Seaside Courier — September 2015 by Maggie Avants

Gaspar announces candidacy for county supervisor Thomas K.

Arnold

Contributing writer

he first Encinitas mayor directly elected by voters, Kristin Gaspar, announced Aug. 31 that she will seek a seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 2016. “I’ve been deeply involved in our community, and as an elected official over the last five years, I recognize the importance the Board of Supervisors plays in our region,” Gaspar said. “I made the decision to seek the (Third District) seat because I want to play a more active role in the important investments we need to make in our roads, infrastructure, and core county services. My experience in a Kristin Gaspar gives the private sector Encinitas State of the City company and as address, March 24, 2015. (Seaside Courier photo) an elected official has prepared me to work successfully with the group of Supervisors representing diverse districts.” Gaspar is chief financial officer of Gaspar Doctors of Physical Therapy, which she founded and owns with her husband, Paul. She has served as president of the San Dieguito Water District Board and was elected to the Encinitas City Council in 2010. She became mayor in 2014 on a platform of smart fiscal management and investments in local infrastructure. “I am running because I think I have a lot to offer our community,” Gaspar said, in an interview with Seaside Courier. “As a small businessperson who has worked in local government, I believe I understand what it takes SEE GASPAR PAGE 9

ALSO INSIDE LOCAL NEWS Wavecrest Woodie Show

The who, what, when, where and why of this 36th annual event. Page 3 Sandra Raygoza, program director for Helping Women Help Themselves, presents a seminar to women from La Maestra. (Photo by Faye Mankowske)

North County nonprofit helps women succeed in small business Faye Mankowske Contributing writer

Del Mar couple turned their business success into a passion for helping others forge their own entrepreneurial path. Three years ago, Joseph and Debbie McCloskey founded a nonprofit called Helping Women Help Themselves, which focuses on helping women attain the skills needed to start —and succeed in — operating their own small business. The nonprofit aids those with business ideas small enough to be operated by one or two people in order to make a difference in a family’s supplementary income. Products and services may include those sold at school and church bazaars,

flea markets and street fairs, or, by some of the entrepreneurs who have gotten help lately, on Etsy. The nonprofit can help entrepreneurs with everything from more clearly defining their ideas to knowing their product costs, setting a pricing strategy, bookkeeping and building a customer base. This includes logo designs and promotional material developments — all for free. “The same fundamental principles apply across business ranges,” said Joseph, who has been involved in large and small businesses for 35 years. “We started with selling ornaments at art shows, and worked all the way up to involvement in multimillion-dollar companies.” Program Director Sandra Raygoza is an SEE HELPING PAGE 4

Oceanside: New gateway to beach approved Ruarri Serpa

Contributing writer

he Oceanside City Council unanimously approved a design to revamp the facilities south of the Junior Seau Pier, which will add much needed amenities for beach-goers. Approved Aug. 26, the $4 million plan to create an entryway to the beach will improve the visual appeal of the area by hiding utilities behind a new one-story building, which will contain new bathrooms, storage and facilities for city crews. “Staff did a wonderful job responding to the public in what was possible in that site and what was not,” said Nadine Scott, a resident who monitors development throughout the city. The project was driven by the

CARLSBAD VILLAGE Experience the Village

Check out new restaurants, new boutiques and a new vibe. Page 4

EDUCATION MiraCosta Matters

President Cooke provides an update on the San Elijo Campus. Page 12

INDEX Around Town ............................... 5 Commentary ................................ 6 Home & Garden ..........................10 Health & Fitness .........................11 Business Notes ...........................14 North County Notables .........16 Pet of the Month .......................17

(l to r) Improvements to Oceanside’s Tyson Street Park will include new public beach restrooms (1) and an updated public plaza (2). (Photo by Safdie Rabines Architects for the city of Oceanside); The pictured area south of the Junior Seau Pier will be revamped in a project slated to begin in November 2017 and take about a year to complete. (Photo by Ruarri Serpa)

need to provide more bathrooms to visitors, said Project Manager Nathan Mertz. The current bathhouse wasn’t able to accommodate enough additional fixtures, which prompted looking into constructing a new building

adjacent to the current one. Other changes include moving the police to the existing bathroom structure, designing a new public plaza, and breaking up the long staircase into a series of shorter segments.

The city will keep the existing bathroom facility, which is considered historic, since it was built in the 1930s. Planners looked to repurpose it to fit one of the existSEE GATEWAY PAGE 9

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

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SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

The 36th annual Wavecrest Woodie Show will take place from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. (Photos by Johnnie Weuthrich)

Wavecrest Woodie Show returns Sept. 19 W avecrest, the oldest and largest purely wooden car show in the world, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. The 36th annual Wavecrest Woodie Show, hosted by the San Diego Woodies and often called the "Granddaddy of all Woodies" meets will start at 8 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. at Moonlight Beach at the end of Encinitas Boulevard in Encinitas. Woodies begin arriving in the wee hours of the morning and by 8 a.m., there are approximately 300 woodies of every size, shape and description on display. Throughout the day there is Hawaiian, rock and surf music performed live, along with fabulous raffle prizes and awards for the best of the best. Wavecrest merchandise and food will be available for sale at the event. In keeping with the spirit of Aloha, the event is completely free — free for the public and the participants and welcomes everyone. In addition to the all-day Saturday Woodie meet, the weekend kicks off from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Encinitas Car Classic Cruise Night held in downtown Encinitas. The cruise event is hosted each summer by the Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association. The Woodie owners spend the weekend at Best Western Inn & Suites, where they hold a dinner and live auction event from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Offerings at the auction will include some amazing custom surfboards and other collectibles. Wavecrest winds down on Sunday morning when the Woodie owners meet at Encinitas City Hall for a cruise long distances from throughto Oceanside Harbor and back. out the U.S. and even overseas. Some owners make it a pilgrimHow Wavecrest got its start age and a fulfillment on their The event’s namesake is the bucket list. old Wavecrest Beach Motel, The Woodie station wagon where it had humble beginnings was originally designed to be a that led to a colorful history over motorized wagon that brought the years. Starting with just a people and supplies from the few surfers and their Woodie train station, hence the term stacars, it was originally just a tion wagon. They helped the war reason to meet, surf and enjoy effort in the 1940s by conservthe cars. Now, Wavecrest is ing steel for the military. After known internationally with the war, they came into vogue many of participants traveling as a stylish mode of transporta-

tion, however their upkeep was a considerable drain on owner finances and in time they fell from favor for the more “modern” steel cars. Many deteriorated and lost their original value, so enterprising surfers found they could buy them cheaply, pull out the back seat, and pack them with their long boards. Of course, at night, they could also be used as a makeshift camper on the beach. —Contributed content ■

CARLSBAD VILLAGE / LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

You're invited

ark the car and stroll the Village of Carlsbad! Come experience new restaurants, new boutiques, and a new vibe. Dine in the heart of downtown Carlsbad, just steps away from the iconic sign. From curb cafes to award-winning restaurants, guests are certain to find a new family favorite. Discover oneof-a-kind finds in upscale, trendy boutiques and art galleries featuring local and regional artists. Rent an electric bike and take in the seven miles of beaches that make Carlsbad famous worldwide, or search out the vibrant art murals that give the downtown its lively character. Carlsbad Village is also home to a certified organic Farmers’

HELPING, FROM PAGE 1 example of a success story. After spending eight years working in fashion retail management, Raygoza began looking into starting her own home-based business, which led her to the McCloskeys. “Joseph first became involved with an organization that was offering microcredit to women to develop their business ideas,” Raygoza said. “But he noticed that some of the ideas failed, leading the women to stop attending meetings, because they couldn’t repay the loan. This is when we realized the need for education on business principles was the most pressing element for their success.” These days, Joseph and Raygoza consult clients on business planning out of an office in Vista. Debbie, a graphic arts designer, helps the clients develop their visual image, such as their logos, business cards and other promotional materials. “Knowledge is responsibility, so they’re doing their best to help and to give back to the community,” Raygoza said. “I love the fact that I’ve gotten the opportunity to work for a real nonprofit organization. This is one that provides services in a pure and sincere way to our cli-

ents. Everything we offer is free to legitimate entrepreneurs who truly want to put in the work to create a successful business.” Helping Women Help Themselves has helped numerous entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground. This year, more than 400 people have attended their seminars, indicating that word is getting out about the nonprofit. Recipients of assistance from Helping Women Help Themselves include, Vista boutique Hermosa Resale Boutique, Batiz Jewelry, a company that imports fairtrade jewelry from Chihuahua, Mexico; Ideas Cabrera, a printing business in Vista; and Etsy shop PiLLoveTalk, operated by an artisan who makes pillowcases with uplifting artwork and messaging. This year, five local library branches are hosting seminars for Helping Women Help Themselves. Fifteen seminars were offered for the year, with five upcoming fall seminars at the Vista, Encinitas, Poway, El Cajon and Bonita library branches. The five remaining two-hour seminars will run Sept. 19 and 26, Oct. 3 and 24, and Nov. 7. To register for a seminar, visit the nonprofit’s website at Hwht.org/ seminars/. ■

Market. Every Wednesday, State Street turns into an open-air market with 50 vendors selling locally grown, sustainable produce as well as delicacies like locally caught fish,

baked breads, organic juices and more. Come appreciate the history of this village by the sea, and discover what is new! For more information, visit Carlsbad-village.com. ■

From the proceeds of the 12th annual Encinitas Food and Wine Festival, the Rotary Club of Encinitas presents checks totaling more than $140,000 to 19 local and national charities, Aug. 26, 2015. (Courtesy photo)

Food, Wine Festival brings in $140K for local charities Proceeds from the Rotary Club of Encinitas’ main fundraising event, the Encinitas Food and Wine Festival, were recently presented to several local and national charities. The Club has been hosting the event for 12 years. This year, Rotarians were able to give away more than $140,000 amongst 19 organizations. More than 1,100 people attended the event held in June at the San Diego Botanic Garden, in the Children’s Garden. Guests had the opportunity to stroll around the garden and the rest of the beautiful property, sampling fine wines and beverages from around the world. When one purchases a ticket to the event, they are asked to select one of the worthy organizations. The

event is unique because it allows smaller charities to have a much larger impact on their programs by sharing the overhead. The 19 beneficiaries were broadly broken into two groups; those who work with our children and those who work in our community, or other underserved communities. Checks were presented Aug. 26 to the following organizations: Cardiff Soccer League: $4,509.75 Diegueno Middle School Board: $2,973.50 Encinitas Educational Foundation: $9,106.70 SEE ROTARY PAGE 7

CALENDAR

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

Around Town on’t miss D

these upcoming

events around North County

Take part in Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s Celebrate Closing Day Party in the Paddock after the last race with a free concert by Wayward Sons. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information, visit Dmtc.com.

SEPT. 7

The Super Tasty 5K is a walk/run event serving up delicious food from more than 20 Solana Beach eateries. Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, participants follow the map, sample delectables, and collect passport stamps over a 5-kilometer route. Participants finish up at the Bike and Fitness Expo and Expo Beer Garden at Fletcher Cove Park. Tickets are $35 adults and $20 for kids. The walk benefits San Diego Foster Youth through Promises2Kids. For more information, visit TasteofSolanaBeach.com.

SEPT. 12

The second annual Carlsbad Brewfest takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Holiday Park, 3400 Pio Pico Drive. Enjoy tastes of more than 30 craft beers, plus take in music, games, entertainment and food vendors. For more information, visit Carlsbadbrewfest. org.

SEPT. 12

SEPT. 12-13

Check out the Cardiff Greek Festival for authentic Greek food, Greek folk dance performances, musical performances, children’s games and more. There will be fun for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave. in Cardiff-by-The-Sea. Admission is $3. Children 12 and younger get in free. For more information, visit Cardiffgreekfestival.com.

The public is invited to attend a SEPT. 17 Constitution Day forum at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17 at Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane. Titled, “Amending the U.S. Constitution: How Shall we Evaluate Amendment Proposals?” the two-hour free, community event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women.

Faire from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. at the museum site, 450 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Tastings

The Wavecrest Woodie Show takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Moonlight Beach parking lot in Encinitas. This 36th annual event will feature 250 classic Woodies, entertainment, food and fun things to do.

SEPT. 19

MainStreet Oceanside presents Taste of Oceanside from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Pay $25 to sample food from several Oceanside restaurants or pay $35 to include beer and wine tasting. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for the sell-out event. For more information, visit Mainstreetoceanside.com.

SEPT. 19

Thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in the annual Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 19. The beach cleanup, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at 100 locations in San Diego County, is a part of a statewide effort to keep the coast clean. I Love a Clean San Diego has coordinated the event locally for 30 years and mobilizes roughly 7,500 volunteers of all ages from community organizations, local businesses, and government agencies each year. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to sign up to clean up at CleanupDay.org.

SEPT. 19

The 20th annual Encinitas Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest will be held on from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20 on Mountain Vista Drive and El Camino Real. Festivities include live Alpine music and dancers, a street craft fair featuring more 200 vendors, authentic German food and a beer garden. For more information, visit Encinitasoktoberfest.com.

SEPT. 20

SEPT. 26

San Dieguito Heritage Museum is holding its annual Lima Bean Cook off and

Lima Bean Faire (Photo by Jay Clark)

begin at 12:30 p.m. and last until 2:30 p.m. Enjoy family fun, lima bean crafts, kids’ games, a bake sale, a silent auction, a plant sale and tours of the museum and Teten House. Tickets are $20 for adults ($15 if purchased in advance) and $5 for children yonger than 12. Entry to the museum grounds is free. For more information, visit Sdheritage.org.

SEPT. 26-27

The Carlsbad ArtSplash will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 above the Flower Fields on Armada Drive. The nonprofit, family event is free to attend and promotes and benefits arts within the community. Festivities include chalk art street paintings, live art and meandering performers. For more information, visit Carlsbadartsplash.org. Oceanside Harbor Days take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Oceanside Harbor (beach side). Enjoy Oceanside's Street Fair at the beach featuring arts and crafts, family activities, entertainment and more. For more information, visit Oceansidechamber.com. ■

SEPT. 26-27

COMMENTARY

Publisher's note: Opinions expressed on commentary pages are not necessarily the views of the Seaside Courier.

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

Region makes remarkable strides in water conservation Mark Muir

Vice Chair, San Diego County Water Authority Guest commentary

The fields of Carlsbad Strawberry Company, pictured, will be relocated as part of the Agua Hedionda 85/15 Plan. (Photo by Rob Bertholf via Flickr)

Voters deserved a special election for Caruso plan August Strumm Commentary

e’ve all seen the ads now, including the one with the supportive letter from the president of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company. He says that the proposed development will be good for his family. I believe him. The question is whether it will be good for yours or mine. Throughout this media blitz, Rick Caruso has been presented as a benevolent power hoping to preserve and protect Carlsbad’s natural resources. But let’s not forget that he’s a developer, and developers are in it for the money. The slickness and sophistication of the Caruso campaign is undeniable, with its nifty sounding “85/15” ratio of preserved versus developed land, and with catch phrases like “preserving Carlsbad open space the right way.” It sounds like expensive political campaign fodder. And that’s exactly what it is. And that slickness is what should worry us. Why is Caruso spending so much money on this campaign? It is because he intends to make millions on it. So let’s take the Mother Teresa performance with a grain of salt. The proposed development is supposed to be something like The Grove in Los Angeles, with Disneyland-like sensibilities and high-end retailers. But it’s still a mall — a place where we reluctantly let our kids hang out, as they learn to be consumers of expensive-yet-glitzy crap. But the above are mere opinions. There are also factual problems related to the proposed development that should give us cause for pause. Let’s take a moment to shut out the propaganda and think seriously about the issue.

Cause for pause No. 1

About three-quarters of the land in Caruso’s plan was already preserved as open space under Proposition D, passed by Carlsbad voters in 2006. According to Proposition D, 48.3 acres are zoned for commercial use. Caruso plans to use about half of that for his mall. Let’s give him credit for that — things could be worse. However, the fact that most of the land is already preserved does undermine the glory of the seemingly benevolent “85/15” concept. Presenting that ratio as it has been presented is more like being sold something you already own.

Cause for pause No. 2

There are Native American gravesites on the land. The Luiseño Band of Mission Indians says the plan would fail to “protect what were once the sites of two densely populated Luiseño villages.” The Agua Hedionda area is “sacred to the Luiseño people,”

according to their spokesperson Merri Lopez-Keifer. Consider the unfortunate irony of this. For millennia, the Luiseños lived, worked and prayed on that very parcel of land. Now, it’s slated to become the ultimate symbol of superficiality: a mall.

Cause for pause No. 3

The Westfield mall already exists less than five miles from the proposed Caruso mall. Yes, we live in a disposable culture, but throwing one mall out and getting a new one, the way we do with cellphones, may be going too far. Westfield has suspended its planned $300-million overhaul, which would turn the current mall into an open-air shopping plaza. We should be asking whether the area can support two malls. I suspect the real-world outcome would be that Westfield would cancel its renovations and eventually close down. Would that really be an improvement? Certainly at the level of ecology it would not. If Westfield did manage to hang in there, would the retailers be able to survive the competition? Would traffic increase? Most importantly, who the hell needs two malls anyway? And wait — I just remembered the Carlsbad outlet mall and that new monstrosity on Rancho Santa Fe Road in La Costa. Who the hell needs four malls?

Cause for pause No. 4

The public has yet to see engineer drawings of the mall itself. So, really, at this point we’re buying a pig in a poke. Let’s see the engineer drawings first, run the environmental impact reports, and then decide. Again, these are developers we are talking about here. There’s no reason to simply trust them.

Cause for pause No. 5

This decision will not affect residents of Carlsbad alone. The rest of us in coastal North County will also be affected. We should, thus, have the chance to weigh in on the issue, even if we won’t be able to vote on it, as Carlsbad residents should. Doubtless, there will be adverse effects on local water and air quality. And let’s not forget about increased traffic on Interstate 5, which, as you may have noticed, already has enough traffic. The above causes for pause should make it obvious that the public deserves to have a vote on this issue. Caruso Affiliated is attempting to side-step 30 years of Carlsbad city planning. The Carlsbad City Council should have voted to place it on a special-election ballot — clearly, if only to give everyone pause to study the issues more thoroughly. ■

an Diego County has made significant progress in water conservation during the first two months of state-mandated wateruse targets, surpassing the state’s goal for the region. This is a major achievement, and it reminds me of how our region has pulled together during past emergencies such as the 2007 fires to serve the greater good. While there are numerous factors and many different contributors, the most important element of this effort is you — the region’s residents and businesses who collectively are making thousands and thousands of decisions to save water each day by taking shorter showers, limiting outdoor irrigation, reusing warm-up water from your faucets, fixing leaks quickly and numerous other actions. The net result of all that effort was that urban potable water use across the region fell by approximately 32 percent in July 2015 compared to July 2013, according to preliminary numbers released by the San Diego County Water Authority. That follows a decrease of 26 percent in June compared to June 2013 and a 30-percent decline in May. State-mandated targets for Water Authority member agencies such as the San Dieguito Water District are between 12 and 36 percent below 2013 levels; the countywide average target is 20 percent. When Gov. Jerry Brown visited San Diego County in early August, he praised the region’s successful conservation efforts — confirmation that our efforts not only are working, but they are being noticed around the state. More importantly, this extraordinary level of conservation creates a huge benefit for our region because conserved water can remain in storage for future use, a valuable asset should drought conditions continue into 2016 or beyond. (It’s worth

noting that even if El Niño weather conditions deliver significant rainfall to parts of California this winter it’s unlikely to make up for four dry years, a topic I will explore in a future column.) As a wholesale water agency, the Water Authority coordinates drought response actions for the region. The regional drought response strategy centers on decreasing ornamental landscape irrigation first to minimize the economic disruption caused by cuts to water used by industrial, commercial and farming operations. With California mired in a long-term drought — four years and counting — the Water Authority’s Board of Directors in May limited outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscapes to no more than two days a week and enhanced its conservation and outreach programs to help local water agencies meet state mandates. Local member agencies have the flexibility to set their own watering days and times. June was the first month in which the State Water Resources Control Board required compliance with conservation targets set for each local water agency. Residents and businesses across San Diego County succeeded in June even though temperatures were higher than normal. In July, record rainfall from a tropical storm gave a boost to watersaving efforts already under way across the region as residents and businesses complied with state mandates not to irrigate during rainstorms or for 48 hours after receiving measurable rain. Water use for the region in July 2015 was the lowest for any July since at least 1975. The challenge now is to keep up with conservation during what typically are the very hot months of late summer and early fall — but it’s a test I know we will pass together. Note: For information about water-use rules by community, along with details about drought conditions and conservation-related resources, go to Whenindrought.org. ■

Letter to the editor:

Keep urban farming out of Encinitas So you just bought your dream home in Encinitas or have lived here for years, enjoying the quality of life that suburban living brings. Then, imagine some of your neighbors bring in a collection of chickens, goats and beehives and start selling the products from these animals from a permanent produce stand they erect in their front yard. Then imagine they can do all this without notice to you and without you having the ability to object to this happening next door or in your neighborhood. Your dream of a quiet suburban life is now interrupted by the sound of up to 25 chickens clucking and the bleating of up to three goats, greeting you as you simply try to enjoy living in Encinitas. And when the wind blows your way, the joy of the animals’ smells grace the beauty of outdoor living in San Diego. All of this brought to you by an ordinance quietly working its way through the city. Don’t laugh, its no gag, no fluke, Encinitas isn’t being “punk’d” by it’s own City Council; it’s being misled by it’s own City Council. The City Council majority of Tony Kranz, Lisa Shaffer and Catherine Blakespear are pushing an ordinance that will allow urban farms right in your neighborhood, without notice and without your right to voice your objections to not having to live next to a minifarm. I repeat: you will have no right to stop this from happening if this ordinance passes. Why? Why Now? And “Why” how? That’s what three out of five Planning Commissioners asked when it was their turn to speak when this idea came before them on Aug. 20.

They stated plainly that they didn’t understand the “intent,” purpose or intentions of the scrambled mélange of intrusive new “permissions” sought by the Council majority on behalf of these new urban farmers. Why is it important to force urban farming into quiet, clean and safe suburban neighborhoods? Is this really what the majority of Encinitans want? More questionably, nine out of 12 public speakers weren’t even local residents, but were from interconnected nonprofit groups, whom all promoted to the Commission urban farming in residential neighborhoods. A resident speaking on behalf on a neighborhood where an urban farm already exists, detailed the downsides of life next to a farm – traffic, noise and odors among them. Luckily, the Planning Commission agreed to mark the ordinance “return-to sender.” Normally, something like this would be revised and returned to the Planning Commission for another look, but Encinitas City Council watchers believe its much more likely the Council majority will leap-frog another review and just bring it to Council for final approval. So if you want to preserve your suburban lifestyle, free of the smell and sounds of agriculture next to you, including the impact to your property value, it is time to let your elected officials know that you did not move to Encinitas to live next to a farm. Call 760633-2618 or email your thoughts to council@ encinitasca.gov. Or be prepared to forever hold your nose. —Mike Andreen ■

COMMENTARY / LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

Mayor's minute

The latest on agriculture, housing density and mansionization Kristin

Gaspar

Mayor of Encinitas Guest commentary

Hello Encinitas, I hope you had a great summer! While Council was on break for the latter half of the summer, there is plenty of recent activity to report on. First, the Planning Commission voted to not approve the Council Subcommittee’s (Blakespear/ Kranz) proposed Agricultural Ordinance, but instead continue conversation on the topic. Some members cited concerns that the ordinance could alter neighborhood community character, might not be necessary, and/or needs to be better vetted. I applaud the Planning Commission’s thoughtfulness because I am unclear as to what problem the Agricultural Ordinance is attempting to solve. In addition, I have heard from many in our residential neighborhoods who would object to their neighbors having (by right) a front yard fruit stand, up to 20 chickens, three goats, and/or three beehives only 15 feet from their fence. The Planning Commission will resume discussions on the proposed Agricultural Ordinance later this year. The last City Council meeting was focused on developmentrelated issues, including density bonus calculations. The staff did an exemplary job crafting three ordinances with specific direction and language requested by a majority of the Council. The first ordinance, focusing on density calculations, was pulled from the agenda for later discussion in closed session because of yet another legal challenge alleging the City is again trying to enact

ROTARY, FROM PAGE 4 Encinitas Rotary Foundation: $21,707.37 Intrepid Shakespeare Company: $1,112.75 Jonathon Tarr: $4,483.75 LLC Music Boosters: $4,771.25 MAEGA: $4,934 Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA: $12,104 Military Musters: $1,841 North County Lifeline: $13,358.50 Operation Give Back: $2,316 Pacific Southwest Community: $3,594 Rancho Coastal Humane Society: $8,418.75 San Diego Botanic Garden: $7,918 San Dieguito Heritage Museum: $5,986.25 SD North Coast Singers: $4,822.50 Solana Beach ECO Rotary: $3,670 SoulThirst Africa: $25,000

policies in conflict with state affordable housing laws. The two remaining ordinances, dealing with redefining net acreage and inclusionary housing fees, were deemed too problematic by a unanimous council who decided not to move forward with the ordinances. I applaud my colleagues for their votes on these issues. Finally, we considered the socalled “mansionization” policy, which was brought forward by Councilman Tony Kranz in an effort to shrink the size of homes allowed in our community. This policy would deal with new construction, as well as additions to homes on private property. I am opposed to this policy because it would reduce property values throughout our city and infringe upon private property rights. I recommended that instead, a policy be developed that would require a design review process for single family dwellings as a measure to protect community character. A Council majority (Blakespear, Kranz, Shaffer) tasked the Planning Commission to further explore the mansionization concept before returning to Council. In the end, while most people, including myself, would encourage new ideas to improve our city and protect our community character, we also need to be mindful of the unintended consequences of new policies, as well as the costs of drafting them. And that’s the way the summer ended at City Hall. I’ll be in touch soon with a September update. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns. Yours in service, Kristin Gaspar, Mayor of Encinitas, kgaspar@encinitasca.gov ■

The success of the fundraiser is due in large part to the generosity of more than 35 sponsors, including two title sponsors: The John and Mary Rainsford Foundation and Bixby-Zane. Many volunteers also give of their time, including almost the entire Rotary Club of Encinitas to make the event even better each year. The success of the event is also due in no small part to the wine and food suppliers. This year, 24 local restaurants and food shops and 25 wineries, breweries and artisanal tequila and bourbon vendors donated their food, beverages and time for the event. The Rotary Club of Encinitas is excited to announce that next year’s event will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course. Community members are encouraged to “please come and lend a hand, pledge money to any of our deserving beneficiaries, or just enjoy the food and wine.” —Contributed content ■

COMMENTARY

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

Commentary: In defense of Pacific View August Strumm Commentary

n these pages, my friend and pointcounterpoint colleague Thomas K. Arnold has been relentless in his attacks on Encinitas’ purchase of the old Pacific View Elementary School property. He has also been somewhat impressionistic with the facts. So, I asked the publisher of this paper if I could write a defense of the purchase in order to provide a counterbalance for Arnold’s previous remarks. She agreed. Crotchety Conservatives are famous for decrying that America is going to hell in a handbasket. And they may be right. But they’re completely wrong about the reasons why. They think the reasons for our potential decline are such things as loosening moral values and fiscal irresponsibility. The real reason is that we refuse to invest in ourselves. The trend initiated by Ronald Reagan’s trickle-down notions and continued by Grover Norquist’s anti-tax fanaticism has led to a failure to spend money on the things that make a country great. Automatically saying “no” to investment is what has led to the decline of our schools, our infrastructure, and even our cultural vision. We seem to have forgotten that it is necessary to spend money in order to make money. Without the wise expenditures of the past, there would have been no Louisiana Purchase; there would be no University of California, no Golden Gate Bridge, and no Washington Monument. I have included the above preamble because the blind fear of spending money is the over-arching argument opponents of the Pacific View purchase seem to make. They argue that Encinitas couldn’t afford the purchase and that the purchase was a bad deal. In reality, both of these arguments are false and shortsighted. The fact is that budgets go up and down by nature. They’re fluctuating, shortterm events. On the other hand, preserving a piece of the last remaining commercially undeveloped coastal land in southern California is a long-term event, an enduring legacy. Nevertheless, please allow me to humor the critics by debunking

their own arguments. Catherine Blakespear has reported that Encinitas’ economic situation is solid. It has improved overall in the last three years, has an excellent debt ratio, and the city even managed to contribute an additional $260,000 toward unfunded pension liability. Nevertheless, Arnold recalls “reading somewhere that the city of Encinitas has identified $394 million in unfunded projects.” Turns out where he had read this was in a statement by Mark Muir, an opponent of the Pacific View purchase. What Arnold neglected to mention is that, according to Muir himself, three projects alone account for $322 million of the above total (drainage and two railroad underground projects). Muir conceded that: “these big projects will only come to fruition with assistance from federal grants.” In other words, that $322 million is not even part of the serious budget — it’s more like a wish list for the future, if the federal grants come through. As you can see, removing that $322 million from the total for Muir’s unfunded projects ($394 million) leaves us with a very different amount: $72 million. Arnold called Blakespear’s report “disingenuous,” but the more accurate math here suggests that word would be more aptly applied to Arnold and his own math. Suggesting that Encinitas paid too much for the Pacific View property is also unmoored from the facts. All it takes is a casual glance at the price of a single home on a 40-foot-wide lot on Neptune Avenue to understand this. If one house on Neptune costs $5 million, how can $10 million for an entire bluff-top school seem high? Opponents have bandied about low appraisal numbers for the property, and these, too, are disingenuous. The reason is that the low appraisal numbers they cite ($3.5 and $7.3, bizarrely) are based on the value of the property in its current zoning. The truth is that the law requires the city to rezone. When the school district had an appraisal done, projecting the land rezoned to R-15 (like the surrounding area), the value was put at $13.5 million. From this more accurate perspective, the city got a bargain on the property at $10 million.

OK, now that we’ve inoculated ourselves against the propaganda promulgated by the anti-Pacific View folks, we can talk about what is really important about the deal. Thanks to the vision of the Encinitas City Council majority and its many supporters — a clear majority of Encinitas citizens, I suspect — we have secured something precious for the citizens of Encinitas, for their children and grandchildren: public space by the seaside. Regardless of what is done with the property, that is a victory in itself. And let us not forget that the land was originally bequeathed to the children of Encinitas in perpetuity. In 1883, when Mr. Pitcher granted that land to Encinitas for a school, he intended for it to stay public. So, the school district never had a moral right to allow it to be sold publicly anyway. I have said that the property is a boon and a great investment regardless of what is done with it — but the fact is that something spectacular is going to be done with it. Some of the city’s most visionary benefactors are proposing an amazing concept for the property: a center for the arts and environment. Imagine a space blooming with art, a space where classes are taught, where poetry is read, where music is played, where lectures are held on ecology and history. It will be a space where Encinitans can be proud to take their children. That old school is being transformed into something vital and meaningful, that will last for generations. What’s happening at Pacific View is the sort of thing great communities strive for. When Americans visit the great cities of Europe, we marvel at the buildings and parks. But some of us seem to forget that once upon a time those things needed to be paid for. When we automatically say “no” to great projects, aren’t we actually giving up on the aspirations of greatness? Compare the present outcome for Pacific View Elementary School to what might have happened if the city had not made the purchase: the property would likely have been auctioned off to become yet another faceless commercial development. Thanks to the vision of some members of the Encinitas City Council, along with an engaged community of supporters, we instead have something lasting and meaningful. ■

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015 GATEWAY, FROM PAGE 1 ing needs in the area: the police. Currently one building is shared by the police, maintenance, and private businesses that rent storage. There also existing water and electrical utilities, including the sewer lift station that will be moved out of sight — and smell. Project planners originally presented three options during public workshops: update existing bathrooms and add a few water closets, build the approved one-story building, or build a twostory building. The rejected two-story building would have included community space, a rooftop platform that visitors could walk on from the street at the top of the bluff, and ADA compliant access. Ultimately that plan was rejected because it was too invasive to the bluff, said Mertz. A 2009 study kicked off the process, followed by three workshops and an online survey, in which 500 people participated, according to Mertz. The pur-

pose of all the outreach was to identify the needs of the public at the beach — mainly, more bathrooms. Councilwoman Esther Sanchez thought the project succeeded in that sense. “This is public park land, so I thank staff for addressing the needs of the public,” Sanchez said. Some thought the plan fell short, however. Kim Heim, representing the business organization Mainstreet Oceanside, said the designs eliminated places for bicycles, concessions and watersports rentals. “That experience helps improve Oceanside,” said Heim, whose organization is tasked with providing visitor services at the beach. Also approved as part of the project were new bathrooms for Tyson Street Park, just a few blocks south of the Pier, estimated to cost an additional $680,000. Final designs still need to be approved, and construction will not begin until November 2017. ■

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Postal Annex Amanda, Chuck, Cindy and John Datte

A new PostalAnnex has opened at 162 S Rancho Santa Fe Road in the Rancho Santa Fe Plaza. Owned and operated by franchisees Chuck and Cindy Datte, the business will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce at Noon on Friday, September 18, 2015, followed by Grand Opening activities on Saturday, September 19, 2015. The fun on Saturday runs from 10am-2pm, and includes an extensive assortment of raffle prizes, wine-tasting, local artists’ work on display, a display of exotic and classic cars, and complimentary food and drink from neighboring businesses. Already, the Dattes are excited and thrilled with the community feeling, customer reaction, and comraderies found among visitors to the Rancho Santa Fe Plaza. “Just in the short time we’ve been open, we’ve made some great friends who have been very gracious in welcoming us,” said Cindy. “We are really looking forward to being part of the fabric of the entire Encinitas/Rancho Santa Fe community.” The couple has been residents of San Diego since 1969 and have raised their three children (Amanda, Chris, and John) in the community. In addition to their new business, the Dattes are avid car collectors and members of the Ferrari Club of San Diego. Cindy is a former AIG Project Manager. Chuck Datte is a Vietnam Veteran and Chief Software Engineer for SPAWAR. Their PostalAnnex provides UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS shipping, private mailbox rental, notary service, copy service, and more. For more information, please contact Cindy at (760) 230-2135. Contributed content

GASPAR, FROM PAGE 1 to grow our economy and create good-paying jobs.” Gaspar and her husband have three young children who attend school in the Encinitas Union School District. Her other community activities include serving as president of the Encinitas Rotary Club, as chairman of the Encina Wastewater Authority Board, and founder and board member of the North County Leadership Council. She is also a third-grade civics instructor at Mission Estancia Elementary and has been active in youth sports. “During my time on the water district board, I worked on water conservation and sustainability issues, which is critical to our region with our ongoing drought,” Gaspar

said. “And as a mother of school-age children, I want to work to make sure our communities are safe and that children are getting the most from our schools.” The seat she is vying for is currently held by Dave Roberts, a freshman whose term earlier this year was rocked by scandal after a wave of nasty allegations and staff resignations. Since he was sworn into office in January 2013, eight of his 11 staffers have quit. In May and June, three of them filed claims against the county, including Roberts’ former office manager, Diane Porter. Porter in her claim maintained that Roberts made employees run personal errands and do campaign work on county time, offered raises and promotions in exchange for misleading government officials, and had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer whose only task

appeared to be serving as Roberts’ “personal chauffeur.” Porter claimed that when she “raised concerns about Mr. Roberts’ rampant misuse of county funds and abuse of his position, she was marginalized, criticized and belittled.” Roberts has denied the claims and as of publication time, had not yet announced whether he planned to run for re-election. While Gaspar would not comment regarding Roberts’ troubles, the incumbent’s campaign spokesperson was quick to criticize her decision to run. “Kristin Gaspar has broken her promise to the people of Encinitas to serve as their first directly elected mayor — only having been elected less than 9 months ago,” said Spokesman Gary Gartner. “This kind of political opportunism from SEE GASPAR PAGE 15

HOME & GARDEN

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

(l to r) Ivy geraniums; Zonal geraniums (Photos by Evelyn Weidner)

Gardening with Evelyn:

G is for geranium Evelyn Weidner Columnist

ee, what shall I write about for September? Gee, g…how about geraniums! Gee, I’m glad those came to mind because they are easy to grow and require minimal water. There are lots of great garden bloomers that

start with the letter G, but let’s stick with geraniums — mostly the pretty ones — for now. Oops! What we usually call geraniums are truly pelargoniums — all native to South Africa. The true geraniums are often called crane’s bill geraniums because of the look of their seedpods. Many are native to our own Northern Hemisphere and the Southwest. Confused? Blame

Linnaeus, that ol’ Swedish botanist who lumped them all together. Geraniums — mostly the pretty ones Zonal geraniums: Think of any French window and you’ll see a pot of red geraniums. They grow upright and bloom best in spring and summer. They come in lots of colors. They are also the ones that are most attractive to geranium budworm. Remember to do your caterpillar Bt spray (see last month’s article). Also remember that with old age, they get woody and not so pretty.

In that case, cut them back or just throw them away without guilt and plant some more. Ivy geraniums: The leaves look a little like ivy leaves. Think of any European balcony overflowing with flowers, most likely ivy geraniums. You can use them as hanging baskets or in flowerbeds. They give you masses of intense color. They will even climb if given the chance. Ivy geraniums bloom all year and are almost pest-free. They take all kinds of abuse. They grow best in sun, with average water and regular feeding. Cut back and feed them in very early spring; they are not happy with too much water in the winter. If we get the El Niño rain we all want, be proactive and remove all the old leaves and branches to open them up for more air circulation. They should regrow in spring. Martha Washington pelargoniums: The only ones we name correctly, they produce old-fashioned, beautiful blooms in the spring and early summer. Are they attractive to the geranium budworm? Yes. Scented geranium: There is one more geranium that has to be included: the scented geranium. Mint, lemon and lime, these low, bushy geraniums have flowers but it is the lovely fragrance from the foliage that makes them so appealing. This is a chop, feed and grow plant.

How to propagate

Geraniums are really easy to propagate if you know how. Here are some tips: Take the top 3 inches of any branch, cut it and then let it sit in the shade for a day or so. This allows it form what we call a callus at the cut end. Because these geraniums/pelargoniums are all native to South Africa, which gets little rain in the summer, they store water in their fleshy leaves and stems. Too much water before they make roots gives you a rotted cutting.

Frequently asked questions

What are those funny bumps on the back of my Ivy geranium leaf? A disease, an insect? Shall I spray? The answer is: none of the above. This is a natural thing that happens on older leaves and is called edema. The cells take up more water than they can release and they burst, forming a blister that turns tan and corky. It happens when the roots take up more water than the plant can use. Don’t worry: cut back a bit on the water or just live with it. Think of them as geranium pimples. In addition to geraniums, there are so many great natives and other garden bloomers that start with the letter G. I think I could do a whole garden of G plants: gaura, gazania, galardia, the new gomphrena, gardenia, galvesia (the native fuchsia), and more. Happy gardening! ■

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HEALTH & FITNESS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

Wellness in North County:

The bitter side of sweetness Chris

Ahrens Columnist

lycemic Index uses a scale of 0 to 100, with higher values given to foods that cause the most rapid rise in blood sugar. Carbohydrates with a GI value of 55 or lower are more slowly absorbed and metabolized and cause a lower and slower rise in blood glucose and therefore insulin levels. Sugar is a major enemy of our health. The excessive use of this addictive substance is, in fact related to about one-third of all health care costs, or roughly $1 trillion a year. As a kid, my household was normal in that we had a sugar bowl on the kitchen table at all times. Like most of you, I grew up in a sugar-filled world and was rewarded for good behavior through sweet treats. Ice cream, candy bars, doughnuts, pies, cakes and suckers — ironically once offered by our local dentist — were among them. Like many of you, I never did outgrow the desire for sweetness. The difference now is that my current treats of choice don’t pack all the negative punches found in sucrose, high fructose corn syrup and other highly processed items likely to be hidden in our food, or living right out in the open in cute little packets at fast-food joints. Considering that the average American consumes about

17 teaspoons of sugar a day — a 12-ounce soft drink contains an average of eight teaspoons of sugar — we’ve got work to do. Diet drinks contain sugar substitutes that are sweetened with chemical products like aspartame, saccharin or sucralose, are low on the Glycemic Index and contain very few calories. Nevertheless, these substances can be linked to various longterm health problems. Those wishing to improve their health might want to investigate the negative effects of the aforementioned sweeteners before considering ingesting them. A good Web page signaling the dangers of artificial sweeteners is: Medicaldaily.com/4-dangerous-effects-artificial-sweetenersyour-health-24754. As with drugs, there is big money in peddling sugar and other sweeteners. Helping find a cure for those who wish to kick the sweet habit is a big business in the United States. Sucrose — white sugar — is omnipresent. While it rides high on the GI at 64, high fructose corn syrup is in countless packaged goods and comes in at 62 on the index. Pure B-grade maple syrup, while considered healthy by many, arrives at 54, while honey does better at 50. Among the lowest sweeteners on the Glycemic Index are Stevia and Xylitol. Increasingly praised by health practitioners, Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant and combined

with maltodextrin and silica to be sold as Stevia Extract. Xylitol is a natural occurring sugar alcohol that can be extracted either from birch trees — which many alternative health practitioners find superior — or corn. Xylitol gum is a good alternative to sugar-laced, or artificially sweetened chewing gum. Both Stevia and Xylitol rate at or near zero on the Glycemic Index. While I continue to use both products, the downside for me is that both sweeteners leave something like a chemical aftertaste in my mouth. While not exactly a sweetener, it should be noted that juice concentrates have little advantage over sugar-filled drinks. The problem with these and even fresh-squeezed fruit juice is that they cause blood sugar to spike. While fruit juice with the fiber included in it is preferable since fiber causes it to break down slower, it can nonetheless send your system out of whack. You wouldn’t slug down five oranges or apples in 60 seconds, so why down them in liquid form? My advice is to use sweeteners with as little processing as possible and cut back on them as much as you can. Once you do, you might be surprised to find, as I did, that foods that once tasted good now seem too sweet. There’s little argument that cutting the sugar also cuts trips to the doctor’s office. Getting sugar and sugar substitutes off the table is a good place to start. ■

Body in balance: Exercise while sitting Dana Nitti Columnist

ow many hours a day do you spend sitting? Before I became a personal trainer, I spent an average of 12 hours of sitting each day: eight hours at work, two hours in the car and two hours in front of the TV. Add that to the eight hours of sleep I was getting each night and I was only moving for four hours a day! Sound familiar? Maximize your time behind the wheel, at your desk and on the couch by performing these simple exercises. Let’s start out with a fun and easy one you can do anywhere. The gluteus squeeze: contract your gluteus maximums — butt muscle— relax, and repeat. It’s that simple! You can alternate from cheek to cheek on your drive to work or at your desk and no one will ever know. While stopped at a light or stuck in traffic, place your hands against the roof or your car. Push up with

(ThinkStock photo)

your arms and squeeze your abs at the same time. Hold for 10 seconds and release. Repeat as many times as possible. The dual action of pressing up with the arms and shoulders and squeezing the core creates a static hold that strength-

ens the arms, shoulders, back and core all at the same time. Lift one or both legs off the floor to engage your core even more. Another good exercise for drivSEE EXERCISE PAGE 18

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EDUCATION

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

The San Elijo Campus is playing a critical role in the district’s growing enrollment, which is up by more than 30 percent in the past decade. (Courtesy photo)

MiraCosta Matters:

Update from the San Elijo Campus Sunny Cooke

Superintendent/ president

hese are exciting times for MiraCosta College, one of 15 California community college districts in the state that secured approval to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree via the state’s historic Baccalaureate Pilot Program. This coming semester, MiraCosta will be busy wrapping up the details of its unique bachelor’s degree in biomanufacting. Simultaneously, the district is busy accommodating more than 14,000 students who enrolled in credit courses for the fall semester that began Aug. 24. The distinctive San Elijo Campus, with panoramic views at the edge of the San Elijo Lagoon, has been making especially impressive strides in its programming. For example, the innovative First Four program — which places incoming students into appropriate gateway English and mathematics courses, along with appropriate counseling and general education classes — has been launched. For this fall semester, students chose from five different full-time schedules according to their English and math placement. These students attend classes four days per week in their first semester, from mid-morning to early afternoon. The First Four program will be actively supported on the San Elijo Campus by special events and presentations, which are open to all students. In partnership with Student Services, the “Breakfast Club” will host a series of monthly academic goal-setting workshops, with

MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus (Courtesy photo)

free breakfast burritos before morning classes begin. And the “Deck Series” takes place on the upper level outdoor deck of the Student Center during monthly afternoon sessions, with student panels, internship fairs and opportunities to meet faculty. The San Elijo Campus also offers multiple options for students to complete general education and prep-for-major requirements before transferring to a university. The Friday Core program is one such example. Friday Core — which includes courses in English composition, political science, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, chemistry, film, communication, biology, art and oceanography — enables students solely enrolled in Friday classes to meet all the general education requirements needed for transfer to a UC or CSU school. Friday Core has been a boon to working students, while also serving to relieve crowding

of high-demand classes. Meanwhile, the campus’ new science building, which opened last fall, has allowed MiraCosta to expand the range of chemistry courses offered at San Elijo. At just more than 4,700 square feet, the $5.3-million building accommodates a chemistry lab, a general lab and a preparation lab, and includes rooms for instruments, equipment and other storage. The San Elijo Campus is playing a critical role in the district’s growing enrollment, which is up by more than 30 percent in the past decade. Thanks to that growth, and thanks to increases in funding from the state, we have been able to hire 16 new faculty members across the district this year. None of this, however, would have been possible without you, the members of a community that for more than 100 years has supported MiraCosta College and its students. ■

EDUCATION

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

Foundation funds art, music, PE for EUSD schools Maggie

Avants Editor

he Encinitas Educational Foundation, which donated $740,000 to the Encinitas Union School District last school year, kicked off its fall pledge drive last month. As students went back to school, EEF also began encouraging parents and community members to contribute. The goal — as it is every year — is to fundraise anywhere between $200 and $500 per student to pay the salaries of music, science, technology, PE and other credentialed teachers — which are no longer funded by school districts — at each of the EUSD’s nine elementary schools in Encinitas and South Carlsbad. “There are independent decisionmaking bodies on each campus that work with the principal and volunteers and they determine what their dollar need is per student,” said Melissa Wadley-McGhee, executive director of the 501c3 nonprofit organization, Encinitas Educational Foundation, founded in 1986. For instance, at Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary, music, PE and science teachers are typically what get funded. In order to do that, according to site board President Jill Thomas, there is a $480 donation needed per student. “We also provide support such as a reading specialist and a math specialist,” Thomas said. “A lot of this is also support to our classroom

teachers so we alleviate some of the burden from them.” The school typically has an 80-percent participation rate as far as donations go, she said. “Parents are very compassionate about it — if you look at the additional education these kids are getting for $480 a year,” said Thomas, who chooses a monthly payment option to make her children’s donations. She said of course, there are people who give more, and there are some who can’t. “As far as who is giving and how much — very few people have access to that information,” Thomas said. There also is an EEF board at the district level, whose efforts are geared more toward garnering donations from the business community for items or funds that can equally benefit all school sites. Shelly Kelly is president of that board, and said she hopes to reach more of the business community — with a goal of raising a matching $1 million to fund additional projects for all nine schools. “We are really trying to equally help all the kids,” Kelly said. “There are schools that aren’t as successful in their fundraising, because maybe there is a demographic difference.” An example, she said, was when EEF obtained a $4,500 grant from the city of Encinitas and the Mizel Family Foundation to send all the district’s fifth-graders to BizTown. Located at Junior Achievement of San Diego County in Mission Valley, BizTown is a mini-city where kids discover how free enter-

prise works. Prior to attending JA BizTown, students are exposed to four weeks of curriculum in the classroom on how to be a citizen, how a city’s economy works, how to apply for a job and how to run a successful business. By funding such programs, Kelly said it’s just one way EEF can help not only the students, but the district. “For the district to cover every fifth-grade student to go costs $25,000 — that comes out of earmarked district funds, so this frees up general fund money that the district can use for other things,” Kelly said. EUSD Superintendent Tim Baird had this to say about the organization: “The Encinitas Educational Foundation is a strong partner with the Encinitas Union School District. EEF has both a district level leadership team and each of our schools also has a local EEF branch. The local EEF branches at the school sites do most of the fundraising by parents in the District along with our PTAs at each school. Last year, our school based EEFs raised $740,000 to primarily pay for specialized teachers who provide enrichment and remediation to students. These services vary by school but can include teachers who teach art, music, PE, reading, math, science, or technology among other things. The Encinitas Union School District appreciates this amazing level of support and we acknowledge that EEF plays a critical role in the ongoing success of our students.” More information is available at Encinitaseducationalfoundation. org. ■

Students at The Grauer School have a new classroom building. (Photo by Faye Mankowske)

The Grauer School marks 25 years of growth with campus additions Faye Mankowske Contributing writer

covered in native chaparral and coastal sage scrub. Construction began in May 2014 and was completed in August, with the impetus being to put down permanent roots, according to Grauer. Enrollment is capped at 150 students in grades seven through 12, allowing teachers and staff to focus on a non-traditional approach to schooling that emphasizes fostering collaborative relationships, Grauer explained. “We are worldwide leaders in the small-schools movement,” Grauer said. “Small schools are proven to be the most impactful, safest, highest performance environment. There’s massive research that we have on this, so how are we going to

It’s been 25 years since Stuart Grauer started his school out of a borrowed storefront in a small shopping center in Encinitas. Today, the campus of the private college preparatory school has grown to reflect the school’s success and values. The Grauer School is currently putting the finishing touches on a 15-month project that included the addition of a new building and a quad. Both additions focused on creating harmony between the school and its natural environment. Tucked away along El Camino Real, the school occupies a space surrounded by hillside SEE GRAUER PAGE 18

BUSINESS / LOCAL NEWS

BUSINESS NOTES

Seeking public office? Carlsbad Chamber to host Solana Beach resident joins Academy Jewish Community Foundation Candidate The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is looking for of San Diego board

Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce (Courtesy photo)

Carlsbad Chamber named finalist for national award The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has named the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce as a finalist in the 2015 Corporate Citizenship Awards in the category of “Best Disaster Response & Community Resilience Program.” In May 2014, the Business Alliance at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce was tested after a San Diego County firestorm. Carlsbad was the only chamber of commerce initiative that materially contributed to community recovery. With city assistance, more than $20,000 was handed to 170 citizens who had suffered fire, smoke, ash damage, and related health effects. “We’re proud that the U.S. Chamber Foundation named Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce as a finalist for the 2015 Best Disaster Response & Community Resilience award,” said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber. “The Citizens award for this category recognizes a single strategic initiative focused on improving disaster respond and community resilience measures. We’re thrilled to be recognized as a business that understands and sustains its linkages with the community.” The 2015 Citizens Awards encompass eight categories that honor corporate citizenship best practices. The “Best Disaster Response & Community Resilience category” is for companies that go above and beyond to create successful resilience initiatives. These companies have proven that the business sector has the ability and desire to create impact. The winner for this category will be selected by a committee of corporate peers and experts in the field, and will be named during a gala on October 6 in Washington, D.C.

A Solana Beach resident was recently appointed to the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego Board of Directors. Brian Tauber’s three-year term began July 1, 2015. Tauber, who resides in Solana Beach with his wife, Laura, and their three children, has always been involved in various aspects of community and public service. He currently chairs the Jewish Federation of San Diego County Board. He previously served on the Foundation Board from 2006-2011. Tauber has been the chief executive officer and president of CPP Global since 2001. He also serves as the president and CEO of C Enterprises, L.P. Tauber earned his master’s in business administration and law degrees from the University of Michigan in 1992. After graduation, he served as an assistant to Detroit Mayor Dennis W. Archer. Tauber joins two other newly appointed board members, Bobbie Gilbert and Jerry Turk — all widely respected in the business community and as leaders in the nonprofit sector, according to a news release. “We are grateful to have these talented, experienced community leaders join the board,” said Jane Scher, Foundation Board chair. “They reflect our commitment to prudent governance and trusted service to the community.”

Solana Beach residential parcels sell for $1.63M Townhomes are planned for two Eden Gardens residential parcels that were recently purchased for $1.63 million. The San Diego office of Colliers International announced the sale of 636 Valley Ave. and 735 Valley Ave. in Solana Beach. The properties are a combined 27,049 square feet; 636 Valley Ave. is 10,980 square feet and 735 Valley Ave. is 16,519 square feet. The sellers — identified as 636 Valley Ave, LLC and 735 Valley Ave, LLC — were represented by Ciara Trujillo, David Santistevan and Gunder Creager of Colliers International’s San Diego Land Team. The buyer, CRC Partners, LLC, had no outside representation. CRC Partners plans a high-quality development of seven townhomes, averaging 1,900 square feet each, and an office/ retail condo. “This new development will feature top-tier architecture, design, and construction to capitalize on these highly sought-after coastal infill sites,” said Trujillo, senior vice president at Colliers International.

Rancho Santa Fe: Construction begins on first retail development in 10 years Construction crews began building a 10,360-square-foot retail space Thursday in Rancho Santa Fe. The development activity along Via de la Valle at the entrance to Whispering Palms and Morgan Run Club & Resort is a sign of positive activity at Palma de la Reina, the long-awaited office, retail, and residential development located at 5525 Cancha de Golf. San Diego-based developer Newport Pacific, Inc. also recently began construction on Palma de la Reina’s twostory office building. Palma de la Reina, the first new commercial development in the Rancho Santa Fe area in 10 years, is on track for completion by the end of the year. Palma de la Reina will include approximately 21,050 square feet of Class A office and approximately 10,360 square feet of high-end retail space. The development also includes 54 residential suites, which will be available for lease by the end of the year. The residential component will be comprised of two-bedroom, two-bath luxury suites with upgraded amenities throughout. “Palma de la Reina will provide exceptional commercial office, retail, and residential offerings just minutes from the heart of Rancho Santa Fe and surrounding coastal communities,” said Richard Cavanaugh, President and CEO of Newport Pacific, the developer of the adjacent Whispering Palms community. Hearne Corp is the general contractor, Robert Colbourn

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

people who have always wanted to run for elected office to participate in the inaugural class of the Candidate Academy, a new Chamber program that seeks to boost civic participation in the electoral in North County. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Candidate Academy will educate, inform and prepare potential candidates on the realities of running for and serving in public office. This nonpartisan, four-session seminar held during the month of October will provide a wealth of training and resources and allow participants to interact with business and civic leaders. Participants are being sought throughout North County – they need not be Chamber members to participate.

The academy will train participants on how to: Develop a platform Set up a campaign team Develop a message Secure endorsements Identify important regional issues “Those who wish to run for office need to know what it really takes to do that successfully. We want them to be prepared, said Toni Padron, the Chamber’s chief operating officer and executive vice president. “Also, strong communities are made up of strong leadership,” Padron said. “We hope to impact that through the Candidate Academy.” Featured speakers have been selected to bring perspectives from across the political spectrum to provide balanced and informative information, as well as real-life experience in campaigning. Other speakers are experts in their fields and will provide insight into the pressing issues that are facing the region and beyond.

Confirmed panelists participating in the Candidate Academy sessions are: Catherine Blakespear, deputy mayor, city of Encinitas Francine Busby, chairwoman, San Diego County Democratic Party Peter Callstrom, president/CEO, San Diego Workforce Partnership Joe Charest, vice president, Katz & Associates Nancy Chase, founder/principal, Public Policy Partners Dr. Sunny Cooke, superintendent/president, MiraCosta College Kent Davy, former executive editor, North County Times Gary Gallegos, executive director, San Diego Association of Governments Michael Hadland, campaign consultant Matt Hall, mayor, city of Carlsbad Tony Kvaric, chairman, Republican Party of San Diego County Dr. Steve Nichols, associate professor of political science, Cal State University San Marcos Jason Roe, partner, REVOLVIS Carol Skiljan, board member, Encinitas Union School District Maureen Stapleton, general manager, San Diego County Water Authority Mark Wyland, former state senator Michael Vu, registrar of voters, San Diego County Sessions will take place from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays during October at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, 5934 Priestly Drive in Carlsbad.

The topics will be:

Palma de la Reina construction began Aug. 20, 2015 on a 10,360-squarefoot retail space at Palma de la Reina in Rancho Santa Fe. (Courtesy photo)

Oct. 8 — “Developing the passion” Oct. 15 — “Nuts & Bolts” Oct. 22 — “Messaging, Marketing and the Media” Oct. 29 — “Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Opportunities - Issues you should know”

is the architect, and Klang & Associates is the interior designer. Scott Danshaw and Steve Willmore of Lee & Associates are handling office and retail leasing efforts for Palma de la Reina. “This is the ideal office and retail environment in the Rancho Santa Fe area with ample parking, high visibility off Via de la Valle, and close proximity to prominent community amenities and residential areas,” said Scott Danshaw, Senior Associate of Lee & Associates. For more information on the project, visit Palmadelareina. com. ■

The academy will allow participants to determine whether they understand the commitment it takes to run for elected office and outline tips on how to navigate the campaign trail from those who have had first-hand experience. The cost of participation is $149 for all four sessions. Space is limited. The applications are due by Sept. 8 at noon. Application materials can be obtained by visiting Carlsbad.org or by calling the Chamber at 760-931-8400. —Contributed content ■

LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

The Retail Beat

Shop local for interior updates Katrina Dodson Columnist

he change of seasons always make me want to change things up a bit: a new purse, a new tube of lipstick, or even a few new throw pillows to replace the fading and worn ones currently on my couch. Lucky for me, there are some great shops to help me freshen up my home as I look toward the holidays. Below are a few of my favorite stops in Encinitas and Solana Beach to brighten up my home or yours. Curated, 282 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, is the new kid on the block and should not be missed. It specializes in updated classics with a nautical or botanical inspiration and carry furniture, home accessories and art. Linen, flax, seagrass, driftwood and natural fibers abound in its many products, including throw pillows, baskets, light fixtures, chairs and accent tables. The walls are adorned with artistic nautical prints and oversized botanical impressions. The owner noted that most items are priced below market — I thought the prices were excellent. Finezza, 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, is located next to Harvest Ranch Market on the east end of town. The shop is an excellent place to pick up a new home fragrance, a hostess gift, or update your tabletop décor. Many of its product lines are imported and the choices are completely original. Several very realistic floral arrangements are offered, as are candles from Herve Gambs, Antica Farmacista, and Nest. Fresh and luxurious, I loved uncovering the treasures in this store. Bliss 101, 553 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, has recently relocated to this street

GASPAR, FROM PAGE 9 yet another career politician is just what voters are tired of.” Roberts, a former Solana Beach city councilman, is, however, seen as vulnerable, political observers say — not just because of the scandal but also because of the belief that he triumphed over former congressional aide Steven Danon in the 2012 election in part, some believe, because of voters confusing him with Ron Roberts, the longtime and popular Fifth District incumbent. Ron Roberts is a Republican and Dave Roberts is a Democrat; the Board of Supervisors is nominally nonpartisan but the local GOP, in its quest to get more local Republicans elected to office, has targeted Dave Roberts for defeat. When the scandal broke in May, the GOP even issued a press release maintaining the scandal marks “the beginning of the end” of the beleaguered incumbent’s tenure on the county board. Dave Roberts — who has five adopted children with his husband — was the first Democrat elected to the Board of Supervisors in two decades. His district, which includes

Bliss 101: Candles and beach-themed pillows are everywhere, mixed in with local art works, shell-themed art objects and accent chairs in bright tones. (Photos by Katrina Dodson)

friendly location. Candles and beach-themed pillows are everywhere, mixed in with local art works, shell-themed art objects and accent chairs in bright tones. I enjoyed reading descriptions of its soy candle fragrances: My Man, Beach House, Fresh Water Bamboo, Seagrass, Coastal Cypress, Lick Me All Over, and several more. Painted art by Wade Koniakowsky, Josh Bernard and Heather Brown would be welcome on any wall in my home. Grounded, 897 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, is a breath of fresh, contemporary air. Modern and clean lines inspire all the offerings in this store, which include lighting, seating, tables, chairs, barware and much more. This store has an amazing selection of dining chairs and casual seating, as well as the largest choice of lighting and desk lamps I have seen anywhere. A huge selection of air plants and clear glass containers in many sizes and shapes would make a great gift from the coast. Cokas Diko, 412 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, is one of my favorite spots to find a new

interior inspiration. Filled with unusual fabric pillows, weatherworn furniture, less expensive art objects and natural elements imported from all over the globe. The store recently added a huge collection of area rugs with small samples you can take home to try out with your current furniture. Many of the smaller furniture pieces here feel custom-made, and the store has a great modern, beach-friendly vibe. BonBon, 301 N. Coast Highway 101, Solana Beach, is brimming to the rafters with shabby chic and coastal accents. Rows and rows of decorative pillows in heathered tones surrounded by mounds of white dishes, gray-toned accessories and clear glass vessels perfect for displaying seashells. The back of the store has a great selection of white and oystercolored bed linens in natural fabrics, as well as dozens of recycled and custom light fixtures. It’s a feast for the eyes! When you are looking to update your interiors, think small and think local. We have some awesome stores with high quality goods, great service and boundless artistic inspiration. ■

much of coastal North County and parts of San Diego and Escondido, leans Republican. As of July 31, according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, the district has 89,546 registered Democrats and 103,809 registered Republicans. The remaining 97,525 registered voters in the district are members of other parties or declined to state party affiliation (83,001). Gaspar is a Republican, but even though the race won’t be decided until November 2016, she’s not the only one to declare her intention to run for the seat. Escondido Mayor Sam Abed tossed his hat in the proverbial ring a few months ago, and has already been walking the streets of coastal North County, including Del Mar, to meet residents door-to-door. “The support for our campaign has been very strong and diverse throughout the county,” Abed said. “The public is well aware of my leadership in turning the city of Escondido around financially and economically.” Observers fear two Republicans in the race might split the vote, but some say if Gaspar comes in second

in a three-way primary race with Abed and Roberts, she stands a better chance of defeating the incumbent. “She’s known all along the coast, whereas Sam is only known in Escondido,” one observer said. Abed drew ire from some in the GOP when he supported a group of residents who mounted a successful petition drive to designate a former golf course permanent open space. The matter could have been put to a public vote, but the Escondido City Council voted to adopt it outright in the summer of 2013. The developer who owned the property sued Escondido, arguing that the council move amounted to an unconstitutional “taking” of private property. Vista Superior Court Judge Earl H. Maas ultimately sided with the developer over the zoning issue and told the city it had 30 days to abide by the ruling. In a news release announcing her candidacy, Gaspar said she has hired Revolvis Consulting to serve as her campaign strategists, Golden State Consulting for fundraising, and Competitive Edge Research & Communications for polling. ■

MUSIC / LOCAL NEWS NORTH COUNTY NOTABLES Local instructor named Chun Kuk Do world champion

6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6: Weezer at the Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar. Free with race admission before final race posts or $20. This long-running alternative rock band is no stranger to the track. They draw a devoted crowd any time they play this — or any — San Diego venue. As this is the last concert of the racing season, folks have another reason not to miss it. As long as you arrive before the final race posts — approximately 6:30 p.m. — the concert is free! We are crossing our fingers to hear hits like “Buddy Holly,” “Hash Pipe” and “Undone – The Sweater Song.” Plus, the next day is Labor Day so you should be in the clear if any Weezer hangover persists. DMTC.com. 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11: Dead Feather Moon, Trouble in the Wind, Inspired and the Sleep at Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach. $12 - $14. One of the best local acts, Dead Feather Moon, has been playing fewer shows as of late, so it’s worth noting when they put on a night like this. The band has been hard at work polishing up their sophomore album and have added some pop and soul elements to their alt-folk backdrop. There’s a reason this band has been nominated for “Best Live Band” at this year’s San Diego Music Awards! They’ll be joined by two other wildly talented local bands: Trouble in the Wind with their nostalgic alt-country crooning and Inspired and the Sleep with their indie-pop ditties. Doors open at 8 p.m. BellyUp.com. 7 p.m on Saturday, Sept. 12: The Joshua White Trio at the Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad. $15 - $20 White is one of many prolific members in the local jazz scene. His nimble playing and innovative style are a treat to experience. His trio combines his talents with those of Dave Robaire (bass) and Mark Ferber (drums) for a rounded-out ensemble. Just don’t come expecting entirely traditional jazz — White is known for his modern style and blends other genres into his arrangements. Plus this location possesses its own charm, especially if this is your first visit. MuseumOfMakingMusic.org. 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12: Mrs. Henry at Mr. Peabody’s, Encinitas. Free. This blues-country outfit has evolved over the years, but the mainstay in the lineup has been vocalist-guitarist Dan Cervantes. The virtuoso is known for his meandering solos and flailing stage antics. Like a blast from the past, this band’s rockin’ anthems feel like something straight outta the 1970s. In addition to original tunes, they’re also known to shred on some classic rock covers. PeabodysRocks.com.

Out of the Woods Pick of the Month 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27: Various artists at Adams Avenue Street Fair, Normal Heights/Kensington. Free. This annual street fair brings music fans out in droves. For two days, a stretch of Adams Avenue in Kensington and Normal Heights is transformed with eight stages, beer gardens, carnival rides, a large variety of food and other vendors plus arts and crafts booths. And just like previous years, the talent lineup is an eclectic mixture of over 100 bands. Headliners this year include: The Rugburns (alt-rock), The Wailing Souls (reggae), “The Stray Cat” Lee Rocker (rockabilly), The Creepy Creeps (psychedelic surf rock) and much more. AdamsAvenueBusiness. com. ■

Robert Fulbright is presented the “Norris Cup” by Chuck Norris. (Courtesy photo)

MiraCosta College instructor Robert Fulbright achieved his second Chun Kuk Do championship at July’s Chun Kuk Do World Championship presented by the United Fighting Arts Federation in Las Vegas. “Despite most of the contestants being younger and much faster than he is at this point in his life, he entered the competition,” said Mike Deschamps, accounting instructor and colleague. “But as they say, old age and guile will always beat youth and exuberance!” Fulbright beat competitors decades younger, making him one of the oldest champions in the sport.

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

“To come full-circle and win the world championship again in front of Chuck Norris and have him present the ‘Norris Cup’ to me was absolutely amazing and felt so good!” Fulbright said. “I was a little worried about competing with the young guys because they are so incredibly fast, so I had to rely more on strategy and experience.” Fulbright is a seventh-degree black belt, the 1988 World Karate Champion and was on the 1992 Olympic Taekwondo team. “I have been physically active since I could walk,” said Fulbright, who at the age of 16 received his black belt from Chuck Norris. “I have dedicated my whole life to health and fitness.” Fulbright holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology/exercise physiology from California State University Northridge and a doctorate in educational technology management and online learning from Northcentral University. Fulbright teaches kinesiology, health and nutrition courses at MiraCosta College and oversees MiraCosta’s Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Program, Yoga Certification Program and Massage Therapy Certification Program. Fulbright won his first Chun Kuk Do world championship 30 years ago at the age of 18. Chun kuk do is a Korean-based, American hybrid martial art style founded by Chuck Norris in 1990.

Congressman recognizes Bronze Star Medal presented to Del Mar man local students

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa shakes Capt. Robert Sulit's hand after pinning the Bronze Star Medal on his Navy dress blues. Also pictured is Sulit’s wife, Shelley Sulit. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa on Aug. 17 presented World War II veteran Capt. Robert A. Sulit, of Del Mar, with the prestigious Bronze Star Medal. The Department of the Army certified Sulit’s entitlement to the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in active ground combat against the enemy, effective May 7, 1945, while serving in support of Allied operations to liberate Central Europe. Private First Class Sulit’s exemplary performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the finest traditions of military service according to the Certificate from the Secretary of the Army. Issa assisted Sulit and his family in securing the medals he earned more than 70 years ago for meritorious service as a member of Company A, 69th Armored Infantry Battalion, 16th Armored Division. “It is truly an honor to pay tribute to Capt. Sulit for his bravery and commitment to fighting tyranny on behalf of our country,” Issa said. “My generation and each generation since will always owe a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices of our service members who put their lives and livelihoods on the line in the name of freedom.” Sulit’s first job was to dig out and clear mines on top of the cliffs at the Atlantic Wall. He recalls piling them up and detonating them all at once. Soon after, he travelled to Frankfurt, Germany where his company met the Russians, who happened to be U.S. allies at the time. There, Sulit had his first combat experience as he went through a German village where snipers were shooting down at them. Sulit, who served as a machine gunner on a half track, recalled aiming his machine gun up and engaging the enemy. After that battle, they proceeded into Czechoslovakia. Sulit, 89, is a retired Navy captain who was drafted at the age of 18 into the U.S. Army and served from 1944 to 1946 when he was sent to fight in the European Campaign. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1946 until 1950. In 1957, he was commissioned as a lieutenant junior grade engineering duty officer in the United States Navy Reserves until he retired in 1985. The Bronze Star is the fourth highest individual award in the U.S. Military awarded to any person who, while serving in U.S. Army after Dec. 6, 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic service.

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa on Aug. 17 congratulated the district’s Congressional Art Competition Winner, Alexander Nicita of Rancho Santa Fe for his presentation of “Salk,” combining photography and digital media. The Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by the Congressional Institute, which encourages artistic talent in each congressional district. Participation is limited to high school aged students residing in the 49th Congressional District, who create and submit an original artwork. The winning entry is displayed for 11 months as part of an art installation in the U.S. Capitol Building along with other winning submissions from around the country. “Art is a compelling outlet that allows students to convey their perceptions of our world using various mediums including technology,” Issa said. “In Alexander’s photograph, he effectively shows the juxtaposition of a solitary runner against the backdrop of San Diego’s Salk Institute, much like the rare innovator and the vast regulatory climate they encounter these days. I encourage all students to follow Alexander’s example and use art as a form of storytelling.” In addition, the congressman recognized the runner-up of the Art Competition, Alexander Dingley of Encinitas; La Costa Canyon High School. Issa also presented the Congressional Award to three youths who excelled in providing community service throughout California’s 49th Congressional District. This is the second year that Congressman Issa has presented the awards. “I’m pleased to recognize these young men and women who have served our community through the Congressional award program,” Issa said. “They are our future leaders and, at an early age, have recognized the value of serving the public and setting goals for themselves.” The Congressional Award is presented by members of Congress, to individuals between the age of 14 to 23 years old, who register with the Congressional Award Foundation and then complete hours related to volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition or exploration. A gold medalist must complete 400 hours over 24 months, a silver medalist must complete 200 hours over 12 months, and a bronze medalist must complete 100 hours over seven months. Congressional Award Recipients: Alexander Nicita of Rancho Santa Fe, bronze and silver medalist Lauren Rennacker of San Diego, bronze and silver medalist Bhaskar Dutt of Rancho Santa Fe, gold medalist Jackson Lanigan of San Juan Capistrano, silver medalist Andrew Boyd of San Clemente, bronze medalist Julie Ambo of Carlsbad, bronze and gold medalist. ■

LOCAL NEWS / PETS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

Sea Creatures:

Words on waves Chris

Ahrens Columnist

first thought of writing surf stories in 1969 when I was 19 years old and living in Lahaina on Maui in Hawaii. My friend, Ralph, and I were staying in the appropriately named Animal Farm, where 10 bucks a week bought us each a piece of floor, a rusty shower that sometimes worked, kitchen privileges and access to a nice little reef called Shark Pit. Even then Ralph was a talented illustrator. One night after our usual dinner of Top Ramen and green mangos, he suggested I become an artist. With that, he handed me some paper and chalk and asked me to draw something. When he saw that my wave sketch rivaled that of a failed third-grader he reconsidered, saying: “Maybe you should try another art form. I thought about that for a while, ruled out other arts requiring skilled hands and hit upon the idea of becoming a writer — I didn’t need the finesse of a painter, but only the mind of one. That night I took pen to paper and handwrote a story for a new surfing tabloid, and, in return was sent a copy of the paper and a check for $40. I was a writer. It would be a few years later before I wrote a story for Surfer Magazine, which was also published. That same year, 1973, I moved to Australia where desperation brought on by starvation helped me focus on the craft of writing full-time. I would either be a writer or die trying. So I wrote and wrote and wrote and was published occasionally and lived to tell about it. From those first baby steps and missteps came my first book,

“Good Things Love Water.” First printed in 1994, I earned enough cash and confidence to try three more surf books: “Joyrides,” “The Surfer’s Travel Guide” and “Kelea’s Gift.” Between book gigs, I wrote for most of the surf magazines and even edited two of the smaller ones, Breakout and Longboarder, along with columns for various local papers, stories in some national ones and even directed a little surf video, “On Safari To Stay,” which proved the world’s first revival longboarding film and the introduction to Joel Tudor and Wingnut. With the exception of this column, I don’t write much surf stuff any more, but recently I had the itch to dust off a novel I started years ago. Friend and fine artist, Wade Koniakowsky has offered his brilliant illustrations to accompany the pages. The book is nearly finished and my fingers are as tired from hours of typing as my arms used to be from hours of paddling. Turns out that surfing is a lot easier than writing about it, but I am as stoked as if I just surfed a perfect six-foot point break with a friend. The fuel to write about surfing, however, only comes from one source, the ocean. Without it, the words will fall as flat as the average summer afternoon at Swami’s. So I must now turn off this mind machine for the moment, squeeze into whatever trunks still fit, dust off my trusty 7-foot-6-inch asymmetrical and try to link up a few turns. Currently, the waves are small but warm after extended south swell churned things up in midJuly. Balance is difficult for most surfers, but I will attempt to ride waves and turn the experience into words. Stay tuned to this column to see how it goes. ■

d is the Seaside Courier pet of the month at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. He’s a 6-year-old, 60-pound Airedale Terrier mix. Ed is loving and loveable. He has lots of energy and tons of personality. Ed gets along great with other dogs and he loves every person he meets. He responds to the “Sit” command. We think he knows a lot more but he’s waiting to show off to his new family. Ed can be kind of goofy. He’ll flash his big, happy grin and wag his tail to show you how much he loves your attention. Ed was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Ed (Courtesy photo) Society from the Kauai Humane Society through the FOCAS program. St. in Encinitas, or log on to The $145 adoption fee for Ed SDpets.org. The kennels and catincludes medical exam, vacci- tery are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. nations, neuter and microchip. every day but Tuesday. For more information call 760Other happenings this month 753-6413, visit Rancho Coastal at RCHS Humane Society at 389 Requeza “Who Rescued Whom,” an

evening of stories, music, poetry, and performance, will celebrate the bonds between humans and their pets. The event, sponsored by San Diego Writers, Ink, will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, 1501 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. For submissions, tickets or more information, call 858-357-7877 or email szsleep@ pacbell.net. Dogs available for adoption at your Rancho Coastal Humane Society will strut their stuff on the “cat walk” during night two of Fashion Week San Diego on Saturday, Oct. 3. Doors open at 6 p.m. at “Wall Street in La Jolla” between Herschel Avenue and Girard Avenue. This will be FWSD’s third annual Haute Dog Runway Show. For more information or reservations, call 858-270-9466 or log on to Fashionweeksd.com. 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. ■

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LOCAL NEWS

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015

GRAUER, FROM PAGE 13 protect that? The plan was to make our small school permanent.” The new building gives the school more classroom, laboratory and office space, and was constructed to embrace the property’s approximately 20 acres of natural environment. “The school development has been very gradual, mindful and watchful,” Grauer said. He described the quad — developed as a natural space at the center of the school’s buildings — as the main feature. Natural elements of its design include shade trees instead of manufactured shade structures, small hills, and a fountain set in a streambed. Concrete benches along the streambed are curved to mimic the flow of water. Access to and through the quad was designed to blend in with the surrounding environment, as well as to encourage people to naturally gravitate toward the space. “Every effort has been taken to direct the traffic and the energy into the middle areas [of the new space] so that people naturally bump into each other, and cross paths routinely,” Grauer said. “Creating a safe space means having places where people are naturally drawn together, rather than driven out into separate pods, or spaces.” A unique gathering space within the quad is a new gazebo used for discussions among groups of teachers and students — across age and grade barriers. “The project for the new campus has been driven by developing

EXERCISE, FROM PAGE 11

A bird’s eye view of students enjoying The Grauer School’s new quad area. (Photo by Faye Mankowske)

appropriate space where people can convene in respectful ways,” Grauer said. Another element meant to encourage discussion is a “Harkness” table in each humanities classroom. It’s an oval table where students and staff can exchange ideas in an open-minded environment. “We use a lot of Socratic method here,” Grauer said. The “Tolerance Gateway” is another new campus feature, incorporating one of the school’s main values: connectedness. In order to enter the campus, a visitor must walk through the gateway, which Grauer hopes will positively affect people. “This is a school, an academic environment, a unique culture,” Grauer said. “We want you to feel something when you enter it because a school needs to be fundamentally about transformation.” The gateway was underwritten by the Gottlieb family, and is focused on promoting trust and appreciation of others. “Tolerance is one of several identified core values that our

organization lives by,” Grauer said. “Tolerance is effective in developing rigorous learning at the school.” Rigorous learning is enabled as well by the Loewy-Linz Innovation Lab in the new building, a space fitted for physics, robotics and STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — learning. Next door, a naturally lit indoor art studio opens onto an art terrace. “This project has been a fantastic success,” Grauer said. “The amazing thing is that we had 100-percent contribution to the project (from) within our community. All parents and all teachers contributed. It was a true community outpouring.” He said The Grauer School’s faculty and staff appreciate being part of the Encinitas community. “We love Encinitas,” Grauer said. “We are a community and placebased school. What’s important is how we love our community.” The Grauer School was looking forward to welcoming the Encinitas community to its new space by holding a formal ribboncutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 8. ■

ers is an arm strengthener. Open your driver’s side window and straighten both arms to the side. With your left palm up and your right palm down, start to switch your palms from up to down. Do this for sets of 50 repetitions — it feels easy at first but after 40 or more reps you will start to feel it. Stand up at your desk and position yourself a few feet away. With your feet together, place your palms on the edge of your desk, about a shoulder width apart. Lower down to the edge of the desk and push back to the starting position. You can turn it around to work your triceps by placing your palms on the desk behind you. Again, keep your feet together. Start with your buttocks touching the desk, but then as you bend your elbows, come forward a bit. Dip down until your upper arms are parallel with the ground and then push back to the starting position. Perform three sets of 12 repetitions each. Another good exercise to perform at your desk is the chair squat. Start by standing in front of your chair. Place your feet a little farther apart than shoulderwidth. Keep in mind throughout this exercise that your knees should not pass your toes, but be positioned over your ankles. Your back should be straight, chest up and abdominal engaged. Lower down slowly until you are almost sitting in your chair. Hold the position for several seconds and then, pushing through your heels, come back up. Perform three sets of 12 repetitions. You can get a lot done during commercial breaks. Let’s start with couch lunges. Place one leg on the couch and the other leg on the floor. Your front leg should be at a 90-degree angle at the knee. Your knee should be over your ankle and should not come past your toes. With your back straight, chest up and abdominals engaged, slowly lower yourself toward the floor. Hold the position for several seconds and then, pushing through your heel, come back up. Perform as many as you can during the commercial break and then repeat on the other side during the next commercial break. The planks are another great form of exercise to do during commercial breaks. Start by putting your hands directly under your shoulders like you are going to do a push-up. You can either stay there or lower onto your forearms. With your back straight and abdominal muscles engaged, hold this position for 30 seconds to one minute. Flip to one side to work your obliques. With your legs stacked one on top of the other, prop your body up on the hand or elbow. Again, with your abdominal muscles engaged, hold this position for 30 seconds to one minute. Repeat on the opposite side. Modify planks by placing weight on your knees instead of feet. Dana Nitti is a certified personal trainer who offers safe and effective fitness programs designed specifically for you to help you reach your goals. All programs include nutritional support and monitored progress. Visit BodyinBalanceByDana. com to learn more. ■

SEASIDECOURIER.COM — SEPTEMBER 2015