This Saturday, June 26th is the 31st Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off, so if you’re looking for a great adventure to greet the summer sun, this is it! Here’s whats happening…

The Chili Cook-off (at the foot of Newport Avenue) is  from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., when amateurs and chefs  alike put their chili to the mercy of the judges.  Stewed meat ‘n beans not your thing?  ‘Shades’ will have some vegetarian chili simmering at their booth.  Liquorland and the beach-side Beer Garden will be nearby, just in case the surefire sunshine threatens dehydration.

The Street Fair is from 10 a.m to 8 p.m., with live music spread across five stages representing acoustic, blues, rock & roots, along with a stage reserved for homegrown OB talent.  The 6th Annual Skate Jam will be hosted by OB Surf & Skate, and Wonderland Children’s Area will keep little ones happy with pony rides.  Enjoy the work of selected artists in Artist’s Alley, or make your own mark on the Community Mural, which will be displayed on the US Bank on Newport Avenue after the Street Fair.

Proceeds from the Chili Cook-off and the Raffle held at the Street Fair will go toward the 4th of July Fireworks in Ocean Beach.   Live music, vendors, rave chili, avant guarde scene & unique things to buy…you won’t want to miss the biggest block party in Ocean Beach!

Local celebri-dogs Ricochet & Kalani hang 40

San Diego is once again host to the Western Regional Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Competition, and it’s coming THIS weekend to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach! You can catch all the action live, before the winners continue on to the National Finals in October…

Events at the Del Mar Fairgrounds will include dog diving, freestyle flying disc, head-to-head weave poles, agility, and Jack Russell hurdle racing.  In its second year, the surf dog competition event brings all the fur-tastic action to Ocean Beach Dog Beach.  If you didn’t make it to the Loews Surf Dog Contest last month, (which made news as far away as Japan & New Zealand) this is your chance to see some phenomenal SoCal athletes ‘hang 20′!

Just in time for the upcoming World Cup, a special ’soccer dog’ exhibition match will be held between the champion indoor soccer team San Diego Sockers and the ruff Soccer Collies.  The age old question, “Does having four legs give a player an unfair advantage?” will at last be answered…

Most of the contests are by invitation, so only top dogs in their respective fields will be participating. San Diego is a mecca for competitive athletes, and these hot dogs are no exception. Local and regional favorites, as well as first-time underdogs, will all be looking for a chance to have their names barked into the Incredible Dog Hall of Fame!

Schedule of Events

Friday – June 11, 2010
Ocean Beach – Dog Beach
8 a.m – Registration
9 a.m – Small Dog Surf Contest
9:30 a.m – Big Dog Surf Contest
10:30 a.m – Awards

Del Mar Fairgrounds
9 a.m – Qualifying Sign-Up and Registration
10:30 a.m – Diving Dog Qualifying
11:30 a.m – Freestyle Flying Disc Qualifying
2 p.m – Soccer Collies Exhibition
3:15 p.m – Jack Russell Hurdle Racing Practice
3:45 p.m – Diving Dog Practice
4:30 p.m – Agility Practice
5:30 p.m – Weave Up-and-Back 30 Practice
6 p.m – Freestyle Flying Disc Practice

Saturday – June 12, 2010 Del Mar Fairgrounds
11 a.m – Diving Dog Warm-up
11:20 a.m – Agility Forerunners
11:25 a.m – National Anthem
11:30 a.m – Agility Competition
12:30 p.m – Diving Dog Competition
1:15 p.m – Jack Russell Hurdle Racing Competition
2 p.m – Soccer Collies Exhibition
2:30 p.m – Weave Up-and-Back 30 Competition
3 p.m – Freestyle Flying Disc Competition

Times & events may be suybject to change

“Hot music & hot chili… be there or go hungry!”

This weekend is the much anticipated Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cookoff Festival. You can bet there will be partying in the street, some chili to die for, great music & events, and a huge turnout. It’s been an OB tradition for 30 years, and is the place to be this Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM.

“OB knows how to throw a party!”

At Newport Ave & Bacon St, 4 stages will offer great music provided by homegrown stock & some talented folks from a bit farther afield.  Agua Dulce’s hot Latin appeal and Podunk Nowhere’s sultry acoustic sound are part of San Diego’s local music scene, while Ten Mile Tide brings their funky bluegrass sound from the city by the bay, San Francisco.      →Click here for a schedule of bands←

Dazed and Confused & 40 Ounces to Freedom are local favorites, and this is just the tip of the musical  iceberg.

After the music of the Jimmy Dean Kings, wander over to the Chili Cook-off, where amateurs & chefs throw their chili to the mercy of the judges. The competition is stiff, with chili masters (and some…not so much) coming from far and wide.

“Hot n’ spicy, or  thick n’ chunky, vegan or meaty…”

They’ll be chili variations for all.  OB vendors will be sure to have additional selections of veggie wraps & other snacks.  Oh, and beer gardens… readily available in case the chili you choose to sample is one of the ‘Have No Mercy’  variety! Ring in summer right with the biggest block party that’s been going on for 30 years strong.  Start your summer right with friends, music, and good times OB style!

“See you Saturday… we’ll be sampling the hot n’ spicy!”

“There’s something fishy about Ocean Beach…”

Living on the coast promises the freshest fish. Living up the coast from Mexico promises the best tacos. But tacos and fish belong to very different food groups, according to my taste buds.

Finally one day, (caving under pressure) I ordered one to satisfy a friend. A beam of light streamed from the clouds at first bite. (Well, not really) Where had this elegantly simple solution been?

Light, flaky fried fish with crisp shredded cabbage and a slightly spicy white sauce…all in a handy wrap to eat on the run.

“I was in for a little surprise…”

One of the definitive fish tacos can be found at the unexpected, South Beach Bar & Grille in Ocean Beach. In addition to fish, there are also delectable shrimp and lobster tacos The rowdy bar can busy but seating turns over quickly as patrons steal inside for a few minutes relief from the sun. Located at the end of Newport Avenue, the view out over the ocean is sublime while you sit sipping your favorite brew, taco in hand.

You might get lucky and have a short wait for a table at the 3rd Corner in Ocean Beach (”OB” to us locals…) on a Friday night.  With reservations not taken, you take your chances.  The good news is…you will not be disappointed however the fates greet you at the door.

The specials were described and we were turned loose on the tantalizing wine cellar.  With the deft guidance of our Sommelier Tom, we laid claim to a deliciously complex Italian Barbera. The pairing of wine and food was brilliant. Pastry Crust Wrapped Tuna Special,  the “Pork Chop”, a house favorite…(Mmm, getting hungry here) Oh, and don’t tell our mothers, but we would’ve taken seconds on the side of lentils.

“We have at least 3 new Italian & Chilean wines in mind for future visits…”

The concept is gifted in its simplicity.  A busy and successful business as a wine merchant, with a broad menu of staples that will successfully balance a divine vintage plucked from the rack.  The selection of wines from around the world proves how seriously they take their calling.

Patrons may order by the glass or shop the full selection. By the bottle, a $5 corkage fee will see your bottle opened for your dinner. Late night diners rejoice, the kitchen is open until 1:00 AM, except Mondays.