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MARCH 3, 2017
SECTION
Planning Commission requests a Vision Plan
small talk jean gillette
Feng shui blocked at every turn
By Promise Yee
I
looked around recently and decided that my house looks like one of those “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” games. I’ve been gently told by a friend that it may be our feng shui, or serious lack of the same. This Chinese art of design is supposed to provide a smooth, healthy and soothing flow for your chi, through your habitat. It appears that my chi has failed to flow and is, in fact, ricocheting around in a frenzy. I actually think feng shui is Chinese for “she who possesses no children, messy spouse or pets.” As the soothing energy approaches my front door, it is first startled by the chaos of the garage. As it veers wildly toward the porch, it trips over muddy boots, garden tools and a limp fern. Upon squeezing through my dusty screen door, it stumbles over my children’s backpacks, books, shoes, sweatshirts, remote-controlled car, dog toys, notebooks and writing utensils. It may also have to get past the jumping, slobbering golden retriever who wants to wrestle with it. Those hurdles probably zing it around, knocking the throw pillows on the floor, as they are never found in their assigned chairs. It will also face the disruption caused by one or two empty glasses, a half-full bowl of chips and one or two bags of fast-food wrappings. If it moves toward the kitchen, chances are good that it will simply collapse from shock. If it does press on, however, it must flow over a small mountain of greasy dishes, the clashing recycling boxes, the pieces of my daughter’s latest art project, her hairbrush and a refrigerator with a dent in TURN TO SMALL TALK ON B15
CELEBRATING 100 Sarah Kurtz, right,, of Oceanside, celebrates her 100th birthday on Feb. 23, with some well wishes from the medical staff at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Carlsbad. Russell Zane, M.D., family medicine physician, presented his centenarian patient with a birthday cake — right after he gave her a clean bill of health. Kurtz, who was accompanied by her daughters, said she owes her long life to healthy eating and plenty of outdoor exercising, especially walking and tennis. Zane told her, “Keep doing what you’re doing,” and gave her permission to eat cake to celebrate her big milestone. Courtesy photo
Middle school students celebrate Black History Month through poetry By Steve Puterski
CARLSBAD — More than 70 people packed Calavera Hills Middle School for a student-led poetry reading, celebrating and honoring Black History Month. More than a dozen eighth graders from Stacy Salz’s U.S. history class read their poems in a makeshift café atmosphere during the February event. Their topics ranged from slavery to abolitionist Frederick Douglass and activist Ruby Bridges. “We began with a really in-depth look at slavery,” Salz said. “At the end of it, I decided to try something new and have them write a poem. As I started reading the poems, I was just blown away about what they gleaned.” Salz said her American history course incorporates the horrific conditions slaves had to go through, although some of the topics broached by her TURN TO POETRY ON B15
Calavera Hills Middle School eighth-grader Kayla Mora reads her poem celebrating Black History Month during last week’s poetry reading at the school. Photo by Steve Puterski
OCEANSIDE — The Planning Commission did not support the North River Farms development proposed for the South Morro Hills community during project feedback on Monday. Instead commissioners asked the city to move forward with an updated Vision Plan for the farming community. The Planning Commission’s request for a Vision Plan comes at a time when Oceanside farmlands sit at a crossroads. Farming is not economically viable, landowners are beginning to sell, and the city is studying agritourism. Integral Communities’ North River Farms development proposes 680 to 985 homes, 2.2 acres of commercial space, 17 acres of farmland, and some open space on the 177-project site. The developer promises agriculture land and education programs to benefit multiple generations, and shared examples of urban revitalization, and restoration of deserted farms to highlight benefits of the project. Contrary to examples shared, the proposed development requires a land use amendment and zoning change to allow high-density housing to be built on prime farmland. Commissioner Curt Busk summed up the disparity. “I love your vision, but don’t see how this development represents any of your vision, it’s a standard subdivision,” Busk said. Residents turned out in droves to oppose the project. Many who spoke were Oceanside farmers, including gentleman farmer and musician Jason Mraz. Speakers called the project urbanization of farmland, and described it as an isolated high-density development, away from services and transit, with a two-lane road in and out. “I’m very concerned about this project,” Oceanside resident Karen Green said. “We’re talking about TURN TO FARMING ON B15