DEMA | Downtown Encinitas Mainstreet Association

Water Awareness Week in Encinitas

March 10, 2010

Encinitas, CA…..To keep a constant high level of awareness on water resource issues the San Dieguito Water District, in conjunction with the Encinitas Branch Library and the Encinitas Environmental Commission will be hosting Water Awareness Week activities March 18-24 at the Encinitas Library.

There will be activities for children and adults. Children’s activities include water-themed story times, craft activities and a visit from the “Splash Science Mobile Lab”, featuring a storm drain model, microscope station and hands-on GIS computer station. Adult events include a coordinated film and forum discussion on where our water comes from, threats to the water system from droughts and climate change, and decisions to be made regarding future supply. Event schedule:

March 18, 10:00 am Toddler Storytime / 11:00 am Preschool Storytime

March 23, 2:00-4:00 pm: Fishy Friends Craft Time & “Splash Science Mobile Lab

March 24, 5:30-6:45 pm: Documentary Film Screening: “Water on the Edge”

March 24, 7:00-8:30 pm: Community Forum: “Uncertain Waters-Navigating California’s Critical Water Priorities”

March 26, 9:30 am- 1:30 pm: Water Conservation Discussion & Expo

Speakers will talk about their experiences as homeowners in changing out their landscape to native and drought tolerant, including edibles. Vendors will be on hand to answer questions about gardening, design, plants and irrigation.

To attend either the movie, forum discussion, or the water conservation discussion and expo, please RSVP to GreenCommunity@cityofencinitas.org, or call Felice at (760) 633-2676.

Detailed activity information is available at www.cityofencinitas.org under City News & Events.

{ 0 comments }

Use Us or Lose Us

March 9, 2010

in Pressroom

Many of us take for granted the ease with which we can find a card at the local gift shop, have our hair coiffed at the corner salon, grab a bite at a familiar eatery or get copies made while having a friendly conversation with the proprietor.

But what if it were all gone? Poof! Just like that downtown Encinitas became a homogenous, cookie cutter kind of place that could easily be mistaken for any other town on Earth.

What? No, more informal gatherings at the gallery to sketch and talk and laugh? No more calls from the local printer letting us know our next best-seller is ready?

Not if the members of the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association can help it. In fact, many merchants are going out of their way to accommodate customers, thinking up new and innovative ways to keep the doors open and business bustling.

That’s good news for consumers. Sometimes, it’s not just the price of an item or service that is the bottom line for customers, but it’s the total value of the experience.

Dale Pecjak at American Quik Print put up a sign on his business that says “Use us or Lose Us,” that garnered some attention. At his old-fashioned print house, Pecjak says his “dinosaur” approach is popular with the neighbors. “I enjoy the interaction with the people,” he said.

While he plays down the uniqueness of his business, not many shops have regulars stopping by just to chat. “You get service, a laugh and a fair price,” he said. “We’re just a neighborhood Mom and Pop shop.” But, it’s precisely the familiar nature with his customers that adds value to the service experience.

At Coast Hwy Traders approximately 20 vendors offer a very large and varied selection of items. Beverly Goodman has been operating the conveniently located shop for 14 years.

“We offer a fabulous mix of merchandise of either local artists or direct importers,” Debra Taramasco said. “Our prices are incredible and we have a very friendly and helpful staff.”

The eclectic mix of goods is advantageous for both the consumer and the retailer. “Customers say ‘It’s like taking a trip around the world’ when you come in here,” according to Taramasco. “Our theme is ‘Shop outside the box.’

Other merchants extol the value of customer service using their own distinctive brand. Mike Stahl, the Office Manager at Detour Salon said the philosophy of the business keeps customers coming through the doors.

“We’re approachable, friendly, cutting-edge and laid back while being very professional,” he said. “We’re really about improving the self-esteem of our clients.” With a high client retention rate, customers receive personalized service in a bustling location.

Crown Ace Hardware, which re-opened in May 2009, is a throwback to the era of the neighborhood hardware store said Rick Jackson, one of the store managers.

“We provide superior customer service; we create a different shopping experience than your big-box store,” he said. “It’s like the old hardware store that a lot of us grew up with where people knew you by name and were interested in helping you complete your project.” The Lumberyard location puts Ace in close proximity to many of its customers. “We’ve had great community reception. We really appreciate our customers choosing us,” Jackson added.

Downtown merchants are in a class among themselves, adding character and diversity to the city while putting their customers first. Each customer experience is distinct and knowing that downtown businesses care about patrons as individuals is an added benefit that is hard to come by elsewhere.

So, go ahead, use them, don’t lose them!

{ 0 comments }

Educational Lecture Series as part of the Comprehensive General Plan Update

March 9, 2010

in City News

City of Encinitas

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2010

Contact: Mike Strong, Associate Planner

On March 1 the Encinitas Planning and Building Department held their first of six educational lecture series to help inform the community about issues and policies that will be discussed throughout the 2035 General Plan update. During Monday evening’s program, city staff and guest speakers from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) noted that Encinitas will continue to grow but at a much slower pace than in the past. Patrick Murphy, Encinitas Director of Planning and Building, noted that before incorporation the City’s population increased at 5.7% annually, while a 1.4% growth rate was experienced over the 20 years following incorporation. “More people were added to the Encinitas population during the 7 year period from 1980 to 1987 than the 20 years following the City’s first General Plan,” Mr. Murphy stated. The Encinitas Educational Lecture Series occurs the first Monday of every month from March 1 to August 2, 2010 at 6:30 at the Encinitas Library. These sessions will provide a broad range of educational material and highlight topics such as climate change, sustainable design, alternative transportation, and public health. April 5 will be the next session in the Lecture Series and will address Resource Conservation Strategies

The City of Encinitas was incorporated in 1986 and adopted its first General Plan in 1989. Beth Jarosz, Senior Planner, SANDAG, noted that the population growth rate over the next 40 years will reduce to 0.4% annually for Encinitas, resulting in one of the slowest growth rates in the county. Ms. Jarosz noted that although all age categories will increase, the “elderly population will experience the greatest growth through the next 40 years.”

The presentation on growth and demographic forecasts was well received by the 35 plus audience and sparked numerous questions. Laurin Pause of Community Resource Center asked about the policy implications of an aging population. Other questions ranged from potential policies to reduce the size of homes to how SANDAG’s growth forecast affects future water availability for the region.

The PowerPoint presentations for Monday’s event will be posted on the City’s General Plan web page at www.Encinitas2035.info

under Educational Lecture Series.

For further information contact Mike Strong, 760-943-2102.

{ 0 comments }

Arts Alive Banners Unveiled to High Acclaim

March 8, 2010

in Artist Colony, Arts Alive, Events, Pressroom

ENCINITAS-In an effort to bring art to the people rather than people to the art, the 101 Artists’ Colony in cooperation with the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association is once again presenting the Arts Alive Banners. This year 101 original works of art will be displayed on light poles along Hwy. 101 from Leucadia to restaurant row in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

The banners were unveiled Feb. 20 at the former Cabo Grill restaurant with great anticipation and fanfare. As the public waited to catch a glimpse of the original pieces of art hidden behind brown butcher paper, artists mingled with family and friends. “I can’t wait to see them all,” said Cheryl Schneider who drove from Escondido. “I absolutely love the fact that the community is so supportive of the arts.”

DEMA Executive Director Dody Tucker said she was excited about this year’s selection of art. “They are an incredible bunch of banners,” she said. “We love to support the arts in downtown. You can drive or walk down the street and see the art.”

This year marks a milestone in the project’s 11-year history. “Every year it just gets better and better, said Danny Salzhandler, the project’s “instigator.”

In fact, the banners are one of the elements often cited by residents and visitors alike that make Encinitas a unique community. “These works of art give a sense of who we are as a community,” according to Sarah Pitcher, a Leucadia resident. “Some are whimsical, some are poignant, but they are all exceptional art that is now public.”

Each of the 101 banners is for sale. Those in attendance got an early start at bidding on the banners. Silent bidding started at $150 and a live auction concludes the program in late May. Half of the proceeds go to the artist while the remainder is divided between the 101 Artists’ Colony, Cardiff 101 MainStreet and the Leucadia 101 Main Street Association.

Several artists pledged their half of the proceeds towards relief for Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. John Moseley’s banner, “Looking to the Future” depicts a young Haitian girl in a barren landscape. While Lesa Nield’s “Fiction Fish” and Salzhandler’s “Mirth in the Balance” don’t have a Haitian theme, both artists are also donating their portion of the proceeds to a non-profit organization working in Haiti.

Several artists captured the natural beauty of the area. First-time Arts Alive banner participant, graphic artist Bobbi Duley’s “Good Morning, Glory!” is a close-up of the prevalent purple flowers that open up with the sunrise. “I paint a lot of flowers and I love the way the color pops out on the canvass,” she said. Ron Lemen, who runs Studio 2^nd Street with his wife, Vanessa, painted the waterfall at San Diego Botanic Gardens. A veteran banner participant, Lemen said the image represents his “favorite secret spot to go to in North County.”

Other artists took the opportunity to showcase some of the city’s local gems. Tucker’s “Retro Audrey” depicts a woman with 1950’s appeal standing in front of the downtown store Flashbacks. Lou’s Records, Cardiff Reef, Self-Realization Fellowship, Moonlight Beach and Swami’s were also popular subjects on several banners.

DEMA Board of Directors President, Dave Agyagos drove along Highway 101 after the banners were hung to get a better view. “I love how the banners look on the lightposts,” he said with enthusiasm. “They are just amazing.”

“All of this great art just really shows you what a unique town this is and what a special place it is,” Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan said as she put in a few bids. “I can’t get carried away,” she laughed.

To see Auction Guide with all the banners click here

{ 0 comments }

2010 Arts Alive Banner Unveiling

February 25, 2010

in Artist Colony

By RUTH MARVIN WEBSTER – For the North County Times | Posted: February 20, 2010 7:35 pm | 1 Comment | Print

Artists and their friends and families look at the just-unveiled banners Saturday that will be displayed along Coast Highway 101 a part of the 2010 Arts Alive program. (Photo by Don Boomer – Staff photographer)