Carmel Valley now and then 2008

2008 was a dramatic year for DMUSD. In February, the board bought out 10-year Superintendent Tom Bishop’s contract. Bishop’s departure led to some mixed emotions with district employees and parents. Trustee Linda Crawford’s emotions were not mixed. She resigned from her post after Bishop’s ouster, ending her 11-year term. Candidates were then scouted in a nationwide search, eventually finding new Superintendent Sharon McClain.

• A revision of Flower Hill Promenade’s expansion plans reveal the UltraStar Cinema will be replaced with a Whole Foods Market.
• Canyon Crest Academy graduates its first senior class in June. In October, they celebrated their first homecoming and their new mascot, Rupert the Raven, was unleashed.
• The Pacific Highlands Ranch Station 47 opened for service.
• The Hilton Garden Inn in Torrey Hills opened nine months after a fire completely destroyed the Inn while it was under construction.
• Torrey Corner opens on East Ocean Air Drive and Carmel Mountain Road, the site of the controversial Chevron station. Zip Fusion Sushi, Love to Dance and Bank of America are among the tenants.
• Ocean Air Community Park held a groundbreaking ceremony with hundreds of neighbors in attendance.
• PHR Town Center plan was finally approved by the planning board after months of review. The project, at the empty lot on Carmel Valley Road and Village Center Loop Road, will feature 286 residential units along with a boutique grocery store, shops, office space, restaurants and a movie theater. The board estimated a 2013 opening.
• Cathedral Catholic football team made its first appearance in the State Championship, claiming the Div. II title 37-34. Standout running back Tyler Gaffney set a state bowl record, rushing for 339 yards and five touchdowns on 33 carries. He now plays for Stanford.