Recently there was an inquiry about the grave site of William F. Foster — who is believed to have been the first permanent resident in the village — and whether it could be located.

After being reminded that the North Torrey Pines Bridge is considered one of the worst in the state as far as its ability to withstand an earthquake, Del Mar council members voted unanimously to allow an exemption to the city’s noise ordinance permitting night and weekend construction for a seismic retrofit and rehabilitation.

With water and sewer rates due to expire in 10 months, City Council established a five-member ad hoc Utility Rate Advisory Committee at its Aug. 18 meeting.

The title of the Del Mar Chamber has been relegated to the city’ s historical files and the organization is now the San Diego Coastal Chamber of Commerce.

Area drug-prevention organizations and teenagers are seeking support from local cities after asking the 22nd District Agricultural Association board of directors for stricter enforcement of drug-use laws during concerts at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

With the first day of school just around the corner, a typical teenager would most likely be found surfing, swimming or simply doing nothing at all. But 15-year-old Charlie Reed spent the end of her summer vacation teaching about two dozen 5- to 10-year-olds how to sing, dance and act — all in the name of charity.

San Diego County Fair dates for next year were approved during the Aug. 12 board of directors meeting of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which sponsors the fair.

Recent announcement that the Escondido Jaycees has cancelled its Christmas parade after more than 50 years is a sad testament to the fact that once-vibrant Jaycees, a national organization with chapters throughout the country, are fading into history.

With a 4-1 vote at a special meeting Aug. 11, City Council approved an ordinance only slightly modified from one considered the previous week to place a measure on the November ballot allowing an increase in the transient occupancy tax, or TOT. The new ordinance includes a subsection in which council agrees to consider other fees before setting the TOT. If the measure passes, council will have the flexibility to raise the tax by an amount up to 13 percent, however, the increase is not automatic and not necessarily for the full 13 percent.

When a list of six proposed exceptional public benefits to be provided by Garden Del Mar was presented at the July 21 City Council meeting, almost no one was happy. Steering committee members who spent almost two years working on the project felt their requests were ignored. Council members had more questions than answers and ultimately took no action. The developers nearly walked away.

When Del Mar residents go to the polls Nov. 4, they will be asked to vote on the adoption of the Garden Del Mar specific plan as approved by City Council on Aug. 4.

As far as Jim Watkins is concerned, amending the municipal code to allow sidewalk cafes in downtown Del Mar is a move that’s long overdue.

In mid-May, when the city purchased a 5.3-acre lot from Del Mar Union School District, it did so with a $5 million down payment and $3.5 million promissory note due within a year.

Bocce ball contests are being held all over the place and growing in popularity.

Bobby Gooding, now retired and a resident of Encinitas, laughs with gusto when asked about the Terrace Rats Gang of which his son was a member.