Name That Committee: 4S Chinese Church Bible School, Cielo Sign. ID This, Win Prize...

Machel Penn Shull of 'Machel's Ranch' TAKES CHARGE AT MILLE FLEURS Mardi Gras 2012...

 Think its easy organizing social events? Check out Machel Penn Shull, of Machel's Ranch Social Column, taking charge of the photo opp at Mille Fleurs on Mardi Gras Day for an upcoming column. Identify the ladies in the photo for bonus points. Or check them out next month at Machel's Ranch. 

And then there's the observer from fringe unit...

 MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE ABBEY...

Adios...

View from Machel's Ranch: 'Sunshine fills Rancho Santa Fe with inspiration and parties'

(From left: 1. Timothy Nunn, Artist Joelle Blouin and her agent, Edward at Legends Gallery in La Jolla; 2. Make your Valentine’s reservations at Mille Fleurs this year! Chef Martin Woesle is featured here with Jill Drouin and Joe, two of Mille Fleurs’ fantastic staff members; 3. Order you flowers or chocolate covered strawberries from Lemon Twist on Valentine’s Day, located on Del Dios Highway across from Cielo. Photos: Machel Penn Shull.)

How do you keep yourself inspired every day? Do you ever get up and think, “This is it, same thing as yesterday. How long will life continue on with this same routine?” Yes, life can be boring, methodical and sometimes just plain humdrum. What do you do when this happens? Do you decide to pity yourself? Feel like life is predictable and what is the point?

 I admit the reason I am writing this is because I encountered these feelings this week. Yes, I too, can find the eucalyptus trees and the design of the perfect landscape in California just a bit on the blah side. While winter is happening elsewhere in the world, we are constantly blessed with pretty amazing weather. No reason to whine about that, right? Well, we must hibernate, recharge, regroup and reinvent ourselves. Even though there are moments that can eclipse us that make us feel bored, we must remind ourselves of each and every blessing. I recently looked through some of my photos and thought, “These pictures show a beautiful life.”

I soon realized that although it’s tempting to indulge in idleness, we must stop ourselves from this pitfall. The challenge is to remain upbeat, youthful and hopeful with each new day. We may think we know what’s going to happen and that we’ve got it all figured out. However, life still remains a mystery … just like the nature of true love. With the “Month of Love” upon us, I found some fun events in and around the Ranch. Happy Valentine’s Day Rancho Santa Fe!

Around Town

On Jan. 28, Karian Forsyth, one of the top five women I love to feature in “Machel’s Ranch” held her first 2012 monthly spa party in The Crosby. On a hot Saturday afternoon, these ladies enjoyed fine pampering, good company and excellent food that day.

I turned out to be the unlucky one that at the last minute was unable to make it due to some unexpected events, which prohibited me from indulging with some of my favorite friends. I have included a stolen moment from that day that shows these women making the most of their time by sharing their souls and time with each other. How wonderful.

On Jan. 30, I received some exciting news about one my favorite friend’s family members. Claude Whitney — a superior judge in Orange County for over 30 years — turned 81 on a fabulous Sunday with his loved ones. Talk about making life fun and worth living; Claude is a black diamond skier who “Skis for Free” as he is more than 70 years old. From Skiing in Aspen and Telluride to Deer Valley, nothing is going to slow down Claude Whitney.
I have include a beautiful photo of him surrounded by his wife and loved ones. Happy birthday Claude. Meredith MacDonald is the very proud stepdaughter of Claude Whitney.

(From left: 1. Hostess, Karian Forsyth poses with some of her gorgeous guests at the Forsyth’s Super Bowl party Sunday; 2. Claude Whitney celebrates his birthday with his wife Cici Whitney and the MacDonald clan; 3. First Spa party of 2012 under a golden sun.)

On Feb. 1, I stepped into my husband’s shoes and helped out at Lemon Twist — the flower shop/fruit-stand in the Ranch across from Cielo. While the sunny day brought in steady customers, I helped organize and figure out new exciting gifts for Valentine’s Day for locals in the Ranch. Lemon Twist is famously known for the delicious chocolate-covered strawberries, which is a mouth-watering, pleasing gift for any loved one. But did you know Lemon Twist is also a gift/floral shop with specialty items, gift baskets, orchids, caramel chocolate popcorn, and beautiful bouquets? For any questions or to order in advance, call (858) 756-0826.

Ask about the “special” for chocolate covered strawberries, too. I will be there all day on Valentine’s Day. Stop in and see us. I will have my camera to capture this wonderful holiday we love to celebrate at Lemon Twist.

On Feb. 2, I stopped in at my favorite restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe — Mille Fleurs. If you have read my column over the years then you know that this restaurant has always had a special place in my world. From amazing birthday parties to summer parties, I have enjoyed the ambience, the food and the staff at the best French restaurant in Southern California. I met briefly with Chef Martin Woesle. Chef Martin has been the chef at Mille Fleurs for more than 27 years. I found out the skinny on Valentine’s Day at Mille Fleurs. Check out millefleurs.com for details on this amazing special going on if you want to woo your loved one. Call (858) 756-3085 for details.

On Feb. 3, I ventured to La Jolla to Legends Gallery where I work part-time weekly, which I absolutely love. Art has been one of my passions and obsessions most of my life. So when I met Roree Mayhew, the director of Legends, a few months ago, you can just imagine me doing a little “Audrey Hepburn” smile all the way to my car parked a couple of blocks away, ironically next to a chapel. (Prayers do work wonders you know.) A few months later, I am excited to be selling art and meeting the artists there. On that note, Joelle Blouin — a top selling Canadian artist from Quebec City — has risen to quick acclaim in the art world. Only 26 years old, Joelle has gone from one gallery to seven in under one year. Her bold colorful paintings of city skylines are magnificent. Visit joelleblouin.com or contact me directly for more information on her paintings.

On Feb. 5, I attended Karian and Tom’s Super Bowl party in the Crosby. What can I say? These photos speak for themselves. Here are two group shots of the guests that came in high style for one of America’s favorite past times.

SAVE THE DATE

On Feb. 16, don’t miss out on a must-attend Fashion event happening in La Jolla. San Diego Food Bank’s Chris Carter was kind enough to invite me to this fabulous day at the second annual Fashion Plates Luncheon and fashion show designed by TV personality Leonard Simpson. The silent auctions starts at 10:30 a.m. sharp, which is followed by the luncheon and fashion show. This event will be held at the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla. To reserve your tickets, contact Megan Mills at (858) 863-5121 or visit sandiegofoodbank.org.

General plan, Cielo sign, tiered equines: San Dieguito Planning Group meets 7 p.m. 2/16 ...

PUBLIC NOTICE

SAN DIEGUITO PLANNING GROUP

P.O. Box 2789, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, 92067

February 16, 2012

Place of Meeting:    RANCHO SANTA FE FIRE STATION  (meeting room), 16936 El Fuego, Rancho Santa Fe, California.  TBM 1168-D3, (El Fuego intersects Linea del Cielo at the west end of the village.)

Preliminary Agenda --- REGULAR MEETING

A final agenda, including changes and additions if any, may be posted in front of the U.S. Post Office, Rancho Santa Fe, seventy-two (72) hours before the meeting.   Certain matters, as may be noted, will be set for a time certain.  Matters on the agenda are NOT necessarily heard in the order listed.  Continuances, if any, will be announced at the start of the meeting or may be contained in a final agenda.  Time devoted to an item will vary depending on its complexity, importance to the group and public, and the length of the agenda.... (more)

BREAKING NEWS 1 P.M. -- Fire at Cielo Village closes Del Dios Highway at 1 p.m. Friday; Re-opens an hour and a half later...

Lucky for the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, a new fire station and the recently relocated department offices are nearby. Conspiracy theories, anyone???

In any event, these were the CHP details as reported. Updated at 8 p.m. wth Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department release on the incident.

Crews knocked down a brush fire that broke out near Cielo Village. The fire was reported shortly after 12:45 p.m. in an area near Del Dios Highway and Bing Crosby Boulevard, according to Cal Fire. Small, separate fires also broke out in the area. Authorities said the fires were apparently sparked by a passing vehicle with a malfunctioning exhaust or brake system. Below is the real-time CHP SigAlert report brought to you real-time ONLY at Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News...

SMALL VEGETATION FIRES ALONG DEL DIOS HIGHWAY QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. — On Friday, May 6, 2011, at 12:45 p.m., firefighters from the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, Carlsbad Fire Department, Encinitas Fire Department, and CalFire, responde to the report of a vegetation fire along Del Dios Highway just east of Calle Ambiente. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters found three small vegetation fires, covering a total area of 1.5 acres, burning along the roadway and worked quickly to extinguish the flames. Del Dios Highway was closed in both directions for approximately 2 hours between Calle Ambiente and Rancho Drive. Eight fire engines, one hand crew, one helicopter, and two battalion chiefs responded to the incident. California Highway Patrol and Rancho Santa Fe Patrol assisted with the road closure. No evacuations were ordered and there were no injuries. CalFire is investigating the cause of the fires.

-- Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District

First reported here Dec. 15, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Dept. announces offices moving to Cielo...

 As first reported at Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News on Dec. 15 -- http://tiny.cc/wosqo -- and officially announced Wednesday, March 2, the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District is moving offices to Cielo Village off Del Dios Highway.

The 6,000-square foot office building at 18027 Calle Ambiente, was purchased, and renovated, at an undisclosed price. it will house administrative personnel and firefighters, and open for business on March 29, said Julie Taber, district information officer in a news release.

"Beginning March 29, customers seeking assistance with plan submissions, plan checks, car seat installations, accounts payable, and other administrative or prevention matters will need to go to the new office on Calle Ambiente," Taber said.

Said Fire Chief Tony Michel. “The new location will allow us to maintain a high level of service for our customers and accommodate the growing needs of our district. While we anticipate a smooth transition, we appreciate the community’s understanding should there be a bump or two along the way.”

Emergency response personnel assigned to RSF Fire Station 1,  located at the district's current  El Fuego headquarters, will remain at the current site, Taber said.

In December, (photo, left, of building then) when Ah-Ha RSF News broke the story, Michel said: "We are purchasing a building that is being built to suit. This gives us more room for growth and solves our parking issues."

The new office is somewhat larger than the current facility, and more central to total operations in the district tat includes Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, and Del Dios, according to Michel. He would not disclose the building purchase price, pending conclusion of negotiations between fire district leaders and Cielo management. A postal store at the building was relocated to another Cielo location.

The new location is just across the street from the department's Station No. 4, which was the department's newest station, constructed in 2004 at the Cielo entrance, 18040 Calle Ambiente. That station covers the district's northeast corner.

That's not all for district moves. The rebuilt Fairbanks Ranch Fire Station continues on schedule for a May opening. "The contracted completion date of May 2011 is still on schedule pending any unforeseen delays," fire officials said.

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District was formed on Oct. 14, 1946 under an order adopted by the County Board of Supervisors. At the time, the Fire District was comprised of one Chief and 15 volunteer suppression personnel who protected an estimated 3,800 residents.

The District now spans 38-square miles and protects about 26,000 residents. The fire agency also operates under a cooperative efforts agreement with the Encinitas, Del Mar, and Solana Beach Fire Departments.

The Fire District is governed by a five-person elected Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for establishing policies, guidelines and providing direction for Fire District staff. Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m.

For a comprehensive look at the department's history, visit the official web site: 

http://www.rsf-fire.org/about/history.html.

Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Musings: Foreclosure rates, Lennar opens future foreclosures...

(The view above "Sereno at the Lakes Above Rancho Santa Fe." Want to hear the real deal? After foreclosure data.) 

These charts and graphs lay out the foreclosure scene in 92067 Zip-line. Enjoy.

These statistics are only for the 92067 (Rancho Santa Fe Covenant & Area).  Rancho Santa Fe is also considered portions of 92091.

The chart above shows Rancho Santa Fe foreclosures including both Notice of Default and Notice of sale for the last 12 months.  Notice of Default (NOD) is the first public notice that the owner is in financial difficulty and starts the foreclosure process.  Historically this can be filed as early as several missed mortgage payments, but Banks may take months to record the NOD.  The Notice of Trustee Sale can be recorded as early as 3 months from the filing of the NOD.  Once the Notice of Trustee Sale has been recorded the initial auction date can be scheduled as little at 20 days, but many are postponed for up to one year.

The second chart indicates cancellations of auction dates, percentage of homes that went back to the Bank (REO), and those purchased by a third party.  Third party sales are cash investors that are flipping the properties for profit or holding for investment.

The third chart indicates the change in percentage from the previous year on Pre-foreclosure homes or Notice of Default, scheduled for sale, and bank owned properties (REO).

Finally the 4th chart shows the time to foreclosure percentage change from the previous year, time to re-sell on a Bank Owned Property, and time to re-sell on a 3rd party (investor) sale.

Now, on to what we "referred" to as Lennar's future foreclosures. Lennar Homes is opening this deal called "Sereno at the Lakes Above Rancho Santa Fe" for public display on Saturday, Feb. 26.

(Photo above: Lennar's Lakes development is in the upper left corner as a worker touts the ill-fated Cielo Farmers Market just across Del Dios Highway that had a turbulent one month stand last year.) 

Normally, we let the real estate community slide. Heck, we've got many wonderful friends and visitors who are real estate people. It's all good.

However, Lennar Homes knd of went beyond the pale with its press release Friday about this so-called Sereno At The Lakes yada yada. Let's get technical here before we go into the gist of these dwelling that cost around $1 million.

Firstly, what the heck does "Sereno" mean?  We looked it up online. Wait for it. Wait for it.

 

¹sereno

, serena adjective 

sosegado : serene, calm, composed

: fair, clear (of weather)

 : calm, still (of the sea)

--  http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com

Of course, it was far too close for comfort to...

noun pl. serranos -·nos

a kind of long, slender, very hot chili usually cooked while still green, used esp. in Mexican cooking

also serrano chili (or pepper) serrano chili (or pepper)

--  yourdictionary.com 

So, you want to pay $1 million to live in a kind of long, slender very hot chili usually cooked while still green? Didn't think so. Get a REAL fake name. (While we're on faux topics, those tiny, tiny man-made water holes don't look much like lakes either.)

That's not even the beginning of this outrage. The "Sereno"  development is at Rancho Bernardo actually. They're just calling it Rancho Santa Fe. Strike Two. They're behind in the count.

These homes aren't just behind one gate either. You have to drive through Crosby Estate's gates -- unless you know the secret way in as some do -- and then you drive through ANOTHER gate at The Lakes. That's ridiculous, especially for mere one million dollar homes. Maybe, you spend $2 million, you get two gates.

And as the previous foreclosure chart shows, not really a good time to be buying overpriced property. Not a good time to be rooting around for first-time buyers either, as the Lennar marketeers suggest. So, the Lennar press release with its overhyped sell truly grated.

(And we won't even bring up the fiasco at The Bridges where Lennar had to mix it up with the infamous rogue financier Barry Minkow and his fellow accomplice Nicholas Marsch III. Lennar won that $150 million battle. For more, visit our story at http://tiny.cc/0ay8l. Oops.)

For example, the Lennar press release to wit:

"Lennar is now grand opening their highly anticipated community, Sereno, this Saturday, February 26th...

Filled with exquisite custom-quality appointments and architectural detail, the expansive two-story residences at Sereno are truly spectacular and are attracting new homebuyers who are seeking a luxurious new home environment that also has all the comforts of home...

Secluded behind private entry gates and overlooking a panorama of sparkling lakes and golf course vistas, The Lakes community replicates the finest examples of California's golden age of architecture surrounded by tree-lined streets and riding trails.

The neighboring area presents the beautiful beaches and cliffs of Solana Beach, La Jolla, and Del Mar. Enjoy the Del Mar racetrack or the renowned Torrey Pines Golf Club. And charming downtown San Diego is just a short drive away."

OK, where do we start. "New homebuyers." REALLY? "Exquisite custom-quality appointments." YEAH, APPOINTMENTS, HUH. SOUNDS LIKE WORK. "Secluded behind private entry gates." STIPULATED. "Finest examples of California's golden age of architecture." REALLY. WHEN WAS THAT GOLDEN AGE EXACTLY?

But the kicker. "The neighboring area presents the beautiful beaches and cliffs of Solana Beach, La Jolla, and Del Mar." HMMM...DISTANCE FROM DEL MAR, SOLANA BEACH - 15 MILES; DISTANCE FROM LA JOLLA - 25 MILES; DISTANCE FROM ESCONDIDO - 6 MILES; DISTANCE FROM RANCHO BERNARDO - 0 FEET. DON'T SEE ESCONDIDO OR RANCHO BERNARDO ANYWHERE HERE.

BOGUS.

Get real then. Promotion and marketing is one thing. This is another. We could say a lot more. But we got to get to non-fake stuff now. Good luck, Lennar.

Oh, in case you're still interested: Sereno at The Lakes is located at 16937 Tillage Lane. For further information or driving directions to The Lakes, visit Lennar.com or call (888) 628-1706.

After decade in doubt, arroyo toads can breathe a bit easier around the San Dieguito River Valley...

 San Dieguito River/Santa Ysabel Creek Basin, San Diego County:  The San Dieguito River has two major dams, Lake Hodges and Lake Sutherland, which have eliminated some historical habitat in the basin through flooding, lack of sediment deposition, and hydrologic changes; however, there are still extensive stretches of suitable habitat remaining in the above-mentioned creeks.

-- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

After a decade in doubt, it's official; endangered arroyo toads can hang around Rancho Santa Fe

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finally designated 2,347 acres of critical toad habitat for our toady frenemies. the habitat mainly consists of thread-leaved brodiaea, a rare Southern California lily threatened by urban development, off-road vehicles, grazing and plowing for fire clearance.

Toadtown extends in hopscotch blotches from Monterey County to San Diego County. Specifications were published last week in the Federal Register. That ended a 10-year legal battle between the feds and the Center for Biological Diversity over the fate of the toads, who hang around in but 23 small, isolated populations, including the San Dieguito River Valley that straddles Del Dios Highway.

“This is very important because there has been a catastrophic reduction in habitat for this toad in California,” said Ilene Anderson, a spokeswoman for the diversity center.

When Bufo californicus -- a small, buff-colored amphibian with dark spots and warts -- was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1994, it had lost more than 75% of its historic habitat to development, mining, agriculture and predation by non-native species.

The final designation for the arroyo toad includes about 72,596 acres of private lands, 21,982 acres under federal jurisdiction, 2,128 acres of state property and 1,660 acres of locally owned lands.

This represented a compromise. The original wildlife service proposal called for protecting 478,000 acres. The Bush administration in 2005 tried to change that to 11,695 acres. 

“This is very important because there has been a catastrophic reduction in habitat for this toad in California,” said Ilene Anderson, a spokeswoman for the diversity center.

When Bufo californicus -- a small, buff-colored amphibian with dark spots and warts -- was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1994, it had lost more than 75% of its historic habitat to development, mining, agriculture and predation by non-native species.

The final designation for the arroyo toad includes about 72,596 acres of private lands, 21,982 acres under federal jurisdiction, 2,128 acres of state property and 1,660 acres of locally owned lands.

This represented a compromise. The original wildlife service proposal called for protecting 478,000 acres. The Bush administration in 2005 tried to change that to 11,695 acres. 

For more, see the attached pdf file from the diversity center...

San Dieguito Planning Group Agenda for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3 meeting at 16936 El Fuego

(Note: Discussion of the controversial Chinese Bible School at 4S Ranch has been postponed to a later date)

PUBLIC NOTICE

SAN DIEGUITO PLANNING GROUP

P.O. Box 2789, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, 92067

NOTICE OF MEETING:    February 3, 2011

Place of Meeting:    RANCHO SANTA FE FIRE STATION  (meeting room), 16936 El Fuego, Rancho Santa Fe, California.  TBM 1168-D3, (El Fuego intersects Linea del Cielo at the west end of the village.)

FINAL  Agenda  --- REGULAR MEETING

A final agenda, including changes and additions if any, may be posted in front of the U.S. Post Office, Rancho Santa Fe, seventy-two (72) hours before the meeting.   Certain matters, as may be noted, will be set for a time certain.  Matters on the agenda are NOT necessarily heard in the order listed.  Continuances, if any, will be announced at the start of the meeting or may be contained in a final agenda.  Time devoted to an item will vary depending on its complexity, importance to the group and public, and the length of the agenda.

NOTE: Please complete a speaker slip if you wish to speak on an issue. (Including Open Forum)

1. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00P.M.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  

 2.  AGENDA REVIEW

 3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Misc. Prior Meetings   [Circulated to Members during Meeting for initials, comments if any]  

 4.OPEN FORUM:  Public and group member comments on non-agenda items only. (3 minute time limit per speaker.)  No official action may be taken at this meeting on any new matters raised.   Complete speaker slip prior to your presentation.

GENERAL PLANNING ITEMS:    

General Plan Update; Draft response to DPLU re: our position on General Plan drafts, including conservation subdivision language; planning group control of projects through the community plans.

Review suggestions for road improvements/ maintenance needed throughout San Dieguito Region.

6.     MAJOR PROJECTS AND LAND USE ITEMS:

 A. AD 10-032  Northwood Barn – 16330 Rambla de las Flores, RSF @ Calle Chaparro – second dwelling unit attached to barn:  650 sq. ft. unit over 1660 sq. ft. barn - Applicant Contact Maxwell Wethrich 858-756-1735  County Planner:  Michelle Chan 858-694-2610  SDPG Planner: Laurel Lemarie. [to trail for RSF Art Jury action]

 B. .....

 C. VAR 10-011  Rancho Cielo Estates – Cielo Montagna – Avenida Manantial & Via Rancho Cielo rear yard setback variance  from 40 ft. to 15 ft.     apn 264-670-18 & 19,   applicant contact:  Jim Kilgore 858-751-0633 jim.kilgore@latitude33.com   Planner:  Douglas Dill  

 D.  TM 5565 – Cielo Village, 18055 Calle Ambiente, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.  Condominium conversion of existing commercial property. APN: 265-493-09;  21.46 acres; proposed split into 6 lots with 52 commercial units.  Applicant: Cielo Village, LLC; Mort McCarthy; (858) 277-4305, ext. 223; Engineer: Latitude 33; Jim Kilgore; (858) 751-0633  ext. 119; SDPG Planner, Doug Dill, (760) 736-4333.

E. AD 10-045  Lennar – Bridges – Suerte del Este Gate – electric gate with card reader/keypad for controlling access to Via de las Flores from Suerte del Este –will affect or control access to existing Escondido Creek crossing from RSF to Elfin Forest over existing dirt road – use to be restricted to authorized users of the road - apn 264-650-09-00  Applicant contact:  Mike Shapouri;  Planner:  Laurel Lemarie.

F. P 10-037 REZ 10-004 CHINESE BIBLE MUP/REZONE – Santa Fe Valley Chinese Church 16919 Four Gee Road n/o Tallus Glen.    Proposed church in Santa Fe Valley Specific Plan area – 1000 seat main sanctuary, to expand to 1500, with classrooms, offices recreation, school, and ancillary uses.  43 ft. high with two 57 ft. towers; S88 zone to RS-2 zone  [Tentatively to be heard 2/17/11, buy subject to continuance]

G. P10-031 - Del Mar Country Club - Verizon Wireless Facility - Major Use Permit - 6001 Club House Drive, RSF - Allow the installation of two (2) new, 12' high omni antennas and one (1) E-011/GPS antenna to the existing cell site at the Del Mar Country Club - three (3) 6 ' antenna current exist at the site - Project Contact: Ted Marioncelli (760) 807-1850 / Planner Alia Kanani DPLU (858) 694-2069 / Planning Group: Don Willis (858) 481-6922

7. REPORTS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION:

8. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

A. Consideration and comments on circulation mail

B.   Future agenda items and planning

C.   Adding potential projects to Transnet & PLDO Funds Lists for future votes – no action to be taken, except as noted above.

D. Election of Officers for 2011

E. Election to Reappoint Bill Schlosser to the group.

NOTE:  There is a vacancy on the planning group as a result of the expiration of terms.  If you wish to participate, we request you provide the chair with a current resume and attend 2 or 3 meetings, depending on our meeting schedule in the next few months.

Future Meeting Dates:   NOTE:  Temporarily, pending further notice, we may skip every other meeting because of a lack of filing of new projects.  We do, however, reserve the right to schedule meetings as needed, including the use of the following dates, so watch your e-mail and public notice posted at the RSF Post Office.

2/17/11 3/3/11 3/17/11 3/31/11 

DEL DIOS NICOLAS CHRISTENFELD 

PARKS / TAC/COUNTY PARKS                   JACK MC GEE

GENERAL PLAN 2020 + COMMUNITY PLAN LOIS JONES

SAN DIEGUITO RIVER PARK BRUCE LISKA/CHACO CLOTFELTER

4S RANCH TOM HICKERSON

RSF ASSOCIATION BILL SCHLOSSER/LOIS JONES

ROADS & TRAFFIC / SANDAG BILL SCHLOSSER

EL CAMINO REAL/VIA DE LA VALLE DON WILLIS/JACK McGEE

ELFIN FOREST DOUG DILL / JACQUELINE ARSIVAUD-BENJAMIN

 

Paul Marks, Chairman          760-489-0900   FAX 760-489-4881     e-mail:   paul@paulmarks.com                              

Doug Dill, Vice-Chairman 760-736-4333   FAX 760-736-4333     e-mail:    heddills@worldnet.att.net   

Lois Jones, Secretary 760-755-7189   FAX 760-755-7204     e-mail:    loikaj@cox.net

Breaking News Midnight: Calle Corte house fire causes $450K damages, family escapes injury

 A quiet night by the fireplace turned into a nearly half-million dollar fire at a $3 million house in the 17000 block of Calle Corte around 8:45 p.m. Sunday.

A family at the residence was chilling by the fireplace when they first spotted the smoke monster emerging from the attic through the house walls, Rancho Santa Fe fire officials said.

“The owner tried to put it out himself with an extinguisher and a garden hose,” said Rancho Santa Fe Fire chief Tony Michel. “But he called 9-1-1 when he realized it was bigger than he had thought.”

Some two alarms, eight fire engines, two ladder trucks, one medical unit, one rehab unit, a battalion chief,  and 40 minutes later, firefighters from Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach subdued the blaze. They stuck around through 11 p.m. to make certain no more hot spots would emerge.

Nobody was injured. Damage was estimated at around $450,000. The exact cause  of the fire is under investigation.

Daytripping through the Del Dios Gorge and Santa Fe Valley trails with Dan W.

 Hey you got nothing to do, check out the Santa Fe Valley and Del Dios Gorge trails sometime, just not when I'm around. Seriously, and no dogs either. I'm sick of them.

Against my better judgment, I'll let you in on a family secret. Here's the best two hiking trips in the universe; or at least our orbit.

#1 The 2-mile Santa Fe Valley Trail starts by the Lemon Twist roadside stand, cuts through the San Dieguito River Valley from Lake Hodges Dam to Crosby Estate on Del Dios Highway. That's a 4-mile roundtrip you get on near the Lemon Twist or high atop Artesian Road for advanced students in a much more rugged route. Maybe 45 minutes, if you climb those hills to Artesian Road 75 minutes.)

#2 The 3.2-mile Del Dios Gorge hike starts by Hernandez Hideaway, loops to Lake Hodges Dam and takes like I dunno, 90 minutes.

Did you know: Concrete-arch Lake Hodges Dam is nearly overflowing right now for the first time in six years. It was built in 1918 and paved the way for the creation of Rancho Santa Fe. Look down and you can see the gorge that extends through the river bed.

You'll notice a whole bunch of eucalyptus trees, many burned by the 2007 Witch Creek Fire. They are descendants of the millions of eucalyptuses planted in the early 1900s by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which had bought most of the Rancho San Dieguito land grant in 1906 from Juan Osuna.

OK, we all know the wood was no good for railroad ties. But Rancho Santa Fe-- location, location, location -- was just right and local homeowners formed the Rancho Santa Fe Association in 1928.

 Here's a good place to start your hike to the damn dam. Start at Hernandez Hideaway Restaurant. There's a trailhead, so follow the narrow, beaten-down path that swings right, parallel to the shore of Lake Hodges in the direction of the dam.

You'll go up and down the trail, checking out the electric pumps and generators that regulate the flow of water between Lake Hodges below and the Olivenhain Reservoir, unseen on the high ridge above.

Fast-forward two miles to ye olde dam, heading through the gorge bottom on an unpaved service road, doubling as the trail route. The remnants of a flume that formerly connected Lake Hodges to a smaller storage reservoir, San Dieguito Reservoir, some four miles away, cam be spotted along the ridge-line.

Del Dios Highway traffic noise magically disappears as you enter  “one of the most important archaeological sites in the United States (that) has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places,” according to the San Diego Archaeological Center, which opened in 2002 in the San Pasqual Valley near the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Malcolm Rogers, an Escondido citrus grower, also an avid amateur archaeologist, started exploring this area in 1919. When a  1927 flood exposed more artifacts in the river valley on a farm owned by C.W. Harris, Rogers and others began an additional 10-year excavation project.

Their studies and others over the past 70 years have proved that people lived in this area for more 9,000 years, archeologists say.

Check out the steeply rising gorge wall along the scattered willows, oaks, and granite outcrops down along the riverbed. Restoration efforts should improve the habitat alongside the river.

 That will encourage the growth of native vegetation and provide better foraging and nesting for birds where at least 29 species of natives will likely thrive again, including Western sycamore, according to the conservancy says. This habitat improvement will also likely benefit two endangered bird species: the least Bell’s vireo and the Southwest willow flycatcher.

And now, some 3.2 miles from the Hernandez Hideaway start, the trail swings sharply left and crosses the San Dieguito River on an elaborate iron footbridge.

You're a couple of miles down the trails now to The Crosby and the spot where the Del Dios Gorge Trail becomes the Santa Fe Valley Trail.

The Starwood Capital Group in 2001 developed The Crosby at Rancho Santa Fe, a 722-acre development of 443 homes around an 18-hole golf course. 

The Santa Fe Valley Trail passes under that bridge and continues right next to the golf course in several places.

At its western end, the trail switchbacks up a few hundred feet. At the viewpoint, you can see miles of the river valley, bordered by that golf course and equestrian and agricultural estates.

You can download a map of the Santa Fe Valley Trail from San Dieguito River Park, sdrp.org/trails.htm. The trail is about two miles one-way; retrace your steps for a four-mile round-trip hike, allowing at least two hours.

Tale of Two Shopping Centers: Fairbanks Village Ranch Deli ditches Farm Fresh Market; Cielo Village commercial center goes condo...

In this corner stately yet elegant Fairbanks Village Plaza or thereabouts where Ranch Deli will spill into Farm Fresh Market and Rancho Santa Fe Review skedaddles out of town...

Landmark -- and four-star rated in the informal dining world -- Fairbanks Ranch Deli is expanding this year, taking over the space occupied by the Farm Fresh Market convenience store.

The deli is a well-known way-station dating to 1984. It's at 6236 San Dieguito Road., otherwise known as Fairbanks Village Building # 2-13. The expansion will double the size of the dining area as well as add wine and sundry sales.

Farm Fresh Market always was a bit of a misnomer. Oddly out of sync with this, the most upscale of areas, it was a funky hybrid of a store stocking expensive wines and spirits along with dollar snacks, fast foods and nick-knacks. 

 That's not all the news at Fairbanks Village either. The longtime coffee kiosk folded its tent. (Photo left: Spot that hosted coffee kiosk: 1999-2010. R.I.P.) 

As did the Rancho Santa Fe Review that evacuated its offices to the city of San Diego, leaving Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe news as the sole local media product.

These photos may illustrate why the Review had to  skedaddle. This photo was taken in December as the Review's free print publications are  discarded without being taken home, while Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News continues to attract MORE THAN 35 TIMES THE TRAFFIC as the Review's web site.

(Photo below: Typical scene at Fairbanks Station Post Office, as free weeklies from San Diego-based Review are filed rather than taken home.)

["Fairbanks Village Plaza is a 58,000+ sq. ft. commercial center located at the intersection of San Dieguito Road and El Apajo in idyllic Rancho Santa Fe, CA. The property is designated for office and limited retail use spread among ten lovely two-story Spanish style buildings on six and one-half acres. The center embraces the environment by its garden setting, and by providing windows that actually open in the upstairs spaces. It would not be unusual to meet your neighbor and their dog on the way to work. The center has become the “hub” of the community due to its diverse, energetic group of tenants who very often complement one another in business."

-- http://www.fairbanksvillageplaza.com/index.html]

Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District moving offices to Cielo Village

Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District's main administrative offices are scheduled to move early next year to a site at Cielo Village on Calle Ambiente off Del Dios Highway, the Rancho Santa Fe fire chief confirmed this week.

Offices currently are at 16936 El Fuego, next to Rancho Santa Fe's R. Roger Rowe School at the Village. An official announcement is expected mid-January.

"We are purchasing a building that is being built to suit," fire chief Tony Michel said on Tuesday. "This gives us more room for growth and solves our parking issues."

The new office is around 6,000-square feet, somewhat larger than the current facility, and more central to total operations in the district tat includes Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, and Del Dios, according to Michel. He would not disclose the building purchase price, pending conclusion of negotiations between fire district leaders and Cielo management. A postal store in the building will be relocated to another Cielo location, he said. 

Sources at Cielo Village and the fire agency on Monday confirmed the move, details of which will be forthcoming. Construction continued this week on remodeling the Cielo pod that once had been scheduled to be a Harvest Ranch Market outlet. These photos show the state of the new facility.

 The new location is just across the street from the department's Station No. 4, which was the department's newest station, constructed in 2004 at the Cielo entrance, 18040 Calle Ambiente. That station covers the district's northeast corner.

That's not all for district moves. The rebuilt Fairbanks Ranch Fire Station continues on schedule for a May opening. "The contracted completion date of May 2011 is still on schedule pending any unforeseen delays," fire officials said.

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District was formed on Oct. 14, 1946 under an order adopted by the County Board of Supervisors. At the time, the Fire District was comprised of one Chief and 15 volunteer suppression personnel who protected an estimated 3,800 residents.

 The District now spans 38-square miles and protects about 26,000 residents. The fire agency also operates under a cooperative efforts agreement with the Encinitas, Del Mar, and Solana Beach Fire Departments.

The Fire District is governed by a five-person elected Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for establishing policies, guidelines and providing direction for Fire District staff. Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m.

For a comprehensive look at the department's history, visit the official web site: 

http://www.rsf-fire.org/about/history.html.

                                                                 (Photo above: current department offices)

San Dieguito Planning Group Agenda for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30 meeting at 16936 El Fuego, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

 PUBLIC NOTICE

The San Dieguito Community Plan Area is, generally, a low-density estate residential area surrounded by the rapidly urbanizing areas of North San Diego County. To the west lie the coastal cities of Encinitas and Solana Beach; to the north are Carlsbad and San Marcos; to the east Escondido; and on the south, the City of San Diego.

The San Dieguito Plan Area was first inhabited by Indians, and evidence indicates that a large thriving aboriginal population lived throughout the Plan Area.During the period of Spanish colonization...

The more things change at troubled Cielo Village, the more things remain the same

Or the party (line) continues at Cielo Village...

“The key to making these mixed-use centers work is destination retail,” said George Whalin, president and chief executive officer of Carlsbad-based Retail Management Consultants. Whalin has been a key North County retail analyst since 1987.

 “Demographics are demographics,” Whalin continued. “It doesn’t matter if the people surrounding the center have a lot of money. The key is to draw consumers to the destination.”

Privateer Clothing Boutique came and went at Cielo Village. Blink and you missed it. JCarl Shoes & Designer Bags did a Dodo Bird imitation and went extinct. Prato Dry Cleaners? Oops, no longer in business.

Lest we forget Fitness Together (Personal Training), almost forgot since it lasted all of two months. And, of course, "Coming Soon! Harvest Rancho Market -- Early 2009," according to the Cielo website at http://tiny.cc/u7ko3. Never opened.

Then, the much ballyhooed as a method to market the nearly empty madness that has been Cielo Village shopping center at Del Dios Highway and Calle Ambiente, the farmers market begun with great fanfare in April closed down with barely a whimper in June.

Or consider Decanter Restaurant & Wine Lounge. It opened in summer, closed by winter, last year.

"For immediate release" went the PRLog (Press Release) see it at: http://tiny.cc/jlugz

"Feb 25, 2009 – Cielo Village shopping center (www.cielovillage.com) in Rancho Santa Fe announces fine wine, spirits and dining are now offered at its European-style retail village with the recent completion of Decanter Restaurant and Wine Lounge (www.decanterwinelounge.com). 

“The relaxed setting of our bar, lounge and restaurant provide a welcoming atmosphere for enjoying a diverse selection of wines, the best crafted beers available and a menu inspired by farm-fresh produce and seasonal local ingredients,” said Decanter owner and sommelier Jayson Knack. 

"Decanter’s interior space spans 2,800 square feet and offers large screen television viewing and seating for approximately 30 in the bar and lounge. An additional 45 guests may be accommodated in the dining room. Decanter’s outdoor patio offers 3,500 square feet and seating for as many as 150 people to bask in the beauty of North County’s dramatic rolling hills along Del Dios Highway in Rancho Santa Fe. 

"Located at 18024 Calle Ambiente in Rancho Santa Fe, Cielo Village offers 28,000 square feet of retail, 6,869 square feet of restaurant and 19,450 square feet of Class A professional space clustered around a central, European-style plaza.  Designed by Fehlman Labarre, Cielo Village is owned by Cielo Village, LLC and is located at the entry gate of the CIELO master-planned community. "

Now, the good news for Cielo Village, we presume. Another restaurant is scheduled to open at Decanter's abandoned space. The new ownership was spotted this weekend moving Decanter's furniture out and beginning a kitchen remodel. The new management promises American-French fusion dining at prices more reasonable than the Decanter's failed experiment.

Will they succeed? We'll see.

Here's a brief recap of what they face:

The 50,114-square-foot office and retail center in front of Cielo’s main gate at 18055 Calle Ambiente was the first local shopping center opened since since Del Rayo Village in 1990 and Fairbanks Village Plaza. It officially opened in 2007, although the center was fully complete in 2005.

Early tenants were enthusiastic although analysts were skeptical.

“The key to making these mixed-use centers work is destination retail,” said George Whalin, president and chief executive officer of Carlsbad-based Retail Management Consultants. Whalin has been a key North County retail analyst since 1987.

 “Demographics are demographics,” Whalin continued. “It doesn’t matter if the people surrounding the center have a lot of money. The key is to draw consumers to the destination.” 

Another problem has proven to be the physical placement of the center.

“In the ideal situation, the shopping center is on the side of the street where people are passing by on their way home from work,” Whalin said.

Cielo Village is on the opposite end of the homeward commuting traffic.

Nobody came. Several shops,  however, came and went.

Much ballyhooed as a method to market the nearly empty madness that has been Cielo Village shopping center at Del Dios Highway and Calle Ambiente, the farmers market begun with great fanfare in spring quietly closed down in summer.

"Nobody went there to shop," said a disappointed Zion Yohannes, owner of Z Private Post, one of but three active merchants at desolation row, otherwise known as Cielo Village.

The farmers market opened April 8, but the number of vendors and customers dwindled quickly. Thirty vendors turned into 10 and about 200 shoppers turned into you, me and a guy named Zeek, so to speak, by June.

While the market launched with a burst of publicity, it ended with barely a whimper and no public disclosure.

The 50,114-square-foot office and retail center in front of Cielo’s main gate at 18055 Calle Ambiente was the first local shopping center opened since since Del Rayo Village in 1990 and Fairbanks Village Plaza. It officially opened in 2007, although the center was fully complete in 2005.

Early tenants... (more)