Ocean Beach plays a starring role in a new Friday night TV series, “The Ex List,” which debuts on CBS Oct. 3.
While shooting their fifth episode, producers discovered what's truly important to OB residents.
In the pier parking lot last week, the script called for star Elizabeth Reaser to put her surfboard next to her car. Another vehicle was supposed to run over her board.
As the director called for action, a real surfer leaped in to save the surfboard. The director yelled, “Cut!” and ordered a retake. Then another surfer, who hadn't seen the first incident, rescued Reaser's board. On the next take, a third surfer intervened.
All three apparently were so focused on the surfboard they failed to notice the film crew.
Unexpected windfall
Despite the grim economic outlook in Sacramento, state Controller John Chiang bore glad tidings to several board members and officers of the South County Economic Development Council.
During last week's council economic summit here, Chiang unexpectedly read the names of 23 council board members and officers whose names matched those on his department's list of unclaimed property. They could be the rightful owners of money from forgotten bank accounts, utility deposits, old stocks and other sources that have been turned over to the state.
Those with possible claims include: Southwestern College President Raj Chopra (whose four items included $2,000 in old mutual funds); county Supervisor Greg Cox; former Southwestern College President Norma Hernandez; former San Diego Unified school board member Ed Lopez; Pete Mabrey, administrator of Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista; Imperial Beach Councilman Fred McLean; former Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce head Charles Moore; and Coronado Councilman Al Ovrom.
In an effort to return abandoned funds, which remain in the state's general fund until claimed, Chiang mailed 2.5 million notices to possible owners this past year, says his spokesman, Garin Casaleggio.
People can search for their name and file a claim online by going to the Web site: www.sco.ca.gov and clicking on the link: “Search for Unclaimed Property.”
With news like this, Chiang, no doubt, will be in demand as a speaker.
Cameron salutes vets
Filmmaker James Cameron, honored by the Marine Corps Historical Society here, along with community leaders Sally Thornton and Doug Manchester, said his brother, a Marine, returned from Desert Storm without having been shot. Cameron, on the other hand, confessed to handling a gun on a movie set and shooting himself with a blank . . .
John Culea complimented attendee Margo Schwab on her smart military-style jacket. The Vietnam veteran pointed out one problem: her epaulettes indicated she was a lieutenant while the stripes on her sleeve were those of an ensign. Schwab quickly shifted the blame to the jacket's designer, Ralph Lauren.
Screen credits
Fred Ashman, a corporate media producer from Carlsbad, created and directed the new indie film, “Proud American.” It's national premiere was Sept. 12. His daughter, Michelle Ashman, is one of several co-stars, and about 30 North County high school students were extras in the 90-minute series of true narratives on inspiring Americans and breath-taking U.S. scenery.
You might say Giorgio Saturnino, chef at Fresco Trattoria in La Costa, went from the frying pan into the film. Some of the filming occurred there.
If the music sounds heavenly, it's because the movie score was composed by Stan Beard, whose “other” job is music director of Calvary Lutheran Church in Solana Beach.
Diane Bell's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Fax items to (619) 260-5009; call (619) 293-1518; e-mail to diane.bell@uniontrib.com; or mail to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Box 120191, San Diego 92112-0191.
