About.com San Diego

Profile: San Diego's Shaun White is Seeking More Gold at Vancouver Winter Olympics

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:12:37 +0000

He is the biggest star in action sports and with the Vancouver Winter Olympics beginning this weekend, Shaun White is setting his sights to repeat his quest for gold in the snowboarding halfpipe competition. The San Diego native not only will try and defend the title he won at the 2006 Turin Olympics, but he'll likely be raising the bar with some new breathtaking moves. The halfpipe competition begins on Feb. 17.

Shaun White is one of the biggest and most recognized stars in action sports. With his flaming red mane, the 23-year-old Carlsbad resident not only is a superstar in snowboarding but in skateboarding as well, being the first to win gold medals in both the 2007 Summer and Winter X Games.

Profile: San Diego's Shaun White is Seeking More Gold at Vancouver Winter Olympics originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 02:12:37.

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Valentines Day Dining in San Diego

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:00:07 +0000

Lest you forget, Valentine's Day is just around the corner (by the way, that's Feb. 14 on the calendar). And if you're stuck on what to do with that special someone in your life, remember that a nice dinner is always a good choice. But where to go? There are a number of restaurants around town serving up special Valentine's Day menus such as Bertrand's at Mister A's (great for the views as well), Oceanaire, Island Prime, El Bizocho, among many. And OpenTable.com makes things even easier for you by letting you make reservations for Valentine's Day online. To see what restaurants are available for online reservations on Valentine's Day from OpenTable.com, check their Website here.

Valentines Day Dining in San Diego originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 12:00:07.

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NFL Hall of Fame Passes on Don Coryell Again

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:57:44 +0000

In what can only be considered one of sports' ongoing injustices, Don Coryell was once again passed over for entry into the 2010 NFL Hall of Fame class today. Coryell, former head coach of the San Diego Chargers as well as the St. Louis Cardinals and the SDSU Aztecs, made the final 15 for the first time, but did not gain entry. The 44 selectors chose Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Russ Grimm, Ricky Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau and John Randle for the Hall's class of 2010.

Undeniably one of football's most influential and innovative minds, Coryell, 85, is credited with creating the modern-day passing game that continues to bear his stamp to this very day. Known for his high-flying "Air Coryell" Chargers from 1978 through 1986, Coryell tried things that those before him never had. He spread the field with multiple-receiver sets, attacked defenses vertically, lined up his tight end in various places and made him a vertical threat and essentially created the "H-back" position, a hybrid fullback/tight end.

In turn, defenses had to drastically change to keep up with the way he used so many different formations and personnel groups. Coryell essentially forced the creation of nickel and dime defenses.

Successful offensive coaching wizards from Bil Walsh to Ernie Zampese to Mike Martz to current Chargers head coach Norv Turner have all used the Coryell blueprint to form their own offensive schemes and philosophy.

But Coryell's teams never went to or won a Super Bowl, which might explain the continued slight. Which is a shame, because the NFL's unsurpassed popularity owes a big part of its success to the genius of Don Coryell. One can only hope the Hall of Fame's acknowledgment isn't a posthumous one.

NFL Hall of Fame Passes on Don Coryell Again originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 19:57:44.

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Chula Vista Little Leaguers Meet President Obama

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:01:54 +0000

On a snowy day in Washington D.C.� and five months after defeating Taiwan to win the Little League World Series, Chula Vista's Park View all-stars met President Barack Obama at the White House. The players and their families met with the president for about 30 minutes inside the East Room. He asked each player what position they played, then shook each of the players' hands and greeted each family member, too.

The players presented the president with an autographed Park View jersey, and they also signed jerseys to be presented to first daughters Sasha and Malia.

Read about the Park View team's visit with President Obama on the NBC 7/39 website.

Chula Vista Little Leaguers Meet President Obama originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 20:01:54.

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Monster Energy AMA Supercross Flies into Qualcomm Stadium, Feb. 6

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:00:54 +0000

For motorsports fans, one of the ultimate in spectator viewing is the supercross in a stadium setting. And the Monster Energy AMA Supercross tour makes its annual stop at Qualcomm Stadium, Saturday, Feb. 6. See the spectacular jumps and riding by these motocross warriors in a winding, dirt filled track. Supercross superstars James Stewart and Chad Reed won't be racing because of hand injuries, so the race is wide open. Up-and-coming riders Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto heads the lineup of racers vying for the San Diego title. Main event starts at 7 p.m. Doors open/practice & qualifying is at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are as low as $10.

For information about the Amp'd Mobile Supercross at Qualcomm Stadium visit the official website.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross Flies into Qualcomm Stadium, Feb. 6 originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 01:00:54.

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It's Whale Watching Weekend at Cabrillo National Monument, Feb. 6 & 7

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:07 +0000

We're in the middle of whale watching season, and this weekend is a great time to learn all about this fascinating migration when the 2009 Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival at Cabrillo National Monument takes place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6-7.� Between 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, you'll learn from experts how to spot the gray whales from the Point Loma vantage point, as well as learn about the local tidepool life within the National Park.

Whale Watch Weekend celebrates the return of the Pacific gray whales to Point Loma as part of their annual, round-trip migration from Mexico to Alaska and the intertidal life found in the tidepool area on the monument's western shore. Guest speakers will share their expertise on gray whales and other cetaceans and intertidal habitat and ecology. The new Kelp Forest and Whale Overlook will be officially opened and exhibitors will provide activities and information about whales, tidepools and their organizations. Park rangers and volunteers will assist visitors in spotting whales and exploring the monument's tidepool area.

All events are included with the regular park entrance fee of $5 per vehicle and $3 for motorcyclists, bicyclists and walk-ins.� For information about this event call 619/557-5450 or visit the Cabrillo National Monument website for park info.

Read my Whale Watching in San Diego article here.

It's Whale Watching Weekend at Cabrillo National Monument, Feb. 6 & 7 originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 12:00:07.

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February is San Diego Museum Month

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:53:26 +0000

Even though museums in San Diego are most closely associated with our well-known institutions in Balboa Park, the fact is San Diego has dozens of museums throughout the entire county. And February is the best time to get acquainted with some of these museums because it's Museum Month in San Diego.

During Museum Month, individuals can pick up a free Museum Month Pass at San Diego County Macy's locations to receive half-off admission at 39 San Diego County museums all month long.� Guests with a pass may bring up to three people with them to any participating museum to receive half-off, too.

Celebrating 21 years of museum going, Museum Month was created in 1989 to promote awareness of the region's museums, historical sites, educational institutions and cultural offerings.� Since that time the promotion has grown to become a cultural tradition on a level witnessed by very few cities in the country. Last year more than 19,000 visitors used the Museum Month Pass to visit museums at half-price.

Participating museums include:

Adobe Chapel Museum
Barona Cultural Center & Museum
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
California Center for the Arts, Museum (Feb. 13-28)
Coronado Museum of History & Art
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
Heritage of the Americas Museum
La Jolla Historical Society
LUX Art Institute
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Marston House
MCRD Command Museum
Mingei International Museum
Mingei International Museum North County
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - Downtown
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - La Jolla (Feb. 21-28)
Museum of Making Music
Museum of Photographic Arts
Oceanside Museum of Art
Old Town San Diego Historic Park
Quail Botanical Gardens
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego Archaeological Center
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
San Diego Historical Society Museum & Research Archives
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Man
San Diego Natural History Museum
Tijuana Estuary Visitors Center
Timken Museum of Art
USS Midway Museum
Veteran's Museum & Memorial Center
Water Conservation Garden
Whaley House
Women's History Museum & Education Center

For more information about San Diego Museum Month, click here.

February is San Diego Museum Month originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 00:53:26.

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Tiger Woods Target of Humorous Advertising Prank In Skies Above Torrey Pines

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:04:47 +0000

He may not be playing at this week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, but even in absentia Tiger Woods is the center of conversation at the PGA tournament. Or more specifically, the center of chuckles because yesterday an airplane towing one of those message banners was spotted above the golf course.

The banner's message? "WE MISS YOU TIGER! D�J� VU SHOWGIRLS." Now, for those of you in the dark about such things, Deja Vu Showgirls is a local strip club. And given the scandal of Tiger's now well-known and numerous sexual escapades (he is reportedly checked into a sex addiction clinic), it is the latest - and possibly funniest - joke at the once infallible one's expense.

As one player reportedly said yesterday, the banner was "tastefully tasteless." Gonna have to agree with that one.

To see a picture of the banner, read Tod Leonard's story on the Union-Tribune's website here.

Tiger Woods Target of Humorous Advertising Prank In Skies Above Torrey Pines originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 13:04:47.

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Farmers Insurance is New Sponsor for San Diego PGA Tour Stop, Jan. 28-31

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:19 +0000

Between the economic fallout and the extraordinary Tiger Woods infidelity scandal, it has been a tough period for the PGA Tour and specifically the former Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines. What was to be known as the San Diego Open was in search of a title sponsor after Buick, which had sponsored the tournament since 1992, filed for bankruptcy last year. Buick had been signed through 2010.

But at the eleventh hour, California-based Farmers Insurance stepped up to the plate and signed on as the much-needed sponsor to San Diego's PGA tournament tour stop. So, instead of the tournament formerly known as the Buick Invitational/San Diego Open, we now have the Farmers Insurance Open.

So, it goes without saying that there will be no Tiger sightings at this year's event. Nevertheless, the Farmers Insurance Open must go on, Tiger or no Tiger. Nick Watney is the defending champion and the tournament takes place Jan. 25-31, 2010 (the actual tournament starts on Jan. 28.).

For more info about the 2010 Farmers Insurance Open, read my article here.

Read Brent Kelly's Farmers Insurance Open profile at About.com's Golf site.

Farmers Insurance is New Sponsor for San Diego PGA Tour Stop, Jan. 28-31 originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 12:00:19.

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Spike Lee, Danny Glover to be Honored at San Diego Black Film Festival, Jan. 28-31

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:20:00 +0000

The San Diego Film Festival was established in 2003 to celebrate and spotlight African-American filmmakers and films. The 2010 event takes place Jan. 28-31 when some 100 films are screened at the UA Horton Plaza theatres, as well as panel discussions and parties and galas.

This year, the film festival honors Spike Lee and Danny Glover with awards of merits. The award is given to filmmakers and actors for their historic and pioneering work as representatives of the African-American community. Lee will receive the Award of Merit in the category of Filmmaker and will appear at the Awards Dinner & Gala on Jan. 30. Glover will receive the Award of Merit in the actor category and will appear at the Opening Day Reception on Jan. 28.

For more information about the 2010 San Diego Black Film Festival, including film lineup, ticket prices and more, click here.

Spike Lee, Danny Glover to be Honored at San Diego Black Film Festival, Jan. 28-31 originally appeared on About.com San Diego on Sunday, January 24th, 2010 at 00:20:00.

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