November 2007

$100 Million Callaway Buyback

by The Editors on November 30, 2007

CallawayCallaway Golf Company announced yesterday that they are planning to buy back $100 million more of their own shares.

The buyback replaces a previous $100 million stock repurchase program announced in June. To date, the company has bought about 5.3 million shares under that program at an average cost of $16.87 per share for $88.9 million. . . As of Oct. 31, Callaway had about 66.3 million shares outstanding, according to a regulatory filing.

[Link: Money.com]

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Carlsbad Firefighters Honor News 8 Reporter

by The Editors on November 30, 2007

Shawn Award.0.SmThe firemen of Carlsbad Fire Department Engine Company 2215 got a new honorary member yesterday as Captain Luis Osuna presented News 8 weatherman Shawn Styles his award.

Because of your unselfish assistance during the 2007 San Diego County firestorms we make you and honorary member of Carlsbad Engine 2215.

Styles responded to his award with an overwhelmed, “Wow.” But was later able to pull himself together and get coherent. “I’ve won a lot of things in my life, but I’ve never been honored like this,” he said. “To have these guys who are the real heros say that I helped them, God I just feel so honored. This is fantastic.”

Congrats, Shawn. Now, about those weather reports. . .

[Link: News 8 Video]

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Hey, Hey, The Gangs All Here

by The Editors on November 30, 2007

According to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times, the number of documented gang members in Carlsbad has doubled over the last year.

Carlsbad had 131 people listed as documented gang members by late November, up from last year’s figure of 51. However, much of that increase may be due to the city having recently hired an additional investigative officer assigned to track crimes that may involve gang members, [Lt. Kelly Cain] Cain said.

So this doesn’t mean there are more gang members. It means the Carlsbad Police are simply doing a better job with tagging documenting gang members. Yeah, we can see some kind of twisted logic there. Of course.

[Link: North County Times]

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Rocca’s Last Supper At Le Passage

by The Editors on November 29, 2007

Lepassage-4Fans of Carlsbadistan’s best little restaurant, Le Passage, already know that owner Michelle Rocca has sold the business and is leaving Carlsbad. In an email to her best customers she hinted at exactly what she is up to:

I’ve been traveling to Australia for over a year now each time falling more and more for the country and the people, one in particular, and have decided to move to the Barossa Valley in March 2008. I know this move will be very hard not only on me but my family and friends, I also know that if I don’t go, I’ll never know. . .So, it is with a heavy heart that I wish to say good-bye and thank you for all the great times that we have shared over the years.

As a way to say good-bye while at the same time introducing Le Passage patrons to the restaurant’s new owners, Laura and Drew Reyer, Rocca and Sous Chef Frank Decker hosted two nights of what she called, The Last Supper. The invite-only dinners (held last night and tonight) included some of Le Passage’s finest creations including seared scallop salad, mac -n- cheese, Kobe sliders and chocolate decadent cake.

Miclauradrew-2
Michelle Rocca (left) with Le Passage’s newest owners Laura and Drew Reyer.

The first question fans of Le Passage ask when hearing that Rocca is leaving is will the restaurant change. Rocca said that she has confidence in the Reyers. “I interviewed several potential buyers and actually turned some down because it was like, no way. That’s why I’m happy about Laura and Drew,” she said. “Of course, a part of you always wants to be missed a little, but I think they’re going to be great.”

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Village Train Station Build Out?

by The Editors on November 29, 2007

2 02 3111 28 07According to a story in the North County Times, the North County Transit District is considering a development plan for the Village train station that could mean several additions to what is currently a free parking lot.

There are two options under consideration for Carlsbad’s 14-acre transit station area, which stretches along the railroad tracks one block west of State Street. . . . The first option includes a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks, a five-story structure on the northern end of the transit district parcel and a three-story building with offices on the southern end. The second option calls for a four-story building on the southern end, five levels of parking in the central area and four stories of residential units to the north.

While NCTD’s plans have been posted for a sometime, very few people attended the “community workshops” set up by the agency. Is that because no one cares?

[Link: North County Times]

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Carlsbad CVS Pharmacy Robbed

by The Editors on November 29, 2007

The CVE Pharmacy at 7740 Rancho Santa Fe Road on Carlsbad’s Eastern Front was robbed by “two men with a rifle or shotgun” last night at about 9:30 PM according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Two men, wearing hooded sweat shirts and bandannas over their faces, demanded money and cigarettes from employees. They escaped with a few cartons and a few hundred dollars.

We’re wondering if this robbery might not be the work of these two men.

[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]

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Victorian Christmas Music Performance

by The Editors on November 28, 2007

Doan Main

On December 15, 2007 at 7 PM the Museum of Making Music, is presenting a “festive seasonal program” by John Doan, one of the few masters of the rare twenty-stroing harp guitar. In the performance Doan “re-enacts what it might have been like to celebgrate Christmas a century ago.” It’s called A Victorian Christmas and tickets are $20 ($15 for members) Click here to purchase tickets online.

John explores how the Victorians invented many Christmas traditions we remember and quite a few we have forgotten. Harp guitar, tremblelin, classical banjo and ukelin are but a few of the authentic instruments featured in the performance. They were once popular in American homes and parlors, on vaudeville stages and in mandolin orchestras. In addition to performing on each instrument, Doan explains their history in an entertaining and often zany fashion.

Fans of “zany” Christmas music shows, rejoice.

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On The Hunt For The 101 Bandit

by The Editors on November 28, 2007

BanditPolice are trying to track down a “white or Latino and in his late 50s, about 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build and dark hair that is gray at the temples” for at least one bank robbery in Carlsbad (The Old Codger) and a string of 14 robberies around the county.

In yesterday’s robbery, the man entered the Pacific Trust Bank on Bernardo Center Drive off Interstate 15 Monday at 11:05 a.m. He did not use or simulate a weapon and made off with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

We’re guessing once you start walking into banks and asking for money and get it, it might be kind of hard to stop. This guy doesn’t even wear a disguise. . . or is that the disguise? If you’ve seen him call police at (619) 531-2299, the FBI at (858) 5651255 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS.

[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]

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Carlsbad Police Get An A For Information Access

by The Editors on November 28, 2007

In a recent statewide CalAware survey of information access at local law enforcement agencies the Carlsbad Police Department scored 95 out of 100 to get the highest rating in North County, according to a story in the North County Times.

The Vista and San Marcos substations of the Sheriff’s Department both received scores of 62.5 and grades of D minus. . . . Oceanside police scored 72.5 for a grade of C minus, Escondido received an 88.5 for a B plus, and Carlsbad was awarded an A for coming in with a 95. . . Only Carlsbad police provided information without turning around and asking questions of the requester, the report states.

And we agree. Each time we’ve called the Carlsbad Police department for information we have found them amazingly helpful, friendly, and forthright. The San Diego Sheriff’s office, however, is a completely different story. They reportedly “reacted angrily” to the results of this survey, and have been little help. One call to the Encinitas substation regarding a man hit by a train in Carlsbad returned no information at all because they “didn’t have access to that information.”

Congratulations to Carlsbad’s finest and thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[Link: North County Times and CalAware]

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Holiday At Leo Carillo Rancho

by The Editors on November 27, 2007

Hol Rancho

Ring in the holiday season December 8 from 5 to 8 PM as the Leo Carillo Ranch is magically transformed into Candyland. Wonder what they’ll dress the shrieking peacocks up as?

The Ranch will be decked out in lights of candy canes, gumdrops and gingerbread houses. Join in the fun by creating crafts of Lifesaver® trains, candy cane reindeer, mini gingerbread houses, and cookie decorating. You can sing along with the carolers during the tree lighting ceremony then vote for your favorite tree in the holiday tree decorating contest.

And if you’re hungry there will be “soup and beverages” for sale. For more info follow the jump.

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