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

Village Faire Readies for Carlsbad's Christmas Tree!

We knew that it was to arrive between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon and, like clockwork, the freshly cut Noble Fir from Riverside County arrived on time!

They tugged, pulled and presto, the tree was on 12 legs, making its way to where it will stand through the Christmas and holiday season at the Village Faire Shopping Center.

After standing the tree upright, the crew clipped away the twine that held and protected the long branches that will soon be adorned with beautiful ornaments.

Robin Young, CVBA Executive Director, and others stand by to give an approving nod to the crew from Temecula that delivered the Village Christmas tree.

And, to see the crew in motion, just click on, below!

Photos provided by Kurt Burkhart

Holiday Events Now Underway In The Village!

Many storefronts and other businesses not just in the Village, but throughout Carlsbad, as well, have enthusiastically agreed to place this poster in their window or on premises for customers and window shoppers to see. Click on the image for a larger, more readable version. Come out and support these holiday events that officially kicked off, today!

Carlsbad Village Business Association & Merchants Bring Holiday Cheer To The Village

Thanks to the Carlsbad Village Business Association, the Village is starting to look at lot more like Christmas! It was great reading this morning's story in the North County Times about how businesses are lining up to have their windows painted by artists, Alli Thoeni. I walked the Village late this afternoon to get a first-hand inspection of each and every painted window. They're each different, and very creative. Can't wait to see which window wins 'The People's Choice!'

Special thanks to the Carlsbad Village Business Association for working hard to bring fun into the Village this holiday season!

Photo credit: Jamie Scott Lytle, Staff Photographer, North County Times

Visitor's Center Gets Holiday Scrub Down

As Village businesses get dressed up for the holidays, the Executive Director for the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kurt Burkhart, was caught washing down - top to bottom - the Historic Santa Fe Train Depot this afternoon. Word has it that its the first real bath for this building this century! The building was cleaned in preparation for some window painting, garlan and lights that will adorn our Visitor's Center.

Photo credit: Robin Young, Executive Director, Carlsbad Village Business Association

Mayor, Council Support Suggested Changes to Development Standards for the Village

After years of study, long debate and a series of public hearings before the Carlsbad City Council, Mayor Lewis and Council Members Ann Kulchin and Julie Nygaard last night agreed to support a slightly modified version of the proposed new development standards, while keeping an eye on maintaining the ambience of our Village and, at the same time, allowing for responsible and managed development.

For more on this, coverage is provided in both the San Diego Union-Tribune and the North County Times.

Thank you, Mayor Lewis, Mayor Pro Tem Kulchin and Councilwoman Nygaard for your leadership and support on this very important issue!

Carlsbad VIP Board Holds Inaugural Meeting!

Its been more than 6 months in the making and, this afternoon, the newly installed board of directors of the Carlsbad Village Improvement Partnership kicked off its first meeting in the Village. Today's agenda was light, which gave directors the opportunity to introduce themselves to board colleagues and to set future meeting dates. The board deferred on the election of officers until their next meeting on November 13.

Future meetings of the Carlsbad VIP board of directors will be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Until the board secures funding that will allow the Carlsbad VIP to operate under its own roof, meetings will continue to be held in the City Housing & Redevelopment Agency conference room, located at 2965 Roosevelt Street in the Village.

Congratulations, guys!

Photo: Carlsbad Village Improvement Partnership board of directors, left-to-right, Al Wanamaker, Frank Hutchins, Robin Young, Ted Owen, Debbie Fountain, Craig Kirk, Julie Baker, Kurt Burkhart, Laura Kurner, Lance Schulte (not pictured, Mary Bressi)

Carlsbad VIP Announces First Board of Directors

The Carlsbad Village Improvement Partnership has appointed its first Board of Directors. We are pleased to announce the following individuals who will serve on the Board:

- LAURA KURNER, Representative for Arts/Culture

- JULIE BAKER, Carlsbad Resident

- FRANK HUTCHINS, Representative for Lenders/Investors

- ALAN WANAMAKER, Representative for a Village Service Business

- MARY BRESSI, Representative for a Village Retail Business

- CRAIG KIRK, General Member at Large

- KURT BURKHART, Representative for the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau

- TED OWEN, Representative for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

- ROBIN YOUNG, Representative for the Carlsbad Village Business Association

- DEBBIE FOUNTAIN, Representative for the City of Carlsbad

- LANCE SCHULTE, Representative for the North County Transit District

Stay tuned in for the latest on Carlsbad VIP activities and sub-committee start up dates.