Have Fun, Make a Difference-- Jump, Jive...and Wail.. Event to Benefit Make A Wish

The Make A Wish 3c Committee is proudly producing an event on October 7 to help make their goal of granting 3 wishes this year possible. The event will take place at downtown's newly re-opened Lucky D's Bar and Grill and have a "Rock n' Roll" vibe. Tickets are $20 and include drinks and food offerings, chance to hear Lucky home DJ spin, a raffle ticket, and the opportunity to network with young professionals. Most importantly, your attendance will raise funds and awareness for Make A Wish Foundation. The committee will donate all proceeds and sponsorships to their cause of granting 3 wishes.




Follow them on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-A-Wish-Foundation-of-San-Diego/77158484245

Follow them on twitter: http://twitter.com/wishsandiego

For sponsorship opportunities contact: Tori Watson twatson@wishsandiego.org

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San Diego Bay Fair: Celebrate the End of Summer

This weekend, September 18-20, Mission Bay will be hosting the largest annual family festival and sports competition  San Diego Bay Fair--San Diego boat racing and family beach festival celebrating the end of summer. The Bay Fair has been celebrating for over 40 years now and invites to over 23 individual racing classes and over 150 high competition teams. Due to the amazing weather and great race course conditions, visitors are able to see boats racing at speeds over 225 mph. The festival does not just have boat racing, there is a family festival, live entertainment, vendors, great food and beer gardens, fireworks, kid’s fun zone and other family activities. The San Day Bay Fair expects to see over 150,000 visitors over the 3 days.

For more information visit:

• San Diego Bay Fair website
• San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Spend a Night with Frank Bruni

Tonight at 7pm, New York Times food critic, Frank Bruni is joining us for a book talk, signing, and reception. Frank Bruni is a famous journalist and restaurant critic for the New York Times and has an extensive background. His recent release of Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater discusses his path of his journalistic career and his long time battle with being an overeater. His book is said to be humorous and interesting because he reveals the dark side of being a food lover.
Do not miss your chance to hear about Frank Bruni’s personal story and more about his new book.
Doors open at 6:30. It is held at the Auditorium of The Neurosciences Institute10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92122

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New San Diego Resource: San Diego Wiki

Discoversd.com has been the leading resource to find out things about San Diego. They have recently created a new resource called the San Diego Wiki. Much like Wikipedia, the San Diego Wiki allows people to have a local resource to everything you need to know about San Diego as well as provide interactive tools that allow the users to keep the website updated. There is a plethora of information on anything you would like to find out about San Diego. There is a lot of information to sift through here, but if you know what you are looking for, this is a great resource to have.

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Get Your Drink On at the San Diego Festival of Beer

Coming this weekend--Friday, September 18-- is the San Diego Festival of Beer, brought to you by the San Diego Professionals Against Cancer. Expecting over 6000 visitors this year, the San Diego Beer Festival will take place at Columbia and B from 6pm to 11pm. For only $30 a ticket, you will get ten (4oz.) beer tastings and live music, with the option of buying food and wine. There will be 120 microbrews from 60 breweries. Definitely an event you do not want to miss!

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This Week in San Diego: Things to Do

Check out the cool events San Diego is giving us this week...


September 10

• 7pm San Diego Music Awards: MUST-SEE. This awesome show is going to feature performers such as big name Slighty Stoopid, as well as lesser known artists like Anya Maria. Not only do you get a great show, but all proceeds go to benefit the Taylor Guitars in Schools Foundation, which provides children with a guitar and teaches them the skills to play it while they are in elementary school.
• 4pm-8pm Wine, Women & Shoes: This charitable event designed to benefit women's diagnostic imaging equipment and technology at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, focuses on "fashion, fun, and friendship." Wine, food, raffles, shoes, and chefs will all be present at this fabulous event.

September 11

• 6:30am-4pm 8th Annual MS Challenge Walk (3-Day Event) 
• 9am-5pm San Diego Senior Olympics (14-Day Event)
• 3:30pm-7pm Freedom Walk Marking the 8th year anniversary of the events that happened on September 11th, the Freedom Walk aims at recognizing those who were victim on this day and those who have fought for our freedom. Come out to Balboa Park and support!
  

September 12

• 9am-3pm Old Town Saturday Market (Every Saturday)
• 9am-1:30pm Little Italy Mercato - A City Market (Every Saturday)
• 9am-1pm City Heights Farmer's Market (Every Saturday)
• 9:30am-3pm Barrio Marketplace (Every Saturady)
• 10am-4pm Art Mart (2nd & 4th Saturday & Sunday Each Month) (2-Day Event) Check out local artists displaying their work in Balboa Park

September 13

• 9am-6pm 19th Annual Paddle For Clean Water (Festival)
• 9am-2pm Hillcrest Farmer's Market and Open Air Bazaar (Every Sunday)
• Restaurant Week Starts
  
  

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ArtWalk on the Bay

One of the finest art festivals in San Diego, the ArtWalk on the Bay. It takes place on the Embarcadero Marina Park North on September 12 & 13 and features a variety of art including paintings, sculptures, glass work, jewelry, and more. The aim is to let people interact with artists and be able to see and purchase original pieces of art. The festival includes more than 100 artists, live music on two stages, kids activities, and wine tasting with the beautiful view of the San Diego Bay.

The Festival is proud to present that this year they are offering a Bayside Lounge featuring signature drinks for those who are 21 and up. Personally, I think the coolest thing about the Bayside Lounge is that part of their proceeds are going to ArtReach, which is an art program aimed at San Diego County K-6 students. ArtReach is also helping put on the KidsWalk, which features numerous interactive art activities.

This art festival is a must-see for locals and visitors.

Links

• ArtWalk on the Bay Website
  

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Different Personalities of the San Diego Beaches

When wondering what beaches you should head to in San Diego, keep in mind each beach has a different personality and different things to offer. Below is a little guide to which of one of San Diego's best beaches will best suit your needs.

• Ocean Beach: Low key, eclectic, hippie, dog beach, "little town feel." OB is popular for its unique stores and laid back personality. Home to the famous Hodad's (see my earlier post). This beach is definitely more of a locals spot because it is a little but further travel for tourists. Many of the local surfers and residents at the nearby hostel makes it feel like everyone here knows each other. However, it is definitely not as clean as some of the other beaches in SD.
  
• Pacific Beach: The younger crowd's favorite hangout. PB has the most popular bar scene than any of the other San Diego beaches. It is a very popular party spot for many of the college students and young professionals. PB is also known to have great, and usually cheap, shopping. The beach is popular with the surfers. Parking is usually tough since PB is such a happening spot.
  
• Mission Bay: Perfect for a picnic or family gathering with beautiful sights. There are miles of sand and grass available to play and enjoy the Bay. This should not be the spot you choose to swim and surf. The water is definitely more stagnant than ocean water since it is the bay. You will find children splashing in the Bay, but if swimming is what you want to do, don't pick the Bay.
  
• Mission Beach: Definitely a tourist hot spot. There is a boardwalk to stroll along, miles of beach, tourist along with unique shops, and of course home to Belmont Park. Belmont Park is an amusement park with typical attractions and most famously their wooden roller coaster, the Giant Dipper. Mission Beach offers many things to do and a beautiful beach to enjoy. Some say this beach is the closet thing to something you would see on the East Coast.
  
• La Jolla: Probably one of the most gorgeous places in San Diego. This is a very upscale and affluent city but also home to the most beautiful beaches. Whether you go to the Cove, the Cliffs (see earlier post), or the Shores, the sights will be amazing. La Jolla Shores is known to be a romantic spot and the Cove has tidepools and caves to explore. Windansea is close by and known as one of the best surfing beaches in San Diego. And if you are in the mood for a nude beach, try out Black's.
  
• Coronado: Perfect for a weekend getaway. Coronado is a fantastic island full of restaurants, shops, and upscale hotels--like the Hotel Del. The beaches are perfect for everyone with their calm waves and clean sand. Coronado is known as one of America's finest beaches.  This is definitely a beach to make a day out of.
  

Links

• For more information on San Diego's Best Beaches
  

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Who's In For San Diego Restaurant Week 2009?

All of San Diego is gearing up for San Diego Restaurant Week. After participating in, (and being quite pleased with), the Taste of Gaslamp, I am sure Restaurant Week will be amazing. For those of you who do not know, San Diego Restaurant Week features 180 local restaurants offering 3-course meals for only $20, $30, or $40 per person (price depends on the restaurant). Unlike the Taste of Gaslamp, this is not just a food sampling event, but rather a sit down meal at the restaurant of your choice. San Diego Restaurant Week is going on it's 5th year in hopes of continuing to display San Diego as a "premier dining destination." There is no need for tickets for the Week however, reservations are highly recommended.


So you must be thinking to yourself, is $40 really worth it? If you know some of the restaurants participating, you would think otherwise. Getting a 3-course meal at the best restaurants for that price is beyond reasonable. So now is your time to try that restaurant you have been curious about.


Other than my experience with Taste of Gaslamp or dinners out, I have not explored all these restaurants as much as I would have liked. But that is what Restaurant Week is for, right? Based on past experiences and what I have been hearing, these are the places to try:

• One of my favorites in downtown, Dakota Grill, have yet to be disappointed. Love their Roasted Garlic Flat Bread for an appetizer. Their fish and steaks are excellent. I am more of a fish lover but when I tried their steak I was very happy with it. Creme Brulee is a great choice for dessert.
• NINE-TEN. Now I have only eaten here for breakfast but they had phenomenal eggs benedict, (which I might add, I am extremely picky about). I have heard they have great dinner menus as well so this would be a great place to try out
• Trattoria Acqua was a recommendation when I was staying at the Grand Colonial Hotel in La Jolla and I could not have been more pleased with their suggestion. I had an amazing dish of ravioli here and am looking forward to what they crank out during Restaurant Week.
• George's at the Cove definitely a well known restaurant in San Diego and another place I dont think you could go wrong.
• The Prado I have only gotten the chance to eat here for dinner once (several times for business mixer breakfasts), but it was fabulous. Their menu for Restaurant Week looks great and diverse. Another great thing about the Prado is its location in gorgeous Balboa Park.
• Ruth's Chris Steakhouse always a delicious choice. Has been a favorite of mine for a while now. $40 bucks is a steal to have 3 courses here.

My list is short, I know, but all these places would be a fabulous choice for a 3-course meal. If you are in San Diego September 13-18, now you know where you need to be--San Diego Restaurant Week.




Links

• San Diego Restaurant Week Website
• List of Restaurants Participating
• Make Reservations

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San Diego's Alcohol Ban on Beaches: Was It Worth It?

With Labor Day Weekend in progress, the recently passed law of the alcohol ban is once again breaking news headlines. Locals and visitors alike are trying to find a way around the law permitting them to drink on the beaches.

The most recent attempt includes floating. That's right--floating. Many locals have tried floating in inner tubes a few feet from shore to pop open their ice cold beer. But is this legal? Sure is. San Diegans have found the loophole to the ban-- the right to have open containers of alcohol as long as your feet are not touching the sand. Police estimated large numbers exercising their "rights." The police are trying to crack down hard on the new policies but find it frustrating that many people are trying to go around the new ban, thus making it even harder to regulate.

An event called Floatopia brought quite a crowd. Floatopia was an organized effort in Mission Bay to party and drink off the sand. However, some people were not completely out of reach from the police--several arrests were made for being drunk in public and lifeguards did make some water rescues.

When San Diego residents passed this law in November, their hopes were to create a safer and more appealing environment for everyone. But now, the dangerous risks of drinking out in the water along with the issue of littering has become a bigger problem. Makes the San Diego voter think if their vote for the alcohol ban was the safest decision for San Diego...

Other Articles Discussing the Alcohol Ban on Beaches

• Revelers float right past city's beach alcohol ban
• Yelp Discussion on Floatopia
• Floatopia Video

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What to Do on Labor Day in San Diego

What better way to spend Labor Day than in a beautiful city like San Diego? There are a bunch of things to do and places to enjoy. I have complied a list of things to do, events to attend, and some of my all time favorites of San Diego. Also look below for some helpful links.

• The beach-- guaranteed to be crowded and police will be enforcing the new law passed for no alcohol on beaches, but the beach is always a great place to spend Labor Day, especially in a place as wonderful as San Diego.
• BBQ, bonfire, or picnic in any beautiful San Diego Parks or beaches
• SeaWorld or the Zoo have special late night activities during this weekend
• For 21 and up, many of the bars/clubs in Gaslamp and Downtown are having parties. See individual places for details.
  
• Take this Labor Day Hornblower Cruise
• Catch a free firework show from SeaWorld. Snuggle up with someone in Mission Bay and take a look at one of their shows: Saturday & Sunday shows @ 9:50pm and Monday show @ 8:50pm
• Labor Day Jazz Celebration at Humphrey's on Sunday from 6p-1a
• The races all day and the Bob Marley Roots, Rock, Reggae Festival 6 pm Sun, Sept. 6, 2009 at the Del Mar Races
• Labor Day Grape Stomp
  
• For those of you into the North Park music scene: the North Park Awesome Fast
• Sunday: DJ Klaas at Intervention at Hard Rock Hotel
• Summer Pops series at Embarcadero Park with a firework after show
• The Princess Bride at Cinema Under the Stars Sunday, Sept. 6. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., film begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $13.50 per person.

Other Links

• San Diego Dialed in Calendar
• San Diego Reader Things to Do on Labor Day
  
• See What Is Open or Closed on Monday in San Diego
• Police out in force in San Diego over Labor Day weekend
• San Diego County 2009 Summer Labor Day DUI Checkpoint / Patrol Schedule

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Shells & Swells: La Jolla Adventure Date

One of my favorite days spent in San Diego was when I went snorkeling and kayaking in La Jolla. I used a company called San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours and they did a fabulous job. My trip was about 3 hours long and around 50 bucks a person. It is definitely worth the price. Included in the price, you get an intro to kayak and snorkeling, a tour guide, and all the gear, (life jacket, snorkel, fins, mask, wetsuit if needed, paddle and kayak). And if you are still up to it , you can keep the snorkel gear for a half day after the guided tour part and explore on your own.

On your voyage, you kayak out to the 7 Caves in La Jolla. Once there, you link your kayaks together and have time to snorkel. You get to see beautiful local fish and see seals up close lounging on their rocks. If you go when the timing is right, you can even see some leopard sharks! You do not have to be experienced in snorkeling or kayaking to enjoy this. It was actually my very first time doing either and I felt very competent with the help of the guide and the introduction they give on land before you hit the water. The staff is friendly and really give you an enjoyable experience. I suggest bringing a water resistant or underwater camera to capture some of your memories made on your adventure.

For those of you who don't just want the typical formula for date, (dinner and a movie type deal), than this is the date for you. You are able to experience the beauty of La Jolla on the water, as well as under the water. An active couple or a new couple looking for an activity to break the ice would be perfect for this. This date provides an all day activity and plenty of fun and adventure!

Links

• San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours
• Kayak and Snorkel Tour

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Take Advantage of San Diego

I had a wonderful meeting the other day with Jamie Sutton, the President of What's Here! ( http://www.whatshere.info/ ). We were talking about all the people that live in San Diego, but fail to make the most of it. How can you sit on your couch when a gorgeous and exciting city is right outside your door?!? That is really why I wanted to create this blog. For San Diego natives or visitors, there are so many resources to see all that San Diego has to offer. The beauty of San Diego, is that there is something for everyone. There are free things to do, incredible restaurants, museums, beautiful beaches, great bar scene, and so much more. Here are some of my favorite websites that I use to see what is happening in San Diego:

• San Diego's Convention and Visitor's Bureau http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors
• San Diego News Network sdnn.com
• Discover SD http://www.discoversd.com/
• San Diego City Beat http://www.sdcitybeat.com/cms/index/
• sd urban http://sdurban.com/blog/default.html
• 101 Things To Do in San Diego http://www.101sandiego.com/content/region/default.aspx?id=16

So, here is your challenge today. Take advantage of where you live this week and share your story to inspire others to do the same. Feel free to comment, facebook, or tweet. Whatever it takes! Start creating your San Diego experience today...

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