Barona Museum Opens
The Barona Band of Mission Indians near Lakeside have opened the first Native American museum on an Indian reservation in the county.
The Barona Cultural Center and Museum features more than 2,000 artifacts, listening alcoves and interactive science displays.
Rare items include ceramic bowls and grinding stones used for cooking, arrows and spears used for hunting, ancient tools, coiled baskets used for food preparation, and beads that were used as jewelry and currency.
For Barona tribal Chairman Clifford LaChappa, the museum is a way to preserve local Native American history and culture.
“During the past millennium many Native Americans lost the knowledge of their history and culture,” LaChappa said. “Because of Indian gaming we have the resources to restore our pride, and with this museum we can guarantee that our history is kept alive.”
Besides artifacts and interactive science displays, the free museum contains maps of ancient territories of the tribes.
The Barona Cultural Center and Museum is open Thursday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment.
, Andrea Siedsma
Lifetime Achievement Award- Renowned Radio Exec Gains More Fame
The San Diego Chicken. “The Roger Hedgecock Show.” The KGB Skyshow.
Sound like local fixtures? They’re also an enduring legacy for Jim Price, an executive in San Diego’s radio market for 30 years.
On Feb. 15, Price will accept a lifetime achievement award at the Achievement In Radio “AIR” Awards. It goes beyond a tribute to the careers and programming Price has influenced, said KPRZ-AM’s Mark Larson, AIR Awards chairman and president of the San Diego Radio Broadcasters Association. Price is someone who others in the industry should want to emulate, Larson said.
Tammy Shushan, the association’s executive director, said Price’s contributions are endless. And they’re more than promotions.
“There isn’t anyone who’s got a better reputation than Jim,” Shushan said. “He has a rare combination of honesty and integrity.”
Price’s big break came at age 21. He was the “first voice” , morning show host , on the first day of San Francisco’s first top 40 station.
Price first came to San Diego in 1965, where he’s had jobs at several local stations: first as program director at KDEO-AM, where he established the market’s first “oldies” format and set an all-time sales record; then KSDO-AM/FM’s sales manager and then station manager, where he helped switch its formats to news and talk.
After a couple years as a station president in Bakersfield, Price returned to San Diego as general manager of KGB-AM/FM.
On the AM, he installed KPOP’s “big band” format. He headed FM promotions such as the “Skyshow” of music and fireworks, the fund-raising “Homegrown” albums and the KGB Chicken.
Price later became president of KSDO, and then moved to KYXY-FM as its president, joining the station’s board of directors. In the midst of that, he co-founded Airwatch Traffic.
He headed into his first retirement in 1991, soon re-emerging as an industry consultant, most recently to Airwatch.
Nominations were flying when a group of managers and programmers were deciding about the achievement award, Shushan recalled. When Price was suggested, the room stopped. “And that was it,” Shushan said.
, Tanya Rodrigues
Fund-Raiser Shows Locals Support Arts
The San Diego Symphony is rejoicing. Flush with Internet investment returns, many local residents have opened their wallets in support of the arts.
More than 540 donors gave $528,000 during the symphony’s fund-raiser from November through Jan. 15.
“A lot of people did stock transfers,” said Susan Balding, symphony public relations coordinator.
The symphony was especially thankful to Joan and Irwin Jacobs, the co-founder of Qualcomm Inc., who contributed $200,000.
Other community members gave $328,000.
“We are extremely thankful for the community’s support,” said Robert Lawrence, president of RS Lawrence Development. “On average, a good direct mail fund drive will elicit a 2 percent rate of response , we received a rate better than 5 percent.”
The additional $528,000 brings the Symphony’s income from donations to $1.2 million. Its goal is to raise a total of $2.58 million by the end of the fiscal year in June, Balding said.
The money will help pay for concerts and outreach activities, among others.
, Marion Webb
Dear Valentine: Adopt a Flamingo
If you don’t know what to give the valentine that has everything, think pink , flamingos, that is.
This year, people can “adopt” a flamingo from the San Diego Zoo for a loved one. The $49 adoption fee goes to the Zoological Society’s Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES), which works to ensure a future for endangered animals whose homes are being destroyed.
Those who adopt will receive an 11-inch plush flamingo, an adoption certificate, a subscription to CRES Report and a Valentine’s Day card to announce the gift.
Caribbean flamingos have been greeting visitors at the entrance to the Zoo since 1932. The Zoo’s flock includes 74 birds, nine of which hatched last year.
The $49 price for the adoption program will run through Feb. 29. For information, call (619) 231-1515, ext. 4199.
, Leeann Walker
Time Gives Quality Award To Escondido BMW Dealer
Time magazine named William H. Brecht as the recipient of the magazine’s 2000 Quality Dealer Award on Jan. 22.
Brecht, principal of Escondido’s Brecht BMW, and other award winners were honored at this year’s National Automobile Dealers Association in Orlando, Fla.
The family-run dealership was one of 64 dealers nominated for the award nationwide. Dean Mansfield of New Car Dealers Association of San Diego County nominated the family-run business.
The nomination itself was a great thing, according to Tom Brecht, general manager of the dealership and William’s son.
The award recognized the things William has been doing in the community and his business philosophy, he said.
“He’s so active in the community, and that’s the biggest thing.”
Winners are recognized for their performance and community service.
, Rita Fennelly
Researcher Drawn to Errand Service
Susan Krumbein always had a knack for details, and for tracking down difficult to find stuff.
Right out of college, she worked as a bill collector, using old clues to sniff out deadbeats and getting them to pay up.
“It was all a lot harder back then without the Internet,” she says.
Today, Krumbein runs a personal service business geared to taking care of those everyday, mundane tasks that everyone has, but wishes someone else could do.
“We act as a personal assistant, and handle people’s ‘to-do list’ of errands so they can be free to spend time doing things that are more important,” said Krumbein, who started Concierge-4-You last year.
Krumbein and her four employees will take your dog to the vet for its shots, pick up your dry cleaning, or do the grocery shopping. Getting a car registered and dealing with the Department of Motor Vehicles, and waiting around for the cable guy or phone company are popular chores she’s hired to do.
A 13-year veteran salesperson, Krumbein got the idea while researching a concept for a home-based business.
“I began by looking at my skills, asking myself what I do best,” she said. “I’ve always been a very resourceful, organized and detail-oriented person.”
After reading about the growth of personal services companies in a business magazine, she realized she found her calling.
Since its start, the company has several high-rise buildings with access to more than 2,000 employees and 15 private clients. Rates for a private client start at $30 an hour, but they’re lower for employees who are working for companies she has contracts with, she said.
The Clairemont firm can be reached at (858) 576-142.
