by The Editors on September 11, 2012
Dr. Brandon Bell along with his father, Dr. Geoffrey Bell, of Bell Family Dentistry in Carlsbad (right) came up with an interesting way to donate money to the Carlsbad Boys & Girls club while at the same time encouraging their new patients to be on time and complete their paper work properly.
For every new patient that arrived for their first appointment on time with the appropriate paperwork completed, $5 was earmarked to give to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. . . . “The dentists surprised us by presenting a $500 donation to support our programs,” said Club CEO Brad Holland. “What a fantastic idea, and we’re grateful to their diligent patients as well.”
For the Bell’s it was apparently a win-win.
“It’s an honor to contribute to the community that has given us so much on behalf of our patients,” stated Dr. Brandon Bell. “The program has proven to be so successful motivating our patients and helping us to treat them in a more timely and efficient manner, while raising money to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. It’s truly a win-win situation, and this is just the beginning of a long relationship!”
For the official story, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on August 24, 2012
On Wednesday, August 22, 2012 the Carlsbad Unified School District agreed to lease “vacant classroom space” on the Magnolia School campus to the Sanderlin Waldorf School, according to a story in the North County Times.
The Encinitas-based private school will move into the 16-classroom space in the next couple of months, and is projected to pay $1,300 a month [per classroom] over the three-year lease agreement, which will total to approximately $250,000.
Sounds like a pretty good deal for the Waldorf School and for Magnolia. Obviously, none of the Sanderlin parents have attempted to drop their kids off at Magnolia school on a rainy day. They’ll learn the hard way.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on July 27, 2012
On Wednesday, August 1, 2012 registration will open for the City of Carlsbad’s fall youth basketball program at the Calavera Hills and Stagecoach Park community centers.
Teams will begin hour-long practices twice a week beginning the first week of November. Games will be played on Saturdays—with an occasional weeknight game—starting Dec. 1. . . Fall Hoops will teach participants the game of basketball and the value of teamwork and give them a chance to showcase those lessons at weekly games. . . Once registered, all players must attend an evaluation session for team placement. Volunteer coaches will select the teams’ practice times. Spaces are limited so register now!
The program will cost $105 per child for residents $115 for non-residents. For more information on the City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation Department’s youth basketball registration and to register, go to www.carlsbadconnect.org or call 760-434-2971.
by The Editors on July 25, 2012
The Carlsbad Parks & Recreation Department is looking for a few good people to coach basketball for boys and girls in first through eighth grade.
Practices are one weekday evening per week and games are on Saturday’s at either Calavera Hills or Stagecoach Community Centers. Practices start in November and games in December, with the season ending mid-February. Our leagues are designed for fun, learning, and sportsmanship. Training is also available.
All coaches must pass a background check and get fingerprinted before participating. Contact Grant Titus at grant.titus@carlsbadca.gov or 760-434-2971 for more information. Deadline for indicating interest is October 15th.
by The Editors on May 18, 2012

(Back Row L to R): Rancho Carlsbad Residents Susan Abentul, Ruth Brown, Jennifer Correia, Sandra and John Hunsicker, Becky Murillo. (Front Row L to R): Boys & Girls Club members Jake Woldman, Drew Jones, Jose Ornelas, and Christopher Forman
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad have been cooking up a storm with the foodies at Rancho Carlsbad Estates lately:
At their recent first Cooking Club meeting, they made pizza from scratch – even the dough! The children not only learn how to prep ingredients and clean up, but recently etiquette lessons have been thrown into the mix. “Perhaps the best part of the class is sitting down together and bonding while enjoying what their hard work produced,” observed Club Director Jim Salvia. “We limit the number of kids who can attend, so the children and seniors can form an on-going relationship.”
Sounds like a match made in the kitchen. For the rest of the story follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 15, 2012

Relive the wild west days of Southern California at the Leo Carrillo Ranch on Saturday, May 19, 2012 as the City of Carlsbad celebrates Native American culture with the Wild West Fest.
This year, Wild West Fest celebrates the Native American culture with demonstrations, crafts, activities, and entertainment. There will be pony rides, a salsa tasting contest, and an Adventure Activity card taking you through Native American themed activities and projects. Bring the entire family out for an exciting afternoon at Leo Carrillo Ranch. Activity cards are required for some activities and can be purchased at the event. . . Food, beverages, and merchandise will be available for an additional cost.
Leo Carrillo Ranch is located at 6200 Flying L.C. Lane in Carlsbad. For complete information click here for the official website or follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 16, 2012
Thanks to a special deal created through a partnership between the Carlsbad Education Foundation and Legoland called Celebrate Carlsbad Day local families will have the chance to purchase advance tickets to visit Legoland on April 28, 2012 (after 1 PM) for $20 (a price locals should get all year).
The annual Celebrate Carlsbad Day at LEGOLAND® will be held on Saturday, April 28th. Specially-priced $20 LEGOLAND tickets include admission starting at 1:00 pm with park hours extended to 9:00 and a special fireworks display at 8:30. SEA LIFE Aquarium tickets are also available at a discounted rate of $6 each. Parking is $12 at the gate. . . Live student performances and donor recognition will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 on a stage in Miniland USA. LEGOLAND will donate a portion of the event proceeds to the Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF) to support district-wide science initiatives at Carlsbad schools.
Yes, it’s amazing to us that Legoland won’t allow a full day in the park for $20, but we guess the Carlsbad Education Foundation has to take what they can get. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the CEF office at (760) 929-1555 or by emailing Patty@CarlsbadEd.org
An even better way to support the Carlsbad Education Foundation is to make a direct donation. Click here for more info. Or, follow the jump for the official word from the CEF. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 12, 2012

Have some kids who love nothing more than putting on shows? Now, thanks to Carlsbadistan’s New Village Arts Theatre they can get some professional training even if they’re as young as 4 years old with Kids Act.
Kids Act can help motivate, inspire and enrich your child. . . With 2 distinct age groups (4-6yrs & 7-11yrs) and class sizes small enough to tailor each child’s experience, Kids Act is a special way to ignite your student’s imagination.
Session start on April 16, 2012. For more details, or to sign up click here.
[Link: New Village Arts Theatre]
by The Editors on April 5, 2012

Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad got a surprise visit from San Diego Charger Quentin Jammer on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. Quentin took time out to visit with the surprised youngsters, give them toys, and sign a few autographs.
“If I can encourage and make a difference in the life of just one child, I feel that I have been successful,” said Quentin. Jammer believes that all children should be given the same opportunity to excel in academics as well as athletics, regardless of their resources. His foundation’s ultimate goal is to establish a solid support system with children, developing them into young leaders that will sustain a prosperous community.
For the rest of the story, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 3, 2012

On Saturday, April 7, 2012 the City of Carlsbadistan’s Parks & Recreation Department will host the 2012 EGGStravaganza at Poinsettia Park.
Kids will be treated to easter egg hunts (for all ages), face painting, cup-cake decorating, gymnastic tumbling, and a seemingly limitless supply of bouncy bounce options.
EGGStravaganza begins at 10 AM on Saturday, April 7, 2012. To save time you can purchase a $5 activity card and unlimited Fun Zone wristbands in advance at Calavera Hills Community Center, Harding Community Center, or the Stagecoach Caommunity Center. Click here for photos from the 2010 event or the link for more info.
[Link: EGGStravaganza]