December 2023

Roving Teen Reporter: Book Banning

A ttempts to censor reading materials in libraries and schools across the U.S. are more prevalent than ever, with documented challenges to over 1,900 different books between Jan. 1 and

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Editorial: Priorities 2024

Del Mar, our home: a bit of history. Each era has its own particular set of problems and priorities that require strong clear leadership. In the 1970s intelligent residents with

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Sustainability: Holiday Footprint

At holiday gift giving time, it is more important than ever to remember the mantra: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  There is usually so much household waste generated over the holidays, so

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Who Becomes Unhoused?

For five years I volunteered with Helping Hands at St. Peter’s, a ministry that serves early morning meals to our local unhoused neighbors. The goal has been to provide

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Desal Costs Slashed

The Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) has signed an agreement with the San Diego County Water Authority to supply electricity to the Poseidon Desalination Plant in Carlsbad beginning in January 2025.

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Commentary: Watermark – Politics vs. Policy

The 50-unit Watermark project was found unanimously by the California Coastal Commission on November 17 to not “raise any substantial issue” regarding coastal access nor environmental harm, thereby ending appeals

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Chasing Elusive Virus

The XBB variant of the Omicron COVID virus lineage was the dominant cause of disease for most of 2023, and the new mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna released in

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Dogs of Del Mar: Cody

I have a new neighbor, his name is Cody, and he has created quite the buzz in the neighborhood.  Cody, a lost and found two-month old puppy, is now living

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Electric Charges ???

In the October Sandpiper, I described the income-graduated fixed charges for electricity that was mandated by state bill AB 205 that would take effect in the next year or two.

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Local Experts Speak to Climate Change

On November 12, an all-day symposium was held on “Adapting to Climate Change in Del Mar: Protecting Your Property and Our Community.” The event, which was sponsored by the Coalition

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Critters: Bird Rewilding

If you are quiet and still the Wren Tit will poop on you.   When I go into the dining room in the morning, I see Allen’s Hummingbird feeding at

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Del Mar Foundation

December is a natural time for each of us to reflect on the year, and focus on what we need to check off our “to do” list before ringing in

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Del Mar Community Connections

Holiday Gratitude The volunteers and staff of DMCC are grateful for the incredible community partners that sustain us throughout the year, but that support is especially apparent during the holiday

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In Brief

Parking: Respect the Intent Parking spaces reserved for the handicapped are in place for a purpose: to provide people with disabilities a place to park. The adjacent blue crosshatch areas

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Click on cover for DEC 2023 print issue in PDF format

December Updates (online only)