by The Editors on December 7, 2009
by The Editors on December 6, 2009

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.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 6, 2009

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.

Santa and his elf discuss some seriously detailed Christmas wishes. It’s always good to be very specific.
by The Editors on December 6, 2009
by The Editors on December 5, 2009

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.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 5, 2009

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
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 4, 2009
The 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]
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]
by Richard J. Riehl on December 4, 2009
Is Carlsbad city councilman Mark Packard really more interested in political grandstanding than public safety?
As a member of the North County Transit District board, he cast the only “no” vote to fund a study to install a federally required safety system on our local commuter trains. He said he did so because the feds weren’t funding it. Upon hearing from their attorney that failure to comply with the law would mean there’d be no commuter rail service here after 2015, the eight other members of the board voted to fund the study.
Follow the jump for the rest of the column. . .
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 4, 2009
It’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