Trading Card War Still Raging

by The Editors on August 23, 2007

Portal LogoudWe mentioned on Tuesday that Carlsbad based trading card giant Upper Deck had pulled out of their $416 million bid to purchase the Topps Co, Inc. That of course caused Topps’ stock to tumble 7% and made them a little angry according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

In a statement, Topps said the cancellation of Upper Deck’s $416 million offer was proof that the proposal had always been a “sham.” . . The New York company, which also owns the Bazooka and Ring Pop brands, said it would hold Carlsbad-based Upper Deck accountable for all “damages suffered by Topps and our stockholders.”

The Topps board was hoping to be purchased by an investment group led by former Disney head Michael Eisner.

[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]

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TaylorMade’s All-New Irons

by The Editors on August 23, 2007

BurnerWe don’t golf. In fact, just last night we tossed our old clubs in the dumpster, but that doesn’t keep us from understanding how having great irons can change your game.

Carlsbad’s TaylorMade Golf has just introduced a new iron called the Burner XD, which is likely designed to make the people who just bought the popular Burner driver feel a little less satisfied with their current sticks.

“The phenomenal distance and overall performance of the Burner family of metalwoods, especially the Burner driver, has had golfers clamoring for a Burner iron,” said Sean Toulon, TaylorMade executive vice president. “That’s because Burner metalwoods are so compelling, from both a performance and personality standpoint. We believed that if we applied that same Burner formula to an iron, we can deliver incredible performance. Great news. The wait is over. The new Burner XD iron is here.”

These would probably be perfect for The Crossings.

[Link: World Golf]

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Visitors Bureau Promotes Birdwatching

by The Editors on August 23, 2007

Sometimes we have to ask ourselves if the crew at the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau is on the program. Their latest press release, designed ostensibly to bring tourist dollars into the city, hinges entirely on how great the fall bird watching is here.

Let your wild side take charge and come to Carlsbad on San Diego’s beautiful North Coast when birding is at its best. . . In the fall, Mother Nature fills the sky with voluminous white clouds and the migratory birds begin long flights to winter homes. A vital sanctuary along the migratory path and a winter destination is Carlsbad’s Batiquitos Lagoon, one of the few remaining tidal wetlands on the southern California coast.

We’re David Allen Sibley fans too, but is hiking around the lagoon with binocs really that big a vacation drawn for Carlsbadistan? Follow the link for the entire release.

[click to continue…]

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Leo Carrillo Friday Night Film Festival

by The Editors on August 22, 2007

The Leo Carrillo Ranch Friday Night Film Festival continues this Friday August 24 with a showing of the 1929 classic Mr. Antonio. In this film, Leo Carrillo plays Antonio Camaradino.

In this romance, an organ grinder falls in love with a corrupt mayor’s daughter. The mayor, worried that the organ grinder will reveal his knowledge of the politician’s illegal activities, does all he can to persuade the organ grinder that the girl is not interested in him, but the intrepid street performer is not dissuaded.

Bring a low back chair, warm clothes, a flashlight, and a blanket. The movie starts promptly at sunset with a showing of the Cisco Kid before the main feature. Admission is free and hot dogs, chips, popcorn, cotton candy, and sodas can be purchased at the Barn Theater.

The next three Fridays will feature the following films: Guilty Generation, If You Could Only Cook, and I Promise to Pay.

[Link: The City of Carlsbad]

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TGIF Jazz August 24: Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers

by The Editors on August 22, 2007

Null Mightyflyers2XThose who have put Jazz In The Park off all summer get one last chance to make it happen this Friday night August 24 as Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers bring their own brand of Southern California blues to the lovely Calavera Hills Park at 2997 Glasgow Drive.

According to an old saying, when you’re on top, there’s nowhere to go but down. However, Rod Piazza, one of the nation’s top blues performers and multi-winning Handy Award winner as best blues harp, remain at the top of his game and continue to look for ways to climb.

If you miss this one, you won’t get another change until summer 2008.

[Link: Carlsbadca.gov]

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Old Carlsbad Wants in On Village Redevelopment

by The Editors on August 22, 2007

Property owners in the Old Carlsbad area (a.k.a The Barrio) are getting together Thursday August 23, 2007 at 7 PM to discuss being included in Carlsbad Village redevelopment plans according to the North County Times. The meeting will take place at Father Raymond Moore Hall at 3256 Madison Street.

[Link: North County Times]

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Carlsbad: Number 9, Number 9

by The Editors on August 21, 2007

A Cleveland-based private jet service Flight Options LLC recently released a list of the top 10 favorite places their rich-ass customers like to fly (via private jet) and Carlsbad sneaked onto the list in ninth place behind Nantucket, Napa, Scottsdale and others. Here’s how they described us:

With seven miles of accessible beach, championship golf, world-class spas and the kid-friendly appeal of Legoland, Carlsbad is a classic Southern California destination for families and couples alike.

Then again, Las Vegas was number one on the Flight Options list so obviously these jet fliers have their priorities completely backwards.

[Link: Flight Options via Denver Business Journal]

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Wind Blows Canada’s Record Lego Attempt

by The Editors on August 21, 2007

Jul1307-LegocntowerBack in the middle of July we mentioned how a group of Lego fanatics were going to build the world’s tallest Lego tower during the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, Canada and steal the current world record (94.3 feet tall) from Carlsbad, California. Though they tried all weekend, they were unable to build a Guinness World Book of Records tower thanks to heavy winds. . . Phew!

Pray for more wind in Toronto. We’ll keep you posted.

[Link: City News]

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Upper Deck Bottoms Out On Topps

by The Editors on August 21, 2007

Portal LogoudIn the battle of the sports trading card giants it appears that Carlsbad’s Upper Deck has decided to terminate its tender offer for all outstanding share of Topps Co., Inc. . .

and added that the action of Topps made conditions precedent to the tender offer incapable of being satisfied. Further, Upper Deck said that all shares of Topps previously tendered and not withdrawn under the tender offer would be returned promptly in accordance with the terms of the tender offer.

Let’s just say that Upper Deck is not happy with the Topps board right now. And the deal is off.

[Link: RTT News]

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Two Injured In I-5 Police Chase

by The Editors on August 21, 2007

When a man driving a Saab tried to elude police on a high speed chase down I-5 by exiting the freeway at Cannon road, he ended up slamming into the back of a Mercedes-Benz, which collided with a truck in front of it.

The Mercedes was pushed into the back of a truck which briefly caught fire. At least two other vehicles also collided after the chain-reaction crash, the CHP said.

The woman driving the Mercedes was taken to the hospital and the two children in the back seat were uninjured. The man driving the Saab was reported unhappy about his arrest:

He was shot with a Taser gun and was taken by helicopter to the hospital.

Every time a Saab driver gets Tasered we smile a little.

[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]

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