by The Editors on November 4, 2009
We keep hearing it referred to as the “last hurdle” and we’re saddened that Poseidon Resources has made it this far, but the California Coastal Commission finally granted a permit that will allow the company to build the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere in our lagoon, according to a Michael Burge story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
With the Coastal Commission permit in hand, Poseidon has met all its regulatory requirements — two years after the Coastal Commission conditionally approved the plant. Poseidon had to satisfy 17 permit requirements before it could begin construction. . . . Peter MacLaggan, Poseidon Resources’ senior vice president, said the coastal permit requires that construction begin in less than two weeks. He said the company next week will start clearing the site, on the grounds of the Encina Power Station on the south shore of Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
Now all Poseidon needs is the money to build the plant. They’ need $530 million in financing, $50 million of it from a bond they’re asking the State of California for, according to a story in the North County Times.
State revenue bonds are tax-exempt, which typically allows them to sell for a lower interest rate than for taxable bonds. This lowers the cost for those repaying the bonds; in this case, the local water agencies the desalination plant will serve.
The company is also asking for a $250 per acre foot subsidy from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (which, according to Food & Water Watch could add up to $14 million a year). Nothing like launching a private business on federal and state subsidies, huh?
For more on some of the reason this plant might not be a good idea, click here for the word from Food & Water Watch.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune and North County Times]
by The Editors on November 4, 2009
It appears Ponto Landing is getting a little too much heat from the Boarder Patrol so now the boats are landing a little further south at Beacon’s, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Agents with the Customs and Border Protection’s Marine Interdiction Unit spotted the 15-foot panga about 4:50 a.m. about one mile offshore and followed it until it reached the beach, officials said. . . Nineteen men and 2 women, all Mexican nationals, were taken into custody and handed over to the Border Patrol, Border Patrol Agent Mark Endicott said.
It’s good to know the US Border Parol has a Marine Interdiction Unit. That should help them catch them before they get to Carlsbadistan.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on November 2, 2009
Lately, as a way of protecting the motorists of Carlsbadistan, the Carlsbad Police Department has been ticketing potential day laborers using “anti-solicitation” laws.
What do day laborer’s have to do with traffic problems? According to a story in the North County Times, police say that stopping to pick up a day laborer can cause traffic snarls.
It’s dangerous for drivers to stop on busy roads to pick up the workers, Carlsbad police Capt. Neil Gallucci said.
If it’s that dangerous, why not ticket the people who are driving the cars that stop to pick up the workers? Oh, right. That’s because that’s what the police are doing to catch the day laborers for solicitation. . .
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on November 1, 2009
We could not have asked for a more perfect fall day for a street faire in Carlsbadistan. With the time change everyone was up early. The sun was out. The streets were littered with smashed pumpkins. And the Chargers are going to destroy the Raiders. Could we ask for anything better?
The faire seemed bigger, better, and more well attended. We’ve been rough on the faire in years past, but today we found some pretty amazing gifts, including the custom, retro, hot rod kids clothes from Whiskey Doll Couture (pictured above).
Follow the link to take a photo cruise through Carlsbad’s 35th Annual Street Faire. Click the thumbnails for the images browser and then click on through.
[Link: Carlsbad Street Faire Photos]
by The Editors on November 1, 2009
If you survived All Hallow’s Eve, then today is going to be a great day in the Village of Carlsbadistan as the 35th Annual Carlsbad Street Faire returns to the streets November 1, 2009.
The Rotary Club of Carlsbad’s beer and wine garden will again entertain fairgoers with live bands and The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad will continue its more than 25-year tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast at the Carlsbad railroad depot. The meal, which includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice, will be served between 7 a.m. and noon.
If you’re going to park in The Neighborhood, please be kind to the residents. They live here. And we’ll see at the Faire.
by The Editors on November 1, 2009
It was a spooky night in the Carlsbadistan Neighborhood. There was the Nightmare on Cherry Street for the over 21 crowd (complete with butterflies, saucy teachers, blow-up dolls, and Jem), the Garfield Graveyard for the kids, and the Sycamore Scare for a little of both.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 30, 2009
The California State Department of Parks and Recreations has finally released their list of services that they will no longer be able to provide thanks to State budget issues. Looks like we’re going to lose lifeguards, restrooms, and trash service:
- South Carlsbad State Beach: Lifeguard service scaled back and fire rings removed.
- Carlsbad State Beach: Reduction in lifeguards, restrooms and trash service.
We’re wondering what reductions in restroom service means? Every other flush works? Or they’re going to be cleaned half as well?
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on October 30, 2009
Looks like the ownership of Carlsbadistan-based Mexican fast-casual chain Rubio’s Restaurants Inc. is not going to be sold after all, according to The Deal.
Mexican-themed casual dining chain Rubio’s Restaurants Inc. said late Thursday, Oct. 29, it rejected an $80 million buyout offer from shareholder Alex Meruelo and private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. Rubio’s board said the $8 per share bid, announced Oct. 14, was not in the best interest of its stockholders.
But that isn’t stopping the company from looking for other buyers who may offer more.
[Link: The Deal]
by The Editors on October 30, 2009
Earlier this week the Carlsbadistan City Council approved Legoland’s plans for a 254-room, 137,000-square-foot hotel that will be built in the theme park’s parking lot, according to a Michael Burge story in the San Deigo Union-Tribune.
The propsed hotel will feature a restaurant, bar, and nightclub, the later of which seemed to ruffle at least one of councilman Keith Blackburn feathers. But Legoland officials were quick to clear that up.
“The reference to ‘nightclub’ in our list of planned amenities would be better phrased as ‘Evening Legoland Club,’ as it again will be aimed directly at families with young children . . . between 2 and 12 years old,” said Peter Ronchetti, the general manager of Legoland California. “So we have no ambitions to enter the nightclub business.”
Or course not. Legoland’s only ambition is to keep every single tourist dollar they can and let as little leak out into the community as possible.
[Link: San Deigo Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on October 30, 2009
Times must be hard in the golf business. With expense accounts getting clipped and companies shedding extra employees we would guess that there are far fewer business deals going down on the golf course these days and Callaway is feeling it.
For the third quarter of 2009, net sales were $190.86 million, a decrease of 11%, compared to $213.45 million for the same quarter of 2008. . . For the first nine months of 2009, net sales were $764.95 million, a decrease of 19%, compared to $945.93 million for the same period of 2008.
But CEO George Fellows has found a silver lining:
“While market conditions have been challenging this year, we have managed our business in such a way that we have gained market share in all club categories, managed our expenses responsibly and invested in a few important growth initiatives that should position Callaway Golf to grow when the economy begins to rebound.”
We’re not sure that a bigger piece of a smaller pie is anything to be excited about.
[Link: Trading Markets]
We keep hearing it referred to as the “last hurdle” and we’re saddened that Poseidon Resources has made it this far, but the California Coastal Commission finally granted a permit that will allow the company to build the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere in our lagoon, according to a Michael Burge story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
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