“You may call me Sir”

Rascal was our favorite to win in the Ugly Dog category at the Del Mar Ugly Dog contest last Sunday, and win he did! To the delight of Rascal’s owner Dane Andrew, Rascal (a hairless Chinese Crested) won the coveted title of 2010 World’s Ugliest Dog.

Last year, tiny Rascal with his perennial bad hair day, was overshadowed by the towering behemoth Chomper, a mutt of dubious dental hygiene. SanDiegoSunCoast.com sponsored the Ugly Dog Category, so I had the honor of presenting the winning trophy to both Rascal and Dane. Victory never looked so good!

Atta Boy Rascal!!!!

Video taken by Petopia.tv (from our very own Del Mar!)

A sea of a different color…

Passing through Carlsbad along  I-5 this time of year, you’ll notice a sea of a different color. The Flower Fields of Carlsbad cover the hills in a blaze of technicolor.   Over 50 acres of brilliant blooms with a backdrop of vivid blue ocean, and you’re invited to take a walk through the kaleidoscope.

Stroll through fields of alternating stripes waving  a floral version of Old Glory in red, white and blue Anemone flowers.  Lose yourself in the Sweet Pea Maze, see more than 20 varieties the legendary Ecke Poinsettias. More than 50 different kinds of miniature roses bloom in the All American Rose Selection (AARS) garden, one of only 130 AARS accredited public rose gardens nationwide.

Check out these special events…

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Poetry in motion

Coastal Del Mar is steeped in equestrian history. From thoroughbred racing to polo ponies, cowboys to dressage, hunter-jumpers  to pleasure riders,  all share a common bond – a deep love of horses. Since its inception in 1946, the Del Mar National Horse Show has steadily grown to become one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the Western United States. This years event, held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, will bring even more excitement to the coast!

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Imagine for a moment if you will… You’ve won the 33rd America’s Cup Race and you’ve just returned home to the US, victorious and celebrated. You are minding your own business and an 1847 behemouth of a tall ship sneaks up on you and fires her guns across your bow.

WHAT DO YOU DO? You celebrate!

NOTE: We edited out the part where Jocelyne almost dropped both herself and her camera into the water after the first reverberating shot. You can hear the gigging in the background…

Oktapodi – spikeandmike.com

Spring is near & romance is in the air sea…

Spike and Mike (of Sick & Twisted animation fame) are debuting ‘New Generation Animation‘, a collection of mainstream award-winning (Cannes, Academy Award nominee, Comic-Con…) cutting edge animated shorts. Don’t miss their critically acclaimed ensemble of the best and funniest  international animation shorts from around the world. Talents include Bill Plympton, PES, The Town Called Panic team and many more. Avant-guard meets clever with a twist!

For a VERY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT at the Museum of Contemporary Art – La Jolla. Prices are very reasonable considering the on-screen talent, only $15 per person, or $12 per person group rates for 4 or more. Show times are:

March 5th – Friday – 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM → That’s TONIGHT!!

March 13 & 20th  - Saturday – 7:15 PM & 9:30 PM

TO SEE WHAT THE SHOW WILL BE LIKE, CLICK HERE → New Generation Preview

“I’m ready for my closeup Mr. DeMille…”

Chomper - 2009 Winner Ugliest Dog

The 15th Annual Ugly Dog Contest is back this weekend at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and this year, it’s going to be bigger than ever. It’s even rumored that National Geographic will be there! Hey, Animal Planet was there filming last year… Worried it might rain? No worries! The show is being held under the dry roof of the newly roofed Activity Center. (TIP: This is the big covered pavilion that also houses the rodeo shows, monster truck showdowns, ostrich races, etc.)

Last year, the grounds were packed! Competition is stiff in the ‘Ugliest Dog” catagory, as well as Cutest, Most Handsome (our pal Wilson won it last year,) Most Beautiful, Dogs That Look Most Like Their Owners, Best Costume, Best Trick, and many more. Pet oriented businesses and shops will be on hand to offer suggestions on the perfect accessory, food, health and wellness programs for your beloved Fido or FiFi. For $8 per adult, and $2 for children under 12, we can’t think of a better (and funnier) way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Official Site of the Ugly Dog Show – Times & Events

2009 Ugly Dog Contest – See photos of last years contestants here!

“Ah, springtime… [it comes early in San Diego]

Romance fills the air…”

In America’s Finest City, we can’t be bothered with seasons. We just have Spring & Summer. Period. We don’t need the other stuff. Who needs leaves turning red, when you have fiery red & gold sunsets over the Pacific? Or crunchy cold snow, when you have soft warm sand? With miles of beckoning coastline, romance is just a beach away.

Here’s our  top 10 romantic beaches [and what to do when you get there]

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What does it mean to be a snowboarder?

“It’s about having fun, with your friends or by yourself. It’s about pushing yourself to try new things and do the unexpected. Finally, and most importantly, it’s about being creative.” (ShaunWhite.com)

Who is Shaun White? He’s a snowboarder, a skateboarder, a surfer, a product & clothing designer, a philanthropist…  He is 23 years old.

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This was Cardiff-by-the-Sea in January 2010

High surf (maybe 5-6 ft?) combined with high tides hit this low lying area of Highway 101

The surf report for today & tomorrow?

“Wave sets near 7 feet Saturday, Sunday up to 11 feet”

Todays Severe Weather Warning – per the National Weather Service: Tsunami Advisory

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Liberty Station is going to the dogs…

This Sunday [Feb. 28th] from 9 am to 4 pm in NTC Park, over 35 different shelters and rescue organizations will come together for the Doggie Street Festival, helping animals in need of a good home.  The Festival is dedicated to increasing public awareness of pet homelessness, as well as educating the public on issues pertaining to animal safety, health and responsible pet ownership.  The event is free and open to the public, and will include entertainment, obedience and fitness demonstrations.  Also featured will be local pet-centric companies, such as Leash Your Fitness, Wag’n Tails, Muttique, Dogs and the City Daycare & Spa, and many others devoted to pet care, health and well being.

Here’s the scoop…

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