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Celebrating Our 19th Year!
National AwardWinning Newspaper
VOLUME 27 NUMBER 1
JANUARY 6, 2011
Carmel Valley: A decade in review By Karen Billing Staff Writer Editor’s note: This is the first installment in a two-part series. With the fingers blackened by newsprint to prove it, we poured through nine years worth of archives to bring you the stories of the last decade in Carmel Valley. The last nine years have brought
Leaders look back — and ahead
lots of change to the community with a new freeway, homes, shopping centers, parks and a whopping nine new schools! Below is a summary of 2000-2004. Look for years 2005-2009 in next week’s issue. 2000 • Carmel Valley News celebrates its 10th year in print • Ground breaks on the San Diego Jewish Academy and the Del
Mar Marriott on El Camino Real. • Sage Canyon School opens as does the Boys and Girls Club’s Polster branch and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. • Torrey Pines High School turned 25 years old. • The U.S. Postal Service discusses plans for a post office for Carmel Valley. In 2010, the only one serving the area remains in Sorrento Valley.
See DECADE, page 6
Plunging into 2011
See LEADERS, page 16
By Karen Billing Staff Writer Welcome to 2011. Here are five Carmel Valley people and stories to watch this year. James “Jim” Peabody Since Superintendent Peabody officially took over the Del Mar Union School District in May, a sense of calm has appeared to come with him. At board meetings, Peabody’s 40 years of experience in education shines—he is knowledgeable, informative and genuinely seems to care about the students. Peabody also has a great sense of humor and when his mike is on, everyone is entertained. This year Peabody’s biggest task will be finding a new home for the district office. The district has to be out of the Del Mar Shores property by May and Peabody is currently overseeing a potential purchase of a building on El Camino Real.
The Carmel Valley News asked community leaders to look back at the year that was and ahead to what 2011 holds. — Compiled by Karen Billing Manjeet Ranu, Carmel Valley Community Planning Board What was your organization's biggest accomplishment in 2010? I believe Proposition C was the biggest accomplishment for the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board in 2010. The board identified a problem that needed to be fixed to Manjeet improve the Ranu quality of life for the community. The board worked very hard to define the problem, address concerns and prepare a consensus-based solution that culminated in citywide voter approval of Prop C
Five people and issues to watch in 2011
New Year’s revelers braved the cold surf on the first morning of 2011 in Del Mar. For more Penguin Plunge photos, see page B2. Photo by Jon Clark.
Shopping center shakeups Big changes are com-
James Rahon (Courtesy/SDSU) ing for the Carmel Valleyarea’s shopping centers. Flower Hill Promenade is gearing up to start its renovation by mid-year, which will add a Whole Foods Market and mark the finale for the UltraStar Cinemas there. Del Mar Highlands Town Center’s UltraStar Cinemas will take a brief intermission for about six months while the center
See WATCH, page 16
Solana Beach seeks joint ownership of fairgrounds By Marlena Chavira-Medford Staff Writer It’s official: Solana Beach does not support Del Mar becoming sole owner of the fairgrounds, which it is currently trying to do. During a Jan. 4 press conference, Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner said that instead, the city wants to see regional ownership of
the fairgrounds. Standing atop the hill at Solana Circle, Heebner told the more than 50 people gathered there that regional control was necessary because the entire region is impacted by what happens on that property, especially Solana Beach. “Look behind us,” she said gesturing to the fairgrounds sprawled in the background. “The Del Mar
fairgrounds isn’t just in our back yard. It’s in our back room.” She went on to say that Solana Beach does not support SB 1, the state senate bill that would authorize Del Mar to buy the fairgrounds from the state for $120 million. Heebner called on senator Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, who helped write SB 1 and introduced it
to senate, to amend the bill so that it reflects regional ownership. Senate is expected to vote on that bill within the next few months. Solana Beach is proposing that the fairgrounds be owned and run by a joint powers authority (JPA), which would include Del Mar,
See SOLANA, page 6