Carlsbad VIP Kick-off Meeting

Join the Revitalization Efforts
for Carlsbad Village

Meet the new Board of Directors of the
Carlsbad Village Improvement Partnership
known as
Carlsbad VIP

Friday, April 11, 2008
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
New Village Arts Theatre
2787 B State Street, Carlsbad

• Share your ideas for the Village
• Review the recently completed business plan that will be
presented to the City Council on April 15th
• Learn about the new Carlsbad VIP committees that you can join to get involved
• Find out about new developments and opportunities in the Village

Please RSVP to
Andrea Korogi , akorogi@carlsbad.org, (760) 931-8400

3 of the Rare Kind Spied in the Village

What's the possibility, other than in a collector's club or car show, that 3 DeLoreans would be parked side-by-side, at the Village Faire shopping center? All three looked to be in great condition. Just one of those rare occurances that was worth taking note of. And, lunch was at Gregario's was a treat, as always!

Carlsbad VIP Submits Grant Funding Request to San Diego County

Today the Carlsbad VIP filed its first grant funding application with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. If approved, the Carlsbad VIP will have funds needed to roll out the Carlsbad Preferred Shopper Program, where up to one-half million shopper discount cards will be distributed over a 12-month period to create direct economic stimulation in the Village.

The amount requested is $35,000, and the Carlsbad VIP is hopeful that Supervisor Bill Horn and his colleagues will approve this first year funding request for the organization. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will review all submissions under the Community Enhancement Grant Program and notify applicants sometime this summer as to whether they have been approved for funding.

In the meantime, the Carlsbad VIP continues to fine tune its business plan in preparation of its appearance before the Carlsbad City Council in the coming months.

(Carlsbad VIP board member, Robin Young (r), submits grant funding application to the Clerk's Office on Monday)

Poll Indicates Top Objective for Carlsbad VIP

When asked the question in our first of several blog polls, "What Do You Believe Is The Most Important Objective For the Carlsbad Village Improvement Partnership?" this is how you responded:

0% - Provide Village leadership
33% - Create synergy for change
66% - Recruit new businesses

Thanks for taking the time to give us your opinion!

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2008, a New Year that brings a tremendous sense of anticipation for what will occur in the Village. There are some new projects currently underway and some new ones yet to get started. Check out what's going on across the street from Pizza Port ... just down a few yards from Beach Smoothies.

There's also a city council election in November. With candidates already lined up to fill one open seat, this guarantees to be a long campaign season that will give Carlsbad voters some excellent opportunities to meet and get to know who each of the candidates are.

Make it a great year in 2008!

Merry Christmas to All!

In the spirit of this holiday season, best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas and may the coming year bring good health, happiness and prosperity to each of you.

We couldn't let this special day slip by without some fun, so go ahead, check out this special Christmas song, provided for your enjoyment!

The Village Gazebo Leaves, Part 1

Although December 6 was an eventful day in the Village, few paid note. For, on that day, the Gazebo, which has been a fixture on Washington Street since the 1970s, came down. Unlike the hoopla that often accompanies the demolition of towering structures in Las Vegas and elsewhere, the only crowd the Gazebo drew was the small number of workers who were there to dismantle it.

Over the last several years, the Gazebo fell victim to those who have not respected its rich history; a history that included weddings, receptions, family get-togethers, and more. However, there is a strong following of folks in our community who rallied and have helped to start a new and exciting next chapter in the life of our Gazebo.

Thanks to the Hi-Noon Rotary Club, and others who rallied to save the Gazebo, a concerted effort paid off when, in November, the Carlsbad City Council voted to have the Gazebo moved to the grounds of McGee House. Hurray! The Gazebo will have a new home in the Village. We expect the entire process - refurbishing and structural mounting - to take about a year.

If you are interested in being a part of the Gazebo's renaisance, please contact us at, friendsofthevillage@gmail.com.

A huge and heartfelt thanks to John Simons. You're a hero; thanks a million!

Carlsbad VIP Elects Officers, Charts Direction

The Board of Directors for the Carlsbad Village Improvement Partnership, under the leadership of newly elected officers, has already begun the budgeting process that will outline the financial requirements for a successful first year of operation. Also, the Board is reviewing the role of the four standing committees, as outlined in the Carlsbad VIP bylaws.

Elected for a one-year term are; Frank Hutchins, President; Julie Baker, Chair-Elect, Laura Kurner, Secretary; Al Wanamaker, Treasurer.

Working together with the Board is Kennedy Smith. She will lend her years of experience where she helped guide start-up Main Street organizations throughout the United States. It is expected that Smith will soon file paperwork to secure a not-for-profit tax status for the Carlsbad VIP.

A Special Thanks

A special thanks is given to the following Carlsbad organizations that provided funding for the Carlsbad Community Christmas Tree in the Village - Hi-Noon Rotary Club, The Rotary Club of Carlsbad, The Carlsbad Village Business Association, and the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau.

So many good things have already been said the day following the tree lighting festivities at the Village Faire, yesterday. Again, thanks for helping to make this possible!

There's still so much more coming to the Village in the weeks before Christmas. Be sure to check out the post on November 28, "Holiday Events Now Underway in the Village!"

Joy to the Village, Our Tree Is Bright!

It was a great way to spend a December afternoon, with song and dance, Santa and his helper, and plenty of cookies for all to enjoy. Carlsbad artist, Lynn Forbes, sculpted Santa while the kids looked on.

And, like last year, the community was entertained by the Carlsbad's youngest vocalists. What a perfect way to start the Christmas & Holiday Season.

The Carlsbad High School Lancer Dancers kept everyone glued to their seats with their award winning spins, twists, jumps while maintaining those million dollar smiles!

The countdown to lighting the Christmas tree had to yield until the very last performance had ended and applause erupted.

And, as the crowd watched in wonder as the lights to the Carlsbad community Christmas tree went on, Santa's helper flashed a quick smile, as if to say, this day couldn't have been any better!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka & Seasons Greetings to All!

Photos provided by Kurt Burkhart