January 2008

Carlsbad Chamber Says Vote Yes on 94-97

by The Editors on January 13, 2008

In an opinion piece for the North County Times Ted Owen, the president of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is urging voters to vote “yes” on propositions 94, 95, 96, and 97. He agrees that ratifying Indian gaming compacts negotiated by the Governor will bring in and extra $9 billion into the state coffers.

That much-needed new revenue can be used by the state to avoid service cuts for fire protection, health care and other programs. . . . Under the compacts, the tribes will pay a much higher percentage of gaming revenue to the state. The compacts also provide increased oversight by local government over any new casino projects. The new agreements require full environmental impact reports and a binding agreement with the county to ensure full mitigation of any environmental impacts from new projects.

Ted, while you’re basking in all the money that increased taxation of gambling would bring in, just think how much budget relief legalized marijuana and prostitution would generate. With that money our kids would never go without needed school supplies.
[Link: North County Times]

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Forbes Sculpting New Art Scene

by The Editors on January 13, 2008


North County Times photographer John Koster’s image of Lynn Forbes working in her new sculpture school in the Village Faire. Forbes is also the person behind those “sculpture” tents that take up half the lawn at the park in front of Offshore. Does Carlsbadistan really need businesses taking over our public parks on the weekends? Maybe we’re just missing the point. For the rest of the story click the link.
[Link: North County Times]

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Obama 08 Meet-Up In Carlsbad

by The Editors on January 12, 2008

Megan Martignago is hosting a Carlsbad Obama meet-up at 2 PM at the Avenida Encinas Starbucks on February 2, 2008. Megan explains why:

Barak Obama has inspired so many already and we need to make sure as many people as possible hear his words. Barack Obama IS the voice of change for our nation. I’d like to get a group of supporters together to go spead the word of Obama.

We’re not personally following Rat Race 08, but if you’d like to join the 24 people who have already signed up click the link.

[Link: Barackobama.com]

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Invitrogen Spends $57 Million On CellzDirect

by The Editors on January 10, 2008

Our favorite Carlsbad life sciences firm, Invitrogen, has done some shopping. They recently bought CellzDirect, a company that “focuses on hepatocytes that are widely used to predict a compound’s effect on liver metabolism” for $57 million in cash.

“CellzDirect’s high-value products and services will greatly complement Invitrogen’s market-leading portfolio of complete cell systems, including primary cells, media, matrices and growth factors,” said Greg Lucier, Invitrogen’s chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement. “The purchase of CellzDirect follows our strategy of investing in high growth areas of the market, specifically specialty cell systems.”

We’re don’t even know enough to comment on it, but Lucier makes it sound great.

[Link: Local Tech Wire]

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Arnold Wants To Terminate Carlsbad State Beach

by The Editors on January 10, 2008

[Editors’ Note: Carlsbadistan reader Regis Weber pointed out that the LA Times has made an adjustment to the story we originally linked to here with the words: “FOR THE RECORD: Beaches: An article in Thursday’s Section A on the state budget mistakenly said that several Southern California beaches were among the state parks Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposes to close. State beaches in Southern California would remain open under the governor’s recommendations, but the number of lifeguards would be cut 50%.]

According to a story in the LA Times, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is today expected to propose shutting 48 state parks — including Carlsbad State Beach as part of his solution to the state’s fiscal crisis.

The cuts, described by officials familiar with the governor’s proposals, are so deep that some in the Capitol are already dismissing the plan as a ruse — an attempt to stir up so much public demand for a tax hike that the governor will ultimately be able to break his pledge not to take that route.

We guess the upside would be no pay parking meter at the Tamarack Beach parking lot.

[Link: Los Angles Times]

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Muriel Anderson at Museum of Making Music

by The Editors on January 10, 2008

By V HorvathOn Friday, January 25, 2008 at 7 PM, the Museum of Making Music welcomes award-winning guitarist Muriel Anderson for an evening of memorable music. Muriel will be joined by Thom Bresh, son of the legendary Merle Travis. Tickets are $20 for general, $15 for Museum members and $8 for students. Reservations are required. Follow the jump for the complete details.

[click to continue…]

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That Sinking Feeling

by The Editors on January 8, 2008

1 85 571 8 08RV’s were enough of a money pit in the first place without the ground opening underneath them. But that’s exactly what happened at an RV storage lot in Calavera Hills (off Tamarack) when a 70-foot-deep sink hole opened in the ground overnight.

Steve Plyler, water superintendent for the Carlsbad Water District, said an 8-inch water pipe burst at about 7:30 p.m. Monday, punching a hole through a concrete retaining wall that holds up the hillside asphalt driveway and causing the pavement to drop away. “We’re still trying to ascertain exactly what happened,” Plyler said. “But it’s pretty clear that the pipe burst.”

Until this gets fixed no RVs will be able to enter or leave the facility. In fact, the live in caretaker Andy Masters is stuck there.

[Link: North County Times]

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The Sultan of Swing

by The Editors on January 8, 2008

FlickOne of the best golf teachers in the world, Jim Flick, 77, is now offering up his knowledge five-and-a-half days a week at TaylorMade Golf’s Carlsbad headquarters.

In 1990, a struggling and frustrated Jack Nicklaus solicited some advice from Flick on the driving range before the Golden Bear’s Champions Tour debut. Something clicked with Flick. Nicklaus won the tournament, and he and Flick have worked together ever since.

In 2002 Flick was named as the ninth member of the Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. If only we’d played golf. At $300 an hour we’re sure we could tune up our swings, no doubt. Click the link for the rest of the Jim Flick profile.

[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]

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Luminous Medical’s Glucose Monitor

by The Editors on January 8, 2008

Luminous LogoCarlsbad-based Luminous Medical has developed a new glucose measurement system for hospital patients that the medical equipment world is raving about.

Luminous has now developed what it claims to be the first-of-its-kind automated glucose measurement system that continually takes blood samples from a patient’s IV system, analyses the blood using near-infrared spectroscopy, then sends the blood back to the patient. . . . The net result is a system that accurately and precisely reports patient glucose readings without the need for frequent calibration and allows for automated, frequent measurements.

While we’re guessing few people understand any of this, it is just one more reminder of how Carlsbad-based high-tech businesses are making the world a better place.

[Link: The Engineer]

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Carlsbad Girls To Flaunt It For Cash

by The Editors on January 6, 2008

Misscourt SmallThere’s nothing better for the old men of Carlsbad than a beauty pageant. And we can all thank the Carlsbad Lions Club for keeping the tradition of scantily clad, pretty young things rolling with the 54th Annual Miss and Teen Carlsbad Scholarship Pageant.

With $3000 in educational funding as it’s ruse, the event will be held at 6 p.m. March 22 at the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Center, 3557 Lancer Way. All single girls, ages 13 to 26, and residing in Carlsbad are eligible.

An orientation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Harding Community Center, 3096 Harding St., and rehearsals will begin Feb. 5. Entry deadline is Feb. 19. Miss and Teen winners will receive cash scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000 respectively, and many other prizes.

Sadly, there is no “swimwear” or “talent” competition. Just “sportswear” and “evening gown.” But don’t get bummed. We’re sure the girls will be doing their best to look hot for the judges.

[Link: North County Times and Miss Carlsbad]

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