by John Pilch
The major event for October was the Annual Halloween Carnival on Friday, Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Events included a costume contest, bake walk, games, jumpers, a DJ and a laser tag set-up in the outdoor basketball court. We hope the 350-plus attendees had an enjoyable time. We presented families with a safe place to enjoy the Halloween festivities, an opportunity to win prizes and just have fun with other residents from our community. Many thanks to San Carlos Recreation Center Director Kristy Wells and her staff for planning and carrying out this super event. Thanks also to Sandi Calabough, Jay and Carole Wilson, and Greg Gross for helping me in the kitchen to keep the pizza moving to hungry attendees. Thanks also to our new Area Manager, Kelly Wood, for attending and helping as needed.
At the Sept. 16, San Carlos/Lake Murray Recreation Council meeting, the agenda included an application by T-Mobile for a Conditional Use Permit to install “two new 70-foot tall light standards, supporting antennas, and an above-ground equipment enclosure and park equipment storage room,” along the left-field fence line on the baseball field, east of the rec center. Lights are proposed to be installed atop the poles, to illuminate the playing field for flag football and soccer. We had a vocal audience at the meeting, who were mainly opposed to the cell towers, for a variety of reasons. Due to the lack of more specific information about the site and the lack of a Park and Recreation representative in attendance to answer specific questions about the site, the SC/LM Board did not take a formal position on the project. It now moves on to be heard by the Navajo Community Planners, Inc. They did not meet in November, so the telecom site will be on the NCPI agenda at their meeting on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, who will vote to recommend approval or oppose it. The synagogue is located on Tommy Drive, at the intersection with Cowles Mtn. Boulevard. See the front-page story in this issue of the paper for more information.
Winter Basketball for children ages 5-14, begins on Nov. 21 through Dec. 11 or until full. There will be five divisions, so boys and girls will play against children in their own age group. The fee is $50 and includes a jersey, awards, photo, a banquet and officials fees. Proof of age and a photo are due at the time of registration. Programs and leagues can fill up quickly, so we encourage patrons to register on time to ensure participation. More info is at sdrecconnect.com. You can also learn about the gymnastics, tumbling, pre-ballet, ballet, art and ceramics classes that are underway at the recreation center and for which fees are charged.
The new fee schedules, approved by the San Diego City Council, are posted on the city website: bit.ly/20S9tsK. Fees became effective on Sept. 8. Any permit or registration finalized in ActiveNet on or after Sept. 8 will be charged the new fees.
We hope you enjoy visiting the San Carlos Park and Recreation Center and the other parks in our community and take advantage of the available programs. If you have questions or need more information, please contact the rec center at 527-3443. Kristy Wells and her staff will be happy to assist. The San Carlos/Lake Murray Recreation Council meets on the third Wednesday of odd-numbered months at 6:30 p.m. at the San Carlos Recreation Center.
––John F. Pilch is Chairperson for the San Carlos/Lake Murray recreation Council. Write to him at [email protected].