Archie’s Story…   Looking for a new pet dog to call your own? Are you avoiding the puppy phase and need a perfect mate for long walks and a devoted personality? Well, last week when I was in Rancho Santa Fe doing some errands in town, I found a flyer on this handsome Labrador mix named archie. He looks like a such a sweetie and the paper forgot to place his photo in the the column so I am hoping someone will see this and fall in love with Archie’s sweet smile and good natured personality.

  (Information from Adopt A Pet in San Diego): Hi!  I’m Archie!  I’m a handsome 6-year-old neutered Labrador retriever mix.  I weigh about 110 lbs at the moment, but my foster mom has me on a diet and I hope to be down to below 100 very soon.  That may sound like a lot, but I’m big boned!  I like to go for walks and am pretty active, so you could help me lose some weight. I have a big personality too – happy, happy, happy!

You know that famous Beatles song, “With a Little Help from My Friends”? Those
lyrics rang loud and clear for my birthday weekend. I must say, I wasn’t really
looking forward to my special day. In fact, I was trying hard not to even
celebrate because I have been grieving over the loss of losing some of my own
friends from last year. However, it pays to have a someone you love that helps
encourage you to remember all of your many blessings even though life might not
be the way we wish it was just one year ago.

I did get by with some help
from my friends. To all of them that showed up last minute at Mille Fleurs,
thank you for reminding me that life is too short not to celebrate and it’s fine
to find a smile when we miss someone we love. Rancho Santa Fe still holds an
enchanted feeling at under the stars that reminds me when I am walking down
Paseo Delicias, I am lucky to be part of this community.

Around
Town

On Feb. 25, Helen Woodward was visited by Ron Oliver from EDC. He
took the time to go over the importance of recycling with the Critter Campers
that week at Helen Woodward.

I have included a photo of them from that
day.

Some other important news happening there is the event chairs this year
have been named for the Spring Fling “Broad Way Tails.” They are Kerry Payne and
Charlene Hooker. The title sponsors are EDCO and the Fish Market. Don’t forget
to by your tickets for one of the main events that happens each year in Rancho
Santa Fe. Go to Animalcenter.org listed under “Events” to purchase your tickets
for June 4, 2011. Also featured here is Charlene Hooker with her dog, Dot. What
a darling photo.

Later that evening, I had dinner with my in-laws at
Firenze, and then headed to Mille Fleurs to meet my friends to celebrate my 40th
birthday. It was sort of last minute, but the stars were aligned and the evening
was truly special to me. Randy Beecher — who has been a consistent part of Mille
Fleurs for many years — sang happy birthday, while I enjoyed all of my good
friends’ company. Thank you to Holly Manion, Krista Lafferty, Tom and Karian
Forsyth and Melissa Willams just to name a few for attending on such short
notice. I have included three photos from that evening, which as you can see
captures the fun we all had that evening.

On Feb. 27, I met my good
friends Bianca and Tony Macaluso in downtown Del Mar under the shining sun.
After the heavy rains, Del Mar sure did feel glorious that day. To my surprise,
Tony and Bianca had set up a massage for me at L’Auberge’s spa. But first we
headed to the beach for a brief walk near the cliffs by the train tracks.
Afterward I left the two lovebirds to their own private stroll near the rolling
waves. When I arrived at L’Auberge Spa, I met Pia Romano, a licensed massage
therapist, and I then spent a private hour with in her good care. Well, if you
are looking to unwind or need to de-stress, this is the place to visit here
locally. From the soothing colors on the walls to the ritzy steam room, I felt
completely rested and rejuvenated. What a wonderful way to turn 40! Call the spa
directly to request Pia for your own personal massage at (858)
793-6493.

Later that evening, Bianca Macaluso shared with me that they
had attended an Oscar party in Del Mar at David and Becky Vigil’s home. This
will be the 20th consecutive year the Vigil’s have celebrated the night of the
Oscars with friends. I have included a lovely photo from that evening that
captures some of the guests that attended, who are from left, Tony and Bianca
Macaluso, the hosts David and Beck Vigil, and Debbie and Mike Chapman from
Orange County.

On Feb. 28, the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club presented
awards to the Students of the Month at Roger Rowe School. Featured here from
that day is Rotary President Patrick Galvin with the Students of the Month
Garrett Peterson, Skylar Brown, Tess Cimino and Superintendent Lindy Delaney and
Kate Swanson. Congratulations on this prestigious award. Thanks so much for
sending the photo for this week’s column.

Read more: Coast
News Group – Celebrate with your loved ones even when you don’t feel like it

Happy New Year Rancho Santa Fe! With New Year’s resolutions in full swing, don’t
expect to read my thoughts on what to do this year. Instead, look forward to
those offbeat stories the other papers might miss, plus photos that capture the
smiles of residents around town that have their own story to reveal this year in
“Machel’s Ranch.”

Since I was out of town for the last two weeks, luckily
I have Ranch residents that were kind enough to share their stories and photos
with me in this issue. 2011 will be exciting for all of us! Thanks so much for
continuing to support our paper by picking it up and reading our pages. The
Rancho Santa Fe News is a family-owned and operated business that has been here
in North County for more than 24 years.

Around town

On Dec. 13, Ranch resident Gary Bobileff embarked on an amazing journey

called, “Operation Christmas Spirit: The 2010 Believe in Santa Tour.” Departing
from Carlsbad, Gary flew to Washington, D.C., first to visit “Wounded Warriors”
at Walter Reed. Then on to New York City to connect on a flight to Kuwait City.
In Kuwait, Gary was met by representatives of our Armed Forces, then transported
to Command Headquarters located at Camp Speicher just outside of Bagdad. Make
sure you don’t miss a more in-depth look at Gary’s trip in Rancho Santa Fe News
reporter Patty McCormac’s featured story this issue. Thanks Gary for the photos,
and I look forward to seeing both you and Maggie in the New Year (Maggie is his
wife, who I feature quite often in my column). Also, In case you are looking for
a Ferrari this year, Gary sells them! His website is www.bobileff.com.

On
Dec. 27, Elaine Gallagher shared some exciting news about her son Michael
Gallagher — a YouTube sensation with his Totally Sketch Channel — who was
spreading the word this holiday season about some good news on cancer research.
Elaine asked in her e-mail, “Please take 8 minutes of your time to see this
video … you’ll be glad you watched this. It’s about hope and second chances in
life.” That sounds absolutely wonderful to me. Since I just lost a good friend
to cancer last year, I just had to share this with my readers. Here is the link:
youtube.com/watch?v=IaOyY1NAVLQ . I have also featured a photo of Elaine with
her son Michael last summer at the Del Mar Turf Club. Don’t they look picture
perfect?

On Dec. 28, while Rancho Santa Fe was being drenched in rain
storms, I was stuck back in zero degree weather in ice and snow with my family
for seven days. Cabin fever and lots of movies and too much food basically sums
up the trip, with of course the wonderful fact my entire family was under one
roof for seven days. Grandparents, parents, teenagers, young babies, you name
it, 17 in one house, stuck in the snow. Let’s just say, luckily I love my
family. However, California has been my home for 22 years and I’ve grown used to
the sunny weather here in San Diego. Here is a photo of my sister with her
husband and my son, and nieces and nephews from the day we unwrapped gifts. This
photo felt sort of “Norman Rockwell-ish” to me.

On Jan. 3, The Rancho

Santa Fe Rotary held their first Rotarian meeting of the year at the Inn at
Rancho Santa Fe. President-elect Alan Balfour was introduced by President
Patrick Galvin and Michael Taylor was named Rotarian of the Week. A rummage sale
is coming up at the Community Center on Jan. 22. Please drop off items for
donation on Wednesdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. I have featured two photos from
that first meeting of the year. Thank you to Chief Matt Wellhouser for always
keeping me up to date on the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary.

On Jan. 5, I met
with Byron Spratt, one of the owners of one of the coolest new workout places
near Rancho Santa Fe — The Greenasium. Located just right off of Encinitas
Boulevard, this is an accessible, upscale alternative for Ranch residents to get
in shape for the New Year. The owner’s philosophy is to “provide the best
customer service in an environmentally friendly fitness studio setting has ahs
human-powered electricity generating equipment.” Sound futuristic? It’s not.
It’s contemporary with a relaxing spa appeal with first class personal
attention, The Greenasium is located at 1465 Encinitas Blvd. right by Brett’s
BBQ. For more information, visit www.the greenasium.com. Thanks for the tour
Byron! Get in shape for 2011.

Save the date:  Jason Barry shared some exciting news with me right before Christmas regarding

The Celebrity Poker Tournament he is hosting at Rancho Valencia on Jan. 29. Here are some the

exciting celebrities that will be there: Mike Sweeney, Bud Black, Bruce Bochy,
Trevor Hoffman and Bret Boone, just to name a few. Featured here is Jason Barry
last year with the owner of La Jolla’s CJ Charles. First prize will be a $10,000
men’s watch, second prize is a trip to Cabo San Lucas. For inquiries, please
call Jason at (858)-756-4024.

Save the date:  One of the biggest events
of the year, Helen Woodward’s  Broadway Tails, will be the 23rd annual Spring
Fling held on the Helen Woodward Animal Center Campus. Black tie is optional,
but take my advice and look fabulous. It’s one night this year New York Broadway
meets Rancho Santa Fe. Buy your tickets now, or if you are looking to sponsor
this event, call Kerry Appleby Payne at (858) 204-7920.

Read more: Coast
News Group – Wrapping up holidays and looking to the new year in the Ranch