Leucadia Blog

Dan Thanked for His Compliance with the City's Laws

2009-11-29T14:56:00.000-08:00

In August 2008 the city sends a letter to Deputy Mayor Dalager. It was a notice that he is no longer in violation of city codes now that he has converted his 3 unit rental building back to a 2 unit building.
These pictures are from today. It is curious, but not definitive, that there are now three addresses on the building.

Leucadia Sand Update

2009-11-28T07:52:00.000-08:00

November 15, 2009 Sand Report
Back by Popular Demand!

We've already had several wind swells, which has helped flatten the beach profile.

Cobbles remain a notable part of the beach environment.

Just like the kelp on the beach, the cobbles are a part of the Leucadia experience.

Despite the taxpayer purchased construction soil being deposited, and taxpayer funded sand lobbyists, the coastal bluffs of Leucadia remain exposed to surf at high tide.

Click to Enlarge

Cobbles are part of our natural environment and have been used as decorative and structural components of Leucadia's infrastructure.

The Highway 101 workshops were dominated by traffic issues and I didn't see or hear much discussion about the streetscape elements. I would vote for including cobblestone decorated elements to the streetscape.

See Also:
Romancing the Cobble Stone
Beach Replenished with Construction Dirt

Most Boring Topic Ever Just Became Most Boring Topic Possible

2009-11-25T13:36:00.000-08:00

From some press release website:

Gary Tucker, former CEO of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, alleged today in San Diego Superior Court that the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, Pres. Ken Gross, Board Member Colleen Walsh, and her company CFO To-Go have repeatedly defamed him.

Your H1N1 Local Update

2009-11-24T21:43:00.000-08:00

According to Ch 8 there has been 8 deaths in San Diego county related to the H1N1 flu.

The latest victims were 44-, 46-, 47- and 67-year-old men and women aged 35, 41, 42 and 48, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
All but one of the victims had underlying medical conditions, according to the HHSA. Three of the victims were not San Diego County residents.

All tested positive for H1N1, but the virus might not be the cause of death, the HHSA reported.
So far, there have been 45 deaths in San Diego County linked to the H1N1 influenza, according to the HHSA. Thirty-eight of the victims were from San Diego County and seven were visiting.
There have been 659 people hospitalized with the virus locally, according to the HHSA.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Bigger Things to Worry About

2009-11-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

The Leucadia blog focuses on the local. There are bigger issues than how we enjoy our hometown, ways to improve Leucadia, and lurking threats to the qualities that made us choose to stay here.

We know there are more important issues. Here are a few examples:

Unbalanced budget of the United States of America

By 2030, the optimistic projections say that the USA will be broke and our debt payments will be making foreign countries happy. Watch I.O.U.S.A. [here]. It is worth your time to see what some people think our country needs to do to avoid the decay of the USA.

Financial Blabs of Trillion Dollar Proportions

At the same time, we have federal and state governments that have little accountability. The political parties, voters, and increasingly, the press rarely follow through when really bad decisions are made or when decisions are made to benefit special friends instead of the general public.

Brookysly Born was pushed aside and called a naysayer. She held out a warning that all of America should regret not digesting. It was a mistake the public should learn from.

Watch the full version of Frontline here. Watching it is worth the punchline about the Obama administration and our hope for a change in the accountability of our leaders.

National Security

At the same time, we have serious national security threats and we will have our friends, neighbors, and children being sent off to fight insurgencies for many years ahead (if we still have capacity to fund the military).

Watch the documentary called Obama's war that has changed people's mind about our challenges in Afghanistan.

Water Resources at Risk

Good news. A threat to a key water source is being cleaned up (with a billion dollar aftertaste).

Initially, plans were to cap the radioactive tailings in place because of the high costs of moving them away from the river. After "naysayers" pointed out that no one had noted that the tailings pile lay on the outside bend of the Colorado River (see photo above) where natural processes could eventually erode away not only the cap but the tailings themselves, possibly sending them into a water supply for much of the West, the government decided to move the whole pile away from the river [source].

The Local Stuff

There are huge challenges that dwarf our local issues and many of those issues will define our futures more than locally made decisions. The presence of bigger challenges does not excuse us from reviewing local decisions. Many of those local decisions still have significant impacts to our quality of life, even if they are in the background of more serious challenges.

We should expect our local government to lead by example.

Botanical Gems of Leucadia: Part 4

2009-11-22T16:01:00.000-08:00

Macadamia

Leucadia is a great place to grow macadamia trees. You’ll find them scattered throughout the older neighborhoods and, right now, many of these trees are loading up with this season's crop. One of the nice things about macadamia (as a backyard tree) is the fruits drop when they are ready to be harvested.
I’m told mac's tend do well in California where avocado are grown and do best along the coast. Commercial growers often give them as much water as they would avocados. This can be a lot of water. Macadamias originate from rain forests in Australia, however they are known for their ability to withstand drought conditions. They won’t produce as much with reduced water, but they can hang on and do well with strategic supplemental watering.

I’ve got two macadamia volunteers that have never been irrigated. If you have a keen eye you’ll find old mac trees in the open space by the golf course and in the vacant lot next to Station 3. They don’t look so hot now, but I’d bet that a wet winter or mild supplemental water would ramp up their production again.

Macadamias are sensitive to frost, but our coastal climate moderates extremes of temperatures, which is one of the great natural features of Leucadia. The Burdick variety was developed in Encinitas and was known for its thin shell (it is actually a seed coat). Most kids who grew up in Leucadia were exposed to lots of Avocados, Loquats, and Macadamias. There are still some macadamia orchards in Leucadia that are used for small scale commercial production. Macadamia nuts are crazy tough to get open. If you have a tree, invest in a specialty nutcracker and check out these suggestions for processing the nuts.

Macadamias don’t need much care, have few pests (beyond rodents), and are part of the history of Leucadia. We will be propagating new trees so let us know if you want to adopt one.

See Also: Botanical Gems Series, & Macadamia Facts

Streetfair Today

2009-11-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

Here is the entertainment schedule for today:

Courtyard Stage

11:00am – 1:00pm Adrienne Nims & Spirit Wind
1:30pm – 3:30pm Luna Llena

Community Stage

11:00am-11:30am Dance Fitness
11:30am – 12:00pm California Music Studios
12:00pm – 12:30pm Scripps Performing Arts Academy
12:30pm – 1:00pm Chanara Casey Richmond
1:00pm – 1:30pm Janice Lee Ballet
1:30pm – 2:00pm Kelsie Martin (from Singing Solo)
2:00pm – 2:30pm Dance Connection
2:30pm – 3:00pm Encinitas School of Music Jazz Big Band
3:00pm – 3:30pm Encinitas School of Music Jazz Big Band
3:30pm – 4:00pm Pink Army

How to drive in a Roundabout

2009-11-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

Click image for large view. Study carefully. You will need this knowledge.

DOGS!

2009-11-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

nctimes.com: ENCINITAS: Off-leash dog hours debated before commissioners

"We feel we have lost our park to the dogs," said Cathy Andrews, who also lives in Quail Gardens. "It is perceived as a dog park, and once the dogs started coming there, we were outnumbered."

Tim Baird spoke in favor of extending off leash hours to Hawk View Park.
"I believe the city should use the criteria it has already used (when it originally decided to allow off-leash hours at some parks). Is there something unique to this park? No. Quail Gardens is on a big street and has parking. The design of the park separates the dogs from the playground and the lawn is under-utilized for sports ... These are the criteria that should be used to determine whether a neighborhood park should be used, not on who brings the largest pitch forks and yells the loudest."

*blogger's note-Did Tim just move here or something? Don't mock our large pitch forks, it's an Encinitas tradition.

The City Council is scheduled to consider Wednesday whether to expand off-leash hours from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at Orpheus, Sun Vista and Viewpoint Parks.

An unholy alliance forged in Encinitas

2009-11-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Another op-ed about the most boring issue Encinitas has ever faced, the Chamber of Commerce drama.

nctimes.com: BATRA: Reps not doing the right thing

What's even more puzzling is Maggie Houlihan, who requested an independent third party audit from the chamber, chose to pay them even though they failed to provide the required audit, and maintain a commercial insurance policy indemnifying the city, as required by their contract. What compelled her to continue paying a vendor that failed to meet basic obligations it was contracted to meet?

See also Leucadia Blog: Kydd Wants Bailout for Encinitas Chamber of Commerce

Read past blog post about the chamber, click here

Local dogs to be unleashed?

2009-11-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

nctimes.com: ENCINITAS: Dog politics to dominate City Hall meetings next week

Excerpts:

On Tuesday, the city's Parks and Recreation Commission will consider whether to allow off-leash dogs at Hawk View Park on Heron Avenue and Glen Park on Orinda Drive.
That meeting, which begins at 4 p.m. at City Hall, is expected to become intense because homeowners near the two parks are divided over the issue, residents and city officials said Friday.

If the commission decides to support off-leash hours at the two parks, it will probably recommend that the hours be identical to what exists at the three city parks where off-leash dogs currently are allowed, Commissioner Doug Long said Friday.
Those three parks --- Orpheus Park in Leucadia, Sun Vista Park in Olivenhain and Viewpoint Park on D Street near City Hall ---- now allow dogs to run leash-free from 6 to 7:30 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
However, those off-leash hours may change.

On Wednesday, the City Council will consider whether to expand them and allow off-leash dogs from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 8 p.m. on those days as well as on Sundays.
Debate over whether to give dogs more freedom in city parks jumped into the public spotlight last summer when sheriff's deputies ticketed 18 people with off-leash dogs at Viewpoint, Orpheus and Hawk View parks. The tickets were issued about a half hour after the nighttime off-leash hours ended at Viewpoint and Orpheus parks.
People who got the $445 tickets, as well as other off-leash dog supporters, have lobbied fiercely since to get the city to increase its off-leash periods. The city's mayor said Friday that she believes the new expanded-hours proposal meets those requests.

Blogger's note-
People in Encinitas are very passionate about their dogs. There are many pet stores and veterinarians located in Encinitas that are major contributors to our local economy.

Titan, 2nd place Howl 'O Ween costume contest winner 2009.

"Biggest thing ever" in Oceanside today

2009-11-14T20:48:00.000-08:00

The proposed Swamis 2010 ASP (Associated Surfing Professionals) women's longboard surf contest has been described as "the biggest thing to ever come to Encinitas". This weekend the ASP is holding a men's and women's longboard contest at Oceanside Pier. The finals start Sunday morning at 8 am. It is without a doubt, the biggest thing to ever happen to Oceanside.

Follow the action on the PLA website (Professional Longboard Association) click here. Or visit in person and gasp at the large crowds that these longboard surf contest draw. The absolute hugeness of it all may blow your mind.

Hidden camera footage of a Encinitas city council backroom deal

2009-11-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

Genuine Traditions

2009-11-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

Dan D. changed the "Holiday" Parade back to the "Christmas" Parade because of local tradition. No contests at Swami's is also a local tradition and should be respected.

N. Glasgow

Parks and Rec: Sister City

2009-11-13T21:51:00.001-08:00

Artist by Artist

2009-11-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

more info click here

Swamis Not Reservable

2009-11-12T19:56:00.000-08:00

Swamis systematically being shut off

2009-11-11T21:13:00.000-08:00

In this photo: lobster boat and a diverse crowd of surfers. Soon there will be no boat and only 4 people in the water surfing for points and money. Yay!
Map via the North County Times website.
Lobster fisherman are being banned from the Swamis kelp forest. For now you can still spear white seabass. Soon the waves at Swamis will be controlled by private interest groups half the year. What is happening to Swamis???
Read the nctimes.com story: TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS CLOSING KELP BEDS

Nov 30th-An Evening to Benefit the Employees of Calypso

2009-11-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

At the Belly Up in Solana Beach! More details here.

Jerome Stocks throws the best internet hissy fit in forever

2009-11-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

Encinitas former mayor and current city councilman Jerome Stocks is one of the bloggers over at SD Rostra. His latest post is a classic hissy fit of epic proportions. He completely wigs out over a mailer he received from The Young Republicans asking for money for their Christmas party, which was signed by Joe Sheffo who ran for Encinitas city council against Stocks in 2008. *whew*

Read Jerome's blog post, GO POUND SAND

SD Rostra then let Joe Sheffo respond with this tightly written post, SHEFFO RESPONDS TO STOCKS

Surprised

2009-11-09T18:28:00.000-08:00

This email from Linda Benson has been circulating all day. It addresses the rumor that she had decided to do the right thing and stop pursuing the controversial Swamis contest:

Dear All,

I've just been contacted by Tanya Mannes the Union Tribune writer of yesterday's article on the contest. She wanted to confirm if I had, indeed, decided to not go forward with the event. I was surprised. In the comment section, Gary Baum's communication to the Club membership was quoted stating that due to the split in the community over the contest, I had decided to withdraw.

What I agreed to last night talking to Gary was that it was probably in the best interest of the Club for Dan Dalager and I not to attend Tuesday evening. The Club is not a public forum and the opposition was rallying people to attend. The City Council is the place for such a public forum. I stated last night that I had not yet made any decision about the event.

Gary and I have just spoken and he will clarify to the members that a decision has not been made to withdraw from pursuing the event. He had a different impression of our conversation.

I just wanted you to know that I haven't made a decision about the event. If I do, I certainly will let people know in my own way.

Linda

Dan had been quoted as saying people shouldn’t mount opposition to a project “before they have any idea what the facts are.”

What facts are we missing? We won't know if Dan and Linda do not show up to tell us.

This meeting would have been the perfect time to explain to the opposition what it is they misunderstand. Now, the opposition will only grow as it is looking like Linda does not want to publicly address questions about this contest. Dan certainly knows that a council meeting will be a place where Linda will not have to answer questions from the public. Dan and Linda should reconsider.

Send Dan an email at ddalager@ci.encinitas.ca.usand ask him to fill you in on the important facts to consider.

Dalager to address small tribe Tues 7pm

2009-11-09T08:36:00.000-08:00

SWAMIS MEETING - Regarding the Proposed Contest At Swamis - This Tuesday Night (tomorrow) Nov 10th 7pm above Pillbox. Solana Beach Rec Center. Encinitas city councilman Dan Dalager and contest organizer Linda Benson will be there to pitch their case for the privatization of a public resource to the Swamis Surfing Association.

“We’re talking about public resources,” Dalager said. “Are we going to have a system of law, or are we going to have little local tribes that decide what everybody can do?”

Leucadia Blog: Holy Moly

Holy Moly

2009-11-07T23:58:00.000-08:00

Dalager was quoted in the UT about the Swamis contest.

“We’re talking about public resources,” Dalager said. “Are we going to have a system of law, or are we going to have little local tribes that decide what everybody can do?”

Dan is the guy who condones subversion of the law, backroom deals, and enjoys doing favors at city hall for his bros. Dan has endorsed the idea of commanding his sheriffs to not enforce laws that he personally doesn't like. He has told friends of mine how to violate building codes and not get caught. General plan laws and municipal code laws don't apply to Danny's tribe of supporters. Public records laws and open government laws are something for him to literally laugh about.

Recommendation for Dan
Instead of doing personal favors for your bros, correct/set up city policies to the benefit of everyone.

Dan has done favors for my friends when they ran into issues at city hall. Instead of fixing the structural problem so the rest of us wouldn't have to deal with the same crap, Dan provides personal favors. Expectations come with the favors.

Side Notes on the Contest
If the city wants 1, 2, 3 + contests at Swamis the city should make that as a policy decision and then the city should take competitive proposals for the contest slots.

I consider Linda a budding Dalager bro. She supported Dalager in his last election and never answered questions about why she was supporting him or her interest in being involved. Both Linda and I (a former Dalager supporter) are partially responsible for the current way in which issues are handled at city hall.

See Also:
No Word from Dalager
It is all on Dalager Now
Dalager, Developers, and Campaign Supporters

LKP CRC Food Drive

2009-11-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

Leucadia Kids for Peace

Sponsors a

Non Perishable Food Drive

Benefitting the

Community Resource Center (CRC) in Encinitas

Saturday, November 21 from 2:00 – 4:00

Moonlight Beach Park
Encinitas

Please bring non perishable food items to the park on this date! The Leucadia Kids for Peace group will transport the items to the CRC. The CRC is open that afternoon and awaiting our delivery. Let’s help them stock their pantry for the holidays! Here is a list of ‘High Needs Items’.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO

For sale to the highest bidder

2009-11-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

Beautiful point break for rent. Have the waves all to yourself and your gang. Cash prizes and t-shirts too!

See Also: Online discussion with Linda and Cori, the contest promoters.