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VOL. 9, NO. 23

NOV. 29, 2013

‘Yoga Tree’ to take permanent root in SB

By Bianca Kaplanek

SOLANA BEACH — While a neighboring school district tries to eliminate yoga from its curriculum, Solana Beach is adding a yoga-themed sculpture to its public art collection.

At the Nov. 13 meeting, City Council voted 4-0, with Tom Campbell absent, to purchase Brennan Hubbell’s “Yoga Tree” for $8,000.

“The money is not coming out of funds that would be used to fix pot holes,” Councilman Dave Zito, liaison to the Public Arts Advisory Commission, said.

“These are funds that are dedicated for public art uses. It’s a very, very good price. It’s a very well-loved piece.”

In February, the city contracted with Hubbell to display “Yoga Tree” as part of its temporary art program. The 12-foot sculpture, Beach City Council members agreed at the Nov. 13 meeting to spend $8,000 to purchase "Yoga Tree," which sits on the corner of Solana a sculpture that was initially on loan to the city for one year, as part of the permanent public art collection. The

San Diego County officials awarded an eight-year contract to American Medical Response to provide emergency medical response services to the San Dieguito Ambulance District, which includes coastal North County, Rancho Santa Fe and parts of Elfin Forest.

Photo courtesy AMR

New ambulance Planning board looks for solutions to One Paseo service coming to Rancho Santa Fe TURN TO YOGA TREE ON A18

piece sits — stands, actually — at the corner of Highland Drive and Sun Valley Road. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek

By Bianca Kaplanek

CARMEL VALLEY — Members of the Torrey Pines Community Planning Board received some advice from Mike Aguirre, former city attorney and mayoral candidate, as they prepared to comment on a draft environmental impact report for a mixed-use development at the corner of Del Mar Heights Road and El Camino Real.

“You’ve got to understand the nature of the game you’re in,” Aguirre told board members at a Nov. 14 meeting dedicated to discussing One Paseo, a controversial “neighborhood village” that would include retail, residential, office and open space on an approximately 24-acre lot.

The planning board is attempting to find a solution to what it believes will be reduced emergency vehicle response times as a result of increased traffic on the already-impacted streets surrounding the proposed project.

“You’re going down the road of how to make it work,” Aguirre said. “It’s all good stuff but you have to look at it systematically. … There’s

Mike Aguirre, far right, former city attorney and mayoral candidate, offers advice to the Torrey Pines Community Planning Board during a Nov. 14 meeting dedicated to discussing the One Paseo project in Carmel Valley. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek

no reason to change the zoning. Zoning is there for a reason. If there’s no zoning change, there’s no project.”

Aguirre recommended the board use the Public Records Act to obtain all possible information and to “get litigation going early.”

“It’s not that these people are bad,” he said. “It’s that they’re very smart. …

You are house kitties and they are alley cats. You don’t have to be mean. You don’t have to be nasty. But building something that’s four times

THE MAN WHO FLEW LADY GAGA Gus Calderon, a Carlsbad resident and former commerical pilot, was the man holding the controls of the Volantis during Lady Gaga’s recent album release event. A7

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bigger than what’s allowed doesn’t even make sense.”

The site is zoned for about 510,000 square feet of office space.

The original proposal called for about 1.8 million gross square feet of development with retail and office buildings, a 150-room hotel and more than 600 multifamily residential units.

It features public open spaces, internal roadways and parking structures. Some buildings were proposed to be 10 stories high.

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In response to concerns that the project was too large, the developer, Kilroy Realty Corporation, revised its plans. A recirculated draft EIR with three alternatives is available for public comment until Dec. 10.

New options are a 1.4 million-square-foot project with no hotel and smaller dwelling units and commercial spaces, an 817,000square-foot project with no hotel, fewer dwelling units and reduced office and retail space and 80,000 square feet of development that includes a 30,000-square-foot market and 50,000 square feet for retail.

Kilroy favors the largest option because it is the only one that maintains the goal of creating “a Main Street in Carmel Valley.”

Although the Torrey Pines board, which represents about 7,300 people east of the Del Mar Fairgrounds to Sorrento Valley, has several concerns with the proposal, its main opposition is reduced response times for emergency vehicles due to increased traffic.

“Del Mar Heights Road is the lifeline into our fire station,” Dennis Ridz, board chairman, said. “Adding 26,000 daily trips will only cripple it.”

Retired fire Capt. Stacy Silverwood, who commanded the nearby Station 24, said the draft EIR “seems to address only the needs of One Paseo.”

“My concern is for all first responders having to negotiate around One TURN TO PLANNING ON A18

New vehicles will accompany fire trucks

By Tony Cagala

RANCHO SANTA FE — Starting the first of the year, Rancho Santa Fe, along with several other North County coastal cities will have a new 911 emergency medical services provider.

In October, San Diego County officials awarded a new eight-year contract to AMR (American Medical Response) to serve the area known as the San Dieguito Ambulance District, or CSA-17.

The CSA-17 district covers the communities of Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Del Mar, Solana Beach and parts of Elfin Forest.

R u r a l / M e t r o Corporation, the current service provider, AMR and fire agencies have begun talks on making the transition.

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Gibbs of the Rancho Santa Fe Fire District said he doesn’t think there will be any challenges when it comes to the switchover, likening it to the one stepping into the footprint of the other.

While the RSF Fired Department doesn’t have

any ambulances in its fleet of emergency vehicles, the CSA-17 contract provides the ambulances for the department and the others in the district.

Dave Austin, director of administration at AMR and who will serve as the program manager, said they’ll be providing six new ambulances; five of those will be 24-hour service and one a 12-hour ambulance.

The ambulances will be staged at Solana Beach Fire Station No. 1, Encinitas Station No. 2 and No. 5, and Rancho Santa Fe Stations 1, 2, and 4.

The staging of ambulances will remain the same as it has been under Rural/Metro.

“For any type of call that’s medical-related, whether that would be a vehicle accident, any type of rescue, a medical aid there will always be an ambulance attached with a Rancho Santa Fe fire engine,” Gibbs said.

In addition to the six ambulances there will also be a seventh on reserve, and will also be housed at the Solana Beach station, Austin added.

“The 12-hour car is at Rancho Santa Fe Station No. 2, and that’s a dual paramedic training unit for the fire department,” Austin said. “We move over for the day a firefighter TURN TO AMBULANCE ON A18

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NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Insufficient funds threatens close of child abuse and sexual assault center

By Rachel Stine

REGION — Palomar Health’s Forensic Health Services Department is the only place in North County where police can take children who have been abused, women who have been raped and other victims of violent crime to be interviewed and examined.

But the department may be shut down in a matter of weeks if the center is unable to raise $95,000 by Dec. 31, and be able to keep raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for years to come.

Operating out of Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, the department started as the Child Abuse Program in 1984 and expanded in 1991 to incorporate the Sexual Assault Response Team. Over the past 29 years, Forensic Health Services has provided services for more than 15,000 children and adults.

“The Child Abuse Program at Palomar Health is directly related to our ability to convict child molesters and rapists,” said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis in a statement. “Without the program, some of San Diego’s most serious criminals may not be effectively held accountable.”

The information and evi- A boy drew this picture of a person facing down a dragon while he told dence collected by the depart- his story of abuse at the Child Abuse Program at the Forensic Health Department at Palomar Health. Image courtesy of Palomar ment’s staff of forensic inter- Services Health

viewers, medical doctors and sexual assault nurses, who are available 24-hours a day, can be used in court for criminal prosecutions.

Among numerous other cases, the department performed forensic interviews of 50 children who witnessed the 2010 shooting at Carlsbad’s Kelley Elementary School.The evidence collected from these interviews helped convict Brendan O’Rourke, who was sentenced to 189 years in jail for the shooting.

Today, the department’s operations cost approximately $550,000 annually. About half of these costs are covered by the service fees paid by law enforcement and some grants.

Since the department opened, Palomar Health has paid for

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the other half, about $200,000 per year, in addition to paying for the department’s facilities and staff’s salaries and benefits.

But during the most recent fiscal year, Palomar Health experienced the “perfect storm” of sequestration, changes in medical reimbursements, and rising medical costs, said Palomar Health spokesperson Bobette Brown.

Palomar Health determined that it could no longer cover the department’s operational expenses.

Palomar Health administrators are requiring Forensic Health Services to raise $200,000 by Dec. 31 to cover operations or it would close the department.

If it meets its funding deadline, the department will be required to continue to raise funds to cover the operational costs not recovered from service fees long-term.

So far, the department and the Palomar Health Foundation have raised $105,000.

Cathy McLennan, who supervises the department’s child abuse program, said that the department has applied for a few grants to cover the rest, but is uncertain if those grants will be awarded to them.

“We are really hoping to come up with more private donors. And we realize that it’s getting late, but we are working very diligently towards that,” she said.

McLennan explained that with the trained staff and services that Forensic Health Services provides, victims only need to go to one place to be interviewed and examined.

The department’s services collect information for law enforcement, district attorneys and child welfare advocates all at once so victims do not need to travel back and forth between multiple offices and undergo repeat interviews.

“It’s much less traumatic for the children,” she said.

The department provides services for 550 victims per year from all over North San Diego County.

If the department is shut down, child victims will have to go to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego and adolescent and adult sexual assault victims will need to go to a center in El Cajon.

“We really want a longterm solution,” said County Supervisor Dave Roberts. “We need to make sure that people are aware of the value of this program.”

While Forensic Health Services missed the deadline to apply for funding under the supervisors’ control, Roberts and Supervisor Bill Horn are working together to form a coalition to raise funds to keep the department running for years to come if it survives its December funding deadline.

To donate to Forensic Health Services, visit PalomarHealthFoundation.or g or contact Kimberly Cardoso at (760) 739-2961 or Kimberly.Cardoso@PalomarH ealth.org.

To learn more about the Supervisors’ coalition, contact Supervisor Dave Robert’s office at (619) 531-5533.

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013

COLLEGE EXPANDS

The beach access stairway at Del Mar Shores, which has been closed for more than a year, could be reopened by August. City Council awarded the construction contract at the Nov. 20 meeting. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek

Contract awarded to replace closed beach-access stairs

By Bianca Kaplanek

SOLANA BEACH — If all goes as planned, beachgoers will have access to the sea, surf and sand via Del Mar Shores in August.

At the Nov. 20 meeting, council members unanimously awarded a $936,780 contract to Blue Pacific Engineering, which came in with the lowest of eight bids received to replace the stairway at the south end of the city.

City officials began working to replace the structure, built in the 1970s, more than five years ago because the marine environment caused the stairs, handrails and safety fencing to deteriorate.

The concrete was also cracked and rebar was exposed and rusted.

The Public Works Department spent significant time and money to keep up with basic cosmetic and safety repairs, but despite the efforts, the stairway was closed to public access last November after a structural engineer concluded there was “a high probability that the staircase can collapse at any time.�

A preliminary design was approved in 2009 but no funding was available. City officials applied for and received a permit from the California Coastal Commission that would have expired earlier this year.

A one-year extension was granted but if work doesn’t at least begin by February the city will have to reapply.

The current design is almost identical to the one approved four years ago except for a slight change to the look of the lifeguard observation station.

Original estimates to replace the stairway were between $1.5 million and $1.7 million. “We anticipated it to be much higher than it actually is so this is really great news

that it came in at the price that it did,� Mayor Mike Nichols said.

Council authorized $1,173,737 for the project, which includes the Blue Pacific contract, a 15 percent contingency and a not-toexceed $93,373 for consulting and architectural services for the stairs and lifeguard observation station.

Blue Pacific’s bid includes $54,780 to repair the handrail, concrete stairs, metal picket fencing and drainage swale at Tide Beach Park.

To fund the project there is $275,000 from a beach recreation fee that is being held by the San Diego Association of Governments.

The city has $200,000 from a public recreation fee charged to homeowners who build sea walls.

The city applied for and was denied a $200,000 grant from the Coastal Conservancy, but it has reapplied and expects a decision by early next year.

The shortfall — either $698,373 or $498,373 — can come from general fund undesignated reserves, which currently has a $1.1 million surplus.

Rather than just take the money, staff proposed borrowing it and using transient occupancy tax money to pay it back.

Repayment at 2.71 percent interest would result in annual payments of $57,751 over 10 years or $32,713 for 20 years. Interest paid would be $77,511 or $154,265, respectively. “I think it’s a good idea to consider something like this,� Councilman Tom Campbell, an accountant, said.

Council members discuss the option during an upcoming budget meeting.

Construction is expected to start in January and take seven and a half months to complete.

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The Palomar Community College District Governing Board, including, from left, Palomar College Superintendent/President Robert P. Deegan, Governing Board Trustee John HalcĂłn, Student Trustee and President of the Associated Student Government Jennifer Gonzalez, Governing Board President Nancy Chadwick, Governing Board Vice President Paul McNamara and Governing Board Trustee Mark Evilsizer, cut the ribbon at the newly renovated Escondido Education Center Nov. 15. The center is at the corner of East Valley Parkway and Midway Drive, now home to almost 5,000 students and was funded through Proposition M, a $694 million bond measure approved by voters in November 2006.

Courtesy photo

City starts planning process for Shores site

By Bianca Kaplanek

DEL MAR — In a rare split vote at the Nov. 18 meeting, council agreed to begin preparing a master plan for the Shores property, a 5.3-acre lot on Camino del Mar and Ninth Street the city purchased from Del Mar Union School District in 2008 for $5.8 million to preserve open space, recreational areas and the private Winston School, which is on the site.

Don Mosier and Lee Haydu, who cast the dissenting votes, said they want to see the improvements made but moving forward now would add another major project to the plate of a staff already stretched to the limit.

The city is currently working on building a new City Hall, reviving a mixeduse project in the south end of downtown, improving law enforcement services and preparing an outreach program to residents in the beach area, to name a few. “Does staff have enough time to take this on right now?� Haydu asked. “Currently, with our available staff, we are operating at capacity,� Planning Director Kathy Garcia said. “However, we could look at either adjusting priorities, extending some of the timeframes of some of our existing work — City Hall, parking management, et cetera.� “I don’t want to shortcut anything,� Haydu said. “Do you think if we’ve got staff working on too many things that it’s going to draw out so much or would it be better for staff to work on a few things at a time?� “If you want to move forward on this and you can tell us the level you want, we can come back and give you some options of how to

City Council voted 3-2 to begin the master planning process for the Shores property, a 5.3-acre site on Camino del Mar and Ninth Street it purchased in 2008. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek

accommodate that,� City Manager Scott Huth said. “We have a full plate, but we can move priorities around.

It’s really based on what your priorities are, and we can explain our solutions to meet your needs.�

Although her colleagues recognized her concerns, they opted to solicit bids from consultants to help get the project started. “If we hire a consultant it’s still going to take staff time so ‌we have to come up with what we want to push out further to tackle this,â€? Haydu said. “We don’t want to lose staff by overworking them.â€?

The process outlined by Garcia, who said she has prepared a number of park master plans, would be done in three phases.

The first step will include an initiative to determine a project manager, staff, key stakeholders, the number of meetings and a timeline for community involvement.

There will also be a pub-

lic outreach program, a community vision process, data collection for budgets and issues impacting the site, former home to Shores Elementary School, and site specific data.

Phase two will include preliminary program development, planning alternatives and community review of those options.

During the final phase, plans will be refined and further developed and a financial analysis will be completed. Community meetings will again be held before a plan is presented to City Council for approval.

Garcia said the process will take about 12 to 18 months if a consultant is hired and up to two years if the work is done by city staff. The estimated cost is between $145,000 and $270,000, which includes consultant fees and, if needed, a full environmental impact report.

The city could save money by forming a citizens ad hoc committee, but most

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council members didn’t support that option. “We’ve been discussing this use of this property for the last eight years and a consensus has not emerged,�

Mosier said. “I think it’s going to be useful to have a consultant come and then we’ll have open meetings to discuss the community’s priorities. And we’ll hear once again that there are 10 different priorities and we have to pick the top two. “But I think that’s not a job that the council should offload to an ad hoc committee,â€? he added. “I think somebody’s got to stand up and look at what the consultant says is the best use, what the community says and pick the uses that are most compatible, not only with the city’s plans but with the Winston School’s development plans. ‌ The city needs to be the major driver on this process.â€?

The Winston School recently began its master planning process.

Mayor Terry Sinnott agreed. “I think it’s a very difficult problem that needs an objective, impartial, nobody-has-any-ax-to-grind,� he said. “They’re just gathering data and getting people’s opinions.�

Garcia said there will be opportunities along the way for the community to weigh in, “with at least a couple of workshops in each of those phases.�

Mosier said the process should begin, but he doesn’t believe “there’s a great rush.� “The sooner we do it the better,� Councilman Al Corti said.

Huth said he would return with an estimate of how much the project will impact staff and other council priorities.

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O PINION &EDITORIAL

Views expressed in Opinion & Editorial do not reflect the views of the Rancho Santa Fe News

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS NOV. 29, 2013

California kids holding own in math, science CALIFORNIA FOCUS

BY THOMAS D. ELIAS

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

Nuclear Wasteland: Just say no

By Darius Degher

When I recently read that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is arguing for leaving the nuclear waste on site at San Onofre for, potentially, three hundred years, I was disgusted. I wasn’t shocked, because Einstein had prepared me well: “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”

The idea that we might leave loads of nuclear waste in an earthquake zone surrounded by some ten million people does, in fact, test the limits of human stupidity. Is it really possible that the kind of scientific thinkers who created the power plant in the first place could have painted us into such a corner? If so, it could well go down as one of the most monumental and horrifying screw-ups in the history of humankind.

The NRC’s Victor Dricks says there’s just no other place to ship the nuclear waste to, so it must remain in place. If that’s true, it is a pitiful excuse for both logic and leadership. Had no one thought this problem through all the way? Is that really possible? Again, this suggests deeply embarrassing things about the great minds of our society, perhaps even our society as a whole. Are we really that stupid?

And no, leaving the nuclear waste in crowded Southern California is not just as good as leaving it

somewhere else, such as a desert in Nevada. If nuclear waste were to leak in the desert, far from population centers, it would be very unfortunate indeed. But it would be surmountable. On the other hand, a Fukushima type of accident here in So Cal could cost millions of lives, the destruction of food sources, the destruction of cultural and economic resources the likes of which the world has never seen.

An accident at that particular location, near both San Diego and Los Angeles, would have economic impacts that would last generations. Such economic impacts would dwarf those of the Great Recession, the Great Depression, for that matter, as real estate values in Southern California would fall, permanently. A major accident at San Onofre would likely end California as we know it. Can we really take such chances?

No, I refuse to accept Mr. Dricks’ evaluation of the situation — that the nuclear waste must remain on site for three hundred years. And I hope others will also refuse to accept it. Let’s pay whatever it takes and get those materials away from this population center. If we don’t, our children and their children’s children will never have real security.

Darius Degher is a Leucadia resident.

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INDEPENDENT FREE PAPERS OF AMERICA

Maybe it’s time to stop the steady stream of handwringing over how poorly America’s schoolkids, and California’s in particular, perform in subjects like math and science and realize they are actually doing OK, even if there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

That’s the takeaway from 2011 test scores in the Trends in International Math and Science Study (TIMS), an exam given by some states and 46 other countries and provinces.The 2011 results, latest available, were released earlier this fall. (Because only nine states administered the actual TIMS tests, researchers at the National Center for Education Statistics used data from other tests to compare.)

They show American public school students have some way to go in catching up with students in several other countries, but are far ahead of students in many others.

Yes, American kids trail those in Korea,Taiwan, Japan, Israel, Russia and Finland, but they are above average and ahead of their counterparts in England, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden and

sure. It leaves out kids who will go on to found businesses like Google and the internet real estate firm Zillow, for just two examples of international companies founded by people who attended private elementary or high schools in California.

Meanwhile, the profusion of English learners in California public schools, almost all children of parents who can’t come close to affording private school tuition, drags California scores down.These are not dumb kids, but studies have shown repeatedly that children taking time-limited tests are at a disadvantage if the tests are administered in languages other than what they speak at home.

More than one-third of California kids taking the TIMSrelated tests speak a language other than English at home. State Department of Education figures from 2011, the year of the TIMS comparisons: 1,441,387 California public school students were classified as English learners (23.2 percent of all pupils) and 2,325,748 spoke a language other than English at home (37.4 percent of all pupils).

Considering which students are skimmed from the top before California kids even take these

These are not dumb kids, but studies have shown repeatedly that children taking time-limited tests are at a disadvantage...

Thailand, to name just a few. (http://nces.ed.gov/timss/) California public schoolers are just a tad behind the American average, trailing England and New Zealand, but ahead of Sweden, Norway, Ukraine,Turkey and Chile, to name a few, on the tests given to kids in the fourth and eighth grades.

Two factors make the California scores seem lower than they probably should: The huge number of English learners in this state’s schools and the large percentage of California kids attending private and parochial schools.

English learners are at a disadvantage when taking tests administered in English — and 23.2 percent of California public school students in 2011 were English learners — while many nonpublic schools don’t bother with some standardized tests, often administering only the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam.

Fully 8.7 percent of all California school kids attend nonpublic schools, where tuition can range above $30,000. That means results of the state’s standardized testing often don’t include the children of the state’s wealthiest and best-educated adults. This skews average test scores downward sharply, even if no one can say exactly how much.

Meanwhile, all kids in the other countries using the TIMS tests actually take them. So California’s score of 493 on TIMS, compared with an international average of 500, is misleading for

tests, while many thousands of others are at a great disadvantage, the California scores don’t look so bad.

Yes, they trail the numbers from Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maryland, Colorado and Connecticut, to name a few highperforming states that score well above the worldwide average, but those places have nowhere near as many English learners as California.

Meanwhile, states with almost as high a percentage of English learners — like Texas — scored below California.

All of which suggests that California public schools are doing some things right — to get a student populace with high proportions of immigrants’ kids who are not up to par in English performing almost at the international average is no mean feat.

At the same time, there’s plenty of work to do: Those English learners must be brought up to speed as quickly as possible so they can compete for jobs when they emerge from school.

But none of this suggests an academic doomsday is approaching, as many detractors of public education often imply.

Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough: The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Government’s Campaign to Squelch It," is now available in a soft cover fourth edition.

For more Elias columns, visit californiafocus.net

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013

Man protesting school yoga program Rancho Santa Fe Rotary supports MiraCosta

By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — A local man has been staging protests at Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) campuses, holding signs that urge parents to opt their children out of the district’s yoga program.

Reports of Encinitas resident Craig Nordal picketing EUSD schools surfaced last week. Carrying signs with messages like “Protect your children,” he’s been to at least five of EUSD’s nine campuses so far.

When reached over the phone on Tuesday, Nordal declined to comment on the article.

On Oct. 28, Nordal sent an email addressed to three EUSD school board trustees stating, “Yoga is without any question anti-Christ.”

The email goes on to say: “I know that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be holding to account anyone who is held responsible for leading innocent children astray! It is certain that this yoga program is absolutely doing that!”

Soon after EUSD launched its yoga program last year, a group of parents took issue with it, arguing that yoga forwards Hinduism and is unconstitutional.

A lawsuit followed, and a judge ruled this summer that EUSD yoga promotes fitness and mental wellness, not any kind of religious doctrine.

Dean Broyles, who brought the initial lawsuit, filed an appeal of the ruling two weeks ago.

Broyles said that he isn’t “encouraging or discouraging” the protests.

“I am not involved in the protests, so I don’t really have much to say except that

Craig Nordal holds signs reading, “Protect your children” and “Opt out of yoga” at Capri Elementary School to protest the Encinitas Union School District yoga program. Drawing concerns from parents, he’s been to at least five of the district’s campuses so far. Photo courtesy of EUSD parent

it appears that said gentleman is engaged in expressive activity explicitly protected by the First Amendment,” Broyles said.

“While one may or may not agree with his message, he has the constitutional right to express it publicly and he appears to be doing so in a respectful and appropriate manner.”

EUSD Superintendent Tim Baird said that parents and principals at the schools have complained about Nordal’s protests.

The protests have been taking place in the mornings around the time parents are dropping their children off.

“He has his First

Amendment right to be out there, but I’m not sure if he needs to be in front of the children,” Baird said.

Baird said he’s heard of “verbal exchanges” happening between Nordal and frustrated parents, including a dispute that briefly held up traffic. But at this time, Baird doesn’t believe Nordal poses any security risk.

Baird added he was told Nordal is a grandparent of a child in the district, though he couldn’t confirm that.

Dave Peck, who represented EUSD families in the yoga lawsuit, noted a “couple dozen parents” have reached out to him to express their disapproval

with the protests.

Peck said Nordal has a legal right to stand in front of the campuses, but called it “fanning the flames of controversy.” He added that it would be more appropriate for Nordal to make his dissatisfaction known at school board meetings.

He added that those against yoga had their day in court this summer, and the debate will continue to play out during the appeal process.

“The court system remains the appropriate venue for this debate,” Peck said. “To stir the pot at school campuses, in front of children, is the height of irresponsibility.”

Partnerships key to luring education sites to city

By Rachel Stine

CARLSBAD — If the City Council is going to have any luck attracting a higher education institute to the city, and bring in all of the economic advantages that go with it, it will largely depend on the partnerships of local businesses.

Council has considered bringing a local branch of an existing college or university to the area as a producer of the educated workforce that Carlsbad companies seek.

The idea was first mentioned in one of its citywide goals workshops back in 2012.

“Obviously we’re starting down a path where we’re taking small steps.

What I’m hearing is that this is going to be a path of collaboration,” said Mayor Matt Hall.

He and the rest of the Council received a presentation from hired consultants at their Nov. 12 meeting about the feasibility of bringing in an institution to the city.

All present agreed that there is a need for a graduate level, higher education or research institute to pro-

vide the engineers, software engineers, programmers, MBAs and the like for the city’s hub of technology

What I’m hearing is that this is going to be a path of collaboration.”

Matt Hall Mayor,Carlsbad

and biotech companies.

While encouraging, the consultants emphasized the extensive amount of challenges and work necessary to recruit a higher education institute.

For one, the city needs to market itself as a desirable location for such an institution, according to the consultants.

This is a challenge given that many around the country have not heard of the city.

“Outside of California,

most people haven’t heard of Carlsbad except for as the site of Legoland,” said Steve Jacobs of consulting firm K. Backus & Associates.

“They don’t understand what a valuable business region we are,” added Carlsbad’s Community and Economic Director Kathy Dodson.

With universities looking towards online expansion rather than physical expansion, there aren’t as many higher education institutions that are looking to establish the types of satellite campuses Carlsbad is hoping to draw, according to Jacobs.

The consultants stressed the city’s need to leverage industry contacts and offerings to overcome these challenges.

“I mentioned Carlsbad not being known outside of San Diego, but a lot of your companies are,” Jacobs explained.

He said that offering partnerships with Carlsbad’s big name companies would heighten the city’s value.

But because universities are, “in the business to

lose money,” the city would still need to lure potentials with free land, facilities, and/or other cost-saving incentives, said Kathy Backus of K. Backus & Associates.

“I can’t stress how important it is for you as city council and business leaders to be at the front of this initiative,” Backus said.

The consultants advised the city to approach its industry leaders about prospective contributions, continue outreach to institutions and develop a request for expressions of interest for higher education institutes over the coming months to move forward.

RANCHO SANTA FE — As an experienced financial planner, Greg Grajek knows a lot about investing. He’s sold on MiraCosta College.

Grajek is the president of the Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe, which has donated several thousand dollars to the MiraCosta College Foundation this year for student scholarships and veterans’ services. He says giving to the nonprofit arm that raises money for the college is a no-brainer.

“Rotary is all about service above self,” he said, alluding to his organization’s motto. “We’re always looking for other groups and organizations that are applying the same idea in the community, and MiraCosta College is doing that.”

In fact, Rotary of Rancho Santa Fe this past spring donated $1,500 to help fund an ongoing need for emergency assistance for military veterans taking courses at the college where almost 2,800 students are in the military, are military dependents or are military veterans.

The service organization also donated funds to cover five $1,000 Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe Scholarships. In its grant application, the MiraCosta College Foundation noted that such scholarships play a key role in helping students afford the costs of a higher education.

“While tuition and fees for a California community college are significantly lower than those for a four-year college or university, these costs represent only a fraction of the total expenses involved in attending a community college, making the price of attendance a hardship for many,” Foundation members wrote. “Fiftyeight percent of MiraCosta students rely primarily on their own income and savings to pay for college.

Sixty-five percent of our students are employed, and 43 percent work more than 20 hours per week.”

Grajek is sold for

another reason. Half of the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club’s members have children who are either enrolled at MiraCosta College, or who have been enrolled in the past.

“We have a direct connection,” Grajek said.

“And especially when you consider what they’re doing to help the Marines and what they’re doing to help our servicemen and women, we feel honored to contribute.”

MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus is just west of the village of Rancho Santa Fe. And the campus is quickly transforming into a leading transfer-based institution.

“Our students are local, our students are young and our students want to transfer to a fouryear college or university,” said Dana Smith, the San Elijo Campus Instructional Dean.

Grajek, a graduate of Michigan State University, says he sometimes wonders why more people don’t start their higher education journey at the community college level. “I see parents everyday struggling to pay these $30,000, $40,000 tuitions,” he said.

“There’s no reason to do that, really, when you have an institution like MiraCosta College right up the road.”

“A $1,000 donation to a big university won’t even pay for a parking pass for a year. A $1,000 donation to MiraCosta College is going to go a long way toward paying someone’s tuition for a year. You’re impacting lives,” Grajek said.

@TheRSFNews

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NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Library has new programs, holiday fun

Animal center invites you to holiday shop RANCHO SANTA FE — Orphaned Objects and Paws at the Ranch have winter-seasonal items ready for the holidays.

Since Orphaned Objects opened its doors last August, the resale store on Helen Woodward Animal Center grounds has been buzzing with treasure seekers eager to peruse the shop’s constant influx of gentlyused furnishings, home décor, books for adults and children, exclusive brand sporting goods, and designer shoes and clothing.

Donations from the Ranch and beyond provide a steady stream of items at prices suited to any budget. The holidays are here and seasonal cards, decorations and gift items are coming in daily.

Only steps away, Paws in the Ranch welcomes animal-loving visitors to the re-opening of the Center’s pet supply store. With a renewed focus on the local community, the store has a new look and is stacked to the rafters with boutique pet items, including collars and leashes by Up Country, pet toys by Hugglehounds,

Lulubelles, PetLou and Blue Buffalo’s dog and cat food. Paws in the Ranch also offers a selection of fresh-baked pet treats from Three Dog Bakery.

“We see so many familiar faces from the local community on a regular basis,” said Paws in the Ranch Manager Megan McCarty. “We love being our adopters’ first-stop shop for supplies for their new babies, but we want to make sure our shelves are full of the types of items our local community picks up on a regular basis too. We know that our visitors like the convenient location and the fact that their shopping supports our orphan pets and programs.”

For information on Helen Woodward Animal Center’s retail stores, Orphaned Objects and Paws in the Ranch, click on animalcenter.org, call (858) 756-4117 or stop by Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe. The Orphaned Objects Resale Store is next to Club Pet on the Center grounds and Paws in the Ranch is in the Adoption building a few feet away.

A paper bag, which would cost 10 cents under a draft bag ban, holds groceries. The city opted to develop a plastic bag ban ordinance, instead of waiting to see what happens at the state level. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

City moves forward with local plastic bag ban ordinance

By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — The City Council opted last week to place the fate of a plastic bag ban in local hands, rather than those of state legislators.

With council members Mark Muir and Kristin Gaspar opposed, the council voted 3-2 to direct staff to develop a citywide plastic bag ordinance. The ordinance will go in front of the council for an up or down vote sometime next year.

A week earlier, the City Council approved a resolution supporting legislation for a statewide ban.

Authored by Sen. Alex

Padilla, the lawmaker intends to introduce the bill in January 2014.

But Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer said that she’s not as optimistic as most are that Padilla’s legislation will pass, making a local ordinance important. But in the event the statewide bill is adopted, Encinitas would likely abandon its own ordinance before city staff members have the chance to dedicate time and money to it.

“I think it’s in the interest of the environment, which can’t wait until the state gets its act together,” Shaffer said.

Gaspar said she’s in favor of the statewide ban route, because it puts cities on an even playing field and doesn’t pit “community versus community.” Once the California legislature votes on the ban, Encinitas should proceed from there, she added.

“For me, timing is of the essence here,” Gaspar said. “I’d like to see how Padilla’s bill plays out, and then consider whether an ordinance is appropriate for Encinitas.”

Muir raised concerns that the city might have to TURN TO BAG BAN ON A18

RANCHO SANTA FE — The Rancho Santa Fe Library staff is excited to announce two new regular weekly programs in December and lots of special activities for the holidays.

New this month is an Early Literacy Storytime on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. starting Dec. 11. Also new is the Drop-in Make-and-Take Crafts on Saturdays all day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Some of December’s special programs include: — Love on a Leash Read to therapy dogs and build reading confidence, at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2.

— Trim-a-Tree craft Make one ornament for your tree and one for ours to help us decorate a tree to raffle off at the annual Christmas Tea, at 3:30 p.m. Dec.5.

— Gingerbread Man craft - Join us after school at 3:30 p.m. Dec.12.

— Rancho Santa Fe Library Guild’s annual Christmas Tea. An afternoon of carols, treats, and fun to raise money for the Guild from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Dec.13 — Kwanzaa celebration.

Celebrate and learn about the traditions of Kwanzaa with special guest Josiah, at 3:30 p.m. Dec.19.

And don’t forget Toddler Storytime on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and Preschool Storytime on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

NOV. 29, 2013

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Carlsbad resident Gus Calderon was the man holding the controls of the Volantis, a remote-controlled flying machine that propelled pop singer Lady Gaga into the air for a short flight. The project, Gaga later said, is meant to inspire young people. Photo courtesy of Gus Calderon

focused. I was really, really impressed by meeting her. It was just an incredible experience.”

Calderon said he came away from all of this, “inspired.”

“I think one of the takeaways is that she could have gone to some major corporation,” he said.“But she wanted described at the event as a flight,” he said. “And she was to show that somewhat regular “flying dress.”The Volantis has just so determined and people can pull together when a platform, which Gaga stood on, and a white fiberglass bodice of a female figure that she stood behind. Batteries powered six rotors to create the craft’s lift.

Calderon had to sign a non-disclosure agreement and couldn’t talk about any of it with friends or family until the day of the event.

That was all the way back in July, when he was contacted by a friend of his, Mike Henning about getting involved.

Still he wouldn’t talk a whole lot more on the project, citing that work on the Volantis is still going on. He could only describe the Volantis as a very “unusual” machine because of its weight.

“And it weighs a lot,” he said.

With a week’s worth of flight training, practicing and training for the event, he still had plenty of reservations about actually flying the machine during the event.

Flying in those conditions, even though it was indoors, it was cold, and that was affecting the batteries, he said.

But talking with Gaga before the event, he was impressed by what she had to say, adding that she was “definitely the most inspirational person I perhaps have ever met.”

You really don’t get to know people like that by looking at photos or reading quotes in the media, he said.

Besides the flight, Calderon said he and the 27year-old singer talked about the challenges she’s overcome and about some of the risks she’s taken.

“We went ahead with the

The man who flew Lady Gaga

By Tony Cagala

CARLSBAD — For just under a minute, in front of a multitude of cameras and reporters, Gus Calderon literally held the fate of Lady Gaga in his hands.

Standing a few yards away, Calderon, a Carlsbad resident, was the first-ever to fly the pop singer on the Volantis, a remote controlled flying vehicle, on Nov. 10 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York.

The occasion, in part, was the release of Gaga’s new album “ARTPOP.” But it was more than a stunt, said Calderon, a former commercial pilot and who founded Isis Copter, a remotecontrolled aerial photography company.

The Associated Press reported from the event that Gaga wanted to make today about something even more important to her, and that something is the youth of the world.

“She wants it (the Volantis) to be a message about inspiring the youth,” Calderon said. “She wants to convey to the public that they should not feel that they’re blocked by ivory towers or corporate walls, that there are ways to get your ideas out there and she supports that.”

Having been passionate about flying since he was a kid, Calderon has been building and flying remote-piloted vehicles for more than 35 years, but never anything this large, he said. “It handles, obviously, in a different manner, but it is actually quite stable because of its size; it’s a remarkable machine.”

While details of the machine are still being held under lock and key, it was

they’re challenged with something like this that may seem impossible. And they could actually do that.

“A lot of people said, ‘Oh, it’s impossible,’ ‘It’s crazy, it’s not going to happen,’ and so she proved she was right. That if you really put your mind to something you can accomplish incredible things,” he added.

He knows a little something about that as well.

Earlier this year, Calderon and his wife filmed a documentary about unmanned aerial vehicles.

While controversy surrounds how they’re used militarily, he noted the good ways in which they could be used, too.

The film, “Civilian Drones — Search and Rescue,” can be seen for free on civiliandronesmovie.com.

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NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

How to rabbit-proof your lawn KENT HORNER Local Roots We are so lucky to live here in North County, with the perfect weather, the dry climate and the even temperatures.

We often forget about the fact that many wild creatures are enjoying the same locales that we have developed and share our water and subsequent food sources daily.

Many clients of mine who live near dedicated open space complain about their lawns having large brown areas that just won’t go away even with continuous watering.

Sometimes during summer, this can be due to a grass fungus but usually upon close examination, I find small round droppings down in between what is left of the grass in these areas.

Rabbits are the culprits in this case. They love to feed on tender lawn shoots and mark their space or their feeding area chemically with urine and feces, returning either late in the evening or early in the morning each day to enjoy your lawn.

There are several expensive ways to eliminate them but each solu-

tion is far from fool proof and never 100 percent effective.

Fencing can work around the entire perimeter but it must go underground for at least a foot into the soils for it to be effective. Remember, rabbits are a burrowing and chewing animal as well and can dig under a rotted fence quite easily.

A good wire mesh about 2 to 3 feet high will do the trick even where your fencing is open steel picket.

For those deathly afraid of snakes, this mesh will also help prevent them from entering your yard.

A good suggestion for making your galvanized wire mesh disappear even up against a steel picket fence is to simply spray it with a flat black can of Rustolium Spray Paint.

You can do almost 100 feet of fencing with one can very quickly if you aim the spray vertically downward at an angle from the top of the mesh.

Poison is impractical for most families with pets and small children and I only recommend it for underground varmints like gophers, ground squirrels and voles where it can’t be accessed unintentionally by top dwellers.

Some products that are less harmful to the environment are very creative and use coyote urine, high pitch sound, vibration, or

cayenne pepper to deter the rabbits from returning to the same lawn locations.

Most of these products don’t work or will work for only a short duration.

Typically they will not last in the environment and if they do, the rabbits will move on to a greener spot in the lawn as a result.

I have found that a regular flooding of the affected lawn areas with water in the evening and in the morning with a garden hose can bring the lawn back to health.

Within a week the rabbits’ chemical markers will also be washed away. This will give your lawn a better chance to recover.

Pellet guns and traps can work for the short haul and you may like being the great hunter, but then again there is the issue of legality, humanity and the danger to your neighbors.

A simple great solution for rabbit prevention is to have an outside dog or kitty. Believe it or not, I have seen these outside hunters take down jack rabbits leaving a whole leg on the back doorstep for me to admire.

Even better, most rabbits won’t come into a yard where there is a fast dog; but then again, you have to train your pet not to pee on the healthy grass or you’ll be back to square one.

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CASA SUPPORTERS San Diego Chargers players Mike Scifres, left, and Jarret Johnson were among the supporters of the Casa de Amparo’s 15th Annual Crystal Ball Gala Oct. 26, at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe. The evening raised $300,000. Since 1978, Casa de Amparo (Home of Protection) has treated and prevented child abuse and neglect in San Diego County. The non-profit organization annually serves 1,300 Casa Kids, from prenatal to 24 years old, as well as 700 families, through six programs that promote healing, growth, and healthy relationships. Courtesy photo

Diller teen awars looking for noteworthy nominees COAST CITIES — The Helen Diller Family Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2014 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, a $36,000 grant for Jewish teens who are committed to volunteer service and offer exceptional leadership and visionary actions that are helping to repair the world.

Teens may be nominated by any community member who knows the value of their project — except a family member — or teens

can also self-nominate via a simple form at dillerteenawards.org.

Up to five teens from California will be selected.

Deadline for nominations is Jan. 5, 2014.

Past recipients of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards have created a wide range of projects supporting various causes, including providing clean drinking water to third world countries, teen-based Web sites that provide tools and

resources for youth to pursue their own community service projects and educational nonprofits that help those living with Autism and Alzheimer’s.

“Today’s teens are tomorrow’s leaders. It is our hope that this award will recognize some outstanding young people who are already helping to repair the world,” said Helen Diller, president of the sponsoring foundation.

By celebrating Jewish teens committed to social action in innovative ways, we hope to inspire many more young people to follow their example.”

Qualifications for nomination include: — Each candidate must be a U.S. resident aged 13 to 19 years old at the time of nomination, and must self-identify as Jewish.

— Community service projects may benefit the general or Jewish community, locally, nationally or worldwide.

— Teens compensated for their services are not eligible.

For more information, you can email dillerteenawards@sfjcf.org or call (415) 512-6432.

NOV. 29, 2013

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Surveillance radar remains operational

By Rachel Stine

CARLSBAD — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations Center (AMOC) has continued the operation of a surveillance radar on Ponto Beach indefinitely.

Intended as a tool to thwart maritime smuggling along the coast, the TERMA radar was installed on the Carlsbad beach in late August initially on a 60-day trial.

But due to scheduling conflicts, the radar has been left at the site and continues to be operational, according to CBP spokesperson Ralph DeSio. He would not specify when AMOC will cease to use the radar, and stated that operations will stop whenever the radar is removed.

Part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Coastal Surveillance System, the radar can detect vessels of all sizes within a parameter of over 15 miles from the coast.

The device radiates about 200 watts of energy that bounces off of objects in the water and air. It sends information about the objects detected to AMOC, a CBP law enforcement operations and domain awareness center in Riverside.

AMOC experts analyze the data from the radar to identify and locate the object, and then notify local officials of potential smuggling attempts and other security threats.

While officials have declined to provide information about the radar’s performance, they say the device has exceeded expectations.

Resident Chris Taylor,

tion thing for the public or chance to comment,” he said.

“I’m just curious what the health impacts are.”

AMOC spokesperson Tina Pendell assured that the radar does not expose residents to any health risks, and compared the device to two 100-watt light bulbs being placed on the beach.

AMOC selected Carlsbad because logistically A radar installed on Ponto Beach several months ago still remains in it was the easiest location to operation. It was initially meant to operate on a 60-day trail basis.

Courtesy photo

who lives up the street from to the public about the radar.

“One day that thing the radar with his family, has expressed concerns about the appears. It doesn’t seem like lack of information released there was any kind of educa-

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install the device on short notice with help from the State Parks and Recreation Department, according to Keith Jones, AMOC Director of Operations.

Residents who would like to submit comments about the radar can contact Pendell at tina.pendell@dhs.gov or by calling (951) 656-8037.

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On this day, consumers are asked to shop at independent retailers and other small businesses, especially those that carry goods made in the U.S. On Nov. 30, keep your money here in North County as you “Shop Local, Save Local” which directly impacts the local economy and small business merchant and buyer.

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

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NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

A RTS &ENTERTAINMENT

Send your arts & entertainment news to arts@thecoastnews.com

Disney’s magic is in full display with ‘Frozen’

By Noah S. Lee

Beautiful animation, engaging characterizations, excellent voice acting, and melodious music make “Frozen” a memorable, poignant treat for the whole family.

The kingdom of Arendelle has two princesses: Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel), the latter of whom can create ice and snow. However, Elsa has been suppressing her cryokinetic abilities due to her sister nearly getting killed once.

On the day of her coronation, she loses control of her powers and flees into the mountains; unfortunately, her emotions blanket the kingdom in a never-ending winter.As a result,people now see her as a monster.

Anna, the fearless optimist, doesn’t believe her sister is anything but a good person, so she must journey through the freezing landscape with mountain man Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and his reindeer sidekick Sven, as well as the comical snowman Olaf (Josh Gad), to set things right. The question is: can Anna save Arendelle from this winter and find Elsa? To make matters worse, Elsa fears no one, not even her sister, can do anything to help her.

The story, which is loosely inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen,” has that magical Disney depth I haven’t felt since the 1990s, and I was hooked from beginning to end. I never lost interest in the drastic measures Anna took or the tribulations Elsa faced. Every event throughout this epic quest falls into place at the right moment, taking the audience on a compelling journey they’ll not soon forget.

When it comes to the animation, “Frozen” achieves a perfect score in my book.The anima-

From left: Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven the reindeer in Disney’s “Frozen.” Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

tors render the various characters and environments — fjords,mountains,glaciers,and forrests — with such immaculate detail, rivaling Pixar’s best efforts. In the case of Elsa’s cold powers, “impressive” doesn’t even begin to describe the spectacular nature of the ice and snow that she creates; if anything, I think “incredible” would be more accurate.

And don’t get me started on the music, which is nothing short of marvelous. Christophe Beck’s score, along with Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez’s catchy songs, deliver on its promise to not only drive home the adventure that Anna and her allies undertake, but also bring the emotional fear growing in Elsa’s heart into sharper focus.

Bell, Groff, and Gad handle their singing parts well,but it’s Menzel who takes the cake; it’s impossible not to be blown away by “Let It Go,” which showcases the Tony Award-winning actress’s powerful belting technique.

Oh, and by the way, I wouldn’t be surprised, much less embarrassed, if those musical num-

bers reach the children’s ears and, before you know it, their vocal cords. After all, I have fond memories of singing to tunes like that when I was their age.

Animation and music aside, what really makes “Frozen” so memorable is that it creates characters we can relate to and, therefore, want to see what’ll become of them.

The relationship between Anna and Elsa is as genuine as I’ve seen in a live-action setting, and watching those themes of family and love versus isolation and fear touched my heart in more ways than one.

It was also refreshing to see Kristoff undergo a transformation from a regular guy to a hero with a purpose. And boy, Olaf’s dreams of finding warmth have just made my appreciation of snowmen even greater. But to have your animated characters come to life, you need a top-notch voice cast to pull off such a feat, and “Frozen” does just that.

Kristen Bell earns top marks for instilling a spirited sensibility in the clumsy yet well-mean-

ing Anna. Idina Menzel brings a graceful vulnerability to Elsa, the Snow Queen, combining her fear of losing control with her desire to be free to create a layered character for the ages.

Jonathan Groff rises to the challenge of making Kristoff both a normal person and a hero, and succeeds. Josh Gad is downright funny in his role of Olaf the Snowman,whose sense of humor indicates a heart that doesn’t physically exist.

Take your folks and friends to see “Frozen” once it arrives in theaters, if only to appreciate what it means to love and be part of a family, as well as experiencing that timeless Disney magic once more.

MPAA rating: PG for some action and mild rude humor.

Running time: 1 hour and 48 minutes Playing: In general release

A RTS &ENTERTAINMENT

Send your arts & entertainment news to arts@thecoastnews.com

Holiday Bazaar promises an array of artistic gifts

Riding waves, writing a book and dating

KAY COLVIN A Brush With Art

Tara Brouwer, co-author of the book, “Everything I Know About Dating I Learned From Surfing,” uses tenets from surfing and incorporates them into her dating life. Courtesy photos

Two local surfers find a connection between learning how to surf and how to date

San Dieguito Art Guild presents its third annual Holiday Bazaar Nov. 30 at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center.

While providing artists a venue to present their work directly to the public, the event offers the public an opportunity to view more work of Guild artists typically limited by the compact space of SDAG’s Off Track Gallery located in the Lumberyard Shopping Center in Encinitas. All of the 30 artists participating in the Holiday Bazaar are members of SDAG and selected for this event by the Guild’s jury committee.

The San Dieguito Art Guild, an over-200 member all-volunteer nonprofit organization, serves the community by offering frequent art workshops and demonstrations conducted by professional artists. Guild members are actively engaged in performing tasks necessary for the organization to continue its successful operation.

SDAG was organized in 1965 by a group of 12 artists for the purpose of promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the fine arts in the coastal North County cities from Del Mar to Leucadia. Although the physical location of SDAG’s gallery has changed many times through its history, the Guild has maintained the essence of its original mission.

For 19 years the extremely popular Mother’s Day Weekend Art and Garden Tour, SDAG’s largest

By Tony Cagala

When it comes to dating, there are plenty of fish in the sea, they say — surfers, too, for that matter.

And for two North County women who’ve found a parallel between surfing and dating that’s a good thing.

Authors Nancy Spooner Bsharah and Tara Brouwer teamed up to put their findings into a new book, “Everything I Know About Dating I Learned From Surfing,” ($24.95, surfdatebook.com).

Two years ago, following a surf session, Bsharah and Brouwer started talking over the idea for a possible book on how advice on surfing corresponded to dating advice.

For the past few years that Bsharah had been surfing, she’d been keeping a journal of quotes that she picked up from her surf lessons.

The book would become a personal project for the two, and with some help from a kickstarter campaign, after two years in the works, the book was completed.

It features some 22 quotes

ARTS

CALENDAR Got an item for Arts calendar?

Send the details via email to calendar@coastnewsgroup.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR ‘A Wonderful Life’ Enjoy the presentation of “It’s a Wonderful Life, the Musical,” Dec. 13 through Dec. 15 at the Rancho Santa Fe Village Church Community Theater, 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe. For tickets or information, call (858) 756-2441, ext. 128 or visit villagechurchc o m mu n i t y t h e a t e r. o rg .

Preferred Reserved seating is $15. General $10 and $5 for children under 12.

Sugarplum fairy Tickets are available for the Encinitas

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013

Nancy Spooner Bsharah is the coauthor of “Everything I Know About Dating I Learned From Surfing.” She found that some of the advice she received while learning to surf was similar to dating advice.

accompanied by their personal dating stories.

With Bsharah now married, Brouwer continues to date, experiencing all kinds of dating situations, where, from time to time, certain quotes from the book will come to her TURN TO SURFERS ON A19

Grace Swanson displaying her artistic gourds at the 2012 holiday art fair. Image courtesy of Gaga Barnes

704 Pier View Way, Oceanside. Pianist Danny Green and guitarist Dusty Brough present a night of original music plus appetizers, desserts and specialty wines throughout the evening with room to dance.

Admission is $30. Visit omaNov. 30 online.org or call (760) 435Seaside celebration 3721 or get tickets at the door Celebrate the holiday at the based on availability. child-friendly Artist Gathering from 9 a.m. to 5 Dec. 1 Artful visions Coastal p.m. Nov. 30 with balloon artist, face-painting, Henna Artists will exhibit in Artful body art, paintings, sculpture, Visions from Dec. 1 through mixed media, live jazz, DJs, Dec. 31 at La Vida Del Mar, live painting, food and more 850 Del Mar Downs Road, at Seaside Bazaar, 459 S. Solana Beach. An opening Coast Highway 101, reception will be held from Encinitas.

4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6. The Jazz at the museum The exhibit is free and open to the Danny Green/Dusty Brough public daily from 11 a.m. to 5 Project will perform from 7 to p.m. For more information 9 p.m. Nov. 30, at the call (858) 755-1224 or visit Oceanside Museum of Art, coastal-artists.org and srgse-

Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Center, 3557 Monroe St, Carlsbad. Tickets ar $25, $20 and $15 on line at EncinitasBallet.com or call (760) 632-4947.

niorliving.com.

Hawaiian Christmas The Encinitas Library presents The Moonlight Beach Serenaders, with musicians and hula dancers presenting a Hawaiian-style Christmas concert from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 1, at 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas. For more information, call (760) 753-7376.

Dec. 2 ‘Had to be you’ Carlsbad Playreaders presents “It Had to Be You” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, with Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor at Carlsbad City Library’s Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane.

Suggested donations are $5 for adults and $1 for students.

For more information, visit carlsbadplayreaders.org or call (760) 602-2012.

TURN TO ARTS CALENDAR ON A19

annual fundraiser, has helped support the operations of the Off Track Gallery and art programs that benefit the community.

The 2013 event planning committee, which consists of three SDAG members working tirelessly to prepare for the Bazaar, include watercolor and jewelry artist Linda Melvin, currently serving as Off Track Gallery manager; ceramicist Karen Fidel, the Guild’s membership chair; and fused glass artist Carol Korfin, SDAG’s web mistress.

Gourd artist Grace Swanson, event organizer for the past two SDAG holiday art sales, serves as advisor for this year’s Bazaar. She states, “This event gives local artists a venue to offer their handmade items to the public and gives the shoppers a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind artworks which cannot be found in the malls. In addition, the buyer is purchasing work directly from the artist and can meet them face to face.”

TURN TO BRUSH WITH ART ON A19

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NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

S PORTS

Contact us at sports@coastnewsgroup.com with story ideas, photos or suggestions

Swimmer makes splash with walking efforts

By Rachel Stine

CARLSBAD — After another 3-hour work out, Paralympic swimmer Victoria Arlen was hoisted off of a work out table and strapped tightly into a black walker. The 19-yearold was held in a standing position by the massive device, and her hot pink wheelchair was left aside.

In her month-and-a-half of training at Project Walk, Arlen had never done an exercise before that put so much of her body weight on her legs. She waited quietly as her trainers got into position, and her mom watched intently.

Then slowly, Arlen inched forward. Her trainer moved her feet with each step and adjusted her legs into place with the movement. Arlen concentrated on figuring out where her legs were and how they were moving.

Her mom, recording the event on her cell phone, whispered, “Amazing,” and began to cry.

Just months before, the committee in charge of the Paralympics had banned Arlen from swimming in top world competitions for exactly what she was trying to do at Project Walk —

walk.

In August, Arlen was preparing to compete in the IPC Swimming World Championships in Montreal with Team USA. She had already made headlines when she broke world records swimming 100-meter and 400-meter freestyle during the 2012 Paralympic Games.

But three days before the Montreal competition, the IPC Swimming authorities deemed Arlen ineligible to compete for not proving that she had a permanent physical impairment.

The ruling came despite the fact that Arlen had been paralyzed from the waist down for the past seven years.

Arlen said that the IPC made their ruling because a doctor had noted in one of her medical records that there is a chance with unforeseeable medical advancements and hard work that she might be able to walk again in the future.

“It’s just unfortunate that I was penalized because I had hope,” she said.

When Arlen was 11 years old, she became sick and in time her illness left her fully paralyzed and in a

vegetative state for three years. Doctors eventually determined that Arlen had a neurological disorder, called transverse myelitis, which damaged her spinal cord in two places and a portion of her brain.

She had swum before becoming sick and as she began to recover, her two brothers decided to remind her of that.

“They unhooked my feeding tube, put a life jacket on, carried me out and just jumped in with me,” she recalled.

Her brothers began taking her into the pool every day to help her regain movement and remind her of her love of swimming.

Once Arlen was able to move parts of her upper body again, swimming turned from physical therapy into her passion.

“You can’t take me out of the water, it’s one place where I can go get out of my chair and just be free,” she said.

She has not given up hope that the IPC will reverse its ruling and allow her to compete again. She said that the committee is currently working with her and her family on rectifying the situation.

She had continued her swimming training to stay in shape and maintain her competitive edge for when she is permitted to rejoin Team USA. But in the mean time, Arlen has turned to Project Walk in Carlsbad to start working towards her dream of one day being able to walk again.

Project Walk offers programs for helping people with spinal cord injuries work towards regaining movement below their level of injury with intense physical therapy.

No one at the organization promises that every client will be able to walk again, but they subscribe to the thinking that despite a major injury, physical limitations are not set in stone and activity-based recovery is the key to unlocking potential physical improvements.

Arlen joined Project Walk in early October, and has completed 3-hour training sessions almost daily since then. When she returns to her home in New Hampshire before Thanksgiving, she will continue her program remotely and Skype with her Victoria Arlen stands with support from her Project Walk trainer Jillienne TURN TO SWIMMER ON A18

Feathers. The Paralympic swimmer has pushed to strengthen her lower body despite her spinal cord injury. Photo by Rachel Stine

Passion for the game propels volleyball player

By Tony Cagala

CARLSBAD — Chances are that before she faces her next opponent, Kamden Maas has already been sizing them up.

And chances are greater still that she’s found out what their weaknesses are, and has figured out how to exploit them before any ball flies over the net.

Her eye for the game of volleyball has come from several years of playing the sport, whether indoors, or on grass, or on the beach.

Maas, 16, credits a fifth grade volleyball class on the blacktop of her then-school for her initial introduction to the game.

It wasn’t long after middle school that she moved to the indoor courts and started play-

ing competitively.

Since then, Maas has become an accomplished player, racking up several notable achievements.

Just this summer alone, Maas, a junior at Carlsbad High School, earned a top spot with the CBVA (California Beach Volleyball Association), having amassed more than 1,500 points.

She also made the USA Junior National Team (19-U).

Over the years, Maas has received some volleyball training, including from former professional beach and indoor volleyball player Liz Masakayan.

“I think she gets the game, and she gets what she needs to do,” Masakayan said.

As Maas describes it, one of the first things she looks for when facing an opponent is

At 16 years old, Kamden Maas has a passion for the sport of volleyball that most teens her age don’t have.

Courtesy photo

how they handle the elements.

Some of the players, she said, have really big problems with the sun or the wind.

“And then second, I like to see if they have a consistent thing they do all the time that you can be ready for,” Maas added.

That includes how and where they might serve, angles of attack and which of the opponents has the bigger temperament, which can lead to them playing horribly if they

get too upset, she explained.

Once she spots that, Mass added, she’ll focus on that player.

Masakayan said that Maas brings an almost coaching-like mentality to her game.

It was something, she said, that was always important to Maas. “I know at that age, I wasn’t like that.I mean you had a coach, they told you what to do, and you did it.”

But it’s also that the girl loves to play, Masakayan said,

that attributes to Maas’ successes so far. “That’s a huge start with most people her age,” she said.

At 5-feet, 6-inches tall, Mass said it’s her leadership, not necessarily her power, that’s her biggest asset, while on the court.

“I can definitely put pace on the ball when I hit,”she said.

“But it’s not enough to make someone fall down…I have a really big personality.

“Whenever I step on the

court it’s...like I’m playing other teams. I like to take control of everything and I talk a lot. So sometimes I irritate players.”

During the summer, if she isn’t practicing or in a tournament,she’ll be at the Moonlight Beach volleyball courts where she can join in a pickup game.

The men’s courts, which are almost always in use, are one of Maas’ favorite spots, and also, she said, definitely a challenge.

“You learn different stuff with different types of players you play with,” she said.

“So I don’t like always playing with girls my age because then you just learn the same things over and over again. If you play with college people or even people that were pros…they teach you so many different things.”

And Maas isn’t done learning.

“I am going to college and I am going to play beach volleyball,” she said with certain definitiveness.

“I don’t want to throw away my education to play beach volleyball, but I’m going to play and travel on a college team for sure.”

For any aspirations to play professionally, Maas said it would be a dream, but she’ll see where it takes her, she said.

“At the end of college, if I still love the sport as much as I do, then I will; then I will continue on with it,” she added. she isn’t as enamored with the game, then she said she won’t pursue it. “I won’t force myself,” she said.

A15

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013

EDUCATIONAL O PPORTUNITIES

Are your children thriving in school?

■

Each student leaves as an independent, resourceful thinker with a lifelong love of learning.

At Del Mar Pines, we believe the elementary school years are the most formative of a child’s life. For thirty five years we’ve challenged the minds and engaged the ing. Come see for yourself the school experience can have hearts of our students by difference our elementary on your child’s life. encouraging a thirst for knowledge and an inquisitive spirit. Through a safe, nurtur- Celebrating 35 years ing environment, we provide • Kindergarten through sixth grades students the opportunity to • Small instructional groups led by master teachers express intellectual curiosity • Weekly instruction in music, art, physical education, and creative expression while computer science, library, Spanish and hands on science promoting strong interperson- • Integration of technology through the use of one-to-one al relationships. Our goal for iPads/Macbooks each student is to leave Del • Cultivation of individuality as well as a cooperative spirit Mar Pines School as an independent, resourceful thinker • Fostering a joy of learning with a lifelong love of learn- • Fully accredited by WASC

Avoid the flu this season: Tips for keeping your employees and business healthy

New program has EUSD students trace the journey of stormwater runoffs

By Jared Whitlock

(BPT) — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last year’s flu season began four weeks earlier than expected, resulting in the earliest flu season in a decade.

While the early arrival proved to be tough on families, it was especially difficult for small businesses and start-ups that rely on their staff to stay profitable and productive during the holidays and tax season.

The CDC estimates that each year the flu results in 75 million days of work absences and 200 million days of diminished productivity for businesses nationwide. Cumulatively, the flu costs businesses an estimated $6.2 billion in lost productivity each year, with small businesses proving to be no exception.

To keep your staff healthy and business booming, Sam's Club and the Sam’s Club Pharmacy offer the following tips to avoid catching the flu this season: E n c o u r a g e e m p l o ye e s t o g e t i m m u n i z ed Immunizations are a simple and effective way for adults and businesses to protect themselves from catching and spreading the flu. The CDC recommends getting an annual flu immunization as the first and most impor-

tant step in protecting yourself against the flu.

Get imm uniz ed earl y and persuade y our staff to do the same.

Encourage your staff to get immunized by taking them out for lunch and immunizations.

Fi n d a l o c a t i o n n e a r yo u t h a t a d m i n i s t e r s the flu shot.

Stop the spread of germs In addition to getting the flu immunization, simple daily measures can protect you and those around you from getting sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

Wash y o u r h a n d s r e g ularl y with soa p and w a r m w a t e r. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.

Sta y h o m e w h e n s i c k If you or a staff member begins to exhibit flu-like symptoms, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from spreading the flu and infecting others.

If you are sick with a flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

CARLSBAD — Fifth-graders at El Camino Creek Elementary were wiggling, gyrating and twisting inside a classroom.

The reason: it was perfectly sunny outside, and they figured a rain dance was in order.

Once precipitation falls for at least an hour during class times, they’ll grab their field equipment, head outside, huddle around stormwater circling drains and test for pollutants.

It’s all part of stormwater monitoring program, the first of its kind, that launched at El Camino Creek and La Costa Heights this fall, said Bill Dean, who heads the program.

By the spring, the students will have enough water samples to put together a plan with recommendations for managing campus stormwater. Then, they’ll present the plan to the Encinitas Union School District Board of Trustees at the end of the year.

“The whole class will be up there presenting information that the district can actually put into practice,” Dean said.

The fifth-graders got a crash course in the importance of monitoring stormwater during a field trip last month. It started when they hopped on a bus and followed the path stormwater takes from their respective campuses to an outfall at Batiquitos Lagoon.

By tracing the journey, they learned firsthand how stormwater infrastructure funnels runoff into creeks and rivers, and then to the ocean. During the process, industrial waste and other pollutants get caught in the runoff and can cause environmental damage.

The students also took samples at different stops during the field trip to measure for pollutants. From there, they took coolers with the samples to Encina Wastewater Authority. After a tour, scientists at the agency provided the kids with an overview of how professionals analyze water quality.

Kevin Hardy, general manager of Encina, said he hopes the lesson sparked an interest in science, and maybe a career or two in stormwater prevention.

“At the local and state level, there’s more interest in stormwater prevention,” Hardy said. “I see a career path for students in the future.”

“What they’re doing is real-world stuff,” Hardy added.

And Encina,which donated staff time and equipment to the program, isn’t done analyzing EUSD water samples.

Teams of fifth-graders, with roles ranging from equipment supervisor to data supervisor to videographer, conducted a mock stormwater test around campus

El Camino Creek fifth graders prepare to collect water samples at the mouth of Batiquitos Lagoon next to Coast Highway 101. After collecting samples at their campus throughout the year, they’ll complete a plan for managing stormwater. Photo courtesy of Bill Dean

to prep for stormy days.

When it actually does rain during school, they’ll take samples of stormwater from five campus drains, on three separate days.Those samples will be sent to Encina for analysis. After those results are released, the students will graph the findings, identifying if pollutants are too high and where they might be coming from.

Then, they’ll put together a list of observations and recommendations for the EUSD Board of Trustees.

“Recommendations might be, for example, putting screens on drains or put in swales,” Dean said.

Dean said the pilot program is going beyond the current requirements for stormwater testing.

State and federal laws require schools and large developments to put together stormwater prevention plans that map out how to cut down on contaminates like fertilizer at the source.

“We’re going to go beyond just filling out the forms and doing a punch list,” Dean said. “We’re actually going to test and find out what’s going on, and create measures to reduce it.”

Previously,Dean taught a financial literacy class where students put forward business plans. Knowing that students can tackle complex subjects, and with his

experience crafting stormwater prevention plans, Dean floated the idea of the program to the district last school year.

“Kids aren’t just sponges of information, they’re resources,” Dean said.

Dean said the students are likely to retain what they learn thanks to the handson experience of taking samples and evaluating the results.

“We aren’t talking to them for an hour during an assembly about stormwater,” Dean said. “They do this.”

John Brown, a fifth-grade teacher at El Camino Creek Elementary, said the stormwater program dovetails with new Common Core education standards, which emphasize critical thinking.

“The students are taking information from different sources and analyzing it,” Brown said.

“What’s exciting is that we’re in the same boat as the students — we don’t know what the test results will be,” Brown added. “There’s no set answer.”

Although the program is only at two schools right now, it could be headed for more.

“We like that it’s putting the students in real-life situations,” said EUSD Superintendent Tim Baird, adding that the district is eyeing expanding the program to all of its nine schools.

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MARKETPLACE NEWS Let a health care expert help you to make the right choices When was the last time you checked on your health insurance coverage?

Were you shocked, once you did, to see that it was changing?

And, if you didn’t already know, the health care industry is changing.

No longer can a preexisting condition bar anyone from receiving health care. The plans for coverage are being standardized, too.

With everything that’s come to the forefront with the Affordable Health Care Act, (Obamacare), getting an expert’s advice on how to navigate the webs of what coverage to choose and how, might be the best way to ensure you’re making the right choices for you, your family or your small business.

Should you sign up for a PPO, an HMO or join a health savings account?

These are all personal decisions that most people haven’t been fully educated on.

Gary Evenvold can help you make that decision. Gary has amassed more than 25 years’ experience as a licensed health insurance agent, and is also a Certified Covered California Agent.

He’s been a San Diego County resident since 1979, and with his extensive knowledge of the local health care providers, he’s able to connect people with the appropriate coverage on a personal level.

His goal, as the March 31, 2014 deadline approaches, is to help clear up the confusion on which doctors people can see and which health insurance plans would work best for their budget.

Either in person, or over the phone, Gary will go through each scenario personally with each person because everybody’s different, he said.

And for the health insurance customer, there’s no charge at all to consult with him.

As an agent, his compensation comes from the carriers.

“Only insurance agents can make recommendations,” Gary said. “A navigator or a counselor cannot make a recommendation.

They can take your information and enroll you, but they can’t say a PPO is better, or an HMO is better for you and this is why.”

Take advantage of using a certified agent versus going it alone. Call Gary at (858) 442-2304 or email him at info@garyevenvold.com.

More information is also available online at www.garyevenvold.com.

California license # 0803646

NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Items on this page are paid for by the provider of the article.

If you would like an article on this page, please call Chris Kydd at (760) 436-9737, ext. 110.

Could this be your solution to numbness, neuropathy or sharp pain?

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If so, you may have a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy.

Numbness, tingling, and pain are an extremely annoying problem. It may come and go...interrupt your sleep...and even make your arms or legs feel weak at times. Maybe you’ve even been to other doctors and they claim all the tests indicate you should feel fine.

More Drugs Are Not The Solution. A common treatment for many nerve problems is the ‘take some pills and wait and see’ method.

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Some of the more common drugs given include pain pills, anti-seizure mediations, and anti-depressants — all of which can have serious side effects.

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Local landscape artist can transform your yard C & H Gardens Artistic Landscape & Tree Service, Inc. founder Kent Horner brings something extra to the task of landscaping. He has a natural sense for garden feng shui and combines an artist’s eye with his knowledge of the earth to produce a landscape in complete harmony with its surroundings.

“My dad grew up on a farm and taught biology, so I grew up with a strong understanding of plants and the land,” Horner said. “I combine this with my artistic sense to create a series of gardens on a property that work with the microclimates on all sides of the home. Each area has different needs and can require different plants to thrive.”

Horner’s versatile skills can provide the perfect California garden, whether you want an English Victorian garden, a tropical palm paradise or a desert oasis complete with succulents and cactus.

C & H Gardens has provided residential and commercial property landscape and arboricultural services to San Diego County since 1978.

Preferring a job that kept him outdoors, Horner began while putting himself through college doing tree-trimming.

From there, he worked under a top landscaper installing and maintaining the enormous date palms and landscape at The Mirage in Las Vegas, gaining a broad knowledge of desert flora.

“I grew up in San Bernardino, but my folks had a beach place in Leucadia

many others.

“My longtime exposure to California landscape has given me a huge understanding of what does well in this climate,” Horner said. “Many of my plants come from South Africa which has an identical climate to ours and many exotic species and succulents that really do well here.”

The company specializes in the water-wise soft scape of plants, trees and tropicals; erosion control; hardscape,

lawns by installing new dripirrigation covered with wood chips and plant groupings. It takes half the water and makes for a visually beautiful yard.

“I have learned the most by ripping out other people’s mistakes,” Horner said.

“Once we are finished, with a flick of the switch on the irrigation clock, all the different plants and micro climates get irrigated properly and thrive.

Plant health is easy when you

My longtime exposure to California landscape has given me a huge understanding of what does well in this climate” Kent Horner Founder,C&H Gardens

You can read Kent’s articles under Local Roots and visit C & H Gardens at chgardens.com or call (760) 846-2200 to schedule a free consultation.

where I spent a lot of time,” Horner said. “I fell in love with surfing and this area.”

After Horner got his contractor’s license and settled here, he met and married his wife Kim who works the business with him as they raise

two boys, ages 19 and 16.

Horner has done landscape work on the homes of hair-mogul Paul Mitchell (Malibu), writer Anne Rice (La Jolla) and the Cleveland Indians’ Charles Nagy (Rancho Santa Fe), among

including ponds, fountains, Jacuzzis, patios, barbques and outdoor structures; retaining walls, fencing, decking, decorative paths, pavers, cement, flagstone, gates, railings, stairs, driveways; and also proper drainage, irrigation and lighting.

“My favorite part of the job is working with people, getting to know them and their property,” he said. “I enjoy listening and trying to understand what they envision while creating a peaceful and tranquil space that is colorful and beautiful but still low maintenance.”

Horner is a master at working with the many Southern Californians who are starting to replace their

put them in the right place.”

C & H Gardens specializes in a full range of arboriculture vegetation management services including yearly maintenance, tree trimming, pruning, lacing, shaping, removal, stump grinding, cabling, bracing, hauling, tractor work, tree installation, transplanting, eco restoring and water-wise conservation.

C & H Gardens’ Tree Division can meet the specific needs of your residential and commercial tree care and maintenance.

The team will survey your property and provide a free estimate. This is all done with a solid knowledge of city code requirements and safety issues.

A17

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013

MARKETPLACE NEWS

Items on this page are paid for by the provider of the article.

If you would like an article on this page, please call Chris Kydd at (760) 436-9737, ext. 110.

Help bring joy to our military heroes this holiday season Help be a hero to the heroes this holiday season.

For military families with loved ones deployed, it’s hard enough to have to endure a holiday season without their mother or father around the dinner table. And still harder if their loved one comes back having sustained combat injuries.

That’s why the nonprofit S.O.S. (Spirit of Sharing) is rising to the occasion by helping provide not only the basic necessities any family would need, but also by bringing a little holiday cheer into the lives of military families that are in need.

The primary focus of S.O.S. has always been to provide the elements of the holiday season that a family might not ordinarily be able to enjoy.

S.O.S. helps all active duty military families purchase holiday food items at Thanksgiving, and for Christmas, the kids get

The Oceanside-based nonprofit Spirit of Sharing has helped to provide active duty military families in need with some holiday cheer. Since 2000, the nonprofit has helped more than 300 military families.

wrapped presents from Santa Claus.

Striving to build relationships with each family, S.O.S.

Each family is generally is able to gain better insight and understanding of individ- provided with several weeks’ ual and familial needs worth of groceries and all of the goodies that make the holand interests.

Unauthorized parking near train tracks is becoming a growing safety concern

By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — These days, it’s common to see rows of cars parked in the dirt alongside the railroad tracks in Leucadia, particularly in the summer.

And the trend hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“We don’t keep a count, but it certainly seems to be picking up,” said Glenn Pruim, Encinitas’ director of Public Works and Engineering. “Where we’ve really seen an increase is on the west side of the tracks in Leucadia, near the commercial businesses.

“People have found it’s easier to park in the rail right of way than in the neighborhoods,” Pruim added.

Fewer spaces are available in Leucadia, causing residents and visitors to park along the railway. So, NCTD and the city of Encinitas are drafting a cooperative agreement with the goal of cutting down on unauthorized parking and increasing the number of legal parking spots.

“There are more people parking near the railway, bringing more to cross the tracks, which is a safety concern,” Pruim said. “And the dust from cars can be an issue. Those are what we, the city and NCTD, worry about.”

NCTD owns the tracks and surrounding dirt land. While it varies, NCTD’s right of way generally extends from the edge of the pavement on Coast Highway 101 to the edge of the pavement on Vulcan Avenue, according to Pruim.

He said the cooperative agreement would contain an outline of NCTD’s plans for its right of way. Notably, NCTD plans on double-tracking some of the corridor. Depending on how much space is left, NCTD could potentially lease portions of the right of way to the city for parking.

As well as staking out portions of the railway, Pruim said the city might also look at converting vacant land in Leucadia into parking lots. This could ease the shortage of spaces, giving motorists less incentive to park along the rail corridor.

“It’s separate from the railroad conversation,” Pruim said.“But it’s all part of

With unauthorized parking becoming a trend along railroad tracks, the city of Encinitas and NCTD are drafting a cooperative agreement plan to help cut down on vehicles parking there. Photo by Jared Whitlock

the parking solution. So, I think we’ll focus on the railroad rights of way, partly because it’s linear and you’re dealing with one owner, NCTD. “But if we don’t think that solves our parking issues, we’ll start exploring options by looking around the city,” Pruim added.

He noted the Leucadia Streetscape, which calls for installing infrastructure, will help alleviate parking needs.

J.P. St. Pierre, who owns Surfy Surfy in Leucadia, has a view off the tracks from his shop. He attributes the increase in cars near the railway to consumer demand outpacing Leucadia’s infrastructure.

“The tracks have become the place to park for the business corridor in the summer,” St. Pierre said.

And the railroad-parking trend accelerated due to more people checking out new businesses like Solterra, he said.

“I never thought I’d see cocktail dresses and heels walking across the tracks,” St. Pierre said.

He recommended that the especially popular restaurants set up a valet service during peak hours to solve some of the parking problems.

In addition to the cooperative agreement with NCTD, Pruim said the City Council signaled it would develop a larg-

er rail corridor vision. That would identify where to build planned railroad crossings and the rail trail — a bike path that will run parallel to the tracks.

“A lot will be happening in the rail corridor,” Pruim said. “So the city would have to be careful that any improvements we put out there aren’t thrown away.”

Technically, parking is unauthorized next to the railway. However, because signage isn’t posted letting people know they’re trespassing, the Sheriff’s Department typically doesn’t issue tickets, Pruim said.

Reed Caldwell, chief development officer with NCTD, noted that historically tickets have only been issued to cars in Encinitas that park too close to the tracks.

Caldwell noted that the city and NCTD began discussing the cooperative agreement about four months ago.

Pruim said NCTD and the city are currently preparing a draft of the agreement. It will go before the Encinitas City Council and NCTD board for approval sometime next year. Although the agreement isn’t binding, it serves as guidance for how to move forward on parking and rail projects, he said.

“The railway is very integral to what we do as a city,” Pruim said.

iday season so warm, comforting, and special.

S.O.S. also provides each child in these families with age-appropriate and personal gifts, including clothing, educational materials and toys.

Each gift is individually wrapped and labeled by our wonderful volunteers and personally delivered at Christmas.

Based in Oceanside, Calif. the small nonprofit helps active duty military families throughout Southern California, from the Naval Base in San Diego to Edwards Air Force Base.

Since 2000, when the charity was started with the adoption of two families for the holiday season, they’ve continued to grow each year.

To date, more than 700 military children and 300 military families have received help from S.O.S. The Campbell family, who founded S.O.S. is very

sensitive to the stresses that military children experience’ In fact, many of those working with S.O.S. are military veterans and/or spouses.

With the toll of multiple deployments over the last 10 years affecting families, S.O.S. is seeing an increase in the amount of military families in need.

And they still need help to continue to do so.

With year-round fundraising efforts, S.O.S. is always looking for donations of any kind, including gas cards, gift cards for clothing, toys — even groceries.

People interested in donating items may call S.O.S. directly at (760) 859-5911, or emailing questions to spiritofsharing@gmail.com.

More information is available on their website at spiritofsharing.org. The S.O.S. office is at 3355 Mission Ave. Suite 11 in Oceanside.

Promoting Oceanside

By Promise Yee

OCEANSIDE — Eightyfour percent of Oceanside hotels say the Tourism Marketing District is doing a good job of generating tourism.

Josh Brandon, dual general manager of Residence Inn Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott, said a 10 percent increase in business at Marriott hotels could be credited to Visit Oceanside Conference & Visitors Bureau that manages Oceanside’s Tourism Marketing District.

“We’ve seen an increase in leisure travelers to the area,

What’s unique about Oceanside is it’s not as commercialized as a lot of coastal cities.”

Josh Brandon General Manager,Marriott hotels

travelers who have more discressionary spending,” Brandon said. “The other side is the events Visit Oceanside brings to the city. It’s a huge boost for our hotels.”

Tourism Marketing District fees, paid by hotels, are used to promote Oceanside as an endurance sports destination and friendly beach town in close proximity to San Diego and Los Angeles.

“What’s unique about

Oceanside is it’s not as commercialized as a lot of coastal cities,” Brandon said. “It has a small, surf town feel to it.

There’s great local restaurants, micro breweries, it’s quite pleasant.”

Activities include skydiving, extensive bike trails and world-class surfing.

Crowd-drawing sports tournaments are held about once a month at the beach and harbor.

There is also the San Luis Rey Mission, California Surf Museum and Oceanside Museum of Art. “We do have a lot of diversity,” Leslee Gaul, president and CEO of Visit Oceanside Conference & Visitors Bureau,said.“For people who want an authentic experience, Oceanside provides that.”

The Tourism Marketing District was formed in April 2010 in response to the city tightening its belt during the recession and using transit occupancy tax funds in the general fund budget for vital services before money could be spent on promoting tourism.

“We needed an alternate way to fund tourism marketing,” Gaul said.

In order to continue to promote tourism the options were to raise the transit occupancy tax or form a Tourism Marketing District, which would be funded by collecting 1.6 percent of revenues from hotels.

The city opted to start a Tourism Marketing District and began with collecting fees from hotels that have more than 30 rooms.

With the success of the Tourism Marketing District, City Council voted to acceptance the petitions by hotels to TURN TO TOURISM ON A18

A18

4S Ranch hosts fundraiser run 4S RANCH — On Thanksgiving morning at the 4S Ranch Community Park, the fouth annual Thank You Run will take place at the 4S Ranch Community Park, 16118 4S Ranch Parkway.

There is expected to be over 1,200 participants helping to raise money for the local nonprofit, Helen’s Closet and the 4S Ranch Community Foundation.

The Thank You Run consists of a 5K Run starting at 7:30 a.m., a 10K Run starting at 7:45 a.m. and a Kids Fun Run starting at 9 a.m. for

youngsters 8 and under.

The post-race family festival will have fun for the entire family with the Karl Strauss beer garden and the Equinox laser tag arena.

At last year’s run, there were more than 1,000 participants that rose $16,000.

The Thank You Run was named after Helen Mok and started by local Realtors, Theresa and Ray Shay with Shay Realtors.

Theresa Shay lost her mother Helen to ALS, which led the couple to start the annual fundraiser.

The run helps to keep

Helen’s spirit alive and to continue on her concept of helping others in need.

The Thank You Run supports two causes, Helen’s Closet & the 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation.

Helen’s Closet provides comfort equipment to terminally ill ALS patients.

The 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation supports local schools, the surrounding community and other priorities.

For more information, contact Theresa Shay at Theresa@shayrealtors.com or call (858) 449-1101

TOURISM

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continue the district on Nov. 20.

“It does come back to us tenfold,”Councilwoman Esther Sanchez said. “It’s helping us make Oceanside a better Oceanside.”

The 10-year renewed agreement will begin in April 2015 and charge all hotels a Tourism Marketing District fee.

Fees are collected by the city, which keeps 1.6 percent of the fees for administration costs.

Tourism Marketing District fees have given Visit

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PLANNING

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Paseo,” he said. “Lights and sirens mean absolutely nothing when there is nowhere for traffic to go.

“Station 24 was built … to serve the communities of Carmel Valley and Torrey Pines, the I-5 corridor and all of our automatic aid agreements based on traffic from planned and permitted development,” Silverwood said. “If we deviate much from that now, you had better plan all of your emergencies for that 12 midnight to 6 a.m. window.”

Torrey Pines board members are also frustrated with what they say is a lack of support from the city of San Diego and Sherri Lightner, their City Council representative.

Ridz said he invited representatives from the city’s Development Services Department and Kilroy to attend the Nov. 14 meeting but they declined.

“We can’t get the ‘experts’ on this to give a presentation on the alternatives,” he said. “We haven’t gotten the help this community deserves.”

The response from Kilroy to an email asking why the invitation was declined noted

that in May 2012 the “Torrey Pines Planning Group provided their Board’s concern about response times in their DEIR comment letter. One Paseo has been reduced significantly in scale since that time.The alternatives analysis is currently out for public review (and is) in the process of being addressed by the City of San Diego.”

Jill Esterbrooks, communications director for Lightner, said the councilwoman wasn’t invited to the meeting but a staff member was there.

“Sherri is always interested in hearing from residents and other stakeholders who will be impacted by development in their neighborhoods and communities,” Esterbrooks wrote in an email.

“However, because this is a land use issue that is coming to full council next year for a vote, it isn’t appropriate for her to take an advocacy position on the proposed development project before that public hearing.”

The planning board drafted a letter to send to Lightner but some members said it listed complaints and didn’t include a call to action. The board opted against sending the letter, which Ridz said he

wouldn’t have signed anyway.

“It’s not strong enough,” he said.“It needs a punch line, which is basically,‘Damn it, do something.’”

With limited time to comment on the recirculated draft EIR, the board voted to form an ad hoc committee to create a response.

Spoken like a true attorney, Aguirre offered some additional advice. “Get yourself a lawyer right now,” he said. “Start plotting it out.”

He also suggested board members work closely with the Carmel Valley planning group, in whose jurisdiction the project is located.

Ridz said the board is not allowed to raise money, which would be needed for legal costs.

“Find a cheap lawyer,” Aguirre said. “Kilroy has spent $1 million in lobbying.”

Ridz said he has already tried to team up with the Carmel Valley group. He also said his board has offered a solution.

“Build a fire and medical emergency station in the Torrey Pines Community Planning Board area,” he said.

“But we know that’s not going to happen.”

Visit onepaseo.com for additional project information or to comment on the draft.

trainers.

She said in the time that she’s been at the facility, she’s already noticed little changes in her body.

“It’s small, small gains (like) being able to have more control of my hips when we’re doing assisted standing to being able to try and fire muscles,” she said. “Just getting out of my chair and learning different functions and movements that I can do and not just sit.”

One of her trainers, Jillienne Feather, explained that through repetitive movement, Arlen is working towards redeveloping nervous pathways to connect her brain and muscle groups below her level of injury.

LOCAL ROOTS CONTINUED FROM A8

combination high-tech, lowtech solution that works for not only the rabbits and skunks in your garden but also for any pond predators that scoop up your fish like raccoons and herons.

Most people are familiar with motion sensor

BAG BAN

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YOGA TREE

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Highland Drive and Sun Valley Road, is formed to illustrate a common yoga position known as the tree pose.

The figure is balancing on one foot while stretching upward. The piece was originally on loan to the city for one year.

According to the staff report, community response has been very positive, and a request was made in March by Zito and Mayor Mike Nichols, the other arts commission liaison, to possibly add the piece to the permanent art collection.

Since the sculpture was installed, the area where it is located has been landscaped with boulders and drought-tolerant plants

AMBULANCE

CONTINUED FROM A1

paramedic to keep them proficient as a paramedic, they’re a first responder, obviously, but it gives them the ability to have more patient contact, more patient care and becomes

NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

donated by the Solana Beach Civic & Historical Society and planted by volunteers.

At its May 28 meeting, the Public Arts Advisory Commission voted 6-1 to recommend purchasing the piece. In October, commissioners agreed “Yoga Tree,” if purchased, should remain at the current location for at least three years given the added landscaping.

A master art policy adopted in 2007 requires developers to either contribute a piece of art as part of their project or pay into the public art fund.

The balance in the reserve public art account is $139,775. The policy requires that 20 percent of the funds be available for communication and outreach efforts to support cultural tourism and market-

ing of the city.

So 80 percent, or $111,820, is available for art purchases. The city received no correspondence and no one spoke for or against the purchase at the meeting.

“This seems like a really popular piece of art,” Nichols said. “It makes sense to purchase it. It seems to be a win-win.”

Hubbell won the San Diego Emerging Artist 2013 award and has several public sculptures on display throughout the county.

Meanwhile, nearby Encinitas Union School District recently prevailed in a lawsuit filed by a parent who believes yoga being taught as part of the physical education curriculum is religious in nature.

The decision is being appealed.

a training unit for new paramedics coming into the system for the fire service.”

AMR will also be providing 17 paramedics and 17 EMTs. New to the contract this time is the addition of a 24-hour supervisor in a

fully equipped vehicle, who the ability to respond as an assessment unit, Austin said.

AMR served the CSA17 district about 10 years ago.

Austin said he doesn’t anticipate facing any challenges.

complete an environmental impact report (EIR) to move forward with a plastic bag ban.

Similar worries have cropped up before. In 2008, Encinitas moved to eliminate plastic bags, but reversed course when facing a costly EIR. City Attorney Glenn Sabine noted experts are saying it’s “highly unlikely” cities with fewer than 100,000 people like Encinitas will be required to submit an EIR in light of recent case law.

Notably, the California Supreme Court ruled about two months ago that Marin County, Calif. did not have to submit an EIR to prohibit plastic bags.

Three public speakers, all in favor of a local ban, spoke at the meeting.

Roger Kube, chair of the San Diego Surfrider Foundation, said plastic pollution wreaks havoc on land and waterways.

Eliminating plastic bags locally is a “crucial first step” toward addressing the problem.

“Perhaps we’ll see a statewide bag ban bill next year, maybe we won’t,”

Oceanside significantly more funds to use in its marketing efforts. Fees have helped promote the city to visitors, businesses, religious groups and sports tournaments that travel to Oceanside from Arizona, Nevada and the Inland Empire.

“We target the SMERFtype market — social, military, education, religious, and fraternal. Oceanside is perfect for that,” Gaul said.

In addition to promoting all that the city offers, Visit Oceanside also works with Oceanside police and businesses to encourage them to pro-

vide visitors with a memorable experience.

“We do a lot of work to make people think of themselves as ambassadors to the city,” Gaul said. “They are touch points for visitors.”

Tourism Marketing District fees have also allowed more staff to come on board at Visit Oceanside Conference & Visitors Bureau to target offseason visitors.

Future plans are to promote sports tournaments in the city’s inland areas and expand marketing efforts to draw in international travelers.

Like other clients, Arlen expressed how different Project Walk is from more conventional physical therapy that is available for people with spinal cord injuries.

“I didn’t want to get used to being in a wheelchair. I wanted to get out of my chair, and they (other physical therapists) wouldn’t let me do that,” she said. “(At Project Walk), it’s not just sitting around and waiting for (movement) to happen, we’re making it happen. It’s pretty empowering.”

Arlen firmly believes that her efforts at Project Walk should not disqualify her from swimming in Paralympic competitions.

As much as she would love to get up out of her wheelchair and run, she knows such progress is years

down the line, if it ever happens at all.

She said that she hopes the IPC will learn from working with her.

“I have faith that it’s all going to work out, and the IPC has been really good as far as talking and trying to get this fixed,” she said.

Arlen looks forward to competitively swimming again, but mentioned that she might give triathlons a go in the near future.

But no matter what sport she does, she said she is determined to be able to walk again some day.

“My brother is getting married and I want to be able to stand for the wedding pictures and just be more up and about. And I’m not just one to settle and let this take me over,” she said.

devices that can turn on security lights in the case of intruders during the night.

New infrared motion sensors coupled with a relay will turn on an electrical circuit. This can control a simple irrigation valve and pop-up impact rain bird irrigation anywhere in the garden.

The noise and the

water coming from this innovative scarecrow is enough to frighten away the most determined pest.

Kube said. “But Encinitas should not wait for that to happen.”

He added that the California bill is “watered down” compared to the Encinitas’ draft ban proposal. The state ban would

has “some holes in it.”

Encinitas should show leadership with a ban and hopefully coastal communities like Carlsbad and Oceanside will follow suit, he added.

Early this year, the council asked the Encinitas Environmental Commission to draw up the loose framework for a ban.

In response, the commission’s recommendations, similar to Solana Beach’s ban, call for eliminating plastic bags at most businesses and charging consumers 10 cents per recycled paper bag.

The intent behind the 10-cent fee is to steer customers away from purchasing paper bags (money collected stays with the business.) City staff members will build a full-blown ordinance around the commission’s recommendations.

Once they start, it could take around three months to create.

Bobby Virk, owner of the 7-Eleven on Coast Highway 101, said the store stopped offering customers plastic bags in 2008.

“We have a beautiful coast, so I figured let’s try it out,” Virk said. “And it’s been overwhelmingly positive.”

Perhaps we’ll see a statewide bag ban bill next year, maybe we won’t.”

Roger Kube Chair,San Diego Surfrider Foundation

apply to food-serving stores that gross more than $2 million per year in sales and large retailers.

The Encinitas draft version, however, would take effect in nearly all grocery stores and retailers, and eventually also for most other businesses and farmers’ markets. Restaurants would be exempt.

Councilman Tony Kranz agreed that the state bill

Kent Horner is a local landscape contractor and designer with 30 years of experience in all aspects of your garden. For information concerning your project or questions involving your surroundings, e-mail him at Kent@plantch.com.

SURFERS

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and get it.’ As far as it’s OK to flirt a little bit, but I think that it’s not cool to take someone else’s wave as a blanket.

mind.

Brouwer talked a little While surfing, is it OK to more on finding the right wave ask out someone when waiting and the right guy. in the lineup?

What came first for you, Sure. I think it’s always learning how to surf or learning appropriate. how to date?

How can this book help I started surfing five years ago, and I’ve definitely been someone that doesn’t surf, but dating longer than that. So I is still struggling in the dating would say that I learned how to scene?

I think one of the biggest date first. Nancy, I would say, would be in the same boat. But comments that we get from when she started learning how readers is that when they’re to surf, around the same time, reading these stories they the coaching that she was get- think, ‘Oh, it’s not just me. I’m ting in the water she’s like,‘This not alone.’ Everybody is dealing with this, and so I think is also dating advice.’ more than anything the book is Do you have a favorite really creating a community of quote in the book, or one that women who have experienced you’ve relied on in your dating all these same stories. So experiences? instead of feeling like, ‘I’m the I think it’s, “Sometimes only person that this has hapthe hardest part is getting out pened to, so it must be me’ — again it happens to many there,” is a good one for me. women. So how can I use these Etiquette is a big part of quotes to learn something from the surfing culture. Would you the past and take ownership of say that’s the same when it it and responsibility? comes to dating?

In writing the book, did Absolutely,in fact there’s a quote that pertains to that: ‘It’s you and Nancy compare who not cool to take someone else’s had the worst dating experiwave.’ We definitely have (a ences?

I don’t think it’s a matter quote) ‘If it looks good, don’t just sit there. Paddle over there of who has the worst experi-

ARTS CALENDAR

strom.com.

CONTINUED FROM A13

Dec. 6

Dec. 3

Frog fun Tickets are on sale for the Oceanside Theatre Company staging of “A Year With Frog & Toad” musical Dec. 6 through Dec. 22 at the Brooks Theatre, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside.

The show times are at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, and at 2 p.m., Dec. 7,

Holiday party At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, enjoy Santa, children’s choirs from local schools, and local musician Robert Parker, plus crafts and prizes and refreshments at the Solana Beach Library Holiday Party, 157 Stevens Ave., Solana Beach.

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013

ences. When you’re in a bad experience,it’s bad to you — it’s the worst to you. You feel like you’re at rock bottom. There’s something with the opposite sex in relationships and love that as they drift away from you, you tend to feel pretty low.

And so no matter the experience, I don’t think there was ever a point where ‘No, you had it worse, or I had it worse.’

How has your dating life changed since starting surfing?

I think I’m definitely more particular. That quote, ‘Have patience, don’t jump on the first wave of the set because you’re tired of waiting’ — I think I don’t jump into relationships; I don’t go on a date with a guy for more than a couple of dates if I know it isn’t right.And it’s also given me a more positive outlook. The quote about the ocean not going anywhere, tomorrow brings more waves, that tends to be my motto these days.

There are proper techniques for surfing. Would you say there’s a proper technique for having a good date?

I think it’s really important, as cliché as this is, to really be yourself, be present, engage, ask questions about your date, and see if he’s asking questions about you as well.

And just really take the time to learn about that person.

BRUSH WITH ART

Dec. 8, Dec. 14, Dec. 15, Dec. 21 and Dec. 22.Tickets are $24 at oceansidetheatre.org.

Nouveau jazz Seaside Center for Spiritual Living presents the jazz ensemble, “Night People, le nouveau: A Society of Friends,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas. Ticket are $15 general admission.

Fun from the ‘40s Sing along with the musical “The

1940’s Radio Hour” starring Vista’s own Randall Hickman at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Dec. 8, 6 p.m. Dec. 15, 8 p.m. Dec. 20 and 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Avo Playhouse, 303 Main St.,Vista.Tickets are $21, $17 and $7 at (760) 724-2110 or online at vistixonline.com.

Dec. 4 WOW WEDNESDAYS As part of WOW First Wednesdays, the California Center for the Arts presents Wyatt Lowe & The Youngbloods playing blues, rockabilly and roots, with shows at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Center Theater Dec. 4, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido.

Dec. 5 Cool Klezmer Yale Strom and his band, Hot Pstromi, will perform a concert featuring klezmer music at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad. For more information, visit yale-

ATTACK HOLIDAY SOCCER CAMP Our camps are designed for players of all ages to come out and have fun, but to also work to improve their technical abiliƟes. Games such as soccer tennis and smallͲsided scrimmages are used as tools to work on individual skills, speed, agility and shooƟng.

Camp sessions will be conducted by Director of Coaching Malcolm Tovey and his staī of professional coaches.

Dates: December 30, 31, January 2, 3 LocaƟon: Rancho Santa Fe Sports Field 16826 Rambla De Las Flores, RSF eive a Time: 9:30 AM to Noon r will rec hirt! e p m a c Each nd tͲs Cost: $120 (or $40 per day) ed ball a customiz Scholarships available

For more informaƟon go to www.rsfsoccer.com or call the oĸce at 760Ͳ479Ͳ1500

CONTINUED FROM A13

She adds,“Buying from artists directly really encourages each artist to produce more and keep going. Even though selling artwork is not primary focus for most artists,it is a validation of their efforts.”

Event co-organizer Carol Korfin suggests, “Even if you have been to our Holiday Bazaar in the past, there are new artists and new items to see.” One artist new to the Bazaar this year is Steve Lutzker, who creates unique journals with leather covers and unusual clasps.

Korfin continues, “We try to have a balanced mix of mediums, so you will find photographers, watercolorists, oil or acrylic painters and as well as multi-media artists.”

Among the artists working in less traditional mediums are gourd artist Grace Swanson, mosaic artist Terry Oshrin, decorative box artist Jackie Bissell, and recycled computer parts artist Harvey Korfin.

A wide variety of creative treasures will be displayed by several jewelers including Linda Melvin, Dolores Renner, Karla Nederloff, Ellen Cramer,

Judianne Shannon, Cindy Alcoset, Phyllis Rothbart, Patricia Watkins, Diann Abadie, Cheryl DeLain, and Carol Cretella.

Returning to the bazaar this year are ceramic artists Karen Fidel and Lily Pourat, as well as glass artists Carol Korfin and Bobbie Hirschkoff.

Participating photographers include Bruce Stewart, Kathy Chin,and Peggy Stokes, joined by painters Toni Williams, Ellie Thomas, Sunny Johnson, Rebecca Toft, Jennifer Grum, Jo-Ann Dillon, and pastel painter Lana Grauer.

Korfin asserts, “You will find something for most people on your gift list… It will be

a delightful feast for your eyes.”

The public is invited to attend the third annual SDAG Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. Nov. 30 in the banquet hall of the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive off Balour. Admission to the Bazaar and ample parking are free.

Kay Colvin is director of the L Street Fine Art Gallery in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, serves as an arts commissioner for the City of Encinitas, and specializes in promoting emerging and mid-career artists.

Contact her at kaycolvin@lstreetfineart.com.

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NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

What a short, strange trip it’s been CHRIS AHRENS Sea Notes “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

— John Donne As a part-time minister I used to do weddings; now I am doing memorials.

I guess that’s normal for a 65-year-old surfer of more than half a century, who statistically has a 50-50 chance of living another 11 years.

So I should not have been shocked to hear that our dear friend, Jim Hoffman, passed away last week.

Jim was a fixture at Cardiff Reef who had once surfed regularly, but over the years took to reading quietly in the sand, enjoying the sights and sounds of our community as they embraced him.

But I really was shocked, and I am still shocked as I wait to see him napping in the sand, or animated on the chairs in front of Seaside Market, chatting with a friend.

As I walked to the beach to gather with friends memorializing Jim, someone mentioned that another buddy of

ours whom we all knew simply as “Big Doug” was having his ashes scattered down the beach at 10 that morning.

Big Doug earned his name by being one of the biggest surfers any of us had ever seen.

A mountain of a man, his surfboard once accidentally broke his friend’s leg when he turned into him.

But it is his gentle giant vibe in and out of the lineup that will not be forgotten.

Fallen friends along the way include Doug Erikson, Surf Eddie, Buddy Boy, Wally Blodgett, Syrus King, Gary Taylor, Terry Hendrix, Curtis Hesselgrave, Kevin Haley, Hal Jepson, Chris O’Rourke, Bill Caster, Chuck Hasley, Jack Flynn, Bob Hoffman, Terry Tubesteak Tracy, Dale Velzy, Buttons, Woody Brown, Ted Smith, Sherrill East, Warren Bolster and Donald Takayama.

I have ridden waves with nearly all of them, and watched some as they stood in the winner’s circle, while most others chose to surf beyond the contest circus.

One thing they all had is that they were most alive in the ocean, where most of their remains have been blended into the elements that always did, and now forever offer them the joy of moving with the swells.

The swells come and go,

and in time become distant memories, exaggerated, mythic walls of water with us being the heroes who conquered them.

But we do not conquer them.

Instead we rise to meet them and do our best to harness their power.

We are waves, birthed in a place unseen to us, mysteriously brought to this water planet where we search for meaning amongst things seen and unseen.

Yet, even the best of us have failed in harnessing a beast born in the violence of the ocean, as we awkwardly attempt displaying skill in riding bands of energy that live for a short time, explode in plumes of glory and die in the sand.

A child rode his first of many waves this morning with his friends, probably unaware that others before them have found the same link to stoke and life in that very same spot. Enjoy the ride, dear children. It is a wonderful one, but it does not last forever. Or, does it?

Aloha Jim and Doug.You will continue to ride as long as we do.

Chris Ahrens is a surfer and author of four books on surfing. E-mail him at cahrens@coastnewsgroup.com.

CRC gathers food for holidays ENCINITAS — The 31st annual Holiday Baskets Program will serve 1,700 local families in need at the Del Mar Fairgrounds this winter, and the Community Resource Center is asking for help.

Be part of one of the community efforts, with more than 2,000 volunteers coming together to collect,sort,and dis-

tribute donations of food, blankets, jackets/coats, bikes, baby items, toys, and much more.

Visit info@crcncc.org for more information on ways to help, flyer templates, food lists, online volunteer registration and more.

Community members can help by: Organizing a drive to collect items or donate online now Items still needed include: Non-Perishable food New or gently used (all sizes) jackets/coats and blankets New toys (all ages) Overstock items from hotels and businesses (linens, towels, novelties) Used bikes — CRC will repair and give as gifts to children and teens in need.

Drop off items from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 at: Encinitas Thrift Store: 111 C St. (760) 753-8222 Oceanside Thrift Store: 1405 S. El Camino Real (760) 231-7909 Carlsbad Thrift Store: 1055 Carlsbad Village Drive (760) 729-5209 For pick-up of larger items or other options, visit HB@crcncc.org or (760) 2306304. Donations preferred by Dec. 15, but let them know if you need to drop off later To help during the giveaway, volunteer sign-ups are accepted until all shifts are filled. Advanced sign up required.

For more information,contact CRC at HB@crcncc.org or (760) 230-6304.

The Community Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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NOV. 29, 2013

SECTION

JEAN GILLETTE Small Talk

Reality is so annoying When we made the impulse decision to buy a hot tub, all I could think about were long soaks chatting with friends and sipping wine. Reality is so annoying.

I had achieved the empty nest. I got cocky and my hubris kicked in. I soon found the tub was as demanding as children, dogs and my husband. Not all at once, but still.

OK. It hasn’t taken as much time as my children, but it has demanded my attention like a spoiled child.

Actually, like a contrary child. Right when you need it to behave, it goes off. And then, for no reason I can fathom, except that I have called the repair guy, it begins working again. I’m thinking poltergeists.

I shot myself in the foot at the start by thinking that a saltwater spa would be easier and more eco-friendly. The salesman did not dissuade me.

Now there’s a stunner. I have since discovered that was decisively incorrect.

The thing was messy, mercurial and not all that much nicer to my skin. In the end, it began to resemble the Red Sea or maybe the Dead Sea, complete with icky mineral build-up.

And who got to scrub and wipe all that red scum off the walls, spigots and floor of said spa?

Who got to power rinse the red gunk out of the filter several times?

Silly question.

Should the choice be given to you, consider what I forgot. Our tap water comes from the Colorado River, which already has serious salinity issues.

As the kids so aptly put it, “Duh.” I did get points for my good intentions, though, when the spa makers replaced my salt system with a regular chlorine one at no cost.

And did I mention it needs to be tested twice a week to keep all things in balance? I just know the makers of the test strips sit laughing in their office at how impossible it is to determine if the square is lavender, mauve or heliotrope. And even if you tend to your spachild, it has to be drained and refilled every three or four months. Picture me running across the TURN TO SMALL TALK ON B14

THE IPAD EFFECT A new study tracks how devices impact learning and teaching in classrooms

By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — Increasingly so, iPads are common in school districts throughout the nation. But studies on the effectiveness of the devices in the classroom — those are rare.

That’s why a new study from the University of San Diego’s Mobile Technology Learning Center could make a splash in the education community.

The research found that iPads promoted 21st century skills like creative thinking, communication and problem solving for students in EUSD (Encinitas Union School District).

The study, however, does have suggestions for improving iPads as learning aides. It recommended the district dedicate more resources to Students at El Camino Creek work on presentations with their iPads. A new study, one of the first of its kind, concluded that iPads benefit TURN TO IPAD STUDY ON B14

reading, writing and creative skills. Photo by Jared Whitlock

City clerk retires after 25 years

By Bianca Kaplanek

Thousands of nuclear fuel rods that contain radioactive waste from the now shut-down San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station will remain on site indefinitely. Courtesy photo

Nuclear waste will remain at San Onofre indefinitely

By Rachel Stine

REGION — There are currently hundreds of thousands of nuclear fuel rods containing radioactive waste being stored at the inoperable San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). And all of that nuclear waste is not going anywhere any time soon.

SONGS was shut down in January 2012 due to leakage of radioactive fluid in its steam generators and officially retired from operation earlier this year. But after years of power production, the nuclear power plant accumulated large quantities of radioactive spent nuclear fuel.

The spent fuel, which is uranium fuel that has been used in a nuclear power reactor until it is no longer capable of generating power, is high-level radioactive waste.

Direct exposure to this highly hazardous material even 10 years after it has been removed from a reactor can be extremely deadly, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

The plant’s spent nuclear fuel will remain on site indefinitely because the federal government has not established any other place to securely store SONGS’s radioactive material or that of any other nuclear power plant around the country.

The U.S. Department of Energy became responsible for building and operating a repository deep underground for the permanent storage of spent nuclear waste from the nation’s power plants when Congress passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act in 1982.

Nevada’s Yucca

Mountain was established as the location for the nation’s first repository, but in 2010 President Barack Obama pulled all funding for the project before construction at the site was completed.

“All of the nuclear plants in the country are storing all of the fuel on site until the time comes when the government builds a permanent geological repository,” explained NRC spokesperson Victor Dricks.

Without plans for another site or resuming construction at Yucca Mountain, the spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants must remain on site for an unforeseeable number of decades.

This leaves 3,963 spent fuel assemblies, which contain 200 or more nuclear fuel rods, on site at SONGS, TURN TO NUCLEAR WASTE ON B14

DEL MAR — After more than 25 years, most of them as city clerk, Mercedes Martin is retiring on Dec. 2.

“I feel very lucky,” Martin said at her last City Council meeting on Nov. 18, during which she was presented with a resolution honoring her “exemplary service to the city.”

“Del Mar has been very good to me,” she added. “I’ve really enjoyed the many years I’ve been here.”

Originally from Kansas City, Kan., Martin’s significant other “pulled us out here” in 1988. “I wasn’t too thrilled about living in California,” she said. “But I decided if I was going to move I was going to finish college. I had gone to school on and off but never earned my degree.”

Martin, Don Christiansen and son Eric, who was 2 at the time, settled in Carlsbad, where they still live. In March of that year she was hired as the Planning Department secretary.

“Jim Sandoval was the planning director at the time,” she recalled. “I think he hired me because I was familiar with the word processing program the department was using. I worked full time and went to school at San Diego State part time until I got to the classes that were impacted.

“Jim was very flexible,” she said. “He let me work around my school schedule.”

In 1993, Martin was six months away from earning her Bachelor of Science degree in business adminis-

After 25 years, most of them as city clerk, Mercedes Martin is retiring Dec. 2. Del Mar has been her only employer since she moved to California in 1988. Courtesy photo

tration with an emphasis on information technology.

Del Mar had no IT positions at the time, but the city clerk was retiring so Martin applied for the job.

“There was some crossover,” she said. “And I used the city as the basis for various different IT projects in school. I also worked on a subcommittee to do a technology needs analysis.”

Martin said she and several outsiders applied for the position. “Lauraine BrekkeEsparza, who was the city TURN TO CITY CLERK ON B14

B2

NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

City reaches out for feedback on improvements

By Bianca Kaplanek

DEL MAR— In an effort to gather feedback on the impact of summer visitors on the Beach Colony, as well as city services and how to improve them in the area, Mayor Terry Sinnott and Councilwoman Sherryl Parks sought to create a full outreach program for residents.

The plan was to have residents in that neighborhood host three to five small in-home meetings that would include all five council members and city staff.

Parks said she received some complaints from citizens in the area who

expressed a desire to have a discussion with council members about the issues.

“We thought it would be a good opportunity, now that the season’s over, to have some small home receptions where we could talk about the concerns of the residents down there,” Parks said at the Nov. 4 council meeting.

“It’s a very special place down there and we want to make sure that everyone is served in that area.”

“During the summer season they have particular things that they experience, both positive and negative,”

Sinnott said. “We thought it would be valuable to reach out and sit down informally with folks and find out how they experience the summer season and then use that information … to plan for the year ahead.”

Although their colleagues support the concept, some had concerns about the process. Don Mosier said it runs the risk of implying council isn’t paying close attention to other areas of the city. He also said residents might be better served by a subcommittee rather than the entire City Council.

“We all have busy

ORTHODONTICS & PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

schedules and this is another workload,” he said. “I think the process is just cleaner with a subcommittee. … The subcommittee can have at it, bring back a report to the whole council, and then the whole council can decide what to do with that information.”

Parks said a subcommittee is currently addressing plans for double-tracking the railroad and adding a seasonal platform at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

She said many of the people affected by those plans live in the Beach Colony and forming another subcommittee would be recreating something that somewhat already exists.

But Sinnott said he was comfortable with a one- or two-person committee.

“I just want the opportunity for us to be out there anticipating … where we can improve service to a specific neighborhood,” Sinnott said.

“Later on we can probably do it with other neighborhoods if issues arise.

“But right now there’s issues that are either perceived or real that we need to at least talk about.”

Lee Haydu said she thought the timing was wrong, especially with the upcoming holidays.

“I’m not saying don’t do it,” Haydu said. “I think it’s a bad time of year. …

Wait until after the first of the year.

“People may not want to talk about it now but I guarantee you they’re going to really want to talk about it before the summer,” she added.

Council members ultimately agreed to limit the outreach to include staff, Sinnott and Parks, with meetings held in early 2014.

A cyclist peddles on Coast Highway 101 in Leucadia. Funding was recently approved for the Encinitas rail trail to give pedestrians and cyclists a separated path to peddle up the coast. While many were in support of the Encinitas coastal rail trail, they also worried about fencing associated with the project during a community meeting last week.

Photo by Jared Whitlock

Residents object to rail trail fencing

By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — During an open house last week introducing the Encinitas “rail trail,” reoccurring worries about fencing cropped up.

In September, the SANDAG board of directors approved funding for the local rail trail — a citywide path alongside the train tracks for cyclists and pedestrians. Many at the meeting welcomed the project, but also brought concerns over NCTD requiring fencing near portions of the rail trail.

Resident John Gjata said fencing could block people from crossing the train tracks to access the coast.

“That’s going to be a big hurdle you’re facing, because right now, they may not be legal crossings, but they are de facto crossings that people use every day all along the corridor,” Gjata said.

Chris Carterette, active transportation planner with SANDAG, said the location and need for fencing hasn’t been determined. But he

hopes to minimize it.

“My goal is to have the project designed and constructed with as little fencing as possible, and to keep the path as far away from the tracks as possible,” Carterette said.

Carterette noted that NCTD, the railway owner, would rule on the need for fencing for rail trail that runs near the tracks. Recently, after negotiations, NCTD agreed to a small fence for the city’s first constructed sliver of rail trail near the Santa Fe pedestrian undercrossing.

“It would be my hope if in the event we’re required to construct (fencing), it would be like that,” Carterette said.

Several residents commented that the Santa Fe fencing is more aesthetically pleasing than previous plans calling for a tall chain link fence near the rail trail, but added that they’d prefer fencing to be avoided altogether to protect beach access.

Beyond fencing, the transit planners and residents discussed other matters related to the rail trail during the meeting.

Chris Kluth, senior active transportation planner with SANDAG, said the rail trail is about getting people of all ages to walk and bike by giving them a safe route to do so.

A tentative map at the meeting illustrated the rail trail running east of the tracks and dipping west toward Coast Highway 101 in Cardiff.

Resident Catherine Blakespear said the rail trail aims to “take everyday people to everyday places.” She said perhaps the rail trail shouldn’t “dump into busy” Coast Highway 101.

“I think the experience you’re trying to create and the reason you’re building the bike path is so that people can go places and they don’t feel in danger,” Blakespear said.

Two residents brought up the issue of lighting for the rail trail. And in response, Carterette said it hasn’t been decided whether that would be necessary.

The Encinitas rail trail will be built in four segments.

The meeting last week focused on the first portion: Chesterfield Drive to E Street.

TURN TO RAIL TRAIL ON B14

B3

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013

ODD Smaller-scale sand project receives approval FILES

by CHUCK SHEPHERD

By Jared Whitlock

Family of Man The Marvels of Science: The notorious white separatist Craig Cobb is currently soliciting like-skinned people to move to his tiny town of Leith, N.D. (pop. 16), to create a deluxe Caucasian enclave, but at the urging of a black TV host submitted to a DNA test in November to “prove” his lineage — and turned up 14 percent black (“Sub-Saharan African”).

He has vowed to try other DNA tests before confirming those results. Bobby Harper, previously Leith’s only black resident, was gleeful: “I knew there was one other black person in town.” (In mid-November, Cobb was charged, along with an associate, with seven counts of terrorism for walking menacingly through Leith wielding a long gun.)

Government in Action Recurring Theme: The Environmental Protection Agency, already revealed in June to have allowed a contractor to maintain taxpayerfunded “man caves” (TVs, appliances, couches, videos, etc.) hidden away in a Washington, D.C.-area warehouse, made the news again during the government shutdown in October when soup with a 1997 expiration date was found during the shutdown in an EPA employees’ refrigerator. Furthermore, in September, former highlevel EPA executive John Beale pleaded guilty to defrauding the agency of $900,000 in salary, expenses and bonuses dating back to the 1990s by claiming work orders (including secret projects for the CIA) that no one at EPA appears ever to have tried to verify.

In October, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro created a “Vice Ministry of Supreme Social Happiness” to coordinate the welfare programs begun by the late President Hugo Chavez.

Critics charged, however, that there is much to be unhappy about, given the country’s annual rate of inflation (near 50 percent), and an Associated Press dispatch quoted one critic who said she would be happy enough if only stores were not constantly out of milk and toilet paper. (Another skeptic said he looked forward to maybe a Vice Ministry of Beer).

The U.S. government has engaged in some legendarily wasteful projects, but leaders in China’s Yungai village (pop. 3,683), in Hunan province, have surely raised the bar for epic squander after borrowing the equivalent of $2.4 million and building an impressive seven-story government headquarters — but with 96 still-unlooked-out front windows because there is no activity beyond the first floor. According to an October London Daily Telegraph report, the only occupants are the village g o v e r n m e n t ’ s eight employees.

ENCINITAS — If at first you don’t succeed, then try again. The old adage recently rang true for Encinitas and Solana Beach.

Earlier this summer, the California Coastal Commission denied the cities’ 50-year replenishment project, arguing too much nourishment sand would affect marine life and the quality of surf breaks.

On Nov. 14 the cities regrouped and submitted a project that would place less sand on beaches, which coastal commissioners unanimously voted in favor of at their meeting in Newport Beach.

Now, the replenishment plan has a shot at receiving federal funding.

“I really appreciate the Army Corps and Solana Beach and Encinitas getting together again and trying to work this out so it’s more acceptable for the Coastal Commission,” said Coastal Commissioner Dayna Bochco.

Although the Coastal Commission vote cleared the way for the project to move forward, a few hurdles still need to be cleared before sand is carted to beaches. The Army Corps of Engineers still has to sign off on funding a large chunk of the project. If it does agree to pay for the nourishment, getting the money will require approval from a federal bill known as WRDA (Water Resources Development Act).

Other infrastructure projects are competing to

A surfer catches a wave at Seaside Reef. The California Coastal Commission voted in favor of a revised version of the Encinitas and Solana Beach sand project last week. Among their reasons: The wave quality at surf breaks is less likely to be impacted by the revamped plan. Photo by Jared Whitlock

be included as part of WRDA, and the deadline for the bill is nearing.

Before the commission vote, Solana Beach City Manager David Ott said the project is important because a region-wide replenishment plan has not been put forward to follow efforts in 2001 and 2012.

Along similar lines, Encinitas City Manager Gus Vina said: “If we can’t get this project to the finish line, I’m concerned we may not have this same opportunity for a long time.”

With coastal erosion becoming the norm, Vina said that everything from Coast Highway 101 to beach stairways are at risk. He highlighted how past regional beach nourishments have benefitted the city.

To manage sea level

rise, Solana Beach Mayor Mike Nichols said that beach nourishments are preferred over seawalls.

“It’s a much preferred and much superior alternative than continuing to armor our bluffs, Nichols said. “I think we can all agree on that.”

But Julie Chunn-Heer, campaign coordinator with Surfrider, said there’s a “false dichotomy” between “sand and no sand.”

“Some sand is better than no sand, but too much sand at once can have disastrous impacts,” Chunn-Heer said. “So we’re feeling like it’s either death by seawalls or death by sand at this point.”

While the revamped project wouldn’t unload as much sand on beaches, Chunn-Heer said the project is still likely to have a

negative impact on surfing reefs like Tabletops in Solana Beach.

Local lobsterman Marcus Medic said the replenishment plan doesn’t adequately monitor the effects on lobster and other marine life.

“No mention is made of the effect on the survival of lobsters or any other shallow reef inhabitants,” Medic said.

Based on conversations with other local lobstermen, catches are dramatically down as a result of the 2012 sand replenishment, Medic said.

In contrast, fishermen in other parts of Southern California, who weren’t affected by the nourishment, have indicated catch levels are fairly normal.

Regular nourishments would take a toll on San

Diego lobstermen, he said.

With replenishments becoming more common across the state, Coastal Commissioner Brian Brennan said it’s important that the Coastal Commission advance monitoring for lobster and other fisheries, starting with the Encinitas and Solana Beach project.

In response, coastal commission staff members said they’d explore partnering with other agencies to analyze how the 50-year sand project impacts lobsters.

Other coastal commissioners said they were reassured that the scaled back project would result in beach widths that are in line with — not more than — historic conditions.

This means the wave quality at surf breaks is less likely to suffer, they said.

Similarly, provisions in the revamped plan call for tracking the project’s effect on surfing.

In Solana Beach, the first replenishment cycle would dredge 700,000 cubic yards of sand from offshore and place it on beaches.

Subsequent cycles, done every 10 years, would place 290,000 cubic yards of sand on the shore.

For Encinitas, beaches would gain 340,000 cubic yards of sand during the first cycle. Future nourishments would unload 220,000 cubic yards of sand every five years.

Over 50 years, it’s estimated the project would cost $55.6 million for the Encinitas portion and $61 million for the Solana Beach portion.

Fairgrounds parking, events get OK No plans for field

By Bianca Kaplanek

DEL MAR — With two permits granted by the California Coastal Commission at the Nov. 13 meeting, the 22nd District Agricultural Association can now host a second horse race meet and continue yearround use of a vacant lot east of the Del Mar Fairgrounds for parking and other activates.

The permit authorizing use of a 21-acre parcel known as the east overflow lot that includes a golf driving range was scheduled for action in October.

But commissioners delayed the vote after county Supervisor Dave Roberts and representatives from several environmental groups and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority said the southern third of the east overflow lot — less than 5 acres — should be restored because a recent study indicates there are more wetlands there.

The permits allow the 22nd DAA, which oversees the fairgrounds, to move forward with consent orders that resulted from a settlement reached in March 2012 to resolve and mitigate past unpermitted development

and activities at the stateowned facility.

The 22nd DAA used the south and east lots for parking during the fair and horse races before establishment of the Coastal Act in 1976 so the commission hasn’t challenged those uses during those events.

It was additional uses during other times of the year that were considered violations.

As part of the settlement the 22nd DAA agreed to restore back to wetlands a 9.5-acre unpaved dirt parcel known as the south overflow parking lot.

Because the fairgrounds will lose about 1,250 parking spaces as a result, officials sought to continue using the parcel east of Jimmy Durante Boulevard for yearround temporary events such as the pumpkin patch, Christmas tree sales and parking, as well as additional future temporary events.

After meeting with fairgrounds and JPA officials during the past month, the Coastal Commission staff recommended using the lower third of the east lot for parking only during the summer fair and horse races and for the fall race meet when all other onsite park-

ing has been exhausted for 10 years.

A conservation easement would also immediately be placed on the one-third section of the east lot.

Staff said a decade gives the 22nd DAA sufficient time to offset the loss of spaces in the entire south and lower portion of the east lots.

Environmentalists agreed.

Michael Beck, San Diego director for the Endangered Habitats League, called the timeframe “incredibly generous.”

“There has to be a timeframe otherwise there won’t be any progress,” he said.

“Ten years is a long time to work out a parking solution.”

“The present methodology seems to be to cram as much activity on the grounds as possible and then scramble to find the parking for the visitors,” Bill Farrell, from Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley, said. “Perhaps a new planning paradigm should be considered.”

Farrell suggested the 22nd DAA scale each event to accommodate the number of visitors.

lighting at Encinitas Community Park

By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — Tall poles that were recently erected at the Encinitas Community Park aren’t for field lighting, park officials said at a meeting on Tuesday updating residents on the progress of construction.

In the past, neighbors of the park voiced strong opposition to stadium lighting. At the meeting, they worried the newly installed poles will support high-beam fixtures.

“We know that there have been some rumors circulating in the public that these poles you see in the photograph there are for lights,” said Stephanie Kellar, associate civil engineer with the city. “And that’s unfortunately misinformation.”

The poles will hold netting to stop foul baseballs, parks and recreation officials clarified.

Installing field lighting at the park would require approval from the Planning Commission, City Council and the California Coastal Commission.

“This would not be a city

employee decision,” City Manager Gus Vina said, adding that the City Council hasn’t weighed in on field lights for the park.

Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Rudloff said there are no current plans for field lighting. However, the ground is “plumbed” for such lighting if any proposals come about.

There will be fixtures with LED lights for pedestrians along the parking lot, the access drive and the sidewalks. Those will not illuminate any of the sports fields, Kellar emphasized. One-third of the lights will remain on throughout the night for security reasons.

Additionally, officials talked about pushing back the park’s opening date, sports field scheduling and the park’s tentative hours.

Rudloff said the city originally planned on the park debuting in spring 2014.

Construction is on schedule, but the turf can’t be planted until spring, and it needs TURN TO LIGHTING ON B14

B4

NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Garden Del Mar development may finally take root

By Bianca Kaplanek

DEL MAR -— Five years after it was approved by voters, a plan to develop the former gas station site on the corner of Camino del Mar and 10th Street is sprouting new signs of life.

If built, Garden Del Mar will be the first major commercial development in the downtown area in about two decades.

The 25,527-square-foot lot was purchased by Shaar Company in 2006.

Because of its size and the fact that it exceeds existing zoning laws, the project triggered compliance with voter-approved Measure B, which limits downtown commercial developments larger than 25,000 square feet until a specific plan is approved.

A specific plan lays out development parameters for a property and sets new zoning laws which supersede existing regulations. This process was last used for L’Auberge and Del Mar Plaza.

Initially proposed as an all-office development, the project was modified over time. City Council appointed five residents to a steering committee to work with the developer and the community.

The group held more than 60 meetings in about 20 months. When it was pre-

Plans to develop the former gas station site on the corner of Camino del Mar and 10th Street are blooming again. The property was foreclosed on and a potential buyer wants to add residential units to Garden Del Mar, depicted in this rendering, a use not included in the original plans. Courtesy rendering

sented to voters in 2008 the project featured six twostory buildings that included retail and office space, three public plazas, a restaurant and 106 stalls in a twolevel parking structure.

Community members sought to have residential units added but the developer declined to include them.

In 2010 Schaar defaulted on its loan.

The bank foreclosed on the property this year, and it is currently for sale. City staff said potential buyers have expressed interest in adding residential.

Kitchell Development Company, which has entered into an agreement to buy the lot, is asking to change some or all of the office space to dwelling units. That will require an amendment

to the specific plan, which is easier said than done because of Measure B. According to the Garden Del Mar specific plan, minor changes require approval by four of the five council members.

Major changes require city approval and a public vote.

The plan lists which category some changes would fall under, but residential is not among them.

Most council members indicated they believe it is a minor change. Councilman Don Mosier said he thought it was somewhere in the middle.

The half dozen people who spoke at the meeting support adding residential.

Most said there should be some type of public vote.

“You have to respect Measure B,� said Brooke Eisenberg-Pike, a member of the steering committee. “It was voted on by the public as an office project. You can’t do just a 4/5 vote of the council and not have some kind of mail-in ballot that would give an advisory vote that people did want that change. “You’re not changing the plan,� she added. “You’re just changing the use, but the public has to be part of this process.�

Art Olson, who also served on the committee, said introducing small residential units has an additional promise of revitalizing the southern district. “Technically the wording in the specific plan allows modification with

concurrence of a supermajority of the City Council,� he said. “However, the potential conversion of office condos into residential units is something that does represent, in my mind, a significant change and should be decided with community input — the Del Mar way. “To me this means that it would be prudent and politically wise to hold public hearings and let the citizens of Del Mar decide on this change by way of a public vote,� he added. “I also believe, however, that a vote on this matter should be as expeditious and as inexpensive as possible. Thus, I’m in favor of a mail-in ballot.� “The concept of residential is excellent,� said Dave Druker, a councilman

when the project was conceived and voted on. “I think there are very few people in town that would ‌ say don’t do it. ‌ I truly believe that we need to go to a vote of the people on this because this is major usage change.â€?

Council voted 5-0 to reconvene the steering committee to meet once or twice and return with recommendations by Jan. 6. Council members will then determine whether it is a minor or major change.

Council asked staff to have a mail ballot ready by the end of January. “We’ll get a vote and they’ll say it should have been (considered) a major (change) and so we’ll have to do it all over again,� Mosier said. “But that’s the risk you take.�

Planning Commission’s appeal sparks debate over zoning

By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — With 16 public speakers, Wednesday night’s council meeting set off a debate over which kind of groups can operate on the former Ecke Ranch property, purchased last

1x2 X IS NEWSPAPER TALK FOR A ONE COLUMN BY v AD 4OO SMALL TO BE EFFECTIVE 9OU RE READING THIS AREN T YOU #ALL FOR MORE INFO

year by the Leichtag Foundation.

Voting 3-2, council members rejected an appeal and allowed Leichtag to host its employees and a hub of nonprofits in existing barns on the property.

The property is zoned for agriculture. At issue: The nonprofits have ties to agriculture, but it isn’t their primary mission.

For instance, JDC Entwine, one of the nonprofits, aids farmers in developing countries.

Previously, the Planning Commission gave the groups the OK to move onto Ecke Ranch, ruling that they fall under “accessory use� — making them “substantially the same in

character,� “subordinate� and “incidental� to the zoning, according to the staff report.

However, resident Sheila Cameron appealed the Planning Commission’s decision.

Cameron noted a Leichtag letter called for using the space for tasks like budgeting and drawing up social media strategies.

Those uses don’t fit within the definition of agriculture, she said.

She added that declining the appeal would lead to an “erosion� in zoning.

Councilwoman Kristin Gaspar expressed concern the council could set a precedent for growers per-

Nonprofits and Leichtag employees got approval to set up shop in barns on the Leichtag Foundation property after the City Council denied an appeal. Photo courtesy of Leichtag Foundation

mitting completely unrelated uses on their property.

Councilman Mark Muir joined her in voting against denying the appeal.

Voting against the appeal, Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer said uses like budgeting don’t preclude agriculture. “They’re neutral

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(terms) in the sense that they could be applied to agriculture activities,�

Shaffer said.

Shaffer also said that the nonprofits are loosely connected to agriculture and represent a small footprint on the property, so the proposal meets the definition of accessory use.

Of the barns, one measures 15,100 square feet and the other is 835 square feet.

The nonprofits will take up about one-quarter of the space in them. No improvements or additions to the barns are scheduled; the

nonprofits will operate rent-free in the barns.

Eric Larson, executive director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, said the nature of farming is changing. There’s less land available, water costs are high and few young people want to become farmers. He said the future is urban farming, and the nonprofit hub could give Encinitas an edge. “I think in those collaborations we have the opportunities to find the ways to be an urban agriculture community,� Larson said.

Celebrity food stars at Chino Farm RANCHO SANTA FE — The Good Earth/Great Chefs Series presents chef, author and the proprietor of Chez Panisse restaurant, Alice Waters, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at Chino Farms, 6123 Calzada Del Bosque, Rancho Santa Fe. Waters will be signing her new book “The Art of Simple Food II” along with wine expert Kermit Lynch, signing his book “Adventures on the Wine Route.” This event will benefit The Edible Schoolyard Project, Alice Waters’ food education program.

The event is free and will be outdoors rain or shine.

Waters and Lynch are the last in its Good Earth/Great Chefs series, all part of a broader farm-to-table fall focus.

There is no better place to find Waters than at a farm.

She will be signing copies of her latest book alongside her friend Lynch, whom she

describes as a “revolutionary wine merchant who, almost single handedly, has brought about a new understanding of wine as a unique expression of land, tradition, and people.”

Bottaro Pizza and their mobile pizza oven will be there making pizzas using seasonal vegetables from Chino Farms, and there will be live music from East of Echo. Ballast Point will be

pouring beer samples, as well.

Books can be pre-ordered at goodearthgreatchefs.com or purchased at the event. If you can’t make it to the event, you can pick up signed copies of both books at the farm during regular stand hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and

Sundays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chino Farms is a family owned farm, established in 1946 on 50 acres of river-bottom land in Rancho Santa Fe. In 1972, Chino Farm, which specializes in heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables, gained widespread recognition when Waters began using their vegetables at her worldrenowned restaurant Chez Panisse. Chino corn, green beans, watermelons, berries and other delicious and rare items can be found on restaurant menus around Southern California. The stand, open 6 days a week, is a mainstay for food lovers in the area and a ritual stop for foodies visiting the San Diego area.

For more information, v i s i t goodearthgreatchefs.wordpress.com. Chino Farms is a family-owned farm, established in 1946 on 50 acres of river-bottom land in Rancho Santa Fe.

Incorporate tips from the runway into your wardrobe this winter season. Courtesy photo

Stay on trend this winter season (BPT) — As we head into the cold winter months, there is no need to sacrifice your style for warmth.

This year, incorporate on-trend looks from the runway into your wardrobe to keep your look fashion-forward throughout season. Here are five fantastic looks for fall and winter from celebrity stylist, Cristina Ehrlich.

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stripes are central to this look,” says Ehrlich.

“While traditional tailoring for men — like the haberdashery cut — is being refreshed with a feminine silhouette.”

2. N e o - p u n k The neo-punk look channels the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Sid and Nancy, and s i n g e r / s o n g w r i t e r, Siouxsie. Add a little edge to your wardrobe with tartan, vinyl, chains, studs and spikes. Metals make ideal neo-punk accessories. Ehrlich recommends stacking a few customizable PANDORA bracelets and rings in mixed metals for a fashion-forward look that is all your own.

1 . M e n ’s s u i t s t y l i n g Menswear is no longer reserved for the boys as women around the world are adapting men’s suit styles and making them their own.

This trend embodies looks inspired by Savile Row — the famous street in London known for tailoring the attire of some 3. To n e - o n - t o n e Color remains big for of the world’s most famous men. “Patterns winter, with tone-on-tone like herringbone and pin- trending on and off the

runway. To pull off this look, choose an outfit in a rich hue and then bring it to life by mixing in complementary shades and textures.

For example, an emerald green top is enhanced with accessories in various shades of bright green. “Jewelry in harmonious shades can perfect the tone-ontone look with minimal effort,” adds Ehrlich.

4. R e n a i s s a n c e f ab r i c mixing This season’s hottest designers are showing a reincarnation of 18th and 19th century patterns blended with colorful, contemporary fabrics.

This Renaissance inspired look is far from what you’ll find at a medieval fair. To incorporate this trend, Ehrlich likes to pair a long, full skirt with a cropped

cardigan. “Have fun mixing fabrics to create a one-of-a-kind look,” she says. “Paisley and pinstripes? Of course!”

5. M i d - c e n t u r y The sultry, feminine looks associated with film-noir are brought to life with this runway trend. Celebrate classic beauty with nipped-waist tops and flowing, billowy skirt-suits.

Complete your outfit with accessories — try necklaces that mix sterling silver, 14-karat gold and sparkling stones.

“No matter what your personal style, these five trends are sure to bring your look to new fashionable heights,” says Ehrlich. “By mixing fabrics, colors, prints and accessories that embrace the top trends, you’ll look and feel great all season long.”

Who’s NEWS?

Local angels

St. Pat’s Angels, an initiative created by St. Patrick Catholic School in Carlsbad, helps students to give to Business news and special their community. The group is now hosting a Bread of achievements for North San Diego County. Life Food Drive.

They have already colSend information via email to lected over 1,500 items for community@ the facility that almost ran coastnewsgroup.com. out of food last month, but should now have plenty of food for the Thanksgiving Duo in “Grinch” holiday. The St. Pat’s Angels T w o program is always open to children suggestions on ways to give. f r o m To make a wish request, C a rl s b a d e m a i l are appearstpatricksangels@gmail.com ing this . year in the Pet food drive G l o b e ’s A Holiday Pet Food annual holDrive is being held through iday musiDec. 31, sponsored by PAWS cal Dr. San Diego, By Nature Food Seuss’ How ELLIOT WEAVER Products, and Absolute the Grinch Stole Christmas! Pawfection Grooming Isabelle Services. PAWS San Diego Simone is a nonprofit organization Pizzurro that provides pet services to plays Annie low-income and disabled Who and pet owners and distributes E l l i o t food to local rescues. By Weaver is in Nature will match any the ensemdonation of its own brand. ble. Both Drop-off locations and are making times include: their Old — Absolute ISABELLE G l o b e Pawfection, 105 Diana St., PIZZURO debuts in Encinitas -Tuesday to this year’s production. The Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. holiday musical will run on — Torrey Hills the Donald and Darlene Apartment Homes, 11058 Shiley Stage in the Old West Ocean Air Drive, east Globe Theatre, part of the of Del Mar - daily, 9 a.m. to 6 Globe’s Conrad Prebys p.m.

Theatre Center, Nov. 16 — — Kamp Kanine, 389 Dec. 28. Tickets can be pur- Requeza St., Encinitas chased online at Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 TheOldGlobe.org, by phone p.m.) at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the BoxOffice.

Amigo Award MiraCosta College Well-prepared Superintendent/President MiraCosta College has Dr. Francisco Rodriguez has received the American Red received the 2013 Amigo Cross Award for Excellence Award in Education, which is in Disaster Preparedness. bestowed each year by the MiraCosta College police Mexican American Business Sgt. Benny Perez accepted & Professional Association the award on behalf of the (MABPA). The award recogdepartment and MiraCosta nizes community members, College. organizations and projects This award is given to that have made a difference recognize district organiza- in the San Diego tions for their superior emer- County Mexicangency preparedness plan.

American community.

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Wowed by metal monsters and surprised by flowers E’LOUISE ONDASH Hit the Road You can always count on the Anza Borrego Desert to deliver surprises, and we weren’t disappointed on a recent visit. In late October, we drove over the mountains to see some of the 131 Sky Art sculptures that inhabit the acres around the town of Borrego Springs. We expected to be wowed by these metal monsters, but didn’t expect to find flowers.

“The desert is blooming because they got a lot of rain a couple of weeks ago when it rained a bit in San Diego,” said Phil Pryde, professor emeritus at San Diego State University and expert on all local forms of life.

Nevertheless, he was hard pressed to identify a few of the flowers in the photos I sent.

Let’s just say that it was pure joy to discover the expanses of white-and-lavender Jimson Weed; the clumps of purple sand verbena; the carpets of tiny yellow mystery flowers; and a vine that produced what looked like mini-watermelons.

But back to the sculptures …

They were commissioned by millionaire philanthropist and amateur paleontologist Dennis Avery who owned acreage in and around Borrego Springs. A chance meeting with metal sculptor Ricardo Breceda in 2007 led to a collaboration that changed Breceda’s life. Formerly in construction, he sustained an injury about 14 years ago that changed his life.

“I broke my back,” Breceda told me in 2009. “A couple of discs were smashed so no more heavy lifting.I start-

Fossils of these camels, as well as the giant bird Aiolornis, the elephantlike Gomphothere, the sabertooth cat and more have been found in the Anza Borrego Desert in some of the most extensive and well-preserved paleontology sites in all of North America, according to the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association.

This 350-foot dragon appears to be crossing the north end of Borrego Springs Road. Sculptor Ricardo Breceda, who was born in Durango, Mexico, took four months to create this behemoth in his Perris workshop.

It took three months and a dozen workers to install it, and cost about $40,000. Photos by Jerry Ondash

Not all of sculptor Ricardo Breceda’s works depict prehistoric creatures.

The people in this 1946 Willys Jeep look as if they are out for a joy ride in the desert. Breceda thought several times he was finished fulfilling the wishes of Dennis Avery, who commissioned the artworks, but each time, the philanthropist asked for more. The final sculptures were placed in Unexpected rain in October 2011. caused this Jimson Weed to bloom in the Anza Borrego Desert near A carpet of golden yellow blankets the desert floor near Borrego Springs the town of Borrego Springs. in October – an unusual time of year for blooms. Normally such displays aren’t seen until the spring months following the winter rains. A short but green and lush. effective October deluge gave life to these opportunistic bloomers.

ed doing little things in metal just to kill time, and I gave them to my friends.”

Then Breceda’s daughter encouraged him to think big.

ATTENTION READERS!

Say you saw it in the Rancho Santa Fe News!

The artist modeled his creatures after drawings in a book that Avery helped publish. The first sculptures were installed in 2008, and now the Borrego Springs area is populated with mammoths, sabertoothed tigers, camels, wild pigs and horses, sloths, sheep and llamas. Human figures are there, too –— Juan Bautista de Anza, who trekked today’s Anza Borrego Desert looking for a route to San Francisco for Spain; miners panning gold; and field workers picking grapes.

My favorite pieces include a humongous grasshopper and scorpion, and

“She was 6 at the time and the ‘Jurassic Park’ movie had come out. She said, ‘Let’s make a big dinosaur.’ So I made a T. rex and a Spinosaurus.They were 20-by40 feet, and I put them (on my land in Perris) by the I-215 freeway. Then there was bumper-to-bumper traffic and the television cameras came and the rest is history.”

Avery followed the commotion, met with Breceda, and commissioned him to create the first group of creatures — 65 prehistoric beasts that once roamed the Borrego Valley at a time when it was

Although most of the 131 Sky Art sculptures near Borrego Springs can be seen from the car, visitors should take the short hikes to the pieces to appreciate the detailed metal work of artist Ricardo Breceda. This is a claw of a giant sloth, located on Borrego Springs Road north of Christmas Circle. The sculptures will stand until Mother Nature says otherwise, he says.

Most of the sculptures are a gargantuan dragon that appears to have started diving within a few minutes’ drive of into the sand on one side of the Borrego Spring’s Christmas road and surfaces on the other. Circle. (This grassy oasis has been improved since my last visit — lots more shade provided by covered structures and trees, and even wi-fi.) Most of the sculptures can be seen from the car, but cursory glances don’t do justice to these treasures. Put on your hiking shoes and get up-closeand-personal with these behemoths. A careful look will reveal amazing and intricate metal work.

Breceda used both recycled and new metal to construct the sculptures, and built the largest ones in sections, then assembled them on location. The process often took several weeks or months, and most creations cost thousands.

The last sculpture was placed in 2012, the year Avery died.

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E’Louise Ondash is a freelance writer living in North County. Tell her about your travels at eondash@coastnewsgroup.com.

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F OOD &W INE

Italian goodness at Davanti Enoteca DAVID BOYLAN Lick the Plate

The Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma in 2013 had more rain than most areas, but dry, steady winds dried the grapes, many of which are Cabernet Sauvignon. Photo by Frank Mangio

After the harvest:

The quiet winds of Sonoma FRANK MANGIO

Taste of Wine Great wine begins in the vineyard somewhere between January and March as the season matures.

If all goes well and the season ends as it did in 2013 in Sonoma, Calif. there will be a collective sigh of relief, and another legacy of great wines will have revealed itself.

There is cause for celebration as all 400-plus wineries in 16 Sonoma AVA Districts are praising the exceptional quality of the grapes.

The harvest began early and the pace quickened throughout September and ended the last week in October, earlier than normal.

Mother Nature delivered in an autumnal way.

Now is a serene time to visit and take in the beautiful fall colors of the wineries, an intermezzo between harvest and the colder weather to come.

You’ll travel 50 miles to see it all, sampling the Sonoma Wine Country that stuns the senses.

If you visit, we recommend you taste the wines, enjoy the restaurants without the summer crowds and pick out a few smaller towns for the history and ambience of earlySonoma. Some wineries to try: R2 Wine Company (R Squared). Brothers Richard and Roger Roessler have a mission to create wines that are an expression of their place of origin and taste great.

Their winery is just a short walk from Sonoma Square.

You will love their Gold Medal winner 2011 Black Pinot Noir.

It’s a deep ruby red color and fills the glass with ripe cherry and earthy aromas. Note the long, silky finish. r2winecompany.com.

Arrowhead Winery.

Arrowhead hits the target

with its 2006 Arrowhead Cabernet Sauvignon, a harmonious blend of berry fruits, notes of cedar and well-integrated tannins.

Arrowheadwinery.com.

Bella Vineyards. In the heart of Dry Creek Valley, try the 2010 Zinfandel Rocky Ridge, with intense aromas and flavors of plum, blackberries and cassis with silky tannins. Don’t miss the wine caves. bellawinery.com.

Ferrari-Carano. Founded in Dry Creek Valley in 1981 by Don and Rhonda Carano, the gardens are gorgeous and the wines are known worldwide.

The 2009 Tresor (aptly named for “treasure”), is a favorite, blended and barrel aged in French Oak for 19 months for fruit intensity. Lingering sweet notes of dark chocolate add great depth. ferrari-carano.com.

Anaba. A small boutique family owned winery operated by wind turbine. Their 2010 Pinot Noir on the Sonoma Coast is a perfectly placed deep colored wine with notes of tobacco, currants, blackberry and mocha.

Anabawines.com.

Sonoma is one of the world’s premier wine growing regions of artisan winemaking. Learn more atsonomawine.com.

Searsucker: A Social Wine & Dine Experience First located in San Diego in 2010, this socialized dining phenomenon, founded by local celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey, is now Searsucker’s second restaurant, in the Del Mar Heights area.

General Manager Nick Baker was all smiles with the local families that have flocked in. “This was a Burlap Restaurant that catered to the bar scene. Now, families feel comfortable coming to dinner here. We moved the bar to the back, and it does great there, but we needed a lot more restaurant space. We created a kids menu. We have a big koi pond with a viewing area.

We’re serving American comfort food and now customers

are coming in several times a month.”

The wine menu is decidedly California style with emphasis on Pinot Noirs, Cabernets and Chardonnay.

Wine picks included a Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley and a Riesling from Washington as a lead-in to the star of the night, matching up with a snappy cherry and almond garnished Salmon, the 2011 Sonoma Coast Merry Edwards Pinot Noir.

Searsucker serves lunch and dinner, with brunch on Sundays. A daily Happy Hour takes half-off the small bites menu, at the bar. See more at searsucker.com.

Wine Bytes Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas presents the Wines of Napa Valley, a 2-hour tasting Dec. 6. $20 for six wines. Call (760) 479-2500.

West Restaurants and Inn Carlsbad kicks off their Toys for Tots Drive, Dec. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m.This free celebration will feature cookie decorating, face painting, chestnut roasting, horse drawn carriage rides and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Please bring a new toy for less fortunate children.

Details at (760) 448-4500.

Visit six wineries on the Holiday Wine Trail in Ramona Valley each with a food pairing Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $65 and includes five wine tastings at participating wineries. For more, call (760) 505-8229.

San Diego State University has a Wine List Creation class Dec. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. The class counts towards a Certificate in the Business of Wine. $149. Call for details at (619) 265-7378.

Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. His library can be viewed at www.tasteofwinetv.com. (Average Google certified 900 visits per day) He is one of the top five wine commentators on the Web. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.

When our server at Davanti came out with the Fall menu and their signature cocktail, the Davanti Spritz, I knew we were in for a treat.

The drink combined Aperol, Prosecco, soda and orange.

Aperol was new to me and but it’s a perfect aperitif with a long history, originating in 1919 in Italy. It worked nicely with Prosecco and was a fine way to start the meal.

The menu included two dishes with ingredients I’m quite fond of, farro and spaghetti squash.

Farro is an ancient grain believed to have sustained the Roman legions and is showing up on menus everywhere but has been a staple in rustic Italian kitchens forever.

It’s used in soups, salads and desserts and the little light brown grain is an intriguing alternative to pasta and rice.

Chef de Cuisine Darrell Campbell combines it with roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, hazelnuts and watercress to create a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

For parents out there looking to introduce their kids to a fun vegetable that can be used as a substitute for just about any pasta dish, spaghetti squash is worth a shot.

I’ve just been recently turned on to it myself and get a big kick out of how it forms spaghetti-like strands when cooked and scraped out with a fork.

Chef Campbell took it to a much higher level of course, combining it with seared scallop, pork belly, and pear to create a surf and turf perfect for autumn. I loved this dish!

I should note that while we were seated at Davanti, its sister restaurant Mia Francesca is located right next door and we sampled a couple of dishes from their kitchen as well.

The gnocchi Bolognese was spot-on with one of the better Bolognese sauces I’ve had in recent memory.

Chef de Cuisine Darrell Campbell runs the kitchen at Davanti Enoteca.

Photo courtesy PR Chemistry

Our dessert, a Mele e Mascarpone with caramelized apples, mascarpone and crumbled graham crackers also came from Mia Francesca.

Chef de Cuisine Darrell Campbell is a fellow Michigander, having grown up not far from me in metroDetroit.

He attended college at Michigan State University and was en route to majoring in math and science when he realized that what he truly enjoyed in life was cooking.

The resulting switch toward pursuing a career in the culinary industry was no surprise to his circle of longtime friends; Campbell recalls early memories of visiting friends’ houses and whipping up inventive meals from whatever food was lying around their refrigerators.

After realizing his enthusiasm for the culinary world, Campbell worked in Michigan kitchens for seven years. In time, he found himself drawn

Eat for FREE on your Birthday Excludes beverages and gratuities. Excludes alcohol. Not valid on holidays. Must be accompanied by a guest. MUST SHOW proof of birth date (drivers license). Up to $18 value. Please consider the value of this coupon when tipping your server. Offers cannot be combined with other promotions & discounts. One offer per table. Ask server for details. With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases.

to a warmer locale and relocated to Arizona, where he attended the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts.

Campbell remained in Scottsdale until February 2013 when he was tapped to lead the kitchen of the Del Mar location of Davanti Enoteca as chef de cuisine.

He’s dedicated to working the line with his teammates and purposefully continues to learn, believing that the joy of being a chef is about trying new recipes and ingredients and a lifelong ability to teach and be taught.

Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy and Del Mar and Mia Francesca in Del Mar are the first Southern California outposts born of the highly successful Francesca’s Restaurant TURN TO LICK THE PLATE ON B14

LUNCH Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:00pm DINNER Mon-Thurs: 5pm-9pm Fri: 5pm-9pm / Sat: 4pm-9pm Sun: 4pm-9pm

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Acting city manager and former fire chief Kevin Crawford listens to a staff presentation during the Nov. 5 City Council meeting. Photo by Rachel Stine

Fire chief named interim city manager

By Rachel Stine

CARLSBAD — Carlsbad Fire Chief Kevin Crawford has officially been selected as the interim city manager, while John Coates, who formerly held the position, remains on paid administrative leave through mid-March.

Crawford has been serving as acting city manager since Coates resigned for undisclosed reasons on Nov. 1.

On Nov. 19, City Council unanimously voted Crawford to temporarily fill the position until a new manager has been hired. He will receive a 15 percent pay raise while serving in the position, raising his annual salary from $189,300 to $217,695, as well as a $350 monthly vehicle allowance.

City Council voted on Crawford’s appointment in a special public meeting held five minutes before Tuesday evening’s regular council meeting. The city published

notice about the special meeting days after publishing the council’s regular agenda, sometime before the meeting.

Former City Manager John Coates will remain on administrative leave, maintaining his $220,500 annual salary and benefits, through March 12, 2014, according to his separation agreement with the city.

After that date, Coates will receive payment of about $55,000 as severance.

The separation agreement states that the city and Coates are working on settling all disputes arising from his resignation, but did not specify what claims or disputes may have arisen.

Under the agreement, Coates may not file any complaints, charges, or lawsuits against the city unless it is in regards to the fulfillment of his severance agreement.

The city is not prohibited

from filing charges against Coates under the agreement.

At the Nov. 5 closed session meeting when Coates’ resignation was discussed, City Council also decided to enter into an unknown type of litigation, according to City Attorney Celia Brewer.

The items on the agenda for that closed session meeting consisted of a lawsuit filed against the city for damage done by a city utility truck, the appointment of Crawford as interim city manager, and the consideration of evaluating Brewer as city attorney.

Brewer declined to specify what the litigation involved or if it resulted from Coates’ leave.

Fire Division Chief Mike Davis is serving as interim fire chief. It’s expected Crawford will resume his position as fire chief once a new city manager is selected.

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Paddle out for Kirk

There was a solid turnout for the paddle out in memory of Kirk Passmore off of Tamarack State Beach.

O

n Nov. 13 Kirk Passmore went missing while big wave surfing on the North Shore of Hawaii. Passmore, 32, was well-known in the Carlsbad area, where he grew up, including having graduated from Carlsbad High School and who was also a member of the Carlsbad High School surf team. Hundreds took to the waters off of Tamarack State Beach for a paddle out in memory of Passmore on Saturday. Another paddle out is scheduled for next week in Hawaii, where he had lived full time since 2012. Family and friends said he always had a passion for the ocean. Photos by Tony Cagala

Scott Chandler and his daughter Rylinn come back to shore after the paddle out for Kirk Passmore. Chandler was a friend of Passmore.

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David Passmore, Kirk’s father, greets other surfers at the paddle out.

Chris Hesler, whose son was friends with Kirk, attends the paddle out with a photo of Kirk around her neck.

B10

community CALENDAR

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

Thursdays and until 4:30 6570 El Apajo, Rancho p.m. Fridays. For more Santa Fe, for an evening information, visit under the stars. He will set HB@crcncc.org or call up his telescopes for the youngsters and give a pres(760) 230-6304. entation on current astronGot an item for the calendar?

D EC . 3 omy events.

Send the details via email to NOV. 29 SSF Star Night Join The San Diego calendar@coastnewsgroup.com.

Del Mar drop-off S o l a n a Astronomy Association will also be there with teleDonations for the 31st Santa Fe M ARK THE annual Holiday Baskets School sciscopes. If you have a teleCALENDAR scope, feel free to bring program can be delivered e n c e He’s on his way Chat through Dec. 18 to Del Mar t e a c h e r and share it.

Sparkling lunc h Put with Santa Claus at Le City Hall lobby, 1050 Kyle Stock Dimora from 1 to 3 p.m. Camino Del Mar, Del Mar at 6 p.m. some sparkle into your holDec. 14 and Dec. 21 in the between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 Dec. 3 on iday at the “Savor & Style” Del Rayo Village Shopping p.m. Mondays through c a m p u s , fashion show luncheon at noon Dec. 3, featuring Sophia & Chloé Jewelry NEW PATIENT SPECIAL Designs by Nathalie Sherman, presented by Reg. Sheridan at Rancho $221 Valencia Resort, 5921 Includes: Cleaning • Polishing Valencia Circle, Rancho Edward B. Coffey D.D.S., M.S. • Exam • Consultation • Bitewing Santa Fe. For reservations, X-rays • Check for Gum Disease Christopher Henninger D.M.D. call (858) 759-6246.

Center at 16089 San Dieguito Road, Suite H103 in Rancho Santa Fe. For more information, call (858) 759-2709.Holiday gift bags for kids 12 & under.

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DEC . 4 Sing it out Carlsbad High School’s four choirs will perform at 7 p.m., Dec. 4, Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 at the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Center, 3557 Lancer Way, Carlsbad.

Reserved seating tickets are $10 for the Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 shows, and $12 for the Dec. 6 show at itsmyseat.com/chspops.

Boutique and fun St. John School hosts a Christmas Boutique from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at St. John’s Parish Hall, 1003 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas. Enjoy Santa’s Village.

Bring an unwrapped toy and earn a door prize ticket.

Holida y ideas Carlsbad Newcomers will meet at 10 a.m. Dec. 4 at Heritage Hall, Magee Park, 2650 Garfield St.,

NOV. 29, 2013 Carlsbad. Designer Beppie ext. 6201.

Mostert will share holiday DEC . 7 decorating ideas. lCC boutique Don’t For more information, call (760)683-4460 or visit miss the Holiday Craft carlsbadnewcomers.org.

Boutique by La Costa Canyon High School DEC . 5 Foundation from 9a.m. to 3 Make an ornament The p.m. Dec. 7 at La Costa Escondido Library Youth Canyon High School, One Services invites families to Maverick Way, La Costa. create holiday ornaments Pictures with Santa, live at 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at 239 music, sample massages, South Kalmia St., arts & crafts demos and more. Interested vendors, Escondido.

Hotel holiday All are e m a i l invited from 5 to 8 p.m. catalystchristy@gmail.com.

Meet the author Dec. 5, to the annual Holiday celebration and Author and North County Jeannie Toys for Tots drive at The journalist, West Inn & Suites Hotel, Sprague-Bentley will be her book 4970 Avenida Encinas, signing “Carlsbad,” part of the Carlsbad.

Enjoy cookie-decorat- Images of America Series ing, face-painting, chest- from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. nut-roasting, horse-drawn 7 at the Costco, 951 carriage rides and a visit Palomar Airport Road, from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Carlsbad.

Help with grief plus complimentary seasonal treats and warm bev- Hospice of the North Coast erages. For more informa- invites people who are tion, visit west- grieving to the Light Up A innandsuites.com or call Life celebration, with Dr. Robert Halder from 2 to 4 (760) 448-4500. p.m. Dec. 7 at the Carlsbad DEC . 6 Senior Center. 799 Pine Santa and ponies Ave., Carlsbad.

Pre-registration is recBring the ommended at hospikids for an cenorthcoast.org or (760) early visit 431-4100. with Santa, Garden group The a pony ride MiraCosta Horticulture and even Club Holiday Pot Luck and pick out Gift Exchange will meet at y o u r noon Dec. 7 in the Student Christmas tree Dec. 6 through Dec. 8, Union, MiraCosta College, Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 at 1 Barnard Drive Oceanside.

Sunshine Gardens, 155 To participate, bring a Quail Gardens Drive, wrapped garden-related Encinitas. For times and gift valued at $15.

For information call ore information, call (760) (760) 721 3281 or visit 436-3244.

Gaelic yuletide “An miracostahc.org.

N u t c r a c ker f o r k i d s Irish Christmas” will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. West Coast Ballet Theatre’s two-act “The 6, celebrating Christmas in shorter, Ireland with music, dance, Nutcracker” comes to the storytelling at the California Center for the California Center for the Arts, at 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 7 Arts, 340 N. Escondido at 340 N. Escondido Blvd.

Blvd. Tickets are $39 to 44 Tickets are available at at artcenter.org or by call- artcenter.org or by calling ing the Ticket Office at the Ticket Office at (800) 988-4253.

(800) 988-4253.

Garden H o l i d a ys More stargazing MiraCosta College’s Enjoy the Garden of Lights stargazing parties will take holiday event from from 5 place from 8 to 10 p.m., to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 to Dec. 23 Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 at the and Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 with MiraCosta baseball field, snow, crafts, carolers and (weather permitting) at 1 more at San Diego Botanic Barnard Drive, Oceanside. Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Parking is available along Drive, Encinitas.

Barnard Drive and in lot Tickets are $14; 4C. For information, visit Seniors, Active Military, tinyurl.com/mccastro or Students $10, children, 3 to call (760) 757-2121 12 $6, under 2 free.

NOV. 29, 2013

B11

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

SOUP TO NUTS by Rick Stromoski

By Bernice Bede Osol

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013 FRANK & ERNEST by Bob Thaves

THE BORN LOSER by Art & Chip Sansom

BIG NATE by Lincoln Peirce

MONTY by Jim Meddick

ARLO & JANIS by Jimmy Johnson

THE GRIZZWELLS by Bill Schorr

ALLEY OOP by Jack & Carole Bender

Love and laziness must not lead to a nonproductive year. Spending more than you make or living on the edge will entice you.

Change is required, but pick and choose what’s most important before you make a move. Get moving, and you’ll have no regrets.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Mingle with your peers and find out where you stand. Share your thoughts, but keep your personal preferences a secret. Don’t get angry when action is needed.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Keep your emotions in check and your mind on what needs to be done. You will have opportunities to meet potential partners if you mingle with people who share your concerns.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — A lack of communication isn’t always a bad thing.

Take time to think about the way you feel and what you want to convey before you make a move that may limit future discussions.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Lend a helping hand, and you will end up receiving as much in return. A personal partnership will undergo emotional stress if you cannot agree on a financial matter.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Set up

investments that will give you a tax break.

An emotional issue due to an unpredictable incident is likely to influence your living arrangements and your love life.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Take care of personal business and discuss your plans with anyone who will be affected by the decisions you make. Expand your interests and your future prospects.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Do your best to help others, but don’t meddle or you will end up in an awkward position. A physical activity will help you feel rejuvenated and ready to take on new interests.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Look at the way others live and the interests and differences between yourself and those in your community. Sharing your philosophy or way of doing things will encourage new friendships.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Listen to any complaints being made at home and show compassion for anyone going through a tough time. Your attentiveness will help change the way someone thinks about and treats you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Personal investing and moneymaking ideas will lead to victory. Suggestions you make will put you in the driver’s seat at meetings.

Offer an unusual solution.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Sensitive issues at home or at work will leave you questioning your next move. Don’t procrastinate when you should be dealing with issues swiftly. Don’t let emotions intervene.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — A secret is likely to be divulged. Protect your reputation, assets and future prospects.

Personal changes must be given great thought before you proceed. Love is in the stars.

B12 NOV. 15, 2013

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NOV. 29, 2013

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News Events Who’s News Crime Marketplace News

B14 NUCLEAR WASTE CONTINUED FROM B1

according to Dricks. Most of these spent fuel assemblies are kept in cooling pools.

Because of a court order in 2012, the NRC is in the process of updating its formal documentation of the safety and environmental impacts of storing nuclear waste at operating and non-operating nuclear reactors.

So far the NRC has developed a draft of a new “Waste Confidence Generic Environmental Impact Statement”, and is collecting public comments on the document before revising the draft and submitting it for final approval.

The report analyzed the effects on of storing the high-level radioactive material at the reactor sites for a 60-year period, a 160-year period, and indefinitely on the surrounding land, climate and air quality, water resources, public health and other areas.

On site, the spent fuel is stored in water in large cooling pools with steelreinforced concrete walls after being removed from the reactor for a minimum of five years.

If the pools are full and the fuel has been suf-

LICK THE PLATE CONTINUED FROM B7

group in Chicago. Dana Chrisos-Harris, a proud San Diegan for more than 20 years, brought Francesca Restaurants’ Davanti Enoteca and Mia Francesca to San Diego in 2011. Wife of nationally acclaimed restaurateur Scott Harris, who founded Francesca’s Restaurants, Dana knew Davanti Enoteca and Mia Francesca would win the hearts of Southern Californians each with its own distinct Italian dining style.

North San Diego County favorites Davanti Enoteca and Mia Francesca are located in the Del Mar Highlands Shopping Center. Davanti

LIGHTING

CONTINUED FROM B3

“time to establish,” she said. So, the new opening date is fall 2014.

The community park, located west of Interstate 5 and south of Santa Fe Drive, will contain a skatepark, dog park, multiuse fields, a playground and other amenities. Work began on the park in September 2012; construc-

RAIL TRAIL

CONTINUED FROM B2

The rail trail will be concrete and 14 feet wide in most sections, but as narrow as 8 to 10 feet in others.

Most of the trail will go east of the railroad tracks, though planning is in the early stages, SANDAG officials have stated. $11.9 million from SANDAG’s Regional Bike Plan Early Action Program will pay for the rail trail from

NOV. 29, 2013

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS ficiently cooled, spent fuel can be transferred into dry storage casks.

The draft incorporated the NRC’s efforts to study how the spent fuel pools at U.S. reactors could stand up against earthquakes and tsunamis the magnitude of those experienced at Japan’s Fukishima plant.

The NRC report did not address storage at a specific nuclear reactor site, but analyzed the impacts of spent fuel storage at what it deemed a generic nuclear reactor site.

The draft report found nearly all of the safety and environmental consequences of storing spent nuclear fuel on reactor sites to be small.

But the document did acknowledge that the impacts of on-site storage could accumulate over the years to moderate and large levels.

The report also noted that storing the fuel on site could have drastic effects on the surrounding area if a terrorist attack, prolonged leak of the spent fuel, or fire in the spent fuel pool occurred, but concluded the chances of such events actually happening were minimal.

The NRC held a public comment meeting on the report in Carlsbad

on Nov. 18.

Of the approximately 100 people that attended, most spoke in opposition to the report, citing specific concerns about the fuel stored at SONGS. “The NRC has allowed the nuclear plants run with much more dangerous fuel without even a solution for storing them,” said Donna Gilmore, who manages the website, sanonofresafety.org.

A woman from Escondido voiced her fears of radiation leakage from SONGS, saying, “As a resident of Escondido, I’m among 8.4 million highly vulnerable citizens who are located within 50 miles of the San Onofre reactors.”

Though NRC representatives did not respond to the comments at the meeting, Dricks explained that the report establishes that it is possible to safely store the spent nuclear fuel at reactor sites.

He said that the used nuclear fuel could be safely stored for 300 years on site if the fuel rods were transferred into dry casks and those dry casks were replaced every 100 years.

The NRC will continue to collect public comments on the draft report until Dec. 20.

For more information visit regulations.gov.

Enoteca’s second hot spot is located in the heart of the Little Italy community in downtown San Diego.

These three restaurants are locally owned and operated by the Harris family.

Davanti Enoteca’s two San Diego locations take their cues from the small villages of Italy with contemporary, creative twists of the authentic Italian dishes they would find in the Italian countryside.

Each location’s chef de cuisine lends a unique cooking style and presentation to the Davanti dining experience.

The menu features a selection of appetizers and main courses expertly prepared with a nod to fresh, local ingredients — many sourced

directly from neighborhood farmer’s markets. Each restaurant also features its own seasonal and daily specials.

They are at 12955 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130 and can be reached at (858) 519-5060 or davantidelmar.com.

Lick the Plate can now be heard on KPRi, 102.1 FM Monday-Friday during the 7pm hour.

David Boylan is founder of Artichoke Creative and Artichoke Apparel, an Encinitas based marketing firm and clothing line. Reach him at david@artichoke-creative.com or (858) 395-6905.

tion is estimated to cost $19.3 million.

Some residents asked about the process for determining which sports organizations can use the fields.

As a starting point, Rudloff said city staff members will sit down with the sports groups to try and hash it out.

Right now, construction crews are completing the park’s sidewalk and focusing on irrigation, and

planting vegetation is next.

Recent pictures show amenities like the skatepark and playground are taking shape.

The park’s hours will likely be sunrise to 10 p.m., which is in line with other parks in Encinitas, officials said. In response, several neighbors voiced concern that 10 p.m. is too late given the large number of people who will use the park.

the Solana Beach city limits to Leucadia Boulevard.

The early action program is funded by Transnet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation that was approved by county voters.

The segment from Leucadia Boulevard to the southern tip of Carlsbad is expected to cost $6.6 million.

SANDAG and the city have yet to identify funding to cover the expense; that portion wasn’t included in the Regional Bike Plan Early

Action Program funding.

If all goes as planned, construction would begin on the Chesterfield Drive to E Street portion in two years.

The entire Encinitas rail trail could be finished by 2023, though that’s a loose timeline.

SANDAG envisions the rail trail one day covering the Santa Fe depot in downtown San Diego to Oceanside.

Future community workshops dates on the Encinitas rail trail haven’t been set.

SMALL TALK

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yard with a hose held high, hoping the other end doesn’t slide out before I get the suction going.

Picture me bailing out the last 6 inches of water, now cold. Imagine me forgetting

CITY CLERK

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manager at the time, went with the internal candidate,” she said.

“She probably took a little bit of a gamble but I appreciated her confidence in me. Jan. 1, 1994, was my first day as city clerk.”

In fact, when she retires, Martin will be just 29 days short of an even 20 years as the city clerk. Why not wait?

“I don’t have to work through the holidays,” she said.

During her nearly two decades in the position, Martin has sworn in nearly as many council members, attended about 600 City Council meetings, overseen 10 elections and served under six different city managers.

Her primary responsibility on a regular basis was “everything wrapped into council meetings,” she said, including recording all actions taken in several places.

She also was responsible for city records and being a resource to staff, council members and the community.

During an election, her main focus was ensuring every candidate was treated fairly

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better train teachers in leading classrooms with iPads.

“We worked with the district to point the way on how they can best integrate technology into what they’re doing,” said Scott Himelstein, director of the University of the San Diego Mobile Technology Learning Center.

For the study, researchers conducted four in-depth classroom case studies at EUSD schools throughout last year.

Last fall, the district rolled out iPads for all students in third through sixth grades.

Since then, the program has expanded to K-2 students.

The iPads were particularly valuable for research and writing, the study notes.

Instead of waiting for classroom computers to become available, students were able to use their iPads to pull up information instantaneously. And continuous online searches developed students’ abilities to find relevant websites.

Also, students who were a part of the study much preferred typing on the iPads to writing by hand, because they could easily reconstruct sections of papers after collaborating with classmates.

In one class, “the teacher facilitated a conversation in which students had to articulate their understanding and then defend or revise it depending on their discussion with the rest of the class,” the study reported. “Such lessons helped students to develop especially strong communication skills, since they were able to have conversations with their teacher and peers about the effects of certain writing

to put the filter back in, teetering half naked on the rim trying to do it without getting wet, and losing my balance. Again, into cold water.

Yet, like a contrary child, once it is sparking clean, chemically balanced and all warmed up, I can’t

resist forgiving it all its transgressions. I will soak until I’m pruney or reality strikes again. Aaaaah.

and knew all the requirements.

“I didn’t want the election to be painted with details,” she said.“It should be based on merits, not on a late filing. I’m glad to say there were never any major flaws.”

Reading from the resolution at the Nov. 18 meeting, Mayor Terry Sinnott praised Martin for her “many years of loyal and effective service,” serving “tirelessly and faithfully” and “swearing in dozens of new council members, usually without audibly swearing.”

Sinnott said she “survived endless questions on records and retention schedules, always answering with a smile, a sense of humor, not matter what the question,” and ushered the city “through technological advances, starting with stone tablets and bringing us to the age of staff reports and iTablets,” “We will miss Merc’s good sense of humor, her cheerful attitude, her kindness and her friendship,” he said, noting that Dec. 2, 2013 has been declared Mercedes Martin Day in Del Mar. “Resolutions are permanent documents … so now I have a little piece of immortal-

ity, at least in the city of Del Mar,” Martin said. “I’ve had the pleasure of working here for over 25 years with some remarkable people.

Those people include coworkers and council members and also Del Mar residents.

Many of those people I consider friends.”

After receiving the resolution at the start of the meeting, Martin had a suggestion for the mayor. “Let’s adjourn this meeting,” she said.

Based on the agenda, Martin presumably knew her last meeting would be lengthy — it lasted five hours — but it wasn’t the longest. She said she remembers at least one going past midnight.

There was also the time the power went out but the meeting continued by the light of car headlights.

“There have been lots of memorable times over 25 years,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful experience. I love Del Mar but I’m ready to go to that next phase. … I have some hobbies I’ve ignored over the years and some things I’d like to learn more about.”

Martin said she also plans to travel, which will include regular trips to Del Mar, where her son now lives.

styles and word choices.”

When it came time to express what they’d learned, students had the option of presenting via a comic strip, movie or a slideshow.

“There’s a lot of potential for creativity with the iPads,” Himelstein said.

However, the iPads didn’t support math learning, the study found.Rather,classrooms reverted to teacher-centric lessons for math problems due to uncertainty over how to incorporate the devices into the subject.

“Based on our data, teachers and students seem to collectively struggle with math, and stand to benefit considerably from a strong district emphasis on transforming math education,” the study states.

Some of the complaints teachers cited in the report said that they had to use their personal, unpaid time to access professional development in iPad management. Workshops built into the school day are recommended.

“What’s clear from the study is the professional development needs and wants,” Himelstein said.

Also, initial conferencestyle iPad management training gave too much information to digest at one time.As an antidote, workshops focusing on onsite, hands-on training with peers would develop skills in this area, according to the study.

The study calls for developing an iPad-specific assessment for highlighting teachers’ strengths and weaknesses in areas like classroom management and data generation.

EUSD School Board Trustee Carol Skiljan said her “major takeaway from the

study is we’re on the right track.”

As for areas of improvement, Skiljan said the district has already taken steps to get better. For instance, teachers and students have reported more success with math since the district upgraded to a new app at the beginning of the year.

Himelstein said there are few studies nationwide assessing what works and doesn’t work when it comes to iPads and learning.

The center is also conducting technology studies in Solana Beach and Coronado.

Over time, they’ll compile a database of its own research and others to share “best practices.”

The center launched in 2011 with $550,000 in seed money and has since received an additional $3 million from philanthropists Irwin and Joan Jacobs this summer.

Himelstein said there’s a growing interest in studying technology.

“Teachers were given iPads in a lot of cases without a lot of instruction,” he said. “We help them adapt.”

He noted that the center is in talks with EUSD to conduct a follow-up study looking at the results of the professional development recommendations.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook with districts asking us to look at what they’re doing,”Himelstein said.

In total, iPad purchases have cost the district $2.7 million. Funding comes from Proposition P, a $44 million bond that was passed three years ago to pay for facility upgrades and technology throughout the district.

Jean Gillette is a freelance writer ready to give her hot tub a time out.

Call her at jgillette@coastnewsgroup.com.

RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013

‘Affordable’ health care south of border JOE MORIS Baby Boomer Peace I just finished three sets of doubles tennis on some beautiful courts in El Tigre out in Nuevo Vallarta.

Nuevo Vallarta is around the airport north of Puerto Vallarta. I t’s a beautiful master planned development with many four- and five-star resorts, condos and homes.

They also have the premier Medical Vacation Hospital right at its entrance — San Javier Hospital — that is as good as any in the United States with a fraction of the cost for every type of care imaginable.

Many of those I have met in NuevoVallarta speak of their trips in their boats and yachts around the world. I tell them I live in the low rent district out in the Hoteleria Zona.

It doesn’t matter to them.

I’m just another person on the other side of the net that they want to beat.

Afterward we find a sweet palapa on the beach and sip mango margaritas.

That’s what is funny in life.

It doesn’t matter what kind of financial shape you’re in, we’re all still just humans trying to find our peace after struggling through the life of adolescence, college or learning a trade, getting married and having a family and all that entails — houses, cars, little league, dance and piano lessons, caring for the family pets.

For me, all of that is starting to become a blur.

I find myself watching what is happening in our country from afar.

It seems like everyone is at someone else’s throat.

Everyone wants their piece of a pie that doesn’t exist. Some readers think I’m a hypocrite and want me to feel guilty for taking my Social Security.

I want to repeat, it is my social security.

It was money that was supposed to be in a lockbox for me and when I see people drinking from the trough of the Social Security system for illegitimate disability and illegals getting assistance I can’t help slapping

my forehead.

I don’t understand how we put our money into the hands of such charlatans in Congress who allowed things like this to happen.

Now I understand that Congress also stole money from Medicaid to pay for a bogus “Affordable” Care Act, better known as Obamacare. What a joke. Stealing from seniors?

How low is that?

I personally chose not to use my VA benefits for healthcare because that is a real government expense.

It is my small way of trying not to drink from the government cup. I pay my own way. If I can’t pay for my care, put me in a box. I’m a libertarian and I think we should all take care of ourselves.

At worst, buy an extreme catastrophic care policy and take care of the rest yourself (if Obamacare will let you).

Apparently everyone now needs maternity and drug

rehab coverage.

Go find the premiere doctors that take cash and see you the same day.

You’ll get a great discount and end up with the best care in the world.That’s my opinion.

As for President Obama and as far as I’m concerned,Joe Wilson was correct when he called our president a liar during the State of the Union address a couple of years back and was excoriated for it.

So, I sit on a warm beach as I write this.

Others might prefer Hawaii, Tahiti, the Caribbean or some other locale where life is slower, but by all means, please go find your peace before your time runs out.

Since time waits for no one may peace be with you now and always!

Joe Moris may be contacted at (760) 500-6755 or by email at joe@coastalcountry.net.

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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS

NOV. 29, 2013