Seaside Courier — August 2015 by Maggie Avants

New staff member helps Ecke Y strengthen outreach programs Faye Mankowske Contributing writer

he Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA in Encinitas has taken its focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility a step further this summer. The effort would not have been possible without Jesus Garcia-Gomez, Ecke Y’s new Customer Service and Outreach Department supervisor. A recent recipient of the Y’s Administrative Employee of the Month award, Garcia-Gomez has made improving outreach services to the Spanish-speaking community a personal and professional mission. Garcia-Gomez, a bilingual graduate of San Diego State University’s Latin American Studies program, decided to focus on nonprofit work after graduation, and had the YMCA — which exists in 119 countries, serving more than 58 million people — in mind. “I love the whole global aspect of the YMCA because during my last semester at SDSU, I studied abroad in Argentina,

ALSO INSIDE

World Games

(above) Ghana Special Olympics National Director Seth Asamoah (left) is pictured with athlete Isaac Otchere during a Host Town event in Encinitas, July 23, 2015; (right) A skateboarding demonstration in Encinitas, July 23, 2015.(Photos by Maggie Avants)

Special Olympics teams get Encinitas-style welcome Maggie

Avants Editor

Supervisor Dave Roberts’s office, the delegation of 37 athletes were welcomed beginning July 22 by the cities of Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games — held in Los Angeles July 25 through Aug. 2 — was the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world this year. The Opening Ceremony, held July 25 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, drew an

pecial Olympics athletes from Ghana, Swaziland and Thailand were treated to a day in the park July 23 — Encinitas-style. The event at Encinitas Community Park — which included a skateboarding demonstration by pro skaters Zach Miller and Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins Pastrana — was the city’s Host Town activity organized by the North County Coastal Special Olympics World Games Host Town Committee. Under the coordination of county SEE OLYMPICS PAGE 3

Joseph Campos and his mother express appreciation after receiving registration assistance to attend a week of summer camp at Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA in Encinitas. (Photo by Faye Mankowske)

at the Buenos Aires YMCA, which is all outreach-focused,” Garcia-Gomez said. “It’s all driven by volunteers, and many of them are teens.” The outreach supervisor position is only a year old, but it is one the Ecke Y has been looking to fill for a few years. The organization’s Mission Impact Committee was seeking someone bilingual to welcome families in; answer logistical and programming questions; and generally support them with their experience at the Y. Garcia-Gomez was the right fit, and is passionate about the role. “We needed someone who could take the time to call each family, welcome them on their first day of camp or swim lessons, bridge language barriSEE YMCA PAGE 17

EDUCATION MiraCosta Matters

Oceanside airport event canceled; finger pointing ensues Ruarri Serpa

HOME & GARDEN Gardening with Evelyn

Protect your garden from planteating caterpillars. Page 10

INDEX Around Town .............................. 4 Commentary ............................... 8 Home & Garden .........................10 Health & Fitness .........................12 North County Notables .........13 Business Notes ...........................15 Pet of the Month .......................18

Contributing writer

Advertising (760) 456-7075 ext. 146 sales@seasidecourier.com

he Oceanside Airport Association canceled this year’s fly-in and car show, an annual fundraiser for the organization’s flight-lesson scholarship program, after the airport’s management did not seek permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to hold the event. The president of OAA, Gordon Nesbitt, said Airport Property Ventures’ failure to act by July 17 for the event held every August was the latest example of the company’s lack of experience in managing the city-owned airport. “This wouldn’t have happened if we had an experienced airport manager,” said Nesbitt. “An SEE AIRPORT PAGE 17

A North San Diego SBDC success story. Page 4

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

ONLINE SeasideCourier.com facebook/ seasidecourier.com A previous fly-in and car show is held at Oceanside Municipal Airport. (Photo courtesy of Oceanside Airport Association)

twitter/ @seasidecourier

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

Open Letter to Carlsbad Residents from Former Planning Commissioners:

Pass The Agua Hedionda 85/15 Plan Dear Carlsbad Residents,

Specific Plan. It is consistent with /15 85 nda dio He ua Ag the ed iew sioners, we have carefully rev It is worthy of our support. et. ass al nci fina and As former Carlsbad planning commis nity mu com a performance standards and will be Carlsbad’s planning development and Lifestyle and Character d along the south shore of the lan the to ess acc new g The Plan Preserves Carlsbad’s atin cre by ng” signs lifestyle and character of Carlsbad rently it is littered with “No Trespassi cur ere The 85/15 Plan preserves the unique wh nity mu com the for ce spa – as dedicated open coastal agriculture, the Plan creates and g min far Agua Hedionda Lagoon – 176 acres y err wb stra ting por sup addition to maintaining and enue from the open-air shopping, rev e vat Pri m. gra and is inaccessible to the public. In pro ion cat edu l nta space for lagoon views and an environme ration and maintenance of the open miles of new trails, picnic areas with ope n, atio cre the d fun y full l wil es) (15%, or 26 acr dining and entertainment promenade the city or taxpayers, ever. generations to come – at no cost to buildings Space for a variety of public facilities and ws allo ce The Plan Creates Real Open spa n ope of ion init def ition D (2006). Prop. D’s n requires that 85% of the area be Pla /15 85 The 85/15 Plan improves upon Propos The d. lan ce spa n ope y Hall on large swaths of the ess, along with the continuation acc lic pub le sib pon like libraries, museums, or even a Cit res and e siv pas buildings allowed by Prop. D, with p. D and guarantees that Pro n upo es rov imp n Pla limited to open space, free from the /15 85 The y. g by the Carlsbad Strawberry Compan and sustainability of strawberry farmin r. 85% of the land will be open foreve nestly and Openly dy that they provided to the city stu l nta me iron env The Plan Addresses Traffic Ho and ffic tra ge -pa nt and comprehensive 4,000 Caruso Affiliated funded an independe to review. council and put online for every citizen experience for neighbors and d goo a g urin ens and nity mu com like uring a smooth flow of traffic in the r $8 million for traffic improvements Caruso Affiliated is committed to ens ove est inv to d uire req is n Pla The 85/15 in the 85/15 Plan. I-5 ramps at Cannon Road. Also, the the of guests, and that is clearly reflected ng eni wid and s, ent em rov dway and intersection imp synchronization of traffic signals, roa addition of a new bike lane. the and I-5 the of ng eni wid ure fut Plan will accommodate the proves Runoff at the Lagoon Im d an ter Wa consumption than has been used es ter erv wa ns e Co abl n pot s les s The Pla use and res logies to for smart water conservation measu water-conserving fixtures and techno ize The 85/15 Plan addresses the need util l wil and ng api dsc lan for ter will use recycled wa rds. for agricultural uses alone. The Plan of the California Green Building Standa nts me uire req the ond bey and ve conserve water abo sive n will restore areas of the land to pas Pla The . oon lag the into nts luta pol rease the runoff silt and The 85/15 Plan will significantly dec ement in the lagoon’s water quality. rov imp rall ove an in ng ulti res e, dlif and wil open space to support native habitat ort have ever seen. It’s clear that the we ns pla d -le nity The Plan Deserves Your Supp mu com d ere sid of the most thorough, well con The Plan reflects our desire for . nts ide res 00 5,0 n The Agua Hedionda 85/15 Plan is one tha re mo h wit ck from over three years of meetings Plan is what we asked for. s Thi s. ion opt nt me ain ert ent Plan is built on the input and feedba and , dining open-air, pedestrian-friendly shopping, more open space and high-quality, htWay.com the facts at www.OpenSpacetheRig all rn Lea . too it t por sup to you 85/15 Plan and ask Without reservation, we support the

Julie Baker

Former Planning Commissioner

Michael Cardosa

Former Planning Commissioner

Bill Dominguez

Former Planning Commissioner

Mario R. Monroy

Former Planning Commissioner

Bob Nielsen

Former Planning Commissioner

Paid for by Preserving Carlsbad Open Space the Right Way, with major funding by Caruso Affiliated.

Don Dewhurst

Former Planning Commissioner

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

Special Olympics athletes from Thailand watch a skateboarding demonstration in Encinitas, July 23, 2015. (Photo by Maggie Avants)

OLYMPICS, FROM PAGE 1 estimated 80,000 spectators. But it was an intimate crowd that gathered July 23 in Encinitas. Todd Richards, a former Olympic snowboarder who lives in Encinitas, was on hand to emcee the skateboarding demonstration. “The Special Olympics is a pretty big deal,” Richards said. “It gives these athletes something to really excel at — the endurance and what they put into it is just crazy. Just like skating or anything else, the self sacrifice required to keep their eyes on the goal is amazing. You can appreciate that from any angle.” The athletes, who will compete in categories such as general athletics, football and volleyball in Los Angeles, watched intently as Miller, 26, and Bali Mosberg, 11, zipped along on their boards. “It was cool to kind of give all the representatives and athletes a look into something that we consider normal that a lot of the rest of the world doesn’t really have exposure to aside from video games or television,” Miller said. “The main idea was to give them a flavor of our local youth culture. Everybody here considers skateboarding and surfing as sports.” It was an enjoyable diversion

Jamie Hoover was among the volunteers for the Host Town event in Encinitas, July 23, 2015. (Photo by Maggie Avants)

for many of the athletes, but make no mistake — 18-year-old Isaac Otchere from Ghana was keeping his eye on the prize. “I feel like being a winner and getting a good medal, because we are coming for gold,” said Otchere, who competed in the general athletics category, in the 100- and 200-meter races. “We are not coming for a bronze medal, we are not coming for silver; we are coming for gold.” The team from Ghana may be small but it is mighty. Seth Asamoah, national director of the Ghaninan team, explained that they while they had planned to bring women’s and men’s football teams, they were only able to bring four ath-

letes to the Games this year. “We had financial difficulties so that is all we could afford,” said Asamoah, a first-time visitor to the United States. There would be plenty of team members cheering for them back home, he said. “We have a whole program for those with intellectual disabilities, not only for our adult athletes,” Asamoah said. “We do a young athletes program between ages 2 and 8, and then we have families and family members and volunteers. We have a whole group.” Before heading to Los Angeles, the delegations were housed at California State University, San Marcos during their visit to the San Diego area. ■

BROADWAY’S BEST UNDER THE STARS at VISTA’S MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATRE AUGUST 12 - 29

New life insurance products provide living benefits Jerome Stocks Guest columnist

ost people purchase life insurance to provide their family financial security at the time of their death. But new life insurance products can also carry “living benefits” so that the insurance product can provide financial assistance if the policyholder faces a chronic, critical or terminal illness.

Terminal illness

Pays a benefit if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness resulting in life expectancy of less than 12 months (24 months in some states). This can be used

for experimental medicine, preparing for final expenses, or any other purpose you feel necessary.

Chronic illness

Pays a monthly benefit should you become diagnosed as chronically ill and unable to perform two acts of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, or due to cognitive impairment. This benefit is paid annually (up to 24 percent of your death benefit). Policy must be in-force for 2 years.

Critical illness

Pays a lump sum benefit should you suffer from a triggering illness such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), blindness due to

diabetes, kidney failure or major organ transplant. It’s natural for us to avoid thinking about our own mortality, and even more difficult for active, healthy, successful people to envision themselves as needing help with daily life, but life insurance has been an important financial planning tool for a very long time. Now there are life insurance products that can benefit policyholders BEFORE they die, and that’s a distinct advantage. Jerome Stocks has been a licensed California insurance agent since 1981 and can be reached at 760-931-1144 for further information. ■

Believe All Ogre Again!

The DreamWorks movie springs to life in a spectacular Broadway musical that ogres of all ages will enjoy. Tickets start at just $22. Family Night Discounts available. TICKETS ON SALE NOW! online moonlightstage.com phone 760.724.2110

EDUCATION / LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

MiraCosta Matters:

North San Diego Small Business Development Center celebrates 15-year anniversary Sunny Cooke

Superintendent/ president Students are pictured at The Learning Tree Preschool in Cardiff. (Courtesy photo)

How to find the right preschool Lisa Dalton Guest columnist

nce you decide your child is ready for preschool, it’s important to find one that meets your family’s needs. Do your research. Ask around. Personal recommendations from friends, family members and neighbors are great resources for determining the most reputable preschools in your area. When visiting a prospective preschool, make sure to schedule a tour and take along a list of questions to ask the school director. Parents can become overwhelmed with the amount of information received during a tour, but if you come prepared you will leave feeling more informed. Important questions to ask are: Do your teachers have Early Childhood Development credits? Are your teachers CPR/First Aid certified? What type of curriculum do you use? How do you discipline your

students? Do you do yearly assessments? What are your hours of operation? Do you have an open door policy? What safety guidelines do you use? Also, when you are on a preschool tour make sure to look for a range of age-appropriate toys that will encourage your child’s development and stimulate creative, imaginative play. Some preschools have specific educational philosophies, but overall, look for a program that encourages independence and inspires your child’s individuality and creativity. A great preschool will go beyond merely letting you in; it will welcome you to become part of its community by encouraging you to help out with activities, such as stay for a circle time or read a book to your child’s class. The most important rule in choosing the right preschool for your child is to trust your own first impression. Lisa Dalton works at The Learning Tree Preschool. ■

he ocean has always been at the center of Greg and Janet Kent’s lives. That’s why when these avid swimmers and surfers learned about the impact stormwater pollution has on the ocean, they knew they had to do something. In 2000, the husband and wife team founded a business, Bio Clean Environmental Services, which manufactures small filters that can be retrofitted for drainage channels. At first, the couple ran their business inside their home in Oceanside. In 2002, they decided to expand. On a whim, Greg Kent walked into the North San Diego Small Business Development Center in Oceanside, which ended up changing his life. “We met with the director of North SBDC, Sudershan Shaunak, and told him about our business,” Kent said. “He was excited to help and literally drove my wife and me everywhere to find a bank that would give us a loan.” The Kents ended up securing a $10,000 loan, which provided them with more freedom to research and create their own products. Besides the loan, the North SBDC also helped the couple manage their growing business through free Quickbooks, accounting and business plans workshops. By 2006, Bio Clean had an estimated annual gross of $375,000, which earned the company the award for Small Business of the Year in San Diego, Orange and Imperial counties. A couple of years later, new federal cleanwater regulations drove up demand for their products. Today, Bio Clean has a staff of more than 45 employees, has

Greg Kent, co-founder of Bio Clean — just one of the successful businesses the North SBDC has helped over the years. (Courtesy photo)

expanded its sales, and grosses $10.5 million annually. “North SBDC was a big part of Bio Clean’s success when the business was just starting out,” Kent said. “North SBDC staff’s input and expertise was an important factor in our growth. We will always be grateful.” Bio Clean is just one of the successful businesses the North SBDC has helped over the years. Hosted by MiraCosta College, North SBDC opened in 1999 inside a former fast-food restaurant in Oceanside. Over the next 15 years, the North San Diego SBDC helped nearly 30,000 small businesses increase revenues by $137 million. “We have a very simple mission,” said Shaunak, the director. “Help improve and build the technical skills of small business owners so they can deliver a posi-

tive impact in the community.” To meet this mission, North SBDC provides workshops and counseling at no charge to small business owners. Since its inception, the North SBDC has counseled 8,717 clients totaling 49,017 hours, hosted 1,750 training events with 22,739 attendees, retained or created 2,583 jobs, raised $50 million in capital infusion, generated $147 million in revenue increases and $40 million in government contracts, and helped in the creation of 331 new businesses. This past May, the North SBDC relocated to MiraCosta College’s new Technology Career Institute in Carlsbad, located at 2075 Las Palmas Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92011. For more information about its services, visit Sandiegosmallbiz.com or call 760795-8740. ■

The star indicates the proposed temporary location for Del Mar City Hall, in the lower parking lot of Shores Park. (Photo courtesy City of Del Mar)

Del Mar: Shores Park selected as temporary City Hall site Seaside Courier staff

Hall at 1050 Camino del Mar expected to begin early next year, City Council on July 20 voted 4-0 — Councilman Don Mosier was absent — in favor of a staff proposal to move city services to modular buildings in the lower parking lot of Shores Park off Stratford Court.

el Mar’s city business will happen at the Shores Park once construction on its new City Hall begins in mid-2016. With demolition of the existing Del Mar City SEE SHORES PAGE 6

CALENDAR

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

these upcoming

events around North County

AUG. 9-16

The Oceanside International Film Festival will run from Sunday, Aug. 9 to Sunday, Aug. 16 at two of the city’s oldest theaters: Star Theatre and Sunshine Brooks Theatre. The festival will feature 75 short and full-length films — of different genres — from Canada, Australia, Colombia, Turkey, China, Israel, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Portugal and the local region. This year’s highlights of North County San Diego’s largest film festival include a screening of Guest Feature Film “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” with its creator present; “Deconstructing a Film Score” workshop by Emmy-winning film composer; and special appearances by celebrities. For more information, go to Osidefilm.org.

10AM-6PM

ENCINITAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 20TH ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST & FAIRE LOCATED ON MOUNTAIN VISTA DR. AT EL CAMINO REAL

FAMILY FOOD TENT

h Annua

The 27th annual Taste of Main Street takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18 along the historic Coast Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas. Treat your taste buds to food and drink samples from more than 40 restaurants, including seven that are new or soon-to-open. Enjoy Temecula Valley wines and local craft beer served at 20 sip stops hosted by shops and salons. Pause along the way to enjoy live music at seven venues. Admission is $35 per person if purchased in advance, or $45 the day of if still available. (This event always sells out early.) Visit Encinitas101.com or all the details and to purchase tickets.

AU G . 1 8

SUNDAY SEPTember 20, 2015 pt

Don’t

“The Mighty Untouchables” will perform at Powerhouse Park on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The concert will be a part of the Del Mar Foundation’s Summer Twilight Concerts and will feature a booth from Whole Foods that will sell “build your own” picnics. The concert opens with Christopher Dale at 6 p.m. For more information, visit Delmarfoundation.org/twilight. html.

Around Town miss

AU G . 1 8

ber 2 0,

beacons point creative camp

TRADITIONAL GERMAN FOOD & BEVERAGES

CRAFT BEER GARDEN FEATURING SAN DIEGO’S BEST LOCAL CRAFT BEERS

STREET FAIRE

VENDOR BOOTHS & FAMILY FUN ZONE

FREE ADMISSION ENCINITASOKTOBERFEST.COM

Rev your engines for Encinitas Classic Car Cruise Night, which takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20 on Coast Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas. Held the third Thursday of the month May through September, this month’s event features “Heels ‘n Wheels” (women sign up to park in front with your classic or vintage cars!), the T-Bird Club, Tom’s Beach Cruisers, and the Porsche Car Club of America hosted at Charlie’s Foreign Car, plus music by Tower 7 and much more. For more information, visit at Encinitas101.com.

AU G . 2 0

Grab your blankets and head to Fletcher Cove Park on Saturday, Aug. 22. The city will be hosting a “Beach Blanket Movie Night” featuring the movie “Step Into Liquid” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is also encouraged to pack a picnic to the free event. ■

AU G . 2 2

Art in the Village will feature art exhibits and live music (Courtesy photo)

AU G . 9

Carlsbad Village Association’s “Art in the Village” returns to the city on Sunday, Aug. 9. The event features more than 100 artists from throughout San Diego County. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees can browse exhibits and listen to live music along State Street and Grand Avenue right in the heart of the Village and just blocks from Carlsbad State Beach.

LeucadiART Walk, hosted by Leucadia 101 MainStreet Association, celebrates the "Art and Soul" of Encinitas. (Courtesy photo)

The 11th annual LeucadiART Walk makes its way to Encinitas on Sunday, Aug. 30. The event, which will take place on the west side of Highway 101, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features juried artists, musical performances, a kids’ zone and a beer garden. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend the annual event.

AU G . 3 0

Community Resource Center

COMMENTARY / LOCAL NEWS Water Authority wins $188.3M plus interest in rate case victory

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

Mark Muir

Vice Chair, San Diego County Water Authority Guest commentary

n July 15, our region won a huge legal victory when a Superior Court judge issued a tentative ruling that requires the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to pay the San Diego County Water Authority $188.3 million plus interest for illegal rates MWD charged from 2011 to 2014. The tentative ruling was the second major win for the Water Authority in the case, following a Phase 1 victory in April 2014 in which Judge Curtis E.A. Karnow invalidated MWD’s rates for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. In another pivotal element of the tentative Phase 2 ruling, Judge Karnow said MWD has been under-calculating the Water Authority’s preferential right to MWD water supplies. MWD’s water-rights formula has improperly excluded hundreds of millions of dollars of payments from the Water Authority for transporting the Water Authority’s independent Colorado River water supplies. The preferential rights portion of the ruling will give the San Diego region access to tens of thousands of acre-feet of additional water per year. Judge Karnow’s final ruling in Phase 2 is expected in about a month. MWD has already said it will appeal, a move that would delay refunding of the Water Authority’s overpayments. The Water Authority’s Board of Directors has determined that the agency will deduct its litigation expenses and return the remaining money to its 24

SHORES, FROM PAGE 4 The proposal to use the space came after city staff in April requested proposals from private and commercial property owners interested in temporarily housing the city’s administrative offices. “The city did not receive any proposals for existing office space, and received two proposals for modular buildings to meet the required square footage,” Assistant City Manager Mark Delin wrote in a report prepared for Council. “The temporary facilities are envisioned as the minimum space necessary for the interim situation.” City staff determined that the Shores Park lower parking lot is the most appropriate site for the interim use because it offers a conveniently accessible, centralized location with the lowest installation costs. The temporary buildings would be located directly on top of the site formerly occupied by the Del Mar Union School District maintenance building that the City had demolished and removed two years ago — taking advantage of the existing in-ground plumbing facilities to reduce costs. Due to the small footprint

member agencies in proportion to their payment of MWD’s illegal overcharges over the four years in dispute. The Water Authority also will continue to press MWD to set legal rates for the future. If allowed to stand, MWD’s overcharges could have exceeded $2 billion over 45 years. The Water Authority’s lawsuits stem from historic agreements the agency signed in 2003 to secure independent sources of water from the Colorado River and reduce the San Diego region’s once neartotal reliance on MWD for water. To transport its Colorado River water supplies to San Diego County, the Water Authority must use pipelines controlled by MWD, which has a monopoly on imported water distribution facilities in Southern California. MWD’s rates were expressly designed to protect its monopoly and to discriminate against the Water Authority by shifting unrelated water supply costs onto transportation rates, while illegally subsidizing MWD’s water supply rate to the benefit of its 25 other member agencies. The Water Authority filed its first rate lawsuit against MWD in 2010, then filed a second suit in 2012 because MWD refused to reform its rates — which effectively forced San Diego County ratepayers to subsidize water ratepayers in other parts of Southern California. The two cases were coordinated for trial, with the main issues being broken into two phases of hearings. Attorneys for the Water Authority argued in the December 2013 Phase 1 trial that MWD had loaded unrelated costs onto the rate it charges for transporting water — a scheme that dispro-

available at the Shores, staff recommended a 4,000-squarefoot administrative office and a 2,000-square-foot Council Chambers/TV facility. Some storage may need to take place offsite. The site will provide for more than the minimum parking requirements as specified in Del Mar Municipal Code, which requires one parking space for each 300 square feet of office and one parking space for each five seats of public seating space in a public assembly area. The City Council also approved using up to $450,000 for the temporary use of the area. The funds cover a 30-month lease, installation costs, furniture and equipment and utility hook-ups. According to Kristen Crane, assistant to the city manager, staff worked closely with Shores property tenant, the Winston School, regarding the arrangement. Temporary use of the Shores property — owned by the city since 2008 — as a site for City Hall will not impede the Shores Park Master Plan process, according to Crane. “The Shores Park Master Plan process will continue as planned,” Crane wrote in an

portionately damages San Diego County ratepayers because the Water Authority is the only water agency that uses MWD’s transportation service (also known as “wheeling”) to move large volumes of supplies purchased from sources independent of MWD. MWD asserted in court that it can set rates without regard to the actual costs of service, and that it can even collect more than the costs of the services it provides, as long as a majority of its board votes for it. MWD also contended in court that it was exempt from Proposition 26, as well as other constitutional and statutory provisions of California law. On April 24, 2014, Judge Karnow issued a final statement of decision in Phase 1 of the trial that said MWD violated cost-of-service requirements in California’s statutes and common law when setting rates for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. He also said MWD’s 2013 and 2014 rates violate Proposition 26, approved by voters in November 2010 and embodied in the California Constitution as Article 13C. Prop. 26 shifted the burden to public agencies to prove they are not charging more than the actual cost of the services they provide. After the April 2014 ruling, the Water Authority was forced to file another lawsuit because MWD set its rates for 2015 and 2016 using the same methodology and cost allocation declared by the court to be illegal. That case has been stayed by stipulation of the parties pending the final outcome of the current cases. Additional information about the case, including important court documents, is posted online at Sdcwa.org/ mwdrate-challenge.■

emailed announcement. “The park Master Plan is expected to be completed by winter 2016. Since no funds are budgeted for construction of the park, the next step in development of the park will be figuring out how to pay for the park to be built. Prior to construction of the park, more detailed design work must be completed, including preparation of construction documents. That process will take time.” The timing to be ready for construction of the park is expected to coincide well with the completion of the newly constructed City Hall, which is expected to take about three-and-a-half years, according to Crane. The use of the city’s Public Works yard at 2240 Jimmy Durante Blvd. was also considered as a temporary site for City Hall but was eliminated because of its floodway zoning and additional environmental, permitting and building requirements. The next step is for staff to complete the necessary entitlements for use of the Shores Park location, including environmental review. The city will also need to obtain a permit from the Coastal Commission. ■

BUSINESS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

America’s Finest Carpet now open in Cardiff-by-the-Sea America’s Finest Carpet is proud to announce the opening of its fifth Southern California location in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, conveniently located at 2959 Manchester Ave., just west of Interstate 5. America’s Finest Carpet has taken the steps to give the building a very attractive facelift — transforming it from the old gas station and U-Haul storage center that existed as an eyesore for many years into an attractive updated building with a pristine parking lot and of course, a stunning new showroom. America’s Finest Carpet is now welcoming coastal North County customers, showcasing its enormous selection, great customer service and comfortable feel. It is much more than just a carpet store! America’s Finest Carpet has been providing flooring services to San Diego for more than 25 years, with additional showrooms in Kearny Mesa, Chula Vista, San Marcos and Temecula. Although it may look small, the new store encompasses the very latest flooring products and designs from all of the major national brands. “America’s Finest Carpet has the largest warehouse, thus creating the largest instock selection of tile, carpet,

stone, wood, laminate, luxury vinyl, and vinyl than any other retailer in San Diego,” said Brian Bronson, director of retail operations. “AFCC stocks more than 2 million square feet of flooring in our local warehouses, therefore in many cases accommodating next-day installation! We service everyone from individual homeowners to property managers and larger commercial businesses.” America’s Finest has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau and was named 2014 Mohawk Floorscape’s National Retailer of the Year. Whether you are looking for carpet, tile, laminate, vinyl, stone or a combination, make sure to stop by and check in with Store manager, Lorenzo or Design Consultant, Rebecca to learn about the newest products on the market. They offer professional design assistance, complimentary measurements, a team of expert employee installers, and advanced cleaning and maintenance services — all to make the experience of buying and enjoying new floors a pleasure. For more information, contact Brian Bronson at 760-436-5552 or visit Americasfinestcarpet.com. —Sponsored content

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

California Coast Credit Union marks 1-year anniversary in Encinitas Branch celebrates occasion with mortgage and certificate offers and prizes It’s been a little over a year since California Coast Credit Union’s Encinitas branch opened its doors at 429 Santa Fe Drive, in the renovated Santa Fe Plaza shopping center. To celebrate, Cal Coast is offering anniversary specials for new and current members. New Cal Coast members can take advantage of an Encinitas Anniversary Certificate with 5 percent APY on $1,000 to $5,000 for six months. For current members looking to buy a new home or refinance, there’s a $200 Visa gift card for funded mortgage loans. And everyone who visits the branch can enter to win a family four-pack to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a pair of concert tickets or a $100 Visa gift card. “The Encinitas community welcomed us with open arms and the feeling is mutual,” said Todd Lane, California Coast’s presi-

dent and CEO. “It has been our pleasure to serve the residents and to support programs, causes and events important to them.” Since its opening in 2014, branch staff have enthusiastically embraced the beach community, taking part in several events including Oktoberfest, chamber mixers, the Encinitas Holiday Parade and Cardiff Dog Days of Summer. The anniversary certificate and mortgage special runs through the summer, ending on Sept. 30. —Sponsored content

COMMENTARY

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

Catherine's column

The importance of settling the BIA lawsuit Catherine

Blakespear

Deputy Mayor of Encinitas Guest commentary

ecently, the Encinitas City Council voted to settle a high-profile lawsuit. For me, this was the fiscally responsible decision, given that we were faced with a lawsuit by the Building Industry Association that we could not win. The principles that created the lawsuit were worthy. Before I was elected, a unanimous City Council changed rules at one emotion-filled Council meeting to make it harder for high-density developers to build out-of-scale projects in Encinitas. But the rule changes were inconsistent with state law. And, the BIA sued the city. Continuing to fight on principle is a waste of taxpayer money, especially because we can accomplish most of our goals by settling the lawsuit, rewriting our city’s ordinances and clearly directing the city staff that interprets those ordinances. We have state experts in housing law helping us write these ordinances so that we don’t get into a similar legal problem. About $350,000 in legal fees had already accrued, and that number could easily have risen to $1 million or more in a protracted litigation. And for what gain?

Here are some of the reasons we couldn’t win the lawsuit: *Policies have to be adopted by ordinance (and come back for a second reading at a subsequent meeting), not by motion.

Mayor's minute

Citizens lose by settling BIA lawsuit Kristin

Gaspar

Mayor of Encinitas Guest commentary

ast year, at the beginning of the election season, three of my fellow Council members proposed several policies in an attempt to increase local control over development, considered by many a key issue in our community. In an emotionally-charged meeting, the Council approved policies to round down on density bonus calculations, among other development issues. On that night, as mayor, I expressed my concerns regarding the potential for costly lawsuits on the basis that California state laws might supersede these policies and the future ordinances which were being suggested. However, because those participating in the meeting clearly demonstrated their feelings that the benefits of the new development policies exceeded the risk of losing a lawsuit, I voted for the adoption of several of the new policies, including rounding down on density bonus calculations. Within a few months, the city of Encinitas was sued by the Building Industry Association on the grounds that the newly adopted policies, including rounding down on density bonus calculations, were in violation of California Affordable Housing Laws. Not surprisingly, they pointed to a portion of state law which I had referred to previously, which states, “All density calculations shall be

rounded up.” Last month, the Council voted 3-2 — with Councilman Mark Muir and I opposed — to settle with the BIA. The city had already invested nearly $150,000 in legal fees supporting its position. Additionally, the settlement

If your head is spinning at this point, you are not alone. A reasonable person might suggest: choose a strategy and stick with it, or risk hemorrhaging even more taxpayer dollars. forced us to pay the BIA $200,000, allow six density bonus developments to proceed under the prior policies, and allowed the BIA — and any other party — to sue the city in the future if the city established or attempted to enforce similar policies, rules, or ordinances they felt were also in violation of state law. As I have said previously,

I voted no on the settlement because the city and the citizens gained absolutely nothing by settling. By caving in, the city not only failed to meet the expectations and goals of the proponents of these policies, but handed over $200,000 to the BIA which they can now use in a lawsuit if the city attempts to enact similar policies or ordinances in the future. Here’s the confusing part...following the settlement, two of my colleagues stated in the media that it was a good decision to settle and pay the BIA $200,000 because the city was in a “nowin” position with the policies it had adopted. However, at the same time these Council members claimed victory, they insisted the City Council will soon adopt several ordinances which will include the same policies they had just referred to as “no-win” positions and spent $350,000 to settle a lawsuit on. If your head is spinning at this point, you are not alone. A reasonable person might suggest to choose a strategy and stick with it, or risk hemorrhaging even more taxpayer dollars. As your mayor and longest-tenured Council member, I will continue to take citizens’ concerns seriously, be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, be consistent, and be forward thinking in order to produce the best results for Encinitas. That’s what you should continue to expect from me-- just plain ol’ good governance. Reach Kristin Gaspar, mayor of Encinitas, at kgaspar@encinitasca. gov.■

*It’s illegal to have building size requirements that apply only to affordable units but not to marketrate units. Legally, we can require that affordable units be “comparable” in size — we just can’t specify that size. *We can’t apply rule changes retroactively, meaning six pre-existing “pipeline projects” will be allowed to proceed under the old rules, resulting in a potential of 68 additional housing units instead of 63 units. *State law requires us to have a legally compliant, certified housing element and we haven’t updated ours for 23 years. There is no legal defense to this. *The biggest win for Encinitas in this settlement is that we are still rounding down the numbers of homes allowed in calculating base density, and not up. This is a big deal and will be codified in our new ordinance. I know some are unhappy that we settled this lawsuit, and it’s regrettable that we did not simultaneously release the city’s new density bonus and inclusionary ordinances, as I had hoped we would. But continuing to hemorrhage money on a losing lawsuit is not good governance. It’s better to make internal changes, get out of court and regain control of our city. Might we be sued again? Of course. There’s always that risk — whether it’s the BIA or some other party. Our legal system allows anyone to sue anytime. To me, it seems clear that if the BIA wanted to continue the legal fight about rounding on base density right now, they wouldn’t have settled. The lesson I’ve learned is that whenever possible we need to make required internal changes both to official policies and established city cultural norms before the Council finds itself legislating technicallycomplicated changes after many hours of emotional testimony. Sometimes important decisions such as this are worth risking a lawsuit. But if we can accomplish most of the same goals outside of court, that’s certainly better. Catherine S. Blakespear is a member of the Encinitas City Council and is currently serving as the city’s deputy mayor. She can be reached at cblakespear@encinitasca.gov. ■

COMMENTARY

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

COMMENTARY: POINT AND COUNTERPOINT

POINT: Seawall permit clause chips Counterpoint: We must stop living on away the American dream the edge Thomas K.

Arnold

Commentary

ne of the great things about our country is the right to own private property. Key elements of the American dream are to own property and keep the rewards of our own labor; as John Adams once said, “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.” Normally, when the forces of nature attack someone’s private property, the government steps in to help. The government has provided loans and financial assistance to those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by floods, fire, earthquakes and hurricanes, and has also gone out of its way to protect private property when the threat of danger arises by providing homeowners in flood zones with sandbags and sending in the Army Corps of Engineers to mitigate flood risk. But when it comes to coastal North County property owners whose bluff-top homes are threatened by the ocean, the government not only turns a blind eye, but through the California Coastal Commission fights homeowners’ attempts to protect their property by putting onerous restrictions on seawalls. Most recently, the Commission instituted a 20-year time limit on the protective structures, at which point homeowners could very well be instructed to tear them down. The Commission, you see, agrees with hardcore environmentalists who want all the seawalls that have been built up and down the California coast to eventually come down. Their belief is that seawalls restrict public beach access because natural erosion of the cliffs and bluffs along our golden coast helps replenish sand. They advocate what they call a “planned retreat” approach, in which all the seawalls eventually come down so the bluffs can “retreat” from the sea — regardless of how much private property gets chewed up in the process. I can understand the belief that homes should not be built so close to the edge of bluffs that for years have been naturally eroding — erosion that

does play a role in maintaining the beaches down below. But many of the homeowners now wrangling with the Coastal Commission over seawalls live on land that was originally developed decades ago, in some cases before there even was a Coastal Commission to regulate coastal development. They went through all the proper channels and obtained all the necessary permits from city officials to build their homes. Now all they want to do is protect these homes, which were lawfully built and bought and paid by their own hard work. What could be a precedent-setting case about seawalls up and down the California coast is now playing out right here in Encinitas. The Lynch and Frick families of Neptune Avenue wanted to rebuild a seawall destroyed by a storm in 2010. The city of Encinitas gave them the go-ahead, but the Coastal Commission balked, refusing to issue a permit unless the homeowners agreed to a 20-year “sunset clause,” meaning that after 20 years they have to reapply for a permit and, if rejected, tear down their wall. They agreed but later sued, maintaining they had no choice other than to go along with the Coastal Commission’s onerous restriction in order for construction to proceed. In March 2013, a San Diego Superior Court Judge agreed with the property owners, but the Coastal Commission appealed and, in a September 2014 appeals court ruling, won. In a dissenting opinion, Judge Gilbert Nares maintained that the 20-year time —John Adams limit constitutes an illegal “taking” of private property because it “merely gives the commission the option to deny the permit outright in 20 years.” The matter is now in the hands of the California Supreme Court. The Lynch and Frick families presented their side of the dispute in March; the Coastal Commission presented its brief in June – accompanied by a supportive rally on the beach below the two homes by the Surfrider Foundation. I sincerely hope the Lynch and Frick families prevail. Whichever way the high court rules will likely determine the fate of seawalls all along the California coast — and the rights of property owners to protect their homes from Mother Nature. I hope the justices bring along a copy of the U.S. Constitution — and keep in mind the words of John Adams and his thoughts on the sanctity of private property as a cornerstone of the American dream. ■

moment the “The idea is admitted

into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.”

Restricting your water usage

doesn’t mean sacrificing the beauty of your lawn

August Strumm Commentary

any Encinitans don’t realize that south of Moonlight Beach, west of what is now Fourth Street, there was once a Fifth Street — as recent as the 1980s. And before that there was also a Sixth Street. These streets have vanished, due to regular and natural erosion and bluff collapse. Yes, the sandstone bluffs of Encinitas are continually eroding, and there will be further collapses. I don’t think there’s any disagreement on this, at the level of science. According to Scripps oceanographers, there was an Encinitas bluff collapse in the 1880s that sheared off 600 to 800 feet of land. We are continually thwarting the natural replenishment of sand on our beaches. It once flowed southward from river and creek outlets to land on our beaches, but we’ve dammed those and built harbors that block its southward migration. The other source of new sand on our beaches comes from the gradual erosion of the bluffs. Yes, the crumbling bluffs create and sustain our lovely beaches. Two Encinitas families are currently suing the California Coastal Commission for granting them a 20-year (only) permit on the their new seawalls, after which they will need to reapply. The outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent for similar national cases. The lawsuit also cracks open an egg of broader debate. At the heart of the issue is the Commission’s concept of planned retreat: the idea that we must, at some future point, stop living and building at bluff’s edge. And that we must begin planning for this now, especially with the looming specter of rising sea levels

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and harsher storms fueled by climate change. This all leads to discussions of private property rights and “freedom.” Whose freedom is more valuable: your freedom to build a seawall or my freedom to have a healthy and beautiful beach? In the end, it comes down to the rights of a few families versus the rights of millions of beachgoers. I have to side with the beachgoers (as does the Surfrider Foundation). The Coastal Commission’s 20-year permit sounds about right to me. There’s also the matter of aesthetics. Encinitas is a tourist destination, a place where people come for refuge from the concrete of cities and suburbs. Let’s be honest: the seawalls are grotesque. Who wants to look at a bunch of concrete on the beach? Nor should we forget the economic implications of degrading the beauty of our precious beaches. The bluffs of Encinitas are close to my heart. In the early 1970s, my parents built a house on the west side of Neptune. I won’t deny it’s a glorious place to live and that giving up the property was heartbreaking. Nevertheless, late in my mother’s life, we made the family decision to sell the property, which was bought by wealthy people from Arizona. The truth is we had to sell: we weren’t rich enough to chance a bluff collapse and the consequent economic loss. In other words, we made our own planned retreat. Of course, the super-rich can accept the risk of suddenly losing their investment in a bluff collapse. And for many current Neptune Avenue homeowners, the beach house is a second home anyway, so the potential loss is a more “reasonable” risk. (Yes, of course, there may still be a few daring middle class families there, but not many.) Taken to its logical conclusion, this discussion, then, becomes another issue of the 1 percent versus the 99 percent. Should the rights of tycoons trump those of working families who want a nice day at the beach? In time, the bluffs will come down — seawalls or no seawalls. We need to accept that inevitability. This is why the Coastal Commission’s concept of planned retreat is about as good as we can do right now, stuck as we are between the sea and a not-so-hard place. My mother used to muse that perhaps in 100 years’ time, the entire west side of Neptune Avenue would be public park, with picnic tables and viewpoints for regular folks to enjoy. Perhaps that will, ultimately, be the legacy of the planned retreat. ■

HOME & GARDEN

Monarch caterpillar on Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) (Photo by Marshal Hedin/via Wikimedia)

Gardening ideas from Evelyn

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

Butterflies, moths and caterpillars: It’s a love-hate relationship Evelyn Weidner Columnist

e love pretty butterflies but hate the damage they cause. It’s fun to watch striped caterpillars eat butterfly weed — aka Asclepias — marveling at the miracle of life as caterpillar turns into another Monarch butterfly. It’s fun watching the many different butterflies that sip nectar from the Buddleia butterfly bush, which is a nectar plant and not a host plant and

attracts many different butterflies. Lucky for us, the Monarch only has the butterfly weed as both host and nectar plant. While August is a high season for all those ravenous caterpillars that destroy your garden, it doesn’t have to be an either-or choice. You can attract butterflies and still get rid of ravenous green cabbage worms and the dreaded geranium budworms.

Some choices; some facts You can spray selectively and safely to protect the plants that are prone to caterpillar attacks

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and not spray the host plants that attract your favorite butterflies. Any spray with either Bt or Spinosad on the label is nontoxic — except to caterpillars — and safe even for your vegetables. Always read and follow all directions before use. You can choose to leave nature alone. Trust the birds to eat the caterpillars and hand pick some, living with the damage to your garden. (Think of the holes as ornamental lacework.) But there are two caterpillars you really do not want in your garden: the two varieties of the ravenous green looper cabbage worms and the geranium-petunia tobacco budworm. When you see small, white butterflies, you know green looper caterpillars are not far behind. Looper caterpillars are some of the most common garden pests. Called loopers because of the funny way they move, they will attack almost all vegetables and many other plants. One comes

Tobacco budworm on verbana (Photo by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University/via Wikimedia)

Cabbage looper worm (Photo by Alton N. Sparks, Jr., University of Georgia/via Wikimedia)

from a night-flying moth and the other from the small white butterfly. We call them green loopers or cabbage worms — both do tremendous damage to your garden. Then there’s your geranium’s worst enemy: one day your geranium or petunia is in full bloom and the next week it is out of bloom. The geranium budworm is a sneaky little pest that comes from small night-flying moths. Mom Moth lays one little egg on each tiny flower bud. The egg

hatches into a caterpillar that goes into the bud, eats it up and emerges leaving a hole and no bloom. This caterpillar is still on your plant, feeding away on the leaves but is very hard to see because caterpillars are the same color as what they are eating. There are a host of other caterpillars out there, including the tomato hornworm from a big moth and the newer Bougainvillea looper. To identify, bring a sample in a baggie to Weidner’s Gardens or your local garden center, or email a photo to Master Gardeners at help@ MasterGardenersd.org.

Important facts Caterpillars must eat the foliage you have sprayed. The spray doesn’t stay active long, so repeat your spraying every two weeks or so because that butterfly just keeps on laying her eggs. Old sprays that you have had for years will give you clean caterpillars but nothing else. Most brands come in an easy, ready-to-use size or as concentrate. Caterpillar damage is only temporary. Cut back the damage, feed and wait for new growth. Consider it one of life’s little lessons; it’s not the end of the world. ■

HOME & GARDEN

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

Save water, money and your landscape with these quick fixes Doug Jones Guest columnist

o your water bill is set to skyrocket, you’ve already cut back your shower to three minutes, 50 percent of your water bill is your landscape and your grass has not been green for two weeks. Is all of this really necessary? Probably. But hold it — you may not have to tear everything out nor replace it all with succulents right now just to stay in the shower for three more heartwarming minutes! Most local landscape has been overwatered for so many years there are very few owners and “gardeners” who, in very real skills, know what really needs water and when. Sprinkler nozzles are a big part of winning the water cutback game. Your landscape maintenance company — or gardener — likely does not have the irrigation management skills/training to recognize solutions under these worsening drought demands. Yes, they can make some average repairs and maybe have convinced you they know how to really manage the timer. However, spending $100 to save $10 on your water bill is only worthwhile if it keeps you very substantially out of the high rate tiers. Most landscape we maintained/altered for 25 years was only 50 percent effective when we started. The real fix — saving thousands of dollars per year — was simple nozzle change, nozzle elimination and timer management. Because: the irrigation was not either eliminated or altered since new.

Broken sprinkler (Courtesy photo)

“guts” of a bad pop-up without digging up the entire head. 2. Water that pours out of one or more head when the valve shuts down. You may only need a simple check valve to keep the water in your line; not on the street. 3. Water spray bouncing off the plants, not into or over them; screw down the nozzle and watch if the plants still do well — most of them will! 4. Program your clock for more applications for fewer minutes — don’t over spray! Soil can only absorb so much at one time. 5. Shady areas do not likely need the same water as sunny areas — shut the nozzles or the entire area off indefinitely. 6. Slope/lower areas, after plant maturity, often don’t need overhead water any longer because the upper water is percolating to the bottom (common sense). 7. You may get more water out of a poor pressure system by using smaller nozzles or eliminating pop-ups, not replacing the entire zone. The above items seem so elementary, but almost always add up quick. Plus, you do want to take a full bath this summer sometime, right?

Quick tips: Doug Jones is a commercial 1. If you can get a free water irrigation specialist, inventor audit from your water district, sign up immediately! 2. Turn on each station at your timer to see when and if it is creating runoff. Or, make your gardener do this in front of you. It is worth the time because it is your money running down the street — not theirs. 3. Don’t over water to make the only brown spot green — change a nozzle or two.

Look for these obvious water wasters and watch for results 1. The pop-up that doesn’t pop

up or down all of the way; mark it with a flag or stake. You can quickly often replace the inside

and graduate of the California Irrigation Auditor Academy. He has managed over 300+ acres of property from La Jolla to Carlsbad over the past 20 years. Doug Jones, Pond Pro can be reached at 760402-5697. ■

Weeding the garden, adding some birdhouses, eliminating standing water and using fans and citronella candles are just a few of the eco-friendly ways to keep mosquitoes at bay this season. (Photo courtesy of James Gathany CDC)

Eco-friendly mosquito control Melinda Myers Guest columnist

on’t let mosquitoes keep you from enjoying your garden and outdoor parties. Look for environmentally sound ways to manage these pests in your garden and landscape. Start by eliminating standing water in the yard. Buckets, old tires and clogged gutters and downspouts that hold water make the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Drain water that collects in these as well as kids’ toys, tarps and pool covers. Store these items in the garage or turn them over to keep them from becoming a mosquito breeding ground. Even small containers hold enough water for hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes to breed. Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week. Consider installing a small pump to keep water moving to prevent mosquito breeding. Or use an organic mosquito control like Mosquito Dunks and Bits (SummitResponsibleSolutions. com) in rain barrels and water features. The Mosquito Bits quickly knock down the mosquito larval population, while the Mosquito Dunks provide 30

days of control. They are both certified organic and safe for pets, fish, wildlife and children. Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. These pests are less attracted to the lighter colors and can’t readily reach your skin through loose clothing. And be sure to cover as much of your skin as possible with long sleeves and pants. Add a few birdhouses to the landscape to bring in the birds. You’ll enjoy their beauty and benefit from their diet of insects, including many garden pests and mosquitoes. Keep the garden weeded. Mosquitoes rest in shrubs, trees and weeds during the day. Removing weeds and managing neglected garden spaces will make your landscape less inviting to these pests. Consider using a personal repellent to protect you against disease-carrying mosquitoes. For those looking to avoid DEET, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has also approved products with the active ingredient picaridin (found in Skin so Soft products), IR3535, and the synthetic oil of lemon and eucalyptus. Avoid products that contain both sunscreen and insect repellents as you need to apply the sunscreen more often

than the repellent. Add a bit more protection while sitting or eating outdoors. Use a fan to create a gentle breeze that keeps the weak flying mosquitoes away from you and your guests. Some gardeners even take a small fan into the garden, while weeding. Then add a bit of ambience to your next party by lighting a few citronella candles for your evening events. Citronella oil and the scented candles do have some mosquito repelling properties. Scatter lots of candles throughout your entertainment space. Position the candles within a few feet of your guests. This can provide some short term relief from these pests for you and your guests. Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including “Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening” and the “Midwest Gardener’s Handbook.” She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website, www. melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.■

Heritage Museum welcomes landscape historian as part of summer speaker series T Dieguito, and Rancho Santa Fe. Both he San Dieguito lectures will be held at the Encinitas Heritage Museum Community Center on Balour Drive continues its summer at Encinitas Blvd. speaker series with two A past president of the Save Our lectures by noted author Heritage Organization, May’s profesand landscape historian sional experience reflects her advocacy Vonn Marie May, a culand attention to historic preservation. tural landscape specialist Embracing the use of historic values in with more than 20 years planning and design, she has received of project experience in Vonn Marie May (Courtesy several successful National Register Southern California. nominations, which include historical At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Photo) Aug. 11, she will speak about the 1915 landscapes and settings. She is also the pubPanama California Exposition and the his- lished author of “Images of America, Rancho tory of the Botanical Building in Balboa Santa Fe.” Park. At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, she will May has been recognized by the American combine a lecture on Osuna, Rancho San Society of Landscape Architects, the American

Planning Association, American Institute of Architects, California Preservation Foundation, San Diego Police Historical Association and received the California State Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for her work in historic preservation and cultural landscapes. Her projects include the University of California, Berkeley Landscape Heritage Plan, Balboa Park Cultural Landscape Designation American Society of Landscape Architects, City of San Diego, Old Police Headquarters - National Register Nomination/Listing, and the San Diego Police Historical Association. Further information may be obtained by calling the museum at 760-632-9711 or viewing the San Dieguito Heritage Museum Facebook page. ■

HEALTH & FITNESS

Wellness in North County:

The eyes have it Chris

Ahrens Columnist

iving in North County there’s a lot to see, and the best of it involves sun and saltwater —

waves, beaches and sunsets rank as priorities for most of us. Problem is exposure to wind, sun and ocean water can take its toll on our eyes. As a result many longtime beachgoers contract cataracts, pterygium over time. Also a worry for those of us over

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50 (mostly women) is keratitis sicca or dry eye. As far as eyes go, a little knowledge can go a long way. The right sunglasses can help and so can shading yourself against the elements. Fish don’t have the same problems with their eyes we do — they simply swim forward and their eyes are kept moist. When purchasing sunglasses, don’t let price be your guide. Sunglasses need to feature 90- to 100-percent UV absorption protection, or UV 400. And know that polarized lenses protect against glare, but may not block out UV. Most serious ocean swimmers and even some surfers use swim goggles to protect their eyes. Again, don’t just buy any goggles, but look for polarized polycarbonate lenses. Add another layer of protection by shading your eyes with a hat or visor. Michael’s on El Camino Real sells foam visors for a buck. The visors float and are not restrictive and offer good shading from afternoon sun. When not in the water, a broad-brimmed hat, like the ones lifeguards wear, offers great protection to eyes and skin. While being helpful to the skin, sunscreen is not so good for the eyes. Often when bodysurfing or snorkeling, I find that my eyes are burning. This is the result of sunscreen making its way into the eyes. Some types of sunscreen are better at fighting this than others. I tend toward opaque sunscreens with heavy doses of zinc oxide. Sometimes when bodysurfing, like I did recently when a big south swell hit our shore, I find that sand has come home with me. Days later, grains will still fall from my ears. That leaves me little doubt that fine grains of sand have also penetrated beneath my eyelids. While this usually isn’t painful, it does need to be removed. One of my favorite methods is to take a shot glass of purified water and hold it up to my eyes for a few seconds, moving my eyes back and forth in order to better rinse my eyes. Another suggestion is placing a damp cloth over your eyes and letting them rest for a while. Eye drops are also effective. While not all eye problems can be eliminated so easily, those caused by sun, wind and saltwater can be. Here’s looking at you. ■

Sunglasses need to feature 90- to 100-percent UV absorption protection, or UV 400. (Photo by Chris Ahrens)

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

An autographed photo of Jay Adams, skateboarder and surfer. (Photo by Chris Ahrens)

Sea Creatures:

Remembering two Jays Chris

Ahrens Columnist

first met Jay Adams at Swami’s in the early 1980s. I knew him mostly as a skateboarder then, but from his first ride that day I could see he was a gifted surfer as well. Even then, in his early 20s, his style was immaculate, his positioning deep and his moves vertical, fast and crisp. He was a natural the likes which we rarely see. Adams and I didn’t become close friends that day, since he had some hard living to do before settling down as a father, a husband and a man of faith. His exploits would become legendary, as he was later indicted for manslaughter and various crimes, some of which were violent, all of which involved drugs of various types. The other Jay was Jay Moriarty—a cool kid who used to stay on our floor in the late ‘80s, when he and the boys from Santa Cruz would cruise down for surfing contests. I knew Moriarty as nothing more than a great longboarder at that time, never realizing until I saw the photos of him in Surfer Magazine, charging Mavericks that he was also a born big-wave rider. He was invincible. Then came the news in June 2001 that Moriarty had died, not as one might expect, while surfing big waves but from shallow water blackout, a condition that occurs when a diver comes up from depth too quickly. Moriarty’s story was made into the 2012 feature film, “Chasing Mavericks.” About 10 years ago, I began hanging out with Adams on a regular basis. He had been drug-free for a while before his past caught up with him and he was found guilty by association with a methamphetamine

ring in Hawaii. I visited him in the Santa Ana County Jail and attended his trial, where he was sentenced to four years in prison. With good behavior he was out in a little over two years and took up where he left off, minus the drug habit he had long since kicked. He was still a rebel, however, still wild, pedal to the floorboard and still up at dawn whenever the surf was over 6 feet. The last time I saw Adams he was with his wife, Tracy, in the Cardiff Campground parking lot. They were on their way to Mexico, where Adams planned to surf Puerto Escondido, a violent beach break known as the Mexican Pipeline. Over the next few days of August 2014, photos filtered in of Adams stoked and stuffed into double overhead tubes at the legendary surf break. I couldn’t believe any 53-year-old could surf like that. Then came the call from Adams’ and mine mutual friend, skateboarding champion, Dennis Martinez saying that Adams had passed away in his sleep. While deeply saddened by that news, I was nonetheless glad to know that he was not on drugs at the time. Instead, his great heart finally gave out after years of running it at full speed. The Jay Adams memorial at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa was filled with pastors, Hell’s Angels, surf legends, skate legends and punk rock legends like the guys from Suicidal Tendencies. Here was a life that could have been cut short years earlier, but instead had been prolonged long enough to teach a world that nearly worshiped him some valuable lessons. Now, whenever I hear the name Jay I look up and remember that life is a gift and living it to the fullest is the greatest way to say thank you to the giver. Here’s to Jay and Jay. Love and respect forever! ■

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

NORTH COUNTY NOTABLES

Miguel Prima (Courtesy photo)

Mission Vista High student, teacher take home awards Mission Vista High School teacher Anne Fennell and one of her students, Miguel Prima recently took him county awards. Fennell received an “outstanding program award” by the Digital Media Arts Showcase for the music composition program she runs at Oceanside’s Mission Vista. Miguel placed first in the music composition category and won the best of show award for

a piece he composed as part of Fennell’s class. “I just feel so very fortunate just to be able to teach this class,” said Fennell, who started her teaching career 28-years ago and has been teaching music composition at Mission Vista for six years. Titled “Prominence,” 17-yearold Miguel said his winning composition is part of a 14-track soundtrack he’s writing to accompany a video story he found online called “Lunar Rising.” “A lot of the tracks are actually a mix of electronic and orchestral,” Miguel said. He said “Prominence” is the name of a massive war machine that is central to the story. With a rousing crescendo, the music he wrote is meant “to highlight the power and the sort of might of that machine,” Miguel said. Although he’s already won a prize for the piece, he said he’s constantly reworking it. “I guess I’m never done with my pieces,” Miguel said. “I’m also my own worst critic. I’m always going back and changing things around.”

The Oceanside Police Department's Officer/K-9 teams who competed June 27-28, 2015 in Bakersfield are pictured left to right: Officer Wilson and Atlas; Officer Smith and Nero; and Officer Hay and Gonzo. (Courtesy photo)

Oceanside police K-9 teams compete in Bakersfield

The Oceanside Police Department commended the success its Officer/K-9 teams had during a summer competition. Three Oceanside officers and their canine partners were among more than 30 teams who traveled to Bakersfield the weekend of June 27-28 to compete in the Bakersfield Police Department K-9 Competition,

according to a news release. The Oceanside teams performed well — in spite of hot weather — bringing home several awards as follows: Officer Smith and K-9 Nero: First place in Article/Evidence Search Second place in Protection Third place in Building Search

Fourth place in Obedience Officer Hay and K-9 Gonzo: Second place in Overall Novice Officer Wilson and K-9 Atlas: First place in Agility/Obstacle Course Fifth place in Narcotics – Vehicle Search Fifth place in Obedience Fifth place in Area Search

2 Canyon Crest students take home scholarships Two students at Canyon Crest Academy — Gayla Hahn and Thea Hanson — were each presented with a $1,000 scholarship at the recent Dollars for Scholars awards hosted by the Del Mar-Solana Beach Rotary Club. Gayla has spent countless hours helping build homes in Mexico, running carnivals at the Women’s Resource Center, and serving lunches to seniors throughout San Diego County. She played on CCA’s water polo team and is actively engaged with PALs, which she helped establish. PALs (Purposeful Action Leaders/Listeners) are student leaders who donate their time and skills to help other students by talking with

them about CCA and life issues. Thea not only has helped build many homes in Tijuana with Casas de Luz, she started a Casas de Luz club at CCA to raise money for another “home build.” In addition to earning excellent grades, she also led her CCA field hockey team as the team captain and served as an officer of the CCA Interact Club, the service club at CCA sponsored by DMSB Rotary. She also travelled to Ecuador with Amigos de las Americas to assist the villagers there in a construction project. Both students will be attending University of California, Berkeley this fall.

(L to R) CCA Students, Gayla Hahn and Thea Hanson (Courtesy photo)

COMMENTARY

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

Commentary: Crack down on the real troublemakers, Encinitas Thomas K.

Arnold

Commentary

hen a kid steals candy from a candy store, it makes absolutely no sense to punish the store owner for the kids’ transgressions. Go after the kids, the ones who are causing the problems. Yet, the city of Encinitas seems bound and determined to take the same approach toward rowdy behavior at night in the city’s downtown and coastal strip. Instead of going after the young adults who have been accused of loitering, urinating in public and keeping people up at night with their loud banter, the city seems bent on punishing the restaurants and bars that are an essential part of the town’s economy. Already, the city is sending out teams of code enforcement officials to put the hammer down on bar owners for everything from loud music to crowds spilling out into the sidewalk. I’ve spoken with several bar owners who have been issued citations for loud music, even though the officials who wrote the citations didn’t have a decibel meter and were simply relying on their own eardrums — hardly the sort of stuff that will hold up in a court of law, but who’s got the time and the money to challenge the city in court?

In late July, this constant harassment prompted The Kraken, a popular bar on Coast Highway on Cardiff’s little waterfront “restaurant row,” to pull the plug on live music — after 39 years of giving local bands a badly needed place to play. A petition drive — and a barrage of phone calls and emails to City Hall — convinced the owner to change his mind after a couple of days, but who knows for how long? Noise citations start at $200 a pop and rise to $1,000 by the third offense. In a commentary for another newspaper, former Encinitas Mayor Teresa Barth pointed her finger in the wrong direction when she wrote: “The Encinitas bar scene has been causing trouble for some time. A handful of businesses are serving alcohol in an irresponsible way — a way that promotes public drunkenness, DUI-related incidents and a host of other problems.” No, Teresa — the Encinitas bar scene isn’t causing trouble. It’s the young drunks, and punks, who roam the street — and whose boisterous, disruptive behavior should be addressed by stepped-up law enforcement patrols. Oh, wait a minute — didn’t your former shills on the Council just vote down a proposal to hire an additional sheriff’s deputy? Barth went on to venture from the ridiculous to the absurd, suggesting Encinitas adopt a Deemed Approved Ordinance, which sets further limitations on establishments that sell alcohol. Barth holds up El Cajon

as an example of a city where a Deemed Approved Ordinance has done wonders, with arrests for public drunkenness down 35 percent — although in El Cajon the target was seedy liquor stores known for selling booze to minors, not respectable restaurant and saloon owners in an upscale coastal community that’s one of North County’s prime tourist draws. Encinitas went down this misguided path once before, last year, but as Barth writes “was stymied by the local hospitality association.” Thank goodness for that! As Bob Gattinella, CEO of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are a vacation destination, and we need bars and restaurants to keep our visitors happy.” He said the Chamber’s big fear is that bar owners will be worn down by stepped-up code enforcement, even without a Deemed Approved Ordinance, and close up shop, which could have a disastrous impact on the city’s economy as well as its tourist creds. “How long before somebody else gets scared?” he asked. “How long before someone closes their doors?” It doesn’t have to be this way. Encinitas needs to crack down on the troublemakers; not make trouble for the town’s business community. Editor’s note: Commentaries are opinion pieces and not necessarily the views of the newspaper. ■

Commentary:

Here’s to smooth sailing, Caruso Thomas K.

Arnold

Commentary

ver since I first heard that Rick Caruso, the builder behind The Grove in Los Angeles, might be coming down to Carlsbad to create a similar shopping, dining and entertainment complex, I’ve been ecstatic. This is a builder who “gets it,” who before he drafts any plans holds a series of community meetings and makes sure he gets plenty of local input — which he then takes into account when crafting his proposal. In Los Angeles, The Grove occupies the site of a former orchard and dairy farm. The 575,000-square-foot complex features buildings in the same historic style as those in surrounding communities, with shopping alleys, an assortment of plazas and intimate courtyards, and a large central

park with an animated fountain — the site of many free shows and performances. The Grove is hardly your typical suburban mall, plunked down in the middle of town. Rather, it almost appears to have been seeded, nurtured and grown by and for the community it serves — taking the area’s essential flavor and enhancing it. In Carlsbad, the complex Caruso wants to build occupies the site of the city’s beloved strawberry fields. But while the strawberrygrowing area will shift a little eastward from its present location at the northeast corner of Interstate 5 and Cannon Road, it will be enlarged and enhanced, with grower Jimmy Ukegawa expanding his operation from the present 30-some acres to as many as 50 acres, including not just strawberries but other crops. Of the 203 acres on the southern shores of Agua Hedionda Lagoon that Caruso is eyeballing, a whopping 176 acres — most

of which is currently inaccessible — will be preserved as farmland and open space, complete with trails and gathering spots with views of the lagoon. Only 26 acres would be used for an open, low-profile shopping, dining and entertainment complex that will likely incorporate much of Carlsbad’s existing beach-community character. To some, the big news is that Carlsbad is going to get a really cool new place to shop, eat and hang out. Others take great delight in the fact that the southern shores of the lagoon will finally be open to the public for hiking, bird-watching and other passive uses. While I applaud both, the thing I like best about the Caruso plan is that it preserves the strawberry fields and thus fulfills the desire of voters who in 2006 approved Proposition D, which effectively took the site out of the hands of a developer who wanted to build huge tracts of homes and instead encouraged agricultural uses “as long as feasible.” That last phrase — “as long as feasible” —was always the sword of Damocles hanging over Jimmy Ukegawa’s strawberry fields. The city, after all, did not own the land, so without that “out” the proposition could have been challenged in court as an illegal “taking.” In fact, a similar proposition, on the same ballot, sought to permanently preserve the land for agriculture — prompting the city to float its own proposition encouraging rather than mandating agricultural use. In any event, the city’s proposition won, and while supporters of the strawberry fields cheered they always knew the victory was a temporary one — unless a way was found to keep the strawberry fields viable. Caruso’s plan does just that — and much more. Here’s to smooth sailing. ■

Letters to the editor The following letters were received in response to “Commentary: Crack down on the real troublemakers, Encinitas,” published in this edition as well as on SeasideCourier.com on July 27. In “Crack down on the real troublemakers, Encinitas,” remember that if bars/restaurants obey the rules, act like respectful businesses, and don’t over serve alcohol to their customers, then they have nothing to worry about. The Deemed Approved Ordinance (DAO) gives the city additional tools to respond more effectively to the bad actors. The DAO will assist in maintaining city’s reputation to continue attracting visitors and increase the quality of life of those living and visiting downtown. We should give the DAO a chance to work, it’s shown to be effective in cities up and down the state. It could be the answer to downtown’s alcohol fueled problems. —Mike Jacobsen, Encinitas Residents impacted by Encinitas’ downtown nightlife are right: The city can’t just keep wasting money, asking Sheriff’s deputies to sweep up the mess every night after these “restaurants” have created it. The city has tried enforcement and the bars have tried so-called self-policing. The deputies are doing what they can, but it’s unreasonable to expect them to solve every problem on the tail end of things. We need to try something different. Cities that have implemented Deemed Approved Ordinances include an education component within the ordinance that teaches restaurant and bar employees how to serve alcohol responsibly. From an operational standpoint, when servers over pour, they reduce the number of drinks people can safely consume and increase the bar’s risk of legal liability and higher insurance premiums. Portion control also amounts to loss prevention and protecting profits. When bars and restaurants try to monitor their own business practices it never works because compliance falters and problems reappear after a few months. A well-written Deemed Approved Ordinance establishes “public nuisance standards” that preexisting retailers must follow in order to maintain their permits. —Beth Sise, chairperson, Alcohol Policy Panel of San Diego County Many folks are saying we just need more cops. But why should taxpayers pay for more Law Enforcement to address problems that could have been prevented by having these bars implement responsible serving practices? If we hire more cops, I’d like to see them serving all residents, not just the bars and those who live nearby. Visitors flock to Encinitas to enjoy our beaches, recreate, exercise, camp, eat, meditate...they can drink anywhere. Locals young and old are being over served in downtown bars and it is no fun for those of us that live close by or the visitors we depend on. I think Mr. Arnold forgot to mention the many businesses downtown that are making big profits without serving alcohol. —Mary Hiatt, Encinitas ■

BUSINESS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

BUSINESS NOTES

Gregory Lievers (Courtesy photo)

Carlsbad attorney gets praise

Left to right: Annika Walden, assistant director of Cardiff 101; Tess Radmill, executive director of Cardiff 101; Brenda Dizon, vice president of Cardiff 101; Susan Hays, president of Cardiff 101; AJ, chef of Tower 13; and Doug Weth, owner of Tower 13 (Courtesy photo)

And, the Golden Fork Award goes to...

The votes have been tallied and the winner announced. Make that two winners: Cardiff Beach Bar @ Tower 13 and Trattoria Positano share the distinction of earning the most votes for the Taste of Cardiff 2015 Golden Fork Award. Ballots were cast during the association’s sixth annual Taste of Cardiff, which was held Thursday, May 7. “After counting all the Taste of Cardiff participant votes, the two restaurants won over the hearts and tastebuds of Cardiff locals making the decision just too hard make!” said Annika Walden, assistant director of Cardiff 101 Main Street. “Luckily there is enough #cardifflove to go around.”

A Carlsbad-based lawyer has been named 2015 Attorney of the Year by the North County Bar Association. Gregory Lievers, who graduated from University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law, has practiced for 32 years. He is a member of the State Bar of California and a past vice president of the North County Bar. Lievers is listed annually in San Diego Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” and is among this year’s “Super Lawyers” for business litigation. He has had the highest possible MartindaleHubbell peer review rating since 1998. “Greg is a shining example of leadership,” said Vista attorney Rafael Acosta, who serves as president of the association. “He consistently gives back to the legal community through performing pro bono work and by mentoring young lawyers and counseling more experienced attorneys. He was selected for this award unanimously and without reservation.” Lievers and his wife, Sue, are the parents of three grown children and reside in Encinitas.

Ocean Ridge office building, 5796 Armada Drive, Carlsbad. (Courtesy photo)

Left to right: Brenda Dizon, vice president of Cardiff 101; Laura Diluccia, owner of Trattoria Positano; Susan Hays, president of Cardiff 101; Tess Radmill, executive director of Cardiff 101; Annika Walden, assistant director of Cardiff 101 (Courtesy photo)

Zenzi unveils marketing research

Sarah Hardwick, founder and CEO of Zenzi Communications (Courtesy photo)

After three years of development with data scientists and psychologists, an Encinitasbased communications firm unveiled marketing research to help brands fuel growth, loyalty and engagement through stronger connections with consumers. The center of Zenzi’s process is ValueBase, a research tool that links people’s inner needs and desires with their communications and buying preferences. Zenzi leverages this set of data to gather values insights based on a variety of sources, including: social media behavior, past purchases, location, online reviews, surveys, and/or a combination of these methods. “Buying trends have shifted dramatically,” said Zenzi founder and CEO Sarah Hardwick, a Rancho Santa Fe resident. “People are demanding greater transparency and seeking out brands that share their core values and beliefs. Knowing your target demographic is no longer enough; you’ve got to know their hearts and minds. Zenzi brings a unique skill set for companies that want to engage with customers on a deeper level.” Founded in 2002, Zenzi’s client experience includes Nestle, Chiquita, Shea Homes, DIRECTV, MapQuest, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market and others. For more information, download Zenzi’s free Z-Book at http://go.zenzi.com/ free-ebook-on-social-values.

Carlsbad office building sold A 75,000-square-foot office building in Carlsbad was purchased by Miller Global Properties. The real estate firm purchased the Ocean Ridge building at 5796 Armada Drive, next to the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Louay Alsadek, Larry Cambra, Roger Carlson and Hunter Rowe of CBRE represented the seller, an institutional pension fund advisor, and Miller Global Properties. “Ocean Ridge is the only LEED Gold multi-tenant office building in Carlsbad with subterranean parking,” Alsadek said. “Combined with a credittenant roster, an ideal location in proximity to I-5 and retail amenities along with expansive ocean views, Ocean Ridge is the foremost office investment in the entire submarket.” Ocean Ridge was 77-percent leased at the time of sale. Tenants include Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab, West Development and Maketa Investment Group. ■

MUSIC / LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

This month’s not-to-miss live music events Jen Van Tieghem Contributing writer

8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14 – Robin Henkel, Billy Watson and Whitney Shay at Ki’s Restaurant, Cardiff-by-the-Sea. $10 or free with dinner (reservations recommended) This trio spans genres from blues to soul to jazz. Robin Henkel is a renowned guitarist with a long career and a seemingly tireless stamina — this is just one of several performances for Henkel this month. Billy Watson is a harmonica-playing performer with a wide-ranging repertoire. And last, but not least, is songstress Whitney Shay who will lead the way with her golden pipes. Shay’s vocals lend themselves to big band, old standards, jazz, swing, blues and more. If you haven’t heard her 2012 release, “Soul Tonic,” now’s the time to get acquainted. KisRestaurant.com. 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19 — Leon Russell at Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach. $27 - $29. This celebrated songwriter has been making music for over 50 years. His solo work blends country, blues and rock spearheaded by his signature vocal style. Russell’s most recent album, “Life Journey,” was released in 2014 and largely feature covers of artists from Duke Ellington to Billy Joel. His sparse rendition of Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind” is a unique take on the classic song. This show should be an intimate performance with a living legend. BellyUp.com. Friday, Aug. 21 — Pepper at the Del Mar Race Track. After final race. $20 or free with race admission before final race posts. San Diego-based reggae/rock/ska band Pepper will perform as part of the Del Mar Races’ Summer Concert Series. The band, known for songs like “No Control” and “Your Face,” brings high intensity and energy to its live shows. This concert epitomizes what the Del Mar races have to offer all summer — fun bands in a fun setting. Plus, admission is free with entry to the races as long as you arrive before the final race of the day. (Steel Pulse performs Aug. 14, Weird Al Yankovic performs Aug. 28 and Paul Oakenfold appears on Sept. 4.) DMTC.com . 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 – Sometimes Julie and The Jackstones at Mr. Peabody’s, Encinitas. Free. These country-tinged Americana acts seem well suited to play together. Sometimes Julie’s tunes are filled with twangy guitars and the soulful vocals of Monica Sorenson. Check out “How I Need You” for the sultry side of the songstress’ pipes. The Jackstones have a classic rock vibe with meandering guitar solos and upbeat keys. Can you really beat seeing two bands for free on a Saturday night? PeabodysRocks.com.

Out of the Woods Pick of the Month 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27 — Little Red Lung, Creature and the Woods, Marqay and Old Tiger at The Merrow, Hillcrest. $5. LA band Little Red Lung is poised for big things with a well-developed sound that makes the most of frontwoman Zoe-Ruth Irwin’s haunting vocals. You don’t want to miss the rare opportunity to see them mid-tour in our own backyard at The Merrow in Hillcrest. They’ll be joined by a trio of San Diego bands: Creature and The Woods, whose own ethereal stylings are an ideal match; Marqay, who have the shoegaze chill wave vibe down to a science; and Old Tiger whose oldfashioned soul is a rare gem in a town full of rock bands. TheMerrow.com. ■

(clockwise from top left) La Costa Golf, Sport & Active Wear offers an array of hats; Handmade Italian golf shoes can be found at Aviara Golf Club; Many logo items such as visors and towels can be found at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course's pro shop. ; Stylish and well-made leather belts by Antas can be cut to fit at Aviara Golf Club's pro shop. (Photos by Katrina Dodson)

The Retail Beat

Golf shop fashion crawl Katrina Dodson Columnist

have played golf on and off for the past 20 years and although my game isn’t very good, I absolutely love a day on the great, green fairways of the many courses throughout San Diego. I read a recent article that China rates San Diego as the No. 1 place to raise a golfer. I was recently invited to play in a women’s scramble tournament and realized that my golf duds needed some serious upgrading so I decided to make the rounds at our local courses to see what they had to offer. Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, 1505 Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach: The first stop for me was also the first club I played at. The store has a big selection of Foot Joy men’s wear in classic cuts. For women, they have Annika by Cutter and Buck in fun floral and geo-

metric designs, as well as Tail Active Wear in bright colors. Whimsical items included SanSoleil UPF 50 long-sleeve shirts in graphic prints and mock neck long-sleeve shirts for men by Carnoustie. The Crossings, 5800 The Crossings Drive, Carlsbad: The store carries most of the basics I would see at all the golf shops, with a few interesting additions. Just about everything in the store has the course logo on it, with brands such as Climacool Adidas, Link Soul, Puma, Nike Golf and Ashworth. Fun items included branded poker chips, a humidor cigar case with several cigar selections, and McIlhenny Dry Goods button-down shirts. La Costa Sport, Golf & Active Wear, 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad: The mac daddy of golf resorts in North County, this golf shop is by far the biggest and brightest. The men’s section included a big section of Travis Mathews golfwear

— the latest and hippest addition to menswear for golf. This store also had an enormous area for women’s wear and included several designs by EP (Excellence and Performance) and the Sport Haley line, which is feminine with a touch of preppy. If you cannot find a way to spend your money at this golf shop, you have your choice of five other shops on the property, including the Spa Shop, Pinkalicious, Audrey Boutique, Coastal Dunes and Live Well. Aviara Golf Club, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad: Befitting its beautiful golf course, the pro shop has some great high-end items. The golf shoes by Walter Genuin as you enter the shop are handmade in Italy and could easily pass for shoes you’d see in the finest shops on the finest streets. Stylish and well-made leather belts by Antas can be cut to fit in the shop. The women’s logo wear is by JoFit and in the men’s section, you can find the Link Soul brand of button-down shirts in several heathered tones. Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, 1275 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas: This tidy little shop has some great logos, including a nice selection of Under Armour golfwear in yoga-type material. The most interesting find in this shop was a wide selection from the 18 Greens line out of Solana Beach, which specializes in water-resistant clothes that are quick-dry and have a four-way stretch; perfect for the guy going from golf to work or vice versa. Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, 5827 Via De La Cumbre, Rancho Santa Fe: The course might be private but this golf shop is open to the public and is filled with a variety of high end brands. For men, there are Polo Golf, F&G tech and Peter Millar brands to choose from. There is also a nice selection of après-golf sandals by Olukai. For women, I found G.G. Blue, Catherine Wingate and Lizzie Driver lines in supple water-wicking fabrics and current styles, along with a satchel and purse line by Will Leather Goods. For men or women, there is a stylish wall of woven belts in an array of colors with the club logo on them. ■

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015 YMCA, FROM PAGE 1 ers and help them feel included and immersed in our programs, regardless of their need for scholarships or a little extra help,” said Stephanie Yoo, associate executive director at Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA. “Jesus has been able to bridge those gaps.” Garcia-Gomez said he became inspired to work in family outreach when he traveled to Venezuela for the first time to visit extended family. “That was when I got to see my parents’ roots, where they grew up,” he said. “I visited a large number of family members — it was so warm and inclusive — and that’s when it clicked for me that I wanted to give back by helping people who represent my family and my upbringing.” The Ecke Y has long offered summer camps for children in the community who need support, but with the appointment of Garcia-Gomez, families have direct access to assistance with questions and camp registration. Garcia-Gomez said he has a lot in common with many of the children he serves. “I come from the same background,” he said. “I was on free and reduced lunch, growing up.” Interacting with their mothers reminds him of his own, he said. “My mom speaks Spanish, and I was the child doing all the phone calls,” he said. “I was in the position that many of these kids are in — they’re only 10 or 11 years old and they’re on the

(left) Jesus Garcia-Gomez (left) is pictured with Los Angelitos de Encinitas President Gabby Beas (center) and Ruben and Cassandra Duarte, and their mother, Claudia. Ruben and Cassandra attended Gymnastics Camp July 13-17. (Courtesy photo); (above) Customer Service & Outreach Department Supervisor Jesus Garcia-Gomez was named the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA's Administrative Employee of the Month for May 2015. Garcia-Gomez has been instrumental in reaching members of the Spanish-speaking community. (Photo by Faye Mankowske)

phone with banks, and translating for their families.” Access to bilingual support has improved as a whole for the Encinitas branch. Now, seven front-desk staff members are bilingual, with someone available during all open hours. The success of YMCA outreach programs also heavily depends on its eight community partners, which include: Migrant Education Program, Casa de Amistad, Casa de Amparo, the Community Resource Center, Kinship Support Services and Los Angelitos de Encinitas, Inc. The organizations serve low-income families and children who have persevered through tough challenges in their short lives. For the summer camp pro-

grams, Y staff members collaborate with the groups to identify 10 to 20 potential children to fill open spots for the upcoming week. Staff at the Y call to offer the spots and invite families to come in and register on Friday afternoon. The local Y currently offers over 250 summer camps, with choices ranging from Parkour, Zombie Survival and Kendama Camp, to Splash Swim Camp and Artrageous Camp. The camps are hosted at the Y and 12 other facilities, including The Rhoades School, Ada Harris Elementary, and the region’s many excellent beaches. “The most popular camp with the kids that I help is Splash Camp, or other camps where the

Where old memories are cherished, and new ones made.

kids can stay at the Y,” GarciaGomez said. “Most of the families are working families and this helps them over the summer.” On a recent Friday, GarciaGomez and Los Angelitos staff members Josh Devall and Bill Sparks were in the lobby to assist families. “As a conservative estimate, we have served 1,500 to 2,000 kids with our programs,” said Sparks, who, along with his wife, Sarah Garfield, founded Los Angelitos de Encinitas in 2008 to provide access to youth sports, academic assistance and affordable after-school care for all children in the community. “My wife and I started it when we had small children,” Sparks said. “We could see the segmen-

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experienced manager would have seen this coming.” The event was scheduled for Aug. 22 at Oceanside Municipal Airport. It would have been the fifth year for the “fly-in and car show,” which morphed out of a longer running annual cookout. Lydia Kennard, principal at APV, said they knew about the event in time to get the permit from the FAA, but that it was up to the airport association to explicitly request approval from the federal agency through APV. “We were informed in March, but they didn’t notify us about FAA permission, so permission was not sought,” Kennard said. APV was hired by the city in 2009 to operate the airport, with a 50-year lease of the property. The Oceanside Airport Association, a self-described watchdog, is comprised of pilots and neighbors of the municipal airport, and has been critical of APV’s management. Nesbitt and Kennard spoke with city officials on July 23 about the cancellation, after a series of emails that consulting City Manager Peter Weiss described as “downright negative.” Weiss said that during the meeting, there was a lot of confusion over terms used, regarding who should be responsible for preparing material for the FAA. Ultimately, Weiss said he believed it was the responsibility of the event planner, OAA, to get the required information to the airport managers to be submitted to the FAA. Nesbitt, from OAA, said that

tation in the community, and we wanted them to have the same experiences that we have had.” Swimming lessons are a priority for the children assisted by Los Angelitos, Devall noted. “With the Y summer camps, we started primarily with swimming,” Devall said. “Two years ago we had a grant from the city and we were able to offer swimming lessons at this Y to 45 kids. Some of the kids don’t know how to swim, and this can lead to them being socially ostracized.” Sparks agreed that water safety is of utmost importance. “Swimming is a critical initiative,” Sparks said. “If they’ve been through swim lessons with the Y and they’re at the beach, I feel good. I know they’re safe.” For camp participants, it’s all about fun. “The kids get so excited,” GarciaGomez said, watching as Devall helped youngster Joseph Campos register for Artrageous Camp. “He said he was excited to get messy,” Devall said. Many children who go through the outreach programs are thrilled by their experiences. On a recent feedback form, one Los Angelitos camper wrote: “I want to come back every day.” That is exactly the reaction Garcia-Gomez hopes every child has. “My favorite part of my job is getting to call a family with the good news that we have a spot in camp for their son or daughter,” Garcia-Gomez said. “I’m grateful I can always call families with good news from the Y.” ■ wouldn’t have been an issue, as many logistical factors remained constant from last year, but that he was only informed of the requirement less than one month before the car show. Kennard said that experienced pilots and event planners should know to get FAA permission before the event. “If you’re a pilot at the airport, if you’re a director at OAA, and you have an event of this size, what should you do?” Kennard quipped. Two requirements were different this year: the city of Oceanside required OAA to obtain a special events permit, and they needed formal approval from the FAA to temporarily close the airfield. Nesbitt said obtaining the city’s event permit would not have been an issue, and that they previously operated with informal permission from the local field office of the FAA. Kennard said that wasn’t good enough this year, and formal authorization from the FAA would be required to protect the airport and the city from liability. “This year we wanted to tighten it up for liability purposes,” Kennard said. “There was a lot of looking the other way in past years.” APV did host other non-aviation related events recently, including motorcycle training for the Oceanside Police Department and California Highway Patrol, without FAA approval, according to Kennard. The car show sponsored by OAA was different, said Kennard, because of the size of the event. “The auto show has no connectivity to air uses,” said Kennard. “There’s 2,000 people — you have to shut down the airfield.” ■

LOCAL NEWS / EDITORIAL

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015

F The High Tech Fair will be held Oct. 14-15 in Bing Crosby Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. (Photo/San Diego Science Alliance via Facebook)

Sponsors, exhibitors sought for High Tech Fair

ocal high-tech businesses and scientific organizations can engage their employees and help promote STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — education throughout the county by connecting with students, teachers and parents as part of the High Tech Fair in October. The San Diego Science Alliance and the San Diego County Office of Education are recruiting exhibitors and sponsors now for the two-day event. Exhibits should include hands-on or interactive features that inspire middle- and high-school students to explore science technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly referred to as STEM. “It’s all about igniting passion in students,” said Ellen Peneski, executive director of SDSA. “The combination of engaging in practical applications of STEM content and interacting directly with adults that have a similar passion, amplifies the STEM experience for all involved.” The High Tech Fair is an opportunity for businesses, organizations, research institutions and college programs to showcase their work and inspire students to pursue STEM careers and become the next generation of engineers and scientists. The event has grown in the past 17 years to include more than 60 exhibitors; more than 4,000 stu-

dents, teachers and parents; and more than 50 schools from across 25 districts, including charter schools and private schools. In that time, an estimated 50,000 students from throughout the county have attended and found inspiration. The High Tech Fair will be held in Bing Crosby Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The student and parent evening event Oct. 14 is free and open to the public from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Online registration is encouraged. The school-day event is Oct. 15. Teachers bring their students to the fair where they have 90 minutes to visit the various exhibits. The interactive demonstrations reinforce the concepts students are learning about in school and provide them with important insight into possible college majors and careers related to STEM subjects. The fee to exhibit is $660 with a discounted rate of $220 for nonprofit organizations. Fees help cover general fair expenses, buses for students and substitute fees for teachers. The High Tech Fair is made possible through the support of corporate sponsors, community partners and exhibitors. More information is available at the San Diego Science Alliance website, Sdsa.org, by emailing hightechfair@sdsa.org or by calling 619-400-9777. ■

airy is the Seaside Courier Pet of the Month at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. She’s an 11-month-old, 7-pound, Torbie. That’s a Tortoiseshell/ Tabby mix. Fairy is a petite girl who loves when people pet her and shower her with attention. At 11 months, Fairy is still a kitten. She’s very mellow and laidback, but she still has her playful kitten side that can go from cat nap to “zoomies” in just a few seconds. She has lived with other friendly cats. If you already have a cat or two and you’re hoping to add another, you should really meet Fairy. She would be very happy in a multi-cat household. Fairy was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society through the Friends of County Animal Shelters program. More than 90 percent of the pets adopted from RCHS have been transferred from other shelters or rescue groups. The $100 adoption fee for Fairy includes medical exam, vaccinations, spay 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 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but Tuesday.

Other happenings this month at RCHS: Aug. 10-16 is “Feeding Pets of the Homeless Week.” The Community Pet Food Bank at RCHS provides food and other supplies for the pets of senior citizens, families that are working poor, people with disabilities or

Fairy (Courtesy Photo)

terminal illnesses, veterans, and members of the homeless community. For more information or to make a donation, contact RCHS. Tickets are available now for Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s “Celebration of Second Chances” on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Del Mar Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe. The theme of “Give, Love, Grow” celebrates the first 55 years and the future of RCHS. For more information or to buy tickets visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza St. in Encinitas, call 760-753-6413, or log on to Sdpets.org. ■

Seaside Courier - Editorial

he Carlsbad City Council on Aug. 25 will be called upon to decide the fate of Caruso Affiliated’s well-thought-out proposal for a shopping, dining and entertainment complex on the south shores of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The so-called Agua Hedionda 85/15 initiative – the result of a successful signature drive by Caruso – can either be adopted outright by the Carlsbad City Council or sent to voters for approval through a special election. The Seaside Courier encourages the Carlsbad City Council to approve the initiative outright, sparing citizens the hassle (and campaign-sign clutter) of a special election and allowing the project to proceed without any interruptions. We wholeheartedly support the Caruso project because, quite frankly, development proposals like this just don’t come around that often. Caruso only wants to build on 26 of the 48 acres set aside by Carlsbad voters for commercial use, and he’s spent three years meeting with community members and organizing bus tours to his flagship complex, The Grove, in Los Angeles, to give locals a taste of what he can do. The result, based on preliminary plans and designs we’ve seen, is a low-profile cluster of little shops and restaurants, architecturally in sync with Carlsbad’s village, anchored by a Nordstrom department store that will only be two stories high. The real treat, though, is that of the 200-plus acres of land Caruso plans on buying from San Diego Gas & Electric once he gets the green light from Carlsbad, 85 percent — hence, the name of his initiative — will be set aside for open space and agriculture. Carlsbad’s beloved strawberry

fields — long threatened with destruction by a clause in Proposition D, which voters approved in 2006, that calls for agricultural use to continue only as long as it is financially feasible — will literally get a new lease on life in an expanded location east of where they are presently located. Jimmy Ukegawa, who owns the Carlsbad Strawberry Co. and iconic “U-Pick” fields, has publicly stated that if it wasn’t for Caruso, the future of his operation would be in doubt. On top of that, the bulk of the property, which overlooks the lagoon, will be donated to a conservancy for perpetual preservation as open space, with the added bonus of public access through trails and picnic spots instead of the fencing and “no trespassing” signs that are currently there. It’s a good development, no matter how you look at it. But the worthiness of the project isn’t the only reason the Seaside Courier encourages the Carlsbad City Council to approve the project on Aug. 25. The citizens of Carlsbad elected a mayor and four Council members to make the hard decisions for them. These five elected leaders haven’t yet let us down. The city is consistently held up as a model of good government, with strong finances and a healthy reserve, and the projects the Council has approved in the past include the widely praised Alga Norte Community Park and Aquatic Center and an acclaimed new safety center for our police and firefighters. They have studied this project inside and out, and are thus in a prime position to make an intelligent and informed decision that will be best for all of Carlsbad. We encourage them, in the spirit of both leadership and common sense, to adopt the Agua Hedionda 85/15 initiative. ■

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — AUGUST 2015