Interesting real estate blog I found called This Old House Flip.
The blogger does a good job tracking people's attempts to buy and quickly sell a home (flipping). In some cases the homes were not even lived in. A handy chart is supplied to see the date purchased, original price and new asking price.
Hi I'm Bob Flippa and welcome to "This Old House Flip". We will be investigating detailed examples of flippers attempting to quickly make a profit buying and selling the "American Dream" of owning a home in the San Diego County area. This blog serves to educate potential buyers of the unscrupulous activies of these flippers and will hopefully save you money in the longterm.
Most of the homes are mind boggling ugly and look like they were designed by blind retarded monkeys instead of architects.
Encinitas listing
(I can only assume that "Bob Flippa" is a pseudonym. At least, I hope so).
Friday, January 19, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Beacon's Access is Top Priority of 40 Projects
Encinitas city staffers: Beacon's Beach should be top-priority project
By: ADAM KAYE - Staff Writer
ENCINITAS--City staffers on Tuesday identified Beacon's Beach improvements as the highest-priority capital project for Encinitas to complete.
The job, which calls for a new trail, sea wall and parking lot to be built at the beach just west of Leucadia Boulevard, earned the most points in a ranking exercise by city department heads.
Other top-ranked projects included construction of the first phase of the Hall property park in Cardiff and accompanying road improvements, the design of a new interchange at Encinitas Boulevard, safe routes to school and pedestrian crossings along the railroad.
City Manager Phil Cotton presented the assessment of more than 40 projects to the City Council at its first of two goal-setting sessions for 2007.
Beacon's as priority #1? I guess I'm a little surprised. That's cool though. It's a controversial project (of course). There is a lot of opposition to the proposed seawall. Some folks are even against stabilizing the bluff at all (not me). As is, the city has a $5 million dollar plan. The state grant is for $2.8 million. Does the city even have the extra funds for this? Can the city planners come up with a solid non-seawall plan that won't get us sued by the Surfrider Foundation and other groups?
I wonder where a walkable downtown Leucadia mainstreet with sidewalks and lighting ranks on the list?
Also in the NCT.com article you will find concerns about traffic and smoking on our beaches.
If everyone who smoked stayed home instead of driving around, half our problems would be solved!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Kerry Miller's Folsom 7th Heaven
City Manager reflects on first 100 days on job
Kerry Miller makes predictions for 2007
By: Cheri March
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1:32 PM PST
Kerry Miller
After 25 years in half a dozen cities, City Manager Kerry Miller is happy to call Folsom home.
As he approaches his first 100 days in office, an enthusiastic Miller reflected on his time in Folsom, his hopes for the city's future, and what brought him here in the first place.
Several years ago, Miller assumed he would retire in Encinitas, the coastal Northern San Diego County city he had managed for seven years. But as his family migrated towards Reno and the Bay Area, Miller, a Northern California native, changed his mind.
"I was feeling lonely seeing them so infrequently. It made me realize if I had the chance to relocate, I would - and I couldn't be more delighted with this community," he said.
Upon his arrival, Miller quickly noticed similarities between Folsom and Encinitas. The communities shared comparable median incomes, school test scores, and a landscape of rolling hills.
Encinitas had reached build-out. Not including the annexation on south of Highway 50, Folsom is beginning to grapple with approaching build-out, Miller said.
Both cities went through the challenging process of building a new library. Encinitas' nationally recognized Main Street program reminded Miller of the Historic District revitalization in Folsom.
Initially, Miller thought no staff could beat his "top-notch" Encinitas crew, but Folsom proved him wrong.
"There's good decorum between the five city council members and how much time they are willing to dedicate. They're a great staff," he said. "I look forward to developing real team-building programs to further cement working in the same direction with the community vision."
Recently, Miller appointed Evert Palmer and Nav Gil as Assistant City Managers and David E. Miller as Community Development Director.
"I couldn't be more delighted with the recent appointments," he said, explaining that he prefers to first look for talent internally.
The new Assistant City Managers had nothing but good things to say about their boss.
"We're very excited to have Kerry as city manager; he brings a great deal of experience," Palmer said. "And it's very good timing. There are exciting things happening with the opening of the new library and the groundbreaking of the new bridge. He's the right person at the right time."
Like Palmer, Miller agreed that 2007 will be an exciting year and he predicted several issues would dominate. At the top of his list is the annexation of land south of Highway 50.
"The annexation is probably the most significant in the total scheme of things," he said. "The prospect is very exciting. We're planning so that future development preserves our quality of life and is something the entire community can be proud of."
Miller is hopeful the annexation will be well underway this year. An agreement has already been worked out with the county. The community and property owners have embraced a land use plan, he said.
Another significant development will be the bridge project. With an expected completion date in late 2008, this year will see the groundbreaking for a highly anticipated bridge that will alleviate congestion caused by the closure of Folsom Dam Road.
Also on Miller's mind is the revitalization of Folsom's Historic District.
"Sutter Street is a diamond in the rough. I can't begin to imagine what its potential may be," he said.
Miller called the project fun, but challenging. "The challenge is in developing a streetscape that builds upon and enhances its character," he explained.
He is well qualified to oversee the project, When Encinitas underwent its own revitalization under Miller's management, shops not only remained open, but actually generated more income during construction than before.
As for his personal goal of being close to family, Miller now sees his children and grandchildren almost every weekend. Living in Folsom, he is conveniently at the center of his children's Reno, Tahoe, and Bay Area homes.
"This holiday was the first in many years that almost the entire family was together," he said.
Though he misses Encinitas, he is happy to be in Folsom, he said. "I love living here. I enjoy driving to and from work, seeing the beautiful trees out the window."
A self-proclaimed fast-food addict, he is also in love with Folsom's abundance of restaurants, including his favorite, Mel's.
"Give me a Vanilla Coke and a hamburger, and I'm in 7th heaven."
link
Kerry Miller looks just like the Dad from the tv show 7th Heaven. It's uncanny ain't it?
Kerry Miller makes predictions for 2007
By: Cheri March
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1:32 PM PST
Kerry Miller
After 25 years in half a dozen cities, City Manager Kerry Miller is happy to call Folsom home.
As he approaches his first 100 days in office, an enthusiastic Miller reflected on his time in Folsom, his hopes for the city's future, and what brought him here in the first place.
Several years ago, Miller assumed he would retire in Encinitas, the coastal Northern San Diego County city he had managed for seven years. But as his family migrated towards Reno and the Bay Area, Miller, a Northern California native, changed his mind.
"I was feeling lonely seeing them so infrequently. It made me realize if I had the chance to relocate, I would - and I couldn't be more delighted with this community," he said.
Upon his arrival, Miller quickly noticed similarities between Folsom and Encinitas. The communities shared comparable median incomes, school test scores, and a landscape of rolling hills.
Encinitas had reached build-out. Not including the annexation on south of Highway 50, Folsom is beginning to grapple with approaching build-out, Miller said.
Both cities went through the challenging process of building a new library. Encinitas' nationally recognized Main Street program reminded Miller of the Historic District revitalization in Folsom.
Initially, Miller thought no staff could beat his "top-notch" Encinitas crew, but Folsom proved him wrong.
"There's good decorum between the five city council members and how much time they are willing to dedicate. They're a great staff," he said. "I look forward to developing real team-building programs to further cement working in the same direction with the community vision."
Recently, Miller appointed Evert Palmer and Nav Gil as Assistant City Managers and David E. Miller as Community Development Director.
"I couldn't be more delighted with the recent appointments," he said, explaining that he prefers to first look for talent internally.
The new Assistant City Managers had nothing but good things to say about their boss.
"We're very excited to have Kerry as city manager; he brings a great deal of experience," Palmer said. "And it's very good timing. There are exciting things happening with the opening of the new library and the groundbreaking of the new bridge. He's the right person at the right time."
Like Palmer, Miller agreed that 2007 will be an exciting year and he predicted several issues would dominate. At the top of his list is the annexation of land south of Highway 50.
"The annexation is probably the most significant in the total scheme of things," he said. "The prospect is very exciting. We're planning so that future development preserves our quality of life and is something the entire community can be proud of."
Miller is hopeful the annexation will be well underway this year. An agreement has already been worked out with the county. The community and property owners have embraced a land use plan, he said.
Another significant development will be the bridge project. With an expected completion date in late 2008, this year will see the groundbreaking for a highly anticipated bridge that will alleviate congestion caused by the closure of Folsom Dam Road.
Also on Miller's mind is the revitalization of Folsom's Historic District.
"Sutter Street is a diamond in the rough. I can't begin to imagine what its potential may be," he said.
Miller called the project fun, but challenging. "The challenge is in developing a streetscape that builds upon and enhances its character," he explained.
He is well qualified to oversee the project, When Encinitas underwent its own revitalization under Miller's management, shops not only remained open, but actually generated more income during construction than before.
As for his personal goal of being close to family, Miller now sees his children and grandchildren almost every weekend. Living in Folsom, he is conveniently at the center of his children's Reno, Tahoe, and Bay Area homes.
"This holiday was the first in many years that almost the entire family was together," he said.
Though he misses Encinitas, he is happy to be in Folsom, he said. "I love living here. I enjoy driving to and from work, seeing the beautiful trees out the window."
A self-proclaimed fast-food addict, he is also in love with Folsom's abundance of restaurants, including his favorite, Mel's.
"Give me a Vanilla Coke and a hamburger, and I'm in 7th heaven."
link
Kerry Miller looks just like the Dad from the tv show 7th Heaven. It's uncanny ain't it?
The last southern California coastal open space, thank you Camp Pendleton
I took these photos last weekend from that little view point off the I-5 in the middle of Camp Pendleton. Thank god for the marines. It's so nice to be able to actually see the ocean while driving down the freeway. At this point it's surreal to see the southern California coast without McMansions, 7-11's, Blockbuster Video's, Starbucks, etc.
Can you imagine if the marine base wasn't there and it was sprawl all the way from San Diego to LA? It's nice to get a little elbow room feeling, even if the base isn't accessible to civilians.
click on images for large view
Can you imagine if the marine base wasn't there and it was sprawl all the way from San Diego to LA? It's nice to get a little elbow room feeling, even if the base isn't accessible to civilians.
click on images for large view
Monday, January 15, 2007
What are your goals in life young man?
From my e-mail inbox:
Dear Friends....As many of you already know there are two council goal setting meetings scheduled for this month.
The first is this Tuesday, January 16 at 4pm. The 2nd one will be Monday, January 22nd, also at 4 pm. Both will be held in the Poinsettia Conference Room at City Hall. The meetings are generally 4-5 hours long.
The purpose of these meetings is to review past goals and the status of those goals.
Review and assess financial funding limits and opportunities.
Set goals for 2007 and beyond.
In the past there has been an opportunity for public comment...usually prior to council discussion.
I urge you to attend and participate in the discussion about the direction you want YOUR city to take. Most importantly it is an opportunity to offer positive solutions and approaches to a number of issues facing the community.
Friday, January 12, 2007
We don't need no education
Downtown Encinitas school site the topic of meeting
By: ADAM KAYE - Staff Writer
ENCINITAS -- Houses, offices and a historical schoolhouse are part of a development plan proposed for the old Pacific View School campus.
After more than a year of committee meetings, Encinitas Union School District officials said Wednesday that they are ready to disclose their latest thinking about what to do with the Third Street campus that closed as a school in 2003.
The district would like to trade the valuable site for commercial property that could be a source of income for its instructional program, said Superintendent Lean King.
But before any swap happens, the city would have to rezone the property and establish conditions that may limit what a developer could build, he said.
At a 10 a.m. Saturday public meeting at Paul Ecke-Central School, 185 Union St., district officials and consultants will present an advisory panel's suggestions, which include:
# rezoning the site for a project that includes single-family homes, town houses, offices and condominiums on top of offices;
# covering no more than half of the property with buildings;
# restricting buildings to two stories; and
# keeping the historical schoolhouse, and possibly moving it, so that it becomes a centerpiece of the project.
read the rest of the story here
It seems to me that if the city is hellbent on increasing our density then maybe we will need a school in the downtown Encinitas area. Why not make it a really cool pre-school or daycare or something? Or make it an adult education campus? Or an alternative school with woodshop, ceramics, welding and autoshop? It would be a great location for a skate park.
Okay, it's settled. Let's build a skate park.
***I didn't go to the meeting today. Did anyone mention turning the site into summer beach parking? Remember, parking was all a big drama last year with the 101 Mainstreet Assoc.
By: ADAM KAYE - Staff Writer
ENCINITAS -- Houses, offices and a historical schoolhouse are part of a development plan proposed for the old Pacific View School campus.
After more than a year of committee meetings, Encinitas Union School District officials said Wednesday that they are ready to disclose their latest thinking about what to do with the Third Street campus that closed as a school in 2003.
The district would like to trade the valuable site for commercial property that could be a source of income for its instructional program, said Superintendent Lean King.
But before any swap happens, the city would have to rezone the property and establish conditions that may limit what a developer could build, he said.
At a 10 a.m. Saturday public meeting at Paul Ecke-Central School, 185 Union St., district officials and consultants will present an advisory panel's suggestions, which include:
# rezoning the site for a project that includes single-family homes, town houses, offices and condominiums on top of offices;
# covering no more than half of the property with buildings;
# restricting buildings to two stories; and
# keeping the historical schoolhouse, and possibly moving it, so that it becomes a centerpiece of the project.
read the rest of the story here
It seems to me that if the city is hellbent on increasing our density then maybe we will need a school in the downtown Encinitas area. Why not make it a really cool pre-school or daycare or something? Or make it an adult education campus? Or an alternative school with woodshop, ceramics, welding and autoshop? It would be a great location for a skate park.
Okay, it's settled. Let's build a skate park.
***I didn't go to the meeting today. Did anyone mention turning the site into summer beach parking? Remember, parking was all a big drama last year with the 101 Mainstreet Assoc.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Coastal Leucadia, their Highway or our Mainstreet?
Another deadly accident in Leucadia resulting in the tragic death of a well liked local got me thinking about the state of Leucadia's HWY101 corridor.
It's called the Coast Highway so it's a high speed highway for communting, right?
I've always viewed it as a route to cruise, not speed. You take the coast highway slowly, to enjoy the ride and enjoy the beach community.
Now it's mostly just an alternative for when I-5 gets backed up.
Traffic is getting dodgy on the Leucadia 101 strip. The Pannikan is popular and has been the scene of big accidents before. I remember watching the Life Flight helicopter land there a few years ago.
The Lou's records, Pannikan, Calypso, Gold Coast shopping plaza, Robbie's Roadhouse and Vigilucci's section of Leucadia has become really popular, which is a good thing, but maybe it's time to manage the traffic a little better.
Now, the accident was a result of a dumbass teenager tearing down the coast highway way too fast (85 mph) in a vehicle that he couldn't handle. (I've had several people tell me that they have yelled at this same kid for speeding many times).
But, maybe we should ban all left turns out of the Leucadia side streets and instead make a good series of U-Turn lanes say, every 1/4 mile.
In the one time I met councilman Jerome Stocks I inquired what he thought about stop signs in coastal Leucadia. He said the coast highway was indeed a highway and that Del Mar regretted the stop signs they put in.
As a hater of stop signs, I do agree. But I think one or two well placed stop signs at popular left turn streets may be a good idea (if you don't like the NO left turn and U-turn idea that is).
In the one time I met Paul Ecke3 we talked about coast highway Leucadia and he said he liked the idea of making southbound Leucadia one lane with the other lane as a merging lane for wider sidewalks and better parking.
I like this idea, I think it would be good for all the small business and residents. Of course I'm not commuting south from Carlsbad (they really should just tough it out on I-5. You reap what you sow).
The coast highway is also our mainstreet in Leucadia. Since it is a one sided mainsteet it will never be like the downtown Encinitas mainsteet, but it can still be great.
You have to admit, this is not living up to it's potential. And why does the NCTD have to ugly up our coast highway so bad. Plant some plants!
If we could somehow get NCTD to let us put in parking along the tracks and then we put in pedestrian crossings I think Leucadia would really flourish. Remember the John Severson book signing at that little surf shop on Grandview a couple of summers ago? There was no parking so people parked on the dirt by the tracks and crossed the highway on foot. The cops wasted no time in writing tickets and towing vehicles.
You can't legislate knuckle headed behavior. The best infrastructure won't stop a bad driver from making poor choices. But maybe it will help the overall flow of the town.
Check out this overhead map of coastal Leucadia. Zoom in and out, travel north and south. LINK
It's called the Coast Highway so it's a high speed highway for communting, right?
I've always viewed it as a route to cruise, not speed. You take the coast highway slowly, to enjoy the ride and enjoy the beach community.
Now it's mostly just an alternative for when I-5 gets backed up.
Traffic is getting dodgy on the Leucadia 101 strip. The Pannikan is popular and has been the scene of big accidents before. I remember watching the Life Flight helicopter land there a few years ago.
The Lou's records, Pannikan, Calypso, Gold Coast shopping plaza, Robbie's Roadhouse and Vigilucci's section of Leucadia has become really popular, which is a good thing, but maybe it's time to manage the traffic a little better.
Now, the accident was a result of a dumbass teenager tearing down the coast highway way too fast (85 mph) in a vehicle that he couldn't handle. (I've had several people tell me that they have yelled at this same kid for speeding many times).
But, maybe we should ban all left turns out of the Leucadia side streets and instead make a good series of U-Turn lanes say, every 1/4 mile.
In the one time I met councilman Jerome Stocks I inquired what he thought about stop signs in coastal Leucadia. He said the coast highway was indeed a highway and that Del Mar regretted the stop signs they put in.
As a hater of stop signs, I do agree. But I think one or two well placed stop signs at popular left turn streets may be a good idea (if you don't like the NO left turn and U-turn idea that is).
In the one time I met Paul Ecke3 we talked about coast highway Leucadia and he said he liked the idea of making southbound Leucadia one lane with the other lane as a merging lane for wider sidewalks and better parking.
I like this idea, I think it would be good for all the small business and residents. Of course I'm not commuting south from Carlsbad (they really should just tough it out on I-5. You reap what you sow).
The coast highway is also our mainstreet in Leucadia. Since it is a one sided mainsteet it will never be like the downtown Encinitas mainsteet, but it can still be great.
You have to admit, this is not living up to it's potential. And why does the NCTD have to ugly up our coast highway so bad. Plant some plants!
If we could somehow get NCTD to let us put in parking along the tracks and then we put in pedestrian crossings I think Leucadia would really flourish. Remember the John Severson book signing at that little surf shop on Grandview a couple of summers ago? There was no parking so people parked on the dirt by the tracks and crossed the highway on foot. The cops wasted no time in writing tickets and towing vehicles.
You can't legislate knuckle headed behavior. The best infrastructure won't stop a bad driver from making poor choices. But maybe it will help the overall flow of the town.
Check out this overhead map of coastal Leucadia. Zoom in and out, travel north and south. LINK
Sunday, January 07, 2007
North County is a Mecca for Car Thieves
North County is a Mecca for Car Thieves and North County Surfers are a Major Target
click for large view stolenorange@hot.com
This is from Surfermag.com:
By
Eric Johnson
San Diego has one of the highest auto theft rates in the United States of America. In a recent News 8 CrimeFighters report (KFMB San Diego), it was claimed that a car gets stolen every hour in San Diego County.
But perhaps no other group has experienced the phenomenon of car theft more acutely than the North County San Diego surfing community. In fact the word on the street — or on the I-5 for that matter — is that upwards of 15 cars a week are being nicked from the beachside parking lots in the region between the Palomar Airport Road and Del Mar/Torrey Pines exits. And as we’ll get to here in just a moment, the number one target for these seaside rip-off artists is you: The guy wearing a wetsuit and holding a surfboard.
Three months ago, Britt Galland, Vice President of Marketing at No Fear in Carlsbad, decided to throw down for a new truck. First came the $26,000 to pay for the truck, then came $10,000 more to hop it up. “I bought a new Ford F150,” says Galland, “then I went right out and had it lifted 8”, bought 20” wheels, a new grill new, exhaust — I bought all the bells and whistles — and it was really dolled up. I was stoked with it.”
Then came Friday, December 23, 2006 and a surf session at Pipes in Cardiff.
“I lent the truck to my son and he went surfing at Pipes in Cardiff,” explains Galland. “Before he got in the water, he did what a whole bunch of surfers do, he hid the keys. People like myself might know about what can happen when you hide your keys, but there’s a large group of young kids that don’t really get it: People will watch you and take your shit and rip you off while you’re out surfing.”
Thus as fate would have it, when Britt’s 20 year-old son paddled back in, the f150 was gone and so were his dad’s iPod, camera, phone, cash, wallet, ID’s and two surfboards.
“It’s an attack on surfing,” declares Galland. “Surfers are the easiest targets. Your 200 yards out in the water and your feet are frozen and you’re nowhere near your car. So you’re out in the water and you see some guy stealing your car, what are you going to do about it? You’re not going to run in. The guy’s going to get into your car — with your keys! — and he’s not even going to have to break a window or anything. He’s not even going to be threatened. Hell, he’ll even have time to turn on the heater, put on the seatbelt, adjust the seat and drive away slowly. It’s the perfect crime. But it’s all 100% avoidable. Why make it so easy for these guys?”
What can make it unavoidable?
“There’s this new innovation in the wetsuit industry. In fact it’s actually been around for 30 years, but nobody uses it. It’s called a key pocket.”
As far as protecting yourself and your fossil fuel burning assets, Galland brings up a good point. But still, when it comes to people desperate for money, and the requisite need to steal other people’s property, when there’s an ill will, there’s a way.
Take Chuck Elliott, a director of retail sales for Surfer magazine, and his recent wall-hit of an experience.
“I live In Encinitas and surf in Cardiff,” begins Elliott, who makes a living walking in and out of surf shops. “I’ve been doing the same routine for 20 years. It was on a Sunday and I was watching a Chargers’ game. At halftime, I decided to go surf for 30 minutes. It was sunny and killer out and I just wanted to get wet. I stashed my key — I had a Hide-A-Key on my ’02 Land Rover Discovery — and got in the water. When I came back in, my car was gone. So was my camera, credit cards, wetsuits, iPod, a belt buckle I had from the 1976 Olympic Games and my wedding ring.”
What did Elliot do? And what should you do?
“The first thing I did was run and call my wife and had her get all the credit cards cancelled. My wife’s dad was a deputy sheriff in Encinitas for 14 years and that’s one thing he has told us before: if your car gets stolen, always get your financials in order immediately because the thieves can use the credit cards to gas the car up.”
Quick thinking and fast action provided Elliott’s tale a slightly happier ending.
“Since my father-in-law got involved and helped out, they recovered my car in 10 hours. What must have happened is that the guys who stole it did some hard joy riding in it. They must have driven it hard through alleys and streets and hit curbs because it was way out of alignment and the steering rods and stuff were bent. They also cleaned the thing out. I was happy to get my car back, but still…
Like Galland, Elliott too has some simple advice on how to keep the hands of thieves of the steering wheel of your car or truck. “The number one target is when these guys pull up and see a surfer in a wetsuit holding a board,” he offers. “I mean the guys who ripped off my car were most likely watching me from the parking lot with a pair of binoculars. It’s a great lookout point. You just have to be careful and try your best to keep your eyes open and be aware of what’s going on.”
Oh..
“And make sure you have homeowners insurance,” insists Elliott. “Don’t just buy car insurance because it doesn’t cover the personal items in your car if it’s stolen. That’s the one positive thing I had going for me. I had homeowners insurance.”
Okay. Fair warning. It sucks, but it’s reality. There are plenty of car thieves out there with their sights set on you. Look out for one another. Work together. Help each other and don’t allow yourself or a fellow surfer to be a victim.
*note-This paragraph made me laugh out loud, "Three months ago, Britt Galland, Vice President of Marketing at No Fear in Carlsbad, decided to throw down for a new truck. First came the $26,000 to pay for the truck, then came $10,000 more to hop it up. “I bought a new Ford F150,” says Galland, “then I went right out and had it lifted 8”, bought 20” wheels, a new grill new, exhaust — I bought all the bells and whistles — and it was really dolled up. I was stoked with it.”
So typical of those No Fear goons to spend so much money on a gay bling bling truck. I feel bad that it got stolen, but Britt man, the freaking 80's are over bro. That thief did you a favor.
**Car thieves got hip to Hide-a-keys within 5 minutes of their invention. In Cardiff, car thieves park on Vulcan/San Elijo across the train tracks and watch surfers change into their wetsuits on the coast highway, watch where they hide their key and wait for them to go surfing. Now, the car thief has at least an hour to steal the vehicle.
I have my valet key tied with a nylon string loop and wear it around my neck under my wetsuit.
click for large view stolenorange@hot.com
This is from Surfermag.com:
By
Eric Johnson
San Diego has one of the highest auto theft rates in the United States of America. In a recent News 8 CrimeFighters report (KFMB San Diego), it was claimed that a car gets stolen every hour in San Diego County.
But perhaps no other group has experienced the phenomenon of car theft more acutely than the North County San Diego surfing community. In fact the word on the street — or on the I-5 for that matter — is that upwards of 15 cars a week are being nicked from the beachside parking lots in the region between the Palomar Airport Road and Del Mar/Torrey Pines exits. And as we’ll get to here in just a moment, the number one target for these seaside rip-off artists is you: The guy wearing a wetsuit and holding a surfboard.
Three months ago, Britt Galland, Vice President of Marketing at No Fear in Carlsbad, decided to throw down for a new truck. First came the $26,000 to pay for the truck, then came $10,000 more to hop it up. “I bought a new Ford F150,” says Galland, “then I went right out and had it lifted 8”, bought 20” wheels, a new grill new, exhaust — I bought all the bells and whistles — and it was really dolled up. I was stoked with it.”
Then came Friday, December 23, 2006 and a surf session at Pipes in Cardiff.
“I lent the truck to my son and he went surfing at Pipes in Cardiff,” explains Galland. “Before he got in the water, he did what a whole bunch of surfers do, he hid the keys. People like myself might know about what can happen when you hide your keys, but there’s a large group of young kids that don’t really get it: People will watch you and take your shit and rip you off while you’re out surfing.”
Thus as fate would have it, when Britt’s 20 year-old son paddled back in, the f150 was gone and so were his dad’s iPod, camera, phone, cash, wallet, ID’s and two surfboards.
“It’s an attack on surfing,” declares Galland. “Surfers are the easiest targets. Your 200 yards out in the water and your feet are frozen and you’re nowhere near your car. So you’re out in the water and you see some guy stealing your car, what are you going to do about it? You’re not going to run in. The guy’s going to get into your car — with your keys! — and he’s not even going to have to break a window or anything. He’s not even going to be threatened. Hell, he’ll even have time to turn on the heater, put on the seatbelt, adjust the seat and drive away slowly. It’s the perfect crime. But it’s all 100% avoidable. Why make it so easy for these guys?”
What can make it unavoidable?
“There’s this new innovation in the wetsuit industry. In fact it’s actually been around for 30 years, but nobody uses it. It’s called a key pocket.”
As far as protecting yourself and your fossil fuel burning assets, Galland brings up a good point. But still, when it comes to people desperate for money, and the requisite need to steal other people’s property, when there’s an ill will, there’s a way.
Take Chuck Elliott, a director of retail sales for Surfer magazine, and his recent wall-hit of an experience.
“I live In Encinitas and surf in Cardiff,” begins Elliott, who makes a living walking in and out of surf shops. “I’ve been doing the same routine for 20 years. It was on a Sunday and I was watching a Chargers’ game. At halftime, I decided to go surf for 30 minutes. It was sunny and killer out and I just wanted to get wet. I stashed my key — I had a Hide-A-Key on my ’02 Land Rover Discovery — and got in the water. When I came back in, my car was gone. So was my camera, credit cards, wetsuits, iPod, a belt buckle I had from the 1976 Olympic Games and my wedding ring.”
What did Elliot do? And what should you do?
“The first thing I did was run and call my wife and had her get all the credit cards cancelled. My wife’s dad was a deputy sheriff in Encinitas for 14 years and that’s one thing he has told us before: if your car gets stolen, always get your financials in order immediately because the thieves can use the credit cards to gas the car up.”
Quick thinking and fast action provided Elliott’s tale a slightly happier ending.
“Since my father-in-law got involved and helped out, they recovered my car in 10 hours. What must have happened is that the guys who stole it did some hard joy riding in it. They must have driven it hard through alleys and streets and hit curbs because it was way out of alignment and the steering rods and stuff were bent. They also cleaned the thing out. I was happy to get my car back, but still…
Like Galland, Elliott too has some simple advice on how to keep the hands of thieves of the steering wheel of your car or truck. “The number one target is when these guys pull up and see a surfer in a wetsuit holding a board,” he offers. “I mean the guys who ripped off my car were most likely watching me from the parking lot with a pair of binoculars. It’s a great lookout point. You just have to be careful and try your best to keep your eyes open and be aware of what’s going on.”
Oh..
“And make sure you have homeowners insurance,” insists Elliott. “Don’t just buy car insurance because it doesn’t cover the personal items in your car if it’s stolen. That’s the one positive thing I had going for me. I had homeowners insurance.”
Okay. Fair warning. It sucks, but it’s reality. There are plenty of car thieves out there with their sights set on you. Look out for one another. Work together. Help each other and don’t allow yourself or a fellow surfer to be a victim.
*note-This paragraph made me laugh out loud, "Three months ago, Britt Galland, Vice President of Marketing at No Fear in Carlsbad, decided to throw down for a new truck. First came the $26,000 to pay for the truck, then came $10,000 more to hop it up. “I bought a new Ford F150,” says Galland, “then I went right out and had it lifted 8”, bought 20” wheels, a new grill new, exhaust — I bought all the bells and whistles — and it was really dolled up. I was stoked with it.”
So typical of those No Fear goons to spend so much money on a gay bling bling truck. I feel bad that it got stolen, but Britt man, the freaking 80's are over bro. That thief did you a favor.
**Car thieves got hip to Hide-a-keys within 5 minutes of their invention. In Cardiff, car thieves park on Vulcan/San Elijo across the train tracks and watch surfers change into their wetsuits on the coast highway, watch where they hide their key and wait for them to go surfing. Now, the car thief has at least an hour to steal the vehicle.
I have my valet key tied with a nylon string loop and wear it around my neck under my wetsuit.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
New Leucadia Blvd Intersection Crossing
Dan Dalager and Doug Long test out the new Leucadia Blvd crossing with Alfred Guerin in hot pursuit.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Roundybout
Michael D. Pattinson's favorite roundabout, located in China of course. Looks like a great time.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Density Destiny
Transforming Dumpy Little Areas; John DeWald's vision of high density
ENCINITAS
"Pacific Station," the "mixed-use" project proposed by Encinitas developer John DeWald, calls for two three-story buildings, a two-story restaurant and two levels of underground parking on the 1.39-acre lot between E and F streets. The 33-foot-tall buildings would be among the tallest in downtown Encinitas.
The project also would include a grocery store or pharmacy as the anchor, along with offices and smaller stores. The businesses would have 47 one- and two-level condominiums built on the floors above them.
full story on NCT.com
LEUCADIA
The developer, John DeWald of Cardiff, is expected to present his plans for the subdivision to the Encinitas Planning Commission this month. DeWald would be able to build 10 homes on less than an acre near the beach by including a low-income residence in the mix.
Called Daphne Meadows, the planned subdivision adjoins the back of restaurants and stores on the west side of North Coast Highway 101. To the west is a mixture of single-family homes, duplexes and town homes. The beach -- at the bottom of a tall bluff -- is less than one block away.
DeWald said Tuesday that the Daphne subdivision would replace "a dumpy little area" with nice, small houses, each on its own little lot.
DeWald said it would not make economic sense to build multimillion-dollar homes so close to the highway and commercial strip.
What makes sense, he says, is providing housing that is within reach of working people.
By applying the state "density bonus" law, DeWald is entitled to exceed the property's zoning by two homes. Under the law, one of the homes can sell at market rate, but the other must be set aside for a qualifying "low-income" household.
full story on NCT.com
Density Destiny
Developers are interesting creatures. They try so hard to say and do all the right things so not to anger the NIMBY's so their project can get built and they can get paid. But sometimes it's hard for developers to disguise their true selves.
DeWald attempts to build some goodwill by throwing in the working man angle. Affordable housing for hard working cops, fireman and teachers; the unsung American heros who are getting priced out of the neighborhoods they serve.
Sounds great. But DeWald quickly blows his cover by calling his Leucadia property "a dumpy little area".
This area includes Shatto's t-shirt store, Mozy Cafe and the beloved La Especial Norte. All important neighbors DeWald should want support from, not insult. I'm sure the homeowners on that street aren't impressed with getting called "dumpy".
PACIFIC STATION
Promised to boldly "transform" downtown Encinitas (as if it needed it with the recent streetscape facelift that improved the infrastructure but kept the charm) Pacific Station is an ambitious high density mixed use project that announces 21st century Encinitas like a Super Bowl ad.
The Pacific Station project has some good concepts; downtown urban living with underground parking and markets to serve the neighborhood.
But, judging from the concept drawings will it really work?
At best, Pacific Station will be like the Cardiff Seaside Market area with housing. At worst, it's a claustrophobic mess.
The multi curved roofs say "Hey, look at me I'm totally modern!" but unfortunately the curved roof line was plenty played out by 1998, let alone 2006. Maybe in 25 years the many curved roof lines in the Encinitas area will give us a retro look?
The living units, sure to be mostly short term summer rentals, are packed in close with no common area for residents to meet and greet, and offers views of the coast highway restaurants backsides and dumpsters.
The main metal building won't be any great loss but the other small quaint/cool metal barn building on F St will be missed.
The lifestyle of Pacific Station living, wedged between the busy coast Hwy101 and the constant blaring horns of passing and stopping trains, will mostly appeal to the younger hipster 20's and 30's crowd. Downtown Encinitas can provide them with some of the culture they crave; coffee shops, art films at the historic La Paloma theater, plenty of taco stands and Thai food and the Daily Double Saloon. But will the current Stepford-ish vibe that all residents of Encinitas must be in bed by 10 o'clock; no loud music, no parties, no DJ's or dancing allowed and the anti-skateboarding rules, spoil all the new fun?
I'm a fan of mixed use and I think Urban Lite style projects will be good for the coast highway strip. But I would like to see these projects be more thoughtful and subtle in Encinitas. Most developers are salivating to "transform" Encinitas into the next Newport or Manhattan Beach. This might be good for them and send them back to Ohio with a bulging wallet, but we need to keep our town functional and livable.
My friendly advice to developers and the city is to complete full traffic studies when it comes to major developments and changes like Pacific Station, the Cadmus intersection and Leucadia roundabouts, before shouting at the top of your lungs about it.
What we need is more Encinitas, not less. And "less is more" developments will bring us that. Pacific Station has potential. Will it be a great asset or another botched opportunity like the Lumberyard shopping center of the 80's?
I wish these Pacific Station style developments for Encinitas were a little less yuppie and were headed up by advanced thinking architects like San Diego's Ted Smith or Teddy Cruz.
Be mindful...
*The Planning Commission is discussing both of DeWald's projects at the Thursday January 11 meeting at city hall. link
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Giant Nipple Man attacks downtown Encinitas
ENCINITAS--Panic and fear and gripped the small coastal community of Encinitas after an hour long morning rampage by a surfboard wielding giant Nipple Man.
In what appeared to be an unprovoked attack, the giant Nipple Man laid waste to several local business by shooting a heat ray from his oversized nipple.
"I don't know what his problem was," said stunned eyewitness, Bob Johnson. "The giant Nipple Man has always been peaceful in the past."
"He totally just freaked out for no reason." said another area man, Tyler Hanel. "He stepped on my car and then laughed about it. That's not cool."
Critics say that giant Nipple Man has transformed historic Encinitas in a negative way but Peder Norby of the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association commented that giant Nipple Man was a logical step in evolution.
"That represented a huge change for downtown," Norby said. "This does represent an evolution, but it's not that it's something that hasn't happened before."
Officials said that after running amok for nearly an hour the giant Nipple Man got into a giant yellow H2 and returned to his man cave deep below the earth's crust under San Elijo Hills.
Locals fear that another attack is imminent.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Leucadia Roundabouts need big Easter Island Heads
click photo for large view
It's so obvious that the only clear choice for our new Leucadia roundabouts is too have big Easter Island heads in the middle of them. That would show those Carlsbad and Del Mar creeps.
Sure, the indigenous people of Rapa Nui may have destroyed their culture by obsessively building these giant heads; but you have to admit it was worth it. The heads are that cool.
See also: Leucadia!: A Proliferation of the Devices
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