hung out to dry - sandpiperdelmar.orgsandpiperdelmar.org/pdf/2014sp11november.pdf · sandpiper...

Also in This Issue:

D E L M A R ’ S C O M M U N I T Y J O U R N A L

Volume 19, Number 9 November 2014

N E W S • F E A T U R E S • O P I N I O N

Photo Google Images.

Unfit to Store page 10

Food For Thought page 8

Del Mar’s Doer page 13

Not Fit for Consumption

page 14

Call A Cop! page 11

HUNG OUT TO DRYAnn Gardner | Via Latina

On October 16 the San Diego Planning Commission seemed unwilling to decide if the 1.4 million square

foot One Paseo Project justified hanging Carmel Valley out to dry. Instead, it sent a laundry list of “considerations” to the City Council without taking a position on the project’s size and unresolved impacts on Carmel Valley’s traffic and community character. One Paseo’s three times allowed square footage was addressed only once by Commission Chair Golba and then got lost in a three-hour discussion

of secondary issues that ended with a motion that the developer has misrepresented as an approval:

“We all agree it is a good project in concept but are unable to recommend approval based on the following considerations…:” a reduction of visual impacts, water reclamation, energy star products, a traffic demand management system, pedestrian enhancements, the bicycle boulevard supported by the Carmel Valley Planning Board and reworking of a section in the FEIR which they implied failed to provide justification for going ahead with the project despite the unmitigated impact on community character and traffic.

Of the five commissioners only two seemed to support the project. Commissioner Wagner thought the project provided a “lens of tomorrow” suggesting current residents had to put up with the “unfortunate reality” of traffic now for different modes of transportation in the future. He suggested that the upscale retail space expected to draw cars from outside the area be reduced but the motion failed 4 to 1. Commissioner Quiraz felt the project was in the “perfect place” and that village infill should be in suburban areas rather than low income areas where most of the public transit already exists. She did not explain saying only that One Paseo was designed for future transit, lower cost housing, parking, conservation elements, and providing money to the community. Only Commission Chair Golba worried that the project was “too big a jump from the General Plan. Can we justify that leap? The (justification) seem lacking.” Observers were disappointed there was no up or down vote on the size especially when it became apparent there were not enough votes to recommend approval.

continued on page 2

Sandpiper November 2014

Editorial

LeTTeRs TO THe eDITOR • The Sandpiper welcomes readers’ letters and articles. • Material submitted must include the writer’s name,

street address, and phone number, and should not exceed 500 words.

• Material selected to be published may be edited or shortened.

Send to: The Sandpiper, Box 2177, Del Mar, CA 92014; or [email protected]

The Sandpiper is published by the Del Mar Community Alliance, a not-for-profit corporation. Its purpose is to advocate the Del

Mar Community Plan, to foster informed public and government decision-making regarding issues affecting the community of the City of Del Mar, and to encourage a social and political climate

favorable to the protection of the community character of the City of Del Mar and its environs.

Chuck Newton Circle: Rosanne & Joel Holliday, Carol Kerridge, Beth Levine & Henry

Abarbanel, Diana Marquardt & Rod Franklin

Publishers’ Circle: Jeff Barnouw, Darrese & Sam Borgese, Mary Ann & Bud

Emerson, Nancy Fisher & Mike Salt, Chuck Freebern, Lynn & Charlie Gaylord, Maryka & George Hoover, Pat JaCoby, Louise

Keeling in memory of Dave Keeling, Larry Schneiderman, Jane & Steve Voss,

Nancy and John Weare

Editors’ Circle: Penny and Buck Abell, Vava Anderson, Anthony Corso, Sandy & Bram Dijkstra, Mary & Jeffrey Friestedt, Susan & Judd Halenza, Lee Haydu, Linda & Jerry Hirshberg, Shirley King & Art Olson, Vernie & John McGowan, Bill Michalsky, Suzi Resnick & Stan Marks, Gloria Sandvrik & Harold Feder, Rose Ann & Ira Sharp,

Chic & Joe Sullivan, Sarah Dubin-Vaughn, Molli & Arthur Wagner

Editors: Jeff Barnouw, Sam Borgese, Tony Corso, Dave Druker, Bud Emerson, Ann Gardner, Shirley King, Art Olson,

Shelby Weaver, Betty Wheeler. Webmaster: Virginia Lawrence. Editor Emeritus: John Kerridge.

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

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

San Diego Planning Commissioner at October 16 hearing after seeing new rendering above of One Paseo: “I disagree with the community’s concern. It is the perfect place to implement the city’s plans for infill

projects with large, tall buildings.” Photo by Ann Gardner.

The Commission did ask the Fire Chief to respond to Del Mar’s concern for emergency response time and was told that the project would not impact response time, and might actually improve it. Commissioner Whalen said any statement suggesting the project would improve traffic times was a “fool’s errand.” The Project is expected to go before the San Diego City Council for review late this year or early 2015, but the developer has already stated they would not reduce the size of the project. The Carmel Valley Planning Board rejected the project with an overwhelming 11 to 2 vote on September 11 and sent their recommendation to the Planning Commission for a smaller mixed-use project more in keeping with their Community Plan which allows only 500,000 sq. feet.

OUTRAGeOUs!

We are very distressed at the lack of respect shown to the local community of Carmel Valley by the

San Diego Planning Commission hearing the One Paseo development proposal. The behavior of the Commissioners toward the community planning body and their lack of courage to make a decision is another egregious example of governmental dysfunction.

Respect for government comes from showing respect for citizens. The San Diego Planning Commission failed miserably to meet this fundamental expectation of a governmental body. Literally thousands of citizens have worked for more than a year to analyze the developer’s massive proposal and the four-inch thick Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

It was apparent that the Commissioners did not have enough votes to approve either the proposal or the EIR. But when it came time for an up-or-down vote, the pressure from the developer was too much-- theirs was a colossal failure of nerve. Fearful of a negative vote and developer reaction, they punted the decision to the City Council.

This after an overwhelming vote from the Carmel

Valley Planning Board to reject the massive triple-size zoning proposal in favor of a one-ond-one half zoning compromise. So much for community plans, zoning, and community planning boards.

Now the San Diego City Council will likely hear the proposal in December. Can governmental credibility be rescued by the Council? Ever hopeful, citizen groups are organizing. We urge Del Mar leaders and citizens to join in support of our Carmel Valley neighbors.

It is time for government, namely San Diego, to listen and respect the citizens it is supposed to represent.

HUNG OUT TO DRYcontinued from page 1


Pipe Up

Dr. Sandra Encalada explains her research into brain degeneration at the first Science Saturday lecture.

Photo courtesy The Scripps Research Institute.

Students from Casa de Amistad meet their new Scripps mentor, Tamara Johnson. Photo courtesy The Scripps Research Institute.

seeDING sCIeNCe Growing sTeM LocallyArt Olson | Avenida Primavera

Recently The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) premiered “Science Saturdays,” a new educational STEM (Science,

Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative, dreamed up by the Sandpiper’s own Shirley King (full disclosure –also my wife) and funded through a generous gift from an anonymous Del Mar donor. Shirley’s idea was to impact middle and early high school students by showing them who scientists are, what scientists do, and how they might imagine pursuing science and technology career goals for themselves.

The program consists of a series of three events at TSRI during the school year, bringing in teachers and their classes to Scripps for presentations of the Institutes cutting edge research, tours of labs and a breakfast. A unique aspect of the program is that it also couples TSRI graduate students or postdocs with each teacher to work together with the students over the school year, encouraging exploration of science-related topics. Schools in the county were invited to apply and seven are participating in the first year’s program. One group that attended was from Solana Beach’s Casa de Amistad, a nonprofit organization dedicated to after-school tutoring of middle and high school underrepresented students in coastal North County San Diego. In total over 200 students came to the first event held on September 20 at the Scripps Hazen Campus (formerly the Neurosciences Institute) in La Jolla.

During the breakfast, before the talk, each group met with their Scripps mentors. Then the mentors led them into the Auditorium where Dr. Sandra Encalada gave the main presentation, describing her research on understanding the mechanisms of cargo transport inside nerve cells and how “traffic jams” caused by defective molecular motors can lead to neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Dr. Encalada, an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, was born in Ecuador, and was appointed to the Scripps faculty in 2013. Her talk engaged the students with enlightening analogies, dynamic graphics and clear descriptions of how she uses the scientific method to conduct her research.

Her audience listened with rapt attention, which was demonstrated by the scores of perceptive questions asked throughout the talk.

The arrangements and logistics for the events are facilitated by the staff of the graduate program and the Auditorium at TSRI. The talks are recorded by UCSD Television, and will be available for viewing through them. Shirley and the rest of the team that has created Science Saturdays were greatly satisfied by the first event of the school year. Two other young TSRI science stars are scheduled for the remaining events later in the school year. Shirley is looking for more donors to help support the program in the longer term.

NOT ABOUT THe HOUse

I came to Del Mar from someplace else. I brought my life to this beautiful land and I was changed. I came

to cherish Torrey Pine trees thanks to the preservation efforts of John Torrey and Ellen Scripps. The astounding treasure of an endless stream of gentle weather led me to become active in the climate work that was started by Del Mar resident Professor Charles Keeling. The ocean drew me in to its depths with a degree of safety thanks to Bob Smith and the other 1934 lifeguards who began the Del Mar Hotel sponsored ocean safety program. Bing Crosby and his Hollywood gang of actors who began the racetrack left a grand summer event to celebrate the horse. The parks that abound because of the work of dedicated citizens to preserve the beauty of this place have given me a view and a bench. There are so many, in the past that have given so we may at this very moment, have “another day in paradise.”History is this intergenerational weaving. It is our turn to extend this tapestry for the emerging generations of Del Martians. Let’s honor our growing tapestry in the house of Alvarado.

Brad Allison, Del Mar Historical Society Member, 10th Street


Ask Doctor Rich

AsK DR. RICH!Rich Simons | Upper East 11th Street

Every month, Rich Simons answers readers’ most perplexing questions.

Photo illustration Art Olson

Q – I recently heard a rumor that there were some changes being planned for the intersection of Camino Del Mar and 15th Street. Do you know anything about this? – s.b.

I didn’t at first, but I heard the same rumors and looked into it. According to the city’s Traffic Engineer, they

“have added an exclusive phase for pedestrians to cross in both directions at the same time, but it does not currently support the diagonal crossing, AKA scramble. A diagonal crossing here would slow down the through traffic and require curb ramp and signal upgrades.”

So “scrambles” are not on the menu. And that’s a relief. Looky, let’s consider our demographics here. How long do you think the executive in the powder blue Beemer, eager to get home to his chardonnay and his Barcalounger, is going to sit idling while an octogenarian shuffles a walker all the way from Smashburger to the Americana? There would be carnage on the CDM.

However, since the winds of change appear to be blowing, it may be time for me to once again try to deal with the Awful Acre of Asphalt that is the centerpiece of our town. Faithful readers of my column will no doubt remember the many excellent suggestions I have made over the years. The first one, long ago, was obvious – underground the streets! Turn the entire intersection into a lush garden, with rose gardens and tall hedges with meandering paths where lovers can stroll at sunset. Too expensive, they said.

After sulking for a few years I said: “Okay, then. Underground the sidewalks. And follow the example of a number of European cities. The entire area under the intersection can be made into a fair-sized shopping mall whose rents will easily underwrite the cost of the undergrounding.” Again, no takers.

But years later, when the city began talking about turning

all the CDM intersections into roundabouts, I jumped on the opportunity to suggest an elaborate fountain at 15th Street, with colored lights playing on arcs of water, and in the middle a life-size statue of our spiritual founder, Zel Camiel, iconic Greek sailor’s hat perched on his head, gazing down 15th Street toward the horizon. Unfortunately, this truly excellent idea got mixed up with a lot of other issues, and the villagers tossed out the baby with the bathwater.

So here we go again, and this will probably be my last shot at solving our chief headache, so pay attention because I’m going to give it to you in one word . . . bridges! To be more explicit . . . four bridges. But none of those modern brushed aluminum and concrete atrocities. No, no, no. We will want good old Roman arches crafted in brick and stone. They will blend well, I imagine, with at least two of the buildings on that corner. And the views from the tops of the arches could be gonzo!

As we all know, the “Del Mar Way” is Citizen Committees. So how about it, City Fathers? How about appointing an SOB (“Study of Bridges”) Committee?

ARe YOU BeING seRVeD?Anthony Corso | Stratford Court

The City Council has engaged in lengthy discussions about the value, design and administration of a Citizen

Satisfaction Survey. Supporters of a survey maintain that it would help in evaluating the performance of city services and programs, assist in making funding decisions and be an invaluable device in city management and administration.

On the other hand, opponents note that the last City survey, conducted in 2006, interviewed 245 randomly selected residents and found that 96 percent of respondents felt that

the quality of life in Del Mar was excellent or good. Only 4 percent said the quality was poor or just fair. Mayor Lee Haydu commented, “We need a survey however, the one from 2006 made for interesting reading but really didn’t tell me anything other than everything is great.”

Such variations of opinion contributed to numerous rounds of discussion and a variety of revisions. Of particular concern was the cost of a survey, the questions to be explored, who would conduct the interview and how it would be evaluated.

The discussion ended on October 20th when the City Council unanimously approved a draft survey. What it accepted is a twenty-two question instrument measuring

continued on page 5


Google Images.

NOVeMBeR 2014Pat JaCoby | Del Mar Community Connections

New findings in the dementia and memory loss of Alzheimer’s

“Alzheimer’s is Preventable and Reversible.” That provocative topic will be discussed by Dr. Mark Kalina, local healthcare leader and fondly regarded former Del Mar Community Connections board member, Nov. 6 in the Del Mar Community Building conference room. The “coffee talk” begins at 10 a.m.

The timely talk is based on a study by a UCLA neurology researcher showing that nine of 10 participants were able to reverse dementia with a multi-modality, non-pharmaceutical program. All healthy, natural interventions were used in the study program, Dr. Kalina noted.

Dr. Kalina most recently was medical director of Stem Cell Therapies at StemGenex. Just prior to joining the firm he was founder and medical director for Pando Health Groups in Solana Beach. Previously he was a primary care physician at Scripps Clinic and a staff physician with San Diego Cancer Center. He ran his own private practice in Del Mar from 2010 to 2012.

Please make reservations at 858 792-7565 or [email protected]

Help with your smart phone is hereThe good folks at GreatCall Inc. will make a requested repeat of their talk on “all things cell phone” from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Del Mar Community Building conference room. Whether you’re the new owner of an IPhone 6, or struggling with Android or even the senior-friend Jitterbug, the instructors are there to answer all questions. The class is open for all skill levels; no prior experience is necessary to attend.

Refreshments will be served. The class is sponsored by GreatCall Inc., founded in 2006 by Del Mar residents Arlene Harris and Martin Cooper.

Please call 858 792-7565 for reservations.

the city’s performance with a range of administrative services, the quality of what is provided as well as the need for revisions or additional assistance and programs.

The Council agreed to hire a consultant and awarded a contract for $6,400 to Probolsky Research to develop, administer, and summarize the survey with city staff.

An internet-based survey will commence in November, following the election, and be conducted over a period of four weeks. The staff will present the results to the Council in early 2015.

ARe YOU BeING seRVeD?continued from page 4

DRINKING RespONsIBLYDel Mar’s Garden pros Weigh in on LawnsLinda Chisari | Crest Road

1. If one already has a Bermuda grass lawn, or one of its hybrids, it can go completely without water for, at least two YEARS (personal experience). It will become dormant and brown, but the roots do not die. Within a week of resuming watering it will quickly green up.

2. There have been huge improvements in the look of synthetic turf grasses. For small areas and for folks from greener places who just have to have that touch of green, they may provide an acceptable solution. They do not provide soft play surfaces but neither does dormant Bermuda.

3. Mulch, mulch, mulch, to make optimal use of whatever water we do apply in our gardens. This is the perfect time of year to apply a 2-3” layer of mulch under all plantings so that, when we do get rain, the moisture is retained in the soil. I asked my gardener to buy and apply a yard and a half of mulch under all of our shrubs and trees, just before we left for Vermont in early September. One and a half yards of mulch equals about 40 cubic feet, which is a 3” layer of mulch over 160 square feet of planting beds. I mention that because the bags of mulch that folks usually buy contain only 2-3 cubic feet of mulch, and there is a huge economic advantage to borrowing a truck and buying the material by the cubic yard. I actually use a product called ‘compost’ that I buy from the Miramar landfill. I’m not crazy about the coarser mulch that one can buy; the ‘compost’ has finer, dark brown particles that break down fairly quickly and, in so doing, feed the soil. It smells and looks wonderful. (I have been doing this every Fall for almost 40 years and it’s a real pleasure to dig in the soil that’s been amended this way!).


Phot

o Se

an C

apsh

aw

Res

olu

sean

Ph

otog

raph

y.

DWIGHT sOUNDINGsDwight Worden | Seaview Avenue

Hello all! I’m still out walking, holding office hours, attending advisory committee meetings, neighborhood

coffees, and the like to get to better know my constituents. Please feel free to flag me down anytime, to send me an email: [email protected] or call me at home (858) 481-2609. I want to know what is on your mind.

I’m still pursuing the facts about the sheriff incident with our ranger and Community Services Director, but am pleased to report that, per our City Manager, the body camera will be back in use soon (it may be in use by the time you read this). I’ll be looking for policy input on key issues: who should wear these?

The ranger? The lifeguards? The parking enforcement officers? What policies should we have on when they are to be turned on and off, who has access to the recordings, how long will we keep the recordings, what can be erased, when, by whom, and how? It seems to me we need to build consensus on these kinds of issues in order to use these cameras effectively and with community confidence. Done right, they can be a great thing. I’ll be looking for community input to formulate my own positions.

I’m also studying up on One Paseo (the giant 1.5 million square foot project proposed for the Carmel Valley Town Center) that will be coming before the San Diego city council this winter. So far, I’m not liking what I see, including the proposed tripling of the density/intensity of the project over what is allowed by the San Diego General Plan and zoning, the spill over traffic and other impacts to Del Mar, Del Mar Heights Road, and the nearby communities.

I’m reviewing our city hall project options as well, as I hope you are. I’m excited! There is the potential, and opportunity, to do something really significant and beneficial for the community with this project. I’ll share my thoughts on all that soon, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves as a new councilmember and get involved. But, the council will need to know your informed thoughts on the options so that we are all working from the same page, so let us know what you like and don’t like, and what you think of the financing options. Visit www.delmar.ca.us/353/City-HallCivic-Center-Planning for the latest on this project from the city

In the meantime, remember: we live in paradise, but even paradise requires citizen involvement. Consider getting involved, if you are not already. I’ll help!

TeRRY sOUNDINGsTerry Sinnott | Nob Avenue

During this “non-election campaign” we have been meeting with many Del Mar residents to get a feel

for what is on your mind. It has been a very worthwhile investment in time. There are some strong messages that I am hearing from the community. A brief recap:

• Improve safety for pedestrians at crosswalks.

• Address the impact of the increasing number of dogs on our beaches.

• There are concerns that the new sidewalk improvements along Jimmy Durante must help, not slow the flow of traffic.

• Our City employees are working hard to help our residents along the beaches.

• The Plaza needs to attract tenants and become economically prosperous.

• Continue with efforts to build City Hall.

• Improve police presence and traffic enforcement.

We will hear other issues during the next few weeks. I hope I can talk with as many people as possible through December. That will help the City Council set the City’s priorities for next year.

A couple of new items; the Council has narrowed the preliminary design options for a new City Hall from 13 possibilities down to 4. The options range from a basic City Hall / Town Hall configuration to a mixed use town center with commercial and residential uses. We will now begin a community outreach effort to see which of the options has the greatest support in the community.

Ultimately we will have a community vote to pick the size, scale and architecture of the new facility.

Also in November, the City will be announcing an on-line customer satisfaction survey for residents.

This survey will measure the level of satisfaction for the services the City provides and pinpoint areas where we can improve. We hope everyone will take a few moments to complete the survey.

LIsTeN Up, CITY COUNCIL!


Jersey Mike’s Subs (black arrow in photo), a franchise owned by Carmel Valley residents, is the first new tenant to be announced at Beachside Del Mar, the under renovation while still open shopping center on Mango Drive at Del Mar Heights. The casual fast food sub

sandwich shop will be located next to Vons in the former Frames location. The remaining new tenants will be announced as leases are

signed. The renovation is expected to be completed this month! Le Bambou (white arrow) is well hidden in the corner, but is open for

business even though it is currently accessible only by an enclosed walkway. Photo Ann Gardner.

FINAL FOUR? Community ChoicesKathy Garcia | City of Del Mar, Planning and Community Development Director

The Del Mar community and the City Council are assessing options for a new Civic Center development

at the City Hall site, 1050 Camino del Mar. In previous workshops and Council meetings, the City Council and community have expressed a desire to move forward with replacing the antiquated City Hall and providing for a truly multi-purpose Town Hall, which could accommodate City Council and other governmental meetings, community meetings, Del Mar TV, and have the flexibility for cultural uses as well. These municipal uses, with their associated parking and a large public plaza, however, leave opportunities for additional uses on the site. At the June 9, 2014 workshop, community participants suggested that additional space could be built to have cultural uses, retail and restaurants, and/or housing. Additional public parking, beyond what is needed for a City Hall, was also desired. Now the community is assessing what, if any, additional uses are appropriate and how can uses, such as residential and commercial space, possibly assist in funding the project.

On Monday, October 27, 2014 community members reviewed four scenarios from the simplest “civic only” to the more active “mixed use” option at a Community Workshop: (See the graphics on page 17.)

1. Civic Uses Only: City Hall, Town Hall, and Plaza with 160-stall parking (60 surface + 100 tuck-under parking) which nets 109 surplus parking stalls for additional community parking.

2. Civic + Commercial: City Hall, Town Hall, Plaza and 3,400 square feet (SF) of Commercial space with 160-stall parking (60 surface + 100 tuck-under parking), which nets 71 surplus parking stalls.

3. Civic + Commercial + Residential: City Hall, Town Hall, Plaza, 3,400 SF Commercial space, and four (4) single-family residential units with garages, with a 204-stall parking garage, which nets 115 surplus parking stalls.

4. Mixed Use Community Center Plan by community members James Watkins and Kit Leeger with City Hall, Town Hall, Plaza, 9,250 SF of Commercial space, six (6) cottages above the parking garage and 168-stall parking garage, which nets 25 surplus parking stalls.

The City’s net cost of the various options range between $9.3 and $12.4 million, which falls within the financial capacity of the City (estimated to be between $14.9 and $22.2 million). While some of the options with residential and commercial actually cost more to develop, they have the potential to bring revenue to the City which reduces their overall costs.

These four options pose many questions for community discussion:

• What level of intensity and development is appropriate for this site?

• Should commercial uses be added to the civic uses in order to activate the site, and if so, how much is appropriate?

• Should residential uses be added to the site, and if so, how many units? Should residential units be sold or leased?

• Is it preferred to move forward with only the civic uses now and continue to discuss whether retail or housing is appropriate sometime in the future?

The outcomes of the workshop will be discussed at the November 17, 2014 City Council meeting and direction will be given to staff as to the next steps. Detailed information about the planning for a new city hall, prior reports to the City Council and background information can be found at www.delmar.ca.us/cityhall or by calling 858.755.9313. Future workshops and City Council meetings will discuss the refinement of the desired program direction and an eventual design.

Your continued interest and participation in the efforts to improve your public facilities is much appreciated. If you are interested in staying informed about the City Hall/Civic Center Project, then sign up online to receive e-mail updates of upcoming workshops and informational events. Visit www.delmar.ca.us/cityhall and click on the “Sign Up for Updates” link.

LITTLe VONs:Old and New Neighbors


Lulu (lower left), Cal (lower right) and Steve.

Courtesy Steve Crothers.

Cartoon Steve Crothers.

GeTTING TO KNOW YOUHarold Feder, Cub Reporter | Crest Road

Many Del Martians have achieved occupational

success in life. What is more interesting to me is how many of our neighbors have been willing to go in a completely different direction after such success. A prime example of this phenomena is Steve Crothers, an experienced and successful businessman, now pursuing a new life venture as the author of the cartoon strip, Cal and Lulu, involving dog characters. As a disclosure of bias, our dog Mo has made an

occasional appearance in the strip.

Q. Give me the broad strokes of your background.

A. I was born and lived in Beverly Hills for 13 years. My childhood friends included the sons of Les Brown, the band leader, and Vincent Price, the actor. My business career lasted over five decades and covered the gamut from selling, marketing, organizational management, consulting and becoming involved in corporate turnaround efforts. I worked with many international companies including Gucci, 3M and Anheuser Busch.

Q. Throughout the breadth of this career, what was the best advice you received?

A. Once, when I was upset about something, my boss responded “in the perspective of a lifetime, how important is this particular issue?”. That thought has stayed with me.

Q. What was the worst advice?

A. I can’t think of one as I think I made all of my mistakes on my own.

Q. You have transcended from this extensive business career to the pursuit of a cartoon strip artist. How did this start?

A. It has evolved. About five years ago, I started putting a post it note on our bathroom mirror that said something nice in a positive way. My wife would then wake up to this note. Then, I started adding a drawing to the note. This led to me telling a story by putting four post it notes together. Then, I started drawing a character with the story. At this point, Melissa(wife) suggested that I draw cartoons and so it started.

Q. Then…

A. I drew cartoons and began emailing them to friends who in turn responded with a lot of positive feedback and the concept expanded. I began to do research on the business of cartoons and learned of the need for a web site which I initiated(www.caninecartoons.com ).

Q. Did you have any prior training?

A. Not formal, but my grandfather was an artist and painter, my father drew cartoons for fun and I was an art

major for two years of college. I never thought about doing this before the messages to Melissa.

Q. When do you draw?

A. Typically, between 1:30 and 4:30 a.m.

Q. Tell me about Cal and Lulu and their friend.

A. I used to take my dog Callaway to dog park. The characters came from my viewing of the dogs at the park. The genesis of the strip derives from observing the people and their interface with the dogs…seeing what the dogs mean in the scheme of things. I never know what the dog characters are going to say. They have their own independent views and do not reflect my thoughts. I am simply a channeler of the thoughts for those who cannot speak. Mostly, while not political, they expose hypocrisy. Lulu is the femme fatale and Cal the laid-back guy.

Q. Is the language in Cal and Lulu important to you?

A. From a language standpoint, it was harder to graduate from high school in the 1890s than from college today. In our world, we are dumbing down vocabulary. So I take a different approach opposite less is better. Rather than using a smaller more precise word, we use a bigger word which is usually defined on the bottom of the strip.

Q. Many would assume that a cartoon involving dogs is trying for cuteness. Is that your goal?

A. No. This is satire - a message. The goal is to make people think not necessarily laugh.

Q. How does Del Mar fit into your life.

A. Well, I live in this beautiful place and it reminds me of how I felt as a kid. I feel lucky to live here.


CERT volunteers, midtown, preparing sign describing damage done to residence. Photo Bill Morris

RING OF FIReThe Circle of supportCarol Kerridge | El Amigo Road

Perhaps, like many other people who are lucky enough to enjoy the pleasures of living near the Pacific Ocean, you

cringe when hearing of yet another catastrophic disaster somewhere along the “Ring of Fire.” Whether you live in a westernized culture or a developing country

around this gorgeous Pacific Rim, you might wonder what could happen if a major disaster were to occur in your own community.

The Pacific Basin, one of the most seismically active regions in the world, is surrounded by a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs and volcanic belts/plate movements. These types of geologic formations can produce earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and resultant tsunamis. Most of this activity is unpredictable and can often cause great damage and destruction to communities and their infrastructure as well as misery to the residents. Not to mention the risk of injury and loss of life.

While we watch people on the news who are confronted with the aftermath of these types of events, some of us think, “it could never happen here,” while others run through a mental checklist as to how well they have prepared.

The experts tell us that the best way to be prepared is to have each resident make an individual plan for their family and home, well ahead of time, and to know how to respond in the event of an actual emergency.

Those of us living in Del Mar, are fortunate! Although our City is small, we are mighty...and there are many different emergency measures in place to deal with such a major disaster if one were to occur. We are part of a coordinated communication system within our surrounding region, with the County of San Diego and with the State of California should we need more help or information. Our Del Mar City staff is well prepared to activate our city’s Emergency Operation Center. Our Fire Department, Paramedics and Lifeguards are well equipped and train daily...and should they be overwhelmed with emergencies, we have a stellar group of resident volunteers, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) who are certified and trained to help in their neighborhoods at a moment’s notice. In addition to these preparations, we now have a DMCC sponsored program the Neighborhood Emergency Support Team (NEST) in place for those residents who have mobility issues or who might need additional help should such a disaster occur. In this pre-arranged program, neighbors will reach out to help these residents.

On the morning of Oct 16th, the annual State-wide Earthquake Drill (the Great California Shake-Out) was conducted, our Emergency Operation Center was activated, and all of the above mentioned Del Mar agencies participated. This year we had an added component...our CERT team volunteers reached out to connect with the NEST program neighbors to make sure the two groups could communicate effectively with each other. The drill was highly successful and we will likely have more drills in the future.

If you are a resident and are interested in learning more about the CERT program, there is a new 25 hour training session that will begin on November 5th. Please contact Arnie Lewin at [email protected] or Eric Phillips at [email protected].

If you or someone you know might need additional help in the event of a disaster or evacuation, please call the DMCC office at 858 792-7565 to learn more about or to enroll in the NEST program.

TAKe A TURNCity Advisory Committee Vacancies

Interested in volunteering in your City? The City of Del Mar invites its residents to volunteer on a

board or commission to provide input in a variety of areas. The City is currently soliciting for interested persons to fill the following committee vacancies:

Business Support Advisory Committee

Two (2) Vacancies – (1) Retail Establishment Representative and (1) Hotel Owner/Operator Representative

Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee

One (1) Vacancy - Commercial Retail Member

Interested citizens should complete a Citizen Interest Form and submit it to the City of Del Mar’s Administrative Services Department. Visit http://www.delmar.ca.us/volunteer to complete the form and see the deadlines. Forms should be submitted to the City of Del Mar, Administrative Services Department, 1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014.


Cartoon from www.sanonofresafety.org/nuclear-waste/

Factories spewing greenhouse gases. Photo CNN.com

ROD ReMOVALDon Mosier | Del Mar City Council

Closing nuclear power plants after electricity generation ceases is a long process called decommissioning.

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) has begun the process by removing the nuclear fuel rods from reactors 2 and 3 and placing them in spent fuel pools to keep them cool until they are less radioactive and can be moved into stainless steel canisters and be entombed in concrete, a procedure known as dry cask storage. The decommissioning plan submitted by SONGS operator Southern California Edison (SCE) proposes to transfer the 3460 fuel rod assemblies to 118 dry casks by 2019 and maintain them on a concrete pad until 2049. Then the plan encounters a major obstacle:

“The SNF D&D Periods (1 and 2) follow DOE acceptance and may be well after License Termination for the balance of the site.” (from page 14 of SCE’s Post Shutdown Activities Report submitted to the Nuclear Regulation Commission (NRC) on Sept. 23, 2014).

TRANSLATION: The spent nuclear fuel assemblies decontamination and demolition periods scheduled for 2049-2051 depends on Department of Energy acceptance of the nuclear waste which depends upon availability of a national waste repository which may never happen in which case San Onofre becomes a de facto permanent repository for over 1632 tons of highly radioactive waste. At this point, all decommissioning funds (estimated at $4.4 billion in 2014 dollars) will have been expended but the most dangerous radioactive waste will still be sitting on a pad at San Onofre in dry casks designed to last 20 years (expiration date = 2039). And you, the ratepayer, have financed this plan that seems doomed to fail! The San Onofre Nuclear Waste Repository (SONWR) has been created. The detailed plan proposes beginning transfer of canisters to the DOE in 2030 and completing the transfer in 2050, but no expert believes that a national repository for nuclear waste could be ready by 2030, and 2050 is viewed as highly unlikely.

We should support the Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2014 (Senate bill S2326 and House bill HR4667) that would increase state oversight over decommissioning activities rather than depend on the weak oversight provided by the NRC, which is basically a paper trail of activities taken by SCE which cannot be rejected. Mayor Lee Haydu and I will be introducing a council resolution to support these bills and make decommissioning work for us, our children, and our grandchildren.

pUT A CAp ON ITAnthony Corso | Stratford Court

Scientific reports issued by prominent scientists, employed in nearby institutes and universities, concur

that we are experiencing dramatic changes in the overall climate--with it hot and humid heat waves, worsening of droughts, extreme tides and storms magnifying sea levels, longer wildfire seasons, and increased health risks among many residents.

Previous issues of the Sandpiper document the efforts being developed by the Del Mar Sustainability Advisory Board, and other groups and organizations, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions--perhaps the major contributor to global climate change.

Greenhouse gases are generated by many sources – automobiles, electricity, natural gas, solid waste, movement and treatment of water and wastewater to name a few. Efforts to reduce carbon emissions from these sources in Del Mar are being identified, measured, and inserted into a mathematical model projecting future increases or decreases. These are called “mitigation measures.” The model was developed by the University of San Diego Energy Policy Initiatives Center and has been used by many other jurisdictions in the County.

The Del Mar Sustainability Advisory Board is composed of residents appointed by the City Council who meet regularly and assist in research, review of alternative proposals, and vote on alternative actions to be recommended to the City Council. Councilmembers Don Mosier and Sherryl Parks serve as the City Council liaisons to this committee, along with a staff representative from the City Manager’s office, Kristen Crane.

In the coming months, the Board will recommend to the City Council a menu of local projects, programs, and policies to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions generated locally to include in a future Climate Action Plan (CAP).


Cartoon Steve Crothers

THeY’Re OFF - AGAIN !Will the hordes follow the horses?Carl Hilliard | Crest Road

Forty-six years after a lack of interest pulled up the reins on fall horse racing, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

(DMTC) is willing to give it another go. When they open the track for the month of November, will racing fans come?

A lot has changed since the track discontinued fall racing in 1968. Our population has nearly tripled. The beach communities close by the track no longer shutter at the end of summer. And Del Mar has fresh and appealing amenities, including a new grandstand and a newly widened turf track.

Del Mar also has a new website – delmarscene.com – designed for a younger audience. It has a new slogan, Cool as Ever, created to bridge the gap between longtime racing aficionados and those new to it. And thanks to president and general manager Joe Harper and his marketing team, Del Mar has received positive reviews for its updated entertainment experience that includes new events to attract the population’s changing tastes.

For example, the new fall meet, called the Bing Crosby season, will open with a vintage Hollywood-style fashion contest on Friday, November 7. The meet will also include special events, such as the Tuesday Trivia contest on the DMTC’s Facebook page.

But marketing and events aside, the real draw will – or won’t – be the horses. To counter an outward migration of horses from California, Del Mar created a “Ship and Win” program. The program pays out-of-state shippers a bonus to run their horses at Del Mar. So instead of hoofing it out of the golden state, more horses have been shipped in. The best part of that equation is that many of them have remained here.

This first fall season carries with it more than hopes of resurgence for turning one of the premier racetracks in the country with the best summer racing in the West into a contender for exciting, crowd-drawing fall racing. The Breeders’ Cup, the World Series of horse racing with more

than $13 million in purses and awards over two days of racing, is scheduled to be held at Del Mar in 2017.

Even though the buzz puts horse racing in decline, supported by lower attendance and amount bet during this past summer at Del Mar, those who love the sport or are invested in it have their fingers crossed that the Bing Crosby season shows the horse-racing world Del Mar has what it takes.

pUT A COp ON IT Jim Benedict | Christy Lane

The Finance Committee’s sub-committee on the sheriff contract continues to work towards solutions to have

better public safety for our community.

We are still very concerned about the Sheriff Department’sr response times to our community needs. Examples of concerns:

1) If you have a prowler looking in your window, you call 911. On average, the sheriff will arrive in 40 minutes. We find this unacceptable.

2) If you come home and you had a burglary, you call 911. The sheriff will arrive, on average, in 40

minutes. Again unacceptable.

3) A huge party is next door and it is out of hand - you call the sheriff. The sheriff will arrive, on average, 40 minutes later.

The Sheriff and our city staff are well aware that the Sheriff, under their current contract, can NOT reduce these response times.

The sub-committee, myself, Barry Entous, and Glenn Sherman are working on options to bring to the city council to reduce these response times. We hope to have a report in front of City Council in December.

Public safety and fire services are like insurance policies – you hope you never want to use them, but when you do, you want reliable and quick solutions.

Bing Crosby season: Thursdays through Sundays. From Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 30


A city information booth staffed by Shores Advisory Committee members, left to right, Sissy Alsabrook behind banner and

Council member Sherryl Parks, at the recent Art Stroll event generated interest in a master plan for the five acre site.

Photo courtesy City of Del Mar.

Landscape Architect Man (LAM)

Landscape Architect Glen Schmidt dons a Superman T-shirt whenever he talks about his award-winning

craft. He says smart, sustainable, engaging

design can help save the world. Caption and photo

from San Diego Metro Magazine, 2012.

TRACKING: News UpdatesBud Emerson | Klish Way

Granny FlatsConstruction of “granny flats” has been approved by the City Council. The Second Dwelling Unit (SDU) ordinance was passed by the Council as recommended by the HEAC and the Planning Commission with only minor changes made through City Attorney’s review. There is no requirement for a deed restriction or that the unit be rented. An SDU will be limited to 550 sq. ft. maximum with no FAR exemption. SDUs must be designed to qualify as a dwelling unit (for our overall housing unit count). Some units are exempt from Design Review. The Ordinance will be reviewed for effectiveness and possible modification at three years or eight units, whichever comes first.

ALL ABOUT sCHMIDTAnn Gardner | Via Latina

Last month Schmidt Design Group got unanimous approval from the Del Mar City Council to engage the

community in developing a master plan for the Shores Park at Ninth and Stratford. “It is a milestone,” commented

Councilmember Terry Sinnott, and Councilmember Sherryl Parks added “our park design will probably make an even dozen (Orchid awards for the group that had recently won its eleventh).” All the while Glen Schmidt, the principal-in-charge, kept his jacket on never revealing that underneath his Clark Kent appearance was the garb of a superhero.

Schmidt believes landscape architects are going to save the world and he often wears a kind of Superman T shirt (LAM for Landscape Architect Man) under his jacket when he talks about his work. He sees green infrastructure as a way to improve our quality of life, offset climate change, help reverse obesity trends and even provide

relaxation in a world often disconnected from nature. Asked why he did not reveal his LAM shirt at the October 6 Council meeting, he laughed “I went incognito.”

The Schmidt team is also a big believer in parks reflecting the community in which they are designed and looks forward to engaging Del Mar residents, both those who have used the five-acre site in the past and those who have never even thought about it. The Shores Advisory

Committee (SAC) staffer Kristen Crane said the formal civic engagement process is expected to begin in the new year although the City had a booth at the recent Del Mar Art Stroll event that resulted in almost 50 signing up for more information. More residents can get involved by going to www.delmar.ca.us/374/Shores-Advisory-Committee.

Parks designed by Schmidt Design Group that have won Orchid awards include the nearby Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail on the eastern side of 101 and Cottonwood Park in Encinitas where the firm excavated a culvert to bring back two creeks and revegetated the property with native plants. Their most recent 11th award was for the Waterfront Park at the County Administration Building downtown, a design by Hargreaves Associates of San Francisco that was implemented by the local firm.

Body CamerasNew procedures for use of a video camera by our Ranger are being reviewed by staff and the City Attorney. It is likely that the camera will be back in service in the near future

Jimmy DuranteThe City of Del Mar held a public workshop on October 23 on a sidewalk and intersection construction project along Jimmy Durante Boulevard and Camino del Mar, between San Dieguito Drive and the Del Mar Plaza. The project’s intent is for all work to occur in the publicly owned right-of-way to improve public right of way and moderate vehicular traffic. The project plan calls for a new sidewalk from the Plaza to the bridge, a new roundabout at San Dieguito Drive, bicycle lanes, and replacement of municipal water lines. A small group of citizens participated with some nearby residents heatedly objecting to the roundabout and others expressing approval. Workshop feedback will be heard by the City Council in November.


City Manager Scott Huth and a portion of the recently-completely sidewalk project in the Beach Colony. Photo Nancy Fisher.

MAN OF ACTIONNancy Fisher | 24th Street

City Manager Scott Huth came to Del Mar almost three years ago with a reputation for getting

things done, and has lived up to the promise. “Scott’s not a talker, he’s a doer,” says Mayor Lee Haydu. “He’s a progressive thinker who finds the funds and grants to get things done right now instead of talking about them for years.”

To understand the many responsibilities of a City Manager, residents can read the intimidating four-page job description on the City’s website, or, in terms of management structure, they can simply think of him as the CEO of a business corporation. Huth agrees. “If you use that model, the citizens of Del Mar would be considered the stockholders, the City Council would be the Board of Directors, I’d be the CEO, and the heads of each City Department would be the Vice Presidents. I work directly for the board, implementing their policies and ensuring that the City complies with all the laws and standards that govern it. And then you need the most important thing – teamwork with the departments.”

Where the corporate analogy breaks down a little, he explains, is that CEOs of corporations have the goal of delivering the highest financial return to shareholders, while his goal is to set the bar for delivering city services so high that it exceeds the expectations of Del Mar’s residents. “Some of Del Mar’s residents have some very high expectations,” he adds laughing, “so let’s say the ‘typical’ resident.” In general, though, he has no problem with criticism. “Having people criticize their government and services helps keep a check and balance, but you want it to be healthy and constructive, and something that guides us to good service. You also need to make sure that it’s what the community wants instead of a small group or an individual.”

Huth oversees the departments of Administrative Services, Finance, Planning and Community Development, Community Services, Fire Services, Sheriff’s Contract, and Public Works. He also has a staff of three in the City Manager’s Department which includes Assistant City Manager Mark Delin, Assistant to the City Manager Kristen Crane, and Senior Management Analyst Jon Terwilliger. Together they’re a mini-think tank that concentrates on the higher-level analytical work, projects, and support services to the other departments that takes up most of Huth’s and his team’s time.

In larger communities there is often enough staff to have an analytical layer within each department and, although some analysis still happens within departments, much of it ends up in the Manager’s Office. This, he says, takes up time that he’d rather spend working side-by-side with the departments that aren’t housed at City Hall, like Community Services, Fire Services, Public Works, and out in the community. The upside is that not having lots

of employees and several layers of management allows staff to provide a higher level of service by streamlining processes and allowing more face-to-face interaction with their customers.

What does a typical day look like? “You can think of our office as a switching station where information is coming in from a variety of sources, some from the community and some from other departments, and you have to distill and react to it,” Huth says. “Each department, on a smaller scale, functions that same way.”

When pressed to talk more about his accomplishments so far, and if there was one of which he was especially proud, Huth insisted that it’s the process, not necessarily the results, that give him the most satisfaction. He pointed specifically to working with Del Mar resident Carol Kerridge, who spends so much volunteer time keeping our seniors safe with her NEST program, and to resident and Finance Committee member Tom McGreal, who, with a small group, spearheaded a grassroots campaign to help take control of Del Mar’s financial future by

addressing the Pension Reserve.

McGreal is also happy with the process. “When the City asked the Finance Committee to tackle the pension issue, we knew that the solutions would present hard choices for the City,” says McGreal. “We worked very successfully with Scott and the staff to develop a pension reserve policy, which was adopted by the City Council last year. Del Mar will now be able to meet its long-term pension obligations. Dealing with topics like unfunded pension liability are never easy, but Scott and the staff worked very closely and cooperatively with the Finance Committee throughout the process.”

If Huth had to describe his management style, he’d say “quirky,” and that he doesn’t really fit the typical City Manager profile. “I say be approachable, be fair, and sometimes you have to be blunt. My philosophy is to work hard to make my co-workers a success. If I can do that, their success is going to shine through and give me and the Community everything we need, so if that’s the Kool-Aid I can pour in everyone’s cup it makes things a lot better.”

When asked how he connects with members of the community, Huth answered that he prefers one-on-one meetings or meetings with small groups to addressing a large crowd, and encourages everyone to give him a call, email him, or just come by City Hall. “This community has a huge level of volunteer spirit and that spirit is part of the wheel that keeps things turning. My motto is ’If the door is open, the store is open’. We are here to serve you.”

To contact Scott Huth, call him directly at 858-704-3630 or email him at [email protected]


Banned books in a flaming display at the Del Mar Library. Photo Jorgina Soto

BOOK CORNeR

Too Hot to Touch Virginia Lawrence | Caminito Del Rocio

During Banned Book Week, observed nation-wide from September 21 to 27, publicity campaigns informed the

public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. To mark the event the Del Mar Library set up a banned book display table with cutout flames. Although the display came down after September 27, visitors can always get information about banned or censored books from the librarians.

The American Library Association (ALA) compiles lists of books that have been challenged or banned: “Throughout history, more and different kinds of people and groups of all persuasions than you might first suppose, who, for all sorts of reasons, have attempted—and continue to attempt—to suppress anything that conflicts with or anyone who disagrees with their own beliefs.”

Topping the list of 97 banned classics are The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, and To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. By 1981 Catcher had had “the dubious distinction of being at once the most frequently censored book across the country and the second most frequently taught novel in the public schools.” (www.crosscut.com 10/12/14)

Last month on September 29 NPR reported that during Banned Book Week seven books had been removed from the approved high school reading list in a Dallas school: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David Shipler, Siddhartha

by Hermann Hesse, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls, and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison.

Although the La Jolla Country Day School has the same flaming display of banned books as the Del Mar Library, it adheres to a slightly different timetable – it “celebrates” (in their words) banned books throughout the year. During Banned Book Week, the Middle and Lower School librarians do lessons about banned literature. The Upper School librarian, on the other hand, covers such literature throughout the year in English classes.

The Sandpiper’s new Roving Teen Reporter, Leah Gans, is a Junior at La Jolla Country Day. We asked for her comments. Leah has read a number of censored books in school: Catcher in the Rye, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. “My favorite of these is Catcher in the Rye,” she says, “although I also really enjoyed Speak.”

HOT TOpICAnthony Corso | Stratford Court

The question is not whether or not will we experience another wildfire in Southern California but when might

occur. This is the positon of many authorities on the appalling topic of wildfires including the comments of Joe Bameyer recently speaking out as the fire Battalion Chief for the cities of Del Mar, Encinitas and Solana Beach.

He was among the firefighters who fought the Poinsettia fire which destroyed 27 structures and burned 600 acres in Carlsbad in May. It was a wind-whipped fire that eventually burned 700 acres across the county

He notes that numerous factors contributed to the fire including: a humidity below 20 percent, a lack of fire-fighting equipment, the continual drought providing a voluminous amount of dead plants, leaves and grass surrounding property. From another perspective few families had an emergency plan with delineated exits out of the house and neighborhood, nor possessed a preassembled emergency kit—one that included food, medicine, valuable documents and other cherished items. Of particular concern, few residents knew where to find information regarding wildfires and personal survival.

Fortunately, there are numerous resources currently addressed to this gap. The Department of Homeland Security funds an excellent web-site entitled “ReadySanDiego.” It contains the following up-to-date and critical information and instructions: Preparing a Family Disaster Plan and Personal Survival Guide, Registering under AlertSanDiego to receive an emergency notification through a county-wide system, and better safeguarding ones family, home and possessions through such steps as creating defensible space, modifying one’s home exterior to make it less vulnerable to burning embers. In addition, there are other useful tips for successfully coping with wildfires.


Del Mar Train Station. Courtesy Del Mar Historical Society.

Lagoon Viewpoint at the Grand Avenue Bridge. Photo Stu Smith.

View of the San Dieguito Lagoon from the Grand Avenue Bridge.Painting Mac McMillan

DMTV pReseNTsLook BackLuana Karr | DMTV

If you are interested in learning more about the history of Del Mar consider taking a moment to “look back.” Del

Mar Television Foundation’s “Look Back” short series gives viewers interesting glimpses into Del Mar’s history. For instance, did you know the original train station was built at the turn of the century in a different location? It was then moved to its current location when the hotel was built.

Did you know that east of the Fairgrounds was Del Mar’s

WHAT’s YOUR VIeWpOINT? Jeff Barnouw | Amphitheater Drive

On October 20 the Del Mar City Council was to consider “Adoption of a Resolution to Revise the Name of

the San Dieguito Lagoon Preservation Committee” and Recommend that the City Council Rename the Lagoon Viewpoint at the Grand Avenue Bridge as the Riverpath Pier. This was proposed by Council liaisons to the Lagoon Preservation Committee, Mayor Lee Haydu and Councilman Don Mosier. At the urging of Jacqueline Winterer, representing the Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley, which was instrumental in preserving that part of the Bridge that is now a viewpoint or, according to some, a pier, the Council decided to table the motion for consideration at its December 1 meeting. The Lagoon Committee has intermittently been called just that, without ‘preservation’, and the change seems innocent enough. But the back story of naming the Grand Avenue Bridge Viewpoint is more complicated.

My old copy (1999) of the Thomas Guide for San Diego County, page 1187, clearly designates as ‘Grand Avenue’ the road leading off San Dieguito Drive to cross part of the lagoon to the former site of the airport. But older maps show Grand Ave to be, at least in part, what became Route 101 and is now Camino del Mar. There is still a remnant of this Grand Avenue which you pass (without noticing the clearly visible street sign?) as you come up from Jimmy Durante going south. So the Grand Avenue Bridge may have been a construction, that is, misconstruction of a mapmaker. But the name has stuck, so far.

The immediately interesting quandary is how the former bridge structure comes to be called the Riverpath Pier, if it does. In the past two years the Lagoon Committee has made plans for an extension of the Del Mar Riverpath picking up on the east side of Jimmy Durante at the north side of San Dieguito Drive (site of the former recycling center), and their March 19 Minutes report that “a subcommittee of J. Barnouw, J. Kulongoski, W. Michalsky and J. Winterer met and agreed to propose a name change from Grand Avenue Bridge “Overlook” to become

Riverpath Pier when the proposed trail is built out. That may be very soon. Funding to kick-start this project will come from a County grant to the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and Del Mar has budgeted $20,000 towards the project. The Conservancy newsletter refers to the project as “River Path Del Mar.”

continued on page 18


sHORT TAKes ON FILMBen Nyce | Via Latina

In 1977 Robyn Davidson trekked 1700 miles across the Australian desert. Her saga was highlighted in National

Geographic and led to her best-selling book “Tracks.” Several attempts were made to turn the book into a movie but all failed (despite the interest of Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman). Finally we have the movie directed by John Curran and starring the relatively unknown Mia

Wasikowska. It’s a splendid recounting of a torturous journey under the harshest conditions. Davidson learned to train camels for her trek; they carried her loads, though she never rode them. These patient beasts could endure the burning sun and wind better than she. At times she seems to seek such harshness, exposing her bare blistering flesh to the sun. Is she punishing

herself, seeing how much she can stand? Her motivation is unclear. Perhaps her mother’s suicide is a factor, her father’s disappearance on a long trek. She’s casting off the complications of human relationships attempting to get close to the elemental, the basics. She resents the appearance of Rick, the National Geographic photographer who wants to chronicle her journey, as well as the tourists who want to see “the camel lady.”

The landscape punishes and revives her. The

sweeping camera captures the shadeless beauty of the desert, its deep ochres, browns, vermilions. It’s here that the meditative character of the film emerges. Our eyes, like Robyn’s, are drawn upward, outward, away from petty concerns. She’s helped by the appearance of Mr. Eddy, an aboriginal who guides her through the sacred lands she would be unable to see without him. A product of an ancient culture, he’s a spiritual guide to her. When she finally reaches the ocean she has accomplished an inner journey as well as an outer one.

For home viewing see “Summer Hours,” the exquisite depiction of the breaking up of a family patrimony, directed

by Olivier Assayas and starring Juliet Binoche and Charles Berling. Helen has attempted to preserve the collection of her artist uncle but she’s under no illusion that her children will wish to do so. They assemble after her death to decide what to do with such beautiful and valuable items. A life’s effort is thus dispersed as modern life dissolves the old order.

Nyce taught literature and film at USD. He authored “Satyajit Ray” and “Scorcese Up Close.”

DeL MAR FACTOIDs

• Del Mar has 1.8 square miles

• The Torrey Pine is the rarest pine in the US, found in only two locations (Wikipedia)

2010 Census - population 4,161

(4389 in 2000)

-14% under 18

-5% 18-24

-26% 25-44

-35% 45-64

-21% 65+ (866)

-2064 households

-1098 families, average size 2.6

-54% owner occupied homes

-46% renter occupied


Three different uses for the site shown above: top - Civic; Middle - Commercial; 3rd down - Residential. Courtesy City Hall.

Where the Turf Meets the Surf

A pistol-packing Sheriff for Del Mar.D

el M

ar’s

Pop

e Sp

outs

Dog

ma.

sHOT IN DeL MAR Doggies Decked Out for HalloweenPhotos by Bill Morris

FINAL FOUR? COMMUNITY CHOICescontinued from page 7


Photo Di Holker

LOCAVORes’ DeLIGHTFried Cheese-stuffed Zucchini BlossomsDi Holker | Coast Boulevard

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup beer

2 tablespoons olive oil * Freskos

2 shallots, diced * Shaner Farms

2 cloves garlic, minced * Shaner Farms

¼ pound sausage, casings removed

1 cup ricotta or goat cheese * Moonlight Artisan Cheese

¼ cup Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons each mint, parsley and basil * Shaner Farms * Blue Heron

Pinch salt and pepper

12 zucchini blossoms * Blue Heron *Valdiva

Vegetable oil, for frying

Directions

• In medium bowl, whisk together the flour, beer and salt whisk until smooth. Set aside.

• Sauté shallots and garlic and sausage.

• In small bowl combine the ricotta, yogurt, mint, parsley, basil, and cool drained sausage mixture. Mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons filling into each blossom. Close the blossoms and gently twist the petals to seal.

• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about 1/3 of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil r3eaches 350 degrees F. (If you don’t have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in about

1 minute.) Dip the stuffed zucchini blossoms in the batter and allow any excess batter to drip off. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Allow the cooked blossoms to drain on paper towels.

• Season with salt and serve with your favorite marinara sauce or vinaigrette.

Airport, which originally served as a landing site for blimps? How about the Powerhouse, did you know it was once a nightclub that featured Jazz and Dixieland music?

Well these and more interesting facts can be learned by watching this series.

Produced by Del Mar Television Foundation veteran producers such as Charlie Baumgart, Bill Hoffman, and Joe Welsh to name a few. The videos are short and to the point. They may give you insight into how the community has developed from those early years when streets were still unpaved and the pace of daily life was much slower.

The shows can be viewed at your leisure on our online Channels, just click on The “Watch Us” icon on our website at www.delmartv.com or check out our TV schedule by clicking the schedule tab. This will give you a listing of the current month’s programs. Del Mar TV can be seen on Time Warner Cable or AT &T where you can also stream live the City Council, the DRB and the Planning Commission meetings. To explore more history of Del Mar, contact the Historical Society: [email protected].

DMTV pReseNTs: LOOK BACKcontinued from page 15

part-time Market Manager Needed

Del Mar Farmers Market is looking for a part time market manager for the Saturday market.

Candidates should have Farmers Market experience, knowledge of rules and regulation, managerial skills and Excel knowledge. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays with an additional 2-3 hours during non-market time for administrative duties. Resumes must be submitted by Friday November 21 to [email protected]. Go to www.delmarfarmersmarket.org for more information


exTRA COpIes OF THe sANDpIpeR are available at: City Hall, the Library, the Del Mar Community Building, the Powerhouse, and

the Carmel Valley Library; The Gym at Del Mar on Jimmy Durante Blvd; the Solana Beach Library and the Solana Beach Community Center.

DeL MAR COMMUNITY CALeNDARHighlights for November 2014

This month’s calendar was compiled by shelby Weaver, a Torrey pines High school senior.

Del Mar Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday, 1-4 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot. Purchase fresh, locally grown produce, flowers, eggs and many other products.

Del Mar Library: Centennial Celebration, Saturday, November 1st, 10:00 a.m. followed by a concert by singer/songwriter Lisa Sanders.

City of Del Mar: City Council monthly meetings- Monday, November 3rd and Monday, November 17th, 6:00-9:00 p.m at the Del Mar Communications Center, 240 10th St.

Del Mar Library: Homework help for Preschool - 7th Grade by Torrey Pines High School Students. Sign up on day of event. Tuesdays beginning November 4th, 4:00 – 5:30pm.

Del Mar Village Association: Del Mar Historical Committee monthly meeting, Tuesday, November 4th, 5:00 p.m., 1104 Camino del Mar

Del Mar Foundation: Young Del Mar Happy Hour at Zel’s Del Mar, Wednesday, November 5th, 6:30-9:30 p.m., no host bar. Please register at www.delmarfoundation.org

Del Mar Library: Teen Yoga, Thursday, November 6th, 4:00 p.m. Please bring a towel and mat.

Del Mar Foundation First Thursday’s: Thursday, November 6th, Westwind Brass, at the Del Mar Powerhouse Community Center, 7:00 p.m., doors open at 6:30 for wine and cheese reception. We’re sorry, but this series is sold out.

Del Mar Library: Morningstar for Beginners with Richard Loth. Learn how to use this financial database, Friday, November, 7th, 10:00 a.m.

Del Mar Community Connections: Monthly Board meeting, Saturday, November 8th, 9:00 a.m., Del Mar Community Building. 225 9th Street

Del Mar Foundation: DMF Talks “Behind the Scenes of the Stuart Collection” by Mary Beebe, director, The Stuart Collection UCSD, Powerhouse Community Center, Monday, November 10th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Registration is required: www.delmarfoundation.org

Del Mar Foundation Cultural Arts Committee: Monthly meeting., Wednesday, November 12, 8:30 am. Powerhouse Community Center.

Del Mar Library: Art for Kids ages 5+, Wednesday,

November 12th, 3:30 p.m. Registration required.

City of Del Mar: Planning Commission monthly meeting, Wednesday, November 12th, 6:00 p.m. at DM Communications Center, 240 10th Street

Del Mar Community Connections: Travel Club meeting, Thursday, November 13th, 10:00 a.m. Come share and learn travel tips and discounts; find a travel buddy and more! Del Mar Community Building, 225 9th St.

Historical Society: Meeting, Tuesday, November 18th, 5:00 p.m,, Del Mar Community Building, 225 9th

Del Mar Village Association: Design Committee: Monthly meeting, Wednesday, November 19th, 11:00 a.m, 1104 Camino del Mar ste. 1

Del Mar Village Association : Business Assistance Committee monthly meeting, Wednesday, November 19th, 8:30 a.m., 1104 Camino Del Mar, Ste. 1

City of Del Mar: Design Review Board meeting November 19th, 6:00-10:00 p.m., Del Mar Communications Center, 240 10th Street

Del Mar Village Association: Monthly Board meeting, November 20th, 8:30 a.m., City Hall Annex

DMVA: Annual Breast Cancer Walk, November 21st, 7:00 a.m. Join us to greet thousands of walkers passing through downtown Del Mar. -Del Mar has been named the first official cheering station. Volunteers are needed to pass out water at En Fuego Cantina and Grill. Water donations can be dropped at En Fuego the week before.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church: Annual Thrift Shop Fashion Show! Don’t miss this sell-out event! Monday, November, 24th at noon at the church. Tickets on sale at the thrift store prior to the event. There will not be any tickets sold at the door.

Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley Board: Monthly meeting, Monday, November 24th, 7:00 p.m. at the Annex, 1054 Camino del Mar.

City of Del Mar Del Mar Business Support Advisory Commission: Tuesday, November 25th, 9:00 a.m., City Hall Annex

Del Mar Community Connections: Romeo’s Men’s Lunch, Tuesday, November 25th, noon-1:30 p.m., Sbicca Bistro, 215 15th St.

Del Mar Community Connections: Book Babes Book Club, Del Mar Community Building. Date to be announced.

The Del Mar Rose Society: Thursday, November 26th “Thanksgiving of Roses,” please visit www.delmarrosesociety.org for more info.


Standard MailU.S. Postage

PAIDEncinitas, CAPermit No. 5

SANDPIPERDEL MAR’S COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Box 2177, Del Mar, CA 92014

DATED MATERIAL

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

www.delmarsandpiper.org

The Sandpiper welcomes its new Roving Teen Reporter, Leah Gans. Photo Art Olson

ROVING TeeN RepORTeRFuture FeverLeah Gans | La Jolla Country Day Junior

“Where do you want to go to college” --the dreaded question every high school student is relentlessly

being asked. While Freshmen have brainwashed themselves into giving an impeccably unrealistic reply, Sophomores are beginning to show signs of severe self-doubt. Beware of Juniors as they rant about GPAs, acceptance rates, and SAT/ACT scores, while Seniors recite the list of schools they have already applied to, or plan to apply to, including their chances of actually getting in. “No one really does seem to have a clear answer,” said TPHS Junior Melanie.

When asked this question, SDA Junior Maria shares “I’m not going to get in anywhere because of my ACT scores, and the fact that I have not experienced any major hardships in my life, which means I don’t have a good essay topic about overcoming outrageous obstacles.”

“I find college to be a huge competition.” Complains LJCDS sophomore Shana, “Education has become less about learning and more about getting into college. Extracurricular activities aren’t for enjoyment, but are just to help shape one’s application. That’s sad.”

SDHSD students are incessantly battling the pressures of applying to college, making virtually every decision in their lives based upon that goal.

“I know I want to go to a good college, but I don’t really know why,” said TPHS Junior Michael.

Should getting into college be so overwhelming and life-consuming? “Everyone is infected with future fever, and the only cure is participating in this ludicrous race to nowhere,” states LJCDS senior Brandon. He went on

to say that “The kid next to me is always going to have a higher GPA, be a better athlete, and probably even be more involved in the school then I am, but what can I do to set my self apart from him?” This is a question every SDHSD student and every student in the country is trying to answer. Students over-book themselves, signing up for more clubs than they can count on two hands, playing 3 varsity sports, taking 5 APs, and trying to maintain a social life. “Yet the kid next to me is still managing to do more,” said LJCDS Junior Tanya.

“The key is knowing your limits,” advises LJCDS Senior Abby. “You need to know what you can handle while still being happy. Everyone is different and colleges want students that stand out, so be yourself and work to your ability and you will do just that.” Having endured over two years of this race, I wish I could convince myself that’s all it takes.

hung out to dry - sandpiperdelmar.orgsandpiperdelmar.org/pdf/2014sp11november.pdf · sandpiper...

Documents