Race trackers are bettors
Del Mar officials are not an exception so it’s no surprise they are betting that the season beginning July 22 and continuing to Sept. 9 will be a winner. However, it won’t be bizness as usual. For the first time it will be dark on Mondays as well as Tuesdays and will run only 37 days instead of the traditional 43. On some days it will offer more than the usual eight races on the card. Except for opening day, all seven Wednesdays thereafter will be free admission days and there will be specials on food and beverages. For the serious racing fan the surfside track will host eight Breeder’s Cup challenge events that will qualify the winners to compete in the $1 million Breeder’s Cup classics Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, during the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita.
Socko biz for sidewalk cafes
Customers were ready to glom onto tables as soon as workers finished building the sidewalk cafes in the Surfside City’s bizness complex on 15th Street & Camino del Mar. These additions will be highly popular with visitors as well as locals. Some residents were rather loud during a recent council meeting and wanted them ripped out. However, the temperature went down a few degrees at a subsequent meeting after speaker after speaker voiced approval of them. Bottom line: the city will benefit substantially from an increase in sales tax revenue.
National award
Nat’l Assn. of Counties during its annual conference in Nashville, Tenn., will honor the Encinitas Library with an achievement award for its “A Collaboration of Community Art” entry that was submitted jointly by the county of San Diego and the Flower Capital. It was in competition with 123 counties from 30 states. Supe Pam Slater-Price will accept the prestigious award July 26.
Resort destination
O’side took a major step toward becoming a major resort complex when it inked an agreement with S.D. Malkin to build a multimillion dollar resort hotel that will include 289 rooms, a boutique hotel, 48 time shares, a commercial promenade, a ballroom and underground parking. A visitor attraction will be the pier, which is minutes from there.
C’bad axes DRB
It may not be a trend, but C’bad has decided there wuzzn’t a need for its design review board that had been in operation since the early 1980s. Building applications now will be reviewed and acted on by the Planning Commission. This was the case before the DRB came into being.
If it ain’t broke, break it
The Governator and his staff have been sending up trial balloons about peddling the fairgrounds or portions of it. Latest thought is to sell the fairgrounds and racetrack as separate units. So what’s left? Wetlands. The fairgrounds and track are self-supporting and pour millions of bux into the state and local coffers. What other state agency can make that claim?
Tobacco law
A federal law now prohibits the use of tobacco products or brand names being used in athletic and entertainment events or flavoring candy, fruit or spices with tobacco. It also controls the industry’s advertising and marketing.
C’bad airline?
If he is allowed to extend the Palomar airport runway 1,000 feet, Ted Valles sez he will start a C’bad-based airline to serve Portland, Phoenix and Cabo San Lucas. No stranger to the golf industry, Vallas is one of the founders of El Camino Country Club and more recently has been involved with Morgan Run at Whispering Palms. Palomar recently received a complete facelift and is considered one of the most active airports of its size in the country.
Smoke ban at River Park
San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority has voted to prohibit smoking on all public property within the San Dieguito River Park that will eventually stretch for 56 miles from the rivermouth to Volcan Mountain north of Julian.
IRS refund?
Folks report they have received an e-mail that appears to be from the IRS advising of a generous refund. It suggests that in order to obtain the gedes it is necessary to obtain a tax refund form available on request from an address that is provided. Suggestion: First check with your friendly IRS.
One-liners
The group that splintered from Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and formed its own organization recently held its first Sundowner at Bentley’s Steak & Chop House … U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Voting Rights Act that axes racial discrimination at the ballot box but with some exceptions … Surfside City electeds are asking residents to submit ideas on how to retire a $3.2 million mortgage on the Shores school property … Harbor City folks favor allowing seals to continue occupying the Children’s Pool in La Jolla cove … A composting seminar will be held at Quail Botanical Gardens on Aug. 15 from 10 ayem to noon … Sarah Hayes notes that Sunset magazine recently featured Aaron Chang Gallery in Solbeach for its “Silver Palm” metal art piece … Professional Bull Riders will compete July 25 and July 26 in the fairgrounds’ recently renovated arena … Summer twi-night concerts at Powerhouse Park in the Sufside City will feature Rockola on July 21, Savor on Aug. 18 and Ruby & The Red Hots on Sept. 13 … Encinitas Senior Center will tour Coronado on Aug.12 including world famous Hotel Del … Dick Doughty and Jack Queen have been elected to the Rancho Santa Fe Association board of directors … National City has joined cities that videocast their council and planning commission meetings … Pot smokers that do it for medical reasons can now obtain ID cards from the county of San Diego … En Fuego restaurant in the Surfside City is being expanded according to owner John Wingate and will replicate the original La Tienda architecture, name and all … Folks are askin’ if the lady involved in the recent political fundraiser was read her Miranda Rights after she was arrested and hauled off to the clink.
Hasta la Vista
