Pine Valley

Two people were killed Monday when a light plane crashed and exploded in a rugged area near Pine Valley, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department reported. Witnesses saw the Cessna 185 Skywagon go down in the brushland south of Interstate 8 about 6:45 p.m. Federal investigators were summoned to the crash scene in an effort to determine the cause. The pilot reportedly was returning to Gillespie Field in El Cajon when the single-engine aircraft crashed, deputies said.

Forty-one years is a long time to spend in one town, but that's how long I've been making a regular pilgrimage to Pine Valley, a fictional suburb of Philadelphia and the setting for "All My Children. " I missed days here and there — sometimes even months at a time — but I always returned. On Friday, my regular visits will end. Although few television shows have had a more devoted fan base, the soap opera has been canceled. There are promises that the show will continue online, but fans are nevertheless mourning the end of an era. When "All My Children" debuted in January 1970, I was a 17-year-old with no clear plan for the future.

Forty-one years is a long time to spend in one town, but that's how long I've been making a regular pilgrimage to Pine Valley, a fictional suburb of Philadelphia and the setting for "All My Children. " I missed days here and there — sometimes even months at a time — but I always returned. On Friday, my regular visits will end. Although few television shows have had a more devoted fan base, the soap opera has been canceled. There are promises that the show will continue online, but fans are nevertheless mourning the end of an era. When "All My Children" debuted in January 1970, I was a 17-year-old with no clear plan for the future.

The police station set of "All My Children" buzzed as the cast and crew prepared for a scene. Sitting behind a desk in his officer's uniform all ready to go was J.R. Martinez, smiling as makeup and hair artists attended to actress Shannon Kane, who plays his partner on the ABC soap. "One day I'll have to get a wig so I know what's it's like to be waited on," he said. "I never have to show up early like everyone else for hair and makeup. I'm camera-ready as soon as I arrive." Martinez stands out in the glamorous cast of "All My Children," one of daytime's most enduring serials.

A Navy man was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder in the grisly slaying of his former roommate, who allegedly had tried to rape the defendant's wife. Lawrence Morris, 28, who is stationed in San Diego, faces a sentence of 26 years to life in state prison, Deputy Dist. Atty. Daniel Lamborn said. San Diego Superior Court Judge William Kennedy set sentencing for April 26.

Ever since I started watching "All My Children," I've begun to compare real life to life in mythical Pine Valley, U.S.A. I knew it was hopeless when I began to subconsciously pattern my behavior after what I saw on screen from noon to 1 p.m. on ABC. For example, when Nina moved out of Pine Valley to "find herself," I moved into a new apartment. When Brooke and Adam called it quits, I broke up with the guy I'd been seeing.

What is the best golf course in the United States? According to Golf Digest's most recent top-100 ranking, it's Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey. Pine Valley edged out Augusta National Golf Club, in Augusta, Ga., site of this week's Masters. Also ranked in the top five: Cypress Point Club and Pebble Beach Golf Links, both in Pebble Beach, and Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y. Votes are cast by a nationwide panel of more than 570 golfers.

Grant Aleksander, who was very popular when he played Phillip Spaulding on "Guiding Light," is returning to daytime, but now he will be creating the role of Alec McIntyre on "All My Children." Aleksander is slated to make his first on-air appearance on "All My Children" on Aug. 10.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is no stranger to television, from the local news to guest spots on prime-time shows. On Tuesday, he added to his filmography with a stint on the newest soap opera in town. After 40 years of shooting the fictional suburb Pine Valley on the East Coast, the ABC daytime drama "All My Children" has moved production to Southern California. Villaraigosa was on hand to welcome the new neighbors -- with a cameo appearance. In an episode scheduled to air Feb. 17, Villaraigosa plays himself.

"Ho. Great Spirit, thank you for providing us with food today, and bringing these visitors to your valley. Eeekay." Our guide, Hummux, my friend Gerard and I stood around a tall wood table, hands clasped and eyes closed as Hummux said grace. A small plate of barbecued chicken, bread and salad, morsels from the dinner we were about to eat, was to the side, an offering for the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit that mid-May Friday evening had come through with aces.

What is the best golf course in the United States? According to Golf Digest's most recent top-100 ranking, it's Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey. Pine Valley edged out Augusta National Golf Club, in Augusta, Ga., site of this week's Masters. Also ranked in the top five: Cypress Point Club and Pebble Beach Golf Links, both in Pebble Beach, and Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y. Votes are cast by a nationwide panel of more than 570 golfers.

Fred Raphael, who originated "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf" series on television, recalls playing at Pine Valley, a difficult, exclusive course in New Jersey. "Counting whiffs, lost balls and every other penalty, I shot 154," Raphael said. What Raphael didn't know was that the balls that Gene Sarazen had given him were undersized British balls, which were not authorized for U.S. courses.

"All My Children" has snared Steve Kanaly for the role of Seabone Hunkle. Viewers of the defunct prime-time series "Dallas" will remember Kanaly from his longtime role as Ray Krebs. On "All My Children," Seabone makes a surprise arrival in Pine Valley that is sure to cause more than a little trouble for his children, Dixie Martin (Cady McClain) and Del Henry (Winsor Harmon). The half-siblings share the same father and different mothers.

Grant Aleksander, who was very popular when he played Phillip Spaulding on "Guiding Light," is returning to daytime, but now he will be creating the role of Alec McIntyre on "All My Children." Aleksander is slated to make his first on-air appearance on "All My Children" on Aug. 10.

An El Cajon man was killed when he lost control of the three-wheeled, all-terrain vehicle he was driving and crashed into a creekbed near Pine Valley, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said Tuesday. The body of Jay George Burzynski, 26, was discovered in a creekbed near Old Highway 80, about three-fourths of a mile east of Kitchen Creek Road, at about 5:30 p.m. Monday, said Eddie Van Kirk, a CHP administrative officer.