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Articles written by Elizabeth Youngman Westphal


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  • Theatre Talk: Redwood' stars Idina Menzel

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Mar 7, 2024

    The world premiere of "Redwood" just opened at La Jolla Playhouse last weekend. All the fuss for this new work has to do with its main character, Jesse, played by Broadway legend Idina Menzel. Menzel is making her La Jolla debut in this "transportive new musical experience about one woman's journey into the precious and precarious world of the redwood forest." "Idina plays Jesse, a successful businesswoman, mother and wife. She seems to have it all, but inside, her heart is...

  • Kicking It in Home Economics

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Jul 17, 2021

    Back when I was a freshman in high school, we only had a few electives. As it happened, all of the girls I knew registered for Home Economics. Reflecting over the years, I find it astonishing to realize it was that two-semester class that prepared me for the rest of my life. In Home Economics, under Miss Olson’s keen eye, I learned to follow directions by reading the instructions for recipes. I learned when paying close attention to exact measurements, mixing instructions, tem... Full story

  • Kicking It: on the road

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Jul 9, 2020

    The gyms are open. The gyms are open. Oh, fiddlesticks. Now what excuse can I use? I got one. I am traveling again. No, I am not going back to Alaska. I know, it’s so beautiful and rugged. Bah. If you have only seen Alaska from the deck of a cruise ship, listen up. Alaska is gritty and filled with marauding animals, unpredictable weather, mosquitoes that can suck enough blood for Count Dracula and, lastly, the cost of living equals the U.K. Yet. It has one thing going for i...

  • Church ladies and their recipes wanted for cooking show

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Jul 2, 2020

    A new cooking show is gearing up for production in North County and will come to YouTube by September. “Church Ladies Potluck” is a half-hour, 13-week cooking show based on heritage recipes passed down through the generations to preserve these homemade dishes. Organizers are seeking churches and recipes to participate. Programming is nondenominational, nonsectarian and all-inclusive. Every organized religious group with a church kitchen is eligible. Interested church gro...

  • Auditions open for Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'A Grand Night for Singing'

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Jul 2, 2020

    King’s Players recently announced auditions for children between eight and 20 years of age to be held Monday, July 6, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Fallbrook. The singing auditions will be held from 6-8 p.m. at 1620 S. Stage Coach Lane. Singers need to be prepared with a one-minute song. The show, “A Grand Night for Singing,” is a musical revue penned by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It will be a full-youth production with only a few featured adult soloists. Director Mary...

  • Kicking It in Wasilla, Alaska

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Jun 25, 2020

    Have you noticed there are people who actually walk on purpose as part of their exercise regimen? I have witnessed it. They hike, jog and run. It makes me wonder why? OK, I get it, it is a form of exercise. But… I get it walking, jogging and running are in fashion again since the gyms are closed. There are few options left. But of them, these options would be my least favorite. After all with 75-year old knees – even while viewing my last X-ray and I quote, “you have beaut... Full story

  • Kicking It with Kipling

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Jun 11, 2020

    I, for one, am exhausted by television anchors inciting public discord. Rudyard Kipling’s noble advice rings true 125 years later. “If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too...

  • Kicking It: Facing fear with fear in Alaska

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated May 28, 2020

    And, yes, it can get worse. After spending 11 weeks isolated on Little Diomede in northern Alaska to provide medical care for the 78 natives isolated there, wouldn’t you know on Mother’s Day morning my daughter slipped and fell sideways over a stool and severely injured herself? The soonest help could arrive was the next day. She was taken by helicopter to Nome, Alaska, for a CT scan. She was diagnosed with three broken ribs and a punctured lung. It took a week in acute care i... Full story

  • Kicking It: with television and gluten-free food

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated May 14, 2020

    I am still in Anchorage. Having passed my 14-day quarantine, I can now wander amongst the locals. No. I have not been working out. My good intentions are there, but I tell myself it’s because this apartment is on the second floor sandwiched between the first and third prohibiting me from actually doing jumping jacks. And you ask, “What about pushups?” “Squats?” Oh, stop! I have a guilty conscious that is why I just cranked out 15 squats before returning to my typing. B... Full story

  • Kicking It: Playing bridge in Alaska

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Apr 30, 2020

    The big question is: did you change into outside clothes today? All of this alone time has me pondering and comparing today’s isolation with past experiences throughout the history of our great country. And while I want to use this time to enrich myself, I will just as soon as I find the TV clicker. As for now, I whittle away endless hours sorting and forwarding emails to and from a list of like-minded pals. Who writes these things? Here are some examples: “Until further not...

  • Kicking It: Telecommuting and staying mentally healthy

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Apr 17, 2020

    You’ve heard the old saying that something good can come from something bad. Right? I found mine. Telecommunicating with my doctor. Luckily for me, it wasn’t for COVID-19. Actually, I scorched my wrist while pan frying sliced potatoes. It was just a small spot on my right wrist. I didn’t even notice it at the time. Except a few days later, it went from a hardly noticeable spot to a roaring infection the size of a silver dollar. As you may have discovered, the doctor’s offices...

  • Kicking It: Boredom sets in

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Apr 2, 2020

    Cabin fever is a real phenomenon. Stir crazy. Solitary confinement. Isolation. All of these are symptoms associated with this lockdown and run contrary to human nature. Especially for an extrovert such as myself. Naturally, the gym is closed. Everyone has an extended membership. I pushed mine back to July 1 or earlier, whichever comes first. Although it didn’t matter for me, since I was under self-isolation to ensure my good health when headed to Europe. Certainly that trip d...

  • Kicking It

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Mar 4, 2020

    First of all, let's all wash our hands constantly throughout the day. A 20-second scrub takes about as long as it takes to sing the Alphabet Song. Hand sanitizer is only second best to soap and water. Finally, I can state emphatically my family doctor was wrong. At my age, exercising only three times a week for just 30 minutes would not have worked for me. I'm thinking in my unmedical diagnosis that my plodding metabolism is caused by low blood pressure. With a lazy pulse...

  • 'The Outsider' is hilariously brilliant

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal|Updated Feb 28, 2020

    When I am wrong, I am really wrong. As it turns out, this remarkable cast does exceptional work. In my defense, let me explain. As a member of polite society, it was a conscious decision to attend the current show offered at North Coast Repertory Theater called "The Outsider." It's a political spoof. I know, you just want to groan. After all, have we all not collectively agreed, when amongst strangers, not-to-ever discuss religion or politics? Therefore, one has to ask, "Self,...

  • Kicking it

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal|Updated Feb 21, 2020

    Special to Village News As the days creep closer to lift off for my big birthday celebration departing March 20, my trainer Kellen has amped up my workout program. We meet Fridays and weigh in twice a month. While my last weigh in showed I’d lost over 3 pounds of body fat, yeah! I’d picked up about the same in water weight, boo! I’m guessing it’s my after-supper snack – salted, buttered popcorn. After seeing so much water retention, I’ve reduced my popcorn portion by half. Th...

  • 'She Loves Me' celebrates letters

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Feb 21, 2020

    It's a hit. San Diego Musical Theatre has done it. Based on the 1937 play written by Hungarian playwright Nikolaus Laszio called "Perfumerie," "She Loves Me" is a celebration of the lost art of letter writing. It's a musical based on a bygone era. It is great fun to observe two antagonistic co-workers duke it out during the day only to rush to their respective mail boxes at night in hopes of finding another "Dear Friend" letter which happens to be from the other. Naturally,...

  • Curtain Call Company presents 'Meet Me in St. Louis'

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Feb 21, 2020

    A special treat is just around the corner. In the genre of the fashionable Lux Radio Theater, Fallbrook's Curtain Call director and producer Mary Fry has found her niche. Like the original Lux Radio Theater, Fry's continued success with the format echo's the radio version which ran from 1934 to 1955 featuring stars like Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable and hundreds of other working actors of the period. Fry's newest production is the famous "Meet Me in St. Louis – M...

  • Theater – Out and About

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Feb 12, 2020

    Every now and again a goof up happens. Last Sunday was just such a day. Clearly, I wrote not only the wrong date, but the wrong show on my calendar, consequently, we arrived to a dark theater. Since I cannot tell you about what I saw, let’s take a look forward to see what shows are here or coming. Grab a pen. “A Chorus Line” is still playing weekends at The Welk Resort in nearby Escondido until March 27. Box Office (760) 749-3448, sandiegotickets.welkresorts.com Opening Feb.... Full story

  • Kicking it XIV

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Feb 6, 2020

    There are a few phrases guaranteed to win a woman's heart. Words like "You look nice today" or "Will you marry me?" Then, of course, the "I love you" still remains at the top of the list for securing a woman's admiration. Keeping that in mind, I wish to add just one more phrase to the list. My current all-time favorite is "Hey skinny!" I know. I didn't even see that one coming. We need to add it to the list of winning phrases for sure. Thursday, Jan. 23, was a banner day. Two...

  • 'Murder for Two' is amazingly fun

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to The Village News|Updated Feb 6, 2020

    Opening night at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad ended in a roar. The musical, "Murder for Two," is a fast-paced whodunit performed by a versatile, wacky duo playing 13 different characters. In 90 minutes of rapid-fire changes, co-stars JD Dumas and Tony Houck deliver snappy tunes both at and around the piano. They never miss a beat either singing or sharing the 88. The song "Protocol Says" outlines how to conduct a murder investigation for officer Marcus Moscowicz...

  • Kicking It XII: The holidays take their toll

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Jan 25, 2020

    Happy 2020! Alas, I can now share what happened over the holidays. Truth of the matter is that we took a 32-day round trip cruise through the Panama Canal. Surprise! This was on our bucket list of things to do and now we’ve done it. I would recommend it as a no hassle voyage. Furthermore, with the originating and ending port of call being San Diego, it was convenient to take the Coaster down to the Santa Fe Depot and walk two blocks to board the Rotterdam cruise ship. The main...

  • A Chorus Line' is a hit

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal|Updated Jan 17, 2020

    Special to Village News When you hear "six, seven, eight – step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch," you know you have arrived at The Welk Resort Theater in Escondido to see "A Chorus Line." Producers Sean Coogan and Larry Raben have a hit on their hands. "A Chorus Line" presents a clear picture of a rehearsal room as a Broadway director narrows the auditioning ensemble of singers and dancers down to a final eight for an upcoming musical. Originally opening on Broadway in 1975, "A...

  • Kicking it XI

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Jan 11, 2020

    At a time when everything is considered political, here is one thing which women can all agree: women's clothing sizes. Why can a man buy a size 16-inch neck shirt anywhere around the world yet, women cannot find consistency in our sizes? Sorry, after shopping for the holidays, I just had to rant. Just returned from a quick jaunt to San Francisco; it was good to get home and back to the gym. My go-to exercise is the hip abductor. While it sounds eerie, it is an exercise to...

  • Kicking It X

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal, Special to Village News|Updated Dec 26, 2019

    “T’was the night before Christmas” and everywhere I look someone is offering cookies, pies, cakes and See’s candy. Holiday cocktails abound. What’s a good girl to do? Actually, here is one idea to keep a reign on the sweet tooth. My favorite dessert is to put a pecan half on half a dried apricot. They’re only 34 calories each. Of course, there is always dry popcorn. At 20 calories per cup. Add 1 tablespoon of melted butter and it’s another 100 calories. But really, what...

  • 'A Christmas Story' is a classic

    Elizabeth Youngman Westphal|Updated Dec 20, 2019

    To find the holiday spirit, theater goers look no further than "A Christmas Story" now playing at The Horton Theatre. With the breath of seasons past, it is a nostalgic retelling of youthful wishes in simpler times. It's that time in a child's life when parents have absolute power. Yet, 9-year-old Ralphie has a plan to out-maneuver them, because everyone knows there is one person who can overrule a parent's decision. Ralphie's plan is to go straight to the man. Santa Claus...

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