A $2 million gift to UC San Diego from long-time Del Mar resident Stephanie (Steve) Tarkington is not just a significant tribute to her husband, Al Tarkington, who died in 2024, but also a reminder of the significant roles Steve and Al have played in Del Mar for decades, bringing an inspiring teamwork model to their lives and to their community-serving roles. This teamwork was in full force as they responded to Al’s diagnosis with ALS, but it was finely honed throughout their 63 years together.
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News Update
A key deadline for Short-Term Rental (STR) operators in Del Mar occurred on May 1, when the 150 STRs who previously were granted “existing STR” status by the City were required to file an STR permit application. Only 99 of these 150 STRs did so. This means that 51 of the 150 City-recognized existing STRs have lost their eligibility for the special treatment extended to existing STRs under the City’s STR
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As a condition of the SANDAG Del Mar Bluff Phase 5 stabilization project, currently nearing completion, the California Coastal Commission approval required three mitigation measures: 1) a 0.8-mile trail from Seagrove Park to 4th Street; 2) a legal rail crossing between 7th and 11th Street; and 3) an access trail from the rail crossing to the beach.
MoreLast month’s Hungarian elections concluded with a new Prime Minister a revived Parliament, and a new future for the people of Hungary, most prominently the youth. Péter Magyar, President of the Tisza party, won with a 53.6% popular vote majority, having emerged as a leader in 2020, exposing governmental corruption under Orbán. He campaigned on a platform of repairing trust
MorePlastics have infiltrated our daily lives. They end up in our oceans and on our beaches, and break down into microplastics that get everywhere. Chemical additives in plastics can leach into what we eat and drink when our food and beverages are packaged in plastic (e.g., bisphenol A and phthalates – which make plastics rigid or flexible).
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Marisa Janicek, the new Superintendent of Del Mar Union, launched “Shine, Shift, Dream,” a series of listening sessions to hear from students, families, staff, and community members in the Fall. One of the key themes to emerge from that initiative was the need to strengthen communication. In response, the Superintendent and Asst. Superintendent Chris Delehanty went on a Budget Roadshow this Spring
MoreOwning a pet comes with responsibilities: maintaining the pet’s general wellbeing. The list includes caring for health, safety, food, training, exercise, socializing, day care, fashion, grooming, as needed vet visits. And, one more. What about those extra hours your pet is at home —with or without you? What about entertainment? Know that there are abundant solutions accessible via various screens devoted to your and
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Lola is a six-year-old mini Sheepadoodle who came to Del Mar at twelve weeks of age during the COVID epidemic. Lola has walked and explored all parts of Del Mar including the hills, the beaches, Powerhouse Park, Camino Del Mar, the Civic Center, Del Mar Plaza, and the Fairgrounds. In her younger days, she loved to run on the beach north
MoreAs of April 2026, a highly mutated COVID-19 variant, BA.3.2, nicknamed “Cicada,” is spreading in the US and Europe, exhibiting potential for immune escape due to 70–75 spike protein mutations. While detected in wastewater across dozens of US states and in Europe, it does not currently appear to cause more severe disease than previous Omicron strains. The “Cicada” nickname comes from the variant first
MoreCrest Rim Trail Garden, between Klish Way and Amphitheater Drive on Crest Road, is a magical place to visit this time of the year. Whether walking your dog or enjoying the tapestry of native plants, the park brings joy to all. Recently, the Del Mar Garden Club was doing its bimonthly maintenance there when we spotted a magnificent Agave “Our Lord’s Candle” (Agave whipplei)
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Shine Natural Market has expanded from its Encinitas location to Camino Del Mar. The shop is set up with sustainable products for your body, home and pantry. Owner operator Cara Moon Schloss: “We are plastic-free. The majority of our products are organic and non-GMO free of artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.” Offerings include soaps, shampoos, lotions and oils, cleaning solutions,
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On March 28, 2026, Del Mar was one of twenty “No Kings” demonstrations taking place across San Diego County. In aggregate, an estimated 95,000 people participated – part of the 8 million who marched that day in the U.S. and around the world. For two hours, approximately 1,500 people lined Del Mar Heights Road near Del Mar Highlands, and made
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Del Mar City Council is currently working to complete the master planning process for Shores Park which includes the Del Mar Community Building (DMCB). In last month’s Sandpiper edition, Joe Sullivan discussed the history and current progress associated with this important project. Today, I would like to expand on some thoughts regarding a redeveloped or new community building that is being envisioned.
MoreHuge thanks for a successful Senior Fair! We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Del Mar Farmers Market, the City of Del Mar, and the many volunteers and nonprofit exhibitors that helped to make the first-ever Del Mar Senior Fair, held on April 18, an enormous success. A few stats: 35 nonprofit organizations and government agencies were there
MoreMay 2026
Volume 23, Number 4
Print Edition
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In Brief
JUNGLE PRIMARY COMING
The primary election for candidates for Governor and other state positions is nearly here. Mail ballots arrive the week of May 4th and the election is on June 2nd.
Known as a “jungle ballot” because the top two vote-getters will face off in the November general election, regardless of party affiliation. Because there are more viable Democratic candidates than Republican, the result could be a November runoff between two Republicans and no Democrats.
NIGHT TO DAY
The Clean Energy Alliance announced a new “Super Off Peak” rate for electricity used between 10 AM and 2 PM every weekday. This lower rate matches the current 12 midnight to 6 AM cost of CEA electricity and coincides with peak solar production, when energy generation exceeds demand.
FAIR BOARD EXEC X’D
Carlene Moore, Chief Executive Officer for the Fairgrounds, was fired after a closed session on April 14 lasting more than four hours. The Board of Directors for the 22nd District Agricultural Association (the Fairgrounds Board) voted 8-1 to fire Moore, and to appoint Board Chair Sam Nejabat to serve as interim CEO effective immediately. It is unclear what impact this action will have on Del Mar’s efforts to secure a Fairgrounds site for affordable housing. The Sandpiper’s April 16 report on this firing, including City Manager Ashley Jones’s response, is here: delmarsandpiper.org/2026-04-16-update.
