Luxurious?

by: Andrew Davey (atdleft)

Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:57:05 AM PDT

Sometimes, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. A couple of days ago, I opened up OC Metro to discover a feature article about all the major coastal resorts banding together to "brand the waterfront" as the ultimate luxury destination. And of course while looking for the article, I had to see a full-page ad urging me to "wake up to the waves" and "rest to the setting of the sun" at "Brightwater in Huntington Beach", the new luxury housing development that sits just west of the other luxury housing development that sits atop what's supposed to be protected wetlands. But of course, all this OC coastal luxuriousness mustn't end there. I soon find a big ad telling me of all the decadently luxurious scenery awaiting me at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. No matter where I turn the page in OC Metro, I find all this fabulous luxury. Who would have known that I was living in the lap of luxury here in oh-so-fabulous Orange County?

But wait, does everyone really enjoy the "luxurious lifestyle" in The Land of the OC? Can we afford those new houses sitting dangerously close to protected wetlands? Can we even reach the beach amidst all this development? Can we afford to continue ignoring the dire need for affordable housing in the region? Oh yes, and what about the poor kids who want to go to the beach, but can't thanks to OCTA's refusal to meet the demands of bus drivers who themselves can hardly afford the high cost of living in Orange County?

Follow me after the flip to explore just how luxurious (or not) life really is...

Can Trestles Be Saved? OC History Gives Us a Good Clue

by: Andrew Davey (atdleft)

Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 11:55:15 AM PST

{This is Part 7 of my special report on the proposed extension of the 241 Toll Road to San Onofre State Beach (aka Trestles). If you'd like, you can find the other stories in the "Speeding Our Way to Trestles" series here. As the debate heats up over Trestles and the 241, I'd like to go in depth and examine all the issues involved... And I'd love for you to come along for the ride as we explore what can be done to relieve traffic in South Orange County AND Save Trestles Beach. Enjoy! : ) }

Now we know the true folly of trying to build a toll road to Trestles. It won't do anything to fix South County's traffic woes. It probably won't survive all the legal hurdles that it faces in court, and on the Coastal Commission. And really, the only thing that it is guaranteed to do is to destroy the entire ecosystem of San Onofre and Trestles beach.

However, is there anything we can do to stop TCA from pursuing total madness? What can we do to save Trestles forever, and stop all this crazy talk about this immoral AND impractical toll road?

Well, perhaps history can teach us a lesson. After all, this is not the first time that we in OC have fought over the future of our beaches. Follow me after the flip for a wild and wonderful history lesson (illustrated with plenty of fantastic beach pics!) in fighting over development and saving Orange County's coastal treasures.

A California Dream Comes True: Newport Beach Chips in to Save Crystal Cove

by: Andrew Davey (atdleft)

Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 11:02:39 AM PST

Join me after the flip for a little bit of history, and a full illustration of this coastal beauty that I'd like to share with you! : )