The Editors

Carlsbad Team Wins First Lego League Cup

by The Editors on December 6, 2009

Lego Team

Team “Four Wheel Drive” from the Carlsbad Education Foundation made up of Anna Lozar research mentor, Mark Rotenberg programming mentor, Kasey Cinciarelli – Team Coach, Jared John, Harlyn Fitzgerald, Alex Kaplan, and Noah Knudsentook took home the Championship trophy in the First Lego League (FLL) Cup at Legoland California today (December 6, 2009).

Team “Four Wheel Drive” was one of 52 teams of 9 to 14-year-olds to compete in this high-energy robotics competition. Teams from Encinitas, Laguna Beach, LaVerne, Palm Desert, Poway, Ramona, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Westlake Village were also honored.

Follow the jump for the entire press release.
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The Rotary Christmas Tree Is Lit

by The Editors on December 6, 2009

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Everything went as planned this afternoon at the Carlsbadistan Village Faire. Santa arrived by fire engine, the orchestra played, the Lancer Dancers danced, and everyone got free cookies. Not a bad Sunday afternoon at all.

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Santa and his elf discuss some seriously detailed Christmas wishes. It’s always good to be very specific.

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Samudra Spa

Every girl likes going to the spa and lucky for them Carlsbad is full of them. Though tested standbys LaCosta and the Four Seasons offer a great full-day resort-style experience, we like the day-spa choices in the Village instead. With it’s relaxed atmosphere, and vegan and organic treatment options, Spa Samudra is our newest favorite.

Ease some holiday stress for one of your loved ones with a gift certificate for Spa Samudra’s Beach Escape ($160). The package includes an organic fusion facial, swedish massage, and beach break pedicure all for the same price as a single treatment at one of the larger spas. Spa Samudra is currently offering a buy one, get one 50% off deal on all gift card purchases—stuff a stocking or two.

Spa Samudra, 2917 State Street #230

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Ben Sherman At The M Collection
2. iPhone Boombox From Livespeakr.com
3. Prince Lionheart Balance Bike From Geppettos
4. Nambé Yaro Salad Bowl From The Poached Pear
5. The Stratos II From Spy Optic

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Holiday At The Rancho 2009

by The Editors on December 5, 2009

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The Holiday at the Leo Carrillo Rancho, held Saturday December 5, 2009 seemed a little smaller and more subdued than last year, but that didn’t stop those who attended from kicking off the holiday season with smiles.

Kids frosted cookies and built crafts, while parents gathered on the faux lawn in front of the Rancho to listen as the Carlsbad High School Chamber Orchestra played classic Christmas songs.

Face painters transformed kids into fairies, sprites, and creatures of all kind. Christmas movies played in the barn, horse and carriage rides took visitors for a night ride through the Rancho, and in La Cabaña down by the pool Miss Carlsbad and her court helped Santa meet and greet all the kids brave enough to sit on the old man’s knee.

Follow the jump for more scenes from Holiday at The Rancho 2009.
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It’s the truth: everyone always needs a new pair of shades, especially in Carlsbadistan where the sun shines every day and people have to look their best. Lucky for us, our city is home to one of the most popular brands in action eyewear, Spy Optic. The all-new Stratos II features classic 70s fashion styling with a nod to the future. The black with gold temples and gold mirror shaded lenses make the perfect gift for your favorite TransAm driver or choose from six other colors color combos including candy colored translucent blue and pink.

The Stratos II is available for order in the Spy Optic online store for $84.95 and begins shipping next week. If you’re looking for something else from Spy follow the jump for details on their holiday warehouse sale on on Saturday December 12, 2009. We hear there will be “massive savings.”

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Ben Sherman At The M Collection
2. iPhone Boombox From Livespeakr.com
3. Prince Lionheart Balance Bike From Geppettos
4. Nambé Yaro Salad Bowl From The Poached Pear
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13th Annual Strong Ale Festival At Pizza Port

by The Editors on December 4, 2009

Pizza-PortjpgThe professional beer drinkers (and VIPs) are rolling into Pizza Port Bottle Shop on Carlsbad Village Drive at 1 PM for the kick off of the 13th Annual San Diego Strong Ale Festival, but for the rest of us the event begins at 4 PM, when for $30 we’ll get eight four ounce taster tickets, a commemorative logo glass, and an “official Strong Ale Festival Program to guide you through BEER WONDERLAND!”

The festival which runs 4 – 11 PM on December 4 and 11 AM – 11 PM on Saturday December 5, 2009 and features over 75 beers over 8% alcohol on tap plus some cask conditioned ales at the Bottle Shop area next to Pizza Port Carlsbad

Beer wonderland, indeed. Good thing we can walk home. . .

[Link: Pizza Port]

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Upperdeck’s New Year Layoff Effects 33

by The Editors on December 4, 2009

Carlsbadistan based trading company Upper Deck Co. LLC will lay off 33 employees according to a story in the North County Times.

The company is laying off five associate game designers, two game designers and two information technology product managers, along with 24 other individual positions, according to the notice, posted on the department’s Web site.

Sadly, it looks like they’re not going to get cut until January 2010.

[Link: North County Times]

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NambeIt’s that most wonderful time of the year, when relatives and friends alike gather to celebrate together. Though more expensive than a casual hostess gift, the Nambé Yaro Salad Bowl and Servers is a modern addition to any holiday table.

Made of finely sculpted, stain and odor resistant acacia wood, the 13-inch salad bowl is accompanied by wood and Nambé alloy handled salad servers. Available at The Poached Pear on State Street for $125. This is the perfect gift for the entertainers in your life.

The Poached Pear, 2946 State Street, (760) 730-9050

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Ben Sherman At The M Collection
2. iPhone Boombox From Livespeakr.com
3. Prince Lionheart Balance Bike From Geppettos

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Carlsbad Chamber Launches New Website

by The Editors on December 3, 2009

Chamber SiteThe Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is apparently happy to announce the launch of their entirely redesigned website.

The new, clean look offers improved navigation and better organization, adding to the already outstanding aspects of the Web site, such as the business directory, which is the most utilized feature. The site also has a new section for attractions and a new calendar that makes it easier to find and register for events, workshops and seminars hosted by the chamber.

The site was designed and built by Carlsbadistan based Lynch Interactive and we have to agree that Jeff Lynch and his crew did a great job getting a lot of information into the site, not to mention putting some social media connections up front and center. Follow the jump for all the details.
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Tgtg Ho09 7600We’ve always had this thing against training wheels. It comes from seeing kids on the sea wall on bikes that are far to big for them leaning over all sideways on one trainer completely oblivious to the fact that one day they are going to have to learn to balance.

If kids are going to be on training wheels they should be on a trike. That’s why we think these Prince Lionheart Balance Bike ($89.99), available at Geppetto’s Toys, is the perfect Christmas gift for two and three-year-olds.

For starters, the Balance Bike looks totally cool. Beyond that, it’s a wonderful way to ready your child for his first pedal bicycle. For now, he will master the art of balance on this great little starter bike, made of 100% birch wood, with 12″ rubber tires, solid rubber handgrips and a padded, adjustable-height seat. The “look-what-I-can-do” expression on his face will be priceless.

Exactly what we were thinking.

Geppetto’s Toys, The Forum at Carlsbad, 1935 Calle Barcelona (760) 632-1107

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Ben Sherman At The M Collection
2. iPhone Boombox From Livespeakr.com

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