Sandpiper November 2015

D E L M A R ’ S C O M M U N I T Y M O N T H LY N E W S

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F E A T U R E S

Volume 20 Number 9

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O P I N I O N November 2015

pages 8 and 9 Also inside:

Affordable Housing Page 16

And Not a Drop to Drink! page 6

Coming Up Roses page 3

Free to Be Me! page 12

Editorial

Why Del Mar?

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ost of us have made a deliberate decision to live in this community. For some it is the beach, maybe the schools, maybe proximity to a major scientific research community, maybe access to a top university, maybe the rich cultural choices of San Diego.

We believe most of us are attracted to the unique small town character of Del Mar that is ultimately like no other place in the world.

In many ways Del Mar is isolated from the rest of the world as it is surrounded by two lagoons, Crest Canyon and the ocean. Del Mar has winding tree-lined streets on its hills and has a large wide-open beach from one end of our city to the other end. Del Mar has an ocean bluff for walking and an undeveloped canyon. Residents of Del Mar have quick access to all sorts of shopping experiences and the closest international airport is less than half hour away.

The houses in Del Mar are unique and have more character than the planned communities of Carmel Valley. Del Mar for many is a refuge from the hub-bub of modern life. We all picked Del Mar to be part of this uniqueness.

Many people assume that the special qualities of Del Mar will continue, but in fact, on numerous occasions in the past, citizens had to push back hard to fend off major changes; while in other instances, we have seen many individually small changes that collectively have eroded those special qualities. It is important to remember the proposal to put the freeway along the bluffs, with seawalls, a restaurant row instead of Powerhouse Park & Community Center; condos in Crest Canyon, Anderson Canyon, and on the north bluffs, and many other examples.

More recently there is growing concern that Del Mar’s hard-earned character is being exploited as a business opportunity by absentee investors and speculative developers.

We want to make it clear that the Sandpiper’s core mission is to defend the vision expressed so eloquently in our Community Plan, including the citizen participation process that invigorates our community. Included in that mission is to invite alternate points of view to promote constructive civic discourse about many issues that help define our unique community.

Quoting the Community Plan

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he Sandpiper’s core mission is to defend the vision of the Community Plan. To promote familiarity with its contents in each issue we excerpt direct quotes:

The Sandpiper is published by the Del Mar Community Alliance, a not-for-profit corporation. Its purpose is to advocate the Del Mar Community Plan, to foster informed public and government decision-making regarding issues affecting the community of the City of Del Mar, and to encourage a social and political climate favorable to the protection of the community character of the City of Del Mar and its environs.

Chuck Newton Circle: Rosanne & Joel Holliday, Diana Marquardt & Rod Franklin Publishers’ Circle: Jeff Barnouw, Mary Ann & Bud Emerson, Chuck Freebern, Lynn & Charlie Gaylord, Maryka & George Hoover, Louise Keeling in memory of Dave Keeling, Larry Schneiderman, Nancy & John Weare Editors’ Circle: Penny & Buck Abell, Vava Anderson, Linda & Frank Chisari, Gordon Clanton, Anthony Corso, Melissa & Bob Gans, Kathy Finnell, Mary & Jeffrey Friestedt, Nancy Fisher & Mike Salt, Susan & Judd Halenza, Pat Jacoby, Linda & Jerry Hirshberg, Ellie & Tim Haviland, Shirley King & Art Olson, Beth Levine & Henry Abarbanel, Vernie & John McGowan, Bill Michalsky, Suzi Resnick & Stan Marks, Gloria Sandvik & Harold Feder, Rose Ann & Ira Sharp, Judy & Marc Schuckit, Pam Slater-Price & Hershell Price, Chic & Joe Sullivan, Jane & Steve Voss Editors: Jeff Barnouw, Tony Corso, Dave Druker, Bud Emerson, Ann Gardner, Shirley King, Nancy Fisher, Art Olson, Betty Wheeler.

Webmaster: Virginia Lawrence. Editor Emeritus: John Kerridge.

All staff members and writers are unpaid volunteers. This publication depends upon the contributions of readers like you.

Make checks payable to Sandpiper, Box 2177, Del Mar, CA 92014

“Strict building restrictions are in Del Mar’s DNA: “In 1905, the South Coast Land Company bought all of Colonel Taylor’s land . . . and planned a residential community ‘of distinctive class,…free from the noise, confusion and ugly cheap details of the average beach resort . . .Building restrictions will be enforced and everything will be done to make Del Mar what nature designed it to be, the most beautiful and pleasing place on the Pacific.’ What the Company promised in advertising it delivered in fact and in writing. The first roads on the hill were made by four horses pulling a scraper, not a standard bulldozer. The engineer was told to wind around as much as possible. Lots were intentionally irregular to assure everyone individuality and a view.” The land contract that went with each sale required a setback, including porches, of at least 25 feet from the lot line.”

Letters to the Editor • • •

The Sandpiper welcomes readers’ letters and articles.

Material submitted must include the writer’s name, street address, and phone number, and should not exceed 400 words.

Material selected to be published may be edited or shortened.

Send to: The Sandpiper, Box 2177, Del Mar, CA 92014; or editor@delmarsandpiper.org

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 2

Take Time to Smell the Roses Del Mar Rose Society celebrates 15th Year

Bud Emerson | Klish Way

Downsizing One Paseo

Kristen Druker | 10th Street

Plans for a reduced One Paseo were submitted October 19 to San Diego’s Development Services Department for review and include the following changes: a 50% reduction in office and retail space that cuts the originally projected traffic by 43%, a Civic Plaza that can be cordoned off for community events such as a Farmer’s Market, an east-west running shuttle from Torrey Pines High School to Mango Drive in Del Mar Heights and also loops to the Solana Beach train station, two off leash dog parks and 6o affordable housing units. A successful citywide referendum and two lawsuits filed by local groups caused the San Diego City Council to reverse its Feb. 23 approval of a larger project in favor of working with the community to reduce traffic and visual impacts. Details of that process are at www.onepaseo.com. Carmel Valley Planning Board, San Diego Planning Commission and San Diego City Council final review is targeted for this winter with Kilroy Realty hoping to break ground in 2016.

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t has been fifteen years since a handful of neighborhood rose growing enthusiasts assembled to pay homage to the timeless beauty of the rose, our national flower, at the newly constructed Powerhouse Community Center.

Over the years, the Del Mar Rose Society has provided continuous education on the cultivation of roses to a growing membership through expert speakers, garden tours, and special events.

Public Hotel Space Council Member Dwight Worden is compiling an inventory of spaces in town that are open to public use by right. His newsletter (see link) identifies the community meeting room in the hotel L’Auberge available for free public use 12 times a year according to the hotel’s Specific Plan approved by voters in 1989.

City Hall Closer A new schedule is in place to provide an additional opportunity for the project architect to refine the design, based on recent community feedback. The architects are scheduled to present their revised design at the November 2, 2015 City Council meeting. If the City Council concurs with the revised design proposal, the project will continue with its entitlement process, including a Citizen’s Participation Program (CPP) meeting and Design Review Board hearing.

Please make note of the updated project schedule: • November 2, 2015: City Council review of project design • November 19, 2015: Citizens Participation Program (CPP) meeting (tentatively scheduled for 6:30 p.m.)

• December 16, 2015: Design Review Board Hearing to consider project design • January 4, 2016: City Council Project Entitlement Hearing and Certification of Final Environmental Impact Report

The Del Mar Rose Society “Day at the Fair” brings members together each year to share their lovely roses with fairgoers at the San Diego County Fair. As a popular attraction within the garden exhibition, members field questions and pass on rose tips to the general public, with everyone taking time to smell the roses.

The Society’s annual Rose Show at the Del Mar Library has also become an anticipated event, with members vying for awards in such categories as Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Old Garden Rose, and a People’s Choice Award for the Most Fragrant Rose in the show.

Probably, the most heartfelt activity shared by all is the Thanksgiving of Roses event in conjunction with Del Mar Community Connections. Every year members come to a Powerhouse potluck dinner to assemble beautiful bouquets of roses and seasonal greenery that are enhanced by Thanksgiving cards designed by Winston School students.

These bouquets are then given to Del Mar citizens to enjoy though the holiday.

Next year topics such as growing roses in drought conditions, preservation of rare and unusual roses, and landscaping with roses are planned, in addition to a guided tour of the Huntington Rose Garden in Pasadena. www.delmarrosesociety.org/

Paving Our Way

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At the Fair. left to right: Reggie Rowe, Candace Kohl, Stevie Hall, Hilde Koessler, Kristen Druker, Gayle Pomraning - Event Chair, Patricia Rose Courtesy Del Mar Rose Society.

onstruction will begin in November on the 2015 Paving Project. The work consists of asphalt and concrete surface repairs on residential streets and alleys throughout the City of Del Mar. Staff distributed letters to

affected residents. The project’s specific work locations with an updated project schedule and corresponding traffic detour diagrams are posted on the Sandpiper’s website: www.delmarsandpiper.org. Please contact Del Mar Public Works at 858-755-3294 with any questions.

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 3

Dr. Rich

Kudos for the Kommittee

Development Review Committee October 6

Rich Simons | Upper East 11th Street

Dwight Worden | Council Member

Can you tell me, please, where you get your ideas? – s.b.

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n the first of a series of special workshop sessions of the DRB Development Review Committee, committee members, architects, planners, builders and others with experience designing homes, building and remodeling in Del Mar, and representing applicants before the DRB were invited to give their thoughts and perspectives. Speakers included: Harvey Furgatch (builder and beach front resident), Bob Scott (planner/applicant representative), Lori Fisher (Architect/ prior DRB ex-officio member), Don Countryman (architect), Brian Church (architect), Lou Dominy (architect) Howard Gad (Heritage West Development Co.).

Comments presented by the speakers and many questions from committee members resulted in a productive two hour dialogue. The meeting was also attended by several community members and audio recorded as an experiment by myself. The audio quality is good and a disc has been delivered to city staff with a recommendation that it be placed on the website so the public can listen.

Photo illustration Art Olson

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f course. You would be surprised how many people ask me that question. And the answer is simple: I steal them.

The first idea I ever stole was by accident. I was just a kid, maybe six years old, and it was just sitting out on the table at a friend’s house. It looked like a piece of candy, so I snatched it up in my little fist and shoved it in my pocket.

Only later did I discover that it wasn’t candy at all; it was a stupid idea, and it tasted horrible, like an old brussel sprout.

You’d think that would’ve been the end of it, but you’d be wrong. I didn’t steal an idea for many years after that, but sometime in junior high school I saw what looked like a great idea tucked in between the pages of a girl’s science notebook, and I couldn’t resist. After that, all through high school, I stole ideas wherever I could find them—in lockers, on the bus, next to the tennis courts, under the gym bleachers—and hid them in my room at home, in a shoebox I kept in my closet.

Things got bad in college, where I almost got busted. But it’s hard to prove idea theft, so the law was on my side.

Since then, I’ve met many artists who admit that they too steal ideas, most of whom are also quick to point out that they “only steal from the best.” Not me. I’ll steal from anyone, anywhere, anytime. I like to break into people’s houses late at night and steal whatever ideas they’ve left lying around. Malls and grocery stores are good places, too, because hardly anyone is on the lookout for an idea thief when there’s so much other stuff to steal.

Bad ideas. Stupid ideas. Regrettable ideas. I don’t care—I’ll take them all. Once, I saw a homeless guy on the side of the road. I drove up next to him and gave him a

No actions were taken by the committee other than thanking the participants for their comments and impressions. My personal impressions and not necessarily the views of the council or the committee: This was a great meeting. The speakers were very experienced and very well prepared. Many valuable insights and suggestions were offered to potentially improve the DRB rules and process.

The committee and audience were polite and listened carefully, with committee members asking many questions of each speaker. Because the meeting was so productive and because the committee wanted to fully hear out all the speakers, it was extended an extra half hour. The format of the meeting seemed to work well—speaker presentations followed by questions and interactive dialogue.

five-dollar bill. What he didn’t know was that as I was handing him the bill, I was using my other hand to steal an idea that was hanging out of his right pants pocket. It turned out to be the worst idea in the world—something about drinking a bottle of Listerine—but I took it anyway.

My advice to anyone interested in writing is simple: do the math. If everyone else is stealing from “the best,” it stands to reason that the best ideas have been picked over pretty thoroughly. It makes much more sense to lower your standards, gather up a bunch of mediocre ideas that no one cares about, and work with those. That way, you’ll never run out of ideas, and you don’t have to fight the crowds for leftover scraps of a “great” idea.

All my stories come from stale, recycled ideas that nobody wants. What’s more, no one is ever going to steal from me, because compared to the best ideas out there, mine really suck. Nobody would ever want them, which means they’re all mine.

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 4

dro Prescription Carl Hilliard | former Del Mar City Council member and Mayor

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ord is it’s hard to build in Del Mar. But truth be told, the cards are stacked in the developer’s favor because instead of serving Del Mar residents, the Design Review Ordinance (DRO) often ends up working to the advantage of applicants whose representatives handily navigate through the process and manipulate the vocabulary to their advantage.

Building anything in Del Mar begins with a neighborhood meeting. The neighborhood meeting, while mandatory, is well intentioned. It’s meant to be a good faith effort by all parties and it’s designed to help reach a compromise balancing the wishes of the applicant with the concerns of the neighbors and the community interest. Often it helps speed up the process. Just as often, the opposite is true.

Following the neighborhood meeting, DRO planning staff prepares a report detailing the code sections to be considered and presents the report to the Design Review Board (DRB). The report, usually well done, is released to the public in advance of a community hearing. What the public doesn’t get is the staff’s private briefing to the DRB chairperson that can slant the hearing.

Next the applicant presents to the DRB. It should be the first hearing – and the last. But there are two potential hiccups: Neighbors can make remarks at this juncture, but only what they can cram into three minutes. The second hitch comes after the hearing is closed to public input and DRB members have made their comments. If it’s clear the project won’t be approved as proposed, the applicant can extend the hearing any number of times by requesting continuances, a stopgap measure designed to wear down protesters with multiple hearings. The DRB should promptly approve, conditionally approve or deny an application based on the evidence presented at the time and place set for hearing.

Park Planning Comes to Play Kristen Crane, Management Services Director (Shores Park Master Plan Project Manager)

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ver 100 would-be park planners came out Sunday, October 18th to the Winston School auditorium to weigh in on preferred character and style for the park amenities and to design a layout for how the future Shores Park might be configured.

Glen Schmidt from Schmidt Design Group, the landscape architecture firm under contract with the City for this project, took the participants on a virtual tour of dozens of parks from around the country through a photo montage slide show, showing many kinds of styles for the different amenities identified as priorities for the park through phase 1 of the master planning process. The tour also included “case study” photo tours of about six parks that have aspects or features that could be similar to what the Del Mar community has expressed they would like to see at Shores Park.

At the heart of the matter is Del Mar’s bewildering DRO that needs to be professionally rewritten and regularly updated by a company specializing in writing these laws so all parties know where they stand at the start of the process – not at the end of a DRB hearing.

Seven changes to improve Del Mar’s DRO 1. Fix the language – Hire a professional municipal codewriting company to rewrite the DRO so it’s easy to use and understandable by everyone. “Do it yourself” code writing does not do it.

2. End continuances – unless a short continuance is necessary for something unrelated to the subject of the hearing.

3. Provide the neighbors with a qualified ombudsman – The board has an architect to act as an advisor.

Neighbors need someone, too. The applicant should foot the bill for an ombudsman who can be sourced from a list compiled by the city.

4. Provide a form containing the DRO grounds for protest – to help neighbors and interested parties narrowly focus and present their concerns to the DRB. 5. Lengthen the neighbor presentation time –Give neighbors residing within 300 feet of the proposed construction a collective minimum of 10 minutes for a presentation, five minutes for rebuttal.

6. Require disclosure of private communications – Any communications of any kind to a member of the board, council or staff concerning a matter before the board should promptly be made part of the public record in that proceeding.

7. Provide a portal on the city website that will provide access to all prior board decisions in word searchable form – to provide guide posts for the public and consistency in the application of the DRO.

The photo tour showed things like options for shade, seating, and walking paths, as well as the concept of traditional play structures for children versus play elements model the natural environment. Some of the tour photos also showed possibilities related to the existing slope feature of the Shores property. Photos for different types of spaces for dogs (shared use and separate) and open turf play were also shown.

Following the photo tour, participants used green dots to mark photos on visual displays of the same photos, to note their style preference for the different amenities envisioned for possible inclusion in the park.

During the second part of the workshop, participants worked in 13 small groups using a site plan, pens, papers, string, blocks, and cut-outs for the potential park amenities to develop an idea for how to layout the park. All of the groups then shared the main themes of their layout idea with all of the attendees. continued on page 6

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 5

Sea Level Committee Rises to the Occasion

Anthony Corso | Stratford Court and Shirley King | Avenida Primavera

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e are all stakeholders in planning for the sea level rise.. The serious consequences of climate change present Del Mar with complex planning challenges for our many public assets - beaches, parks, coastal access, wildlife habitats, open space, river channel and path, lagoon bluffs, rail corridor, public service maintenance and operations and the Fairgrounds not to mention our homes and commercial entities.

NOVEMBER 2015

A Fundraising Meditation With our Year-End fundraising campaign in the warm-up phase, I’d like to help you get in shape for this vital event.

Put on relaxing background music.

Wear comfortable clothes.

1. Inhale deeply. Exhale slowly. Let your mind wander to Del Mar Foundation events and activities that have added value to the community. See the children’s happy faces as they gather colorful Easter eggs or roast marshmallows over a blazing bonfire; take notice of the Powerhouse filled to capacity with neighbors and friends engaging with each other and listening to a Cultural Arts concert or a stimulating DMF Talks; soak in the energy of the Twilight Concert environment with all ages gathered for dancing and dining under the blue sky; sense the emotional connectedness of people talking, sharing, enjoying each other at a Meet & Greet.

2. Take another deep breath. On the exhale, consider the Del Mar Foundation investments made this past year in the form of grants.

Envision Birdwing, the outdoor classroom of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, a place where children and visitors learn about our beautiful lagoons; feel your heart warm at the smiling faces of disabled veterans wheeling themselves through the sand on beach wheelchairs; follow the happy chatter of seniors at a Tuesday Lunch Connection; embrace the richness of hometown memories captured through Del Mar Voices.

3. Close your eyes and imagine the joy and value these programs, activities and grants bring to others. Know that it could not happen without your generosity.

4. Hold that thought. Remember it when you receive your fundraising request from the Del Mar Foundation in the upcoming weeks.

Or act now by donating online at www. delmarfoundation.org. Our community’s health depends on you.

Namaste, , Executive Director

Sea Level Factoids Source Sea Level Rise Committee 1. For every 1 foot of sea level rise, the ocean encroaches about 100 feet inland.

2. Due to ocean warming (warm water expands) Del Mar has experienced 8-10 inches of sea level rise this year.

Many California coastal communities have already responded with carefully researched adaptation strategies.

Del Mar’s Sea Level Stakeholder-Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) was constituted this spring and has convened for three meetings as of October 15th. Along with the expertise of the Committee members led by Chairperson, Dr. Terry Gassterland, the consulting firms Environmental Science Associates and Katz and Associates will equip the Committee with the technical analytics and public communications tools. The two-year project costs are funded by an Ocean Protection Council Award ($100,000), the City of Del Mar General Fund ($77,794) and In-kind services, City of Del Mar ($22,206).

STAC’s final recommendations in early 2017 will

Park Planning Comes to Play continued from page 5

Using the ideas and input from the community to date, Schmidt Design Group’s next step will be to develop three design alternatives for the community to consider.

In the coming months, as the master plan process continues, one of the important steps will be to evaluate the potential costs for the design alternatives – not only for the initial construction, but also for the ongoing operations and maintenance, in order that this can be incorporated into the decision-making process. The goal is to finalize a master plan design for the park by mid-2016.

For current information on the project or to subscribe for email announcements on important meetings and milestones for the Shores Park Master Plan process, please visit www.delmar.ca.us/shorespark/.

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NOVEMBER 2015 Pat JaCoby | Del Mar Community Connections

How food affects your moods …

Feel grumpy one morning; happy as a lark the next?

What you eat and drink as well as how much and how often, can have a significant effect on those differing moods…as well as your energy level, mental health and ability to cope with stress.

Wetlands Flood 1980. Courtesy Del Mar Historical Society.

result in an ‘Adaptation Plan’, that will be reviewed by the City Council and then submitted to the California Coastal Commission for final approval. The Adaptation Plan when approved will be integrated into the Local Coastal Program and will serve as the City’s long-range planning guide for sea level rise (SLR) management.

Community outreach and input are the most critical elements of this Committee’s work. From the outset a robust public communications campaign will be undertaken by the STAC committee with its consultant, Katz and Associates. Now is the time for our entire community to join the network of information forthcoming.

Since no one is exempt from this planning endeavor, here are several important action steps for all of us to take: • Sign up for ongoing project alerts. All community members and stakeholders are urged to register their contact information on the stakeholder contact database by contacting the Del Mar Planning and Community Development Department at coastalplanning@delmar.ca.us or (858) 755-9313 in order to receive project alerts.

• Earmark your calendars for the events below and keep track on the City’s website for the latest reports (www. delmar.ca.us/sealevelrise).

Community Forum: January 2016 Introductory information program Community Workshop: Spring 2016 Potential vulnerabilities, risk assessment and adaptation approaches Community Workshop: Fall 2016 Adaptation Plan • Stay focused on the major elements of the Committee’s planning schedule and study topic areas: evaluation of the global mean sea level; the vulnerabilities and the risks associated with sea level rise, storm surge and coastal flooding; risk assessment for adaptation planning and the implications for land use and zoning.

• Study the just-completed Final Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan for the City of Goleta, CA as will our STAC members: cityofgoleta.org/cityhall/planning-and.../reference-material.

The nutritional connection with mood will be detailed by Vicky A. Newman, MS, RDN, consulting dietitian/nutritionist, during a talk, “Mood and Food,” sponsored by Del Mar Community Connections at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Del Mar Library.

Newman noted that mood disorders are common in older adults, with one in five suffering depression.

She said common imbalances connected to nutrition are known to worsen mood and motivation. “We will discuss how a common genetic defect that affects about one in every 10 people, coupled with a diet low in certain B-vitamins, can contribute to mental illness, including depression,” she said.

Aspiring artists, here’s one for you…

Del Mar residents who would like to try their hand(s) at several different art projects are invited to attend a new “Art Café” sponsored by Del Mar Community Connections from 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays, Dec. 1 and 15.

Del Mar artist Juliette Milner, well-known in the area for her popular programs in art, architecture and environmental design, will lead the innovative DMCC “Art Café.” She said attendees will gather at tables under the trees at the front of the Del Mar Community Building and select from a mix of choices—jewelry or craft making, canvas painting or coloring art.

As artist Milner puts it, “here’s a new DMCC creative cultural arts program where you can relax, create and enjoy colors of art and nature.

The first two pilot programs are limited to 16 attendees each. A $15 fee for art materials is requested at each class. Tennis shoes are suggested because of the uneven terrain.

New smart phone training…

This year’s series of Smart Phone training sponsored by Great Call will end with a session Nov. 10 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Del Mar Community Building. The class will cover wireless connections, app stores/apps, Bluetooth devices and IOT-connected devices.

Call 858 792-7565 to make reservations for any of these DMCC activities.

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Preserving Del Mar’s Community Plan

No Vacation

The Wright Stuff

Art Olson | Avenida Primavera

Ann Gardner | Via Latina

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hould the City Council be giving away land when adjacent property owners request a “vacation” of City controlled property such as “paper alleys” and extended road rights of way? Some argue that the property is “unnecessary for present or prospective public use.” and thus should be released to the adjacent neighbors. Another viewpoint is that the property is absolutely necessary to provide much needed open space, including greenery that benefits the neighborhood and community as a whole.

Granting a vacation allows one property to increase its floor area ratio and even in certain cases to subdivide into two houses. Del Mar today is “built-out” and eliminating open space that may result in increasing the density of buildings seems inconsistent with the goals, policies and objectives of the Community Plan: “Central to this Community Plan is the principle that the interests of the community at large should be steadfastly protected within the framework of the essential rights of continued on page 11

Cozette’s Castle Virginia Lawrence | Caminito Del Rocio

Zapo Street. Architect Joe Gerber. Photo Bill Morris.

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n the midst of all the hullabaloo over the “modern” design proposed for our new City Hall my mind kept wandering uphill; uphill to the homes designed by then new and now renowned architects who broke away from traditional styles to design homes that “respected the environment, satisfied the client and fit the budget.”

It was post WWII and according to Modern San Diego, an online resource for modern design and architecture in San Diego County, John Lloyd Wright and Ray Jung were the only architects living in Del Mar. By the late ‘50s and early ‘60s there were 35 architects living and working here, almost all influenced by the legacy of John’s father, Frank Lloyd Wright. Once they got uphill from old Highway 101 with its bumper to bumper traffic and gas stations, the newcomers fell in love with the terrain and spectacular ocean views, the then affordable housing for young families, and the nearby elementary continued on page 11

Cozette in her Castle. Photo Virginia Lawrence

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orn in Utah, named for Victor Hugo’s Cosette in Les Misérables, Cozette Shirts reigns over a “castle” on Avenida Primavera. This castle – as the Shirts have always called it - is a seven-foot-high screened enclosure built by her late husband, Garry, when it became clear that Cozette’s flutters of butterflies had become prey to the neighborhood cats, and their own. Nowadays, when a caterpillar is ready to unfurl its wings, Cozette carries it to the castle for the metamorphosis. Unfortunately, Monarchs are less prevalent in Del Mar this summer, she comments, maybe due to the heat. Her son’s garden in (cooler) Point Loma is full of them right now. continued on page 10

Monarch Factoids How high do Monarchs fly? 11,000 feet How far can they fly in a day? 250 miles What is their wing span? 3.5 to 4 inches How many migrate to Mexico for the winter?

6 million to 1 billion Sources: • www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch • www.aqua.org/blog/2014/november/monarchsultimate-race

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Preserving Del Mar’s Community Plan

Gentle remodel

Milking the Cash Cow

Shannon Hogan Cohen | Luneta Drive

Ann Gardner | Via Latina

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any of you may be familiar with the Anne Hathaway Cottage, a storybook style home on Luneta Drive and a symbol of bygone days. The labyrinth garden, rolled roof, beveled glass and window boxes exude charm. It has been featured in numerous publications showcasing its distinctive cottage ambience and architecture. This local jewel was modeled after Anne Hathaway’s childhood farmhouse near Stratford in Warwickshire, England. For those of you who are thinking of the Hollywood actress, you are mistaken. Ms. Hathaway was the wife of William Shakespeare.

Photo Shannon Cohen Hogan

I was honored when the Sandpiper asked me to write about this enchanting cottage. My family and I purchased the keepsake home, located in the heart of Del Mar village, six months ago. Prior owners Nancy and James Schibanoff had been stellar stewards for over forty years. Although the home was built in 1910, their care and attention made it possible for us to pursue a gentle refurbishment versus a major renovation. We were determined to preserve the heritage, and maintain the charming character inside and out.

It needed a little mending. Much of the original construction is still intact. A stately fireplace with antique terra cotta tiles is the central focus as you enter the front door. In each room the original, creaky wood floors still exist, but they have been refinished to showcase coastal colors. The Schibanoff’s were very thoughtful people and left a literature lover like me flabbergasted with countless books in the library. A treasure trove of timeless books in various genres tucked nicely into the handcrafted, wooden shelves with lead glass cabinet doors. I relish every day the timeworn distinct smell that permeates the room.

These books are generous gifts that continue to give for generations to come.

In the well-established English garden we overlaid existing brick pathways with a unique, natural quartzite.

A low water landscape design was incorporated while continued on page 11

he pitch is the same. But some are more blatant than others. KellerWilliams advertises a property at 2034 Santa Fe Ave. in Del Mar as a “VRBO cash cow potential!” The short term rental phenomenon has hit beach communities throughout California, and Del Mar is no exception. Cities are crying foul and reviewing their options.

In May Laguna Beach suspended approval of all incomplete and new short term rental applications; in June Manhattan Beach outlawed all vacation rentals of less than 30 days and last month Marin County, home to Tiburon and Sausalito, passed a new ordinance banning short term rentals. Residents in Mammoth Lake, fearing the Town Council was going to expand nightly rentals into residential zones, initiated a winning referendum that barred the Council from acting on the issue.

Short term rentals (STR) in residential areas throughout the State are under review due to the growing number of complaints from residents about noise, parking, loss of long term rentals and changes in the character of traditional neighborhoods. There is no definition for STRs in Del Mar’s Zoning Ordinance. However on September 8 the City Council, also responding to complaints from Del Mar residents, asked staff to prepare draft zoning code amendments to “accommodate and regulate” short term rentals in Del Mar. The draft amendments will be presented at the Planning Commission meeting on November 10.

Historically Del Mar beach rentals were occupied by students during the academic year after owners returned to their primary homes during “off season.” Residents throughout the City also rented Vacation rentals available. their homes during Photo illustration Virginia Lawrence the 4-6 week race season, often to race patrons, jockeys or other track related employees, taking that time for their own travel. The “exchange” was often with the same people year after year.

“We knew each other,” one owner said. However, the year round STR phenomenon is relatively new and the dynamics are different. A big difference is the advent of speculators purchasing homes and using them solely for short term rentals, or as one angry Santa Barbara resident exclaimed, continued on page 10

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 9

Cozette’s Castle continued from page 8

According to Cozette, it was just “dumb luck” that the family ended up on Primavera in the early seventies.

Cozette, for whom gardening is akin to meditation, transformed the yard into an “English” garden – an organized tangle of native plants with none of a French garden’s tidy geometry. At first, the butterflies did not attract her particular attention. But since the mid-nineties they have become a major hobby, and she chooses her plants with them in mind. Among the plants so chosen stands milkweed, an essential for Monarchs. In her yard, the Monarchs’ preferred variety, she confides, is “hairy balls.”

Every summer four successive generations of butterflies make their home in this cozy garden. A butterfly’s life cycle - from egg to eternity - lasts between two weeks and eight months. The first generation, born en route from Mexico, arrives each spring, lays its eggs, and dies. The second and third generations, born in the summer, flourish for just two to six weeks before they lay their eggs and die. Only the fourth generation, born at the end of summer, escapes the cycle. Instead of dying, this hardy bunch heads back to Mexico for the winter.

But sometime in late winter Del Mar beckons. As Winter morphs into Spring the wintering fourth generation heads north, laying its eggs and dying en route, while the newly born “first” generation sets its compass for Primavera.

Butterflies like pizza “Butterflies like pizza, hummingbirds like ice cream cones.”

The pizza refers to flat flowers, and the ice cream cones refer to nectar flowers with a V shape.

Monarchs: Host Plants: A host plant is what they lay their eggs on --- they do this so when they hatch there will be food for their young. Monarchs only lay eggs on Milkweed. There are several species, the one I use the most is “Asclepias Cusassavica,” also I have “Hairy Balls --- Gomphocarpus Physocarpus.”

Nectar Plants: Monarchs need to have nectar. A variety of flowers provide that. Lantana, Butterfly Bush (Buddlei), Mexican sunflower, Duranta “Sweet Memories”---especially good in my yard.

Swallowtail Butterflies: Host Plants: Parsley, dill, fennel (I have good luck with fennel), carrot, Queen Anne’s lace. I’m sure there are others --- these are the ones I use.

Nectar Plants: Butterfly Bush “Buddlei,” phlox, thistle, honeysuckle, Duranta “Sweet Memories.”

Source: Cozette Shirts

Milking the Cash Cow continued from page 9

“The carefully disguised hotel next door.”

restrictions. Santa Monica requires the host to be living in the property during the renter’s stay; Carlsbad allows within the Coastal Zone, or 37 per cent of the city only; in Solana Beach stays of less than seven days are prohibited.

California Senator Diane Feinstein is supporting a San Francisco measure that would limit STRs to 75 days a year. Most cities collect a transit occupancy tax (TOT) ranging between 8 and 14%.

Sometimes the Coastal Commission’s protection of public access to the beach hinders restrictions.

In 2002 the Commission rejected a proposed ordinance in Imperial Beach that would have restricted STR to the commercial/tourist zone.

Based on the strong support of the community, the City sued the Commission and won the case.

When a STR opens next door, a long term neighbor can be replaced by an offsite property manager and revolving transients. Vacation rental signs sprout and stay year round. A week-day walk around one beach block for this article revealed numerous signs in front of empty houses at more than half of the properties in the neighborhood. We stopped several times to pick up discarded trash. One landlord Currently every home in Del Mar is defenseless said he preferred long term against an STR “cash cow” opening next door. renters and would not object In addition to the immediate impacts such as if the City banned short term revolving visitors, the community also loses a rentals even if it meant less home for families who want to live here; for money for him. Another residents who vote, send children to our schools, expressed amazement that a volunteer to serve on committees, support open City that takes privacy and noise Vacation rental. space and parks and attend community programs so seriously when reviewing Photo Edward Yuskiewicz and cultural events. How will Del Mar respond? permits, allows short term The draft ordinance will be posted on the City website for renters who are in constant recreational mode within a few residents to review and to provide input on November feet of homes.

10th at the Planning Commission. The Commission’s Some coastal cities are allowing STR with recommendations will then go to City Council.

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 10

The Wright Stuff

No Vacation

continued from page 8

continued from page 8

individual residents, property owners, and those doing business in the community. In implementing the plan, various kinds of conflicts are likely to arise, such as those between private and public interests, between diverse private interests, and between the needs of those who primarily regard their property as a place for living and working and those who regard it as a commodity by which to profit. It is intended that such conflicts be resolved on the basis of the comprehensive and long-term concerns ... and under no circumstances should decisions be specifically directed to benefit any individuals of the community without regard to the interests of other members of the community.”

Serpentine Drive. Architect Herb Turner. Photos Bill Morris.

It is up to the City Council to consider whether the “use as open unbuildable space” is compromised by the granting of a vacation and if it violates the Community Plan and act accordingly. Previous City Councils have taken that position and denied other vacation requests. However, On October 19 the City Council approved the vacation of 2,058 square feet off of Grand Ave west of El Camino Real, at the entrance to downtown Del Mar from the I-5 Via de la Valle exit and the Fairgrounds. A second vacation request for 1,147 sq. ft. off the Serpentine Curve on the hillside was continued.

As a recent article on making a “perfect soufflé” noted: “it is what’s not there that is just as important as what is.”

Empty open space is useful.

gentle remodel continued from page 9 Serpentine Drive. Architect John Lloyd Wright.

school. They designed homes that fit into the hillside terrain, not only in Del Mar but throughout the County.

The early architectural pioneers, besides Wright and Jung, were Hannis Therkelsen, Herb Turner, Robert Jones, Don Schoell, Gene Geritz, Art Allard and Joe Gerber to name a few. John Wright sat on Del Mar’s first Planning Commission and Schoell (both supported incorporating as a City in 1959) took that seat when Wright retired. Schoell was instrumental in preventing restaurant development on what is now Seagrove Park at the end of 15th Street stressing how critical it was to preserve Del Mar’s visual connection to the ocean. Many of these names appear on the Community Plan plaque at the Park.

Early comments on the new City Hall design seemed focused on integrating the architecture of the Library, St. Peter’s Church and the Stratford Court buildings. Limiting our perspective to only that aspect of our architectural heritage overlooks the freedom in design that took root in residential Del Mar midcentury, influencing the preservation of the Del Mar environment, our relationship to the beach and ocean and the unique sense of community that is reflected in our Community Plan.

The Library and St. Peter’s Church are wonderful

replacing invasive vines and solid shrubberies with drought tolerate plants and native flowers. A focal point in this California garden is the trellis structure which incorporates sentimental, stained glass. This visual feature was part of a cabinet that Mr. Schibanoff’s mother handcrafted for him years ago and we used to create a fresh look while enhancing the garden’s form and functionality.

Our neighbors have been warm and welcoming. It has been a natural transition without complication for my two teenage boys. They both are attending Torrey Pines High School. One of their buddies always asks me, “What is it like living in a gingerbread house?” My retort is consistent, “like a fairy-tale.”

This little treasure is a portal to the past that continues to provide pleasure for my family in the present. It was important to preserve the stories of this home. We will continue to represent and respect its history while creating our own story as well.

buildings for their time and important to preserve, but they are not the only Del Mar buildings that could be reflected in our new place of community concourse. Go to www. modernsandiego.com to view the very long list of the more recent historic Del Mar buildings.

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 11

Roving Teen Reporter

Ad Hoc Workshops

Dressing Down the Dress Code Leah Gans | La Jolla Country Day Senior

Ad Hoc Development Review Process Citizens’ Advisory Committee

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Tuesday, November 3, 2015 - 6pm to 7:30pm Del Mar City Hall Annex, 235 11th Street

ress codes in schools have long been a source of tension, but students at one local school are mounting a challenge to its dress code as outdated, sexist, and unrealistic. La Jolla Country Day senior Clara wrote a challenge to the school’s current dress code, including provisions that prohibit “revealing” clothing for young women. Clara believes that such restrictions contribute to a “rape culture” that has become prevalent in today’s society, writing, “We’ve been told by teachers and staff that our bodies are a ‘distraction’ to young boys. By hiding a ‘distracting’ part of a woman’s body, we are treating it like a sexual object (oversexualization) and allowing young men to view these body parts as sexual objects (objectification) instead of simple functional parts of our bodies (ex: legs, shoulders, bra straps, cleavage…). This encourages the idea that it’s okay and understandable for men to view women as sexual objects…” Many teachers and administrators responded to her claim by arguing that the dress code ensures that students look professional.

Clara rejected this argument in her appeal, noting that the arbitrary nature of the dress code permits students to wear sweatpants, jeans, and other casual clothing, none of which could be considered “professional,” yet prohibits girls from wearing a sleeveless dress that reveals only shoulders and is common in the workplace.

~ Open Workshop for Applicants and Neighbors Who Have Gone Through DRB Tuesday, November 17, 2015 - 6pm Del Mar Communications Center ~ Public Workshop. An opportunity to share your experiences with the Ad Hoc Committee as they gather public input and comment about the design review process in Del Mar.

In addition to the feminist objections, 5’9” LJCDS sophomore Abby shared her frustration with the practicality of finding clothes within the dress code. “Finding shorts and skirts long enough for dress code is not only almost impossible when you’re tall, but what you do find is never going to be in style. I’m not going to buy a whole new wardrobe just for school that makes me look like my Mom.”

Virtually every LJCDS student addressing the issue recognized that the dress code should prohibit the display of private parts, as well as While the overwhelming majority of inappropriate content and displays LJCDS students supported the appeal, on clothing. Problems arise, however, one male student disagreed, sharing, when the restrictions become based “We are the only private school on gender. As Clara wrote, “Boys that doesn’t have uniforms, so stop need to learn to live and interact in complaining about wanting to dress an environment of women wearing slutty.” It should come as no surprise comfortable clothing they feel confident that Clara was anxious to respond to in, and still take these women seriously this comment: “First off -- what does and respect them as human beings.” dressing ‘slutty’ even mean? This Students involved in this appeal also THPS Dress Code. Photo Leah Gans. encourages men to harass women, collected data that displayed there judge women, slut-shame women, was a major, yet unsurprising gender abuse women and rape women, bias in the actual enforcement of the dress code. As Clara claiming that she ‘was asking for it.’ A woman’s sexual stated in her appeal, restrictions applicable to both genders expression/clothing does not say ANYTHING about her need to be enforced consistently. Students can act as personality, self worth or self respect.” distractions by wearing silly hats, costumes, or sports uniforms, yet none of these are banned, nor does anyone Many other students agreed that this comment is an exact want them banned. One significant exception, however, is example of the problem the school has created through the female cheerleader uniforms, which the school believes the dress code. A slut, by definition, is a person, especially are appropriate for cheerleaders to wear during football a woman, considered sexually promiscuous or a female games, but prohibits wearing to class on game days. This prostitute. Therefore, this comment assumes that one is exactly the kind of discrimination that the LJCDS student can determine if a girl is either sexually promiscuous, body is trying to end through the establishment of a fair or possibly even a prostitute, from her clothing. It is an and justly enforced dress code that does not discriminate example of objectifying women and shaming them for their based on gender or body type. As our society progresses bodies. The use of the word “slutty” to describe the way toward gender equality, so must our schools and their dress girls “want” to dress shows that the dress code needs to be codes. reevaluated.

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Kaaboo Kaabucks Nancy Fisher | 24th Street

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ast month we reported on September’s Kaaboo Festival at the Fairgrounds and promised to follow up with income and costs that might justify a financial return to the City that outweighed several noise complaints. Easier said than done when you’re dealing with a private company, a state agency, and a city, but here’s what we’ve gathered so far. We will continue to report as hard numbers become available.

From Kaaboo management: As a private company, Kaaboo has chosen not to report attendance numbers, but has estimated that the event generated $218,000 in sales tax (a portion of which goes to the City). They also report that the average age of attendees was 38, and that their annual income was more than $100,000. They have promised to address the positioning of the stages, increase sound monitoring, and install sound–blocking equipment to reduce noise complaints.

From Fairgrounds management: Fairgrounds General Manager Tim Fennell estimated that Kaaboo drew 50–60,000 attendees over the three-day run and netted between $800-900,000 for the 22 Ag. District (the Fairgrounds). He expects attendance to rise by 20% at next year’s event, and also wants residents to know that noise complaints were taken seriously. “Kaaboo is committed,” says Fennell, “to trying to address the sound issues in future years.” At the recent board meeting of the 22nd Ag. District representatives from Del Mar hotels Indigo and L’Auberge both reported increased business and asked that the event return next year.

FAIR FaTToids -

These numbers reflect the San Diego County Fair Vendor Food Sales, and not KAABOO’s fine food fare.

• Dixie’s Donuts fried more than 40,000 mini donuts • Bacon-A-Fair used more than 18,500 pounds of bacon • Chicken Charlie sold more than 3,000 Deep-Fried SlimFast Bars and 5,000 Peanut Butter Pickles • Pink’s sold more than 4,160 pounds of hot dogs (20,800 hot dogs) • Juicy’s sold more than 50,000 Turkey Legs • Corn Star grilled up 50,000 ears of corn • Country Fair Cinnamon used more 2,000 pounds of whole wheat cinnamon roll mix, 4 tons of cinnamon and sugar and 500 gallons of cream cheese frosting Source: Manager’s Report 22nd Agricultural District Board of Directors Minutes July 15, 2015.

KAABOO Main Stage. Photo Mike Salt

From Kristen Crane, Management Services Director for the City of Del Mar: “We have done some work to estimate the City’s internal operational costs related to KAABOO, both to prepare for the event (such as advance coordination meetings internally and externally with the DAA reps, KAABOO organizers, etc; preparing City Council agenda reports; planning and coordinating the community meeting in August; identifying our internal operational plan for the weekend; responding to the noise complaints after the event, etc.) and for the weekend itself.

The total estimated value of the City’s costs for all aspects related to KAABOO, back to the time when we first heard about the event last winter, is about $21,000.

About $16,000 of this amount was the value of staff time related to efforts to prepare for KAABOO across the organization. This was not an actual direct cost incurred, rather the value of the time spent by various staff members related to preparations for KAABOO. It is important to note that the advance preparation costs are largely attributable to the fact that this was the first time the event occurred and there were a lot of community concerns that we worked proactively to address internally and with the DAA and KAABOO representatives. If the event occurs again in the future, this cost figure would not be a recurring annual amount at this level.

The other $5,000 was the cost for extra staffing and traffic control signage for the weekend itself. This number does represent direct costs that were incurred. (It does not include staffing that would have been otherwise in place for a busy summer weekend in September, such as it was.)

While the City of Del Mar does not yet have official figures for transient occupancy tax or sales tax receipt from the time period when KAABOO occurred, anecdotally, we have heard from local merchants and hoteliers that the weekend was very busy for them.

The City of Del Mar is in the midst of working jointly with the 22nd District Agricultural Association and the City of Solana Beach on an Economic Impact Study evaluating the revenues associated with the Fairgrounds operations and presence, as well as the operational costs. The study includes an analysis of KAABOO. The preliminary report from the Economic Impact Study are expected in the coming weeks.”

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 13

Shake Rattle and Roles Sherryl L. Parks | Kalamath Drive

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reparing Del Mar for natural emergencies or other disasters is important.

California requires all municipalities to provide training each year and October 15 was our “Shake Out Drill for 2015.” If you were in town, you may have noticed the Community Emergency Response Trainees (CERT) wearing their green vests around your neighborhood. Precisely at 10:15 am all volunteers were notified of an emergency by phone or text messaging.

Immediate response back to division leaders was required.

There are four separate neighborhoods where CERTs muster: North Hill (around San Dieguito Drive), Mid-town (on the hill), El Amigo area (southern neighborhoods) as well as beach area. Once the groups assembled and took assessment of the damages they quickly reported back to their division leaders by using ham radios or cell phones. Eventually all volunteers were asked to report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) - actually the city hall annex, to provide triage or other assistance. Dr. Larry Shapiro, an emergency doctor, served as Incident Commander at the EOC for “injured patients.”

Meanwhile Carol Kerridge was coordinating phone messages from neighbors who had volunteered to assist the disabled or elderly in times of emergencies.

This program involves 24 clients with a precise plan from their neighbors to help with pets or oxygen, medicines and transport, as needed.

The most important aspect of this year’s shake out was the implementation of our new AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network) technology. This allowed us to communicate with one another and headquarters WITHOUT Internet connection. Small devices are plugged into a car allowing volunteers to report back the damages to EOC headquarters even if the electricity is down. This year the damages from the mock fire at the north end of town, the houses off their foundations as a result of our mid-town earthquake, and the traffic congestion on 8th Street were all reported via this wireless AREDN system. EOC headquarters was then able to respond quickly to our community.

Meanwhile, CERT volunteers were then instructed to report to EOC for further instructions.

Every Shake out drill includes a de-briefing. It is the most important part of the exercise so that we can assess what went right and what went wrong. This year our city staff was most impressed with the video/audio feedback they had throughout the exercise initiated by our CERT Coordinator, Cap Pinney. It is important to mention that there was a camera on the corner of Camino Del Mar and 11th Street, which allowed full view of that area, feeding into headquarters.

Photo Sherryl Parks

In the future we hope to expand AREDN’s support using more video cameras and wireless support throughout neighborhoods. Del Mar is the first community in the country to have this advanced technology in place to assist us in emergencies.

Both Cap Pinney, CERT Coordinator for Del Mar, and Gene Swiech, Qualcomm engineer, donated hours of their time to get Del Mar way ahead of the rest of California with the new technology.

Thanks to both and job well done to all who participated.

If you are interested in helping as a Community Emergency Support person, contact Cap Pinney. at captlaw@aol.com for more information.

Locavores’ Delight Feast at Farmers’ Market Lisa Renner | Via Alta

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s we kick off the holiday season, be sure to visit the bountiful Del Mar Farmers Market. Our vendors have a plethora of offerings to enhance this special time of year. Create a lovely setting with beautiful orchids and other live plants, fresh and fragrant cut flowers (including specialty items for Thanksgiving displays), and many varieties of squash and other decorative edibles.

Photo Lisa Renner

With your floral display in place, it’s time to think about foods. Available weekly at the market are a wide variety of delicious prepared foods, along with farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, and other items. Our various vendors offer freshly baked breads and pastries, artisan cheeses, nuts, a variety of gluten-free, organic handcrafted granolas and nut butters, and many other tasty additions to enhance your holiday meals. There is also a selection of sweet treats to enjoy as you shop and to take home to enjoy and share later.

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Del Mar Community Calendar Highlights for November 2015 City Council Meeting. Mon, Nov 2, 6pm to 9pm @ Del Mar Communications Center DM Library Kids - Baby Story Time. Ages 6-18 months.

Pre-walkers only, please. Age appropriate games and songs. (Tuesdays in Nov, 11am.)

DM Library Kids - Story Time with Max & Luther. Meet these dog friends & hear their stories. Tues, Nov 3, 4:30pm DM Library Kids - STEM & M. Ages 5+. “Magnetism”.

Science that looks like magic & Magic that looks like science. Wed, Nov 4, 3:15pm. (1st Wednesday of the month.)

DM Community Connections - Fall Prevention Workshop. Thur, Nov 5th, 2pm to 3:30pm, Del Mar Library Sea-Level Rise Stakeholder-Technical Advisory Committee. Thur, Nov 5, 4pm to 5:30pm @ City Hall Annex DM Foundation - Young Del Mar. Parents’ Night Out Indigo Hotel. Thu, Nov 5, 6-9pm, Hotel Indigo Del Mar. Registration required! www.elmarfoundation.org/events. html

Community Building, 225 9th St. DM Library Adults - Knitting Circle. All levels welcome.

Sat, Nov 14 & 28, 10am. (2nd & 4th Saturday of the month.)

DM Community Connections - Mindfulness Workshop.

Mon, Nov 16th, 10am to 11am, Del Mar Community Building, 225 9th St. City Council Meeting. Mon, Nov 16, 6pm to 9pm @ Del Mar Communications Center DM Village Association - Promotion Committee. Tues, Nov 17th, 4 to 5pm, 1104 Camino del Mar, Suite 4 DM Historical Society - Board meeting. Tues, Nov 17, 5pm. DM Community Building - 225 9th St. Design Review Board Meeting. Wed, Nov 18, 6pm to 9pm @ Del Mar Communications Center DM Village Association - Business Assistance Committee. Wed, Nov 18th , 8:30am to 9:30am, 1104 Camino del Mar, Suite 4.

DM Community Connections - Food & Mood Lecture.

Wed, Nov 18th, 1:30pm to 3pm, Del Mar Library DM Library Kids - Science for Kids. Wed, Nov 18, 3:15pm. (3rd Wednesday of the month.)

DM Library Adults - Print Goes to the Movies: Matinee.

Fri, Nov 6, 2pm.

DM Village Association Board. Thur, Nov 19th , 8:30am to 10am, City Hall Annex.

DM Foundation - First Thursdays. Keyvn Lettau. Thu, Nov 5, 7-8:30pm, Powerhouse. Open to subscription holders only!

DM Library Kids - WonderWorks. Ages 3—4. Explore science, technology, engineering & math through play (& books!). Thur, Nov 19, 3:15pm.

DM Library Adults - Print Goes to the Movies Matinee.

Fri, Nov 6, 2pm. (1st Friday of the month)

DM Village Association - Susan G. Komen 3 Day For The Cure Cheering Station. Fri, Nov 20, 2015 7:30am to 9am, Downtown Del Mar

DM Library Adults - Print Goes to the Movies. Books made into movies. November selection: “The Hundred Foot Journey” by Richard C. Morais. Fri, Nov 13, 2pm.

DM Foundation - DMF Talks. “Beauty and the Brain: Blending Art & Science” by Dr. Thomas Deerinck, UCSD Neuroscience. Mon, Nov 9, 6pm - 8pm, Powerhouse.

Registration required! www.delmarfoundation.org/events. html DM Community Connections - Smart Phone Training.

Tues, Nov 10th, 2pm to 3:30pm, Del Mar Community Building, 225 9th St. Planning Commission Meeting. Tues , Nov 10, 6pm to 9pm @ Del Mar Communications Center DM Library Adults - Print Goes to the Movies. Books made into movies. November book selection: “The Hundred Foot Journey” by Richard C. Morais. Discussion: Fri, Nov 13, 2pm. (2nd Friday of the month) DM Community Connections - Board of Directors Meeting: Sat, Nov 14th, 10am to 11am, Del Mar

DM Library Adults - Book Talks and Treats. Join a special discussion of the One Book, One San Diego title Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Staff & readers share reviews and recommendations. Fri, Nov 20, 2pm.

(3rd Friday of the month.)

DM Library Adults - Isha Kriya Meditation Class. With the Isha Foundation. Sat, Nov 21, 2pm. (3rd Saturday of the month.)

Business Support Advisory Committee. Tues, Nov 24, 9am to 10:30am @ City Hall Annex DM Community Connections - Tues Lunch Connection.

Tues, Nov 3rd and 17th, 12 noon to 1:30pm, Del Mar Community Building, 225 9th St. Finance Committee. Tues, Nov 24, 4:30pm to 5:30pm @ City Hall Annex Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley - Board meeting. Mon, Nov 30, 7pm, City Hall Annex - 235 11th Street.

Sandpiper November 2015 Page 15

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This month’s complete issue plus web exclusives, colored pix, photo essays, useful links, alerts, and much more!

SA N D P I P E R DEL MAR’S COMMUNITY JOURNAL Box 2177, Del Mar, CA 92014

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Faces of affordable housing Carol Mason | Serpentine Drive

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t’s trite but true that you learn to share in Kindergarten, but that was many years ago. Now, by sharing my house and my life in Del Mar with a series of interesting people, I’ve enjoyed a richness and diversity I could hardly imagine before.

The quality and fun in my life is magnified by the people who have lived with me over the past ten years. Mostly young (but not all) they were involved with their life’s progression and moved on in a few years. However, one person has been here now for over nine years.

He works for a pharmaceutical delivery service. Many of them are young scientists, post docs, grad students, local employees or service workers. They could never afford to rent at market prices. They appreciate being near work, the bus, the beach, and local eateries. The rent helps me, but it is their diversity that charms me.

I’ve had Monika from Germany, Adam from Idaho, Xihong from China, Juli from Wisconsin, and now Pradeep from India. We enjoy each other’s parties, holidays, posts, and postcards. These are productive and intriguing people.

I enjoy their company more and know them better than neighbors who are here only a few months of the year and who upon arrival disappear behind their locked gates. Many of the sharers I’ve had have been scientists or tech workers from Torrey Pines Mesa, but I’ve also had a teacher, an artist, a professor, and a waiter.

Others who have shared their Del Mar homes for social or economic reasons say the real benefit is the experience with people who are unlike themselves, but who share the appreciation, interests, and community values of Del Mar. For Karolen Lindermann, it’s been a fabulous experience to share with six different Scripps researchers. They were

Stefano Fiorli, Assistant Professor, and Pradeep Ravindranath Post-doctoral student, both at the Scripps Research Institute and participants in affordable housing. Photo Art Olson

from Italy, Portugal, Malaysia, Britain, India, Ireland and Czech Republic. She says, “Saumya from India, cooked with spices I didn’t know, burned Incense in his room, and told me about his family. I loved all of it. I’m happy to have such fascinating people find a place in our town.”

For years many Del Mar people have rented to racetrack personnel. It may have been shared housing, but for ticket takers and horse exercising folks, it was a boon to have close affordable housing. They could manage split shifts for early morning workouts and afternoon rounds. Many were here year after year.

These are serious hard working folks who add value and balance to our community. I believe our town is stronger and more interesting when we have citizens of varied ages, economic levels and races.

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