by The Editors on February 19, 2010

If you’re going to San Diego, be sure to not drive south from here. If you’re going to San Diego, the old bridge you’ve crossed will no longer be there. . . because the work crews are busy replacing the old 90-year-old bridge at the dip.
. . a portion of the southbound side of the road between Palomar Airport Road and Island Way. During the closure, traffic will be re-routed to Avenida Encinas. Northbound traffic on Carlsbad Boulevard will not be affected.
Until then is looks like a great place to run along the coast with no traffic at all.
[Link: City of Carlsbadistan]
by The Editors on February 19, 2010
Keith Blackburn, the former Carlsbad Police officer and current Carlsbadistan City Councilman has announced that he will be running for Mayor according to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times.
As he announced his mayoral bid Thursday, Blackburn said his candidacy would focus on economic development, open space land purchases and the long-discussed Alga Norte park project. . . He also said that he wants to purchase open space land for preservation now while local real estate prices are more affordable and he wants to get the swim complex planned for the future Alga Norte park open as soon as possible, even if it means dipping into the city’s substantial reserves to cover its daily operations expenses. . . “We can run that pool for 10 years … before we have to tap into our general fund,” he said.
If he promises to get the Alga Norte skateboard park and pool running ASAP, then he has our vote for certain.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on February 18, 2010

If something seems to be missing the next time you’re sipping margaritas on the Norte patio this is probably the reason. Their enormous Eucalyptus tree has been 86’d from the property because he had a bad case of tree fungus. We’re going to miss it.
Luckily, the beautiful Australian Fig on the other side of the restaurant is doing fine.
by The Editors on February 15, 2010

It’s good to see the youth of Carlsbadistan engaged in healthy outdoor activities while making use of public structures. Although, a new skatepark would be nice.
by The Editors on February 13, 2010
At 100 years old we believe we should be able to do whatever we want to celebrate our birthdays and that’s apparently what Edward “Ed” Burney Baker of Pine Lake Plateau, Washington has done for quite some time now.
What does he want to do? Every year since he turned 92 Baker has been spending his birthday at Legoland.
To honor his 100th birthday, a LEGOLAND Master Model Builder created a miniature model of Baker and placed it in the farmland of Miniland New England, where guests from all over the world will be able to visit him for years to come. Model Builders also created a LEGO cupcake decorated with a bright red 100 for Baker as a souvenir to mark this momentous occasion. . . Miniland U.S.A. is the heart of LEGOLAND California and the New England cluster is a particular favorite of Baker’s as he grew up on a farm outside of Seattle. He loves the animation in this area where LEGO farm animals come to life.
Baker’s secret to long life? “A daily mug of root beer, being kind to others and fun hobbies like building with LEGO.” And yes, he says he coming back next year. For the rest of the story, follow the jump.
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by The Editors on February 12, 2010
Jon Wantz, 28, of Carlsbadistan is running for City Council in the next election and The Coast News was good enough to profile him today.
“I think people are ready to see something a little different,” Wantz said. . . As Wantz gets his campaign off the ground, he’s focusing on two main issues to improve the city: creating an open and responsive local government and increasing occupancy rate in a city that has nearly reached build-out of the general plan. . . Wantz said he advocates for a more responsive government after having witnessed the current council feign interest in what residents want without following through. He specifically points to the Alga Norte Park project — which many residents asked for and have still not received — as a prime example of unresponsive representation.
Yes, Carlsbadistan could use a little more of what Jon Wantz is talking about.
[Link: The Coast News]
by The Editors on February 11, 2010

The Wall Street Journal’s Jennifer Levitz writes up Carlsbadistan and mentions all the hotspots and what to do, where to eat, and places to stay. She doesn’t do that bad a job of it either.
About 35 miles north of San Diego, Carlsbad can entertain both beach-lovers, and those who get bored with days of surf and sand. The first of March kicks off a Southern California spring tradition—the yearly bursting of bulbs on rolling hillside at the privately owned Flower Fields. . . Carlsbad Village is full of trendy boutiques, diners, and restaurants. Locals take their dogs and grab a seat outside at The Naked Cafe.
Click the link to read the rest.
[Link: Wall Street Journal via @carlsbadcagov]
by The Editors on February 11, 2010
On Saturday, February 27, 2010 two people can ride the Coaster trains all day for only $13 as part of the North County Transit District’s 15th Anniversary Coaster Crawl, according to a story on San Diego County News.
The 15th anniversary Coaster Crawl will use the regular Saturday Coaster schedule and will feature special events at the Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad Village and Oceanside Transit Center stations. Round trip fare all day long is $10 to $13 for two people depending on the zones. Purchase one ticket for two riders from machines at the station. No reservations are necessary; however space is limited on trains. . . “Business owners in Carlsbad Village are delighted to have an opportunity to partner with North County Transit District in a triple-win situation,” said Robin Young, executive director of the Carlsbad Village Association. “NCTD will attract some new riders, we’ll have some new visitors to the Village and the customers will have a great day in four terrific cities.”
Sounds like a great day for a Coaster ride. All aboard?
[Link: GoNCTD and San Deigo County News via John Wantz]
by Richard J. Riehl on February 11, 2010
From the urgency of its actions, you’d think the Friends of Aviara had just discovered a Super Walmart was about to open its doors on the shores of the Batiquitos Lagoon.
The La Costa neighborhood group is suing Carlsbad’s City Council for approving a planning document that would bring affordable senior housing to their backyard. The lawsuit is a pre-emptive strike on a proposal the City Council has never discussed, much less approved.
What the council did approve at its Dec. 22 meeting was a revision of the city’s general plan that references Pontebello, a proposed project that would add 76 low- and moderate-income units to its housing plan, helping the city meet the state’s affordable housing law.
Senior Planner Scott Donnell explained that if the city failed to obtain state certification for its housing plan it could lose millions in future state and county government grants. Carlsbad would also be exposed to lawsuits halting development until the state steps in to mandate the number and locations of affordable housing units.
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by The Editors on February 10, 2010
In a meeting today the Coast Law Group requested that the California Coastal Commission revoke a Poseidon Resources building permit because the company failed to correctly represent the greenhouse gas emissions from their desalination plant. The Coastal Commission rejected the request, according to a Bradley Fikes story in the North County Times.
Poseidon said it had not misled the commission, and that there was no reason to revoke the permit.
Apparently, the Coastal Commission takes Poseidon at their word. So there.
[Link: North County TImes]