Appearance fees ain't just for celebrities -- Del Mar track giving $1,000 a horse to race during July 20 to Sept. 7 summer meet...

Del Mar will launch an incentive program that will pay a $1,000 appearance fee, and a 20 percent bonus for initial purse money earned in overnight races, to the owners of horses from outside of California who start at the upcoming meeting from July 20 to Sept. 7, the track announced on Sunday.

The program will be financed equally by Del Mar and the Thoroughbred Owners of California, through the purse fund, according to director of racing Tom Robbins.

The appearance fee will be paid to horses shipped to the track for any race, including stakes, while the 20 percent bonus will be paid on purse monies earned for finishing first through fifth in overnight races. If a similar program had been in place last year that approximately 50 horses would have been eligible for the incentives, Robbins told The Daily Racing Form.

“There is a shortage of horses, not just in California, but nationally,” Robbins said over the weekend. “We’ve got to provide some incentive to seek horses from outside the [California] borders. We can provide something that will help.”

Robbins said that discussions are ongoing with trainers from other circuits about sending stables for the meeting, but declined to name those trainers “We’ve got some feelers, trainers that are looking at it that haven’t been here,” Robbins said.

The incentives could help average field size. Last year, Del Mar averaged 8.18 starters per race and ran 325 races. In 2009, the track averaged 8.56 starters in 344 races. For the 2011 meeting, Del Mar plans to run five days a week for most weeks, Wednesdays through Sundays, one more day than Santa Anita and Hollywood Park offered on most weeks in the first half of this year. Racing will also be held at Del Mar on Labor Day, Sept. 5.

Trainer John Sadler, the president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers association, said he is in support of the incentive program, and has been scouting horses from other circuit to add to his stable.

“My gut reaction is that it’s good,” he said. “Every little bit helps.”

Last year, Midwest-based trainer Cash Asmussen had a small stable at Del Mar, winning with 2 of 8 starters. Otherwise the season largely featured California-based trainers. In addition, several runners were imported from Europe and made their first starts in this country in overnight races for a variety of trainers.

Embedded Public Relations Dept. Pt. 1 -- 'Iconic Del Mar, Calif. hotel interior remodel under way'

Editor's Note: I would re-write this, but I don't have time, so this is one instance where the PR people won a battle here. I would do more with this actually if...But I digress. The deal here is when I saw this I went STRATFORD INN - ARE YOU F'''IN KIDDING ME! Big time, because I've walked by that place for years and always thought of it as the ultimate in kitschy landmarks. So, to see it is now becoming this even more wildly kitschy 'Hotel Indigo' concept was, I duno, funny or something. That makes this sort of interesting, so don't get too confused by the frames since I embedded their raw copy for the purposes of time management and html demonstration. Enjoy!

-- Dan Weisman, founder/editor Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe So What Is News

Del Mar racing season looking good as July 20 opening day looms large...

 If early indications are any barometer, the 2011 racing season at historic Del Mar Racetrack will be a good one. The 72nd race meeting "where the turf meets the surf" will get underway Wednesday, July 20. 

"It's just looking like one of those years," said Del Mar's chief executive officer Joe Harper. "The vibe, as they say, is good. There appears to be lots of interest out there and I think we're going to be in position to combine good business with good fun."

A first day sales record was achieved when the track's ticket office opened for on-line and call-in sales on May 13, More than $300,000 in sales was recorded on the initial day, an increase of better than eight percent over last year. 

The track's full compliment of 13 full-season luxury suites are sold out and the sales department said that sales of its three daily-basis suites are proceeding well. 

"We've been a magnet for people here in the summer for more than 70 years now," Harper noted. "People come here to work and they come here to play. We're going to do more of the same this year and have some good Del Mar fun while we're at it. You can bet on that." 

Del Mar, which opened in 1937 with co-owner Bing Crosby collecting admissions, employs more than 3,800 people. In 2010 the track attracted 662,521 fans for a daily average of almost 18,000.

The track's signature race, the $1 million Pacific Classic, has been set for Sunday, August 28. The 1 1/4-mile stakes will be conducted for the 21st time. 

Track executive vice president for racing Tom Robbins said that daily purses will average at least $550,000 for the 37-day meeting.

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The latest betting craze in horse racing ---- the 50-cent Pick 5 and its low takeout ---- appears to be coming to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club this summer.

Track president Craig Fravel said recently that a decision would come in "the next 10 days."

"It looks like we probably will (add it)," Fravel said, "but we haven't made a final decision. We'll analyze the results from Hollywood Park, sit down with the TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California) and come up with a plan and a final decision."

Hollywood Park added the Pick 5 at the beginning of its meet last month in response to bettors who were upset when the California Horse Racing Board supported a 2 percent takeout increase in exotic wagers at the beginning of the year, with the extra funds mainly going to purses for horsemen.

Pat Boone Salute at Tommy V's on Thursday. Be There or Be Square. Exclusive Interview...

Pat Boone will be the very special guest for the aptly-named “An Evening with Pat Boone and Friends” on Thursday, May 26^th at Tommy V’s restaurant (3790 Via de la Valle). He will share some thoughts, sing a few songs and join local favorites,The North Coast Quintet (featuring members The Joe Satz Trio) on stage as the entertainment for the evening. The Event will celebrate America and our military both past and present, with proceeds benefiting Ryan’s Reach, one of the many charities Pat supports, plus the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club, known for the many worthwhile causes they support.

 It’s hard to say the name Pat Boone without attaching the word legendary. That is truly the correct description of Pat’s career, which includes 45 million albums sold, 38 Top 40 hits and appearances in several Hollywood movies. His talent as a singer and actor, combined with his old-fashioned values, contributed to his popularity in the early days of rock and roll and continue to this day.

According to Billboard, Pat Boone was the second biggest charting artist of the late 1950s, behind only Elvis Presley. He is ranked at No. 9 in its listing of the Top 100 Top 40 Artists 1955-1995 and Pat Boone still holds the Billboard record for spending 220 consecutive weeks (that’s over 4 years) on the charts with more than one song. Pat continues to perform today and he enjoys speaking as a motivational speaker, a television personality, a conservative political commentator and even a preacher on occasion.

Pat will be the very special guest for the aptly-named “An Evening with Pat Boone and Friends” on Thursday, May 26^th at Tommy V’s restaurant in Del Mar. He will share some thoughts, sing a few songs and join local favorites, The North Coast Quintet (featuring members The Joe Satz Trio) on stage as the entertainment for the evening. The Event will celebrate America and our military both past and present, with proceeds benefiting Ryan’s Reach, one of the many charities Pat supports, plus the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club, known for the many worthwhile causes they support.

Pat Boone Exclusive Interview

We caught up with Pat at his office on famous Sunset Boulevard where he shared some thoughts and a few of his many stories.

Q: You look great! I can’t believe how busy you are; it’s been so hard to track you down. Tell our readers what you been up to lately.

Pat: My wife has been begging me to think about retirement for a few years now because certainly I’m around retirement age (laughs), but I still feel very vigorous and vital and energetic. And I still think of myself as 30, 35. I still play singles tennis – real hot, competitive tennis – with a kid. He’s only 73 or 74. I’m 76.

I tell my wife and others, my problem is I know how to spell “n-o,” I just can’t pronounce it. I just keep saying yes to almost everything that anybody asks me to do because I see it’s a good thing. I think, “Well maybe I can wedge that into my schedule.” And as a result I find myself constantly on the go with a tremendous diversity of things.

I’ve been writing weekly columns for World Net Daily and News Max and have been recording still. I have a recording company featuring other performers, other business investments, as well as working with all kinds of charitable endeavors.  Plus, I still try to wedge in some tennis and golf and spend time with grandkids too. It’s such a busy active life, at least for me, seems to keep me younger instead of wearing me out.

Q: Let’s go back a few years. At the tender age of 20 you started recording. You had your 1^st #1 single in 1955…

Pat: Yes, I had my first #1 single in 1955. It was my second record. The first record was a top 10 million-seller called “Two Hearts, Two Kisses.” I recorded that one when I was 20, maybe 21. The second record in 1955 was “Ain’t That a Shame.” It was a million-seller and went to #1. The next record was a song called “Crazy Little Mama (At My Front Door).” I was doing nothing but Rock and Roll at that point. It was Rhythm and Blues done more Pop, but still really Rock.

I find hard to believe myself, but from March of ‘55 when I made my first record, to February of ’56, I had 6 million-selling singles. And two of them were #1s. The other #1 after “Ain’t That a Shame” was “I’ll Be Home,” it was also a Flamingos’ hit in the R&B field. I did a Pop version of it. That came out just before Elvis hit with “Heart Break Hotel.” I thank God I had an eleven month head start with two #1s and a few million-sellers. It helped me weather the Presley ‘storm.’ A lot of other singers went by the wayside in that time.

Q: Tell us how everything changed in that year for you.

Pat: Starting in ‘55 and right through ‘58 when I graduated from Columbia University with honors, Magna Cum Laude, it was a whirl wind. I was on the cover of TV Guide in my cap and gown. I had already done several big movies and had already started the weekly Pat Boone Chevy Showroom TV show. Chevrolet had sponsored my show, sometimes #1 in the Nielson Ratings. I was married with four children at 23. All of that set the tone for the rest of my life. I’ve never been able to catch up.

Q: You’re very humble, but I read some data on a survey back then that among High School students you were a 2-to-1 favorite over Elvis among boys and were preferred 3-to-1 by girls. I think you held your own in that period of time. And you were busy with children and a family. Talk briefly about the challenges that presented.

Pat: Well, God bless my wife. Shirley is one of the great blessings of my life. We married at 19 and by the time we were 23 we had four children.  I probably should have been jailed, or neutered, but Shirley had this strength. She even had a ‘show biz’ background because of her father Red Foley who is a country music legend. Shirley helped me weather the storm and help me do everything I had to do and still be an active daddy, involved with my kids. We just found the ways to keep getting everything done, and using every second and every minute of every day. We made sure that included family time and togetherness.

We were always in church Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday nights. I was a congregational song leader, sometimes Sunday School teacher, and that facet of our lives is what helped us keep our heads on straight with all the glamour, the money, the girls screaming, the success. I knew because of my family roots and our involvement in our church that all the other stuff was superficial. It was wonderful and we appreciated it greatly, and I enjoyed it, but my real life was with my wife and my girls.

When we were all on the cover of all the teen magazines it was amazing to me that the teenage kids and girls would still scream when I walked on stage with my white buck shoes, knowing I was married and having a child a year. I wasn’t available but I think that they saw in me something they aspired to. I was somebody that was living by the rules and winning. On the other hand, Elvis seemed to be breaking a lot of the rules and winning big. Elvis appealed to a different instinct in us; he was fascinating. We were two Tennessee boys living different lifestyles and both succeeding.

Q: Was it love at first sight with you and Shirley?

Pat: It was for both of us, but at different times. She remembers when we first met. We were 13. I was playing American Legion Ball when a girl that was a friend of hers and a girl I thought was pretty cute introduced me to Shirley. But I was more interested in a hot grounder, not a hot date, so I didn’t really remember that meeting.

Three years later, when we were 16, she transferred to our high school. This time I saw her in the hallway talking to the captain of our basketball team and I walked up and asked to be introduced to this girl. We started holding hands right away and we still are, almost 60 years later.

Q: What’s the secret to almost 60 years of marriage?

Pat: Shirley and I made commitments not just to each other when we got married at 19. We knew even then that we would meet obstacles, that there would be pressures. We actually got married as young as we did because her dad was moving to Springfield, Missouri and was going to take his family with him. I couldn’t stand to let her go. She didn’t want us to be apart either. So we asked for his permission and he gave it tearfully. We got married. We eloped, I say. But she says, “We didn’t elope, you asked my dad’s permission.” But I didn’t ask my parents. They had just said, “Not on your life. Get your college education and then you think about getting married.” So we didn’t ask them. So I like to say we “half-eloped.”

As far as the secret to a good, long marriage, it is the commitment we made to God as well as to each other. It was “till death do us part, for better or worse, in sickness and in health.” It was all of those things. As we had kids so young in our lives, even when we met the stresses and strains of the entertainment business and all that goes with it, it was looking at our kids, being involved in our church life, knowing we had made commitments to God, knowing He had made commitments to us and to our marriage; that helped us greatly to weather the storms that are inevitable.

Q: Your girls have performed, you have recorded them, produced them, sung with them. That had to present some challenges. Talk about the family performance dynamic.

Pat: Well, as a performer in the middle of my career, I saw my four daughters all becoming teenagers. They are only a few years apart, so they would all be teenagers at once. They were pretty teenage girls. I had been a boy, so I knew there were going to be boys flocking around wanting to peel off my daughters too soon. So Shirley and I formed a family act that became the Pat Boone Family. And for seven years, my four daughters, who sing beautifully, performed in Las Vegas, on TV specials, on Bob Hope’s and Glen Campbell’s shows, and many others. We also had our own series and specials. We were a family act. That was not something a pop singer would normally do – bring his wife and four kids on stage and even record with them. But it kept my pretty teenage girls in sight at all times and we had a lot of fun doing it.

Some may consider me overly protective. Okay, I was. But they all met wonderful guys and married them, eventually, when they broke through my defenses. And we’ve had 15 wonderful grandkids now as a result. It was a great blessing. Not everyone can do that, but for me as an entertainer it was a tremendous blessing.

Q: You’re starting a one man show. What can fans expect in your show?

Pat: I have started something new after all these years. It’s really what Cary Grant was doing in the last couple years of his life. He would walk on stage and show film clips from his movies and talk about some of the behind the scene stories he experienced working with people like Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra. The last night of his life he had just done one of those elegant nights. He walked off stage and an hour later had died. The applause were still ringing in his ears, I’m sure.

Now that’s not what I’m looking for, but I am doing something similar called “Music and Memories.” It’s a night like that except in my case I’ve got more than just movie clips. I’ve worked with Ann Margret and Debbie Reynolds. I’ll show scenes from the movies and musical scenes especially. I will also show clips from my television shows. So instead of just seeing me for the evening you’ll be seeing Nat Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Count Basie, and on and on. I also sing live with a pianist.

I won’t just show the great moments from my career either. I have also decided to show the other side as well. I’ll show some of my most embarrassing moments on television. I show the audience those clips and bring them into the moments in my life from which I’ve recovered. At least I think I have. I let the audience ask questions as well.  It is a happy and informal night, highlighting some of the great moments and some of the embarrassing moments of my career.

Q: You’ve really done it all in your career. You are a hit singer, variety show host, product spokesman, record producer… What’s your favorite job description?

Pat: I’m at a time in my life where I’ve enjoyed everything that I’ve had the privilege to do: movies, television, and recording – which I love the most. When I walk into a studio and stand in front of the microphone with some great musicians and some good songs, it is up to me to create something right there on the spot. Once it’s done, it’s permanent. The recording is a legacy. I’ve recorded some 1500 songs of all types, more diverse than any other singer. I am in the gospel music hall of fame. And if I had to choose one kind of music to sing it would be gospel music because I know I’m going to keep on singing that kind of song from here on out. I’m going to sing that kind of song for eternity.  Singing songs is always meaningful to me. Some songs I write myself to express what is important to me. These songs seem to communicate emotionally with others. What I do these days is much more personal than just performance.

And also what I truly enjoy the most are situations like the one we’re doing in Del Mar where I get to give some testimony about my faith and what has motivated me. I want to share that with people who are looking for guidelines in their lives and ways to make it through the turbulence and the uncertainty.  Plus, as you know, I have such a strong heart for this country so to be honoring the military means so much to me. Plus, thanks to the generous giving spirit of the Sexton Advisory Group and The Financial Knowledge Institute, we’ll be generating money for some very worthy causes.

Q: Pat thanks so much for your time. I know a lot of folks are looking forward to attending “An Evening with Pat Boone and Friends” on May 26^th in Del Mar, to not only celebrate our great country, but have the opportunity of meeting you in person as well.

Pat: Well I know I’m looking forward to it.

Join Pat Boone, North Coast Jazz Quintet (featuring members of the Joe Satz Trio), and others to celebrate our military and veterans on Memorial Day!

Event Proceeds go to Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club and Other Charities

Every guest will be treated to: 

• Hors D'oeuvres & Sparkling Wine
• Three Course Prix Fixe Menu
• Complimentary Bottle of Wine
• Entertainment by Pat Boone & the North Coast Jazz Quintet (featuring members of the Joe Satz Trio)

Cost: $29.95 

VIP Tickets include Meet & Greet with Pat Boone & Wine Tasting with Sommelier Gino Campbell. All VIP will receive a $25 gift card to Tommy V's. Cost: Additional $19.95

Location: 
Tommy V's Del Mar
3790 Via De La Valle # 301
Del Mar, CA 92014-4251

VIP event begins @ 6:30pm, Doors open @ 6:00pm
Main Event begins @ 7:30pm, Doors open @ 6:30pm

Space is Limited. Reserve Today:

858-356-2296 or

event.sextonadvisorygroup.com

As long as family court judges continue putting woman at risk, real-time monitoring GPS with victim notification is their only recourse.

 Described as a "legal activist" and founder of Familylawcourts.com, Bonnie's interests range from sailing to civil rights. Bonnie's written for Pacific Sun, boating periodicals, and newspapers throughout the country. Her exposes on fake attorneys and therapists have resulted in prosecutions. Although her main client base includes attorneys, and their clients, Bonnie remains independent. Or as Bonnie offers while smiling sweetly: "I've been biting the hand that feeds me now going on 12 years."

Although local news media has widely reported the arrest of five, long-time veteran San Diego police officers on charges ranging from sexual battery to rape; not reported is the background of Judge Lisa Schall's refusal to issue a permanent restraining order for a thirteen year female San Diego Police officer against her former lover, Sgt. Ken Davis, a 23 year San Diego Police Department veteran, who didn't take the break-up well and threatened to kill her. 

Another wrinkle:

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled police officers are not mandated to enforce restraining orders.

San Diego police made arrangements for the female officer to hide out in a safe house.  The question is, why should she have to hide?

Background of Judge Lisa Schall

Judge Lisa Schall has been twice disciplined by the California Commission on Judicial Performance.  Once for inappropriately jailing a woman for five days, and once for driving the wrong way on a freeway, after her DUI arrest.

What seems clear is Judge Schall is at best, unfamiliar with Battered Women's Syndrome.  A lack of awareness remains a top-down kind of problem.  Former governor Gray Davis likewise was also uneducated in this area.  It wasn't until Arnold Schwarzengger was voted in in a recall of Davis that BWS was successfully used by defense attorneys in parole matters.

What is unclear is whether Judge Lisa Schall and other judges unaware, has an interest in educating themselves to the reality of Battered Women's Syndrome.

Meanwhile

However, to protect women until judges are educated, attorneys for the female officer should request GPS with Victim Notification.  As long as family court judges continue putting woman at risk, real-time monitoring GPS with victim notification is their only recourse.  Unfortunately, the City of San Diego shows zero interest in protecting half the population.

V's Barbershop giving Del Mar, Calif. some close shaves...and haircuts and grooming stuff...

 V's Barbershop opened Saturday, Apri; 16 at 2683 Via de la Valle, Suite # H, Del Mar. This is the first V’s Barbershop to open in San Diego County, signifying the 13th location in the Phoenix-based franchise network.

“We're excited to launch the first V’s Barbershop in San Diego and plan to become an integral part of the community where men will be able to enjoy the traditional father-son barbershop experience at an affordable price," said owner Scott McDaniel.  "V’s Barbershop is the leading, authentic men’s barbershop, presenting traditional barbering services in a top quality, upscale, masculine environment. We encourage everyone to stop by our grand opening event and meet our friendly barber team."

V’s offers haircuts, shampoos, hot lather, straight-edge shaves, beard and moustache trims, along with facials, face and shoulder massages and grooming products. V’s also extends a 20 percent discount on services to all military, fire and police personnel.

Since 1999, V’s Barbershop has captured the timeless, authentic barbershop experience by combining a rich mix of modern amenities and classic style. V’s is committed to providing its patrons with an environment where getting a great haircut or a traditional hot-lather shave also means building great memories for men and their sons. V’s full-service, authentic barbershops offer a variety of menu options including high-quality haircuts, straight razor shaves, men’s facials, face massages, moustache and beard trims and shoe shines in select locations. 

Headquartered in Phoenix, the company was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of leading franchise categories poised for growth in 2010. V’s Barbershop has seven locations in metropolitan Phoenix, two in Southern California including Foothill Ranch and San Clemente, Houston, Texas, as well as Bellingham, Washington. The company has been a repeat winner of various awards and accolades. V’s is accepting applications for franchising opportunities from qualified candidates who understand the opportunity and can appreciate the authentic, traditional barbershop experience.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Keeneland Forge Partnership for 2011 Season 

 Del Mar and Keeneland have announced a partnership for the 2011 season that the tracks hope will enhance and encourage horse ownership.  

Keeneland, the Kentucky track that hosts two limited race meets and conducts public auctions, will team with its Southern California counterpart during Del Mar’s seaside summer meeting that runs this year from July 20-Sept. 7. 

According to a release, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s assistance, Keeneland representatives will host several events both at Del Mar and nearby sites for potential new owners and their guests over the course of the seven-week season. 

“The purpose of the hospitality events will be to explain and expedite entry into the Thoroughbred racing game, especially through use of a high-end, high-potential avenue such as the Keeneland sales,” the release stated.

“Building interest in Thoroughbred ownership is crucial to our sport,” said Keeneland president and CEO Nick Nicholson. “One of the best ways to generate interest among potential new owners is to give them the opportunity to see and experience the beauty of Thoroughbred racing up close. The high caliber of racing, coupled with its outstanding hospitality and scenic backdrop, make Del Mar the ideal partner for the Keeneland sales.” 

Keeneland’s efforts will be noted in stakes tie-ins, on-site signage and TV promotional spots, the track’s program, and in its horsemen’s publications.  

 “Keeneland is a natural ally and a long-standing friend of Del Mar,” said Craig Fravel, DMTC’s president and general manager. “For us to work together to try to bring new people into our exciting game of racing makes sense from start to finish.” 

As it has for the past two years, Del Mar will race on a five-day-per-week basis from Wednesdays through Sundays. First post on most days is at 2 p.m.

Read more: 

Keeneland and Del Mar, two of racing’s iconic locations that conduct their business using similar styles and strategies, have announced a partnership for the 2011 season with the primary goal of enhancing and encouraging horse ownership.

The Kentucky track, known for its short, classy spring and fall race meetings and the world-class Thoroughbred sales it conducts on its bucolic Lexington grounds, will team with its Southern California counterpart during Del Mar’s seaside summer meeting that runs this year from July 20 to September 7. 

With Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s assistance, Keeneland representatives will host several unique gatherings both at Del Mar and nearby for potential new owners and their guests over the course of the seven-week season. The purpose of the hospitality events will be to explain and expedite entry into the Thoroughbred racing game, especially through use of a high-end, high-potential avenue such as the Keeneland sales.

“Building interest in Thoroughbred ownership is crucial to our sport,” said Keeneland president and CEO Nick Nicholson. “One of the best ways to generate interest among potential new owners is to give them the opportunity to see and experience the beauty of Thoroughbred racing up close. The high caliber of racing, coupled with its outstanding hospitality and scenic backdrop, make Del Mar the ideal partner for the Keeneland sales.”

Keeneland and their efforts will be noted throughout the Del Mar meet in various ways, including stakes tie-ins, on-site signage and TV promotional spots. They also will be noted daily in the track’s program and in its horsemen’s publications. 

“Keeneland is a natural ally and a long-standing friend of Del Mar,” said Craig Fravel, DMTC’s president and general manager. “For us to work together to try to bring new people into our exciting game of racing makes sense from start to finish.”

As it has for the past two years, Del Mar will race on a five-day-per-week basis from Wednesdays through Sundays. First post on most days is at 2 p.m.Pacific.

Fishin musicians to serious shark wranglers hit the cement pools at Fred Hall Del Mar Show March 24 to 27...

For 37 years, the Fred Hall Del Mar Show has been providing outdoor enthusiasts and their families a full day’s worth of outdoor recreation entertainment, showcasing the latest in fishing, boating, camping, hunting and outdoor gear and activities. This year’s Fred Hall Del Mar Show -- March 24-27 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds -- will offer more to see and do than ever before -- and its schedule of expert seminars, attractions and fun activities offers something for everyone.

Nearly 200 Seminars Planned -- Sport anglers can attend numerous informative seminars presented by well-known fishing experts at the Fred Hall Del Mar Show, March 24-27.

The Kids Fish Free Trout Pond has been a favorite attraction at a Fred Hall Show for more than six decades -- and this year, it is sponsored by the Auto Club of Southern California and supported by Shakespeare. The bite will be “wide open,” and kids can catch and release or store their fish in a refrigerator until it’s time to leave. 

In addition, Triton Boats will once again sponsor its popular Freshwater Mobile Aquarium and Saltwater Tank. 

The Dodge Dock Dogs are also returning to the show for another year. Show-goers can bring their dogs to the show and have them participate in the Dodge Dock Dog competitions. The dog and one dog handler get into the show free, if they are participating in the contest. The “Big Air” dog jumping event is always a show highlight.

The show’s Great American Duck Races are another big crowd pleaser, especially for families. The bleachers are always full, and it is usually “standing room only” for these duck races, where kids are the ”jockeys.” 

The Costa Sporting Chef Cafe -- featuring TV personality “the Sporting Chef” Scott Leysath and recording artist Gary Shiebler -- will also be a popular hangout at the Fred Hall Del Mar Show. Shiebler will sing and play guitar while Leysath will cook fish and game, letting everyone enjoy a sample. 

There will be many opportunities for show-goers to win prizes.

Stop by any boat dealer’s exhibit and sign up to win a seven-day deluxe houseboat trip on the 59-foot Discovery XL Platinum, valued at more than $8,500, from Lake Powell Resorts and marinas. The winner will be selected at the conclusion of the show. 

At the Friends of Rollo-We Take Kids Fishing Program booth, for a $10 raffle ticket investment, you could win a Davis Boats 25-foot Bahia sportfisher, a 2011 Ford F150 pickup truck or $25,000. Other prizes include a $2,000 Fisherman’s Landing gift card, an Alaska fishing trip for two at Sure-Strike Lodge, a Rancho Leonoro Resort vacation for two on Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, $2,000 worth of custom jewelry from Jon Petty Goldsmith, a Hawaii vacation for two from Cass Tours, a $2,000 certificate for Dana Landing Market and Fuel Dock and a $2,000 gift certificate toward a Royal Polaris fishing trip. 

At The Log/FishRap booth, you can sign up for a free digital subscription and e-newsletter to be automatically entered in FishRap’s Goodies & Gadgets Giveaway drawing. Prizes include a Malibu Sierra 10 kayak, a Saltiga lever-drag reel and boat jig rod from Daiwa, Sebile Magic Swimmer fishing lures, Penn/Ugly Stik combos, Pelagic apparel, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Charkbait lures, P-Line squid skirts, Reaction Strike lures, t-shirts, caps and tumblers. Winners do not have to be present to claim prizes. 

And show-goers looking to expand their sportfishing skills and knowledge can take part in some of the show’s numerous seminars, where question-and-answer sessions are a big part of the program. 

Here’s a tentative schedule of activities and seminars: 

* The Sporting Chef: 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m., 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

* Great American Duck Races: 2, 4, 5:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m., 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m., 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday. 

* Dodge Dock Dogs: Registration and Practice: 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday; Training Seminar: 2 p.m. Thursday; Big Air Wave: 3:30, 5 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Friday; 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday; Speed Retrieve: 11 a.m. Saturday; Extreme Vertical: 6:30 p.m. Saturday. 

* Shimano Saltwater: 

Steve Carson: Five-Day Long-Range Fishing Trips -- 1:30 p.m. Thursday. 

Chris Jones: Using Spreader Bars -- 3:30 p.m. Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Friday, 3:30 p.m. 

Captains Ron Baker and John Klein: Introduction to Multi-Day Fishing Trips -- 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday. 

Corey “MC Swimbaits” Sanden: Fishing the Slug for More Calico Action -- 5 p.m. Thursday, 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday. 

Jack Dagger: King of Fling Knife Throwing -- 6 p.m. Thursday, 2:30 and 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. 

Capt. David Bacon: Halibut, Bounce-balling and Inshore Fishing Secrets -- 3:30 p.m. Friday, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Sunday. 

Eric Bent: Great Inshore Bass Fishing -- 5 p.m. Friday, 4:30 p.m. Saturday. 

Jim Sammons: Launching a Kayak in the Surf -- 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

* Fin-Nor Theater: 

Conway Bowman: Mako Sharks on a Fly Rod -- 1:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11:15 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Morgan Promnitz: Yellowtail from a Kayak -- 2:15 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. 

Jack Dagger: King of Fling Knife Throwing -- 2:30 p.m. Thursday. 

Bill Varney: Surf Fishing with Light Tackle -- 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 12:45 p.m. Saturday. 

Don Iovino, Lowrance LDS Structure Scan -- 3:45 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 

Larry Lauman, White Seabass from a Kayak -- 4:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 

Jim Sammons, Worldwide Fishing Adventures -- 5:15 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon and 6 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday. 

John Loo, Going Coastal with a Fly Rod -- 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Capt. Jimmy Decker, No-Bait Fishing Secrets -- 6:45 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. 

Dave Easton, Kayak Mothership Trips -- 3 and 5:15 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. 

Kayak Fishing 101 -- 12:45 p.m. Sunday. 

* Saltwater Tank: 

Capt. Mike Gardner, Inshore Bass on Light Tackle -- 1 and 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. 

Capt. James Nelson, Fish the Bay for Halibut, Bass and More -- 2 p.m. 

Thursday-Saturday 

Fishing the New Shimano Waxwing -- 3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 

Capt. David Bacon, Find the Rocks and Find the Bass -- 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Halibut, Bounce-balling, Inshore Fishing Secrets -- 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. 

Steve Carson, Teach Your Kids How to Fish -- noon Saturday and Sunday. Private Boat Trolling and Baitfishing -- 4 p.m. Sunday. 

Bass Tank: 

Don Iovino, Light Line Tactics for High-Pressure Lakes -- 1 and 5 p.m. Thursday, 2 and 5 p.m. Thursday, noon and 6 p.m. Saturday, noon and 4 p.m. Sunday. 

Jarrett Edwards, Fishing Vertical Jigs Over Open-Water Fish -- 2 and 7 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. 

Conway Bowman, Fly Fishing for Largemouth -- 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Greg Silks, Striped Bass -- 6 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m. Friday, 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. 

Hugh Marx, Targeting Catfish at Lake Jennings -- 1 p.m. Friday. Trout Tips at Lake Jennings -- 4 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. 

Mark Franco, Trolling for Trout on Local Lakes -- 6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday. 

Check for seminar and activity schedule updates at the show, and at fredhall.com 

Fred Hall Del Mar Show hours are noon-8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $13 for adults, $12 for military and seniors, and free for children 15 and younger with a paid adult. 

Buy tickets in advance at fredhall.com or in person at the door.

The 37th annual Fred Hall Del Mar Show returns to San Diego County March 24-27

See New Fishing Gear -- and Much More -- at the Fred Hall Del Mar Show

The 37th annual Fred Hall Del Mar Show returns to San Diego County March 24-27, giving sport anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts a chance to see the latest in fishing gear, tackle and accessories -- along with new boats, expert seminars, fun attractions, an expanded hunting and camping section, and much more. 

Kayak Winner -- Candace Smith of Pomona won a Malibu Stealth 9 Kayak in FishRap’s Goodies & Gadgets Giveaway, at the recent Fred Hall Long Beach Show.

It all takes place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 

Be sure to visit The Log/FishRap booth, where you can sign up for a free digital subscription and e-newsletter to be automatically entered in FishRap’s Goodies & Gadgets Giveaway drawing. Prizes include a Malibu Sierra 10 kayak, a Saltiga lever-drag reel and boat jig rod from Daiwa, Sebile Magic Swimmer fishing lures, Penn/Ugly Stik combos, Pelagic apparel, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Charkbait lures, P-Line squid skirts, Reaction Strike lures, T-shirts, caps and tumblers. Winners do not have to be present to claim prizes. 

Fred Hall Del Mar Show hours are noon-8:30 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $13 for adults, $12 for military and seniors, and free for children 15 and younger with a paid adult. 

Buy tickets in advance at fredhall.com or in person at the door. For more information, visit fredhall.com. 

Debbie McDonald-Hanneke Gerritsen Give Para-Equestrian Dressage Riders Clinic at Del Mar Horsepark March 14-15...

After a very exciting week at the 2011 Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* Para-Equestrian Dressage riders will spend Monday and Tuesday at a dressage clinic featuring Debbie McDonald and Hanneke Gerritsen (NED). The informational clinic is scheduled to start March 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Del Mar Horsepark.

This is the second year for Debbie McDonald to give this educational clinic to the Para-Equestrian riders. McDonald brings many years of riding and training experience to this clinic including leading the U.S. team to team bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, winning the 2005 FEI World Cup Final, and her memorable rides for Team USA at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.

As a rider and trainer McDonald enjoys working with the Para-Equestrian riders to help them grow as a team. Trainer, equestrian, and Coach Hanneke Gerritsen will also be working the Para-Equestrian riders this week. Gerritsen holds her senior FEI PE Judge License as well as her FEI DI/TD and Steward Licenses. This week Gerritsen was one of the three judges who judged the Para-Equestrian tests which gave her a chance to view each rider on multiple tests.

Hanneke noted, "I am really looking forward to this clinic because it is going to be good practice for the Para-Equestrians. Since I have seen most of the riders this week I feel that I can begin working with them. I hope that I can help them to improve and score higher because ultimately that is the goal."

(Hanneke Gerritsen (NED) at the 2011 Dressage Affaire. (Photo © 2011 Lindsay McCall for USPEA)

She continued, "After watching the Para-Equestrian riders this week I think the quality of horses has really improved. I think it could be even better and still has room to grow but right now it's a great start. It's very important to find a suitable but good horse but even I come from a country where there are loads of horses and finding the perfect horse can be very difficult.  I look forward to this week working with each of the riders."

March 14, 2011 Para-Equestrian Dressage Clinic Schedule:

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Laurietta Oakleaf Grade Ib

10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. - Jonathan Wentz Grade Ib

11:20 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. - Eleanor Brimmer Grade III

12:05 p.m. - 12:35 p.m. - LUNCH

12:35 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.  - Donna Ponessa Grade Ia

1:00 p.m.  - 1:30 p.m.  - Lisa Swanson Grade Ib

1:40 p.m.  - 2:10 p.m.  - Sydney Collier Grade II

March 15, 2011 Para-Equestrian Dressage Clinic Schedule TBA.

Local Wally's WHATS UP PORTAL - Getting the Flavor of Del Mar at the Flavor of Del Mar...

For more Local Wally visit:  http://localwally.blogspot.com/

Discover more about his homey-land San Diego County at Local Wally's Guide to San Diego!

Or contact: wally@localwally.com

Local Wally is a San Diego local who writes Local Wally's Guide to San Diego (www.localwally.com). Follow his adventures as he finds great food, weird things to do, and posts random adventures of his life in San Diego....

Getting the Flavor of Del Mar

 THE PLACE:  FLAVOR DEL MAR, 1555 Camino Del Mar, 3rd Floor

THE VIBE:  Vacation perfect ocean view wonderful, hip and trendy

THE COST:  Lunch is moderate, dinner entrees around $30

I was stumbling around Del Mar the other weekend looking for a new place to eat.  I love going out to lunch but have to fight the urge to go to the same old places.  A while back there was a place called Epizote in the Del Mar Plaza. It had a spectacular ocean view but that was about it.  Gone.  In it's place is the new Flavor Del Mar, a hip new place that's been getting a lot of buzz. I checked out their menu and saw these magic words:  HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY SUNDAY!  Beers on tap for $3, small plates for $6, a sunny table for two in front, I'm in!

So check this one out.  It's a steamed Chinese bun typically used for Peking Duck but topped with a crispy pork piece and a zesty hoisin sauce and Asian slaw.  Man oh man, was this good and at only $6, a steal!

Next up was the lunch entree lobster roll ($14), served on a hot dog bun and with house made chips.  This was so good I almost cried.  Let's go in for a closer look.

Look, it's not smothered in mayonaise or surrounded by fillers.  This lobster was fresh and delicious, pour a bit of that drawn butter on top and it's pure heaven.  The house made chips were good, too, though a touch overdone for me.  But who cares, that lobster, that lobster!!  Look, you want one of these.  Don't even look at the rest of the menu, get this!

So the next day I was thinking about how good the food was at Flavor and had a bright idea - let's go there for dinner!  No argument on that one.

Before we get to the food, I love fancy cocktails.  I had a Tangerine Jalapeño made with peligroso añejo tequila, cointreau, tangerine, lime, housemade jalapeño purée, and finished with a chili-lime salt rim.  So good, so dangerous, but so delicious with the peppery overtones mixing with the sweetness, a perfect balance.

 The meal started with some rustic bread and various salts to top them with.  I know, I've been a skeptic on the idea of fancy salts but this was so good that guess who now has his own jars of fancy salts at home?  You know.  Anyway, each salt was different, one was Chinese Five Spiced, one was crunchy, you get the idea.

 Next up was the Butternut Squash soup.  OK, I usually don't care for this but I was gushing all over this one.  No cream used, don't ask me how they got it so creamy but really a perfect start.  But wait, there's more!

Beef Carpaccio, aka raw beef, with a quail egg and capers and man more of that crunchy salt!  Super good delicious.  

 Recently I ragged on Island Prime.  Not only was the food expensive and not that special but the waiter was a huge dufus, a college kid who when asked for a recommendation would refer back to the menu and read you the options.  At Flavor the waiter was actually knowledgeable!  He knew wines!  He knew foods!  He had opinions when asked "what do you think of this dish paired with this wine?" and unbelievably steered my wife away from the expensive scallops and towards what appeared to be the token pasta dish.  Crazy??

 Homemade pasta with mushrooms and a hint of truffles, do I have to tell you that this dish blew me away?  The texture was perfect, the flavors perfect, and though it's the cheapest thing on the menu it might be one of the best pastas I've ever had.   

 Before you go WHAT IS THAT, A SQUIRREL BRAIN? I have to remind you that this restaurant is really dark so taking food photos is really tough!  I had to turn on the flash and bother everyone around me (the things I do for you guys) and as every food photographer knows, flash is the kiss of death to good food shots.  So NO, that's not a squirrel brain or a goat liver but a veal cheek (see, that's better, right?) on top of pork belly and duck confit and gnocci and.... wow, just taste it and shut up!  And the waiter was right, it paired very nicely with the wine.

So there you go, a new place to go eat at!  Flavor Del Mar has to rank right up there with some of the best restaurants in San Diego.  If lately you've been going to the same old places, do yourself a favor and go to Flavor.  Hey, nice rhyme!

San Diego Sockers Defeats Guadalajara La Raza to Capture 2011 North American Championship at Del Mar Arena...

The game was a rematch of last year's championship, which the Sockers took 9-8 at Del Mar Arena. In some ways the game was a reverse of last year's game in which La Raza lost their composure and found themselves trailing 6-1 before rallying.

Tonight, the game was close at the half with the Sockers leading just 5-4. The second half is where Guadalajara came unglued and San Diego ran away with the game.

At one point Fernando Camarena pushed Anthony Medina after goalkeeper Eduardo Arevalo fell on a loose ball. Camarena wasn't done, shoving the assistant referee earning himself a red card.

When all was said and done Kraig Chiles put the ball in the net four times and had five goals for the tournament earning the Playoff MVP award, the first time the award did not go to a goalkeeper. Not that Chris Toth, who started yesterday and today's starter Riley Swift weren't deserving.

John Krause had two goals yesterday and used his big body to overpower La Raza with several key blocks and steals. Another standout was Eric Wunderle, who scored maybe the biggest goal in tonight's game. As the ball rolled slowly back to goalkeeper Jesus Flores Wunderle streaked down the side and just kept coming and coming, blocked Flores' clear and beat him in a race back to the goal to knock the ball in on the goal line.

Miguel Vaca was the highest scorer in the tournament with six goals and three assists for nine points.

San Diego, winners of 12 indoor championships, will look to keep the titles flowing on March 19 when they host the Cincinnati Kings in the US Open Final at Del Mar Arena.

About Professional Arena Soccer League and Premier Arena Soccer League 

The PASL-Pro is a professional league which began play on October 25, 2008. Now in its third season, the PASL-Pro consists of US teams, the CMISL (Canada), and the LMFR (Mexico). The Tacoma Stars, Revolucion Tijuana, Wenatchee Fire, Kitsap Pumas, Springfield Demize, and Illinois Piasa have been added for the 2010-11 season. The PASL-Premier is in its 13th season as the nation's top amateur arena soccer league. The PASL-Pro and PASL-Premier are members of Federacion Internacional de Futbol Rapido (FIFRA).

Para-Equestrians take over Del Mar Horsepark for dressage affaire this weekend...For more visit The 2011 Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* is Underway for Para-Equestrian Dressage Riders...

[(L to R) FEI Veterinarian Dr. Mike Tomlinson, Techincal Delegate Ulf Wilkin (SWE), Judge Kathy Amos-Jacob (FRA) , and Apprentice Steward Maureen VsnTuyl evaluating each participant at the 2011 Dressage Affaire.]

The 2011 Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* is Underway for Para-Equestrian Dressage Riders

FAST FACTS: The 2011 Dressage Affaire Para-Equestrian Dressage Competition

WHERE: Del Mar Horsepark, Del Mar, CA

WHEN: March 10-13, 2011

CPEDI3* JURY: Ulf Wilkin (SWE), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Kathy Amos-Jacob (FRA)

USEF PARA-EQUESTRIAN LIASON:  Pam Lane (908) 326-1153

FEI TECHNICAL DELEGATE: Ulf Wilken (SWE)

FEI CHIEF STEWARD:  Sandra Rafferty

CLASSIFIERS: Joann Benjamin, Marion Slatter Blitstein

FEI VETERINARIAN: Dr. Mike Tomlinson

MANAGER/CEO:  Kim Keenan Stordahl

SHOW INFORMATION:  

Phone: 866-933-SHOW ext 703

E-mail:kkeenan@dressageevents.com

Website:

www.dressageevents.com 

Fax: 540-832-2926

SCHEDULE: 

March 12, 2011- Individual Championship Test

March 13, 2011 - Freestyle Test

Under the beautiful Southern California sun Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes from all over the world presented their mounts at the jog of the 2011 Dressage Affaire.  Horses were examined and evaluated in front of FEI judges, stewards, and veterinarians while spectators observed.  This weekend's competition is a Para-Equestrian Dressage CPEDI3* horse show recognized by FEI, USEF, USDF, CDS, and DASC.  This event gives para-equestrians the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 Paralympics in London. Friday begins the Team Test, followed by Saturday's Individual Championship, and finally the Freestyle competition on Sunday.  International competitors from all five Para-Equestrian Dressage grades (1a, 1b, II, III, and IV) will be in attendance.

The scores from the Team Test will be combined with the scores from the Individual Championship Test to determine each country's overall team placing.

Four riders are rom the United States: Dena Pate aboard Imagine That (Grade IV); Eleanor Brimmer with her horse Vadico Interagro (Grade III); Laurietta Oakleaf and the Stallion VPRH Pegasus vom Nieh (Grade Ib); and Jonathan Wentz aboard a new mount named NTEC Daytona Beach and Wentz's trusty team mate NTEC Ritcher Scale (Grade Ib).

Competing at a CPEDI3* gives each of these riders a chance to ride under the same parameters as what will be expected of them at the Paralympics.  However, each of these riders are all looking at this show as an opportunity.  Eleanor Brimmer noted, "I would like to have a good time this weekend and hopefully earn my qualifying scores for the 2012 Paralympics."  Jonathan Wentz commented, "I hope to really build with my horse Daytona.  We have a year and a half until the Paralympics and it would be wonderful to take her.  She has all of the potential in the world to compete at that level."

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts.  The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport.  This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

                                         (Kai Handt jogging Jonathan Wentz's horse NTEC Daytona Beach)

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline.  From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved.  From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed.  The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF).

For more information about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President: Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.

                                      (Eleanor Brimmer's mount Vadico Interagro at the 2011 Dressage Affaire)

Local Wally's WHAT'S UP PORTAL -- Paradise (Grill) in Del Mar?

For more Local Wally visit:  http://localwally.blogspot.com/

Discover more about his homey-land San Diego County at Local Wally's Guide to San Diego!

Or contact: wally@localwally.com

Local Wally is a San Diego local who writes Local Wally's Guide to San Diego (www.localwally.com). Follow his adventures as he finds great food, weird things to do, and posts random adventures of his life in San Diego....

Paradise (Grill) in Del Mar?

HE PLACE:  PARADISE GRILL (Flower Hill Mall, Del Mar / web)

THE VIBE:  Feels like Maui

THE FOOD:  Island Influenced

THE PRICES:  Wide range from $15 burgers to $29 filets

Weird...

Ever get that strange feeling of deja vu?  Well, I got it the second I stepped into Paradise Grill in Del Mar's Flower Hill shopping mall.  It's taken me a long time to stop in because 1) I hate the parking at Flower Hill Mall, and 2) I hate wandering around Flower Hill Mall looking for any shop that is the least bit interesting.  But as fate would have it, there I was - impatiently waiting for a giant SUV to leave.  HURRY UP!!!

Back to that deja vu thing again.  Once inside Paradise Grill I was reminded of any number of restaurants on Maui.  Wow, am I at Kimo's?  Wait, no, this is David Paul's!  No wait, ahhh, Hula Grill, right?  Now look, I didn't say that's a bad thing.  In fact, I felt like I was on vacation and God knows I need a vacation.  But let's order up some food.  What's that?  Duck Confit tacos?  I love duck confit.  I love tacos.  How can it miss?

 But miss it did.  The duck was uninspired, like generic meat and lacking any real duck confitiness.  And the fries, well you know I love fries.  But I HATE IT when they serve cold fries.

Really, if McDonalds can get it right then a real restaurant should too.  Let me try my Gordon Ramsy impression:  "WHAT THE HELL, THEY'RE ^%$#$ BLOODY COLD, SEND IT BACK!!!"  Overall, I'd have to give this dish a C-. 

 Next up was the Firecracker Shrimp, deep fried crispy with a sweet and spicy sauce.  And guess what, it was scorching hot like they actually just cooked it when we ordered it.  And guess what again?  It was THE BOMB, delicious and well executed.  Nicely done!  

So the final verdict?  I love the atmosphere and setting, and the shrimp made up for the lousy tacos, so I have to give this one a solid B.  If you're stuck trying to think of a place to go for lunch or dinner that feels like vacation but doesn't cost like one, then Paradise Grill might be the ticket. Just don't get the tacos.

Oh yeah, almost forgot - here's a two for one coupon so you can get a double order of that shrimp and not worry if someone wants a taste.  That's my plan for next time.

COMING SOON - WALLY VISITS A NEW RESTAURANT IN DEL MAR...

2011 San Diego County Fair’s Summer Concert Series now on sale: Willie Nelson et al.

Tickets for the 2011 San Diego County Fair’s Toyota Summer Concert Series on the Heineken Grandstand Stage go on sale Saturday, March 5, at the Fairgrounds and through Ticketmaster.

The 2011 Fair will host 22 nights of first-class family entertainment featuring nationally known singers and bands. Many shows are free with Fair admission for unreserved seats, and some offer a dinner package in the Grandstand's famed Turf Club. 

www.ticketmaster.com

www.sdfair.com/entertainment

. The following are performers scheduled to date:

Friday, June 10 (Opening Day): Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, free with Fair admission, dinner package.

Saturday, June 11: Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe: Hooligans in Wondaland, paid show.

Thursday, June 16: An Evening with Randy Travis, free with Fair admission, dinner package.

Friday, June 17: Switchfoot, free with Fair admission.

Saturday, June 18: Melissa Etheridge, paid show, dinner package.

Sunday, June 19: Larry Hernandez, free with Fair admission.

Tuesday, June 21: Doobie Brothers, free with Fair admission, dinner package.

Wednesday, June 22: Neon Trees, free with Fair admission.

Thursday, June 23: Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown, paid show.

Friday, June 24: Come Together 2011 with MercyMe and Third Day, paid show; starts at 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 25: 7th Annual Gospel Festival featuring Kirk Franklin, free with Fair admission.

Tuesday, June 28: Travis Tritt and The Charlie Daniels Band, paid show, dinner package.

Wednesday, June 29: The Beach Boys, free with Fair admission, dinner package.

Monday, July 4 (Closing Day): REO Speedwagon with the Navy Band Southwest and fireworks, free with Fair admission, dinner package.

The 2011 San Diego County Fair’s wheels are in motion for a hot-rod summer for "Race to the Fair" for 22 days starting Friday, June 10, through Monday, July 4. (The Fair will be closed the first three Mondays, June 13, 20 and 27.)

The theme for this year's Fair is everything about cars, Cars, CARS! Southern California is a mecca for car clubs and car enthusiasts from around the world. There's no better place to celebrate automotive history and car culture than at the San Diego County Fair! Every day at the Fair will feature exotic cars, luxury cars, "star" cars, muscle cars, low riders, Southern California car culture and lots more! And, true to the mission of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, the 2011 San Diego County Fair will highlight agriculture, farmers, 4H, FFA and Grange.

Of course, the Fair will have more than 100 food vendors, great commercial exhibitors, thrill rides and attractions, the Paul Ecke Jr. Flower and Garden Show, a fun and educational Theme Exhibit, and a fantastic lineup of headliner entertainment with the Toyota Summer Concert Series on the Heineken Grandstand Stage, the Paddock Concert Series, The Solid Gold Series, the Chevrolet Del Mar Arena, and so much more! 

Gates open daily at 11 a.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m., Saturdays, Sundays and Monday, July 4. Admission is $13 for adults; $7 for ages 6-12 and 62 and older; and free for ages 5 and younger.

The San Diego County Fair is the largest annual event in San Diego County and the sixth largest fair in the United States. The 2010 Fair hosted 1,338,500 guests and hit an all-time attendance record.

The 22nd District Agricultural Association is a State of California agency that owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Surfside Race Place, Horsepark Equestrian Center and the Del Mar Golf Center. The 22nd DAA produces five events each year: The San Diego County Fair, the Del Mar National Horse Show, Professional Bull Riding (PBR), The Scream Zone and Holiday of Lights. The Fairgrounds hosts more than 350 events annually, the largest of which is the live horse racing meet each summer, which is operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for the 22nd DAA and the State of California. For more information, visit

www.delmarfairgrounds.com

Del Mar Junior Lifeguard and Little Turtle Programs Teach Water Safety, Ocean Awareness and Physical Fitness Sign-Ups Start Today, Sunday...

 San Diego County parents looking for summer activities for their children or teenagers need look no further than the Del Mar Junior Lifeguard Program conducted by Turtleguard, Inc. Developed for ages 9 - 17, the two and four-week sessions excel in orchestrating activities that aid in developing water safety skills, respect for the ocean environment and physical health.

Key areas of instruction include lifeguarding, emergency medical services, surf instruction and water safety education. Not to be outdone, aspiring junior lifeguards, ages 7 - 8, can participate in their own age-appropriate, two-week Little Turtle Program, unique to the city of Del Mar. For program hours, dates and details, log onto http://www.delmarjg.com. Program and uniform on-line ordering and sign-ups start March 5.

The Del Mar programs, meticulously coordinated by Turtle Randolph, owner and operator of Turtleguard, Inc., teach junior lifeguard students everything from recognition of rip currents to other potentially dangerous safety hazards associated with the beach environment, surfing and body boarding lessons, rescue techniques, first aid orientation, physical fitness and much more. Participants have the opportunity to learn team building and water safety skills that will help them throughout their lives.

Del Mar Jr. Lifeguards from Del Mar TV on Vimeo.

The Little Turtle program centers on beach safety and fun. It serves as an introductory course to the junior lifeguard program and includes such topics as environmental awareness, ocean safety and educational beach games that help build confidence and ability around the water.

Del Mar's beach topography distinguishes the programs from any other in Southern California and allows for program diversity. Three miles of beaches offer the terrain and space for specialized junior lifeguard training including cliff rescue; helicopter rescue training seminars, compliments of ASTREA (Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies) and plenty of coastline for a wide variety of on-sand and in-water training and activities.

The well-staffed and resourced junior lifeguard programs are hosts to several events throughout the summer offering competitively minded junior lifeguard participants the chance to test their newly honed skills. In addition, Parent/Family Participation Days enable the whole family to join in the experience and see firsthand what it takes to be a junior lifeguard for a day. Last, but not least, the approximate ratio of one instructor to every 10 students ensures that everyone gets the attention they need to make these programs a memorable growing experience. 

Based in Del Mar, California, the Del Mar Junior Lifeguard and Little Turtle programs are in the business of teaching young adults ages 7 - 17 beach and ocean safety as well as lifesaving techniques used in professional lifeguarding. This is done though lectures, hands-on activities, special guest speakers and training with emergency rescue equipment. Both programs are committed to promoting self-esteem, teamwork, lifesaving emergency skills, general water safety, swimming, surfing, and oceanography. For more information, visit http://www.delmarjg.com or call 760-944-1657.

Jenny Craig operation, Rancho Paseana, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.  remains on the go in top thoroughbred racing...

They seem to arrive annually, these equine treats from Jenny Craig.

The lady whose name is synonymous with a chain of weight loss centers she founded in the 1980s with her late husband is today an active grandmother living near Del Mar with a small stable of top-class Thoroughbreds.

In recent years, the Craig breeding operation has been good enough to send horses to the Kentucky Derby, although Chocolate Candy finished fifth behind Mine that Bird in 2009 and Sidney’s Candy was 17th behind Super Saver last year.

There are no 3-year-olds in the stable mentioned as Kentucky Derby candidates this year. There are enough older horses on the team, though, to take on the world.

Saturday at Santa Anita, JennyCraig’s Twirling Candy will be an odds-on favorite to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap, the biggest race for older horses in the first half of the year in California. For Craig, who has continued her involvement in racing following the death of her husband, Sidney, in 2008, the Big Cap is one major trophy she has not claimed.

With Sid, as he was known to his friends, Jenny Craig won such races as the 1992 English Derby with Dr. Devious, the Breeders’ Cup Distaff the same year with Paseana, and the 2003 Pacific Classic with Candy Ride. Sidney’s Candy won the 2010 Santa Anita Derby for Jenny Craig, and she wants a Big Cap win this weekend, if for no other reason than to prove how good Twirling Candy is.

“It would be tremendous,” she said of the Big Cap. “It would mean a lot to me.”

Since Sid’s death, Jenny Craig’s involvement in racing has shifted. The size of the stable – racehorses and breeding stock − is down through a reduction at sales in recent years. This year, there will be 12 2-year-olds, and they must be brilliant to keep up with their 4-year-old stablemates.

Sidney’s Candy has won 6 of 11 starts and $893,560, most recently the Grade 3 Sir Beaufort at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. Minor injuries have kept him sidelined since, but there have been conversations of sending him to England for the Royal Ascot meeting in June.

Twirling Candy won his first Grade 1 in the Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26, running seven furlongs in 1:19.70 to break Spectacular Bid’s 1980 track record. On Feb. 5, Twirling Candy won the Grade 2 Strub Stakes by 4 1/4 lengths, confirming his status as the top horse in California, and perhaps the nation. He has won 6 of 7 starts and $579,900.

The success of Twirling Candy is not a complete surprise. In the fall of 2009, before his debut, Twirling Candy was the talk of the barns at Rancho Paseana, near Del Mar, the training center where Craig keeps her young horses.

“The guys at the farm said, ‘Wait until you see Twirling Candy if you think Sidney’s Candy is good,’ ” she said. “I couldn’t wait for him to start running. He really is exceptional.”

Sid Craig was often at the fore when the couple was at the races. Jenny Craig recalled he was proudest when Candy Ride, purchased in early 2003 after two Group 1 wins in Argentina, scored a comfortable win in that year’s Pacific Classic, not far from the Craigs’ home in Rancho Santa Fe.

“To him, it was one of the highlights of his racing career,” she said. “The whole family was there. Even though we’d won the Epsom Derby with Dr Devious, it wasn’t the same as winning in the back yard with a horse that would go on to become a super stud.”

Candy Ride is the sire of Sidney’s Candy, Twirling Candy, and Chocolate Candy, a 5-year-old who has won three stakes and is nearing a comeback after nine months on the sidelines. John Sadler trains Sidney’s Candy and Twirling Candy, and Jerry Hollendorfer trains Chocolate Candy.

“I am so excited about Chocolate Candy,” Craig said. “People have kind of forgotten about him. He was out for a while with a problem with his hoof. I think he’s going to turn out to be a good racehorse. I’m excited. I give Jerry Hollendorfer all the credit with that.”

All three were bred by the Craigs before Sid died of cancer in July 2008. Her thoughts on racing often include his memory.

“I guarantee he’s looking down, saying, ‘Where were these horses when I was there?’ ” Craig said. “He lived for that. He loved it so much.”

Since his death, Jenny Craig has visited three continents, kept up with her grandchildren, and spent countless hours on the golf course.

“For the last couple of years, I’ve been traveling a lot − Africa, Australia, the Caribbean − and I did it intentionally to help change my routine,” she said. “When you lose your partner in business, and a husband and you’re best friend, if you stay in the same routine void becomes so omnipresent. I felt I had to do other things. I’m done traveling now. I want to enjoy playing golf, watching the horses run, and spending time with my friends.”

Of course, her children and grandchildren root for grandma’s horses, but the link to the sport is not strong through the family, she said.

“Since Sid died, our children are not that excited about horse racing,” she said. “They’re raising small children and going to sports with the kids. They’re not anxious to travel up to LA.”

That was one of the reasons she sold shares of Twirling Candy to Marty Wygod and Lane’s End Farm last month.

“It’s good to have partners that really enjoy the show and appreciate a real talent,” she said. “It’s fun having people with you to share in the excitement.”

It’s already been an exciting winter for Jenny Craig. Twirling Candy and the other runners may keep it like that through all of 2011.

For more coverage from the Daily Racing Form, save your money and go here...

Del Mar's Preston Vorlicek Sez: Fairgrounds purchase a 'Game Changer' for Del Mar

 The purchase of the Fairgrounds will be a true “game changer” for the City of Del Mar. The City would take responsibility for the operation of a $60,000,000 gambling and entertainment business. To put things in perspective, this is more than six times the current general fund revenues (revenues used to provide for the general operation of the City).

While many people have been talking about the possible benefits of such a purchase (local/regional control), few people have been talking about the financial details and implications of such a purchase. Fortunately, the 22nd District Agricultural Association (DAA) has provided us the latest audited financial statements for the years of 2007, 2008 and 2009. Management discussion and extensive financial details are provided in the statements. I have offered to send the actual report to anyone who is interested (email me at preston.vorlicek@gmail.com).

Below is a table summarizing the profit and loss from the 22nd DAA from 2007 through 2009. This table is directly from the audited financial statements.

 Two things jump out from the above table: (1) revenues are flat, and (2) the 22nd DAA has been losing money for the past three years.

The flat revenues are, according to the management discussion, due to a general decline across the country in gambling revenues from horseracing. Indeed, horseracing tracks have been closing around the country due to a falloff in revenues.

The losses become even more concerning if you consider the fact that the City of Del Mar will be borrowing almost $80,000,000 to finance the purchase of the Fairgrounds. Yes, the City plans to establish a separate enterprise fund that will do the actual borrowing, but this borrowing will still put a significant financial burden on the 22nd DAA going forward. The Table below shows what the profit and loss statement would have looked like over the past three years with borrowing $80,000,000 (at 4 percent interest only loan) included: kind of a “what if” analysis.

 You can see that the losses balloon to a collective $12,800,000 over the three-year period! Who will pay for these losses? How will they be paid for? Will the City of Del Mar guarantee loans to finance these losses? Does the City have a plan for improving the profitability of the 22nd DAA? If so, please share it.

I invite and welcome anyone (especially from the Del Mar City Council) to comment on or correct my analysis and answer these questions publicly. The only information that I have is publicly available information. If there is some “hidden information,” please share it with me.

And I STRONGLY encourage the City Council to share with the citizens of Del Mar the City Council’s financial forecasts for the Fairgrounds operations over the next few years. If there are no forecasts, I would tell the City Council to do the forecasts NOW (and share them with the citizens of Del Mar)! We, as a city, need to understand what we are getting into going forward.

I would caution the City Council not to rely too much on cash flow analyses. Discounted (or multiplier) cash flow analyses can be a very deceiving number in a capital-intensive business (where you have lots of depreciation expenses). For example: if you look at an airline company (that owns its jets), remove all capital expenditures and depreciation expenses, the business looks great! Add in capital expenses and depreciation and “voila” things don’t look so good.

I have no axe to grind. My only concern is the financial well being of the City of Del Mar. The City narrowly “escaped” a big financial hit from the Del Mar Shores property purchase by selling off other City assets (Balboa property). Now we are looking at the possibility of continuing losses as far as the eye can see. Where will the money come to finance these losses? Build a mega-hotel on the Fairgrounds? Sell off more property? Sell naming rights to the Del Mar Fair?

--  Preston Vorlicek is president CommSystems Corp.

Quickies: Bilbray to Bardella to Issa, Dog Beach pot bust, San Pasqual Academy fundraiser...

Hot potato among North County GOP congressmen: Bilbray to Issa to Bilbray to Issa to national news -- The Kurt Bardella story

 O.K., this is it for Vista Congressman Darrell Issa news this month, and we're only bringing it up because this also involves Brian Bilbray, your 50th Congressional District representative.

As has been reported by Politico, CNN and across the nation today, Issa canned former Bilbray press official Kurt Bardella, 27, who was earning $106,000 annually as Issa's deputy communications director. To wit:

"House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) fired one of the most prominent press secretaries on Capitol Hill today for improperly sharing reporters' emails with the New York Times' Mark Leibovich in connection with a book that the reporter is writing. The news that the committee was looking into Kurt Bardella's actions was first reported last night by Politico."

Actually, Bilbray and Issa have been staff-sharing for a while now. Bardella went from Bilbray's employ, to Issa's House Oversight Committee back to Bilbray, then back to Issa, all within a period of four years.

"The 27-year-old Bardella had a very unconventional style for a press secretary on Capitol Hill. The idea for most press secretaries is to make their boss the complete focus out front and work to control things behind the scenes. Bardella always seemed to enjoy being right out there with Issa, spoke very informally with his boss, and has been mentioned in the major profiles of the chairman -- which is highly unusual. 

"The Times called Kurt Bardella Issa's 'mini-me.' And a recent New Yorker profile of Issa raised eyebrows among the Capitol Hill press corps when Bardella told the reporter that "some people in the press, I think, are just lazy as hell."

-- CBS News. For more:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20037828-503544.html

No word on Bardella's future although Bilbray obviously has first dibs.

Dog Beach, Del Mar 3 a.m. Tuesday: Book 'em Danno...

Any night owls around Dog Beach early Tuesday may have gotten lucky, except the darn Border Patrol got in the way.

Border Patrol agents arrested two men on a panga boat -- that's a small skiff used primarily in Mexico and Central America -- along with 399 pounds of marijuana in 26 bundles.

About once a blue moon it seems, marijuana washes up around Dog Beach as smugglers attempt to take the loads on shore.

Agents saw the boat around 3 a.m near La Jolla., then followed its progress to Del Mar before lowering the boom.

The men were identified as Mexican national ages 28 and 41. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took custody of the men.

No further details were available.

Fundraiser to aid  Jammer Family Foundation-San Pasqual Academy

The Jammer Foundation has a fundraiser at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 10 to raise money for the San Pasqual Academy Home Football Field Project.

"Guests are invited to mingle over select wine and appetizers while previewing the new line of Choo 24:7 Bags. A percentage of all sales from the event are being donated back from Jimmy Choo in support of the Jammer Family Foundation. "

For more information, contact:

danielle.barr@jimmychoo.com or jolanecrawford@sbcglobal.net.

BIGGY SHORTS: DeL mAR FAIrGRouNDs, ParALyZED TeEn SPencEr fOX FUnDRaISer, DEl MaR scHOols

 Del Mar leaders continuing to pursue a possible purchase of Del Mar Fairgrounds, despite negative vibes from Gov. Jerry Brown agreed Tuesday night to spend up to $15,000 for a lobbying firm to promote the venture.

California Strategies, LLC,  was awarded up to three $5,000 contracts renewable each month through April to pitch a $120 million deal struck last year between then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the city of Del Mar.

Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, introduced Senate Bill 1 Dec. 6, which authorizes the state to sell the property to Del Mar. Kehoe recently said the bill was not gaining traction. It is expected to be assigned to committee within the next two weeks. The governor must also approve the deal.

The Del Mar City Council next holds a special meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 9 in the Del Mar Communications Center, 240 Tenth Street, Del Mar.

The special meeting will be to provide information to the public regarding the Fairgrounds deal. For more information, visit, http://delmar.ca.us.

 Belly-Up fundraiser aids paralyzed Cardiff teen Spencer Fox

Spencer Fox is overcoming paralysis caused when his neck hit a hard snow bank while snowboarding in Utah February 2010. He spent weeks at a Utah children's hospital before being transferred to Rady children's hospital, San Diego. A fundraiser was held Sunday at The Belly Up Tavern.

Spencer has a web site at  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/spencerfox. This snippet from the site tells a bit more about what happened and why the family needs help with the $48,000 annual price tag needed to get Spencer on his feet.

"Spencer had a serious snowboarding accident at Brighton, Utah on Monday, February 1.  He suffered a severe spinal cord injury.  He broke both his C4 and C5 vertebrae.  Spencer was airlifted off of the mountain to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Spencer was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident which likely saved him from brain injury or worse.  The accident occurred on a bright sunny day on a "cat track" used between runs and not on a steep or difficult run.  A trick of light concealed a bump and by the time Spencer saw the bump it was too late to stop and he caught an edge of the board and was catapulted head first into a brick-hard snowbank.  

We are overwhelmed at the generosity, love and support we have received from our friends and family.  We are setting up this website so we can keep all of you who care about Spencer updated on his progress because we simply can't do it one person at a time. 

So many of you have offered to help.  Right now, there is not much to do besides send prayers and good wishes.  But when we return to San Diego we will take you up on your offers and Spencer will need all the help he can get as it will likely be a long road to recovery, one we will make together. 

We will keep you updated and PLEASE write us a note in our guestbook as your support means a lot and we read your messages for comfort."

 -- Celia, Vinnie and Lisa

Del Mar Schools Education Foundation comes through for school district

Del Mar Union School District got some good financial news last week when Drew Isaacman, Del Mar Schools Education Foundation president, presented a $720,000 check for specialized instruction in science, art, music, technology and physical education.

The foundation has raised $890,000 toward a $2 million goal to date. Most of the money will go to the school's extended studies curriculum, or ESC.

“We have serious positive momentum right now and there is every expectation we will meet our funding goal to fund the entire ESC program,” Isaacman said.

Nearly half of the district's families have contributed to the fundraising campaign, still short of last year's 62 percent rate.

“This community is amazing,” said Isaccman, according to a woman there. “It’s a group of individuals who are able to understand our objective and write checks to support our children’s education.”

Visit delmarkids.org for more information.

How Social Media Drew 27,000 More People to the Del Mar Races --Full Version from 'Social Media Examiner'

Social Media Examiner is a free online magazine designed to help businesses discover how to best use social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to find leads, increase sales and generate more brand awareness.  Technorati and AdAge rank us as one of the world’s Top 100 business blogs at http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Casey Hibbard

Casey Hibbard is president of Compelling Cases Inc. and author of Stories That Sell: Turn Satisfied Customers into Your Most Powerful Sales & Marketing Asset. Also check out her Stories That Sell Blog Other posts by Casey Hibbard »

In Southern California, the Del Mar Racetrack is the place to see and be seen. And now it’s the place to check into, tweet about and post via Facebook.

This Southern California institution, in business for 71 years, draws thousands every summer for horse racing, its cool bars and restaurants and a busy slate of concerts and festivals.

But like many entertainment industry venues, Del Mar attendance has dipped in recent years due to the ailing economy. But in 2010, the track added a new star to its marketing lineup – social media.

With virtually no other marketing changes, social media boosted attendance this past season by 4.2 percent.

“That’s an increase of 27,000 bodies,” said Craig Dado, senior vice president of marketing at Del Mar Racetrack. “In this economy, I’ve got to be honest, it was a little bit surprising.”

Del Mar Racetrack is the place to be in Southern California summers.

Organization: Del Mar RacetrackSocial Media Handles & Stats:

Websites: http://www.dmtc.com and http://www.delmarscene.com/

Facebook: 17,030 fans

Twitter: 4,205 followers

Foursquare: 3,863 check-ins

YouTube: 9,802 views across 101 videos

Year-over-year attendance increase of 27,000 people – or 4.2 percent

Highlights:

• 24,000 hits from Facebook to the Del Mar Racetrack website
• 965 tickets redeemed from Facebook giveaways
• 10,900 new social media users in the 2010 season

Fans enjoying “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” at the Del Mar Racetrack in Southern California.

And They’re Off!

Del Mar isn’t your traditional racetrack. There, you’re just as likely to see reggae bands and wiener dog races as thoroughbreds and ladies in hats. The track packs in dozens of events during just a seven-week summer season each year.

Due to strong branding efforts, Del Mar has increasingly become more of “the scene,” even appearing on HBO’s “Entourage” and ABC’s “The Bachelor,” as well as other TV shows and major motion pictures.

Del Mar has long run frequent TV ads to alert the local community about upcoming events. When social media began emerging, the track slowly stuck a toe in to test the waters, but did so without a specific strategy initially.

“We launched a Facebook page right before the beginning of the season in 2009 to gage the public’s interest in connecting with the track via social media,” said Callan Green of Bailey Gardiner, Del Mar’s marketing partner. “The success we saw without a comprehensive strategy encouraged us. With more thought, purpose and planning, we believed we could increase traffic and meet our goals.”

With that, the track reallocated budget from traditional media to social media, but with a clear objective.

Fans enjoying “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” at the Del Mar Racetrack in Southern California.

“We needed to convert communication into track attendance,” Dado said. “At the end of the day, we really challenged my team not to just brag about how cool it is, but measure and track, reinforce the brand and then convert into bodies at the track.”

“Astronomical” Twitter Activity

Before the season began, Del Mar started promoting its social media pages on TV ads. As the season opened, the visual nature of both the track and social media provided a winning combination. In fact, the first photo posted on Facebook of famed horse Zenyatta drew more than 100 comments from both horseracing and entertainment fans.

Shots of champion thoroughbred Zenyatta drew more than 100 comments and 391 “Likes.”

Encouraged, the marketing team shared photos and videos daily of fans, celebrities, horses, jockeys and events.

But several strategic promotions unlocked the gate on the racetrack’s social media expansion. Early in the season, Del Mar hosted a “Cool As Ever” (its slogan) Tech event that drew 725 social media influencers to the track for tours and giveaways. Of course, social media influencers talk – a lot.

“The amount of Twitter activity that day was astronomical,” Green said. “We were successful in driving top social media influencers to the track, while also creating a buzz online.”

Del Mar also recruited Facebook fans in the search for a select fan to appear in a “Cool As Ever” commercial. Fans submitted photos and an explanation of why they, in fact, were “Cool As Ever,” which got the Del Mar Facebook community talking. The winner, a woman, enjoyed a cameo appearance in a commercial featuring karaoke at Del Mar.

One lucky fan won a Facebook contest for a cameo in a track commercial.

The track added Foursquare to the mix as well, giving the mayor special treatment that included a tour of the winner’s circle, a table and four free tickets to the track. Plus, anyone who checked in more than three times earned tickets for being loyal fans.

In seven weeks, that led to 3,863 check-ins from 2,500 people, which is more than other major area attractions including the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park and Sea World.

A tab on Facebook honors the track’s mayors, giving extra exposure to the Foursquare tie-in.

Finally, to cap the season, Del Mar dubbed the last race day “Fan Appreciation Day,” which also served to increase attendance during a historically less-attended time when school has started again. Any Facebook fan could follow a link to claim two free Clubhouse tickets. That drew 905 people, who in turn spent money on food and beverages at the track.

Twitter: Engagement Goes Both Ways

Beyond events, Del Mar monitors Twitter mentions closely for measurement and opportunities to engage. The Del Mar marketing team answers questions quickly and follows folks, encouraging them to follow back. In total, the track engaged directly with fans more than 3,000 times and falls in the 80^th percentile in Twitter influence measurement.

“It’s a customer service element to reach out to people who didn’t know we were there,” Green said. “And we made an effort to respond to anyone who talked to us.”

The track even monitors for posts about people traveling to San Diego and sends information about upcoming events.

The marketing team closely monitors tweets and responds to all @ posts.

10,900 New Friends

When the season officially closed and marketing ran the numbers, Dado had the return on investment he wanted. Del Mar made 10,900 new friends on social media channels for the season, helping drive the 4.2 percent increase in attendance. It was clear social media wasn’t just chatter.

“There were hundreds of responses for everything we put up. That moment I was like, ‘Wow, this is working. They’re not only friends or likers, but they really want to tell us how we’re doing,’” Dado said. “It was overwhelmingly positive that Del Mar looked like the place to be this summer.”

How to Stay ‘On Track’ With Social Media

Know who you are – Have a strong brand message FIRST and then reinforce it through social media. Del Mar spent years refining its brand and then communicated those messages consistently and clearly in social media.

Measure – Establish specific objectives and a pathway to get there. Then measure every element necessary to know if you’ve accomplished your goals. Del Mar’s goal: bodies at the track.

Stay regular – Post interesting content – often. That keeps fans and followers aware and engaged.

Give things away – Del Mar gave away thousands of free tickets during the 2010 season, helping earn new loyal fans who tell their friends and return.

 

How to Stay ‘On Track’ With Social Media

Know who you are – Have a strong brand message FIRST and then reinforce it through social media. Del Mar spent years refining its brand and then communicated those messages consistently and clearly in social media.

Measure – Establish specific objectives and a pathway to get there. Then measure every element necessary to know if you’ve accomplished your goals. Del Mar’s goal: bodies at the track.

Stay regular – Post interesting content – often. That keeps fans and followers aware and engaged.

Give things away – Del Mar gave away thousands of free tickets during the 2010 season, helping earn new loyal fans who tell their friends and return.

Thieves strike Loghman Jewelry at Del Mar Plaza overnight through vacant store next door, take $55K...

While many people were sleeping, an intrepid thief  was working hard, striking Loghman Jewelers at Del Mar Plaza through a wall from an adjacent vacant store and taking $55,000 in goods, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. 

 A security guard arriving somewhat late at the allegedly alarm-protected store at 1555 Camino Del Mar around 10:30 a.m. reported the burglary, said Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Goggin.

Or maybe it was a case of practice makes sort of perfect.

A week ago thieves used a similar M-O at a la Jolla jewelry store, but authorities did not know if the attempted heists were related.

Burglars broke into Bulfer Jewelry on Girard Street, La Jolla in a similar way, finding only empty jewelry boxes.

"They got a few little things," said store owner Sean Loghman as sales continued as usual at the store. "We had some repairs that were done that were finished that day that were locked up in my office and they got that."

Loghman said the thief was not able to get all of the store's jewelry.

"The jewelry, the watches [and] everything gets locked up in the safe and that's not accessible," he said.

Loghman Jewelers is a family owned and operated boutique located in the Del Mar Plaza since 1989.

Del Mar Plaza

1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 324 Del Mar, CA 92014

858-523-0000

(John Straub's 'Along for the Ride' blog on vintage car racing and tripping is at:  http://www.johnstraub.blogspot.com/.)

Think the only racing at Del Mar whinnied and poo'd? Think again for hot rods once ruled at the Del Mar Road Races.

 Del Mar is not only the site for Horse Racing and the International Motor Sports Asociation (IMSA) races in the early nineties, but also early 60's sports car races with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). These races were held in the large parking area just west of Jimmy Durante Blvd. It was a 1.9 mile road circuit run clockwise with the boundaries laid out with cones and hay bales. One of the Pacific Coast Championship races was held there in 1962. Early TV star Steve McQueen even put his Porsche Speedster away to run a faster Cooper Junior at this event.

An image of the program cover for the fall 1964 event. This was the 6th running of this event and I believe the last.

You can see the pit area and the track layout as well as spectator parking around the outside of the parking lot in this image.

This Santee Race Car leading a Lotus was built in Santee. Two and a half cars were built, one is owned by one of our blog followers. Image via, Tams Old Race Car Site at.

The first lap of the Big Bore Mod. Race with Corvettes, Healeys, RSKs and some small bore Lotus cars. Pictured is Bob Harris in his rear-engined Campbell Special leading Dave Mac Donald in a Corvette. Image via, Bill Marsh and Toby Palmieri.

Jack Sutherland in his Triumph TR leads a Lotus Elite.

This was the Small Bore Race with MG's and Austin Healey Sprites. Image via, Bill Marsh and Toby Palmieri.

Ronnie Bucknum in a Big Healey leads the Porsche Roadster of Ed Barber and the Speedster of Alan Johnson. Alan would eventually go on the open a Porsche/Audi dealership in San Diego. Image via, Bill Marsh and Toby Palmieri.

George Follmer nerfed Dave Jordon out of the lead, but would later spin and turn the lead back over to Jordon. You can see the battle scares on the doors of both cars. Image via, Bill Marsh and Toby Palmieri.

The Del Mar races ran in '62, '63, and '64. The SCCA would next go to San Diego Stadium, Holtville, and Carlsbad Raceway to put on local events.