Seaside Courier — January 2016 by Maggie Avants

Encinitas community comes together for Senior New Year’s Eve Ball Maggie Avants

ALSO INSIDE

Editor

he fourth annual Rotary Club of Encinitas Senior New Year’s Eve Ball was a success due in large part to the community, its organizer said. “It was a community effort; they are the ones who deserve the credit,” said Rotarian Sharon Cooper, who alongside her husband, Marty Cooper, has been organizing the event since its inception. It was another sold-out crowd this year for the ball that was held in the gym of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito’s Griset Branch on Encinitas Boulevard.

HEALTH & FITNESS Encinitas Wellness Week

San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Maureen Stapleton (left) calls Sibylla Voll (second from left), wife of the late Bud Lewis, a longtime mayor of Carlsbad, and other Lewis family members to the stage as dedication of the facility in his memory is announced. (Photo by Maggie Avants)

Pacific on tap: Desalination plant dedicated A $1 billion desalination plant in Carlsbad that could provide a significant boost to the region’s supply of potable water was dedicated Dec. 14, 2015 in the name of the late longtime Mayor Claude “Bud” Lewis. Lewis was mayor of the North County coastal city for 24 years, part of the four decades he spent on the Carlsbad City Council. During that time, Lewis, who died in 2014, was instrumental in making Carlsbad the host city for the plant, which was constructed over the past three years at the inlet to the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. “The Claude ‘Bud’ Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant opens a new chapter in water supply reliability for the San Diego region and the state by tapping the potential of the Pacific Ocean

A couple dresses in formal wear for the 2015 Rotary Club of Encinitas Senior New Year’s Eve Ball. (Photo by Ilene Cooper)

The formal event is a highlight of the ballroom dance program for seniors that she and her husband — through the Rotary Club of Encinitas — have been running weekly for six years at Dance North County’s studio in Encinitas. But finding a permanent location to hold the New Year’s Eve Ball has been a challenge. “The first one was done at the dance studio, but we realized that the next time we would have more people so we ended up at St. John’s (Catholic Church),” Cooper said. The third year, it was held at the Encinitas Senior Center, but the Coopers were told in October that the facility would not be available SEE COMMUNITY PAGE 7

and reducing dependence on strained resources such as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta,” said Mark Weston, chairman of the San Diego County Water Authority. “It is bolstering the San Diego region’s self-reliance, and in turn, its future,” he said. Weston said the facility is a milestone in the agency’s efforts to diversify the region’s supply of fresh water, most of which is imported from the State Water Project and Colorado River. Besides the plant itself, construction included installation of a 10-mile pipeline to carry fresh water to Water Authority facilities in San Marcos, along with upgrades to other SDCWA

SEE DESALINATION PAGE 7

The Big One: El Niño forces cities to prepare Editor’s note: This story was written Jan. 3, as a series of storms was forecast to hit the San Diego region. or months, cities in coastal North County San Diego have been preparing for the “Big One” — as in the El Niño. “This will be the strongest El Niño on record, and it’s already at a magnitude that we’ve never seen before,” said Alex Tardy, a meteorologist with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. “We’re not necessarily expecting the biggest storms, but a lot of storms over a short period of time. The cumulative effect of a lot of rain is a lot of saturation and potential for flooding and erosion.” An El Niño — Spanish for the “boy child,” because historically it happens near Christmas-time — occurs when unusually warm waters develop in the

Sixth annual event kicks off Jan. 23 See Page 9

LOCAL NEWS The Retail Beat

Perusing coastal North County's pet shops See Page 8

INDEX Around Town ................................ 5 Opinion ........................................... 6 Health & Fitness ......................... 9 Carlbad Village ............................10 Education .......................................12 Home & Garden .........................15 Pet of the Month .......................17

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In November 2015, high tides at the mouth of San Elijo Lagoon cause damage dangerously close to Coast Highway 101 in Cardiff. (Photo courtesy City of Encinitas Public Works Department)

Pacific Ocean near the equator, prompting a global climate shift that typically brings torrential rains to Southern California. Forecasters — including NASA — have said this year’s El Niño is shaping up to be as strong or stronger than the one experienced during the winter of

1997-1998. In preparation for the potential flooding and storm-water runoff that a strong El Niño season would bring, the cities of Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Del SEE PREPARE PAGE 14

Editorial / Letters (760) 456-7075, ext. 124 Maggie@seasidecourier.com

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SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

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LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Business Notes Rosati’s brings Chicagostyle pizza to Encinitas

Gelson’s Markets assumes ownership of local Haggen stores

Gelson’s Markets plans to open its Carlsbad store in February, and Del Mar store in January. (Courtesy photo)

G A ribbon cutting is held for Rosati's Pizza, 337 N. El Camino Real in Encinitas. (Courtesy photo)

ncinitas Chamber of Commerce recently helped welcome Rosati’s Pizza to Encinitas by holding a ribbon cutting. Located at 337 N. El Camino Real, Rosati’s is open nightly until 9 p.m. and delivers its complete menu within 5 miles. The Rosati’s brand, which has been franchised since 1978, is approaching 200 restaurants nationally. It was founded in 1895 by Ferdinand Rosati on Coney Island and then in Chicago, where family members expanded the business to include more locations. The owners of Rosati’s of Encinitas are Mike and Debbie Gordon and Marcey Gordon Tallian. Born and raised in Chicago, the Gordons grew up on great Chicago pizza. Mike and Debbie met in Las Cruces, N.M. in 1985 and moved to Southern California after college. Tallian moved to Southern California five years ago, and quickly noticed that pizza was much different here than in Chicago. She was the first of the trio to think of bringing a little slice of Chicago to Encinitas. All three of the clan agreed that a Rosati’s was a much-needed addition to the pizza landscape in Southern California. Here they stand, with their combined knowledge and a successful brand name that is now a big hit with the locals, Chicagoans and sports fans alike. ■

elson’s Markets won final approval to buy the Haggen property at 7660 El Camino Real in Carlsbad, it was announced Nov. 30 by Gelson’s President and CEO Rob McDougall. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “With the addition of the Carlsbad site, we are excited to be able to offer three locations to San Diegans: Del Mar, opening Jan. 14; Carlsbad, opening Feb. 11; and Pacific Beach, opening in late March. We have heard from many North County residents who have sought a Gelson’s store, and we are pleased for the opportunity to serve Carlsbad in the coming months. Our priority is to staff the store with the existing Haggen associates, some of whom have worked at this location for many years, when it was previously an Albertsons.” Haggen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September. Gelson’s was selected as Stalking Horse bidder in midOctober and anticipated closing on the stores by the end of 2015. Gelson’s plans to relaunch its purchased stores early in 2016 under its own brand with initial improvements to product selection and merchandising, followed several months later by redesign and construction. Existing pharmacies will remain open during the transition. In addition to the newly acquired locations, Gelson’s is on track to open new stores in Rancho Mission Viejo and Manhattan Beach. Founded in 1951, Gelson’s operates 18 full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California. Each Gelson’s Market features the full amenities of a traditional supermarket, with the local flavor of a neighborhood market. ■

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

CALENDAR

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

AROUND TOWN DON’T MISS

THESE UPCOMING

EVENTS AROUND NORTH COUNTY

JAN. 16-17

Spectators are welcome as Oceanside hosts the Western Surfing Association Championship Tour from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the South Harbor Jetty. This surfing competition qualifies competitors for the West Coast Championships, U.S. Championships, Prime events and World Team events. For more information, visit Surfwsa.org. Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. Visit Sdheritage.org or call 760-632-9711 for more information. The Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association presents its sixth annual Wellness Week, a weeklong program of events and special offers that helps people learn about and experience ways to improve their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The program begins with the Wellness Week Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. For more information, visit Encinitas101.com.

JAN. 23-29

From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, the Carlsbad Village Winter Festival will feature an outdoor 40-by-80-foot skating rink at the Roosevelt Street parking lot (between Carlsbad Village Drive and GrandAvenue) and the fountain parking lot on the corner of State Street and Grand. In addition to the rink, inflatable bounce houses, arts and crafts and several other activities will be available in what the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation calls a family-friendly weekend of physical activity. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Visit Moveyourfeetfoundation.com for more information.

JAN. 29-30

The city of Oceanside will announce the recipient of its annual MLK Service award during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Prayer Breakfast at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive in Oceanside. The event begins at 8 a.m. in the college’s cafeteria. For more information, visit Nsdcncaap.org.

J A N . 18

From noon to 3 p.m., the San Dieguito Heritage Museum, in partnership with Rancho Coastal Humane Society, is hosting “Happily Ever After,” a dog adoption event and pet fair. The pet-friendly and family-friendly event will feature a dog agility course, pet merchandise, food and fun. Children will be invited to make a pet bed. The museum is located at 450

J A N . 23

JAN. 23-24

From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Scholastic Surf Series is holding a middle- and high-school surfing event at South Beach Pier in Oceanside. For more information, visit Surfsss.org.

JAN. 30-31

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Del Mar Fairgrounds, the San Diego Food & Water Bowl Cat Show XXIV will feature 450 cats of 41 different breeds and other pets, too. Watch cat agility courses and learn from experts about our feline friends. Visitors can enjoy informal chatting with exhibitors and close-up viewing of unique examples of popular breeds. General admission is $9 and parking is $10. For more information, visit Sandiegocat.org. ■

OPINION

Commentary

All I want in 2016 is ... Thomas K. Arnold Commentary

Happy New Year, coastal North County! Looking back on the recent holiday, I realized I did most of my shopping for my family and friends through Amazon.com — you can’t beat that two-day free shipping — yet, there is a whole other gift list I fear not even the Internet’s biggest retailer could fulfill. That’s because the gifts are aimed at our five coastal North County cities, and really they’re more like wishes. They are not things you can easily buy, not even on Amazon, but they would surely benefit their respective communities. Starting at the very south, for Del Mar, I’d like a redeveloped downtown, sort of like the concept voters killed at the ballot box several years ago. I’m talking wider sidewalks, bike lanes and more public gathering spots, with benches and tables. And, of course, more parking. Del Mar has some wonderful shops and restaurants, but the city’s center still revolves around the automobile, and no amount of all-way stop signs can change that. Proposition J, defeated in November 2012, 58 percent to 42 percent, needs to be reborn and refloated. Observers say the measure was a victim of its own ambition — too big, too sweeping, to be done all at once. At the time, proponents vowed to try again, with smaller, bitesize projects. Where are they? Next, let’s talk about Encinitas. For this hip beach community, I wish a hotel — a nice, high-end boutique hotel, with water views and a classy restaurant. For a city of more than 60,000 people, nestled right up against the Southern California coast, it’s a shame that there is no really nice place to stay. It would do wonders for tourism — people tend to spend more money if they stay someplace overnight — and give a big, needed boost to the town’s economy. Where to build it? I’d suggest Pacific View, but I’ve blasted the city’s purchase of the abandoned elementary school site, and decision to turn it into an arts center, so many times I fear Councilman Tony Kranz may take a swing at me next time we bump into each other at some function. But,

surely, there must be some place to build a fine new hotel — maybe at Manchester, near the lagoon…. Continuing north, we’re now in Carlsbad. Carlsbad is the city that has everything — why, there’s now even a plan to deal with the train tracks that bisect the village and keep a large chunk of the population from the coast. What Carlsbad does need, however, is a sense of unity and harmony, twin traits that went out the window over the divisive proposal by developer Caruso Affiliated to build a shopping, dining and entertainment complex on the south shores of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Those who oppose the mall need to tone down their rhetoric and their anger. The mayor and city council are not on the take; they simply support the project because they believe it’s in the best interests of the city and its residents. At the same time, the Caruso team needs to rein it in and stop overselling the project and parading it around as being all about preserving open space. Voters will decide the project’s fate on Feb. 23; until then, can we please stop tearing each other apart? Finally, up in Oceanside, the city needs to step on improving the Coast Highway corridor. City leaders did a fine job building a new civic center and, next up, improving the plaza by the pier. And private business has stepped up as well, with lots of great new restaurants. But the criminal element downtown is still a problem, and the corridor itself needs some sort of identity: wider sidewalks, landscaping, and maybe some directional signs. There’s a reason why I skipped Solana Beach. The city is as close to perfect as you can get. Seriously — the beach is beautiful, Fletcher Cove is a treasure, and the Coast Highway corridor is a monument to smart planning. West side improvements are straight from a “complete streets” handbook, while on the east side Solana Beach wisely routed the Coastal Rail Trail along the west side of the railroad tracks, creating a beautiful walkway with a meandering sidewalk and drought-tolerant landscaping. So no gift for you, Solana Beach — except, perhaps, a civic sign over the Coast Highway like the ones in Encinitas and Carlsbad. Here’s to hoping that in 2016, some of this list is fulfilled. ■

Proposition J, defeated in November 2012, 58 percent to 42 percent, needs to be reborn and refloated.

PUBLISHER Alice Jacobson Alice@SeasideCourier.com EDITOR Maggie Avants Maggie@SeasideCourier.com

OPINIONS/LETTERS:

ADVERTISING Leslie Talley 760-456-7075 Leslie@SeasideCourier.com Gary Sagunsky 760-802-7200 Gary@SeasideCourier.com James R. Stuart 207-671-9700 James@SeasideCourier.com

ART DIRECTOR Todd Kammer Todd@SeasideCourier.com WEB / SOCIAL MEDIA Jen Van Tieghem Jen@SeasideCourier.com

Seaside Courier encourages letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please email either to maggie@seasidecourier. com and include your phone number and address for verification. We reserve the right to edit letters for brevity and accuracy. Letters and guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or staff.

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Editorial

What’s in it for Westfield? What does the Westfield Corporation have against Carlsbad? For years, the Australian mall operator let its Carlsbad shopping center, once known as Plaza Camino Real, decay into a shabby embarrassment. Retailers left in droves. Parents wouldn’t allow their children to hang out there. Parking, at night, was a risky proposition because of the lack of lighting and security. Westfield promised and promised to make things right, but never did. Finally, a few years ago, plans for an ambitious renovation were announced. But after rehabbing the east end, work stopped and Westfield abandoned its plans, opting instead to sell the property — which, quite frankly, has never been in worse shape. Indeed, holiday shoppers the week before Christmas were greeted inside one of the main entrances by a bucket, to catch water dripping from a leaky ceiling. Word has it that Westfield is abandoning Carlsbad because a superior mall operator, Caruso Affiliated, the company behind the acclaimed retail complex The Grove in Los Angeles,

wants to build a similar first-class shopping, dining and entertainment complex anchored by a Nordstrom department store on the south shores of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The project, up for a vote Feb. 23 in a citywide special election, has drawn widespread praise for not just the beauty of its design, but also for the fact that the developer is buying more than 200 acres of land in total and restoring more than half of it to its natural habitat — while only building on 26 of the 48 acres zoned for commercial development. In addition, Carlsbad’s iconic strawberry fields will be expanded and given a chance to become economically viable again through a farm-to-table restaurant, which effectively dismisses the cloud of uncertainty under which strawberry farmer Jimmy Ukegawa has been living since the 2006 passage of Proposition D, a successful ballot measure that only guaranteed his company’s survival as long as agriculture was economically feasible. But if the promise of Caruso’s mall drove Westfield from Carlsbad, then

Commentary

A fitting tribute in Carlsbad; Challenges ahead in 2016 Mark Muir Vice Chair, San Diego County Water Authority

Dec. 14 was one for the history books in San Diego County — the day the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant was dedicated as a core water supply for our region before an overflow crowd of more than 600 civic and business leaders. Decades in the making, the plant provides us with a drought-proof supply of water large enough to serve 400,000 people. The plant is a remarkable achievement — the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant — named after a remarkable man. Bud was mayor of Carlsbad for 24 years, served 16 years before that as a Council member and served on the Water Authority’s Board of Directors for the better part of two decades, including a term as chair from 2009 to 2011. Bud was a fierce advocate for desalination, good government and the city he loved. There could be no more fitting tribute than to name the plant after North County’s patron saint of desalination. With seawater desalination now part of our diversified water supply portfolio, the region’s water leaders are focusing on the key issues we will face in 2016. The concern on everyone’s mind these days is the weather: Will El Niño deliver enough rain and snow in the first quarter of 2016 to significantly ease the drought heading into the summer? It’s still too soon to tell — but what we do know is that the drought developed over a series of dry years and it likely will take more than one wet year to stabilize water supplies statewide. It’s also critical to remember that conditions vary widely across our vast state; even if we get drenched in San Diego County it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s enough snow in the Northern Sierra to replenish the State Water Project that supplies some of our imported water. The year ahead will also undoubtedly mean staying engaged in regulatory

why is the Aussie mall operator only now pitching in $75,000 to fund the campaign against the project? The answer, folks, is plain as day: Westfield’s opposition to the Caruso project was never about the threat of competition to its Carlsbad mall. It was always about protecting its signature UTC shopping center, some 20 miles to the south. Westfield, you see, doesn’t like competition — and is known for going to court, and financing “citizens groups,” to stop projects it believes will hurt its business. Caruso Affiliated has felt the sting of Westfield’s wrath numerous times, in Arcadia; Solano County, California; Sacramento; Renton, Wash.; and Sunset Hills, Mo. And it’s all because Caruso happens to build better projects; open-air “destinations” with fountains and greenbelts and other amenities that put Westfield’s oldschool malls to shame. The Seaside Courier hopes Carlsbad voters won’t allow Westfield to make them pawns in its latest battle against Caruso. By funding the campaign against Measure A, Westfield is effectively adding insult to years of injury. ■

issues in Sacramento. Last May, the State Water Resources Control Board issued unprecedented emergency water-use regulations statewide that resulted in the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies receiving water-use reduction targets of 8 to 36 percent below their 2013 water-use levels. As a region, we are beating the cumulative goal of 20 percent; water use countywide is down 24 percent from June through November. The state’s emergency regulations created a fundamental problem by focusing only on water conservation and eliminating any benefit from investments and innovations in water supply reliability such as the desalination project and our Colorado River water conservation-and-transfer agreements in the Imperial Valley. The Water Authority proposed a more balanced approach that allows water agencies to meet drought-response targets through a combination of conservation and sustainable drinking water supplies, such as desalination, potable reuse and long-term transfers of conserved water. Updated regulations are expected to be discussed in January and February. For the latest information on this issue and others, go to Sdcwa.org. Then there’s the resolution of the Water Authority’s successful litigation against illegal rates set by its wholesale water supplier. The $235 million final judgment in San Francisco Superior Court in November affirms victories by the Water Authority in both phases of two landmark lawsuits challenging rates set by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The judgment also orders MWD to recalculate the Water Authority’s statutory right to MWD water supply — a water right MWD had illegally under-calculated for more than a decade. Both parties have filed appeals on elements of the cases. That process will play out over the coming year or so, as will a variety of other water issues that I’ll provide updates on in the months ahead. ■

A plan that went off the rails Kristin Gaspar Encinitas Mayor

Mark Muir

Councilman

The Coastal Rail Trail project is not new; it was originally envisioned in the late 1980s. Several prior councils recognized the negative impacts this project would have on our coastal community and, as a result, did not support it. While some have focused on the limited benefits of this project, such as encouraging people out of their cars and onto bikes, they have failed to recognize the negative impacts associated with the project for the Cardiff community. A primary reason citizens oppose this project is the change it would bring to this iconic area. The Cardiff rail corridor is one of the last undeveloped pieces of coastal habitat in the area. It is an open space with a natural path and sandstone formations that is used regularly by joggers, dog walkers, beachgoers and those who stop to watch the sun set over Swami’s. The proposed project will pave over the natural path and line it with a 4-foot fence. It will also drastically reduce parking for the beach and surrounding neighborhood. These changes dramatically alter the character and charm of this beach town community in an area where people frequently visit or have invested millions of dollars in property, presuming it would remain relatively untouched by development. Further compounding the matter, the limited beach access created by the rail trail fence caused a Council majority of Tony Kranz, Catherine Blakespear and Lisa Shaffer to hastily approve an at-grade rail crossing at Montgomery Avenue. While we fully support a crossing project in this area, it is important to note that the Cardiff community will now receive a lesser crossing project than originally scoped for the area because the city does not currently have the resources to move forward with the SEE COASTAL RAIL PAGE 14

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Community Information Center open at Carlsbad Strawberry Company On Dec. 17, 2015, supporters of the 85/15 Plan, now referred to as Measure A, opened a Community Information Center at the heart of the plan’s proposed 203 acres of land on the south shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The Information Center will provide Carlsbad residents the opportunity to receive detailed information about Measure A’s benefits and what its passage on Feb. 23 will mean for the Carlsbad community and its lifestyle. Local residents and community volunteers will staff the Information Center. City officials, former planning commissioners and other experts also will make periodic special appearances to speak about Measure A. Residents who visit the Community Information Center will receive detailed information about Measure A, including viewing the property up close, watching informative videos, and previewing renderings and site plans. Community members are encouraged to attend, ask questions and engage in lively dialogue about the plan. “We’ve loved hearing from Carlsbad residents who have shared valuable input with us to create the plans we’ve proposed, and we are grateful for how the community has embraced the plan,” stated Rick J. Caruso, founder and chief executive officer of Caruso Affiliated, at the Information Center’s Dec. 16 grand opening. “The Information Center is the next phase of community outreach, and we look forward to meeting and speaking to as many Carlsbad residents as we can to share the unique attributes of the plan.” The Measure A Community Information Center is located at

Carlsbad Strawberry Company at 1050 Cannon Road, in Carlsbad. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For special events at the information center or for other details about Yes on A, one can visit YesOnACarlsbad.com or go to the city of Carlsbad’s website.

Background information:

The 85/15 Plan, now referred to as Yes on Measure A and supported unanimously by the Carlsbad mayor and City Council, is a communitybased plan for 203 acres of land between the south shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Cannon Road that reflects the spirit and fabric of the Carlsbad community. Yes on Measure A will preserve 176 acres of new open space with miles of hiking trails, sustain strawberry farming for generations to come, and create an open-air, pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining promenade, with lagoon vistas, that will be anchored by Nordstrom. Yes on Measure A will provide new public access and special care to land that is currently privately owned with no public access. Yes on Measure A will develop only about half of the 48 acres that are currently zoned for commercial development and convert the other half to open space, thus increasing the amount of open space for the community. Carlsbad residents will have an opportunity to vote Yes on Measure A on Feb. 23. —Sponsored content ■

COMMUNITY, FROM PAGE 1 for the 2015 event, she said. Marilee Gorham, recreation superintendent for the city, said the senior center had been previously booked for Dec. 31 for an ongoing weekly bridge program for seniors. That’s when Griset Branch Clubhouse Manager Chris Ann Sarver stepped up to help, according to Cooper.Then, as preparations got under way, organizations from throughout the community came forward with contributions of all sorts, Cooper said. The San Dieguito Tennis Club and residents of the Quail Park neighborhood cooked and donated food, Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant supplied the tables and chairs at no charge, Charlie’s Foreign Car Service helped transport equipment, Solid Ground Catering managed the food and several people donated other items such as extensions cords, decorations and tarps. “The people of Encinitas — that is the real story,” Cooper said. Beginning at 2:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, 150 senior citizens were able to dance the afternoon away doing the foxtrot, the rumba and the waltz. Cooper, 66, said the majority of attendees were in their 80s, with some in their 90s. “The benefit of dancing for seniors is that it’s one of the few activities that is mental, social and physical — it allows for touching people of the opposite sex without feeling awkward,” Cooper said. “Through reading, we’ve learned that New Year’s Eve is the most

Event organizers Sharon Cooper (left) and Marty Cooper (right) give a few words before the balloon drop. (Photo by Ilene Cooper)

depressing time for a single senior to be alone,” she said. “It also happens to be one of those holidays where kids don’t include their parents in celebrating.” Secondly, she said, many of the seniors are on Social Security which means they live on a limited budget and can’t afford many New Year’s Eve events. The ball cost $10 per person, which went toward the cost of food and supplies. A balloon drop — in lieu of a ball drop — was held at 4 p.m. and dancing continued until the event closed at 5:30 p.m., allowing the seniors to be home safe without having to drive at night. “The Encinitas Rotary and the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito really came together to the benefit of the seniors to give them the chance to celebrate the new year,” Cooper said. “It was the coming together of those two great nonprofits that have been serving the Encinitas community for over 30 years.” ■

DESALINATION, FROM PAGE 1 infrastructure. When the reverse osmosis plant goes into full operation, it’s expected to produce 50 million gallons of drinking water a day, roughly onetenth of the region’s supply and about one-third of the fresh water generated locally. Approval was bitterly fought by environmental groups, which contended it would harm marine life. “If you look to the examples of where desalination has worked successfully around the world, you will see that those nations worked diligently to reduce demand before turning to desalination,” Julia ChunnHeer, policy manager for the Surfrider Foundation’s San Diego County Chapter, said last week. With state-mandated conservation

The dedication of the facility as the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant was kept confidential until a grand opening ceremony held Dec. 14. Lewis was a longtime mayor of Carlsbad who was instrumental in ensuring the city served as host of the plant. (Photo by Maggie Avants)

efforts now in place, reducing revenue for local water districts, the financing arrangements will put taxpayers at risk, she said. A private firm, Poseidon Water, built and owns the plant. The Water

Authority has the option to purchase the facility in 10 years. In three decades, the agency will have the right to buy the plant for $1, according to the SDCWA. —City News Service ■

The Retail Beat:

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Pet shop stop Katrina Dodson

Columnist

n the past year, I have had several friends add a dog to their families. My pet-friendly house has hosted many of these beautiful animals and lately the conversation often leads to pet foods, necessities, training tips and grooming needs. As a cat owner, I have had limited exposure to the huge array of boutique pet shops that have popped up in our neighborhoods as my cat is fairly no-nonsense. I was overall very impressed with the expertise and high-quality knowledge that all the local shops gave me and I loved keeping my dollar local. Below are some great choices for you to visit! Dexter’s Deli (1229 Camino del Mar, Del Mar; 2508 El Camino Real, Carlsbad) provides an education in locally made food, raw food and natural remedies. Dexter’s makes its own brand of food, including those with beef heart, turkey, chicken, duck and rabbit. It also carries other brands that complement its own products, such as Harmony Farms, Halshan, Small Batch and Primal. Dexter’s dry-food brands were widely varied under the brands Pure Vita, Weruva, Truluxe, Orijen and Spot’s Stew. Other products offered were vitamins, flea protection and shampoo products. The front of the store has a great selection of collars by Up Country, Leeds and Surf’s Up Dog. I loved the “cake” selection (for dogs only!) delivered fresh every Friday. Pupologie (123 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas; 2570 Vista Way,

(clockwise from left) Muttropolis in Solana Beach offers beds designed by Jax & Bones, Animals Matter, Bowser and Luca for Dogs; In addition to saddles, Mary’s Tack Shop in Del Mar can take of your dogs, cats and chickens; Dexter’s Deli in Del Mar and Carlsbad makes its own brand of food, offering canine favorites such as beef heart, turkey, chicken, duck and rabbit. (Photos by Katrina Dodson)

Oceanside) has a loyal following for its raw-food choices. Brands such as K9, Stella & Chewy, Primal and Grandma Lucy’s are top choices, along with The Honest Kitchen, Tiki Dog and Cocolicious. The store has a wonderful selection of chews and toys for dogs, but doesn’t ignore the cat owner either! I picked up some raw frozen rabbit bits and a creative catnip toy. Wesco Pet Supplies (2855 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad) has been a longtime staple for pet lovers in the downtown Carlsbad area. Known for its dog biscuits, there are dozens to choose from in all flavors, sizes and shapes. Wesco carries many of the

known raw and organic brands, such as Acana and Natural Balance, and I found the pricing to be very competitive in comparison to others selling the same brands. I loved the store’s different choices in items such as sunscreen for dogs, water floats, organic flea products and natural jerkies. Muttropolis (227 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach) gets the award for most visually fun pet store! Filled with big, cozy and colorful dog beds of all shapes and sizes, this store offers some of the toniest lines of pet accessories you could wish for. Muttropolis sells a wide assortment of airline-approved pet carriers by the brands Sleepypod, Lux Pet and

Pet Tote. The beds are designed by Jax & Bones, Animals Matter, Bowser and Luca for Dogs. I got a kick out of the store’s “fashion wall” with dog fashions galore, focused on the brands Hip Doggie and RC Pets. Not to be outdone by other pet shops, it carries a good assortment of foods by The Honest Kitchen, ZiwiPeak and others, all of which are “grain free” and all natural. Pet Nutrition Center (6949 El Camino Real, Carlsbad) runs a brisk business of nutritious meals and treats for your pets. Its food brands include Bravo (beef marrow bones), My Perfect Pet (lightly cooked), Nature’s Valley (Instinct Raw

label), Blue, Dave’s Naturally, and K9 Naturally. I liked some of the more interesting items on its busy shelves, such as Dog Nog, which is goat milk for dogs; Dogsbutter, made specifically for dogs that like peanut butter; and BahiaBlue, which are dried, pure fish sticks complete with eyes and gills. Also available are many puppy potty training supplies and cleaning materials. Dirty Dogs (2521 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad; 112 Plaza St., Solana Beach) may have a grooming focus but it has a wide assortment of the best foods, leashes and toys, too. It carries some of the top brands, including Smallbatch, Mary’s Free Range, Wild Calling and Stella & Chewy, and focus only on brands from the U.S. or Canada (and a couple from New Zealand). Its take-home grooming products include EarthBath, Petology and Eqyss (made by the same makers as Ovation Cell Therapy). Mary’s Tack Shop (3675 Via de la Valle, Del Mar) can take care of every single need you have for your horses, but it can also take care of your dogs, cats and chickens. The brands it carries are Merrick, Canidae, Taste of the Wild and Acana. Its chicken supplies and feed are top sellers, as personal chicken coops have become very popular. I couldn’t leave without taking in the scents and feel of the gorgeous leather saddles upstairs! If you are looking for alternatives to big company, imported pet food and supplies, you have some excellent choices right around the corner. Beyond that, the knowledge base of every single person I spoke to in each store was vast and readily available. If you are paying higher prices for better food, the extra service goes a long way! ■

HEALTH & FITNESS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Children's activities are offered at a previous Wellness Week Festival. This year's festival takes place Jan. 23 at the Encinitas Library. (Courtesy photo)

January brings Wellness Week to Encinitas T he Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association presents its sixth annual Wellness Week, Jan. 23-30. Wellness Week is a weeklong program of events and special offers that helps people learn about and experience ways to improve their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The program begins with the Wellness Week Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. There will be dozens of exhibitors and presenters offering free product demonstrations and samples, free health screenings, free mini-treatments and educational workshops, plus food vendors and a variety of kids’ activities. During the week that follows, everyone is invited to take advantage of numerous free classes, treatments, consultations and presentations, as well as other community events, including a Wellness Week Happy Hour and the always popular Tibetan Bowl and Gong concert. Visit the Encinitas 101 website for the full schedule of events and the list of special Wellness Week offers:

YOU INSPIRE US.

The Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department participates in a previous Wellness Week Festival. This year's festival takes place Jan. 23 at the Encinitas Library. (Courtesy photo)

Encinitas101.com. Wellness Week is sponsored by Mark T. Galli, DDS, Ranch & Coast Magazine, the San Diego County Library, Scripps Health and The Coast News, with additional support from the Cardiff 101 Main Street Association,

Columnist

t’s that time of year again: time to set your intentions for 2016 and make your New Year’s resolutions! It’s no surprise that “lose weight” is the No. 1 resolution made year after year. It makes perfect sense; after all, you’ve been eating your way through the holidays and skipping out on your gym sessions with the promise that come Jan. 1 you’ll reset. So here we are: it’s January and time to get started! The key to a successful resolution is to set realistic goals. If you’re starting a fitness routine for the first time or getting back into a routine after a hiatus, start by making short-term goals. For example, walk for 20 minutes three times a week or do strength training exercises for 10 minutes a day. Once you’ve mastered your first goal set your next one. To get you started on the right track, here are five 10-minute exercises you can do anytime, anywhere!

Ab attack

Complete one or two circuits with a 60-second rest between circuits; perform each exercise for 30- 60 seconds. • Plank • Side plank (right and left) • Russian twists (add weight to intensify workout) • Hand-to-feet stability ball pass (if you don’t have a stability ball you can use a soccer ball or basketball) • Flutter kicks

All legs

Complete one or two circuits with a 60-second rest between circuits; add weight to intensify the workout. • Squats – 15 reps • Reverse lunge – alternate 15 reps on each side • 60-second jump squat • Side lunge – 15 reps on each side • 60-second squat hold

Arms and shoulders

Complete one or two circuits of 15 reps with weights; take a 60-second rest between circuits. • Triceps dips

YOU.

Community Health Group, the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, Healthy Day Partners, the Leucadia 101 Main Street Association, Psy-Tek Labs, Seaside Courier and Yelp. —Contributed content ■

Keep New Year’s resolution with realistic exercise plan Dana Nitti

LET’S CELEBRATE

• Skull crusher • Bicep curls • Lateral bicep curl • Punches • Shoulder press

Chest and back

Complete one or two circuits using weights for the first three exercises; take a 60-second rest between circuits. • Pushups – 15 reps • Reverse fly – 15 reps • Bent-over row – 15 reps • 60-second mountain climbers • 60-second straight-arm plank

Cardio blast

Complete one circuit with a 30-second break between each exercise; perform each exercise for 60 seconds. • Running in place • Skaters • Burpees • Jumping jacks • Butt kicks Dana Nitti, a certified personal trainer, is the owner of Body in Balance By Dana. ■

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CARLSBAD VILLAGE

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

People's Choice Award, Entourage Salon: (left to right) Angelique Walters and Crystal Tilley of Entourage Salon are pictured with Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, and Amy Galvan, also of Entourage Salon. (Courtesy photo)

Window Decorating Contest winners chosen

uring the 2015 holiday season, 36 enterprising Carlsbad storeowners accepted the challenge to turn their village into a festive destination for their customers and visitors. Starting on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, windows were lit up as bright and colorful as Rudolph’s nose and were adorned with Christmas trees, toy train sets, and even professionally painted with elaborate winter scenes and holiday favorites such as the Grinch and Frosty the Snowman. Carlsbad City Council members Keith Blackburn and Lorraine Wood visited the village to vote for their favorite in the “Village Vision” award. The Carlsbad Boys & Girls Clubs’ Torch Club voted for the “Kids’ Favorite” award, and community members voted online to determine the “People’s Choice” award. Wood said the Holiday Window Decorating Contest was a great promotion for the village. “It also built a solid sense of community and unity,” Wood said. In addition to building community spirit and goodwill, all 36 contestants were vying for a total of $4,500 worth of advertising prizes. The three winners were announced during a festive celebration held Dec. 18 at Choice Juicery in the heart of the village. Carlsbad-based

(top) Kids’ Favorite, Ampersand: (left to right) Annette Thomas of Ampersand is pictured with Sofia and Donovan, members of the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Clubs Torch Club.; (bottom) Village Vision Award, The Shop Beauty & Art: (left to right) Natalie Castro of The Shop Beauty & Art is pictured with Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem Keith Blackburn and Carlsbad City Councilwoman Lorraine Wood. (Courtesy photos)

Pacific Motion Dance Center and the Carlsbad High School Choir provided entertainment. The Village Vision award went to The Shop Beauty & Art, Ampersand won Kids’ Favorite, and People’s

Choice went to Entourage Salon. Plans for the 2016 Holiday Window Decorating Contest are already under way. —Contributed content ■

CARLSBAD VILLAGE

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Carlsbad Village Winter Festival set for Jan. 29-30

hile Southern California may not get snow, its perfect weather does allow winter-like activities without the hassle of heavy coats, mittens and beanies. The weekend of Jan. 29- 30, the Carlsbad Village Winter Festival will feature an outdoor 40-by-80-foot skating rink with a surface made from layers of plastic polymer — no cold weather or frozen ice required — to accommodate up to 150 skaters per hour. In addition to the rink, inflatable bounce houses, arts and crafts and several other activities will be available in what the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation calls a family friendly weekend of physical activity.

The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29 and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30. Event headquarters will be at the Roosevelt Street Parking Lot (between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue) and the fountain parking lot on the corner of State Street and Grand. A map of the event will be available online prior to the event that will highlight merchants throughout Carlsbad Village who are hosting activities. Tickets for the ice-skating rink are $6 for children 12 and younger and $10 for everyone else. It is highly recommended that you buy your tickets in advance and reserve your time slot. Time slots will be assigned to avoid rink congestion. The first 100 people who register three or more people will receive a $10 gift certificate to Dicks Sporting Goods when they check-in at the rink. For more information or to buy tickets, visit Moveyourfeetfoundation.com. The event is being sponsored by the city of Carlsbad, HomeLife Village Realtors, Carlsbad Village Association, Sungevity and Carlsbad Village Faire Shopping Centre. —Contributed content ■

Carlsbad snags United Way CEO Thomas K.

Arnold

Contributing writer

arlsbad has a new city manager — again. Following an extensive national recruitment hunt, the city’s former longtime fire chief, Kevin Crawford, was officially appointed city manager, according to a Dec. 30 announcement. He replaces Steve Sarkozy, who served as city manager for just one year, from April 2014 to April 2015. Crawford, a Carlsbad resident, was the city’s fire chief from 2002 to 2013. He briefly also served as interim city manager in late 2013 before leaving to become president and CEO of the United Way of San Diego County. “I am very proud to have led the United Way,” Crawford said. “Our team has accomplished a great deal in the past two years, and I will continue to support its mission. Public service has always been a driving factor for me, both in my personal pursuits and my professional career. When presented with an opportunity to make a lasting and positive contribution to the future of the city I love, I couldn’t say no.” Carlsbad City Council issued a statement about the selection of Crawford : “Carlsbad was fortunate to have a number of highly qualified candidates, although this made our decision all the more difficult. Kevin has nearly three decades of experience working for our city, including serving as a member of the leadership team during numer-

ous significant milestones in the city’s development. In the end, these things, coupled with his collaborative leadership style and deep involvement in the Carlsbad community, made Kevin the right choice at the right time.” Crawford will start his new job in mid-February. Between the time Sarkozy left — reportedly due to disagreements over the Council and mayor’s input in how the city should be run — and Crawford’s start date, Assistant City Manager Kathy Dodson has been filling in as the city’s top executive. Since she assumed those duties last April, Dodson has helped guide the city through the completion of an updated General Plan and first-ever Climate Action Plan, in addition to a multimillion-dollar library renovation project. Dodson will continue in her role as assistant city manager once Crawford assumes his position. At the start of his public safety career in the early 1980s, Crawford initially served as a paramedic with Medivac Ambulance Inc., and quickly transitioned in 1984 to firefighter/paramedic with the Poway

Fire Department. In 1986, he joined the Carlsbad Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic and advanced through the organization, holding positions with increasing levels of leadership responsibility. In 2002, he was promoted to fire chief. “Crawford’s leadership and management experience also includes some of the largest wildland fires in California’s history as well as command responsibilities during the 9/11 attack in New York City and Hurricane Katrina,” city officials stated in a news release. “In addition, Crawford has traveled internationally, assisting countries prepare, respond to and recover from large scale emergencies.” Crawford holds a Juris Doctor degree from Western Sierra Law School. He attended San Diego State University, where he completed the Fire Protection Administration program with honors. He also has an associate degree in liberal arts from Santa Ana College. Crawford has written extensively about leadership, including a book titled, “Chief Reflects on Leadership.” He is married with four adult children and five grandchildren. ■

EDUCATION

7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your North County Home Up for Sale North County Coastal - A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money. This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today's market. The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don't get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market. As this report uncovers, most

homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar". To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-888-230-4642 and enter 2000. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home.

This report is courtesy of JOG Real Estate, a dba of acclaimed Big Block Realty, Josh Otten CalBRE# 01966398. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. © 2015 SPONSORED CONTENT

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Stuart Grauer releases second book: ‘Fearless Teaching’

o stranger to the field of progressive education, head of school and founder of The Grauer School in Encinitas and the Small Schools Coalition, Stuart Grauer, Ed.D, has just published “Fearless Teaching: Collected Stories” (AERO press), leveraging his broad experiences and insights on the cultures of teaching and learning in our society today. The book has become the fastest selling new release in AERO’s history. At a time of national concern and frustration surrounding matters of centralized controls and standardized stipulations in core education requirements, be it a concern for public funding or chasing the proverbial tail of test scores, conversations about education must be had. Grauer, who has founded two independent secondary schools, consulted with/evaluated many schools worldwide, taught graduate education courses, and been awarded with a Fulbright Administrative Exchange wrote “Fearless Teaching” from the standpoint of planting seeds for thought in the field of education. “Fearless Teaching” is a stirring and audacious jaunt around the world that peeks into places readers are highly unlikely to see on their own — some are disappearing. Travel to the Swiss Alps, Korea, Navajo, an abandoned factory in Missouri, the Holy Land, the Great Rift Valley, the schools of Cuba, the ocean waves and the human subconscious and find colorful stories for the encouragement, inspiration and courage needed by all educators and parents. “Fearless Teaching” is also an appeal and rationale for educators to stay in their work at a time when many are leaving the field. Joe Brooks, executive director of Community Works Institute, said of “Fearless Teaching,” “Stuart Grauer is rapidly becoming one of America’s most important and popular educational storytellers. With ‘Fearless Teaching,’ Grauer makes an invaluable contribution.” The book’s cover shot was donated by iconic photographer Steve McCurry, whose photos have made more National

The cover shot of “Fearless Teaching: Collected Stories," by Dr. Stuart Grauer, was donated by iconic National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry. A percentage of the book’s proceeds will go to McCurry’s nonprofit, Imagine Asia, bringing educational opportunities to Afghan youth. (Courtesy photo)

Geographic covers than anyone in history, and a percentage of the book’s proceeds go to McCurry’s nonprofit, Imagine Asia, bringing educational opportunities to Afghan youth. As a leader in the emergent small schools model of education, Grauer’s work has been covered by Discovery Channel, New York Times, Independent School, International Education Review Hechinger Report among many others. The book is now on sale at EducationRevolution.org, Amazon. com and Amazon.co.uk. For more info on the book or the author, go to FearlessTeaching.com. Dr. Stuart Grauer (Courtesy photo)

—Contributed content ■

Annual open house set for Jan. 31 at Encinitas Country Day School T he public is invited to explore the campus, enjoy fun activities and experience examples of student work during Encinitas Country Day School’s annual Open House Event, to be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31. Located at 3616 Manchester Ave. in Encinitas, ECDS is celebrating its 27th year serving preschool through eighth-grade students on its two beautiful campuses — using a unique blend of Montessori and traditional instructional methods to fulfill its mission of developing well-rounded individuals of scholarship, integrity and service. Visitors will enjoy tours of the Manchester Avenue campus and nature reserve; dance, drama, martial arts and musical performances; experience a “Super Mega Inflated Obstacle Course”; take part in interactive history and science projects;

browse a school-wide art show; get special gardening/planting experience in preparation for Mother’s Day; enjoy fun activities for children, including a large-scale group art project, supervised gymnastics zone, kite-flying and more; visit teacher/ student-hosted, grade-level, themed

booths that display curriculum-based projects; and be treated to complimentary light refreshments. For more information, contact the school at 760-822-0566, or visit Ecdschools.org. —Contributed content ■

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Sea Creatures: These friends Chris

Ahrens Columnist

“The swells will pass, the great rides, the drops, the turns, the wipeouts, will all be gone. Less than a memory, almost a forgotten dream. You won’t know they really happened at all. But you’ll never forget the friends you did it all with. Maybe they were the best you’ll ever have. When it’s all said and done perhaps the central experience in surfing is friendship.” —Director, John Milius

The setting sun casts hues upon Swami’s point break in Encinitas. (Photo by Chris Ahrens)

t seems that the plaster on the monument to Gary Taylor that overlooks Swami’s had barely dried before we heard more sad news of our friends at Swami’s. Young Syrus King passed tragically, much as legends Surf Eddy and Doug Erickson before him. Wally Blodgett, my ultimate surf hero, is gone and, although he was a kneeboarder, stands tall among those who have left skin and memories on the reef. There had not been any paddleouts for quite a while when, last fall, we were stunned to learn that one of Swami’s finest, Kenny Mann had passed while night surfing Swami’s. As memories flooded like tears, I was reminded of the times in the ‘70s when Kenny, Peter “Pinline” St Pierre and I, along with a few others, would meet in the Swami’s parking lot around midnight to ride a few midnight waves together. Kenny was our friend — certainly gifted and seemingly immortal. He was everyone’s friend, really. A never-aging eternal

gremmie whose job and mission it was to sand surfboards since he was a teenager in the mid-1970s, and glide fast and smooth over Swami’s clean walls. He rode inside Swami’s better and with more stoke than anyone. While Mann had been a local at Swami’s since the early ‘70s, Joy didn’t show up there until decades later. Joy didn’t start surfing until late in life. The brilliant surfer, her boyfriend, Mark Donnellan, introduced her to wave riding and to Swami’s. Mark, who is among the best surfers ever to ride Swami’s, worked at Moonlight Glassing with Kenny for decades. Joy was all love, and she found the best in all of us while translating that emotion into her artwork and surfing. While she will not be remembered among the best surfers to ride Swami’s, she will never be forgotten for the way she spread the fruit of the spirit she was named for to everyone in and out of the water. Her gift of kindness was noteworthy to the end, as she called many of us to

offer her condolences on the passing of our mutual friend, Kenny. I have the recording on my phone where she offers words of comfort before saying that she was going surfing. How could I have known that would be the last day she would ride a wave, or draw a breath on earth? At a November 2015 candlelight vigil for Joy, another Swami’s fixture, Chris Hill, approached me with tears in his eyes to inform me that his brother and my close friend, Dave Hill, had recently passed on. The well of my grief went all the way to the bottom as those of us who remained stood above the break we love, to celebrate the lives of our friends. Looking around, I was reminded that this ride does have an end and that one by one, we will each face the ocean a final time as our ashes become part of the Pacific. Seeing friends gather, I was also reminded that Swami’s is not holy because of the temple that stands on the cliff, but because of the love that forever binds us all together. ■

The Moonlight Cultural Foundation presents a check and Kindness Meter to Vista City Council, Dec. 8. Pictured left to right are: MCF Board member Jeff Pashby, MCF Treasurer Lee Covell, MCF Board member Gary Kawano, MCF Executive Director Toria Watson, MCF Board President Jane Mitchell, Vista Mayor Judy Ritter, Councilman John Aguilera, Deputy Mayor Amanda Rigby, Councilman John Franklin and Councilman Cody Campbell. (Courtesy photo)

‘Kindness Matters’ in Vista

uests gathered Dec. 8, at Vista’s Civic Center for the presentation of Moonlight Cultural Foundation’s newly acquired “Kindness Meter.” The meter was donated by North County philanthropist and Carlsbad resident Carlton Lund, the visionary of Kindness Meter Charities and owner of The Lund Team real estate group. With the help of Jeff Pashby, MCF board member and senior sales

associate at The Lund Team, the meter was presented to the Foundation as a 35th anniversary gift. The Kindness Meter was then mounted at the entrance of Vista’s Moonlight Theatre for those who believe “kindness matters” and also want to show financial support for the Foundation’s programs, which include Moonlight Stage Productions and Moonlight Youth Theatre.

Also during the event, MCF Executive Director Toria Watson and MCF Board President Jane Mitchell presented a check to the city of Vista for $177,000 to maintain the quality productions and incredible experience of the venue. As of early December, MCF’s total support during 2015 was more than $481,000. —Contributed content ■

LOCAL NEWS / OPINION

PREPARE, FROM PAGE 1 Mar and Solana Beach have all developed emergency plans, made sandbags available to residents and taken a variety of other precautionary measures such as trimming trees and clearing storm drains of debris. The city of Oceanside has an El Niño Operational Plan and staff said that as in any emergency, police and fire will work together to follow plans that have been put in place. Oceanside city staff said they are paying close attention to Loma Alta Creek and the San Luis Rey River. “There are a number of low-lying areas in the city that are prone to flooding,” said Scott Smith, city engineer. “Regardless of how much the city prepares, areas along the Loma Alta Creek and the San Luis Rey River valley may see flooding under storm conditions.” Further, Oceanside advised its residents that most regular homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage. The city recommended that anyone living or having businesses in low-lying areas get flood insurance, and said it is available to anyone in the city at a reduced cost because the city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. The city of Carlsbad advised that a strong storm season could cause mudslides, flooding, prolonged power outages and dangerous driving conditions. To prepare, the city cleared storm drains, gathered erosion control supplies and is monitoring flood-prone areas, said city of Carlsbad Senior Management Analyst Craddock Stropes. Stropes said staff from the city’s Public Works and Public Safety departments have devel-

Sandbags are stored at the city of Encinitas Public Works Facility in preparation for a strong El Niño season. (Photo by Maggie Avants)

oped an El Niño preparation and response plan. According to Carlsbad fire Chief Mike Davis, the city has been actively working to control erosion in the areas affected by the 2014 Poinsettia Fire, including working with private property owners to alert them to areas of concern and ways to protect this land from future erosion. The city of Solana Beach said it took a variety of pre-planning steps such as proactively cleaning and removing debris from all storm drain infrastructure, coordinating emergency response plans among its Fire and Marine Safety departments and the Sheriff’s Department — as well as neighboring jurisdictions — and placing sandbags at various strategic locations throughout the city that are available free of charge to those Solana Beach residents who need them in an emergency situation.

Solana Beach residents were asked to take necessary precautions around their homes such as removing debris from rain gutters and inspecting and removing vegetation that may be around electrical wires. The city of Del Mar said its Public Works Department has contractors on-call to be available for emergency situations such as clearing fallen trees or major street flooding. The city said it will place sandbags in strategic locations such as the beach community and at City Hall. The city of Del Mar said it may restrict some areas of the beach depending on storm surges. The city of Encinitas has cleared all its storm drains along Coast Highway 101 as well as throughout the city. In November and December, Encinitas was forced to make emergency repairs when storms and high tides caused damage along Coast

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016 Highway 101 in Cardiff near the mouth of San Elijo Lagoon. In preparation for more storms, the city of Encinitas Public Works Department is holding two sandbag giveaway events from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15 and Friday, March 11 at the Public Works Facility, 160 Calle Magdalena. During each event, the city will have 1,500 filled sandbags available and will give 10 filled sandbags for each address or property while supplies last. The city advised that sandbags can also be purchased at local vendors such as Home Depot, Crown Ace Hardware and RCP Block and Brick. Encinitas Public Works Director Glenn Pruim said his staff have all been trained in preparation for the series of expected storms and have made sure all generators and field equipment are in good working condition. And at the Public Works Facility, staff has been stocking up on bulk materials such as sand, gravel, mulch and pieces of concrete and asphalt that can easily be moved to sites where emergency repairs are needed. “We always have it but we are more attuned to making sure our supplies are up when a storm is coming,” Pruim said. Close attention will be paid to managing storm-water runoff in Leucadia, an area that typically sees flooding, he said. “During storm season one of biggest things we do is the pumping operation, where we collect and then divert the flow,” Pruim said. “When the storms hit, you don’t have time to go through a PowerPoint,” he said. “We’ve also been spending a lot of time talking to contractors and making sure they are standing by and ready to help us.” ■

COASTAL RAIL, FROM PAGE 6 original/ideal project concurrent with rail trail installation. The Montgomery crossing has long been planned as an undercrossing project similar to the new Santa Fe Avenue undercrossing. An undercrossing should be preferred by Cardiff residents, as it is safer for all concerned, including the nearby schoolchildren, and does not intensify noise in the rail corridor. From the financial standpoint, our city budget is now facing new impacts from the Council majority’s approval of a $600,000 study to plan for an atgrade crossing at Montgomery. While the new crossing might cost us a few million dollars, silencing the noise pollution resulting from additional train horns sounding at the at-grade crossing could cost up to $1 million more. This money was not accounted for in the city’s competitive budget process for the Capital Improvement Plan spanning the next five years, where about $250 million of projects sits unfunded. Again, these problems would have been avoided by placing the Rail Trail along Highway 101. Moreover, it is disappointing that the Council majority has decided to prioritize spending millions of dollars, ahead of all other capital improvement needs, for a project that locals clearly do not want. More than 1,000 locals have communicated to the Council they oppose the Rail Trail project largely because our beach town community character is one of the city’s greatest assets. This project not only significantly changes that character but prioritizes a dubious asset above all other budgetary considerations. That is not what the people expect from their elected representatives, and that is why we both voted no on the Rail Trail project as proposed. ■

HOME & GARDEN

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

Mother Evelyn’s garden dos and dont's Evelyn Weidner Columnist

“Don’t forget to get a haircut, you’ll look so much better!” “Did you get your flu shot?” “How about that new pneumonia shot?” “Don’t forget your warm jacket!” Do these sound like things your mother would say? Apply them to your garden and you have “Mother Evelyn’s garden dos and don’ts” for January. Now is the time to take care of your fruit trees and shop for new additions.

Garden haircut (do this first)

Do prune fruit trees like apple and peach. Roses too. Not sure how to prune? Go online, you’ll find many YouTube videos for help. (“Dave Wilson Fruit Tree” YouTube videos are really good.) Do be sure to rake and clean up after you prune. Dump all old leaves, branches and old, mummified fruit, where peach leaf curl and other fungal spores develop over the winter. Do prune berry vines. Remove all branches that produced berries last year, but leave last summer’s new growth for this year’s berries. Do get your pruners and loppers sharpened. Your local knife sharpener will do them. Have good gloves and

for goodness sake, get a good pump sprayer. Both you and your garden deserve the best. Don’t prune citrus or other tropicallike plants. When it freezes — and it will freeze this year — let the frost hit last summer's growth first.

Flu shot for your garden

Do get your All-Seasons Horticultural Spray Oil. This safeto-use spray smothers and kills scale, aphid spider mites and other pest eggs. It is a must for citrus, stone fruits and berry vines.

Pneumonia shot for fungal diseases

Do spray when your fruit trees are dormant if you had peach leaf curl, fruit rot or any of the other fungal problems. A copper spray is the best and most organic. One good spray is Liqui-Cop. The higher the concentration of copper, the better. Don’t forget, when the diseases hit, it is too late to spray! Do remember that there are specific stages of growth when your fungicide spray will be effective. Go online and search for YouTube videos about dormant fruit-tree spraying. A picture is worth a thousand words in this case. (Be sure you are looking at a California site.) Now you know why to prune first, so you aren’t spraying branches that

will be cut off later.

Your garden’s warm jacket

Do get frost protection cloths now; they are cheap, effective and reusable, and much better than old sheets. Our last big frost was in 2007 and it was a killer. Climate change is bringing more extreme weather. The light, woven fabric gives 5 to 6 degrees of protection for young citrus, avocados, begonias and your succulents, too. You can find it at Weidner’s Gardens and other garden supply places. Even along the coast, the chances that we get a real freeze are good. You wear your warm jacket when it’s cold; your garden should, too. Your peaches will love it but your citrus and other frost tender plants won’t.

So, what’s in bloom now?

Do plant cyclamen for shade. Do shop for primroses, pansies, stocks, snapdragons and Iceland poppies — these all give great winter color. Also look for the big, showy white calla lilies. The earliest hydrangeas appear; potted bulbs show up; camellias come into bloom. All your winter vegetables and salad greens also love the cool weather. The big stars are still the fruit trees, berries and figs; do wait for spring to buy citrus. That’s all from Mother Knows Best Evelyn. ■

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016 it. They might be better off to go to separate homes where they’re not as likely to plot and take over the whole house.” The $145 adoption fee for Nalla includes medical exam, vaccinations, spay and microchip. For more information, call 760753-6413, visit RCHS at 389 Requeza St. in Encinitas, or log on to SDpets. org. Kennels and Cattery open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but Tuesday.

Other upcoming happenings at RCHS

Nalla (Courtesy photo)

alla is the Seaside Courier pet of the month at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. She’s an 11-monthold, 60-pound Siberian Husky mix. Nalla is playful and active. Huskies were bred to run many miles per day, pulling heavy sleds through snow. Nalla needs a family that will give her the physical and the mental exercise she needs. Nalla and her brother, Sergei, were surrendered to RCHS when their family could no longer take care of them. “They’re both super smart and can be trained easily,” said John Van Zante, public relations director at RCHS. “But their new owners will need to put the time and effort into

Blessing of the Animals: Rancho Coastal Humane Society will be on hand from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 for Blessing of the Animals at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Several vendors and rescue organizations come to participate, as this annual event brings a good amount of foot traffic. RCHS will attend with a few adoptable dogs and an information table about the shelter. 5K Paw Walk in the Garden: On Saturday, Feb. 20, Rancho Coastal Humane Society and the San Diego Botanic Garden will once again join paws for the annual “5K Paw Walk in the Garden.” The event raises funds to help people, plants and animals. Participants can follow a 5K course or enjoy a leisure stroll. You don’t need a dog to take part. Register for the fourth annual 5K Paw Walk in the Garden at Sdpets. org or Sdbgarden.org. Day-of-event registration starts at 9 a.m. at San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. The first paw crosses the starting line at 9:30 a.m. ■

Rich Cook on Wine

What’s the score? (And should you care) Rich Cook

Columnist

o you walk into your favorite wine store, and you’re immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices you have. “No problem,” you say — your friend the shelf talker is there to save the day. Or is it? Often, and certainly more often in a shop that specializes in wine, a wine sitting there on the shelf has a small card meant to inform you about the wine and help you make a decision. It might have a score — usually based on the now ubiquitous 100-point scale popularized by Robert Parker’s newsletter, The Wine Advocate. It might have a medal from a wine-judging event such as our local Toast of the Coast Wine Competition. There are also stars, puffs (yes, puffs) and phrases like “very highly recommended” from different publications. Finally, you might see some sort of tasting note or descriptor listing, and maybe even a food pairing suggestion. Which one of these is the most reliable? As in most things in the world of food and drink, the answer is a hearty “it depends.” Let’s start with scores. Most of the time, a score is one person’s distilled opinion of the wine. This is probably the least helpful consumer assistance, since all of us have individual tastes and are likely in different places in what I’d call the wine experience continuum. A common misconception is that a score is akin to a percentage grade on your midterm mathematics exam; while it can be a general indicator of quality, with a score of 80 or above generally referring to a wine that is absent flaws, it is certainly

more subjective than objective. That said, if you find that you like wines at or above a certain score as assigned by a particular scorer, you might be on your way to a nice journey of fine sipping by following their scores. Slightly better is the score accompanied by a tasting note that describes the aroma and flavor characteristics of the wine — just remember that most who have taken the time to publish a detailed tasting note probably spend a bit more time in focused practice than you do, and you may sense the characteristics differently. My two most reliable sources for help on wines that I have not tasted are medals won in competition and collective tasting notes. A medal is usually the consensus award of a group of three or more tasters who have tasted the wine “blind” — without knowing producer or price —which increases the odds that you will appreciate the quality of that particular wine. The best competitions equate a medal to a scoring range, and often also include a tasting note for the top medal winners, which may help you dial in even closer to what you’re after. High quality publications such as California Grapevine give a score, a composite tasting note that reflects the opinions of as many as 16 tasters, tasting notes and the placing of the wine in the blind “flight” that it was tasted in. Finally, don’t forget to ask the shop owner or their staff members. There are plenty of great wine shops in the north coast area that have very knowledgeable people working inside their walls, and they can give you lots of insight. Plus, many offer the absolute best way for you to select a wine — a taste! Watch my column for a rundown of our local fine wine purveyors in upcoming issues. Cheers! ■

North County Notables

Carlsbad Boys & Girls Clubs recognizes volunteer of year Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad recognized Marylou Flanders as their candidate for North County Philanthropy’s Volunteer of the Year. “Marylou is a board member and special event volunteer; the word ‘no’ is not part of her vocabulary,” said club CEO Brad Holland. “She produces our promotional materials, secures incredible auction items, and has rallied her employer to be a corporate partner for the club. She gives freely of her time and talent, and we are thrilled to be able to recognize her efforts!” Flanders, who was recognized for her many achievements at North County Philanthropy’s Volunteer of the Year Luncheon held Nov. 12, said her work for the club Marylou Flanders (Courtesy photo) is fulfilling. “It’s tremendously rewarding to hear from a parent and child how the club experience changed their lives,” Flanders said. “And when so many of our board members talk about what the club did for them as they were growing up and why they pay it forward, I know my efforts are worthwhile!” ■

Volunteer administrator honored City of Carlsbad Community Coordinator Sue Irey was tone, right from the beginning.” Irey said when she gets a request from a city department recently honored with local and national awards for her work in recruiting and managing the city’s more than 3,200 volunteers. looking for a volunteer, she sends information on candidates. The National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Sometimes the needs can be quite specific, such as the time a Government named Irey Outstanding Volunteer Administrator city staff person asked if she could find a volunteer architect for 2015 and honored her at an association program Oct. 19. to provide input on a project. “I thought, wow, that’s highly specialOn Nov. 12, the North County ized. And we wound up with two people Philanthropy Council recognized who offered their architectural skills for Irey with the Spirit of Carol Sigelman free,” Irey recalled. Award, which is awarded to a volunteer Irey said many of the volunteer roles coordinator “who exemplifies the pasare traditional ones, such as helping at sion, integrity, wisdom and humor” that city libraries and parks. But she noted Sigelman showed when she served on that the city also runs some programs that the council’s board. are out of the ordinary. One is a mediation Irey helps direct the energies of 3,241 program run through the Neighborhood volunteers who donated more than Services Division, in which the city pro140,000 hours last year to help with a vides mediators to help resolve conflicts wide variety of city services and events. among neighbors. Another is CityStuff, “It’s been a pleasure to recruit and an elementary school program where find volunteers because the city has an volunteers introduce third-graders to local outpouring of interest from residents government. wanting to make Carlsbad an even better Sue Irey (City of Carlsbad) “The last lesson the students do is a place,” Irey said. “We have some highly talented people living in Carlsbad who are willing to provide mock city council meeting,” Irey said. “It gives them a real feel for how democracy works. their services for free, which is invaluable.” “Volunteerism is such an important resource,” Irey said. The National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government said in announcing the award that Irey “has defined “It’s not free, because there are administrative costs, but both the volunteer process, reduced liability and greatly increased in terms of the hours donated and the increased connection people feel with their city, the return on investment is huge.” volunteer involvement.” Irey said she is honored that The National Association of Irey said that when she became Carlsbad’s first volunteer coordinator in 2003 the city had about 500 volunteers and no Volunteer Programs in Local Government and the North centralized tracking system. With the help of a volunteer, Irey County Philanthropy Council have recognized Carlsbad. And assembled a database that lists all volunteers and their skills, and she said her work has been rewarding. “I believe that the success of the volunteer program is due she matches up volunteers with city staff seeking help. “I have worked hard to standardize our processes and to the fact that there are people who want to give back to their structure our volunteer program with the city’s standards of community, and my role is to give people a pathway to use confidentiality, safety, respectful workplace standards and cus- those talents that they’re offering,” Irey said. “The ability of tomer service ethic,” said Irey. “This creates a very professional volunteers to improve the world is unlimited.” ■

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

MUSIC CALENDAR

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016

6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13: Acoustic Showcase with Gregory Page at Encinitas Branch Library, Encinitas. Free. Prolific local musician Gregory Page will be featured at this acoustic showcase. The crooning troubadour recently released an album of love songs produced by Jason Mraz and aptly named “Let’s Fall in Love Again.” It features a range of music including songs from the 1920s, Page’s own recent compositions and more. Whatever he selects for this showcase it promises to be an enchanting evening of timeless tunes. SDCL.org. 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22: The Silent Comedy and Jimmy Ruelas at Pour House, Oceanside. Price TBD. Ruelas reinvented his sound in 2015 with the release of the full-length album “Charlebois.” His psychedelic rock style is driven by his powerhouse vocals. Equal parts T.Rex and The Black Keys, Ruelas’ music manages to be both grungy garage rock with a glam rock layer thrown on top. Check out “Tell Me True” for a taste of Ruelas’ softer side, which is just as intoxicating. Ruelas will be opening for The Silent Comedy who have been sorely missed as of late… but more on that later. PourHouseOceanside.com. 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28: Muriel Anderson’s “Wonderlust” at Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad. $25 general seating; $30 premium seating. Fingerstyle- and harp-guitarist Muriel Anderson is an annual favorite at MOMM. This time she will present “Wonderlust,” giving the audience a virtual tour of the world using music and imagery. This special audio-visual performance is sure to stir the soul with music that is sometimes soothing and often awe-inspiring. Anderson is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. For “Wonderlust” she will be joined by French percussionist Mino Cinelu. MuseumofMakingMusic.com. 1 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30: Banding Together presents Steph Johnson, Dr. Seahorse and The Lovebirds at Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach. $10 - $12. This annual fundraiser supports Banding Together, a nonprofit organization that provides music therapy scholarships, mentorships and instruments to youth with special needs. In addition to a raffle and live auction, this event will feature musical entertainment by local talents Steph Johnson, Dr. Seahorse and The Lovebirds. Multi-talented songstress Johnson sings with heart and conviction in a multitude of styles from jazz to funk to soul. The duo Dr. Seahorse is also an eclectic act combining electronic elements with an indie-pop style. Rounding out the bill is folk duo The Lovebirds, whose music is soothing and beautiful with heartfelt lyrics and sweet harmonies. Great music and a great cause — don’t miss this one! BellyUp.com.

Out of the Woods Pick of the Month 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30: The Silent Comedy, Creature and the Woods, and Robert Jon and The Wreck at Casbah, Little Italy/Middletown. $20. Fans of the riotous rock of The Silent Comedy have probably had withdrawals the past several months. TSC returns to a stage they know well with a fantastic support lineup. In addition to the wild barnburners of the headliners, Creature and the Woods will bring its immense musical talents with a style that blends classic Fleetwood Mac-like vibes with soulful singing. The band took a recent lineup change in stride and are poised to make 2016 their year. CasbahMusic.com. ■

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — JANUARY 2016