by The Editors on October 23, 2007
After two days of wind protection from the smoke of the Rice fires to the north and the Witch fire to the south of Carlsbadistan, the clear blue skies gave way to heavy smoke and ash falling like light snow. As the sun came up this morning over Agua Hedionda Lagoon southern skies were dark orange. To the north it looked like a normal foggy morning, however, a few deep breaths let it immediately be known that this is not fog.
After spending the day indoors yesterday because he could not work Carlsbad resident Craig Hammon, of Hammon Constuction decided that a tour of North County was in order. “At about midnight, after watching all the news all day I decided it was time for a motorcycle ride,” he said. “I mentioned it to my wife and I was surprised that she said, ‘Go ahead, just don’t get killed.”
Hammon said he rode from Carlsbad down to the Del Dios Highway in Del Mar out to Interstate 15 and then back again and didn’t see any flames. “They were doing a really good job of keeping all the roads in the fire areas blocked,” he said. “The only place I saw flames was out on the 15 in what looked like the Pala area.”
So far no fires have crossed the border into Carlsbad proper. We will update the site throughout the day. For an interesting Google Map of the fires click here.
by The Editors on October 22, 2007
This evening (October 22, 2007) Carlsbadistan’s seawall began filling with motorhomes as residents from the fire threatened cities escaped their homes thanks to what the media are calling Firestorm 2007. By 8:30 PM there were at least 12 motorhomes with associated trucks (motocross bikes in the back), trailers, and cars camping out in the shadow of the Enicina Power Plant just south of Tamarack.
David and Kathryn (pictured left with their five dogs) evacuated from Fallbrook earlier this afternoon. “We came out through the backgate at Pendleton,” Kathryn said. “If they hadn’t opened that gate I don’t know what we would have done. I guess we would have just burned up. There was no other way for us to get out.”
Both were happy to have their motor home and a place to stay while the fires rage in Fallbrook. “There isn’t a motel room available between Mexico and Orange County,” Kathryn said. “I learned my lesson after the last fire in East County and I got a motor home for times like these.”
“It really teaches you to value what is important,” David added. “We’re here, out of the fire with our dogs and nothing else really matters. I figured if there’s going to be a fire there’s no better place to be than right here between two bodies of water.
“And this place is even better because it’s where we first met,” Kathryn said throwing a smile David’s way.
In the past we’ve complained about all the motor homes clogging our seawall all summer, now we’re sure Carlsbadistan is happy to welcome anyone who has been displaced by the fires. If you know anyone who is looking for a place to park their motorhome, the seawall is open and there still are a few empty million dollar, ocean view parking spaces.
by The Editors on October 22, 2007
According to the San Diego Union Tribune there has been a “voluntary evacuation for all Carlsbad residents south of Palomar Airport Road,” according to the Sheriff’s Department. According to the reports:
Residents were notified by a Reverse 911 call from authorities at about 3:30 p.m.
[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]
by The Editors on October 22, 2007
An unnamed, off-duty Carlsbad Police officer who was in Belleville, Illinois this past weekend witnessed a man on a street corner stabbing a woman. He jumped out took action.
Assistant Police Chief Roger Barfield said the officer from Carlsbad, Calif., was driving by the scene. “He witnessed the suspect on top of the victim making a stabbing motion,” Barfield said. He got out of his car and ordered the suspect to stop and the suspect did. . . . The arriving Belleville officer found a woman laying face up in the street, bleeding from her right arm and abdomen area, according to a statement released by Capt. Donald R. Sax.
Turns out the woman had money that she wanted to use to buy food, the man of course, thought it would be better to spend it on beer. When she wouldn’t give it to him he took out a knife and began slashing her. Thanks to the Carlsbad police officer the woman is still alive.
[Link: Belleville News-Democrat]
by The Editors on October 22, 2007
by The Editors on October 21, 2007
Carlsbad writer Lynn Alley is blowing out one of our secret lunch spots to the world in the San Diego Union Tribune with her nice write up of Pelly’s Fish Market.
When it’s time to grab a meal out in Carlsbad, the California Bistro at the Four Seasons Aviara might be my dining room of choice, but since I live in the real world, I’ve got little places that I turn to for a good, honest bite. . . . My current favorite is Pelly’s Fish Market.
While we’re not going to agree with her on the California Bistro tip (we prefer the Blue Fire Grill at La Costa), she’s dead-on with Pelly’s.
[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]
by The Editors on October 21, 2007
While strolling through The Village Saturday morning we rolled into the twice weekly Carlsbad Farmers’ Market that is held in the parking lot on at 2930 Roosevelt Street between Grand Avenue and Carlsbad Village Drive. The market features delicious produce including the best tomatoes we’ve ever tasted (thanks for the samples) as well as fresh salsa, hand-made tortilla chips, locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, and a large assortment of fresh flowers.
We all know it exists and that it’s been there for a while, however, it’s good every once in a while to refresh the memory with an in-person visit. The Farmers’ Markets are held “Rain or Shine” every Wednesday 1pm -5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm. Mom was right: fresh food is good food.
[Link: Carlsbad Farmers’ Market]
by The Editors on October 21, 2007
When the Carlsbad City Council meets on Tuesday October 23, 2007 Mayor Bud Lewis is expecting a large crowd to be on hand to voice their concerns about what is being called the Ponto Vision Plan, according to the North County Times.
Victor Ramirez, who lives in the Hanover Beach neighborhood, said Friday that the council can expect to hear from just as many public speakers as the planning commission did last month. . . “I think maybe even more,” he said, noting that his community has a Ponto meeting coordinator who is encouraging people to come. “I think they’ll have a full room and maybe overflowing.”
The mayor says the council will go until 10 PM and if they’re not finished it will be put off until next week. That sounds like a plan.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on October 21, 2007
Jim Courtney and Michael Pfankuch would like to take the one-acre lot that houses old Carlsbad Boat Club on the north shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and put in a 26-unit, 40,500-square-foot time-share condominium complex, but according to a North County Times story they’re the only ones excited about the project.
Neighbors say they think a three-story condo complex would be completely out of character for the quiet community made up of luxurious single-family homes. . . .The city’s Planning Department appears to agree. Staff members are recommending that the Planning Commission deny the permit that the project will need to proceed.
Courtney and Pfankuch have an uphill battle. If they get past the Planning Commission and the City Council they still must have their plans approved by the Costal Commission.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on October 21, 2007
According to the San Diego Union Tribune a 31-year-old “San Diego Gas & Electric Co. worker suffered a severe electrical shock” while working on an “electricity distribution tower at Cannon Road and Faraday Avenue” at 10 AM yesterday.
The man was flown by helicopter to the burn unit of UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest, Carlsbad fire Battalion Chief Mike Kennedy said. . . The man was in stable condition when taken to the hospital, Kennedy said.
[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]
After spending the day indoors yesterday because he could not work Carlsbad resident Craig Hammon, of Hammon Constuction decided that a tour of North County was in order. “At about midnight, after watching all the news all day I decided it was time for a motorcycle ride,” he said. “I mentioned it to my wife and I was surprised that she said, ‘Go ahead, just don’t get killed.”
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