Cardiff Encinitas
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A motorcyclist was seriously injured in Encinitas Saturday when the rider hit an SUV that was making a U-turn on South Coast Highway 101, sheriff’s officials said.
The driver of a Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicle made the U-turn in front of the southbound motorcycle south of Santa Fe Drive about 3 p.m. Saturday.
Sheriff’s officials said the motorcycle rider suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries, and was taken to a hospital.
Authorities did not release the age or gender of either driver.
San Elijo Conservancy WANTS YOU to be a decent docent. Deadline Sept. 16 - Sign up today!
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Docent Class of 2010
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is looking for a few good --no, make that GREAT! -- docents.
These guides help people make the most of their hike, pointing out the nuances and history there missed by many.
The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is ooking for a few good volunteers to serve as nature ambassadors. A comprehensive training program will prepare docents to lead interpretive walks for school and scout groups, as well as for weekend visitors and other community groups. Previous interpretive experience is not required.
“I think we’re all a little nervous at first,” said Elizabeth Venrick, a retired oceanographer who donates her time to the conservancy as a volunteer docent. “Every tour I do I learn something new and exciting. Sometimes I learn from the people on my tour.”
Her particular tour involves highlighting information about the many species of estuary plant and animal life, but also the history of the area dating back to the last Native American Kumeyaay, who relied upon this lagoon for its vast resources. She can rattle off the Latin names of various species of plant and animal, which impresses the adults, but her favorite audience is the children.
“I get a kick out having a child reach into a bush and rub a Lemonadeberry. They are amazed at the sour flavor. Their smiles tell me I hit the jackpot.” She then proceeds to tell how the Kumeyaay made lemon tea with these plants hundreds of years ago.
All the tools to lead walks will be provided in the eight-week training that begins Oct. 4. The final application deadline is Sept. 16. The program cost is $125 and includes membership in San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy. As a special incentive to enroll early, applications received by September 1 will only cost $110.
The mission of San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is to protect and restore the resources of San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, its watershed, and related ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. This fall SELC kicks off its 25th Anniversary celebration for the upcoming 2012 year.
As a naturalist with the Conservancy, you’ll be supporting our core mission to protect and enhance San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, by fostering stewardship and appreciation of this wetland environment.
DOCENT-NATURALIST ROLE: TRAIL GUIDE
The Conservancy’s greatest volunteer need is to lead school children on field trips, with a majority of students in the elementary grades. In addition, the Conservancy offers Weekend Walks for the public on Saturdays. Community groups also can arrange for special docent-led tours of the reserve.
Most guided walks are held Wednesday through Saturday mornings, with Fall and Spring as peak field trip seasons.
DOCENT-NATURALIST BENEFITS
- Personal fulfillment by supporting an organization that gives back to the community
- Hosted get-togethers with natural history experts and semi-annual celebrations
- Membership in San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy (SELC hat and polo shirt)
Cardiff Kook Dinosaur Attack - Behind the Scenes as the Pterodactyl Takes Flight @ Cardiff, Calif.
Visit korduroy.tv/2011/cardiff-kook-dinosaur-attack-behind-the-scenes for pics and full story...
Cardiff Kook Dinosaur Attack - Behind the Scenes from www.KORDUROY.tv on Vimeo.
In the early morning hours a knock was heard at the door of Korduroy.tv headquarters. On the doorstep was a note and a hard drive containing video of the Pterodactyl dinosaur installation on the Cardiff Kook. We don’t know why the artist(s) chose us to share the making of this masterpiece with the world, perhaps it is because of our coverage of the last great Kook Attackor the nice video Cy did in 8 hours to try and save the local Yoga Yurt.
One thing is for certain, the installation is an amazing display of artistry, teamwork and coordination that must have taken months of planning. The following video tells a tale of fun, glory and the cruel pecking order of life in a Utopian community. Enjoy.
California Dept. of Public Health Issues Administrative Penalties to Five Local Hospitals, including Scripps Memorial Encinitas and La Jolla...
(General Hospital -- Or at lest Scripps Memorial Encinitas, along with Scripps La Jolla, among 12 hospitals fined by California public health officials Thursday for "noncompliance with licensing requirements [that] caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients." The facilities can appeal within 10 days. Otherwise, they have to submit plans to correct the problems to prevent future incidents.)
CDPH Issues Administrative Penalties to 12 Hospitals in San Diego County including
Date: 6/2/2011
Number: 11-025
Contact: Al Lundeen (916) 440-7259
SACRAMENTO
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today twelve California hospitals have been assessed administrative penalties after it was determined the facilities’ noncompliance with licensing requirements caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.
ScrippsHealth officials issued the following response: “Scripps believes strongly in doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our patients. In 2009 and 2010, we discovered and self-reported to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) the unfortunate incidents that resulted in the penalties mentioned in the CDPH’s statement today.” It said La Jolla incident “involved a retained angioplasty guide wire, which was discovered during a follow-up procedure and uneventfully removed.” The statement also said Scripps “self-reported both incidents, and notified the patient and their families. In both cases, the patient was unharmed. We have put in place changes in our processes to prevent events such as these from occurring in the future.”
AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center, Anaheim, Orange County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when it did not follow its patient care and surgical policies and procedures. This is the first administrative penalty issued to the hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, Martinez, Contra Costa County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when it did not follow its policies and procedures for the safe distribution and administration of medication. This is the first administrative penalty issued to the hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when it did not follow its patient care policies and procedures for on-going patient monitoring and assessment of patient care. This is the second administrative penalty issued to the hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Emanuel Medical Center, Turlock, Stanislaus County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when it did not follow its policies and procedures for the safe distribution and administration of medication. This is the first administrative penalty issued to the hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Kaiser Foundation Hospital, San Francisco, San Francisco County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when it did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This is the first administrative penalty issued to the hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, Burlingame, San Mateo County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when it did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This is the first administrative penalty issued to the hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when it did not implement its policies and procedures for the administration of medications. This is the first administrative penalty issued to the hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Administrative penalties are issued under authority granted by Health and Safety Code section 1280.1. New legislation took effect January 1, 2009 that increased fines for incidents that occurred in 2009 or later. Under the new provisions, an administrative penalty carries a fine of $50,000 for the first violation, $75,000 for the second, and $100,000 for the third or subsequent violation at the same hospital. Incidents that occurred prior to 2009 carry a fine of $25,000 and are not counted in this total.
When hospitals receive their survey findings, they are required to provide CDPH with a plan of correction to prevent future incidents. Hospitals can appeal an administrative penalty by requesting a hearing within ten (10) calendar days of notification. If a hearing is requested, the penalties must be paid if upheld following an appeal.
All hospitals in California are required to comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing general acute care hospitals which ensure quality of care.
Memorial day, new location, Surfliners and coasters AT Cardiff CA!
(Editor's Note: Really? Really? For those who just can;t get enough train stuff. This, and more than 1,000 other similar videos, are available at xtremepadrefan and andross51 Youtube page. Also, editorial advisory for - believe it or not - salty language, so it's a real trip, mon. Enjoy!)
TITLE SAYS IT ALL!
For a new location on memorial day, me and andross51 decided to film at this crossing just south of CP cardiff in Cardiff CA. Bunch of great surfliners and coasters. Engines and cabcars are in video. enjoy.
-- shot by xtremepadrefan and andross51
Ballsy Burgers and Brews at Encinitas Ale House on South Coast Highway 101...
Encinitas Ale House
1044 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas CA 92024 (map); 760-943-7180; encinitasalehouse.com
Cooking Method: Grilled
Short Order: Excellent selection of delicious flame-kissed burgers, including a Kobe burger that's worth the premium price
Want Fries With That? Yes! Cajun shoestring fries come with the burger, or upgrade to battered sweet potato fries
Price: Santana Burger, $11.50; Grass Fed Kobe Wagyu Burger, $16.95
Notes: 2-for-1 Angus and veggie burger night on Tuesday nights. Second location (different name, same menu) in La Jolla
(Editor's Note: This review is courtesy of the fantastic Erin Jackson, whose San Diego Sugar blog puts calories on you just by reading. It is at: http://www.sandiegosugar.com/.)
When a restaurant finds the delicate balance between an elaborate beer selection and a solid menu, it's a beautiful thing. So many restaurants place a disproportionate amount of attention on amassing an enviable collection of taps or putting together an excellent menu, often resulting in a good place to get a pint or something to eat, but rarely both. San Diego's beer culture (and 30 local breweries) has bred some shining examples of when restaurants get the balance right, includingEncinitas Ale House, which offers 31 varieties of beer on tap, plus over 100 by the bottle, including specialty and limited release beers. Better yet, it came highly recommended by two SE'ers, drocksd andPommeDG.
The restaurant is dominated by a large bar, bracketed by a handful of tables, some of which offer a view through a window into the kitchen. Dim lighting and tight quarters make it the kind of casual place you'll want to get cozy and order a couple of beers.
The half-pound Angus beef Santana Burger featured a flame-kissed patty with visible grill lines and crunchy bits of char and caramelized fat. Despite being cooked through,the beef was moist and full of flavorful juice. My only complaint is the beef was so loosely packed that the patty fell apart while I was eating it, making for a messy experience that required several napkins.
The burger was loaded with flavors from smoky and spicy ancho mayo and pepper jack cheese, mild roasted poblano pepper, and creamy avocado. As evidenced by the autopsy shot, it's clear that this burger was heavy on the avocado—so much so that it looks like an avocado patty on top of the burger patty. For me, the abundance of avocado worked; the creaminess balanced out the spiciness and provided a compelling texture. My onion phobia compelled me to discard the caramelized grilled onions immediately after taking this photo, but my onion-friendly better half confirmed that they were delicious and added a tasty note of sweetness. With or without the onions, this was a stellar burger.
A slim toasted oat bun provided a good meat-to-bun ratio. The bun was denser and more substantial than most, which worked well with the slab of avocado. (A more typical soft, fluffy bun would have probably resulted in a too mushy burger.)
The grass-fed Kobe wagyu burger came out as a towering powerhouse of 10 ounces of Greg Norman Farms grass-fed (American style) Kobe beef, a slice of melted Gruyère cheese, gorgonzola crumbles, crispy onion straws, baby greens, and tomato.
After reading the AHT Guide to Hamburger and Cheeseburger Styles, I feared that the Kobe burger would be mushy. Thankfully it wasn't, perhaps due in part to the patty's thin shape. Unfortunately, the beef wasn't particularly moist or juicy, despite being medium rare. What was most impressive about this burger was that the strong steak-like flavor of the beef shone through all of the other toppings, even the gorgonzola. This burger seems to have broken AHT's string of Kobe burger flopsaround the country.
I'm serious about my sweet potato fries, and the spuds at Encinitas Ale House were definitely worth the $2 upgrade. The light and crunchy fries had a flaky, crisp coating, which yielded to a soft and fluffy center. The only thing missing was a little bit of that smoky ancho mayo on the side.
The main decision you're likely to face at Encinitas Ale House is whether to get one of the Angus burgers, or splurge for the Kobe burger. Based on my experience, I can sayeither option is a good idea. And with over 30 brews on tap (and 2-for-1 burger night on Tuesday nights), it's the type of spot that demands a return visit anyway.
(Erin Jackson, a local food writer with a passion for all things sweet. Erin is a lifetime sugar fiend whose first word was “candy”. Since moving to San Diego, her goal has been to discover the best cheap and tasty eats, including the many options for dessert and other sweet treats.
When she’s not mowing down on a cupcake - or burning off the calories on her trusty bike - Erin reviews the San Diego burger and pizza scene for Serious Eats.)
Construction Complete for New Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, (Calif.) Parking Structure
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (www.mccarthy.com), one of the nation’s leading builders, has completed construction of the new 884-space parking structure on the existing Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas campus, located at 354 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, Calif.
Scripps Health is the developer of the $10,278,964 design-build parking structure, which replaced a surface parking lot. The project represents the first phase of a planned $200 million expansion of the Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas campus. Future expansion plans call for construction of a two-story, 60,000-square-foot critical care building that will house 27 emergency department beds on the first floor and 36 private acute care beds on the second floor. Farther-reaching plans include expansion for outpatient services, medical office space and additional critical care and inpatient beds to serve the community well into the future.
The new 278,000-square-foot parking structure accommodates five levels of parking, including one subterranean and one rooftop level. The structure consists of Class II cast-in-place reinforced concrete, which McCarthy self-performed. The exterior features a combination of concrete and EIFS synthetic stucco. The scope of work on this project by McCarthy also entailed related site work, including landscaping, installation of irrigation systems, and significant rerouting of existing utilities.
“We’re exceptionally grateful to the individuals and families who have supported our organization’s mission to provide an unprecedented level of health care to the San Diego community,” said Carl Etter, chief executive of Scripps Health. “The completion of the new parking structure at Scripps Encinitas is a major milestone reached in our overall expansion plan. We’re very pleased with McCarthy’s performance and how well this construction project turned out.”
The construction site for the new parking structure was in the heart of the existing hospital campus, and therefore posed significant ingress/egress and subcontractor scheduling challenges. According to McCarthy Project Director Robert Betz, McCarthy worked closely with Scripps Health to devise and implement a plan that minimized disruption to ongoing traffic and activities at the hospital during construction, and created a highly favorable outcome. The project was successfully accomplished within budget and a short, 12-month construction timeline.
“An interesting aspect of this construction project was that it benefited a large section of Encinitas shoreline,” said Betz. “Working with the City of Encinitas, we hauled approximately 16,000 cubic yards of excavated, good-quality sand to Moonlight Beach to replace sand lost to erosion. The operation proved worthwhile and will ultimately provide considerably more play area for beachgoers.”
International Parking Design is the architect-of-record. Jessen-Wright was the structural engineer, E3 Design Group was the electrical engineer, B&P Associates was the mechanical engineer, and Latitude 33 served as the civil engineer. M.W. Peltz & Associates was the landscape architect.
The Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas expansion is part of numerous improvements being made throughout the Scripps Health System. McCarthy just began construction for the new 383,000-square-foot Scripps Cardiovascular Institute and adjacent 26,000-square-foot Central Energy Plant on the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla campus, in La Jolla, Calif. Construction of this new $456 million, state-of-the-art facility is scheduled for completion in January 2015.
Scripps Health also contracted McCarthy for the 13,796-square-foot expansion of the Scripps Mercy Hospital Emergency Department in central San Diego. This project involved realignment of Fifth Avenue, which constituted phase one. McCarthy crews have topped out steel on the new addition, named the Conrad Prebys Emergency and Trauma Center, which comprises phase two and is scheduled for completion in December of this year. Phase three will involve remodeling of the existing Emergency Department and exterior parking lot.
McCarthy is the nation’s 10th largest domestic general contractor (Engineering News-Record, May 2010) and has been one of the nation's leading parking structure builders since the advent of the modern parking structure in the 1960s. The company has delivered nearly 400 parking facilities throughout the United States, with parking spaces for more than 70,000 cars in California alone. The firm offers general contracting, construction management, program management and design/build services for parking structures; healthcare, educational, mixed-use, laboratory, biotechnical, retail, entertainment, industrial, multifamily and microelectronics facilities; office buildings; tenant interiors; and bridges and highways. In addition to San Diego, McCarthy has offices in Newport Beach, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; St. Louis; Dallas and Atlanta. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is one of five acute care hospital campuses in the Scripps Health system, a non-profit health care organization based in San Diego, Calif. In 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, Scripps was named a 100 Best Companies to Work For® by FORTUNE magazine. Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is North San Diego County’s first certified primary stroke center, first World Health Organization designated baby-friendly hospital in San Diego, and the only CARF-accredited brain injury program in San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties. Scripps Encinitas offers a full range of clinical and surgical services, including 24-hour emergency services; intensive care; cancer/oncology; orthopedics; neurology; urology; ophthalmology; a Level II neonatal nursery; award-winning OB/GYN and maternal and infant health services; and an ambulatory surgery center. With more than 650 physicians, 1,400 employees and 158 beds, Scripps Encinitas has served the growing communities of San Diego’s North County since 1978.
A new parking garage for Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. What do you think? Comment below...
English Surfer Ben Ellis Does Cardiff (-at-the-sea, Calif.) on his way to enlightenment, or at least San Clemente...
For more from Ben Ellis, check out Surftide/UK at http://www.surftide.co.uk/.
The kindness of strangers
So I’ve been staying in Cardiff By The Sea for 5 nights now and loving every moment of it. The weather has been perfect, sunny with a cool breeze. Waves have been a mixed bag. But what has topped it all off is the kindness and friendliness of everyone I have met.
After leaving the boys in Vegas I have been travelling solo and camping out of the back of my SUV. I don’t have any blankets, pillows, sleeping bag or anything. So I improvised and have been sleeping in the back of the car in my board sock, fully clothed, using my dirty laundry sack as a pillow. Some may call that RAW camping!
Anyway, yesterday I met a bunch of people who I guess thought I was in need of a little TLC as I have had a tent, sleeping bag, roll mat, beers and firewood all given to me, without me even asking for a thing. Just goes to show, there are a lot of cool people out there!
I’m now in San Clemente staying at the San Mateo State Park and am fully kitted out and you could say I am almost glamping! Might even treat myself to a hot shower tomorrow as I haven’t had a proper wash since last Sunday!
Tonight I’m going downtown in San Clemente to see Mike (another Mike) and having a few beers and some pizza with my new OC crew!
Happy times!
Catching a few at Cardiff By The Sea, CA from Ben Ellis on Vimeo.
Meeting Shaun Tomson at Cardiff By The Sea
So last night after spending the afternoon surfing at Cardiff By The Sea I headed over the railroad tracks and up into town in search of some food. I decided to pop my head in the Patagonia store on the way and to my surprise there was a little book signing event and presentation by former pro-surfer Shaun Tomson.
Shaun is one of those guys who is inspirational and full of stoke. I had previously bought his book: The Surfer’s Code and loved it. He has just bought out a second edition and I took the opportunity to purchased a signed copy. Whilst I was there I couldn’t resist getting my skateboard signed and also getting a photo with the man himself.
One word, stoked!
Cardiff By the Sea - Ride #1 from Ben Ellis on Vimeo.
Cardiff By the Sea - Ride #2 from Ben Ellis on Vimeo.
San Clemente friends
So I met Mike Morse in the surf back in Cardiff By The Sea a few days back.
After trading waves with him, Ben and Eli for a few days I was invited to come down to San Diego for the weekend for a house party.
Last night I met a bunch of Mike’s friends, all super cool and chilled out. We had a blast having a few beers and some take out food down here in PB.
This morning we all grabbed breakfast and did a little thrift shopping.
Heading back to San Clemente soon and then one last surf and then it’s time to say my goodbyes and I’m driving up to San Francisco for the flight back home tomorrow.
It’s been a great end to an awesome trip and hopefully well keep in touch and get a few more waves in the near future.
Great people and good times all round, you’ve gotta love SolCal.
K5 Pro/Am Surf Klassic Kicking off Summer at Encinitas, Calif.
K5 Boardshops is hosting the 4th Annual K5 Pro/Am Surf Klassic Saturday May 29th at the legendary D Street break in Encinitas, CA. Presented by Volcom, Transworld Surf, Nixon, Reef, Lost, Dakine and Spy, the annual event attracts the top competitive pro and amateur surfers looking to grab a cash prize purse of $4,000. 100% of the entry fees go to the Boys and Girl¹s Clubs of San Dieguito.
The K5 Summer Surf Klassic is kicking off summer in style this Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to come by and watch the pro and amateur surfers going head to head with beautiful weather and waves in the forecast. An amazing long list of names rounded out the field last year including Cory Lopez, John John Florence, Chris Waring, Ricky Whitlock, Teddy Navarro, Dylan Goodale, Darrell Goodrum, 2009 champion Aaron Cormican and last year¹s Champion Killian Garland. We will see who shows up this year to claim victory!
Just as last year, there will be no doubt in the scoring. K5 has recruited the ASP judges as well as the ASP computer scoring system to give you instant scoring updates. There will be some amazing heats to watch from the beach.
Here are the details: The K5 Surf Klassic starts at 7am sharp with a maximum number of entries being 48. The entry fee is $65 which 100% of the proceeds go to Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito. There will be 4-man/20 minute heats with a 12 wave maximum per heat. The K5 ³Double Shred Points² take your best wave and double the score. The highest combined two wave score advances. The top two surfers advance per heat. 1st place is $2,000, 2nd place is $1,000, 3rd place is $500 and 4th place is $250. There will also be prizes provided by the sponsors. Be sure to bring your family and friends to hang out on the beach and kick off summer!
Go to K5.com for the on-line Surf Klassic entry form.
The Cardiff, Calif. Kook and His Magic Carpet Ride
For more on the Cardiff Kook, go to the source, visit thecardiffkook.org
Cardiff California is where the Cardiff Kook resides. Forever frozen in time,16 feet of hard bronze. A statuesque resemblance of a novice learning to surf.
The bronze statue was commissioned by the Cardiff Botanical Society and created by artist Matthew Antichevich, a local surfer. The statue was officially named The Magic Carpet Ride and erected in 2007 near San Elijo State Beach on Pacific Coast Highway in San Diego, Ca.
The artists intent was to portray a novice learning to surf as the area attracts many beginning surfers. When The Cardiff Botanical Society ran out of money they decided to downsize. So the statue is missing any actual surf.
The Cardiff Kook's magic carpet ride has been a very bumpy one. The locals unofficially renamed him The Cardiff Kook. Surf slang for a wannabe surfer. He's faced many a criticism from the local Cardiff community for his unrealistic portrayal of surfers. He's been shunned, labeled a ballerina not a surfer. The Kook has been repeatedly vandalized. Or in surf slang punked, gnarly bro.
The Kook has been mysteriously dressed up in a pink pleated skirt and bikini top, a Lucha Libre wrestling mask, and a Zorro costume. Once he was almost eaten by a papier mache shark about to swallow him from beneath. Fortunately, or unfortunately for some, he escaped jaws.
Many a holiday The Kook has been magically dressed up for the season. A pumpkin head for Halloween, a Santa Claus hat for Christmas, Uncle Sam for the fourth of July, and Cupid for Valentine’s Day. Most recently he dressed up in support of San Diego State in the NCAA Sweet 16 basketball conference. Sadly SDSU lost but his outfit was marvelous! This was my personal favorite.
The City of Cardiff officially discourages these pranks. However, they boost the tourist trade in Cardiff. The Kook even has his own calendar for sale in local shops. Love him or hate him, The Cardiff Kook is here to stay. Can't we all just get along?
BONUS COVERAGE:
The Cardiff botanical society thought it was honoring surfers when it spent $120,000 to erect a 16-foot tall statue of one riding a wave. Instead, it inspired a wave of humiliation for the hapless bronze dude.
Locals nicknamed it the "Cardiff Kook," derisive surfer slang for a wannabe surfer.
Critics also took to the Internet, creating a MySpace page for the adolescent-looking Kook, which reads in part: "I've never surfed in my life, but I would love to." But the main blowback has been an ongoing campaign that has seen the Kook dressed like a clown, a ballerina and topped with a pumpkin head. The most notorious act happened in July, when a local sculptor encapsulated the entire statue so it looked as though it was being devoured by a great white shark.
The Kook—its official name is "Magic Carpet Ride"—was erected in 2007 alongside Highway 101, just steps from the beach. Complaints rolled in immediately. Surfers mocked its poor form, including "limp" wrists and arms that extend at odd angles. They also gripe that instead of being portrayed atop an epic wave, the Kook is on a fizzling spray.
Rob Machado, a professional surfer from Cardiff, grumbles that the botanical society didn't seek enough input from locals. "I can't even tell you what that statue stands for," he says.
Shortly after the statue's unveiling, surfers displayed bumper stickers imploring the city to "Remove the Kook." On the Internet, anonymous critics threatened to use a truck and cable to tear the statue from its granite pedestal. Mr. Clark says a tide of emails flowed into the botanical society's inbox, most of them blasting the design and demanding the Kook's removal. "They were saying things like 'Why are you polluting the view of the ocean with this horrible piece of art?' " he says.
Despite the harsh vibes, the Kook has never been permanently damaged...
Surfing is a way of life in Cardiff, which was originally named for the Welsh city but later added "by the sea." The town is home to some of the region's most popular surf spots.
The Botanical Society's Mr. Clark says he was initially depressed when locals declared the statue a wipeout. His group spent three years bringing the Kook to fruition, he says, and most of the criticism misses the mark. The intention was to show the joy, and awkwardness, of learning to surf. "It's not the most elegant moment on a surfboard, but it does represent a kid learning how to surf," he says.
As the statue has gone from a surfer's eyesore to a public discussion, pranks have become much more elaborate. Eric Hardtke, 36, a local artist who normally sculpts in bronze and stone, has staged two of the most elaborate assaults.
About a year ago, Mr. Hardtke added a massive wave to the city's statue. The wave—made from wood, paper and chicken wire—towered above the Kook and depicted a more aggressive surfer about to cut him off. "It was to make the point that you could make a better sculpture for less money," says Mr. Hardtke.
Recently, Mr. Hardtke topped his wave with a new piece: Just before dawn on July 24, he and a dozen friends carried the 15-foot shark—crafted out of papier-mâché over a wooden frame—a few blocks to the beach, installing it in just 15 minutes. Those were merely the final moments of a two-week project for Mr. Hardtke, who guesses he spent roughly $450 building the shark.
The week before the prank, Mr. Hardtke laid some fins across the street from the Kook. Over the next few days, the fins were moved closer and closer until they sat at the base of the statue.
"I was inspired by those nature videos of sharks jumping out of the water," says Mr. Hardtke, a surfer who lives just a few blocks from the statue. The city removed his handiwork a few days after installation.
Despite his artistic ridicules, Mr. Hardtke says he thinks the Kook is actually a decent representation of everyday surfers being their average selves. "I'm sure I look like that," he says of the Kook's awkward form. "That's why everybody is so down on it. They like to think they don't look like that, but they do."
Police have mostly ignored pranksters like Mr. Hardtke, and local officials have quietly praised the various Kook-inspired works because they bring attention to their tiny beach town. In fact, Mr. Hardtke recently learned the city has been storing his wave sculpture inside at a dusty warehouse that belongs to Paul Ecke Ranch, a grower of poinsettias and other flowers in Encinitas, Calif., the city which surrounds the community of Cardiff.
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Bethany Hamilton at La Paloma Theater, Saturday for sneak screening of biopic 'Soul Surfer'
MEET BETHANY HAMILTON
Inspiring surfer Bethany Hamilton will be at the La Paloma Theater in Encinitas for a Q&A sneak screening of the biopic SOUL SURFER
WHAT: Hear Bethany Hamilton present her inspiring story while contributing to the Challenged Athletes Foundation. For $10 fans are invited to see the film before it hits theaters and participate in a post-screening discussion with Bethany.
WHEN: Saturday, March 26th at 2:30pm Q&A with Bethany Hamilton immediately following the film Press call time: 4:00pm
WHERE: La Paloma Theatre
471 South Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
WHY: Teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame the odds to become a champion again, has teamed up with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to present this moving true story. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Tickets are available online athttp://soulsurfer.kintera.org and at the door on a first come first served basis.
http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com/
SOUL SURFER opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, April 8th!
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE EVENT PLEASE CONTACT:
Lauren Hinton at (858) 210-3511 or by email at lauren@challengedathletes.org
ULTIMATE BOARDER SURF SKATE SNOW TRIATHLON HITS MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN AND SEASIDE REEF, CALIF., APRIL 2 – 9, 2011...
ULTIMATE BOARDER SURF SKATE SNOW TRIATHLON HITS MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN AND SEASIDE REEF, CA, APRIL 2 – 9, 2011
WHO: The best all around board sports (snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding) athletes in the world.
WHAT: The ULTIMATE BOARDERâ Triathlon, the official contest for the world’s best boardsports athletes.
WHEN and WHERE: Snowboarding – Mammoth Mountain, CA (April 2, 2011)
Surfing – Seaside Reef, Cardiff, CA (April 4-7, 2011)
Skateboarding &Awards – Seaside Reef Parking Lot, Cardiff, CA (April 9, 2011)
WHY: THE IDEA for Ultimate Boarder® was conceived in 2005 by Tim Hoover, an award-winning filmmaker with over 15 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, who grew up surfing and skateboarding in Goleta, California.
“No other contest in the world comes close to the Ultimate Boarder. The event has some of the best riders in the world going head to head for a full week of shred action.” - Aaron Astorga, professional skateboarder
“I am much more impressed with Ultimate Boarder than the Quiksilver Pro or any other contest I have watched. It really narrows down the field when you have people who can ride snow, water and who can ride a hard surface. The event shows the history of boardsports and it also shows the future and ties it all together better than any other contest around.” – Nat Young, 5-time World Champ Surfer, author of The History of Surfing
“The best part about the Ultimate Boarder week is getting together with a bunch of people who share the same passion about boardsports as I do, and having the Ultimate Session.” - Dave Downing, professional snowboarder
The Ultimate Boarder is a huge event for me. This is my first year competing, and I know I’m just a kid, but if I see a window of opportunity to win this thing, I’m climbing right through it!” - Kalani David, 13 years-old, youngest Ultimate Boarder professional competitor
“The Ultimate Boarder is a unique contest to find the best athlete in three complementary but very different disciplines - exciting, challenging and explosive.”- Shaun Tomson, former world champion surfer
Board sports were a positive energy outlet for Hoover as a teen and he is committed to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for young people. As the history and popularity of board sports evolved, along with the influence of friends who shared similar interest and ideas, Tim was inspired to establish an event and brand that encompassed all three disciplines.
Now in it’s fourth year, the Ultimate Boarder® Championship is the only triathlon on the planet that brings together the world’s best surfers, skaters and snowboarders for a grueling one-week series.
From picturesque snow covered mountains, to a classic California reef break, all ending on a custom designed skate ramp. The Ultimate Boarder Championship challenges the best crossover amateur and professional athletes who will compete for the Ultimate Boarder Champion title and a first place prize of $30,000.
Past high profile athletes who have competed for the sought-after title of Ultimate Boarder® Champion include 2010 co-champions skateboarder Chad Shetler and surfer Mike Morrissey, as well as Tom Curren, Bjorn Leines, Christian Hosoi, Rob Machado, Shayne Pospisil, Todd Richards, Andy Macdonald, Tosh Townend, Aaron Astorga and Steve Caballero. The event has been broadcast or featured on MTV2, FUEL TV, FOX Sports, Comcast SportsNet, ESPN.com, New York Times, Surfing Magazine, Allisports.com and more. Sponsors include SanDisk, Flexfit, Kona Brewing Co. and Mammoth Mountain.
The event is free and open to the public and there will be a live webcast starting April 2, 2011 from Mammoth Mountain at www.ultimateboarder.com.
The waiting period for the surf event starts April 4th and goes through April 7th at Seaside Reef in Cardiff, Calif. On Saturday, April 9th, the skateboard and awards portion of the competition take place at the Seaside Reef Parking lot, the first time in the history of Cardiff they have ever held a skateboard competition in that location and at a California state park. “This is the first time that state parks of California has hosted a skate event,” said California Lifeguard Peace Officer Edward Vodrazka.
Spectators are urged to bring beach chairs and blankets to Cardiff to watch it all go down.
The event benefits Free Wheelchair Mission, a non-profit that transforms lives through the gift of mobility. “It’s such a passionate organization for me because Ultimate Boarder is the ultimate event for mobility and there are thousands of people around the world who can’t get around,” said event founder Tim Hoover. In 2009, Ultimate Boarder raised money to send over 50 wheelchairs to Vietnam. This year’s event will have an additional feature on the live webcast for fans to contribute money to the cause.
2011 Volcom VQS Blowfish Surf Series Cardiff, Calif. Seaside Reef draws 200 competitors
(For much more in photos, coverage, visit the Big Kahunas just over the rainbow...)
The Blowfish Surf Series has always had a huge crowd of competitors and with this being the last event of the season nothing could prepare us for the tornado that was coming. After cancelling the contest on Saturday due to crazy weather and flat surf we showed up bright and early Sunday to waves being a playful 3-4 feet and ready to get this party started.
As sign-ups rolled along, we realized we were close to 200 competitors and we still haven’t signed up everyone. After some more educated planning and shuffling, we were under way with over 240 competitors. The day rolled along and before we new it was time to dive in to the finals.
Here are some recaps from the finals. The girls had their hands full with some of the best talent from all over the state. When the dust settled it was Kulia Doherty winning in dominating fashion. The Squids had a great turn out and are more concerned with covering each other in flour then getting their price bags. Dagen Stagg finally took his first win of the year and a heap of prizes from Volcom, Electric, Globe, and much more.
The Grom dudes had there work cut out for them and with Taylor Clark in the mix you better bring you’re A game. Taylor found a way to hold everyone off again and racked up his third win of the season! The Junior’s had 8 first round heats and were as pumped as the Squids all day. In the end, Ian Craine beat out the other 47 entrants and grabbed the $250.00 from Muscle Milk .
'The Writing's on the Wall' Pt. 2 - More on Solana Beach Man accused of scam schemes
The investigation continues into Brian Westmoreland's check(ered) past. The 39-year-old Solana Beach man was arrested this weekend on suspicion of bank fraud. What was believed to be his next attempted score was outlined inside, and on, a rented 2250 Montgomery Ave., Cardiff office's walls. His landlord there started the latest round of legal troubles when he complained to authorities about four bounced rent checks from the man who would be Westmoreland. Sheriffs deputies arrested Westoreland at that office. For identification, Westmoreland produced an Aruba passport.
Cardiff, Calif. Kook gets all dressed up for Valentine's Day, but got nowhere to go...
Well, what did you expect from the Cardiff Kook on Valentine's Day? Visit Cardiff Kook Community for more...
The Kook has its own Wikipedia page...
Proverbial Day at the Beach -- CARDIFF-STYLE from Good Morning to the Office and back...
BEACH HIGHLIGHTS
Located in Cardiff, CA, Cardiff State Beach has a gently sloping sandy beach with warm water. The beach offers swimming, surfing and beachcombing.
Activities
Cardiff State Beach stretches from the inlet of San Elijo Lagoon south to the bluffs of Solana Beach. Just north of the lagoon inlet is San Elijo State Beach and San Elijo State Beach Campground. There are two reefs. At the north end sits Cardiff Reef, which can create good waves for surfing and is the world class surfing place in North San DiegoCounty.
At times, you can watch kite surfers streaming through the surf, and identify this Cardiff beach from far away by seeing all the kites.
The Cardiff Beach reefs and kelp beds also provide for good diving. Lobsters can be found in the beds. The area makes for a good night dive, particularly due to easy beach access.
At the south end of the beach are the Cardiff Beach Tide Pools. This section of beach is called Seaside Beach, named after Seaside Reef, just offshore. The reef provides good surf conditions for swimmers and surfers.
The long stretch of good quality sand makes this beach ideal for walking, jogging, and sunbathing, most noteably during low tide. At high tide, much of the sand disappears. During winter storms and excessively high tides, the surf has crashed through the restaurant windows, closing the places for repair.
-- San Diego Coast Life, visit...
Cardiff SB
Located on the San Diego Coast, which has been called the Riviera of the West, Cardiff State Beach has a gently sloping sandy beach with warm water. The site offers swimming, surfing and beachcombing.Service Reductions
California State Parks is implementing service reductions in order to meet Department budget cuts this fiscal year. Service reductions implemented Fall 2009 through Summer 2010 include one-half of the restrooms closed, facilities maintenance reduced 50%, including trash cleanup, day-use parking by automatic pay machine only (no staff in entrance station), and reduced lifeguard service from October 2009 - February 2010. Visitors are encouraged to 'Pack it in, Pack it out', so the beach remains free of trash. These service reductions are designed to ensure that California State Parks achieve cost savings, minimize disruption to visitors as much as possible, and maintain revenue at the highest level possible.
Location - Directions
The beach is located one mile south of Cardiff on Old Highway 101.
Latitude/Longitude: 33.0100 / -117.2783
Hwy 101
Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007
Neighborhood: Encinitas
(760) 753-5091
www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?pag...
'The Writing's on the Wall' - Solana Beach Man Accused Of Check Fraud Scheme (ViDeO kSWb)
He might be, then again, might not, a man named Damon Westmoreland from Aruba, authorities say.
Funny money wasn't so funny, honey, for a man identifying himself as Damon Westmoreland, 39; busted by sheriffs deputies Friday for allegedly writing dozens of bad checks from here to eternity....
...Or at least from Solana Beach to Las Vegas...The landlord for 'Westmoreland's' 2250 Montgomery Ave., Cardiff office, complained to authorities about four bad checks the man called 'Westmoreland' wrote.
Two search warrants later, San Diego County Sheriffs deputies found check-forging and counterfeiting equipment as well as information on 10 additional banks and a Nevada Limited Liability Corporation, associated with Westmoreland.
Deputies served the warrants and arrested Westmoreland at that Cardiff office. Westmoreland carried a passport from Aruba, but his true identity remained in doubt, authorities said.
Valentine’s Day & Win Your Wedding at San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, Calif.
San Diego Botanic Garden is offering a one-of-a-kind romantic evening on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2011. From 5 – 7 pm, couples will enjoy a sunset stroll through the Garden, complete with special touches including champagne, heavy hors d’oeuvres, cake, chocolate, music, a professional photo and rose for each couple, photo booth and more. Couples will also have the chance to win a special all-inclusive wedding at the Garden.
The highlight of the evening, one lucky couple will win the wedding of their dreams, valued at over $15,000 courtesy of San Diego Botanic Garden and several wedding vendor partners. The wedding package includes:
- Use of the SDBG Lawn House Garden for a Wedding/Reception for up to 50 guests with tables and chairs
- A full hot catered lunch provided by The Abbey Catering & Event Design
- Photography provided by Glenn Currie Photography
- Flowers provided by Kathy Wright and Co.
- Videography provided by Our Eternal Wedding
- Disc Jockey provided by Our Eternal Wedding
- Wedding Cake provided by VG Bakery
- Ceremony Officiating provided by Pastor David Plank
- Wedding Consultation by Details Defined
- One Night Stay at Best Western Encinitas
Tickets: $50 per couple. Limited tickets available. Every couple purchasing a ticket will be entered in the raffle. Couples who are already married or otherwise wishing to do so may use the prize as another kind of event, such as anniversary or birthday party. Winner will be announced at the event. Need not be present to win.
Tickets must be purchased by noon, February, 11, 2011 via PayPal at www.SDBGarden.org/Valentines.htm or by calling 760 436-3036 x224 with a credit card.
Official rules available at www.SDBGarden.org/Valentines.htm.
San Diego Botanic Garden
230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas CA 92024
Downtown Encinitas Merchants highlight: New talent agency, Running Skirts one-year anniversary...
Tucked inside the turquoise building at 820 Second St. is a thriving talent agency that aims to showcase the abilities of local children in print, film, commercial and theatre. No, this is not Los Angeles! But the top-notch agency headed by two professional businesswomen plans to infuse the industry with a style that can only come from downtown Encinitas.
(Melissa Mangum (left) talks with Aubri Almendariz as the co-owners of the downtown Encinitas-based Minikin Model & Talent and Minikin Brand take a break during a recent photo shoot.)
Aubri Almendariz and Melissa Mangum, longtime friends and Encinitas natives, started Minikin Model & Talent Agency in October 2010. Both have a myriad experience in public relations and marketing. Within the entertainment industry, the pair are leveraging 10 years collective experience on and off camera including casting, producing and directing. Almendariz is the one with experience as talent – she has done both commercial and print modeling work. Mangum continues to work as a casting director and producer for commercial and print projects.
The entrepreneurial and creative spirit that is the hallmark of downtown Encinitas merchants defines not only the talent agency but also the Minikin Brand of children’s apparel that is part of the new endeavor.
Like many successful business partners, Mangum and Almendariz have focused on their collective strengths. “Aubri and I have been brainstorming on entrepreneurial ventures for years,” Mangum said. “Being surrounded by all of our friends who now have children, it just made sense to do something pertaining to children.”
The ability to merge family and business interests is an attractive feature of life in downtown Encinitas. “We want our children involved, our whole family involved!” Mangum exclaimed. Both women have children who have worked in entertainment so they have a good sense of what is expected from their talent. Also, the duo recruited Mangum’s husband, Mirko, and leveraged his vast experience in apparel and street wear to develop Minikin Brand. “It’s a big group effort!” Mangum said.
The location was an easy choice Almendariz said. “We love it here, working Encinitas-style.” Both moms wanted to open up shop in their hometown. It makes it very convenient to initially work with our friends and friends of friends,” Mangum said. “We chose 820 Second Street because we love downtown Encinitas. We want to be a part of the growth of the coastal community; there are lots of exciting things happening here.”
Whereas some agencies and the entertainment industry in general have a reputation for exclusivity and aloofness, Minikin takes a different approach that reflects the Encinitas approach. “We believe we can be effective doing business a bit more laid back,” Mangum said. “We want to develop relationships with the families that we work with, keep it family oriented, be approachable, welcome questions; ensure parents are comfortable with what their kids are involved with.”
There is certainly no shortage of cute and talented children in San Diego County according to Mangum. “We currently represent 80 children, from newborns to tweens,” she said. The business aims to provide a positive experience in the entertainment industry. “We allow parents to incorporate ‘working’ as something fun for their children, to put aside some college money or simply for the sheer fun of seeing your children in various multimedia,” Mangum said.
From their non-descript offices, the pair has had at least one child at an audition per day. “We have booked both print and commercial to date, including fun jobs like Nascar,” Mangum reported. “We’re always looking for more talent. At the moment we need girls and boys ages eight and up.”
As the credits roll on the next film or a familiar face flashes on the television screen in a commercial, take note that it might just be an Encinitas local! With a town filled with talent, Mangum and Almendariz have captured the market in a low-key, Encinitas fashion.
(Left to Right: Suzanne Kocherga Svahn, Pam Kim, Cindy Lynch, Christy Baker, Katri Sjoblom, Becca Minyard and Brooke Roenicke at the entrance of Running Skirts.)
For the past year, the “unique boutique for the stylish” has supplied thousands of local athletes with the innovative running skirt. Designed to combine fashion and functionality the skirts flew out of the small warehouse on Second St. for five years. Baker designed a prototype for the running skirt when Lynch when “roped” her into running her first marathon. “She said she would do it but not wearing ‘those ugly shorts,’” Lynch remembers.
What started as a side job for two sisters has become a thriving business. Co-founder Christy Baker’s garage in Cardiff was home to the internet-based retailer until expansion became necessary. “We had to move into a larger space when the demand increased,” she said. The company now sees its trendy skirts at almost every major race in North America.
According to Baker’s twin and co-founder Cindy Lynch, the skirts and coordinating attire fly off the racks at race expos and retail stores nationwide. Locally, the company’s warehouse was known to open its doors to runners who wanted to drop in to try on the skirts, check out the latest colors and styles, exchange a gift and save on shipping.
“Now our customers don’t have to squeeze in between the racks of inventory and stacks of shipping boxes in order to get “skirted,”” Lynch said. “It was a natural progression into the brick and mortar retail location when the window front space in front of our warehouse opened up in the building,” Lynch said. The former real estate office was thoroughly transformed. “We literally gutted the space and made it into a “pinkalicious” boutique shopping experience, unlike any other specialty running store,” she said.
“San Diego is a huge runners’ Mecca and we have a tremendous following here,” Lynch said. “In Encinitas, Second St. is overrun by athletes every morning, afternoon and weekend,” Baker added. “This is a prime location for us and the perfect time to open our first retail store.”
The entrepreneurs attribute much of their success in running a profitable business to location, enthusiastic customer base and loyal following. “Not only are we located on the thoroughfare for local cyclists and runners, we find the proximity to the highway and beaches is great for drawing additional walk-in traffic and shoppers,” Lynch said.
“It’s going really, really well,” Lynch said referring to the first year as a retail store. In addition to their own line of running skirts and apparel, the store has expanded their offerings to include the owners’ favorite running lines. “We like to offer all of our favorites to our customer,” she said. “We’ve tested it all.”
Baker and Lynch have been running marathons for a decade. The pair run at least three to four marathons and dozens of half-marathons each year. “There’s not a barrier to entry in running as you might find in other sports,” Lynch said. “There’s also a lot of camaraderie.”
The business facilitates the companionship inherent in running and walking to host weekly fun runs every Thursday night beginning at 6 p.m. at 676 Second St. “We welcome walkers and runners of all abilities,” Lynch said.
To celebrate their on-year anniversary, Running Skirts is hosting a fun run and walk with a Valentine’s Day twist on Feb. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. “We’ve got some fun things planned for couples and singles including prizes and giveaways,” Lynch said.
“We’re really inspired to grow the retail storefront,” Baker said. We didn’t expect it to be such a success,” she said. “That was a nice surprise.”
Got a migraine headache and a technical education? NeuroInvestment of Cardiff reporting...
NI Research, of Cardiff, has released the February issue of NeuroInvestment, which reviews the status and prospects of migraine therapeutics. The triptans have been successful, but far from perfect in terms of rapidity and duration of effect, and their cardiovascular side effect profile. The class will all, with but one minor exception, go generic by 2013. In the face of this commercial transformation, the next generation of migraine therapeutics involves two main categories: Alternative delivery methods and novel mechanisms of action.
Among the companies which have developed alternative delivery methods are NuPathe (Zelrix), MAP (Levadex), and Zogenix (Sumavel). Drugs utilizing non-triptan mechanisms that are reviewed include NOS inhibitors from NeurAxon; CGRP-antagonists from Merck and Boehringer-Ingelheim; the buffered diclofenac reformulation from Nautilus; and a 5HT-1f drug from CoLucid.
The February issue of NeuroInvestment also evaluates the data from Targacept's (NASDAQ: TRGT) trial of TC-5619 for schizophrenia; reports what was observed at JP Morgan regarding early evidence for a return of interest in CNS; and includes a review of NuPathe, a company developing alternate delivery reformulations of established drugs for migraine, Parkinson's, and schizophrenia.
A recent sample issue of NeuroInvestment is available for download at: http://www.neuroinvestment.com/NewPublications.html.
NI Research is the leading publisher of independent research on the neuropharmaceutical/therapeutic industry. NI Research has published NeuroInvestment since 1995; the Private CNS Company Review since 2003; and CNS Disorders/Therapeutics, an annual compendium of all neuro-oriented R&D programs, since 2007.
Contact:
NI Research
P.O. Box 1028
Cardiff CA 92007
760.230.2581
E-mail: Email Contact
Website: www.niresearch.com
Chef Dan Moody Hopes To Take 'Relate' Restaurant Around The Country (starting at Encinitas)...
(Chef Dan Moody, center, reveals that butter-poached lobster with warm egg and caviar salad is on the menu for tomorrow's debut Relate dinner.)
Chef Dan Moody says that his native San Diego is ready for its first pop-up restaurant, as proven by an onrush of reservations occurring when The Feast caught up with him. Tomorrow he debuts Relate, which will operate for the next three weeks at Cafe St. Germain's in Encinitas.
"I had figured that the first week would be half full at best. As it turns out, we're almost entirely booked for opening week," he noted.
Moody is starting off with an open-table concept rather than slotting guests into designated seatings. "I realize that may come with its share of challenges if 30 people all want reservations at 7 P.M. But in the future we'll have structured seating times."
His bigger challenge, however, is that he lacks a full-time staff. "My mom will run the front of the house and she's an accountant, so I'm blessed to have her taking care of the administrative side of the business. I also have a sous chef who is able to control the kitchen."
Moody will use his own art, table settings and music to transform the indoor-outdoor dining spaces once St. Germain's closes after lunch service. And he isn't revealing subsequent locations just yet, given the surprise nature of pop-up restaurants that have been operating for several years in other major U.S. cities, such as LudoBites in Los Angeles, where he worked as a sous chef for a brief stint.
"Once I'm established, I'd like to take this to Phoenix where I have a base and then I'll go all the way to the East Coast if all goes well."
The five-course dinners cost $55 and will be served from 6 to 10 P.M. tomorrow through Saturday, and then on Tuesdays through Saturdays until February 26. Reservations are required via the web site or by calling 858-367-3709.
San Diego's first pop-up restaurant has arrived!
Chef Dan Moody, the authority on dating & relationship-related cooking advice, and Relate TM, a RelationChef restaurant concept, brings all the excitement of a pop-up restaurant to San Diego's culinary community at St. Germain's Cafe and Bistro.
Formally trained in classical French cuisine, with experience in nouvelle French cuisine, Chef Dan believes that food and the act of cooking are also important ways of expressing love, showing hospitality and ultimately bringing people together.
The food is best described as contemporary French with a down-home American flare. Chef Dan Moody, will give live cooking demonstrations at various times, but there will be no published schedule for these demonstrations.
For more information about Relate TM, Chef Dan Moody and this unique culinary event, please visitwww.relaterestaurant.com
Breaking News 3 P.M. -- Interstate 5 traffic hassles made some feel like they were in LA, not SD...
...it wasn't LA, but it was closer than usual for a while.
Some days you get the traffic and some days the traffic gets you.
The latter trumped the former on Wednesday, Jan. 26. A two-vehicle collision just north of Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas around 12:15 p.m. put the freeway from Oceanside to Carmel Valley into gridlock mode.
Kimi Evans, San Diego 6 weathercaster, posted a Twitter alert: "What is happening on the 5 south at Encinitas?!? I'm not used to seeing traffic like this in SD. Feel like I'm back in LA."
Here's what happened and what's happening as of 3 p.m. Wednesday. A vehicle collision sent one of the cars into the side rail, then over on its top, according to California Highway Patrol officers at the scene. No injuries were reported, but half the northbound freeway lanes were closed through 1:30 p.m. with the scene cleared shortly before 2 p.m.
Interstate 5 hassles, as usual, spilled down the freeway chain to Highway 56 heading off the I-5 through Carmel Valley. The normally heavily-traveled section of road was even more socked in than usual.
Traffic was moving well along the freeways at 3 p.m. except for a slowdown to around 25 miles per hour around Via de la Valle with similar speeds from the I-5 to Highway 56 merge through El Camino Real.
So, it wasn't LA, but it was close for a while.
And as always, be careful out there.
Chihuahua triggers crash between pickup, utility truck on I-5 near Encinitas
Police say a dog in the roadway contributed to collision alongInterstate 5 near Encinitas that reportedly knocked a man unconscious.
The California Highway Patrol reports that a utility truck from San Diego Gas & Electric collided with a pickup truck along northbound I-5 around 8:45 a.m. after at least one of the vehicles swerved to avoid a chihuahua. A semi was reportedly parked on the right shoulder of the roadway, but its involvement in the crash remains unclear.
Officers say a third vehicle, a gold-colored Chrysler PT Cruiser, appeared at the scene, south of Birmingham Drive, minutes later and recovered the dog.
The force of the collision reportedly left one of the drivers unconscious, but it is unclear which one and whether he was hospitalized.
Emergency responders block the two right lanes while they cleared debris from the roadway and conducted an investigation.
Blue Ribbon Pizzeria - Encinitas through the eyes/palate of Alice Q. Foodie
(Editor's Note: Alice Q. Foodie is a very well-respected San Diego food blogger. However, she rarely ventures beyond actual city limits for her reviews. She was at The Lumberyard this week. For more of her reviews and insights, visit http://aliceqfoodie.blogspot.com/.)
Lumberyard Shopping Center
897 South Coast Hwy (101)
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 634-7671
Blue Ribbon Pizzeria - Encinitas
Last Saturday night, James and I got out of the house and tried something new. You might not think that would be such a big deal for someone who calls herself a "foodie" and writes about restaurants (even if it's just for fun) but it's pretty unusual for us. For the most part, we cook at home during the week, and we've been doing quite a bit of traveling and entertaining lately so fancy dinners out just haven't been in the budget. When we do go out, we have a short list of places we like to go where we know we'll have a good meal. I've been meaning to do a post about that lately, and update my places to eat in San Diego list as well as the 100 good things to eat and drink. It's a bit of a project though, so when I get through this backlog I'll tackle it.
I've liked Chef/Owner Wade Hageman's food since he was the opening chef at Blanca, back when the menu still reflected the go-go mentality of the aughts. The food was luxurious, simple but interesting, and very, very expensive. Luckily, Hageman is bringing the same level of attention to detail and technique to the much less expensive menu at Blue Ribbon. You can see it in the above-pictured dish of local albacore crudo with buttery avocado, ruby red grapefruit and lemon olive oil, and the simple but perfectly balanced plate of creamy burrata with arugula tossed with lemon olive oil and crostini.
is roughly divided into two parts, with the top half comprised of salads, snacks and small plates, and the bottom a list of composed artisan pizzas. Everything is sized for sharing, which allows for the option of a very inexpensive meal if you don't go overboard - like we did.
We didn't really need two pizzas, as it turned out, but we really wanted to try a white pie and a red one, and we figured leftovers would not be a problem. (In fact, they were eaten for breakfast straight out of the box the next morning.) We especially loved the white pie - called the "Signature" on the menu - topped with mozzarella, lemon zest, ricotta and basil. The kick of the zest was especially nice with the creamy ricotta.
The red pie was also good, but we wished we'd ordered the Knight Special instead of the "Classic." Topped with housemade fennel sausage and mushrooms, it was tasty, but a little wet and heavy. The Knight pizza, pictured at top, was made with sliced assorted salumi and looked like it might be a better balance for a meat/red sauce pizza. The Classic was great cold out of the fridge though, maybe even better than it was hot.
I snuck this blurry photo of our neighbors' butternut squash soup and salad with beets, oranges and hazelnuts. The soup looked velvety and rich (there's that attention to detail) and the salad was chock full of good ingredients.
From our seats at the bar, we had a good view of Wade tossing the pizzas and sliding them into the oven. I was impressed to see him all of that work himself. He's clearly taking not only pride but a leading role in producing what's coming out of the kitchen. The menu boasts that their dough goes through a three day fermentation process. These days, pizza is all about the crust - and while this one was good, it wasn't quite as good as Mozza or Pizzeria Delfina. It was thinner, flatter, less stretchy and chewy. There is bound to be some variation though since he's cooking them in a real, live wood-burning oven - even from one of our pizzas to the other we noticed one was more blackened around the edges than the other. I would need to go back and try a few more pizzas before declaring this the best in San Diego, but it's definitely up there.
BRIEFLY SPEAKING: Home Prices FALL at Rancho Santa Fe; Surfer down at Leucadia; Coast Highway 101 Solana Beach and Encinitas; Cat fancier show Del Mar...
RANCHO SANTA FE -- Home prices continued heading the wrong way. Altos Real Estate Research this week reported the average asking price on a 92067 home at around $2.9 million with 238 properties on the market for an average of 256 days. Inventory has been increasing while days on the market are climbing, a negative indicator.
Altos Research Finds:
- The median single family home price as of January 16 2011 for RANCHO SANTA FE is $2,948,269.
- With a Market Action Index as of January 16 2011 at 13.30, RANCHO SANTA FE is currently a buyer's market.
- The average property in RANCHO SANTA FE as of January 16 2011 has been on the market for about 252 days.
- The median price per square foot for homes in RANCHO SANTA FE as of January 16 2011 is about $526.
LEUCADIA -- A 58-year-old surfer died in the waters off Beacon's Beach on Tuesday morning. Surfers, then emergency medical workers, tried to revive the man who was spotted drifting on top of his surf board around 11:30 a.m. The surfers "did a really good job and I’d like to thank them for that,” Encinitas lifeguard Capt. Larry Giles said. The man was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas where he was pronounced dead at 12:41 p.m. . The victim later was identified as David Alan Kim, 58. He drowned, according to authorities who did not release any further information. .
SOLANA BEACH, ENCINITAS:
For anyone in the SD region, WSD is holding its first lunchtime forum of the year:
Coast Highway101 – Our region’s next complete street?
Special guest presenters will be:
Diane Langager, Principal Planner, City of Encinitas
Mike Nichols, Councilman, City of Solana Beach
Come hear what the cities of Encinitas and Solana Beach are doing with the planning of Coast Highway 101 to make it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians and how public participation has made road diets and roundabouts part of the solution.
Date: January 21, 2011
Time: 12:00-1:00 P.M.
Location: 193 Horton Plaza, 1st level, (Next to Victoria’s Secret)
Suggested: Lunch Donation is $5.00, RSVP by January 19th, $7.00 at the door
Please RSVP to Cynthia Offenhauer
Free Parking at Horton Plaza Garage...
DEL MAR:
San Diego Cat Fanciers Show in Del Mar Jan. 22-23
The Food and Water Bowl XIX, sponsored by the San Diego Cat Fanciers, will be held Jan. 22 and 23 at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. The hours are Saturday10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The event includes cat agility competition, household pet competition, top show cats on display, educational seminars, unique gift items, and pedigreed kittens for sale as well as rescue cat adoptions.
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, children and military. Visit www.sandiegocat.org for full schedule and discount coupon.
There are about 265 properties on the market in RANCHO SANTA FE as of January 16 2011.