Seaside Courier — April 2015

Left Behind:

ALSO INSIDE

How Encinitas’ lack of housing element affects its ability to compete for millions in SANDAG grants

OPINION When in drought

Maggie Avants Editor

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here is $15 million worth of grants available from San Diego Association of Governments for local infrastructure and transit-related projects, but the city of Encinitas won’t be applying.

It is not that Encinitas doesn’t see the need — the city currently has a list of nearly $400 million worth of unfunded capital improvement projects — it is that ing element.

And that matters to SANDAG as it begins the arduous task of awarding its grant monies. Cities without a housing ele-

Tips for conserving water, and why it’s important. Page 4

SUMMER CAMPS Day camp guide

Winners of the Encinitas State of the City youth video contest are pictured with Mayor Kristin Gaspar and her husband, Paul. (Photo by Louis V. Schooler)

Planning will keep Encinitas strong, says mayor in State of City address Maggie

Avants Editor

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(Dominik Morbitzer via Flickr)

ment are automatically docked 25 percent from their total score in what is a competitive process among the region’s 18 cities, according to Coleen Clementson, principal regional planner for SANDAG. It all goes back to a policy approved by SANDAG’s Board of Directors: criteria for the grant program’s point system is largely related to whether local governments are planning for affordable housing and higher density development near public transit, Clementson said.

“This is really meant to be incentive to implement regional smart growth,” she said.

The available grant funds account for collected through TransNet, a half-cent in 2004.

Grant applications were due March 20.

Among the coastal North County cities SEE SANDAG PAGE 14

he state of the city is strong, Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar told a crowd of a few hundred who gathered March 24 for the annual address.

“Everywhere I go in Encinitas, I encounter a sense of hometown pride and the same spirit of community service that I remember growing up here with,” Gaspar said to the attendees of the event, titled “Love My City” and hosted by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce at the city’s Community and Senior Center.

“It is with your continued help and the Council’s renewed commitment to long-range strategic planning we can realize Encinitas has unmatched potential,” Gaspar said.

Mayor shares the floor

all work together toward economic development along Coast Highway 101, while at the same time, maintaining the characteristics unique to their respective parts of town.

Chamber CEO and President Bob Gattinella described his organization’s role, which is not only serving as the city’s visitor center but also rep“distinct” communities.

Planning Commissioner Tony Brandenburg, a 52-year resident, spoke on behalf of Olivenhain.

He said Olivenhain is “obviously concerned about the housing element,” which the city is currently in the process of updating to meet the state’s mandate of identifying sites where affordable housing can be built. But, Brandenburg said, “the city has this well underhand” and “it’s democratic.”

Jim Schmedling spoke on behalf of the New Encinitas/El Camino Corridor, which he called the economic driver of the city because it contributes about half of the city’s

Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar

Schmedling, a former San Diego She was speaking not only to gives the State of the City address, March 24, 2015. (Photo Chargers player who grew up in residents and the Encinitas res- by Louis V. Schooler) nearby Solana Beach, challenged taurants who provided food for all five communities to work the event, but the many representatives of community groups with whom she together for the good of the children.

The audience heard from Leucadia 101 Main Street President Nick Winfrey, who spoke on behalf of the three Main Street associations of Leucadia, Cardiff and Encinitas. Winfrey said the groups

Youth video contest

It wasn’t the only time during the evening that children took center stage. Mayor Gaspar had SEE PLANNING PAGE 3

Scholarship tutoring program transforms struggling students into ‘rock stars’ Maggie Avants Editor

L Scholarship students take part in an afternoon tutoring session with Kimm Emerson, a teacher who tutors and serves as assistant director at Sylvan Learning Center in Encinitas. (Photo by Gary Sagunsky)

ocal students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to tutoring are getting just that, thanks to an anonymous donor.

Using funds from the donor, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Foundation administers a scholarship program through which struggling students can receive tutoring at Sylvan Learning Center

in Encinitas.

The program targets children in times referred by their teachers.

Once their parents go through an interview process that includes the students are offered 100 hours of tutoring per year.

“We saw a deep need among some kids, who by the time they reached high school were so far behind,” SEE TUTORING PAGE 13

Many choices offered locally to match your child’s interests. Page 6

HOME & GARDEN

Gardening ideas from Evelyn

A-list your way to successful succulents. Page 8

SEA CREATURES Rob Machado’s mission

Surfing is his fame, but giving is his game. Page 13

INDEX Around Town ................................ 2 Opinion ............................................ 4 Health & Fitness .......................... 9 Business Notes ............................10 North County Notables ..........11 Pet of the Month ........................12 Retail Beat ......................................13

CONTACT US Advertising (760) 456-7075 ext. 146 sales@seasidecourier.com Editorial / Letters (760) 456-7075, ext. 124 Maggie@seasidecourier.com

ONLINE SeasideCourier.com facebook/ seasidecourier.com twitter/ @seasidecourier

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CALENDAR

AROUND TOWN DON’T MISS

THESE UPCOMING

EVENTS AROUND NORTH COUNTY April 18-19: Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation presents the 23rd annual Oceanside Days of Art, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19 at Coast Highway 101 and Pier View Way in downtown Oceanside. The

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from Southern California, networking and selling an array of unique artwork including paintings, photography and more. The festival, which is offered free to the public, has planned live stage performances, hands-on activities for children and adults, street chalk art making, painting and sculpture demonstrations, and a variety of delicious edibles at the food court.

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

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April 25: The city of Carlsbad is celebrating Arbor Day, Saturday, April 25, by working with local volunteers to plant trees at Hosp Grove.

The tree-planting activities will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Hosp Grove Rotary Trailhead, located on Monroe Street between Marron Road and Wickham Way. Volunteer registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with a tree planting demonstration to follow.

This effort will help Carlsbad retain its status as a Tree City USA for the 11th consecutive year. For more information, reach Kyle Lancaster at 760-434-2941 or kyle.lancaster@carlsbadca.gov.

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April 25-26: The San Diego International Wine Show returns

Valley Conservancy for the third year.

This premier, two-day wine-tasting event is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the intimate -

ment, and works of art by local artists.

Tickets are $55 pre-sale, $65 at the door, and $80 for a two-day ticket. Attendees must be 21 years and older. Visit SanDiegoInternationalWineShow.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

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April 25-26: The 32nd annual Encinitas Street Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 on South Coast Highway 101 between D and J street. The event features live music on four stages, a beer garden, children’s rides, a dog zone, a kids zone, bike valets and more than 450 arts/crafts/food vendors. The Jump N Ride Kids Zone at H Street will feature a wide range of interactive booths and free activities, including an obstacle course and skate park. The beer garden will remain open until 7 p.m. each day. For more information, visit Encinitas101. com or call 760-943-1950.

MAY 3

May 3: Celebrate Cinco De Mayo in style at La Colonia Park in Solana Beach. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, and features a live mariachi band, ballet folklorico dancers, an artis-

tic and crafts. For more information, call 858-720-2453 or visit Cityofsolanabeach.org.

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015 PLANNING, FROM PAGE 1 invited local youth to participate in a video contest. The rules were what they love about Encinitas.

The winners of each age group were called to the stage while their videos were played. both La Costa Canyon High School students, collaborated with Diegueno Middle School student Scotland Muir and won the ninth-12th grade category for their aerial video they produced by using a drone.

A brother and sister team from Ocean Knoll Elementary, Alena Viskanta and Kaz Viskanta, won the Sustainability Award for their video, which featured the many environmentally-conscious programs at the school. at Ada Harris Elementary, won for her video titled “Encinitas a GoPro camera.

Ada Harris students Kylee Meiners, 7, and Grace Iberra Sacard, also won for their entries.

A multi-age class video from Cardiff Elementary school also took home a prize.

City Council members showed some creativity of their own by starring in a video titled “The Real Councilmembers of Encinitas.”

The spoof-style production, in which the Council members basically poked fun at themselves, generated plenty of laughs from the audience.

Mayor’s address

Getting back to business, Gaspar touched on the city’s highlights over the past year, including the opening of Encinitas Community Park in January. Also, she said, 2014 was the inaugural summer for using the renovated facilities at Moonlight Beach. An estimated 3 million people visited Encinitas beaches last year, she noted.

Looking ahead, she said a new lifeguard tower for Moonlight Beach is fully funded. The $3-million project is scheduled to get underway on Labor Day and be completed by Memorial Day 2016.

Among its amenities, she said, that “patients no longer have to be treated on the sand.”

Another project the City Council is working toward is making repairs to Beacon’s Beach, where the bluff is fragile, making beach access dangerous. Gaspar said that in recent discussions with

Encinitas City Council members pictured left to right at the State of the City event, March 24, 2015: Councilman Tony Kranz, Councilwoman Lisa Shaffer, Mayor Kristin Gaspar, Deputy Mayor Catherine Blakespear and Councilman Mark Muir. (Photo by Louis V. Schooler)

the state Parks Department, for completing the $2.2-million get approval from the California Coastal Commission, she said.

The city’s plans for transElementary property near downtown — recently purchased by the city for $10 million — into an arts center are also moving forward, she said.

As for public safety, Gaspar said a downward trend in crime and remains one of the safest cities in San Diego County. And with the opening of the Olivenhain times have improved, she said.

However, repairs need to be made to Fire Station No. 1, according to Gaspar.

To the Council’s credit — and in the face of $393 million in unfunded infrastructure improvements needed throughout the city been realized through early pension reform.

“Twenty-eight percent of our city employees are in two-tier or three-tier and it represents savings that we are very proud of,” Gaspar said.

Further, she said, the Council recently voted to make a $250,000 payment toward pension contributions.

“The state of the city is strong but will require long-range strategic infrastructure and core service planning to remain that way,” Gaspar said. “Let’s do something about it proactively now.

Encinitas is a great place to live, to do business, to play, and, I am going to add another and that is to visit. Thank you so very much for allowing me to be part of that.”

First elected mayor

Another accomplishment pointed out by the event’s emcee, Richard Houk of the Encinitas Rotary Club, was that while it was the 29th annual State of the City event, this one feahave been directly elected by the people. Previously, the mayor was appointed from amongst the City Council members.

Gaspar’s family members present to witness her give her inaugural address as mayor were her husband, Paul, their son, Carson, her aunts, and her parents, Ralph and Jannae DeSiena.

According to Jannae, she was not surprised at all to see her daughter in her current role.

“She’s a go-getter,” Jannae said. “That is my word for her.

She has always been motivated and driven. A leader. She was class president in elementary and junior high, she entered in beauty pageants and won those, and many essay-type contests — whatever came up she always wanted to enter and give it her all. She was never shy to try.”

Jannae said they moved to Encinitas before her daughter started kindergarten. Gaspar attended Mission Estancia Elementary, Diegueno Middle School, San Dieguito High School and then La Costa Canyon High School when it opened.

“It is fabulous,” Jannae said, following Gaspar’s speech. “I am very proud of her. She is doing great things and I think she’ll continue to. She really cares about the community, she really cares about the city of Encinitas.”

To view a complete photo gallery of the event, go to SeasideCourier.com and enter “Photos: Encinitas State of the top left corner of the page.

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OPINION

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

Increase water conservation as supply cutbacks loom Mark Muir

Vice Chair, San Diego County Water Authority Guest commentary

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he April 1 snow survey in the Sierra Nevada showed just 5 percent of the average snowpack – a record low since measurements began in 1950. It was an ominous sign: Four years into drought, California will get virtually no runoff this summer to augment stored water reserves.

On the same day, Gov. Jerry utive order designed to reduce water use statewide.

Low deliveries from the State Water Project and other factors mean the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will impose water supply cutbacks for its customers, including the San Diego County Water Authority, that take effect July 1. MWD is the largest water supply source for our region.

Thankfully, we have made ing our water supply sources over the past two decades.

Regional investments in water supply reliability by the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies will help reduce the impacts of any water supply cutbacks by MWD. Those

investments include long-term, independent Colorado River water transfers and enhancing local supplies with groundwater, surface storage and water recycling projects that treat wastewater for use on places such as farms and golf courses.

conservation as a way of life.

Per capita water use in the region has decreased by more than 20 percent since 2007, and water savings in December and January by turning off irrigation systems after rainstorms.

More than half of the water used at a typical home is for irrigation.

The regional strategy also includes building the Carlsbad Desalination Project, which is water as soon as this fall. It will be the largest seawater desalination project in the nation, generating 50 million gallons per day of droughtproof supplies that will help maintain our region’s $206 billion economy and the quality of life we enjoy.

Another positive factor is that San Diego County residents have embraced water

Regional water use in each of those months dropped by nearly 30 percent compared to the same months a year earlier, helping to conserve valuable supplies. An interesting comparison is that since 1990, our population has grown by over 700,000; however, today we are using less water then we did in 1990.

Saving water is becoming even more important with water supply cutbacks starting this summer. How can you save water as the temperatures rise?

More than half of the water used at a typical home is for irrigation, so look for ways to conserve outdoors. Check for leaks in your irrigation system and make sure it’s not watering sidewalks or driveways. Also, consider replacing unused lawn with WaterSmart landscaping that’s both attractive and appropriate for our region’s semi-arid climate.

Indoors, make sure to only run full loads of dishes and laundry. If you need to replace a toilet, washing machine or dishwasher, take advantage of models. Shorten showers, and use a bucket to capture warmup water in the shower for dousing potted plants or parts of your garden.

Water agencies countywide have enacted water-use restrictions, and links to each agency are at WheninDrought. org. The webpage also includes a link to the Water Authority’s online conservation portal, WaterSmartSD.org, which offers numerous water-saving tives for turf, grass removal and low-water landscaping, free home water-use evaluations, WaterSmart landscaping classes and other resources.

While it can be a challenge it’s important that we each do our part to save every day, every way.

Scientists explain how climate change helps fuel California drought

north of the state is more likely to occur with climate change, suggesting a link to global warming.

But other scientists who contributed to the meteorological society report disagreed, attributing the drought to natural variability. They wrote there was “no appreciable long-term change in the risk for dry cli-

Bettina Boxall

Los Angeles Times

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limate change is increasing the risk of severe drought in California by causing warm periods and dry periods to overlap more often, according to a new study.

Rising temperatures resulting from increased greenhouse gas emissions mean warm and dry periods are coinciding more frequently, the study authors say. And that is amplifying the effects of low precipitation.

“The key for drought stress is not just how much precipitation there is,” said Noah Diffenbaugh, the paper’s lead author and an associate professor at Stanford University’s School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences. “Temperature is an available in California.”

Higher temperatures decrease soil moisture, increase evaporation and intensify California’s annual dry season. All of these accentuate the impacts of belownormal precipitation.

So Diffenbaugh and two other Stanford researchers analyzed historical climate data for the state to see when warm years coincided with dry years. They found that warmdry years have occurred more than twice as often in the last

two decades than they did in the preceding century.

And it appears that the situation is set to get worse. A continuing rise in global temperatures — fueled in part by human activity — will greatly increase the chances that dry periods are accompanied by warm conditions, the team predicted. That’s what has happened during the state’s current drought, now entering its fourth year and by some measures the worst on record.

“Our results highlight the fact that efforts to understand

the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Whether climate change – whatever its cause – has played a role in the California drought is a matter of debate. A report published last fall by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society concluded that there is

since the late 19th century.”

In the PNAS study, Diffenbaugh, Swain and Stanford graduate student Danielle Touma note that California’s average precipitation has not appreciably declined over the last century.

Indeed, climate models suggest that winter precipitation in much of the state could modestly increase this century.

But rising temperatures caused by human activities are nonetheless increasing drought risk, they wrote.

“The emergence of a condition in which there is ~100% proba-

That report included the substantially increases the risk work of 20 research teams of prolonged drought conditions in the region,” they concluded.

“Our results strongly suggest recorded around the world that global warming is already in 2013. Diffenbaugh and increasing the probability of Stanford graduate student conditions that have historically Daniel Swain, a co-author of created high-impact drought in the role of temperature miss a the PNAS study, contributed a California.”

Copyright 2015, Bettina critical contributor to drought paper that said the type of stubrisk,” wrote the authors, whose born high-pressure system that work was published Monday in persistently pushed storms Reprinted with Permission.

5 Encinitas Density Bonus lawsuit is a It’s all about prioritizing

OPINION

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

waste of taxpayer money Jerome Stocks

Guest commentary

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n October 10, 2014 the San Diego County Building Industry Association (BIA), a CA sued the city of Encinitas in Superior Court (case no.

37-2014-0034550-CU-WM-NC) because of the changes the Encinitas City Council adopted in how the city should interpret Government Code section 65915, also known as the “Density Bonus Law.” According to BIA Vice President Matt Adams, the BIA simply wants the city of Encinitas to “uphold and administer the laws of the state of California.”

The Mayor of Encinitas, Kristin Gaspar, would only comment that “it would be inappropriate to comment on ongoing legal matters.”

The dispute involves changes that were made to the actual manner that the city planning department calculates the number of units a given project can place on a given parcel of property.

According to Mr. Jeff Murphy, the Director of Planning for Encinitas, in response to a Public Records projects considered “active density bonus projects” in the City, and they would have a combined total of 74 units if the rules the BIA believes state law dictates were applied, but 66 units under the new rules adopted by the Encinitas City Council. That’s a difference of eight units. This in a city of about 24,000 Allen, Matkins, Leck, Gamble, Mallory & Natsis LLP of San city of Encinitas hired special outside council, Barbara Kautz of Goldfarb and Lipman LLP out of Oakland to defend its newly adopted policies. The BIA is not a public agency and as such can’t be compelled to give data regard-

ing how much they’re paying their lawyers, or what their budget is for this action, but the City, in response to a public records request, sent over a copy of their special counsel’s contract as well lawyers bill at $300 per hour and their invoice for the period Dec. 31, 2014 through Jan. 31, 2015 was for $6,534.02. Another wow.

The CA state housing law is interesting because in Government Code section 65589.5, the California Legislature declared that the lack of housing in California is a critical problem that threatens the economic, environmental, and social quality of life for its citizens. In particular, the Legislature found that the housing shortage impacts low-income and minority households. The Density Bonus Law was enacted by the Legislature to promote the development of affordable housing. The actions of the Encinitas City Council are diametrically opposed to the goals stated in the state legislation and housing law.

The lawsuit also seeks recovery of attorneys fees and costs of suit, pursuant to Government Code section 65915, Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5. If the tiff’s case, the city is on the hook OOOUUCH!!!

So, bottom line is that the City Council, bowing to some local pressure applied by folks that some would probably label as in my backyard”—is risking the at risk of paying to reimburse the attorney fees accrued by the BIA legal team over what amounts to eight housing units? Wow wow. up the recently acquired but very And meanwhile, just a few miles

Encinitas’ Armani suit Thomas K.

Arnold

Commentary

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ver have one of those weeks where your roof leaks, one of your retaining walls develops a crack and your moody teen wall, creating an unsightly hole? is $8,000, yet your meager little savings account, fed by a $50-a-month auto deposit, is just shy of $1,000. Like most people these days, yours is a hand-toproud to have almost $1,000 in “play money” but now that’s gone — and even then, it’s a fraction of what you need.

To make things even worse, you just put a new Armani suit on your credit card — not because you need it, but because

you thought it would be nice to have.

So not only are your savings wiped but you’re seriously in the hole, even without that looming credit card bill.

That’s something like a meeting the Encinitas City Council recently had. City staff on March 25 gave the town’s elected leadCapital Improvement Program, and it wasn’t pretty.

All told, nearly $400 million in infrastructure repairs and other improvements are needed, yet the only cash on hand is $41 million. And then, of course, there’s School site purchase: $10 million for the property and rundown school buildings, but untold millions more in asbestos and other cleanup, building an arts center, and landscaping — not to mention operating costs even further down the road when the thing is built.

to the south the City of San Diego recently approved a 600- unit,

Mark Muir

Encinitas Council Member Guest commentary

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he Encinitas City Council development called One Paseo. has begun one of our most The city of Encinitas has about important annual tasks, drafting the city’s annual budget. little developable land left as it is Mayor Kristin Gaspar and I about 95 percent built out. both voted against increasing

lion. Staff proposed a CIP list ects. If the council agrees with this list, that will leave an unassigned fund balance available for new capital projects at $500,000 not much, unless something is removed from the CIP list and reallocated to a new project.

The $19.6-million debt for the

the policy changes that brought with your budget at home, our about this lawsuit? Because they city must live within its means Live Museum (property only) certainly aren’t pragmatic. has challenged the council in determining or like at home, there prioritizing the are always more LAO calls for more remaining project wants than dollars housing construction needs. Certainly, available. in coastal urban areas a museum can As a city, we bring plenty of want to be sure million in debt positive benThe Legislative Analyst’s to fund core serOffice, in a report dated vices our citizens for the recently efits, but we March 17, 2015, advised the care about, along have to weigh its Legislature to change policies with various capi- purchased Pacific additional cost tal improvements View/Live Museum against other private home and apartment and special projspending (property only) priority building in California’s coastal needs for our city, urban areas. such as improved step in the planning process is streets, city facilities, sand for new housing units California connecting the prioritized spend- beaches, open space, trails, public needs to build is uncertain, ing plan to the annual budget. safety, wayside horns, stabilizathe general magnitude is enorDone correctly, the budget tion of our beaches, safe routes to mous,” the LAO stated. “On top - schools, etc. of the 100,000 to 140,000 hous- tions and needs while creating Our city receives many requests and recommendations to build each year, the state the city. Ideally, the budget probably would have to build - or projects throughout the year. as many as 100,000 additional orities. Ultimately, municipal Standing alone, many of these budgeting is a big-picture task projects could be described as its coastal communities—to that ironically requires atten- “no brainers.” Sure, we might seriously mitigate its problems tion to small details and also be able to afford one or many with housing affordability. must take into account the short of them – but we certainly can’t But facilitating additional and long-term needs of the city afford all of them. That’s why housing of this magnitude will with a wide vision for antici- it’s so critical that each project go though a thoughtful budgetpated issues and projects. conceded. ary review process.

“It could place strains on a historically thorough budgetOur city leaders, staff, and the state’s infrastructure and ing process, which requires our community have invested a great natural resources and alter the staff to focus and identify on the deal of time and energy into a prized character of California’s needed resources to meet our strategic planning process that coastal communities. It also stated goals. Once that process would require the state to is complete, each department opportunities and challenges. make changes to a broad range has an objective means to We shouldn’t allow that effort of policies that affect housing determine the importance of a to go to waste by failing to consupply directly or indirectly— sider the totality of the projects including policies that have overall mission. involved. The best and more been fundamental tenets of valued projects will surface to California government for million in unfunded projects, the top. These choices should be many years.” three of which represent $322 based on a set of guiding criteria, million alone (drainage and such as: legal mandate, effects two railroad underground proj- on public health and safety, Just like our hapless friend ects). These big projects will only with no money but an Armani come to fruition with assistance services, and most importantly suit, every member on the City from federal grants.

Council at this point must have Please participate by letting The city has determined its some form of buyer’s remorse. the council know what is impor- Improvement Projects (CIP) for top site and preserving it forever for the public’s use might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but I can’t fathom anyone still thinking that way now that

$19.6

on just how much money the city will need to fork over during the I’ll say it again: this site would have been a great location for a scale of Laguna Beach’s Montage or Carlsbad’s Park Hyatt Aviara, or even the Hilton Carlsbad Resort & Spa, with fewer than of land. I’m thinking high-end boutique, with half the property devoted to open space and the other half a pricey little hotel that generates lots and lots of SEE ARMANI PAGE 12

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SUMMER CAMPS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

Summer Day Camp Guide:

Many choices offered locally I

f you’re looking for ways to introduce your child to new and

check out Sylvan EDGE camps.

Whether your child is interested in a robotics camp, a video game design camp, or a cool study camp, these camps are designed to be fun and interactive. Kids just love them! In addition, Sylvan offers early reading, math edge and creative writing camps. All camps at Sylvan of Encinitas have group dynamics, so your child can bring his or her friends or make new ones. When kids are with friends, the learning environment becomes even more engaging. Not to mention, it makes carpooling much easier for busy families, like yours.

More details can be found online at Locations.sylvanlearning. com/us/encinitas-ca/program/ sylvan-edge-camps or by calling Kimm Emerson at 760-942-5454.

The Grauer School in summer program to include additional enrichment camps in 2015. Students can devote time to art or dabble in music at the school FINE magazine readers voted “San Diego’s Finest School for the Performing Arts.” The enrichment camps are inclusive to students as young as fourth grade and some are even open to adults. The Grauer School is continuing to offer a diverse set

of UC-approved summer school courses for high school and college-bound students looking to get ahead this summer.

Virtually all classes can be offered in an independent studies format to accommodate busy summer schedules. For more information, go to Grauerschool. com or email summerschool@ grauerschool.com.

The Theatre School @ North Coast Rep in Solana Beach provides children and teens with a Its camps are designed to foster self-esteem, and provide a basis for communication, leading to lifelong team building skills. Its camp works on a weekly cycle.

Each week is packed with a full line-up of creative activities taught by theatre professionals; from improvisation and acting to musical theatre! The Theatre School has camps for all ages, from 4 to 19 years old. Call 858481-1055 or visit Northcoastrep. org/TheatreSchool.

Get ready for summer in Encinitas! Encinitas Parks

and Rec has hundreds of camps, classes, leagues and special events lined up for the summer months, including Seaside Day Camp, offered weekly all summer long and our local-favorites, Encinitas Junior Lifeguards and Encinitas Beach Kids at Moonlight Beach.

Make this summer your child’s best yet and one to remember. View an online brochure and browse and register for all of the summer programs at EncinitasParksandRec.com. Feel free to call for more info at 760-6332740. Also, be sure to follow the city and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest news and info from Encinitas.

It’s time for camp at The Learning Tree Preschool in Cardiff! Have fun digging for fossils at Dinosaur Camp. Race through the obstacle course during Sports and Games Week. There are 11 camps in all! Call miss Lisa at 760-943-0848 for more information or come in for a tour, 240 Birmingham Drive. The Learning Tree is currently registering 2-year-olds through transitional kindergarten for the fall.

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

Sea lion pup climbs atop Leucadia surfer Ari Marsh

Guest columnist

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t was a pristine winter day in mid-February. Warm Santa Ana winds were blowing the tops off turquoise waves at my home surf break, Beacon’s Beach, in Leucadia. Several surfers were sitting on the outside, waiting for the larger waves, when a frantic sea lion pup surfaced amidst us.

“What’s chasing him?” I said half-jokingly. To our surprise, the sea lion pup, in what seemed like desperation, began to climb onto a fellow surfer’s longboard. The longboarder appeared a bit uncomfortable with the situation and repeatit swam toward me. While lying on my board, I reached out my hand to pet him as he passed by. The pup welcomed my touch and climbed on the back of my board, and then continued to crawl up onto my of utter disbelief, I realized this little guy, trembling and needed something, perhaps protection or rest.

According to SeaWorld, 2015 has been a record-breaking year for sea lion pup rescues due to

rely on to feed have plunged to deeper, colder waters, beyond the reach of young pups. This little guy’s survival was at stake, and it had climbed upon my back to seek refuge.

Other surfers looked on with astonishment, amazed that this usually wild creature was holding onto a human, mounted on my back as if gripping its mother.

I wanted to help and allowed the pup to abide with me as long as it needed.

“It was just remarkable to see—a once in a lifetime encounter,” recalled long-time Encinitas surfer, Doug Jopes, who was

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and premature separation from their mothers. In part, due to El Niño patterns of warmer ocean

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Looking for something fun and enriching this summer? The Grauer School offers for-credit and enrichment programs for kids in Grades 3–12 and adults.

Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

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The pup stayed on my back for about 15 minutes, even when I sat up on my board. Still clinging to me, he rested his head on my shoulder like a child. I paddled over some of the larger set waves with the pup on my back, feeling the incredible strength in cage. He had no trouble holding quite natural, and after a time his tremors began to subside.

As another round of set waves approached, I paddled hard to get over some of the largest waves of the day. Again he held on tight and seemed to be watching the waves intently. An even bigger wave loomed outside. As it approached, both the pup and I realized we were not going to make it over, but would have to duck-dive through it. As I readied to plunge through, the pup dove off my back and into the wave alongside me, knowing also the need to dive through the wave or risk being forcibly knocked off and tossed into the surf zone.

There was something truly remarkable about duck-diving through that wave together.

Upon surfacing, we both searched for each other. As our eyes made contact, we shared connection. To this day, that and mysterious to me. I’ve been about 25 years and have ridden many thousands of waves along rienced incredible moments with dolphins, whales and, of course, fellow surfers, but nothing like this.

As the pup broke gaze with me, I watched him plunge deep into the ocean, swimming farther outside toward the kelp beds. I turned to paddle and catch an approaching wave. I don’t know what happened to him, or her, in the days or weeks that followed, but I do know that there have been dozens of sea lion pups in need of assistance this winter and some have sought the help of humans. “For once,” said Jopes, refuge, “we are helping out the marine life, instead of taking from it.”

LOCAL NEWS

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HOME & GARDEN

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

Wellness in North County:

Wheatever!

Chris Ahrens

Gardening ideas from Evelyn:

A-list your way to successful succulents Evelyn Weidner Guest columnist

Here’s my succulent A list: A is for April because so many succulents bloom in April; A is for Ask the Experts on Weidner’s Gardens Succulent seminar day, April 18; A is for Aeoniums, Aloes and Agave, all important succulents that contribute to successful succulent gardens.

Now let’s meet that A list of succulents, plus I’ll give some growing tips and fun facts.

Aeoniums (pronounced a-ohknee-umm), such as the Black Schwarzkopf and A. Kiwi, come from the Canary Islands. They grow in the Southern California winter and rest during our summer.

Aeonium Schwarzkopf was in bloom in March, with spectac-

when they bloom, the plant dies. If you have other younger rosettes growing at the base of your plant, leave those and cut

off the rest so you can enjoy the Hint: The best spot for growing an Aeonium Schwarzkopf is boulder.

Aeonium Kiwi—so pretty, so easy. Kiwi and her sisters do not look at all like the dark Schwarzkopf. They are easy to grow, with lots of rosettes that

come in blended shades — from cream to apricot colors. They belong in every combination and in every garden. These aeoniums usually have so many rosettes that when they bloom, they are less likely to die. Like the Schwarzkopf, they also grow in our winter and rest during the summer.

Hint: Feed and water succu-

lents when they are growing, but back off when they are resting.

Fun fact: Succulents from North America grow in the summer and rest in winter, while succulents from the Southern Hemisphere are usually winter growers.

A is for aloe, which blooms in April in all its glory.

Everyone knows aloe vera, the aloe that is supposed to help with a burn. Not everyone knows that aloes are also one of the most spectacular spring blooming succulents. Tall spikes rise from low-base plants in spring and last for months. Some aloes even bloom several times a year. They stay in bloom for long periods of time.

Fun fact: Right now you can see them everywhere, planted in street mediums and in any good succulent garden.

A is for agave, which is native to the southern and western United States, as well as Central and tropical Blue Agave gives us everything from sweet to tipsy. Agaves can be large, impressive garden plants or spectacular specimen that stay small for a container planting. Agaves have come a long way and today there is an interesting agave for every garden or container.

Fun fact: For the ancient Aztecs, agave was the to-doeverything plant. It provided ener, sewing materials and even

paper.

Want to know more? Ask for Sabine Hildebrand at Weidners Gardens. She is our succulent her succulents, so for the very best advice ask her. I am still learning about all these wonderful succulents. That just goes to show that one is never too old to learn.

A is for April 18, Super Succulent Day at Weidners Gardens, 695 Normandy Road in Encinitas.

We will have our top two, most

on hand to speak and advise.

At 10 a.m., Debra Lee Baldwin, a fabulous and entertaining speaker, will show you how to create succulent containers.

At 2 p.m., Jeff Moore, of Solana Succulents, will show you what to plant and where, and how to make a wow design instead of a whatever hodge-podge in your landscape. Moore is famous for his prize-winning succulent landscape designs.

Visit Weidners.com for events, classes and more information.

Columnist

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y close friend Dr. Jon Montague is healthy and happy and works to keep it that way. Montague is a dentist by profession and something of a nutritionist as a hobby. We are of similar age and both reasonably healthy considering our number of laps around the sound, which is hovering just beyond 60.

Like me, he is no fad dieter, and wants to enjoy life with friends and family.

Recently Montague showed up at my door with a book he had taken to heart, “Wheat Belly,” by Cardiologist William Davis. The surprises about how the omnipresent grain is everywhere and barely resembles the substance it was before being so radically altered, starting in the 1950s.

Prior to reading the book, I had wondered why I could digest most anything including steak and lobster at midnight, but blew up each time I ate wheat. I reduced my gluten intake, only problem. Most of the problem, according to Dr. Davis, is wheat itself. And, according to him, “It doesn’t matter if it’s whole grain or sprouted, it all comes from the same genetically altered plant.”

He also mentions: “Americans are plagued by obesity on a scale never before seen in the human

before swallowing the banned substance and proceeded on with my miserable day. By day two, I I felt only slightly better. By day four, I felt good, and by the end of the week, I felt amazing. That weekend, someone asked me over for dinner and I ate everything, bread included, with joy and thanksgiving.

I didn’t pay for that meal until ing when I felt a nearly irresistible longing for something containing wheat.

What I didn’t realize at the time is that wheat apparently attaches itself to the same part of the brain morphine does, and sets up the system for more wheat. As with any addiction, you feel better once you get the problematic substance into your system. Hello, my name is Chris and I am a wheat addict.

I soon realized that there were very few foods that had the same addictive qualities as wheat and began to believe in Davis’ message. Still, not even two weeks later, I found myself binging on crackers, bread and pasta.

Recently, I re-skimmed “Wheat Belly” and, hoping to avoid Celiac Disease Rheumatoid Arthritis, weight gain, diabetes, irritable asthma symptoms— all diseases Davis claims are encouraged by wheat consumption—I decided to try again.

The results were identical

Not being much of a bread through three days of witheater, I decided to give this drawal. By day four, I felt pretty wheat-free thing a try. I wasn’t good. Still, there are crackers, bread and a variety of items new wetsuit, so why not? lurking in my kitchen that For day one, I made a breakfast threaten to get me back in the of fruit and yogurt and skipped squirrel cage. Thankfully, I have my usual slice of sprouted toast. some rice crackers and quinoa Then, a few hours later, I had a headache and felt sluggish.

Without thinking I reached for what I knew would be the sure cure: bread. I caught myself

Then again, I might need a support group for this one.

To learn more about the effects of wheat, check out Wheatbellyblog.com.

HEALTH & FITNESS

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BUSINESS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

NORTH COUNTY BUSINESS NOTES

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

NORTH COUNTY NOTABLES

Carlsbad Chamber recognizes business leaders Conley joins Tri-City The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce celebrated the best in business among its membership at its Annual Business Awards Dinner, held March 6 at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. The awards ceremony, which had “A Sea of Opportunity” as its theme, honored businesses that are forging the future, making new discoveries and charting new courses for their industries and lifting the name of Carlsbad.

“Our program recognizes some strates that Carlsbad is a city with a passion for discovery, innovation and industry,” said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber.

During the evening, the chamber presented awards in the following eight categories: Businessperson of the Year: Peter M. MacLaggan, Poseidon Water, LLC and Tim Stripe, Grand Clean Technologies Award: NRG Energy, Inc. Information and Communications Technology Award: 5D Robotics Nonprofit Association: Kids For Peace Action Sports Award: Spy Optic Manufacturing Award: Carlsbad Technology, Inc. Life Sciences Award: Alphatec Spine, Inc.

pany rebranded itself and moved into a new facility that allowed it to increase its manufacturing by more than 200 percent.

During the evening, the chamber also recognized the achievements of the 2014 board of directors and inaugurated its 2015 board members.

More than 400 people, including nity members, attended the awards dinner, which featured a cocktail

Poseidon Water Senior Vice President Peter MacLaggan, left, and Grand Pacific Resorts Co-President and Co-Owner Tim Stripe, right, were co-recipients of the Businessperson of the Year award (Photo by Jeff Kassebaum Photography)

Hospitality & Leisure Award: The Alps Group of Hotels (Holiday Beach) In addition, the evening offered a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award to Keith Kennedy of Kennedy and Associates, which helped the Chamber grow the Carlsbad Village Faire into the largest one-day street fair in the United States.

The Chamber also presented The Sound Eklin), a company that provides veterinary digital imaging. The company’s headquarters was destroyed

the world-renowned resort.

NRG Energy was the event’s presenting sponsor. Other sponsors included AT&T; Carlsbad Grand Pacific Resorts, Inc.; Jeff Kassebaum Photography; LEGOLAND California Resort; Omni La Costa Resort & Spa; San Diego Gas & Electric; Tip Top Meats/ European Delicatessen & Gourmet Food; Tri-City Medical Center; Wells “Speaking for Business, Listening to the Community,” the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the voice for North County businesses. With more than 1,600 members, the Carlsbad Chamber is the second largest chamber in the county and the 10th largest in the state. For further information about the chamber, please contact 760-931-8400, or visit the website at Carlsbad.org.

Medical Center as COO Seasoned healthcare professional Kirkpatrick “Kapua”

at Tri-City Medical Center as of April 1.

Bringing more than a decade of health administration and for the community as well as a background in comprehensive cancer care, information technology, integrated healthcare system environments and public healthcare districts.

“Conley’s local roots and Tri-City Medical Center CEO Tim Moran. “He will be an asset to continue driving our focus on quality patient care, operational discipline and the community’s health and wellness.”

Most recently, Conley served for three years as CEO of Fallbrook Hospital in northern San Diego County.

Fallbrook Hospital was

Pictured from left to right at the 2015 MADD awards ceremony: San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore; Director of the Office of Traffic Safety, Rhonda Craft; Deputy Oscar Butler; Barona Councilwoman Melissa Bonayre; and San Diego Police Chief Shelly Zimmerman. (Photo courtesy San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)

COO Kirkpatrick “Kapua” Conley (Courtesy photo)

District. Conley was directly responsible for oversight of all hospital, clinic and skilled nursing operations and was over and help earn a 2013 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures rating from the Joint Commission.

From 2010 to 2012, Kirkpatrick was CEO of Mesa View Regional Hospital in Mesquite, Nevada, and, from 2008 to 2010, assistant CEO at Oro Valley Hospital in Tucson, Arizona.

Deputy commended for DUI arrests Encinitas sheriff’s Deputy Oscar Butler was among seven deputies honored March 24 with an Diego chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

Butler, who arrested 45 impaired drivers in 2014, was honored during MADD’s annual awards luncheon, held at the Town & Country Resort Convention Center.

Anderson Cancer Center, where he spent three years as a Genitourinary Cancer Center Administrator.

Conley holds a master’s degree in health administration and a bachelor’s degree in management from Tulane University.

2015 NCAL CHAMPS – TORREY PINES: Pictured, from left: Michael Lee, Thomas Freedman, Eric Tang, Eric Chen, Alex Jen, Jacqueline Yau, Jessica Choi, Emily Sun, Kevin Jiang, Vasu Vikram, Varun Bhave and Coach Andrew Kahng. (Courtesy photo)

Torrey Pines High wins North County Academic League championship Children participate in a previous EcoFest Encinitas. (Courtesy photo)

Youth invited to participate in EcoFest design contest EcoFest Encinitas, a fun, free, day-long celebration of the environment and the Encinitas community, has announced a contest for North County children 8 to 15 years old to design The tote bags, featuring the winning original artwork depicting a favorite endangered animal, environmental cause or issue, will be distributed at the ninth annual event, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 at 450 Quail Gardens Drive.

Entries must be received by April 26 and can be submitted via email, Facebook or mail. The winning design will be selected by the Encinitas Environment

Torrey Pines High School captured the North County Academic League championship Tuesday, March 17 with a victory over rival Canyon Crest Academy in the title match at Westview High School, earning the right to represent North County at the county Canyon Crest Academy quickly achieved a 40-point lead in the

Day Board of Directors prior to the EcoFest on May 17.

For more information on EcoFest and the contest, visit Ecofestencinitas.org or EncinitasEnvironmentDay on Facebook and click on Events.

Division champion Falcons. After a timeout called by Torrey Pines, the Falcons began to claw their way back. Once Torrey Pines had overcome the Ravens, the Falcons never looked back on their way to a 127-80 win.

Torrey Pines was awarded the North County Academic League Varsity Championship Trophy, named the Boldt-Roswell Trophy in honor of Patricia Boldt and George Roswell, two of the founders of the NCAL who have been involved in the league since 1982. Roswell moderated the

championship match.

Torrey Pines will attempt to keep the San Diego County championship trophy in North County when it competes against the champions of the three other leagues of San Diego County live on ITV the evening of April 23.

North County’s Westview won the county championship the last two years.

The Falcon team consists of Varun Bhave, Eric Chen, Jessica Jen, Kevin Jiang, Michel Lee, Emily Sun, Eric Tang, Vasu Torrey Pines is coached by Andrew Kahng. Torrey Pines last won the NCAL championship in 2011.

The North County Academic League playoffs involved the top sions. Torrey Pines’ road to the league championship began with over Classical Academy, the runner-up from the Valley Division.

Torrey Pines, champions of the Coast Division this year, went on to defeat the North Division Champ, Mission Hills, 117-55, had downed Coast Division runCanyon Crest Academy, runner-up of the Coast Division, earned its place at the champithe Coast Division champion, Carlsbad, 94-50. The Ravens went on to beat Mission Vista, the North Division runner-up, The Timberwolves had defeated Valley champ, San Pasqual,

appearance in the NCAL championship playoffs.

More information regarding the North County Academic League can be found at its new website address: http://gro-

11

12 ARMANI, FROM PAGE 5

course there’d be a restaurant as well, with an outdoor patio that segues into a public patio and park and a builder-paid stairway to the beach, down below.

But, as they say, that’s all water under the proverbial bridge. What’s done is done, and as cooler minds warned at the time, the purchase and subsequent rehabilitation of coming back and haunting those who last year voted in favor of it.

That said, I do want to commend the council for setting priorities, which took up most of last Wednesday’s meeting.

Focusing on street and rail

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

improvements is a no brainer; if we can’t get people from here to there, there’s really no reason to fund anything else. The Leucadia 101 Streetscape Plan also is a worthy cause: the celebrated and historic Old Highway 101 corridor is the linear heart of coastal North County, and it warms my heart to see cities stepping up and making it even more inviting, from Solana Beach’s incredible improvements to the west side commercial district to Carlsbad’s new city sign.

TUTORING, FROM PAGE 1 said the local donor, who did not wish to be named. “There are a lot of Latino and even military children who may have moved a lot, who for some reason or another did not get a basic com-

take issue with is $500,000 for When your house is falling apart, the last thing you should worry about is taking that damn Armani suit to the tailor for alterations.

Pet of the Month Pirate is the Seaside Courier pet of the month at your Rancho Coastal Humane Society. He’s an 18-month-old, 9-pound, domestic short hair cat.

Pirate has a black fur patch over his left eye. Most people think it makes him look dashing. He’s always on the

in the RCHS Cattery. He gets along great with the other cats. If you already have a cat and you’re thinking about meet Pirate face-to-furry-face. Or with the RCHS “Better with a Buddy” option, you can adopt Pirate now then get another cat within one year for only $25. Pirate was transferred to RCHS from another shelter through the FOCAS program. nations, neuter and registered microchip. Find your best friend at Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza St. in Encinitas or log on to SDpets.org. Call 760-753-6413 for more information or to sponsor a pet until it’s adopted. Kennels and Cattery are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.

Also happening this month at RCHS: by adopting a gently used, recycled pet from RCHS and by shopping at the RCHS Thrift Shop. The thrift shop is located at 120 Aberdeen Drive in Cardiff. Meet animals online at SDpets.org and like Rancho Coastal Humane Society Thrift Shop on Facebook.

April 30 is Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, but you don’t need to wait.

RCHS has dogs, cats and rabbits every day that need loving families.

From left to right: Thelma Hendrix, Bonnie Gjerde, Carol Sanford, Frank Doherty, Vera Bayliss, Penny Sallee and Vicky Squires.

The check for $25,000 was presented to Doherty by Bayliss, president of the Auxiliary.. (Courtesy photo)

Our Auxiliary—Finding true meaning at Brother Benno’s Frank Doherty Guest columnist

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other Teresa is quoted as saying: “Alone we can do nothing, but together we can do something beautiful for God.” This was the case recently when the representatives of the sented Brother Benno’s with a check for $25,000 representing efforts sponsoring fund-raising events over the last year.

Mother Teresa is also quoted

and put your love for the poor does this so well — and what a difference they make. Whether that be in sponsoring events such our Christmas party and gift giving to the children of the poor, to volunteering as a team on our food serving line, to providing blankets and knit hats to newborns, or providing grated cheese to go with our spaghetti meals on Saturdays. They are at the Center on many special days such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and Easter provid-

ing gifts to the poor — putting their love into living action.

We are called to serve others.

This is what gives us true meaning in our lives. What our feeling that our volunteers know a difference in people’s lives.

Frank Doherty serves as an operations manager at Brother Benno’s Center, 3260 Production Ave. in Oceanside. For more

years of schooling or maybe they missed a lot of good concepts.

They didn’t have the basics.”

The results of the tutoring program, said Eric Nelte, president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Foundation, are evident.

“It is transformational,” Nelte said. “These kids come in and are behind in their class level and getting teased by other kids.

That can be really unpleasant so some of them start skipping school and their parents don’t know about it. Well, with this program all of the sudden they are the rock stars.”

Nelte said students do not need to be Boys and Girls Club members to be accepted for the tutoring program and that currently, spaces are available. the program is also made possible by Sylvan Learning Center, which funds 33 percent of the tutoring costs while the donor funds 66 percent.

Brandon Khieu, an engineer who was seeking a career change

when he purchased the center in December 2014, said it was important to keep the program going. helps children, especially disadvantaged children, who can use the help keeping up with all the changes in school,” Khieu said.

“Many parents have a hard time helping them keep up, especially ties who have to work so much.

It’s hard for them to look over their children’s homework.”

He said Sylvan Learning Center makes it a point to bring the students to grade level or higher, whether that be in reading, writing, math or all three.

“We don’t just keep them three months and let them go,” Khieu said. “We want them to successfully graduate from us.”

There are currently seven students enrolled, with space for up to 20 or 30 more, according to Khieu. He encouraged anyone interested in applying to contact Sylvan Learning Center at 760-942-5454.

“We want to shine a light on this program,” he said. “The scholarships are funded but there are not enough applications for the amount of money we have to give out. We have a philanthropist who is a very it is a good way to give back to the community.”

The Retail Beat:

visit Brotherbenno.org/brother-

Beachside bikini shopping Katrina Dodson Guest columnist

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surprise vacation to Maui in April has me in a state of panic; I need a new swimsuit and I may not be able to special order or mail order one before I head to bathing suit shop locally that can re-charge my beach look.

I started at Eve 7 in Carlsbad (5369 Carlsbad Village Drive) to check out their custom selections. This tea-cup-sized shop had some big choices, and the helpful sales staff guided me through the options, selections and custom ideas. Eve 7 creates all their own swimwear designs in special ordered fabrics that I have not seen duplicated elsewhere in the swim category. The choices on bikini and tankini tops were plentiful, and the cup sizes varied widely depending on shape and need. I appreciated the way the designer matched up geometrics and print designs so artfully that they coordinated perfectly on each side — a rarity in mass produced garments. The bottom choices presented were mostly bikini or string tie varieties, but I was assured that I could have something custom designed with a fuller coverage doesn’t stop at swimsuits — she also custom makes the cover-ups and beach-ready dresses in original designs. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea (2101 San Elijo Ave., Cardiff), which has

combined their boutique with Iron Cross Surf Shop. Focused more on great solids and tropical styles to choose from and a full selection of sizes. The sales staff variety of beach cover-ups and sarongs were available. Prices were generally $40-$43 per piece.

I had to swing into Surfride (355 N. Highway 101, Solana Beach) and check out what they had to offer. I thought I guards and board shorts but was pleasantly surprised with a Billabong, L*Space, O’Neill and Volcom styles to choose from. I Bandeau swim top which would be perfect for a day of snorkeling or kayaking. Most of the suits were bikini style and very fashion forward.

My last stop was Hansen’s Surf at (1105 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas). I had to tear myself their swimwear offerings (very with a large assortment of offerings, including at least 10 linear feet of one pieces, a dozen or more choices in tankini style tops, and a vast assortment of bikinis from Body Glove, Tommy Bahama, Maaji, Trina Turk, Amuse Society, and Edit. Prices range from $37 a piece up to $179 for a Nanette Lapore one piece. I don’t think you could walk away from this store without a bathing suit choice for any size or shape.

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LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

Sea Creatures:

Rob Machado’s mission Chris Ahrens Columnist

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’ve known Rob Machado’s parents for longer than he has. I met Chris and Jim Machado, Rob’s mother and father in 1973, when they rented me a small house in Sydney, Australia for $10 a week. They were the owners of a small restaurant called the Branding Iron then, and had one child, Justin while — a boy they would call Robert but who would become known simply as Rob. More than a decade later, the Machado family and I would watch this little kid named Rob cross the tracks with his little board with the word “Mouse,” his nickname, airbrushed on the deck. A few years later, when his rise to prominence occurred, it paralleled that of the most successful surfer of all time, Kelly Slater, as they both made their names on the pro tour in waves of all sizes. In their early teens, Machado, the goofy foot, and Slater, the regular foot, were for future generations. What set everyone else was the speed at vers and his immaculate style:

agile and poetic.

During their early years, Machado and Slater were often spotted together, spending time at each other’s homes when visiting opposite coasts. To my recollection, it was in the early surf Seaside Reef, giving a sneak preview to all on hand as to what the future of our sport would be.

Over the years, Machado gave the pro tour a good shot, but many feel as I do that his subtle style often went unappreciated by the judges. Still in his prime, about a decade ago, Machado decided he would no longer compete professionally on a full-time basis, but surf and travel for the new spots while testing his limits and those of the various Along the way there were children and projects including his stellar one-man show, Taylor Steele’s classic video, “The Drifter,” where Machado’s individualism makes a strong statement.

Machado has always stood apart from the pack, as much for templative ways. He is a thinker who goes his own way in spite of the pressure to do otherwise, and has always consistently for the good of others. One of the

ways he does that is through The Rob Machado Foundation, which “helps children understand their contribution towards a healthy earth by supporting environmental programs at schools.”

Not surprisingly, the organization focuses on water, it’s use and abuse. To that end, Machado works to encourage people to use them, rather than reaching for those small plastic bottles every time you are in search of a drink.

He hope to eliminate those useonce-throw-away plastic bottles that are strewn on our beaches If you look closely at the trash containers at both Seaside and Cardiff reefs, you will notice the name Rob Machado Foundation emblazoned on them. The foundation paid for the covered containers, which are made from 100 percent reclaimed materials. As a result of having these containers, our local beaches are a little cleaner. As a result everywhere, our world is become a lot cleaner, as one student at a time gets the big picture. That idea brings a smile to his face, even as he’s laying his rail into waves a stone’s throw from the containers he has paid for.

To learn more about the Rob Machado Foundation, visit: robmachado.com

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LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015 SANDAG, FROM PAGE 1

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vying for a share of $12 million available through SANDAG’s Smart Growth Incentive Program and $3 million through its Active Transportation Grant Program are Oceanside, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Carlsbad.

Oceanside is applying for four grants for a total of $1.14 million to use mainly toward its Seagaze Drive Downtown Mobility Project.

Solana Beach applied for two grants for a total of $2.4 million for improvements along Stevens and Cedros avenues. Carlsbad applied for one grant for $270,000 toward its Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Project. Del Mar applied for one grant of $70,000 for planning and design of its Coast to Crest Trail underpass.

The city that will have a disadvantage is Carlsbad, because it, like Encinitas, does not have a Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall that the city has been working since 2008 to update its general plan, which has seven elements, including housing. The city is getting close, he said, but continual changes to climate action regulations have slowed the process of completing the plan in its entirety.

“Because we are trying to be careful on that, we did not meet the state deadline for our housing element,” Hall said.

“The city can apply, but it is almost impossible to obtain a ing element. It is what it is.”

The grant cycle only comes back around once every two or three years, but Encinitas has never been successful in obtaining any of the funding since the program’s inception because of its lack of a housing element.

The element — currently draft and sent out for environmental review — calls for the city to identify land parcels suitable for the future development density housing units. The hope is to have the element ready for a public vote in November 2016.

Ballot approval is required under Proposition A, which was passed

by Encinitas voters and relates to land-use policies, zoning and the density of new developments.

Encinitas Councilwoman Lisa Shaffer, who serves as the city’s representative on the SANDAG board, shared her thoughts on the predicament.

“Since we don’t have a housing element, we start every proposal Shaffer said. “It is a competitive program; the proposals that get awarded are in the 90-point range so we don’t even submit proposals because we know we won’t be competitive. Since I have been

“The city can apply, but it is almost impossible to obtain a grant without a certified housing element. It is what it is.”

—Lisa Shaffer, Encinitas Councilwoman on SANDAG, I have seen grants going to all the neighboring cities but nothing going to us.”

During SANDAG’s last Smart Growth and Active Transportation grant cycle in 2012, Oceanside was awarded nearly $2 million for improvements along Mission Avenue and Oceanside Boulevard.

Carlsbad received more than $1.1 million, which it used for the Coastal Rail Trail, active transportation planning and outreach. Solana Beach was awarded $136,000 and Del Mar received $25,000.

But, Shaffer said, grant eligibility is not the only reason Encinitas “There are many good reasons,” Shaffer said. “We need to plan intelligently for the changing housing needs of our community; we need to provide opportunities and incentives for lower cost, transit-oriented development as an alternative to outward sprawl; we need to protect open space and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and we need to comply with state laws. The eligibility for SANDAG primary motivation in my view.”

As Shaffer pointed out, there is the necessity to comply with state law. Critics, however, have said that as the Council attempts to follow state law regarding the housing element, the city is currently being sued by the Building Industry Association’s San Diego chapter over its density bonus law.

The state law allows a property owner to increase density — the number of housing units — on their land above the city-permitof these homes are reserved for low-income residents or seniors.

The BIA contends that Encinitas’ interpretation of the law — revised by the Council in summer 2014 — hinder developers’ ability to build enough of these affordable units on their parcels and is in violation of state law.

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015

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SEASIDECOURIER.COM — APRIL 2015