Merry & Bright: Thanks for a Great Year!

Thanks for a great year!

Can you believe that 2015 is already over?! Just insane.

We wanted to drop a line to let you know that we appreciate everything you've helped us accomplish this past year. Hoping for the very best this holiday season for you and your families -- we look forward to serving you and our Clairemont community in 2016!

Our 2016 Inaugural Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 7th at 6:30pm at Cadman Elementary.

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,

CLAIREMONT TOWN COUNCIL
Board of Directors

Reminder: CTC memberships are due on January 1. To renew, please visit our website: clairemontonline.com/join

Clairemont Central Podcast - Episode 1

Clairemont Community News editor/publisher Janet Poutre, and CTC President Ryan Trabuco, recorded their first Clairemont Central podcast discussing community issues.

Expect this to be an ongoing, monthly series.

E-Blast: December 2015

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President's Letter: December 2015

Last month, we held our CTC Board elections, and those who were elected will be sworn-in at our 2016 Inaugural Meeting on Thursday, January 7th, 6:30pm at Cadman Elementary. Newly elected CTC Board members include:

• Ryan Trabuco, President
• Richard Morris, Vice President
• Eden Yaege, Secretary
• Deanna Gurley, Director North
• Joe Sopher, Director South
• John Poutre, Director-at-Large (Seat D), and
• Carrie Munson, Director-at-Large (Seat E)

As a friendly reminder, Clairemont Town Council is a membership organization. As such, membership dues for the new year are due on January 1st, so if you are a current member you will need to renew on or before that date. Of course if you're not a member, then you should consider joining! For membership information, please visit our website at www.clairemontonline.com/join.

Our annual Holiday Potluck Dinner will take place in-lieu of a formal monthly meeting this month. We will present our annual awards for Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Non-Profit/Organization of the Year, Elected Official Staffer of the Year among others, and we'll be joined by Councilwoman Lorie Zapf and Assemblyman Brian Maienschien.

Bring a dish if you'd like, and come celebrate with us on Thursday, December 3rd at 6:30pm at Cadman Elementary.

Finally, we are beginning to secure sponsors for next year's 20th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour. We are already planning for a fantastic anniversary in May, so if you'd like to be on the committee or showcase your garden, or nominate your neighbor's garden, then please email GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com, or visit gardentour.clairemontonline.com.

Thank you again for an amazing year, and be safe during this joyous and festive holiday season!

Working for you, Clairemont!

Ryan Trabuco
CTC President

E-Blast: November 2015

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President's Letter: November 2015

The year is beginning to wind down, but not before our CTC Elections! Offices up for election include: President, Vice President, Secretary, Director North, Director South, and two Director-at-Large seats. Those elected will be sworn-in at our January meeting.

Organizing for next year's Garden Tour is beginning to get underway. If you'd like to be on the committee to help organize our 20th annual tour, please email GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com, or visit gardentour.clairemontonline.com.

Our next meeting is Thursday, November 5 at 6:30pm inside Cadman Elementary. We are ever so excited to welcome Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins as our guest speaker. Speaker Atkins is the first Speaker of the California State Assembly to ever represent San Diego (and thus parts of South Clairemont and Bay Park). Bring your questions and ideas to the meeting for this historic Town Council moment with one of our state leaders.

Also, we've all heard about the controversial proposal of raising our water rates, right? The San Diego Public Utilities Department will conduct a "cost of study" outreach presentation at our November 5th meeting. Obviously, if this is an issue that you may be affected by, we strongly encourage you to attend.

Finally, as a friendly reminder, Clairemont Town Council is a membership organization. As such, membership dues are due on January 1st, so if you're a member you'll need to renew on or before that date. Of course if you're not a member, then you should consider joining! For membership information, please visit our website at www.clairemontonline.com/join.

Working for you, Clairemont!

Ryan Trabuco
CTC President

E-Blast: October 2015

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President's Letter: October 2015

The Clairemont Farmers Market at Madison High School has been going strong, and growing, since its' inception back in May.

Recently, they've moved from the dirt lot to the paved area on the NE corner on campus -- near intersection of Kesling Street and Mt. Abernathy. Remember, the Farmers Market hours are now 9am - 1pm and are every Saturday.

Our next meeting is Thursday, October 1 at 6:30pm inside Cadman Elementary. State Senator Marty Block will be joining us to update on state issues, and we'll also hear from City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf.

We will also vote to approve some updated sections to our Bylaws, and those proposals can be found on our website: ClairemontOnline.com

CTC Board Elections 2015

Nomination time is open for offices on the Clairemont Town Council Board of Directors!

Have you wanted to be more involved in Clairemont Town Council? Now is the time to nominate yourself, or an interested neighbor, for offices on the Clairemont Town Council.

Nominations shall be accepted until the end of our October General Meeting on Thursday, October 1, 2015.

The following offices, and those declared candidates thus far, shall be considered for election at our November General Meeting on Thursday, November 5, 2015:

• PRESIDENT
• Ryan Trabuco (inc., membership-approved waiver)
   
• VICE PRESIDENT
• Richard Morris (inc.)
   
• SECRETARY
• Eden Yaege (inc.)
   
• DIRECTOR NORTH
• Deanna Gurley (inc.)
   
• DIRECTOR SOUTH
• Joe Sopher (inc., membership-approved waiver)
   
• DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE, SEAT D
• John Poutre (inc.)
   
• DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE, SEAT E
• Carrie Munson (inc.)

The term of office shall be for two (2) years commencing at our Inaugural Meeting on Thursday, January 7, 2016.

Members in good standing for the previous twelve (12) months at the time of the election are deemed qualified for the office President.

Members in good standing for the previous six (6) months at the time of the election are deemed qualified for the offices of Vice President and Secretary.

Members in good standing for the previous three (3) months at the time of the election, and who reside, or own a business, in their corresponding districts are deemed qualified for the offices of District Directors.

Members in good standing for the previous three (3) months at the time of the election, are deemed qualified for the offices of Directors-at-Large.

For more information, or to nominate yourself or someone else, please contact Cory Lacy, Chair of the Elections Committee at Elections@ClairemontOnline.com, or via phone at 858.480.9430.

For information regarding the boundaries for Directors North and South, please visit ClairemontOnline.com/Resources/Maps.

Cory Lacy
Director-at-Large
Chair, Elections Committee

CTC Boardmember Lynn Little Talks with 10News

Clairemont Town Council Boardmember Lynn Little spoke with Cristin Severance at 10News about a water project in Clairemont that is becoming a problem for residents.

Link to story: http://www.10news.com/news/team-10-troubleshooter/team-10-woman-says-water-project-is-ruining-her-neighborhood-090115

E-Blast: September 2015

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President's Letter: September 2015

Jim Wright 1942 - 2015

Sad news to start off with this month: longtime Clairemont Garden Tour participant, winner, and supporter Jim Wright passed away in early August.

If you ever had the pleasure of touring his property during Garden Tour, or had the pleasure of knowing Jim personally, you knew he was a real community treasure. His passion was gardening, and his palm trees are legendary. Jim, our dear friend, you will be missed.

As reported in the news, our Clairemont Girls Fastpitch Softball League was raided by thieves who stole several thousand dollars worth of equipment and materials -- much of which was recently purchased.

If you can spare a few bucks to pitch in (no pun intended), to help our girls recoup some of their lost items, please consider donating via their website: www.cgfp.org

Our next meeting is Thursday, September 3rd at 6:30pm inside Cadman Elementary. Congressman Scott Peters will be joining us to update on federal issues, and we'll hear a presentation from County Animal Control representatives since there's been a rise in animal bites in our neighborhoods.

We will also vote to approve some updated sections to our Bylaws, and those proposals can be found on our website: ClairemontOnline.com

Summer Movies in the Park: Frozen Sing-a-Long

Our next Summer Movies in the Park will be Saturday, August 29th at North Clairemont Community Park (4421 Bannock Ave.) at 7:00pm.


We'll be screening Disney's blockbuster film "Frozen" (Rated PG).

This will be the sing-a-long version of the film, so everybody can sing with the film! ​Anna and Elsa will be on hand for the kids, so come on out for family-friendly entertainment, games, and prizes! We'll also be serving up burgers, hot dogs, and popcorn!



Check out our event on Nextdoor here.

E-Blast: Mid-August 2015 Update

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Armstrong Garden Centers Relocation

At our last Board of Directors meeting, representatives from Armstrong Garden Centers met with us to discuss their relocation plans. Armstrong is eyeing Southwest Boulder & Stone's location at 4470 Santa Fe Street, since Southwest Boulder is moving to Chula Vista.

In order for Armstrong to relocate, the current site needs to be rezoned from industrial to commercial. They are asking residents to stop by their Morena Blvd. store to sign a petition and write letters in support of the rezone, and they've asked the Town Council to consider supporting this effort as well. 

Your CTC Board has approved a draft letter of support, and we are recommending this for a vote of the CTC membership at our next monthly meeting on Thursday, September 3rd.

For supplemental material, here are two documents: Proposed Site Plan, and Armstrong's Request for Community Plan Amendment.

E-Blast: August 2015

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President's Letter: August 2015

Over much of this past year we've been working diligently with the San Diego Police Department, Nextdoor.com, and our local elected officials to help revitalize our community's neighborhood watch efforts. Several news channels covered our organizing efforts of new neighborhood watches throughout our community:

• CBS 8: New neighborhood watch signs unveiled in Clairemont (w/ video)
• CW 6: New neighborhood watch signs unveil in Clairemont (w/ video)
• KUSI News: 'Neighborhood Watch' signs go up in Clairemont (w/ video)
• San Diego Reader: Neighborhood hood gets new look

These efforts have led to the installation of newer, brighter neighborhood watch signs (see below).

If there's a need on your block to replace old, rusted neighborhood watch signs, then let's get your block organized! Contact Steph Groce through our Public Safety Awareness Committee by e-mailing publicsafety@clairemontonline.com, or call 858.480.9430.

Summer Movies in the Park: Big Hero 6

Our next Summer Movies in the Park will be Saturday, July 25th at Cadman Community Park (4280 Avati Drive) at 7:00pm.

We'll be screening Disney's Academy Award-winning animated film "Big Hero 6" (Rated PG).

Since it's a superhero movie, we're encouraging everyone to wear something heroic. We'll have a costume contest for kids as well, so come on out for family-friendly entertainment, games, and prizes!

Check out our event on Nextdoor here.

E-Blast: July 2015

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President's Letter: July 2015

We are headstrong into the summer season! Our first Movies in the Park was successful, and we want to give a shout out to Jesus Martinez, our Clairemont Town Council Student Representative, for organizing these events and taking them on.

The next Movies in the Park will be Saturday, July 25th at Cadman Community Park at 7:00pm. We'll be screening last year's Academy-Award winning animated film "Big Hero 6" (Rated PG). Since it's a superhero movie, we're encouraging everyone to wear something heroic. We'll have a costume contest for kids as well, so come on out for family-friendly entertainment, games, and prizes!

  

Lots have been said about traffic -- specifically, speed demons -- along Moraga Ave. The Board will be hearing and discussing a recent proposal to install traffic circles on Moraga, and we will update you on this at our next Clairemont Town Council meeting on Thursday, July 9th.

Traffic Circle along La Jolla Blvd. in Bird Rock

Happy July 4th / No Meeting Tonight

With the upcoming holiday, there's no Town Council meeting this week. We will be back next Thursday, July 9! 

At our next meeting... 

• Mid-Coast Trolley Update
• Moraga Ave. Traffic Circles
• Neighborhood Watch Update
• Voting to update membership section of Bylaws
• Oh, there will be pizza, too! 

There's a lot going on in Clairemont! Have a safe holiday weekend, and see you on Thursday, July 9th!

CBS8 Video: Neighborhood Watch

CBS 8 covered our neighborhood watch efforts this morning with City Councilman Chris Cate and San Diego Police Department. Video is linked below:

CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8

E-Blast: Movies in the Park & Farmers Market

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Clairemont Town Council on Nextdoor

Clairemont Town Council has a Nextdoor Page: https://nextdoor.com/pages/clairemont-town-council-san-diego-ca/

We'd like to invite all our Clairemont/Bay Ho/Bay Park neighbors to "subscribe" to our page and keep up-to-date on any upcoming meetings, events, and community issues. 

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

June 20: Movies in the Park

Movies in the Park is coming to North Clairemont Community Park on Saturday, June 20!

We'll be showing the Academy Award-winning film Happy Feet (Rated PG).

The movie starts around 7:00pm but be sure to arrive early for ideal seating, food, and family-friendly fun!

For more information, please check out the flyer: http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/pdf/movies/northclairemontmovies.pdf

E-Blast: June 2015

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President's Letter: June 2015

Thank you again to all those who attended, volunteered, and helped sponsor last month's Clairemont Garden Tour. It was our most successful ever -- over $10,000 raised toward our Clairemont Town Council community grants.

For more information on our grants, please visit our website: ClairemontOnline.com/Grants

Movies in the Park is coming up this month -- Saturday, June 20th at North Clairemont Community Park at 7:00pm.

We will be screening the Academy-Award winning animated film "Happy Feet" (Rated PG). Come on out for family-friendly entertainment, games, and prizes!

  

There's been a ton of e-mails and phone calls about the downed Clairemont sign at Balboa Ave and 805, and there's been diligent communication between the Town Council and Councilman Chris Cate's office in working to get that sign back up. (H/T to Ralph Petrozello for the pictures.)

Awesome props to city council staffer Allen Young on working with us to speed up replacement efforts.

E-Blast: May 2015

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President's Letter: May 2015

First off, very BIG THANK YOU to all our Garden Tour attendees, sponsors, homeowners, and this year's organizing committee!

We also want to thank the band, Millionaire Beach Bums, who played at one of our gardens. These kids are super talented, so go ahead and check out their website (millionairebeachbums.com). The Clairemont Town Council has also donated towards their college fund.

19 years running, and we've seen exponential growth and participation on our tour over the last 4-5 years. Last weekend's Garden Tour was our most successful -- ever!

This bodes very well for the Town Council moving forward. As we finish consolidating all of the comments, suggestions, and ideas from this year, it will no doubt help us plan for an exciting 20th anniversary Garden Tour next year.

If you would like to volunteer, showcase your garden, or help sponsor next year's 20th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour, please let us know by e-mailing GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com.

Next month, our next big event is our summer-long Movies in the Park to be held in June, July, and August. More details to follow as we assemble an awesome mix of family-friendly films and activities.

Clairemont Garden Tour: 1 Week Left!

Clairemont Garden Tour is next Saturday! Please take advantage of advance-priced tickets at $15 ($12 for seniors 55+). Ticket prices increase to $20 on May 1st and 2nd, so don't wait! 

Proceeds go right back into our community via Clairemont Town Council community improvement grants. Online tickets and information about this year's tour can be found at: GardenTour.ClairemontOnline.com 

In-person tickets are available at:

The UPS Store
(Clairemont Town Square)
3952 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Suite D
San Diego, CA 92117

The UPS Store
(Balboa Mesa Shopping Center)
5663 Balboa Avenue
San Diego, CA 92111

The Postal Connection
(Clairemont Drive at Balboa Ave)
3895 Clairemont Dr #101
San Diego, CA 92117

We look forward to seeing you at our beautiful gardens!

Sincerely,

Garden Tour Committee
Clairemont Town Council
gardentour@clairemontonline.com
(858) 480-9430

CTC Video: April 2015 Meeting

2015 District Director Map

Last night, we approved new District Director boundaries for our Clairemont Town Council Board of Directors. For more info, please visit: clairemontonline.com/resources/maps

E-Blast: April 2015

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Garden Tour: Tickets On Sale!

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CTC Video: March 2015 Meeting

President's Letter: April 2015

Starting in April, tickets will go on sale for our 19th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour scheduled for May 2nd -- the first Saturday in May!

This year's tour will be enhanced with refreshments, art, music, a garden boutique, and educational demos on composting, rain water harvesting, solar, and more. There will even be a hand-on planting activity for kids!

Tickets are $15 in advance ($12 for Seniors 55+) by purchasing online at: gardentour.clairemontonline.com. On May 1st and 2nd however, tickets will increase to $20 ($15 for Seniors 55+), and will only be available to purchase at The UPS Store in Clairemont Town Square, or their Balboa Mesa Shopping Center location. Of course, kids 12 and under are free! Get your tickets early, folks!

Also, we are still looking for extra volunteers for this year's tour. We usually need about 30 volunteers throughout the day to assist our homeowners and patrons by providing them a memorable experience. If you'd like to help volunteer for this year's tour, please e-mail us GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com.

Special shout out to Coastal Solar who signed on as our flagship sponsor for this year's Garden Tour! Other sponsors include: Big Frog, Elite Escrow, Chicago Title, the Bay Mesa Real Estate Association, Calsur Property Management, San Diego Hydroponics, Bay Park Coffee, West Coast Electric, Maker Place & Reusable Finds, and the Clairemont Hills Kiwanis. We can't thank our sponsors enough for their generous support for the Garden Tour and the Clairemont Town Council's community grants.

Wanted: Directors-at-Large

To any interested Clairemont residents and Town Council members, we have two Director-at-Large vacancies on our Board of Directors. If you're looking to get more involved with our Clairemont and Bay Park communities, then stand up and come serve on one of the best Town Councils in San Diego! 

We are hoping to interview potential candidates at our Board meeting next Thursday, March 26th at 6:30pm inside the Cadman Elementary Library (4370 Kamloop Ave.). 

If you are interested, or have any questions, please e-mail: Board@ClairemontOnline.com 

For information about the Clairemont Town Council, or to join as a member, please visit our website: http://www.ClairemontOnline.com

Connect w/ Clairemont Town Council

Clairemont Town Council works hard to be the voice for our community, and we are available on multiple web and social media platforms. 

Nextdoor Page: https://nextdoor.com/pages/clairemont-town-council-san-diego-ca/
Website: www.ClairemontOnline.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/clairemonttowncouncil 
Twitter: @ClairemontTC

E-Blast: March 2015

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President's Letter: March 2015

As we begin to head into Spring, that can only mean our 19th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour is fast approaching!

This year's Garden Tour Committee has quickly organized sponsors and gardens for our upcoming tour set for Saturday, May 2 (save the date, folks!). As you may know, this has become the Council's flagship fundraiser for the year. Without the Garden Tour, we would not be able to provide valuable funding towards our community grants which last year helped our Clairemont schools, local organizations, and seniors at LiveWell.

However, we are looking for extra volunteers for this year's tour. We usually need about 30 volunteers throughout the day to assist our homeowners and patrons by providing them a memorable experience. If you'd like to help volunteer for this year's tour, please e-mail us GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com.

Rep. Peters Announces Free Tax Preparation Sites for Working Families

SAN DIEGO, CA – Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) called attention to twelve locations in the 52nd Congressional District where residents who qualify can receive free tax filing assistance. The resources offered through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are available to all Americans with less than $52,000 in annual income.

Volunteers at each VITA site are IRS-certified and help consumers prepare their basic returns and determine their eligibility for tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, which they might not otherwise have known they were qualified to receive. The program also allows consumers to electronically file their returns at no cost. VITA service centers are found across San Diego County. Listed below are the sites in the 52nd district.

Click the map above to view VITA sites on Google Maps

• Pacific Beach Library - 4275 Cass St San Diego, CA 92109
• United Way of San Diego – Mobile Disability - 4699 Murphy Canyon Road San Diego, CA 92123
• HOC - San Diego Virtual - 1100 Broadway San Diego, CA 92101
• Poway Senior Center - 13094 Civic Center Drive Poway, CA 92064
• Point Loma Library - 3701 Voltaire St San Diego, CA 92107
• North University Community Library - 8820 Judicial Drive San Diego, CA 92122
• Rancho Bernardo Senior Service - 16769 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite K San Diego, CA 92128
• Thomas Jefferson School of Law - 1155 Island Avenue San Diego, CA 92101
• Serra Mesa Library - 9005 Aero Drive San Diego, CA 92123
• Chinese Service Center - 5075 Ruffin Road San Diego, CA 92123
• North Clairemont Library - 4616 Clairemont Drive San Diego, CA 92117
• Mira Mesa Senior Center 8460 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92126

Find the hours of locations and a list of specific services offered at each location here. If constituents have any questions they can also reach out to the San Diego office at (858)455-5550.

Congressman Peters serves the 52nd District of California which covers much of central San Diego County including Poway, Coronado, and large portions of the City of San Diego. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Judiciary Committee. The Congressman is a former environmental attorney, City Council President, and Port Commission Chairman.

E-Blast: February 2015

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Public Safety Awareness Committee: February 2015

            The community of Clairemont got a huge boost in its crime prevention efforts last weekend when North Clairemont held a Neighborhood Watch kickoff event at Mount Etna Park on Saturday January 24th. The event marked the first of what hopes to be one of many revitalization efforts of Neighborhood Watch programs. This event served the Mount Streets area of Clairemont as a phase in the growing campaign to bridge all of Clairemont in a united crime prevention front.

            There were approximately forty-five (45) residents who attended the kickoff meeting as well as members of the Clairemont Town Council (CTC), City Councilman Chris Cate’s office, Nextdoor.com, and University City Neighborhood Watch. As the CTC Public Safety Awareness Committee (PSAC) Chairman is a serving member of the SDPD Northern Division Captain’s Advisory Board (CAB), Law Enforcement interests were present and shared with the attendees. The event offered a community based open dialogue format that allowed neighbors to share common concerns and identify trouble areas that may be unknown to adjacent neighbors or streets. There were a number of resources shared at the event that helped concerned residents to find solutions to existing or potential criminal opportunities.

President's Letter: February 2015

Neighborhood Watch has been an important, integral part of so many communities throughout the years. It's shaped community identities, encouraged neighborly behavior among strangers, and it has often built the foundation of long-lasting friendships and camaraderie.

Over the last few decades, Neighborhood Watch has waned in many parts of Clairemont. New neighbors come and go, and demographics have changed. However, through a coalition between SDPD Northern Division, the Nextdoor.com website, community activists in University City, and efforts of our Town Council's Public Safety Advisory Committee are working to bring Neighborhood Watch back.

A few weeks ago, this coalition launched an effort at Mount Etna Park that brought out at least 40 interested individuals to help recruit block captains and those interested in helping to lead this charge. There's excitement in the air for safer neighborhoods!

If you'd like more information in our rejuvenated Neighborhood Watch efforts, please contact Steph Groce at PublicSafety@ClairemontOnline.com.

Also, an all-new Garden Tour Committee has come together and we are excited to get things organized for our 19th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour this May. If you'd like to nominate your home for the tour, or know a neighbor whose garden deserves to be on this year's tour, please contact GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com.

E-Blast: Neighborhood Watch Kickoff Event

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E-Blast: January 2015

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President's Letter: January 2015

It's January -- and, before we get into the really good news -- that means is time to renew your Town Council memberships for the year! Please be sure to renew online at ClairemontOnline.com/Join.

Over the Holidays, we heard that Haggen Foods will take over the Albertsons store on Balboa Ave. No -- it's not shutting down -- just changing hands.

Haggen Foods, based in Bellingham, Wash., is said to be a cross between Vons and Whole Foods. So, while it's not specifically a Trader Joe's, we can be thankful that our community is moving on up in the world!

We are certainly excited about the change, and welcome Haggen Foods as a new business, and Clairemont community partner. For information about Haggen Foods, please check out their website: Haggen.com.