Happy Summer Solstice!

The Summer Solstice is today and it is something that everyone has learned about since elementary school.  It is the longest day of the year and the start of the summer season, but here is a refresher course about what is happening to our planet as we change into the new season.

Today is the first day of summer, also known as the summer solstice. It's the longest day of the year (and the shortest night).

The actual moment of the solstice will occur at about 7:09 p.m. this evening, while the sun sits directly above the Pacific Ocean to the west of Hawaii.
As you may remember from your grade school science lessons, the seasons and the changing lengths of the day and night throughout the year are a result of the Earth's axial tilt.

Try to visualize the Earth's orbit around the sun as an elliptical path on an imaginary plane in space. 

As the Earth rests in that plane, its north and south poles—the ends of its axis—do not point straight "up" and "down." The axis is instead about 23.4 degrees off the "vertical."

As a result, the northern and southern hemisphere do not receive equal amounts of sunshine throughout the year. Right now, the northern hemisphere is "leaning" towards the sun. From tonight until the winter solstice on December 21, as the Earth continues around the sun, that tilt in the planet's axis will be "leaning" our hemisphere less towards the sun each day. 

If not for the tilt of the Earth's axis, we would not have seasons. The day and night would be exactly the same length, year round. The northern and southern hemispheres would share the sun's light equally. Right now, that only happens on the days of the spring and fall equinoxes (March 20 and September 22, this year).

Perhaps appropriately, as we bask in a whopping 15 hours, two minutes of daylight, today is also expected to be the hottest day of 2012 to date in our area. Tomorrow could be hotter still.

If the heat gets to be a bit too much, consider the flip side of today's solstice: for our friends in the southern hemisphere, today is the winter solstice. In Punta Arenas, Chile, the high today will be in the mid to upper 30s.

For more information on the summer solstice or summer activities go to the Carlsbad Patch.

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New park construction officially underway for Carlsbad.

The Alga Norte Park construction is officially underway in Carlsbad.  The park will include pools, ball fields, a skate park, a dog park, a new playground and other amenities that support a healthy outdoor lifestyle for Carlsbad residents.  The park is set to open in late 2013, and residents could not be more excited about the opportunities and adventures that await them in the new area. 

Carlsbad city leaders marked the official start of construction Tuesday of Alga Norte Community Park, the City of Carlsbad’s newest park, which will include pools, ball fields, a skate park, a dog park, a new playground and other amenities that support a healthy outdoor lifestyle for Carlsbad residents.  Watch a short video about the new park.

 

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the 32-acre park site at the corner of Poinsettia Lane and Alicante Road, just east of El Camino Real. The park is scheduled to open in late 2013.  Read a fact sheet about the park.

 

“This park will truly provide something for everyone – whether you enjoy walking on scenic trails, playing team sports, meeting friends and neighbors at the playground or enjoying our great year-round climate at the new aquatics center,” said Chris Hazeltine, the city’s Parks & Recreation Department director. “Community input was instrumental in the park’s design, from the dog park, to the number and types of pools, and the design of the skate park.”

 

The approved park design includes:

• A 56-meter “Olympic sized” competition pool with viewing bleachers
• A 25-yard, 12-lane swim instruction pool
• A 10 by 25 foot spa with jets
• A 22-foot diameter 6 inch deep kids pool
• A “spray-ground” play area for young children
• Three lighted softball/baseball fields
• One lighted full basketball court and one half court
• Picnic areas with barbecues
• Playground with 100 percent universally accessible play equipment
• An off-leash dog park divided into areas for larger and smaller dogs, including obstacle course-type play equipment 
• A lighted skate park that will include a "street course" section, an area with challenging elements for more skilled skateboarders and a beginners’ area

The total budget for this phase of the park’s design and construction is $40 million. T.B. Penick & Sons is the general contractor. Kitchell is handling construction management and Wimmer, Yamada and Caughey is overseeing design compliance.

For more information go to Carlsbadca.gov.

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52 year old Flamingo kicks off breeding season.

Most 52 year olds are done having kids, but not at the San Diego Zoo.  The 52 year old flamingo at the San Diego Zoo is still laying eggs and getting ready to have more children.  Learn about these amazing animals that are at your local zoo, and how at 52 years old they are still taking wonderful care of their infant children.


Our famous flamingo pair has done it again! The San Diego Zoo’s flamingo breeding season kicked off on April 24 when the first egg was laid by none other than my favorite girl and oldest female (30). She and her mate (26) did the usual fantastic job that they do with incubating duties, sitting tightly on their precious egg. Like clockwork, 28 days later, the first flamingo chick of 2012 hatched on Tuesday, May 22. The incubation period for flamingo eggs is between 27 to 31 days.

When I went out to the exhibit at 6:30 that morning, I saw that the egg had pipped. A small hole had started the hatching process, and I could see the little beak diligently working on breaking out. By 10:30 a.m., the chick had chiseled half way around the shell, and by 2 p.m. it was free! Mom and Dad have been brooding the chick very tightly, keeping it nice and warm. By Wednesday morning, the chick was vocalizing, begging to be fed (Mom happily obliged); in the afternoon it was already trying to stand.

It never ceases to amaze me how incredible these birds really are, and after six years as their keeper, it never gets old. I am just as excited with each and every hatch as I was the first time I ever saw one. It warms my heart that our sweet old girl continues to be such a great mother and wonderful example to the rest of the flock. She will be 53 on June 23. Just as much credit goes to her mate, at only 20 years of age this year. He may be 33 years younger, but he is a great flamingo dad, and I truly believe that their bond is what is keeping her going strong!

I’ll be checking on the chick tomorrow morning (Saturday, May 26) to make sure all is well. I anticipate that sometime next week the chick will be off of its nest mound and starting to explore. They grow quickly, so you definitely want to see the sweet little ones before they get big.

I can’t forget about the rest of the flock: our second chick of 2012 hatched yesterday (Thursday, May 24). We hope to hatch more chicks this season, with about half of those being hatched and hand-reared at our Avian Propagation Center. These hand-reared birds will be joining the flamingos that are currently part of our Backstage Pass experience. If you haven’t had the opportunity to feed the sweet flamingos there, it is a life experience that can’t be missed! Even though I get to work with flamingos every day, I still had to partake in the fun and share with family members. They loved it, and so will you!

For more information check out the San Diego Zoo!

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Museums Offer Free Admission to Military Families

Several museums in the San Diego area are offering free admission to military families this summer.  The Balboa Park Museums are sponsoring this with free admission to several of their attractions including the San Diego Museum of Art among others.  This summer long event started on Memorial Day and continues until September 3rd, 2012. 

Eight museums in Balboa Park have joined 1,600 museums, science centers, and art exhibits across the country in offering free admission to military families this summer. The annual Blue Star Museums program—a partnership of Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts—started on Memorial Day and will continue through Labor Day, September 3, 2012. All active duty service members and their immediate family members are eligible.
Participating museums include:

• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Mingei International Museum
• Museum of Photographic Arts
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Museum of Art
• San Diego Museum of Man
• Timken Museum of Art
• Veterans Museum & Memorial Center

The Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Zoo, and Veterans Museum & Memorial Center are always free for active duty service members with valid military ID. Discounts are often available for dependent family members.

For more information check out Balboa Park.

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Carlsbad celebrates Native American History in Wild Wild West Fest

Carlsbad's Native American history was celebrated at this weekends Wild Wild West Fest.  Native American dances and other themed activities celebrated this rich part of the cities culture throughout the festival all weekend.

The City of Carlsbad celebrated its Native American culture with vibrant dance demonstrations and other themed activities during Saturday's annual Wild West Fest at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park.  See photos from the event.

 

While often thought of for its beautiful coastline, the City of Carlsbad also has a rich western history, said Rachael Shay, supervisor for Parks & Recreation Special Events.

 

"We are beach folk, and most people don't know we have this history," Shay said.

 

To help illustrate it, Shay said members of San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Indians performed many of the event's demonstrations, including the shawl dance and the drum circle, as well as provided information to attendees on the tribe's local history and culture.

 

Shay also said the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, located at 6200 Flying L.C. Lane, is the perfect location for the event since is represents the rich history being celebrated.

 

Once a working ranchero, the historic park was owned by actor, philanthropist, poet, preservationist, and rancher Leo Carrillo.

 

Established in 1937, the Leo Carrillo Ranch is a designated Historic National Landmark that was opened to the public in August 2003. It is connected to the citywide trails system via the 4-mile long Rancho Carrillo trail.

 

Secluded in a landscaped 27-acre canyon, the Leo Carrillo Ranch contains and protects hand-crafted adobe buildings, antique windmills, a reflecting pool and many other historic structures.

 

"To have the Wild West Fest here is exciting for our residents," Shay said.

 

At the Wild West Fest, children had the chance to make themed crafts, including dream weavers and rain sticks, while families could take part in the salsa tasting contest or watch an archery demonstration.

 

Designed to be fun for the family, Shay said the event is one way the City of Carlsbad gives back to the community.

 

"These events enhance our sense of community, which is one of the things that really makes Carlsbad special," she said.

 

Carlsbad resident Andrea Torphy said her four-year-old daughter Grace, who wore a white cowboy hat she designed at last year's event, has been excited for the Wild West Fest.

 

"We had so much fun that she's been looking forward to it all year," she said.

 

Shelly Potwardowski of Carlsbad said her family also enjoyed the Wild West Fest.

 

Although they liked watching the demonstrations, Potwardowski said the pony rides were the biggest hit, especially for her young daughter, Kate.

 

"My 5-year-old loves her horses," she said, adding that "she's over the moon."

 

Kevin Granse, recreation area manager, who oversees the historic park, said the Wild West Fest is a unique way to educate people about the City of Carlsbad's rich western history, which residents may not realize.

 

"We're able to touch on all that diverse cultural history that people don't relate with Carlsbad," he said.

 

Granse said the Leo Carrillo Ranch is free and open to the public daily except on Mondays. In addition, the park offers 90-minute guided tours on the weekends.

 

While many people come to learn about history, Granse said the park has another crowd pleaser – wild peacocks that freely roam the grounds.

 

Although beautiful just to observe, Granse pointed out that even the peacocks have a history.

 

"The birds that are here now are direct descendents of the ones Leo Carrillo had," he said. 

 

However, Granse believes it is more than beautiful birds and events that attract people to the historic park.

 

"It's the natural beauty of this place," he said.

 

For more information go to: City of Carlsbad

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Manager of local sports club heading to the Olympics

   Kathleen Alfaro was selected out of thousands of applicants to help run Team USA's fitness center in London for the 2012 Olympics.   Alfaro is currently the manager of 24 Hour Fitness in Carlsbad.  Learn more about Alfaro below.




Carlsbad Patch: What will you be doing at the 2012 Olympic Games?
Kathleen Alfaro: I will be one of 27 fitness ambassadors that will help run our High Performance Training Facility that 24 Hour Fitness provided technical insight and outfitted for Team USA athletes. My job will be to support our Olympic athletes and trainers while in London.  
Carlsbad Patch: Have you ever been to the Olympics?
Kathleen Alfaro: Outside of watching the Olympics on television, I have never physically to the Olympics. This will be an experience of a life time.
Carlsbad Patch: How did you get selected for this opportunity?
Kathleen Alfaro: I was chosen from 21,000 candidates over 400 clubs across the U.S. based on merit, performance and my ability to help people through fitness.
Carlsbad Patch: What are you most excited about doing/seeing at the Olympic Games?
Kathleen Alfaro: I am excited to support our Team USA at our performance center. I was able to spend 3 days in the USOC Colorado training center, where I watched and talked to Olympic hopefuls on their journey to London. I have very high praise for the dedication and passion each hopeful puts into winning a gold medal for Team USA.
Carlsbad Patch: Anything else?
Kathleen Alfaro: I am thankful and honored to work for a company that supports our country's athletics. This is truly a once and a life time opportunity, and I am ecstatic to go to London.
Alfaro has been an employee at 24 Hour Fitness for more than 10 years. She is also a marathon runner who has a Bachelor’s Degree in sociology, with an emphasis in Criminal Justice.




For more information please see the Carlsbad Patch.

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19 Ideas to Steal

Make the most of your apartment, big or small, with these great tips from Joanna Smith at Better Homes and Gardens. We've pulled the top three here, but check out the full post here.

It's tough to maintain openness in a crowded apartment room, but choosing armless furniture helps create an airy, unfettered look, giving the illusion of more space.

 "Floating" furniture makes for a great floor plan, but it leaves a wide expanse of boring sofa-back in the open.

One thing apartments often have going for them is open wall space. Rework a pair of sturdy bookshelves into an attractive storage wall…Cover them with curtains that match or complement your window treatments

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