DOWNTOWN
CONNECTION
Masters Kitchen and Cocktail is a masterful reuse of a historical Oceanside building Masters Kitchen and Cocktail is coming up on its 10th month at 208 South Coast Highway in Oceanside.
The restaurant occupies a building with a lot of history in the city. It is probably most famous for housing Masters Automotive, known in the industry for doing quality and custom automotive work. One of their cars sits in the Wally Parks National Hotrod Automotive Museum in Pomona California to this day. Like the cars that were produced here, the building itself is quite a work of art, with a high arched wood beam ceiling and hand laid brick walls. Unfortunately, until the arrival of Masters Kitchen, most of these features had been long forgotten and hidden behind whitewash and drop ceiling tiles. When owner Ryan Jubela took over the building to create Masters Kitchen (the name being an ode to its original use), he exposed these archtectural gems and restored them to their former beauty. The result was a large open space with modern touches that celebrates the history of the building. The river-rock-and-mesh bar front was inspired by highway walls in
South America. The bocagelike wood planter acts as a decorative divider between the bar area and the dining room – providing a sense of intimacy to the otherwise large space.
The team behind the restaurant is as impressive as the architecture. Chef Chris Gallo runs the kitchen and has created a menu driven by fresh locally sourced ingredients. These are then transformed into dishes that, while familiar, are built on complex flavor profiles. No better example of this is the “Farm to Table” philosophy that is integral to their new spring food and cocktail menu featuring dishes such as Catch of the Day in a Lemongrass and Tea Broth. The craft cocktail program reflects the same use of quality seasonal ingredients and flavors indicative of the food. Syrups and infused spirits are made by hand and expertly crafted in house. A team of skilled and inventive bartenders has been assembled and the program is overseen by lead bartender Nick Herda and manager Tommy Frankland. Featured on the new menu are cocktails that reflect citrus and the lighter notes of spring. With the one year mark just a few months away and the start of the restaurant’s first full tourist season fast approaching, a lot of pressure will be put on the front of house. Service
is extremely important and one of the most daunting aspects for a busy restaurant. Having spent time talking with Restaurant Manager Nicole David about their training philosophy and implementation of customer service standards, I have no doubt they can handle these challenges as they come. It also bears mentioning that owner Ryan’s support extends beyond his team (who he wanted to make sure got credit over himself) to his dedication and belief in being involved with the community and helping those in it grow. Story and photos by Chris Messenger. www.NorthCountyFood.com
Downtown Oceanside: Let us surprise you!
Preserving and Promoting Downtown Oceanside Since 2000 STAFF Rick Wright Executive Director Kim Heim Director, Special Projects Gumaro Escarcega Main Street Program Manager Kathy Hamman Office Manager Cathy Nykiel Sunset Market Manager Maryanne Bruce Vendor Liaison Beecher Young Crew Chief BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sylvia Spiva, Board Chair Pier View Market Roseanne Kiss North County Printers Kirk Harrison Harney Sushi Tom LeBus Seaside Financial Services Max Disposti North County LGBTQ Resource Center Forrest Heyden Asylum Surf and Skate Kim Millwood That Boy Good BBQ David Schulz Star Theatre Company Cecil Goff CDG Insurance Group ADVISORS Howard LaGrange Visit Oceanside Tracey Bohlen City of Oceanside David Nydegger Oceanside Chamber of Commerce MainStreet Oceanside 701 Mission Avenue Oceanside, California 92054 (760) 754-4512 info@mainstreetoceanside.com
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BUSINESS Spotlight
Fitness Quest Nutrition caters to the health conscious
It’s still possible to buy nutritious drinks at Gonzalez’s store, but they come already bottled. Also available are protein chips, water and energy drinks and water bottles. Checking the area, Gonzalez said, he found that there were a lot of Marines visiting downtown Oceanside and he knew that Marines like to work out and they like to buy health supplements. “That was a perfect match,” he said. Gonzalez figures that 75 percent of his clientele are military. “They are very, very good customers” and often repeat customers, he said, and he gives them, law-enforcement personnel and municipal workers (City Hall is nearby), a 10-percent discount. But, he said, he also finds that “we’re getting more and more tourists.”
Ralph Gonzalez knows sports, so it’s not too much of a stretch for him to start a fitness store in downtown Oceanside. Gonzalez’s Fitness Quest Nutrition opened at 410 Pier View Way a year ago. He long has handled publicity for sports such as mixed martial arts, and one wall of his store contains pictures of him with various celebrities. Gonzalez has known boxing great Oscar de la Hoya and Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner.
Born in Tijuana, Gonzalez was raised in Fallbrook from the age of 8, graduating from Fallbrook High and attending Mesa College and San Diego State University before earning his bachelor’s degree at University of Southern California. He has a graduate degree in communications from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. For several years, Gonzales served as a corporate head-hunter but found it boring to be tied to a phone all day long. Long a lover of boxing, he wrote for Fightnews. com. “After a while,” he said, “I pursued a dream which was to open a business.” He decided “there’s no better time than right now.” He wasn’t sure what that business would be. “I felt like I needed to secure the location” first, Gonzalez said, and when he did find his current site, “my first thought was a juice bar. At the time, I was drinking a lot of juice, and I still love it.” But he found that required endless paperwork and Health Department inspections.
As he spoke, a middle-school-age girl came in to buy a HipS-sister, a slim waist band with pockets for money and cell phone that Gonzalez calls “the modern-day fanny pack.” Gonzalez said he did a lot of research on the subject before opening his shop but is still learning from his clients, He said he knew he had the right name because “I’m on a fitness quest myself.” The store is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Story and photos by Lola Sherman
O M S
Now through June 21 Oceanside Museum of Art presents San Diego Dreaming San Diego Dreaming will focus on the San Diego arts community and its interpretation of the “California Dream” by over three dozen prominent and talented San Diego-based artists at the Oceanside Museum of Art. 704 Pier View Way www.oma-online.org (760) 435-3720 Now through July 26 Oceanside Museum of Art presents 100 Artists, 100 Years This exhibition features works by one hundred distinguished artists who lived and worked in San Diego during the last century and who were, or are currently, Artists Guild members. 704 Pier View Way www.oma-online.org (760) 435-3720 First Friday of Every Month First Friday Art Walk Enjoy live performances, music, food, and fun for all ages during this monthly, on-going Art Walk that will highlight organizations that are part of the Oceanside Theatre and Arts District. Admission to all venues is free and open to the public. Map available online each month. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Pier View Way, Mission Avenue, Coast Highway www.OceansideArtWalk.org (760) 435-3721 Every Thursday All Year Round Oceanside Farmers Market Experience Southern California’s cornucopia of fresh produce and flowers. Enjoy ocean views as you browse the selection of farm fresh fruit and vegetables, gourmet baked goodies, artisanal foods plus arts and crafts vendors. 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Coast Highway at Pier View Way (760) 754-4512 www.MainStreetOceanside.com Every Thursday All Year Round Sunset Market San Diego County’s Top Weekly Food and Music Street Market. Four city blocks. Hot foods from around the world. Live music. Gourmet Goodies. Retail and crafts vendors. Kid zone. 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Coast Highway at Pier View Way (760) 754-4512 www.SunsetMarket.com May 8 - 17 Star Theatre Coast Kids presents Seussical The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to a butter battling military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton’s attention
to the speck of dust and his “loitering” care of Mayzie LaBird’s egg has elicited taunting and accusations from the rest of the animal kingdom, except for Gertrude McFuzz, who longs for his attention, and JoJo, whose “thinks” save them all in the end. Matinee and eve performances: see website, Historic Star Theater: 402 North Coast Highway 760-721-9983 www.startheatreco.com May 16 Operation Appreciation On Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2015, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce will bring the business community and area residents together to provide a day of recognition to all active-duty military stationed on Marine Corps Base Camp Joseph H. Pendleton and nearby military bases. Thousands of active duty military and their family members are treated to a day of free food, carnival rides and entertainment at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre. Sponsored by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre www.OceansideChamber.com June 27 Annual Oceanside Independence Parade Join us on Saturday, June 27, 2015 for the annual Independence Parade as it makes it way north on Coast Highway from Wisconsin Avenue to Civic Center Drive (just past City Hall). Come see floats, bands, walking groups, cool cars and much more. Our theme this year is “Legends and Legacies”. The parade starts in front of the 101 Cafe (Coast Highway at Wisconsin Avenue) at 10:00 a.m. and works its way north with the first unit of the parade reaching City Hall around 10:15 a.m. Running time from beginning to end is about two hours. Coast Highway www.OceansideParade.com (760) 754-4512 July 3 City of Oceanside presents Fireworks Show Music. Food trucks. Fireworks show at 9:00pm. Parking is in the business park. Bring a beach chair and walk to viewing location. (closed portion of Rancho Del Oro Road). El Corazon Site at Rancho Del Oro Road http://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/ (760) 435-5041 July 10 -12 Oceanside Theatre Company Youth Academy presents Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. Fiddler On The Roof JR. is a special adaptation of the classic Broadway musical, which tackles the universal theme of tradition in ways that reach across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion. Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. Its celebrated score, by Jerry
Bock and Sheldon Harnick, features songs loved the world over, including “Tradition,” “If I Were A Rich Man,” and “Sunrise, Sunset.”Matinee and eve performances: see website. Sunshine Brooks Theater: 219 North Coast Hwy (760) 433-8900 www.OceansideTheatre.org July 17 - 26 Star Theatre Company presents Broadway’s Peter Pan Based on J.M. Barrie’s classic tale and featuring an unforgettable score, Broadway’s PETER PAN timeless classic musical whisks you away to a place where dreams are born and no one ever grows up! Featuring the iconic songs I’m Flying, I’ve Gotta Crow, I Won’t Grow Up, and Never Never Land, Peter Pan is the perfect show for the child in all of us who dreamed of soaring high and never growing up. Matinee and eve performances: see website Historic Star Theater: 402 North Coast Highway 760-721-9983 www.startheatreco.com July 18 Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation presents Write On, Oceanside! Literary Festival North County’s largest literary event. Attendees will have an opportunity to talk with their favorite writers, meet new local authors, take pictures and get autographs, and purchase books directly from the authors. Oceanside Civic Center Plaza 300 N. Coast Hwy www.ocaf.info August 9 - 16 Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation presents Oceanside International Film Festival OIFF is an opportunity for independent filmmakers to have their work screened and judged. It also gives the film buffs a jump-start chance for viewing local and international films at a place in Southern California known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, and artistic freedom. Various days, times and venues. See the website. www.ocaf.info August 13 North County Health & Wellness Fair This event provides an opportunity for local health & wellness related businesses to promote their products and services. The event also features a variety of health related free screenings for community members. Dozens of health-related businesses will promote their products and services. Demonstrations for the public will be featured throughout the event. 9:00am to 1:00 pm Oceanside Civic Center Plaza 300 North Coast Highway www.OceansideChamber.com
BUSINESS Spotlight Maximum Mortgage founder realizes lifelong ambition tours in Iraq, where he was injured in a firefight. But even a year before leaving the military in 2006, he had gotten involved in realestate sales and found he loved it. And he loved it enough to start his own company eight years ago. He has had three locations – all of them in downtown Oceanside because he says “it’s the best.”
Christopher Rodriguez’s interest in real estate is all his own. Rodriguez, who heads Maximum Mortgage & Real Estate Inc., doesn’t come from a family with any interest in the subject, but, he said, “it’s something that has intrigued me, even as a kid. It just came out of nowhere.” A Chicago native, he was a combat engineer in the Marine Corps, serving two
There have been many changes in the area in recent years, Rodriguez said, and “we really love downtown. We are excited for the future of Oceanside.” He serves on the board of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. Rodriguez said most of the company’s business, primarily residential real estate, comes from this city. His business partner, Michael Sisco, works out of an office in his hometown of Lake Elsinore, but Rodriguez said, there’s no
thought of expansion beyond that. He’s an independent broker. Maximum’s 3,400-square-foot building at 316 Mission Ave. is unusual for its basement. Kristi Hawthorne, president of the Oceanside Historical Society, said the structure was built in 1923 by the Martin Brothers for their market. It has had several uses over the years, including a long tenure as the American Travel Service of the late community leader David Hadsell. Most recently, it housed a different real-estate firm. Maximum has been there almost a year. “Today we are one of the top real-estate firms in Oceanside and North County,” Rodriguez said, emphasizing the company offers full-service, including all lending options such as FHA (Federal Housing Administration). Maximum also provides property management, including vacation rentals. Rodriguez said the firm – it includes 12 agents – did $47 million in sales during the past year. Story and photos by Lola Sherman
I WANT
YOU! TO BE IN OCEANSIDE’S INDEPENDENCE PARADE! SATURDAY JUNE 27
Information and applications online at OceansideParade.com Presented by the Main Street Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization
RESTAURANT Spotlight
Oceanside 101 Bagels and Subs brings bagel passion to downtown Oceanside
The great thing about bagels is they are a very versatile food. Though used in the same manner, bagels offer a different texture profile than bread – crusty on the outside with a soft slightly chewy center. They can be a great simple morning snack with the classic butter and/or cream cheese for a topping, For lunch they become a more hearty meal by adding sandwich fillings, with the possibilities limited only by the imagination. That doesn’t even touch on the flavors available in the bagel itself. They range from the sweet blueberry or raisin cinnamon to the savory asiago cheese and the spicy jalapeno. Whatever your preference, the bagel has it covered.
Ready to serve up these creations is the newly opened Oceanside 101 Bagels and Subs at 323 North Coast Highway, Ste C. Owner Rocky Rabadia already runs a successful cell phone store on Coast Highway and his wife has worked in the bagel business with another company for over 10 years. Wanting a bagel place of their own, Rocky and his family struck out on a journey that ended up taking much longer than expected. With no experience in running a food related business they relied on a friend for assistance. When that help fell through, the process to get all the needed permits and complete the buildout while still running another business were daunting. Rocky persevered and realized his original vision in the 4th quarter of last year when he opened 101 Bagels and Subs. Because downtown Oceanside did not have a stand-alone bagel shop, response has be gratifying. Rocky and his wife are focused on customer service and providing a great product. I have had both the jalapeno and cheese bagel with cream cheese and the roast beef bagel sandwich on the asiago. Everything was fresh tasty and big on the fillings, and all for a very reasonable price.
Obviously with a bagel-based business, things slow down after the lunch rush. Rocky said “I’m still paying rent at night I need to do something to capitalize on that time” His idea? Sushi! Limited kitchen equipment is needed, a rice cooker, maybe a deep fryer for tempura based rolls, but that is optional. He is working with someone who has an impressive 40 years experience in the sushi business. Before work or for a great lunch, why not head down to Rocky’s shop and grab a bagel or sandwich? And maybe soon, you can get a rainbow roll (my favorite sushi roll) for dinner! The one thing that struck me while talking to him is the man’s work ethic and determination. Pretty impressive! Story and photos by Chris Messenger. www.NorthCountyFood.com
Beyond DOWNTOWN
Elks Lodge had its beginnings in downtown, continues good causes in Oceanside
according to Greg Koester, outgoing chairman of the board. The average age is 70-72. Kundtz’s father was an exalted ruler when the lodge was all-male. Retired as assistant city clerk in Carlsbad, she’s been a member for 15 years. A history of the organization says that the elk was chosen as its symbol because the founders were very patriotic and believed the elk symbolized a true American animal. Apparently, the buffalo also was considered. There’s a life-size metal sculpture of an Elk in front of the Oceanside lodge, and elkrelated objects throughout. Every day, the lodge is available to members. Elks Lodge No. 1561, established in 1929, once dominated the corner of Ditmar and Second (Mission Avenue) streets in downtown Oceanside. The Bank of America occupies the site now, and the lodge has moved a mile inland. But it’s just across the freeway a bit and not all that far away in a building constructed
in 1966 on four acres at 444 Country Club Lane. The building includes a large banquet room and a smaller dining room. Both have bars and dance floors. There is a large patio furnished with tables and chairs. There also are two pool tables. And there are offices and a memorial courtyard honoring the fallen. Dan Bourg is the just-past exalted ruler, and Karen Kundtz is the incoming leader of the same title, one that goes way back in Elks history. A national organization, the B.P.O.E, (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) was founded in 1868 in New York City and has grown to encompass about a million members. Famous Elks include Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy and Gerald R. Ford. Originally, the national group was called the Jolly Corks and was made up largely of actors. Like many organizations of its era, it was male and white.
Left to right: Dan Bourg, outgoing Exalted Ruler; Sylvia Spiva, Trustee; Karen Kundtz, incoming Exalted Ruler; Greg Koester, Trustee.
The club began admitting women in the mid-1990s, and now the only qualifications are being age 21 and believing in God,
The bar opens at 4 pm., and there are spaghetti dinners on Mondays, other dinners on Tuesdays, a bistro menu on Wednesdays, food served in conjunction
a lot of good things that people don’t know about.” “They don’t even know we’re here,” board member Sylvia Spiva added.
with movie night on Thursdays and dinner and dancing on Fridays. Saturdays, there is food and karaoke. Special events include Easter and Mother’s Day brunches. And Bingo is played every Sunday from 12:30 to 4 pm. Koester said the lodge has “a little over” 400 members, from Oceanside and Carlsbad. Vista and Encinitas have their own Elks lodges. Members work hard on charitable causes, often partnering with other community groups, Koester said. Kundtz added that she would like to see the Elks involved in even more community events this year. “We’re becoming more active, “Kundtz said. “We’re really working a lot and doing a lot, but that does not mean that we could not do more.” She said “we’ve done a lot (but) we’ve kept it a big secret.” ”We’ve have not done a very good job of letting people know,” Kundtz said. “We do
Elks provide programs for the military, like sending 500 care packages to service men and women abroad and serving Thanksgiving dinners for those away from home. The lodge works with veterans, cohosting awards programs. It serves youth as well and often offers overflow parking for events at the nearby Oceanside Boys & Girls Club. It has chartered Boy Scout troops. Bourg noted the lodge’s sponsorship of the annual Pinewood Derby of soap-box cars driven by youngsters. Both its large and small dining rooms are available for rent, and they have hosted such divergent events as a Fire Department retirement dinner and a cribbage club.
The lodge also caters. It accommodates recreational-vehicle camping for Elks members - a service provided by many lodges – and a source of income for the local group. A major charity - “the Purple Pig” - sponsored by Elks lodges in California and Hawaii - provides in-home service, like physical therapy, to handicapped children free of charge. And nationally, the lodge’s foundation sponsors a scholarship fund for drug awareness. A basketball “hoop shoot” helps raise funds for that cause, and three-four years ago, a local youngster went all the way to the national competition. In 2006, the Elks asked the City Council to permit a housing development on the site, but that plan did not come to fruition, and there aren’t other such projects in the works, Kundtz said. Story and photos by Lola Sherman
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MainStreet Oceanside’s quarterly newsletter is mailed to nearly 5,000 homes and businesses in downtown Oceanside and additional 5,000 copies are distributed throughout the downtown at hotels and businesses. To advertise, contact Gumaro at (760) 754-4512.
RESTAURANT Spotlight
Maui Wowi brings a little bit of Hawaii to downtown Oceanside
reached out to the community to build a local customer base. She feels the business is now where it needs to be and is happily looking forward to this summer and tourist season. Looking ahead, Doreen sees Maui Wowi continuing to be part of the downtown community and is casting her eyes forward on some other projects. I had mentioned Sonoma where she lived for a time; Doreen has a huge passion for wine, wine making and artisan cheese. She would love to open and run a an upscale wine and cheese shop. WIth the increase in growth and sophistication of the Oceanside restaurant market, we might see it here soon! Story and photos by Chris Messenger. Maui Wowi was founded in 1982 by Jeff and Jill Summerhays as a way to provide an alternative to unhealthy sugar laden foods for their family. Growing the business from its humble beginnings, they franchised in 1997 and now have 450 locations including catering, food carts, food trucks, and retail stores in the United States.
operations. Doreen comes from a 22 year medical background in radiology. She came to Oceanside 3 months ago from Florida by way of Sonoma and San Diego. While in San Diego she operated a Maui Wowi mobile cart at fairs and sporting events while also doing catering operations with the company.
They originally started with a line of smoothies using natural fruit juices and purees in a non-fat yogurt base. Flavors number about seven and range from strawberry and black raspberry to my favorite Kiwi Lemon and Lime.
Desirous of having a retail owner-operator experience, she made the move to take over the helm of the Oceanside location when the opportunity arose. Doreen has been in charge of Maui Wowi for about 5 months now. In that short time she has revamped operations to get them up to standard and
They also serve a line of coffee drinks made from a proprietary blend of coffee from the Hawaiian Islands. Their coffee choices run the gamut from a blend of the day and espresso to an array of blended and iced coffee drinks. This is Maui Wowi’s second franchise location to have landed in Oceanside. Their Hawaiian inspired healthy products are a perfect fit for our surf and beach community. When the first franchise location adjacent to Red Cup Yogurt shuttered, a new set of owners opened the current shop in the Regal Theatre Plaza at 409 Mission Avenue. After operating the shop for a few months, they decided that the business was not for them. That’s when current owner Doreen Mejias took over the business and
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Scripps — Right in Your Neighborhood You don’t have to go far to find excellent medical care in Oceanside. Scripps Health is here — right in your community — so you can get care for the whole family. Scripps Coastal Medical Center, Oceanside • Primary care doctors, physician assistant • Evening appointments available • On-site lab and radiology To find the doctor who is right for you, call 1-800-SCRIPPS (727-4777) or visit scripps.org/doctorfinder.
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MUST VISIT WHEN IN OCEANSIDE
Volunteers needed for summer activities Summer is the busiest season in downtown and MainStreet Oceanside relies on hundreds of volunteers to make these activities possible.
Ambassador Program: Assist downtown visitors by answering questions about Oceanside. Provide directions as necessary. Distribute visitor guides and other visitor information. Two hour shifts available throughout the week during the summer. Contact Gumaro Escarcega at 760-7544512 or Gumaro@mainstreetoceanside. com. Independence Parade: Held on June 27th this year, Oceanside’s Independence Parade requires approximately 75 volunteers. On the day of the parade, volunteer opportunites include Street Marshall, Barricade Marshall and Check-in Assistant. Contact MaryAnne Bruce at 760754-4512 or mso-aide@pacbell.net.
Independence Parade scheduled to roll down Coast Hwy MainStreet Oceanside has begun organizing the Tri-City Medical Center Oceanside Independence Parade. The event day will occur on Saturday, June 27th.
Who better to represent an Oceanside Legend than this years’ Grand Marshall, John Carroll, previously Oceanside High School’s Football Head Coach? “We are thrilled to have Coach Carroll as our Grand Marshall, it makes our local, rich This annual downtown Oceanside parade Americana parade all the more of an will start at 10 a.m., as usual, on Coast authentic and special Oceanside event,” Highway from Wisconsin Avenue and says Mainstreet Oceanside’s Executive ending at Civic Center Drive with more Director, Rick Wright. than 120 parade entries expected to march, roll, walk and drive down the “Much thanks also goes to this year’s Title historic Coast Highway. Sponsor, Tri-City Medical Center. The sweet down-home parade would have a “It will be a nostalgic and memorable very tough time without Tri-City Medical parade experience especially since we Centers support to continue such a declared this year’s parade theme Legacy legacy as this parade has become for our and Legends,” says Cathy Nykiel parade city residents.” committee member. MainStreet Oceanside is still accepting “Our theme was selected to honor applications for the Parade. To participate, those who contribute so much to our please visit our parade website community. Come out in your best OceansideParade.com and download the Patriotic duds, wave your American application. flags and see how our parade entries represent this theme and honor our For more information about the parade, nation, Oceanside, local businesses and please call MainStreet Oceanside at 760individuals.” 754-4512.
Sunset Market Information Booth: Assist Sunset Market attendees and vendors with questions about the market and the downtown area. Distribute information about local businesses and special events. Two hour shifts available on Thursday evenings. Contact MaryAnne Bruce at 760754-4512 or mso-aide@pacbell.net. Downtown Revitalization: MainStreet Oceanside practices the “Four Point Approach”, a discipline that provides the foundation for local revitalization. Each “approach” is overseen by a committee made up of local business people and residents – Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring. For more information, contact Gumaro Escarcega at 760-754-4512 or Gumaro@ mainstreetoceanside.com.
The Sunset Market crew recently came together for their annual group photo. Pictured are MainStreet Oceanside managers and staff and Sunset Market volunteers.
MainStreet Morning Mtg MainStreet Morning Meeting Notes: April 7, 2015 said. Public patio space will be doubled to 10,000 square feet, Mertz said, and the current sewer pump station will be replaced. Rick Wright, MainStreet Executive Director, said he likes the idea of the restroom building’s being separate from the amphitheater, so that it is always available to the public, and not fenced off every time there is a special event. New bathrooms and a building for police, fire personnel and perhaps lifeguards and maybe a cafe or two - should be under construction at the Mission Avenue entry to the beach in 2017, the April Monthly Meeting of MainStreet Oceanside learned Tuesday. Nathan Mertz, Project Manager for the City of Oceanside, showed drawings of the plans for the buildings just south of the amphitheater. “Many people come down Mission,” Mertz said, “and get their first view of the beach.” Mertz said 14 bathrooms are proposed where there is a shaded picnic area on the beach now, and the building would be set into the bluff offering ramp access from Pacific Street at Mission Avenue to the beach. The current comfort station would be incorporated into the new police building, which also will function as a beach welcome center, Mertz said. He added that a rooftop garden is a possibility. And, he said, there could be a cafe on the ground floor and perhaps one on the upper story as well. The building would provide for storage of maintenance and vendor equipment, he
Mertz said the current project “is not touching the bandshell,” but might involve new bathrooms at Tyson Street. And, he said, the federal government needs to restore the beach to its wider condition before a harbor was built on Camp Pendleton. And, he said, the concrete portion of the pier needs to be rebuilt. Mertz talked of “recapturing The Strand as a public promenade.” The plans can be viewed, Mertz said, on MainStreet Oceanside’s website, and he expects the City Council to consider approving conceptual plans by the end of June or early July and then to move forward with needed permits by February of 2016 and start construction at the end of summer, 2017. Wright said he really liked one statement that “every day is a tourist day.” “That’s awesome,” he said.
Earlier in the meeting, Wright showed slides of the banners MainStreet is erecting on the newly improved Mission Avenue. On the street side, 13 banners will promote the annual Independence Day parade, and on the sidewalk side, 13 will tell passersby to “Explore Downtown.” Cerina De Souza, marketing manager at Visit Oceanside, reported on that organization’s first Wedding March event held March 15. De Souza said engagements often take place over Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day, so March was a perfect time for the event, which included 12 venues some just with open houses and some with photographers and wedding planners on hand. Also, she said, five venues offered virtual tours because they were booked that day. De Souza said the event was publicized in both San Diego and Orange counties
and 44 registered groups - a total of 129 participants - were involved. Included in the event was a photo scavenger hunt ranging from pictures of the jail at Heritage Park to the view of the pier from the Sky Lounge at the Wyndham resort to a walk down the aisle at Courtyard by Marriott. Wright pronounced the clues awesome and asked if they had been dreamed up by De Souza. She credited Michele MartiniBrown, business development manager. “This will be an annual event - every March,” De Souza said, and Wright proclaimed it “a great effort.” De Souza also gave a “tourism update” saying room occupancy in January and February was up 9.1 percent and average daily rate was up over 10 percent. She anticipates “a very busy summer” and said hotels already are close to sold out for June. The Half-Ironman on March 28 was successful, De Souza said, and it will be followed by beach soccer May 16-17, the Mud Run June 6 and 7 and 13 and 14 and Race Across America June 1620. Meanwhile, she said, the California Welcome Center will host an open house on April 18, and the annual tourist summit is set for May 12. Luke Girling of Cyclops Farms showed a video of what he is doing to bring farmfresh produce to Oceanside. He has two acres on Fire Mountain and said it’s going to be “North County’s only organic farm.” Produce can be delivered within 15 minutes of being picked, Girling said. Chris Messenger of northcountyfood.com said Girling has been growing produce for Bistro West in Carlsbad. David Nydegger suggested Girling contact Oceanside Unified School District officials and Girling said he hopes to meet with the principals of Palmquist Elementary and Lincoln Middle schools soon to talk about garden boxes at the schools. Jenna Roripaugh from the City of Oceanside’s Green Oceanside program wished everyone a “Happy Earth Month” and said an Earth Festival is planned for April 19 downtown and a mixer for Earth Day April 22. The Green Oceanside Business Network will be rewarded for working toward sustainability. “It’s very easy to join,” Roripaugh said. Eileen Turk, Parks and Recreation Division Manager for the city, said there will be a special program at Heritage Park May 2, including a car show, for only a $5 admission
fee, and concerts will be held in the parks this summer. Also, Turk said, Sunday July 26 is Oceanside Day at the Padres baseball game. Last year, she said, 400 people went to San Diego on the Coaster train for the event. Melissa Betz told of plans to relocate her tattoo business from Oceanside Boulevard to 212 N. Coast Highway, saying she wants “to be a part of the new downtown”. She said that she has received letters of support from the Oceanside Chamber and MainStreet Oceanside. Her plans go before the City Council on April 22. Nydegger, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, announced the annual Business Expo will be held April 16 and feature 120 vendors. Wright noted that it is the biggest Business Expo in North County. The next Monthly Meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. May 5 at the MainStreet office at 701 Mission Avenue. We welcome all parties interested in the progress of Downtown Oceanside, including businesspeople, residents, and City staff. This informative one hour meeting is held in an informal discussion format.
The general public is always welcome! Meet your City officials, MainStreet Oceanside staff and members and find out about upcoming events and changes to YOUR downtown and city. Notes from each monthly meeting are delivered by email to everyone on the MainStreet Morning Meeting reminder list. Subscribe online at MainStreetOceanside. com. Story by Lola Sherman.
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Presents
OCEANSIDE
INDEPENDENCE PARADE
“Legends and Legacies”
Saturday, June 27
Please join us for Oceanside’s Annual Independence Parade as it makes it way north on Coast Highway from Wisconsin Avenue to Civic Center Drive. First unit steps off at 10:00 a.m.
10:00 am
Beauty Queens marching bands FLOATS Antique Cars
military units HORSES
oceansideparade.com