Since the November and December editions of the Carlsbad Business Journal are combined in this issue, and my term as chairman ends at the end of the year, this is my last Kudos column.
I just want to say that it's been great spotlighting all of the positive accomplishments that our members have reached during my two-year tenure. When you pick up the next issue, in January of 2014, you'll get to hear from John Osborne, director of external affairs of AT&T, who will step up to be the chairman of the board. I look forward to hearing from him!
This column has always been about focusing on the positive things that our chamber members are doing. I've always said that what I want to do is shine the spotlight on others.
With this being the last of my columns, however, I'd like to take the opportunity to shine the spotlight on a project that is very dear to me, one that I've been working on for nearly 13 years: putting up a welcome sign in Carlsbad, one that will add to all of the great landmarks that our beloved community already has.
With this being the 90th anniversary of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, I think the time is right to pursue this project, a meaningful one that will have a lasting effect on the City of Carlsbad for years to come.
Recently, I brought my vision to the board of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and they've agreed to take it on as a project. The Chamber has submitted the plans to the City of Carlsbad for its consideration. In the months ahead, this proposal will make its way through the city's official process, and I hope that it has your support.
I've always said Carlsbad would benefit from a world-class welcome sign, and I've been working hard to make that a reality.
In 1938, this Chamber (which briefly changed its name to the Carlsbad Community Improvement Club) was getting over the effects of the Great Depression and some members got together to put up a sign along U.S. Route 101 on the southern part of town. This lighted sign, which could be seen for miles around, was located near the site where this proposal is, near the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Carlsbad Village Drive.
My vision for this new project is for a design that pays tribute to that project and its classy vibe and updates it with a playful design that will add to the sign's appeal.
I'm good friends with noted sealife artist Wyland, I sit on the board of his foundation, and I approached him about creating a 5-foot porthole casting of a dolphin that will be on the top of the sign, lifted by the letters in the world "Carlsbad." Wyland has agreed to let us use the design, which I've named Darlene after Wyland's mother.
Wyland is well known for his love of marine life, his lifelike depictions of whales, dolphins, stingrays and other magnificent creatures. I know that Carlsbad, with its proximity to the great Pacific Ocean, has a strong interest in the sea and in environmental conservation. All of these combined interests make Wyland's art a perfect symbol for our community.
Thinking about the future, I've seen children, including my own grandchildren, react to Darlene very positively, and I can tell you know that this is a very powerful image.
My hope is that the sign one day becomes an icon of Carlsbad.
I can picture it on postcards, on family vacation photos from those who come and visit our lovely city every year! I can picture our youngest of visitors begging their parents to stop and take a photo with Darlene, and Wyland aficionados coming to the area, the way that his most well-known series of whale murals drew fans from all over to the places where they were painted.
It will be a distinguishing landmark of our city, broadcast on TV whenever nationally-televised events take place in Carlsbad. When history books are written about our city, the sign might be prominently displayed!
It takes a lot of people to bring this to reality, so I want to give KUDOS to all of those who have helped with this endeavor. KUDOS to Mark King and Taylormade Golf Co. for its grant, which is paying for the construction and design of this sign. KUDOS to Mike Howe's of Howes, Wieler & Associates, who is helping us ferry this project through the permiting process with the City. KUDOS for the Chamber staff for the hours that they've put into this process, and KUDOS to the Chamber board for helping me accomplish this 13-year dream. It has been a pleasure to serve as the Board Chairman for the past two years.
I just want to say that it's been great spotlighting all of the positive accomplishments that our members have reached during my two-year tenure. When you pick up the next issue, in January of 2014, you'll get to hear from John Osborne, director of external affairs of AT&T, who will step up to be the chairman of the board. I look forward to hearing from him!
This column has always been about focusing on the positive things that our chamber members are doing. I've always said that what I want to do is shine the spotlight on others.
With this being the last of my columns, however, I'd like to take the opportunity to shine the spotlight on a project that is very dear to me, one that I've been working on for nearly 13 years: putting up a welcome sign in Carlsbad, one that will add to all of the great landmarks that our beloved community already has.
With this being the 90th anniversary of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, I think the time is right to pursue this project, a meaningful one that will have a lasting effect on the City of Carlsbad for years to come.
Recently, I brought my vision to the board of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and they've agreed to take it on as a project. The Chamber has submitted the plans to the City of Carlsbad for its consideration. In the months ahead, this proposal will make its way through the city's official process, and I hope that it has your support.
I've always said Carlsbad would benefit from a world-class welcome sign, and I've been working hard to make that a reality.
In 1938, this Chamber (which briefly changed its name to the Carlsbad Community Improvement Club) was getting over the effects of the Great Depression and some members got together to put up a sign along U.S. Route 101 on the southern part of town. This lighted sign, which could be seen for miles around, was located near the site where this proposal is, near the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Carlsbad Village Drive.
My vision for this new project is for a design that pays tribute to that project and its classy vibe and updates it with a playful design that will add to the sign's appeal.
I'm good friends with noted sealife artist Wyland, I sit on the board of his foundation, and I approached him about creating a 5-foot porthole casting of a dolphin that will be on the top of the sign, lifted by the letters in the world "Carlsbad." Wyland has agreed to let us use the design, which I've named Darlene after Wyland's mother.
Wyland is well known for his love of marine life, his lifelike depictions of whales, dolphins, stingrays and other magnificent creatures. I know that Carlsbad, with its proximity to the great Pacific Ocean, has a strong interest in the sea and in environmental conservation. All of these combined interests make Wyland's art a perfect symbol for our community.
Thinking about the future, I've seen children, including my own grandchildren, react to Darlene very positively, and I can tell you know that this is a very powerful image.
My hope is that the sign one day becomes an icon of Carlsbad.
I can picture it on postcards, on family vacation photos from those who come and visit our lovely city every year! I can picture our youngest of visitors begging their parents to stop and take a photo with Darlene, and Wyland aficionados coming to the area, the way that his most well-known series of whale murals drew fans from all over to the places where they were painted.
It will be a distinguishing landmark of our city, broadcast on TV whenever nationally-televised events take place in Carlsbad. When history books are written about our city, the sign might be prominently displayed!
It takes a lot of people to bring this to reality, so I want to give KUDOS to all of those who have helped with this endeavor. KUDOS to Mark King and Taylormade Golf Co. for its grant, which is paying for the construction and design of this sign. KUDOS to Mike Howe's of Howes, Wieler & Associates, who is helping us ferry this project through the permiting process with the City. KUDOS for the Chamber staff for the hours that they've put into this process, and KUDOS to the Chamber board for helping me accomplish this 13-year dream. It has been a pleasure to serve as the Board Chairman for the past two years.