Encinitas advocate 12 25 15

Encinitas Advocate Cardif f-by-the-Sea • Leucadia • Olivenhain Volume 2 • Issue 26

Community

■ SDA tennis standout’s determination nets title. Page 9

Lifestyle

■ For photos of Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School’s Maker Faire, see pages 4-5.

ENCINITAS ADVOCATE An Edition of 380 Stevens Suite 316 Solana Beach, CA 92075 858-756-1451 encinitasadvocate.com

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Cardiff students’ ingenuity on display at toy fair

BY JARED WHITLOCK Sixth graders came prepared with business cards, prototypes and promotional videos on Dec. 17 at Ada Harris Elementary. Standing in front of booths, they aggressively pitched their products to anyone within earshot.

The school’s third-annual mock toy fair was in full swing.

Students this semester were tasked with designing and prototyping toys, reviewing similar products to find a price point and then marketing to would-be buyers. Called Project Toy, it culminated in the toy fair, where students went into sales mode as parents perused their creations.

Sixth grader Sean Bobo, adorned in a suede suit and bowtie, touted “The Odell Ball,” a football and glove outfitted with Velcro straps, ensuring every pass is caught. Sean explained that

he came up with the invention after watching a replay of Odell Beckham Jr.’s spectacular one-handed touchdown grab against the Dallas Cowboys last year.

“I wanted to catch like him,” Sean said while a video of the catch played on an iPad at his booth. “Then I was like, ‘man, I can do that.’”

Sean originally envisioned a ball and glove with magnets, but he realized Velcro is a better solution after going through the prototyping process.

Teachers Matt Jewell and Veronica Nguyen started Project Toy three years ago so that students would gain valuable real-world experience. Nguyen said the program was also designed to reinforce sixth grade math, science and language arts lessons, which is in line with new Common Core education standards that

Sean Bobo created the “The Odell Ball” for the Dec. 17 Ada Harris Elementary School toy fair. Photo by Jared Whitlock emphasize experience-based learning.

Students first sketched out toy designs, and then they used ratios and proportions to create scale drawings of their products.

Next, students put together graphs with data on similar toy prices to justify their price points. And last, they wrote letters to retailers such as Target to make the case that See FAIR, page 12

SDUHSD board approves new faculty agreement

Encinitas council forms panel to look into new energy model

BY KAREN BILLING The San Dieguito Union High School District’s (SDUHSD) special board meeting on Dec. 17 ended with a roar of teacher cheers and Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration” playing over a loudspeaker. The celebratory mood came on the heels of a 3-2 vote in favor of the new agreement with the San Dieguito Faculty Association (SDFA) which provided for a 12.5 percent raise for teachers and administration, the first master contract raise since 2007.

Trustees John Salazar and Mo Muir voted against it.

SDUHSD Superintendent Rick Schmitt said that it is an agreement that allows for continued budget stability for the district while at the same time allowing for some financial security for teachers and counselors.

SDUHSD Board President Beth Hergesheimer said they are able to give the teachers a salary boost while maintaining a healthy budget with room to make budget and program improvements.

“The vote is not about supporting the ‘big bad union’ but supporting dedicated teachers and educators that serve your students every day,” SDFA President Bob Croft said in front of nearly 100 teachers in attendance at San Dieguito High School Academy. “I leave gratified tonight that special interest forces that undermine our district were not able to do their deed. This vote represents the best of our

BY JARED WHITLOCK An Encinitas panel will soon explore a new energy plan that proponents argue would provide cheaper and cleaner power to the city.

The Encinitas City Council on Dec. 16 voted 3-1 to set up a work group that will weigh the pros and cons of Community Choice Aggregation, or CCA. Under a CCA, Encinitas would bypass San Diego Gas & Electric to buy its energy directly from providers. Cities like Solana Beach and San Diego are also considering CCAs in hopes of providing even more green energy than SDG&E’s system, in which about one-third of electricity comes from renewable sources.

Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer said a CCA could

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Some residents during a recent Encinitas rally to combat climate change advocated for a new energy model called Community Choice Aggregation. Photo by Jared Whitlock

help Encinitas comply with its Climate Action Plan, which calls for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, among other goals.

“We did a plan, but we never really came up

with an implementation strategy,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer will serve on the panel, along with two Encinitas Environmental Commission members, outside

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PAGE A2 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

Encinitas re-examines marijuana regulations •Council reaffirms existing ban on drug’s cultivation

BY BARBARA HENRY, SPECIAL TO THE ENCINITAS ADVOCATE Encinitas will continue to ban businesses from cultivating medical marijuana for resale purposes, but city officials will take a new look at a ban on the drug’s distribution to make sure it isn’t preventing legitimate patients from receiving their medication.

“I don’t think we should make it any more difficult for them,” Councilwoman Lisa Shaffer said Dec. 16 as the council debated the issue.

Encinitas City Attorney Glenn Sabine had asked the council that night to reaffirm its previous decisions regarding medical marijuana. The governor has signed three bills into law this legislative session related to medical marijuana and it’s in the city’s best interest to “make it absolutely clear” where it stands on the issue, he said.

In a recent city staff report, Sabine wrote that the new state regulations are “lengthy and somewhat complex,” but essentially cover the licensing and control of all medical marijuana businesses in California.

Under the new legislation, the state will be the sole permit provider for medical marijuana businesses in cities that don’t already regulate these operations. Cities that now have regulations in place will eventually have dual permit systems — one from the city and one from the state — once the state gets its permitting system in place, Sabine said Dec. 16. That’s expected to occur by

January 2018, he added.

Encinitas doesn’t have a permit system.

It doesn’t allow any medical marijuana clinics or for-profit growing cultivation businesses to open in town.

On Dec. 16, the council voted 4-0, with Councilman Mark Muir absent, to reaffirm the city’s cultivation ban.

Councilwoman Catherine Blakespear joined the other three council members in supporting the ban, after checking with the city attorney to make certain the regulation didn’t apply to people who want to grow their own medical marijuana for personal use and have a doctor’s prescription for the drug. Sabine said that’s already permitted under existing state law.

Council members also agreed Dec. 16 that they could not support allowing fixedbased clinics and mobile van clinics to operate in the city.

The council was divided when it came to marijuana delivery service regulations. Sabine said Encinitas currently bans medical marijuana companies from making deliveries in Encinitas. However, it’s legal for patients or their caregivers to pick the drug up in other towns and bring it home, he said.

Blakespear said she felt that companies should be able to make deliveries in Encinitas. Shaffer and Councilman Tony Kranz agreed. Shaffer said that someone who’s just gone through chemotherapy and uses marijuana to help cope nausea issues shouldn’t have to make a trip out of town to get medical marijuana.

See MARIJUANA, page 17

Three people killed in head-on crash in Encinitas

BY CITY NEWS SERVICE Authorities released the name Dec. 21 of a motorist who was killed, along with two others, when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 5 at high speed, causing a fiery head-on crash in Solana Beach.

At 3:24 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, David Michael Elmore, 29, of Encinitas was in a Mercedes-Benz, going northbound at up to 100 miles an hour, when the car slammed into a southbound Chrysler sedan between Santa Fe Drive and Manchester Avenue, CHP spokesman Jim Bettencourt said.

Elmore and the man and woman in the Chrysler were killed on impact. The force of the collision set the Chrysler ablaze, charring the remains of the still-unidentified occupants, Bettencourt said.

The deadly scenario began about 3 a.m. in San Ysidro, when Elmore made a sudden Uturn on I-5 at the Mexican border and started speeding north in the southbound lanes, authorities said.

CHP officers spotted the wrong-way car barreling north at H Street in Chula Vista, with Border Patrol agents following behind on the northbound side of the freeway.

At E Street, the CHP and Border Patrol officers lost sight of the Mercedes, which apparently traveled north past National City, downtown San Diego, Mission Bay, La Jolla and Del Mar before crashing.

The southbound 5 was snarled for hours, as all traffic was detoured at Manchester. Traffic on the old Coast Highway was also jammed for miles.

City of Encinitas’ Public Works Department to hold two sandbag giveaway events The City of Encinitas’ Public Works Department will host two sandbag giveaway events on Jan. 15, 2016 and March 11, 2016, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Public Works facility at 160 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, CA. 92024. Fifteen-hundred sandbags will be available per event to Encinitas residents (no contractors) on a first come, first serve basis.

Residents must provide photo identification and show proof of residency. A water bill or electric bill is acceptable, which shows the customer’s address. Please check-in at the front counter. Ten sandbags will be given for each address/property (while supply lasts). Residents must self-load and transport the sandbags. The City does not provide this service.

Sandbags will no longer be offered daily at the Public Works facility.

Sandbags may be purchased at local vendors. Please call vendors directly for the latest information on availability and pricing. The following is an example of some vendors who may offer sandbags for purchase: •Home Depot (760) 943-9600, 1001 N. El Camino Real; •Crown Ace Hardware (760) 334-0300, 745 S. Coast Hwy 101; •RCP Block & Brick (760) 753-1164, 577 N Vulcan Ave.

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PAGE A4 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

Maker Faire held at Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School

Bone-aPaw-Treat creators Austin, Zachary and Ben

Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School (OPE) 6th grade students held their Maker Faire Dec. 17.

OPE launched the first Makerspace in the district and students and teachers have engaged in design thinking to bring creativity and innovation to life. Students have been designing, building and developing products and projects. They showcased their work at the Dec. 17 event.

Photos by McKenzie Images. For photos online, visit www.encinitasadvocate.com.

Secret Space engineers Danielle and Jacquelin

Encinitas Union School District Coordinator of Literacy & Outreach Glen Warren, Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary Principal Beth Cameron, Assistant Superintendent Encinitas Union School District Leighangela Brady, SD County Office of Education Director Achievement Gap Task Force Olympia Kyriakidis, SD County Office of Education Librarian Jonathan Hunt

Genie Journals stylists Ava, Georgia and Kayle

Handmade table by Avery, Artistic Journals/ Notebooks by Sophia

Milo the dog tests the MK Biketrailer (clockwise, front left) Tyler, Sean, 6th grade teacher and Program Coordinator Jeanne Benowitz, Conner Sno Katts by Jill and Anna

Clipy Clip to Do creators Leila, Lola and Sophie

Power Putty creators Cooper and Luke sold out early

Awesome Designs Holiday Signs artists Lily, Macy, Ava and Kassidy

Signs of the Times artists Cassidy, Caitlin, Mia and Jacob

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ENCINITAS ADVOCATE - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - PAGE A5

7 Seat Pillows craftsmen Jake, Lucas, Michael and Luca Earthy Extravagance designers Kacey, Sloane and Faith

Beaming Boards artists McKenna, Emma and Jillian

The Bright Book Mark inventors Steven and Tommy

Edison’s Brilliant Books inventors Isaac and Sawyer Dozens of Diamonds created by Skyler, Lucy and Melia

Perfect Pocket Bracelets jewelers Avery, Brooke and Taylor

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PAGE A6 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

Cardiff fruit grove recognized in Festive starfish lights brighten up downtown Encinitas for the holidays ‘Crown Communities’ list

BY JARED WHITLOCK A Cardiff fruit grove planted in honor of former Mayor Teresa Barth made a list of American City and County Magazine’s annual “Crown Communities.”

With Crown Communities, the magazine touted six projects that demonstrate creative problem solving and a commitment to serving the community. The fruit grove, located at the north end of Glen Park, was recognized for being waterwise and for teaching residents the importance of where their food comes from.

“This is especially meaningful to me as my grandfather, Loreta Arballo, was a farmer and had fruit trees in his garden,” Barth told the magazine.

Volunteers in October planted the grove, which will provide the community with free fruit down the line. Plus, the nonprofit Healthy Day Partners plans to teach on-site workshops on how to care for trees.

The grove replaced water-intensive ground covering, the reason it received an $8,500 turf removal grant

• Business sponsors support Encinitas 101 MainStreet holiday lighting efforts

Volunteers in October planted the Teresa Arballo Barth Fruit Grove in Cardiff’s Glen Park. The grove was recognized by American City and County Magazine.

Photo by Jared Whitlock from Metropolitan Water District.

Barth’s friends a year ago announced the project at her final council meeting, stating it’s fitting since she championed agricultural and environmental causes during her eight years on the Encinitas City Council.

The Encinitas council in September approved the project as well as naming it after Barth.

The city prepped the grove by installing mainline irrigation and spreading mulch. Cardiff 101 Mainstreet and Healthy Day Partners have teamed up on installing drip irrigation and grove maintenance.

American City and County Magazine, dedicated to spotlighting national government trends and policy solutions, included a write-up on Teresa Arballo Barth Fruit Grove in its December issue announcing Crown Communities.

Merry Christmas, from The Marine Room.

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For the first time in many years, visitors to downtown Encinitas will enjoy festive holiday lighting. The lights are in the form of coastal-themed starfish that adorn the light poles for several blocks of S. Coast Hwy 101 through downtown.

Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association took the initiative to design the starfish lights after Director Thora Guthrie saw similar lights on a trip to Oregon.

Local artist Danny Salzhandler fabricated 30 of the starfish shapes, then teams of E101 staff and volunteers wired and wrapped LED rope lights onto the frames. Then Salzhandler volunteered to install the starfish onto the oldstyle lamp posts from Encinitas Blvd. to F Street.

The cost of the project was approximately $10,000, half what it would cost to purchase similar lights from a commercial lighting company.

I hear every day how people love the starfish!” said Guthrie, adding, “Some people want to see them to stay up all year long.”

Guthrie has been seeking sponsors to help cover the cost of the lights, and to add more lights and garlands next year. She says she is grateful for sponsors, which, to date include Soulscape, Encinitas Rotary, Charlie’s Foreign Car, Harrison Properties, Peter Curry, and Webb Cleff Architecture.

She is also thankful that the City of Encinitas has agreed to store the lights when they come down.

According to Guthrie, sponsorships of any size are welcome. $400 adopts an entire starfish for years to come, which includes a “gift tag” that hangs with the star with the sponsor name.

Why starfish? Guthrie said that they just seemed like

Coastal-themed starfish adorn the light poles for several blocks of S. Coast Hwy 101 through downtown. the right choice for Encinitas, festive but non-denominational, and the tale of saving the starfish made them seem even more appropriate. The story illustrates how positive change can be made through seemingly insignificant acts.

Holiday Guided Walks to be held at San Elijo Lagoon Friends and family in town? San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy naturalists will lead free public tours during the Holiday season. The walks will be held Saturdays: Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center Loop Trail.

Visitors to San Elijo Lagoon will enjoy festive colors—red “holly” berries of the green toyon and white-flowering coyote brush. Welcome, birds! As winter approaches the lagoon nurtures winged visitors during the Pacific flyway migration, here to rest and refuel at our important wetlands. See a variety of shorebirds and ducks.

Approximately 40 percent of North America’s bird species have been observed in this place where ocean meets land. Trailgoers might see Mullet, slender silvery fishes, splash from the water. This is life between the tides at one of San Diego’s largest coastal wetlands.

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ENCINITAS ADVOCATE - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - PAGE A7

Encinitas foundation fights for juvenile myositis cure

BY KRISTINA HOUCK Encinitas parents Shari and Tom Hume have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.

Although diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, their son, Parker, is an otherwise happy and healthy high school senior. And the nonprofit they created in his honor, Cure JM Foundation, is raising awareness about juvenile myositis and raising funds to find a cure.

“People genuinely want to help,” said Tom Hume, whose family of five has lived in Encinitas for about 12 years.

Juvenile myositis, including juvenile dermatomyositis and juvenile polymyositis, is a group of rare and life-threatening autoimmune diseases, in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells and tissues.

Juvenile myositis affects about 3,000 to 5,000 children in the United States. Symptoms can include muscle weakness, skin rashes, fatigue and fever and, in more serious cases, heart and lung damage. The fatality rate is low at less than 5 percent, but the treatment is often aggressive.

Up until he was eased off medication a few years ago, Parker had more than 500 hospital visits, dozens of chemotherapy treatments and took up to 15 pills a day. Now a 17-year-old senior at Cathedral Catholic High, Parker is in remission, but has had some muscle damage and a sunburn or virus could ignite a dangerous flare-up.

“It can be debilitating and it can be fatal in some cases,” Shari Hume said. “It’s very rare and there’s no cure.”

Parker was 3 years old when the Humes first noticed his lack of energy.

“He was a normal rambunctious child,” Shari Hume recalled. “All of a sudden, he started sleeping more. He stopped eating as much. He was getting cranky. Then he started falling.”

After six months of tests, Parker was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis in 2002. He was 4 years old.

A year later, the Humes founded Cure JM Foundation.

“At the time, there wasn’t a lot of medical research going on and we realized there wasn’t an organization set up to support this disease,” Shari Hume said. “Upon under-

“

The Hume family, from left to right: Cole, Tom, Connor, Shari and Parker. Courtesy photos standing that research and support groups were so rare — as rare as the disease itself — we felt completely powerless. In the face of adversity, we saw that Parker was showing so much courage, strength and resilience, and we were inspired to do something.”

The couple partnered with Harriet Bollar of Vista, a grandmother of a child with juvenile myositis to create the

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nonprofit. Since then, Cure JM Foundation has raised $10 million for the cause.

Practically every penny goes to research and outreach, as the nonprofit is nearly all volunteer run. There is only one staff member. The Humes do not take salaries and Shari manages the foundation from their Encinitas home.

Funds have supported 120 research studies and helped See CURE, page 17

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PAGE A8 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

Local grandmothers give hope with annual City of Hope fundraiser

La Jolla Cultural Partners

BY KRISTINA HOUCK With the New Year a week away, a group of grandmothers already know what they want to accomplish in 2016.

Having already walked hundreds of miles to raise funds for the City of Hope, they hope to grow their local event to raise even more money for cancer research and treatment in the coming year.

The fifth annual San Diego Together4Hope 2-Day Walk isn’t slated until September, but the organizers, who are all grandmothers, are encouraging people to train early for the 40-mile event. Training walks are usually held every Saturday beginning in June, with walks scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays as the event becomes closer.

“By me getting ready to do this and getting people to support me, I feel like I’m doing something,” said Marybeth Brown, a Carlsbad resident who serves as training walk leader. “It’s such an uplifting experience. You feel like you’re making a difference.”

Many of the women who helped launch the walk four years ago used to walk in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Disappointed with how the funds were being used, however, they decided to create a local event that would support research and treatment for a variety of cancers.

Encinitas resident Gail King, who is a grandmother of two, pitched an idea for a two day, 40-mile walk in San Diego County that would benefit the City of Hope, one of the nation’s leading centers for cancer treatment and research.

With many volunteer hours and support, the first ever San Diego Together4Hope 2-Day Walk was held in 2012.

“We all liked the idea,” said Brown, whose father and grandmother had colon cancer.

“We hit the ground going,” added King. She and the other organizers are now known as “Grandmothers 4 Hope.”

The 2015 San Diego Together4Hope 2-Day Walk was held the last weekend of September.

“Grandmothers 4 Hope” (left to right): Jessie Stocking, Rosie Anand, Ellen Carpentier, Marybeth Brown, Maureen Kowba, Linda Hill, Debra Romano, Gail King.

Courtesy photo On the first day, participants walked around De Anza Cove in Mission Bay, where a 5K walk/run and standup paddleboard course were also held in the morning. On the second day, participants walked from Moonlight Beach in Encinitas to Magee Park in Carlsbad and then back to Moonlight Beach.

“It means something to us to get out and share the stories as we’re walking and as we’re training,” King said. “For the people in our lives that have been affected, we are moving forward and reaching out to physically, actively do something in their honor. That is what motivates us to do what we do.”

A total of 17 people participated in this year’s event.

Each participant raised a minimum of $1,000 by walking 40 miles over the course of two days across San Diego County. Altogether the event raised $32,000 for the City of Hope, which is located in Duarte, northeast of Los Angeles.

Over the past four years, they have raised more than $160,000 to combat cancer.

“We have some great hospitals here in San Diego, but the fact that we have a cancer research hospital so close and it’s known nationally is pretty cool,” Brown said.

Planning for next year’s event will begin in January.

To help with planning or learn about other volunteer opportunities, contact King through the event website at together4hope.org. Visit the link for more about the San Diego Together4Hope 2-Day Walk and training walks leading up to the event.

ON VIEW THROUGH JANUARY 10, 2016 There are only a few more weeks left to see this exhibition!

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858 454 3541 www.mcasd.org

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING Tidepooling Adventures Dec. 27: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Dike Rock Jan. 9: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Dike Rock Visit a local tide pool to learn how these amazing habitats and their inhabitants truly survive “between a rock and a hard place.” Birch Aquarium naturalists will guide participants through fragile tide-pool communities and help them discover the wonderful world of tide pools.

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ENCINITAS ADVOCATE - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - PAGE A9

CAL COAST ANNIVERSARY CERTIFICATE Jennifer Kerr (left) and in action on the court (right). Courtesy photos

SDA tennis standout’s determination nets title

BY JARED WHITLOCK Jennifer Kerr’s success in tennis comes down to hard work, as simple and old-fashioned as it sounds, coaches say.

The San Dieguito Academy (SDA) junior last month captured a San Diego section CIF championship, becoming the first Mustang to take home the girls’ singles title.

Kerr in a recent interview attributed her work ethic to her family, particularly her parents and grandma.

“They’re really good about offering encouragement, not forcing you to do things,” Kerr said.

She began playing tennis at the age of 4, and hasn’t stopped since. Kerr said her appreciation for the game keeps growing.

“I can’t really imagine not playing anymore. I’ve been doing it so long.”

Tennis coach Joe Tomasi said Kerr puts in an amazing number of hours on the court. To top it off, she’s a stellar student, he added.

“She’s very humble and doesn’t like to talk about herself,” Tomasi said. “Make no mistake, she’s very impressive. She doesn’t take time off from the court.”

Kerr won the singles title against La Jolla Country Day’s Paulina Ferrari.

“I just went in and played,” Kerr said. “Even though the score didn’t seem very close, it definitely felt like she could come back at any time if I didn’t keep up.”

She noted that SDA more and more is known for tennis, and Kerr hopes her victory helped the program gain additional exposure.

“It makes me really excited that I was able to add this to our school’s accomplishments and put our school’s name out there.”

Kerr said she’s also excited about new SDA tennis courts that debuted this fall.

Three years prior, the school’s tennis courts were ripped up for construction, so players and coaches had to deal with afternoon traffic on Interstate 5 to make games and practices in Oceanside.

“The new courts are just so nice,” she said. “It’s a big deal for the school.”

What does the future hold for Kerr? For one, she wants to play tennis in college, wherever that may be.

More immediately, she’ll soon compete in the U.S. Tennis Association’s Winter National Championships in Arizona. And because she’s only a junior, next year Kerr wants to repeat the CIF title.

“I’m not going to try and think about how I did this year, because I feel like it’s going to affect the way I play. So I’m just going to try and go in with a clear mind. And hopefully I can do well again.”

Solana Center to present Encinitas Master Composter Course A Master Composter Course will be held in Encinitas starting Saturday. Jan. 16.

This 5-week course will meet at the beautiful San Diego Botanic Garden every Saturday, from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. from Jan. 16 - Feb. 13, 2016. Course Fee: $50.

Presented by Solana Center, the Master Composter course provides training in the art and science of composting.

Learn how to: • Minimize your carbon footprint by keeping food and yard waste out of the landfill, helping reduce harmful methane gas emissions.

• Use this “waste” to create a nutrient rich amendment for your garden. Compost use reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

• Reduce water use and increase water retention. Compost increases your soil’s water holding capacity by up to 7 times and retains water for up to 7 days.

• Work with a team to build, maintain and troubleshoot a traditional compost pile.

Course will also cover composting with worms (vermicomposting) and compost fermentation (Bokashi).

Course includes lectures, demonstrations, and a field trip. Teams will work together to build, maintain, and troubleshoot their own traditional and vermicompost compost bins.

Master Composter certification requires attendance at four out of five classes, as well as 30 volunteer hours of related community service.

Encinitas residents receive preferential registration up until Jan. 6, 2016. Registration will be open to non-residents as of Jan. 7, 2016.

Course will be held at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive Encinitas, CA 92024 This course if funded by the City of Encinitas. To register visit: http://www.solanacenter.org/master-composter-course

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PAGE A10 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

Encinitas Community Center hosts Tinsel Town Open House The Encinitas Community Center welcomed families with infants and toddlers to its Tinsel Town Open House Dec. 11. The event was festive, fun and showcased new and continuing activities at the Center, located at 1140 Oak Crest Park Drive in Encinitas.

Several tiny tot class instructors were on hand, including Art for Tots, Cheer, HipHop Dance, Kindermusik, Mommy and Me Music, Baby Yoga and Musical Spanish. Guests enjoyed free activities, refreshments, sing-alongs, class demonstrations and instructor “meet and greets.�

For information about the Tiny Tot Open House or 2016 Winter and Spring Encinitas Parks and Recreation programs, please visit www.encinitasparksandrec.com or contact the Encinitas Community Center at 760-943-2260.

Photos by McKenzie Images. For photos online, visit www.encinitasadvocate.com.

Jayne Westerlund with Aliya, Jack and Max

Lisa Hanly with Keegan Trish Collins with granddaughter Ariana

Robin McNeal with grandson Liam

Jessica Kromer with baby Vanessa and Torena

Players E.J. Seo with Collin Fischer, Emilisa, Paula Pireto, Grayson, Art Instructor Laura Hensgens

Players Linda Ronchi with Raylan

Lisa Hanly with Keegan

Alicia Straw with Caleb and Claire

www.encinitasadvocate.com

ENCINITAS ADVOCATE - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - PAGE A11

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PAGE A12 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

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their toys will be top-sellers. The marketing push included shooting commercials on their school-issued iPads.

“They looked at toy market trends, and from there created products from beginning to end,” Nguyen said.

Along the way, they got advice from local entrepreneurs like Brian Green, the inventor behind Cardiff Skate Company, which makes strap on roller-skates. Green, who was among those checking out the final products at the toy fair, said students learned that entrepreneurs wear quite a few hats.

“You have to have a lot of skills, and that’s something I wanted the students to take away from this,” Green said shortly before the toy fair began.

Samuel Tisdale, Ethan Sherman, Samuel Kantorovich and Andrew Prentice teamed up on the “Skim ‘n’ Skate,” a board that lets people skate to the beach and then skimboard on waves. The price: $75. They ended their three-minute pitch with, “Don’t be a hater, be a skater,” drawing laughter from surrounding parents.

Alex Ross and Shea Irons invented the “Scented Stuffy,” a stuffed animal that comes with a vanilla scented pouch, with other scents sold separately. They explained the toy is marketed toward girls ages 5 to 12, because that demographic is especially interested in stuffed animals, and they’re old enough to handle the scented pouches.

“Please see our commercial for more information,” they said in unison when their presentation wrapped up.

Students, working alone or in teams, started their toy projects more than three months ago and spent about three hours a week on them. Ada Harris Elementary teachers said as far as they’re aware, Project Toy is the first of its kind.

“It just keeps getting bigger and better every year,” said teacher Kate Therriault.

www.encinitasadvocate.com

ENCINITAS ADVOCATE - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - PAGE A13

Events in and around Encinitas Garden of Lights The San Diego Botanic Garden is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with over 100,000 sparkling lights for a magical holiday experience. With horsedrawn wagon rides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, live entertainment, food, hot mulled wine (on select nights) and Santa.

Through Dec. 26-30, 5-9 p.m. San Diego Botanic Garden. 230 Quail Gardens Drive. $15, $10, $5, ages 0- 2 free.

Holiday Guided Walk See resident and migratory birds wade, hover, hunt and rest in the salt marsh and mudflat habitats upon which they depend.

Trail-goers might see mullet or silvery fish splash from the water, or glimpse Osprey and Egrets hunting in the salt marsh. All ages welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 26, 10-11 a.m. San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, 2710 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff. Free. Info Families Making History: Poinsettias & Pomanders In conjunction with the new exhibit,

“Paul Ecke Ranch: 100 Years of Blooming History,” this month we will be making poinsettia ornaments and old-fashioned pomanders, made from oranges and cloves, pretty enough to give as a gift or hang as a decoration.

Every Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m.

San Dieguito Heritage Museum, 450 Quail Gardens Drive. Free. Info 760-632-9711.

Encinitas West African Dance A special double class with L.A. choreographer and performer, Kara Mack. 6 p.m. session: West African. 7:30 p.m. session: Samba Funk. Learn from a great teacher who is also a professional singer and dancer.

All levels welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 26, 6 p.m. Dance North County, 535 Encinitas Blvd. Suite 100. $15 or $25. Info, 760-402-7229.

La Paloma Theatre Now Showing: Room; Bridge of Spies; Die Hard; Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Tickets: $10, $9 (cash only). 471 Coast Hwy. 101. Show Times 760-436-7469.

(Clockwise from top left) A pet adoption event, Ecke Poinsettia Ranch history exhibit and learning how to make no-sew pet beds are among the events being offered at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum in January.

Courtesy photos

A variety of unique activities offered in January at San Dieguito Heritage Museum Saturday & Sunday through January, noon to 4 p.m. San Dieguito Heritage Museum. Free.

Families Make History: In conjunction with the museum’s Jan. 23 Pet Adoption Event, organizers will be making no-sew pet beds and toys for dogs and cats currently housed at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Learn how to make the beds and toys, then head home to make one for your favorite furry friend. 450 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Info: www.sdheritage.org or contact Cheryl Williams at 760-522-3438 or cherylwsd1@cox.net Saturday, Jan. 23, 12-3 p.m. San Dieguito Heritage Museum. Free.

‘Happily Ever After’ Dog Adoption and Pet Faire Looking for the perfect pet? The Rancho Coastal Humane Society will be at the Heritage Museum matching shelter dogs with their forever homes. Bring your doggie along to find his/her new best friend. Pet merchandise vendors, samples and giveaways, raffle, food vendors, kids’ no-sew pet bed craft and more. Be sure to tour the museum while you’re here! 450 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas.

Info: www.sdheritage.org or 760-632-9711.

Thursdays through Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. San Dieguito Heritage Museum. Free.

The Paul Ecke Ranch: 100 Years of Blooming History The current exhibit traces the strong ties of the Ecke Poinsettia Ranch with Encinitas. Curated by Paul Ecke III and the History Department of CSUSM, archival family photographs and artifacts demonstrate how the Ecke family single-handedly turned a lowly hillside shrub into a worldwide symbol of Christmas, making Encinitas “The Flower Capital of the World.” 450 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Info: www.sdheritage.org or 760-632-9711.

www.encinitasadvocate.com

PAGE A14 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

SPOTLIGHT on LOCAL BUSINESS Optometry Cabana focuses on eye health, stylish eyewear and more

BY KAREN BILLING The whimsical Optometry Cabana at Del Mar Highlands Town Center is both an extensive retail eyewear boutique as well as a home to a full-service optometry clinic where Dr. Tania Stevens can evaluate and manage most ocular health conditions.

The eye-catching shop, with its beachy, striped cabana running across the ceiling, has been open for three years.

Originally from Orange County, Stevens attended UC San Diego for her bachelor’s degree before going to State University of New York College of Optometry. She had been inspired to pursue the field after volunteering for an optometrist while at UC San Diego, where she saw the optometrist help people with their binocular issues. Stevens learned what a good feeling it was to be able to provide better vision.

The majority of her career as an optometrist was spent in New York before she moved back to San Diego four years ago. In New York, she was in much more of a medical office environment with just a small retail dispensary with a few frames. With Optometry Cabana, she was able to be a bit more creative — the walls of the front part of the store are loaded with stylish frames and the back of the store serves as her medical space. Lounge chairs and a children’s play area make the space feel comfortable for customers to wait.

Optometry Cabana carries unique and specialty designer lines such as Mykita, DITA and the French line Anne et Valentin, a colorful and playful collection from France.

Other designer lines offered include Tiffany, Persol and Christian Dior, and popular brands like Barton Perreira and Ray Ban.

Dr. Tania Stevens, center, with Optometry Cabana employees Joanne and Gabriel.

Photo by Karen Billing Walk-in eye exams are Stevens said lots of people like TOMS, due to its buy one, help improve lives concept, and Maui Jim is also big in always welcome, except on San Diego “because everyone is active and sporty here,” she Sundays.

Each patient receives a said.

In the back cabana is a full-service optometry clinic comprehensive eye exam where Stevens does everything from pre- and post-cataract that can detect cataracts, surgery care to pink eye. Stevens is a specialist in hard RGP glaucoma, macular degener(Rigid Gas Permeable) lenses, difficult-to-fit contact lenses ation, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy, that are a growing alternative to soft lenses. They also offer hypertensive conjunctivitis, ocular allerfree adjustments and small repairs.

“We’re very family-oriented because there’s lots of fami- gies, dry eye and many other ocular conditions. lies here, all children are welcome,” Stevens said.

Something Stevens has noticed in her practice is that more kids are getting computer-vision syndrome and dry eye due to the increased amount of time spent looking at technology screens. Stevens can help the issue with a relaxing lens, light computer prescription or lens coatings that can block blue light and reduce glare, eye fatigue and strain.

Right now, Optometry Cabana is offering 30 percent off a complete pair of frames and lenses without insurance and $60 off an eye exam through Jan. 31, 2016.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Stevens, call (858) 633-0772 or visit optometrycabana.com.

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ENCINITAS ADVOCATE - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - PAGE A15

Comedian Yakov Smirnoff bringing new show to California Center for the Arts, Escondido

BY EMILY SORENSEN Fans of comedian Yakov Smirnoff can experience his new show “Happily Ever Laughter” on Jan. 9 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Smirnoff will be performing his new one-man show at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9. The show will be filmed for a Southern California PBS television special, which will air at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 5.

Tickets are $23 general admission, $18 for age 55 and up and military with ID, $15 for students with ID. Tickets are available at the box office, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., by calling 800988-4253 or online at www. artcenter.org. The box office is open from noon to 6 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday.

Described as equal parts standup, one-man show, motivational speech and TED talk, “Happily Ever Laughter,” is something that Smirnoff has been working on for the last 20 years at his personal theater in Branson, Missouri.

“This is something I’ve been passionate about for the last 20 years,” said Smirnoff. “It’s been testing in front of 4.5 million people.”

Smirnoff said the special will first air in Southern California, and if it does well, it will air nationwide.

Smirnoff has had his own theater in Branson for 23 years, and said it’s nice to have an audience of 2,000 people who can give his material feedback on a regular basis. “It’s a rare thing for a comedian to have that, it’s like my laboratory of laughter,” said Smirnoff. “Edison developed the lightbulb, I’m developing the laughbulb.”

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Yakov Smirnoff Courtesy photo “Happily Ever Laughter” talks about sustaining happiness in relationships. It is a result of Smirnoff’s fascination with laughter as a gauge of how happy a person is, something he has studied for years.

Smirnoff said he had been fascinated with laughter ever since the first time he made his parents laugh. Living in a communal apartment with eight other families in Russia as a child, Smirnoff said that when his parents wanted to be romantic, they would send him to look out the window of the one room they shared. “My father asked what I saw out the window, and I said I saw the neighbors being romantic,” said Smirnoff. “When he asked how I knew (they were being romantic),” I said because I can see their families looking at me.”

Smirnoff said his father laughed at that, and it was the first time he’d made him laugh. “It was so exciting and uplifting,” Smirnoff said. “I concluded that laughter is how people communicate that they are happy. And if laughter is the gauge of happiness, we have more control over our lives (if we are aware of how much we laugh).”

He obtained his master’s degree in positive psychology in 2006, studying under Martin Seligman, the founding father of positive psychology. Smirnoff’s dissertation was to prove that laughter can be used as a gauge of how happy a person is.

“It’s really been a fascinating experience,” said Smirnoff, who teaches a course on happiness and laughter at the University of Missouri. “(“Happily Ever Laughter”) is funny, but it’s also backed up by solid research,” said Smirnoff.

The show will be followed by a question and answer session with Smirnoff.

1st Annual Senior Expo to be held Feb. 20 at Encinitas Community Center The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department will host their 1st Annual Senior Expo titled “Embracing Retirement, Before and After 65” on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. A big thank you to the Presenting Sponsor, Belmont Village Senior Living in Cardiff.

This free event is focused on people that will be retiring soon and those that are already retired, along with information for children of aging individuals that are looking for options for their parents. With a diverse range of exhibitors, expert speakers on a variety of subjects, and demonstrations from the Encinitas Senior Center this is sure to be a fun and informational expo.

Healthy snacks will be available thanks to Scripps Health Encinitas. There will also be great raffle prizes and a commemorative bag for those attending the expo.

Those interested in becoming an exhibitor, contact Janette Beck ssngianette@yahoo. com Call (760) 753-6041 or visit http://encinitaschamber.com/embracing-retirement for more information.

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www.encinitasadvocate.com

PAGE A16 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

Encinitas Letters to the editor/Opinion Advocate San Dieguito Union High School District 380 Stevens Suite 316 Solana Beach, CA 92075 Superintendent Rick Schmitt’s Monthly Update 858-756-1451 www.encinitasadvocate.com

U-T Community Press Publishers of award-winning community newspapers Encinitas Advocate, Rancho Santa Fe Review, Carmel Valley News, Solana Beach Sun, Del Mar Times, La Jolla Light, Poway News Chieftain, Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch News Journal, and Ramona Sentinel

PHYLLIS PFEIFFER

President

DON PARKS

Chief Revenue Officer LORINE WRIGHT

Executive Editor editor@encinitasadvocate.com JARED WHITLOCK

Associate Editor jared@encinitasadvocate.com KAREN BILLING

Senior News Writer KRISTINA HOUCK

Reporter MARSHA SUTTON

Senior Education Reporter JON CLARK, MCKENZIE IMAGES

Photographers ANNMARIE GABALDON

Advertising Sales Manager GABBY CORDOBA, KIM MCKIBBEN, MICHAEL RATIGAN, SUE BELMONTE, KATHI MCARTHUR, APRIL GINGRAS

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Graphic Designer Joe Tash, Suzanne Evans, Diane Welch, Kathy Day, Rob LeDonne and Kelley Carlson, Gideon Rubin, Randi Crawford

Contributors OBITUARIES: 858.218.7237 or cathy@myclassifiedmarketplace.com

LETTERS POLICY Topical letters to the editor are encouraged and we make an effort to print them all. Letters are limited to 450 words or less and submissions are limited to one every two weeks per author. Submissions must include a full name, address, e-mail address (if available) and a telephone number for verification purposes. We do not publish anonymous letters.

Contact the editor for more information about submitting a guest editorial piece, called Community View, at 400 words maximum. We reserve the right to edit for taste, clarity, length and to avoid libel. E-mailed submissions are preferred to editor@encinitasadvocate.com.

Superintendent Rick Schmitt regularly updates the greater San Dieguito Union High School District community through our local media with a monthly update. Topics may include academics, facilities, budget, enrollment, safety, and other specific and special interest topics. Today’s update focuses on a variety of student assessment topics.

BY RICK SCHMITT Earlier this fall, many of our families received the results of the 2015 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) which measures the achievement of students in the areas of English language arts/Literacy (ELA) and Math at grades 3-8 and 11. Spring of 2015 was the first time students in our district and across the state took these assessments and received scores. Previous administrations of the test were part of field testing and did not yield individual or collective results. The CAASPP replaces the California Standards Tests (CST’s), also known as STAR tests, which had been in place since 1996. The CAASPP represents a significant shift in both what skills and knowledge are assessed and how student learning is assessed.

The CAASPP assesses student mastery of our new state standards for ELA and Math which place greater emphasis on deep conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and application of knowledge and skills rather than rote memorization, recall and decontextualized facts and knowledge. The CAASPP assessments are entirely computer-based and include a variety of assessment items types, most of which are not multiple choice, and which require students to analyze text and data and use evidence and writing to explain and justify conclusions. The shifts in our state standards and the related assessments reflect an emphasis on the skills that our students need for post-secondary success in college and the workplace.

Any time our students take an assessment for the first time, we never know

Rick Schmitt quite what to expect because we don’t have a basis for comparison, but, as usual, SDUHSD students performed extremely well on the CAASPP. In ELA, only 7% of our students performed in the “Standard Not Met” range while 25% and 30% did so in San Diego County and California respectively. In Math, 13% of SDUHSD students scored in “Standard Not Met” range while 31% and 37% did so in the county and state. This level of achievement is a reflection of the great students with which our families entrust us as well as the dedication and skill of our teachers and site administrators.

All these factors work in unison to support the success of our students.

While we are proud of the performance of our students, because 2015 was the first time our students took the CAASPP, these scores serve as a baseline against which we will measure future growth. While it’s tempting to do so, it’s important to remember that the CAASPP measures a very different set of knowledge and skills than the previous tests (CST’s) and therefore student achievement on the two tests cannot be compared with any validity. We will use the 2015 scores as a starting point to measure both individual and collective student growth and the identify areas in which we can improve.

While the shift to new standards for ELA and Math, as well as to the new assessments tied to these standards, has not been without its challenges, we continue to believe that these shifts are in the best interests of our students as they more accurately reflect the knowl-

edge and skills our students need to find success in whatever path they choose after high school, whether that be college or a career.

The new state standards and the CAASPP also align more closely with other high stakes external assessments that most of our students will take during their high school careers. Advanced Placement (AP) tests have always placed an emphasis on analysis, critical thinking, and writing and the SAT and ACT, the two major assessments used for college entrance, both already do or will more heavily emphasize these skills.

The ACT was revised in 2014 to align more closely with the College and Career Readiness standards that are at the heart of the new California State Standards and in March of 2016, a revised SAT will also reflect a greater emphasis on these skills. We very much believe that emphasizing these skills in our curriculum not only prepares students for success on important external assessments, but, more importantly, prepares them with the crucial skills they will need to actually be successful in college and career. One additional benefit of the CAASPP is a reduction in the amount of time our students spend taking standardized tests.

The old STAR tests required all students to take tests in every grade from 3rd through 11th grade. The CAASPP is administered in grades 3-8 and then again in grade 11 which means that 9th and 10 graders do not take the assessment.

The CAASPP is also a computer-based adaptive test, which means that the difficulty level of questions an individual student faces during the assessment is adjusted automatically based upon how the student answered previous questions.

This allows for more precise assessment of an individual See SCHMITT, page 18

Above left: The Scanadu Scout is a portable electronic device for consumer use designed to measure different physiological parameters, including temperature, heart rate, blood oxygenation, respiratory rate, ECG and diastolic/systolic blood pressure. Above right: Steven Steinhubl, M.D. Courtesy photos

To Your Health: Top Health Care Trends for 2016

BY STEVEN STEINHUBL, M.D. With the health care industry undergoing some of the most dramatic changes in history, there is little doubt that 2016 will offer up a host of new opportunities and challenges for patients, physicians and health systems.

At the core of much of this potential for change is a wide assortment of patient-centric technologies and their promise to improve health outcomes and increase convenience while reducing the cost of care.

As director of digital medicine for Scripps Health and the Scripps Translational Science Institute, it is my job to always be thinking about how we can use technology to better improve health and health care.

One thing is absolutely clear: People can and should play a bigger role in their own care. That can be as simple as tracking exercise and eating habits, or even a complete set of vital signs, with a wrist sensor connected to a smartphone, or having a quick medical appointment any time of day or night either virtually, or at a local retail clinic available around the corner or even in your office building.

We’ve already seen the proliferation of wristband activity trackers and blood pressure cuffs that sync with your smartphone, which, as great as they are, don’t cause change, but rather only enable change to occur. But the new year will see more advanced efforts to use technology to deliver the right health care services to the right people when and where they want to receive them.

Working off that theme, I’ve put together a list of my top health care trends to watch for in 2016: • Virtual health care, delivered 24/7 through your computer, tablet or smartphone, has arrived. Consumer demand for more convenient care without sacrificing quality fits perfectly with the overall experience most people have when using these services.

• 3D printing has moved far beyond the do-it-yourself hobbyist and low-cost product manufacturing crowds. Doctors and researchers are now using the technology to create See HEALTH, page 18

Poll of the Week at www.encinitasadvocate.com Last week’s poll: Do you think Encinitas should proactively enforce shortterm vacation rental rules?

Yes: 58 percent No: 41 percent Should the government require the registration of drones?

Yes or No

LETTERS POLICY: Topical letters to the editor are encouraged. Submissions should include a full name, address, e-mail address (if available) and a telephone number for verification purposes. We do not publish anonymous letters and there are length limits (about 450 words maximum). E-mailed submissions are preferred to editor@encinitasadvocate.com. Letters may be edited. The letters/columns published are the author’s opinion only and do not reflect the opinion of this newspaper.

www.encinitasadvocate.com

CURE continued from page 7

establish research and treatment centers in Chicago and Washington, D.C. The nonprofit also funded the first-ever book about juvenile myositis and continues to host annual educational conferences for both doctors and the families of juvenile myositis patients. The next Cure JM Conference will take place Jan. 15-17 in St. Pete, Florida.

Although Cure JM Foundation ultimately aims to find a cure, the nonprofit was also established to raise awareness about the rare disease. According to the organization’s patient registry, it took about nine months for a diagnosis when the foundation first launched.

Today, children, on average, are diagnosed within five months.

“By increased awareness, we’ve been able to lower that diagnosis time,” Shari Hume said.

Cure JM Foundation got a big boost in awareness and funds earlier this month when the nonprofit raised more money than 1,000 competing charities in the CrowdRise Holiday Challenge. By raising more than $212,000 on Giving Tuesday, the organization won a $25,000 grant. If Cure JM Foundation stays in first place through Jan. 7, the nonprofit will win an additional $100,000.

As of Dec. 21, the nonprofit has raised more than $295,000. To contribute to the fundraising campaign, visit www.crowdrise.com/ curejmgivingtower.

“The whole community just really rallies together,” Shari Hume said. “Even though our disease is so rare, the community pulls together. What we lack in size, we make up for in passion and perseverance.”

For more about Cure JM Foundation, visit www. curejm.org.

ENCINITAS ADVOCATE - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - PAGE A17

MARIJUANA Gaspar said that the city attorney wasn’t asking the council to make new regulations, but simply to reaffirm the existing rules and she could support that proposal.

“The way I see it, it will preserve the status quo in our city,” she said.

Ultimately, the council voted 3-1, with Gaspar op-

continued from page 2

posed, to conduct additional research on the distribution issue.

Shaffer and Kranz were appointed to a council subcommittee to explore the city’s regulatory options.

Before their deliberations, the council heard from seven public speakers.

One was a medical marijua-

na proponent and the remaining six were all active in programs that aim to prevent young people from becoming addicted to alcohol and other drugs.

The youth advocates said the state’s medical marijuana laws were being broken by people who were illegally getting the drug into the hands of kids, while the

law’s proponent said undo restrictions on marijuana help make the substance more attractive to rebellious teens.

Encinitas voters had their say on the medical marijuana issue in 2014 when they voted to reject a ballot initiative that would have allowed medical marijuana clinics to open in

The best time to prepare for a storm is before it strikes.

connected ••••• to emergency preparedness With strong El Niño storms predicted this winter it’s important that you and your family make safety preparations now.

• Keep your emergency kit and supplies stored in a dry place. Make sure flashlights and fresh batteries are part of your kit.

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• Clear debris from rain gutters and drainage systems.

• Seal up any holes from any cables and other wires that penetrate exterior walls, and check the weatherstripping around your doors and windows.

• Stock up on sandbags to prevent flooding and debris.

• To see if your home is in a flood zone, visit msc.fema.gov/portal.

Enter your zip code or address to find your official flood map.

To check the status of outages in your area, visit sdge.com/outages or download our app at sdge.com/mobileapp.

For more ways to better weather the storms, connect at sdge.com/stormprep.

©2015 San Diego Gas & Electric Company. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

town.

Opposed by drug-free youth organizations and the City Council, the initiative would have allowed medical marijuana dispensaries to open if they met certain zoning conditions, including locating at least 600 feet from a school or playground.

www.encinitasadvocate.com

PAGE A18 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

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continued from page 16

student’s mastery of content and skills while reducing the number of assessment items, and therefore the amount of time, a student takes on a test by up to 50%. So with the CAASPP, our students take fewer tests, spend less time taking the tests they do take, and get a more accurate assessment of their learning.

As a district, our focus is on how to improve student learning. We’ve spent the last three years engaged in ongoing professional development with our teachers to align our curriculum and instructional and assessment practices with the new state standards. We’ve approached this shift as a gradual, multi-year process with teacher learning at the center. While we are not “finished” with this shift and despite learning some lessons along the way, we are very happy with our transition to date and we see our students’ strong performance on the CAASPP as validation of our work. This year we are focused on continuing professional development with our teachers while also working to identify the essential learning outcomes for each core academic course.

With these learning outcomes identified, we will build formative assessments designed to measure student achievement of these learning outcomes throughout a school year.

During the 2016-17 school year, we will administer these common internal assessments to measure student progress toward our essential learning outcomes, to identify students in need of additional support, and to assess and improve our own practice. This is an ongoing process by which we improve our own professional practice and by which we improve student learning.

I am very proud of our students for their many accomplishments and of our outstanding staff for their collective efforts to support our students’ academic and personal growth. I am proud to lead a district where students, staff, and parents work together and collectively achieve great things. Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and schools.

You can follow Superintendent Schmitt on Facebook, (https://www.facebook.com/sduhsd), and Twitter, (https:// twitter.com/SDUHSD_Supt).

HEALTH

continued from page 16

low-cost prosthetics, personally fitted hearing aids and plastic implants to replace damaged bone. At Scripps Clinic, Heinz Hoenecke, M.D., has used a 3D printer to create a customized guide for drilling holes during shoulder replacement surgery. And Darryl D’Lima, M.D., is using the technology to make bioartificial cartilage.

• Care options will continue to expand and become more consumer-centric and convenient. Already, clinics are available in neighborhood pharmacies and grocery stores with scheduling and costs easily available via an app. Just this month, Scripps teamed up with The Irvine Company to open its first Scripps HealthExpress clinic in an office building complex in the University City area of San Diego.

• The wireless health technology sector will get a boost in late 2016 when the $10 million Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE is awarded to the maker of a wireless device that can capture a host of vital signs and use the data to diagnose a set of 16 conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, hypertension and melanoma. Earlier this year, the Scripps Translational Science Institute launched the first clinical trial of the Scanadu Scout, one of the seven finalists for the prize.

Steven Steinhubl, M.D., is a cardiologist with Scripps Clinic and director of digital medicine for Scripps Health and the Scripps Translational Science Institute. “To Your Health” is brought to you by the physicians and staff of Scripps. For more information, please visit www.scripps.org/CNP or call (858) 207-4317.

www.encinitasadvocate.com

AGREEMENT community and their support for our educators.”

SDFA’s three-year contract agreement includes a 7 percent salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2015, a 5.5 percent salary increase for 2016-17 and a shift for the flexible spending account from healthcare into salary.

The agreement was reached through productive interest-based and collaborative negotiations.

The board postponed its approval of the agreement from the week prior at the request of Salazar, to allow for more time for the public to review the contract. Salazar said he would have liked a longer delay but the agreement had to be approved by Dec. 31 to comply with CalSTRS (California State Teachers’ Retirement System) new regulations on creditable compensation as it relates to healthcare benefits. The new regulations require school districts to end the flexible spending account model by the end of 2015.

Salazar was not able to be present at the meeting but did attend the meeting via teleconference.

Board Clerk Amy Herman said she didn’t take her decision on the contract lightly — she, too, wanted to make sure it was something the district could afford.

She said she felt that the agreement honors teachers for supporting the district during challenging financial times and for going above and beyond to develop and implement new teaching styles to align with the Common Core.

“My vote tonight represents the feelings of many of my friends and neighbors that believe that our schools are the best, and that our teachers are a key component of that success,” Herman said. “I can think of no better use of my tax money than to invest in public education and the teachers that work hard every day, educating and inspiring our students.”

SDUHSD Vice President Joyce Dalessandro talked about the creative and engaging instruction she experienced while visiting all 10 district schools — from a forensics investigation in science teacher Lindsey Geissler’s class at La Costa Canyon to a multi-level math discussion at Sunset High School with teacher Greg Williams that harkened back to a one-room schoolhouse.

Dalessandro said she heard teacher Jeremy Wuertz creating beautiful music with the symphonic band at San Dieguito and listened as Tim Stiven’s world history class at Canyon Crest talked about World War I conversationally like they were sitting around a campfire or living room.

She marveled at Carol Esquenazi teaching Carmel Valley Middle School students how to congregate Spanish verbs using karate chops and Chromebooks, and MaryAnn Rall leading an environmental science class talking about agriculture and the big business of industrial farming.

“I think our teachers in this district are second to none and are absolutely deserving to be number one in the county,” Dalessandro said.

Muir said her “no” vote didn’t have to do with the value of teachers, she said she knows the district has wonderful teachers and her son reminds her of that fact every day.

“I am not confident that the contract strikes the right balance between compensation and taxpayers’ concerns, such as our ability to hire additional teachers, limit class sizes and ensure our longtime abili-

ENCINITAS ADVOCATE - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - PAGE A19

continued from page 1

ty to afford a full complement of tools to optimize student learning,” Muir said.

“The collective bargaining process includes ‘good faith’ negotiations between the teachers’ union and district board who represents our students and taxpayers. Unfortunately, in this case, the ‘good faith’ excluded our board from adequately representing our students who will now have class sizes averaging from 32 students to 38.4 students. Class sizes going up is unacceptable to me.

“Our taxpayers will also be paying unknown future costs. It’s part of my fiduciary duty as a board member to ensure a sustainable future not only for our district but also for our teachers. I take this very seriously. I have not seen any public agency negotiate in this manner and do not believe it’s a best management practice. This process is simply very flawed and unacceptable to me.”

Regarding the board participating in contract negotiations, Schmitt said not one of the other 41 districts in the county do. He also responded to the claim from some in the community that the collective bargaining process was illegal.

“This process was, of course, absolutely legal and, in fact, a process that has been guided by legal counsel the entire way. This process has strict statutory regulations, all of which were followed. The illegibility claims are simple not true. People have made allegations based on misbelief or misunderstanding.”

Both Muir and Salazar had expressed concerns about the contract increasing class sizes to 38.4 and 34.6 for high school and middle school respectively. Schmitt said that those numbers were not correct.

According to Jason Viloria, associate superintendent of administrative services, the new contract language does not increase the maximums for class size averages, it simply states the numbers in a much more easily understood, transparent manner.

The formula for reporting average class size is 6/5ths times the actual staffing ratio. The actual staffing ratio is agreed upon by the district and the SDFA. The new language clarifies the ratio and process — class sizes remain 32 students to one teacher for high school and 29:1 in middle school.

“There is absolutely no changes to class sizes in this contract and, in fact, we’ve been seeing the lowest class sizes in a decade,” Viloria said.

On the phone, Salazar also took issue with the fact that the contract was posted with less than 24 hours for the public to review as the SDFA didn’t give final approval until Dec. 14. Salazar said he believed it was a “complete failure” of the rights of the public to view contract language and blamed President Hergesheimer for enabling the “charade of non-transparency.”

“I believe you should be ashamed of yourself,” Salazar said. “We’re just not being transparent, we’re just not telling the public what’s in the contract. For it to be posted less than 24 hours before the meeting, this is a joke.”

Hergesheimer responded to Salazar’s claims.

“From my perspective, that is a fairly disingenuous comment to make,” Hergesheimer said, noting that while the contract was not posted in its entirety until Dec. 14, all of the other items have been available for two weeks.

Croft said he was “disappointed” but “not surprised” by Muir and Salazar’s “no” vote, citing instances when they both voted against things over the past year, such as redoing the associate superintendents’ contracts and several Prop AA projects.

He said the collective bargaining approach is one that has been done for several years in the district and has always been a successful process. As a resident of the district, he said he hoped Muir would have seen and recognized that.

“I hope you will not stay in the dark,” Croft said to Muir. “This is how we do things in San Dieguito. It’s not broken and we don’t need you to fix it.”

During the meeting Muir had reiterated that she supports the teachers but does not like the process.

“You guys are great teachers, my son is getting the best education,” Muir said. “But this is wrong.”

MODEL

continued from page 1

CCA experts, local business representatives and city staff.

If the city ultimately adopts a CCA, SDG&E would still deliver the energy over the existing grid. However, the city would be responsible for securing the power contracts, not SDG&E. Encinitas customers would be automatically enrolled in the CCA, though they could opt out.

Mayor Kristin Gaspar, who opposed the working group, said few California cities have CCAs and that she’d like to see more success stories before moving forward.

“My concern is that we don’t have the benefit of lessons learned and experiences from these jurisdictions,” Gaspar said. “And that concerns me because it tells we’re operating at a higher-risk model.”

There are currently three CCAs in California: Marin Clean Energy, Sonoma Clean Power and Lancaster Choice Energy. Communities around the state are looking into the model.

Councilman Tony Kranz said the panel should gauge whether more San Diego County cities are interested in the CCA model and if they’d like to team up on a planned feasibility study. He added the idea of a CCA in Encinitas has been tossed around for a while, so he’s happy to explore further.

Five public speakers voiced support for the working group, while one person was against.

Resident Michael Hetz said a CCA represents a “win-win-win” for residents, busi-

nesses and the environmental community.

Hetz is the vice president of the San Diego Energy District, a group that argues cities should adopt CCAs on the grounds that investor-owned utilities like SDG&E have been slow to embrace green energy.

Eve Simmons said a CCA would boost the city’s renewables portfolio and thus combat climate change.

“To willingly choose burning fossil fuels over competitively priced renewable energy is sheer madness,” Simmons said.

But resident Denis Lougeay, the lone speaker against establishing a panel, contended that wind and solar are still too expensive to rely on to power the city.

To date, CCAs have been able to provide power that’s more renewable and at a lower cost than traditional utilities, but CCAs have risks and costs, according to a staff report. One CCA model, a joint powers authority, would require a feasibility study, legal analysis, start-up costs and more to get going.

Attempts to form CCAs in San Francisco and the San Joaquin Valley have stalled, with both facing opposition from the utility Pacific Gas and Electric Company. It has contended that the areas face a significant financial liability if CCAs take effect.

The Encinitas Environmental Commission has been exploring a CCA and recommended that the council form the work group.

Councilman Mark Muir was absent from the meeting.

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PAGE A20 - DECEMBER 25, 2015 - ENCINITAS ADVOCATE

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2013 BMW M3 Coupe DJ593939 ......................$53,991 2014 BMW X5 sDrive35i E0H33085...................$49,515 2013 BMW M5 DC773455..................................$57,942 2013 BMW M5 DC773347..................................$64,913 2015 BMW M4 Coupe FK330199 ......................$69,910 2013 BMW M6 Coupe DC96867........................$70,916

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2007 BMW 530i 7CM47010 ........................... $13,422 2008 BMW 335i Sedan 8NM06279................ $13,817 2009 535i Sedan 9C161810........................... $13,915 2011 Toyota Prius Two B1447593.................. $14,715 2011 BMW 128i Coupe BVL90764 ................ $16,419 2014 Nissan Rogue S Sport Utility EW621353..... $16,915 2015 MINI Cooper Coupe Hardtop FT938106 ..... $17,832 2007 BMW X5 4.8i 7LZ42945 ........................ $17,915 2013 MINI Clubman Cooper S DT800089...... $17,920 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 9LJ96363 .............. $20,715 2011 BMW 535i BC807538............................ $21,525 2009 BMW 650i Convertible 9CX64623......... $24,330 2009 BMW 750i 9CY34957............................ $25,916 2010 BMW M3 Coupe AP362488 .................. $35,710 2011 BMW X5 M xDrive BLK26106 ............... $41,712 2013 BMW M3 Convertible DE785940 .......... $44,947 2013 BMW M3 Convertible DE785940 .......... $45,937 2015 BMW 435i Gran Coupe FG241121 ....... $50,823 2015 BMW Z4 sDrive35is Roadster FE634561 .... $58,824 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe DS107074 $65,914 2015 BMW 740Li FD138943 .......................... $83,728 2015 BMW 650i Convertible FD169812......... $82,938 2016 BMW 650i Convertible GD996553 ........ $93,831

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All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge and any emission testing charge. **see dealer for details Photos for illustration purposes only. Offer ends date of publication. *Limit one per household.