Andrews also spoke of the calendar of events for Fashion Week San Diego™ 2013, when the event will take over the Broadway Pier downtown for 5 days of events for ticket holders, industry professionals and media to attend. This year will include 3 nights of runway shows, expanding from the 1 runway show in 2012. Fashion Week San Diego™ 2013 kicks off with the Art and Beauty behind Fashion with beauty industry experts speaking and demonstrating on hair, makeup and nails. The Trunk Show marks the end of the week of events where designers will sell and write orders for their collections just seen on the runway.

At the end of March, the designer lineup was released, including four designers back from Fashion Week San Diego™ 2012: A’Doreus, Dos Caras Swimwear, nOia by Evelyne and SYC Collection. The designers are currently in the process of creating their Spring/Summer 2014 Collections that will debut on the Fashion Week San Diego 2013 Runway in October. The team of Fashion Week San Diego will work with the designers throughout the year to aid them in developing their collections and businesses in order to take the momentum of the event to the next level.

The Fashion Week San Diego™ 2013 Designers include: A’Doreus, Ashley Raymond, C Venti, CG by Cynthia, Danh Ta, Diestra, Dos Caras Swimwear, Greenpatcha, Isabel Vianey, Johnathan Joesef Garment Company, Collections of Kathryn Elizabeth, Keisha Audrey, Laced with B, ‘Love, Charles’, Mahogony Blues, Maegan Stracy, Makeshift Apparel, Maralonzo, nOia by Evelyne, RHCREATION, Second Star Designs, SYC Collection, VICTROLA, Wishnow, WM Couture Designs, and Yuwei Designs.

Fashion Week San Diego™ is a collaborative entertainment fashion event to celebrate emerging designers by showcasing and highlighting the pulse of these entrepreneurs and what they are creating. Fashion Week San Diego™ is pleased to give these emerging fashion designers a platform to launch their careers. Pre-sale tickets are now currently on sale until May 1st when prices will then increase or sell out.

Visit www.fashionweeksd.com for more information.

About Me:
Riffs Acoustic Music started as the brain child of my father, Larry Hart, who saw a real need in our hometown of Park City, Utah for an acoustic guitar store. As a recent graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont, I moved home and hopped on board with the project and Riffs Acoustic Music in Park City was born. Our goal was to create a music shop that was inviting, community oriented, and a gathering place for people to appreciate music. The vibe we established was unique and inspiring, and with much success in a couple short years we looked to recreate this project in a new location.

I set out to find a community in need of this service, and based on a recommendation from a customer in Park City, I headed out to San Diego to start my search. As a young entrepreneur the task was quite daunting, and I was secretly hoping for solid evidence not to take the risk. I found no such evidence. The trip started by meeting an old friend from home for coffee just to catch up. She suggested Bird Rock Coffee Roasters as a great place to meet, and as it turned out, it was just up the street from one of the more unique and intriguing locations I was looking into for the shop. While there, I met the owner Chuck, a beloved member of the community and avid guitar player, who supported my idea and began introducing me to a few people. This connection started the ball rolling that would never stop.

After 10 days of travelling up and down the coast looking at different locations, I realized there was no better place for Riffs Acoustic Music 2.0 than the Bird Rock community of La Jolla. I put my idea for this new shop out in the universe and it sparked a series of events that led my train of thought from “this probably won’t happen” to “if I don’t do this I will regret it for the rest of my life.”

I went back to Park City for a month of soul searching and countless hours of research and discussion. During that time, several people reached out with interest in the idea and wanted to work with me to turn the vision into a reality—a further sign that this service was needed in this community. With extreme excitement and a bit of fear, I signed the lease on the Bird Rock property, packed my car, and moved to San Diego to start this incredible adventure.

I spent the first month here sleeping on the floor of my office, eating bagels for every meal, and showering with a hose in the backyard while I worked nonstop to turn this spider invested, run-down property into a place people would drive from far away to experience. While I knew I wanted to sell guitars, provide music lessons and other instrument services, I spent this time pondering what to do with the backyard space to make it usable for my business. I was inspired by an experience at home in which I took part in a yoga class where a Riffs student played a song for savasana, and thought this space would be a cool area to provide live music yoga classes. The idea immediately took off, and I worked through several ideas before deciding to build a deck where we could host the sessions. After an extensive designing and construction process with an incredibly talented contractor, the beautiful redwood and bamboo deck was built. Like in “A Field of Dreams,” I built it, and they came. Yoga teachers flowed through the door looking to teach in this beautiful setting with classes accompanied by live musicians. After a few months of trial and error, we developed an incredible staff of teachers and musicians and a program with massive potential.

After a few months of operation, I am blessed with strong relationships with top-notch guitar builders, allowing me to provide instruments that people will use to spread music for generations to come. I have an amazing team of music teachers who work to inspire their students, giving them the lifelong gift of musical joy. And finally, I have a team of selfless yoga teachers and musicians that have dedicated their time and energy to not only make the program a reality, but turn it into something so unique that customers travel from all over to experience it. We look to take all aspects of our business and continue to improve our service and grow our reach so that we can touch and inspire as many people in this amazing city as possible.

Despite the incredible challenges I faced throughout this process, I have finally come to a place where the new Riffs is just what I had hoped it would, but this is only the start.

For more on Riffs, check out http://www.riffsacousticmusic.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/RiffsLJ

Riffs Acoustic Music
5510 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla, California 92037
(858)456-2477

Founded by the Chicano community on April 22, 1970, Chicano Park continues to receive international recognition as a major public art site for its powerful murals of the past and present struggle of Mexican and Chicano history. This year’s celebration is dedicated to Chicano Park and its murals having been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Attending the event will expose you to traditional music and dance as well as live bands and keynote speakers. The roster includes: Danza Azteca Calpulli Mexihca, Nanahuatzin Folklórico Dance Company, Quino & Friends, Agua Dulce, Cumbia Machin, Kid Frost, Los Románticos,

Mariachi Imperial de San Diego, Josephine S. Talamantez, Rudy Gonzales (son of the late Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales from the Crusade for Justice), Representatives from the Brown Berets de Aztlán and many more…

In addition, there will be classic lowrider cars on display presented by Amigos Car Club, a children’s art workshop led by muralist Victor Ochoa, and various food, arts and crafts vendors selling their specialties throughout the event.

For more information, go to http://chicano-park.org/

About Chicano Park:

It started during WWII when the neighborhood was denied local access to the beach because of the Department of Defense’s plans for the property. Denial of beachfront access was a source of local resentment towards the government and its agencies. While artists had used the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge to paint their murals, a number of new murals and graffiti appeared in protest to the government’s decision. They asked that the area around the murals be rebuilt as a park for the neighborhood. The government agreed.

However, on April 22, 1970, a construction crew, equipment and bulldozers showed up to prepare the location for a California Highway Patrol station. Barrio Logan residents were furious. They believed they had been deceived by city and state officials regarding the development of their park.

Men, women, children, activists, students, residents and entire families gathered at the construction site. By the end of the day, two to three hundred people had gathered together. They were able to evict the construction crew and seize the land. A student even seized a bulldozer and began flattening the land while others planted cactus, plants and trees.

Today, Chicano Park has become the community’s cultural center and a place for social and political events. Its celebration as a monument and symbol reminds Barrio Logan of the day they took back their neighborhood.

The internet enables us to learn about anything we want, including fitness, without having to act on it—if you’re lazy. You can learn everything from the basics to the science of it. Looking to improve your diet? The internet is stockpiled with recipes, nutritional facts and other information to help you upgrade your meals. Everything you need to start a healthier routine is available to you at the push of a button.

From your mobile phone or computer you are able to easily maintain, organize and keep track of our fitness goals. This is one of the most important things you can do to stay motivated. It can be as easy as taking progress photos or recording your reps and routines. Documenting your progress is the best way to stay on top of your fitness.

Here are some websites and services to help you stay fit:

Fitocracy

As a new service, Fitocracy has turned fitness tracking and management into a social game. You will truly enjoy conquering your fitness with Fitocracy as you unlock achievements, earn points to level up and bask in the glory as get in shape. This service is easy to use with enough health tracking tools to make sure that you’re getting in shape, staying on track and reaching your goals—https://www.fitocracy.com/

SparkPeople

With a mission is to inspire people to reach their goals and lead healthier lives, SparkPeople offers free nutrition, health and fitness tools, support, and resources. Their weight loss program teaches you to stop dieting and transition to a permanent, healthy lifestyle. You will learn to eat better and exercise regularly—for life. In addition to informative articles and interactive tools, such as fitness trackers and meal plans, members can find support and encouragement from other members and experts in the community—http://www.sparkpeople.com/

RunKeeper

This web, Android and iOS app helps you monitor your runs, review your speed and distance progress, and modify your workouts over time. Even though this app doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles like the first two, it does help runners and fitness enthusiasts keep track of their activities for reference and motivation, or to share with friends on Facebook and Twitter—http://runkeeper.com/

My Tracks
My Tracks is a Google app for Android that has been around for a while with lots of users. It’s a basic program that records your path, speed, distance, and elevation while you walk, run, bike, or do anything else outdoors. While in use, you can view your data live, make notes, and hear periodic voice announcements of your progress. With My Tracks, you can share your activities on Twitter and Facebook, and upload data to Google Docs. If you’re an avid runner or attached to your bike, this might be the simple app for you— http://www.google.com/mobile/mytracks/

Banana Wrap
1 Whole wheat tortilla
1 tbsp Peanut butter
1 tbsp strawberry or grape jelly
1 large banana, peeled

Spread peanut butter on one side of tortilla. Spread jelly over peanut butter. Place banana at edge of tortilla. Roll tortilla until banana is completely wrapped up. Goes good with a side of fruit or a glass of milk.

Hemp Granola Fruit & Yogurt Parfait

½ cup blueberries
½ banana, sliced
½ cup strawberries, sliced
1 cup nonfat yogurt, any flavor
½ cup hemp granola

In a medium cup or bowl, combine all fruit and toss. Top fruit with yogurt and sprinkle with hemp granola.

Allison Andrews is a positive, energetic and outgoing local with a “go-getter” attitude. Besides founding her own consulting firm, as well as Fashion Week San Diego, she is heavily invested in her community and volunteers her time to local businesses and independent organizations as often as possible. She works closely with organizations like Angel’s Family, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, and St. Paul Senior Center to name a few. Also environmentally conscious, she powers her home with solar energy, feeds her garden with recycled water, and supports local farmers by participating in the California Sustainable Agriculture project.

Andrews has always been an active member in her community and understands the importance of leading by example. “You just need to be who you are and hope people take notice.” She earned her associate degree in Merchandise Marketing, and then started APA Consulting one year before graduating from FIDM with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. She has incorporated her love for helping people into her business. APA Consulting focuses on helping local boutiques thrive. “You have to look at people as an organization, not a department.”

She has been successful at planning community events that give small businesses and community members the opportunity to network with one another. Back in 2008, Andrews created Fashion Week San Diego to showcase some of our city’s creative and influential artists. Even though the event didn’t continue the following year, it set the groundwork for Andrews’ re-launch of the event in 2012. With a solid list of designers, hair & make-up artists, painters and poets, the second annual Fashion Week San Diego sold out three weeks before the event. Now Andrews’ goal is to be the biggest west coast Fashion Week for emerging designers. “Give it two more years. It is headed in the right direction.”

This year’s events include the Art & Beauty Behind Fashion, three days of runway shows, and a Trunk Show where you can shop the collections from the shows! FWSD will take place at the Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego on October 2^nd-6^th. The 2013 designer line up was announced last week and FWSD will be introducing new eco-friendly collections by local designers.

For more information about Allison Andrews and Fashion Week San Diego 2013, go to fashionweeksd.com 

The City of Chula Vista Recreation Department and the Friends of Chula Vista Parks & Recreation would like to invite you to become an integral part of our 2013 Chula Vista Community Fun Run & Expo this May at the scenic U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista!

The 5th Annual Chula Vista Community Fun Run, a family-friendly, 5k course through the Olympic Village, will take place on Saturday, May 11 at 8:00am. This event is fun for the whole family, and even doggies are welcome! While contributing to a great cause, participants will be able to meet Olympians and Olympic hopefuls, participate in a community expo and receive a commemorative t-shirt as well.

Proceeds from the Community Fun Run go directly to the Friends of Chula Vista Parks & Recreation Center, a non-profit organization, to host the event and remaining proceeds go to programs and services offered by the City of Chula Vista Recreation Department. Last year’s proceeds helped fund 1,400 fourth graders learn how to swim, increased recreation hours of operation to five days a week over the summer months, and intersession camps were held during the holiday breaks for kids in southwestern Chula Vista.

About Friends of Chula Vista Parks & Recreation:
As a non-profit organization, Friends raise funds and identify resources to coordinate services so that everyone in the Chula Vista community can have access to and participate in recreational programs. Working with the City of Chula Vista’s recreation department, the Friends have evolved to meet the changing demographics, needs and desires in the community. The radical changes in America’s eating habits and sedentary lifestyles have contributed to what has become an obesity epidemic. The Community Fun Run was established to combat this epidemic, promote health and wellness through physical activity, and simultaneously raise funds for valuable recreation services.

For more info:

http://www.chulavistaca.gov/City_Services/Community_Services/Recreation/ChulaVistaFunRun.asp

For registration:

http://www.active.com/running/chula-vista-ca/chula-vista-community-fun-run—5k-2013

Steve Hart, the owner of Riffs, and Shawna Schenk, the yoga director, have combined their love and appreciation of music and yoga to fulfill the needs of musicians and yogis alike. Steve is the owner of two guitar shops and Shawna is 200-RYT and published author.

For more information on Riffs, classes and schedules,
check out http://www.riffsacousticmusic.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/RiffsLJ

Riffs Acoustic Music
5510 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla, California 92037
(858)4562477

Surfing provides health benefits that include cardio, strength, endurance and stress relief. Riding the surf develops your balance and fluidity. It keeps you moving and keeps your heart rate up. Paddling and standing on your board out in the water is the routine that improves your health.

As a form of therapy, surfing provides you with a mental break. For some, pursuing waves and connecting with the water produces a peaceful state of mind. It keeps you in the moment and focused on the water. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature.

Health Benefits:

• Cardiovascular and heart health
• Strength
• Muscle Tone
• Endurance
• Back
• Core
• Shoulders
• Legs
• Confidence
• Attitude

Surfing is not as easy as it looks and can be dangerous, so taking some lessons to get familiar with the basics might be helpful. It also helps to be a good swimmer. When getting started, make sure you purchase or use a board that suits your body and ability. For example, starting with a long board is good because they are easier to stand up on, paddle and ride.

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In my next article, we will look into proper surfing etiquette

But besides the subtle and long-lasting fragrance that defends against odor, KANDALS were designed for durability. The upper of each pair has a double layer of cotton fabric with a sponge layer in-between. This allows the canvas to naturally mold to your feet without breaking them in. Another good quality is the natural rubber sole that makes them comfortable and convenient. They are flexible enough to easily fold and slip into your purse or bag, and are a great fit for those casual days around town.

In addition to quality, KANDALS believes in our environment. They partnered up with Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization, and committed to planting a tree for every pair purchased. This will contribute towards providing sustainable standards of living for people in deforested areas of the world. Their vision is to make comfortable shoes to support the sustainability of our environment.

KANDALS are available in two separate women’s lines: Eco and Envir Classics. They are

priced at $32 and $34. But to cater to the college-aged student budget, KANDALS provides exclusive student pricing for its fellow classmates, which is 15% off the original price. All you need is an educational email address or edu account to be eligible.

Customers can purchase a pair of KANDALS at select retail locations or directly from their online store: www.kandals.com.