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

President's Letter: January 2016

Welcome to 2016 -- if you are a Clairemont Town Council member, renewals are due! If you'd like to renew or join the CTC, please visit our website at www.clairemontonline.com/join.

You don't have to be a member to attend our meetings however, like any membership organization, we are only as strong as our members. Membership dues go towards furthering the Council's purpose and objective over the last 60-plus years of working to benefit our Clairemont community.

Last month, Assemblyman Brian Maienschein joined us for our annual potluck dinner. We also had the honor of presenting awards to those who went above and beyond to help make Clairemont a better place. Our list of honorees included:

• Business of the Year: Sandwich Emporium
• Non-Profit/Organization of the Year: Clairemont Hilltoppers Little League
• Elected Official Staffer of the Year: Allen Young (Councilman Chris Cate's Office)
• Community Volunteer of the Year: Michael Snyder (Clairemont Mesa Education Foundation)
• Event Volunteer of the Year: Lynn Haims (Clairemont Garden Tour)
• Youth Volunteers of the Year: Clairemont High School Chieftain Cheer
• Youth Volunteer of the Year: Jesus Martinez
• Board of Directors Award: Holly Tafoya & Larry Hesselgesser (San Diego Police Dept. Northern Division)

Our January Inaugural meeting will be held Thursday, January 7th at 6:30pm in the Cadman Elementary auditorium. We will swear-in our newly elected board members, fill our vacant Director Central position, and open the floor to ideas and suggestions for the Council's 2016 goals. Also, we will hear a presentation from the San Diego Office of Homeland Security on disaster preparedness.

Finally, our 20th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour is coming up in May. Planning is already underway, 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.

Let's kick off this new year right!

Working for you, Clairemont!

Ryan Trabuco
CTC President

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.