I received Press access from the Board to the Coronado Island Film Festival staff and venues to facilitate writing this sponsored post. 

The Coronado Island Film Festival: 85 Movies. 6 Spectacular Parties. 5 Live Performances. 4 Panels of Industry Pros.

I've lived in San Diego for a long time and one of my favorite places to go when I want to be a tourist in my own city is Coronado. The island is beautiful and filled with history. I didn't realize how much of a connection to old Hollywood and the film industry the island has. 

Dozens of movies have been filmed on the grounds of the world famous Hotel Del Coronado, Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum lived in a home on Star Park Circle, and there is an IMDb page filled with movies and TV shows filmed on location around the island. 

It makes sense that Coronado would be prime location for a film fest. And now it's here! The first annual Coronado Island Film Festival starts this week on Friday, January 15th and runs through Monday the 18th.

The festival is packed with appearances by industry leaders:

• Leonard Maltin - film critic and author
• Lisa Bruce - Producer of The Theory of Everything
• Emmanuel Lubeski - Cinematographer for recent Golden Globe winning film The Revenant
• Chris Lemmon - Writer and son of actor Jack Lemmon who will be receiving the inaugural Hollywood Legacy Award during the festival
• Jonas Rivera - Producer for the recent Golden Globe winning film Inside Out

To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Coronado Film Festival is hosting a free tribute event on Monday the 18th from 3:00 - 4:30pm. The reception happens following a special Noon screening of Laurens Grant's documentary Freedom Riders. Grant won a Peabody award and three primetime Emmy's for her 2010 Civil Rights film. 





Grant's other documentaries, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and Jessie Owens are also screening at the Festival. Freedom Riders will screen at Noon at the Village Theatre and the reception, with Grant as the special guest, is at the Glorietta Bay Inn. Light hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served. 

To plan your weekend of Festival activities, read the full Coronado Island Film Festival program online. 

Other film festival reads:

For a listing of other free events during the Festival, read this post by Danielle Simmons of Simm Works Family. 

Suzzette Valle, Coronado resident and author of 101 Movies to See Before You Grow Up, has a full Festival rundown on her site. You can buy a signed copy of her book at the Hospitality Tent. 

Kate Hammernik of Highlights Along the Way shares details on the animation panel and opening night screening of the new Disney movie The Finest Hours.

Rob, AKA Downtown Rob has a list of the parties and special events. 

To stay up-to-date with the Festival news and schedule, Like the CIFF Facebook page, follow the CIFF on Twitter and through the #CIFF and #CoronadoFilmFest hashtags. 

San Diego Staycation: Maritime Museum

This past Saturday Tyler and I spent the afternoon in San Diego. We don't go down there as much as we should. Usually, anything south of the merge is too far for me to do on a regular basis (locals will get that insider joke). But, every time we go down I remember how much I love my city and how much we have to do here. I need to make more of an effort at being a tourist in my own city. There's so much Tyler has never seen.

We went down to Spanish Landing because we were invited for a preview of a new exhibit. The Maritime Museum of San Diego is constructing a replica of the San Salvador. I've never taken Tyler to the Cabrillo Monument so this was his first time learning that part of San Diego's history. 

When he heard that black pepper was worth more than gold he said he wanted to invent a time traveler to take the pepper mill we have back to those days and then we can be rich. Kids.

We watched a blacksmith demonstration, sails being sewn together and the framing of the ship. Tyler even got to hammer his initials onto a board that will go on the back of the ship. When it sets sail, he'll be a part of it.

After Spanish Landing we spent some time at Seaport Village and in the Gaslmap. We had a good time. It was a good day and another successful Camp Mom* outing.

How are you keeping your kids entertained over summer break? 

Have you done any Staycating in your city?

*Thank you to the Maritime Museum for letting us attend and to Stacey for the term Camp Mom.

Weekend Events 8/29 - 9/1

Have a great holiday weekend!

Art The Leucadia Art Walk is Sunday from 10-5 on Highway 101 in Encinitas.

Scrapbook Expo at the Convention Center today and tomorrow.

This is the last weekend for the Etch A Sketch exhibit at the UCSD Arts Library. (photo from here) Music
Chris Cornell at the House of Blues tonight. (photo from here)

Beaches
Apparently this is a good weekend for Grunion Runs (mostly Sunday/early Monday) Eeew!

Pets 12th Annual Weiner Nationals at Qualcomm Stadium Saturday at 9:30 (this has happened 11 times before?!)

Baseball The Padres play the Colorado Rockies today, tomorrow and Sunday.
Kids Puppets on Parade Monday at Balboa Park.

Movies
Not a huge movie weekend despite the holiday. The only one I've heard of is Traitor.

Weekend Events 8/15 - 8/17

Beaches
Surf Competition and Beach Festival at the Oceanside pier today through Sunday. (click on photo, picture from there)


Surfrider Foundation beach clean up at Moonlight beach with after party at The Belly Up.

Movies
Moonlight Movie in Del Mar. Showing Surf's Up around 8pm. Free

Lots of movies opening this weekend including one with a little controversy. Drama Dad is taking a vacation day Monday to take Drama Kid to see the new Star Wars.
Leo Carillo Film Festival every Friday through September 12th. Showing films from Hollywood's Golden Age. Free

Home and Garden
Summer Remodeling Show at the San Diego Convention Center.

Music
B Side Players Saturday at The Belly Up.

The Wailers at the Del Mar Fairground tonight after the races.

LegoLand
The Sea Life Aquarium opened August 11th. Open until 8:00pm through the end of September.
(movie photos from Fandango)

Weekend Events for 7/25 - 7/27

Woo Hoo! We're almost into August, the start of the school year is getting closer and closer!

Music

Jazz on the Green at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara tonight. 6pm

TGIF Jazz in the Park at Poinsettia Park tonight 6-8pm

Gnarls Barkley performs in the infield after the last race at Del Mar 7/26

Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos at Viejas 7/26

Food

Taste of Fallbrook today on Mountain Avenue. Sample food from 28 local restaurants.

Cheesecake Factory restaurants are offering cheesecake slices for $1.50 next Wednesday 7/30 in celebration of their 30th anniversary and National Cheesecake Day (dine in only- bummer!)

Micro Brew Festival at Del Mar 7/26 (Gnarls Barkley performing, admission $6)

Movies

Outdoor Movie Night at San Elijo Hills' public square. 8pm (7/26 and 7/28)

The X Files I Want to Believe and Step Brothers both open today

Books

Author Amy Wallen will be signing copies of her novel, Moon Pies and Movie Stars at The Ink Spot tonight at 6:30 (has anyone read it?)

Shows

Phantom of the Opera at Broadway San Diego ends on August 10th.

Weekend Events for 7/18 - 7/20

Look at me, inflating your reader count! ;^) Have a good weekend!

Music

Jazz on the Green with Jonathan Butler at Four Season's Resort Aviara. 6pm

Jazz in the Park at Poinsettia Park. Afro-Cuban music by Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca. 6pm

KSON's Country Fest at the Pier Amphitheater in Oceanside. 6-11pm

Concerts

Gavin Rossdale at the Del Mar Fairgounds. Think pregnant Gwen's there? She's supposed to pop any second.

This is a biggie: LiveNation.com is having a Fan Appreciation Day today only from 10am-Midnight where you can buy $10 concert tickets!! What?! See The Counting Crows and Maroon 5 in September at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater for only $10?! [Hubby, are you paying attention? That's an awfully affordabe birthday gift...]

Movies

Movie Night at Woodland Park in San Marcos. (Bee Movie) Call 760-744-9000 for details.

Please observe a moment of silence for the late, great, talented and HOT Heath Ledger. [You are missed!] The Dark Night opens today. It is rumored Heath could be nominated posthumously for an Oscar. Also opening are Mama Mia and Space Chimps (?).

Attractions

Shark Week starts tomorrow at the Scripps Birch Aquarium. Free with admission.

Weekend Events for 7/11-7/13

Short list today. I'm not feeling well but will still be hitting the beach again with the extended family. BTW- does anyone know what "once removed" actually means? We were trying to figure out what "level" Drama Kid is in the cousin rankings. Thanks!

Surfing

Sort of. The Wave Waterpark in Vista is having their annual Flow Rider Challenge competition tomorrow 7/12.

Crafts

Christmas in July in Oceanside. Free to the public, but $2 to park.

Sports

The annual Over the Line world championship tournament is happening on Fiesta Island in Mission Beach. I've never been, but heard it's a little like Mardi Gras but with bats.

Movies

Meet Dave, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Hellboy are opening today. Drama Dad heard that Eddie Murphy is going to stop making movies and go back to stand up. I don't know if he still has the chops to material like Raw. What do you think?

Have a great weekend!

Weekend Events for 7/4-7/6 (including a special fundraiser)

Happy Fourth of July! Our fair city has events all over town. Check out these sites for great compilations of what's happening where:

SignOnSanDiego

About.com

Or pick up the July issue of San Diego Family Magazine

Music
Jazz in the Park at Stagecoach Park in Carlsbad Friday 7/4

Summer Sunday Concert Series at Moonlight Beach Sunday 7/6

Movies
I suspect this will be a big weekend for Hancock (opened Wednesday). Will Smith is still the king of summer of movies (and so cute too!) Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl opens today. Sometimes I'm glad I have a boy.

Restaurants
Mister Tiki in the Gaslamp is serving 3-course meals celebrating the flavors of the South Pacific (including a cocktail! I know!) for $29.95 per person. The tropical inspired menus will be served all summer long on Thursdays. Reservations required.

Fundraiser- A Night of Musical Chairs

At the Oceanside Farmer's Market today, I met a really nice woman who has an amazingly talented little boy. In her booth, she displayed one-of-a kind hand painted, artist created chairs for kids along with notecards painted by her 5 year-old son Elliot, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2. The below are only a few of the beautiful, unique designs.

The chairs will be auctioned off at Hensley's Pub & Grill in Carlsbad on Saturday, July 12th. The proceeds go towards Elliot's treatment and a week-long intensive therapy session with the Autism Treatment Center of America's Son Rise program. One special chair will be signed by all the band members of Flogging Molly (the owner of Hensley's is a former member.)

Elliot's note cards are beautiful! If I hadn't bought stationery recently I would have stocked up. The packages of 12 cards are $20 and can be purchased on Elliot's site.

Autism is on the rise (especially among boys) and the programs to help children come out of themselves are often costly. If you know someone who would love to have one of the beautiful, handmade chairs (or who loves stationery,like me!) please send them a link to this post.

Weekend Events for 6/27-6/29

Art
The La Jolla Festival of the Arts takes place Saturday and Sunday on the UCSD campus.





Music

La Jolla Concerts by the Sea are FREE every Sunday afternoon from now until August 22nd at Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove.


Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett and the B-52's at Viejas (tonight)


Fergie at the San Diego Fair (tonight)


Fairs
The Ocean Beach Street Fair is Saturday from 10a-8p on Newport Avenue. Great food, crafts, music, rides for kids and a chili cookoff. Parking is a nightmare but this is always a good time. Have a Hodad's burger for me!

Movies
Wall E and Wanted both open today. Did you know John Ratzenberger has voiced a character in every Disney Pixar movie since Toy Story in 1995?

Weekend Events for 6/19-6/21

Concerts

Earth, Wind and Fire at the San Diego Fair tonight at 7:30. I'd love to see this. Shining Star is one of my favorites!

The Doodlebops Live! also at the fair on Saturday at 5:00. This one I'll take a pass on.

The City of Carlsbad TGIF Jazz in the Park concert series begins tonight at Stagecoach Park.

Movies

Get Smart and The Love Guru both open today. I've seen several trailers for Love Guru and it looks pretty funny.

The community of San Elijo Hills in will show E.T. as their first In the Park at dark summer movie (free).

Sports

The Padres take on the Detroit Tigers (Drama Dad's team) all weekend. The Friday giveaway is a drink koozie, Saturday there is a fireworks show and Sunday kids 14 and under get T-shirts.

Weekend Happenings for 6/13 - 6/15

Concert
Johnny Lang at Humphry's. I haven't picked up any of his music since Lie To Me, but this guy has some pipes. (Photo from mtv.com)


Movies
Opening this weekend are The Happening (R) The Incredible Hulk (PG-13) (Photos from Yahoo! Movies)



San Diego Zoo Father's Day Sleepover. Reservations are required.


Sports BMX Olympic trials at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.


SD Fair
The San Diego County Fair starts on Saturday and runs through Sunday, July 6th. Tickets for Dollar Day (June 17) can be purchased at Ralph's. Free parking and shuttle service is available. Visit the Frugal Fairgoer's Guide for ways to save money on your trip.

Weekend Happenings for 6/6 - 6/8

If you live in San Diego, here's a few things happening this weekend:

Fiesta del Sol This is a free music festival Saturday and Sunday in Solana Beach at Fletcher Cove. Free parking and shuttles are available. I'll be there Saturday to watch Venice. A friend of mine helps with their promoting.
Cats The Andrew Lloyd Weber musical is playing downtown through Sunday.

Baseball
The Padres are taking on the Mets all this weekend at Petco Park.


Friday is the Fifth Annual Fiesta de los Padres concert
Saturday is Padres cap giveaway day
Sunday is Mike Peevey glove giveaway day for kids

Kid Toons movies at Ultra Star theaters Now showing the National Geographic Kid Big Safari