PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 835
The
BOXHOLDER
THE RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
.com
SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987
VOL. 15 , N0. 1
Board hires Tripi as new schools chief
10
BIGGEST STORYLINES OF 2018 1
‘Blue Wave’ crashes ashore in North County
The North County has been a reliable bastion of support for the Republican Party over the years, but as 2018 dawned, talk of changing demographics and dissatisfaction with the current presidential administration put the region’s political future in the balance. Nationwide, pundits predicted that a so-called “Blue Wave” would prove to be a repudiation of the Trump administration’s politics. North County became
By Christina Macone-Greene
From a ‘Blue Wave’ to ‘green’ initiatives, from the grand opening of an airline to the closing of a psychiatric facility, North County saw its fair share of major headlines this year. Here are the Top 10, as voted on by The Coast News staff.
ground zero of the movement, as activists set their sights on the 49th Congressional District, where Darrell Issa had narrowly survived a challenge two years early. In 2017, protesters began the longest running demonstration of its kind as they picketed outside of Issa’s office for more than a year. Those protests paid dividends, as in one of the first victories of the “blue wave” movement, Issa announced his resignation in January. But the movement was just getting started. It took nearly a month DEMOCRAT MIKE LEVIN and his wife, Chrissy, celebrate on Election Night in Del Mar. TURN TO TOP 10 ON 14
JAN. 4, 2019
Levin won a high-profile race to replace retiring Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican, in Congress. Facebook photo
RANCHO SANTA FE — In a 3-0 vote, the Rancho Santa Fe School Board approved the employment of Donna Tripi as its new superintendent effective Jan. 1. At the Dec. 13 special meeting, a three-year employment agreement was approved noting that Tripi would be compensated an annual salary of $190,000 in addition to benefits. Tripi will replace former Superintendent David Jaffe whose voluntary res- DONNA TRIPI had ignation was been principal of effective on La Jolla ElemenJuly 31, 2018, tary since 1999. as well as Kim Courtesy photo P i n ke r ton’s role as interim superintendent over recent months. In the new year, Pinkerton will resume her position as elementary school principal at R. Roger Rowe. Since 1999, Tripi served as the principal of La Jolla Elementary School. She has more than three decades of educational experience and was selected from a field of 23 superintendent candidates. New board members Jee Manghani and Kali Kim abstained from the vote. Manghani said he did get a chance to meet Tripi the prior week. While he was fully supportive of Tripi, he decided to abstain since he was not part of the superintendent candidate interview process. TURN TO TRIPI ON 5
2
T he R ancho S anta F e News
JAN. 4, 2019
THE GRAND FINALE group photo at the Dec. 16 HOPE Telethon at the KPBS studio. The money raised supports programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Courtesy photo
HOPE Telethon raises over $970K for animal center By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — The KPBS Studio was a hub of KUSI festive activity on Dec. 16 for the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Annual HOPE Telethon. More than $970,000 was raised in an effort to support orphaned animals as well as the programs championed by the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe. According to Public Relations Director Jessica Gerke, the acronym “HOPE” underscores the very essence of the center. “‘H’ stands for ‘helping pets and animals,’ which is the mission of Helen Woodward that is people helping animals and animals helping people,” Gercke said.
“‘O’ is for the over 3,000 orphan dogs and cats that get adopted through our center. ‘P’ is for parents and kids learning to share the earth together through our many education programs and ‘E’ is education since we travel throughout the world with our business of saving lives program and helping other animal welfare organizations learn how to do what we do.” Gercke described the four-hour HOPE Telethon as having old-school charm with phone banks and the volunteers who answered pledge calls. During the telethon, viewers learned about all the programs that the center offers. While the center is regarded for finding orphaned pets their
forever homes, it also provides an array of programs to help make the world a better place for people and pets. The HOPE Telethon offered a great platform to share information on its other programs. “We had a three-minute clip on our Pet Encounter Therapy and how we take the unconditional love of animals out to hospitals, assisted living, and convalescence centers,” she said. “Another clip was dedicated to our Therapeutic Horseback Riding, while another covered our Pets Without Walls Program where we help the animals of San Diego’s homeless,” Gercke said. While a four-hour telethon sounds like a lot of time, Gercke said it flew by quickly with all the activity of learning about the center. Special animal ambassadors like Millie the Goat were there as well pet ther-
MIKE ARMS, HWAC president & CEO, and KUSI anchor Elizabeth Alvarez at the telethon. Courtesy photo
apy miniature horses. Cooper, a rescue dog from Texas, also had some spotlight attention. “We established a nice relationship with our Tex-
as rescues after Hurricane Harvey — we continue our relationship with those organizations,” Gercke said. “Cooper was a dog who had come to us with heartworms
Geisel, Dr. Seuss’ widow, dies at 97 REGION — Audrey Geisel, the widow of Dr. Seuss and a longtime La Jolla resident, died last week at her Mount Soledad home, it was reported Dec. 21. She was 97. Random House Children’s Books and the official Dr. Seuss Facebook page announced that she died Dec. 19. Audrey Geisel was born in Chicago in 1921 and was raised by her mother, a Norwegian immigrant, according to an obituary published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on Friday. Her father was a singer and dancer, and soon disappeared from her life. She grew up living with her mother, or family friends, or, once, in foster care. She attended Indiana University as a nursing student, where she met her first husband, E. Grey Dimond, a pre-med student.
They both worked at Massachusetts General Hospital, then moved to Kansas, where their two daughters were born, before moving to La Jolla in 1960. “I saw that and knew I'd stay here forever,” she later remarked Geisel on seeing the Pacific Ocean. Audrey Geisel married Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel in 1968. He published 20 books during their more than two decades of marriage, including “The Lorax” and “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” She is sometimes credited with moving his work more in the direction of social issues through books such as “The Lorax,” which has environmental themes,
and the “The Butter Battle Book,” an anti-war story, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. She would tell Geisel he wasn’t just writing for children any more; the kids he first entertained had grown up and were now reading his stories to their own offspring. She also had a hand in discovering lost Seuss manuscripts as she went through the mountain of material he left behind in desk drawers and closets. That led to the publication of “What Pet Should I Get?” in 2015. Theodor Geisel died in 1991, and his widow spent the next decades shepherding his legacy and donating to institutions he supported, including the San Diego Zoo and UC San Diego — where the Geisel Library is named after the two. — City News Service
and bullet wounds. At the telethon, we shared his story, and he was there with his new forever mom. We were able to show this happy ending among others.” Gercke said the telethon is a special day highlighting all the excellent programs, and the impact Helen Woodward has made while raising funds so that the center can continue to do its work. Gercke noted that the center decided to have a Christmas-themed telethon as opposed to an earlier date typically in late October or early November. “This year we tried it during the holiday season which was very festive with Christmas trees and lots of puppies wearing Christmas bows,” Gercke said. “The set was absolutely beautiful.” To learn more about Helen Woodward Animal Center and its programs, visit animalcenter.org.
RSF concert series tickets Tickets for the Community Concerts of Rancho Santa Fe 2018–2019 season are now on sale, beginning with a country duo, The Malpass Brothers, at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe. Each concert includes a catered appetizer spread, coffee and dessert at intermission, and a wine bar. Tickets are $75 for adults and $15 for youth ages 13 to 18 at ccrsf.org or by mail to P.O. Box 2781, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. For more information, e-mail info@ ccrsf.org.
@CoastNewsGroup
JAN. 4, 2019
3
T he R ancho S anta F e News
Solana Highlands SDUHSD to focus on communication, project approved student wellness, fiscal health in ’19 By Carey Blakely
By Lexy Brodt
SOLANA BEACH — After a total of eight hours of deliberation, view assessment proceedings and public comment, the City Council approved the Solana Highlands revitalization project at a Dec. 17 hearing, albeit with a number of conditions. The project proposes bulldozing the current Solana Highlands apartment complex and constructing 260 units — 62 more than what currently exists on the site — and 525 parking spaces on the 13.4-acre lot off of Nardo and Stevens avenues. Thirty-two of those units would be reserved for low-income senior residents. The council voted unanimously to approve the project, with now former Councilman Peter Zahn absent. The approval process involved certifying the project’s final environmental impact report, approving its development review permit, structure development permit and vesting tentative parcel map, as well as its affordable housing plan, density bonus, waiver of development standards and a related fee waiver. The hearing began on Dec. 5, but after five hours of deliberation and public comment, the council opted to extend the hearing to Dec. 17. In the meantime, staff were able to address unanswered questions and pending concerns posed by council members and residents at the Dec. 5 hearing. After many residents opposed the magnitude of the project during the first round of public comment, the staff report clarified that “State Law provides no authority for the City to reduce the Project’s density.” The state’s density bonus law stipulates that a developer is entitled to a density bonus and certain waivers of development standards if they provide affordable units. In H.G. Fenton’s case, designating 15.5 percent of its units as low-income allowed it to request and receive a 53-unit bonus on top of what the current zoning permits. The city also granted the developer increased maximum building, retaining wall and fencing heights, as well as a $500,000 waiver, to fulfill “the need for financial assistance related to the provision of 32 low income (senior) housing units,” according to the staff report. Seven new speakers addressed the council on Dec. 17, with nine residents opting to speak a second time following the Dec. 5 hearing. Resident Mary Hobson protested the density bonus, while other residents spoke against the project’s re-
quest for a fee waiver. “(Density bonus law) basically means they can disregard most sensible zoning laws,” Hobson said. “Ironically, when it is done, 32 seniors will indeed have affordable housing, yet the 190 or so people that live there now will likely not be able to afford the new rents.” Speakers implored the council to consider concerns regarding parking, traffic-calming measures, landscaping, and the potential negative effects of construction such as noise and air pollution. In order to address comments regarding the monetization of parking and how it might affect an already morose traffic and parking situation on Nardo Avenue, city staff revised the resolution to ensure the applicant would not charge for parking spaces — though the resolution would not prohibit higher rent for apartments with designated garages or carport parking spaces. The city addressed three view claimants who opted to take their claims before the council after they were denied by the View Assessment Commission. The council overturned the commission’s decision regarding Nardo Avenue resident John Wilson’s view claim, and proceeded to outline conditions requiring the developer to lower a building in Wilson’s view corridor by six inches, and tame any vegetation that would potentially block his view. The city tacked on several additional conditions: requiring that there be no demolition or rough-grading on weekends, that notifications for noise complaints be sent out within a 500-foot radius of the project, and that the project be constructed in one, 24-month phase. Other conditions include removing fencing previously planned for a park area, requiring pre-wiring of all garages on-site for electric vehicle charging, relaxing overnight parking conditions for electric vehicle spots, and allowing residents of the senior low-income housing units to use the complex’s pool amenity. Council and staff anticipated addressing certain issues further down the pike, such as the project’s traffic calming measures and landscape plan. At the end of the lengthy proceedings, Mayor Dave Zito thanked the audience for their participation and engagement. “I think the end result is something that hopefully our community will be excited about,” Zito said. The project require sa final stamp of approval by the California Coastal Commission.
REGION — As we approach 2019, Dr. Robert Haley, who has served as superintendent of San Dieguito Union High School District since Nov. 1, shared his top three goals for the district in the new year. Haley wrote, “I want to continue to meet with as many school community members as I can to learn more about the strengths of the district, the challenges of the district and areas of focus for me as the new superintendent. “I want to continue to support the Board of Trustees in developing strong board governance through workshops and key agenda items on our upcoming board meeting agendas. Finally, I want to work on improving communication throughout everything we do as a district.” Haley took over for Larry Perondi, a retired and longtime educator who served as interim superintendent after Eric Dill resigned at the end of the last school year. Leadership turnover has also extended, in a less substantial way, to the five-member board. Two new board members,
Melisse Mossy and Kristin Gibson, were sworn in on Dec. 13. Three incumbents returned to their seats, including Joyce Dalessandro, who has served on the board since 1996. Two focal points at the last meeting centered on students’ social and emotional wellness and the district’s finances. San Dieguito has started to more publicly discuss and focus on its students’ social and emotional well-being in the wake of a student suicide, a student death and a suspected case of self-harm at Canyon Crest Academy this year. The main takeaway for Haley of the two suicide-prevention workshops that the district hosted this November in the aftermath of those incidents was “our need to name the issue rather than hide from it out of fear.” Haley continued, “Suicide is hard to say, but we need to say the word if we want to talk about making people more aware and to prevent it as best we can.” Echoing that sentiment, Gibson shared at the Dec. 13 meeting how the workshop leader, Stan Collins, drilled home the idea
that families should talk about suicide rather than avoid the subject. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gibson said Collins explained, “We talk to our kids about drugs; we talk to them about smoking; we talk about alcohol abuse; we talk to them about wearing seatbelts in their car. And this is something we never talk about until it happens.” The district wants to create awareness that “social emotional wellness is something that needs to be infused in our school cultures and in our school community,” Haley stated. “We are developing and beginning to implement age-appropriate curriculum in classrooms,” he added. On the financial front, the adopted budget for the 2018-2019 school year showed a projected deficit of $3.7 million, but the first interim budget — a financial report required every December by the California Department of Education — shows a larger projected deficit of $7.8
million. That larger deficit came in spite of $3.9 million more in revenue than was previously reflected in the adopted budget. When asked via email about the greater projected shortfall and whether Haley felt that the district was on track financially, he wrote that “school finance is complicated with how the cycle works” and offered to discuss the situation in more depth with The Coast News in 2019. Haley did explain that the adopted budget only reflects revenue and expenditures for the current year, while the first interim budget includes unspent revenues from the prior year. Those carryover funds “have a specific purpose and have to be spent accordingly,” Haley wrote. Nonetheless, the first interim budget qualifies as “positive” based on the way that the California Department of Education evaluates budgets. “A positive budget means that the District can meet all of its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years, by maintaining its 3% [reserves] and having a positive cash flow,” Haley explained.
Pilot shortage forces CP Air to pause service By Steve Puterski
Nearly two months after its first commercial flight, California Pacific Airlines announced on Dec. 28 it is pausing service out of Carlsbad in January, according to a press release. The release cites a nationwide shortage of pilots and the company’s recent launch has left the carrier with a lack of pilots to handle its schedule. Currently, CP Air, which is based at McClellan-Palomar Airport, services San Jose, Reno, Las Vegas and Phoenix. The company announced several weeks ago it had plans to expand to Sacramento and Denver. CP Air’s contracted operations from Denver to South Dakota are not affected. Founder and CEO Ted Vallas, 97, said that he is hopeful that service can be restored in “as little as two weeks,” but much depends on the pilot shortage. “All air carriers are feeling the impact of the shortage in some fashion,” Chief Operating Officer Fernando Pineda said in a statement. “We have been fighting this new reality and managed to reduce the impact on our customers until recently. Steps have been identified and activated to address the shortage and restore the pilot levels at California Pacific.” CP Air said it expects only a temporary suspension in flights for the West Coast. As for customers, those who have already purchased tickets will automatically receive a refund.
For additional questions, customers may call 855505-9394. Additionally, the statement said, “there is full intent to resume flights from Carlsbad as soon as pilot levels are adequate to support the daily scheduled flights.” The company recently canceled all flights on Dec. 10 and 11 after one of its planes suffered a cracked windshield, along with icing problems, and a backup plane sustained a damaged wing when it clipped a backhoe inadvertently left on a runway in Pierre, South Dakota. The airline, meanwhile, is the passion project of Vallas, who has been trying for the past 10 years
to get the company in the air. Last year, Vallas and his investors purchased Aerodynamics, Inc., a regional airline that carried the necessary Federal Aviation Administration certifications. The merger allowed CP Air to piggyback on those certifications and the company received approval from San Diego County in late summer to begin service from Carlsbad. On Nov. 1, the CP Air took to the skies with its first flight. The airline’s initial service offerings were to San Jose and Reno, then added Las Vegas and Phoenix on Nov. 15. Earlier this year, CP Air executives were excited to announce the launch
of the long-awaited airline. They championed competitive prices, noting the easy access to and from the airport compared to San Diego International Airport. CP Air recently ordered three additional airplanes, Vallas said.
4
T he R ancho S anta F e News
JAN. 4, 2019
Opinion & Editorial
Views expressed in Opinion & Editorial do not reflect the views of The Coast News
One election over, but next one almost upon us
T
Always consider lifecycle cost By James Wang
If you're environmentally concerned, you should always consider the full lifecycle of any product. What materials are needed to make it? How much transportation is used to assemble and deliver it? How will you dispose of it? For example, consider a cellphone. To make its semiconductor core, masses of ore must be mined. Each cellphone generates 165 pounds of waste - all for a phone weighing ounces. And what happens when you're done with it? Recycling doesn’t make it disappear – most go to landfill. Its toxic components can't be used in other electronics, and it's not economically feasible to extract its scant precious metals. What about clothing? Synthetic material is derived from petroleum, and we know that's not good. But what about
Do more to save Torrey pine trees Torrey pine trees have been dying at an alarming rate since about 2014. Thought to be remnants of an ancient forest that grew along the Southern California coast, these rare and endangered trees have survived and adapted to grow naturally in and near Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve where almost no other tree can grow. They were here when the early Spanish explorers named them Punto de los Arboles or “Point of Trees” and used them as a landmark for sailors navigating off the California Coast. They were here in 1883 when Dr. Charles Parry
Looks nice, but what’s the point? The environmental restoration and enhancement components of the touted Build NCC program are close to being outright frauds. More than half of the sand placed last summer as part of the dune creation
natural fibers like cotton - aren't they better? Maybe, but not quite ... Cotton is the world's most chemically-intensive crop, needing massive applications of herbicides and fungicides. And cotton accounts for 25% of worldwide pesticide use. Furthermore, each pound of cotton uses over 3800 gallons of water. Naturally, manufacturers would rather that you did not know the less glamorous side of their product's lifecycle: your ignorance is their bliss. But since every product has high environmental costs both to create and to dispose, the best approach is one that you should like: buy what you really, truly love, then keep it a long time. So be happy and be environmental at the same time!
became distressed over their lack of protection and urged San Diego to save them from extinction. And they were here in the early 1900s when concerned newspaperwoman and philanthropist Ellen Scripps purchased land slated for development and donated it to the people of San Diego to protect the Torrey pines. But now they are dying. And although there have been smaller die-offs in the past, this time it’s worse. The official story is that drought and beetles are killing them, but there are questions that remain unanswered. Why did trees on Torrey Pines Golf Course die when they were being watered and didn’t have many
beetles? What’s causing the excessive oozing of sap seen on some of the trees? And simply, have they been adequately analyzed? A small grassroots effort is trying to get a better understanding of why these trees are dying. Their web page is www.TorreyPineTreesNeedaLabTest.net. A petition at their web page, currently with over 450 signatures, encourages authorities to analyze the trees for the same reason any doctor would order a blood test for a sick patient. We should all support this effort.
program was washed away with the first north swell of the season. By the end of this winter’s swells it will probably be all gone. The dredging program to enhance a never-was, never-will-be tidal flow is ludicrous. The only way for the lagoon to “naturally” connect to the ocean is when a rainfall event generates
enough pressure on the sand buildup at the mouth of the lagoon to cause a breach. All this feel-good stuff, while doing nothing to enhance the local environment, does make for some nice eye candy for us local denizens.
Dale Williams is a retired landscape architect and former volunteer docent at Torrey Pines. He lives in San Diego
John Murk Cardiff-by-the-Sea
he results of the last election became official not long ago, but already the next big California vote grows near. This reality stems from the Legislature’s 2017 move setting California’s 2020 presidential primary on March 3. It puts the election season here on a very early schedule, with hopes California votes might prove decisive or at least influential. It means that for candidates, election season has become almost perpetual. California politicos wanting to move on or move up will have to decide their paths earlier than ever. And it means presidential candidates may campaign and advertise heavily here next fall. That’s because mail ballots will go out to voters in early February, about the time of the Feb. 3 first-inthe-nation Iowa caucuses. Voting will go on here right through the nominally earlier primaries and caucuses in smaller states like New Hampshire and Nevada. So Californians will see plenty of candidates from around the country, and pretty soon. These will include not only Democrats, but very likely some Republicans, as GOPers have effectively been put on notice by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller that something might happen soon to President Trump, who keeps tweeting and pronouncing denials that he ever did anything wrong. No one has formally accused him of anything. Yet. Perhaps, as Shakespeare put it, “the lady doth protest too much.” So if former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the runner-up Republican in 2016, wants
california focus thomas d. elias to run a credible 2020 race, he’ll have to start here in 2019, campaigning while he raises and spends big bucks on a national drive. For it will not be only California voting on March 3, 2020, but also Texas, the No. 2 electoral vote and national convention delegate state, plus Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama and Vermont. Anyone taking the great bulk of delegates at stake on that so-called “Super Tuesday” just might cinch his or her party’s nomination very early. In California, this vote will be different from the last few state elections, where all voters could vote for anyone on the primary ballot, the top two vote-getters advancing to the fall general election. In presidential primaries, only Republicans can vote for GOP candidates, while Democrats allow votes from both their own party registrants and independents. Confusing matters, every other office on the ballot will as usual be open for voting by all. All this means Californians may soon become familiar with Kasich and visiting Democrats. These will likely include the barely defeated Texas senatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, plus former Vice President Joe Biden, to name just a few. California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris also will likely be trying hard by summer
to be a favorite daughter. Potential favorite sons include Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell and billionaire investor Tom Steyer. Some predict soon-to-be-ex-Gov. Jerry Brown, 78, might run. Once all these folks begin appearing around the state, and not merely raising money here, the moved-up primary will be accomplishing a key goal: Acquainting potential presidents with California issues on which many presidents have been woefully ignorant. But advancing the primary from its traditional June date puts more pressure on new Gov. Gavin Newsom than any other possible candidate. He says he won’t run for president in 2020, but plenty of others have reneged on similar pledges. For Newsom to become a credible candidate, he must record some significant achievements quickly, perhaps by midsummer, when it would become mandatory to start raising money. Newsom shares a political consulting firm with Harris, though, and likely would not get in the race unless Harris dropped out. But Trump apparently takes Newsom’s presidential possibilities seriously, dropping the occasional derogatory tweet on him, a treatment usually reserved for significant rivals he wants to belittle. All this puts California voters in an unaccustomed spot: Their presidential preferences might actually matter this year, something that has not happened often. Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. For more Elias columns, go to www. californiafocus.net
Rancho Santa Fe newS P.O. Box 232550, Encinitas, CA 92023-2550 • 760-436-9737 www.ranchosfnews.com • Fax: 760-943-0850
THE RANCH’S BEST SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS PUBLISHER Jim Kydd ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Chris Kydd MANAGING EDITOR Jordan P. Ingram ACCOUNTING Becky Roland COMMUNITY NEWS EDITOR Jean Gillette GRAPHIC ARTIST Phyllis Mitchell ADVERTISING SALES Sue Otto Chris Kydd CIRCULATION MANAGER Bret Wise
Op-Ed submissions:
Photographer Shana Thompson photography@coastnewsgroup.com Contact the Editor editor@coastnewsgroup.com Calendar Submissions calendar@coastnewsgroup.com Community News community@coastnewsgroup.com Classified Ads advertising@coastnewsgroup.com Legals legals@coastnewsgroup.com
To submit letters and commentaries, please send all materials to editor@ coastnewsgroup.com Letters should be 250 to 300 words and commentaries limited to no more than 550 words. Please use “Letters,” or “Commentary” in the subject line. All submissions should be relevant and respectful.
JAN. 4, 2019
5
T he R ancho S anta F e News
Carlsbad files lawsuit against county over airport master plan By Steve Puterski
JEE MANGHANI was one of two new Rancho Santa Fe School District board members, along with Kali Kim, sworn in Dec. 13. Also decided at the meeting was that Sarah Neal, center, will take over as board president, replacing Tyler Seltzer, right, who will shift to vice president. Photo by Christina Macone-Greene
Neal voted RSF board president By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — In a 3-2 vote, the Rancho Santa Fe School District voted Sarah Neal as president while Tyler Seltzer shifted gears from outgoing president to vice president. Neal, who served as clerk, was voted in as president during a special board meeting on Dec. 13. Seltzer recommended Scott Kahn as president, while newly sworn-in board members Jee Manghani and Kali Kim recommended Neal. “Scott has done a fantastic job as vice president of the board,” said Seltzer, noting that Kahn’s showed exceptional qualifications with his business and academic background. While Seltzer noted Kahn’s board experience in both the private sector and foundations, the nomination fell short with the other members not agreeing. “I’m sorry about that Scott — I think you deserve better than that,” Seltzer said. Seltzer then opened the floor to other nominees, and Manghani said a few words. “First of all, I’d like to thank you, Tyler, for stepping up to be president during these last six
TRIPI
CONTINUED FROM 1
“I have no reservations about her (Tripi), and I am excited to see what she brought to La Jolla Elementary School in terms of academic excellence that she will bring here as superintendent,” Manghani said. Kim also decided to abstain for the same reasons noting she also had the opportunity to meet Tripi. “I was impressed by her knowledge and also her collaborative demeanor. I think that knowledge and demeanor will enable her to repeat in our school what she has demonstrated at La Jolla Elementary,” Kim said. “And not only academic success but also the successful character development through her implementation of an inclusive learning environment in the classroom.” Board President Sar-
months,” Manghani said. “Your expertise and experience have guided the school through a tumultuous time.” Manghani said Seltzer’s presidential leadership always allowed other board members to speak first. He also added that usually school boards rotate these leadership positions and the next senior board members to fill Seltzer’s role would be Neal or Kahn. “Both of them would do a stellar job as the position of president,” he said. Manghani said a newly appointed president should be someone who could ideally serve during a transitional year with the district's new superintendent, Donna Tripi, who was the former principal at La Jolla Elementary School. Manghani said in a recent conversation Tripi credited La Jolla Elementary’s Master Plan for students achieving high academic results and said it served the students well. As Manghani listened to Tripi, he said he remembered how Neal had been asking for a master plan for the past couple of years. He thought there would be good synergy between Neal and Tripi, who may be work-
ing on a master plan for the district. He also thought that Kahn should continue to serve as vice president. Kahn declined the offer explaining how the board was probably looking for a “fresh new look.” Kim also supported Neal. “Sarah has not been given an opportunity to lead since she has been on the board,” Kim said. Kim went on to list Neal’s strong support from the community, her desire to push for a governance calendar and goal setting. Kim then nominated Neal as president with Seltzer and Kahn opposing. Seltzer congratulated Neal for securing the seat. “I’m definitely honored for the support. I regret not having the support of my other two board members, but I hope to earn yours over the next year,” Neal said. “Tyler, I wanted to highlight that you do such a good job keeping the meetings moving quickly and forward and I definitely will work to do that — that will be a learning curve.” Neal then restated a commitment for an effective governance team.
ah Neal explained that the board moved with what Vice President Tyler Seltzer referred to as “focused energy” in recruiting a new superintendent. “We didn’t want to stop important business because there was a board transition,” Neal said. “Obviously, like all organizations, especially in public education, there is always change.” Neal went on to say the board felt it was essential to move forward and found search firm consultants Ernie Anastos and George Cameron, who had combined decades of experience in the field of superintendents. Neal described the recruiting, screening and interviewing process as thorough. The board unanimously supported the selection of Tripi. Neal also shared how the board wanted to bring Kim and Manghani quickly
up to speed by having them meet with Anastos and Cameron, as well as meet with Tripi at a site visit. “I feel very confident about the way that we have done this, and I certainly respect where the new board members are as well,” Neal said. While a recent school district press release highlighted Tripi’s accomplishments, Neal said that her support for Tripi was based on her leadership, which she described as a standout quality. “What I saw was her long-term leadership in a community which was very similar to ours, clear commitment to being student-centered which I know is first and foremost to all of us, and her success in supporting teachers as professionals who we count on to develop our students,” Neal said.
CARLSBAD — Nearly one month ago, the city of Carlsbad filed a lawsuit against the San Diego County Board of Supervisors over the approval of the McClellan-Palomar Master Plan. The suit, filed on Dec. 6, requests for an injunction to prevent the county from going forward with its plan to upgrade the airport to a D-III designation, along with alleging the county’s failure to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The supervisors approved the plan on Oct. 10 in a 4-0 vote. Supervisor Kristin Gaspar recused herself since she owns property near the airport. On Oct. 23, the City Council met in a closed session with the City Attorney’s office and outside counsel, the Denver-based firm of Kaplan, Kirsch and Rockwell, and voted 3-2 to take an “aggressive approach” to “protect the city’s rights.” The suit claims the county received more than 100 letters from state and local agencies and resi-
dents regarding significant deficiencies with the PEIR. A revised PEIR was re-circulated in the summer and the final PEIR was released less than two weeks before the supervisors’ vote. Carlsbad contends the county failed to comply with CEQA, did not employ baselines for environmental reviews, did not provide adequate analysis of potential significant impacts such as air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, land use planning and a host of others. Another contention from the city is the county may try to expand the airport’s footprint. The county owns 454 acres, 231 of which the airport currently resides. The suit alleges the county failed to analyze those components, along with 17 acres on the northwest corner of El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Road and mitigation measures. The suit also cites the county’s plans, which are over 20 years, from the relocation of numerous buildings and roads to moving the taxiway and runway plus the 800-foot lengthening of the runway.
“The City Council directed the lawyers to file a legal challenge to the approval of the Master Plan and certification of the Program EIR unless the county agrees to extend the deadline for the city to file suit and also to pursue a creative and forceful strategy to supplement the litigation,” according to a statement from the city. “Notwithstanding its decision, the City Council made it clear that the door is always open to a negotiated resolution, should the county change its approach to the city and its residents’ interests.” As for other questions surrounding the action, Kristina Ray, director of community outreach and engagement, said the city will not comment further due to the pending litigation. The county will also not comment, as a spokesperson noted several weeks ago when the resident group Citizens for a Friendly Airport filed its suit, which is independent of the city’s action, on Nov. 10. The suit challenges many of the same claims made by the city.
BMI readings can be misleading for some Ask the Doctors
Dr. Elizabeth Ko
Dr. Eve Glazier
DEAR DOCTOR: I'm not thin by any means, but I'm not obese either. I lift weights three to four times a week, run about 10 miles a week, play soccer and regularly do half-marathons. Now a new study says that because my BMI is 26, there's no way I can be fit and healthy. Is this true? DEAR READER: Due in part to the limitations of BMI as a measurement, many athletes and muscular individuals will fall into the overweight category, which is a body mass index in the range of 25 to 30. The body mass index, a measure of body fat based on the ratio between an individual's height and weight, can be a useful tool. However, it doesn't leave room for additional factors like bone density, muscle mass, overall body composition, or the natural variations inherent in the sex, age or ethnicity of an individual. For example, the BMI of someone who is athletic can skew higher because of the presence of additional muscle, which is denser than fat. Elderly adults tend to have more body fat than younger adults and may have experienced bone loss as well. And on average, women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than do men.
With athletic individuals, whose habits when it comes to healthful diet and regular exercise are usually quite good, we tend not to worry that much about their actual weight. In these specific cases, we agree that it is possible to fall into the category of being overweight but still be fit. However, when a patient edges into the upper regions of the BMI category of overweight, or when they register as obese, which is a body mass index of 30 and above, it becomes a different story. At that point we will definitely explain to them the not-insignificant health risks associated with obesity, no matter how physically active the individual may be. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome and certain cancers. In a large-scale study published last year in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers from England found that, even when they were otherwise clinically healthy — that is, their blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid levels were all within the normal range — individuals who were obese were at measurably higher risk of the adverse health outcomes we mentioned above. Even being overweight raised the risk of coronary heart disease up to 30 percent, despite good blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid numbers, according to the study results. The researchers' conclusions came from analysis
of data drawn from the electronic medical records of 3.5 million people between 1995 and 2015. However, critics of the study point out that important factors associated with lifestyle, such as exercise habits, diet or stress, each of which can affect or even skew results, were not given equal weight. If the extra pounds that tipped your BMI into the overweight category can be attributed to additional muscle mass because of your athletic endeavors, and if your metabolic markers are all in good order, then in our opinion, you can consider yourself to be fit. Eve Glazier, M.D., MBA, is an internist and associate professor of medicine at UCLA Health. Elizabeth Ko, M.D., is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health.
6
T he R ancho S anta F e News
Who’s
it Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF). Owned by wife and husband team Caroline and Andrew Vaught, Cat & Craft was inspired by their Business news and love of cats as well as local special achievements for handcrafted food and bevNorth San Diego County. erages. The café features Send information via artisanal and craft coffee, email to community@ tea and pastries. All foster coastnewsgroup.com. cats are fully vaccinated, GET FUZZY AT CAT CAFÉ spayed/neutered and miCat & Craft, at 3211-3B, crochipped, with 100 perBusiness Park Drive, Vista, cent of adoption fees going will be the home to North directly to LYFF. County’s first cat café — one with a craft coffee FUTURE LEADERS Lauren North from Sotwist. Opening Jan. 8, Cat & Craft will be the first cat lana Beach, Samuel Merson café in the county to com- of Rancho Santa Fe, Margot bine a full 1,500-square- Richter of Encinitas and foot café with a side of Annabel Xu and Sydney frolicking felines in a com- Schenk from San Diego, befortable, cage-free lounge, gin their academic careers separated by a glass wall for at Tufts University for the personal interactions with Class of 2022, in Medford/ adoptable cats and kittens, Somerville, Massachusetts. Colin Morrison of provided by local nonprof-
NEWS?
Carlsbad has been named to the Elmira College Dean’s List for the fall 2018 term. McDaniel College student Ravi Patel of Rancho Santa Fe traveled to China to participate in National Model United Nations. Tianzuo Wang of Encinitas received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the College of Business at University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Dec. 14. Thomas Scafidi of Rancho Santa Fe qualified for the Fall 2018 Dean’s List at Belmont University. Bryssa Montez of Oceanside has been named to the Knox College Dean’s List of distinguished students for the 2018 fall term. Montez is majoring in biology at Knox. Several North County
students graduated from Azusa Pacific University Dec. 15 at the winter commencement ceremonies. Rachel Cain of Carlsbad earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Noah Castillero of San Marcos earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts, Samantha Modugno of San Diego earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Zoraida Quiroz of Oceanside earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Matthew Serrato of Oceanside has been selected to the University of Jamestown’s Fall 2018 Dean’s List. Nazareth College announced that Erika Klock of Carlsbad has been named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2018 semester. Klock is majoring in art history and public history.
JAN. 4, 2019
At Ada Harris Toy Fair, a doll with a message By Aaron Burgin
ENCINITAS — Every year at Ada Harris Elementary School, the sixth-grade students deliver a dose of ingenuity, imagination and amazement with the end-of-semester reveal of their self-designed toys at the Ada Harris Toy Fair. But this year, two girls, Emily Jones and Keira Vanderlip, went beyond the cuddly stuffed animals, board games and sports equipment and delivered a toy with a strong message. Their offering: the “Tiny Feminist Doll,” a sewit-yourself doll with the faces of important women’s rights figures, including Susan B. Anthony, Molly Brown and Sally K. Ride. “My Tiny Feminist is a doll that you sew together with your parent or guardian, while having meaningful conversations about what a feminist is and how they changed history,” Emily said, reading from her prepared pitch to people visiting the girls’ toy booth. “We decided not to go with something they do every year,” Emily said. “We decided to go for something beyond that, a toy that is role model.” Watching her as she gave her presentation was Emily’s mother, Kristen Jones, who said that she attended last year’s Women’s March in San Diego, and has encouraged her daughters to have a strong, yet gentle voice. Her reaction to her daughter’s toy concept? “I am ecstatic, over the moon how she sees the need for change and she’s trying to be a positive gentle leader into a movement,” Jones said. “I think it is so important for our kids to grow up in a world where they don’t have the struggles we had in the past, where the norm is a kinder, gentler world than we had in the past.” Teachers at Ada Harris said that the boundaries broken this year are indicative of the progress the students have made with their fair offerings, the fair being in its sixth year. The annual exhibition marks the culmination of a semester-long project in which the students — alone or in a group — must create, build and market a toy prototype. The project touches on multiple disciplines, including mathematics (the students had to show in graphic form how they arrived at their price point), writing (each student had to write a letter to a CEO of a major toy or department store pitching their product) and, of course, design and engineering. More important as the finished product is the process, teachers said. The students had multiple deadlines along the way to show their progress, and received guidance from teachers to help evolve their concepts from prototype to finished stage. Then, on the Thursday afternoon before holiday
break, the students line the sixth-grade hallway and sixth-grade classrooms with their toys, presentation boards, homemade commercials on iPads and their sales pitches. “It’s kind of taken on a life of its own,” said Matt Jewell, a sixth-grade teacher who helped create the concept for the school in 2013. “Some of these kids have seen the toy fair in third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade and in sixth grade they start with an idea, and there is a lot of work that goes behind the scenes to get the project from concept to reality. It’s a fitting capstone to the end of the first part of the year.” “To take their idea and to bring it to life is a really special thing for them,” sixth-grade teacher John Tiersma chimed in. Jewell said that one of the areas where the kids have gotten stronger over the years is developing prototypes earlier with rudimentary tools before refining them into the finished products on display during the fair. “They have had a lot of chances to reflect on what’s working and what’s not and refine their designs and feel pretty good about them,” he said. Kelly Whelihan and Kali Bogart, who created a life-sized board game called “Pizzazz,” said the toughest part about creating the board was creating the materials. But the final result, the girls said, was gratifying. “How hard it is to make a toy, it’s really hard you have to go through a lot of steps,” Kelly said. “It’s hard because you have to make it durable but you have to make it fun for all ages. “Now I know how proud toymakers must feel when they finish,” she said. “When it goes on the shelves they must be like, ‘Hallelujah!’” Kali added. The kids also learned other valuable lessons, such as teamwork and time management, which they said they hoped to pass along to the fifth-graders just down the hall. “I would give them advice to get along with your group, and pick a group that you would know you would get along with,” sixth-grader Rae Randall said.
JAN. 4, 2019
Joining the ranks of the binge-watcher
France next for young tennis star SOLANA BEACH — Katherine Hui, A Santa Fe Christian Schools eighthgrade student, has achieved one of four spots in the playoffs at Les Petits As (Young Aces) USA. She’ll now go on to play in the Les Petits As Jr. International Tournament in France in January. As it stands, Hui is one of the top 10 best female tennis players in the nation for her 14-year-old-division age group. According to Caitlin Clark, a Santa Fe Christian spokesperson, Hui has had an incredibly strong season. Hui She started off the year in January at the USTA National Level 3 Tournament in Irvine, successfully making it to the quarterfinals. In May, she won the championship title for the Girls 14 division at the USTA National Level 2 Tournament in Roseville. She later went on to win the tennis championship title in her division (Girls 14) in the prestigious Zimmerman National Tournament at Stanford University in September. It is a highly competitive group of young athletes, as only 16 players nationally from each age group are selected to compete. Following that big win, Hui participated in the Les Petits As USA playoffs in October, where the top 16 nationally ranked girls played in New Jersey. Hui was one of the top four who qualified to compete in January 2019 at the Les Petits As Jr. International Tournament in France — the most prestigious 14-and-under tennis tournament in the world. In fact, many US Open players have participated in Les Petits As during their junior careers. Sponsored by Lacoste, it is held in Tarbes, France, every January. Having just returned from the USTA National Camp in Florida last month, Hui said, “The past tournaments have really motivated me to keep on pushing myself and working harder to reach my goals.” So far in 2018, she has competed in eight national tournaments, with a winning average of 73.9 percent. She competed in nine national tournaments in 2017, seven in 2016 and six in 2015. Hui lives with her family in Santaluz and has a younger sixth-grade sister, Margaret, who also plays competitive tennis, and is also one of the top junior players in Southern California. Hui fell in love with tennis at the age of 6, after attending a local pro tennis tournament with her family.
7
T he R ancho S anta F e News
small talk jean gillette
I SAN DIEGO SOCKERS CAPTAIN Kraig Chiles, No. 37, is the director of the Cardiff Mustangs’ competitive soccer program. Courtesy photo
Youth team, Sockers share a special bond By Aaron Burgin
ENCINITAS — When the San Diego Sockers hosted their home opener Dec. 15 at the Pechanga Arena San Diego, hundreds of children donning red and white jerseys cheered them on from the stands. Several of those kids then took to the pitch during halftime as part of the halftime entertainment. The kids are part of the Cardiff Mustangs, a competitive and recreational soccer program in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. And their presence in the stands and in the halftime show is the product of a unique bond between the Sockers — the nation’s premier professional indoor soccer franchise — and the club, forged several years ago by chance. Today, Sockers captain Kraig Chiles is the director of the Mustangs program and a number of the team’s players coach the club’s 22 competitive girls and boys teams. In 2011, however, Chiles was the Major Arena Soccer League’s rising star, and coaching a youth team wasn’t on his radar — until a persistent parent asked him to sign a ball for his kid’s birthday. That parent was Dan Van Dyck, a Mustangs board member, who was hoping to redeem himself after failing to sign his son up for a birthday shout out at a Sockers home game. “I was playing in a Sockers game when this parent, Dan, annoyed me for a soccer ball for his son’s birthday, and I was like, ‘Dude, I’m in the middle of a game,’” Chiles recalled. “But later, I walked the ball up to his son, Cody. A week later, he emailed me, like, ‘you have to come up and do this clinic.’” Van Dyck recalls the fateful meeting with a
chuckle. He said that he wasn’t “hip to the birthday shout out,” so he didn’t realize he was supposed to sign Cody up. Realizing it after it was too late, he said he saw Chiles, who was injured, and approached him about signing the ball. “I told him that my 7-year-old would lose his mind if you could get him a ball and say happy birthday to him,” Van Dyck said. Sure enough, he said, Chiles brought Cody a ball signed by the entire Sockers team. A week later, he said, he tracked him down through social media and made the pitch about coaching a clinic. Chiles said at the time, four years into his professional career, he wasn’t ready to coach, but he eventually relented and did a clinic. “It was a blast,” Van Dyck said. “We did a season of clinics, it was amazing and the response was great from the kids and the parents.” Beyond that, Chiles said, he saw a soccer club that had potential for growth. “Here was this rec program without a real competitive branch above it, it was in this fantastic area in San Diego, had this huge field being developed (Encinitas Community Park), and I thought, ‘Dude, this would be a nice place to build a club,’” said Chiles, who grew up in San Diego County and graduated from Poway High and San Diego State. From there, the connection between the Sockers and the Mustangs was born. Today, the club has grown from just two competitive teams to 26 boys and girls programs from ages 8 to 18, and the kids receive top-notch coaching from players from the Sock-
ers’ main and developmental teams. “If you have good coaching, players will come out,” Chiles said. While not quite the size of powerhouse programs such as Albion Soccer Club in San Diego, or the Carlsbad Galaxy to the north, Chiles said the program has a reputation throughout the region for quality, disciplined soccer teams, and players that are able to compete at the collegiate level. And the players, in turn, show their gratitude to the coaches by supporting them at their games. The halftime show is one of many times the Mustangs players have been featured at Sockers games. “I’d put (their attendance at home games) up against some of the bigger clubs in San Diego,” Chiles said. “It’s fantastic, we’re with them on Tuesdays and Thursdays and they get to see if we are practicing what we are preaching to them. You see them show up Saturday, and as a player, it holds you accountable when you have 100 families watching you play thinking about what you are telling them as players and how you are performing and your actions on the field.” Of course, it helps the kids, too, as the Sockers are the most successful indoor soccer franchise in the country, winning 14 indoor titles in its history. Chiles likens the club to the “New York Yankees” of indoor soccer. But on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Sockers players aren’t the Yankees. They are “coach.” “It’s why we do it, it’s fulfilling as an individual to help mold and develop some of these young players and to help them get to where they want to be, on and off the field,” Chiles said.
know it’s tres fashionable, but I feel like I’m on greased wheels whizzing down the slippery slope. A dear friend gave me a streaming stick for Christmas. I tried one a few months ago, but it required too much hunt and click activity to get to what you wanted, so it sits gathering dust. Not so with this new one. It is gloriously user-friendly. I haven’t left my bedroom in three days. OK. I have left my bedroom, but I didn’t want to. I am now a thoroughly hip, 21st century binge-watcher. I am equal parts delighted and horrified to jump into an alternate reality for six hours straight. I suspect that just six hours flat on my back, watching episode after episode, is not truly in the binge-watching big leagues. I do know that it turns leisure time into a nonexistent commodity, and the dishes are piling up in
the sink. The real problem is, I don’t think I care. I just pretend I’m on a 15-day cruise. Now for those of you horrified that a card-carrying, lifelong, over-indulgent bibliophile has set aside her tome and succumbed to the television screen, I offer this. I am not watching reality shows or cartoons or even sitcoms. I am watching “Madame Secretary” which I find rivals “The West Wing” and which I believe is as well-written as many books. Other than that, it has been straight PBS. I may not manage to sustain my elitist watching standards, but I have every good intention. And even after hours of television brain-candy, I always break out a book before I sleep. I will never stop touting the joys of reading and the written word. But don’t judge if you notice that I have gained a little weight, may have the complexion of a piece of Swiss cheese and squint in the sunlight. A girl needs at least one vice. Jean Gillette is a freelance writer wondering if she can get food delivered to her bedroom. Contact her at jean@coastnewsgroup.com
All Helen Woodward dogs find homes this holiday RANCHO SANTA FE — At 2:17 p.m. Dec. 27, Parmesan, a Labrador-blend puppy, was adopted, officially signaling the clear-out of all canines on the premises. Helen Woodward Animal Center officially announced that every center orphan pups, and nearly all center cats, had found their holiday homes. With a record number of 2018 adoptions the week before Christmas (64 canines and 35 felines, between Dec. 17 and Dec. 23), staffers celebrated empty kennels and happy pets. In 1999, center President and CEO Mike Arms began the Home 4 the Holidays campaign in an effort to encourage winter-season pet seekers to choose adoption over backyard breeders or pet stores. This year, the campaign has paid off at home and, for the first time ever, it has literally cleared the kennels. Center Operations Director Jennifer Shorey, said, “Maybe even more exciting,
Newt, a special needs feline, was adopted this morning. She was a harder-to-place pet and we are so grateful she found her forever home for the New Year. Shorey and her team have put out last-minute calls to overburdened surrounding shelters to assist in placing even more pets. A new group of orphan dogs and cats arrived within two days. Medical exams and spays and neuters have been scheduled for all incoming animals and available pets are expected to go up for adoption Dec. 30, when Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Adoption Department opens at 11 a.m. “This is like a little Christmas miracle,” Shorey said. “We are delighted to help extend this bit of magic into the New Year.” To keep updated on the incoming orphan pets, contact Helen Woodward Animal Center at (858) 7564117, visit animalcenter.org or stop by 6523 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe.
NEW CHEF AT BRIDGES CLUB The Bridges Club at Rancho Santa Fe recently announced the appointment of renowned Chef Jon Hearnsberger as executive chef. Chef Hearnsberger, 52, comes from a farm-to-table philosophy paired with over 25 years of expertise at some of the finest restaurants in the Bay Area. “I was raised with a love and respect for the entire process of growing and preparing good food with my mother and grandmother,” says the Arkansas native, who most recently Executive Chef at the popular Table food+drink Restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
8
T he R ancho S anta F e News
JAN. 4, 2019
Food &Wine
No surprise, 2015 a classic year for Tuscan wines taste of wine frank mangio
Y
ou have to do your homework with Italian wines. With each year there is an inconsistency in quality. They can be very good or very bad depending on what mother nature has presented to winemakers at harvest time. California has the most consistent weather conditions of any country. Even the most disappointing of recent vintages in California, the 2011, showed well in some varietals as select winemakers worked hard to get the maximum out of the harvest. But countries like Italy every so often contend with a headache called mistral, a hurricane-like weather condition that can roar in from the north and virtually destroy crops. Reputable wineries have been known to plough under their grapes at harvest rather than bottle a bad vintage. 2015 had no such problem. I analyzed Wine Spectator’s recent Top 100 wines of the world out of more than 15,000 released and tasted this year, and indeed Italian wines scored as well as the U.S. with Tuscany topping any district in the world. Focusing in on the top 10, Tenuta San Guido Sassacaia 2015, from the Tuscan district of Bolgheri,
was awarded No. 1 wine in the world ($245). No real surprise there. More important for the Italian wine market, the No. 3 wine in the world selected by Wine Spectator is Castello Di Volpaia, a 2015 Chianti Classico Reserve ($35). This best represents the vast majority of Sangiovese grape-based wines with a 2015/2016 vintage at value prices. Federica and Nicolo Mascheroni Stianti produced this gem in their tiny town of Volpaia. Federica pointed out that with 96 points, “it was the highest score ever for our wine. It is a balanced complex red with a long gorgeous finish. Our grapes are crushed and vinified in steel tanks, then aged in a mix of Slavonian oak casks and French oak barriques for two years.” Italian reds are not wines that are casually consumed. When I open one, there is always a small wedge of cheese, preferably a Parmesan, some cold cut meats like Prosciutto from Parma or Salami from Genoa. The perfect bread would be an Italian loaf, uncut with sesame seeds and honey baked in on top. I hand-separate a generous piece and dip it in olive oil, dusted with sweet basil spices. “Molto bene!” as an Italian or anyone who enjoys Italian wine and food would proclaim … very good! Driving through Italy is a hair-raising experience but it’s the best way to enjoy the hundreds of varietals
Wine bytes
TUSCAN VINEYARDS produced acclaimed wines with the 2015 vintage.
and thousands of vineyards, many in the backyards of each Italian that has the property to do it. The country produces one-fifth of the wine in the world. It deserves a place on your wine list. See chianticlassico.com. A tasting holiday at PAON
With key help from the Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery of Los Angeles, PAON Restaurant,
M arketplace News
Wine Bar & Wine Shop in Carlsbad staged a sold-out holiday party & Wine Warehouse sale this month. Taste of Wine and Food was the media partner in the event, which featured five areas of wine tasting where wine club members mixed and matched with the public and members of the trade. The Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad was the benefactor of a silent auction. Fifty wines created a
Courtesy photo
lot of excitement including the Riboli Family, named 2016 American Winery of the year by Wine Enthusiast magazine.Guests got a chance to also taste wines by: Trefethen, Fess Parker, Flora Springs, Arrowood and my favorite from the group, the Losano Malbec 2015 Grand Reserve from Mendoza, Argentina ($22). For more on PAON and its wine club, visit paoncarlsbad.com.
• Seasalt Seafood Bistro in Del Mar is presenting Castello Banfi Italian wines from Tuscany in a six-course wine and food dinner at 6 p.m. Jan. 10. Discover Super Tuscan wines and other favorites for $75 per person. Call (858) 7557100 to reserve a place. • Five key wine regions of France will be explored closely with a class at Meritage Wine Market from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 15. Twelve wines will be tasted along with French cheeses, charcuterie and other regional samples. Look for insights on Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley and the Rhone Valley. Cost is $89 each. RSVP and get more details at (760) 4792500. • Firenze Trattoria in Encinitas has a great night of Paso Robles’ best, Niner Wine Estate with its rich reds, pairing up with a five-course custom dinner at 6 p.m. Jan. 17. Meet Niner owner Andy Niner and winemaker Patrick Muran at Firenze. Beautiful red blends are their specialty. Cost is $100 per guest. Call (760) 944-9000. • The seventh annual Vin Diego Wine & Food Festival is April 13 at Waterfront Park along San Diego’s Embarcadero. Over 300 wines will be featured, plus the best chefs in town presenting their best dishes. Tickets start at $85. Details at vindiego.com. Reach him at Frank@ tasteofwineandfood.com
Marketplace News is a paid advertorial. If you would like an article on this page, please call (760) 436-9737
New options for leg vein treatment in North County
T
hose bumpy, unsightly, painful veins in your legs can now be treated quickly and safely with non-surgical, office-based procedures at Oceana Vein Specialists in Oceanside. Gone are the days of out-dated, painful “vein stripping” procedures, Oceana Vein Specialists offer leading-edge minimally invasive treatment options. Oceana Vein Specialists, located in Oceanside, is a medical practice dedicated solely to the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of varicose veins and spider veins. The experts at Dr. Adam Isadore, Owner and Medical Director of Oceana Oceana Vein SpecialVein Specialists. Courtesy photo ists perform the latest and most effective treatSpecialists are able to is a fellowship trained Vasments for painful and unhelp more patients than cular and Interventional sightly varicose veins, spiever. Radiologist. Dr. Isadore der veins and venous ulcers. Dr. Adam Isadore, Own- has dedicated his career to With highly trained staff ocean er and Medical Director of vein care, ensuring optimal and a new, state-of-the-art view facility, Oceana Vein Oceana Vein Specialists, results and happy patients.
“Early in my career I decided to focus exclusively on venous disease of the legs. Our mission at Oceana Vein Specialists is to offer the most advanced vein care available, to make your legs look and feel fantastic“ says Dr. Isadore. Some of the leading-edge, minimally invasive treatments that Oceana Vein Specialists provide include Endovenous Radiofrequency and Laser Ablation for Varicose Veins, VenaSeal Closure System, Ambulatory Phlebectomy, Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy, Spider Vein Sclerotherapy, VeinGogh Spider Vein Treatment and Compression Stocking Therapy. A common misconception is that vein procedures are not covered by insurance. In fact, most treatments for symptomatic varicose veins are covered by insurance, as long as certain requirements are met. Oceana Vein Specialists are
experts in obtaining insurance pre-authorization and accept all major insurances, Medicare and Medi-Cal. Oceana Vein Specialists also provide third-party financ-
A common misconception is that vein procedures are not covered by insurance. ing options through CareCredit and reasonable outof-pocket pricing options. To schedule a free educational consultation with Dr. Isadore or a more in depth patient visit and ultrasound examination at Oceana Vein Specialists, call today at 760-300-1358 or visit www.OceanaVein.com
JAN. 4, 2019
ďťż9
T he R ancho S anta F e News
Food &Wine
food at Traditional Mexican
family-run Hacienda de Vega
patios and 32-year-old Jacaranda trees overhanging candlelit tables. It’s a fairly obvious translation but for those without any Spanish, Hacienda de Vega translates into “House of Vega� and
it’s the Vega family that opened their first location in Escondido in 2003. The first Hacienda de Vega in Escondido was a fully owned and operated family venture run by Patricia and Alonso Vega. It was by mere chance and good timing that their lives and that of their son Alonso Vega-Albela (who now runs the Rancho San
ta Fe location) coincided at the right time. His mother, family matriarch and executive chef Patricia Vega ran the kitchen and dad ran the business side of things. Alonso operated the front of the house and they built a substantial following in Escondido. The new location serves the same menu, developed by family matriarch and executive chef Patricia Vega. She was raised in Mexico City and her dishes reflect the cuisine and ingredients of that region. There are no combination plates or American-style yellow cheese on the dishes. Patricia developed the original menu,
F
or years I’ve heard good things about the original Hacienda de Vega in Escondido then in Carlsbad and when I heard they opened in early 2018 near Rancho Santa Fe it was about time to check them out. The new 4,200-square foot Rancho Santa Fe Plaza location in the former Bentley’s location has a smaller footprint than the former 1-acre Escondido location with with 114 seats indoors and 115 on the beautiful patio. It also has a private dining room with a communal table and a full bar. They gutted the former Bentley’s space and put in all new furnishings, including a new wood floor and new furniture and decor from Mexico. The dining room now features a nice fountain, hanging lanterns and illuminated trees. It’s nestled in a colonial-inspired building reminiscent of a center square in Mexico with cobblestone
from beginning to end. A long journey brought her to her mid-life transition from Mexican homemaker to San Diego restaurateur. She was introduced to the joys of cooking at a very young age and spent many happy hours in the kitchen helping out with family meals and holiday feasts. Having done a lot of social entertaining she decided to acquire a more formal training and attended the Maricu Culinary Arts Institute where she was certified as a “Mayora� in Traditional Mexican Delicacies. She went on to participate in numerous workshops with renowned Executive Chefs such as Paola Olayo, Patricia Quintana and Monica Patino where she perfected what she calls “the flavors of my people� and developed her own culinary style. She is now retired but Patricia Vega continues to develop ideas on her spare time and regularly supervises the creation of them from paper to table as well as the quality control of her original menu items. That is always a good sign! Speaking of the menu, it’s a good one but there are dishes that stand out and have folks driving from all over San Diego to experience. Their mole is legend-
THE ENCHILADAS DE MOLE at Hacienda de Vega in Encinitas.
ary and is one of those dishes that people flock to the restaurant for. The Queso de Vega is their oldest, simplest and most popular appetizer
Courtesy photo
and I can attest to the yum practically, in every city of factor of that dish. the country and is another Tampiqueùa is one of big seller. It’s a filet strip, Mexico’s most traditional TURN TO LICK THE PLATE ON 14 dishes, which can be found,
10
T he R ancho S anta F e News
JAN 4, 2019
JAN. 4, 2019
T he R ancho S anta F e News
11
12
T he R ancho S anta F e News
Educational Opportunities Is your child self-driven and in charge of their own progress?
JAN. 4, 2019 Items on this page are paid for by the provider of the article. If you would like an article on this page, please call (760) 436-9737
By Dr. Stuart Grauer
with them. The authors explain if you act as if it’s your job to see that your child does his homework, practices or plays a sport, you reinforce the mistaken belief that somebody else is responsible for getting his work done. He doesn’t have to think about it because he knows that eventually someone will ‘make’ him do it. “Teachers can teach, coaches can coach, guidance counselors can outline graduation requirements, but there’s one thing only parents can do: love their kids unconditionally and provide them with a safe base at home. So instead of nagging, arguing, and constant reminding, repeat the mantra, ‘I love you too much to fight with you about your homework.” When we, as parents, say we want children and teens to make their own decisions, what we really want is for them to make informed decisions. It’s our responsibility to give the information and the perspective that we have in order to enable them to make the best choices. [Kids] need to experience the natural consequences of their choices. Stixrud and Johnson cite a recent study, finding that other than showing your child love and affection, managing your own stress is the best thing you can do to be an effective parent. So many of our kids are great observers but lousy interpreters. Rewards can be effec-
tive and in some cases can even spark good habits. They can help encourage your kids to accomplish short-term goals, to modify behavior, and to ensure cooperation. But these scenarios are not about developing motivation—they’re about enlisting cooperation. So when you see an eight-year-old highly focused on building a Lego castle, lips pressed in concentration, what she is actually doing is getting her brain used to being motivated. The best way to motivate him generally is to let him spend time on the things he wants to focus on. In sum, there is the longterm value of letting kids become “obsessed” with activities where they’re clearly in a flow state. Students learn and perform best in an environment that offers high challenge and low threat— when they’re given difficult material in a learning environment in which it is safe to explore, make mistakes, and take the time they need to learn and produce good work. When students know it’s all right to fail, they can take the kinds of risks that lead to real growth. Much of the rest of The Self-Driven Child reads a lot like an advertisement for The Grauer School. Come visit and see how we’re employing student empowerment for the Self-Driven child by attending a Discover Grauer Day tour on 1/10, 1/16, 1/25, or 2/8. Visit grauerschool.com to RSVP today.
CALENDAR
San Marcos. Hike along the flume that transports water from Lake Wohlford to the Pechstein Reservoir near Blue Bird Canyon and the second San Diego Aqueduct. Bring sun protection and water.
TWELFTH NIGHT CELEBRATION lican Women annual mem- p.m. Jan. 8 at Hunter Steak-
This is an excerpt from Dr. Stuart Grauer’s blog. You can find the full original article at grauerschool.com. No single principle of human behavior is more central to The Grauer School than intrinsic motivation. Stixrud and Johnson, authors of The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives boil down the major theories of self-motivation in a way that makes sense for students of all ages, most specifically teens. People want control over their lives. It’s no secret that teens in large schools have relatively little control over their lives. Sadly, most teens hardly even question how little control they have which often results in stress and lack of motivation. The book does a good job of addressing this fundamental problem. Stixrud and Johnson remind us, “think of what their days are like: they have to sit still in classes they didn’t choose, taught by teachers randomly assigned to them... They have to stand in neat lines, eat on a schedule, and rely on the whims of their teachers for permission to go to the bathroom.” As grown-ups, we sometimes tell our kids that they’re in charge of their own lives, but then we proceed to micromanage them leaving them feeling powerless, and by doing so, we undermine our relationship
Know something that’s going on? Send it to calendar@ coastnewsgroup.com
JAN. 4
PRESERVING THE ROSES
“Saving the Roses and Preserving Genetics” will be the topic at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. The speaker is John Bagnasco, author and radio personality for Garden Compass. Fingertip lunch is at noon followed by business meeting at 12:30 p.m. and program at 1:30 p.m. Visit vistangardenclub.org or e-mail Vistagardenclub@ gmail.com. FREE TAI CHI
From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 (first Saturdays) at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, Richard Hsu will guide a free Tai Chi session of exercises. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1EqwxGF or call (760) 753-7376.
JAN. 5
RANGER-LED HIKE
San Marcos Park Rangers host members of the public on a free 6.2-mile hike, from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 5. Register at 8:30 a.m. at the trailhead and parking lot at Cerro de Las Posas Park, Aquatics & Recreation Facility, 1387 W. Borden Road,
St. Thomas More Catholic Church celebrates the 12th night of Christmas with its Twelfth-Night Choral Festival with congregational carols and Christmas music from North County church choirs, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 1450 S. Melrose Drive, WINTER READING SALE Encinitas Friends of the Oceanside. Library bookstore will hold a book sale from 10 a.m. to BASIC HANDGUN CLASS A three-hour familiar4 p.m. Jan. 5 at 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas. Most books ization and safety class is will be from 25 cents to $1. offered from 10 a.m. to 1 Visit encinitaslibfriends.org. p.m. Jan. 6, at the Escondido Fish and Game Association shooting range at 16525 GueFRIENDS AND FAITH The Catholic Widows jito Road and Lake Wohland Widowers of North ford Road. Handguns and County, a support group for ammunition are provided those who desire to foster for the class but participants friendships through vari- are encouraged to bring ous social activities, will their own handgun. Cost is take a walking tour at the $60.To register, call Jack at El Corazon Compost Fa- (760) 746-2868. cility, Oceanside on Jan. 5 and attend the “TwelfthNight Choral Festival” at JAN. 7 St. Thomas More Catholic KIDS’ COOKING CLASSES Register now for the Church, Oceanside Jan. 6. Reservations are necessary city of San Marcos baking class “Cooking Round at (858) 674-4324. the World,” for youth 6- to 12-years old on Fridays at 4 p.m. beginning Feb. 1 at JAN. 6 the San Marcos CommuniDINNER DANCE North County Widows ty Center, 3 Civic Center and Widowers Club invites Drive, San Marcos. Cost is all to a 2019 kick-off Din- $169 for eight weeks. Stuner Dance at 5 p.m. Jan. 6 at dents must join by the first Shadowridge Country Club, class. Registration required 1981 Gateway Drive, Vis- at san-marcos.net/register. ta. There will be music by For more information, call The American Roots Band. (760) 744-9000. Cost is $40. Information and RSVP to Anne at (760) 757- REPUBLICAN WOMEN MEET The San Marcos Repub2029.
bership Wine and Appetizer gathering for 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at the home of Vivian Pulliam, 1131 Jugador Court, Lake San Marcos. They will be collecting old cell phones for folks who need to communicate but may not have the financial means. Reservations are not needed. For more information, call Bunny Nedry at (760) 744-0953.
JAN. 8
VILLAGE GREETS NEW YEAR
A new year brings new spotlights, new speakers and opportunities to network. If you own, manage or work at a business downtown, or live downtown, be part of Village Voices from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Jan. 8 at New Village Arts at 2787 State St., Carlsbad with coffee, doughnuts and networking. This Village Voices will feature a Business Spotlight on one merchant and introduce the 2019 CVA event schedule.
house, 1221 Vista Way, Oceanside. The discussion will be John’s South America tour and cruise. There will be Happy Hour specials. Visitors welcome. RSVP to Jackie at (760) 438-1472. MASTER THAT COMPUTER
The Oceanside Public Library offers free Basic Computer Classes every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1 until 3:30 p.m. for three weeks beginning Jan. 8 at the Civic Center Library, 330 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside. More classes are every Monday morning at 10 a.m. at the Mission Branch Library, 861 Mission Ave., Oceanside. Register by calling (760) 435-5600. GENEALOGY LESSONS
An Intermediate Genealogy class will be offered at 10 a.m. Jan. 8 at 1635 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad. Member Margaret Read will provide an in-depth look at accessing and using state censuses. Free, reservation not FAITH AND FRIENDS required. For information, The Catholic Widows e-mail membership@nsdand Widowers of North cgs.org. County, a support group for those who desire to foster CHAIR YOGA friendships through various The Gloria McClellan social activities will have Center is offering Chair dinner at the Elk’s Club, Yoga classes Tuesdays and Vista on Jan. 8. Reserva- Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. tions are necessary at (858) at 1400 Vale Terrace Drive, 674-4324. Vista. Vista resident $33 for 8 classes; non-Vista resTRAVEL WITH SINGLES ident $39. To register, call The Single Travelers (760) 643-5281 or log onto Club will meet from 5 to 7 gmacvista.com.
JAN. 9
TALK ON MEMORY LOSS
The public is invited to Memory Loss 101, presented by Dementia Care Consultant Jean Alton from Alzheimer’s San Diego from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Civic Center Library Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway, Encinitas. For more information or to pre-register, call (858) 4924400 or visit alzsd.org. WOMAN’S CLUB LUNCH
The Woman’s Club of Vista will meet for lunch at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Shadowridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Drive, Vista hosting the San Diego chapter of International Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), who create a safer environment for abused children. Each child receives a denim jacket or vest with the BACA emblem on it. The members of The Woman’s Club will be donating denim jackets or vests to BACA. Luncheon is $18. For reservations, kdkyan@ gmail.com or call (919) 8472786. TAI CHI CHUAN
The Gloria McClellan Center is offering Tai Chi Chuan on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. beginning Jan. 9 at 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Registration is required. To register, call (760) 643-5281 or log onto gmacvista.com. TURN TO CALENDAR ON 13
JAN. 4, 2019
13
T he R ancho S anta F e News
Lots of history for little-known town hit the road e’louise ondash
L
ikely you’ve not heard of Tubac, a town of less than 1,200 residents about 45 minutes south of Tucson, but it has undeniable and important ties to California history. It was 245 years ago this month that Juan Bautista de Anza, a military officer in the service of the Spanish Empire, left Tubac (then a part of Mexico) on an expedition to find a route to Northern California. The goal was to continue the colonization of Alta California to enhance Spain’s grip on the New World. The route took de Anza through the state park that bears his name — Anza Borrego Desert State Park — and culminated in what is now San Francisco. We first discovered tiny Tubac about five years ago when we stopped for the night after touring southeast Arizona. Tubac was a pretty sleepy village then; we could walk down the middle of the
THE JUAN BAUTISTA DE ANZA National Historic Trail, known locally as the Anza Trail, follows A MARIACHI BAND that includes a Mexican Elvis entertains the Santa Cruz River near Tubac, Arizona. A 4-mile portion of the verdant path runs from at Soto’s Outpost in Tubac. The town of 1,200 lies about 45 Tumacácori National Historical Park to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Photo by Fred Snyder minutes south of Tucson. Photo by E’Louise Ondash
few streets and not worry about sharing the pavement with cars. Our return visit in mid-November, thanks to a nephew’s wedding, revealed a place that hadn’t changed much but did have a bit more of what makes Tubac a great place to visit. Tubac (pronounced TWO-back) still provides a weekend respite from the frenetic urban pace, but this still-small rustic artist enclave now offers more boutiques, galleries, good food, scenic hiking trails and historic sites. We enjoyed the cuisine
at Tubac Market, with its abundance of deli offerings (including an ample selection of gluten-free meats and salads) and a respectable wine selection that makes it ideal for lunch; Soto’s Outpost, where we were serenaded by a fourman mariachi band that featured a greatly entertaining Mexican Elvis; and Elvira’s, where the mole and amazing glass artwork blanketing the ceilings and tables merge into an explosion of flavors and colors. Don’t miss the next-door store where you’ll find one-of-a-kind (and
sometimes downright bizarre) home furnishings and works of art. Winter days in Southern Arizona are ideal for hiking, and the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historical Trail (known locally as simply the Anza Trail) is perfect for an easy 7-mile trek — or as far as you want to go. Cool mornings and the heavily shaded path means dressing in layers is a must. I was bundled up for the first several miles; by the end, my jacket was tied around my waist. The countryside
seemed surprisingly verdant for this time of year and reminded me that Arizona offers diverse topography and climate zones. It was pure pleasure to walk the trail as it followed the winding Santa Cruz River, which looked pretty peaceful and innocent. Heavy rainstorms during the summer and winter, however, can turn the Santa Cruz into an angry, dangerous tool of erosion. On this day, though, the water was nothing but a part of a beautiful landscape. I didn’t have time to visit the nearby Tumacáco-
ri National Historical Park, but other wedding guests did. The story of the late-17th-century mission (pronounced toom-a-COCKor-ee) weaves the history of Europeans, Mexicans, Spanish and the O’odham (formerly Pima) nation — all who lived in or immigrated to this corner of the Southwest. Visit http://tubacaz. com. For more photos and commentary, visit www. facebook.com /elouise.ondash. Want to share a trip? Email eondash@coastnewsgroup.com.
Coffee at 10 a.m. Jan. 10 at Pegah’s Kitchen, 945 Santa CONTINUED FROM 12 Fe Ave., Vista. Come preINTERFAITH LUNCHEON pared to order a no-host The San Dieguito In- breakfast. Anyone interestterfaith Ministerial Associ- ed in joining VFN, call Sanation will meet for lunch at dy at (760) 390-2397. noon Jan. 9, at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 LOOKING FOR DOCENTS Lake Drive, Encinitas. Our Docent training for the many guest presenters will San Diego Botanic Garden be those who attended the will be held from 9:30 a.m. Parliament of the World’s to 1 p.m. Jan. 10 through Religions Conference in To- May 2 at 230 Quail Gardens ronto, Ontario in November. Drive, Encinitas. Cost is $60 Bring a dish to share from fee for nine classes. Prereqyour faith or culture which uisites required. Register at reminds you of our similar- sdbgarden.org/docent.htm ities. or contact jgardner@sdbgarden.org.
cies among its five local Citizen Commissions, including Budget & Finance, Climate Action, Parks & Recreation, Public Arts and View Assessment. Applications are being accepted until 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14. Applications and more information are available at cityofsolanabeach.org or call (858) 720-2400.
tional of Vista and North County Inland will host a one-mile Human Trafficking Awareness Walk 12:30 to 3 p.m. Jan. 12, at the Wave Waterpark, 101 Wave Drive, Vista. Information tables and STOP Trafficking signs will be provided. Registration at Wave Waterpark entrance. Speakers will include San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, JAN. 11 Joseph Travers, Saved In America, Jaimee Johnson, LEARN TO LOAD E-BOOKS Did you receive an Sisters of the Streets. For eReader for the holidays more information, visit sothis year? Learn how to ac- roptimistvista.org. cess digital eBooks and eAudiobooks on your eReader, HELLO KITTY COMES TO TOWN tablet, smartphone, or comThe signature Hello KitJAN. 10 puter with free classes from ty Cafe Truck will make a COMMISSION SEATS OPEN BE A NEWCOMER The city of Solana 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 11 stop in the area at The ShopVista Friends and New- Beach is currently seeking at the Oceanside Public Li- pes at Carlsbad as part of its comers will host a January volunteers to fill 17 vacan- brary, Civic Center Oceans- California tour, from 10 a.m. ide Public Library, 330 N. until 8 p.m. Jan. 12 in the Coast Highway, Oceanside parking lot near Regal Cineor 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 18 at the mas and Luna Grill, 2525 El Oceanside Public Library, Camino Real, Carlsbad. For Mission Branch Community more information, call (760) Sweet, the perfect Room, 3861-B Mission Ave., 729-6183 or theshoppesatsize and poofy in all the Oceanside. Call for more de- carlsbad.com. right places … no we’re tails and to register for these not talking about the tasty classes. DAR MEETING baked treat, we’re talking The Santa Margarita about Muffin, the cat. Chapter, Daughters of the At 16 months old, JAN. 12 American Revolution, will Muffin is ready to be your EYEGLASSES FOR NEEDY meet for a 9:30 a.m. breakwarm piece of goodness. Encinitas Chapter of Li- fast buffet Jan. 12 at the El Her white coat is decoratons Club International, with Camino Country Club, 3202 ed with big brown patchthe California Lions Friends Vista Way, Oceanside. Memes including an adorable in Sight, Essilor Vision Foun- bers will learn about veterlittle one right below her dation, and the Encinitas ans and Elizabeth Hospice nose. She’s a curious girl library, will provide free vi- from Lisa Marcolongo. Visit who enjoys exploring new Rancho Santa Fe. Kennels sion and hearing screenings, santamargarita.californiatoys and will work her way are open daily Monday and free refurbished eye- dar.org. into your arms. She can’t through Wednesday from glasses from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. wait to meet you at Helen 1 to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Jan. 12 at the San Dieguito GET YOUR HEART SCREENING Woodward Animal Cen- Friday from 1 to 7 p.m.; United Methodist Church, The Eric Paredes Save ter. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 170 Calle Magdalena, Encin- A Life Foundation, Carlsbad Her adoption fee is p.m.; and Sunday from 11 itas. No registration is neces- based soccer club and LA $56. All pets adopted from a.m. to 6 p.m. (last applicasary. First-come, first-served Galaxy San Diego are offerHelen Woodward Animal tion accepted 15 minutes basis. For more information, ing a free heart screening to Center are vaccinated and before closing). visit https://clfis.info/ or en- all youth athletes aged 12 to micro-chipped for identiFor more information cinitaslions.org. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. fication. Helen Woodward call (858) 756-4117, option 12 at the Carlsbad Senior Animal Center is at 6523 #1 or visit animalcenter. WALK TO FIGHT TRAFFICKING Center, 799 Pine Ave, CarlsHelen Woodward Way, org. Soroptimist Interna- bad. Register at https://
epsavealife.org /register/ registration-galaxy/. The EP Save A Life Foundation will also provide hands-only CPR training for all youth getting screened as well as parents.
nitas, with lectures, demonstrations and a field trip, presented by the Solana Center for Recycling. Cost is $50. Register at solanacenter.org.
CALENDAR
Pet of the Week
LEGACY USERS GROUP MORE MINDFUL LIVING
The city of Carlsbad’s Mindful Living Workshops continue with “Mindful Stress Navigation: Parenting” from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 12 at the Carlsbad City Library Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad. Admission is free. Seating is first come, first served.
JAN. 13
FRIENDS AND FAITH
The Catholic Widows and Widowers of North County support group, for those who desire to foster friendships through various social activities, will have a meeting and pot luck at St. Margaret Catholic Church, Oceanside Jan. 13 and go bowling at Surf Bowl with dinner at Hunter Steakhouse, Oceanside Jan. 17. Reservations are necessary at (858) 674-4324. BRUNCH WITH FRIENDS
North County Widows & Widowers Club will gather for a Champagne Brunch and lively conversation at 11 a.m. Jan.13 at The Broiler in Oceanside Harbor. Cost is $28 (tax and tip not included) and $6 for a bottle of champagne. Make reservations with Dale at (760) 522-5144. COMPOST IN 2019
A five-week Master Composter Course is being offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 13 to Feb. 17 at San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Enci-
Legacy Users Group, sponsored by North San Diego County Genealogical Society, will meet from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Nina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad. Learn how to use the Legacy Family Tree software to track, organize, print and share your family history. Free, reservation not necessary. For information call (760) 542-8112 or e-mail lug@nsdcgs.org. GEM FAIRE
A gem and jewelry fair will be held noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 12 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $7 for a weekend pass. For more information, visit gemfaire. com.
JAN. 14
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The San Diego Foundation has opened up the application for 100 scholarships for San Diego County students pursuing higher education during the 20192020 school year, totaling in $2 million in grant availability. The holidays are the perfect time for students to work on these applications for an opportunity to receive financial support for school. The San Diego Foundation Common Scholarship Application is available at sdfoundation.org/students/community-scholarship-program/ until 2 p.m. Feb. 5, 2019.
14
T he R ancho S anta F e News
JAN. 4, 2019
3
The immigration debate hits home
TOP 10
CONTINUED FROM 1
after Election Night to assess the true breadth and depth of the political shift, but when the Registrar of Voters certified the results, one thing was clear: A blue wave indeed had washed ashore in North County: • Mike Levin became the first Democrat to win the district’s congressional seat in more than 40 years. • Paul McNamara unseated longtime Escondido Mayor Sam Abed, a staunch conservative who had taken a hardline stance on illegal immigration, and the council shifted from a 4-1 conservative majority to a 3-2 liberal majority. • Carlsbad voters elected two liberal candidates to shift the City Council to liberal majority for the first time in a generation. • Encinitas moved closer to a unanimous liberal-leaning city council, with one vacant seat up for appointment. • Not only did a Democrat win the 76th Assembly race for the first time, a single Republican did not advance out of the jungle primaries. • San Marcos, a conservative stronghold, saw liberal-leaning candidates chip away at the council majority. • And, with just days before the count was certified, a liberal candidate in Vista completed nearly a 20-point turnaround from election night to stun longtime Republican Councilman John Aguilera. This truly marked a generational shift in the electorate in North County, the reverberations of which will be felt for some time.
THE FUTURE OF THE SWITCHBACK TRAIL that leads down to Beacon’s Beach was just one of a handful of stories that kept the Leucadia community front and center throughout 2018. Photo by Shana Thompson
2
Housing issues roil region
As the state continues to grapple with a so-called “housing crisis,” North County elected officials and residents continue to clash over state requirements for added housing and concerns over the impact of housing on traffic, noise and the character of the respective communities. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved several controversial developments, citing its desire to ease the housing crisis in the region. The approvals of the Newland Sierra, Valiano and Harmony Grove Village South projects came in the face of fierce opposition from community leaders and residents alike. A group spearheaded by the Golden Door Spa successfully collected enough signatures as part of a referendum to rescind the coun-
ty’s approval. The Supervisors, however, have placed the question before voters in 2020. In Encinitas, a Superior Court judge has interceded in the city’s years-long attempt to come in compliance with state housing laws following the voters’ rejection of yet another proposed housing element update, Measure U. The judge has given Encinitas 120 days to adopt an affordable housing plan certified by the state after invalidating a local proposition that requires such plans to be voted on by the people. The judge’s ruling, however, doesn’t apply to future housing element updates. In Del Mar, the city has found itself in a battle with the California Coastal Commission over an ordinance regulating short-term vacation rentals. The city passed an ordi-
nance that would limit rentals of less than 30 days in nearly all residential zones to minimum seven-day stays for no more than 28 days a year. The Coastal Commission rejected the ordinance, arguing that it was too restrictive and would impact tourists access to the beach, and adopted in June a plan that would allow vacation rentals for a minimum of three consecutive days for no more than 100 days a year. The following month Del Mar voted 3-2 to reject that decision and opted to let the courts determine who has land-use authority in the county’s smallest city. And in the region’s largest city, Oceanside, voters rejected a controversial ballot measure, Measure Y, or the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) Initiative, which would have made it more difficult to turn farmland into housing developments.
We’re Glad You Asked Many people have asked the question, “I have my prearrangement made with another funeral home, but I would like to use Allen Brothers Mortuary when the need arises. What can I do?” Rose Anne Bedard, 91 Carlsbad December 20, 2018 Douglas Glen Edwards, 80 Vista December 22, 2018 Raymond Whitehead, 97 Carlsbad December 21. 2018
Submission Process
Please email obits @ coastnewsgroup.com or call (760) 436-9737 x100. All photo attachments should be sent in jpeg format, no larger than 3MB. the photo will print 1.625” wide by 1.5” tall inh black and white.
Timeline
Obituaries should be received by Monday at 12 p.m. for publicatio in Friday’s newspaper. One proof will be e-mailed to the customer for approval by Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Text” $15 per inch
Allen Brothers Mortuary will be honored to carry out your wishes. We will provide your family a beautiful, dignified funeral service, as directed by your choices and your plan. WE INVITE YOU TO COMPARE SERVICES AND PRICES.
ALLEN BROTHERS MORTUARY, INC. VISTA CHAPEL FD-1120
Rates: Approx. 21 words per column inch
Regardless of what mortuary you have made your prearrangement plan with, you have the option of transferring your preneed and allowing Allen Brothers to care for all of your funeral service arrangements. This is especially good news for people who have recently moved to our area or people who, for one reason or another, aren't satisfied with their current funeral home’s services.
Photo: $25 Art: $15 (Dove, Heart, Flag, Rose)
1315 S. Santa Fe Ave Vista, CA 92083
760-726-2555
SAN MARCOS CHAPEL FD-1378 435 N. Twin Oaks Valley Rd San Marcos, CA 92069
760-744-4522
www.allenbrothersmortuary.com
In the lead up to the June primary elections, the state’s so-called “sanctuary city” status became a flashpoint of controversy, and several communities jumped head on into the skid. The Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 in April to support the Trump administration’s lawsuit against the state and three of its immigration laws. Carlsbad’s City Council voted to oppose sanctuary cities a month later, and reaffirmed it a month later against a throng of residents urging them to reconsider. Thousands of residents in North County participated in a rally in Carlsbad protesting the Trump administration’s policy of separating children of illegal immigrants. Several elected officials actively campaigned around the topic of illegal immigration. One of the more prominent officials, Escondido Mayor Sam Abed, lost his election, and some believe the city’s changing electorate were turned off by his hardline stance. And in Encinitas, which made headlines in 2016 by joining the so-called “Welcoming Communities” movement, Mayor Catherine Blakespear wrote a letter to then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions about the border-separation policy.
4
North County cities grapple with environmental issues
It’s no surprise that environmental headlines would dominate our coastal region, and this year was no different. Encinitas moved forward with a plan to ban plastic straws from restaurants, and also became the first city to in the region to adopt a “gold standard” climate CROP action plan that hinges on .93 the city adopting community .93choice energy with its North 4.17Coastal neighbors. Those 4.28 cities — Oceanside, Carlsbad and Del Mar — will all be watching tiny Solana Beach, as it carries the mantle of energy independence from SDG&E with its fledging CCE effort, which is experience “growing pains.” Oceanside officials began hearing from a group of residents, who are taking cues from Encinitas
LICK THE PLATE CONTINUED FROM 9
rice, beans, chicken taquito, mole sauce and guacamole. On the seafood side the Ajillo Mahi Mahi is a very light and flavorful dish infused with imported chiles. The Sabana Invierno is layers and layers of different flavors that make this ¼-pound beefsteak melt in your mouth plus Manchego cheese which is an interesting twist. There are several soups available but the Sopa Azteca is the standout. It’s a truly traditional tortilla soup that starts with beef broth and spice after spice. For dessert the Chur-
and other locals, who want the city to also ban plastic straws in restaurants. Tiny Del Mar stood up to the Coastal Commission rejecting managed retreat as an option to combat sea level rise in its climate action plan, which is setting up a major battle that will no doubt play itself out in 2019. Encinitas kicked off its “Living Shoreline” project in Cardiff-by-the-sea, which includes a series of man-made dunes that will protect Coast Highway 101 from flooding during storm events but also provide habitat for native species. And in Carlsbad, after 64 years, the Encinitas Power Station, one of the infamous landmarks along the San Diego coastline, was retired on Dec. 11.
5
Cannabis controversy continues
Cities across the region continued to grapple with the realities of Proposition 64 — the landmark 2016 statewide initiative that legalized personal recreational cannabis use — and cannabis regulation. In Encinitas, the council deferred on deciding the fate of cannabis in the city until 2020, when citizens will vote on an initiative to allow and regulate cannabis storefronts, deliveries and manufacturing and cultivation. The city recently deferred a decision on whether to allow deliveries until the state decides whether it will allow such deliveries statewide, which would render local intervention moot. Solana Beach voters will also get a chance to weigh in on the cannabis debate, as the council decided to put the question of cannabis storefronts to voters in 2020. In Vista, voters legalized medical marijuana sales by approving Measure Z, despite the outcry from the largely conservative City Council. On the eve of the election, the city of Vista brought a five-count misdemeanor criminal complaint against a group which has spearheaded fundraising efforts for Measure Z, alleging various campaign finance violations. The Oceanside City Council, after months of debate, voted to approve medical marijuana deliveries. TURN TO TOP 10 ON 15
ros are the way to go served with 3 dipping sauces. As mentioned there is a full bar and the 18 oz. Hacienda Margarita, a secret house original is a favorite. There is a modest selection of 35 wines from Latin America. Monte Xanic from Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe and Maestro Dobel tequila from Jalisco, Mexico are represented plus selections from Chile and Argentina. The restaurant is now serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch and is located at 162 Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas. 760.738.9804 www.haciendadevega.com
JAN. 4, 2019
15
T he R ancho S anta F e News
La Costa Canyon grad tackles Rock’s endurance TV show By Steve Puterski
CARLSBAD — One former Carlsbad graduate will be kicking off the new year on a national stage. Nika Sedghi, 25, is one of 64 contestants (32 men, 32 women) who will compete for $100,000 grand prize on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new show, “The Titan Games.” The show premiered Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. on NBC. Sedghi said she was one of 10,000 applications for the show, which pushes contestants through physical tests, a sort of combination between “American Ninja Warrior” and “American Gladiators.” “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and something I’m thankful for with ‘The Rock,’” she said. “He set out to create a platform for ordinary people to do extraordinary things and that’s genuinely exactly what he did. The opportunity to extend my reach on a national level is something that
NIKA SEDGHI, 25, raised in Carlsbad, graduated from San Diego State and works as a gas turbine engineer in San Diego. Photo via Facebook
warms my heart.” Raised in Carlsbad, the current San Diego resident said she is inspired by Johnson’s goal of showing everyday people they can ac-
complish the most difficult tasks. Johnson, one of the biggest movie stars in the world, was a former Division I football player at the University of Miami and star wrestler in the WWE before turning to Hollywood. As for Sedghi, she was a standout water polo player and swimmer at La Costa Canyon High School, before joining the water polo team at San Diego State University. While there, though, she said her final years were tough as she experienced a drastic change in weight. Sedghi, who works as a gas turbine mechanical engineer at Agilis Engineering, put on nearly 40 pounds after an injury training for a triathlon. Even though she was an active DI athlete, she said the dramatic change had a profound effect. She also learned she had a heart condition, supraventricular tachycardia, which is an abnormally fast heartbeat, but turned it around with better nutrition and was able to stabilize her
weight and health. After graduating, she found bodybuilding, which has been her passion over the past several years. Then, earlier this year, a friend showed her the application for “The Titan Games.” Sedghi applied earlier this year and months later while on the Stairmaster at the gym, she received a call informing her she was in. “I remember I got the call and shocked would be an understatement,” she said. “I didn’t believe it. It led to an immediate physical spring on the Stairmaster.” Her passion for health and fitness is a driving force in her life she said. And the opportunity to bring her story and message to a national audience is inspiring. Sedghi said weight is not the only measurement of health. Standing 5-foot-10 and 140 pounds, the chiseled woman is also looking to inspire others the way Johnson is doing with the show.
“Being active and fit means the world,” she added. “My transformation was about 20 weeks. I found such a passion for fitness, nutrition and health. I want to help other people reach their fitness goals and not struggle through the things that I did. What I preach on my social media platforms is focus on health, not the scale.” As for the show, filming has already ended, although results are kept secret, according to Rob Tobias, a public relations director for the show. Each gender will compete against each other in an elimination-style format, with the male and female winners squaring off against each other for the grand prize. “It’s exactly like what you’d get from the March Madness tournament,” he said. “Each week they dwindle down. They did it all in Los Angeles and built a massive arena.” Follow Sedghi on Instagram (neeks93) or Twitter (neeks_93).
TOP 10
And then, the Board of Supervisors approved a controversial update to the airport’s master plan, which prompted a residents group to sue the county over what they say was a flawed environmental impact report. The city of Carlsbad is also considering legal action, in a story that will likely play itself out in 2019.
CONTINUED FROM 14
Expect this topic to continue to lead local headlines in 2019 and beyond.
6
Leucadia dominates headlines
Known as a sleepy surf town, Leucadia was alive with controversy all year, with some of the biggest — and in some cases, quirkiest — headlines throughout our pages. with controversy all year, with some of the biggest — and in some cases, quirkiest — headlines throughout our pages. The single biggest controversy involved a planned transformation of the community’s main drag, North Coast Highway 101, by way of the Leucadia Streetscape. A group of neighbors formed an organized opposition, lining streets throughout the community with signs that read “One Lane: Insane,” referring to the plan to shrink the street from four lanes to two between Leucadia Blvd and La Costa Avenue. The group also sued the city to stop the project. But the plan was endorsed by the City Council and Planning Commission and competing group of supporters, who argued that the street as configured imperils pedestrians, cyclists and is bad for local businesses. And in October, the California Coastal Commission unanimously endorsed the project. Two months later, one of the project’s most ardent supporters, Roberta Walker, was critically injured when a truck struck her will she was riding her bicycle during the early morning hours on Dec. 8. Walker’s accident has galvanized the efforts to accelerate the start of the project. Residents were also up in arms over a plan to build a staircase at their beloved Beacon’s (or Beacon, depending on who you talk to) Beach, to supplement — and ultimately replace — the beach’s iconic switchback trail. Supporters of
10
The failure of Proposition 6
CARL DEMAIO, second from right, flanked by GOP candidates John Cox and Diane Harkey, gathered enough signatures to put Proposition 6, a measure rolling back a state gas tax increase, on the November ballot. Prop. 6 went down to defeat. Cox, a Rancho Sante Fe businessman running for governor, and Harkey both lost their races. Photo by Shana Thompson
the project argued that the project was necessary to protect beach access, as the bluff above the switchback could collapse and destroy it at any moment. But the city’s Planning Commission denied the project in October, and again in December, shelving it until at least July, unless the project is appealed to the City Council. At the same beach in September, 13-year-old Keane Webre-Hayes suffered traumatic injuries when he was bitten by a great white shark while lobster hunting. Keane’s injury became a national story, and later the city of Encinitas honored him and the Good Samaritans who were credited for saving his life with a proclamation in honor of their bravery and life-saving efforts. And finally, from the “wait, what?” files, Leucadians were in an uproar when they found out that an apparel company had trademarked the community’s name, and sent out ceaseand-desist letters to local T-shirt makers who were using the name on their clothing. In one case, a letter targeted the T-shirt company that has been printing Leucadia brand shirts for nearly four decades. The company behind
the lawsuit threats, Flashbuz, dropped the letters in response to the community outcry. Several residents said they plan to sue to reverse the trademark.
7
Mental health closure rocks region
It’s been a while since Tri-City Medical Center was front-and-center in the news, but in June, when the public hospital announced plans to “suspend” its inpatient psychiatric facilities, the region responded in an uproar. The hospital cited costs and a recent change in federal regulations requiring hospitals to remove from rooms all features that patients could use to hang themselves, known as “ligature” risks, for the need to suspend the activities. Needless to say, the condemnation was swift and widespread, as law enforcement, mental health activists and elected officials implored the hospital to reconsider its decision. The district’s board of directors held a second meeting to reconsider the decision, but ultimately voted to shutter the facilities in the fall. Mental health and suicide prevention were at the top of awareness this year
following the deaths of celebrities Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, and our reporter Kelli Kyle outlined the ongoing suicide prevention efforts throughout North County. At Canyon Crest Academy, these discussions hit home the hardest, as the student body was left to grapple with two student deaths (one a suicide) and an injury that was possibly the result of self-harm. The events happened within a short period of time of each other, leading to questions of how these incidents could happen and what should be done about them.
8
Del Mar Gun Show suspended
Amidst rising nationwide concerns about gun violence — following mass shootings at a Florida high school, video game competition and a Thousand Oaks nightclub — activists in Del Mar have pushed to end a gun show that has been held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the past 30 years. The 22nd District Agricultural Association Board — which runs the fairgrounds on behalf of the state — elected to suspend the show for the span of 2019, until a new policy concerning the gun shows
could be drafted. Controversy also arose over the show’s operators and his criminal record. The operator, in turned, slapped a local gun-safety advocacy group with a cease-and-desist letter accusing the group’s founder of defaming the gun show’s owner. In Encinitas, officials adopted a resolution urging lawmakers to curb gun violence, in spite of calls from gun rights activists to reject the resolution. Carlsbad adopted a similar resolution in the fall. And the organization Moms Demand Action held an anti-gun protest in June.
9
New flights and an ongoing fight
The McClellan-Palomar Airport dominated headlines in Carlsbad this year for a couple of reasons. First, after nearly 10 years of planning, California Pacific Airlines finally launched commercial service from McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad. The airline services four cities with plans to expand to two more, but two days of cancellations in December, and passengers stranded in Pierre, South Dakota, over Thanksgiving, rocked the company.
The region became ground zero for the fight for Proposition 6, a statewide initiative aimed at repealing the so-called “gas tax,” Senate Bill 1. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill in April 2017, which raised both gas taxes and vehicle registration fees in an effort to tackle the state’s infrastructure backlog. The architect of the “Yes on 6” campaign, former San Diego Councilman Carl DeMaio, staged a series of “cheap gas” rallies in Encinitas, Carlsbad and elsewhere to raise awareness of the repeal campaign. In Julian, a group of Caltrans contract workers came under fire for allegedly campaigning against Proposition 6 while on duty, as activists filed a complaint with the state Fair Political Practices Commission against Caltrans. The FPPC confirmed the investigation in September. A number of conservative lawmakers — most notably 49th Congressional District candidate Diane Harkey and Escondido Mayor Sam Abed — latched their campaigns on to the gas-tax opposition. Still, other groups actively campaigned against Proposition 6, arguing that the boost to infrastructure spending outweighed any added burden caused by the increase at the pump. Voters statewide agreed with opponents of the repeal and rejected Proposition 6 in a stunning 55-percent to 45-percent rebuke. Carlsbad recently celebrated the expansion of its carpool lanes along I-5 — funded by SB1.
16
T he R ancho S anta F e News
JAN. 4, 2019
JAN. 4, 2019
17
T he R ancho S anta F e News
Place your classified ad through our website 24/7
www.thecoastnews.com
classifieds
reach over 100,000 readers every week!* • www.thecoastnews.com • 760.436.9737 • advertising@coastnewsgroup.com
REACH MORE THAN OVER
100,000 READERS EVERY WEEK!* The Coa
sT New s PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS , CA PERMIT NO. 92025 94
VOL. 3, N0. 7
Inside: 2016 Sprin g Home & Gard en Section
VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDID O
Citracado Par extension pro kway ject draws
MARCH 25, 2016
By Steve Putersk
It’s a jungl
e In ther
Emi Gannod , 11, observe exhibit is s a Banded open now through April 10. Purple Wing butterfly Full story at the on page A2. Photo San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s by Tony Cagala Butterfly
e
Commun Vista teacity rallies behind her placed on leave
Jungle exhibit. The
By Hoa Quach
i
on
ESCON environ amendment DIDO — mental An port to the lution of from Aprilimpact rereso- ternati 2012. AlCitracado necessity for ves the sion projectParkway exten- with residenwere discussed ts in four munity Wednesday was approv ed of publicmeetings and comby the Council. gatherings. a trio City “The project Debra rently Lundy, property real cated designed as curcity, said manager for and plannewas lothe it was due to a needed manner that will d in a compatible omissionsclerical error, be most the est with attached of deeds to public good the greatbe private and least adjustm to the land. The injury,” ent said. parcel beingis the only Lundy acquired fee the city, She also which is by reported ty, she added. a necessi city and proper the - have ty owners had The project, eminent domain meetings inmore than 35 the past in the which has been years to develop four works for the plan. years, will However, several erty complete the missing the mit owners did not proproadway section of a counte subthe ny Grove, between Harmo city’s statutoroffer to the Village ry offer and Andrea Parkway- April 14, 2015. on son Drive. to Lundy, Accord The the owners ing not feel a review city conduc did the offer ted matched which was of the project what the land , outlined is worth, in the alTURN TO
Republica Abed ove ns endorse r Gaspar EXTENSION
ON A3
VISTA — Curren former t ents are students and and pardemanding social studies a teacher Vista lowed to be alkeep his the admini job. Vincen stration By Aaron Romero to keep has workedt Romero, Burgin at Rancho Vista High for the who REGIO Unified School. Buena Vista ty Republ N — The Coun- Krvaric A protest since 1990,School Distric ican Party Sam Abed’ssaid. “Clear thrown at the school. was also held t paid adminiwas placed ly has its suppor long-tim Escondido on t behind steadfast commi e and strative “This from his Republican leave Mayor tment Abed in gry,” wrotemakes me so na Vistajob at Rancho BueSam anprinciples to ty Dist. the race for Coun- values earned of Fallbro Jeffrey Bright and March 7. High School 3 Superv him port of on graduated ok, who said isor. The committeethe suphe Now, an of San Republican Party bers and we more than from the school memwith more online petitio 20 years last weekDiego announced endorse him.” are proud to already than 1,900 n ago. tures is that it signaendorse ucation fear that our “I Gaspar’s istration asking the admin- A social Abed overvoted to reache edsystem campaign Republ apart. to studies is falling bring d this fellow back to placed on I ican and teacher the classro Romero dents at Rancho administ tas Mayor not goingworry my kids Encini pressed disapp week exBuena are om. On and parents rative leave in ointment who is also Kristin Gaspar - not receivi education to get a valuab early March. Vista High School to launch ro told his last day, Rome- Romero. Photo in ng the le , nomina at public running The move an online was anymo superv by Hoa Quach party’s for tion, schools prompte leaving students he isor seat re.” petition the d stuin support was sorry held by currently several key but touted David Whidd nization because “the orgaof Vincent endors I can’t be she has is seekinDave Roberts, who Marcos with the rest received ements change.” decided to make g re-elec called on of San out the campa of the year. you for do through“shameful.” a my choice, tion. the move Abed, — “(They a polariz who has been but it’s It’s not until we’re going to “While ign. “This is confidence ) no longer have it goes.” the way there’s fight genuin I’m a teache his two ing figure during pointed not fight with. nothing left know what in me that r that terms as In the to get thedisapto wrote. ely cares,” Whidd I plan to Escondido, roughly I ute speech mayor in ty endorsement, I’m doing,” for your parRomero, “Both be back senior year.” proud to secured said coveted Mr. Romer of my sons on whose to studen4-minwere recorde have theI’m very the of Romer remark emotional Romer ts, an ment by party endors joyed his o and greatly had support Mayor students o also urged d and posteds to fight on Facebo Faulco ene- the class.” the adminio vowed new his to be kind than two receiving more four Republ ner and like what ok. “They don’t stration. to their mineA former studen social studies “I’m not Councilmemb ican City committee’s thirds of I do. They but ing,” like the the tors ers, don’t not said Romer disappear- pal to give “hell” teacher RomerVelare of Vista,t, Jasvotes, threshold Senais what way I do it. So, o, 55. “I’m to Princio Charles the and Bates and Anders said going happens. this candidate required for teacher.” was “an amazin Schind ler. Assemb on, Follow I’m really something away. This is a Chavez lyman Rocky g to receive endorsement nouncementing ,” “I was lucky that’s what I can fight, the the Gaspar “I’ve anparty membe over a fellow get we’re goingand ture, a of enough been said. to petition his depar- “Hehim myself,” she tive Republ a very effecr. to on Petitio was “Endorsing truly cares wrote. ican mayor nSite.com, created publican for what one Re- a Democratic in urging over anothe he city by focusing on quires balanced r a TURN TO TEACHER budgets, — and 2/3 vote threshore- economic ON A15 rarely happen ld and GOP quality development, Chairman s,” continu of life Tony Board e to do so and will on the of Superv isors.”
OPEN HOUSES COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE OPEN HOUSE: Sun 1-4pm. 1603 Fairlead Avenue, Carlsbad CA 92011. 2 bed (with optional 3rd), 2.5 bath and approx. 1,540 sqft. Imagine moving into one of the “BRIGHTEST and BEST” Townhomes located in Voscana. This highly upgraded end unit is private, quiet, bright, and move-in ready! Listed from $689,000-699,000. Lori Merino, Coldwell Banker Carlsbad, 760.405.3227. COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE OPEN HOUSE: Sat 1-4pm. 1398 Scoter Pl., Carlsbad CA 92011. 2br, 2ba & approx. 1,781 sqft. SINGLE LEVEL in highly sought after, gated community of Viaggio. This gem is tucked away on a very quiet and private street. Sit out back and listen to the many birds of Aviara. This is a perfect home for people of any age and lives large. Court Wilson, (760) 402-1800.
ITEMS WANTED ***MATTRESS LIQUIDATION-BRAND NEW*** Mattress CLOSEOUT! Everything must go! Queens start at $150. Kings at $250. Call Andy 760-496-9999. STEREO EQUIPMENT FOR SALE High end stereo equipment for sale in Solana Beach. Contact for pricing information. (760) 710-7531. FILM CAMERAS FOR SALE Olympus 35mm RF, Pentax 35mm SLR. $25 each. Call (760) 757-5445.
SERVICES HELP FOR SENIORS Our caregivers help with: shopping, errands, transportation, housecleaning, meal prep, companionship and a whole lot more.
CLASSIFIED AD RATES 1-3 wks
Display PCI
$40
6 wks 12 wks 26 wks 52 wks $36
$32
$28
$24
CLASSIFIED LINE AD RATES: Place online at thecoastnews.com for as little as $7.50 per week! (Ads placed in-house will be $1 per word)
LINE ADS RUN IN ALL 3 PAPERS 100,000 READERS
Place your own line ad online at thecoastnews.com Line ads run in all publications. Display classifieds run Coast News, 20,000 RSF 10,000 INLAND 10,000
DEADLINES Copy and Cancellations FRIDAY (DISPLAY), MONDAY (LINERS) 4PM
Ask for Classified Dept.
760-436-9737
ext. 100
To view or place ads online go to thecoastnews.com or stop by office at: 315 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas
PICK YOUR CLASSIFICATIONS Automotive ••• Automotive Services •• Services Business Opportunity • Business • Help Wanted Opportunity • Items For Sale •• Help Wanted Miscellaneous •• Items For Sale Open Houses
• Real Estate • Miscellaneous • For Rent Open Houses ••Wanted Real Estate ••Garage Sales
• For Rent • Wanted • Garage Sales
(858) 369-5930 HCO# 374700046
RECEIVE EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC LESSONS IN LA COSTA! La Costa music studio currently offering lessons to all ages in violin, viola and piano, as well as group and orchestra coaching. Instructor is Moscow and London trained with 25 years of experience. Contact Karina at (858) 692-4642. HOUSE CLEANING Experienced house-cleaner offering deep cleaning, maintenance & move-outs. Reasonable rates. Licensed/Bonded. References avail. Free Estimates. Call Isela (760) 855-8045. E1 ELECTRIC Commercial/Residential. Additional circuits/Lighting/Troubleshooting/Repairs. (760) 402-7802. Lic #1020861 HANDYMAN SERVICE Serving the community as a craftsman for 30 years for services including carpentry, electrical, general maintenance and much more. Excellent references. Call Kevin at 760-622-2256 for a FREE estimate! WELDING Jack of All Trades Handyman Service. Wire Feed Welding (MIG, Flux Core) Stick Welding. NEW PROJECTS AND REPAIRS. Fences, Gates, Trailers, Railings, etc. Call Patric McGuire at (760) 468-4449. CAREGIVER AVAILABLE FOR HIRE INDIVIDUAL seeking parttime caregiving job. Reasonable rates. San Marcos/Oceanside area. Call (760) 473-9447 HANDYMAN SERVICE, Serving the community as a craftsman for 30 years for services including carpen-
SERVICES
NANI CLASSIFIEDS
NANI CLASSIFIEDS
try, electrical, general maintenance and much more. Excellent references. Call Kevin at 760.622.2256 for a FREE estimate. TV, INTERNET, & PHONE EXPERTS Save hundreds per month on TV, Internet, & Phone costs. Stop burning money on cable every month. Get complete support for internet and phones as well! Locally owned & operated for 16 years. www.teqiq.com. Call Now! 760-9334500.
Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800- 245-0398 HEALTH/FITNESS VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 100 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol EDUCATION/CAREER TRAINING AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Get FAA approved hands on Aviation training. Financial Aid for qualified students Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-686-1704 AUTO DONATIONS DONATE YOUR CAR - FAST FREE TOWING 24hr Response - Tax Deduction - Help Save Lives! UNITED BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION 866-616-6266 MEDICAL/MISCELLANEOUS ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 877-929-9587 DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for 350 procedures.888-623-3036 or http://www. dental50plus.com/58 Ad# 6118 MISCELLANEOUS Spectrum Triple Play! TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-877-338-2315 INVENTORS - FREE INFORMATION PACKAGE Have your product idea developed affordably by the Research & Development pros and presented to manufacturers. Call 1-888-501-0236 for a Free Idea Starter Guide. Submit your idea for a free consultation. SAVE ON YOUR NEXT PRESCRIPTION! World Health Link. Price Match Guarantee! Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified. Over 1500 medications available. CALL Today For A Free Price Quote. 1-866-2939702 Call Now! Craftmatic Adjustable Beds for less! Up to 50% Off Leading Competitors. #1 Rated Adjustable Bed. Trusted Over 40 Years. All Mattress Types Available. Shop by Phone and SAVE! CALL 1-866-425-2975 A PLACE FOR MOM has helped over a million families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. Call 855-741-7459 CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer. Nationwide Free Pick Up! Call Now: 1-800-864-5960. DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply 1-800-718-1593 NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer! Why wait? Call now: 866-951-7214 HEALTH/MEDICAL $$$$VIAGRA & CIALIS! 100 pills for $110 and guaranteed delivery in two weeks and money back guarantee. NO prescriptions needed. Money back guaranteed! 1-800-943-1302 HOME IMPROVEMENT/ MISCELLANEOUS Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-534-6198
BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 888-912-4745 AUTOS WANTED CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! 2002 and Newer! Any Condition. Running or Not. Competitive Offer! Free Towing! WeÕre Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-416-2330. HEALTH & MEDICAL MISCELLANEOUS Suffering from an ADDICTION to Alcohol, Opiates, Prescription PainKillers or other DRUGS? There is hope! Call Today to speak with someone who cares. Call NOW 1-855-399-8803 EDUCATION/CAREER TRAINING HEALTHCARE CAREER TRAINING ONLINE. Start a New Career in Medical Billing & Coding. Medical Administrative Assistant. To learn more, call Ultimate Medical Academy. 855-629-5104 PHARMACY TECHNICIAN - ONLINE TRAINING AVAILABLE! Take the first step into a new career! Call now: 833-221-0660
SPORTS MASSAGE Trained, experienced, reasonable rates. Please call Araya at (760) 704-9005 between the hours of 10am and 7pm.
MISCELLANEOUS FEELING TIRED? NOT SLEEPING WELL? Maybe it’s time for a new mattress. $0 DOWN-100 Days No Interest. No credit needed. 760-4969999 CLEAR THE CLUTTER! Clear the clutter … donate your gently-used items to CRC Resale Stores! 3 North County Locations: CRCNCC.org/ shop. 401K PLAN Administration for Solo/Small Companies Mrs401k. com sets up and administers low cost 401k Plans for advisors, the self-employed and small to mid size companies.
HELP WANTED CAREGIVERS WANTED Visiting Angels of La Jolla is hiring experienced caregivers $13/hour. Clients in La Jolla to Encinitas. Cynthia 619.244.0775 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL UMPIRES WANTED NORTH COUNTY Looking for new/experienced umpires for 2019: Jan-June. Get Trained/Certified. Click JOIN@ http://pacificbaseballumpires.org DELIVERY DRIVER FOR PHARMACY Position for FULL-TIME employee, ideally for long term. Seeking good driving record. Apply in person at Quality Care Pharmacy on San Marcos Blvd. Contact 760744-5959 for further details. PHARMACY CLERK Seeking FULL-TIME employee. Bilingual preferred. Apply in person at Quality Care Pharmacy in San Marcos. Contact 760-744-5959 PHARMACY TECHNICIAN Seeking FULL-TIME employee, ideally for long term. Pharmacy Technician License required. Bilingual Spanish speaking preferred. Apply in person at Quality Care Pharmacy on San Marcos Blvd. Contact 760-744-5959 for further details. RDA/RDA-EF (SAN CLEMENTE) RDA/RDA-EF We have a beautiful, modern office, a wonderful patient population, an enthusiastic team, and a sincere periodontist dedicated to quality care. Three to four days a week, possibly leading to full time. Previous dental experience, a great attitude, and strong work ethic are our first priority. Bilingual is a plus. Please send a resume and a paragraph about yourself to: ginnyperio@att.net We look forward to meeting you!
WANTED JAZZ RECORDS WANTED - JAZZ VINYL - JAZZ RECORDS I am NOT A record dealer, I am a jazz fan. I want to listen, not resell them. 1950s/60s preferred 760-305-9092 ask for Doug.
NANI CLASSIFIEDS AUTO DONATIONS
CADNET CLASSIFIEDS AUTOS WANTED CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! All Makes/Models 2002-2018! Any Condition. Running or Not. Top $$$ Paid! Free Towing! We’re Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-985-1806 DONATE YOUR CAR - FAST FREE TOWING 24hr Response - Tax Deduction UNITED BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION Your donation can help save a life! 877-654-3662 HEALTH & FITNESS Suffering from an ADDICTION to Alcohol, Opiates, Prescription PainKillers or other DRUGS? There is hope! Call Today to speak with someone who cares. Call NOW 1-855-866-0913 MISCELLANEOUS Make a Connection. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call NOW: 1-888-909-9905 18+. HughesNet Satellite Internet 25mbps starting at $49.99/mo! FAST download speeds. WiFi built in! FREE Standard Installation for lease customers! Limited Time, Call 1-800-610-4790 SAVE ON YOUR NEXT PRESCRIPTION! World Health Link. Price Match Guarantee! Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified. Over 1500 medications available. CALL Today For A Free Price Quote. 1-855-5308993 Call Now! Cross Country Moving, Long distance Moving Company, out of state move $799 Long Distance Movers. Get Free quote on your Long distance move 1-800-511-2181 DIRECTV CHOICE All-Included Package. Over 185 Channels! ONLY $45/month (for 24 mos.) Call NowGet NFL Sunday Ticket FREE! CALL 1-855-781-1565 Ask Us How To Bundle & Save! Earthlink High Speed Internet. As Low As $14.95/month (for the first 3 months.) Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink Today 1-855-520-7938 DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-855-837-9146 Start Saving BIG On Medications! Up To 90% Savings from 90DAY-
18
T he R ancho S anta F e News
JAN. 4, 2019
CADNET CLASSIFIEDS
CADNET CLASSIFIEDS
CADNET CLASSIFIEDS
CADNET CLASSIFIEDS
CADNET CLASSIFIEDS
CADNET CLASSIFIEDS
MEDS! Over 3500 Medications Available! Prescriptions Req’d. Pharmacy Checker Approved. CALL Today for Your FREE Quote. 844-776-7620 Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-844-374-0013 ENJOY 100% guaranteed, delivered to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Makes a great Holiday gift! SAVE 75% PLUS get 4 FREE Burgers! Order The Family Gourmet Feast ONLY $49.99. Call 1-855-349-0656 mention code 55586TJC or visit www.omahasteaks.com/love13
Call Empire Today® to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring. Call Today! 1-800-508-2824 Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920 Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877626-2213 or visit http://dorranceinfo.com/classified Unable to work due to injury or illness? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys! FREE Evaluation. Local
Attorneys Nationwide 1-855-4986323 [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)] A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-844722-7993 Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. Call 866-428-1639 for Information. No Risk. No Money Out Of Pocket. GENERIC VIAGRA and CIALIS! 100 Pills $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-889-5515
HEAR AGAIN! Try our hearing aid for just $75 down and $50 per month! Call 800-426-4212 and mention 88272 for a risk free trial! FREE SHIPPING! Sleep Apnea Patients - If you have Medicare coverage, call Verus Healthcare to qualify for CPAP supplies for little or no cost in minutes. Home Delivery, Healthy Sleep Guide and More - FREE! Our customer care agents await your call. 1-844-545-9175 Lung Cancer? Asbestos exposure in industrial, construction, manufacturing jobs, or military may be the cause. Family in the home were also exposed. Call 1-866-7953684 or email cancer@breakingin-
jurynews.com. $30 billion is set aside for asbestos victims with cancer. Valuable settlement monies may not require filing a lawsuit. ADVERTISE to 10 Million Homes across the USA! Place your ad in over 140 community newspapers, with circulation totaling over 10 million homes. Contact Independent Free Papers of America IFPA at danielleburnett-ifpa@live.com or visit our website cadnetads.com for more information
rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.
Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the above classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but
Visit us coastnewsgroup.com
Coastal North County’s
BUSINESS & SERVICE
DIRECT
RY
Your destination for products and services you need
CHEAP
St. Pierre Stone and Concrete
HAULING
STARTING AT $25 TRASH • JUNK • DEMO APPLIANCES • FURNITURE I’LL HAUL ANYTHING!!
Little Plumber Girl
Residential and commercial plumbing repairs No job too big or too small! www.littleplumbergirl.com Contact Fluid Plumbing at: 760.650.5479
FREE ESTIMATES
760.410.4073 Lic. #1031974
Patios, Pool Decks, Driveways, Sidewalks, Demolition
Call Rich (760)755-4564
N more No e eyesores!
Weather proof with
A Knox Roof !
We stand behind our roofs so you can stand under them!
Remove the eembarrassing cclutter from your home.
Garage Clean Outs, Clean Ups and Debris Removal.
760-473-4545
CHECK WEBSITE FOR PRICING
MurrElls Services Inc.
CALL NOW 858-610-0308
Pool Cleaning, Maintenance and Repairs North County’s Most Dependable Pool Services!
1-888-769-9144
Let’s Get Your Job Started!
DRYWALL & PAINT Repair and Remodeling
S
STOP OVERPAYING FOR CABLE!
rkle Windo a p Washing
w
““Your Crap Is My Bread & Butter” CALL SCOTT 760-612-1795
Bonded & Insured C-36 License #958941
HANDYMAN & HAULING
HAUL-AWAYS.COM 858-610-0308
Windows, Blinds & Screens Call Dick at (760)-803-6655
SERVICE FOR ONLY $5 PER MONTH!
760-790-2200 www.teqiq.com/tv
Call for your FREE 30-day Trial! Your Senior-Friendly Tech. Experts
858 551-8910
Reasonable rates, local family man. Very reliable. Need paint? Call...
Expect Nothing Less when you work with the Best
facebook.com/ coastnewsgroup
Walker Tech & Pool
Pool & Equipment Repair
619-436-7189 Special
50% OFF 1st month service
Office/Residential | Free Wardrobes
7 DAYS A WEEK | FREE ESTIMATES FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1979
(760) 436-7217 BBB MEMBER | INSURED LIC #CAL T-189466
COWABUNGA
Visit us coastnewsgroup.com HIPSTER
ROBERT THE PAINTER
20 years experience References/Free estimates
760-415-2006 Lic. #890924
CHESTER
Rancho Coastal Humane Society 389 Requeza Street, Encinitas • (760) 753-6413 • www.sdpets.org
JAN. 4, 2019
Strange
19
T he R ancho S anta F e News
things
Caldwell’s Antiques is a local landmark and frequent haunt for celebs in search of collectibles Special to The Coast News
ENCINITAS — It may be small, but Caldwell’s Antiques in Leucadia is filled with a cornucopia of collectibles, antiques and in general, unique stuff. It’s also been around for more than five decades attracting regulars, locals and many celebrities over the years. According to son Fred Caldwell, the shop is around 600 square feet and has been in the same location, 1234 N. Coast Hwy. 101, since 1963, the same year his parents started the business. “We lived in Glendale from 1957 until 1961,” he said. “Dad moved furniture, and people ended up giving him so much of it when they moved, he opened a used furniture store there called House of Values.” In 1963, when Caldwell’s father Chuck bought the current location, his mother transitioned used furniture into “antiques.” “Every year, we’d go visit family in Indiana and stop at many of the antique shops along the way. One time we stopped at what we thought was a yard sale and was met by a man with a shotgun who asked what we were doing there,” Caldwell said. Caldwell took over the management of the shop after his mother, Tyke, passed away in 1981, however, his father still owns it. His father remarried to Connielou in 1982 and both have been involved in the local American Legion for decades. Caldwell also has his own graphics business, Coast Hwy. 101 Design, based at the same address as the shop. And while antiques and similar businesses have disappeared from the mainstream, especially in San Diego, Caldwell’s Antiques is still standing its own. “Owning the property we’re on and being too stubborn to sell it has been the main reason we’re still here. It’s a hard business to run with high rents and North County is getting crazy with those,” he said. “Each antique shop usually has their specialty items. Mine are vintage arcade machines, cool old advertising and weird stuff. We also have the only roadside attraction here on North Coast Hwy. 101 ‘The Strange Thing.’” Of course, selling antiques and “weird stuff” is a fun business to be in and one that never gets old as there’s always something
happening. “The best parts about running this business are: the history lessons we learn, the occasional extremely rare valuable thing that happens to show up, and finding what people are looking for (he keeps a Rolodex wish list, so he can call people whenever the treasure they’re looking for shows up),” he said. It’s also great meeting interesting people and being privy to all those strange events that happen regularly. Most of the time, good ones, he said. “Like one time a lady came by who was looking for ‘Hoosier kitchen cabinets’ (the first such multi-task cabinets kitchens had). I didn’t have any, but I asked her: ‘Have you ever heard of New Castle, Indiana, where those cabinets were first made?’ She said: ‘Are you kidding? I made a special trip there one time to learn more about them and the nicest lady at the historical society told me so much!’ I asked, ‘Was her name Mary Caldwell?’ She surprisingly said: ‘Yes!’ and I said: ‘That’s my grandma.’” Celebrity sightings
Of course, there have also been many a celeb sighting over the years at Caldwell’s Antiques, and when it happens, Caldwell often gets starstruck. “Being in business at the same location on a busy highway for 55 years means there have been a lot of celebrities through our door. When film critic Leonard Maltin came in with his wife, I thought, now what’s a question I could ask him? I know: ‘What’s your favorite movie of all time?’ It was ‘Casablanca,’” he said. And there’s the time when Ellen DeGeneres came in one day and asked: “How much is that jukebox outside?” “I said: ‘It’s $1,100, are you Ellen?’ and without batting an eye she said: ‘Yes! How much is it now?’ I should have said: ‘$1,500, but I’m not as funny.” And then in 1989, HBO was filming “The Heist” next door at a car lot. “When Pierce Brosnan came in, my dad followed him in saying: ‘Any movie stars show up yet, Fred?’ I said: ‘Only the star of the movie! Pierce Brosnan, meet my father Chuck!’ They shook hands as dad said slowly: ‘This is the most excitement we’ve had around here in two days.’”
Brosnan laughed and said: “Thank God! I thought you were going to say two years!” Of course, celebs have been part of the Caldwell’s store experience for a while now. “When we lived in Glendale, a friend of my folks was a film and TV director named David Butler (who got Shirley Temple in the business directing her first five films). He was currently directing episodes of “Leave It to Beaver.” He thought I looked so much like the Beav, that he wanted to screen test me to be his replacement if the studio wanted to continue the series as Jerry Mathers was a bit old for the part, being a teenager,” he recalled. That never happened but kept Caldwell excited for a few years hoping it would. Then in 1995, who wanders into the shop but Mathers himself. He had moved into a house on Neptune, Caldwell said. “We both shared a lot of stories about Mr. Butler and became friends,” he said. Then one day and only a few days after Mathers had signed the cover of a magazine the whole Cleaver family was on, a friend of Caldwell’s leaned over the counter and said: “I think Wally just walked in.” “I chuckled expecting to see someone who looked like Wally Cleaver from a
A VINTAGE postcard depicting “Maryluiz and Rabbit” is just one of many rare items available at Caldwell’s. Courtesy photo
galloping horse, but there was Tony Dow in the flesh! So, I had him sign the same magazine cover,” he said. Around the mid-1990s Caldwell didn’t know who the woman was who sang the entire song “You Make Me Feel So Young” was as she wandered around the shop, until she introduced herself before she left. It was Karen Black. In the 1960s, his mom sold a candlestick phone to comedian Dick Martin of TV’s “Laugh-In” fame. And comedienne Elaine Boosler came in one day asking for anything with mermaids on it. “I said, my neighbor has some old fruit crate labels with a tomato headed mermaid on it,” he recalled. She said: “Tomato headed mermaids are big this year!” and she bought it.” Other visitors include: England Dan & John Ford Coley, Ace Frehley of KISS,
Kelly of Leslie and Kelly, Sergio Mendez and former local news anchor Jack White, who bought an authentic Thurston magician poster. What’s the future?
As for the future forecast of the antique business from Caldwell’s perspective, it will just go with the flow. “We kind of rise with the tide here with sales, using eBay and Craigslist when things get slow. There’s no rhyme or reason when business is great, it just happens whenever,” he said. But regular folks shop Caldwell’s, too, not just the rich and famous. “The average shopper wanders in to find out what kind of shop this is,” Caldwell said. “I ask them to let me know if they find out.” To keep things interesting and stocked, Caldwell’s
obtains newer items by going a few times month to estate sales, garage sales, and “you name it and things call to me that I think will fit in the shop.” “In the graphics business, I design and sell a lot of local postcards that are a staple item here but do occasional work for the city and design plenty of custom business cards for folks.” Probably the two funniest things so far he designed included a 40-foot city bus wrapping it with the image of a vintage Woodie car. “NCTD had me do three different designs and they all went by my shop on North (Highway) 101 several times a day,” he said. Another thing that’s still popular is the “Kook Calendar” that he makes sometimes that features the best of the costumes placed by guerilla artists on the “Magic Carpet Ride” sculpture in Cardiff. “About 20 percent of the people who come in are looking for something specific,” he said. “They usually want to get on my wish list when I ask them if they’d like me to contact them whenever an item, they’re looking for turns up. Or, I can usually point them in a direction to another shop that may have what they’re looking for.” He’s been networking with other antique shops in North County since 1979 when he printed the first Treasure Map listing all the antique shops’ essential information. “And now that I can do full color graphics, I still make them every few years,” he said. As for what’s the coolest item Caldwell’s has had for sale at the store or the strangest? Probably the coolest item was a toss-up between a rare 1941 Wurlitzer “Peacock” jukebox and a 1902 9-foot Steinway Concert Grand Piano, he said. “Someone asked Dad once how he got the huge piano into our little shop and he said: ‘We got a running start at the door.’”
20
T he R ancho S anta F e News
JAN. 4, 2019