This Saturday (July 31st) is the Crystal Pier Kids Classic Fishing Derby in Pacific Beach, an event that offers fun for kids of all ages…

The Derby is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and is free to participants. The day will will include plenty of prizes, a free raffle, and lunch will be provided!

Donations are gladly accepted, as this Fishing Derby has grown over the years as the labor of love of one master angler and local legend.  For almost 15 years, Captain Ron has been organizing events such as the Crystal Pier Classic and the Lake Poway Youth Fishing Derby to introduce youngsters to the sport.  Stop by the picturesque Crystal Pier in PB this Saturday to pick up some pointers or give the kiddoes a chance to cast a line, and begin a lifetime of appreciation for the bounty of our precious oceans.  It’s easy to begin, as Captain Ron always says, just “Take a kid fishing!”

Batman Returns!

For all the zaniness this embodies Comic-Con, check out our Facebook Gallery!

Comic-Con is back, and this year the four day event promises to be even bigger and better than ever! Hollywood sends its most popular ambassadors, and the art of fantasy, science fiction, and comics fuse together to create an event not to be missed.  The Comic Convention originated in San Diego – in the basement of the Grant Hotel  back  in  1977, and has been a staple here ever since. Flash forward to present day 2010…. we’ll see more social media activity and tweetups, more amazing creative talents, and more anticipated screenings and star appearances than ever before…

The official Programming of Comic-Con 2010 has been released, with a new twist. For the first time Comic Con attendees (or fans following along at home) will be able to create a personalized schedule that can import to a personal calendar or be shared publicly on the site.  With over 400 scheduled events  in a mere four days, this could be one handy feature! Search events and panels by date, keywords, or popularity.  We think of it as the ‘Fantasy Comic Con Lineup’ – who needs football?

Tron: Legacy has already hit the streets of downtown San Diego with banners promoting the upcoming conference and panel in Hall H Thursday morning, July 22.  A joint Warner Brothers panel will include Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Saturday. (Hmmm..Will any cast members make an appearance here before they dis-band with the completion of the filming of the popular franchise?)

In the growing trend of comics reaching the big screen, we’ll see participation by films including Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Green Hornet.  Action flicks are always a fan favorite, and The Expendables, Skyline and Battle: Los Angeles will draw big crowds in Hall H.  And in upcoming releases, Comic Con earns mention in the film Paul (with Seth Rogen of Pineapple Express), and is the focus of the full-length documentary Comic Con Episode Four: A Fan’s Hope, where Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly) and Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) follow seven fans on their pilgrimage to Comic Con 2010.

Away from the San Diego Convention Center and lasting in to the wee hours, the extra events that crop up around Comic Con are all a part of the fun!  Plenty of comedy shows will be scheduled, but Comedy Central brings you one that is free at the House of Blues.  If you have a favorite online series, you might meet the great mind behind it all at the ‘Celebrate the Web’ event, when creators get together to discuss their new genre and meet up with fans.  wOOtstock 2.4 will have some surprises in store, under the leadership of hosts Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation) and Adam Savage (Mythbusters).

If you don’t plan on making it out to a special Comic Con event, you still might find your path blocked by an unappealing mob when the Zombie Walk returns to the streets of San Diego Saturday evening.  Favorite cultural institutions are even joining in the fun, with events like a concert by the San Diego Symphony featuring the music of Final Fantasy, and a social media party big enough to fill the USS Midway when the Tweet House brings an event with DJs, video mash-ups by Mike Relm, and celebrities including Levar Burton and Tyrese Gibson.

Our venerable Old Mission Bay Athletic Club has crowned the new victors of the 57th Annual Over the Line Tournament! In the first weekend of the tournament July 10 & 11, more than 1,200 teams competed in the opening rounds of play for trophies in 10 divisions, awarded after the final rounds were completed July 17 & 18 on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay…

Teams arrived from around the world and some players, were third or fourth generation family members to step up to the plate in this much anticipated competition!

The winners…

Men’s Open Division Winners – All Hours Bail Bonds

Women’s Open Division Winners - Got Sand

Men’s Century Division (Teams whose ages total 100+) – Open Bar

Canardly Division (Teams of players 40 years+) -  Sanjo

Cannever Division (Teams of players 50+) – Retro Sports

Cadaver Division (Teams of players 60+) – Take It To The Limit

Camummy Division (Teams of players aged 70+) – Ancient Mariners

Fox 5 News Photo Album of the Event

The Mad Hatter would be proud!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to decorate your finest wide-brim hat for the One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest, because Opening Day at the Del Mar Racetrack is this week!  It’s not too late to plan your attack to take the crown in the ‘Most Glamorous’, ‘Best Fresh Flowers’, ‘Best Racing Theme’ or ‘Funniest/Most Outrageous’ categories…

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club expects more than 40,000 spectators to attend Opening Day on Wednesday, July 21.  Tickets are $10 for Stretch Run Admission and $20 for Clubhouse Admission.  Sign-up for this years “Opening Day One and Only Truly Fabulous Hat Contest” will be in the Plaza de Mexico between 11:30a.m  – 1 p.m. on Opening Day, located just inside the Stretch Run entrance gates.  All entries in the contest will receive free admission for 2 people.  Prizes may be an afterthought with all of the attention on the parade of hats, but don’t miss out on your chance to win the Bing Crosby Grand Prize, 2 Round-trip Airline Vouchers to anywhere in the U.S., or cash prizes awarded to the top three contenders in each category.

Creativity counts! If you want to borrow a brilliant idea, see the ladies at ChicWeed on Cedros Avenue about a fashion forward design using succulents.  If you’re in the market for a stunning new race-day chapeau or a simple shield for San Diego’s sun, last minute hat suppliers are plentiful.  Right around the corner at Henry’s Market or Armstrong Garden Centers, in the Gaslamp Quarter or around the county, there’s no excuse for going un-capped.  It’s going to be a hot week, so stay ‘cool as ever’ in your hat of choice while cheering on your favorite horse at the Del Mar Racetrack!

Think you’ve seen all there is to see of San Diego’s nightlife?  Try out the Bahia Belle Boat Cruise, a Mississippi-style sternwheeler sailing Mission Bay nightly (July – August)  with stops at the Bahia and Catamaran Resorts.  Public is welcome to board at either location after purchasing tickets at the dock.  Hotel guests can hop on at no charge…

Adults are $10 and children are $3.  Family cruises begin at 6:30 p.m. and go until 9:30 p.m., when all people on board must be over 21.  The boat makes its last stop at the Catamaran Resort at midnight, and docks for the night at the Bahia at 12:30 a.m.  Enjoy cocktails, live music and DJ’s while you cruise Mission Bay, or use it as a mode of transport from south Mission Bay to Pacific Beach!  The Bahia Belle cruises daily through Labor Day, Friday & Saturday evenings September through April (excluding December), and Wednesday through Saturday in June.  Click the link to learn more about San Diego’s historic sternwheel boats. Tom Sawyer never had it so good!

Heading to Hillcrest  this weekend?  You and about 75,000 of your closest friends will be vying for prime viewing of the San Diego LGBT Pride Parade, after it steps off from Normal Street and University, and makes its way to the Pride Festival in Balboa Park…

Festivities, food, exhibitors, entertainment & glam!  San Diego Pride’s cultural Festival includes multiple stages of entertainment, more than 80 musicians, bands, comedy and dance performers, 300 participating vendor booths, an Art exhibit, cultural presentations, and great food. Some of this years sponsors include: Cox Communications, Bud Light, Hewlett-Packard, Wells Fargo, Aetna, Hardrock, Vons, GLT & more.

Headliners for the 2010 Pride Festival (Appearing on the Cox Communications Main Stage)

Eve – Saturday, July 17 @  8:00pm
Blake Lewis – Sunday, July 18 @ 4:55pm
Devo – Sunday, July 18 @ 6:00pm

Click Here to Purchase Tickets & avoid the lines!

Early Bird – One Day Ticket = $15
Early Bird – 2 Day Pass = $25
Location: Balboa Park @ 6th and Laurel St

Famous for its inclusive attitude and welcoming character, Hillcrest celebrates the community spirit that has kept it vibrant since the iconic sign was raised in 1940.  Up next is the 26th Annual Hillcrest CityFest.  In 1986, the cherished sign was carefully restored. The ensuing celebration started the tradition of an annual festival that has become a celebration of music, art and community spirit!

On Sunday, August 8th, thousands of  revelers are expected to converge on University along 5th Avenue, as well as Robinson & Pennsylvania. From noon to 8 PM, live music, games & activities, 250 vendors, a beer & spirit  garden, exhibits & more are planned.  Fabulous Hillcrest has something for everyone as the summer heats the streets and San Diego comes to life!

Photo by Hillcrest Business Association

Leash? What sign? I can’t read!!

Visit any San Diego beach, and there’s sure to be a dog nearby.  It’s  a natural lure what with surf to splash in, other salty dogs to chase, tennis balls to retrieve… not to mention brazen gulls wearing ‘chase me’ signs. Our sandy beaches offer  summer fun not too many dogs (nor their happy humans) can pass up. Only a handful of beaches allow dogs (leashed or not) and of those that do, most have rules that change to accommodate the summer crowds…

Along the coast from south to north, here’s a quick guide to dog permitted beaches & seasonal rules…

Imperial Beach – Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach north of Palm Ave & south of Imperial Beach Blvd.

Coronado – Dogs are not allowed on the City Beach, except at the very north end, where dogs may be off leash.

San Diego (including La Jolla) – Leashed dogs are permitted on beaches and in adjacent parks only after 6 p.m. and before  9 a.m., and are prohibited at other hours of the day. Exceptions are Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach and Mission Bay’s Fiesta Island, where unleashed dogs are permitted 24 hours a day.

Torrey Pines Reserve – Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.

Del Mar – Dog Beach (29th Street to Solana Beach border signs) requires dogs to be on leach from June 15 through Labor Day.  The rest of the year, dogs are permitted off leash.  The central beach area (northern end of Powerhouse Park to 29th Street) does not allow dogs from June 15 through Labor Day, while leashed dogs are allowed in the remaining part of the year.  South of Powerhouse Park, leashed dogs are permitted year-round.

Solana Beach – Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.

Encinitas – Dogs are not permitted at any time. At Cardiff State Beach, leashed dogs are allowed on the beach.

Carlsbad – Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.

Oceanside – Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.  Leashed dogs may be walked on The Strand.

Click here for more information about Dog Parks in coastal San Diego areas.

Folks run the risk of a ticket or fine if the regulations are not observed, as well as a second citation if it is discovered that the dog is not licensed, which they are required to be by law.

Rules & regulations are subject to change, often times without notice.