Opera Season Has Arrived in San Diego

Opera is not limited to Northern and Eastern Cities. In fact, San Diego has a fantastic reputation and the 28th annual season with be in their restored Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon when visiting the San Diego area this fall and winter.

Man of La Mancha Sept 28 - Oct. 7
The Swallow (La Rondine) Nov. 9-18
Amahl and the Night Visitors Dec. 14-23
HMS Pinafore Feb. 8-24
Tickets range from $25-$40 pp

Vision taking shape for Oceanside waterfront - North County Times - Coastal -

Oceanside continues to be "a city in transition." To see what the latest consultants and city council are suggesting for the beach front amphitheater take a look at the news article linked here.

Vision taking shape for Oceanside waterfront - North County Times - Coastal -: "OCEANSIDE -- You'll still be able to get a Quarter Pounder along the city's waterfront in 10 years, but the McDonald's might be in a different place. It will also be easier to find a restroom, and the city's beachfront amphitheater will have better acoustics, state-of-the-art lighting and changing rooms."

Welcome to North Coast Village Condo

Thinking of coming to Oceanside CA on vacation? Want to know more about the private beach condo complex known as North Coast Village. Give us about 15 minutes and come visit Oceanside and North Coast Village - virtually via Google video at: Welcome to North Coast Village Condo Video

When you are ready to rent or have more questions, I'd be happy to help you find the right place. Just contact me via voice or text 949-370-4386 or email.

Jitters Coffe Pub in Oceanside Serves Up Hot and Cold

In typical American fashion I drove south on Coast Highway (old 101) in Oceanside in search of a Starbucks. Why Starbucks? Because I figured there must be one nearby and I wanted a coffee... It's not that Starbucks makes the best coffee, the only good coffee, or even affordable coffee, but that it's safe and familiar. This morning, however, I was fortunate enough to spot "Jitters Coffee Pub" at the southeast corner of 510 N Coast and Surfrider Way before I came to any chain establishment. That's one of the best things about Oceanside, CA; it's full of jewels and gems that make it a real town.

Jitters is lovely inside. It really does feel like a little neighborhood pub, but serving breakfast (not just sugary treats), coffee, Chai, teas, bottled drinks, gelato, and a healthy dose of reality. Plenty of local newspapers, plenty of local people, and some really cool looking dreadlocks behind the counter. My chai latte was perfect and under $4. Perfect spot for breakfast or to linger over a coffee and the newspaper - close enough to walk from the beach and our vacation home too! - (760) 967-7886

Ink, Nostalgia, and Hawaiian Shirts in One Little Diner

It's not hard to find ink in Oceanside. It's not hard to find Hawaiian shirts either. It is hard to find Nostalgia in Oceanside and most of southern California...101 Cafe brings all of these to your table in the form of a diner on Historic Route 101 (aka South Coast Highway) in downtown Oceanside at the intersection of Wisconsin Ave. a few blocks east of the beach.

This gem opened in 1928 and it's amazing it has not only survived, but thrived. Today the 101 Cafe is back to its original name and use as a diner. It has gleaming stainless steel counters with authentic stools and booths just as inviting. The clientele is not stereotypical though you will see your share of "ink", motorcycles, and Marines as well as Hawaiian shirt clad tourists, families, and business attire (I don't think anyone wears suits other than the swimming kind in Oceanside).

I enjoyed gazing at the Historic HWY 101 nostalgia on the walls; the story of the location on the menu, and the true authenticity. Here the waitress served with efficiency and courtesy without a script and with her heart. She was cleaning the ketchup bottles and caps, and helping every customer, and keeping my iced tea full. It's rare to see this pride and service today.

My lunch was OK. Nothing to write home about, but I was never a diner fan. I had a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and it was a notch above that of my childhood memories as the ham wasn't that kind came square from the deli case. My side salad was probably silly to get as fries would have been true diner food, but it was fine. I suspect they do a great job at breakfast and burgers and shakes. A diner wannabe, Ruby's, sits at the end of the Oceanside Pier, but really has little resemblance to a real diner. Both are fine, but if you remember or want the real thing, 101 Cafe should be your stop.

$13 including tip. Cash or small surcharge for ATM.

A Night at the Pops - San Diego Style

I consider myself a very lucky person. I'm by no means a music afficionado, but I grew up with good music, and enjoy and appreciate it - especially summer pops. Imagine my delight when my husband came home last week and asked me if I'd be interested in going with a business associate and his wife to the Pops in San Diego and dinner in Little Italy. After I got over the surprise that I didn't know San Diego had either Pops or a Little Italy, I said - "Yes." We've both been self employed long enough to miss these kinds of events that were common when we worked in Fortune 500 companies.

Back to being lucky...I've lived in places that have some of the best outdoor music and Pops programs in the country and have been able to enjoy Seji Ozawa conducting the Boston Pops at the hatch shell in Boston on the 4th of July, seasons tickets to Ravinia in Highland Park outside of Chicago, the Pacific Symphony at the Verizon Amphitheater (a lousy venue for Pops), and the wonderful LA Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl. I'd say I'm lucky indeed.

Friday night, I enjoyed fantastic grass seating with table service at the Navy Shipyard in San Diego, with views of the city and Coronado. The traffic was unusually bad with races at Del Mar and a Padres game at Petco Stadium, but it ended up to be worth the trip. Much like the children's progam by the Pacific Symphony at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the San Diego pops entertained with beautiful music, but also with a feast for the eyes. That night the performance was called "Cirque du Symphonique" and I was dazzled with aerial performances, contortion, hula hoops, balancing acts, and juggling. Occasionally the acts detracted from the music, but more often the two worked together like a good wine and the right food.

It might not be Boston or Chicago or even LA, but oh - summer nights in San Diego - blissful!

The San Diego Pops have a few performances left this summer. Friday nights. 8 pm. Followed by fireworks. See Summer San Diego Pops

What is Juneteenth? Oceanside teaches me something!

Community at the heart of city's Juneteenth celebration - North County Times - Coastal -: " Community at the heart of city's Juneteenth celebration

By: JOEL D. AMOS - For the North County Times
OCEANSIDE ---- The North County chapter of the NAACP held its 21st annual Juneteenth celebration and multicultural street fair Saturday at Oceanside Municipal Pier.
View A Video

'We want to let the community know that we are here trying to help in terms of jobs, health and letting people know that we're here to serve,' said event organizer Satia Austin, a participant in Oceanside's Juneteenth for 10 years.
Juneteenth commemorates the day on or about June 19, 1865, that Texas slaves learned of their emancipation, but the event is also about cultural diversity."

San Diego County Fair Runs June 8-July 4, 2007 - Public Transit Best Choice

Fair visitors encouraged to ride shuttles North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News: " Fair visitors encouraged to ride shuttles

By: ADAM KAYE - Staff Writer
DEL MAR -- Corn dogs, carnival rides, and one heck of a lot of traffic. The 2007 San Diego County Fair opens Friday and officials predict the event will draw more than 1 million visitors to the seaside venue during its 22-day run."

More Fun Coming To Oceanside Skateboarders - Residents and Visitors Alike

Besides surfing and the beach, nothing screams "Southern California beach town" more than skateboarding. It's amazing that the City of Oceanside not only has a few already functioning skateparks, but has plans to build more. This is clearly a city that understands that "skateboarding is not a crime", but rather a great past time (that this native New Englander cannot do for her life).

» Grindelines coming to oceanside Broken Magazine: "City staff, the Skatepark Ad Hoc Committee and the skate park designer, Grindline Skateparks, are currently working on the first phase of design for the two neighborhood skateparks at Melba Bishop Park and Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Each park will be constructed of concrete and will include a signature design unique to the location. The Melba Bishop Park location will have a “street style” design while a “flow” or “transition style” design theme has been chosen for Martin Luther King Jr. Park. These designs are chosen to complement the existing features at each site and will provide unique skate elements for users."

Good turnout for Oceanside antiques street fair - North County Times - Coastal -

It seems every time I turn around I've missed another great event in Oceanside put on by the Chamber of Commerce or by Main Street Oceanside. This time it was the 8th annual Antiques on Mission.
Good turnout for Oceanside antiques street fair - North County Times - Coastal -:" "This year's antiques fair, sponsored by MainStreet Oceanside, drew upwards of 25,000 folks strolling up and down Mission Avenue, on a stretch running from Horne Street west to Coast Highway.

It's a mellow affair, and even with 94 vendors ---- the most ever for the event, organizer Cathy Nykiel said ---- each booth boasted items different from the others, and included not just antiques but also arts and crafts.

Even live music fit in with that vintage theme"

There's always next year!

Carlsbad Music Festival Announces Lineup and Dates: Sept. 24-30, 2007

What could be better than a perfect September weekend in Carlsbad with quality classical music performed live? This year a bonus performance on September 24 will include all 3 featured classical ensembles. September 24-30, 2007 Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad Music Festival announces fall schedule Preview - North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News - NCTimes.com - Californian.com: "The Carlsbad Music Festival ---- a showcase for some of the nation's hottest contemporary classical ensembles ---- has announced its schedule and lineup for 2007.

The fourth annual festival, headed up by Carlsbad-raised composer Matt McBane, will run Sept. 28 through 30 at the Schulman Auditorium in Carlsbad.
Opening the festival Sept. 28 will be The Real Quiet, a three-man contemporary music ensemble featuring percussionist David Cossin, pianist Andrew Russo and cellist Felix Fan, a La Jolla native who runs San Diego's Muzik3 Festival. They will perform the world premiere of a new trio composition by McBane, among other works.

The New York-based quartet So Percussion will make its San Diego premiere at the festival Sept. 29. Described by The New York Times as 'brilliant,' the group will perform David Lang's 'The So-Called Laws of Nature,' a new work written for nontraditional instruments, as well as music by So Percussion's Jason Treuting."

For complete information on the festival visit: Carlsbad Music Festival

Oceanside Beach Clean in 17th Annual Beach Report Card by Heal the Bay

According to the North County Times:

By: BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer
LA JOLLA -- All but one of North County's beaches got 'A' grades for overall water quality in the latest annual statewide Beach Report Card released Wednesday by the environmental organization Heal the Bay.

The exception was Cardiff State Beach at the mouth of San Elijo Lagoon -- it received a 'D' and was recognized as one of six 'bummer' beaches in San Diego County in the Santa Monica-based group's 17th annual report on beach conditions. "

Heal the Bay conducts research and assembles it in Annual Beach Report Cards. I'm happy to hear that most of the North San Diego County Beaches, including Oceanside, did quite well. Now if only my home town, San Clemente, could say the same...

Download the full PDF Heal the Bay Beach Report Card.

San Diego Chargers Coming To Oceanside?!

The Chargers are coming, the Chargers are coming! Man I hope I get to say that soon...

Talks between the San Diego Chargers football powers and the cities of Oceanside and Chula Vista continue as the Chargers look for a new home when they leave Jack Murphy Stadium. I live just 30 minutes north, and haven't had a "local" team to follow since the LA Rams left the Anaheim Stadium for St. Louis more than a decade ago.

See the latest conversations here: Panelists: Chargers would be big investment - North County Times - Coastal -: "The Chargers have said they are considering Oceanside's 71-acre Center City Golf Course as a possible location for a new stadium. Two sites in Chula Vista -- one year that city's inland Olympic training facility and an aging power plant on San Diego Bay -- have also piqued the Chargers' curiosity. National City has also offered a bayfront site it owns."

Oceanside CA City Council Makes Initial Approval of Beach Smoking Ban

Smoker or non smoker, everyone likes a clean beach - sand and water. Read below and the full article for Oceanside's recent steps to move in line with other southern California cities to ban smoking on local beaches, parks, and the pier.

"Oceanside gives initial nod to beaches, pier, parks smoking ban By: DAVID STERRETT - Staff Writer
OCEANSIDE -- The City Council decided Wednesday to outlaw smoking at Oceanside's parks, beaches and pier.After hearing 19 people speak in favor of the proposed ban, the council voted 4-1, with Councilman Jerry Kern in dissent, to support a law prohibiting smoking at Oceanside's 32 parks, 3.2 miles of beaches and wooden pier.
"I know this is a controversial issue, but I support the ban," Mayor Jim Wood said.
City staff said the law will return to the council early next month for final approval and, if passed, will go into effect a month later.The law won't apply to golf courses, parking lots or streets near recreation areas, and the pier-side band shell or concrete entry way of the pier.With the law, Oceanside will join more than two dozen California cities that have banned smoking at beaches since late 2003, when Solana Beach became the first city in the continental United States to prohibit smoking at beaches."Please, I implore you not to make Oceanside Southern California's ashtray," said Marty Benson, an Oceanside resident.Representatives of numerous organizations such as the American Heart Association and California's Clean Air Project told the council about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.Residents also complained to the council about the abundance of cigarette butts littered around the beaches.About 42,000 cigarette butts have been picked up during Oceanside beach cleanups since September 2005, said Daniel Ramirez, a 14-year-old Oceanside resident who said he supported the ban."

Carlsbad Flower Fields - Visited

Finally made the field trip to visit the Flower Fields of Carlsbad in nearly full bloom the last week of March. This side trip is only 10 minutes from the beach condo in Oceanside and should be paired with shopping at the Cooper Island, BVI.

The fields make a nice stroll for the gardeners and the younger and older members of your group, but the 10-30 year old set would probably prefer to meet you at the outlets. $8 admission with AAA card. Walk or tractor wagon ride.

Visitors out in force for spring break fun North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News

Visitors out in force for spring break fun North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News: "Leslie Gaul, director of tourism for the city of Oceanside, said 10,000 people visited the Oceanside Harbor, pier and beaches in March, up from 9,000 during the same time last year."

Bricks in Bloom at LegoLand California April 2007

If you needed a reason to visit North San Diego county in April, try this one: LegoLand hosts "Bricks in Bloom" in conjunction with the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. April 8-23. Create your own flower out of Lego bricks, plant it in their flower field, and bring home a ranunculus (that's a beautiful flower) bulb.

Legoland Meets Las Vegas, Adds New Ride

Legoland California announced the newest attraction to miniland where you will actually get to walk down the "strip" and experience Las Vegas, Legoland Style. Maybe this is the real "family friendly" Vegas! If previous miniland creations like New York and New Orleans are any indication, this Las Vegas my just prove to be nicer than the real one, to look at anyway. Legoland press tells us that the Las Vegas miniland will be even more accessible than those before it. The new Miniland Las Vegas will open March 29.

The park is also expanding Pirate Shores with a new ride called Captain Cranky's Challenge that will simulate the swaying deck of ship pitched by a storm. The Captain Cranky ride will open in May. Maybe I'm getting old, but why would anyone want to go on a ride that nearly promises sea sickness? Ahoy mateys - I'll take my seasickness on the real thing. Whale watch anyone?