www.encinitaschamber.com
Volume 6, Issue 4
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INSIDE Chamber teams up with MiraCosta College to offer support to small businesses PAGE 3
Danny Salzhandler, a local artist and philanthropist, was honored by the chamber as its Citizen of the Year for 2010 PAGE 8
Learn about Encinitas Orchids owner Don Doerfler’s blooming beauties and his artistic family background PAGE 12 Green marketing tips for business owners by “Lick the Marketing Plate” columnist David Boylan PAGE 6
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
See pictures from and read about the March Sundowner held at Vigilucci’s Ristorante and Pizzeria PAGE 15
APRIL 2010
Premium cancer care under one big roof ENCINITAS — Over the years Encinitas has emerged as the Flower Capital and Surf Center. Today, it’s also recognized as a top-tier healthcare destination. The process has been so gradual that it has gone unnoticed for many in the community. This is not the case with Sally Foster, dean of MiraCosta College, San Elijo campus. Foster attributes her smooth recovery from breast cancer 11 years ago to her decision to access treatment locally. During a yearly exam in November 1998, a nurse practitioner in Dr. Linda Falconio’s office at 499 N. El Camino Real felt a small lump in Foster’s left breast. “She said she wanted me to have a mammogram,” Foster explained. “I said I didn’t think I needed one because I had one the previous year.” In December, while Foster was getting ready for a Christmas party in her Village Park home, she received a phone call every woman dreads. “My doctor’s office called saying they needed to speak with me urgently,” she said. “That was when I learned the mammogram had shown a suspicious lump.” A needle biopsy in January was inconclusive. When a surgical biopsy confirmed the results of the mammogram a lumpectomy was scheduled. These and subsequent procedures were coordinated between a variety of medical groups specializing in cancer treatment at the North Coast Health Center at the 477 campus. “I walked from my home to the lumpectomy in midJanuary 1999,” Foster said.
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NORTH COAST HEALTH CENTER
ABOUT NORTH COAST HEALTH CENTER As the largest outpatient health center in coastal North County, North Coast Health Center is an example of how outpatient care has grown over the years. Built nearly 25 years ago, the campus at 477 North El Camino Real in Encinitas is now home to more than 200 doctors and dentists and offers more than 50 different specialties for children and adults. These include urgent care; family medicine; pedi-
atrics; internal medicine; OB/GYN; in vitro fertilization; urology; erectile dysfunction and microsurgery; plastic and reconstructive surgery; facial plastic surgery; laser vision correction; optometry; ophthalmaology; hearing and neurodiagnostics; dermatology; gastroenterology; hematology; allergy and asthma; pediatric specialties ; reproductive endocrinology; sinus and nasal disorders; laser and
aesthetic procedures; oncology; radiation oncology; radiology; surgery (general; vascular; pediatric; orthopedic); CyberKnife; sports medicine; sleep medicine; psychiatry; dentistry; orthodonture; periodontics and dental implants and pharmacy; and more. The growth in outpatient medicine has brought the latest medical
Unfortunately, the procedure didn’t yield clear borders. A week later her surgeon was able to re-enter the incision and obtain a lemon-size sample, this time with clear borders. The news wasn’t good. The lesion was positive. “I don’t sit around and let life happen to me,” Foster said. “I made a list which included talking to the direc-
tor of human resources at the college about my options at work, checking in with my primary mentor at work to discuss the issue with her, and then researching oncologists in my area. That’s how I found Dr. Frakes.” Foster was able to schedule an appointment right away with oncologist Dr. Laurie Frakes, also in the 477
building. “Dr. Frakes scheduled one-and-a-half hours to allow me to ask questions,” Foster said. “That’s unheard of. She recommended chemotherapy followed by radiation.” Foster scheduled radiation in Dr. Frakes’ office around her work schedule between February and May. “I was able to schedule
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chemo for 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays and stay in bed Friday, Saturday and Sunday and return to work on Monday,” she said. “I had weekly lab appointments to test my white blood cell levels, also in the 477 building.” Foster followed chemotherapy with radiation from May through June, again in the 477 building. She complemented her treatment with yoga and chiropractic adjustments. “Dr. Michael Cabello (in Encinitas) treated me for free since I exhausted all my visits through my insurance,” she said. “He said my spine needed to be aligned during treatment so all the fluids could flow through.” Throughout her ordeal Foster only missed five days of work. Her plan served her well. “I received first-rate, stateof-the-art treatment in Encinitas,” she said. “You want to be close to home and in a comfortable and familiar environment with your family near you. If I had to travel it would have been very disruptive to my lifestyle. I was able to have dinner each night with my sons.” Foster said another advantage was the support she received from her neighbors and, particularly, her extended family at MiraCosta College. After receiving her diagnosis in January, Foster asked to make a short statement at a campuswide assembly featuring the traditional State of the College address and rally. “I took two minutes to tell my colleagues of my diagnosis and to explain that I was going to continue working,” she said. “I encouraged all the women to have their yearly ❚ see Care on 18
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Ninth annual State of City event draws sold-out crowd By Lillian Cox ENCINITAS — The parking lot at the Encinitas Community Center was abuzz the evening of March 26 with scores of arrivals for the ninth annual State of the City and Awards Banquet. The event was sold out, and more than 60 people were turned away. The large turnout and friendly cajoling among presenters and award recipients extended the scheduled end of the program from 9 to after 11 p.m. Channel 8 reporter Jeff Zevely, who served as emcee, kept the audience laughing with self-effacing humor and anecdotes from his youth spent in Encinitas. “I love Encinitas, but you guys deserve someone big like Dan Fouts or
From left, Angel Haag, president of the chamber board, and CEO Marshall Weinreb. Photo by Lillian Cox
Tony Gwynn,” he told the crowd. “I went to Capri (Elementary School) and Oak Crest (Middle School) and haven’t been back since I was 13. I
drove through the parking lot and tripped out.” A savory four-course dinner prepared by El Callejon included chipotle soup, chicken enchiladas, beef with cilantro, rajas (roasted chile strips in sauce), salad, guacamole, beans, rice and chips. The buffet was donated by restaurant owner Bernard Jourdain. “We like to help the community and schools,” Jourdain said. “My customers are locals and I want to give back when I’ve been getting.” The official program began with a pledge of alliance led by the Troop 776 Color Guard sponsored St. John’s Catholic Church. Encinitas Chamber CEO Marshall
Weinreb received an enthusiastic welcome from the audience for his efforts in rallying the local business community. “This is a rejuvenation of the chamber,” said Angel Haag, president of the board of directors. “We are transforming the chamber to make new things happen. We are here for you.” Weinreb celebrated the contributions of the Rancho-Coastal Humane Society on its 50th anniversary and asked President/CEO Jim Silveira to stand up. He also acknowledged the presence of all five Encinitas council members, City Manager Phil Cotton, Sen. Mark Wyland, Assemblyman ❚ see State on 11