by The Editors on December 12, 2008

Hard to believe but Carlsbadistan reportedly has 18,000 fire hydrants and only two crews of two who are responsible for painting them. “We start down here by the Army Navy Academy and we finish up in La Costa,” said Vince, pictured above.
Last time around it took the workers a year and a half to paint them all. This year they’re hoping to get her done by December 2009. Kind of like of our version of the Golden Gate Bridge. . . Thanks, Vince. They look good.
by The Editors on December 12, 2008
Carlsbadistan’s blingiest business, the Gemological Institute of America, announced today that it is cutting 11 percent of his its staff and giving its executive a wonderful Christmas bonus: a 10 percent reduction in pay.
A GIA spokeswoman confirmed the cuts to National Jeweler on Friday, saying that the job cuts were a “last resort” move for the institute, spurred by trying economic times. . . . “Obviously, we’re in a deep recession, and we’re not isolated from the rest of the gem and jewelry industry,” she said. “Anything that happens to them, happens to us …. There are fewer stones going into our laboratories for servicing.”
You know the economy is in trouble with the people who cut the diamonds are feeling the hurt.
[Link: National Jeweler Network]
by The Editors on December 12, 2008
by The Editors on December 11, 2008
We were pretty hyped when we heard that P.F. Chang’s China Bistro was coming to the new Paseo Carlsbad “retail center” across the street from the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, but now we hear that another restaurant has signed a lease (20 years at $6.98 million): BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse. Really?
Does Carlsbad really need a loud, chain restaurant that serves beer, pizza, and bar food? Aren’t Pizza Port, Karl Strauss, and that place in the Costco parking lot enough? Hopefully, BJ’s is at the opposite end of the mall from P.F. Chang’s.
[Link: San Diego Business Journal]
by The Editors on December 11, 2008

On New Year’s morning 2009, Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California will feature a float from right here in Carlsbadistan sponsored by NAMM, the International Music Products Association. And those with some free time between December 26 to 31, 2008 can help decorate the float and get bragging rights that are two fold, according to the Museum of Making Music’s B.J. Morgan.
1. Point to a float on television and say you helped decorate it.
2. Raise money for a local museum
For more information on helping to decorate the NAMM float click here.
[Link: NAMM Float Volunteers]
by The Editors on December 11, 2008

Long-time Carlsbad Education Foundation Board Members Steve Pynes and Bill Walls (pictured above with former President Julie Baker and Board President Lisa Posard) were honored last night for their years of service, according to a press release. The two attorneys have concluded their service after nearly 10 years.
Honored last evening by immediate past president of the board Julie Baker and current board president Lisa Posard, along with many other board members attending the Board of Trustees meeting of the Carlsbad Unified School District, attorneys Pynes and Walls were publicly thanked for their many years of support to public education. . . .“We appreciate their many years of dedicated service to CEF,” said past President Julie Baker. “Bill and Steve were valued members of the foundation who helped us oversee the contribution of dollars which funded the schools with up-to-date computer equipment, theatre and band programs, libraries, the award-winning CHS-TV program, and more.”
[Link: Carlsbad Education Foundation]
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 11, 2008
by The Editors on December 10, 2008

Carlsbadistan’s finest lined up on PCH today at 2 PM.
by The Editors on December 10, 2008
by The Editors on December 9, 2008
Carlsbad’s Dot Hill, the company that refers to itself as the “market leader in providing flexible storage offerings and responsive service and support to OEMs and System Integrators, from engagement through end-of-life” has decided to cut 40 percent of it’s operations in Carlsbad by the end of the fourth quarter of 2008 as part of a 10 pecent reduction in their workforce, according to a story on Trading Markets.com.
The company said that its board has completed a review of potential restructuring and cost reduction opportunities and decided to implement the plan. Dot Hill was originally planning to consolidate most of its United States operations into its Longmont, Colorado operation by the middle of 2009, but the current economic environment caused it to defer the facilities move until 2010 in order to preserve cash.
And the economic depression marching on through North County.
[Link: Trading Markets]