January 2009

Swerving Crash I-5 At Tamarack

by The Editors on January 11, 2009

San Diego 6 kicked down some vague details from a crash early this morning (January 11, 2009):

A motorist whose car rolled over and caught fire on Interstate 5 early Sunday suffered major injuries and was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, a California Highway Patrol dispatcher said.

It all went down around 2 AM near Tamarack. The “motorist” who was in the burning car when emergency crews arrive, was reportedly transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital.

[Link: San Diego 6]

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Aptera Hits The Road In October

by The Editors on January 8, 2009

Aptera Profile-300X120In a letter to Aptera car fans, Carlsbadistan’s only car company has apologized for not getting cars out on schedule and promises to have them rolling by October 2009, according to a story on the blog Gas2.org:

Our most recent corporate commitment was that we would deliver the first production Typ-1, now known as the 2e, by the close of 2008. Despite our well-intentioned efforts, we were unable to complete that vehicle before the close of the year, so it’s now slated for January 16. However, unlike prior plans, this vehicle will not be delivered to a retail customer. We will continue our builds but at a much slower rate starting with a small test fleet of the enhanced vehicles, then moving to our volume production launch on October 1, 2009.”

The all-electric cars will be priced in the “mid $20k to $40k” range depending on options. We can hardly wait.

[Link: Gas2.org]

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Carlsbad Gives Army And Navy Thumbs Up

by The Editors on January 7, 2009

Carlsbadistan’s City Council voted unanimously (with Mayor Lewis abstaining) to approve upgrade plans at The Army and Navy Academy last night, according to a story in the North County Times.

Now that the city has approved school officials’ plans to revamp the campus, they need to raise money to pay for the work, the school’s president —- retired Brig. Gen. Steve Bliss —- said. As money comes in, they will need to go back to the city for individual building permits for various structures.

[Link: North County Times]

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Reef Cuts 42 Employees Today

by The Editors on January 6, 2009

ReefWe received reports today that the Carlsbadistan-based action sports footwear and clothing company Reef dropped the axe on 42 employees as the savage retail economy continues to take its toll. Reef is one of 25 brands owned by VF Corp. Some of the company’s other brands include Vans, The North Face, 7 For All Mankind, Eastpack, Jansport, Wrangler, and Eagle Creek.

In a late December 2008 interview with TransWorld Business VF Corp’s President Americas Coalition Dave Gatto said:

We all know there can be a huge up-swing when the market recovers; it’s just a matter of adjusting the business responsibly to survive the lulls and hopefully emerge a stronger, more efficient brand.

Looks like Mr. Gatto just “adjusted” the Reef business to survive this lull. Hopefully, that was enough.

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Bressi Ranch Home For Mentally Disabled Men

by The Editors on January 6, 2009

Iszx88Wawbqn4ZPutting a group home for mentally disabled men in the middle of Carlsbadistan’s Stepford Bressi Ranch doesn’t seem like the best idea we’ve heard in a while. But that didn’t stop TERI, Inc. of Oceanside (a non-profit that works with mentally disabled children and adults) from buying a $1 million home at 6205 Alverton Drive, according to a story in the North County Times.

Here’s how ZIllow.com describes the house:

Charming cottage style single story Canterbury model highly upgraded both inside and out. Resort style yard with salt water pool and spa, play area for children, plus additional side yard. Built In BBQ and dining area.”

We would never suggest that six mentally disabled men don’t deserve a salt water pool, hot tub, and a built-in BBQ in their resort-style back yard, nor that anyone would notice six more mentally disabled men in Bressi Ranch. It just seems that TERI, Inc.’s could have done much more for their program if they’d been more efficient with their million dollars rather than spending it on an overpriced four-bedroom track home in one of Southern California’s premiere planned communities.

Then again, maybe TERI, Inc. is trying to make a point and what better place make it than in Bressi Ranch.

[Link: North County Times]

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Callaway Buys Golf GPS Company

by The Editors on January 5, 2009

Products-RightThere is nothing worse that getting lost on the golf course. And now, Callaway has the solution for when it happens. According to a story in San Diego Business Journal Callaway has just purchased Carlsbadistan-based UPlay for an undisclosed sum.

UPlay makes a consumer electronic device that uses GPS technology as well as aerial and satellite photography to give golfers a bird’s-eye view of the course they are playing. The device also provides distance information. The deal closed Dec. 31. Callaway said it would not materially affect 2009 financial results.

We’d like to say we invented this technology 12 years ago over drinks in Newport Beach, but obviously, we did nothing with the idea.

[Link: San Diego Business Journal]

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Army And Navy Academy Gunning For Upgrades

by The Editors on January 4, 2009

AnaCarlsbadistan’s 99-year-old Army and Navy Academy is hoping to make some major renovations if they can get their plans approved by the city of Carlsbad, according to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times.

Officials with the private military high school want to tear down a number of aging buildings, give some other structures a face lift and add new dormitories, classrooms and sports facilities. Also planned is a pedestrian bridge across Carlsbad Boulevard, linking the main campus buildings with the sports fields.

Hurry up and get this approved. We’re tired of nearly getting hit every time we try to cross Coast Highway in front of the ANA campus.

[Link: North County Times]

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Where To Dump Your Christmas Trees

by The Editors on January 4, 2009

While we traditionally keep our Christmas tree around until well into the middle of January, those who like to start the new year fresh can dump off their used tannenbaums at any one of these locations according to the Sign On San Diego:

Drop-off sites at Calavera Park, 2997 Glasgow Drive; Poinsettia Park, 6600 Hidden Valley Road; Stagecoach Park, 3420 Camino de los Coches; Fire Station No. 1, 1275 Carlsbad Village Drive; and Palomar Transfer Station, 5960 El Camino Real.

[Link: Sign On San Diego]

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Carlsbad Couple’s Exit Strategy

by The Editors on January 2, 2009

The older we get the less bummed we are by news like this story about Warren Mingus, 88, and his wife from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

An elderly couple were found shot dead in their La Costa home Thursday in what appears to the county’s second murder-suicide case reported on the first day of 2009. . . . When police entered the house on Cannas Court, a short street less than half a mile from the intersection of Aviara Parkway and El Camino Real, just before 5 p.m., they found the bodies of an 88-year-old man and a 90-year-old woman, who had apparently died from bullet wounds, Carlsbad police said. . . An acquaintance of the pair told officers they were both in failing health and were suffering from numerous medical issues.

We just hope this is something they planned together. Our thoughts are with their families.

[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune and North County Times]

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Carlsbadstan’s Own Gypsy Hunter

by The Editors on January 1, 2009

GypsyWe just learned that the Carlsbadistan Police department has its own Gypsy hunter. According to a story in the North County Times Detective Patricia Parra (not pictured right) is looking into “eight reports of home and car repair scams from elderly victims since October.”

Parra, who specializes in fraud and crimes against the elderly, became aware of scams associated with ethnic Gypsies several years ago and says she has been expanding her expertise ever since, . . . She is quick to say that individuals should not stereotype or hold prejudices. . . . But she said she has found, through her investigations and arrests, that most home and auto repair scams that follow a specific pattern have been committed by people who consider themselves ethnic Gypsies.

Do not steal our tears, gypsy.

[Link: North County Times]

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