Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:04 PM
This is really cool! Has anyone glimpsed our early season whales from the coast? The annual gray whale migration season is off to an early start, and the creatures are swimming close enough to the coastline in San Diego County that many are easily visible from coastal bluff tops. “For December, we have seen an unusually high number of whales,” said Judy Lawrence, a volunteer naturalist on whale-watching boats in San Diego. The story is similar to the north at Palos Verdes, where a long-term tracking project reported about five times as many gray whale sightings in the weeks before Christmas as it did in the same period a year ago. Over...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 5:45 PM
Merry Christmas from Dolphin Beach Apartments, and Happy Holida...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:11 AM
With so many amazing houses to choose from, I can see why La Costa needs help deciding on a winner!
Here at La Costa, we really get into the holiday spirit. Last week, each department at La Costa was encouraged to make their own fully-edible house to add to the village and visitors to the property are encouraged to vote on their favorite - once votes are all collected, the winning department will receive a prize - and of course the GLORY of WINNING.Now, since many of you won't be able to make it on-property to vote and enjoy the holiday spirit with us, we thought we'd open it up to our online community by asking fans, followers and blog readers...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:52 AM
Beautiful outdoor shopping plazas, name brand bargains, national department stores and quaint Village charm, Carlsbad has everything for your holiday shopping list this season. And by keeping it local, your holiday shopping will be easy and convenient while supporting the local economy. (Watch the video here!) Looking for a unique gift? Head for theCarlsbad Village, where there are many one-of-a-kind shops, including a chocolatier, wine merchants, art galleries, antiques and collectibles, and much more. If you need a break from shopping, stop in at one of the Village’s eclectic eateries or coffee shops. If you’ve got a...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:01 PM
If you took your kids to Legoland and they came back begging for Lego-this and Lego-that, you may find some good Christmas presents on the list below. Most of these are just “wow, cool!” are would be insanely expensive if they were actually for sale, but a few in fact ARE for sale. The reasonably priced ones are in red. Enjoy! Lego Conference Room Table If you are tired of conferences with all the heated discussions and boring talks, this awesome Lego conference room table will cheer you up. It was created by designers at Abgc out of 22,742 lego pieces, put together with the traditional Lego construction techniques. LunaBlocks Table ...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 1:00 PM
Looking for fun and free events to enjoy in San Diego this season? Look no further! Check out this great list of 25 things to do from San Diego’s Official Tourism Blog! 1. Join the festivities during Balboa Park December Nights, a two-day holiday celebration of food, entertainment and fun on December 2-3. The numerous museums and cultural institutions in Balboa Park open their doors free of charge, and festivities include carolers, live music, holiday light displays, theater and dance performances. 2. Whale Watch from the shores and cliffs of Point Loma, as California gray whales migrate south to the warm water breeding grounds off the coast...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:15 AM
“Let it snow, let it snow”…wait…snow in Carlsbad? Just because we live in Carlsbad doesn’t mean we don’t get to experience snow. A local attraction is giving us a month (and then some) of snow days! Legoland’s annual Holiday Snow Days begin this weekend. The snow celebration lasts through Jan. 2 with various holiday happenings during the Snow Days, but this weekend kicks things off and is a great chance to go before things get hectic with Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year, Legoland is bringing something new to the mix—real snow! Families can frolic in the white stuff and even make giant snowmen with noses, eyes, buttons and more made...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:00 AM
Veterans, we thank you for your service! There are plenty of restaurants in and near Carlsbad that want to say “thank you” with free food. Be sure to check them out! (Applebee's will be one of various North County restaurants and businesses offering Veterans Day promotions. Credit Courtesy Applebee's) If it's not free, you're paying too much. Veterans who agree to that mantra are going to enjoy Friday in North County, when the following businesses will honor Veterans Day with promotions: • Applebee's will offer veterans and active-duty service members a free meal on Nov. 11. According to company officials, Applebee's served more than...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:15 PM
If your gingerbread houses always fall down (as mine do), this class may be for you… This December, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA comes alive with holiday spirit and the delicious aroma of a favorite winter treat – gingerbread. Known locally for its annual Gingerbread Mountain Village, this year the Southern California luxury resort is helping guests and the local community create their own gingerbread masterpieces with a series of hands-on gingerbread-decorating classes. Perfect for both the young and young at heart, students will sip and nibble on holiday treats as Executive Pastry Chef Franck Riffaud leads an engaging step-by-step...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:41 AM
Did you know you can camp out overnight in the San Diego Zoo? Read on for a review of Roar & Snore by Brain E. Clark for the Union Tribune! Last time I checked, an African safari — in, say, Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania — could ding you $500 or more a day. And flying from San Diego to Nairobi? Figure in another (ouch) $1,500. But just five miles east of Escondido, in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, you can get a similar and considerably less costly experience, camping out with lions, tigers, giraffes and a whole herd of elephants. Dubbed Roar & Snore — with an emphasis on the roar — this program has been offered since 1994 to give adventurous...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 1:02 PM
Have you guys been to this place since the ownership change?
After purchasing what is now the Flying Elephant Pub & Grill last year, Dave and Molly Anson, veterans of the restaurant and hospitality industry, have given the Carlsbad pub more than just a new name. From remodeling and landscaping, to creating new food and beverage specialties, the Ansons have focused on making the Flying Elephant Pub & Grill the premier live music and entertainment venue in North County San Diego. Featuring two stages, video screens throughout, and a state-of-the-art sound system, Flying Elephant Pub & Grill attracts local bands, artists and entertainers...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 2:20 PM
Carlsbad is a city full of interesting things to do. And yet, often it’s the locals who put off doing and seeing all the cool things the town has to offer. Below is a list of Carlsbad’s Top 10 Things To Do from clickoncarlsbad.com. How many of these have you done? How many are you planning to do? 1. The Beach There’s a surprise, eh? For visitors, it is the reason all the hotels try to crowd as close to the water as possible, and for locals it is just about every other memory while growing up. And there are at least 10 different things to do at the beach. It is an all day proposition. The morning, while the marine layer still clings, is...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 3:30 AM
This holiday season, the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will have California roots! “Somewhere in the middle of a California forest stands a perfectly formed 65-foot white fir about to meet a glorious end as the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. Where, exactly, is top secret, though it is somewhere in the Stanislaus National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada mountains. "It's a matter of national security," said Maria C. Benech, in all seriousness. She is the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator, for now at least. After the tree is safely delivered to the front of the U.S. Capitol, she'll go back to overseeing resources in the forest. The...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 3:30 AM
Not sure how to decorate with your pet’s needs in mind? You’re not alone! “A lot of stylish people are letting their houses go to the dogs and the cats and the birds — without sacrificing style or comfort. Instead of banishing their furry friends to the yard, many pet owners are decorating and remodeling their living spaces with their pets' needs in mind, turning pet-friendly decorating into a full-blown trend. "You can have a beautiful house and a pet, too," says Julia Szabo, pet columnist for the New York Post and author of Animal House Style: Designing A Home To Share With Your Pets (www.animalstylehouse.com). "The key is choosing the...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 3:30 AM
Feel like you can never get your children’s rooms REALLY organized? You’re not alone. “If you have more than one child sharing a bedroom — or are just plain short on space (and who isn’t these days?) — here are a few easy, fast and inexpensive tips to keep little clutterbugs organized. Make Easy, Low-Cost Storage with Versatile Plastic Crates Plastic storage crates offer durable, versatile and easy-access storage options with a low price tag. Use crates to organize existing shelves, extend dresser-top display space upward, or expand under-bed or closet storage space. You can even stack 9-12 together as a “wall unit” — just snap the crates...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:20 AM
How good is your golf game? Why not put your skills to the test for a chance to win a million dollars! For ten days, golfers of all ages and skill levels can pay $1 per ball to take their best shot at making a hole-in-one or coming closest to the 125-yard pin. The top ten golfers on each of the qualifying days win great daily prizes. Everyone who makes a hole-in-one automatically qualifies for the Tilted Kilt $1 Million Final Shootout. If there is a day where there are no aces, then the single closest shot of the day will advance to the Shootout as that day's representative. For those who qualify, the chance to win $1 Million...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:14 AM
Start the school year off with a new kind of learning experience: "The Sky Tonight" is the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's monthly live planetarium show in the newly renovated Heikoff Dome Theater. Featuring a digital tour of San Diego’s night sky in California’s largest planetarium, "The Sky Tonight" is perfect for “backyard astronomers” or anyone trying to find their way around the universe. "The Sky Tonight" takes place at 7:00 pm and 8:15 pm on the first Wednesday of each month. The September presentation will explore "Planetary Nebulae." During each month's show, audiences also explore a different interesting topic...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:26 AM
Labor Day is this Monday, September 5th. But do you know why we celebrate it? Check out this historical tidbit: Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Founder of Labor Day More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers. Some...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 2:40 PM
As we head into September, this is the last week SeaWorld will feature its extended nighttime schedule. Come see Summer Nights when the park transforms after dark with extended hours and seasonal nighttime only shows. This Summer event only lasts until September 5th, so take a break this weekend and catch the antics of Sea Lions Tonite, the amazing acrobatics of Cirque de la Mer, and Shamu’s SkySplash fireworks finale! End your Summer with a splash!...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:00 AM
The blue whales are migrating. Check out these whale watching cruises if you want to see this amazing creatures. Southern California Whale Watching at its finest. Welcome to Southern California Whale Watching Website. Newport Landing provides multiple whale watching trips daily departing from Newport Beach. Newport Landing is centrally located in Orange County and minutes from Los Angeles. Newport Landing offers whale watching tours year around. December through April is the prime Grey Whale migration period. Newport Landing is ideally positioned to take advantage of the annual Grey whale migration, which brings hundreds of Grey Whales...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 5:39 AM
If you don’t have renters insurance yet, read this article. It’s cheap and can be a life saver. If you're renting for the first time, or have been renting for years without insurance, you'll want to consider purchasing some insurance. MSN.com debunks four myths about renters insurance, which just might persuade you to buy a plan: Renters insurance and 4 reasons you need it - MSN Real Estate...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:52 PM
Spaceweather.com reports that a major geomagnetic storm produced by the sun is generating an aurora borealis that is visible across wide areas of Europe. It's possible that the storm will last long enough to make the aurora, or northern lights, visible across parts of the United States. Will Californians see the aurora borealis tonight? | SignOnSanDiego.com...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:00 AM
Sea World’s latest attraction, Turtle Reef, is now open! Stop by and check it out. It looks pretty awesome. Turtle Reef - Now Open!...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 4:08 PM
Some big moves for the Chargers as the NFL finally comes back from the lockout. What do you think about these signings? The anticipated flood of activity around the NFL began with a drip, but the first day of an unprecedented free agency period ended with the Chargers making something of a splash. The team secured the services of two starters – guaranteeing the continuity of their offensive line by agreeing to terms on a four-year deal with right tackle Jeromey Clary and further changing the tenor of their defense by agreeing to a three-year deal with inside linebacker Takeo Spikes. “It was a good day,” head coach Norv Turner...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:00 AM
“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” -Erma Bombeck We wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:03 AM
Who wants a free doughnut this Friday? Stop by any Krispy Kreme this Friday in celebration of National Doughnut Day! Get a free doughnut from Krispy Kreme on National Doughnut Day...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:00 AM
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” – General George S. Patton We would like to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day and extend a sincere thanks to everyone who serves or has served in the United States Military! Check out some of this great Memorial Day history: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:00 AM
Please check out our Mat newsletter below for important information regarding rules for the pool and children this summer. Also included is a delicious recipe for Mini Portobello Burgers!...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:00 AM
We want to wish all the mothers a Happy Mother’s Day! Tell us how you are honoring your mom this year. Also, check out some of these interesting Mother’s Day facts: Here is a collection of amazing Mothers Day trivia. You'll find that most of these Mother Day trivia are hard to believe yet true. Just for your ease we have segregated these Mother's Day facts and trivia into various sections. You may use these Mother's Day Trivia to amaze your friends or put them as questions in any Mothers Day Quiz programme. Mother's Day Trivia,Mothers Day Facts,Mothers Day Trivia...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:57 AM
Be happy you don’t have to live with any roommates like this! In a rough economy, taking on a roommate can be a sensible thing to do. You'll save a little money and possibly gain someone who can help with upkeep while providing a little company. That's the bright side. If you’ve ever had a roommate, you probably know that sharing space with even the nicest person can be difficult. But some roommates can make your life miserable in a very particular fashion. We take a look at the worst offenders and share some expert tips on how to deal with them. Are any of these nightmare roommates living with you? 19 nightmare roommates - MSN Real...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:00 AM
Today is a great opportunity to enjoy an evening out without having to cook and help give to a great cause at the same time. Follow the link for a list of local participating restaurants. Don’t miss The Center’s fifth annual Dining Out for Life® San Diego! On Thursday, April 28, 2011, an estimated 125 participating restaurants, bars, coffeehouses and nightclubs in San Diego will donate a minimum of 25% of sales for The Center’s HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs. Delicious, right? Grab your family and friends and make plans to “dine out” for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, cocktails and more and “fight AIDS” on Thursday,...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:00 AM
What do you think about this proposed Chargers football stadium design? I missed these guys last week at the 2011 Stadia Design & Technology Expo when I went to Los Angeles to moderate this panel and write this news story, but two Australian architects from San Diego's De Bartolo + Rimanic Design Studio hit the conference to showcase their proposal for a downtown Chargers football stadium. Their appearance did not go unnoticed. One architect e-mailed me this picture of their presentation from the expo floor. Chargers stadium design making the rounds - SignOnSanDiego.com...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:43 AM
We hope everyone had a great Easter Weekend and is winding down from all the sugar!...
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:19 AM
Congratulations to two local students who were recognized for contribution to promoting energy efficiency! Two students from La Jolla High School won top honors in national competition that promotes energy efficiency. Adam Hersko-Ronatas was named a national winner in the Igniting Creative Energy Challenge, an education competition sponsored by Johnson Controls that encourages students to develop creative ways to become better stewards of the environment. His winning entry was a video about the importance of weatherproofing buildings to save energy. La Jolla High students win energy awards - SignOnSanDiego.com...
