San Diego At Large Podcast - Now on iTunes

We have posted the 2nd episode of the San Diego At Large Podcast for the week of May 18th - 25th. Featuring Festa Siciliana in Little Italy, the North Park Festival of the Arts, kayaking and brunch at Piatti in La Jolla and the Smooth Jazz 98.1 Gaslamp Festival. Podcast: http://sdatlarge.libsyn.com/rss More...

The San Diego At Large Podcast is Launched!

Announcing the launch of our San Diego At Large Podcast, a short and sweet weekly podcast featuring the lastest and greatest in America's Finest City. Brought to you by the lifestyle experts at Concierge At Large, Inc.

Podcast: http://sdatlarge.libsyn.com/rss

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Luxury Living in San Diego Featured in the March 2008 San Diego Magazine

The March issue of San Diego Magazine was released today and the cover story features Concierge At Large, Inc. as the "ultimate insider on the luxury scene." It was great fun to be interviewed for the in-depth piece, written by Julia Beeson Polloreno the magazine's Associate Editor. The luxury "players" featured will have the opportunity to rub elbows next week at a private "release party" at La Costa Resort and Spa.

To read the full story, click here. More...

Beach Tennis Wins Over San Diego: Game, Set, Match

Vavi Sport & Social Club introduces popular new sport to the San Diego sands.

VAVi Sport and Social Club is bringing the most popular new sport around to San Diego. Combining the fun and classiness of tennis with the sun and sand of the beach, Vavi is proud to introduce Beach Tennis.

I didn't realize how much fun it was until I actually played it
This fun-filled, fast-paced hybrid sport is becoming the new go-to game for keeping fit, having fun and staying tan. Beach Tennis is played in a beach volleyball court but uses tennis balls and racquets. It's just like tennis except it's all volleys. Play in teams of 4-6 or sign up as a free agent and let Vavi place you on a team.

"It is such a successful sport in other beach cities," said Keith Cunningham, Marketing and Sales Director at VAVi. "Introducing it to San Diego seems quite appropriate."

Beach Tennis is just one of the new sports coming to Vavi this spring. The San Diego adult sports league leader is also rolling out Dodge Ball, Indoor Volleyball and a new Del Mar Soccer League for North County San Diego residents.

With 21,000 members, VAVi has become the most sought-out adult sports and social networking company in the county. The Sport and Social Club brings young-professionals together through a variety of sport leagues, social events, trips and volunteer opportunities.

"I didn't realize how much fun it was until I actually played it," said VAVi member, Chelsey Azcona. "My friends and I have never laughed so hard. At the end of the day, we were tan and tired!"

The new Del Mar soccer league kicks off March 5, Dodge Ball starts March 20 and Indoor Volleyball begins March 26.

Beach Tennis makes its debut Saturday March 29 at Ocean Beach from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. More...

Virgin America Has Arrived in San Diego

Virgin America began service between its base of San Francisco International Airport and San Diego International Airport last week. Currently offering three flights a day to Francisco now (and expanding to five daily flights on March 9.) Convenient connecting flights also are available from SAN via SFO to New York's JFK International and Washington Dulles International airports.

"As California's home-town airline, we're bringing cutting-edge technology and the best in entertainment to the skies and we're thrilled to now link two of the state's most beautiful cities," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "We think that San Diegans will find that stepping on to a Virgin America plane is unlike any flight experience they've had before."

With power outlets and a video touch-screen at every seat, Virgin America offers guests interactive, on-demand entertainment and in-flight services. Virgin America's brand new planes were created with the tech-savvy traveler in mind and the Red(TM) In-flight Entertainment system allows guests to control what and when they want to eat with a food ordering system on their individual seatback touch-screen. Guests also have access to live TV, 25 films, 3,000 MP3s, videogames and a seat-to-seat chat feature. Virgin America's SFO-SAN fares start at $39* one way in the Main Cabin and $149** one way in First Class.

*All Main Cabin fares are one way. Tickets are non-refundable and non- transferable. All fares require a 7-day advance purchase. Travel must be completed by March 12, 2008. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $40 fee, plus any increase in fare if applicable. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call centers will cost an additional $10 per passenger per itinerary. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. The start dates for certain non-stop service are as follows: San Diego (SAN) -- San Francisco (SFO) on February 12, 2008; San Francisco (SFO) -- Seattle (SEA) on March 18, 2008 and Los Angeles (LAX) -- Seattle (SEA) on April 8, 2008. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.50 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket.

**All First Class fares are one way. Tickets are non-refundable and non- transferable. All fares require a 3-day advance purchase. Changes or cancellations can be made without a fee, but any increase in fare will apply. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call centers will cost an additional $10 per passenger per itinerary. Seats are limited, subject-availability, and may not be available on all flights. The start dates for certain non-stop service are as follows: San Diego (SAN) -- San Francisco (SFO), February 12, 2008. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject-change without notice. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up -- $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up -- $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.50 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange or any wholly or partially used ticket.

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. controlled and operated airline with no relation to Virgin Atlantic. The Virgin Group is a minority share investor in the airline.
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Hornblower Switches to Biodiesel

Hornblower Cruises & Events is now the first commercial business operating in the Port of San Diego to voluntarily switch to a domestically produced, environmentally friendly biodiesel fuel. This announcement comes after collaboration between Hornblower, New Leaf Biofuels and General Petroleum, the largest distributor of biofuels in Southern California.

Hornblower operates eight charter yachts, dining cruise and sightseeing vessels -- ranging in size from 80 to 230 feet -- from berthings on the Embarcadero on San Diego's downtown waterfront. Hornblower provides harbor cruises, whale watching, dinner and brunch cruises, as well as private charters in San Diego, as well as in five other ports in California.

"Hornblower has a strong commitment to keeping our oceans clean. Converting to biodiesel is an important step in our continuing effort to reduce our carbon footprint and educate our guests on what we are doing, and what they can do in their own lives," said Hornblower's Director of Marine Services in San Diego, Charles Assimakopoulos.

"Education is an important part of a Hornblower cruise," Assimakopoulos continues, "whether our guests are learning about the migratory patterns and habits of the whales that pass through our waters or admiring the spectacular San Diego skyline, we want them to think about how they can have an impact on the global environmental crisis. Our corporate environmental commitment, Respect Our Planet, guides and outlines the many ways we try to educate our guests about conservation."

Individuals who take cruises on a Hornblower yacht will be able to smell the difference from the non-toxic, non-carcinogenic biodiesel fuel. Vessels in the San Diego Bay were mandated to use Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel and thus improving the emissions produced by vessels by January 1, 2007. Hornblower has taken their emission reduction efforts a step further by voluntarily burning biodiesel with a blend of ultra low sulfur diesel.

"San Diego Bay is home to swimmers, whales, dolphins, fish, seabirds and lots of recreational, commercial and military boaters. By switching to biodiesel we hope to both reduce our impact here, and inspire others to make the same commitment," says Assimakopoulos.

New Leaf Biofuel is a San Diego biodiesel company focused on transforming the way companies fuel their vehicle fleets. New Leaf is focusing on providing biodiesel to the San Diego area. They are currently recruiting San Diego restaurants to participate in the waste vegetable oil collection program.

General Petroleum is the leading fuel and petroleum distributor for the marine, commercial and industrial industries in southern California. GP is a leader in exploration of advancements in the oil and gas distribution industry. From EPA-approved Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Diesel Emulsifiers to Bio Diesels, they ensure their customers have the most environmentally friendly fuels available today.

"I've been waiting for a visionary company like Hornblower Cruises & Events to take the first step and a leading role in San Diego's alternative fuel revolution," said Mark Olsen of General Petroleum.

The National Biodiesel Board describes this fuel as: "a renewable fuel that can run in any diesel engine in blends of 20 percent or lower, blended with diesel fuel. It can be made from any vegetable oil or animal fat through a chemical process that removes the glycerin. Biodiesel has added fuel refining capacity to the U.S. with more than 105 biodiesel plants operating currently. Biodiesel significantly cuts harmful environmental emissions, including carbon monoxide and life cycle carbon dioxide. Production tripled between 2005 and 2006, from 75 million gallons to about 250 million gallons."

Hornblower operates 32 vessels that sail from San Francisco, Berkeley, Marina del Rey, Long Beach, Newport Beach and San Diego. In addition to private charters and public cruises, the company hosts special celebration cruises on holidays, including Father's Day, Fourth of July and New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day and Easter.
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Jolly Boy Saloon in Old Town To Feature an Absinthe Fountain

The modern day Jolly Boy Saloon & Restaurant will reopen in March 2008 after an eight-month renovation aimed to re-create the spirit and excitement of its historic namesake.

The original Jolly Boy Saloon débuted on the same grounds in 1854 and at the time was the premiere watering hole and gathering place for local ranchers and seafaring visitors alike.

The new Jolly Boy Saloon is the only bar in San Diego serving traditional Absinthe doses the traditional way - from an antique fountain to authentic glasses from the 1800’s. Absinthe, a drink that was first commercialized in the 1800’s and banned in the U.S. for 95 years, is an anise-flavored spirit derived from herbs. In addition to this traditional drink, the saloon and restaurant will also carry its own private label wine from California’s Round Hill Winery along with a full variety of other wines.

“The restaurant menu includes many items inspired by the saloon’s history,” says General Manager Mick Plemons. “We pay homage to the original saloon’s vibrant past offering not only seafood and steak entrees infused with fresh and organic ingredients, but also heirloom meats like Duroc pork roast which was characteristic of mid 19th century fare.”


The restaurant’s creations include Mahi Mahi Vera Cruz, a filet sautéed in an organic tomato sauce with onions, olives, capers, jalapeños, fresh avocado, and lime wedges served with Spanish rice; Salmon Agave con Fruita, grilled to order and topped with a blue agave infused Maradol papaya salsa accompanied by a cilantro pilaf; and an all-natural 12 ounce roasted Bone in Churrasco, grilled meat using the finest cattle from Rancho de Brandt.

The restaurant features mid-1800’s décor including a finely detailed Mahogany bar, oil lamps and illuminating torches, portraits of Old Town’s famous luminaries, and a functional outdoor caretta or ox-cart, typical of 1850’s Old Town. Guests will be greeted in grand style by sailors singing sea shanties, historical performances and theatrical reenactments and will be invited to partake in interactive gambling “board” games to round off the experience.

Jolly Boy Saloon and Restaurant is perfect for casual gatherings with family and friends. Located in Plaza del Pasado inside Old Town San Diego State Historical Park on San Diego Avenue next to the thriving Plaza del Pasado shops, it will be open everyday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for lunch and dinner. For more information, call 619-297-3100 or visit www.jollyboyrestaurant.com or www.plazadelpasado.com.

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