Don’t worry, it’s in the morning and it won’t interfere with your preparations.

The famous surfing statue nicknamed the CARDIFF KOOK is the namesake and you can bet there will be runners dressed up in costume, as the KOOK so often is.

READ MORE about the CARDIFF KOOK RUN and the KOOK itself.

New trucks, new bins and other improvements will cost residents, and property owners, more money

There is a PUBLIC HEARING on Valentine’s Day in Carlsbad for folks to hear more and sign a protest if desired.

READ MORE (and download the flyer):

LET’S TALK TRASH IN CARLSBAD – IT’S GONNA COST YOU MORE TO GET RID OF IT

You probably won’t get ocean views for around $300,000 but the PANORAMA CONDOS in Lake San Marcos, San Marcos CA offers some incredible views from their hilltop location. You can see Lake San Marcos of course, but also the mountains to the east, mile away.

Cascading down the hills, some homes will offer far better views than others, and recent sale history suggests that there is not a lot of turnover, with only 5 sales last year (in a complex of about 160).

There is a 2/2 home for sale right now, priced at $279,000. Let me know if I can help.

PANORAMA CONDOS in Lake San Marcos – click for full story and links to more information about San Marcos

The CARLSBAD MARATHON will be on Sunday January 22, 2012 and it’s a great time to watch world-class marathoners. A large part of the course runs along the Coast Road so there are some great views for runners and viewers alike. Be aware that there are a number of road closures beginning VERY EARLY Sunday morning – parts of Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad Boulevard (Route 101/Coast Road) and others .

Here’s a SPECTATOR GUIDE so you can find the best places to watch.

There will be a special KIDS MARATHON MILE (link) held at Legoland

INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT takes place at the Schulman Auditorium adjacent to the Carlsbad Public Library at 1775 Dove Lane in South Carlsbad.

You can read more about INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT (link) and listen to some music from last year when I attended. This event is sponsored by the MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC in Carlsbad

Someone who is thinking about moving here from the East Coast asked me the other day why I liked living here, so I decided to share my thoughts.

You can read MY reasons WHY I LIKE LIVING IN CARLSBAD CA

CATCH Carlsbad offers a good range of sushi, as well as other seafood dishes, for DINNER (link) with the option to sit at the sushi bar, in the lounge are or a slightly more formal dining area.

Ask for ANGELA, by the way – she is terrific!!

CATCH also has a great selection of SAKES (link). I can’t say I have gotten into drinking sake but I may have to try given all the options.

CATCH is in the former Blockbuster that was extensively remodeled, with lightning from very cool chandeliers, with lots of windows. Tables are well spaced so you don’t feel cramped and have a sense of privacy. My only gripe? The radio music, sort of a light rock. It might have just been that night, but I can listen to the radio, with commercials, in my car…I don’t need it while dining. You could sort of ignore it but I can’t say that it added to the fairly upscale atmosphere.

That said, the sushi we had was terrific, as well as a wonderful butterfish appetizer. We’ll look forward to exploring more that CATCH Carlsbad has to offer.

Check it out – it worth a visit. Just don’t expect bargain basement prices!

CATCH Carlsbad (link)

660 Carlsbad Village Drive

Carlsbad, CA

(760) 729-7904

DON’T!!

If you are shopping for records (yeah, they are still around) and CDs, new and old, SPIN RECORDS in Carlsbad is the place to visit. You can spend hours browsing here and the selection ,especially of older and out of print stuff is awesome. New, old, rare, independents, you will find an amazing collection here, and terrific prices on CDs, vinyl, DVDs, and tapes. And a wide range of genres, from jazz to heavy metal.

SPIN RECORDS can do special orders, and they also offer gift certificates. This place ROCKS!

SPIN RECORDS (link is to their Facebook page)

370 Grand Avenue

Carlsbad, CA

(760) 434-0807

A guest author is writing a series of articles on MOLD that are very worth reading. CLICK on the following links to READ MORE:

MOLD INSPECTION – Sampling Techniques

THE MOLD INSPECTION PROCESS

Given the crowds that hang out, especially at lunchtime, you know this is a place worth visiting. During lunchtime you can expect to wait in line to order your fresh-made sandwich, or you can grad something pre-made. There is ample outdoor seating (none inside) so you can enjoy being outdoors and watching the world go by.

PRONTOS’ GOURMET MARKET offers a big selection of fresh made (frozen) pasta, raviolis and gnocchi, a great selection of desserts, a small but select grouping of wines by the bottle, gourmet dinners to go, fresh breads and pastries, and an ambitious catering menu. They are only open during the weekdays, unfortunately.

PRONTOS’ GOURMET MARKET (website)

2812 Roosevelt Street, Carlsbad, CA