The 2013 Summer Camp Program for the Carmel Valley Recreation Center is now available. Abrakadoodle Art, Mad Science, Rock’n Tumble Gymnastics, Master your Sports and Evolve Dance are offering a more camps this summer for kids of all ages to enjoy. We are also trying out a new camp called Incrediflix for all those kids who are interested in creating short films and animation. In-office and online registration will begin Saturday, May 11 at 9:00am. Go to SDRecConnect.com to register or view list of camps. Note that online registration requires you to create an online account, so you may want to start early if you don't already have an account. Some classes do NOT register through the SD City Registration Portal, see the bottom of the first page for details. For additional information, call the Rec Center at 858-552-1616.

May’s free family music program sponsored by the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library will be presented on Wednesday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s community room. It will feature the Oberon Quintet performing “viola” quintets by Mozart and Dvorak that are scored for two violins, two violas, and a cello. The program will last 45 minutes. The Library is located at 3919 Townsgate Drive in Carmel Valley. For further information call (858) 552-1668. For more information, see the CV Library Music Page, call the CV Library at (858) 552-1668 or see the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library website at www.carmelvalleylibrary.org.

The Carmel Valley Community Planning Board will hold it's regular monthly meeting on April 25, 2013 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at the Carmel Valley Library, 3919 Townsgate Drive. The April Agenda is attached. The Agenda includes a presentation of a mixed-use project at Carmel Mountain Road and Carmel Country Road, an expansion of the Del Mar Height Road Shell Station, Board Election results, a 9-lot development in PHR, an update on the CV FBA, taking a position on the Medical Marijuana Ordinance, consideration of traffic calming by Sycamore Ridge Elementary school. Additional information can be found at the CV Planning Board Page on this site.

The San Diego Blood Bank has opened a new Carmel Valley Donor Center in the Piazza Carmel shopping center, 3880 Valley Centre Dr., Ste 209 (in the middle of the center, behind the food court.) A Grand Opening celebration is scheduled on Friday, April 19 at 11 a.m. The hours for the new Carmel Valley Donor Center are: Friday to Monday from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; and Tuesday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Anyone 17 or older, who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good health may be eligible to donate blood. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to donation. For more information or to make an appointment to give blood, please call 1-800-4MY-SDBB (1-800-469-7322) or visit sandiegobloodbank.org.

Just in time for spring break, there are two local parks with new play equipment ("tot-lots") that should be opening this Friday, April 5, 2013: Carmel Grove Park, located at the corner of Carmel Creek Road and Carmel Grove Road (just behind Piazza Carmel), and Del Mar Trails Park, located on Del Mar Trails Road between Mona Lisa and Mercurio. On the other hand, the Winwood Park playground, located on Carmel Creek Road just south of Carmel Creek Elementary, will close on April 8 for a renovation that should complete late this summer. So, we gain two brand new playgrounds but lose one for a while.

There will be a Guided Tour of Gonzales Canyon on Saturday, April 6, 9:00am-11:00am. Come and learn about canyon plants and wildlife! Sponsored by the City of San Diego. The tour requires intermediate hiking ability (steep hills, uneven surfaces, narrow trails). Wear sturdy shoes, bring sunscreen and water. Cancelled in the event of rain. Meet in front of Torrey Highlands Dog Park, off Lansdale (behind Torrey Pines HS.) Parking is limited. Location Link: http://goo.gl/maps/Ji50q. FOR MORE INFO: tstuhr@sandiego.gov or carmelvalleycanyon@yahoo.com .

April’s free family music program sponsored by the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library will be presented on Wednesday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s community room. It will feature piano duets of jazz and Broadway music by the Pizarro Brothers. The program will last 45 minutes. A second, special free family music program sponsored by the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library will be presented on Wednesday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s community room. It will feature pianist Oksana Germain performing works of Scarlatti, Debussy, Brahms and Prokofiev. The program will last 45 minutes. For further information call (858) 552-1668. For more information, see the CV Library Music Page, call the CV Library at (858) 552-1668 or see the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library website at www.carmelvalleylibrary.org.

How about an Easter Church service that's fun for the whole family? You’re invited to Easter at C3 San Diego - Food, pony rides, petting zoo, egg hunts, game truck, bounce houses, rides, the Easter bunny and more. Join them on March 31st at 10am for a phenomenal worship experience, impacting media, and live message. At the Carmel Valley Middle School, 3800 Mykonos Lane, San Diego CA 92130. For more information visit www.c3sandiego.com, or see their Easter Service Page.

There are two new restaurants opening in the area: Royal India has replaced the old Star of India in Piazza Carmel (Click here for the story, & click here for the restaurant website), and Snooze Del Mar will be replacing the iHop in the Town Center (Click here for the story, restaurant website not yet available.) You'll know Royal India from their downtown location, and Snooze has another branch in Hillcrest.

The CV Planning Board will hear more information on the proposed One Paseo development this Thursday, March 28, 2013 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at the Ocean Air Elementary School, 11444 Canter Heights Drive, San Diego, CA 92130 (NOTE: Special time AND location!) This meeting will focus exclusively on traffic impacts.

The CV Planning Board Election will be held at the CV Library on March 28, 2013 from 5:00 to 5:30 PM (on the Patio of the Library, located at 3919 Townsgate Dr., San Diego, CA.) The only contested seat is the Neighborhood 5 seat, where Resident Elissa Krasenbaum is challenging the Incumbent Debbie Lokanc. Here is a Neighborhood 5 map:

Where the boundaries are Carmel Creek Road, Carmel Country Road, and SR-56 (the area around Carmel Del Mar Elementary School.) Only residents of a neighborhood may vote for the neighborhood candidate. An individual voting for a Neighborhood candidate will be required to show proof of residency in that Neighborhood (driver's licence, utility bill, etc.)

There are other seats up for election, but none are contested. Note that an individual voting for a Business or Investor candidate will be required to show written permission from the local business or property owner to act as their designee. A business owner or investor must also show proof of business activity or ownership of property with the Carmel Valley Planning Area.

The Carmel Valley Recreation Center Spring Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 30 2013, from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Bring your basket and a smile! The hunt is organized by age groups: 9:30am – Ages 0-2; 9:45am – Ages 3-4; 10:00am – Ages 5-6; 10:15am – Ages 7-8; and 10:30am – Ages 9 and up. At the Carmel Valley Recreation Center, 3777 Townsgate Drive.

The 2013 Spring Program for the Carmel Valley Recreation Center is now available, complete with online program registration details. Register Online at the SD City Online Registration Portal (www.SDRecConnect.com). Registration instructions are in the brochure at the top of page 8, with class registration already underway. Note that online registration requires you to create an online account. If you have questions, or if you'd rather deal with a person, you can also register in-person at the CV Rec Center. For additional information, read the brochure or call the Rec Center at 858-552-1616.

Download the new 2013 Ocean Air Recreation Center Spring Program Brochure and check out all the activities available at the Ocean Air location. Program registration underway now. See the program for complete program and registration information.

The Torrey Hills Spring Egg Hunt is on Saturday March 30, 2013, 9-12PM, at the Torrey Hills Community Park (4262 Calle Mejillones).  There will be Bounce Houses, Music, Face Paint, Games, and Activities! The Egg Hunt Times are: 0-2yrs at 9:30AM; 3-5yrs at 9:40AM; 6-8yrs at 9:50AM; 9 & up at 10AM. There will also be a Scavenger Hunt for kids ages 10 & UP. PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME AND BRING YOUR OWN BASKET. This Free Event is sponsored by the Ocean Air Recreation Council and the Torrey Hills HOA. See the Torrey Hills Egg Hunt Flyer for details.

March's free family music program will be presented on Wednesday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the library's community room. It will feature mandolinist Chris Acquavella, harpsichordist Ruben Valenzuela, and soprano Anne-Marie Dicce in music by Beethoven, Scarlatti, Mozart, and Kioulaphides. A second March concert will be presented on Saturday, March 30 at 12:30 p.m. in the library's community room. It will feature several talented students of California Institute of Music (CIM) Professors Michael and Irina Tseitlin. They include violinists Nathan Gendler, Harold Reeves, Annelle Gregory, Jasmine Wang, Kalvin Hibi, Hailey Schricker, and Shirley Wu, cellists Paul Maxwell and Megan Wu, and pianists Shirley Wu and Stephen Ai. They will play music by Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski, Shostakovich, Kreisler, J S Bach, Vieuxtemps, and Ravel. The Library is located at 3919 Townsgate Drive in Carmel Valley. For further information call (858) 552-1668. For more information, see the CV Library Music Page, call the CV Library at (858) 552-1668 or see the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library website at www.carmelvalleylibrary.org.

It looks like some of the Canyon Crest Academy (CCA) teachers are offering a Digital Art Workshop for Adults! The class is on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 5:30 PM. From the Facebook Events Page: "Did you ever wish you could learn what your kids are learning at school? Here is the chance to get some high tech training in the arts by talented CCA teachers, Julie Rais and Rachel Edwards. For just $30, they will help unlock the mysteries of digital art. Contact rachel.edwards@sduhsd.net for more information and to sign up." The workshop will be at 5951 Village Center Loop Road, San Diego, 92130

The Envision Theater program at Canyon Crest Academy (CCA) is proud to present two different performances this month: the laugh-out-loud musical "Avenue Q" that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad who moves into a shabby New York apartment, and "Eurydice", a new take on "the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice through the eyes of its heroine as she journeys to the underworld and struggles to retain her memories of her lost love." Avenue Q performances are on March 21-23 and March 28-30. Eurydice performances are on March 28-29 and April 5-6. For tickets, see the CCA Envision Tickets Page.

I've heard that the Carmel Valley Farmers Market is coming back with a new operator, starting Feb 28, 2013! The location is still the same, out at the east end of Del Mar Heights Road in the Canyon Crest Academy (CCA) parking lot (5951 Village Center Loop Road), with the marketing opening at 3:30 pm. And the proceeds will still benefit the CCA Foundation, so you'll continue to help fund programs while you shop. There are rumors of live music and a different selection of vendors... More information coming soon, I assume there will be a new website, facebook page, etc.

The Friends of the Carmel Valley Library will hold a Bargain Book Sale on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 from 12:30 – 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will go to buy new materials for the library and to pay for children's programs, art and music programs. The book sale will take place in the Community Room of the Library. Come and FILL A BAG WITH BOOKS FOR ONLY $2.00 at this bargain book sale and support the Carmel Valley Branch Library.

There will be a FREE workshop for the JFS "On the Go 101" program at the Carmel Valley Library, 3919 Townsgate Dr., on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 from 6:30 – 7:30pm. The program provides rides for seniors. Can you imagine how it feels when you need to get somewhere but can’t because you no longer drive? Many older adults live with the loss of independence every day. Without transportation, simple things such as medical appointments, grocery shopping or a lunch date become major life challenges. You can make a difference! Become a part of On the Go’s transportation solution by joining our Rides & Smiles® Program as a Volunteer Driver.

Benefits of Volunteering: Volunteers choose who, when and where they drive, using our convenient web-based scheduling system; Mileage reimbursement; Secondary auto insurance; and Knowing you made a difference in the quality of life of an older adult!

You do not need to be Jewish to receive services nor to become a volunteer. Join us at this fun and informative workshop and learn how easy it is to become a volunteer driver for On the Go! FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Katey Pianko 858-637-7330, or see www.jfssd.org/onthego

UPDATE: Meeting rescheduled to March 5... The City of San Diego will hold a Community Information meeting for the planned Pacific Highlands Ranch (PHR) park, "Gonzales Canyon Neighborhood Park", on February 5, 2013 at 7:00 PM at the Carmel Valley Recreation Center (3777 Townsgate Drive, San Diego, CA, 92130.) A document describing the meeting is available here (20130205_phr_park.pdf). The park is located to the east of Carmel Valley, off Carmel Valley Road and adjacent to the new Solana Beach Elementary school site in PHR. The site is adjacent to the trail that runs through Gonzales Canyon. Preliminary diagrams illustrating potential uses and amenities within the park will be presented to guide the discussion. Additional information is available from project manager Mark Calleran, 619-533-5197, mcalleran@sandiego.gov. Update 2: Here's a map of the park site for PHR Gonzalez Canyon Park and the adjoining school.

February's free family music program sponsored by the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s community room. It will Feature violinist Michael Dvoskin accompanied by pianist Irina Bessonova performing works by Dvorak, Beethoven, Brahms, Sarasate, Prokofiev, Bartok, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky. The program will last 45 minutes. Additionally, a special free family music program will be presented on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s community room. It will feature pianist Shuntaro Sugie performing keyboard works of J.S. Bach, to include the French Suite No. 5, Toccata in C minor, and English Suite No. 5. The program will last 45 minutes. The Library is located at 3919 Townsgate Drive in Carmel Valley. For further information call (858) 552-1668. For more information, see the CV Library Music Page, call the CV Library at (858) 552-1668 or see the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library website at www.carmelvalleylibrary.org.

The CV Planning Board is holding a One Paseo hearing at the CCA Auditorium at 5951 Village Center Loop Road, San Diego, CA 92130 on Thursday January 24th at 7:00 PM. Note the special location, in a large theater to accomodate any crowds. Here's the AGENDA for the Jan 24 meeting. For the developer's information on the project, see OnePaseo.com. For a community group's opposition view, see WhatPriceMainStreet.com.