Just a fun recipe for Valentine's Day

Red Velvet Cupcakes

What You Need!

1 pkg. (2-layer size) red velvet cake mix

1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)

1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

1 square BAKER'S White Chocolate, shaved into curls

Make It!

PREPARE cake batter and bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes, blending dry pudding mix into batter before spooning into prepared muffin cups. Cool.

MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Spoon 1-1/2 cups into small freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Cut small corner off bottom of bag. Insert tip of bag into top of each cupcake to pipe about 1 Tbsp. frosting into center of cupcake.

FROST cupcakes with remaining frosting. Top with chocolate curls. Keep refrigerated.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Variation

Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese and COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping.

How to Easily Fill Cupcakes with Frosting

Poke hole in top of each cupcake with handle of wooden spoon before filling with frosting.

How to Make Chocolate Curls

Warm a square of BAKER'S Baking Chocolate by microwaving it, unwrapped, on HIGH for a few seconds or just until you can smudge the chocolate with your thumb. Hold the square steadily and draw a peeler slowly over flat bottom of square, allowing a thin layer of chocolate to curl as it is peeled off the bottom of the square to make long, delicate curls. Use the same technique along the narrow side of the square to make short curls.

President Obama Meets our Blue Bombers!

White House is a hit for Little League World Series winners

By Don Norcross, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Originally published February 5, 2010 at 1:02 p.m., updated February 6, 2010 at 3:12 a.m.

/ Chuck Kennedy / White House

President Barack Obama shook hands yesterday with Bulla Graft and his teammates on Chula Vista’s Park View All-Stars, winners of the Little League World Series.

On a blustery, wintry day in the nation’s capital, San Diego’s boys of summer stepped out of the cold and into the limelight.

The Little League World Series champions from Chula Vista shook hands with President Barack Obama.

“This is going to be a treasure,” catcher Daniel Porras Jr. said by phone. “I’ll never wash my hand again.”

The 13-year-old Park View All-Stars and their coaches and family members toured the White House yesterday, then met the president in the East Wing. Obama walked down a line, shaking each player’s hand.

“It was pretty cool,” said outfielder Bradley Roberto. “We met the leader of our country.”

Previously, the players appeared on Conan O’Brien’s show, rode in the Rose Parade and were honored by the Padres and the Chargers.

Yesterday, each player — dressed in matching khakis and light-blue polo shirts — introduced himself to Obama by saying his name, the position he played and that it was an honor to meet the president.

Asked what the president said in return, shortstop Andy Rios said, “It’s very good to meet you, too.”

Porras added, “He said that he was proud of us for representing the United States.”

Obama then came to league President Rod Roberto and asked, “Are you one of the coaches?”

“No Mr. President,” Roberto said, “I’m the president.”

After some laughter, Obama replied, “Maybe I should ask this guy for some advice.”

The Park View contingent consisted of about 60 people. The trip was paid for by Southwest Airlines and AT&T.

The team came bearing gifts, including a green-and-white Park View jersey for the president with “Obama” written across the back.

According to Rod Roberto, the president said upon receiving the jersey, “I better save this. It’ll probably be worth some money in the future.”

The team also brought jerseys for Obama’s daughters — Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8 — a signed baseball glove and a baseball cap made of Legos given to the team by Legoland California.

While walking down a White House hallway, the players were asked to step aside for a moment. Along came Malia and Sasha.

“They were dressed like you’d think young girls would be on a cold, winter day,” Rod Roberto said. “In sweatpants.”

After meeting the president, the contingent trudged through snowy, wind-swept conditions to the Capitol building.

“We are walking through huge snow right now,” Porras said.

At the Capitol, the team was given a tour of the House floor by Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego.

The team is scheduled to attend the Atlanta Hawks-Washington Wizards basketball game tonight before returning home tomorrow.

Of yesterday’s experience, Rod Roberto said, “There’s nothing like the capital in snow. The trees, the snow falling. It was like sitting there watching a movie.”

Regarding the White House, he added, “It’s very patriotic. When you walk in there, see all the presidents on the wall, I don’t care what political side you’re on, you feel like, ‘Wow, all the decisions are made right here.’ ”

However, due to a blizzard in the area, the team is stuck in the Capitol for a few extra days. Enjoy kids, this is the time of your lives!

Valentinos Grill Lounge and Sushi Bar • Otay Ranch • 619-591-9201

If you are looking for somewhere trendy with good food, excellent sushi, and a great happy hour, right here in Otay Ranch, look no further.

Valentinos Grill Lounge and Sushi Bar on East Palomar and Santa Cora is the place to be these days. Their sushi bar is outstanding, and you must remember to ask for the different dipping sauces! Valentino's does have other items on their menu besides sushi, try the Kobe Sliders with fries, or the Ribeye Tapanyaki, a 10oz ribeye, grilled, sliced and served over roasted potatoes, sauteed onions and mushrooms served on a sizzling skillet. The food plus the top-shelf, full bar makes this the perfect Friday night spot.

But one word of advice... get there early! The place is usually packed - and with good reason.


Valentinos Grill Lounge and Sushi Bar • Otay Ranch • 619-591-9201

HELP! Need Children's Books

Patti McKelvey, Realtor with McMillin Realty, is helping The King Chavez Academy in San Diego Barrio Logan collect "slightly used" children's books and elementary school supplies.

The school is in need of books, art supplies, school supplies, paper, etc. If you have anything laying around the house, or if you are a company interest in donating something larger, please contact someone at the Patti McKelvey Team at 619-409-8505 for more information. The drop off location is Patti's office.

The Patti McKelvey Team is located at the Chula Vista office of McMillin Realty on 320 East "H" Street in the Terra Nova Plaza. You can't miss the big blue "M"!!!

Parkview Little League Expects A Big Season

Saturday was a beautiful day, the sun was out, the weather was perfect. It was the perfect day for baseball tryouts in Chula Vista. I took my son out for his first tryouts ever. He is 8 this year, and 8 year olds and up have to tryout in little league. It's actually more of an assessment of skills than tryouts since they all get to play, but you could still feel the competition to be the best in the air.

With all the rain we've had lately it was nice to get out and see all the kids suited up, with their gloves, bats, warming up, playing catch with dads, getting ready to show the coaches their stuff.

I spoke with a couple of board members at Parkview while I waited for my son to get his chance at bat and was amazed to hear how many kids Parkview was fielding this year. We have so many kids in the association that we will be having games Monday - Sunday this year. I'm not sure if this is in response to our 2009 Little League World Series All Star Winners, or if this is a sign that our economy is rebounding, but it was exciting to hear non the less. More kids getting the opportunity to play!

I can't wait for the season to officially start. Baseball fever is already struck Chula Vista! We are ready!!!

Chula Vista Real Estate Trends

Otay Ranch High Baseball Golf Tournament

The Otay Ranch High School Mustang Baseball Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, January 29th at the Salt Creek Golf Club. The tournament gets underway at 10:00 am with registration, followed by a shotgun start at 11:30. The fee is $95 per player and includes 18 holes of golf, free range balls, drink tickets and dinner at the awards ceremony. The scramble format event offers prizes, raffles and a silent auction. At the conclusion of the day's events, a helicopter ball drop for cash will also be held. All proceeds benefit the Mustang Baseball Organization and its players.