When Jacqueline Prairie started the nonprofit organization GAIO in 2008, she worked out of the Cardiff Library. It turned out to be a fitting location, as GAIO is spearheading the Akwatia Project, the building of a library and performing arts center in eastern Ghana using renewable materials. The facility would serve about 20,000 children while advancing GAIO’s mission to promote education and cultural development. While Prairie has a passion for the African region, she also loves several things about life in Encinitas.
Favorite meal at a local restaurant: Everything at Trattoria i Trulli (was just there last night!)
Last purchase made in Encinitas: Sunglasses at
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Ideal Encinitas day: Run on the beach, coffee and breakfast croissant (substitute for breakfast bagel!) and hangin’ out at in Leucadia, on Sundays, lunch at Le Papagayo with friends, a stroll along Encinitas’ downtown and the gardens, dinner and a glass of wine at the bar area of i Trulli and then a quick drive home!
Favorite civic organizations: Libraries — both Cardiff and Encinitas.
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Favorite local business: , Zensei, i Trulli, , Le Papagayo, Azul Jewelry, , , Calypso, El Callejon, RIDE Cyclery–Encinitas, , , the , and the list goes on.
Favorite Encinitas event: Leucadia ArtWalk. It is so much fun to meet the local merchants and discover new art and businesses.
Best thing about living in Encinitas: The 'small-beach-town' feel, with so many diverse merchants/ restaurants and amazing fellow residents.
The one thing you’d like to change about the city: Flat access to the beach for those of us living on 'the other side' of the 5!
A place in Encinitas more locals should visit: Shop local! Let’s keep our great merchants in business by supporting them.
How would you dress up the 'Cardiff Kook': A hard question, as all the costumes have been amazing! Would suggest (but likely already done!) dressing the Cardiff Kook as a dolphin. I just saw one beached on the sand, so this would bring awareness that we share the beach / water with fish and mammals, too. Please respect the environment as much as you can.
Best place in the city to watch the sunset: Our own back yard!
For more information about Prairie's work, please visit gaioworld.org.
