Hot Dog On A Stick Stuck In Chapter 11

by The Editors on February 5, 2014

hot_dog_stick_logoCarlsbad’s own Hot Dog On A Stick has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in US Bankruptcy court according to a release from the company. The restaurant chain has 93 locations and according to CEO Dan Smith, many of the leases on those locations were signed at the wrong time.

“Like many mall-based businesses, HDOS signed some very expensive leases during the booming economy of the mid-2000s,” said Dan Smith, CEO. “In addition, declining mall foot traffic over the past several years has had a negative impact on sales at most company locations. We’ve been pursuing new leases in all locations and the Chapter 11 filing will allow us to do so in a more effective manner. The mall business is built around the relationships and partnerships between tenant and landlord. We want to be in malls where the relationship is positive and the partnership is mutually beneficial.”

The company says they will continue operations as usual during the restructuring so don’t worry about missing out on that dog or lemonade. For the official word from Hot Dog On A Stick, follow the jump.

[click to continue…]

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Carlsbad City Council’s Douglas Resigns

by The Editors on February 5, 2014

farrah_douglas.jpgCarlsbad City Council member Farrah Douglas announced today that she was resigning for “pressing personal and family commitments.” Her last day will be February 6, 2014. Douglas was elected to a four-year City Council term in November of 2010.

“Farrah made a significant contribution during her time as a Council member, including helping the city be more business-friendly, working to make the desalination project a reality and initiating efforts to bring an institution of higher education to Carlsbad,” said Mayor Matt Hall. “We will benefit from her time here for many years to come.”

The City Council must now decide whether to hold a special election or make an appointment. They apparently have 60 days to figure that out. Follow the jump for the official word from the City of Carlsbad [click to continue…]

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Carlsbad Patch Loses Local Editor

by The Editors on February 2, 2014

Carlsbad Lajolla PtPatch, AOL’s misguided attempt at creating a national network of corporate “hyper-local websites” is nearly over for Carlsbad. Not that we’re surprised. When the site launched on October 8, 2010 we were quoted on the website LostRemote regarding what we thought of Patch’s parent company AOL:

“They are the world champions of wasting money on doomed projects and they will outspend you every time. . . that said, having a company with the visibility of AOL interested in hyperlocal media brings more attention to the whole category and that’s good for all of us right?”

Well, we’re not sure it was good for all of us, but it seems even AOL grows tired of wasting money on doomed projects. On Wednesday, January 29, 2014, Patch’s new majority owner Hale Global reportedly asked AOL to lay off 80-90 percent of Patch’s editorial staff, according to a story on JimRomenesko.com.

Here’s a little of the call that went out from Patch COO Leigh Zarelli:

Hale Global has decided which Patch employees will receive an offer of employment to move forward in accordance with their vision for Patch and which will not. Unfortunately, your role has been eliminated and you will no longer have a role at Patch and today will be your last day of employment with the company. …Thank you again and best of luck.

The downside of this call is that Patch has cut able, energetic local Carlsbad editor Deanne Goodman and rolled her old responsibilities into those of La Jolla and Coronado Patch editor Michelle Mowad (they’re all just generic SoCal beach cities, right?).

Goodman’s last story for Patch (Carlsbad Building North County’s First Roundabout) was posted at 6 AM on January 29, 2014 and later that day her old profile page began turning up a “There doesn’t seem to be anything at this address” response. In fact, clicking on many of the bio links of recent Patch stories ends on a similar page. Guess that’s what happens when nearly everyone gets laid off.

Goodman was able to get one last tweet out of her Carlsbad Patch Twitter account: “After 3.5 years, unfortunately I’m no longer with Patch, please follow me at @DeanneGoodman13.” If you’d like to see what Goodman is up to lately, follow her on Twitter.

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Carlsbad Music Festival Fundraiser: Wu Man

by The Editors on January 31, 2014

Each year the Carlsbad Music Festival brings music (with a capital M) to the Village of Carlsbad in what has become one of the most respected music festivals on the West Coast. To help raise funding for the 2014 event the Carlsbad Music Festival is hosting a benefit on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at the Carlsbad Inn Village Terrace.

Benefit guests will enjoy a catered reception, silent auction, and performance by Wu Man, world renown Chinese pipa player, Carlsbad resident and 2013 Musical America Instrumentalist of the Year. . . Recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso and leading ambassador of Chinese music, Grammy Award nominated musician Wu Man has carved out a career as a composer, soloist, and educator giving her lute-like instrument – which has a history of two thousand years in China – a new role in both traditional and contemporary music. Through numerous trips to her native China, Wu Man has premiered hundreds of new works for the pipa, while spearheading multimedia projects to both preserve and create awareness of China’s ancient musical traditions. Her adventurous spirit and virtuosity have led to collaborations across artistic disciplines allowing Wu Man to reach wider audiences as she works to break through cultural and musical borders.

Tickets can be purchased at www.carlsbadmusicfestival.org for $75 each or a pair for $125. [click to continue…]

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Veggie Grill Grand Opening In Carlsbad

by The Editors on January 17, 2014

Pix Visit

Carlsbad is getting a new vegetarian, fast-casual, chain restaurant when Veggie Grill celebrates their grand opening on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 965 Palomar Airport Road (in the Northeast corner of the Costco parking lot). The new location (in the mini-mall where Pat & Oscars used to be) will be the company’s 23rd restaurant and they’re giving out a few gift cards to celebrate the opening.

. . . the restaurant will thank every guest in line between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Jan. 22 with a $20 Veggie Grill gift card. Additionally, one lucky guest chosen at random will win “Veggie Grill for a Year.” . . . “Consumers are more aware of the nutritional benefits of clean eating than ever before and they’re looking for dining options offering delicious food they can feel good about,” said Greg Dollarhyde, Chief Energizing Officer for Veggie Grill. “The support from the San Diego community has been instrumental in our mission of giving guests a new way to eat well and engage in an active lifestyle.”

We’re not fans of chain restaurants nor fast-casual order-at-the-counter spots, but all-veggie food is all good (plus they serve “locally-produced craft beer and wine). So there’s that. For the official word from Veggie Grill follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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AOL To Sell Money Losing Patch

by The Editors on January 17, 2014

100873975-173180981.530X298Not sure how much longer we’ll have a Carlsbad Patch to kick around, but as long as we do it won’t be owned by AOL.

According to a story on CNBC today, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong (above right) has decided to sell a majority share of Patch to Hale Global, an investment fund.

Patch, AOL’s big bet on local news, has been a big problem for the company. In 2012 Patch had a loss of $35 million, and last year after hundreds of layoffs and shuttering many of its sites, it still didn’t turn a profit, despite a promise that it would by year-end. . . The terms of the deal were not announced, but AOL is effectively contributing Patch, while Hale contributes cash.

AOL will still be a minority owner, but they won’t have to take all the loses. Nice how there continues to be a market for businesses that lose money isn’t it? Guess everyone needs a write off here and there.

[Link: CNBC]

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NVA Premiere’s Annie Baker’s Circle Mirror

by The Editors on January 17, 2014

Circle Mirror

Carlsbadistan’s own professional theatre company New Village Arts Theatre has a new show (Circle Mirror Transformation) going into previews on January 31, 2014. Here’s what it’s all about:

Five brave souls (Tom Stephenson, Dana Case, Sophia Richards, Eddie Yaroch and Rhianna Basore, pictured above) come together in a weekly multigenerational acting class in small-town Vermont. As they learn about the craft of acting and the imaginative space, they discover the intimate intricacies of themselves and their relationships, both inside and outside of the classroom. CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION explores the small changes that we all undergo, leading to our slow but steady transformations throughout our lives.

For more info and to purchase tickets, click the link.

[Link: New Village Arts Theatre]

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Alga Norte Park Grand Opening Tomorrow

by The Editors on January 10, 2014

The City of Carlsbad’s amazing new Alga Norte Community Park is hosting its grand opening on Saturday, January 11, 2014. The celebration kicks off at 10 AM in the aquatic center. The park will then be open to the public with open play in the swimming pools, a dive show, Skateboarding demonstrations, park turns, and a youth basketball scrimmage with guest announcer and NBA legend Bill Walton.

The Alga Norte Community Park is located at 6565 Alicante Road in Carlsbad, California. For more information please click the link.

[Link: Alga Norte]

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Happy Holidays From Carlsbadistan

by The Editors on December 26, 2013

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Wow. The Holidays snuck up on us a littler faster than usual. Is it already Boxing Day? And for the First Day of Christmas, we’re just going to have to leave you with a Happy Holiday from the Carlsbad Village Association! Happy Holidays.

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EverBank Supports Carlsbad Boys & Girls Clubs

by The Editors on November 21, 2013

Everbank Toy Drive
Pictured (L to R): EverBank team members Dennis Smith, Tammy Walsh, Rian Tobias, Cajucom, Grant Tisdale, Club CEO Brad Holland, Scott Degnan, Vicki Hamamoto, Scott Sabo celebrate their toy drive success (not pictured: Simone DeLira).

When Simone DeLira of EverBank was given the task of organizing the company’s grand opening in Carlsbad, priority one was making it be community oriented. One of the City’s oldest nonprofits, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, was selected as the charity of choice. Each guest was asked to bring a toy or make a donation to the Club. Needless to say, it was a huge success!

“We have recently opened a new Home Loan Division here in Carlsbad,” stated EverBank Manager Grant Tisdel. “We are very excited to be a part of the community, and our Open House/Toy Drive was a way to give back in a meaningful way.” . . “Every member at our Village Clubhouse will be given a holiday gift, thanks to the generosity of EverBank as well as other local individuals and companies,” said Club CEO Brad Holland. “We are so grateful for the support Grant , Simone, and EverBank’s entire team has given our kids.”

Sounds like a great way to start. For the rest of the story, follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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