Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Articles written by Nathalie Taylor


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  • So-Cal Chef Open – A triumph!

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Aug 22, 2024

    Dodging over 500 celebrants at the So-Cal Chef Open, I was drawn by the tantalizing aromas drifting about the grounds of Peltzer Farms in Temecula. It resembled a splendid outdoor cafe where guests were treated to a rich, satisfying culinary experience. Upbeat music and the happy chatter of guests added to the joyous ambiance. Guests were celebrating premier chefs and delightful culinary creations. All 11 entries in the Aug. 12 competition were innovative, artistic, and... Full story

  • 'So-Cal Chef Open' to feature top chefs and a delectable array of culinary creations

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Aug 13, 2024

    The 17th Annual "So-Cal Chef Open" promises to be another delicious culinary adventure. The event will be held Aug. 12, at Temecula's Peltzer Farms & Winery. Southern California chefs will be competing for two awards: The "Pinnacle Award," and "People's Choice." The Pinnacle Award is chosen through blind taste scoring by a panel of culinary experts. The People's Choice award is determined by event guests. The chef competition promises to be entertaining, but the event also... Full story

  • 'Let's Go Retro' and escape to the past with iconic San Diego County Fair food!

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Aug 5, 2024

    This article was originally published June 20, 2024. Spam and Monte Cristo Sandwiches are just two of the retro food offerings guests will find at the 2024 San Diego County Fair, which runs from June 12 to July 7. The fair theme, "Let's Go Retro," extends to a delectable array of eats that are undeniably retro. The Barbie pink lemonade is refreshing, and the wonderful flavor is intensified by a margarita-style rim of salt. Colorful flapping flags adorning the food booths are... Full story

  • LA Chargers "touch down" at Camp Pendleton

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Jul 26, 2024

    This article originally ran on June 20, 2024. On June 11, the 11 Area Football Field at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton was awash with the color blue. Blue flags fluttered in the breeze proudly proclaiming – "CHARGERS,"and,"BOLT UP!" Many of the 5,000 fans who came to see the Chargers, were wearing blue jerseys to demonstrate support. It was an exceptional day for the Marines and their families, who attended a "Los Angeles Chargers Official Training/Meet and Greet." The e... Full story

  • Pala Mission – 208 years of history

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Jul 4, 2024

    Traveling east on California SR-76, the scent of wild grasses and an occasional whiff of flowers drift through my open windows. The winding road is lined by trees, including sycamore and pepper trees. An eagle passes overhead. My destination is Mission San Antonio de Pala, or Pala Mission, which is located on the Pala Band of Mission Indians Reservation. The majority of the members are Luiseño and Cupeño. Pala Mission is the only California mission that actively ministers t...

  • Pastor Brandon Way is now Lead Pastor at Christ The King Lutheran Church

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Mar 14, 2024

    Parishioners that I have spoken with at Christ The King Lutheran Church (CTK), all have the same sentiments. They feel blessed that Pastor Brandon Way has been elected by the congregation as the Lead Pastor (Senior Pastor). Pastor Brandon is not only called by God to ministry, but he possesses the education, experience, and selfless spirit to be an effective minister and leader. His Bachelor's degree from Biola University is in Organizational Leadership. He also graduated...

  • Wonderful – and sometimes wacky – San Diego County Fair food

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Jul 11, 2022

    Note: this article was published on June 30, 2022 As soon as I pulled into the parking space, I was welcomed by the scent of kettle corn drifting through my open window. As I approached the front gate portal, I was lured by a melange of enticing food scents. The portal proclaims the San Diego County Fair theme, which, this year, is "Heroes Reunite!" I thought of the many food vendors who survived the dark years of the pandemic and are now reuniting! No one can say there... Full story

  • Remembering "Golden Boy" Bobby Rydell

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Apr 29, 2022

    April 5, 2022, was one of the saddest days of my life. I received the news that my favorite singer, who I had met on more than one occasion, had passed from this world. At that moment, I felt a wrenching in my soul. The singer had melted my heart with his endearing grin and caramel-coated voice for 60 years, beginning when I was 8. Bobby Rydell lit up stages and hearts for 72 of his 79 years. For all of the accolades that had been showered upon him, Rydell maintained a humble... Full story

  • Dazzling the senses in the Swiss Alps

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Mar 26, 2022

    "Breathtaking!" my mother said with emotion, as our motorcoach rounded a curve and the Swiss Alps came into view. "I never thought I would see the Alps." Mother and I were enjoying a wonderful holiday in Zürich when we took the remarkable day tour from Zürich, Switzerland to Vaduz, Liechtenstein. It was impossible to tell when we left Switzerland and entered Liechtenstein because there were no signs or border entry points. We traveled through lush valleys framed by the m... Full story

  • Insight into showering for those with balance issues

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Oct 15, 2021

    Today I took my first shower in seven days. I have never gone this long without a shower, but I had no choice. I had an ear issue, which caused me to become woozy. My equilibrium was off. There was no way that I could have showered without falling. It brought to mind the problems that some of the elderly, and others, face due to balance concerns. I wondered how many people go without showering because they have balance issues, and no one to assist them in the shower. Then, I remembered that there are shower chairs. What a won... Full story

  • VFW Steak Nights are back!

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Jul 17, 2021

    Every second Friday of the month, the tantalizing aroma of sizzling steaks fills the Charles E. Swisher Post 1924 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The luscious 16 oz. rib-eye steaks are charbroiled and cooked to order. "We buy good cuts of meat from local stores," said Post 1924 Commander Chris Ingraham. Meals are served with baked potato, vegetables, salad and a dessert. The price of an entire meal is $18, and payment can be made in the form of cash or credit cards. Guests ma... Full story

  • Andrew Holemo

    Holemo takes first in Caterpillar's nationwide "Cat Trial 10: Tech Test" competition

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Apr 21, 2021

    Fallbrook's Andrew Holemo, a "think big student" and field service technician for Hawthorne Cat in San Diego, has won Caterpillar's nationwide Cat Trial 10: Tech Test competition, beating 18 other Cat dealer technicians. The award ceremony took place on March 30. Hawthorne Cat is the authorized dealer for Caterpillar construction and power equipment in San Diego. According to Carolyn Mitchell-Voss, marketing project manager at Hawthorne Cat, "Caterpillar's latest trial video...

  • Patty Sargent

    Sargent debuts as Foundation for Senior Care Executive Director

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to Village News

    December 16, 2020, was an important day for Fallbrook resident Patty Sargent because it was her first day as the Foundation for Senior Care Executive Director. As an employee of Palomar Health for 26 years, and a consultant for two years, she was searching for a smaller company where she could "make more of a difference." When the position at FFSC became available, her husband, Allen, was the first person to make her aware of the opportunity, suggesting that she take a tour... Full story

  • Rolly Crump with a paper mache figure

    Rolly Crump gave Disneyland a bit of 'flitter' and a lot of whimsy

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to Village News|Updated Jan 18, 2021

    I can't imagine Disneyland without the influence of Roland "Rolly" Crump. This 90-year-old, who called Fallbrook home for many years and was named a Disney Legend, gave the park some of its most whimsical and magical touches while working as a Disney Imagineer. His ideas and the resulting creations were many, and his work appears throughout Disneyland: A shiny eye here and a whirring propeller there. Smiling figures, floating pianos and whimsical trash cans: They were all... Full story

  • Santa's Delivery Truck

    'Holidays In Your Car' dazzles guests at Del Mar Fairgrounds

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Jan 18, 2021

    Just beyond the gates to the San Diego County Fair's Del Mar Fairgrounds lies a magical world of over a million LED lights, holograms, and projected images. The fairgrounds have come to life with light! Under the darkened Del Mar sky, the experience is a holiday season dream. Cozy in your car, you enjoy a captivating potpourri of images glowing in the darkness. Listening to seasonal tunes on your car radio, you drive slowly through the colorful mile-and-a-half display course.... Full story

  • Redwoods and a bit of mystery at Samuel P. Taylor State Park

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Jan 18, 2021

    Early morning sunlight filters down through redwood trees, catching the rising smoke of a campfire, creating white misty rays. As I walk through a grove of towering coast redwoods, the damp cool air invigorates me and the carpet of dry needles beneath my feet is soft and inviting. The intoxicating scent of damp redwood and smoke permeates the air. I breathe deeply. Rays of light illuminate the lacy ferns crowding the forest floor. The sun glows green through wide, flat... Full story

  • Delightful culinary magic is made at Vista Valley Country Club

    Nathalie Taylor|Updated Jul 27, 2020

    Special to the Village News Sequestered in a wooded valley lies the Vista Valley Country Club. This spectacular club with stunning vistas of lush hills provides an escape from the bustle of the world. An earth-toned porte-cochère welcomes all who enter. When the massive 200-year-old entrance doors are opened, you feel like you have just stepped across the threshold to Spain or France. Owners John and Terri Havens have collected European art and antiques – mainly from Fr... Full story

  • Air Supply rocks the fair

    Nathalie Taylor|Updated Jul 27, 2020

    Maybe you don't think of the word "art" when you listen to soft-rock, but when I heard Air Supply in concert at the San Diego County Fair – the word "art" came to mind. Their music is melodic, lovely, and artistic. The song lyrics have substance, and provide emotional sustenance for the audience. The songs are sung with passion and energy, which is especially significant because Graham Russell (singer and songwriter) is 69 and Russell Hitchcock (lead vocalist) is 70. The two m... Full story

  • Captivated by Collierville, Tennessee

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to Village News|Updated Apr 9, 2020

    "A map? Who needs a map? We have GPS," I told my mother. But the GPS in the rental car was not working, and mom and I, intrepid travelers from California, were lost in Collierville, Tennessee – at about midnight on a narrow two-lane road with no lights to be seen. The narrow road narrowed even more – and then – as we rounded a tight curve – the headlights illuminated a massive sign: "Welcome to Mississippi." Mississippi? What happened to Tennessee? Mom and I laughed hysteri... Full story

  • Captivated by Collierville, Tennessee

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to Village News|Updated Jan 2, 2020

    "A map? Who needs a map? We have GPS," I told my mother. But the GPS in the rental car was not working, and mom and I, intrepid travelers from California, were lost in Collierville, Tennessee – at about midnight on a narrow two-lane road with no lights to be seen. The narrow road narrowed even more – and then – as we rounded a tight curve – the headlights illuminated a massive sign: "Welcome to Mississippi." Mississippi? What happened to Tennessee? Mom and I laughed hysteri...

  • Fallbrook Coffee – A cozy place to sip, eat and make a friend or two!

    Nathalie Taylor|Updated Dec 18, 2019

    Special to the Village News Owned by SonRise Christian Fellowship, the Fallbrook Coffee Company embodies all the finer qualities of our community. Yes, it is a great place to experience steaming coffee and a good, hearty sandwich. But this establishment is also a place of camaraderie where you can either meet friends or spend some leisurely time alone. It is a place where you can forget the cares of the world. A sign on the wall reads: "You will be blessed when you come in... Full story

  • Trupiano's Italian Bistro – Celebrating 15 years!

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Dec 7, 2019

    I venture into a restaurant where tantalizing aromas swirl about the room. Murmurs of conversation, punctuated with an occasional burst of laughter, evoke a cheery ambiance reminiscent of a sidewalk café in Italy. These components have been intertwined for 15 years at Trupiano's Italian Bistro in Fallbrook. Faro Trupiano founded the establishment in 2004, and it has been a success since the doors were opened. The combination of the owner's love for people and his passion for... Full story

  • A royal time in Windsor

    Nathalie Taylor|Updated Aug 24, 2019

    As the Windsor Car's Mercedes pulled up to the Langton House Bed and Breakfast, my heart welled with joy. I felt like I was coming home. The commodious Langton House, built in 1890 as a residence for Queen Victoria's minor government officials, is located on a quiet, tree-lined road not far from Windsor Castle. For the majority of my visits to Windsor, this welcoming abode has been my anchor point – a place to return after a lively day – a place to relish the day's exp...

  • Ashley Colburn: "Finding Wonder in the World"

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Aug 16, 2019

    'Just open your eyes and see the world' – Ashley Colburn Ashley Colburn. This 2005 Fallbrook High graduate has led an uncommon life. With a discerning eye she pioneered her own company: Ashley Colburn Productions. She is successful, and succeeds not only through her talents and skills, but through hard work. A lot of hard work. Producing bold and fresh travel videos, she never runs out of material. The world is her canvas and she paints it with extraordinary skill. Her m... Full story

  • Dionne Warwick wows at the San Diego County Fair

    Nathalie Taylor, Special to the Village News|Updated Jul 30, 2019

    The creative spirit is alive and well in Dionne Warwick. It is alive and well in her family members too. So when she performs on stage, the audience often gets a surprise performance. At the San Diego County Fair on July 3, the crowd was given two surprise performances. Warwick not only charmed the crowd with her mellow voice, but she delighted us all by singing a haunting duet with her eldest son, David Elliott, who also wowed the audience with his drumming skills. The two... Full story

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