Local News |
January 7th, 2010 |
Drunk and/or Unclicensed Drivers Checkpoint for the Holidays
On January 2, 2010, the Escondido Police Department conducted a DUI Sobriety / Drivers License Checkpoint at the intersection of East Valley Parkway and Bevin Road from 6:00 PM until 1:00 AM. The emphasis of this checkpoint was to detect intoxicated and unlicensed drivers as well as to provide a highly visible operation to deter driving under the influence.
The following activity resulted from this checkpoint:
• 2,666 vehicles entered the checkpoint
• 1,481 vehicles were screened in primary
• 53 vehicles sent to secondary (drivers who could not produce a drivers license or who were suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
• 3 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 9 field sobriety tests were administered
• 29 vehicles were impounded at this checkpoint, eight drivers did not have auto insurance, five drivers had a suspended drivers license and 20 drivers did not have a drivers license
• 48 citations were issued at this checkpoint
The above listed checkpoint was a part of the Holiday DUI Crackdown Campaign. During the campaign, the Escondido Police Department conducted two DUI/DL checkpoints and three DUI saturation patrols. The following activity resulted from these combined events:
• 11 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 30 field sobriety tests were administered
• 48 vehicles were impounded
• 143 citations were issued
The above statistics are only representative of the specific DUI enforcement activity. The arrests and citations generated by routine patrol operations are not included in these numbers.
These checkpoints and saturation patrols are operated in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol, San Diego County DUI Probation Team, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the North County Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Council.
Senator Mark Wyland Presents Award to Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club of Escondido
In recognition of “Operation Hero,” the unique program recognizing Wounded Warriors that is sponsored by the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club of Escondido, California State Senator Mark Wyland visited the club last Tuesday to present a plaque to Lyle Davis, Founder and Chair of the Operation Hero program. Lyle and the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club received the 38th District 2009-2010 Veterans Allegiance Award in recognition of the major contribution to benefit veterans throughout the Congressional District and San Diego County.
Senator Mark Wyland has deep roots in North County, having been part of the family that owned Pine Tree Lumber for many years. After it was sold and he retired from that business, he went into public service serving in the California Assembly and then moved on to the Senate.
He thanked the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club for its service to the community and, in particular, to the Wounded Warriors that serve our nation so well.
The United States, he pointed out, is the only country that has a significant amount of volunteerism and philanthropy. He also discussed the State of California. When he started his pubic work 10 years ago, California was the 5th largest economy in the world. Now it is about the 7th largest.
California, he went on, has had a difficult time adjusting to the decreasing tax revenue landscape. This is because much of the expenditures go to existing programs. He pointed out we have a huge agricultural economy and it is in a real crises because of the water shortage and high costs. Many farmers have had to stump trees or in more drastic cases, cease operations. The central valley, he pointed out, is experiencing 30 to 40% unemployment rates. They passed a water bond issue. calling for $10 to $12 billion dollars. We will be votingon it. The idea is to bring water down from northern California to southern California through a different route. Is it perfect, he asked rhetorically – No. Is there pork in the bond issue – yes. At this point, the biggest impediment is the extreme brand of conservationists. They put in road blocks at nearly every turn. There are signs, however, that progress is being made and perhaps a compromise can be reached.
He also discussed the business landscape for California. He discussed what it takes to start up a manufacturing plant in here. It requires numerous permits and a lengthy wait time. California makes it very difficult to do business in the state. Another point, 47 or 48 states do not charge sales tax on manufacturing equipment purchases. California is not one of those states.
He discussed the state of the educational system. Over the years the student demographics have changed dramatically. Many students today are Latinos and they have difficulty reading the current text books. This has led to a high dropout rate. Additionally, the decrease of vocational programs in schools has had a negative impact on students. Bottom line, we have many problems in education.
In closing, he shared that he feels optimistic for California’s future. He feels he can work with the educational and environmental establishment that is discouraging investment in California. He says it will be a lot of work, and it will be a fight, but his theory is, rather than fight over the crumbs of the pie, increase the size of the pie. He predicted a bruising primary battle between Republican’s Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner for the Governorship.
The Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday at 7am for breakfast, fellowship and interesting program speakers. The meetings are held at Cocina del Charro Restaurant, 525 N. Quince, Escondido. For information about attending meetings, call 760.747.7119.
Above, Tim Cunning, Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club President accepts award from California Senator Mark Wyland, center. At right, Lyle E. Davis, founder and Chair of the Operation Hero program.
Oceanside Student Solos on New Years Day
Kevin Williams, new pilot |
Sixteen year old Oceanside High School Junior, Kevin Williams, (see photo at right) rang in the New Year Friday morning by soloing a Cessna 152 at the Oceanside Municipal Airport.
Kevin was this year’s recipient of the Jack Cassan Memorial Flight Scholarship, a fund administered by the Oceanside Airport Association with the goal of teaching Oceanside teenagers how to fly. The unaccompanied flight was observed from the ground by instructor John Dowding of Orion Aviation, Kevin’s parents and a small group of wellwishers.
“This is a great moment for Oceanside youth and a milestone for our airport.” said Ben Meyers, President of the Oceanside Airport Assn who was on-hand to observe Kevin’s first solo flight.
Kevin, is one of this year’s recipients of the Girard Award for Academic Excellence, is a member of the Oceanside High School USMC Junior ROTC program, and is President of the campus Aviation Club.
Living directly under the airport’s flight pattern and seeing aircraft pass overhead has inspired Kevin to become a USMC fighter pilot. “For me, the [Oceanside] airport and the Cassan Scholarship are wonderful gifts that have brought my goals into reach. More kids should come to our airport and do what I have done!”
The Jack Cassan Memorial Flight Scholarship is available to selected sophomores and juniors attending Oceanside high schools. Selection focuses on grades, community involvement and a demonstrated passion for aviation. Interested teens can receive more information about this scholarship through their school’s counseling offices or by writing to: The Cassan Scholarship Committee, Oceanside Airport Assn, P.O. Box 172, Oceanside, CA 92049.
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On Another Earthquake 4.0
Another earthquake was reported this past Sunday, this one with a magnitude 4.0 earthquake, centered in northern Baja California. The tremor occurred at 4:02 p.m. with an epicenter 30 miles southeast of Tijuana at a depth of about 8 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Reports to an automated Web site indicated some shaking was felt along the border in San Diego County and as far north as San Marcos and Valley Center, both more than 100 miles away. Most respondents to the Web site described the earthquake as weak.
150 Grand Has
a New Owner
City officials happy that buyer is found for 150 Grand Cafe. Escondido’s upscale 150 Grand Cafe, which closed because of the recession, has a buyer. Rick Marcus, real estate broker for the owner, said the 4,300-square-foot restaurant/retail building on Grand Avenue near the California Center for the Arts, Escondido is in escrow.
He declined to reveal the identity of the buyer or what the space would be used for until escrow closes at the end of this month. The property, which can seat 150 people if used as a restaurant, is listed for $975,000.
“It’s fully equipped. It’s pretty much turnkey,” Marcus said. “All it needs is spit and shine.”
The news delighted city leaders, who worried that the closing in July of downtown’s first upscale restaurant was a sign of further trouble for the city’s aging core. Downtown Escondido had more than 93,000 square feet of vacant space at the time.
“It’s a great site, a wonderful location for someone willing to take on the risk of opening a new business right now,” said Councilwoman Olga Diaz, who owns a coffee shop downtown.
“Whoever moves in certainly will get a pretty good chance at viability,” she said. “Whatever it is — pizza or something else — most people will try it to see what it’s like.”
Councilman Sam Abed said the pending sale is excellent news. “This is evidence that downtown will be coming back soon,” he said.
Thora Guthrie, CEO of the Downtown Business Association of Escondido, reacted similarly.
“Downtown is excited about any business that comes in, if it’s doing the right kind of business on Grand Avenue,” she said.
150 Grand Cafe, named after its address, opened 16 years ago under Cyril and Vicki Lucas, who wanted to cater to arts center patrons. Over the years, the restaurant changed hands, but its reputation for fine cuisine continued, and in 2008 earned a nomination for a gold medallion through the California Restaurant Association.
When the recession hit, the cafe’s last owner, Mark Missler, offered less-expensive menus, such as a three-course dinner for $35, but to no avail. Shortly before the cafe closed, Missler said he had lost 25 percent of his customers.
Oceanside Museum Director to Retire
James "Skip" Pahl is retiring as executive director of the Oceanside Museum of Art after a 12-year run in which the museum transformed from an upstart institution to an arts venue highly regarded for its expansive programming and dazzling downtown facility. Pahl, 66, announced last week that he would leave his post as soon as a replacement is found. He said he hopes to use his retirement to volunteer and complete a 20-foot wooden sailboat he's building in his backyard.
"It's an obsession," Pahl said about the boat. "I have been working on it for 10 years and I think it's time to get it finished."
Pahl was the first employee hired by the museum in 1997, when the former City Hall building at 704 Pier View Way became a full-time arts venue. Under his leadership, the museum underwent a $6 million expansion project completed in 2008 that increased the museum's size from 5,000 square feet to 21,000 square feet.
Modernist architect Frederick Fisher designed the two-story project to connect with the existing building designed in the 1930s by noted architect Irving Gill. The new wing earned a 2008 Orchid award from the nonprofit San Diego Architectural Foundation.
But the changes at the downtown venue have been more than just physical. Museum board President Beate Russe said Pahl's leadership has helped make the museum a cultural hot spot in North County.
"He really made his mark through his leadership and made the museum what it is today," Russe said. "He's such a creative, amazing person who knows his community and knows the art world."
Russe said Pahl designed innovative programs ---- culinary cinema series, jazz concerts, Art After Dark social gatherings and free family days ----- to bring new visitors to the museum.
"He really expanded arts throughout the whole community," Russe said. "His diverse exhibitions really touched on all of the unique cultures in the area."
Pahl also helped the museum receive two $300,000 James Irvine Foundation grants and led a capital campaign that helped pay the museum's $750,000 construction debt.
Before working at the Oceanside museum, Pahl worked for the fine arts department of the Los Angeles Fair, and served as deputy director of the Mingei Museum in San Diego and director of the Children's Museum in San Diego. Pahl said now that the museum's expansion is complete, it's a good time for him to step down.
"The museum's in good shape," he said. "I think it's time to turn it over to some other younger person and begin the next stage."
The museum has four full-time employees, four part-time employees and a $700,000 annual operating budget. It hosts about 15 exhibits each year. Russe said a committee has been formed to search for Pahl's replacement, and the group hopes to find a new leader within six months.
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