Ideas to revitalize Hwy. 101 in Solana Beach presented

Efforts to revitalize the 2.2-mile stretch of Highway 101 in Solana Beach shifted to a higher gear Jan. 20, as engineers presented their initial concepts of what it might look like down the road.

The goal would be to calm traffic and create a pedestrian atmosphere where businesses can thrive. Doing this could involve replacing traffic lights with roundabouts, or creating a shared lane between cars and bikes, known as a sharrow. Preliminary plans also call for adoptioning back-in angular parking, or spaces that are slanted the opposite direction of traffic so cars must park facing the street.

“It is long in coming and I think you’re going to see some very dramatic results,” said renowned consultant Dan Burden, retained by Solana Beach. “We see other towns that have gone through these transformations that have become very alive, very exciting places that are places to invest in business, have homes, all of the things that people choose and select a community for.”

TSA leader speaks to Rotarians

Del Mar Rotarians got the opportunity to do something millions of frustrated air travelers would long for: to grill Michael Aguilar, director of the Transportation Security Administration for the San Diego Airport.

“Do you automatically tag people who are traveling alone with no baggage and a one-way ticket?” asked one Rotarian, referring to the Dec. 25 incident in which Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines plane on approach to Detroit.

“Not automatically,” Aguilar said, adding that would only apply to in-person purchases and not online.

Aguilar gave an overview of the TSA, its methods and policies in a 30-minute lunch-time session with the Del Mar Rotary Club.

Joan Tessler is truly following her bliss at the Open Air Market

Joan Tessler was raised in a New Jersey suburb. After she graduated from college in Boston (English major), she traveled to Europe, where she found temporary work. Upon returning to America, with family help, Tessler got a job as an assistant editor at Harper & Row Publishers in New York City. She worked there for six years.

When the company offered her “a dream job as assistant to the editor of Harpers Magazine,” Tessler was at a personal crossroads. She decided to turn down the job and embark on a quest for the meaning of life.

Tessler journeyed to San Francisco, where she stumbled upon a teacher versed in the inner teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, meditation and the science of breath. In exchange for room and board, she volunteered her editing experience and began a foray into the spiritual world.

Wu Man and her Chinese lute to star in concert

Musical perspectives on and about America constitute the theme of the upcoming The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus concert, 8 p.m. Feb. 6 and 1 p.m. Feb. 7 in UCSD’s Mandeville Auditorium.

Director Steven Schick will conduct the symphony and chorus in Charles Ives’ “Three Places in New England,” Lou Harrison’s “Concerto for Pipa & String Orchestra,” and Antonin Dvorák’s “Symphony No. 9 in E minor.”

Internationally renowned soloist Wu Man of Carlsbad, will guest star on the pipa, a Chinese lute.

School leaders share their goals for 2010

The following are answers to questions about goals for the upcoming year submitted by the Del Mar Times to Del Mar Union School District Superintendent Sharon McClain, Torrey Pines High School Principal Brett Killeen, Canyon Crest Academy Principal Brian Köhn and San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent Ken Noah.

Dr. Sharon McClain, superintendent, Del Mar Union School District

Del Mar Times: What do you believe are the most important issues facing your school and organization in the coming year?

McClain: The most important issues in Del Mar are maintaining high student achievement, making up the budget deficit caused by state budget cuts, and relocating the district office, maintenance and operations, and preschool from the current property, which has been sold.

Geezer Bandit hits SD National Bank; FBI releases images

The FBI released two photographs Thursday of an older man believed to be responsible for six bank robberies in San Diego County.

The so-called “Geezer Bandit” struck most recently on Wednesday at San Diego National Bank, 1075 Rosecrans St., when he gave a demand note to a clerk and displayed a silver and black handgun, according to the FBI.

Crowd turns out for Dick Dale and his gospel of surf

The King of Surf Guitar shared the gospel with his people. And, boy was the Belly Up congregation feeling it.

Dick Dale performed Wednesday night in Solana Beach to a crowd of surfers and rock ‘n’ roll traditionalists.

His sound has been synonymous with surf culture since the 1950s. And at 72, the guitarist hasn’t slowed his signature speeding strum and his live sound still conjures up decades of pop culture memories, from the “Pulp Fiction” soundtrack to the Guitar Hero II track list.

Dale laid low for a while after releasing his latest album, “Spacial Disorientation” (Dick Dale Records/The Orchard 2001). Then, as a note from Dale on his official Web site explains, Dale was diagnosed with cancer in early 2008 and underwent surgery.

Kaufman named a VP for ConVis

By Arthur Lightbourn

Contributor

One thing is for sure about Del Mar resident Larry Kaufman — actually, a couple of things.

In addition to having tons of experience in the hospitality industry, he loves Diet Coke and when he makes up his mind to do something, he does so with the determination of a professional fighter in training.

Tired of being overweight, he decided he needed to go on a diet.

So he designed one, a diet, that is, and, in the last year, he shed 60 pounds.

Rain, wind pummel Del Mar

It’s a wrap! Operation Scarf ties into troops overseas

By Linda McIntosh

Contributor

When the tide is low, surfers at La Jolla cove might notice a man photographing models. The bikini-clad women and beautiful ocean scene look like pictures from a glamour magazine, but actually the photos are for a program to support troops, Operation Scarf.

Veteran photographer Ray Anthony takes pictures of models wearing colorful scarves while sunbathing or strolling at La Jolla Cove. He sends the photos, autographed by the models along with the scarves they wore, to service members deployed overseas to boost their morale. The idea harkens back to the World War II posters of pretty girls adorning the barracks.