Carlsbad Village

BY BETH WOOD SPECIAL TO THE U-T

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 24, 2011 AT 12:01 P.M., UPDATED MARCH 25, 2011 AT 1:23 P.M.

Carlsbad is probably best known for being the home of Legoland California, the nearby Flower Fields and nearly seven miles of coastline.

Because of these famous attractions, this North County city of 100,000 has many hotels, time-shares and resorts. It’s also known in athletic circles for hosting the Carlsbad Marathon early in the year, the Carlsbad 5000 on April 2 and 3 and the Carlsbad Triathlon in July. 

But there is a secret to be revealed: The charming Carlsbad Village, anchored by the old-style train station, is trying to spread the word that it’s a destination in itself.

Today, the Carlsbad Village Association launches this year’s free “Thursdays on the Coast, The Experience.” This initial event will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., a preview of the affair that will take place the fourth Thursday of each month, through October, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“We want to wake people up to Carlsbad Village,” said Cheryl Ehlers, the association’s event manager. “We’ve got so much to offer, with terrific restaurants, theaters and great shops. We have a lot going for us here.”

Participating businesses in Thursdays on the Coast provide space for art — what the association calls “phantom galleries” — as well as musicians who perform at various spots throughout the village.

Most establishments will offer specials and gift certificates throughout today and the following fourth Thursdays. Printed programs, which include special-deal inserts, will be available at New Village Arts Theatre, near the train station.

That critically acclaimed theater, now in its 10th year, is performingSam Shepard’s “Simpatico” through this Sunday. It will throw an Enchanted Garden Masquerade Ball at the Flower Fields on April 30.

Across the street is the Carlsbad Village Theatre, a multipurpose venue that has a variety of events including comedy shows, community productions and film presentations.

The village has a preponderance of restaurants, big and small, elegant and down-home. The fare ranges from Asian, Italian (Vigilucci’s Cucina is a favorite) and Mexican to seafood and burgers. Antique shops mingle with jewelry stores, wellness centers and clothing boutiques.

“We have big things happening in a small place,” Ehlers said. “Carlsbad is a very eclectic little town.”

San Diego Crew Classic

If your in town this weekend and are looking for things to do in San Diego, check out the San Diego Crew Classic over in Mission Bay. Dubbed "America's Premier Spring Classic", the Crew Classic is the largest regatta in the world held primarily for eight-oared rowing shells. The nations top rowers from high school to college battle it out.

The event takes place all weekend with Saturday (4-2) and Sunday (4-3) highlighting the main days. There is something for everyone, from the food booths showcasing some of SD's hottest places to the trade-show of retail booths and the beer garden. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for 6-13 year olds. Under 6 is free. As for parking, there is parking located in the lots for $15 a vehicle or you can park around the surrounding neighborhoods and walk down. I would suggest parking in Crowne Point, the neighborhood just north of the last bridge and walk down. The walk will be a nice one with the weather expecting to be in the mid 60's and sunny. Don't forget your suntan lotion and good walking shoes. Bring your camera for some cool shots and some extra cash for a snack or drink. Sunday is the finals, so prepare for crowds! For complete information, visit the crew website at http://www.crewclassic.org/

I've gone every year for the last 12 and just love it. I usually bike over and lock up just outside the gate. I have my lotion and water bottle and camera as my essentials. I make a day of it! Check it out for yourself!

St. Patrick's Beer and Food Tour

Through the end of March you can celebrate St. Patrick’s with Shira, your guide, an Irish lassie, born in Belfast on St. Patrick’s Day!

On this 3-hr tour you’ll enjoy ample tastes of local and 
craft beers paired with La Jolla’s best burgers, pizza and more delicious food! 

All-Inclusive Price Only $67.50 per person! 
Meeting Place: Empress Hotel in the Village of La Jolla.

3-hour Beer & Food Guided Walking Tour includes*:
• Award-Winning Beer Tastings 
• VIP Food Pairings e.g. burgers, pizza, sandwiches
• 4-5 Tasty tour stops
• Beer Games and Prizes!

For Reservations Contact:
858-551-5115
shira@lajollawinetours.com

Hey folks, dcteti here. I just came back from a "day-at-the-beach". I met some friends in La Jolla at Wind-n-Sea. For those of you that have never been there, it's amazing!! The water is teal around the shorebreak and sky blue as it gets deeper. You can participate in just about anytype of water sport here as well.

Wind-n-Sea used to be a locals get-a-way for a day at the beach, but more and more visitors are now finding out about this place. It's nestled in a neighborhood in La Jolla, between P.B. (Pacific Beach) and La Jolla Shores. I'm not going to give you directions because you have to find it to earn it! There is no public showers or bathrooms and parking is at your patience, so pack accordingly! That's right. It's a community neighborhood, so there is no real parking. Prepare to park along the streets and walk a few blocks, but it's worth it. Once there, you'll feel as though you are in the islands or something. You can "cop a spot" on the sand or one of the big rocks.

We usually get a group and "claim" a spot early. It can get pretty crowded, on summer days, so going during the week if you can is ideal! Make sure you bring your camera and anyother supplies you may need. If you forgot something, you'll be walking a while to a store or you'll lose your parking spot!

To read other articles from dcteti, fo to: thebqb,thewatercooler,allvoices

Coronado Island Voted One of Yahoo's "Top 10 Beaches"

Wow, what an honor to be ranked up there with some of the world's most beautiful beaches like Cas Abao Beach in Curacao and Ka 'anapali in Maui, Hawaii. Yahoo's latest Top Ten listed Coronado Island just across the San Diego Bay number 6 on the list. It's even more of a thrill to get to live here. Hey folks, dcteti here with another seesandiego attraction.

Coronado is famous for the Hotel Del Coronado which is one of the premiere hotels in the world. Coronado Beach offers the vacationer to daytripper one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to. Whether it's watersports your in to or just plain basking in the sun, Coronado is a place you want to add to your list when visiting San Diego. This island type location also offers unique shopping as well as elegant to simple dining. Don't forget about the nightlife if you plan on staying over. A perfect place to pack a picnic and enjoy the sun for a day while spending your vacation in San Diego.

For other articles by dcteti, check out allvoices, thewatercooler and thebqb

Naval Aviation Celebrates Century Mark

San Diego, CA-
dcteti here and I had the pleasure of attending one of the coolest airshows EVER!! The 100th anniversary of Naval Aviation. It was a sunny day down at the San Diego Bay. The show had vintage aircraft from WWI all the way to the current fleet. Three hours of flybys and 100 years of history. I wrote a brief story about the history so here it goes.

One hundred years ago the United States Navy took aviation to a level far surpassing anything any nation had ever done before. At a time when aircraft were made of wood and wire and the ships they took off from and landed on, were converted with wooden decks, naval aviation took off and landed the United States to the superpower that we are today.
The Navy officially recognizes the beginning of the aviation element on May 8th, 1911. Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California, was not only the birthplace of naval aviation but the proven training ground as well. That’s when the first aircraft were requisitioned and the Navy’s first aviator, Lieutenant Theodore G. Ellyson trained and qualified to fly the A-1 Triad, the Navy’s first aircraft. Lieutenant Ellyson was trained by Glenn Curtis, who successfully completed the first ship-based takeoff and shipboard landing. This achievement sparked an innovated idea to the most effective fighting force the world has ever known.
The Navy aircraft served fearlessly in World War I, but it wasn’t until World War II and the Battle of Midway when these ace pilots proved themselves in the sky. Three squadrons of SBD Dauntless dive bombers led by Commander Max Leslie and Lieutenant Commander C. Wade McClusky damaged or sank three Japanese fleet carriers stopping their striking capacity and thus ending any strategic initiative toward the United States. Those engagements provided the blueprint for the aerial engagements of today!
Since World War II, naval aviation has been a major role in the protection of freedom not only for the United States but around the globe, as well as offering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief around the world.

Read more articles at thebqb, allvoices and thewatercooler

Nick's at the Beach

Hey folks, dcteti here. I'ved lived in San Diego for 12 years now and have had the opportunity to enjoy most of what San Diego and the surrounding areas have to offer. One place that I stumbled into (no pun intended) was a place called Nick's Bar and Grill. The original location started in Pacific Beach. Just north of Mission Beach and south of La Jolla.

Nick's became the place where all of my friends and I would meet whether it was Happy Hour, Sunday Football, lunch, dinner or an evening out. The upstairs has over 29 t.v.'s, 16 beers on tap and a nice view of the ocean. You can see if the waves have picked up or just plain people watch. Everyday there is a different Happy Hour special. Sometimes my buddies and I just head over for a pitcher a game of pool. Othertimes Nicks is where we head for the big game! What is really nice about Nicks, is the "best of both worlds" atmosphere they have to offer. Downstairs you'll find the restaurant offering a light California style menu situated in a chillaxed atmosphere. From fresh seafood to juicy pork chops, you'll probably be stuck on what to get when the server comes by for your order! Nicks was voted "Best Neighborhood Restaurant" by San Diego Magazine.

So whether your unwinding from a day at the beach or the end of a work day, I highly recommend checking out Nick's in P.B.. http://www.nicksatthebeach.com/