May 2007

Tamarack Gets Lofty

by Eero Lloyd Neutra on May 28, 2007

Tambloft El

While several instances of architecturally significant homes exist in Carlsbad, most of them are scattered in the hills east of the 5. Other than the South Park at Carlsbad Condominiums, on the corner of Lincoln and Pine streets The Neighborhood has had very little architecture of note.

This may change with the completion of the Tamarack Beach Lofts at 245 Tamarack Avenue between Garfield St. and the tracks. This group of four 2,200 square foot town homes was designed by Atelier X Architecture and features two car garages and, as the brochure says:

… privacy in a very desirable and easily accessible location less than 200 yards from the Pacific Ocean and easy freeway access to Interstate 5 within 1/4 mile of the property.

The site is being developed by Lugano Shores Investments, LLC, a company formed in 2004 by three-time Olympian, former triple-jump world record holder, and “long-time Carlsbad resident” Willie Banks and his partner Daniel Zimmermann, a consultant, sports agent and track & field national champion.

LSI aims to bring small quality developments with a modern, minimalist and functional architecture to coastal Carlsbad. . . It is their goal to bring modern architecture to Coastal Carlsbad in an affordable and attractive package to enhance the local community with new and fresh projects.

TambloftsWhen completed the lofts will feature: granite countertops in kitchen, master bath and second bath, designer sinks, porcelain vanities and Eurodisc faucets, built-in medicine cabinets and custom mirrors, Hans Grohe fixtures and wall hung Geberit toilets, and acustom shower enclosure in master bath. Flooring on the first and second floors with be bamboo hardwood, with a tiled master and second bath. They sound pretty dope, actually.

And the price? They were asking $1.2 million. But we have no idea what they’ll sell for or for that matter if there are any left. We’ll keep you posted.

For more information on the Tamarack Beach Lofts, click the link below.

[Link: Tamarack Beach Lofts]

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Maku’s Mark: Modern Outdoor Furniture

by The Editors on May 27, 2007

Maku Im

Carlsbad outdoor furniture company Maku Furnishings was recently written up by the Los Angeles blog Apartmenttherapy.com for their showing at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair May 19-22, 2007 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

One of our favorite Southern California companies we interviewed during ICFF was Maku Furnishings of Carlsbad, equally for the company’s modern outdoor furnishings, and also because of the company’s unusual origins. There’s not many stories of migrations from the world of snowboarding/surfing into the realm of home furnishings.

 Images Uploads Maku 0024Johnny West, a former snowboard/ski industry worker and the company’s co-founder explains the company this way: “When I looked at the home furnishings industry I saw an opportunity to share that passion for living by bringing a more relevant product and story to the consumer.”

If you’re interested in checking out the furniture in an installed setting check out the new Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido. The furniture is probably the tastiest item on the menu.

[Link: Apartment Therapy LA and The Maku Blog]

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Upper Deck Topps Out At $416 million

by The Editors on May 26, 2007

Ans5 Box Open2 Small2Carlsbad’s Upper Deck is in the hunt to purchase Topps, the grand daddy of trading card companies. But so is former Disney boss Michael Eisner. Upper Deck is offering $1 a share more than Eisner and things are reportedly looking for the consolidation.

James Barrett, an analyst who covers Topps for CL King, predicted that barring any regulatory obstacles, hard-charging Upper Deck founder and Chairman Richard McWilliam would get his wish of owning Topps.

If we had the money we’d buy it just to own the Wacky Packages franchise.

[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]

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A Walk Down Randy Laine

by The Editors on May 26, 2007

RlaineWe see him everywhere around town: the top of the Hemlock stairs, Jays, at the Beach Break Cafe. And he’s always cool, smiling, and happy to say hello. . . even though we’ve never said more than, “Hey.” That’s why it was good to read the profile Carlsbad Magazine did recently on Randy Laine. If you haven’t checked it out, click the link. We knew the basics of his raddness, but we had no idea .

[Link: Carlsbad Magazine]

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Barring The Barrio From The Beach

by The Editors on May 26, 2007

Barrio Fence-1

This is how Carlsbad keeps people in Barrio Carlsbad from walking to the beach. We are one of the few coastal cities where living three blocks from the beach means a 10 minute drive. They claim this “rail trail” fence is to protect people from the trains that go honking by at 80 miles an hour, but we know. . .. it’s to keep housing prices down on one side of the fence. Maybe after someone buys up all the land in the barrio someone will have the startling idea that a bridge over the tracks will be a good idea. . . Hmmmmm.

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Gates and Jobs Tag Team D: All Things Digital

by The Editors on May 26, 2007

D5 HomAccording to the Computer Business Review Online Carlsbad will be visited by to world’s two biggest tech titans. Apparently, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are going to make a “rare joint appearance” at the Wall Street Journal’s D5: All Things Digital May 29-31 at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara.

“We expect to use the occasion to get them to reflect on both the past – how we got here – and the future,” said Mossberg

And we expect them to put on a live performance of “Hi, I’m a PC and I’m a Mac. . .”

[Link: Computer Business Review Online via Slashdot]

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The Carlsbad Music Festival

by The Editors on May 26, 2007

CbadmfBefore calendars fill up with summer fun, be sure to block off September 24-30, 2007 because that’s when the 4th Annual Carlsbad Music Festival hits town. And we can all be thrilled with performances by Calder Quartet, So Percussion, Real Quiet, and most likely a couple other musical groups that no one has ever heard of. But then, we not up on “contemporary classical music,” so what do we know.
Get all the info on their website Carlsbadmusicfestival.org.

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760 Media Opens NorCal Shop

by The Editors on May 26, 2007

According to their press release 760 Media, Inc., an award winning international advertising and marketing firm based right here in Carlsbad, California, announces its expansion into Northern California by opening a new branch office in Mountain View, California, located south of San Francisco.

[click to continue…]

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Carlsbad Water Gets Less Salty

by The Editors on May 26, 2007

Viewmedia-1GE Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company announced they are participation in what will be the largest seawater desalination facility in North America, the Carlsbad Seawater Desalination Plant. Financial details were not disclosed.

“Our business is committed to bringing holistic and sustainable water management solutions, like desalination and water reuse, to regions facing water shortages,” commented Jeff Garwood, president and CEO, GE Water & Process Technologies. “By combining this viable business investment with the strength of our ecomagination portfolio, we will be able to make a real difference for many San Diego County residents facing unprecedented water demands.”

[Link: Business Wire (press release)]

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New Village Arts Goes West

by The Editors on May 26, 2007

Truewest 409-1The New Village Arts Theatre located in the old Bauer Lumber Building at 2787 State Street, is presenting Sam Shepard’s 1980 play True West. The story is a classic case of sibling rivalry set in a high desert shanty. One brother Austin is a screenwriter working on script for a Hollywood film, the other is a loser drifting through a life of crime. True West is a perfect play for an intimate space as the audience nearly becomes part of the action as the two brothers slowly begin to tear each other’s psyches apart until the high and low roads have become completely swapped.
True West runs at from June 16th to July 8, 2007. Click here for more info.

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