Paws to Prophecy founder Darleen De-Cervantes, along with Remarkabull Bully Rehab and the House and Home Foundation, will play host to the Old West Dog Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in Valley Center.
"The show is a fundraiser to help keep dogs and families together in these tough economic times as well as to educate the public," said De-Cervantes, an unapologetic defender of the so-called "bully breeds" which include, in the opinion of some, pit bulls, bulldogs and boxers.
Her dedication notwithstanding, De-Cervantes readily acknowledges one of these dogs paired with an inexperienced owner can quickly become a recipe for disaster.
"There are people who get a bully breed and have no idea how to take care of it," she said. "Then, when something goes wrong, the dog gets the blame. These dogs have strong personalities and require equally strong owners. But they are capable of great love and devotion. Bulldogs, after all, were the first so-called ‘nanny dogs' during World Wars I and II.
"We've rescued many of these animals," she said. "They're not really welcome by much of society at the moment, so we work with families and youth groups to teach them how to show love and compassion."
The afternoon will culminate in awards for most obedient, best costume, and best tricks. The event will also feature a farmers market and swap meet, face painting, an old Western jail, tractor rides and food and drink.
Curious? The Old West Dog Show takes place at 30277 Bella Linda Drive in Valley Center (off Old Castle Road between Lilac Road and I-15). Signs will be posted.
More info at 760-751-0523 or on the web at www.perfectiontraining.com.
Pumpkin prize: Lorrie Scott checks in this week with the results of the Valley Center Pumpkin Bakeoff, which took place at the town's community center last Thursday.
"The Pumpkin Sumthin' category went to Laura Chambers with her incredible pumpkin cake," Scott said. "The winner in the pie category was Michaela Chambers with her ‘Fairy Tale Pumpkin Pie'. The Chambers' grew their very own Fairy Tale Pumpkin to make that pie." Also, the McHale family came in second with their pumpkin creme brulee and a pumpkin pie.
Speaking as one of the judges, I thought every one of the entries was absolutely wonderful ---- and someday, if my body ever needs to consume calories again, I hope it will be as delicious.
New math: I met 10-year-old Rhonda Jeanes recently on Julian's Main Street, where she told me this cute and season-appropriate riddle:
What do you get when you divide a jack-o'-lantern's circumference by its diameter?
Pumpkin pi.
Nut Farm video: For the last few weeks, videographer Robert Cording has been videotaping weekend activities at Valley Center's Bates Nut Farm.
"I've been shooting everything from families and kids, the scarecrows, animals, the straw maze, the tractor train, and the pumpkin patch," he said. "I thought it would make a colorful and interesting reality-style documentary."
Cording got to know Bates family members Tom and Sherri Ness when he painted a mural for them in the farm's main building several years ago. Cording's murals have been featured in past North County Times articles.
"In September I talked briefly about the idea with Sherri and got the OK to videotape the activities," he said. "Their interviews are yet to come ---- background info on their family history, stats on the Pumpkin Patch, growing season, and operations."
When completed, expect to see some of Cording's video on the Bates Nut Farm Web site (www.batesnutfarm.biz), as well as in the store.
Keeping in touch: A quick note that I'll be donating music with my band at the Bonsall Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the town's River Village shopping center (corner of 76 and Mission Road near the Daniel's Market store).
We'll also be making some racket at the Fallbrook Farmers Market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the following Sunday. Drop by and say hi. I love to hear what's going on with all of you.
That's all he wrote. See you in the Backcountry.
Contact Charles Carr at charles@carrfamily.com or 760-749-0409 with your comments or column items.
