Should an artist employ a sales rep? Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild members consider...

It wasn't easy being green for Kermit the Frog and it isn't easy getting greenbacks through selling art, according to Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild members at the group's winter show opening.

Guild members agreed most contemporary artists who haven't established an enormous reputation (i.e. 99.9 percent of artists) generally establish themselves at one, or two, local galleries; or show, and sell, through an art guild or club. Otherwise, it's not like literature or the music business where agents and reps are able to create careers, sometimes even demand.

Longtime art guild officer Cindy Klong had several pieces at the winter show, a valuable opportunity to display and publicize her efforts, she said. She also maintains online galleries and shows at other galleries.

Unfortunately, the chance to connect directly with audiences through galleries is becoming ever rarer, said Barbara Dawson, who owned galleries in La Jolla and Del Mar before returning to full-time curating and creating.

Economic conditions have caused most art collectors to pare down on purchases while rising property values have forced galleries into costly rental situations resulting in cutbacks and closures, Dawson said.

Long story short, unless you're in the $50,000+ per piece sales category, the best way to succeed and sell, for now,  is do it yourself, guild members say, which means aligning with a guild, group and gallery. Then, see if you can take it up a notch from there, fate willing and the Visigoths don't rise.

(Photo left: incoming RSF Art Guild president Kim Doherty)

As for the rest of the story, the new show was OK, the wine was good. They need to do a better job on appetizers and have healthy choices rather than pigs-in-a-blanket mini-hot dog cuisine. In other words, stay classy Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild.

And wait, here's more, straight from the art guild's mouth:

'Impressions of the Soul'

Award winning photographer Manss Aval, as featured artist, unveils his latest collection. 

Join us for a reception Thursday January 10th, 2013 from 5PM-7PM.  Wine & appetizers will be served. 

The show runs through March 2nd.

The gallery is located next to the Union Bank at 6004 Paseo Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe, California. 

Gallery Location
6004 Paseo Delicias (Faces Avenida de Acacias) Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 759-3545    
Gallery hours
Tuesday 10:30 - 1 Wednesday - Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Saturday 11:00-2:00 pm  

Visit: http://ranchosantafeartguild.org/

email: ranchoart@sbcglobal.net

....

This guy is driving his BMW M3 E46 from Rancho Santa Fe Road to Zumaque for 27 minutes

Course I take, warning, Zumaque St is a dead end unless you know the gate code.

I start off in the abandoned parking lot on Rancho Santa Fe Road:

1 Turn left onto El Camino Del Norte

2 Turn right onto Lago Lindo

3 Turn right onto El Montevideo

4 Turn left onto Via De Fortuna

5 Turn left to stay on Via De Fortuna

6 Turn right onto San Elijo Ave

7 Turn right onto La Granada<... (more)

The operator of the Del Mar Fairgrounds announced today that it would move forward with renovations after settling a lawsuit over its master plan.

Political leaders of Del Mar and Solana Beach sign the Del Mar Fairgrounds agreement with Adam Day, president of the 22nd District Agricultural Association.

 Political leaders of Del Mar and Solana Beach sign the Del Mar Fairgrounds agreement with Adam Day, president of the 22nd District Agricultural Association.

Political leaders of Del Mar and Solana Beach sign the Del Mar Fairgrounds agreement with Adam Day, president of the 22nd District Agricultural Association

Photo By Alison St John

The 22nd District Agricultural Association, the state agency that runs the fairgrounds, agreed to take several steps to settle the court action filed in May 2011 by the cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority.

The litigation challenged the plan's environmental impact report. The sprawling park is home to the annual... (more)

Solana Beach-Del Mar-River Park environmental impact lawsuit against Fairgrounds settled

The 22nd District Agricultural Association, the cities of Solana Beach and Del Mar, and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority have settled litigation over the District’s Master Plan Environmental report.

The cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach and the San Dieguito River Park had sued the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operates the state-owned Del Mar Fairgrounds regarding the district’s master plan for upgrading its facilities. The lawsuit challenged the adequacy of environmental studies conducted in support of the master plan.

Concerns about the Master Plan impacts were addressed to the satisfaction of both cities and the SD River Park JPA, officials said.

“The settlement over our Master Plan EIR paves the way for the 22nd DAA to work towards the renovation of the Fairgrounds’ old and outdated exhibit facilities, and at the same time implements additional measures beyond what is called out in the EIR,... (more)

Back to lobbying: Bilbray (R) concedes to Peters (D) in Cal's 52nd Cong. Dist.

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) has conceded defeat in his San Diego-area district, handing Democrats another pickup with just two intra-party races yet to be determined.

Bilbray trails San Diego Port Commissioner Scott Peters (D) by 3,877 votes. He called Peters to congratulated him and issued a statement acknowledging Peters’ victory.

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.). (AP photo)

“While Scott and I differed sharply on how to handle the issues facing our nation, now is the time to put those differences aside and find common ground to address our country’s many challenges,” Bilbray said, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Bilbray has served more than 12 years in Congress, returning to the chamber in 2006 by winning a hotly contested special election to replace jailed Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.). California’s citizen redistricting commission drew Bilbray a swing district this year.

With the win, Democrats have now gained six House seats in the 2012 election, with the GOP’s House majority reduced to 234-199.

Democrats also lead in the last two undetermined races, with Reps. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) and Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) holding small leads.

Reps. Charles Boustany (R-La.) and Jeff Landry (R-La.) will compete in a runoff next month in a merged district, but that race has no implications for the partisan balance of the House.

The Peters campaign released this statement:

“This afternoon, I received a very gracious phone call from Congressman Brian Bilbray. He wished me luck and offered his support. We agreed that while it was a tough, hard-fought campaign, now is the time to put it behind us. I thanked him for his service and look forward to his support as I transition into office.

“I’m in our nation’s capitol this week, working hard, and getting ready to hit the ground running on behalf of the people of the 52^nd District. I am very grateful to the hundreds of people who walked, called, contributed and gave me their support; it was their energy and enthusiasm that put us over the top in this close race.

“There’s much to do.  I’m encouraged by the tremendous group of colleagues I’ve met here so far: freshman members of Congress, because like me, they all heard loud and clear during their campaigns that voters are tired of the partisanship, tired of politicians who put party over people.  I look forward to working with everyone to get things done for San Diego and the American people.”

Peters said in a brief phone interview with the San Diego Free Press that Mr. Bilbray was very gracious when he called to concede.  ”He said something like ‘I’m making that phone call you’ve been working so hard to get.’”  He said that Bilbray suggested that he find a place close to the Capitol to live while in D.C., and offered to assist in any way he can to ease the transition.

Peters said he would “absolutely” carry on the work that Bilbray had touted in the closing days of the campaign on cancer research.  ”Not only is it an important cause, but it’s critical to the San Diego economy.  We need to continue to promote basic scientific research, and hopefully San Diego will be the place that finds a cure for cancer.”

Asked about his experience at the orientation in Washington for newly elected members of Congress and the reception he had received despite not yet having been officially declared the winner, Peters said “I’m just here trying to learn this job so that we can hit the ground running,” adding  ”I can’t wait to get back and visit Ocean Beach.  It’s cold out here!”

Taxicab Confessions

 Ed, the Escondido, Calif. cabby, piqued our interest. As he waited for a fare outside a local Albertson's, we asked Ed a few questions about those who also drive ---- for hire.

Let's put it this way: In New York, Chicago, San Francisco, even Orange County and Orleans Parish, Louisiana, cabbies are more than useful. But Escondido, Fallbrook, and even Solana Beach in suburban San Diego County... taxi cabs? What's the deal? Where are they all hiding?

North County San Diego cabs are expensive to take, for one thing. Plus cab companies come and go, literally. They merge, split, reform and change names constantly. And the bottom line: It's very, very hard to get a cab in North County, and good luck getting one if you are in a hurry.

Now, back to Ed. He was laid off from a computer manufacturer's job and lived near the Escondido Yellow Cab office. Plus, he didn't have a car of his own. So hey, what the heck, he walked on over and started driving passengers for a living.

Apparently, the job has its moments. Ed said fares have run away without paying several times. He has had people pop into his taxi for $160 rides to LAX. Most of his fares are locals, such as the one that found him waiting outside Albertson's for a lady to emerge with groceries. Her car was broken and she needed to stock up. A seemingly short round-trip like that, though, can cost $20 to $30.

Ed had a lot more to say but to make a long story short, I let my fingers do the walking after that. I took to the telephone book and called. And called and called and called.

We called North County Cab. They advertise as "Anytime Anywhere On Time." Good luck with that one. "We're too busy to talk," said the dispatcher who wouldn't even say where they were located. It's 4986 Voltaire St. in Pacific Beach by the way. Not even North County.

Then, we swept through the "color" cab companies. Orange Cab, White Cab, Yellow Cab and something called Pinky Transportation. Then there was Taxi Fiesta, which isn't a color but still a pretty good name.

(Below is a special Ah-Ha Solana Beach taxicab confessional...)

And Courtesy Cab of Vista. At last, a North County cab company worth something.

Courtesy owner John Gazdayka was the only manager of a local cab company to give me the courtesy of some insight into the state of the state of North County taxi cabs. He is a longtime cab company employee and owner in several different taxi-cabal incarnations. He has owned Vista-based Courtesy Cab since 1997, running 11 vehicles that his drivers lease.

"You license with communities to pick up people there," Gazdayka said. "The fees vary. Some places have a flat fee plus a per-passenger. It usually comes out to a couple of hundred dollars for each place.

"A lot of guys who drive cabs operate on their own," Gazdayka said. "They get a (taxi driver) license and the better the company, the more drivers you can attract. The drivers got to make money. If they can't make money, I can't make money."

Cab companies set their own fares which generally are about $2 per mile. However, some smaller, or even solo, operators may charge more and some companies may charge less depending on the competition.

Gazdayka said it was hard to know how many taxi companies operate in North County but three, or four, probably handle the bulk of the traffic.

As for what it takes to succeed in the business: "It's not overly hard," Gazdayka said. "You have to have a certain amount of people skills, take directions well, read a map. But there are some people driving who are over-educated for what they do."

Local taxi traffic consists of business travelers to airports and hotels, local trips and a lot of contract work with school districts, hospitals, senior groups and even the North County Transit District for passengers who can't ride buses, Gazdayka said.

Passengers, by the way, leave all sorts of items behind in cabs.

"Cell phones, wallets, you name it," Gazdayka said. "Cell phones, the most by far. Wild stuff, too. Clothing. You name it."

Hmmm. And what about "Taxicab Confessions" on HBO: Fake or real?

"I think anything is possible in a cab," Gazdayka said with a laugh. "Use your imagination and it happens."

Any North County taxicab confessions?

Gazdayka won't go there from here today.

Wondering what to do the week of Nov. 4...Here's some community events

 RANCHO SANTA FE

Annual food and wine benefit slated

The Equinox Center will hold its annual benefit at 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, 18378 Calle Stellina. The event will include an evening of gourmet food and rare vintage wines and help raise awareness and funds for Equinox Center, which works to improve water, energy, jobs, housing, land use, transportation and economic prosperity and preserve quality of life in the San Diego region. Talented chefs and well-known sommeliers will prepare food and wine. Live entertainment and a small private auction will also be featured. Tickets start at $250 through Nov. 5; or $300 thereafter. Register at equinoxcenter.org/donate/event.html.

Solana Beach

Library to hold used book sale

The Friends of the Solana Beach Library will hold a used book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 17 at the Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave. Shoppers may fill a grocery bag... (more)

AROund The Ranch...Ah-Ha hits 256,000  indexed Google pages; #518,992 in US traffic...

GOOD NEWS from the land of Web

This just in: Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News  now ranks #518,992 in US web traffic. (contrast: coast news ranks #924,601 with an -5.17 decline last month)

Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News now has 256,000 indexed Google pages. (rsf review has 6,740). 

AH RSF News has 11,000 indexed Bing pages (rsf review has 3,900)

So, who do you think is the actual local media moving forward? Expanded sponsorship opportunities soon will be available.

DON'T BE THINKING of robbing no avocado groves

In an effort to fight avocado theft in the area, San Diego County recently formed an Avocado Anti-Theft Task Force. The task force is a joint effort between Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM), the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Environmental Health (DEH).

AWM and DEH inspectors, along with representatives from the Sheriff’s office, will look for proper proof of ownership documents, avocado inspection stamps and labels on boxes and bins during routine visits to roadside stands, restaurants, markets and other businesses where stolen avocados may be found.

 Representatives from those agencies toured Henry Avocado in Escondido, where they received valuable training in how to recognize the differences between commercially packaged and purchased avocados versus stolen avocados

OK SO WHY DOES SOLANA BEACH executive david OTT get $193,250 a year in base pay? FOR WHAT?

It is being reported locally that Solana Beach city manager David Ott got a 7.2 percent raise in base pay, hiking his annual salary to $193,250.

Ott said the hike in base pay was actually 3.75 percent when adjusted to account for a cellphone and car allowance he no longer receives.

Ott had left Solana Beach after U-T San Diego conducted a similar city manager compensation survey in 2010. He rejoined the city last December, and said he has taken on several more supervisory duties than he previously had because of cutbacks.

The city eliminated its finance director and deputy city manager positions, transferring most of those duties to Ott.

“I have much more responsibility now, including parks and recreation and human resources and information technology,” he said.

The city avoided having to lay anyone off during the recession, but has eliminated some positions through attrition, he said.

Carlsbad City Manager Lisa Hildabrand, who resigned Oct. 22, was being paid $230,492 — a 6.1 percent increase from $217,200 in the last survey.

STALKING DA SHADOWS WITH CATHERINE CARLTON FINE ARTIST (at Solana Beach City Hall Gallery)

 Carlsbad artist Catherine Carlton was in the catbird's seat for an art show continuing through next month at Solana Beach City Hall, HER art show. She was joined in the sculpture gallery by the renowned Syd Harris.

The unique expression that has its own language of form, color, space, emotion and technique THAT IS Catherine Carlton attracted quite a few people to the artists' opening.

This shadow of a series exposes the vulnerability of the creative process, in Catherine's words, while questioning assumptions about art, an audience and the artist incognito. The shadows began to tug at all from canvases speaking to the hidden parts in all of us; the personal, private, mysterious reaches of the soul.

As always, a cornucopia of treats and sweets greeted the guests, including many of the North Coast's cognoscenti and fellow artists. As in the lyrics of a song or a verse in a poem, the audience was asked to pause, reflect, remember...and feel their own connection. All the better, art for the home or office? Ever the egalitarian, Catherine sells her images by the square-foot, so bring your ruler to the gallery.

Want to know more? Visit www.catherinecarlton.com. The show continues through March 31 at Solana Beach City Hall Gallery, 635 South Highway 101.

  (Despite a slight blemish provided by a disagreement between a couple of Edwardian gents, the night was adjudged fit and fun for all.) 

For more, visit www.catherinecarlton.com.

Shredding ain't just in surfing; it's also good to go at Solana Beach e-waste benefit...

A Shred-a-Thon and Free E-Waste Drop Off benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito, Harper Branch, at 533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, in the front parking lot.

Participants are encouraged to bring confidential documents for shredding on-site while you watch.  Computer hard drives are also removed, punched and destructed.  There is a recommended donation of $5 per copy box/bag or $20 for 5 boxes/bags (10 box maximum per person), $20 per hard drive removal, and $10 per hard drive destruction. A certificate of destruction is available upon request.

The E-Waste drop off is FREE to everyone.  Bring items such as CRT screens, LCD/LED screens plasma screens, TV’s, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, computers, laptops, monitors, cell phones, VCR’s, DVD players, stereo systems, network servers, speakers,... (more)

HEY FLOWER LOVERS, Get Yer Bloom On @ RSF Garden Club Floral Arrangement Workshop March 21

The Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club is offering a workshop in floral arranging for beginners at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 21 at 'The Club', 17025 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe.

“If you have ever wanted some guidance in how to do basic floral arranging this is the workshop for you,” says Laverne Schlosser, Garden Club board member. “The workshop is entitled Floral Arrangement Workshop 101 and will be taught by Elma Garcia, who is a Master Judge and award- winning floral designer. So many community members have beautiful gardens, but when they want to bring some of their glorious florals inside they don’t know exactly how to make it work.

The cost of the workshop is $30 for Garden Club members and $45 for non-members. All materials will be provided. Just bring you own clippers. You will go home with a finished arrangement. Reservations are a must and space will be limited so that the workshop teacher will be able... (more)

WANT TO SEE A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNTY ONLINE DIGITAL JOURNALISM SOURCE? FOLLOW THE STATS FEB. 15 TO FEB. 21, 2012...

YOU REALIZE THE PATCH, NORTH COUNTY TIMES, RANCHO SANTA FE REVIEW, COAST NEWS WON'T TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE COME TO THEIR SITE DAILY. THEY WON'T TELL YOU BECAUSE - IN TRUTH - THE NUMBERS ARE SO TINY AS TO BE EMBARRASSINGLY IRRELEVANT TO TODAY'S COMMUNITY NEWS MEDIA.

WE'RE THE REAL DEAL AND SHOWING YOU THE GOOGLE ANALYTICS FOR THE LAST WEEK. IF YOU'RE A SITE VISITOR: THANK YOU AND FEEL FREE TO PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS. IF YOU'RE A LOSING COMPETITOR: TOUGH LUCK. IF YOU WANT TO GET THE WORD OUT: WE'RE HERE FOR YOU. CALL!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO ADVERTISE ON THIS SITE OR PARTNER WITH US, EMAIL AT 92067FREEPRESS@GMAIL.COM.

STATS FEB. 15 TO FEB. 21, 2012:

Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News

www.AhHaRSFNews.com

ABOUT US:

-  Born out of a desire to bring daily journalism coverage to Rancho Santa Fe, and surrounding communities, Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News was launched in June 2010.

-  Ah-Ha RSF News is one of the top community journalism sites in the nation and is the top in per capita page views.

- Founder, Dan Weisman, is a fellow at Knight Digital Media Center, University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where he, and leading online experts, fine-tuned the groundbreaking Ah-Ha RSF News model.

• The communities in our coverage area are highly sought after by advertisers because of their appealing age and income demographics. The majority of our readers are college educated, professionals and have a greater amount of disposable income than other areas reached by the big dailies.  

BENEFITS OF ONLINE ADVERTISING

-  Online advertising is one step ahead over others, as more people are going online for their news than ever before.

-  The primary benefit of online advertising over offline is that online advertising offers maximum exposure for a minimal cost.  Everyone who visits Ah-Ha RSF News will see your ad, including local, regional, national, and global.  This is an exceptional advantage to many businesses.

-  Online advertising has no time limitations and is viewed day and night throughout the globe. 

-  Online advertising is much more cost-effective, is targeted to your audience, and has much higher viewership than advertising in a regional newspaper.

-  As more people rely on computers there is a change in trend, shifting from print to online news.  It is an “immediate medium”.

-  By using Google Analytics, we are able to keep an eye on the performance of advertising campaign by how many page views we receive, and how many “clicks” your specific ad gets.  This is impossible in other types of media. This data enables you to modify your campaign to achieve maximum effectiveness thus targeting potential customers.

Occupy This: Eight Protestors Marching From Del Mar, Calif. to Delmar, Del. or thereabouts...

#OccupyWalk

The Occupy Walk is a National March starting at San Diego, California February 11th, walking across the United States taking a southern route to bypass winter in the first months of the walk. They plan on meeting up with people from other Occupations, groups who plan their own route to meet up with the national march, and anyone in any town that wants to walk for the cause. This walk will help promote the Occupy cause by drawing attention to the injustices that were first presented by the Occupy Wall Street Movement in 2011. Roll tide...

The group was scheduled to spend Monday night at a home in Leucadia and Tuesday night in Oceanside. They had hopes of reaching the Temecula area by sometime Wednesday night.

Members of the Occupy movement have launched a coast-to-coast walk that will bring them through North County and Southwest Riverside County, it was reported today.

A group of eight walkers ---- some from Occupy San Diego and some from Los Angeles ---- left Sunday from San Diego, and by noon Monday had reached Del Mar, publicist Nan DiGiovanni said.

They plan to walk to Washington, D.C., staying with host families along the way, DiGiovanni said. She did not have an estimated time for when they are expected to arrive at their destination, but said walkers are inviting people to join them along the way.

Beyond arranged stays the first few nights, the walkers are looking for backyards to camp in, DiGiovanni said.

People wishing to host them can submit information to the group's website at  http://occupywalk.org/.

The Occupy movement began with protests against corporate greed and quickly spread across the nation. Occupy events have been held regionally, including ones in Encinitas and Oceanside.

San Diego gas prices HIT NEW LOWS while reaching new seasonal HIGH, HIGHER, HIGHEST PRICES...

(EDITOR'S NOTE; WE HAVE ADDED A LOWEST GAS PRICE WIDGET TO THE MARGIN TO HELP IN THE QUEST FOR CHEAPER GAS.)

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose today to its highest amount since May 24, increasing 1.2 cents to $4.071.

The average price has risen for 26 consecutive days and is 20.3 cents more than one week ago, 34.2 cents higher than a month ago and 50.9 cents more than a year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The average price has risen 31.4 cents over the past 26 days, including 2.5 cents on Sunday.

Analysts have cited increasing oil prices and the closure of some refineries that supply California customers as reasons for the rising gasoline prices.

Crude oil costs account for two-thirds to three-quarters of the price of a gallon of gasoline, according to Tupper Hull of the Western States Petroleum Association, a trade association representing oil companies in six western states.

THIS JUST IN FROM CHARLES LANGLEY, SAN DIEGO UCAN.ORG FUEL TRACKER. FOR MORE VISIT HERE...

 In the last 48 hours, gas prices in San Diego have surged by nearly 10¢ a gallon. At $4.07 a gallon, San Diego's gas prices are the highest on record for any February in County history, including the year 2008, when gasoline prices hit an all-time record high of $4.64 a gallon on June 13, 2008. This trend is paralleled by a a national average of more than $3.54 a gallon, which is also the highest price on record.

Since last Monday, San Diego prices have increased 17.6¢ a gallon.

According to a report published in Businessweek last Wednesday, two major Southern California refineries have shut down for maintenance in order to comply with State and Federal clean air mandates.  These annual shutdowns are famous for causing shortages and price spikes.  Every spring, refineries must change their gasoline formulation to accommodate seasonal changes in air quality. The summer blend is more expensive to produce and requires a shutdown of the refinery. Refiners must then buy their fuel on the "spot market."

How the spot market affects your gas prices

When a refinery shuts down, it will often buy the fuel it needs from other refiners, who sell it for cash on the spot.   This is where the term "Cash on the barrel head" and "cash on the spot" come from, and it is where the term "spot market" originates. 

Spot fuel is surplus fuel.  In San Diego, there are a large number of gas stations that sell surplus fuel at deep discounts. These stations are the independents that aren't affiliated with a major brand such as Chevron, Shell, Arco, etc.  Normally, unbranded independents are the most competitive players in San Diego's retail gas market. Usually, an unbranded station will charge as much as ten or twenty cents a gallon less for its gasoline than a brand-name competitor.  Brand name retailers, on the other hand, must pay a predetermined "rack price" for their gasoline, which is almost always higher.

Because the unbranded stations are intensely competitive, they tend to force the prices down. But right now, surplus gasoline is hard to find.  On Thursday, we reported that average retail price in San Diego was $3.96 a gallon, but our estimate of the price an independent dealer must charge to break even was $4.06 a gallon, which is more than many brand names stations are charging as their retail price.  This phenomena, where unbranded dealers pay more for their gasoline than brand-name dealers is called a "rack inversion," and in our experience, rack inversions are always accompanied by higher gas prices on the street.

Two From Don Bauder on Rancho Santa Fe's Own: Lady Catarina, Charles Brandes and 'The News'

(Photo:  Lady Catarina Pietra Toumei, left, with attorney Gretchen Von Helms at U.S. District Court, San Diego.)

Daily newspapers still report titillating items regularly. Early in February, the shapely Lady Catarina Pietra Toumei was charged in Manhattan with claiming she was a representative of the storied Guggenheim family as she tried to peddle fake diamond, gold, and oil investments. She is a social butterfly residing in Rancho Santa Fe (where else?). Trouble is, prurient readers could get this news for free online many hours before the newspaper reported the story the next morning.

So, it was not surprising that only a few days after the lady (who may or may not be a countess) dominated front pages that the big Sacramento-based newspaper chain McClatchy reported a 10 percent plunge in its January advertising revenue, compared with a year earlier. McClatchy’s earnings were about cut in half during the period. The stock plunged 12.2 percent that day.

Admittedly, the adventures of the comely Lady Catarina Pietra Toumei are more captivating than the plunging profits of McClatchy Company. But the ad sales drop of the newspaper company does interest us old fogies who concentrate on (1) money and (2) the media. Bottom line: it’s clear that investors, and perhaps the daily newspaper industry itself, are convinced that advertisers will continue to migrate to digital media, and even though dailies are stepping up their own efforts to make money online, it’s a losing battle. Ink and paper will continue in sick bay.

Daily newspapers are slashing costs, but that won’t be enough. There are rumors that the San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, and smaller papers owned by MediaNews Group could consolidate under common ownership. Hedge funds that have scooped up debt of overleveraged Southern California papers “are intent on driving consolidation,” says columnist James Rainey of the Los Angeles Times. The individual newspapers would retain their identities and news staffs but would combine efforts in advertising sales, distribution, printing, and human resources, says Rainey.

Such consolidation would no doubt lead to even more personnel head chopping. But would more pogroms work? Wall Street analysts don’t think so. They think the future of the daily newspaper is grim. “We are skeptical of the New York Times’ ability to keep reducing costs, and are concerned that the company will run out of fat to trim and have to cut into muscle, hurting the quality of its product,” says Joscelyn MacKay of Morningstar Research. “The growing number of free online information sources continues to weigh on New York Times’ core business,” which is newspapers, representing 84 percent of sales.

Newspapers are 78 percent of the revenue of Gannett, the largest publishing chain. Free online competition hurts. “Circulation volumes are falling, and advertisers are shying away from newspapers,” says MacKay.

Standard & Poor’s says McClatchy suffers from “migration of advertisers to the Internet.” Ditto for the Washington Post, which is also burdened by its ownership of Kaplan, Inc., a for-profit college operation that could lose some of its federal funding because of past and present misbehavior.

Morningstar quit doing research on E.W. Scripps stock. In 2008, E.W. Scripps created a new entity for its fast-growing cable networks and interactive media. Now the original media chain has only laggardly newspapers and TV stations; the websites associated with the company account for a small percentage of revenue.

Today, the question is whether the iPad and other “tablet revolution” products will rescue the daily newspapers. Investors doubt it.

The stock market seems to agree with analysts’ skeptical views. Newspaper stocks are far off their all-time highs, although they are now up from their very depressed 2008–2009 lows. Example: Gannett stock sold for $91.38 in 2004. In the depths of the bear market in early 2009, it plunged to $1.85. On Friday, it closed at $16.98. McClatchy sold for $76.05 in 2005 and sank below 50 cents in 2009, as Morningstar warned it was worth nothing. On Friday, it closed at $4.24.

(Investor Charles Brandes, with ...third wife Tanya, has seen money under his management drop dramatically.)

This brings us to Charles Brandes, San Diego money manager. His firm, Brandes Investment Partners, bought into McClatchy at $44.50, becoming the media company’s largest institutional shareholder, with 14.63 percent of the stock. Then the Brandes firm committed one of Wall Street’s unforgivable sins: selling near the bottom — in McClatchy’s case, 70 cents. Similarly, the firm bought into Gannett between $36.50 and $55.50, becoming the largest shareholder with 11.25 percent of the stock. It dumped the stock in late 2009 for an average price of $7.21 — less than half the price it closed at on Friday, $16.98. (Copley Newspapers dumped the Union-Tribune near the bottom of the market too.)

Brandes also got into a lot of other stinkers, such as Countrywide Financial, the scandal-plagued mortgage pusher that Bank of America tried vainly to purify; Washington Mutual, a similar organization seized by the government in 2008; Royal Bank of Scotland, which fell under the watch and ward of the British government; and Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), which went under U.S. conservatorship.

Charles Brandes’s investment strategy is to buy undervalued assets and wait until the stock price gets more realistic. A couple of decades ago, newspapers’ profit margins were around three times those of the average company. A former manager with the firm thinks that Charles Brandes kept expecting newspapers’ profits and stock prices to return to the good old days. He was not grasping “the reality of what was going on in print media — falling subscriptions, falling revenues. There was a paradigm shift” that more alert analysts perceived.

In 2005, Brandes Investment Partners had $101.9 billion under management. That’s down to $47.8 billion. But Charles Brandes built one of San Diego County’s most expensive homes. It’s 54,000 square feet on 30 Rancho Santa Fe acres and is worth at least $35 million. He lives there with his third wife, the lovely Tanya, and their enormous collection of cars and other chattels of the rich and chic. Meanwhile, he is having a knockdown, widely publicized divorce battle with his second wife.

Charles and Tanya are quintessential Beautiful People of the San Diego party set — pictured in the Union-Tribune in mid-2008 with David Copley at Cannes, for example.

On October 23, 2009, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and David Copley put on a soiree to honor His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. Charles and Tanya were there to socialize with the prince — and with Lady Catarina Pietra Toumei, another invitee.

I didn’t see it covered in the daily newspapers.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 (While attending the University of Wisconsin, Don Bauder held a number of posts at the campus newspaper, including editor in chief. He received a bachelor's degree in business (1959) and a master's in journalism (1961) and then spent four years in advertising and PR. In 1964, he joined the Chicago bureau of Business Week magazine as reporter/writer. In 1966, he got the job as bureau chief in Cleveland.

Don left Cleveland in 1973 to become financial editor and columnist for the San Diego Union. When the Union and Tribune merged in the early 1990s, he remained at that post; in '95, he was named senior columnist at the Union-Tribune. He retired from the U-T in March of 2003 and began writing his weekly column for the Reader in April of 2003. He started up his Reader blog — Scam Diego — in September of 2007.

In 1985-1986, Don wrote Captain Money and the Golden Girl (a book about a local Ponzi scheme), which stayed on the L.A. Times best-seller list for more than two months. He's been married for nearly 50 years and has two sons.)

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.

'What Fresh Hell Is This?' Failure on the 763, first morning Amtrak San Diego train to LA

 For more tales from the Surfliner on Amtrak's front lines, visit here....

A failure in management

Things have been rough for those of us on Pacific Surfliners 763 lately.  This is the first train out of San Diego, and is very heavily used by commuters.The big stop is Irvine, but a surprising number of us are power commuters going all the way to LA on a daily basis. 

From LA, 763 goes on up to Goleta, where it turns around and comes back down as train 784.  This is the 5.10 departure out of LA and is also a heavily used commuter service.  Of course, if 763 is late going out, 784 is late coming back. 

For the last few weeks 784 has been a disaster, mainly due to trackwork north of LA.  Finally, Amtrak decided to have 763 terminate in LA, and use the Amtrak coaches to bring everyone down from up north.  (This was suggested by one of the regular tweeters some days before they did it.... did Amtrak listen to him?)   That helped. Now the trackwork is done and 763 is again going up to Goleta.

But 763 has been having problems.  There have been cancellations, mechanicals, and a trespassing incident last week (= railspeak for fatality, probably suicide) .  This last caused me to get a ride to Irvine from a fellow commuter, D;  he dropped me at the Irvine station so I could get on Metrolink.  My mother would be horrified that I'm getting into cars to drive 50 miles with men whose last names I don't know!  ;-)

Monday this week 763 was 30 min late which had me really peeved.  But yesterday, it exceeded even that, by throwing a mechanical just before it reached the LA river, about 15 min outside of LA Union.  We came to a stop and sat waiting.

Normally, if there is a locomotive failure, they sweep it up by coupling the dead train to the next Amtrak coming by, making a double-length train that limps the rest of the way into LA.  The yard is there and they can swap out the engine.

Foolishly, we assumed that since we were at most 2 miles from the yard, they would just send out a locomotive and pull us in.  Right?

Wrong!  Turns out the worst place it could have happened was near the yard.  We waited, and waited, and waited.  Apparently they drove some mechanics over who couldn't fix it.  They offered to let people off and walk them to the street, but we were in industrial east LA/Vernon, in the middle of the freight yards-- not exactly a place where you can catch a cab, and not easy to direct a colleague with a car.  We watched as Amtrak 599 (the express) went by an hour later, and then, another hour after that, we saw 567 go by. Finally, FINALLY, a rescue locomotive arrived and took us into LA Union, 2.5 hours late.

A conductor told me today that the problem was that the rescue locomotive didn't have a conductor and they had to have one to leave the yard. (Conductors are the commanders of the train; the engineer is the driver).  If that is the case, why didn't they just hook us up to 599 when it came through, and go in together?  Yes, 599 would have taken a 20min delay to do that, but the hundreds of people on 763 would have gotten to LA much earlier and 599 is often late anyway. 

Whose brilliant idea was it to leave 763 sitting there stranded for 2.5 HOURS?   

The first goal should be to get passengers where they are going.  Especially for 763, which is not full of vacationers, but full  of people trying to get to work.  I should have been at work at 9.15;  I needed to be at work by 10;  I got there at 12.

If we'd thrown the mechanical in San Juan Capistrano, we would have been to LA by 10 and I'd have been to work by 10.30--not good, but not nearly as awful as it was.

Every morning when I get on 763, I feel like Dorothy Parker:  What fresh hell is this?

Tale of two Garrick's: RSF GOP Assemblyman stung by Bee for DUI yet perseveres (somehow)

(Garrick, the pride of Solana Beach, pled guilty to being twice as drunk as the legal limit while trying to drive into the state Capitol one balmy day last summer. Yet, he continues to serve out his term with...honor??? Just end it buddy -- Ah-Ha)

Editorial: Lawmakers who break our laws shouldn't get a break

Californians should expect their lawmakers to not only make laws, but follow them. Lately, several in the Legislature have been accused of serious breaches – a trend that is generating far too little alarm in the Capitol.

 In June, Assemblyman Martin Garrick, a Republican from Solana Beach, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

A blood test later found that Garrick had a blood- alcohol level of 0.15 percent – nearly twice the state's legal limit for driving.

(Photo left: Garrick at Mille Fleurs fundraiser where they served mixed drinks and wine and he drove home.)

In October, Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, a Democrat from Castro Valley, was arrested on suspicion of felony grand theft. She has pleaded not guilty to stealing $2,500 in clothing from a San Francisco department store, claiming she absentmindedly stepped outside with merchandise while taking a cellphone call.

Then, on Wednesday, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, a Republican from Twin Peaks, was cited on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a loaded .45-caliber handgun into Ontario International Airport.He faces a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, and could face larger fines from the Transportation Security Administration.

We're sorry. If you are unaware you are carrying a loaded gun, you shouldn't be carrying one in the first place.

Donnelly is also being less than forthright about whether he had a concealed weapons permit. San Bernardino County officials say they have no record of such a permit. Donnelly needs to answer the question: Did he have a permit or not?

Garrick pleaded no contest to the DUI charge, losing his license for four months. Hayashi and Donnelly will have their day in court.

Yet regardless of outcomes, these recent arrests raise questions about whether authorities are giving California lawmakers preferential treatment.

When Garrick was pulled over, the California Highway Patrol cited and released him, allowing the lawmaker to avoid a night in jail – the usual outcome for misdemeanor DUI suspects. Donnelly also avoided arrest and jail, unlike Shaun Rogers, a Cleveland Browns nose tackle, who was taken to jail in 2010 after the TSA found a handgun in his carry-on bag at an Ohio airport.

Lawmakers who drive drunk, take merchandise out of stores or bring a loaded gun into airports shouldn't be treated lightly.

If authorities want to deter normal citizens from breaking laws, they should set an example with lawmakers who take oaths to uphold them.

Style Matters with Penelope Voisen: THE THANKSGIVING TABLE TOASTING AMERICA'S RICHNESS...

Ah, Thanksgiving – the holiday that toasts America’s richness and bounty as no other.

When we think of the loving labor that goes into preparing dinner for relatives and friends, it can anything but a holiday.  The Thanksgiving table allows us to keep the day special, beautiful, and relaxing without being stuck in the kitchen.

Whether you’re having a San Diego style get-together, celebrating somewhere in the country, or somewhere in between, holiday decorating should be consistent with your personal style and the look of your home.

The focal point for any dining room is the table.  How well you dress your dining table can transform your dining room from day to night, or season to season.

Starting ahead of time will help keep things organized in preparing your table for the Thanksgiving gathering.  One of the biggest pleasures of entertaining for me is dressing the table.  I love to spend time experimenting in setting what I think will be the perfect tablescape – from the dishes to the centerpiece to the candles, even the background music.

Staging the table sets the tone for a special meal.  When you lead guests into the dining room, you want them to see a beautiful, inviting place that you, the hostess, created to make them feel special.

 Today, tableware, linen, flatware, serving dishes, plates and glassware come in many intriguing colors, shapes, styles, and materials.  The choices are virtually endless when choosing a scheme for your Thanksgiving table.  Presenting your favorite collection in a creative, imaginative way, makes the difference between a so-so meal or an unforgettably elegant and charming one.

Linens, in any table setting style, define the look of the dining table.  For a formal, traditional table, using white or off-white, usually works best.

Heirloom, or fine china, sterling silver flatware, and fine crystal are expected at a formal table.  Other elegant touches to build on might include oversized, textured chargers in a metallic finish.  Mixing sterling and other classic touches add a luxurious  element to a formal table.

Decorative place cards are often used to give a warm welcome to guests.  It’s fun to mix modern touches in a formal setting.  A soft, fresh floral arrangement in a modern clear bowl or vase, or a more earthy arrangement using greenery and fruit can contrast a classic formal setting.

There are hard set rules to break about table setting style, so it’s always challenging and fun to pare down a formal adaptation as to not risk being too stuffy.

One of my favorite lines of fine china is Haviland.  Haviland has been manufacturing French porcelain china at its factory in Limoges, France since 1853.  I spoke with their National Sales Manager, Maureen Ferrel, to find out what the latest trend is at Haviland.

“Fashion for the table, Laque de Chine is getting a lot of attention right now,” she said.   “This is Haviland largest and most successful launch ever.  Laque de Chine is available in a dozen dreamy colors with gold and platinum trim, and be a stand alone pattern, or used as complimentary pieces to an existing collection.”

In a more casual, rustic setting, centerpieces and other table decorations should celebrate nature.  The simplest arrangements using pumpkins, gourds, apples and nuts, along with fresh floral and greenery work well.  Baskets, pottery,  or terracotta containers  work best for their textures and country feel.  Theses special touches make us feel thankful when we sit down to the Thanksgiving table.

A rustic Thanksgiving table demands earthenware, stoneware, and ceramics as opposed to china.  Wood accented flatware is wonderful when pared with these dishes, however silver seems to always go with everything, as silver adds a little sparkle to any table.

Other elements for the dining room should be lots of soft lighting, votive candles, and even a crackling fire in the fireplace, would blend to create a gracious, relaxed, elegant setting to enjoy your Thanksgiving feast.

Eating and drinking should be reveled in and make most of the celebrating feeling thankful.   May your Thanksgiving table, whether formal or rustic, be simply stunning, and the day enjoyed by family, friends, fabulous food – and plenty of football!

Ken Blanchard : Servant Leadership for the Workplace and Life

For more information, contact: Sharon Omahen, Executive Director of Coastal Community Foundation Phone Number: (760) 942-9245. Email: Sharon@coastalfoundation.org

Ken Blanchard : Servant Leadership for the Workplace and Life

Dr. Ken Blanchard is a gregarious sought-after author, speaker and business consultant. He is the #2 most influential leadership guru in the world. He has coauthored over 30 best-selling books, including The One Minute Manager, which has sold more than 13 million copies and has been translated into more than 37 languages.

Ken Blanchard will be in Solana Beach Wednesday, September 21 at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club to speak about “Servant Leadership for the Workplace and Life.” Check in will begin at 11:30am and lunch will run from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Ticket cost is $65 per person which includes lunch and a copy of Ken Blanchard’s book The Generosity Factor that he wrote with S. Truett Cathy about the... (more)

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for 9/9/2011 - 9/15/2011: 33 local crimes found...

http://www.crimemapping.com/map/region/northcountysandiego

Follow the link above to view the entire mapping tool...

Type:	Description:	Case #:	Location:	Agency:	Date:
	PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)	-	400 W BLOCK D STREET	Encinitas Sheriff	9/13/2011 07:15 PM
	TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)	-	1100 BLOCK EOLUS AVENUE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/13/2011 07:00 PM
	PETTY THEFT(Shoplift) (M)	-	100 BLOCK C STREET	Encinitas Sheriff	9/13/2011 02:15 PM
	VEHICLE BREAK-IN/THEFT	-	600 S BLOCK HWY 101	Solana Beach Sheriff	9/13/2011 10:00 AM
	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	-	400 BLOCK 09TH STREET	Del Mar Sheriff	9/13/2011 08:40 AM
	TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)	-	1800 N BLOCK VULCAN AVENUE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/13/2011 07:00 AM
	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	-	15900 BLOCK OVERVIEW ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/12/2011 12:00 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)	-	14800 BLOCK POMERADO ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/12/2011 11:10 AM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	1300 BLOCK HERMES AVENUE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/12/2011 09:30 AM
	COMMERCIAL BURGLARY	-	400 BLOCK SANTA FE DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/12/2011 12:01 AM
	COMMERCIAL BURGLARY	-	12800 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/11/2011 10:00 PM
	TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)	-	13400 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/11/2011 08:00 PM
	COMMERCIAL BURGLARY	-	13500 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/11/2011 03:57 AM
	SIMPLE BATTERY (M)	-	500 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101	Encinitas Sheriff	9/11/2011 02:00 AM
	SIMPLE BATTERY (M)	-	100 S BLOCK CEDROS AVENUE	Solana Beach Sheriff	9/10/2011 11:15 PM
	VEHICLE BREAK-IN/THEFT	-	700 BLOCK DEVONSHIRE DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/10/2011 11:00 PM
	VANDALISM ($400 OR MORE) (F)	-	13600 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/10/2011 09:29 PM
	VEHICLE BREAK-IN/THEFT	-	300 BLOCK LA COSTA AVENUE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/10/2011 06:30 PM
	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	-	1900 BLOCK GLASGOW AVENUE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/10/2011 06:00 PM
	PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)	-	600 BLOCK LOMAS SANTA FE DRIVE	Solana Beach Sheriff	9/10/2011 02:30 PM
	VEHICLE BREAK-IN/THEFT	-	3100 BLOCK CIRCA DE TIERRA	Encinitas Sheriff	9/10/2011 11:00 AM
	DISORDERLY CONDUCT: ALCOHOL	-	12400 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/10/2011 04:38 AM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	12600 BLOCK ROBISON BOULEVARD	Poway Sheriff	9/10/2011 03:50 AM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	12400 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/10/2011 03:09 AM
	EXHIBIT DEADLY WEAPON OTHER THAN FIREARM (M)	-	800 BLOCK SANDCASTLE DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/10/2011 01:30 AM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	700 BLOCK CLARK AVENUE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/9/2011 07:00 PM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	100 BLOCK SAXONY ROAD	Encinitas Sheriff	9/9/2011 05:00 PM
	OTHER AGENCY VEHICLE THEFT/RECOVERY (F)	-	100 W BLOCK C STREET	Encinitas Sheriff	9/9/2011 08:19 AM
	COMMERCIAL BURGLARY	-	13200 BLOCK CARRIAGE ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/9/2011 07:22 AM
	COMMERCIAL BURGLARY	-	12600 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/9/2011 05:24 AM
	COMMERCIAL BURGLARY	-	12600 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/9/2011 05:24 AM
	BATTERY WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY	-	13100 BLOCK CARRIAGE ROAD	Poway Sheriff	9/9/2011 01:37 AM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	800 BLOCK SANTA FE DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	9/9/2011 01:05 AM

Carmel Valley to Solana Beach & Hwy 56 corridor bus line considered for region's wish list

You probably won't see a rapid bus line along the Highway 56 corridor overnight.

But on Friday, plans for a $70 million line connecting Sabre Springs with Solana Beach inched forward, gaining a recommendation from a regional transportation committee.

The catch is, the bus line was recommended for addition only to the region's unfunded transportation plan or "wish list."

An article in the North County Times on Thursday incorrectly reported that the bus line was to be considered for inclusion in the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan, a nearly $200 billion plan transportation officials not only want but say there is money for.

Jerome Stocks, chairman of the San Diego Association of Governments, the agency that plans the region's transportation projects, said Friday's endorsement of the bus line is still significant.

SANDAG's board of directors will decide later whether the bus line should actually join the wish... (more)

San Elijo Conservancy WANTS YOU to be a decent docent. Deadline Sept. 16 - Sign up today!

                                San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy  Docent Class of 2010

San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is looking for a few good --no, make that GREAT! -- docents.

These guides help people make the most of their hike, pointing out the nuances and history there missed by many. 

The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is ooking for a few good volunteers to serve as nature ambassadors. A comprehensive training program will prepare docents to lead interpretive walks for school and scout groups, as well as for weekend visitors and other community groups. Previous interpretive experience is not required.

“I think we’re all a little nervous at first,” said Elizabeth Venrick, a retired oceanographer who donates her time to the conservancy as a volunteer docent. “Every tour I do I... (more)

Got Rid of Gaddafi...SO WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET RID OF DEADBEAT SOLANA BEACH CITY MANAGER DAVID OTT???

We are tired of these career bureaucrats bleeding taxpayers dry. This isn't a Tea Party position, but a progressive Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News opinion.

There are plenty of slings and arrows to cast at the numerous despicable North County and San Diego political officials and sycophants but that's for another day. Today, we bring you the worst of the worst, a most despicable thief of the public funds for his own greed and aggrandizement.

WE BRING YOU MORALLY DEAD, CORRUPT AND DIRECT --

DAVID OTT. Past, present and future Solana Beach city manager. Really, the only people making out better through greedy subterfuge are the 100 Rancho Santa Fe "farmers" receiving federal farm subsidies even though, obviously, they are not farmers and the few who do have "farms" use them as tax dodges.

 But back to ODD: Listen to the tale of his take:

"David Ott, who also served for years as the city's public safety director, officially retired from his city manager post in December and began collecting a pension of roughly $13,500 per month.

However, he still works under contract as Solana Beach's interim city manager, earning roughly $78 per hour in addition to a monthly cellphone allowance of $50 and car allowance of $450."

Ott continues to serve as interim city manager and no search for a permanent replacement is yet under way. He said last week he doesn't know exactly how many hours he has billed the city under his contract, but it's less than 960 hours, which is considered full-time employment by the California Public Employees' Retirement System and would jeopardize his retirement.

Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News says: DAVID OTT MUST RESIGN OR BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 More backstory, compiled from sources:

An email criticizing Ott's pension and pay arrangement was recently sent to several news agencies. It accused Ott of using his years as a public safety employee to receive a higher pension.

Ott said allegations he spiked his pension are untrue, but he acknowledged that his pension is unique because he held several positions in the city.

He said he believes the recent criticism is coming from firefighters who were unhappy with pension reform and worried about the potential for staff cuts in the Fire Department.

Solana Beach is working to close a nearly $700,000 budget shortfall in the current fiscal year. Proposed cuts include leaving two city administrative positions open to save nearly $300,000; reducing the amount of work scheduled to be done on the city's general plan to save $310,500; and cuts to various city departments totaling $153,700.

OTT GETS ON THE PUBLIC GRAVY TRAIN

Ott was hired by the city in 2003 as its director of public safety and fire chief. He said Thursday that he also served as the city's assistant city manager, before he was hired as city manager in 2006.

From 2006 to 2009, Ott retained his post as fire chief in addition to serving as the city manager and public safety director.

During those three years, Ott said his retirement was calculated using formulas for both regular government employees and public safety employees.

According to the city, 75 percent of his retirement was calculated using a "2.5 percent at 55" formula and 25 percent was calculated using the public safety workers' formula "3 percent at 50."

Government employees' retirements are calculated using a percentage of their highest annual salaries (2.5 or 3 percent here), multiplied by the number of years they worked, for up to 30 years of service.

When Ott retired in December, his annual salary was $180,250.

"I didn't spike my pension, I got promoted," Ott said.

YEAH RIGHT.  GET RID OF OTT TODAY. Over and sold-out...