Festival offers so many ways to celebrate life at the beach PACIFIC BEACH –— In addition to the many local merchants who will be selling their goods in booths at this year’s PB BeachFest, there will be plenty of local artisans displaying handcrafted items such as artwork, clothing and jewelry. From commemorative T-shirts to entertainment, BeachFest will have something for everyone. However, BeachFest is also about activities celebrating life at the beach. Here are a few more attention-grabbers for spectators and participants alike: Sand sculpture, 8K Run/Walk, Action Alley, Fireworks, Best of the Beach Fish Taco Challenge, Surf contest, Volleyball tournament. The festival takes place between Thomas Avenue and Diamond Street, west of Mission Boulevard, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9. For more information visit www.pacificbeachfest.org. Polish Festival to put plenty of beer and culture on tap PACIFIC BEACH — Pacific Beach will get a taste of Warsaw next weekend. The 15th annual Polish Festival will be held at the Saint Maximilian Kolbe Polish Catholic Mission from Friday, Oct. 8 through Sunday, Oct. 10. The three-day festival will be held at the Polish Catholic mission, located at 1375 Grand Ave. The festivities start for the 21-and-older crowd Oct. 8 from 6 to 10 p.m. The fare will be traditional Polish dishes, including pierogi (filled dumplings), golabki (cabbage rolls), bigos (stew) and kiszka (blood sausage), along with Polish pastries. Beer connoisseurs are in for a treat each day during the festival, with the chance to try imported Polish beers. Polish brews Okocim and Zywiec will be among those served. The festival continues Oct. 9 from noon to 10 p.m. and Oct. 10 from 12:30 to 6 p.m. with more of a family emphasis. Vendors will sell Polish souvenirs and jewelry and there will be games for kids. For more information, visit www.polishmission.org/festival. — Anthony Gentile Rotary set to host pancake breakfast at the Wavehouse MISSION BEACH — The Rotary Club of Mission Bay is hosting a pancake breakfast at the Wavehouse on Oct. 9 to help raise money in Rotary’s worldwide effort to combat polio and also to provide dictionaries for local third graders. “This is one of our big fundraisers during the year, so we appreciate a turnout by the community,” club President Susan Thorning said. Attendees will enjoy an early breakfast prepared by the Wavehouse head chef. They will also be entertained as Flow Jam, a Flowriding competition, will be warming up on the wave machine. “People coming to breakfast will be able to watch the competitors working out on the wave,” Thorning said. “It makes it exciting for those people who haven’t come down to the Wavehouse to see people riding on the wave.” The event is from 7 to10:30 a.m. and tickets are available for $8 a person, or folks can get a discount at $15 for two people. — Lee Cornell THIS WEEKEND’S EVENTS
FRIDAY, OCT. 8
Pacific Beach/Mission Beach • Polish Festival, 6 to 10 p.m., Saint Maximilian Kolbe Polish Catholic Mission, 1735 Grand Ave., adults only, dancing, music, food and beer; www.polishmission.org/festival, $2 adults SATURDAY, OCT. 9
Point Loma/Ocean Beach • OB Oktoberfest, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., featuring an OB Brat Trot 5K race, a beer garden, food, merchandise, microbrew festival tastings, bratwurst-eating and stein-holding competitions, entertainment and an area for all ages at the foot of Newport Avenue in the grassy area, for more information, call (619) 224-4906, or visit www.oceanbeachsandiego.com or www.oboktoberfest.com. Pacific Beach/Mission Beach • Mission Bay Rotary Club, 7 to 10:30 a.m., Wavehouse in Belmont Park, 3125 Mission Blvd. For more information, call (858) 531-5754, $8 per ticket or two for $15, advanced ticket purchase available at HomeBank, 875 Garnet Ave. • Pacific BeachFest, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., on the boardwalk from Thomas Street to Diamond St., art, crafts, food and fireworks, www.pacificbeachfest.org • Polish Festival, noon until 10 p.m., Saint Maximilian Kolbe Polish Catholic Mission, 1735 Grand Ave., dancing, music, children’s games, food and beer, www.polishmission.org/festival, $2 adults, children free La Jolla • Museum of Contemporary Art (MCASD) will present an exhibition featuring the work of San Diego-based artist Kim MacConnel titled “Collection Applied Design: A Kim MacConnel Retrospective.” 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., MCASD, 700 Prospect St., (858) 454-3541, www.mcasd.org, $10 general, military/seniors $5, students 26 and over $5 (with ID), 25 and under free (with ID). • The La Jolla Library will be offering chess lessons for adults and children 25 and under. 1 p.m., 7555 Draper Ave., (858) 552-1657, www.lajollalibrary.com, free. • The La Jolla Library will be offering Ikebana design classes for those interested in learning the art of Japanese floral design. 10 a.m., 7555 Draper Ave., (858) 552-1657, www.lajollalibrary.com, $19. • J*CompanyYouth Theatre’s teen community service organization, Artists Taking Action, is teaming up with Canyon Crest Academy and La Costa Canyon Improv for a show to benefit the students of Monarch School. 8 p.m., David & Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, (858) 362-1348, www.sdcjc.org/jcompany, $10. SUNDAY, OCT. 10
Pacific Beach/Mission Beach • Polish Festival, 12:30 to 6 p.m., Saint Maximilian Kolbe Polish Catholic Mission, 1735 Grand Ave., dancing, music, children’s games, food and beer, www.polishmission.org/festival, $2 adults, children free • T.O.D.D.L.E.R.S. (Together opportunities to discover and develop literacy, enrichment and recreation skills), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St., parent and toddler fun. For more information, call Bill (619) 920-1032, free