Carlsbad to Give Away $25K in Art Grants

For cultural projects that will be occurring in Carlsbad in 2012, the city of Carlsbad’s Cultural Arts Office will be taking applications for matching grants.

The deadline for the application is on October 29, 1012. The awarded grants will be announced by December 20, 2012.

For those that are interested in applying can attend the Community Arts Grants Application Workshop, which will provide assistance to applicants in the creation of proposals. For those that are applying for the first time, the workshop is highly recommended. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, September 27th at the Gowland Meeting Room in the Carlsbad City Library located at 1775 Dove Lane. The workshop will be held from 5 pm to 7pm.

The Arts Grant program is intended to provide artistic and cultural opportunities as well as strengthen local art organizations in Carlsbad. The grants must be matched with money from other sources. In addition, the grants are awarded to schools, organizations, and other school related programs for performing arts, literary, and media projects that take place in Carlsbad. For organization outside Carlsbad but still in San Diego County must have a non-profit or school in Carlsbad as a partner in order to host the proposed event.

The Community Arts Grants offer two categories. Applicants must choose between the two categories. The Arts Education grants are designed to fund school projects for students in kindergarten through 12th grades with the requests limited to $1,200. The Organizations/Artist Partnerships grants are designed for projects, activities, and events that are presented to the public. There is no maximum limit on this grant.

Recipients of previous proposals have included concerts, residencies, music festivals, free outdoor theater, play readings, visual arts demonstrations, mural projects, artist led seminars, choreographer residencies, and various school function that encourage student participation. If this sounds like a community you would like to call home, contact a real estate professional at 888-865-5055.

Encinitas Schools receives funds from Golf Tournament

The golf tournament held at Twin Oaks Golf Course in San Marcos to benefit campuses in the Encinitas Union School District with are served by the private, nonprofit foundation Encinitas Educational Foundation raised $9,300.

There were 48 participants, which included the district Superintendent, Tim Baird. Many donated their time including school board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and principals, with some even playing in the tournament. Sponsors included Adonai Producciones, Which Wich Sandwiches, Callaway Golf, Tina’s Deli, TaylorMade Golf, Stratford Court Café, and Pagni Real Estate.

EEF President Gerald Singleton stated, "We are very grateful for all the support we received for our first event of the year", and went on to say, "The state education cuts have crippled our district’s budget. EEF’s goal this year is to raise enough money from the community of Encinitas and south Carlsbad to enable the district to continue to provide a superb education to all district students."

The district has five schools located in Encinitas and four located in south Carlsbad. Due to budget cuts on the state level, the schools were in dire need of funding. Around 1/3 of the elementary schools in the district have low income students enrolled which entitles them to receive Title I federal funding.

The tournament was the first for the year of fundraising that is being initiated by the EEF. The foundation encourages partnerships with businesses, corporations, individuals, and civic organization as well as donations. You can contact EEF President Gerald Singleton for more information at encinitaseducationalfoundation.org.

If you are looking for a wonderful place to live that brings the community together, you need to contact an Encinitas Realtor today at 888-865-5055.

Coronado Residents the Most Giving

In a recent study, research showed that Californians donated the most during the study with the results given by zip codes. This new study reveals how generous communities are across the United States.

Those in Coronado with the zip code of 92118 gave close to 6% of their income, which mounted to a median of $4,154 to charity in 2008 as reported by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

This mount was quite a bit above the state and local household averages. Coronado donated close to $18 million to charity.

The results were by income:
$50,000 – $99,999 – 11.1%
$100,000 – $199,999 – 5.5%
$200,000 and up – 4.2%
All income levels – 5.8%

Ranked in 18th place was Metro San Diego with California being ranked close to the top with over $17 million donated.

A median of $2,335 per household was donated by San Diego residents or around 4.6% of their income. Across the state, the median was $2,396 or 4.4% of their income.

The study used records from the Internal Revenue Service of individuals that itemized deduction.

Other information on the study showed:
Utah was #1 with the state donating 10.6% with Salt Lake City shown as the most giving city. Those living in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Jersey were the least generous states.
Those with lower incomes gave a larger share of their income to charities than wealthy individuals.
Those considered rich that lived in an area with many wealthy individuals gave a smaller share of their income than wealthy living in different areas.
Religious regions gave more
The two states in #1 and #2 positions, Utah and Idaho, have a large population of Mormons that tithe more constantly. The other states in the top ten are states in the Bible Belt.
Those that voted Republican in the last presidential election were more likely to donate to charities that those that voted Democratic.

If this sounds like a community, you would like to call home, contact a professional real estate agent at 888-865-5055.

Save the La Jolla Post Office

Handwritten letters were collected by the La Jolla Historical Society’s Save Our La Jolla Post Office Task Force to show support to save the historic La Jolla Post Office from going up for sale.

La Jolla residents took handwritten letters to the historic La Jolla Post Office all addressed to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The letter drive was held by the La Jolla Historical Society’s Save Our La Jolla Post Office Task Force to save the post office that was built in the 1930′s in a last effort to save the post office.

The La Jolla Historical Society is encouraging residents to write to Rep. Darrell Issa requesting that he endorse a proposed bill that discusses the relocation of the post office services. The bill would allow the La Jolla Historical Society to purchase the building before it is placed on the open market. The bill introduced by representatives Susan Davis (D-San Diego) and Bob Filner (D-San Diego).

Leslie Davis, chair of the Save the La Jolla Post Office Task Force stated, "(Issa) is the key to our success of being able to control the future of our community and our economy," and went on to say, "Tell your friends to write a letter and get involved. This is a community effort and it takes everyone."

Residents learned of the relocation and sale of the post office in January. The Postal Service announced on January 11, the La Jolla Main Post Office home on Ivanhoe Avenue and Wall Street would be located to another smaller location that is within one mile of its present location.

During January, a representative for the U.S. Postal Service stated, "The Postal Service appreciates the fact that customers like those in La Jolla hold their local Post Offices in high regard and value our products and services. That’s why we are taking necessary steps nationwide to ensure the long-term viability of the Postal Service by identifying sensible ways to reduce our costs and maintain affordable, efficient service."

At this time, the post office is not up for sale. The Task Force hopes to convince the Post Office to stop the procedure of closing, selling, and relocating the services. If the Task Force cannot stop the closing of the post office, they are optimistic of raising the money to purchase the property and lease it back to the Post Office. If this cannot be accomplished the Task Force hopes it can work with the buyer to "enable a beneficial purchase of the property and work closely together on an adaptive reuse that would preserve the building, the (historical Bell Baranceanu) mural and public access to key areas while meeting the buyer’s desires."

La Jolla is home to a variety of historic sites as well as the opportunity for family fun. If La Jolla sounds like a community, you would like to call home, contact a La Jolla Realtor at 888-865-5055.

25th Anniversary Solana Beach Singalong

The 25th Anniversary of the Solana Beach Singalong will be held on August 15 at 7:30pm at the Fletcher Cove Community Center, 133 Pacific Ave. There will be a few refreshments offered from the California Pizza Kitchen.

The first singalong was established by psychiatrist Dr. Ed Siegel in 1987. He stated, "When the city became incorporated there was a piano in the community center and I thought it would be a great way to give people a sense of community."

He remembers getting a boost when The Citizen published a letter by Jane Pogeler, chairman of the Solana Beach parks and Recreation Committee on August 12, 1987.

"Something unusual happened on August 6. I wish I could describe it so you’d have a real sense of what went on. I’m sure Dr. Ed Siegel must have a theory to explain what happened. When he proposed that the Solana Beach Parks & Recreation Committee sponsor these singalongs, he predicted that by singing together, we would achieve some special sense of community. He was right. Thanks, Ed. Let’s do it again, same time, same place."

In the beginning, the group started with an old upright piano with the city finally replacing it with a brand new one.

"Since then we’ve had people of all ages from 15 months to 100," Dr. Ed Siegel explained. "People even bring their dogs."

Throughout the years the group has updated the songbook which now includes World War I era songs, spirituals, Disney favorites, show tunes, along with hits from Simon & Garfunkel, Willy Nelson, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Neil Diamond, Nat King Cole, the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. The group also pays tribute to a variety of cultures including Koreans, Spanish, Brazilians, British, and Jewish.

"The biggest turnouts are for our patriotic singalongs, the Thursday before July 4th," he said. "Also, the first Thursday before Christmas. Sometimes there’s standing room only."

Siegel mourns the regulars of the groups who have passed away.

"Henry Tilker was the flag bearer when we sang patriot songs," he recalled. "He was so proud, and it still thrilled him when he was 100.

"When Carl Stroud sang Old Man River, he would gaze up and be in heaven."

Solana Beach adopted the official city song, Solana Beach, our City Proud, on February 22, 2006, which was a collaboration between Dr. Siegel and lyricist Lynn Salsberg.

On Feb. 22, 2006, the city of Solana Beach adopted the city’s official song, "Solana Beach, Our City Proud," a collaboration between Siegel and lyricist Lynn Salsberg.

Margaret Schlesinger (mayor in 1987 when the singalong was established) explained, "The idea of a city that sings was part of our oath of office to promote the health and welfare of the community," and went on to say, "We provided a piano and a place and it’s continued with a faithful core group. Over the years, without fail, Ed has been there week after week.

"It’s interesting, Canadians in winter, and Arizonans in summer, show up, too. It’s really been a good thing."

Melvyn Green a regular who has recruited new members for the singalong, stated, "Ed is a very giving person who welcomes everyone to join the singing group even if you just mouth the words," he said. "It is very special to have this available once a week, and a joy to participate in it."

Siegel is very proud that the singalong is the longest running ongoing event in the history of Solana Beach but he explains he has one more goal. "I have a Johnny Appleseed dream to have more people share in the music without being self-conscious," he explained. "When I grew up everybody sang. Today, when I mention the singalong the first thing people say is that they can’t sing."

Siegel is puzzled because he says children are unconstrained when they are young, singing nursery rhymes openly and freely. "Somewhere along the way they must have been teased because they stop," he said. "It’s a national tragedy. When I travel to other countries, everybody loves to sing.

"Group singing represents a continuum of how our earliest ancestors shared a sense of community that predates language as we know it. Furthermore, it involves nearly the entire brain, both emotional and the thinking brain. And best of all, it’s fun and feels good."

If Solana Beach sounds like the perfect community to raise your family, contact a real estate professional at 888-865-5055.

Chula Vista Rebirth

If all goes well, during the meeting of the California Coastal Commission, San Diego Unified Port District and Chula Vista will get the okay to being on a project that some have been waiting to start for close to 40 years – the rebirth of the Chula Vista bayfront area. The project will turn the industrial area which is nothing more than a dead power plant to a wonderful waterfront paradise.

The Chula Vista Bayfront Master plan will be presented at the commission in Santa Cruz which describes the refurbishing of the waterfront in various phases spread out over the next thirty years with a resort conference center, public parks, homes, hotels, and commercial shopping.

The plan will cover 556 acres making it the largest new coastal project in California. The plan by port staff and Chula Visa has been on paper for ten years and is backed by an environmental impact report that is 12,000 pages. The plan has the support of several chamber of commerce members, organization, as well as other business groups such as the San Diego Coastkeeper, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, the Surfrider Foundation, and the San Diego Audubon Society.

The way the commission will vote cannot be speculated, but the reality is that the reasons for approval are enticing.

Within the 556 acres, 88 acres would be dedicated to public parks, 70 to wildlife preserve, and 75 acres for open space. The project will be centered on the resort conference center. In order to help pay for the project the plan proposes 15,000 square feet of retail space, 1,500 residential units, and 3,100 hotel rooms.

The plan estimates that the project would provide 2,200 permanent jobs and 7,000 construction jobs.

Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox, who supports the master plan explains that this project would help boost the city east of bayfront; "This is such an extraordinary opportunity to be a catalyst for helping build the western side of Chula Vista."

Former Chula Vista city attorney, Ann Moore now representative of the city on the port district board, stated, "This is the time for the South Bay region to actually have its day in the sun."

If all goes as planned, the development will begin in about two years. The power plant on the other hand, will be removed between the end of the bird nesting season in September and before it begins again in March. The demolition will be one to see with a dramatic implosion which will symbolize the rebirth of the area.

With plans like these in the works, home buyers will be flocking here to find great deals on homes. If you are looking for a home in Chula Vista contact a real estate agent at 888-865-5055.

Hotel La Jolla Debuts

Hotel La Jolla has been officially launched again by Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants which will bring a coastal chic design to the shores of La Jolla. This is the 3rd Kimpton hotel in the San Diego area with the other two being the Palomar San Diego and Hotel Solamar.

The investment of $4 transformed the property with new spaces like a lounge, pool deck, lobby, fitness center, and meeting space all involving light and space. The landscape received alterations as well as the guest rooms. The hotel will feature a new coastal Mediterranean restaurant.

Hotel La Jolla is owned by Westport Capital Partners and Cove Equity Group, LLC and designed by Gulla Jonsdottir and Claude-Anthony Marengo. The hotel features 110 guestrooms with their own balcony or patio offering wonderful views of the sunset. The choices include a deluxe king or queen room or a 900-square-foot apartment luxury suites featuring flat panel TVs, Bigelow bath products, Frette linens, and Kimpton’s signature animal-print robes.

The new lobby has an elegant but comfortable atmosphere with a ground floor venue, Hiatus offering 2,000 square feet of open air space complete with chaise lounges, bar, and fire pits.

The renovations include the Cusp Dining & Drinks restaurant on the 11th floor as well as a fully equipped event space on the 11th floor.

"We are thrilled that the time is finally here for us to share this magnificent new hotel and all of its exceptional amenities with our guests and the local community," stated Caroline Dyal, general manager for Hotel La Jolla. "Our goal is to make our guests’ experience special and I know we have just the place and the team to make that happen."

Along with the renovations and upgrades, the hotel has a new fitness center offering a business center, yoga mats, hula hoops, and workout equipment. The landscaping features a motif combining tropical and exotic vegetation with sculptural elements.

"The hotel is poised to provide the ideal setting for both the business and leisure traveler to experience La Jolla in wholly new way," stated Sean Armstrong, principal, Westport Capital Partners LLC. "We are very proud of the result of efforts by so many talented people who made this happen."

The new management will bring the promise of Kimpton to provide an atmosphere where guests feel pampered with programs such as wellness offerings, customer care, and daily hosted wine hour.

To ensure the guests can live "Like a Local" as well as support the community, the hotel has partnered with various La Jolla based organization which include OEX Dive & Kayak, La Jolla Playhouse, and Birch Aquarium to offers packages along with creating awareness for the organizations and to enhance the community. To encourage outdoor activities in the community running maps and beach cruisers are complimentary.

As a celebration for their grand opening, the hotel is offering their "Hang Ten" opening package, which includes deluxe accommodations at $10 off Best Available Rate, $10 off parking, $10 credit to Cusp Dining & Drinks, $10 credit to Hiatus Lounge and 10 percent off any service at OEX Dive & Kayak.

La Jolla is growing and is perfect place to call home in Southern California. If you are looking for the perfect place to call home, contact a La Jolla Realtor today at 888-865-5055.

Oceanside International Film Festival

The Oceanside International Film Festival will host a military themed preview party on August 11 for the upcoming film festival. The party will be a three hour event beginning at 1:00pm at the Oceanside Library located at 330 North Coast Highway.

Two feature length documentaries will be screened intended at honoring military veterans – Flat Daddy & Voices of a Never Ending Dawn.

Flat Daddy

Flat Daddy is a documentary by Nara Garber & Betsy Nagler. The story is of four families that use cardboard cutouts that are life sized to symbolize their husbands, wives, parents, and children serving overseas.

Dmitriy Demidov, organizer of the festival, stated that this documentary qualifies as an "outreach program, because as troops return home in growing numbers to a stagnant economy and grapple with the physical and psychological tolls of their service, their families need our support more than ever."

This is a Brooklyn made documentary that has not been released to home video at this time. The film will also be shown again during the festival with the hopes of receiving the Audience Choice Award.

Voices of a Never Ending Dawn

Pamela Peak’s Voices of a Never Ending Dawn has had quite a bit of exposure due to its airing on PBS. As stated by OIFF, "The film tells an emotional story of men, officially designated the American North Russian Expeditionary Force and also known as ‘Detroit’s Own’ and ‘Polar Bears’, who were sent by President Wilson to North Russia where they fought the Bolshevik Red Army from September 1918 through June 1919."

This event is completely free of charge to veterans, military and families as long as they provide military and register in advance. Civilians can receive admission for only $5 when they register in advance. Walks in will be available according to the availability of seating. The OIFF will be held from August 16 to 19.

Oceanside offers a wide array of family events throughout the year. If this sounds like a community you would like to call home, contact a real estate professional at 888-865-5055.

Encinitas Bus Driver Wins Competition

Antonio Perez, San Dieguito Union High School District bus driver, showed the world he is the best in the industry.

Antonio Perez spent the majority of his summer training for the 42nd annual School Bus Driver International Safety Competition. The competition took place in Milwaukee earlier in June.

During the event, dozens of best drivers from the US and Canada had to prove their ability behind the wheel on a closed course. Perez said the competition was tough but he brought home the 2012 title in the category of transit bus which is one of the hardest of all categories as it involves the largest vehicles.

He talked with a reporter from the Patch on his experience and the competition. When asked how long he had been driving school buses, he replied, "I started driving buses when I was 20, and I’ve been doing this for 20 years. I’ve spent the past 10 years driving buses for the San Dieguito Union High School District."

He was then asked about his win and if it was the first national win. Perez stated, "Yes, but I’ve competed three times. I competed once in 2006 and again in 2007. I guess the third time’s the charm. This year I also won my third state title, and I started competing in local bus rodeos in 2006. "

The reporter than asked about his strategy and he replied, "Practice really does make perfect, so I did a whole lot of that. I was putting in about ten hours a week, mostly on the weekends. Whether it was parallel parking or student loading, I’d just break down each maneuver step-by-step until I perfected it."

Next, the reporter from the Patch asked if natural talent may have helped with the competition. Perez explained, "I was asked to start training other bus drivers a year-and-a-half into my career, so I grasped it pretty quickly. My father also drove buses, so I’m thinking maybe genetics have something to do with it."

To answer the question about the challenges of driving a bus, Perez stated, "The amount of blind spots. I don’t think most people realize how many there are. As bus drivers, we depend on our mirrors. It’s important we set them up just right because we have trust what we see in those mirrors."

How does it feel to be considered the best bus driver was the next question. Perez stated, "It feels awesome. I do this to test myself, to find out how good I can really be. Ultimately, the goal is to also keep all the students on my bus safe, and I do my best to relay that message to every bus driver I train."

The last question was if Perez would return next year to defend his title and he replied, "Oh yeah—I don’t plan on stopping. I’ll keep doing this as long as I still have it in me."

If you are looking for the perfect home with quality schools and of course the best school driver in the nation, then you will want to take a look at the homes in the Encinitas area. An Encinitas real estate agent, would love to show you all the homes available. Contact a professional at 888-865-5055.

Chula Vista’s Budget Gaps Filled

Even though there have been continued revenue shortfalls, Chula Vista’s budget for the upcoming year does include $60,000 to help fill a funding gap for the city’s Domestic Violence Response Team, an extra $80,000 for the Police Department, and an additional $240,000 for community recreation programs.

The City Council passed a balanced budget for 2012 – 2013 for $124 million just prior to the deadline on June 30 which is set in the city’s charter. The meeting lasted most of sic hours with the majority of the time spent discussing the decision to consolidate the recreation departments and the library.

Earlier in the month, Councilman Rudy Ramirez and Deputy Mayor Steve Castaneda estimated that consolidating could save around $300,000 which could go to community recreation programs. On June 19, Recreation Director Buck Martin was fired during a vote on the matter; however, the council backtracked this week. The council decided to delay the consolidation by months until it has been discussed with community groups as well as hire an assistant director that would head up the department temporary.

Finance Director Maria Kachadoorian’s numbers do not show the same savings and predicted a smaller savings from such a merger. Castaneda and Ramirez found money elsewhere in spite of disagreements from colleagues Mayor Cheryl Cox and Councilwoman Pamela Benssoussan.

The extra funding for the recreational programs will come from three different sources including "$80,000 in reserve funds that the council originally planned to set aside for one of two unnamed potential ballot measures in the future; $100,000 from city employee salary cuts; and $60,000 in salary savings from firing Recreation Director Buck Martin and hiring an assistant director to replace him.

"I hope in time we are able to see this as an improvement and a way of preparing ourselves for the future and as a fiscally important and prudent course of action," Ramirez told his colleagues and the full chamber.

The council ignored a news release from the Chula Vista Police Officers Association that requested 20 more police offers. They did however, approve an operations and staffing plan from Police Chief David Bejarano. His plan was based on a recent report and is believed will cost $80,000 while increasing proactive time for police officers from 22% to the recommended level of 40%.

The police force accounts for around 35% of the city’s general fund budget.

The $80,000 will be used to add 2 ½ community service officer positions to department’s payroll. The council signed off on the request to add 2 peace officers which will bring the police force total to 218 officers. These new additions will be able to help the department with administrative duties.

The $60,000 for the Domestic Violence Response Team will come from the city’s reserve funds and go to South Bay Community Services. This is a nonprofit organization that lost $170,000 in federal and state funding for the response service it provides for the city after the Police Department missed the deadline to apply. This program supports the operation of police by providing first responders on the sites of domestic disturbances.

City Manager Jim Sandoval stated that the additional measure is not necessary due to the other measures the Police Department is taking to increase its effectiveness.

"As you know, we do have a plan to move that 22 percent in proactive time to 43 percent by January of 2013, which would put us three percent over that target," he explained. "I just don’t want people to think we’re not addressing it."

Council members approved the money for domestic violence response, with Ramirez stressing the fact that the majority of the planned improvements of the police force will not cost the city any money. In addition, he explained that based on the consulting group’s study and report, even after carrying out the plan by the chief, there will still be room for improvement.

"The Matrix study asks for a much higher standard than even we are contemplating accomplishing in our implementation plan," he stated.

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