Also in this issue: - The Spectrum Magazine
Also in this issue: - The Spectrum Magazine
Also in this issue: - The Spectrum Magazine
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‘Top Model’ Hopefuls L<strong>in</strong>e Up at RWC Salon<br />
<strong>The</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> front of <strong>The</strong> Beauty Lounge <strong>in</strong> Redwood City stretched halfway around the<br />
block of Broadway and W<strong>in</strong>slow Street, but its length didn’t stop a number of glamorous<br />
women from queu<strong>in</strong>g up on Saturday, Aug. 11.<br />
<strong>The</strong> local salon, owned by Chris Randolph and his wife, Leticia, was the Bay Area<br />
audition site for the n<strong>in</strong>th season of “America’s Next Top Model.” Tyra Banks hosts the reality<br />
show, which pits 10 to 14 would-be models aga<strong>in</strong>st each other <strong>in</strong> a series of elim<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
rounds to determ<strong>in</strong>e the w<strong>in</strong>ner. <strong>The</strong>re are no “rounds” of auditions — contestants are<br />
selected from <strong>this</strong> week-long, nationwide search or they are not selected at all.<br />
As the morn<strong>in</strong>g wore on — auditions began at 10 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m. —<br />
nervousness mounted.<br />
Alyssa Sweitzer, of Fairfield, said her biggest worry was “not gett<strong>in</strong>g picked.”<br />
“This is my first time really go<strong>in</strong>g out,” the 18-year-old said, referr<strong>in</strong>g to her relative<br />
<strong>in</strong>experience <strong>in</strong> model<strong>in</strong>g. “My mamma kept tell<strong>in</strong>g me that school was more important<br />
and that I should f<strong>in</strong>ish school before I jump <strong>in</strong>to anyth<strong>in</strong>g else.” Aside from “work<strong>in</strong>g on<br />
my mamma’s nerves,” she’d devoted her past weeks to rehears<strong>in</strong>g for her audition.<br />
To sign up for the audition, aspir<strong>in</strong>g contestants had to preregister onl<strong>in</strong>e. <strong>The</strong> actual<br />
auditions consisted of an <strong>in</strong>terview with a camera; the tapes were then sent to the show’s<br />
producers, who will evaluate them and make their selections over the next few weeks.<br />
None of the young women were allowed to hear what questions were be<strong>in</strong>g put to their<br />
competitors dur<strong>in</strong>g the camera <strong>in</strong>terview. Only one candidate was allowed <strong>in</strong> <strong>The</strong> Beauty<br />
Lounge at a time. Each candidate was then led to the back of the salon, where she faced<br />
the camera and answered the “Top Model” crew’s questions.<br />
“I was pretty nervous be<strong>in</strong>g on the spot and answer<strong>in</strong>g questions,” said Marisa Urb<strong>in</strong>a,<br />
21, of Napa, after her audition. Unlike Sweitzer, Urb<strong>in</strong>a has been model<strong>in</strong>g for a few years,<br />
mostly <strong>in</strong> hair advertisements. If she is selected, “America’s Next Top Model” would easily<br />
be her biggest showcase.<br />
<strong>The</strong> auditions were <strong>The</strong> Beauty Lounge’s biggest showcase, too.<br />
“We spent all week prepar<strong>in</strong>g,” said Randolph. “We want to handle these types of events<br />
<strong>in</strong> the future and we want people to be aware of our location.”<br />
Randolph said <strong>The</strong> Beauty Lounge was chosen as the Bay Area site when he answered<br />
a general advertisement for those who were <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> host<strong>in</strong>g “Top Model” auditions.<br />
“This is a brand new salon, so <strong>this</strong> is excellent publicity,” he said. “It’s been an extremely<br />
excit<strong>in</strong>g process.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e outside <strong>The</strong> Beauty Lounge wrapped around the block as women waited for<br />
their turn to audition for “America’s Next Top Model.”<br />
Thousands Take Part <strong>in</strong> Bicycle Tour<br />
More than 2,000 bicyclists turned out Sunday, Aug. 5, for the annual Tour de<br />
Pen<strong>in</strong>sula, one of the great summer bik<strong>in</strong>g events <strong>in</strong> San Mateo County.<br />
<strong>The</strong> tour serves as a popular fundraiser for Bike Sundays, the Sunday<br />
closure of Cañada Road that permits carefree bik<strong>in</strong>g, skat<strong>in</strong>g, runn<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
stroll<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong> 33-mile tour route, which beg<strong>in</strong>s and ends at Sequoia High<br />
School <strong>in</strong> Redwood City, is laid out to highlight two of the San Mateo County<br />
Department of Parks’ premier family bik<strong>in</strong>g opportunities — Sawyer Camp<br />
Trail and Cañada Road.<br />
After complet<strong>in</strong>g the tour, riders picked up their “Official Tour de Pen<strong>in</strong>sula<br />
Dirty T-shirt” and got a chance to visit post-ride expo booths while they<br />
enjoyed music played by the Chris Ford Band.<br />
<strong>The</strong> organizer and beneficiary of the tour, the San Mateo County Parks and<br />
Recreation Foundation, was established <strong>in</strong> 1988 and supports the preservation<br />
and restoration of native habitats and environmental education. <strong>The</strong><br />
foundation seeks grants and contributions from <strong>in</strong>dividuals, foundations and<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>esses and to date has raised $7 million to support 30 different programs<br />
of the San Mateo County Department of Parks.<br />
Supervisor Rich Gordon, honorary chair of the event, said, “I congratulate<br />
and thank all of <strong>this</strong> year’s participants. <strong>The</strong> Tour de Pen<strong>in</strong>sula is a great way<br />
to feel the benefits of physical exercise and help all residents of San Mateo<br />
County by rais<strong>in</strong>g funds to support the county park department’s Bicycle<br />
Sunday program.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation is located at 215<br />
Bay Road, Menlo Park. To learn more about Foundation volunteer opportunities,<br />
rang<strong>in</strong>g from be<strong>in</strong>g a docent to clear<strong>in</strong>g trails, call 650-321-5812 or visit<br />
www.supportparks.org.<br />
Top left: Mark Simon, founder of the Tour de Pen<strong>in</strong>sula, and Rich Gordon, San Mateo<br />
County supervisor, at the Tour de Pen<strong>in</strong>sula Aug. 5.<br />
.<strong>The</strong><strong>Spectrum</strong>.AUG.07