Mimi Pollack

RAMONA, California – Dr. Laurie Marker, a wildlife researcher who is considered one of the world’s top experts on cheetahs, recently visited the home of Roy and Robin Toft as part of her fall 2014 fundraising tour to talk about her work as founder and director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, Africa, and the plight of the cheetah. Dr. Laurie [as she likes to be called] is known as the Jane Goodall of the cheetah world.

For over 40 years she has worked with cheetahs and spread the word of conservation. There are only 10,000 cheetahs left in the wild, and Dr. Marker wants to do something about that as the vast majority of wild cheetahs are outside protected areas and poaching is rampant.

Dr. Marker founded the non-profit Conservation in 1990. Since that time, she has worked tirelessly to create a permanent conservation and research center for cheetahs in the wild while also taking a three part holistic approach to the many factors involved.

First, CCF has been working with the Namibian farmers to protect their livestock by breeding and introducing Anatolian Shepherds and Kangals to effectively guard their herds from predators. Second, CCF is also concerned with the land and habitat as much of Namibia is being invaded by Senegalia, a tough thorny bush that prevents the cheetahs from hunting and the livestock from grazing. Through her conservation program, she has created something called a Bushblok which is fuel made from compressed Senegalia pellets. It is a clean burning fuel that can provide home heating and cooking in regions where electricity is scarce. Third, CCF maintains a cheetah sanctuary to rescue and raise orphaned cheetahs and Bellebenno Game Camp, a 4,000 hectare wildlife holding area for soft releasing cheetahs before re-introducing them into the wild.

CCF has strategic programs in education, integration of livestock and wildlife management systems, habitat restoration, predator species conservation as well as sustainable development of the Namibian economy.

All this takes funds and twice a year, Dr. Marker, leaves Namibia to go on tour in the United States. She will be traveling throughout California from September18th until October 11^th, giving presentations, signing books, and raising money, as well as making known the plight of the cheetah. On October 16^th, she will be at the 13^th annual CCF Benefit Gala in Washington, D.C. Check the website for exact dates and locations. www.cheetah.org

Dr. Marker is a remarkable and strong woman who has accomplished a lot in her 60 years. She is considered the world’s foremost expert on cheetah biology. She was born Michigan, but grew up in California. She earned her B.S in biology from Eastern Oregon State University in 1990 and in 2003 a Doctor of Philosophy degree in zoology from the University of Oxford. However, her career in wildlife conservation, particularly cheetahs, began in 1974 at an accredited zoological park called Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. She started as a veterinary assistant, and later became the clinic supervisor. She helped to develop a captive breeding program for cheetahs that came from the wild in Namibia. She became the cheetah curator in 1977. She worked there until 1988 and then took a position at the Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. as the executive director of the zoo’s New Opportunities in Animal Health Science Center known as the NOAHS Center until she founded the conservation center. She still maintains ties with the NOAHS Center. Like the biblical figure Noah himself, Dr. Laurie envisions herself as a protector of animals and the habitat in Africa, although she says, “There are not more prizes for predicting rain, only prizes for building the Arc!”

Since 1990, she has dedicated herself to the conservation of the cheetah. She thinks she was chosen by the cheetah. She says, “With my first look into their eyes, they captured me and brought me into their life, heart and soul. Then, when I asked people about cheetahs (this was over 40 years ago) zoo people would tell me they knew that they didn’t do well in captivity, they didn’t breed, and they were losing them in the wild. They told me when I found out something about cheetahs to let them know. That opened me up to a lifetime of wonder! Questions asked and answered, and could we save the cheetah…”

It is easy to understand Dr. Laurie’s fascination with cheetahs. Gazing into the soulful, amber eyes of Kumbali, the other guest of honor at the Toft’s home, I was struck by her beauty and grace. Kumbali is a magnificent 13 year ambassador for the San Diego Zoo. Unfortunately, the cheetah is also Africa’s most endangered cat which is why Dr. Laurie has been fighting so hard for their survival. To see how you can help, please go to www.cheetah.org

Also check out: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/rare-breed.html

Being an animal whisperer is not magic. It is a combination of common sense and tapping into an energy or even spiritual connection that a lucky few have with animals. Gil and Nancy Riegler, owners of the Oasis Dairy Camel Farm, have had a special bond with animals since they were young, and it has grown over their many years of working and learning about them. They also have a special bond with each other. They are more than just trainers. They are animal whispers and know how to effectively communicate with their animals. Visiting them on their farm, one can see the manifestation of this.

Gil Riegler, 53, was born in Canada, but moved to Israel at the age of 4. He lived on a farm where animals were his best friends, including a pet crow that followed him around. He always felt different from others and has had an unusual life to match. After doing his military service, he moved back to Canada to pursue a career in music. Canada proved to be too cold for his taste, so he hitchhiked from Canada to California and ended up in Los Gatos and later Santa Cruz. It was there that he met and bonded with his first camel. He later went on to purchase four baby camels in Yuma which he brought back and boarded. This started his 25 year relationship with these special beings, and he has grown to understand them well. He supported himself doing various jobs, including cutting quartz crystal. He also spent many years volunteering at a special facility for handicapped people where the therapy included interacting with exotic animals. Gil helped to train those animals. Every year, Gil and the owner would go to a fair in San Jose to see a bird show and this is where Gil met Nancy.

Nancy Riegler, 52, was born in Su Tujanga, a town north of Pasadena. She knew from an early age that she wanted to work with animals. In middle school, a counselor advised her to go Moorpark Community College and apply to a program called EATAM [exotic animal training and management]. Nancy was one of 35 people accepted into the program. The training she received there was invaluable. One day she was recruited for a summer bird show with parrots. It was called Cheep Thrills Exotic Bird Show, a Peep Show Rated “G”. The owner trained Nancy to work with the birds and it was a grueling schedule. However, Nancy is grateful, for this experience really taught her how to do entertainment shows, and how to work with these highly intelligent birds. Nancy learned compassionate ways to teach the birds, and to communicate with them.

She next started working for the Wild Life Workshop at the Wild Animal Park in their early days. It was there that she discovered that for as much as she loved working with animals, it also gave her great joy to connect people with animals. She worked for both the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for six years. However, their policy was that if you changed departments, you could not bring the animals with you, even if you had bonded with them. This made her realize she wanted to start her own show.

Thus, she began her own small bird act and she went to schools, libraries, parties, etc. She continued to build her act and menagerie. She became more well known and traveled around the state which is how she ended up at the San Jose fair where she met Gil. They have been together for 15 years [married for 10] and it is obvious how well suited they are. They really enjoy their life together.

A new chapter began for them. Nancy’s home base was in Ramona, so Gil moved from Santa Cruz to join her. He brought his four baby camels and purchased six more as he decided to milk and breed them. Everything fell into place as they bought their present property of 34 acres, a place they felt they were destined to be. The Oasis Dairy Camel Farm was born.

Huell Howser came to visit in 2005 and he helped to put them on the map. More and more people came to experience the farm after the TV show aired. The farm now has 22 camels, 10 birds [8 in their special show], 27 turkeys, 10 chickens, 2 mini donkeys, 6 mini sheep, 3 horses, 12 koi fish, 2 cats and 3 dogs.

Oasis Dairy Camel Farm holds public tours once a month, except in the summer when they are at various fairs, including the San Diego County Fair in June. The next public tour will be offered on Sunday, October 19^th from 1:00 to 4:00. Registration is recommended. Prices are $10 for adults and $10 for a camel ride. Children can ride for $5. Gil enjoys giving the public an opportunity to get up close and personal with his camels and see how he trains them. He also explains about their behavior; for example, his camels are not forced to work, and they lead a happy life, so they do not spit. Gil and Nancy even spent time in southern Israel, living among the Azazme tribe of Bedouins and their camels. This experience helped to further enhance their knowledge.

The public tour also includes a bird show. Nancy shows off her talented and charismatic birds as they perform together. She is also an expert horse woman and her latest acquisition is a paint horse named Tiger Lili. Adding to the magic of the place is the fact that if you look at the horse’s flank, you will see the outline of a camel in white! She was meant to be there.

Because Gil and Nancy feel it is so important to introduce people to their partnership with animals, they hope to start having more public tours, hands on clinic series, and overnight options down the road.

Finally, they also sell various products made from camel milk, such as soaps, lotions, and lip treatments that they make in their kitchen. They also offer chocolates from Dubai. These products can be purchased on the day of the tour or online.

Besides the tour in October, they will also be open to the public for their Pomegranate Festival which will be held November 22^nd and 23^rd. On those two days, they will show what life is like on a camel farm and there will be opportunities to feed the camels. There will be contests and demonstrations, Nancy’s famous bird show, and maybe even a turkey stampede. There will also be a food truck vendor. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit their website at www.cameldairy.com

Shakespeare meets Hispanic/Chicano/Mexican stereotypes meet Mad Max’s Thunderdome for a fun and lively night of outdoor theater. Lively is the key here. There was never a dull moment in the new production of El Henry written by the talented actor/playwright Herbert Siguenza [founding member of Culture Clash] and directed by Sam Woodhouse, a San Diego institution. It is also unique in that the setting of the play at SILO, a new space in East Village, lends itself to the production and atmosphere of the play. The play is produced by the La Jolla Playhouse and WoW [Without walls, a La Jolla Playhouse initiative] in association with the San Diego Repertory Theater, and Makers Quarter. The play is held outdoors with lawn chair seating and a dirt floor as the stage.

El Henry is set in a grim, apocalyptic future [2045] in San Diego, now called Aztlan City. All the Gringos have fled east of the Rockies and what is left are three warring gangs of Latinos led by El Hank [the regal John Padilla], the supreme leader. Like Henry the IV, the play it is loosely based on, El Hanks’ power and authority are being contested by El Bravo [Kinan Valdez], the nephew of a rival gang leader. Hank’s own son, El Henry [Lakin Valdez], is estranged from his father, and only interested in having a good time. It is a universal story of family relations, loyalty, and in the end, the prodigal son reuniting with his father, fighting for the family honor, and coming into his own. It may be a familiar story with a predictable ending, but it is a fun ride along the way.

Kinan and Lakin Valdez, sons of Luis Valdez who founded El Teatro Campesino, are talented and charismatic actors. You can’t take your eyes off them. Kinan is menacing and macho as El Bravo. Kinan starts as a more laid-back character, but turns into a fierce warrior. This reviewer also thought they had sex appeal. The rest of the cast is equally talented, including the spry and very funny Herbert Siguenza as Fausto, Dave Rivas as the Duke of Earl, and the fierce and mesmerizing Roxane Carrasco who plays Chiqui with a patch over one eye. In addition, she is a good singer. All the cast displayed great energy, moving all around the set tirelessly, running up down ladders to get to adjacent rooftops as the surrounding buildings were also part of the set, and staging some brilliant fighting. The energy was palpable.

The costume designs tended to be very Mad Max meets Thunderdome, but they added to the bleak and futuristic atmosphere of the play. The usage of Spanish slang or “Calo” also provided flair and the playbill included a glossary with translations in the back. Finally, because the play was outdoors on a dirt floor, this allowed the usage of some gorgeous vintage cars to be driven onto the set which was a special treat. Also, the “al fresco” location in East Village with motorcycles and sirens going by and some homeless people close to the entrance gave the play a raw and authentic feel. All in all, it was an enjoyable evening. If you are looking for something different and innovative with a talented, dedicated, and lively cast, this play is for you.

Herbert Siguenza, who now calls San Diego home, is making a name for himself in local theater. His next project will be on Abby Hoffman with a special Jewish connection.

El Henry runs until June 29^th. SILO in Makers Quarters is located at 753 15^th St in East Village. Tickets are $25 and all seats are general admission. For more information, go to www.lajollaplayhouse.org

How can one have a healthier and more meaningful lifestyle? The psychologist Dr. Michael Mantell likes to use acronyms when conveying his healing messages as he believes they are a helpful way for people to remember them. For him, the acronym PERMA is an important message as it stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Although coined by Marty Seligman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvanian, it is a way of life for Dr. Michael Mantell and his wife Paula. As Mantell says, “It is important in life to create positive emotion in every situation and be engaged or in the flow of whatever you are doing. Relationships are also valuable as is finding meaning in every moment and doing the best you can to accomplish and reach your goals.”

Helping others and guiding them successfully to take responsibility and reach their goals of having that healthier lifestyle has been a lifelong mission for Mantell. He has worked as a psychologist and writer for many magazines and newspapers, including San Diego Jewish World. He has also worked as a TV commentator on Fox news, Good Morning America and Oprah as well as an overall health and fitness adviser and consultant.

Mantell, 65, earned his Ph.D in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and his M.S. at Hahnemann Medical College. He came to San Diego in the mid 1970’s and worked as an assistant clinical professor at UCSD from 1977 to 2007. He was the chief psychologist for the San Diego police department for ten years, and worked for law enforcement for 20 years, helping to set up psychological and wellness services. His specialty is as a behavioral science coach for mental and physical health and well-being, such as nutrition, exercise and making positive choices or changing one’s way of thinking. For example, when advising people about losing weight, he believes “the link is what you think”. He has a diagram of four points illustrating his point. They are 1] events, 2] thoughts, 3] feelings, and 4] reactions. The gist of this more developed theory is that what you think about any given event will control your feelings, and thus your reaction.

He is the senior fitness consultant member for Behavioral Sciences for the American Council on Exercise and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Council on Active Aging. He has written for various health magazines and given presentations about his brand of fitness that he has developed over the years. His bestselling book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: P.S. It’s all Small Stuff”, came about from a series of articles he wrote for the now defunct San Diego Jewish Times. The 2^nd edition of the original book with a newly added foreword is coming out this summer.

Despite all his many accomplishments, he is a very fit, down to earth, modest man who believes in a no nonsense approach in all he does. For him, his greatest accomplishments have been in helping others to succeed and his own very successful 43 year marriage, plus six years of dating to his wife, Paula.

When asked what the secrets to a happy marriage are, Mantell replied, “Actively having trust, communication, romance, and lot’s of sex. The enemies are criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling and contempt. Your spouse needs to always be your best friend. Paula and I both agree that your spouse should be the first one you turn to share the good and work through the bad. I mention Paula in many of my speeches and presentations. She is an inspiration” As Paula confided, “We are together almost 24/7 as we both live and work together, but we also do our own thing, and yet are so happy to share with each other at the end of the day. We are our biggest fans.”

In many ways, after observing them together, this writer thinks that she is “the wind beneath his wings” to quote a Bette Midler song. Paula Mantell manages his office, all the family finances, and is his biggest cheerleader. She is also the picture herself of successful active aging. At the age of 64, she is a certified trainer and like her husband, a big believer in nutrition and exercise. As a former middle school teacher who still tutors students in Spanish and French, she brings her knowledge in education to her practice as a personal trainer/coach.

The Mantells have 2 sons and several grandchildren. Family and faith are very important to them and part of the glue that keeps them together. The Mantells have actively participated in the Jewish community in San Diego for years. Both are members of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, and Michael is a board member and vice-president of Rituals. He has taught classes there and is also a writer for the Shofar or synagogue bulletin.

They also share a healthy lifestyle as both are disciplined, and dedicated to working out and eating nutritious food. Many nights, their dinner is salmon and salad. To some, it might seem like deprivation. However, they like to give a positive spin to everything. They view their life choices and being in optimal health as a gift to themselves. When asked about resisting homemade, oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies, M. Mantell replied,” I would not deny myself, but I would only eat half a cookie slowly and savor every bite. Moderation is the key.”

Are they too good to be true? Some might think so and wonder how they do it. Not everyone has the discipline and dedication that has become second nature for them. Some might struggle to live such a lifestyle. Others might feel inspired as this writer did. Their generosity of spirit and enthusiasm for each other and what they do is very contagious, if not always easy for most people to follow.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Humane as “being marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals”. This is a good description of Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and co-host of Animal House on NPR.  Giving back to society and helping animals in need has been Dr. Gary Weitzman stated mission in life.

Weitzman, 54, grew up in Boston in an observant, conservative Jewish household. From the time he was a child, he knew he wanted to be a vet and assist others. His family attended a temple led by Rabbi Harold Kushner. Aaron Kushner, the son of Rabbi Kushner [When Bad Things Happen to Good People] was a friend growing up and it saddened Weitzman to see Aaron’s deterioration and eventual early death from Progeria.

Although he loved animals, he could not convince his parents to get a dog until he was 16, but he had many gerbils and hamsters as pets. Ironically, the dog, a chow mix, became his mother’s faithful companion.  He received a B.A. in Biology and English from Colby College, an M.A. in Public Health from Boston University’s School of Public Health, and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University.   While in Veterinarian school, at age 25, he got his second pet dog, a greyhound.  Not only did he love the breed, he also wanted to give back after having worked on 80 greyhound cadavers while in training.

He joined the Air Force in 1993 where he put his Public Health degree to use as he was in charge of food safety, workplace safety, and nuclear safety. He was stationed in both Texas and Washington, D.C.  After being relocated to Wyoming for duty, he began to moonlight at an emergency vet clinic in Boulder, Colorado where he would drive on weekends. This allowed him to combine both of his passions. He then was «loaned» to the army where he managed a breast cancer research program. He served very actively for four years, and spent another five years in the Air Force reserve.

In 1997, he moved to northern California taking over a practice of a companion animal hospital in Burlingame. He stayed there until 2003 when he was then hired as the president and CEO of The Washington Animal Rescue League in Washington, DC.  After selling his practice and before moving to Washington, he briefly considered studying to become a rabbi. However, a discussion with the head rabbi at a rabbinical school convinced him that was not his next path in life. Today he views himself as a spiritual person with some ties into Judaism, but not so much in organized religion.

The next chapter in his life as president of the Washington Animal Rescue League was a successful one. During his tenure there, he guided the organization into becoming a national resource for disaster and puppy mill rescues as well as leading a large, urban, homeless animal rehabilitation and adoption center through a period of unprecedented growth. Weitzman stated that he felt satisfied with all that he accomplished during the years he spent there, but he had a longing to return to California, and in May 2012, he accepted when the position at the San Diego Humane Society was offered to him. Since then, he has worked overseeing all four campuses of The San Diego Humane Society.

It has been a fruitful marriage as Weitzman has brought his boundless energy and vision to the organization. He is spearheading what he calls» The Treatable Pet Initiative». The goal is to save the life of every adoptable animal in SDAWC shelters by targeting four key areas:

1. Spaying and neutering being offered as needs based surgeries to the community targeting certain regions.
2. Transporting animals from shelters that don’t have the space or resources to care for additional animals.
3. Increasing the number of incoming admissions and outgoing adoptions to impact more animals and help more people in the community.
4. Reaching more animals by pledging to do everything possible to keep animals in their homes by providing veterinary care, vaccination clinics, and needed pet supplies.

Weitzman hopes this will be a community initiative with collaboration and the support of donors. The final goal is «Getting to Zero», where no healthy animal is euthanized.

Weitzman says he really enjoys his new life in San Diego. He feels that this is one of the best cities in terms of lifestyle. He lives here with his two beloved rescue dogs, Jake, a three legged, very expressive German shepherd, and Betty, a calm and sweet pit bull mix. He also believes that as the president of one of the largest shelters in the nation, they have the tools be a role model for others and lead the way in making a difference. He confided that he had never seen a shelter of this caliber and size. There are over 300 employees. Most shelters have about 30.

Finally, Weitzman is also co-host of Animal House. He answers people who call in asking questions about their pets. The show airs locally (KPBS- 89.5) on Saturday mornings at 5:00 AM and Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM. In addition, he has a new book out called, «How to Speak Dog» that he co-authored with Aline Alexander Newman for National Geographic.

Their next book, «How to Speak Cat» is coming out in September 2014. As Weitzman himself says, «I am never going to retire. I have too much to do and give back to the world».

On July 24^th, 2013, my good friend Vivian Blackstone celebrated her 85^th birthday. A woman in excellent health, she is someone who has lived an unconventional life. Vivian attributes her longevity to good genes, simplicity, eating well, and learning from nature. She also has never been afraid to try or learn new things. Never one to take the traditional path, she has lived a life with an artistic, bohemian, and spiritual bent.

Vivian was born to Jewish parents in New York City in 1928. She started on an artistic path at a young age and studied extensively. She graduated from the School of Industrial Art in NYC with a major in book Illustration in 1946. At the young age of 17, she went to work as an artist in a publishing house. During this time, she also studied illustration for a year at New York University Extension, life drawing at Arts Students League, and painting and poetry at the New School for Social Research. In 1948, Vivian and her family moved to Los Angeles. She continued to study design at the Kann Institute of Art and the concept of language of vision with Saul Bass.

One of her great passions was calligraphy, and the age of 19, she started her own company. This was a bold move for someone her age in the 1940’s. She created custom made stationary for three specialty stores in NYC. The business was a success and many orders poured in. However, after two years of intense, non-stop work, she needed a break and closed her company. She also decided to leave the family home and move into her own place, another thing that was not common in those days, but in many ways, Vivian was a woman ahead of her time.

She became very interested in the new concept of design, and worked as a free lance artist and graphic designer. She opened her own studio and worked on album covers, calligraphy, ads, etc. She was a free spirit who rather than taking the more common route of the time, which was getting married and having children, chose to work and be a part of the bohemian world. She worked hard and made a name for herself. In the late 1950’s, she began to work as an assistant art director at a company that worked with Las Vegas hotels and shows.

In the early 1960’s, she was successful enough that she was able to work for six months on and six months off, and continue a bohemian existence. In the 1940’s and the 1950’s she had been mentored by several talented and successful men in the creative and artistic world, and what she learned from them paid off.

In the 1960’s, probably the most important mentor came into her life, and he was a spiritual one. In April 1962, Vivian was exhausted from working and needed to take a break. Through some friends, she found out about Rancho la Puerta, a restorative and holistic spa, in Tecate, Mexico. She decided to go there and thus, began a new chapter in her life that would continue to lead her down a non-traditional path. A week later, she met Edmond Szekely, also known as “the Professor”. This meeting changed her life. She left everything she had in Los Angeles to begin a spiritual quest under the professor’s guidance. She put her life in the professor’s hands.

Edmond Szekely was a brilliant and unconventional man. He and his wife Deborah founded Rancho La Puerta in 1940. They had two children named Alex and Sarah Livia, and Vivian became a close family friend. The professor was born in Hungary, but left as a young man and traveled extensively around the world. He was a philologist, philosopher, psychologist and a linguist who spoke several languages. He was also an Essene and one of the founders of the Biogenic Society. He took Vivian under his wing.

In July 1962, Vivian moved to Campo and lived in a remote house on 80 acres of land that the professor had bought. He had a vision and wanted Vivian to help him create it with her artistic talents. His plan was to build history stations all around the property, and create a two mile path of all the high points of civilization. Each station had a platform for meditation, so one could contemplate the sculpture, the surrounding nature, and that moment in history. Vivian lived there alone, in the middle of nowhere, but she was not afraid. Every week, the professor stopped by, brought her a box of food, and gave her tasks to complete, such as sculpting heads of Greek and Roman philosophers at the stations.  For Vivian, it was a challenging and lonely existence, but also a spiritual learning process. She lived in silence with daunting tasks to complete. The professor later brought in a trusted Mexican man to work with Vivian and help bring his vision to life. In addition to the above, they put in steam rooms, a swimming pool, and a huge, outdoor chess board. This great feat was accomplished in a year. At the end of that year, Vivian and the professor produced a book about this experience called “Journey through a Thousand Meditations”. The book consisted of different folios for each civilization.

The professor called this labor of love “Mille Meditations” or a “Thousand Meditations”. Guests were invited from Rancho la Puerta and the Golden Door to come and see it. Unfortunately, the concept was not successful or profitable, and the professor sold the land. For all the hard work put in, the vision to open a place to the public for contemplation and history was never realized, and Vivian was disappointed. She was used to working hard and achieving success and the failure of “Mille Meditations” was a lesson in loss.

The next year, the professor bought the house next door to the Szekely family house in San Diego, and Vivian moved there. She continued to study on a spiritual path with the professor, and work with him on books and films. They collaborated together until 1972 when the professor left the country. That chapter in her life came to an end, but she continued with her spiritual studies.

Vivian moved to La Jolla and did freelance work and design. She was hired as the art director at both the Golden Door and Rancho la Puerta. Although the professor was out of the picture, she continued her personal and professional relationship with the Szekely family. She also continued making films and that became her primary way to express her art. She combined her work with her interest in natural healing and spiritual teachings. In 1973, she met Richard Lorrance who became her husband. Together they made the first movie in America on acupuncture. It was called, “Introduction to Acupuncture”, and was produced by Wexler films. Although she married later in life, her marriage lasted for eleven happy years until his death in 1984.

In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, Vivian was still working for the Golden Door, Rancho la Puerta, and other clients. In 1982, she bought a home in Rancho Bernardo to be closer to the Golden Door as she was working on a new cookbook for them, doing all the photography of the healthy, natural recipes. This piqued her interest in gardening, and thus her new passion in life began. She began to put in raised beds and plant trees, so she could cultivate some of her own food. Ever the business woman, she opened a small business that made deliveries of fresh fruits and vegetables to local restaurants. To this day, she continues to garden every day, and finds gardening as another way to express her creativity.

In 1989, while at Rancho la Puerta, Vivian met another creative force in her life, James Hubbell, the noted San Diego architect and artist. He was creating a special project at the ranch. She was very intrigued by the man and his vision. He believed that “Beauty could save the world”. Vivian began to work with him and made a film on the experience at the ranch, called “Kuchumaa Passage”. She and Hubbell became good friends and she continued to collaborate with him on various projects. They worked together for over 10 years and traveled to Russia, Mexico, and China. She enjoyed making films showing Hubbell’s creativity.

In 2010, as she was getting older and looking back on her past, Vivian became inspired to make a film on the professor and his legacy. She thought it was time as “she was one of the last ones walking who knew and loved him, and took to heart what he had to offer”. She has been working on the film ever since, collaborating with Tish Streeten, and it is still a work in progress. In her film, she wants to show the many things the professor advocated that need to be remembered and regenerated. Vivian’s belief is that one needs to know the past in order to create a better future.  Up until recently, she also gave lectures at the ranch while working on the film.  Many ranch guests enjoyed hearing about the history of the ranch from one of the characters who lived it. Vivian believes once the film is finished, it will be her way to honor the professor, Rancho la Puerta, and the memory of the Szekely family.

Helping and doing what she can for others has become second nature for Vivian.  She contributes to various charitable organizations and has also adopted many dogs over the years. She currently lives with two Boston terriers who keep her active and entertained. She may be 85, and enjoy gardening and contemplation, but she is still a bohemian at heart.

Why would a successful dentist leave a thriving practice in Mexico to start over in San Diego? Dr. Abraham Romanowsky did just that. Never one to back down from a challenge, he has sought to take the best path all of his life, starting with his education, the woman he married, and finally moving to the city he now calls home.

Romanowsky was born in Mexico City to Polish parents. His father was a business man who spoke six languages. He left Poland in 1930 to join an aunt and uncle who were successful in Mexico. His mother arrived in Mexico at the age of six. Both parents spoke Yiddish at home to each other and their children. Romanowsky was raised in a home that valued Jewish traditions and education. He was the oldest child followed by two brothers and a sister. Like Romanowsky, his youngest brother, Jaime, is also a dentist who remained in Mexico. His brother, Bernardo, studied to be an engineer and later became a successful businessman in San Diego. His sister, Elena, is an artist who also lives in San Diego.

Like many Jewish children in Mexico, Romanowsky studied at El Colegio Israelita until the 9^th grade. He did high school at La Prepa Nacional Numero 1, a public high school in Mexico. He went on to the Universidad National Autonoma de Mexico [UNAM] where he graduated as a dentist in 1967. It was here that he first encountered anti-Semitism from a fellow classmate. Romanowsky discovered this classmate had stolen one of his text books. When confronted, he called him a “dirty Jew”. Fortunately, several other students rallied around him and he got the book back after it had been missing for 4 months. One might say that that student was jealous as the “dirty Jew” was an excellent student who graduated with top honors.

His first big challenge came next when he went on to graduate school at Boston University. Not completely fluent in English, he still persevered and finally graduated with a degree in Prosthetics Dentistry. He then went on to do one year at Harvard, studying Dental Public Health. Today, he speaks English fluently.

His second challenge came with the woman he married. The Jewish community in Mexico tends to be very conservative and some eyebrows were raised when he married an American Jewish girl from Detroit, Michigan rather than marrying a Mexican Jewish girl.  He met Bonnie when he was a teenager at a summer camp. They got married in 1967 and she went to Boston with him. In 1970, when they moved back to Mexico, there was a period of adjustment, but their love and commitment prevailed, and he and Bonnie have been married for 46 years.

They lived in Mexico from 1970 to 1982. He opened up a practice with another dentist, and they soon had many patients. He also taught classes at the UNITEC, a technical university in Mexico. He and his wife had a son named Jonathan and a daughter named Diana, and their children were the impetus that made him think about moving. He felt he could offer his children a better education and life in the United States. Since his wife was American, it would be an easy adjustment for her, and so the third challenge began.

In 1975, his brother Bernardo had moved to San Diego and made a good life for himself. His sister, Elena, had come in 1978. In September 1982, the big devaluation happened in Mexico and many people lost a lot of money. The situation in Mexico was becoming tense. That clinched the deal for Romanowsky and his wife, so at the end of September 1982, they began to make all the preparations and moved to San Diego.

At first, it was not easy as he tried to set up a practice across the border. Finally, while in Tijuana, he met some other dentists and doctors, and they decided to open up offices in the Allen Lloyd Building which had just been built close to the border. There were 2 dentists and 14 physicians, and they rented an entire floor. He worked in that office from 1984 to 1990.  While working there, Romanowsky was still flying back to Mexico City to finish up all his cases. That took him 8 months. Fortunately, his younger brother then took over the practice.

His wife and children adapted quickly to their new life, but it was harder for Romanowsky. He had his practice in Tijuana, but he had to start almost from scratch in San Diego. He went from being a successful dentist and professor in Mexico to preparing to take the California Dental Boards at Loma Linda University. He had to pass the five parts of the boards. He finally passed in 1987 and got his DDS degree. All the hard work paid off, and a new door opened.

While at Loma Linda, he was mentored by a dentist who needed someone to rent a space in his office in Vista, and Romanowsky agreed. Thus, he began a freeway flyer existence, commuting between his home and his offices in Tijuana and Vista. He worked six days a week, including Saturdays. In 1989, a dentist he knew who had a practice in La Jolla, died suddenly in a tragic accident. The widow then sold the practice to Romanowsky. It took two months to set up, so he was commuting between Tijuana, Vista, and La Jolla! Finally, in 1990, he began working full time at the office in La Jolla. His office was in an old building in the Wind and Sea area. In 2004, the building was sold and the new owners were not very receptive to bringing the building up to modern standards. He started to look for another place. For fifteen years, he had been working with a younger, Colombian dentist, Jaime Breziner. Breziner had graduated from Loma Linda University. They looked for several months, and found an office in a building near downtown La Jolla. Romanowsky liked it because it reminded him of his building in Mexico. They rented part of a floor and for the next 11 months set about creating a new dental office. Breziner was very instrumental in helping to design it, and they became full partners. They have been very successful with patients from all over the world.

At 68, Romanowsky is still working four days a week as he loves his work. Being active is very important to him, and he plays tennis, runs, bikes, and works out with a trainer one day a week.  He has many hobbies, but his favorite one is singing in a choir called the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir or Kol Hakavod. They sing in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino. They have a new CD coming out in November. Part of the proceeds will be donated to various senior homes.

It is also important for him to give back. He is part of the UCSD Mentorship Program and works in the biology department. He works with students who want to become dentists. They go to his office to shadow him for three weeks at a time. He also works with the San Diego Dental Association. Every February, they hold clinics in the South Bay, giving free dental services to lower income children whose parents cannot afford dental care.

Finally, Abraham Romanowsky is a family man, and he takes great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He is truly an immigrant success story who worked hard and can now enjoy the fruits of his labor. He plans on staying in San Diego even after he retires. He loves the life he has made for himself, and feels he made the right decision when he left Mexico to move here.