This Thursday, Aug. 20, will be the 11th annual Classic Cars Cruise night in Encinitas, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., between D Street and K Street. Bring your classic cars of all decades, or simply come for a fun and interesting evening of looking. There will be live music and some special cars to see, including an electric car and a car that runs on vegetable oil. There will also be awards for the best car in various categories. There is no charge for viewing or showing a car.

For more information: contact Downtown Encinitas Merchant Assoc. at (760) 943-1950.

Quail Botanic Gardens in Encinitas is changing its name to San Diego Botanic Garden. The President and CEO announced this change saying, “We believe the garden has proven its worth as a leading San Diego regional attraction….We believe the name San Diego Botanic Garden will better reflect our mission, which is to inspire people of all ages to connect with plants and nature.”

The name change will be formally announced at the organization’s 10th anniversary gala on Sept. 12th.  The gala will feature some of the top San Diego floral designer. There will also be food from 25 local restaurants, dancing, and a silent auction.

Come and celebrate the anniversary of this great Encinitas institution!

The North County Times reports on Thurs., Aug. 6th that Marshall Weinreb has been named new CEO of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce which has its headquarters at 859 Second St. in Encinitas.

Over the past few years, the Chamber has suffered from divisiveness and a lack of accountability. Weinreb pledges to restore that accountability and integrity. The Chamber receives between $80,000 – $90,000 each year to operate its Visitor Center.

Recently, the Chamber has been in much turmoil. The former CEO left in February, citing differences with the board of directors. One of the former members of the board of directors has launched a competing group called the New Encinitas Chamber of Commerce. Weinreb calls this strategy a use of divisive tactics.

Weinreb said that his priorities include creating more networking opportunities for members and to make successes out of Chamber-sponsored events such as Oktoberfest on October 20th.

Weinreb has met with Encinitas mayor, Maggie Houlihan, and Houlihan says she welcomes his spirit of cooperation. Together, they are planning a free medical lecture series on common cancers at the Encinitas Community Library.

Weinreb is applying basic principles and management practices to the running of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and hopes to restore faith from the community and from its members. Please visit the Encinitas Chamber on 2nd Street and learn more about living  in this community.

This summer, Quail Botanical Garden in Encinitas unveiled its brand new Hamilton Children’s Garden. It’s a one-acre play space that allows kids to experience nature in fun and creative ways.

The big attraction is the tree house where kids can climb and see the Garden from above. Besides the tree house, the Children’s Garden is divided into themed sections including art, music, and the senses.

The tree house is more than 20 feet high. It’s a mixture of plants and manmade materials, and kids can crawl around in the roots or go to the top. The top of the tree house offers a view of the entire children’s garden, which is one of the largest on the West Coast. To get the best view, kids can climb a rope ladder up to the crow’s nest.

For other fun, kids can kick off their shoes and walk in a stream, play a game of giant tic tac toe, use their shadow to tell time in the Sundial Garden, or make music in the Garden Rhythms section on gourds, bamboo chimes, or a rock xylophone.

Come visit the Children’s Garden and find out one more reason why as a home buyer, you should consider Encinitas.

If you are looking for a new farmers market in Encinitas, look no further than the one at Flora Vista Elementary School at 1690 Wandering Road in Encinitas. Every Sunday from 2-5, you will find fresh food from local growers as well as local entertainment.

This new market serves inland Encinitas, Olivenhain which is part of Encinitas, and La Costa which is part of Carlsbad where there aren’t any other Farmer’s Markets.

The vendors here include Certified Locally Grown Farmers with produce, flowers, and plants; craft vendors displaying hand designs and imports; food vendors serving hot, homemade, and delicious internation foods; and local business and community information including non-profit services and school groups.  There is also entertainment such as balloons, face painting, music and an air jump. Proceeds from the entertainment benefit Flora Vista’s PTA.

If you are a buyer interested in buying real estate in Encinitas, come and visit this new Farmer’s Market located in a great family neighborhood of Encinitas. Encinitas is known for its very high-quality school system, and this is a change to sample it.

The 5th annual LeucadiaART Walk will be presented by the Leucadia 101 Main Street Association from 10:00 – 5:00 on Sunday, August 30th. Leucadia, at the north end of Encinitas, is known for its laid-back, eclectic beach town ambiance, and this event will showcase both local artists and Leucadia art galleries.

In addition there will be art demos, live entertainment, children’s activities, and much more. Participants can pick up walking maps which will list participating galleries and entertainment locations. There will also be a free shuttle service along Highway 101 for the public to use. People who come may park at the Encinitas Civic Center and Coaster Station parking lots, both located on Vulcan at D Street. A shuttle bus stop will be located there.

The Leucadia Highway 101 Main Street Association is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2003 and is dedicated to the historic preservation and revitalization of  the North Highway 101 corridor.

If you are thinking of buying real estate in Encinitas, come to the art walk and experience the small-town feeling and energy of Encinitas and Leucadia. While you’re looking at the art, you can shop in the local shops and eat in the many ethnic restaurants along Highway 101. It’s an experience not to be missed.