Archive for August, 2007
Encinitas 2007 Oktoberfest: Oompah!
August 29th, 2007 Categories: Encinitas, Real Estate News
Encinitas will be hosting its 13th Annual Oktoberfest on September 23, 2007. It is generally a sell-out event that allows everyone to be a fun-loving German for just one day.
And why would someone want to do that?
It’s the lively music, the fabulous German food (brats and kraut and potatoes and other goodies from the kitchens and chefs at Tip Top Meats), and the opportunity to browse the outdoor market full of booths selling everything from handcrafted jewelry, doggie sunglasses, nutritional supplements and home decor items.
It is also an opportunity to enjoy a lovely fall day in beautiful Encinitas. The event will be held on Mountain View at the corner of El Camino Real.
For sponsorship, vendor booth or advance ticket information, call the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce at 760-753-6041.
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No Butts on Oceanside Beaches?
August 28th, 2007 Categories: Oceanside, Real Estate News
Near-naked butts are fine, but the smoking kind are now off limits at almost all San Diego beaches.
The most recent prohibition against smoking on beaches comes from San Diego’s northernmost city, Oceanside.
And although tickets are not currently being issued there, signs will be going up after Labor Day advising everyone of the ban on smoking at Oceanside’s beaches. This recent legislation was a result of 9000 residents responding last year to city survey, and coming out in support of the smoking ban.
It seems many don’t like the idea–or reality–of their local beaches being used as an ashtray; however, the smoking prohibition will likely not be enforced by lifeguards, who are charged with water and personal safety. They might, however, remind errant smokers if complaints are made.
Oceanside joins other cities including San Diego, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, National City, Del Mar and Solana Beach in prohibiting smoking in their parks and/or at their beaches.
Encinitas has yet to ban smoking at its beaches–and smoking is currently allowed at the State Beach in South Carlsbad.
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Del Mar’s Labor Day Weekend
August 28th, 2007 Categories: Del Mar, Real Estate News
by Roberta Murphy
There couldn’t be a finer place than Del Mar to spend a sunny Labor Day weekend!
Fortunate visitors to this classy yet casual beach town may wish to enjoy the wide sandy beaches in Del Mar, take a long stroll through Olde Del Mar’s quaint village–and enjoy dining at one of its many fine restaurants.
For great family fun, though, it will be hard to beat the activities planned at the legendary Del Mar Racetrack.
Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend–along with Labor Day itself, are designated as Family Weekends at the Track. Here, families can enjoy:
Inflatable games and rides
Pony rides
Game Zone
Obstacle Course
Magic Shows
Face Painters
Giant Scramble Slide–and more
In addition to activities for the kids on Labor Day (Sept. 3), the folks at Del Mar Race Track will be offering photo and autograph opportunities with famed thoroughbred jockeys from noon to 1 p.m.
Additionally, frosted pint glass sets will be given to all paid entrants–while supplies last.
During Labor Day weekend, adult admission is just $6 and kids are admitted free.
Del Mar: Where the Turf Meets the Surf
Del Mar Estate Most Expensive in San Diego
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San Diego Autism Resources
August 22nd, 2007 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego
Editor’s Note: Dione Lamm is one of the brightest women I have ever met. In addition to having been a simultaneous translator for the United Nations, she is a wonderful mother and wife, an interior designer, a quick wit and energetic student of life. She is also incredibly organized, and is kind enough to share her experiences in getting appropriate care for their autistic son. It is hoped that Dione’s experiences and guidance may help other San Diego parents who require assistance for their very special and autistic children.–Roberta Murphy
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by Dione Lamm
We have all heard the old adage that there is nothing more stressful than divorce, death or moving, but if you are the parent of an autistic child you know a different kind of stress than anyone else.You know that sometimes just going out of the house, into a store or to the doctor’s office with an autistic child requires special survival skills. But at least you are on home turf. What happens when you travel–or God forbid, are moving to a new city, state or country where you know little or nothing of the services that may be available to you and your autistic child?
In my case, our family moved all the way from Europe to the San Diego area. Preparing for the move was not very problematic, because I had already become an expert at minimizing the effects of stress and changes on our autistic son, who was by now a strapping 15-year-old.
But how would we all adjust to our new environment in Carlsbad, California–a northern coastal suburb of San Diego?
For eight months prior to our big move, I spent countless hours on the internet, made several trans-Atlantic flights and consulted with local San Diego real estate agents. I called every agency and school resource I could find, arranged meetings and had everything set for our son.
Or so I thought
As our family boarded the plane in Belgium for our final trip and move to San Diego, I felt everything had been done to make this life transition as smooth as possible. We were on our way to a new life with new beginnings, but we were not prepared for struggles that awaited us.
As we tried to enroll our son in an appropriate school, we encountered delays, waiting lists and endless papers to be filled out. And although some of the administrative procedures about drove me to the brink of insanity, I discovered a number of powerful allies who made the search and my job more bearable.
If you are thinking of moving to the San Diego area, your number one supporter will be the Regional Center. This non-profit organization was created to support, advocate for and defend developmentally disabled children, adolescents and adults. Once your child’s needs are assessed, the Regional Center provides educational advocates, therapy, respite and other vital services free of charge to you. Basically, it is a one-stop shop offering everything you need, and once you have completed the rather lengthy intake process, you can breathe a sigh of relief because the Regional Center then does most of the dirty work for you.
You may have already chosen your home for the school district, only to find that your child’s needs cannot be met there. However, if the right school district is important for normal children, it is even more so for the handicapped. The North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) had a representative in my district who provided alternatives and funding for non-public education for our son. Not all school districts are created equal and you must bear that in mind when searching for the ideal home.
Another valuable source of information is the Exceptional Families Resource Center, who publishes a twelve page directory of commonly referred resources - everything from camps to health care solutions (although the Regional Center publishes a directory of physicians and dentists skilled at dealing with autistic individuals).
I think I must have had a guardian angel watching over me during this move. I found a capable and professional real estate agent, moved to a wonderful neighborhood and benefited from unwavering support from the school district. As with everything in life, you have to start with the right building blocks, and the pieces do eventually fall into place.
Yes, moving is stressful, incredibly so, but as parents of autistic individuals we are certainly used to stress–and are stronger because of it. –D. Lamm
Contact Numbers:
San Diego Regional Center- San Diego 858-576-2996/ La Mesa 619-464-4380/ San Marcos 760-736-1200
North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (although each school district has a special education coordinator) 760-471-8208
Exceptional Families Resource Center San Diego - 800-281-8252 or 619-594-7416
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North County Wine Company: Fine Wine Tasting in Your San Marcos Neighborhood
August 17th, 2007 Categories: Real Estate News, San Marcos
Can anything located between a Tom Thumb Nursery and an R.V. Storage facility be worth visiting? The resounding answer is YES! The NORTH COUNTY WINE COMPANY is definitely a wine lovers destination.This North County find stocks over 417 wines, with 207 under $25–and 72 under $10! What more could you ask for? I know, how about a tasting room. North County Wine Company has that too. Recently, though, this wonderful meeting spot has had some problems with a little expansion they are planning. The San Marcos laws and regulations governing the serving of alcohol state that wine can only be served directly in front of the wine bar. The owners wanted to add a patio area immediately off the bar area in order for their patrons to be able to kick back and leisurely sip their wine in a casual setting. After petitioning the city, they were given permission to expand to the patio, as long as they came up with $3400 just to apply for the permit! It makes you wonder if all those restaurants in “Old California Restaurant Row” had to pay $3400 in order for their customers to be able to sip their drinks on their patios. Regardless, make it a point to visit this fabulous addition to the ever-growing list of unique and wonderful retail destinations in San Marcos. Located at 1099 San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069 760-744-2119 Hours of Operation: 10-8 Tuesday to Saturday, 12-6 Sunday, and closed on Mondays. Right across the street from San Marcos’ “Old California Restaurant Row.” Go in and enjoy a friendly wine tasting across the street and dine at your restaurant of choice. In the surrounding area you will find Lake San Marcos, Discovery Hills, Discovery Meadows, Cal State San Marcos and the up and coming San Marcos Creekside Development. For more information on San Marcos Real Estate– or if you hear any juicy gossip about our great city give me a call 760-518-2264.
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