September 2010

Lightning Bolts All Over The Place

by The Editors on September 30, 2010

Lightningbus T352When we first read the San Diego Union-Tribune’s headline “1,000 lightning strikes recorded in San Diego County” today at noon it read “800 lighting strikes recorded in San Diego County.” It appears that not only is someone keeping track of the number of lighting strikes, but he or she is also updating the media along the way.

There have been about 1,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in and around San Diego since midnight. At least two trees were struck and set on fire. One or more lightning strikes in Kearny Mesa also knocked out the business telephone lines and disrupted some 911 calls to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, spokesman Maurice Luque said.

We saw a lot of lighting in Carlsbadistan this afternoon, but more than than it was the house-shaking, car-alarm-triggering thunder that seemed to shake us out of our rainy afternoon haze. It sounded like Camp Pendleton’s Zulu explosives detonation range had moved next door.

While the thunder may have scared the kids and caused a few dogs to hide under the couch, it was entertaining. In a place where weather is considered by many to be the most boring on the planet, it was fun to have something to revel in for at least a few minute this afternoon.

[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune Photo: Susan Coppock]

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Union-Tribune Picks Hall, Packard, and Douglas

by The Editors on September 30, 2010

When newspapers write opinion pieces it becomes immediately apparent who really runs their businesses. For instance, today, the San Diego Union-Tribune released their picks for Carlsbad’s mayoral and city council races. For mayor they break it down by Prop G:

If there’s an issue that defines the two [Hall and Blackburn], it is Proposition G, a measure to lock recent pension reforms into the city charter and to prevent any increases in employee retirement benefits without a vote of the people. Hall has co-signed the argument for Prop. G. Blackburn, a former police sergeant, opposes it. That speaks volumes as to which each candidate would put first, the people or the city’s labor unions.

And for City Council they pick Mark Packard (because he’s already on the council) and Farrah Douglas (because she made a respectable showing in her first try for office two years ago). At least we agree with one of their picks.

[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]

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TK Arnold: Tale Of Two Protests

by Thomas K. Arnold on September 29, 2010

Crw 6276Two protests took place in North County last week, with wildly different views on what constitutes a proper use of taxpayer dollars.

On one end of the spectrum were Cal State San Marcos students, who demonstrated on behalf of a bill that would give illegal immigrant students a chance to legalize their status.

On the other was dark horse Carlsbad mayoral candidate Glenn Bernard, quietly picketing The Crossings at Carlsbad golf course with a sign that read, “Please patronize private courses only.”

Talk about a study in contrasts. In San Marcos, you had a mob of students whose educations are mostly subsidized by taxpayers demanding legal status for illegal immigrants who were brought into this country as children, provided they either attend college (on the public’s dime) or join the military (which, again, is funded by taxpayers). The protest died when word spread that the U.S. Senate would not move forward on the bill that would do precisely that, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (or “DREAM”) Act.
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Lambesis Makes Vodka Sexy

by The Editors on September 29, 2010

Skyy Sexy Ad LegsLambesis, Carlsbadistan’s world famous advertising agency, is getting a load of press for their latest campaign for Skyy Vodka called Skyy Sexy according to a story on Popsop.com.

SKYY® Vodka announced a new ad campaign featuring bold, vibrant imagery that is provocative and engaging. The prints are shot by world-renowned photographer Raymond Meier, who last worked with SKYY on the 2008 SKYY Infusions launch ad campaign, and kicks off the global “SKYY SEXY” marketing push in support of the core, unflavored brand.

Shiny, slick, fetish gear always reminds us of the gimp scene from Pulp Fiction, but hey, if Skyy thinks it will help sell more vodka, then Lambesis has a real winner.

[Link: Popsop.com]

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Super Sweet September Sunset

by The Editors on September 28, 2010

Summer Night2A

Summer in September continues with this epic sunset on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. Kind of makes us feel bad for people who have to live anywhere else.

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ViaSat Introduces New Fangled Tech Gizmo

by The Editors on September 28, 2010

Ips-250 001-1We love the fact that Carlsbadistan is loaded with business so tech that we’ll never understand exactly what they produce or how they produce it. For instance, Carlsbadistan based satellite technology company ViaSat today announced the release of the AltaSec IPS-250 inline network encryptor.

The new product enables U.S. warfighters and government agencies to create secure IP networks without the expensive logistics and lifecycle costs associated with handling and accounting for Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI). The IPS-250 is designed to secure networks to Secret and Below levels, and provide interoperability between CCI and CHVP/Non-CCI IP encryption devices. . . In accord with NSA CHVP guidelines, ViaSat is developing this new class of products based on its NSA-certified Type 1 cryptographic and cyber security product line.

Huh? Exactly. Follow the jump for more information.
[click to continue…]

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Art Walk This Thursday Evening

by The Editors on September 28, 2010

9-30-10Totc-Flyer-FullEscape the heat with a cool stroll through the Village of Carlsbadistan this Thursday night (September 30, 2010) as the Carlsbad Village Association presents its monthly Thursday’s on the Coast Art Walk.

. . . the Flippin’ Pizza truck will be joining us offering give-away scratchers to promote a special promotion they are running in October to raise funds for The Tony Hawk Foundation, which serves low-income youth by working with community leaders to build skate parks around the world. . . At Ivanffy-Uhler Gallery at 565 Grand Avenue, the city will be hosting an Opening Reception for the new Village Banner Installation. The reception will honor the artists, students from Valley Middle School, who created the works for a project called “Healing Waters”. . . The rest of the Village will be full of art and live music as well, so don’t miss out on all the great venues on State Street, Grand Avenue, and Carlsbad Village Drive.

Thursdays On The Coast runs from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. For a program and walking map check in at The Foundry @ New Village Arts located at 2787 State Street in Carlsbad or follow the jump fro more information. [click to continue…]

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North County Times Picks Its Candidates

by The Editors on September 28, 2010

In an editorial titled Continuity for Carlsbad the North County Times has apparently picked the candidates it thinks will best serve our city.

On the Nov. 2 ballot, we urge voters in Carlsbad to elect Matt Hall to replace outgoing Mayor Bud Lewis. . . And in the City Council race, we recommend returning incumbent Mark Packard and adding current planning Commissioner Farrah Douglas.

Their reason for electing Hall is because he is “more likely to continue the general prudent leadership” of Bud Lewis. Their picks leave us wonder who bought the most advertising in their paper this election cycle. If we read the print version, we’d probably be able to answer that question ourselves.

[Link: North County Times]

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Carlsbadistan’s Hot Hot Heat

by The Editors on September 28, 2010

168570049-A765F7B96Ceb877Ca1F9E9F9336797Bc.4Ca202F0-ScaledYes, it was hot yesterday. While we escaped to the beach others apparently cranked up their air-conditioning and sat it out prompting SDG&E to lose power to about 4,300 North County homes according to a story in the North County Times.

High temperatures around the region included 110 degrees in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo and Poway; 111 degrees in San Marcos; 108 degrees in Ramona; 105 degrees at the Oceanside Airport; 108 degrees in inland Carlsbad; 107 degrees in Vista; 109 degrees in Fallbrook; 112 degrees in the San Pasqual Valley; and 93 degrees in Encinitas, according to the National Weather Service.

This morning’s cloud cover is undoubtedly going to help at the beach, but on Carlsbadistan’s Easter Front it looks like it’s going to be another burner.

[Link: North County Times]

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Big Carlsbad Art Splash

by The Editors on September 26, 2010

Through The Looking Clothes

Thousands of people cruised Carlsbadistan’s Armada Drive on September 25-26, 2010 for the Annual Art Splash street art fair. While some vendors had hoped the good weather would bring more people over the two days, that didn’t stop those who were there from having a great time with jugglers, musicians, cake walks, politicians looking for votes, and most importantly, artists sharing their love of art with everyone.

Click here for the complete photo gallery.

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