Preserve Calavera Update and December Activities

The settlement of our lawsuit with the city of Oceanside over the Melrose Extension project is a great example of how our efforts benefit the priceless natural resources of this area,  the nearby residents  who end up paying the price for poorly planned projects, and the taxpayers who foot the bill for it all.  Through our efforts this project will cause a lot less damage- and save taxpayers from $ 5-10m dollars.  The proposed extension of Melrose Dr from N. Santa Fe to Spur was a 124’ wide 6 lane divided highway with costs estimated up to $ 30m.  Our settlement agreement included the following changes : project delayed until after City Council hearing is held on the Circulation Element and a Parkland Conversion Plan is prepared; the extension of Melrose will be reduced from 6 lanes to 4 lanes and right-of-way from 124’ wide to 84’; other roads effected by the project will also be designed to reduce wetland impacts; the wildlife movement corridor will be improved through culvert design, fencing, signage, and protecting the connection under Guajome Lake Rd to the east;  run-off control will use low impact design and be properly maintained; invasive species will be removed within construction and staging limits and native plants will be used for project landscaping;  construction traffic plan will be prepared; better air quality mitigation will be provided during project construction; a cowbird trapping program will be provided; and conservation easements will be applied to all property acquired but not used for the road  to protect agricultural uses.

The proposed Quarry Creek project in the Buena Vista Creek Valley has been fast tracked in order to meet the city of Carlsbad’s schedule  to entitle the project and meet state requirements for affordable housing.  This means that during the next 13 months the developer, McMillin,  plans to get approval for 656 homes in this valley.   Their proposed project has gone through several changes, but the bottom line is the number of housing units keeps going up.  We would like to see as much as possible of this land preserved.  It includes the sacred El Salto waterfall , Buena Vista Creek, and is a critical link in the regional wildlife movement corridor.  This valley includes a unique combination of natural, historical and cultural resources that are found nowhere else on earth. It is worth preserving.   We, along with a number of community stakeholders, have been working to shape this project for years.  Now we need the entire community to get involved in this effort.

December Activities

Dec 10 Sat 8:30 – 11:30 AM
Carlsbad Trail Volunteer Work Session- Lake Calavera
This is one of the regular monthly work sessions by the Carlsbad trail volunteers.  Work tasks will include planting a 5 acre restoration site, cleaning up old landscaping debris, and trail erosion repairs.  Wear sturdy work boots/shoes, a hat  and bring your own water (tools, water and snacks will be available on site also).   Check-in/ parking is at the Skyhaven trail head – off Lake Blvd in Oceanside. (Note this is east of the dam- take College to Lake then south on Skyhaven.)

Dec 13 Tues 6:00 PM
Carlsbad City Council Hearing- Dos Colinas Project – CB City Hall
This project will build 305 senior housing units along the new reach of College Blvd , in what is now one of the few remaining rural areas -right next to Sunny Creek.  Project has inadequate buffers along the creek and will include substantial fill in an area with a long history of flood problems.   (Note- Dec meetings often get cancelled so check before heading out for this.)

Dec 15 Thurs All Day
Day Without a Bag- Oceanside Annual Event
Nothing says blight quite like a plastic bag- entangling wildlife and polluting our natural lands and creeks.  This annual event is sponsored by the city of Oceanside- but we can all commit to do it anywhere.  Let’s go a day without using one plastic bag! To find out where you can get a free reuseable bag go to www.ci.oceanside.ca.us.

Dec 17 Sat 8:30 – 11:00 am
Restoration Work at Village H in Carlsbad
We will be partnering with the Center for Natural Lands Management to restore a disturbed area of Village H.  Plan is to get about 200 plants in the ground.  See map for location.  This is an area with heavy clay soils so we will get a work-out.  Wear heavy boots/shoes, work gloves and a hat and bring your own water bottle.  Bring a pointed end shovel if you have one (tools, water and gloves will also be available at the site).  Park along Victoria off of Carlsbad Village Dr.  Check in will be near the trailhead across CBV Dr- careful crossing the street.

Coming in January :

Jan 10-14 CNPS will be holding their annual conference right here in San Diego.  The 14th will be open to the public with lots of presentations and experts available to answer your questions.

Our all volunteer organization can’t do what we do without your help.  Your time, talent and donations can make a difference- right here in your own backyard.  Donations can be made through our website at http://www.preservecalavera.org/donate.html or by mailing a check.

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Preserve Calavera
www.preservecalavera.org

Holiday Open House

South Oceanside Community and Merchants Association

Tuesday, November 29, 2011
5:30 – 7:30 P.M.
At The New Beach Break Café
1802 South Coast Hwy.

•  Come meet your local Neighborhood Policing Team
•  Meet Oceanside Chamber of Commerce President
•  Meet Local Business People and Merchants in your area
•  Meet Oceanside City Staff
•  Meet City Council members
•  Meet South Oceanside resident neighbors

BRING QUESTIONS for them all

Refreshments will be available

ALL OCEANSIDE RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME

Questions call: Richard Fox (760) 802-5947

Preserve Calavera Update & Nov. Activities

Thank you to Solana Beach Presbyterian Church for selecting the Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve as one of their Day of Service work sites last month.  Their volunteers planted 60 native plants and carried hundreds of gallons of mulch across the creek.  Their service moved this little restoration site closer to a healthy, natural ecosystem.  Thank you all!  If you have a group who would like to spend some time doing physical work that can make a difference let us know. We would love to help you get your hands dirty and help restore some of our priceless natural lands.

As part of the spirit of saving all life on earth please consider taking the National Wildlife Federation’s ” 2 % per year for wildlife” challenge and take a stand against global warming.  Scientists say we need to reduce carbon pollution by at least 2 percent every year to prevent irreversible damage to the environment and extinction of some of the majestic animals we share this planet with.  Their  top three tips for what we can do at home to make a difference: switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, plant a native tree, make your next car or appliance more energy efficient. Email us with your favorite carbon pollution tips and together we can do even more!

Congratulations to Gail Smith who won our annual quilt raffle.  She purchased the winning ticket at the OCNA’s annual Native Plant Garden Tour – supporting two great causes at the same time!.  Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets to help our conservation efforts- we are sure you will win next year!

November Activities

Nov 5 , 12 and 19 Saturdays
Three Day  Native Plant Gardening Workshop at Anstine Reserve.
Come join the folks at the Audubon Reserve in Vista for this first special – free- workshop.  Great opportunity to learn the best practices for creating beautiful water saving native gardens in your own backyard.   The 3 day workshop includes a field trip  to a native plant nursery, light breakfast & lunch on the 12th and 19th  and materials and resources you can use at home.  The Anstine Reserve is located at 2437 Hutchison St. in Vista.

Nov 5 Sat 9 am – 12 noon
San Luis Rey River Clean-up in Oceanside.
Come join volunteers from all over north county in this annual clean-up of the SLR River.  Chose from any one of these three sites along the river : Highway 76 and Benet Road, Highway 76 and Foussat Road or Douglas Drive at the bike path.   Bring your own bucket, gloves and water so we create less trash.  For details see www.oceansidecleanwaterprogram.org.

Nov 5 Sat 12 noon – 3 PM
Fall Fair at Heritage Park in Oceanside
Music by the Clydesdales, food and carnival game events for all ages.  Come and help celebrate fall, raise funds to support the parks in Oceanside, and stop by our booth to say hello.   Free admission, small fees for carnival games.  This is the first annual fall festival to benefit the Oceanside parks foundation.  Heritage Park is at 220 Peyri Rd- next to San Luis Rey Mission.  For more details call 760-435-5041.

Nov 16  Wed 7 pm
Preserve Calavera Board meeting
This is our regular bi-monthly Board meeting.  All members are welcome to join us but RSVP is required and needed in order to get  details on meeting location.

Nov 19 Sat 8:30 – 11:00 am
Restoration Work at the Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve
This is  one of our  regular monthly work sessions on the two new plots being restored on the BVCER.   This month’s weeding, mulching and watering will help keep those pesky weeds under control- and make sure the huge pile of mulch gets moved to the other side of the creek before the rains wash it downstream.   Dress for the occasion- long pants, sturdy boots/shoes,  hat and work gloves. Bring water, a plastic bucket for carrying mulch and a long handled hoe if you have them- but we will have extra supplies. The BVCER is located off Haymar (Plaza) west of College in Oceanside.  Take #78 to College exit, head south and take first right on Haymar Dr (Plaza). It’s the frontage road along I-78, that goes to Mossy-Nissan. Go about 7/10th of a mile and look for the yellow gate. Parking along both sides of Haymar and in the cul-de-sac further up Haymar. Questions- email or call 760-724-3887.

Our all volunteer organization can’t do what we do without your help.  Your time, talent and donations can make a difference- right here in your own backyard.  Donations can be made through our website at http://www.preservecalavera.org/donate.html or by mailing a check.

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Preserve Calavera 760-724-3887
5020 Nighthawk Way, Oceanside, CA 92056
www.preservecalavera.org

South Oceanside Carnival 2011

OCNA Meeting

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING TUESDAY, October 18th

Meeting at 7pm, Refreshments at 6:30 pm
St. Mary’s School, 515 Wisconsin Avenue

Guest Speaker:

Oceanside Entrepreneur – Perry Roumbos

Owner of BC/DC Restaurant
located at the corner of Pier View Way and North Coast Highway

Great Raffle Prizes

$1 per ticket, $3 for 5 and $5 for 10!  Good luck!
 

Check out this month’s newsletter.

Thank you for sharing your concerns about our neighborhood ~ The OCNA Board

OCNA
760-494-4342
info@ocna.info
www.ocna.info/

OCNA – What you missed

What You Missed

Ryan Malone, an officer with the OPD’s Neighborhood Policing Team reviewed key issues the unit handles (including graffiti and gang activity) and took questions from neighbors.  He explained the importance of reporting any and all graffiti to the city.  Within days of a report, the graffiti abatement team documents and takes ownership of the vandalism for the purposes of future prosecution, and offers the property owner a color-matched (as close as possible!) paint job.  Not only does this remove the existing graffiti, but it minimizes additional graffiti that comes in response.

The city’s 24-hour Graffiti Hotline is 760-435-4466.

If you see an act of vandalism in process, call 9-1-1.

Note: An application that will allow citizens to report vandalism using their smart phones is in the works!

Officer Malone also said the Neighborhood Policing Team is monitoring possible gang activity in and around the Sunset Market.
The critical takeaway was that the OPD needs our help!  The Neighborhood Policing Team is here to help deal with on-going, neighborhood-specific concerns.  Use this resource!

Crimes in progress should be reported to 911.
Non-emergency concerns should be reported to 760-435-4900.

David Manley, of Oceanside’s Code Enforcement Division, explained the role of Code Enforcement and took questions regarding overcrowded, substandard, abandoned and/or dilapidated property; dog barking complaints; and alley debris problems.  The division’s FAQs page is a helpful starting place if you have a concern and wonder if Code Enforcement can help.

Manley also spoke about the importance of neighbor involvement.  The Code Enforcement office does not look for violations; it responds to reports from citizens.

To report violations, contact Code Enforcement at 760-435-3944 or use the online form.
Note: If you wish to make complaints under the auspices of OCNA, please contact us.  We want to help.

OCNA Meeting: Neighborhood Beautification

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING TUESDAY, September 20
Meeting at 7pm, Refreshments at 6:30 pm
St. Mary’s School, 515 Wisconsin Avenue

Topic: Neighborhood Beautification
We welcome Officer Ryan Malone of Oceanside Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Team and David Manley from Oceanside’s Code Enforcement division.

The Neighborhood Policing Team is a specialized unit within the OPD that works with the community to deal with on-going, neighborhood-specific issues–anything from gang problems and graffiti, to property issues and disputes between neighbors.

Code Enforcement deals with public and private property regulations; substandard, abandoned or dangerous buildings; abandoned vehicles; nuisance abatement; graffiti; overgrown areas; sign enforcement; and waste and water issues.

Bring your questions and concerns!

Great Raffle Prizes
$1 per ticket, $3 for 5 and $5 for 10!  Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your concerns about our neighborhood ~ The OCNA Board

OCNA
760-494-4342
info@ocna.info
www.ocna.info/

South Oceanside Merchants and Community Meeting

Wednesday, September 28, 2011
6:00 – 7:15 P.M.
At The New Beach Break Café
1802 South Coast Hwy.

Presentation by:
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
by Chip Dykes
“New Initiatives of the Chamber”
And how they can help your business

·       Meet with other south “O” business and residents.
·       Hear about what’s going on in the neighborhood.
·       Address South “O” issues.
·       Talk to OPD and City Staff.
·       Hear updates on Oceanside projects.
Keep Informed!  We get great information from these meetings!

Questions call: Richard Fox (760) 802-5947
(Meetings every other month, last Tuesday or Wednesday of the month, alternating.)

Preserve Calavera September Activities

September  Activities

Sept 8 Thurs 12 noon- 1 pm or 5 – 6 pm
Training for conducting Trail User Counts
This will be a one hour training session to learn how to conduct the first  City of Carlsbad official trail user counts.  Pizza will be provided- but of course there is a hitch- you have to volunteer for at least one shift of conducting counts.  We think this is an important step toward documenting the heavy use of our local trails- and then getting more resources to expand and maintain them.  The actual trail counts will take place on three days:
Wednesday- Sept. 14  – 7am-9am  and 4pm-6pm
Thursday-Sept. 15 – 7am-9am  and 4pm-6pm
Saturday- Sept. 17th  from 7 am to 6 pm
Make sure you are available to help with trail counts on at least one of those days, and if so RSVP to the Trails Mgr for the City of CB at Liz.Ketabian@carlsbadca.gov.

Sept 10 Sat 8:30 – 11:00 am
Restoration Work at the Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve
This is  one of our  regular monthly work sessions on the two new plots being restored on the BVCER.   This month’s weeding, mulching and watering will help keep those pesky weeds under control.   And we might do some more snail picking too.  Dress for the occasion- sturdy boots/shoes,  hat and work gloves. Bring water, a plastic bucket for carrying mulch and a long handled hoe if you have one- but we will have extra supplies. The BVCER is located off Haymar (Plaza) west of College in Oceanside.  Take #78 to College exit, head south and take first right on Haymar Dr(Plaza) It’s the frontage road along I-78, that goes to Mossy-Nissan. Go about 7/10th of a mile and look for the yellow gate. Parking along both sides of Haymar and in the cul-de-sac further up Haymar. Questions- email or call 760-724-3887.

Sept 17 Sat  9 am – 12 noon
Buena Vista Creek and Coastal Clean-up Day
Join Coastkeeper, I Love a Clean San Diego and City of Oceanside in this 27th annual coastal clean-up day event.  We can’t keep our coastal waters clean unless we clean-up the creeks leading to them.   Here’s your chance to make a difference at this annual event that now includes Buena Vista Creek. Meet behind Albertson’s/Kohl’s Dept store- in the Quarry Creek Shopping Center near College and # 78.  Refreshments, supplies, community service credits and and special giveaways. Under 18 requires parental signature.  Wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves. For more info contact 760-435-5536.  Advance registration is appreciated at www.cleanupday.org.

Sept 21 Wed 7 pm
Preserve Calavera Board meeting
This is our regular bi-monthly Board meeting.  All members are welcome to join us but RSVP is required and needed in order to get  details on meeting location.

Sept 22  Thurs 6:30 Social 7:00 PM Program
Presentation on what to do when you “Wander Into Wildlife”
Join the San Diego Tracking Team at this special presentation  by Ali Crumpacker, the Director of Fund for Animals Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Ramona. Ali’s presentation will be on native wildlife, what to do if you come across them and they need help.  Event will be held at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center.  RSVP recommended to info@sdtt.org or call 760-715-4102.  Suggested donation of $ 5 to support the programs of the SDTT.

Sept 24 Sat 8:30- 11:30 am
Lake Calavera Clean-up and Restoration
This event is  sponsored by the City of Carlsbad as part of National Public Lands Day.  Activities will include installing trail signage, removing invasive plants and trash clean-up.  Water, snacks, trash bags and tools will be provided.  Wear hiking shoes, work gloves a hat and sunscreen.  Parking is available at Calavera Hills Elementary School at 4100 Tamarack Ave. For more information : www.carlsbadconnect.org.

Sept 24 Sat  11 am – 1:00 pm
March and Rally – Move San Diego to a Clean Energy Future
Be part of this worldwide rally to move our planet-  off fossil fuels and toward a clean energy, sustainable future.  Assemble on the east side of Balboa Park, march 1.2 miles and then rally and speakers by the Sports Museum.  Learn what we can do locally to make a difference.  See full event details- and how to join bike and trolley brigades instead of driving at www.sandiego350.org/events.htm.

Our all volunteer organization can’t do what we do without your help.  Your time, talent and donations can make a difference- right here in your own backyard.  Donations can be made through our website at http://www.preservecalavera.org/donate.html or by mailing a check.

Preserve Calavera Updat

How much of Paradise do we want to pave for more roads?  Fortunately Caltrans seems to have asked themselves that question and came to the conclusion that adding “only” four more lanes to I-5 is enough.  The  $ 800m that will be saved is being allocated to other projects that will provide us all a much better balanced transportation system – and less paving of Paradise.

Last month the Vista Planning Commission took the first step toward responsible transportation system planning and considered the effect of extended roads on neighborhoods and on taxpayers.  They voted to have only one new road connection between S. Melrose and # 78 – and to eliminate the Cannon Rd extension.  Their transportation plan was done the right way.  First they planned what they wanted their community to look like at build-out.  Then they planned the transportation system to match.

Unfortunately, Oceanside seems to march to the beat of a different drummer. They just issued their new transportation plan – without considering any land use changes.  No Smart growth, no El Corazon, nothing to change the next to the worst jobs/housing ratio in San Diego County, and ignoring the presence of two light rail lines that would be the envy of any city concerned about traffic.  Their solution- paving more of paradise.  Some might ask why should Preserve Calavera care?  We care because roads are often our most damaging public infrastructure.  They destroy natural lands, create barriers to wildlife movement, disrupt our local creeks, and cause air, water and noise pollution that effects not just plants and wildlife- but everyone who lives in this area.  And study after study shows that  building more roads doesn’t solve traffic problems, you just get more cars.  Let’s hope Oceanside re-thinks their plan and realizes that paving less leaves us all just a little more Paradise.

And for those of you who want to get out there and do something to help restore our natural lands we have two great opportunities for you to do just that.  Join us for something we call “snail picking.”  Invasive snails are taking over a few of our local preserves- and chewing the plants down to bare sticks.  We will schedule several picking parties so just let us know if you want to help.  We provide the gloves and buckets.   And we promise you do not have to take any snails home with you!

August  Activities

August 13 Sat 8:30 – 11:30 AM
Carlsbad Veteran’s Park/Golf Course Trail Volunteer Work
Please join us and the city of Carlsbad trails volunteers to help repair one of the city’s lesser known trails- at the future Veteran’s Park and on the city’s Crossings golf course.  Meet at the trailhead parking area.  From Cannon Rd take Faraday east at the Agua Hedionda Discovery Center.  Parking lot entrance is a few hundred feet up Faraday on the left.   The morning’s work will include removing weeds, erosion repair, filling in ruts and placing new trail signs.  Please wear gloves, hat,  closed toe shoes and sunscreen.   Bring your own water bottle- water and snacks will be provided.

August 20 Sat 8:30 – 11:00 am
Restoration Work at the Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve
This is  one of our  regular monthly work sessions on the two new plots being restored on the BVCER.   This month’s weeding, mulching and watering will help keep those pesky weeds under control.   And for extra fun this month we will do some snail picking.  Dress for the occasion- sturdy boots/shoes,  hat and work gloves. Bring water, a plastic bucket for carrying mulch and a long handled hoe if you have one- but we will have extra supplies. The BVCER is located off Haymar (Plaza) west of College in Oceanside.  Take #78 to College exit, head south and take first right on Haymar Dr(Plaza) It’s the frontage road along I-78, that goes to Mossy-Nissan. Go about 7/10th of a mile and look for the yellow gate. Parking along both sides of Haymar and in the cul-de-sac further up Haymar.

Coming in September

Learn the fundamentals of citizen water quality monitoring including nutrient and bacteria sampling  – at a half day training offered at no cost thru Coastkeeper in San Diego.   Then you are qualified to volunteer at any bi-monthly test sites including our own Buena Vista Creek.  Email Dylan if interested in signing up for the next training session- 8:30 – 11:30 am on Saturday Sept. 10 .
Dylan Edwards <dylan@sdcoastkeeper.org>

Our all volunteer organization can’t do what we do without your help.  Your time, talent and donations can make a difference- right here in your own backyard.  Donations can be made through our website at http://www.preservecalavera.org/donate.html or by mailing a check.

Preserve Calavera 760-724-3887
5020 Nighthawk Way, Oceanside, CA 92056
www.preservecalavera.org