Carlsbad Art and Culture

Every two to four years the late Winter coastal breeze is filled with a putrid scent sucked up from the depths of the “stinky water” lagoon.

The long 20-inch-diameter black pipe, which begins at a dredging vessel floating in the lagoon’s outer basin transports accumulated sand out of the lagoon. The removal of this sand allows cool water from the lagoon to smoothly enter the internal cooling system of the Encina Power Station.

About 500,000 cubic yards of sand will be pulled from the bottom of the lagoon and placed onto Carlsbad beaches in three stages:

1. About half that sand will go to a stretch of the beach between the intake and outlet jetties just outside the lagoon.

2. The next phase will consist of depositing about one-fourth of the remaining sand south of the warm water jetty.

3. The final stage will consist of placing the remaining sand on the beach between Tamarack and Oak avenues.

The project is expected to be completed before the annual grunion run, which usually begins in mid-April.

A single idea is planted deep within the congested cracks of a beach side community. Virgin to the caresses of a waiting sun, it coiled, corkscrewed and clawed. It traveled through early brainstorms. It winced at rocky paths.  It gasped as it punched through the topsoil and onto its sunlit stage.

The idea grew strong through studied traditions, passions and public praise. The sky, smoothed like the belly of a wind blown dune, invited with limitless leaps. The idea continued its adventure skyward.

The sun bought stock and the seasonal rain dripped deep. A mane the color of crisp currency danced in the beach side breeze and meanderings branched off in new directions.

Then… the thought police arrived and muted the idea with a series of discouraging chops.

A pile of bark and leaves was all that remained, but under the warm mulch of this once steadfast muse— coils, corkscrews and claws the next great idea.

Carlsbad Village Doodle artist Bryan Snyder discusses the benefits of street art at Mira Costa College on Friday, November 14.

The panel discussion also included Surfing Madonna artist Mark Patterson and former Solana Beach mayor Teresa Barth. The event was moderated by L.I.F.E. (Learning Is For Everyone).

photo credit: Paint Encinitas

Attached to a flimsy roadside post, sprayed across a paint peeling fence or puffed across the Summer sky, the expression and beliefs of others filter through your peripherals in many mediums and from all angles.

The freedom of speech is one of our most important rights, but at what point does this right interfere with your safety… and the safety of those around you?

How is your attention targeted and does it present an unsafe distraction?