SEPT. 1, 2017
f f i ard
Sports
jay paris
B
ob Mangini was at a charity luncheon and that’s no surprise. A go-getter with the Encinitas Lions Club, Mangini was a guest at the San Diego Blind Center. The chatter went this way and that way, moving as fast as the plates of vittles. Then someone asked a specific question. For the blind or visually impaired diners, what was the highlight of their year? Their answer gave Mangini plenty of food for thought. “It was getting to go out to the beach and go surfing,” Mangini said. We second that and it’s time for our favorite 60 surfers to hang 10 again at Carlsbad’s South Ponto State Beach. With the Encinitas Lions Club Blind Surfing Event on Sept. 10 approaching fast, Mangini is feverishly checking his to-do list. “This really is special,” Mangini said. “They can surf, but they can also come sit on the beach and relax. If that’s what they want to do, that’s more than enough for us.” For most of us, seeing the water that helps make this area so unique is a given. But those with eye issues aren’t as fortunate. That means their opportunities to swim in these waters are limited, if they’ve ever gone
eight to 12 helpers for each surfer, ensuring the rider is safe during climbing on, the launch and of course in the catch zone, where invariably every surfer has ended up. But surfers know the end of one ride is just being that much closer to the next one. Considering these rookies are tackling that approach while blind, or with limited sight, it’s admirable. So everyone pitches in and the good vibes flow like the waves toward the sand. “This is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Craig Jenkins, the Urban Surf 4 Kids president. “Because it shows amazing courage and perseverance from each and every participant as they come to the water and surf.” They’ll come prepared as the Encinitas Lions Club supplies the wet suits, surfboards and lessons. The 22nd annual event originally cooked up by Larry Graff is better than ever. Nearly 60 surfers will be testing
that South Ponto break and what better way to say so long to summer. Three winters ago, there was a blind surfer at the Rose Bowl Parade waving to millions. The Lions Club had a New Year’s Day float and it acknowledged the work of the Encinitas chapter with its blind surfing event. “That was seen all over the world,” Mangini said. “That was quite an honor to be recognized.” What’s also evident is the good work being done by the good folks at the Encinitas Lions Club. Think of them, or more appropriately those new to surfing, the next time the Pacific Ocean runs across your toes. Right, Bob? “I’m not a surfer,” he said, with a laugh. For those blind surfers, he’s no hodad. Instead he’s the Big Kahuna for helping them enjoy the waves. Contact Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com. Follow him @jparis_sports
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to the ocean at all. So Mangini and friends throw a beach bash that includes breakfast, lunch, T-shirts, surfing equipment, backslaps, encouragement and plenty of smiles. He’ll even make sure a participant gets a lift to Ponto, if need be, and this has nothing to do with Uber. “We’ve expanded it to picking people up,” he said. “Quite often if they don’t belong to a blind center or something like that, they can get stranded and can’t get anywhere.” Lions Club members throughout San Diego County serve as valets. There’s even surfers headed down on a southbound train. That roar you hear will be the Amtrak, and the Lions Club posse eager to assist. But even the Lions Club needs help and the cavalry arrives with Urban Surf 4 Kids and Stella Maris Surf Association. They provide the instructors who coax the wanna-be surfers to balance on the boards. Mangini said it takes
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The CoasT News
Inside: 2016 Spring Home & Garden Section VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO
VOL. 3, N0. 7
MARCH 25, 2016
Citracado Parkway extension project draws on By Steve Puterski
NEWS PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PRSRTPAID ENCINITAS, STD CA 92025 U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT NO. 94 PAID ENCINITAS, CA PERMIT NO. 92025 94
VISTA, SAN
MARCOS,
INLAND EDITION
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ESCONDIDO
JUNE 20,
2014
It’s a jungle In there Emi Gannod, 11, observes a Banded Purple Wing butterfly at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle exhibit. The exhibit is open now through April 10. Full story on page A2. Photo by Tony Cagala
Community rallies behind Vista teacher placed on leave By Hoa Quach
Two commercia be demolished l structures at Carlsbad’s to make of retail La way for and a revamp Costa Towne Center above, would apartment buildings. that will retail. Courtesy include 48 apartmentsThe larger includes the addition new building, renderings , a courtyard shown for residents, and
dful of eggs she found. A9. Photo Four city by Promise egg hunts Yee are
Carlsbad retai revamped l center to be with apartmen ts
By Rachel
Stine
CARLSB for five years, AD — With the 33-year-oit’s primary the corner ld La Costa storefront empty last gettingof El Camino a revamp. Real and La Towne Center The owner Costa Avenue at molish two of the is at commerc property gained ter and ial replace and half them structures in theapproval to de2.3 times apartmen with buildings shopping sion on April that ts from Carlsbad’ that are cenCouncilm price.” Eddingto s Planninghalf retail Planning 16. an Tony n vocate of Commiss Kranz, said. Commiscoming an admillion the purchase, forward ioners praised figure ping center with erty’s current was based said the $4.3 that theyplans to redevelop the owners sign, and on the propsaid currently public zoning. was only the dated for a main tenant. intended “(La lacks signage,shopAnd it as a Additiona wall. You Costa Towne Center delly, Kranzfirst offer. ed in favor have no said Planning said he idea what’s is) just this big of upping ing that votlong white inside, it’s ter has been Commissioner EUSD had the price knowcase, which not a strong Commisslong overdue.” Hap L’Heureux. inviting,” rezoning much more would have ioner “This cenmall an valuable. made the land eyesore. Aurthur Neil The city Black could the district’s called the have tried little to fight would likely rezone request, have but pensive court battle,resulted in anthat TURN TO TOWNE CENTER Last Kranz added. exON A15 auction month, EUSD bid set atPacific View with was due to a minimum ticking, $9.5 million. With the closed a de- just before city submitted the clock a memoranthe deadline. an offer delayed sday night’s the auction EUSD has by to acquiring a safeguard, in case thetwo months as By Promise deal with Yee the OCEANS IDE — announce Kay’s husband TURN TO The Parker DEAL ON A15 banLIFT ment that an Ur- grant helped accept Dick building grant will fund at the City the the Kay ow to reacH Family Resource Council Parker meeting April 16. He (760) 436-9737 us the planned Center at the honor of naming said source Mission affordable Calendar Cove wife center after the re.. A10 housing bought his was project Calendar well deserved. late @coastne reasons. applause for two B21 The wsgroup.c affordable Mission Cove om B12 Communi Commun ty members mixed-use housing and were glad Commun ity News A18 ity@coast resource to have a family sion Avenueproject on Misnewsgrou A4 oped throughis being develthe city’s center as part p.com Letters of low-incom a partnersh A20 ing project, e hous- between the city Letters@ ip tional coastnew and pleased and Nasgroup.co the name equally sance Community center will m Renaisnonprofit of the developer Kay Parker, honor the late The . a beloved, ground project will break housing this summer. fair advocate. Grad-
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A11
T he C oast News
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VISTA — Current and former students and parents are demanding a Vista social studies teacher be allowed to keep his job. Vincent Romero, who has worked for the Vista Unified School District since 1990, was placed on paid administrative leave from his job at Rancho Buena Vista High School on March 7. Now, an online petition with more than 1,900 signatures is asking the administration to bring Romero back to the classroom. On his last day, Romero told students he was leaving because “the organization decided to make a change.” “(They) no longer have confidence in me that I know what I’m doing,” said Romero, whose remarks were recorded and posted on Facebook. “They don’t like what I do. They don’t like the way I do it. So, this is what happens. I’m really
A social studies teacher at Rancho Buena Vista High School was placed on administrative leave in early March. The move prompted students and parents to launch an online petition in support of Vincent Romero. Photo by Hoa Quach
sorry I can’t be with you for the rest of the year. It’s not my choice, but it’s the way it goes.” In the roughly 4-minute speech to students, an emotional Romero vowed to fight the administration. “I’m not disappearing,” said Romero, 55. “I’m not going away. This is something I can fight, and that’s what we’re going to
do — we’re going to fight until there’s nothing left to fight with. I plan to be back for your senior year.” Romero also urged his students to be kind to their new social studies teacher but to give “hell” to Principal Charles Schindler. Following the announcement of his departure, a petition was created on PetitionSite.com, urging
the administration to keep Romero at Rancho Buena Vista High School. A protest was also held at the school. “This makes me so angry,” wrote Jeffrey Bright of Fallbrook, who said he graduated from the school more than 20 years ago. “I already fear that our education system is falling apart. I worry my kids are not going to get a valuable education at public schools anymore.” David Whiddon of San Marcos called the move “shameful.” “This is a teacher that genuinely cares,” Whiddon wrote. “Both of my sons had Mr. Romero and greatly enjoyed his class.” A former student, Jasmine Velare of Vista, said Romero was “an amazing teacher.” “I was lucky enough to get him myself,” she wrote. “He truly cares for what he TURN TO TEACHER ON A15
ESCONDIDO — An amendment to the resolution of necessity for the Citracado Parkway extension project was approved Wednesday by the City Council. Debra Lundy, real property manager for the city, said it was needed due to a clerical error, the omissions of deeds to be attached to the land. The adjustment is the only fee parcel being acquired by the city, which is a necessity, she added. The eminent domain project, which has been in the works for several years, will complete the missing section of the roadway between Harmony Grove, Village Parkway and Andreason Drive. The city conducted a review of the project, which was outlined in the
environmental impact report from April 2012. Alternatives were discussed with residents in four community meetings and a trio of public gatherings. “The project as currently designed was located and planned in a manner that will be most compatible with the greatest public good and least private injury,” Lundy said. She also reported the city and property owners have had more than 35 meetings in the past four years to develop the plan. However, the property owners did not submit a counteroffer to the city’s statutory offer on April 14, 2015. According to Lundy, the owners did not feel the offer matched what the land is worth, al-
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Krvaric said. “Clearly Sam Abed’s long-time and steadfast commitment to Republican principles and values earned him the support of committee members and we are proud to endorse him.” Gaspar’s campaign reached this week expressed disappointment in not receiving the party’s nomination, but touted several key endorsements she has received throughout the campaign. “While I’m disappointed not to get the party endorsement, I’m very proud to have the support of Mayor Faulconer and the four Republican City Councilmembers, Senators Bates and Anderson, and Assemblyman Rocky Chavez,” Gaspar said. “I’ve been a very effective Republican mayor in a Democratic city by focusing on balanced budgets, economic development, and quality of life and will continue to do so on the Board of Supervisors.”
Center to of housingbe part project
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Republicans endorse Abed over Gaspar REGION — The County Republican Party has thrown its support behind Escondido Mayor Sam Abed in the race for County Dist. 3 Supervisor. The Republican Party of San Diego announced last week that it voted to endorse Abed over fellow Republican and Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar, who is also running for the supervisor seat currently held by Dave Roberts, who is seeking re-election. Abed, who has been a polarizing figure during his two terms as mayor in Escondido, secured the coveted party endorsement by receiving more than two thirds of the committee’s votes, the threshold required for a candidate to receive the endorsement over a fellow party member. “Endorsing one Republican over another requires a 2/3 vote threshold — and rarely happens,” GOP Chairman Tony
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