Del Mar Racetrack Creates the Ultimate Summer Scene Now – Sept. 8

San Diego’s legendary Del Mar Racetrack is the ultimate summer scene with world-class Thoroughbred horse racing, weekly free concerts, and more events than ever before.

Rivaling a record-breaking 70th season of racing in 2009, Del Mar’s Opening Day celebration (which has come to be known as the biggest party on the west coast) is expected to draw more than 40,000 celebrities, socialites and fun-seekers to the track to kick-off another historic year. With a daily average of more than 17,000 visitors, the racetrack rounds out its season-long entertainment with a mixed bag of exciting events, from budget-conscious folks to affluent socialites and Hollywood celebrities.

The Del Mar Summer Concert Series, featuring “4 O’Clock Fridays, Presented by Jack Daniel’s” makes Del Mar one of San Diego’s most highly regarded concert venues with free headliner shows following the races each Friday. In addition, Del Mar will showcase “major talent” concerts on select Saturday dates.

Free & Easy Wednesdays include complimentary Stretch Run admission & seating, a free program and half-priced discounts on domestic beer, soda and hotdogs, return to the track every Wednesday. Presented by Toyota, kids and families can look forward to Family Sundays happening every Sunday all season long. A family of four can enjoy the races for as little as $6 for the entire day with the free Diamond Club membership and bets start at only $2, making it one of San Diego’s greatest budget-minded destinations for an entire day of entertainment.

The 20th running of the $1 Million Pacific Classic on Saturday, August 28 is Del Mar’s richest and most anticipated race. Bringing the nation’s top Thoroughbreds to Del Mar for a big event inevitably brings the regions top socialites and party-goers for one of Del Mar’s most popular race days. And as it always does, the track will host “Party in the Paddock” and bid the 2010 racing season goodbye with a gala Closing Day bash on September 8.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Horse Racing and Fairground Events

August 14

Reggae & Beer Fest, Jimmy Cliff & Matisyahu Concert

* Sample over 60 different beers while enjoying reggae music played throughout the race day on the Infield. The Reggae & Beer Fest is free with your $6 racetrack general admission, or costs $20 following the last race. Gates open at noon, first race is 2:00 p.m.

August 21

Weezer Concert, Beer Fest

* Enjoy a day at the races then catch iconic alternative rock band Weezer as they perform live on the Infield. Concert begins following the last race. Also going on throughout the race day is the Del Mar Beer Fest, featuring over 75 different cold brews. The Beer Fest and Concert are free with your $6 Stretch Run general admission, or $20 after the last race.

August 28

Pacific Classic, Craft Microbrew Festival, Local Music Showcase

* The $1 Million Pacific Classic is Del Mar’s richest race of the season, with the best horses and jockeys. Pacific Classic Day is also celebrated with a Craft Microbrew Festival and Local Music Showcase in the Infield. First race begins at 1:00 p.m.

September 6

Labor Day (Photo Jockey Day, Weiner Dog Nationals – S.D. Finals)

* Have your picture taken and get an autograph and chat with your favorite jockeys. Appearances will be from 12-1 p.m. The Wiener Dog National San Diego Finals will also determine the fastest Wiener dog in San Diego. Weiner dog races will take place on the track in front of the Winner’s Circle after races 3, 5 and 7.

September 8

Thoroughbred Horseracing Closing Day (Free & Easy Wednesdays, Party In the Paddock)

* Following the last race, join the Party In the Paddock where race fans can celebrate into the evening to celebrate the season coming to a close. Dance to live music from The Heroes and toast another great season while enjoying this free event in the paddock. Food and beverages available for purchase.

Racing at Del Mar happens Wednesday – Sunday, with post time for the first race on most days at 2pm. On Fridays first post is at 4pm for the first four Fridays and 3:30pm for the last three Fridays. For more information, call (858) 755-1141 or visit www.delmarscene.com.

6th Annual Professional Bull Riders Event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds

August 7, Saturday

The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Tour is coming to the Del Mar Fairgrounds Arena, Saturday, August 7 for the Del Mar Invitational, a Touring Pro Division event. More than 800 “tough as nails” cowboys that hold Professional Bull Rider memberships, will all striving to conquer the most ornery bulls in the world, while executing a true test of man versus beast.

Gates open at 7 p.m., and the event begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $26 for reserved grandstand seats and $66 for VIP Box Seating. Tickets are on sale and are available through the Del Mar Fairgrounds Box Office and Ticketmaster and can be ordered by calling (619) 220-8479 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, go to www.pbrnow.com or go to www.sdfair.com and click on "Events Calendar." The Del Mar Fairgrounds is located off of the I-5 at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar.

San Diego’s Visually Impaired Hang 10 at the Blind Surfing Event in Encinitas

Sept. 19, Sunday, 9am-Noon

San Diego’s visually impaired will once again have the opportunity to experience our famous shoreline from a surfer’s point of view. At the Encinitas Lions Club’s 14th Annual Surfing Clinic for the sight impaired, blind and visually impaired participants will be given instruction and assistance in the water by local surfers and volunteers as they challenge themselves to balance atop surfboards. This very special surfing event will take place at South Ponto Beach in Carlsbad, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

The San Diego Surfing Academy and Swami’s Surfing Association donate their time and expertise by offering surfing instruction to members from blind centers throughout San Diego County. Centers participating include the Blind Community Center of San Diego, the San Marcos Blind Community Center, and the La Jolla Leo’s Club for sight impaired teens.

The Encinitas Lions Club is a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. In addition to the annual Blind Surfing Event, the club works on a variety of projects such as free diabetes and eye testing clinics, a Christmas food drive for needy Camp Pendleton families, an eyeglass recycle campaign, guide dogs for the blind and Audible Traffic Signals.

The Encinitas Lions Club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course Grill. For more information please contact (760) 436-7338 or ramangini@cox.net.

Rob Machado Surf Classic and Cardiff Green Expo

Photo by: Kathy Klossner

October 2 -3, Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm at Cardiff State Beach

The Cardiff 101 Mainstreet Association along with surfing legend and Cardiff native, Rob Machado and his surf sponsors present the annual Cardiff Green Expo and Surf Classic.

As in years past, attendees will enjoy exciting surfing, entertainment, kid’s activities and delicious food throughout the weekend. There will be a children’s surf and an adult King & Queen of the Reef Surf Contest.

Prior to the weekend event, there will be a party with bands at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. Another evening will offer a family Movie Night under the stars in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

The Cardiff Green Expo brings environmental awareness to our coastal communities. Local San Diego non-profit organizations in architecture, energy and water conservation, food and agriculture, reuse and recycling, transportation, and eco-friendly products will be displaying their products and services at numerous vendor booths throughout the day.

For more information visit www.robmachadosurfexperience.com or call (760) 436-0431.

2010 MERCURY INSURANCE OPEN PRESENTED BY TRI-CITY MEDICAL CENTER AT LA COSTA RESORT AND SPA

Jelena Jankovic, currently ranked number three on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has officially entered the 2010 Mercury Insurance Open Presented by Tri-City Medical Center. The women’s professional tennis event is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 8 at the La Costa Resort and Spa.

A semifinalist at the 2010 French Open, Jankovic captured the number one singles ranking in the world in Aug. 2008, becoming the 18th player in tour history to hold the top spot. Later that year, the native of Belgrade, Serbia, reached the US Open singles final and would finish the 2008 tour season ranked number one.

“With the addition of Jankovic to our strong field, the Mercury Insurance Open is going to be an incredible tournament. I know fans are going to be very excited to have the opportunity to watch Jelena play,” said Raquel Giscafre, Mercury Insurance Open Tournament Director. “She’s going to feel right at home since she has a residence in nearby Rancho Santa Fe.”  

Jankovic was named the 2008 Singles World Champion by the International Tennis Federation.  She was also the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s Most Improved Player in 2007 for her performance in 2006. Jankovic, a member of the Serbian Fed Cup Team, has won 12 career tour singles titles.

Joining Jankovic at the Mercury Insurance Open will be fellow Serbian Ana Ivanovic and 2010 French Open finalist Samantha Stosur of Australia. Other players entered in the tournament include Russians Dinara Safina, Nadia Petrova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova.

Former two-time tournament champion Lindsay Davenport has accepted a wild card into the Mercury Insurance Open doubles competition, where she will partner fellow American Liezel Huber.

Reserved Grandstand and Box Seat tickets, which range from $10-$125, are now available online at mercuryinsuranceopen.com or through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com.  Tournament Ticket Packages are also on sale and begin at $70. For additional ticket information or to purchase tickets by phone, call (760) 930-7032.

The Mercury Insurance Open, a Premier 700 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event offering $700,000 in prize money, marks the return of women’s professional tennis to Carlsbad after a two-year hiatus. The event will be televised on Tennis Channel and ESPN 2, and will comprise one of the 10 events of the Olympus US Open Series.

Poway Rodeo

September 25-26

The Poway Rodeo was started by two Poway Valley Riders Association members, John Walker and Jack Miller. It took them several years to prepare and make all of the necessary arrangements to sponsor a sanctioned PRCA Rodeo in Poway. They and their wives traveled to the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City and made arrangements with the PRCA stock contractors, specialty acts, and rodeo accouncer Bob Tallman. Thru their efforts PVRA, The Lions Club, and the Poway Chamber of Commerce formed the Poway Rodeo Committee and produced the first Poway Rodeo in 1973.

The Poway Rodeo continues to feature the traditions of the old west and cowboy heritage honoring 38 years of rodeo in Poway. The event is a natural fit with Poway, whose “city in the country” motto plays up a rural and horse-friendly atmosphere despite the city’s proximity to San Diego.

The Poway Rodeo is a fast paced, exciting event that will leave you at the edge of your seat! These two action-packed days consist of Rodeo Queen introductions, steer wrestling, bareback riding, tie down roping, specialty acts, drill team, mutton busting, team roping, bull riding and much more for your enjoyment!

In addition to the Poway Rodeo there will be a dance on Friday and Saturday night open to everyone twenty one and over and no cover charge! To see the complete Rodeo schedule visit www.powayrodeo.com or call (866) 776-7633. Poway Rodeo is located at 14336 Tierra Bonita Road Poway, CA 92064.

Encinitas Educational Foundation Golf Tournament

Sept 10, Friday

The Encinitas Educational Foundation (EEF) will hold Fore For Kids, a golf tournament on Friday, September 10, at La Costa Resort and Spa. Funds raised will help cover the programs most in danger of being lost as a result of budget cuts due to the current state of the economy. The entry fee to play in the tournament is $200 which includes golf, cart, range balls, player gift, lunch, silent and live auctions and an awards dinner. For more information about the tournament please contact tournament director David Mirisch at david@dmirisch.com.

Composed of representatives from the district’s nine elementary schools, EEF serves approximately 5,000 students in Encinitas and South Carlsbad. The tournament, Fore For Kids, is being produced by David Mirisch.

Swing & Soiree Golf Tournament

Sept. 27, Monday

The Lucky Duck Foundation will host San Diego’s Second Annual Swing & Soiree on Monday, September 27, at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. Organizers of the golf tournament, boutique shopping event and cocktail party are once again expecting over 100 golfers and an additional 200 party attendees. All proceeds will benefit the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund and Father Joe’s Villages.

Swing participants will tee off at 12 PM with a shotgun shamble format that includes great gifts from Nike, team and individual prize competitions, boxed lunch, course snacks and beverages. Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club is a championship course distinguished as one of the finest "walkable" designs in the world. Located in North San Diego, the course was extensively renovated in 2002, elevating it to one of the Top 20 Best Golf Venues in California according to Golf Digest Magazine.  Lucky Duck Foundation CFO, Pat Kilkenny, says "This event provides a unique opportunity to play the exclusive Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club while supporting two very worthy causes.” 

The Soiree begins at 5 PM with a valuable gift from Columbia Sportswear for all attendees, upscale boutique shopping, open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres, silent & live auctions.  According to Lucky Duck Foundation CEO, Stephanie Kilkenny, "The success we had with last year’s event encouraged us to host a similar event this year. It is great golfing combined with delicious food, signature drinks, socializing and shopping while supporting local and national charities." 

Registration fee to attend the Swing & Soiree is $600 per person, of which $300 is tax deductible.  Golfers are encouraged to invite non-golfing guests to join them after the Swing by registering to attend the Soiree only for $100, of which $50 is tax deductible. Online registration is available at www.LuckyDuckFoundation.org.

Lucky Duck Foundation leadership, Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny, plan to again personally match the funds raised by this event. In 2009, they presented checks of $100,000 to both Father Joe’s Villages and the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund. In November 2008, their San Diego TEE-OFF & TIP-OFF fundraiser raised over $135,000.

Oceanside Swimming and Surfing Events

81st Annual Oceanside Labor Day Pier Swim

Sept. 6, 8:30 - 11:30 am

One-mile swim around Oceanside Pier. Event sponsored by Oceanside Swim Club. Call (760) 435-1031.

Oceanside Firefighters Surfing

Sept. 10-12, 7am – 4:30pm

Surf for the Sea and Oceanside Firefighters in the 14th annual surfing event starting on Friday September 10th to Sunday September 12, 7am -4:30pm at North Pier Beach. Memorial surf event in honor of local surfers who have passed away. Benefit for the environment and Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter. Call (760) 439-0863

NSSA Surfing Championship

Sept. 25-26

National Scholastic Surfing Association NSSA Open. Surfing Contest at South Harbor Jetty from 7am to 6pm. Call (714) 378-0899.

San Diego Padres Schedule

August

8/1 vs. FLA 1:05 pm

8/2 @ LAD 7:10 pm

8/3 @ LAD 7:10 pm

8/4 @ LAD 7:10 pm

8/5 @ LAD 7:10 pm

8/6 @ ARI 6:40 pm

8/7 @ ARI 5:10 pm

8/8 @ ARI 1:10 pm

8/10 vs. PIT 7:10 pm

8/11 vs. PIT 7:05 pm

8/12 vs. PIT 3:35 pm

8/13 @ SF 7:15 pm

8/14 @ SF 1:10 pm

8/15 @ SF 1:10 pm

8/16 @ CHC 5:05 pm

8/17 @ CHC 5:05 pm

8/18 @ CHC 11:20 am

8/19 @ CHC 11:20 am

8/20 @ MIL 5:10 pm

8/21 @ MIL 4:10 pm

8/22 @ MIL 11:10 am

8/24 vs. ARI 7:05 pm

8/25 vs. ARI 7:05 pm

8/26 vs. ARI 3:35 pm

8/27 vs. PHI 7:05 pm

8/28 vs. PHI 1:10 pm

8/29 vs. PHI 1:05 pm

8/30 @ ARI 6:40 pm

8/31 @ ARI 6:40 pm

SEPTEMBER

9/1 @ ARI 3:10 pm

9/3 vs. COL 7:05 pm

9/4 vs. COL 5:35 pm

9/5 vs. COL 1:05 pm

9/6 vs. LAD 7:05 pm

9/7 vs. LAD 7:05 pm

9/8 vs. LAD 7:05 pm

9/9 vs. SF 7:05 pm

9/10 vs. SF 7:05 pm

9/11 vs. SF 5:35 pm

9/12 vs. SF 1:05 pm

9/13 @ COL 5:40 pm

9/14 @ COL 5:40 pm

9/15 @ COL 12:10 pm

9/16 @ STL 5:15 pm

9/17 @ STL 5:15 pm

9/18 @ STL 4:15 pm

9/19 @ STL 11:15 pm

9/21 @ LAD 7:10 pm

9/22 @ LAD 7:10 pm

9/23 @ LAD 7:10 pm

9/24 vs. CIN 7:05 pm

9/25 vs. CIN 5:35 pm

9/26 vs. CIN 1:05 pm

9/27 vs. CHC 7:05 pm

9/28 vs. CHC 7:05 pm

9/29 vs. CHC 7:05 pm

9/30 vs. CHC 3:35 pm

San Diego Chargers Schedule

Preseason

8/14 vs. Chicago Bears 6:00 pm

8/21 vs. Dallas Cowboys 6:00 pm

8/27 at New Orleans Saints 5:00 pm

9/2 at San Francisco 49ers 7:00 pm

Regular Season

9/13 at Kansas City Chiefs 7:15 pm

9/19 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 1:15 pm

9/26 at Seattle Seahawks 1:15 pm

10/3 vs. Arizona Cardinals 1:15 pm

10/10 at Oakland Raiders 1:15 pm

10/17 at St. Louis Rams 10:00 am

10/24 vs. New England Patriots 1:15 pm

10/31 vs. Tennessee Titans 1:05 pm

11/07 at Houston Texas 10:00 am

11/22 vs. Denver Broncos 5:30 pm

11/28 at Indianapolis Colts 5:20 pm

12/05 vs. Oakland Raiders 1:05 pm

12/12 vs. Kansas City Chiefs 1:15 pm

12/16 vs. San Francisco 49ers 5:20 pm

12/26 at Cincinnati Bengals 5:20 pm

1/02 at Denver Broncos 1:15 pm