August 2011

Big Carlsbadistan Walls Incoming

by The Editors on August 31, 2011

Surf Tomorrow

Looks like tomorrow (September 1, 2011) might be a great day to call in sick. Not that we would suggest anyone do such a thing. . . Taylor Knox just got back from getting pummeled at Teahupoo and here’s what he’s saying:

are you kidding me with this swell… had my bell rung this morning in C’bad! wasn’t expecting that! ha ha.

Crazy.

[Link: Surfline.com]

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Carlsbad’s State Of The City Address

by The Editors on August 31, 2011

Mayor Matt Hall makes his first appearance in the Carlsbadistan State of The City Address video, and, as you might expect things are looking just fine. At least that’s the message that Mayor Hall and the council would like to project.

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Lancer Dancers Begin Year of Giving Back

by The Editors on August 31, 2011

Ld Kick Off Season

Carlsbad High School’s National Champion Lancer Dancers are back in school and kicking off their busy training schedule that will see them defend their title at Nationals, but that’s not all they’ve been doing lately. No, they’ve also been giving back to the community.

The Lancer Dancers are committed to giving back to the Carlsbad and the surrounding communities and have held multiple food drives and volunteered hundreds of community service hours as a team. They have given their time to so many worthy causes, but have found a real passion for sharing their love of dance and giving back to children, especially those in need.

For more details on the work the girls have done over the summer (as well as what they plan to do during the coming year) follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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Riehl World: Wrong Jobs to outsource?

by Richard J. Riehl on August 25, 2011

The August edition of Carlsbad Currents, the city’s bi-monthly publication mailed to city residents, carries the headline, “Carlsbad maintains good financial health.” The story boasts of a budget balanced by reducing the size of the city’s workforce and operating more efficiently. The city’s 2011-12 budget report explains the workforce was cut back by eliminating 10 currently vacant positions, including a fire marshal, a graphic artist, a building inspector and two custodians.

We learn from the newsletter that sales and hotel taxes are expected to grow, while property tax is projected to decrease slightly. Finance Director Chuck McBride assures us that investment in the city created by new hotel, retail and commercial projects puts the city “in a good position to capitalize on opportunities as the economy recovers.” It appears happy times are here again.

Follow the jump for the rest of the story [click to continue…]

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Aptera Refunding Buyer Deposits

by The Editors on August 24, 2011

Aptera-2E-Aa-300X191Carlsbadistan’s electric car start-up Aptera is apparently experiencing some difficult times and is now reportedly in the process of refunding all customer deposits taken for it’s high-mileage small car, according to a post on Triple Pundit.

Unfortunately, the company has experienced numerous setbacks, and the production dates have repeatedly been pushed back. Although originally scheduled to be delivered in late 2008, production deadlines have been missed and moved back as design changes continued to mount and funds dwindled. In 2010, Aptera was denied $184 million, in U.S. Department of Energy loans. The company re-applied for the DOE loans under a revised bill, but those monies have yet to be awarded.

Looks like another bummer for one of Carlsbadistan’s once brightest start-ups. Click here for a complete listing of our past coverage of Aptera.

[Link: Triple Pundit]

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Museum Of Making Music Reopening Celebration

by The Editors on August 19, 2011

Concept1 1312923281-1One of Carlsbadistan’s coolest, hidden gems is the Museum of Making Music. And tomorrow (Saturday, August 20, 2011) the museum is holding a “reopening celebration” to show off their new interactive displays and updated exhibits.

Taking place at the Museum’s Carlsbad location (5790 Armada Drive), the reopening celebration includes activities for children of all ages and special performances by local musicians. Professional musicians will be at instrument areas throughout the Museum to give visitors one-on-one instruction and demonstrations.

For a complete overview of the day’s event click the link.

[Link: Museum of Making Music] [click to continue…]

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TGIF August 19: Monette Marino-Keita

by The Editors on August 19, 2011

Tgif-Jazz-MonmarTonight, August 19, 2011, Carlsbadistan’s Jazz In The Park is finished. The end. If you’ve been wanting to go all summer, and you’ve let the gray, overcast skies keep you away, this is your last chance. Tonight, San Diego-based Monette Marino-Keita will be drumming up a storm with her own brand of Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian and traditional Korean rhythms.

Her music blends African and Latin rhythms and melodies inside funk and rock grooves and her all-star band includes Grammy and Emmy award-winners Larry Mitchell on guitar, Allan Phillips on keyboards and Mike Holguin on drums.

Get to Calavera Hills Park early and get a spot near the stage. There’s nothing like seeing hands on a drum up close.

[Link: Jazz In The Park]

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Dual Tracks Equal Trains In Stereo

by The Editors on August 16, 2011

Tracks

It won’t be long and Carlsbadistan will have two, two, two times the train traffic rolling through the neighborhood in the middle of the night. The track expansion through Carlsbad is nearly completed and soon we’ll have twice the horns honking at the Tamarack, CVD, and Grand crossings. We can hardly wait. . .

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TGIF August 12: John Nemeth

by The Editors on August 11, 2011

Tgif-Jazz-Johnnem

Tomorrow night (Friday, August 12, 2011), under a likely layer of fog and high clouds (if the last week has been any indication) Bluesman John Nemeth will take the Carlsbadistan Jazz In The Park Calavera Hills Park stage and blow the summer blues away with his buttery smooth voice and red hot harp.

John Nemeth is a singer steeped in the tradition of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity who evokes comparison to Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter. In 10 short years, he’s moved up to opening for Robert Cray, Keb Mo’, and Earl Thomas.

Nemeth will be headlining Friday night, so get to Calavera Hills Park early and bring something to share with your friends and neighbors.

[Link: Jazz In The Park]

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Riehl World: Taj Magolf’s Extreme Makeover

by Richard J. Riehl on August 11, 2011

ThelossingsMark Twain once called the game of golf “a good walk spoiled.” Something similar could be said of Carlsbad’s $68 million public golf course–a splendid setting for weddings, dining and golf, spoiled by tilting fairways, undersized greens, and lost balls.

A struggling economy, the many affordable courses nearby, and its playability have been blamed for the course’s annual deficits. Hopes for a financial turnaround are based mostly on the attractiveness of the venue.

That was a summary of a consultant’s report for the city of Rockville, Maryland on the financial condition of its Redgate Municipal Golf Course. The recommendations? Modify greens and bunkers, build additional facilities for player convenience, and launch a more aggressive marketing campaign.

Sound familiar? The differences between The Crossings and Redgate are foreboding. Rockville’s course is 40 years old. You can play it for half of what you pay for a round at Carlsbad’s Taj Magolf. [click to continue…]

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