The fun, inspiring of 2024
There were a host of individuals, people, groups and business who made 2024 a year for the books in North County
NORTH COUNTY — As we say goodbye to 2024, I want to share the final installment of this year’s recaps.
Here are some of my favorite and more fun stories I covered this year.
1. Ahoy matey!
Perhaps the most fun story I covered this year was the mysterious Haiku Pirate in Carlsbad. Thanks to a Reddit post, I was able to track down the pirate and write a story on the Pirate’s so-called “treasure hunts” across Carlsbad.
The only goal for the Pirate is to create fun. The third, and perhaps final, installment is ongoing now. But it was great to meet the Pirate to see the joy the Pirate gets from creating puzzles and code-breaking games for all to enjoy.
Check out the story here.
2. Darkness with a drink
This one was really intriguing as several former Encinitas residents have created a new interactive show and experience through cocktails and the legendary Edgar Allan Poe. The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy show brings actors together, who also mix and serve a specific drink to match the story and perform live some of Poe’s most famous works such as “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tell Heart” and others.
The creativity of the production and attempting to build a business around such a unique and niche idea is boldness defined. And it’s worked as the show has grown as there are multiple performances in three to four cities each week as audiences have taken a light to Poe’s dark and twisted world.
Read more.
3. ANA family affair
This one brought me back to my roots as a prep sports reporter and didn’t disappoint. Army and Navy Academy football coach Nehemiah Brunson and his son, Nehemiah Brunson Jr., savored their last season together before Junior heads off to play football at West Point next year.
The two have a tight bond and Junior said he only wanted to be coached by his father. Nehemiah Brunson, meanwhile, has turned ANA into a lower-division power and has sent multiple kids to Division I schools to play football. But the bond between a father and son is something special, and although the team fell short of its goals in the playoffs this year, the Brunsons had a season to remember. Check it out.
4. Bookworms on screen
The literary world was taken by storm by two authors this year — Renee Carlino of Carlsbad and Matthew Quirk of La Jolla. Carlino released her 12th book in July titled “This Used to Be Us,” and also celebrated her book, “Wish You Were Here,” which has been adapted into a feature film directed by Julia Stiles. The film hits theaters on Jan. 17, so be sure to support a local author.
Quirk, meanwhile, wrote “The Night Agent” and saw it adapted into a Netflix series and became one of the biggest hits in 2023. Quirk’s works center on spy thrillers, and he has found big success. Now, it’s on to season two of “The Night Agent,” which premieres on Jan. 23.
5. The next step
School counselors are overwhelmed and there is a gap in helping high school students transition to college, a trade school or join the workforce. Enter Lisa Stout and Project Next in San Marcos.
She is a former counselor, took over the nonprofit several years ago and has taken it to the next level. The program connects students with professionals across a variety of professions. Stout said one goal is to expose the students to as many different fields as possible and help support students to achieve their goals. Get caught up.
6. Come fly with me
About 150 kids clamored over airplanes, helicopters, flight simulators and more at the third annual Youth Aviation Day by the Palomar Airport Association at McClellan-Palomar Airport. The kids were buzzing for hours, climbed in cockpits and felt like real pilots.
They also learned about avionics, the mechanics of aircraft and more. The event was so popular the PAA said the list for 2025 is nearly 1,000 kids. In 2025, they’re gonna need a bigger plane.
7. Midwest blend
This was another favorite of mine as two coffee lovers came together to create a blend celebrating their Midwestern roots.
of fame (check out his Substack!) and Bryant Banker-Scannell met several years ago and formed a fast friendship.Woldt was born and raised in Wisconsin before moving to Carlsbad, while Banker-Scannell still resides in Minneapolis. The two, though, threw caution into the wind and came up with Yeah, no … Yeah, which blends Ethiopian and Colombian beans to bring out some delicious flavors. A fun read over a hot cup of joe!
8. Feeding kids
Lunch at the Library has been a staple at the city of Oceanside libraries since 2017 and provides much-needed relief to kids and their families facing food insecurity. The program bridges gaps for those in need and has doubled in size since 2023.
The program’s roots began as a quest to help kids over the summer when school is in recess. They’ve partnered with several other organizations to help expand coverage, meals, access and more. A tip of the hat to the librarians, city staff and other volunteers who have filled critical needs for those kids. Read all about it.
9. Bag it
For years Farzan and Jennifer Dehmoubed knew they wanted to make a difference. In 2016, the state banned single-use plastic bags, and their passion became a reality. The couple founded Lotus Sustainables to address eliminating single-use plastic bags.
They operate from home and have steadily grown as a national player. The company, though, almost didn’t survive the pandemic when the state banned reusable bags. Stll, the Dehmoubeds gambled on themselves and their mission and are now reaping the rewards for a more sustainable future. See Lotus grow.
10. Attention holiday shoppers
I ran a series during the week of Thanksgiving allowing me to help cheerlead North County small businesses. I approached the Carlsbad Village Association, Del Mar Village, several Encinitas Main Street organizations, Escondido Downtown Business Association, Downtown Vista, the San Marcos and Oceanside chambers of commerce, the San Diego North Economic Development Council and others to run features on Small Business Saturday.
The SDNEDC piece focused on the macro and how a majority of money spent in North County by shoppers stays in their respective cities or North County. It was followed by a Small Business Saturday guide for shoppers showcasing all the events and deals across the region and a piece by Scott Ashton of the Oceanside chamber for Giving Tuesday and how the Rising Star program delivers scholarships for local students.
I appreciate all those who helped and took time so we could highlight as much as we could and help direct holiday shoppers to local businesses.
Honorable mention
Sublime sobriety
A festival celebrating sobriety and the legacy of legendary Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell.
Escondido’s renaissance
How the city and Downtown Business Association have rejuvenated Grand Avenue.
Overcoming tragedy
A widow and widower overcome tragedy to find each other and new leases on life.
The Far East
My column on traveling to Japan and experiencing a wonderful country.
A peek into 2025
A lot of stories are still in play going into 2024, notably the American Airlines lease, battery storage regulations, traffic in Encinitas and the big one, development. Housing development or redevelopment projects are always a lightning rod, especially as the grip from the state tightens around the necks of cities and counties.
Additionally, gas prices will be another massive subject as those are expected to rise significantly thanks to recent action by the legislature and California Air Resources Board. Also, who will replace Nora Vargas on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, how will some cities use their newfound tax revenue and many others will be in play.
But for now, have a safe and Happy New Year!
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