating an open feel.

The Otay Ranch Branch of the Chula Vista Library will receive daily deliveries from other branches in the system to accommodate special requests or school needs. The popular “Book Club in a Box” program will also be implemented at the new location, which offers users 6-10 copies of a popular book, along with a reading guide and information about the author – Perfect to start your own book club.

Led by project architect Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc., three previous retail spaces were combined to create the new branch, encompassing some 3,500 square feet. This compact footprint will permit the space to be staffed on a single shift basis, five days a week, for approximately 35 hours per week. Library hours will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. To 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are excited and proud to partner with the City of Chula Vista on this unique library concept,” said Tim Colby, senior general manager at Otay Ranch Town Center. “Our entire team and all the retailers at the center have been eagerly anticipating the branch opening and welcoming an entirely new group of visitors to Otay Ranch Town Center.”

Residents can enjoy two weekly story times at the new branch library, including an evening “pajama” story time, perfect for a pre-bedtime session for children. After-school homework sessions will also be available with times posted near the main entrance.

“We invite the public to be ready for the grand opening by getting their free library cards ahead of time,” added Waznis. Through a cooperative effort with the Chula Vista Police Department, library cards will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Otay Ranch Police Storefront.

A complete rundown of all festivities and events scheduled for opening day will be posted on the Otay Ranch Town Center Facebook page and on the library’s website www.chulavistalibrary.com. Interested residents are encouraged to “like” Otay Ranch Town Center, The Chula Vista Public Library and the City of Chula Vista on Facebook to get the latest news.

http://www.travelhoppers.com/2011/12/12/buzzin-in-bohol/

 ACCOMMODATIONS
Posted by: Aimee Cebulski

Monday, December 12, 2011

Delicious Organic Dishes at Bohol Bee Farm

Bohol is often known as the “Bohemian” region of The Philippines. Life moves a little slower here than the frenzied pace in Manila.  Even the largest city on Bohol, Cebu, has more of a laid-back vibe, home to many universities and a real college-town feel. The main island of Bohol is surrounded by several smaller islands, many home to diving meccas attracting visitors from all over the world. Many don’t visit more than the beaches, but they are missing countless hidden gems.

One such gem is to be found down a bumpy road about one kilometer off the main road on Panglao Island; here you’ll stumble upon the Bohol Bee Farm. Tucked back with local farms and houses, this unassuming place was born about nine years ago by local environmentalist Vicky Wallace.

She wanted to bring organic foods and sustainability to her native Bohol and started developing a small organic vegetable garden and bee farming operation. Over the years, the Farm has grown considerably, and now most of the bee operations have moved to a larger location. The Farm still produces countless organic fruits, vegetables and herbs and is staffed with local Bohol residents.

One of the most popular parts of the Bohol Bee Farm is its charming café restaurant. Nestled under a canopy of trees and perched on the cliff overlooking the sea, the café is popular with locals and visitors alike and offers a truly eclectic menu.

Entrance Sign for Bohol Bee Farm

Lunch or dinner at the Bohol Bee Farm is more than just a meal; it’s an opportunity to also visit the Farm, see local craftspeople in action and sample some truly original tastes.

All of the vegetables and fruit ingredients in dishes at the café are grown on-site, which is truly astounding when you consider its relatively small size and the number of diners it serves each day. The café is open-air palapa style, with warm tropical breezes blowing off the ocean below, and comfortably fits about 30 tables.

Menu items naturally focus on organic, fresh ingredients. Refresh yourself with a delightfully spicy and sweet homemade Ginger Lemonade for 80 pesos (about $1.80); Corn, Squash and Carrot Muffins are a terrific side dish and are a real value at 15 pesos (35 cents) each.

Main dishes at the Bohol Bee Farm include numerous salads such as the Spicy Flower Salad for 190 pesos ($4.33).  Tasty hot entrees abound, such as various pizza combinations (200 pesos/$4.50  and up) and Spicy Eggplant Kinilaw (180 pesos/$4.11), bursting with flavor and a real bite.

Refreshingly Spicy Ginger Lemonade

Diners are also treated to a complementary slice of the Bee Farm’s signature Herbed Comote Bread and a selection of either Pesto or Mango Spread to top it off.

Your visit to the Bohol Bee Farm would not be complete without a stop in their gift shop where you can purchase many of their homemade products (honey, spreads, breads, snacks, etc.) and crafts made by local workers at the Farm. The Farm also offers accommodations with a sunbathing deck down below on the sea, perfect for catching a few rays. The entire visit is topped off with a scoop of any one of their freshly made ice cream flavors such as Mango, Avocado, Ube or Choco.

The Bohol Bee Farm is an unexpected treat and worth the trip to see what great flavor combinations Vicky comes up with next! www.boholbeefarm.com

Roberto’s to expand into Orange, Imperial counties

The Roberto’s in Solana Beach is part of the eight-restaurant chain that new COO George Hunter hopes to expand. — Roberto’s

Written by

Jen Lebron Kuhney

noon, Nov. 29, 2011

There are dozens of “-erto’s” Mexican restaurants in San Diego County, but only one chain has hired the former chief operating officer of Pat & Oscar’s to increase the brand’s competitiveness through launching its catering division and looking at expansion opportunities.

Roberto’s, which dubs itself the “original San Diego taco shop,” brought on George Hunter in October as its vice president of operations.

Hunter, who worked at Pat & Oscars since 1998 until it filed for bankruptcy in September, will be responsible for all business operations for the chain’s eight locations in San Diego’s North County.

Former Pat & Oscar’s COO George Hunter is Roberto’s new vice president of operations. — Roberto’s

See More Here:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/nov/29/robertos-sets-sights-expansion/

 

You can see the whole story here:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/nov/23/top-picks-2011-holiday-toys/

Top picks for 2011 holiday toys

Radica Fijit Friends from Mattel. With four distinct personalities to choose from, these interactive robotic toys are ready to become everyone’s BFF as they talk, laugh and dance, moving to any music played. Ages 6 years and up. $42.99 through Nov. 23 at Toys R Us. — Toys R Us

Written by

Tanya Mannes

6 a.m., Nov. 23, 2011

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Store information: [geppettostoys.com] and [toysrus.com]

Related

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/decorating/better-homes-and-gardens-holiday-workbook/#page=8

http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/?p=8&group=665&cat_cd=BEACH#slide

Happy to post this link to a feature piece I did on natural beeswax candle products for Natural Awakenings magazine.  Have you heard the buzz??? 

http://www.na-sd.com/SAND/September-2011/The-Eco-Buzz-on-Green-Crafting-with-All-Natural-Candle-Kits/