Poway Chamber to host rebranded Poway Fall Festival

About 10,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Poway Fall Festival. (Courtesy of the Poway Chamber of Commerce) The newly rebranded Poway Fall Festival is set for Sunday, Oct. 2 on Midland Road. Formerly the Poway Americana Festival, the Poway Chamber of Commerce has taken all the activities, food, drink and music from their summer street fair and added fall touches, such as a pumpkin patch and a beer garden. The event, which is free to attend, will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hundreds of vendors, crafters and local businesses will be in attendance. A kid’s zone will be available. Two attendees from a prior year’s event are shown. The Poway Fall Festival will feature a kid’s zone (Photo courtesy of the Poway Chamber of Commerce.)  The Chamber is looking for area businesses, members and non-members alike, to sponsor the community festival, which in the past attracted roughly 10,000 attendees from Poway and surrounding areas. According to the Chamber, several sponsorship levels are available, from Event Sponsor at $500 to Title Sponsor at $3,000. All sponsorships include a complimentary vendor booth at the festival. To inquire about securing a sponsorship, contact Communications Manager Jessica Bello at jessica@poway.com. For more information about the Poway Fall Festival, go to poway.com/Poway-fall-festival/ or call the Chamber office at 858-748-0016. Or even better, reach out to me and let's connect at the festival!    

MORE

Poway's Hamburger Factory Gets a Refresh From This Familiar Native

As a longtime resident of Poway, California, and a proud Poway High School graduate, I couldn't be more excited to share some fantastic news with you all. Our beloved Hamburger Factory, a true Poway icon, is about to get a fresh and delicious makeover under the ownership of my dear friend, Josh Arbenz. The Arbenz family, Jennifer and Josh with their son, Gibson, plan to take ownership of The Hamburger Factory in September. (Courtesy Josh Arbenz)   You see, Josh and I go way back. We both grew up in Poway, attended the same school, and share a deep connection to this wonderful community. Now, Josh is taking the reins at the Hamburger Factory, and I couldn't be happier for him. The Poway City Council recently approved a new lease agreement, transferring ownership to Josh and his wife, Jennifer. The city owns the land and the building that houses our cherished Hamburger Factory, and this new chapter promises to keep the heart and soul of this beloved eatery intact. Josh Arbenz, a proud Poway High School alumnus, understands the importance of preserving the Hamburger Factory's identity while bringing in some exciting updates. He's planning to modernize both the interior and the menu, which is music to the ears of locals who have been craving something new while cherishing our city's heritage. One thing I admire about Josh's approach is his commitment to maintaining the diner's "city-in-the-country" atmosphere. He knows that the Hamburger Factory's rustic charm and classic Americana style are what make it so special, and he wants to enhance that experience. Drawing from his successful restaurant ventures, including Stratford at the Harbor and Stratford Court Cafe, Josh plans to introduce some mouthwatering additions to the Hamburger Factory menu. Get ready for a "world-famous coffee cake" that will perfectly complement the existing egg and omelette dishes, as well as a "quintessential Southern California burger" served on a grilled brioche bun. But that's not all; Josh is also planning to cater to families visiting Old Poway Park with kid-friendly shakes that go beyond the ordinary. Think birthday cake and red velvet cake shakes that will make your taste buds tingle. As someone deeply connected to Poway, I understand the weight of this responsibility. The Hamburger Factory holds a special place in the hearts of many Poway residents, and Josh and Jennifer Arbenz are fully aware of this. They are committed to ensuring that this iconic eatery continues to be a place where everyone feels at home. The Hamburger Factory in Old Poway Park is known for its hamburgers and rustic decor. (Julie Gallant)   Josh's dedication to serving the community mirrors that of the late Phil Spear, the former owner of Hamburger Factory, who was not only known for serving great food but for his generosity toward Poway's various causes and events. I'm confident that Josh Arbenz will carry on this legacy and make the Hamburger Factory a destination that not only locals but visitors too will cherish. He's not just revamping a restaurant; he's revitalizing a Poway institution. So, as we eagerly await the grand reopening, let's give a warm Poway welcome to Josh and Jennifer Arbenz. Get ready to savor the familiar flavors of the Hamburger Factory, mixed with some exciting new surprises. I, for one, can't wait to walk through those doors, enjoy a delicious meal, and relish in the nostalgia that this place has always brought to our lives. The Hamburger Factory isn't just a restaurant; it's a part of our Poway story, and I'm thrilled to see its story continue under the caring ownership of a true Poway native. Hamburger Factory is a longtime fixture at Old Poway Park which has a picnic area, historic buildings and a small railroad. (Julie Gallant)   As we eagerly await the grand reopening of the Hamburger Factory, let's also celebrate the vibrant real estate market in Poway. Together, we can savor the flavors of this iconic restaurant and explore the endless opportunities our city has to offer. If you're ready to take the next step in Poway real estate, whether buying or selling, contact me today. Let's make your Poway dreams a reality while we look forward to the exciting changes at the Hamburger Factory. Poway, our city of memories and dreams, is alive with new possibilities, and I'm here to guide you every step of the way.   Jerrod Waller    

MORE

Poway Symphony Orchestra presents its 20th anniversary season

The Poway Symphony Orchestra will present a lineup of renowned symphonic works and major guest artists to celebrate its 20th anniversary performance season for 2023-24. Poway Symphony Orchestra will open its 20th season on Nov. 19 with performances at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. (Mike Chapin)   The three concerts of the season will all be held at 4 p.m. Sundays at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts at Espola Road and Titan Way. The opening concert on Nov. 19 will feature Eugene Drucker, violinist and founding member of the world-famous Emerson String Quartet. He will perform “Concerto in G minor, No. 1” by Bruch, as well as Beethoven’s “Romance” in F Major, No. 2. The orchestra will also perform the “Overture to ‘Hansel and Gretel’” by Humperdinck and “Symphonic Dances, Opus 64” by Grieg. Violinist Eugene Drucker is a founding member of the Emerson String Quartet. (Courtesy Poway Symphony Orchestra)   Tickets for the 20th anniversary season opener are on sale now at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts box office by calling 858-748-0505 or online at powaycenter.com. Over the past 20 years, the Poway Symphony has evolved into a full orchestra with roughly 65 musicians who play at a high level artistically, said Bo Matthys, president of the Poway Symphony Orchestra Foundation. “The musicians are very talented and eager to play,” Matthys said. “There’s something special about people playing in the orchestra, contributing musical talents and gifts to create a symphony masterpiece by the entire group. That’s what symphony means. Combining sounds from individuals into a complete whole that can transport listeners to someplace they can’t get somewhere else.” Matthys, a Poway resident of 45 years, recalls the founding of the orchestra in the summer of 2004 by Ulli Reiner. Reiner was a local violinist and music teacher who organized a music class taught through Poway Unified School District’s adult education program. A small group of about two dozen musicians signed up and participated in the first performance in spring 2005, Matthys said. The orchestra grew slowly but picked up speed in the past decade with the help of its experienced conductor and music director John LoPiccolo. Another milestone occurred in October 2015 when the orchestra formed a nonprofit to allow the musical group to fundraise to cover operating expenses, Matthys said. “That’s when some more intensive promotion started and the orchestra began to be better known and attract more musicians,” Matthys said. “Now we’re at a full orchestra, playing high-quality music and attracting musicians that are very talented.” Audiences have come to feel excitement about the music and appreciate having access to a symphony orchestra in a local venue, Matthys said. “Some very wise people have said classical music affects the soul of people,” he said. “That’s what many people appreciate when they come to a concert. They have lasting memories of the concert.” John LoPiccolo is the Poway Symphony Orchestra’s music director and conductor. (Stanley Fry)   The first concert of the season has special significance for conductor LoPiccolo, who attended high school with the featured musician, Eugene Drucker. They both graduated from the High School of Music and Art in Harlem, New York in 1968, LoPiccolo said. LoPiccolo, who was studying to play the bassoon, sat next to Drucker in several classes. “I heard him play with the high school orchestra and I admired his brilliance,” LoPiccolo said. “It was fairly obvious even back then that he was an amazing guy.” LoPiccolo said they signed each others’ yearbooks and then parted ways as Drucker continued his education at The Juilliard School and LoPiccolo advanced to the music conservatory Mannes School of Music, both in New York. Over the years LoPiccolo listened to CDs of the Emerson String Quartet. “I basically followed his career and I admired him,” LoPiccolo said. When LoPiccolo discovered the Emerson String Quartet would be presenting its last concert on Oct. 24 in New York after 47 years of performing, he saw an opportunity for the two of them to make music together. “I wrote to Eugene and asked, ‘Does this mean you are free to do solo concerts?’” LoPiccolo said. “I asked, ‘Would you consider coming to play with the Poway Symphony?’ He said yes and it literally blew my mind. We discussed the dates and times and repertoire.” LoPiccolo said the orchestra has been playing quality music to appreciative audiences. The performers have received standing ovations at 27 concerts, including one standing ovation before intermission. They’ve also sold out several of their performances in the 800-seat theater, he said. “We’re all pulling together and making it happen,” LoPiccolo said. “The payoff is the concert. We want people there to celebrate with us. I’ve spent my life at this, and I believe in it with my whole guts. I can’t think of anything more important. Music is such a joy, a lifesaver for people. Music is everything.” Matthys attributes the Poway Symphony’s success to enthusiastic musicians, a highly qualified conductor and music director, and a motivated board of directors who want to support the organization through fundraising and by growing its recognition in the community. “All those things come together to make sure the orchestra is what it is now, which is performing at a high artistic level and gaining recognition in the music world in the North County inland area,” Matthys said. “Another goal is to have a cultural activity for the benefit of the community. Of course, we also have some satisfaction when we have a successful concert. The musicians, the conductor, everyone are happy when a concert is successfully presented.” The season will continue with a 20th Anniversary Celebration Concert on March 24, 2024 that includes two orchestral masterpieces. The orchestra will be showcased with “Scheherazade” by Rimsky-Korsakov, a musical adventure based on the tales of “The Arabian Nights.” Also on the program is “Sinfonia Sacra” by Panufnik. The work composed in 1963 begins with a solemn trumpet fanfare and contains meditative sections for the strings that develop into full orchestra crescendos. Pianist Ching-Ming Cheng is a professor at Cal State San Marcos. (KIMI/Courtesy Poway Symphony Orchestra)   Then on May 26, 2024 the season will close with Classical Gems, including a “Piano Concerto in A minor” by Robert Schumann, featuring Ching-Ming Cheng as soloist. Cheng is a professor at California State University San Marcos and the chair of the university’s music department. The orchestra will round out the concert with the “Overture to ‘Marriage of Figaro’” by Mozart and “Variations on a Theme by Haydn” by Brahms. Tickets for the Nov. 19 performance cost $35 to $45 for general admission, $28 to $40 for seniors age 65 and up, $18 to $25 for students, and $15 for children 12 years old or younger. The box office is open from noon to 5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and one hour before the concert. For more information about the Poway Symphony Orchestra, visit the powaysymphonyorchestra.org website.   This article originally published here, by Julie Gallant for San Diego Union Tribune     

MORE