Profiles

Sweetheart’s Ball

A night of fun for community members of all ages took place at the Sweetheart’s Ball held Feb. 15 at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. The event included dancing, light hors d’oeuvres, treats and refreshments.

Paw Walk in the Garden

San Diego Botanic Garden teamed up with the Rancho Coastal Humane Society for the seventh annual 5K Paw Walk in the Garden on Feb. 16. Both organizations benefit from this event where participants follow a 5K walk through Encinitas’ “beautiful 37-acre urban oasis with their four-legged, furry friends.”...

Fifteen years later, Wofford family reflects on life-changing ‘Extreme’ home makeover

If you were a TV watcher in 2004, chances are you remember the Wofford family of Encinitas.

Leucadia man helps pen book on expedition preparation, tips

Dr. Terry M. Williams, of Leucadia, and Aaron Linsdau, of Oregon, release "Adventure Expedition One" on Feb. 15, following personal experience and four years of research. The book aims to be the ultimate guide for explorers, including information on preparation, financing and training.

Former teacher trades classroom for printed page

During a 32-year-career as a high school English teacher, Robert Pacilio figures he performed roughly 28,000 one-hour "shows" before his students.

Encinitas Senior Expo

The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Encinitas, hosted the Encinitas Senior Expo titled “Embracing Retirement, Before and After 65” on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. The event was focused on people that will be retiring soon and those...

Band-O-Rama Concert

The third annual Band-O-Rama Concert took place Feb. 2 at La Costa Canyon High School. Participating schools included Ada Harris Elementary, EUSD’s band program, Diegueno Middle School, Oak Crest Middle School, San Dieguito Academy, and La Costa Canyon High School. The concert concluded with a...

Encinitas children's author helps organize inaugural San Diego Writers Festival

The day-long event, which is free and open to the public, will include author talks, book signings, readings, workshops, crafts, live music and educational panels.  

Two families fight for a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

To raise money for research in search of a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, both families have organized a fundraiser called Love Cures.

The Hot Room aims to heat up Encinitas' yoga scene

A North County couple has opened a new studio in Encinitas to give locals more options for yoga. Rebekah Cunningham opened The Hot Room at 207 South El Camino Real suite A, in January. The studio offers hot yoga, or yoga sessions in a heated room, with classes in Traditional Bikram, Vinyasa, Hot...

Local Rotary clubs gather for ‘7-Way’ meeting

A “7-Way” Rotary Club meeting was held Jan. 17 at the Hilton San Diego Del Mar. This annual event brings together about 130 Rotarians from six clubs in the North County area (Rotary Club of Del Mar, Del Mar-Solana Beach, Encinitas, Encinitas Coastal, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach Eco plus the Rotary...

In successful debut novel, author Lisa Ko contemplates home, belonging and assimilation

Growing up as the only child of Chinese immigrants, Lisa Ko used her imagination to populate the world around her, writing stories to combat loneliness.

Latitude 33 Aviation expands charter jet fleet

Locally-owned Latitude 33 continues to grow its fleet, now one of the largest and newest in the country.

Saving tons of excess produce from landfills, sharing with those in need

Nita Gilson started small, with a few friends, to address an issue she saw in her community: the need to collect produce that would otherwise go to waste and get it to people in need.

Gourd Show installed at Carlsbad Library

Grace Swanson, local gourd artist, recently installed a show of her gourd artwork in the lighted case in the Virginia Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive. The show will be visible until March. “My interest in gourds began as a small child, born and raised in Nigeria. The Nigerian people use...

‘Moms on Maternity’ networking group to hold luncheons in Rancho Santa Fe

Moms can meet and socialize with other career-oriented individuals on maternity leave. Luncheon to be held in RSF Feb. 20.

Encinitas Elks Lodge donates gifts to homeless veterans’ families

Every year the Encinitas Elks Lodge #2243 in Cardiff sponsors homeless veterans’ families for Christmas. The families are all from the Veterans Village of San Diego. The Encinitas Elks Lodge buys gifts for the families, an effort that was supported this year by a $4,500 grant from the Elks organization’s...

Hundreds take part in 'Ride for Roberta' event in Encinitas to honor injured cyclist

Cyclists took to the road in Encinitas Saturday morning, Dec. 15, for an event held in honor of a local community leader and an advocate for bicycle and pedestrian safety who was seriously injured when she was struck while cycling more than a week ago. The event, dubbed “Ride for Roberta,” started...

Encinitas restaurant offers unique space for local artists

Local photographers Vincent Darmohusodo and Ana Phelps have permanent art installed at Patio on 101 in Encinitas.

Cardiff woman spreads kindness with Tidbits of Love

Sharon Belknap shares her Tidbits of Love — small, squares with original drawings and sayings like, "follow your intuition and fly" and "make a wish from your heart" — with people she comes across in her life.

North Coastal Council of PTAs Reflections Art Awards Celebration

The National PTA celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its iconic PTA Reflections Art Program this year. To mark the occasion and celebrate this year’s Council Level Finalists, the North Coastal Council of PTAs held a Art Reception and Awards Celebration on Wednesday evening, Nov. 28, at El Camino...

Miracle League of San Diego honors ‘Outstanding Service Award’ recipients

Each year the Miracle League of San Diego honors high school seniors who have volunteered their time for at least three years.

Cardiff Kringle Mingle

Cardiff 101 Mainstreet held a special holiday celebration Dec. 2 at the Cardiff Town Center with Santa in his vintage “Camera Camper”sleigh. The event included pictures with Santa, children’s craft pavilion, live musical performances by favorite kid bands, food and drink, gift basket drawing, a...

Encinitas Holiday Parade

For the 61st year, Encinitas kicked off the holiday season Dec. 1 with a Holiday Parade and tree lighting event. This year’s theme was Botanical Oasis and the event also honored Grand Marshall Julian Duval. Many of the nearly 100 parade entries also competed to win a prize in one of the judged...

Heritage Tree Lighting

A tree lighting event took place Nov. 30 for the city-designated Heritage Tree, a 90-foot-tall towering Norfolk Island pine tree, which is covered in LED lights during the holidays in the Moonlight Beach parking lot. It was planted in 1952 by John and Peter Danforth as a Mother’s Day gift for their...

North Coast Singers founding artistic director announces retirement

Sally Husch Dean, Founding Artistic Director of the San Diego North Coast Singers (SDNCS) has announced her intention to retire after 26 years of serving the youth choral organization.

Encinitas events this week (Oct. 26)

Dia de los Muertos The family-friendly “Day of the Dead” festival includes performances by San Diego’s top Mariachi Bands and Ballet Folklorico dancers on Oct. 27 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. The event will also include art-making workshops for...

Encinitas woman dances in 'Romeo and Juliet'-like show

Noelle Franco, 20, is lending her dance skills as part of the ensemble of "Beyond Babel," which was written by Carlsbad residents Keone Madrid and Mari Madrid, as well as the Hideaway Circus.

Cardiff 101 Member Mixer

Monster Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk and Party

The Cardiff Schools Education Foundation presented the first annual “Monster Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk and Party” Oct. 14. The run started at Ada Harris School then moved on to Encinitas Community Park and back. The event also included an after-party, featuring carnival games, games, donut walk, face...

Authorities identify woman struck, killed by vehicle

Authorities on Oct. 10 identified a 76-year-old woman who was struck and killed by a vehicle in Encinitas. Lubov Kozelskaya of Encinitas was walking westbound across the road in the 500 block of Balour Drive shortly before 7:10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, when she was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound,...

Encinitas events this week (Oct. 12)

Encinitas events

Surfing Madonna Beach Run

Thousands of runners once again participated in the largest beach run on the sand at the Surfing Madonna 1K, 5K, 10K Beach Run held at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas Oct. 7. The event also featured prize money, live music, food vendors and more. Surfing Madonna Oceans Project is a registered 501c3...

Encinitas author savors the release of her second romance novel within a year

Mickey Brent will be promoting her books in appearances, signings at local venues in the ensuing weeks.

Cardiff Beach Living Shoreline Project construction to start

The City of Encinitas awarded a construction contract for the Cardiff Beach Living Shoreline Project at the City Council meeting on Sept. 26. The shoreline between Restaurant Row and South Cardiff State Beach is vulnerable to coastal flooding during large storm events and projected sea level rise....

Art, science, fashion mix and mingle at Lux Art Institute in Encinitas

With the advent of their new executive director, Kathleen Stoughton, the folks at Lux Art Institute in Encinitas are swinging into their 12th season in style. Starting out with L.A.-based artist-in-residence Lia Halloran and her art-meets-science cyanotypes in the Artist Pavilion and local artist...

Bike for Boobs event to benefit Encinitas-based charity Oct. 14

More than 100 people dressed in pink are expected to ride bikes around areas of San Diego on Oct. 14 to raise money for an Encinitas-based breast cancer charity. The sixth annual Bike for Boobs ride — which begins at The Wine Pub, 2907 Shelter Island Drive in Point Loma — includes a casual ride...

Off Track Gallery presents reception for David Rickert

The public is invited to an artists’ reception at the Off Track Gallery, 937 South Coast Highway 101, Suite C-103, featuring David Rickert on Oct. 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. David Rickert spent most of his life in the Minneapolis area where he was an active, award-winning painter, a member of the Edina...

23rd Annual Encinitas Oktoberfest

The 23rd Annual Encinitas Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest celebrated the season Sept.30 on Mountain Vista Drive and El Camino Real. The event included authentic German music, the Gemütlichkeit Alpine Dancers, carnival rides, a street craft faire featuring 200 vendors, great food and refreshments,...

Moonlight Beach Bash

The festive Moonlight Beach Bash, which brings together art, music, dance, food, fun and beach culture, took place Sept. 29 at Moonlight Beach. The event is presented by the City of Encinitas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. Visit www.EncinitasParksandRec.com.

Ironman vet Julie Moss recounts her 1982 'Crawl of Fame' in new memoir

Thirty-six years ago, surprise front-runner Julie Moss collapsed just 15 feet shy of the finish line at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. But in one of the most famous moments in televised sports history, the 23-year-old fledgling triathlete used her hands to drag her body across the line....

Shark attack victim recovering, in serious condition; North County beaches reopen

The teen suffered traumatic upper body wounds in the attack. A GoFundMe account had raised more than $28,500 as of Oct. 1.

Encinitas Crime Report (Sept. 27 to Sept. 29)

Oct. 1 • Misdemeanor drunk in public: alcohol, drugs, combo or toluene - 1000 block Golden Road, 12:48 a.m. • Vehicle break-in/theft - 17700 block Azucar Way, midnight Sept. 30 • Felony take vehicle without owner's consent/vehicle theft - Camino San Thomas Laurel Hill Lane, 11:45 p.m. • Felony...

Encinitas events this week (Oct. 5)

Encinitas events

Old Art Deco building to be transformed into upscale eatery

Plans are in the works to transform an aging, Art Deco-style building on a dark and dirty bit of downtown's D Street into an upscale dining establishment with a raw oyster bar. The brownish-gray structure a half-block west of Coast Highway 101 began life as a grocery store just before the Great...

Man who torched school, church in Encinitas sentenced to 10 years in prison

An Encinitas man who admitted to setting fires at a church and a middle school and throwing a Molotov cocktail into another church building during a three-week arson spree was sentenced Sept. 27 to 10 years in federal prison. Tyler Carender, 22, was arrested in July 2017 at his home on Island View...

Deputies arrest three people in Encinitas on suspicion of drug sales

Sheriff's deputies arrested three people in Encinitas on Sept. 26 after finding drugs in a home. Detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department's North Coastal Station Narcotics and Gang Detail served a search warrant at the residence of Robert Lorifice, in the 1600 block of Blossom...

Hubbard, Muir field questions in candidates forum

Encinitas residents in District 3 will have two candidates to choose from in November. One has served on the city council for three terms, while the other is a current planning commissioner who aims to bring a new vision to the city. Incumbent Mark Muir and his challenger Jody Hubbard fielded questions...

San Diego organization works with inmates to train service dogs

Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, which was founded in 1998, partners service canines with clients diagnosed with different health ailments, primarily Autism and PTSD.

Olivenhain Kids Cross Country Invitational

The sixth annual Olivenhain Kids Cross Country Invitational will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Olivenhain Town Hall. The invitational is a great way for kids ages 5-14 of all abilities to experience a fun, kids-only running event. Age group races begin at 8 a.m. The course is a 500-meter loop...