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VOLUME 27 NUMBER 11
MARCH 17, 2011
Super Friends
Coastal panel backs transit bill
Time right for home buyers who want to move up, agents say
Legislation could put brakes on freeway expansion BY MARLENA CHAVIRAMEDFORD Staff Writer The California Coastal Commission recently announced its initial support of a bill that would require transportation dollars be spent on improving transit along the coast before any freeways can be expanded there. Last month, Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) introduced the legislation, SB 468, which would also require the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to pay for improvements to local streets that absorb more traffic due to expanded freeways. If the bill passes, it See BILL, page 6
(Above) Del Mar Little League kicked off the season with its Opening Day bash held March 13 at Ashley Falls Park. Gracie, Coach Tim, Evan and Kameron at the event. (Left) Carmel Valley’s Elexy Muller and Sundance bring super power to the annual Ugly Dog Show held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds March 13. Photos/Jon Clark
BY JOE TASH Contributor The time may be right for those who own a home in Carmel Valley or Del Mar and want to move up to a larger, more expensive property, said local real estate agents. That’s because interest rates remain low, and people in less expensive homes may find that the value of their property has remained relatively stable, while the higher end homes have come down in price. “For that seller, it’s a great time to make a change,” said Amy Green of
School district mandates driving classes for campus parking BY KAREN BILLING STAFF WRITER
Beginning in fall 2011, the San Dieguito Union High School District will have a new policy in place requiring that every student who purchases a campus parking permit
must go through the Start Smart driving class with their parent or guardian. The class takes driver’s education a step further, really going in-depth about accident avoidance, distracted driving, drunk driving and basic road responsibilities.
When Canyon Crest Academy parent Nancy Kral found out about it, her first reaction was annoyance. It was a two-hour class in the middle of another busy week. “I just thought it was one more thing that as a parent I had to do,
Survey says: Parents want healthier, tastier lunches for kids BY KAREN BILLING Staff Writer Del Mar Union School District (DMUSD) parents want healthier, tastier school lunches for their children, according to a recent survey. A total of 1,039 families filled out a parent committee’s survey, an impressive 33 percent return rate. The survey
Coastal Premier Properties. “I think it’s a great time for people to buy. And a great time for people to buy who want to move up to a bigger home. Theirs have come down, (but) not nearly as much as the people above them,” said Richard Stone, of Keller Williams Realty in Carmel Valley. Green said sales volumes are down this year from the beginning of 2010, which she attributed to the expiration of the federal tax credit for new home buyers, which ended in July. Other factors, such as See TIME, page 15
found that 71 percent were not satisfied with the lunch program, stating their main concerns were that the lunches fail to meet nutritional requirements, as well as the general lack of appeal and variety of the food served. The effort to improve school lunches has been completely driven by a committee
of about 10 parents, led by Lee Yen Anderson, a Del Mar Heights parent. The committee set up the survey as well as a round of meal tastings with potential vendors, such as Chickpeas, Ki’s Lunches, Revolution Foods and the Come On In! Café, on March 5-7 and March 10. Anderson said the week-
end tastings were well-attended by about 100 parents and See LUNCHES, page 6
Jimmy Dysart, a Sage Canyon third grader, tries out school lunch options from Come on In! Café on Thursday, March 10, at Ocean Air. PHOTO: KAREN BILLING
but it was a great program and I was really glad I went,” said Kral. “It made me aware how many bad drivers are out there. It reminds kids that a car can be a dangerSee DRIVING, page 6