‘After Dark’ gala benefits Lux Art Institute

The Lux Art Institute’s “Lux After Dark” gala was held last Saturday at the Rancho Santa Fe home of June and Neil Ash.

CV Manchester wins over FC San Diego

Game Date: Sept 20, 2008

Sport: Soccer

League: Presidio Soccer League

Division: BU-8 Blue Bracket

Fire map drafted for areas of concern; Rancho Santa Fe included

A task force of fire experts has drafted a map that predicts that three specific areas of San Diego County are at risk for disastrous wildfires similar to the blazes that took out 4,300 homes and killed 29 people in 2003 and 2007, it was reported today.

Committee extols virtue of solar power

Del Mar City Councilman Henry Abarbanel has long been a proponent of energy sufficiency for the city. In a list of goals presented to fellow council members at last year’s goal setting session Abarbanel’s number one goal read: “Fully participate, along with any regional efforts, in making Del Mar an energy sustainable city.

Learn how to protect your home from fire

Residents to get tips from safety experts; can also join emergency cell phone registry

Although more than 1,700 homes were lost in last year’s devastating fires, another 17,000
homes were saved due to the combined efforts of firefighters and residents who had taken
preventative safety measures on their properties. The public can learn how to make these important changes around their homes at a Wildfire Preparedness Community Fair this weekend.

Volunteers restoring burned habitat

Habitat restoration efforts in the San Dieguito River Valley Park are underway to save the coastal cactus wren, an imperiled bird species unique to Southern California whose population was hit hard by the October 2007 wildfires.

The cactus scrub around Lake Hodges and the San Pasqual Valley is considered a stronghold for the coastal cactus wren and the federally threatened gnatcatcher. The wren nests in prickly pear cactus and the gnatcatcher in low, woody sage scrub.

Officials praise summer beach alcohol ban

Del Mar’s summer beach alcohol ban, which was lifted the day after Labor Day, is being touted as a success in keeping the beach safe from overenthusiastic drinkers.

“There was a dramatic difference,” said Del Mar’s Community Services Director Pat Vergne. “There were virtually no problems, no brawls, no fights. I think we saw a lot more families and kids as a result.”

Community Connections celebrates its founder

Del Mar Community Connections held its annual fundraiser on Sept. 18 at the Powerhouse Community Center. The “Bella Luna” event featured an Italian buffet dinner, local musical talent and live and silent auctions. Special honoree was Nancy Weare, who founded Community Connections in 1999. The organization assists elderly and special needs Del Mar residents though various programs including shared housing and a popular bus shuttle service. Clockwise from top left: Nancy Weare. Dennis and Joanne Sharp. Penny Abell and Peter Kaye.

Del Mar residents OK Clean Water fees

Del Mar residents have given mail ballot approval to both new and existing utility rate charges associated with the city’s Clean Water Service.

Residents were asked to both ratify an existing five-year rate schedule in place since 2003 and approve a new rate hike to be implemented on July 1. 2009.

Working for a cleaner beach

Paul Cooper of Carmel Valley and his son Cameron do their part at Torrey Pines State Beach on Sept. 20 during the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, where more than 140 people turned out. Preliminary tallies show that volunteers at 60 sites around San Diego County picked up more than 80,000 pounds of trash, ranging from cigarette butts and food containers to golf balls and a set of handcuffs.