Around Town

Etch-A-Sketch! begins Thur., July 24, 8 a.m. Free. August exhibit in Geisel Library (lower level, west wing) focuses on this 1960s toy. Stop by UCSD Arts Library starting July 24 to borrow an Etch-A-Sketch; create a sketch on it, and it will be placed in exhibit case. Visit during August to see ever-changing gallery of sketches. (858) 822-5758. UCSD Arts Library, Geisel Library, 9500 Gilman Dr., UCSD La Jola.
Shark Week Continues thru Sat., July 26! Free-$11. Explorations for all ages into world of mesmerizing, misunderstood ocean predators. Daily activities include encounters with live sharks, viewing of more than ten species of sharks and their relatives in marine life displays, “show and tell” with Scripps Oceanography shark scientist. “Shark focus” feeding show July 26, 2 p.m.; July 24 at 10:30 a.m. Activities included in regular admission. (858) 534-FISH. Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla.
San Diego Comic Con International, Thur.-Sun., July 24-27, $12-$35 for single day passes. San Diego Comic Con is bigger than ever - meet the creators and stars of blockbuster movies, anime, comic book and graphic novel artists and the dedicated followers of all things fantasy, sci-fi and more. The San Diego Comic-Con enters its 39th year as the country’s premier comics and popular arts convention with a brand new slate of special guests, themes and anniversaries, and programming. (619) 491-2475. www.comic-con.org. San Diego convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr., downtown.
Showpark Racing Festival Horse Show Thur.-Sun., July 24-27, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Free for spectators. 858-481-9085. Del Mar Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real, Del Mar.
Pine Valley Days Sat., July 26, 9 a.m.noon-3 p.m. Free. Car show (with people’s choice awards), music, family festival, ceremony honoring U.S. military with Camp Pendleton color guard presentation (noon). (760) 630-6687. Mission Marketplace, 431 College Blvd., Oceanside.
BarrioFest 2008 Sat., July 26, 5-11 p.m. $10. Described as “San Diego’s most unusual music fest,” with “strange and unusual bands and musicians,” unusual performance, circus acts, fire dancers. Two stages with continuous music. (619) 231-1950. Center for Amusing Arts, 2438 Commercial St., Logan Heights.
Audubon Society Bird Walk Sat., July 26, 9 a.m. Free. Bring binoculars and drinking water to explore Tecolote Canyon. (858) 581-9944. Tecolote Nature Center, 5180 Tecolote Rd., Clairemont.
Xtreme Energy Makeover Sat., July 26, 10 a.m. Free. Open house promising guided tours, energy experts on hand to answer questions, self-guided tours, trade booths, energy efficiency educational materials, more. Home was selected for participation in renovation project in 2007 — survey the results. (858) 514-4025. Xtreme Energy Makeover, 6638 Cibola Rd., Grantville area of San Diego.
For biking enthusiasts! Big Lagoon Ride Sat., July 26, 8:45 a.m. Free. Join San Diego Bicycle Touring Society riders for 50-mile “fun ride.” (619) 562-2882. Doyle Park, 8175 Regents Rd., University City
Night Walk Sat., July 26, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Explore transition of dusk into dark in canyon; look for nocturnal creatures and critters and contemplate night sky. Bring flashlight. (858) 342-8856. Peñasquitos Canyon trailhead, 4206 Sorrento Valley Blvd., Sorrento Valley.
Off Road Racing! Sat. & Sun., July 26-27, 9:30 a.m. Free-$46. Championship Off Road Racing (CORR) 2008 racing series combines motocross with the speed and horsepower of four-wheel truck racing. Key racers include Johnny Greaves, Jeremy McGrath, Carl Renezeder, Scott Douglass. (619) 682-3407. The Quarry at Chula Vista International Raceway, 2041 Heritage Rd., Chula Vista.
It’s no Bull, I mean it’s all Bulls! Sat.-Sun., July 26-27, 8 p.m. $26-$66. Professional Bull Riders competition, with approximately 25 cowboys competing each night, plus “bull poker” and “teeter-totter” exhibition events. Tickets available through Ticketmaster (619) 220-TIXS. (858) 755-1161. Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar.
California Masters State Track Championships Sat.-Sun., July 26-27, 10 a.m. Watch for free. Watch the best master’s men and women bicyclists in Southern California compete for state championship titles. Free for spectators. Race-day registration opens at 8:30 a.m.: $15 per individual event, $10 per person for team events. (619) 573-4953. San Diego Velodrome, 2221 Morley Field Dr., Balboa Park, Sports
Obon Festival Sat.-Sun., July 26-27, noon-8 p.m. Free. Performances, demonstrations, and displays in taiko drumming, koto/shakuhachi, tea ceremony, bonsai, calligraphy, and brush painting. Join in the “Bon Odori” Japanese folk dancing (6:30 p.m.). Japanese food for sale until 6 p.m. (or whenever sold out), carnival games for children. (760) 941-8800. Vista Buddhist Temple and Japanese Cultural Center, 150 Cedar Rd., Vista.
Summer Orchid Show Sat.-Sun., July 26-27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. San Diego County Orchid Society’s summer show, sale, in room 101 of Casa del Prado. Many rare orchids in bloom; growing information available. (619) 405-0412. Casa del Prado, Balboa Park.
Explore Historic Grinding Rocks Sat.-Sun., July 26-27, 9:30 a.m. Free. See where Native Americans processed acorns along San Diego River when guides lead walks. 619-668-3281. Mission Trails Regional Park, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos.
Flow Rider Nights for Teens at The Wave! Sun., July 27, 7-9 p.m. $4-$6. Board enthusiasts invited to “ride the wave” during nights “devoted to the...flow rider,” a wave simulated attraction supplying a perfect wave every time, allowing body-board enthusiasts to show off skills. (760) 940-WAVE. Wave Waterpark, 101 Wave Dr., Vista.
Fifth annual Bluegrass and Ice Cream Social Sun., July 27, 4-6:30 p.m. $10. (760) 726-2114. Rancho Buena Vista Adobe, 640 Alta Vista Dr., Vista.
Street Smart San Diego 2008 Sun., July 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Event showcases green transportation strategies. Variety of alternative-fuel vehicles on display, representatives on hand to answer questions. Workshop focusing on “Who Killed the Electric Car”; tips from experts on “hypermiling,” alternative-fuel vehicle technologies. (858) 244-1177. California Center for Sustainable Energy, 8690 Balboa Ave., Clairemont.
Bluegrass and Barbecue Sun., July 27, 4 p.m. Free. Point Loma Presbyterian Church presents the Brombies bluegrass band (5 p.m.) following a barbecue (4 p.m.), in closed-off street by Point Loma Library, at corner of Chatsworth Blvd., and Udall St. Donations requested. (619) 223-1633. Point Loma Library, 3701 Voltaire St., Point Loma.
Sameda Faire Sun., July 27, 10 a.m. $5-$12. San Diego Area Middle Eastern Dance Association presents 11th annual day-long festival of dance. Student and professionals perform. Belly-dance vendors from all over U.S. (619) 444-4197. Scottish Rite Cente, 1895 Camino del Rio S., Mission Valley.
The House of Lithuania Sun., July 27, 2 p.m. Free. Lawn program with ethnic costumes, dancing, music at International Cottages. (619) 234-0739. House of Pacific Relations, 2125 Park Blvd., Balboa Park.
Batter Up! Padres Baseball Mon.-Wed., July 28-30. $8-$57. Arizona Diamondbacks arrive for games against Padres in Petco Park. Games broadcast on radio station XPRS (1090 AM). Tickets (619) 795-5000, 877-374-2784. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., downtown.
Stroll Around the Ranch Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m. Free. Take a slow-paced afternoon stroll with naturalist Michelle Capodice and learn about plants and animals along the way. Reservations 760-839-4680. Daley Ranch, 3024 La Honda Dr., Escondido.
Velocity Summer Series 2008 Sat., Aug. 9, 8 a.m. These paintball events are “tailored strictly for beginner players,” with five divisions of competition. Sign-ups: 7 a.m.; captains’ meeting: 7:30 a.m.; play begins at 8 a.m. 619-871-8504. Velocity Paintball Park, 1350 Warnock Dr., Ramona.
And they’re off! Admission $6-$15.Del Del Mar Thoroughbred Club meet runs through Sept. 3. Family fun day is Sunday, July 20, with attractions for family including Rad Hatter, rock-climbing walls, carnival games, pony rides, magic shows, more. Racing slated every day except Tuesday. Post time is 2 p.m. except Four O’Clock Fridays (July 25, Aug. 1 and 8 at 4 p.m.; Aug. 15, 22, and 29 at 3:30 p.m.). Parking $8. (858) 755-1141, (858) 793-5533. Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Real Old-Fashioned Trolley Cars and a model railroad that fills a room are on display at San Diego Electric Railway Association Museum. Museum is located in historic National City Depot, the first transcontinental terminal, established 1882 -- is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Located at the corner of Bay Marina Dr. and Marina Way, National City. Free. (619) 474-4400.
California Wolf Center in Julian hosts public programs focusing on North American gray wolves every Saturday at 2 p.m. Programs include slide show, visit and tour with resident wolf pack. Tickets: $8 general, $5 for seniors, $4 for children ten and younger. Required reservations at (619) 234-WOLF.
Blue Sky Walks 9 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, park entrance kiosk on Espola Rd., Poway. Free. (858) 679-5469. Slow-paced guided walks for the whole family. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring bottled water.
Torrey Pines State Reserve Walks 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors Center, 12600 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Free. Parking: $6 to $8. (858) 755-2063 or www.torreypine.org. Catch a glimpse of the California quail along trails lined by rare pine trees on an easy interpretive walk.
Mission Bay Woodcarvers meet every Monday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at Santa Clara Recreation Center, 1008 Santa Clara Pl., Pacific Beach. All skill levels from beginner to master carver encouraged to join. Free. (858) 581-9928.
No Brakes, No Gears! Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Free for spectators. Tuesday night bicycle racing season continues with racing in many categories, through Sept. 30. Free for spectators. (619) 573-4953. San Diego Velodrome, 2221 Morley Field Dr., Balboa Park.
Quilting Bee welcomes quilters old and new on last Monday of month at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in UTC, 9:30 a.m. in Room #6 of Roetter Hall. Fabric and batting provided for quilts for Advent Baby Shower, otherwise bring your own! Cutters, quilters especially needed. Bring your sewing machines! 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121. The hall is large glass and beige stucco structure at end of parking lot. Info (858) 458-1501.
Daley Ranch Naturalist Hikes: Daley Ranch is located in the northeastern portion of the City of Escondido, north of Dixon Lake and west of Valley Center Rd. Access is provided via La Honda Drive to the south, Valley Center Road to the east, and Cougar Pass Road to the west. Daley Ranch is a 3,058-acre conservation area acquired in 1997 by the City of Escondido and is managed in perpetuity for the preservation of a biologically unique and diverse habitat area of regional importance. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational and educational opportunities and experiences in a historically significant setting. Reservations are reqeusted for evening hikes (760) 839-4680. http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/glance/uniquely/daley/