Residents: Environmental impact, quality of life consideration needed

It was a packed house at the 22nd District Agricultural Association's meeting on Tuesday, where many residents who live near the fairgrounds said they would rather preserve the area's charm than add a convention center to the property.

They expressed concerns about the recently released draft environmental impact report for the Del Mar Fairgrounds master plan, which studies the mitigation required for a massive expansion.
Read here for the rest of the article.

My father used to complain frequently about the blaring horns from the trains at 3 in the morning. It's ironic that he was killed by an Amtrak train. Now other long time residents are complaining. I guess Bill was once again ahead of his time...

Noise from trains topic of concern

		An Amtrak train rolls through Del Mar

Del Mar residents are looking to hush some of their loudest tourists - the trains. Trains are passing through the city more frequently with Amtrak, Coaster and freighters alike, and as more trains rumble through, the sound of horns blaring is increasing and getting louder, residents complain.

"It's getting to the point where it's no longer romantic," said 29-year resident Hershell Price. "It's absolutely terrible."

Residents with ringing ears asked that City Council pursue establishing a quiet zone in Del Mar or perhaps acquiring a waiver to allow a ban during evening hours or on trains headed in specific direction. A new committee made up of concerned citizens and council members will study the feasibility of railroad ruckus relief. Click here for the entire article.

To celebrate 50 years in Del Mar, The Romeros will present an anniversary concert Nov. 21 in their hometown.

The Romeros ---- better known as "The Royal Family of the Guitar" ---- moved to the United States from their native Spain in 1957, and two years later settled in what would become a sprawling complex of homes where three generations of Romeros would carry on the family's musical legacy.

Los Romeros was founded in Del Mar by Celedonio Romero, who formed the classical guitar ensemble with his then-young sons, Celin, Pepe and Angel. Over the years, the lineup changed. Celedonio retired, and then passed away in 1996. That same year, Angel went on to a solo and conducting career, and a third generation of Romeros ---- Celino (Celin's son) and Lito (Angel's son) --- stepped in to fill their fathers' places. The Romeros have performed with symphonies all over the world as well as for international leaders and U.S. presidents.

The family will celebrate its half-century of music-making with a special concert hosted by the Del Mar Foundation's Cultural Arts Committee at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Del Mar Powerhouse in Powerhouse Park. Tickets are $75 and will include a special reception with Spanish wine and chocolates. Romeros concerts are known to sell out well in advance, so early orders are encouraged: Call 858-635-1363 or visit delmarfoundation.org.

Having grown up in the waters off Del Mar surfing, diving and fishing, this issue is a dilemma for me: on one hand, I am a strong conservationist when it comes to our coast. However, I guess I'm not a fan of being prohibited from being able to fish or take otherwise legal sealife while diving in my backyard. Our freedoms are dwindling fast enough. That said, the City has made a similar recommendation, protecting the wishes of Del Martians from federal bureaucrats when it comes to our beautiful waters of Del Mar.  Read on...
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Del Mar City Council has selected its preferred plan for the Marine Life Protection Act, one that has minimal impact to Del Mar.

Council members said they prefer "Option Three," which offers strong protection in La Jolla and shifts the Marine Protected Area north of Del Mar to Swami's. The San Diego Coastkeeper organization and Del Mar's scientific advisory teams also prefer this option.

"We like proposal three because it doesn't put our entire community in a protected area where we're not sure what we can do," said Mayor Crystal Crawford.

"We're in favor of marine preservation and proposal three does the best job of meeting the goals of the MLPA, which is to preserve habitats and marine populations," Councilmember Donald Mosier said. Click here for the entire article.

Del Mar's on again/off again acceptance of restaurants encroaching on the sidewalks is being called a success...
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		Del Mar Pizza's sidewalk cafe shown with Sbicca's sidewalk cafe still under construction in June.
		Photo by: Courtesy

Sidewalk improvements also planned

The creation and expansion of sidewalk cafes at four restaurants at Camino del Mar and along 15th Street were called a success by Del Mar's Interim Planning Director Brian Mooney, despite concerns about the use of a streamlined permitting process.

In August of 2008 the council adopted an ordinance making it easier to build sidewalk cafes. In the past, businesses would have to present their plans to the Design Review Board and obtain an encroachment permit and operations permit. Now, once city staff work with the business to create a plan, the City Council is a one-stop shop for this process.

"These sidewalk cafes would not have happened had they gone through the Design Review Board process," Councilman Carl Hilliard said.

When the sidewalk cafes along 15th Street were constructed some residents expressed outrage about the results. As Councilman Richard Earnest said, many expected the temporary set-ups that can come out and be brought back in. What they got instead were large brick structures with permanent walls or railing.

Some time back, I wrote about the fall in Del Mar. Now, as the racing season has ended, Labor Day is over, and the students are starting classes at the local schools and UCSD, the best time of the year has arrived.

Most people associate the beach with summer, and Southern California's coastal gem, Del Mar, is no exception. Summer is when the crowds come: school's out, the San Diego Fair starts in mid-June and shortly after the fair ends, the horses run at the world-famous Del Mar Racetrack. The thoroughbred horse racing season begins in mid July and goes through early September.

The hotels and motels are sold out, beach rentals are scarce and expensive, the restaurants have one hour-plus waits, and the beach and roads are crowded. There is a bit of a hectic pace during the summer in this normally laid back town, located just north of La Jolla.

However, the locals are patient. They know that after the race track closes, the tourists, students and race fans leave, the town returns to that kicked-back pace. But they also know that some of the best beach weather of the year begins then.

Fall in Del Mar is the perfect time to vacation - whether for a week at a beach rental, or a long, luxurious weekend at one of the many nearby resorts. The days are still long and warm, the water temperature is still in the low 70's or high 60's, and the they have the beach practically to themselves.

Surfers eagerly await the fall because the swells arrive from the south, often generated by storms and hurricanes thousands of miles away. When they arrive, the waves are large and exceptional for surfing.

For the vacationer, beach rentals are a bit easier to find and certainly less pricey, although students from nearby UCSD snap up long term rentals for the school year, if they can afford the pricey Del Mar rents. The hotels and motels have plenty of vacancies and of course the restaurants are eager to show off their cuisine with short waits for tables.

The fall in Del Mar is about the best time for a quiet vacation or a quick getaway.

Getting there is pretty easy. Just about 90 minutes south of Los Angeles by car, and about 20 minutes north of San Diego, it is also served by Amtrak and the Coaster, a local rail service from Oceanside to San Diego. San Diego International Airport is also just minutes south.

Resorts such as L'Auberge and The Lodge at Torrey Pines will pamper you in style. Excellent restaurants are minutes away. Jake's, which is one of two restaurants on the beach, is one of the favorites. Others include the Pacifica Grill in the Del Mar Plaza on 15th Street, and for a latin cuisine, Fidel's is nearby.

Speaking of the Plaza, some of the best shopping around can be found here at the center of town at 15th Street.

NEWS > DEL MAR Zensational named Horse of the Meet Sep 9, 2009 It was a three-division sweep for the super speedy Zensational in the annual media poll to crown the season's champions conducted by Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Zensational, trained by new Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, was a unanimous choice as top sprinter of the meet and runaway choice as Horse of the Meet and top 3-year-old.

As a long time supporter of the DMLGs (and being a former Jr. Lifeguard a long time ago, I'm so glad to see tower fund is growing...

More than $34,500 raised for a new Del Mar lifeguard tower

		There was standing room only at the Party for the Tower last week. Photos by Nick Morris
		Rachel, Andrea and Steffene Milis
		Brian Pasco and Cindy Silbert
		Lois and Ron Higgins
		Don Terwilliger with Carmen and Frank Fernandez
		Antonella Martinez and Randy Slavin
		Rick and Diana Schwering
		Martha Brooks, Nancy Stoke, Chuck Freeburn and Larry Brooks

A sold-out crowd attended the Party for the Tower at En Fuego on Aug. 5. The Friends of the Powerhouse underwrote the event, so the more than $34,500 raised will go toward building a new Lifeguard Headquarters and Beach Safety Center on the 17th Street beach.

Cougar Roars

		Miss Del Mar Cougar 2009 Rosie Goldstein stands with racetrack CEO Joe Harper. Courtesy of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club names Rosie Goldstein its Miss Del Mar Cougar contest winner Wednesday

By ERIC S. PAGE
NBCSandiego.com

Goldstein bested dozens of others to become Miss Del Mar Cougar 2009.

A San Diego woman named Miss Del Mar Cougar 2009 has plenty to say about her title and where she would like her newfound fame to take her.

Real-estate agent Rosie Goldstein got her crown Wednesday.

Goldstein said she was originally from the Bay Area but moved to San Diego about 20 years ago. Two friends who saw the contest mentioned in a local paper called her Sunday and told her she had to enter. By Monday she was front-runner, and the next day, a finalist.

"It was unbelievable," Goldstein said about her experiences. "A whirlwind. We need to find a reality show - a cougar-based reality show."

This caught me by surprise - reminded me that I'm older than I think. We started coming to Del Mar just about when the city incorporated (of course I was a toddler then -:)
Here's a recap of the great party at Seagrove Park...


A golden cause for celebration in Del Mar

		The children of Del Mar gather for a picture, which will be put into the Del Mar time capsule. Purchase or view more photos
		Photo by: Steven Hyde
		Tom Pearson, mayor of Del Mar from 1968 to 1972, and Bill Arballo, mayor of Del Mar from 1962 to 1963
		Supervisor Pam Slater-Price presents a proclamation honoring the incorporation of the city of Del Mar 50 years ago. Mayor Crystal Crawford is also shown, left, with councilmembers Carl Hilliard and Richard Earnest.
		The Mar Dels perform.

A picture-perfect summer evening at Powerhouse Park - children playing on the lawn, friends and neighbors relaxing and socializing, the sun slowly setting into the ocean - seemed to capture the essence of why so many residents love Del Mar and came out to celebrate the city's 50th birthday July 12.
Full Story...

And for more photos, click here.

By Julie H. Sarno Contributor Once again, fans will clamor for the gates to open for the 70th Del Mar race meet, which starts at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 22. Opening day fans will enjoy colorful hats and great racing in this annual tradition, conducted by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Full Story Jockeys and horses race for the finish line during the 2008 Del Mar race season. Benoit photo

Most people call it Dog Beach, but it might as well be dubbed People Beach.

Sure, Del Mar's canine-friendly patch of sand lures plenty of pooches that sniff, roam and splash with abandon. Their owners are more restrained, but they seem to have an equally good time.

Some come to stretch their legs, some to look for romance, some to chat with whoever happens to show up — longtime friends or downright strangers.

Full story...

Wounded troops rehabilitate in Del Mar surf

		More than 50 troops from the Naval Medical Center San Diego have learned or relearned to surf with the Del Mar Lifeguards in the past year. Courtesy of Tim Scully

Looking at 23-year-old Elmer Ugarte waxing his surfboard outside the 17th Street Del Mar Lifeguard Station, you wouldn't know a sniper shot him in the chest while he was patrolling in Iraq two years ago.

Ugarte, a lance corporal in the Marine Corps, came to the Naval Medical Center San Diego to heal from severe internal damage, including a punctured lung. Along with traditional physical therapy exercises to build up core strength and breathing capacity, Ugarte's rehabilitation regime also includes surfing.
Full Story

La Jolla diver recounts 'underwater tornado'

		Photo by: File Photo

If not for their experience, a group of a half dozen seasoned divers might not have lived to tell the tale of an "underwater tornado" they encountered Wednesday in the waters off La Jolla Shores that nearly swept them into deep water and almost prevented them from surfacing.
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Photo by: Courtesy People enjoy themselves at a previous San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

NEWS Groups come together to oppose fairgrounds' sale Laura Petersen Jun 11, 2009 Upwards of 200 people stood in solidarity to show their opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to sell the Del Mar Fairgrounds at the 22nd District Agricultural Association's board of directors' June 9 meeting. For the rest of the article, click here.

Area beaches earn good grades in 'Beach Report Card' San Diego Suburban News May 20, 2009 San Diego County had near-perfect water quality during the summer months last year, according to the 19th annual "Beach Report Card'' released Wednesday by an environmental group. Ninety-seven percent of the 93 beaches along San Diego's coast that were monitored for the annual statewide study received A grades over the summer months, according to Heal the Bay.