Carlsbad's Top 10 Things to do

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 the perfect time to stroll on the sand looking for shells. As the day heats up there are multiple ways to take on the waves—surf, boogie, body and skim. Tired? Build a sand castle or bury your BFF. As evening comes, pull out the barbie and enjoy the mix of salt air and red meat. And don’t leave after the green flash, that’s when the wind dies down, the moon turns the water to silver and the grunion begin to run.

2. LEGOLAND
We were a sleepy little surf town until we were overrun by the two-to-12 crowd with a penchant for small, plastic bricks. Imagination is the playground of the young and LEGOLAND has many of those fairy tale destinations in miniature: Knights in castles, pirates in crows’ nests and dinosaurs in primeval—albeit plastic—landscapes. There are really more than a day’s worth of shows and attractions. Don’t miss the Firehouse show; it is why most Carlsbadians think the CFD should also sing and dance. And if you are one of those sacrificial parents who chose Carlsbad over Vegas, the Big Apple or the Big Easy, ditch the kids and head to Miniland, USA. Who says imagination is just for kids?

LEGOLAND
1 LEGOLAND Drive
(off Cannon Road E)
760.918.5346

legoland.com

3. The Flower Fields
For three months out of the year, the hills are alive with ooohs and aaahs. Locals remember growing up among row on row of bird of paradise (our city flower), carnations, gladiolas and, of course, ranunculus. The latter is our last stock in trade, but still the splendor of every spring. People from all over southern California make a pilgrimage every year to walk from color to color or let a tractor pull them through the glory of the blooms. And whether in bulb or bouquet, it is one of the few attractions where the sight is also the souvenir.

The Flower Fields
5704 Paseo Del Norte
760.431.0352

theflowerfields.com

4. Golf
Nick Faldo was once asked if he could live anywhere in the world other than the fairways of his birth, where it would be. He said Carlsbad, because it is the golf capital of the world. With our apologies to St. Andrews and Augusta, we heartily agree. Faldo reasoned that Carlsbad is home to Callaway, Titleist and TaylorMade and has a world-class course in La Costa. We also have Aviara and our new city course. The Crossings at Carlsbad is getting a reputation for honing a golfer’s ability to get out of tough rough, tricky traps and great lies. GOLF Magazine recently named it one of the top 10 new courses you can play.

The Crossings at Carlsbad • thecrossingscarlsbad.com

Four Seasons Aviara • fourseasons.com

La Costa Resort and Spa • lacosta.com

5. Spas
Carlsbad began with a spa. In 1882, John Frazier dug a well though everyone said he’d never find fresh water so near the ocean. The water was not merely fresh, he hit an artesian spring and the mineral content of the water was the same as the world-renowned waters of Karlsbad, Bohemia (now the largest spa city in Europe, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic). Thus a name and an industry were born. And Carlsbad grew with a spa. Back in the ’60s as homes began to spring up around La Costa Resort & Spa, the city fathers annexed La Costa and more than doubled the size of Carlsbad. Now, whether you are looking to detoxify or relax, we have Roman waterfalls, herbal therapies or a hot stone massage in almost every corner of Carlsbad. We may not have originated the spa, but we are perfecting it with élan.

See the other 5 at http://www.clickoncarlsbad.com/images/Stories/top%20ten/ten-j.jpg

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Capitol Christmas tree chosen from Calif. forest

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 tree is, indeed, a spectacular specimen, standing out like a verdant beauty queen amid scraggly competitors, at least in the photo the forest service provided. The shot shows only the top half of the tree and those around it to avoid identifying landmarks and keep its location guarded.

It was chosen based on shape and fullness, color and the condition of its foliage. No Charlie Brown tree would do. The Capitol needs a tree that looks cylindrical from all sides.

Earlier this year, rangers set out to find 30 potential candidates to show Ted Bechtol, supervisor of the U.S. Capitol Grounds Division. He toured the forest in July to make his selection from a group whittled to 15.

"He looked at them, then slept on it before making the final decision," Benech said.

The tree will be cut Nov. 5 and loaded on a tractor-trailer truck for a tour along a 4,500-mile route that begins with a jaunt through California's heartland, then roughly follows Interstate 40 across the U.S. Only a few days earlier, an environmental assessment report will be made public that will pinpoint the tree's precise location.

After that it will be guarded by law enforcement 24/7 to prevent both saboteurs and terrorists, Benech said.

The tradition of "The People's Tree" began in 1964, and the job of providing it rotates among national forests. This year, the Stanislaus National Forest was chosen to provide the tree, marking the fourth time the Capitol tree will come from California.

It will be decorated by 5,000 ornaments handmade by Californians. House Speaker John Boehner will light it along with a child from California on Dec. 6.
Come January, when the tree has served its purpose, it will be ground into mulch and spread across the Capitol gardens. It's not lost on Benech that a living entity will die to provide joy to so many.

"That's a pretty good way to go," Benech says. "The good news is we've got a million more of them out there. I think we'll be OK."

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9 Tips for a Chic, Pet-Friendly Home

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 right materials and accommodating your animals' needs." Julia, who shares her digs with a dozen rescued dogs and cats, says an animal-friendly house is more comfortable for humans, too. "If a house doesn't work with dogs, it won't work with children or guests, either."

1. Vacuum regularly.

Even if you match your chaise to your Siamese so perfectly the hairballs are barely visible, vacuum kitty's hair off the furniture at least twice a week. You may need to vacuum daily when your pet is shedding.

Pet hair has an odor, and it contains an oil that will attract dirt to the fabric on which it sits. She suggests you invest in a Dyson DC14 Animal, an upright vacuum named for its miraculous ability to suck up animal hair. It costs around $550, but Julia says you'll wonder how you ever lived without it when you see the horrifying amounts of dirt and hair the Dyson picks up from your floors and furniture.

2. Bathe and groom your pet often.

Keeping your dog or cat clean will help your house stay cleaner, longer. Trimmed nails won't scratch floors or upholstery. Regularly brushing and bathing removes loose hair before it ends up on your floor, your bed, your throw pillows, your curtains. Furniture and rugs will last longer if they don't need to be washed as often. Think of it this way: It's easier to clean your dog than your upholstery, and it's usually more fun.

3. Use stain-resistant fabrics.

Forget silk, chintz or the pet-hair magnet known as velvet. Discover the joys of Crypton, a nearly indestructible, synthetic fabric that's resistant to stains, smells, bacteria and muddy paws.

William Wegman, the artist known for his Weimaraner photos, has designed a line of Crypton fabrics aimed at pet-obsessed style mavens that includes sturdy suedes and twills with names like Polka Dog and Material Dog. It's available in upholstery shops, from many furniture manufacturers and interior designers; you can find it online at www.cryptonfabric.com.

Leather is a good choice, easy to clean and durable. Most grades of leather will suffer only scratches from Fido or Fluffy's claws, but hey, the scratches add patina. If you see a sad irony in buying a sofa made from an animal for your animal, try pleather. It's cruelty-free, relatively inexpensive and has a timeless appeal.

Then there's Ultrasuede, a machine-washable microfiber that feels as smooth and seductive as real suede. "I can't say enough good things about Ultrasuede," Julia Szabo says. She has covered her 1950s Heywood-Wakefield sofa and chairs in Ultrasuede and even had a couple of pet beds made of it. "It's beautiful, and it always stays cool and comfortable no matter the climate. That's important for your and your animal's comfort."

4. Put washable fabrics on your bed.

If your dog or cat sleeps with you there will be accidents. "Cats barf a lot," Julia Szabo says. "Deal with it." Protect your mattress from the inevitable by covering it with a thick pad. Use cotton bedsheets, preferably in a medium color or a pattern that can hide the pet hair and stains between washings. For bedspreads, duvet covers work well because you can take them off and wash them regularly. Delicate-looking matelasse coverlets are surprisingly durable; their tight quilting resists pet toenail snags and repeated washings.

5. Skip wall-to-wall carpet.

Carpet absorbs odors, traps pet hair and soaks up inevitable pet-related stains like a sponge. "I try to steer pet owners away from carpet," says Chicago interior designer Nan Ruvel, who designs animal-friendly interiors for clients and lives with three cats. "It's difficult to keep clean. It's a bad idea."

If you must have carpet, she says, choose a low pile. "It's easier to clean if there's an accident." And avoid continuous loop carpet because a pet toenail can unravel it by catching a single woven loop.”

Check out the other 4 tips at http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/9-tips-for-a-chic-pet-friendly-home/page-2.html

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Quick Tips for Keeping Kid’s Rooms Organized and Looking Good

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 together or secure with plastic zip-ties, then attach the unit to the wall with a furniture strap to help prevent tipping. Since they’re washable, plastic crates are an especially practical choice for storing craft supplies for a budding artist. You’ll find functional, fun plastic storage crates at any discount store or home store.

Wicker and Plastic Baskets are Functional and Decorative, Too.
Colorful baskets make wonderful storage containers for children, and these days you can find very durable, wicker-like baskets that are actually made of easy-care plastic.

Use large baskets on the bedroom floor to hold favorite books and magazines — look for large hamper styles with lids, or mid-size stacking sets for this purpose. Smaller baskets may be placed on bedside tables, dressers or countertops to house hair clips, jewelry/accessories and lightweight collectibles. Shop for basket bargains at unexpected places such as yard sales, flea markets, import stores, discount stores and gift stores, then customize with a few coats of spray paint. Once you master this easy craft project, you may discover that you are having such fun that you must paint a couple of baskets for the living room or your own bedroom.

Style tip! Try working with two colors, one sprayed over the other, then lightly sand through the top coat in spots to achieve a slightly distressed cottage basket look. Seal with a coat of clear in matte or gloss.”

More project ideas and tips available at http://kidsmartliving.info/2011/01/quick-tips-for-keeping-kids-rooms-organized-and-looking-good/

Image from http://realmomsguide.sheknows.com/2011/08/25/messy-rooms/

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Can You Make the Million Dollar Hole-in-One?

 

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 at the Final Shootout will take place the following Monday, September 19th at Admiral Baker Golf Course.

Check out the full details here. 

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"The Sky Tonight" Planetarium Show

 

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 in astronomy, such as supernovas, constellations or black holes.
Weather and operational requirements permitting, the San Diego Astronomy Association provides free telescope viewing outdoors following the Fleet's planetarium show. This is a separate free event - planetarium show tickets are not required.

Get ticket and more information here.

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What Is Labor Day?

 

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 records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Check out the full story here.

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