Click here for live streaming video of the Bayfair event, beginning Sept. 18.
Bayfair races descend on Mission Bay this weekend MISSION BAY — The Mission Bay waters are churning with fast-moving boats from many classes, but this weekend’s Bayfair races will be headlined by a duel between unlimited hydroplane stars Steve David and Dave Villwock on Mission Bay. These two will head a cast of pilots in 12 jet-powered, rooster-tail spraying machines that will reach 190 mph on the straightaways of the Bill Muncey course. The action will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 19 in the National Air Guard water circus with Degree Men, a deodorant company, as a presenting sponsor. The action-packed show is under the sanction of H1 Hydroplanes and the Bayfair San Diego Thunderboat promotion. A cluster of 22 officials on Fiesta Island will be responsible to keep things rolling for the many classifications which include Grand Prix West (GPW), offshore craft, PWC power boats, cracker boxes, tunnel boats and outboards. Several titles will be on the line as teams compete under the American Power Boat Association sanction. The GPW boats, a smaller version of the unlimiteds, are powered by strong-running piston-driven engines capable of reaching speeds of 160 mph. The noise should be reminiscent of the past. For more information see www.sandiegobayfair.org. — JOHNNY McDONALD ArtWalk on the Bay alights on new location The fifth annual ArtWalk on the Bay will take place Sept. 18 and 19 with one major change. The event, which is expected to draw more than 40,000 attendees, will take place at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Park, 1 Park Blvd. “For the past four years the event was at Embarcadero Seaport North, it was stunning and beautiful,” said Sandi Cottrell, managing director for ArtWalk. “The biggest challenge with that venue is that it was difficult for parking.” Now, attendees can park in nearby structures or choose to take the trolley instead. There will be more than 140 unique artists participating in the event in the 4-acre park, Cottrell said. Some artists return year after year with similar work, others might shift from creating sculpture to painting. “I’m going to have my traditional oil paintings and previews of some new stuff,” said Pete Tillack, a local artist who has participated in the event each year. His subject matter primarily involves San Diego scenes and relates to water. However, with his newer works he has reached beyond oil painting to explore glass etchings in shades and gold and silver. “We will be having a number of different food offerings,” said Brandy Bechtold, director of catering at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The food will range from chocolate dipped strawberries to tacos. ArtWalk on the Bay takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. For more information visit www.artwalkonthebay.org. — DEBBIE HATCH OMBAC surf contest brings vintage boards, competition to Crystal Pier PACIFIC BEACH — This weekend, local surfers will hit the waves old-school style. Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) will host its 17th annual Classic Longboard Surfing Contest on Saturday, Sept. 18 on the north side of Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. While all ages are invited to compete, their boards must be from 1969 or earlier, at least 9 feet long and without leashes. Check-in for the contest is at 7:30 a.m., with the competition set to begin at 8:30 a.m. The contest has divisions for men, women and for children 16 and under, with trophies and prizes for the winners. The entry fee is $25 before the event and $35 on the day of the competition. Surfers without an old board can borrow one from Southcoast/Windansea Surf Shop on the day of the event. Proceeds from the contest will go toward building beach wheelchairs. For more information, call Phil at (619) 913-1663. — Anthony Gentile SeaWorld hosts free electronic recycling event The public is invited to drop off old cell phones, televisions, computers, laptops, monitors and more at SeaWorld on Saturday, Sept. 18. The event will benefit the San Diego Audubon Society. Those wishing to drop off items can do so in the east parking lot, H1. The entrance is off of South Shores Road, which can be accessed via Sea World Drive. Hours of collection are from 8 a.m. to noon. Items that cannot be donated include batteries, items containing mercury, washers and dryers, refrigerators and other household appliances. For more information visit www.seaworld.com. Fleet Week features family festival Fleet Week, the weeklong celebration honoring military, will have a new event this year. Fleet Week Big Bay Family Festival will take place Sept. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the B Street Cruise Terminal. The event will kick off with a welcoming ceremony each day. Musical performances, food and a children’s fun zone will be part of the weekend as well. The festival will keep with the traditions of the annual Fleet Week events that generally entertain, support and thank the men and women who serve in the military. The USS Freedom, USS Pinckney and the USS Curts will be open for guests to tour. Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen will all be on hand to answer questions. Inside the terminal, educational exhibits will also be on display. The event is free. For more information visit www.fleetweeksandiego.org. — DEBBIE HATCH Coronado Art Walk planned for Sept. 18-19 CORONADO — The fifth annual Coronado Art Walk will take place on Sept. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Coronado Ferry Landing. The free event will be put on by the Coronado Historical Association. Painters, jewelers and photographers are among the exhibitors. There will also be interactive art activities for children and adults. Local artists’ organization participating in the event include the Coronado Ferry Landing’s Galleries and Artists, Coronado Art Association Artists in Spreckels Park and Coronado High School’s Art Department. For more information visit www.coronadoartwalk.org. — DEBBIE HATCH SATURDAY, SEPT. 18 Pacific Beach/Mission Beach • Wagging Tales, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., kids practice reading with dogs, Pacific Beach/Taylor Library, 4275 Cass St., (858) 581-9934, free • Clean PB Day, 9 a.m. to noon, Ocean Blvd. at Grand Ave., www.cleanpb.com Point Loma/Ocean Beach • Friends of Famosa Slough host a free nature walk with good views of a variety of birds and salt marsh habitat, 1-3 p.m., bring binoculars and meet at the first bench on Famosa Boulevard south of the intersection with W. Point Loma Boulevard, for more information, call (619) 224-4591, or visit www.famosaslough.org Point Loma/Ocean Beach • “Decadent Expressions: Contemporary Art and Chocolate,” 6-9 p.m., Mod-Est Studio Gallery, Liberty Station, 2690 Historic Decatur Road, a grand opening exhibition for art and chocolate lovers, for more information, call (619) 818-6087, or visit www.libertystation.com La Jolla • La Jolla’s Veterans Medical Research Foundation will host its Honoring Service Gala. 6 p.m., Fairbanks Ranch Association Clubhouse, 16401 Circa del Norte, Rancho Santa Fe, 92067, (858)552-7406, www.vmrf.org/gala.html, $200 • “SEA Days,” multi-generational learning about cutting-edge Scripps research, will hold “Snapshots of Scripps Science,” a hands-on event that will allow guests to make an eco-friendly scrapbook and tips on underwater photography. 11 a.m., Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, (858) 534-FISH, http://aquarium.ucsd.edu, $12 adult (18+), $9 senior (60+), $8.50 youth (3-17), free children 2 and under • More than 35 performers will present “Sentimental Journey,” featuring songs from every decade of the last century. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., University City United Church of Christ, 2877 Governor Drive, (858) 453-3444, www.ucuc.org, free SUNDAY, SEPT. 19 Pacific Beach/Mission Beach • 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 information, call Bill (619) 920-1032, free • Bluesmen Robin Henkel Band w/Billy Watson, 2 to 6 p.m., Mission Bay Deli, 1548 Quivira Way, Mission Bay, (619) 223-5056, free La Jolla • Bak/Vanstrum, a violin and piano duo, will present an afternoon concert of Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, 2 p.m., La Jolla/Riford Library, La Jolla Community Room, 7555 Draper Avenue, (858)552-1657, [email protected], free • Camarada will perform the third concert of its 16th season, 6 p.m. The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Hopkins Dr., (619)231-3702, www.camarada.org, $25 • The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus will hold open auditions for the chorus for singers of all voice types. By appointment only at [email protected], (858)243-2045, free • UC San Diego offers campus tour. 2 p.m., reservations at (858)534-4414 or www.ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/tours, free SEDES Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, (619) 224-1556 • Friday, Sept. 17, 8 p.m., The Fab Four — The Ultimate Tribute, $40 • Sunday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., Last Comic Standing, $40 MUSIC CALENDAR • Locked Out Of Eden: 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17 at The Tiki House, 1152 Garnet Ave. No cover. 21 and up. www.myspace.com/lockedoutofeden • Boys to Men: 100 Wave Challenge benefit: 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 21 and up. Admission is $10. www.710bc.com • Peter Sprague: 7:30 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 19 at Tango Del Rey, 3567 Del Rey St. Cover TBD. All ages. http://www.petersprague.com — BART MENDOZA