Beware: Paparazzi might be lurking

By: JEFF FRANK - Staff Writer | Wednesday, May 30, 2007 11:07 PM PDT ∞

The Downtown Business Association was already rolling out the red carpet for its People's Choice Awards on Sunday. Now the group has a couple of celebrities to go with that carpet.

Joining the DBA in recognizing some of the top contributors to improving downtown Escondido are Kate Linder, who plays Esther Valentine on "The Young and the Restless," and former Oakland Raiders star Ben Davidson.

As always, in the celebrity biz, it's who you know that counts, and DBA chief Debra Rosen knows people who know people, bringing about the guest visits.

"I'm pretty excited. It gives these people as they walk down the red carpet the opportunity to meet and be greeted by some celebrities, somebody they can identify with," Rosen said.

The gathering at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido is a sellout, with about 300 expected to attend.

Museum melange: Opportunity knocks this morning for those in the museum mode. Four "Museums of Downtown Escondido," as they are now being labeled, are offering a VIP tour from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Participants can meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Mingei International Museum, 155 W. Grand Ave. The tour will continue to the museum at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, the Escondido Children's Museum and the Escondido History Center.

The object, said Katie Ragazzi, executive director of the children's museum, is to "trumpet to the world that there are four fabulous museums in downtown Escondido."

A new brochure, providing information about all four museums, will be handed out during the tour.

Going all out: Escondido's high school classes of 2007 get license to celebrate tonight and the places to do it. Graduation ceremonies will be followed by Grad Night festivities at Escondido, Orange Glen and San Pasqual high schools.

The James Bond 007 theme takes hold at Orange Glen and San Pasqual. Both schools are playing off the year 2007 and the popularity of "Casino Royale" for the decor of their overnight graduation parties.

Escondido High is taking to the seas for its grad salute, taking a Hornblower cruise, following the traditional "womanless" beauty pageant in the gym.

Leading the way for the festivities are chairwomen JoAnn Dunn (Escondido), Susan Patten (Orange Glen) and Liz Lovelace and Claudia Pierce (San Pasqual). Let's give a salute to the grads and the hard-working parents and others who provide these safe and elaborate party options.

Volunteers honored: Palomar Pomerado Health recognizes 45 high school students for their volunteer service at an awards dinner today at Pomerado Hospital. The teens perform a variety of tasks at Pomerado and Palomar Medical Center. Dr. Nick Yphantides will be the guest speaker.

-- Contact staff columnist Jeff Frank at (760) 740-5419 or jfrank@nctimes.com.

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