Prudential’s Wendy Ramp tops Del Mar

Prudential California Realty is pleased to announce that Wendy Ramp was the number one ranked individual for her sales production, out of the company’s agents in the Del Mar office, for the third consecutive year. “Wendy’s consistent success is a direct result of her focus on client service and knowledge of real estate,” said Herb Josepher, manager of the office.

Throughout her career in real estate, which spans more than 30 years, Ramp has excelled as a result of her proficiency with technology, marketing skills and commitment to provide her clients with personalized attention. A Chairman’s Circle Platinum award winner for her sales production in 2009, she ranked in the top one percent of Prudential’s 60,000 agents nationwide.

To deliver a short market time for her sellers’ properties, and help her buyers find the perfect neighborhood and home for their specific needs, Ramp consistently networks with her numerous colleagues and associates in the real estate business.

Prudential Rancho Santa Fe earns nationwide recognition

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates recently announced that the Rancho Santa Fe office ranked number one, out of all of the Prudential Real Estate offices in the Western region with 41 – 75 agents, for sales production during the first quarter of this year.

“The agents I work with in Rancho Santa Fe exemplify Prudential’s high standards of professionalism and personal integrity,” said Herb Josepher, manager of the office.

Josepher credited the success of his agents to their exceptional skills, knowledge of the community and experience representing affluent clientele. “Rancho Santa Fe is a unique and distinctive region, where clients receive a substantial benefit from working with the local expert,” he said. “The agents in our office have established themselves as leaders in Rancho Santa Fe, by sharing statistical information and valuable insights about the area with their clients.”

Novelist greets her fans at Book Works event

Best-selling author Claire Cook celebrated the publication of her seventh novel, “Seven Year Switch,” by talking to fans and signing copies at Book Works in the Flower Hill Pomenade on June 21.

Among her novels are “Must Love Dogs” (2005) and “The Wildwater Walking Club” (2009).

Cook lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts, often called the Irish Riviera, with her husband “where they are occasionally visited by their borderline adult children and their laundry,” according to press materials.

Cast hits quirky notes in musical ‘Bee’

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre, captures the intrigue and amusement that unfolds as six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally-quirky grown-ups.

The contestants soon learn the competition is more than just a spelling bee. With many hilarious turn-of-events, it’s also a dividing line between childhood and adulthood. The reactions to misspelled words can’t be guessed and often leave audiences in stitches.

The two-time Tony Award-winning hit musical is directed by Rick Simas, who saw the play before it went to Broadway. Simas, a teacher in San Diego State University’s MFA Musical Theater Program, knew he wanted to direct the play. “Spelling Bee,” ups the excitement of the show each evening by randomly choosing four people to come on stage and be spellers in the performance.

Designer named chancellor of art college

Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes (who resides in Del Mar) has been installed as the first chancellor of the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in the United Kingdom. The British designer was inaugurated during a May 6 ceremony at Banqueting House in London, which included a catwalk show featuring pink-wigged models.

The new chancellor wore a pink-and-green gown which she designed for the ceremony. She has a special relationship with UCA, having attended one of its founder institutions, The Medway College of Design, where her mother also taught.

As chancellor, Rhodes will act as the figurehead for the university, which has campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester. She will preside at its graduation ceremonies and will be the only other person aside from the vice-chancellor with the power to award degrees.

Surf industry to honor Mraz at Liquid Nation Ball

Two-time Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz will be honored as the 2010 Surf Industry Manufacturers Association “Humanitarian of the Year” at the seventh annual Liquid Nation Ball, set for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the La Jolla oceanfront home of Fernando Aguerre, where one of the best private surfboard collections in the world will be on display.

With a goal of raising $250,000, the event will benefit 13 surf-related humanitarian organizations.

“The SIMA Humanitarian Fund is immensely proud to honor Jason Mraz, who has a large heart for humanitarian causes and embodies the charitable spirit of Liquid Nation Ball,” said Aguerre, ball chairman and co-founder.  

Friends come out to support Del Mar lifeguards

The Del Mar Lifeguard Association held its annual “Support Your Lifesavers” fundraiser at the Powerhouse Community Center on June 26. Guests enjoyed a raffle and silent auction, dancing to music by The Corvettes, and lots of laughs and mingling — another successful launch of the summer beach season.

Sun, surf, song at Bro-Am will benefit at-risk teens

The sixth annual concert/surf contest known as Switchfoot Bro-Am started off at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas and winded up at The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach on June 26. Proceeds will benefit the San Diego and Oceanside chapters of StandUp
For Kids (www.standupforkids.org), a national volunteer outreach organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless and street kids.

Del Mar Art Center to mark 10th year with a party

When the Del Mar Art Center opened its doors in the Del Mar Plaza in July 2000, it was a dream come true for Maria Gardiner.

“I always wanted to have a place for emerging artists to show their work,” said Gardiner, the center’s founder and president.

“I lived in Del Mar, and we didn’t have anything like it at that time,” she said.

Almost a decade to the day after its grand opening on July 13, 2000, with former Del Mar Mayor Andy Schooler and other city dignitaries, the center is inviting Del Mar Mayor Richard Earnest and community members to celebrate on July 11 at the gallery in the Del Mar Plaza.

Missing persons law, promoted by Moe Dubois, clears senate committee

Legislation promoted by the father of murdered North County teenager Amber Dubois as a means of improving law enforcement handling of missing-person cases has cleared its first hurdle in the state Senate.

Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Beaumont, joined Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, in authoring AB 33, which was approved 7-0 by the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.