If you’re wondering why you’re seeing an abnormal amount of fit people cruising the streets of Carlsbad this week, we’re blaming it on the 30th Annual Carlsbad Triathlon which is going down at Tamarack Beach on Sunday, July 8 2012. The first swimmers hit the water at 8 AM and from there it’s a swim, bike, run to the finish. For coverage of past events, click here. For more information on this year’s race click the link.
[Link: Carlsbad Triathlon]
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Tomorrow (Saturday, July 7, 2012) Del Mar’s Dog Beach gets rolling with Vigilucci’s Beach Bocce World Championship XXXII. The only reason we’re mentioning this is that the proceeds from the day benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad.
This year’s sold-out event boasts over 350 two-person teams. Some come dressed in costume, all come ready for fun. Over 1200 players and spectators (no charge) are expected. Organizers expect to net $75,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. In addition, a small portion of the proceeds is donated to the Del Mar Lifeguard Association.
The party begins at 8 AM. Get out, support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, and have a (bocce) ball. For more information click the link.
[Link: Beach Bocce]
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On Monday, July 9, 2012 Waste Management (the friendly people who pick up our trash) will be rolling out cart exchanges for people who would like to swap out their new cart for a cart of a different size.
“Our entire team has been focused on the successful rollout of the new cart program, and we are excited to see residents already enjoying this enhanced service,” said Lori Somers, community and municipal relations representative for Waste Management. “We understand that after receiving the carts, some residents realized that they would prefer a different size, and we are working hard to get those carts exchanged as quickly as possible.”
If you’re one of the people who would like a different sized cart simply “emailing carlsbadcarts@wm.com or calling 866-WM-RECYCLE with name, address, and the cart size and type they wish to have exchanged.” For all the official details follow the jump. [click to continue…]
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On Saturday, June 30, 2012 Carlsbadistan’s world famous Museum of Making Music will present the documentary film Peggy Gilbert & Her All-Girl Band.
As a performer on saxophones, clarinet, violin, and vibes, as well as a singer, arranger, and contractor for women musicians, Peggy Gilbert has been a one-woman support network and staunch advocate for women since the 1920s. A professional tenor saxophonist for more than 80 years, she has been an inspiration for several generations of musicians.
The film, narrated by Lily Tomlin, screens at 3 PM, June 30, 2012. Tickets are $15, $10 for members. Click the link for more info.
[Link: Museum of Making Music]
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The City of Carlsbad is happy to report that after “detailed water quality testing” Carlsbad Municipal Water District’s drinking water meets “all state and federal water quality standards for drinking water.”
“Our residents should feel confident in the water we provide,” said Glenn Pruim, general manager of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, a subsidiary district of the City of Carlsbad. “People might not realize that their water undergoes rigorous testing— even more than bottled water.”
The official report will be mailed to all homes on the system, or can be viewed on the city’s website right here. Amazing what a little chlorine can do. Follow the jump for the official details. [click to continue…]
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When they rolled out their 2012-13 preliminary operating budget two weeks ago Carlsbad city officials were singing “Happy Days Are Here Again.” But not everyone joined in the chorus. A parade of disgruntled residents reprimanded the city council at its June 5 meeting for the city’s failure to invest in more open space. And now members of the planning commission join hotel industry experts in suggesting the city might soon be overbuilt with hotel rooms.
One land use issue that didn’t make the headlines can be found in a report on the city’s changing demographics by Community and Economic Development Director Gary Barberio.
Barberio pointed to forecasts showing the addition of 20,000 Carlsbadians by 2040, a 20 percent increase. But the number of 35 to 64 year-olds, who now make up nearly half of city residents, is expected to shrink to little more than a third of the population.
While the share of Carlsbad’s Generation X gets smaller, the number of Millennials between the ages of 20 and 34, is expected to grow by 20 percent. Baby Boomers from 65 to 80 will rise by a whopping 124 percent.
Follow the jump for the rest of the story. [click to continue…]
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The Carlsbadistan trash removal experts at Waste Management will deliver new roller-wheeled trash carts to residents beginning June 4, 2012 on regular trash days.
Under the new automated trash collection system, residents will use wheeled carts with attached lids instead of trash cans and recycling crates. Specially designed trucks will pick up the new carts automatically with a hydraulic arm instead of Waste Management employees manually picking them up. . . . Once residents receive their new carts, they should start using them immediately. Waste Management will go through each neighborhood and collect unwanted trash cans and recycling crates the week following delivery of the new carts. Residents will be given yellow “take me” stickers when they receive their new carts. For collection of unwanted trash cans, residents can place the stickers onto their old, unwanted cans and place them at the curb on pick up day.
For all the official details, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
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No Child Left Behind and the rise of charter schools have been the primary drivers of school reform in the last decade. But while NCLB promised school accountability, it got it by labeling students and schools successes or failures based on test scores alone. It failed the promise implied by its title, to close the learning gap separating students by income and ethnicity.
California’s charter schools, on the other hand, freed of state bureaucracy and teachers unions, were meant to help left-behind students bloom by using innovative methods traditional schools could adopt. But with a few exceptions, North County charters have served mostly as havens for families not quite wealthy enough to afford private schools. Home schooling is a feature of the largest of them, a popular choice for those who’ve lost faith in traditional schools. Low income and single-parent families are left behind when parents are required to take the place of trained professionals.
Follow the jump for the rest of the story. [click to continue…]
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The Riehl World: Outsourcing Why?
by Richard J. Riehl on July 12, 2012
A year ago we learned Carlsbad is considering outsourcing city services, but to this date we haven’t been told why.
At a July 2011 workshop, city council members heard a presentation by Carrollton, Texas’ Director of Competition, Tom Guilfoy (“City to explore some outsourcing of government work,” NCT, 2011). He told the council his city saved at least $25 million over nine years under its Managed Competition plan.
Liking what they heard, the council directed City Manager Lisa Hildabrand to conduct an internal review to see if outsourcing could make city government more business-like.
City park landscaping work has been suggested for potential outsourcing, which added irony to Councilman Mark Packard’s warning that council members should not “let the grass grow under our feet” waiting for Carlsbad to “handle its operations the way private businesses do.” Packard is apparently not as worried about the weeds growing under his feet while he’s strolling through Aviara Park if a private contractor is maintaining it with lower paid employees.
Carrollton’s Guilfoy proudly pointed out how much money was saved by outsourcing solid waste management collection and laying off 50 city employees. Carlsbad outsourced waste collection long ago. Carrollton’s Parks and Recreation department escaped outsourcing by reducing costs of equipment replacements. [click to continue…]
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