President's Letter: October 2016

It's October, and with our kids trick-or-treating soon it might be useful to partake in some neighborhood safety measures.

CTC Sergeant-at-Arms Steph Groce is organizing Stay SAFE (Self and Family Expo) event on Saturday, October 22nd, from 2pm to 5pm at the North Clairemont Park & Rec Center. For more information, email publicsafety@clairemontonline.com

October also means we are getting into the home stretch of this year's election season.

With dozens of state and local propositions on the ballot, Voice of San Diego has you covered. Here's their guide to state propositions, and here's their guide to all the local propositions.

Also, you'll likely want to make sure your voter registration is up-to-date before you head to the polls. Check to make sure your registration status is correct at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters website, and if you need to update or change any information, you can register to vote online.

Some dates to keep in mind:

Oct 10: First day Vote-by-Mail ballots are available (you can also vote early then, too)
Oct 24: Last day to register to vote in this election
Nov 1: Last day to submit written request for vote-by-mail ballot
Nov 8: Election Day

President's Letter: July 2016

Student Rep. Jesus Martinez celebrates her graduation from Clairemont High School

Congratulations to Jesus Martinez on her graduation!

In 2011, the Clairemont Town Council established the role of Student Representative as a way to help foster civic engagement among Clairemont's youth. It was an opportunity for CTC to help develop their leadership skills and help connect them with the many community and elected leaders who visit our meetings during any given month.

As a newer (and younger) member of the Town Council's Board five years ago, this was one of the first things I helped push.

Jesus Martinez was not our first Student Representative, but she has certainly had the most impact -- not only for Clairemont Town Council -- but hear leadership skills at Clairemont High School and throughout our community.

President's Letter: June 2016

The 2016 Presidential Primary Election is just around the corner on Tuesday, June 7th. Chances are you have a preference for who should be the next President of the United States, however, maybe you're not so sure on further offices down ballot.

The League of Women Voters has launched a new website, Voter's Edge, compiled of candidate information for every single office on the ballot. If you have any last minute questions about candidates, check out their website for further information: votersedge.org/ca

Our 20th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour last month was amazing! Thank you to all the homeowners, participants, volunteers, and attendees for, again, making this one of the most successful garden tours we've ever held. Special thank you goes out to those on the Garden Tour Committee and chair Kyley Christy for organizing again this year.

We are always on the lookout for input and involvement with our Garden Tour. It's a labor of love every year. If you would like to be involved and help organizing next year's tour, please reach out at GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com.

President's Letter: May 2016

It's finally here! Our 20th annual Clairemont Garden Tour will be Saturday, May 7th from 10am to 4pm. Ticket sales have been excellent, and we are expecting a record turnout for this year's tour!

The sale price for advanced tickets goes up Friday so, if you haven't already, please purchase your tickets online at gardentour.clairemontonline.com, or at our in-person locations:

• Postal Connections (4321 Balboa Ave., San Diego, 92117) 
• The UPS Store at Clairemont Town Square (3952 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, 92117), or at
• The UPS Store at Balboa Mesa (5663 Balboa Ave., San Diego, 92111)

Also, the Outdoor Experience will bring a focus to installing and expanding garden programs to all 19 of our Clairemont schools. So, if you have any unused garden tools that you'd like to get rid of, please consider donating them during the Garden Tour at our Bay Park Elementary School Garden, which will be included on the tour route.

President's Letter: April 2016

Garden Tour tickets are on sale now!

Our 20th annual Clairemont Garden Tour will be Saturday, May 7th from 10am to 4pm. Banners and posters are currently being displayed all throughout our community. We have 12 gardens on the tour this year covering ornamental, succulent, edible, and drought varieties.

Please purchase your advanced tickets online at gardentour.clairemontonline.com, or at our in-person locations:

• Postal Connections (4321 Balboa Ave., San Diego, 92117) 
• The UPS Store at Clairemont Town Square (3952 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, 92117), or at
• The UPS Store at Balboa Mesa (5663 Balboa Ave., San Diego, 92111)

Beginning this year, the Outdoor Experience will bring a focus to installing and expanding garden programs to all 19 of our Clairemont schools. So, if you have any unused garden tools that you'd like to get rid of, please consider donating them during the Garden Tour at our Bay Park Elementary School Garden, which will be included on the tour route.

President's Letter: March 2016

Haggen has been closed for months. Now what?

At our next Clairemont Town Council meeting on Thursday, March 3rd, we have invited a speaker from Tawa Services, Inc. -- the company that owns and operates 99 Ranch Market -- to come and present. There's been a tremendous amount of online chatter and interest since Tawa purchased the Balboa Ave. location, so maybe we will learn something!

Also, it's tax time! Dan McAllister, our County Treasurer-Tax Collector, will stop by and answer any last-minute tax questions you may have. Our next meeting will be held Thursday, March 3rd at 6:30pm in the Cadman Elementary auditorium.

We always take CTC Memberships year-round! So, if you're new and want to get involved in our community, or renew your membership, then please visit our website for more information: clairemontonline.com/join.

Finally, our 20th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour is coming up on May 7th -- so mark your calendars! The gardens have been set and tickets will soon be available to purchase in advance. Check out our Garden Tour website gardentour.clairemontonline.com, or email GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com if you'd like to volunteer or have any questions!

Working for you, Clairemont!

Ryan Trabuco
CTC President

President's Letter: February 2016

"There's been an awakening. Have you felt it?" What a great line from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but we're actually talking about El Nino -- or Darth Nino -- whichever you prefer.

City Councilmembers Lorie Zapf and Chris Cate have been on hand with sand bags to withstand the record downpour and potential flooding that we've all witnessed over the last month. If you would like information on obtaining sand bags, please reach out to James McGuirk (District 2) at 619-236-6622, or Allen Young (District 6) at 619-236-6616.

Our February meeting will be held Thursday, February 4th at 6:30pm in the Cadman Elementary auditorium. We will fill a vacancy for Director-at-Large, as well as hear a presentation from American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties on disaster preparedness.

CTC Memberships were due on January 1. If you need to renew your membership, or have not yet joined for this year, then please visit our website for more information: clairemontonline.com/join.

Finally, our 20th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour is coming up in May, and we are looking for gardens! If you'd like to showcase your garden, or nominate your neighbor's garden, then please email GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com, or visit gardentour.clairemontonline.com.

Working for you, Clairemont!

Ryan Trabuco
CTC President

A Personal Thank You Note...

Last month, the CTC Board of Directors -- in their infinite wisdom -- surprised me with the "Iron Man Award" at our annual potluck dinner.

Totally caught off guard.

As our Historian notes, and as the award signifies -- not just for my love of Disney and Marvel comic book characters -- but starting 2016 as the longest-serving President of the Clairemont Town Council.

It is a milestone made all the more significant given the 60+ year history of CTC, and made all the more humble factoring in who previously held the record: Henry Ross, Jr. -- who served from 1965-1969.

The last four years have flown by, and truth be told... I had no idea what to do when this started.

I can only appreciate and whole-heartedly thank  everyone who has served on our CTC Board over the last four years. Without their confidence, guidance, and ideas, we wouldn't be where we are today, and certainly, this  opportunity would never have come to pass if it weren't for them.

Many of you in the Clairemont community have e-mailed and told me over the years how much you appreciate my leadership skills and abilities, but I've learned about leadership from listening to all of you.

The ability to share our achievements and our skills with other communities throughout San Diego is made even more rewarding because we've done it here in Clairemont.

Without rambling too much longer, I just want you all to know how much this is appreciated.

Thank you. (smiley emoticon)

-- Ryan.

Iron Man Award presented to CTC President Ryan Trabuco