The Country Friends 57th Annual Art of Fashion Show transforms Rancho Santa Fe into center of fall/winter fashion on Thursday, Sept. 20... 

Something very happening catwalks Rancho Santa Fe way on Thursday, Sept. 20, across a plain public green magically transformed into one of the largest outdoor fashion shows in the nation.

The Country Friends, in partnership with trendsetting South Coast Plaza, and The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, stages the ultimate in outdoor fashion events, the 57th Annual Art of Fashion runway show. 

It's a must-attend event for fashionistas, usually featuring creations from the world's leading designers and front-line, center-stage fall/winter collections. Upwards of 550 people generally make the day's activities.

The amazing festivities begins at 10:30 a.m. with boutique shopping on the lawn at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe followed by lunch at 11 a.m. The ultimate in outdoor runway shows kicks its heels "PROMPTLY" at 1:30 p.m. Then, an Apres' Affair Wine Tasting hosted, by Falkner Winery, Lemon Twist and Allure Chocolates, back at The Inn toasts off around 2:30 p.m as boutique shopping continues until credit cards are maxxed.

 The show highlights fashions from the 2012 fall/winter collections of renowned international designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Valentino, Celine, Donna Karan, Roberto Cavalli, as well as clothes from Saks Fifth Avenue and Gucci. It's garnished with jewelry from such as  David Yurman and Black, Starr & Frost.

The Country Friends was founded in 1954 with 167 members. It has grown to more than 1,200 members and has distributed more than $12 million to San Diego County charities.

 The group funds more than two dozen charitable agencies each year, through events such as the Art of Fashion, and also proceeds from its consignment shop at Rancho Santa Fe, specializing in exquisite furniture, antiques, rugs, silver, china and objets d’art. Its mission is “helping people to help themselves.”

The event usually is sold out, so tickets probably are not available. However, it never hurts to check even at this late date. 

Valet parking is available at the event entrance. Tickets cost $225 for the fashion show and lunch, or $125 for the fashion show alone. They are available online at www.thecountryfriends.org or by calling (858) 756-1192, ext. 4.

Talk of Carlsbad: Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa breaks ground Friday, Jan. 21 for 2012 opening

Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa will be located at the corner of Carlsbad Boulevard and Ponto Drive in Carlsbad, California. For More information or to make reservations, contact Robert Moore at 760-476-4001or email Bob.Moore@Hilton.com.

 Official platitudes aside -- and there's a whole romper room full of 'em -- ground broken Friday paves the way for the giant $75 million Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa at South Carlsbad State Beach.

“Today is really a beginning for a new tomorrow,” said Carlsbad mayor Matt Hall.

Said Gary Barberio, the city’s director of Community & Economic Development: "This project is a great example of the city and business community working together, during a touch economic time, to bring a quality project to Carlsbad."

Yeah, right. Whatever.

But in economic terms, The $75 million resort will feature 215 guest rooms, a 5,900-square-foot restaurant, a 5,000-square-foot day spa and 15,000 square feet of meeting space just steps from South Carlsbad State Beach. Private cabanas and swimming pools will nestle among outdoor gardens of lush native plants.

The project is anticipated to be complete in 2012.

Located at Carlsbad Boulevard and Ponto Drive, the project is a major development in the city’s South Carlsbad Coastal Redevelopment Area.

Wave Crest Resort, the developer, began to acquire land for the project in 1998 and received City Council approval to build in 2009. It is the first oceanfront hotel project in San Diego County since...Well, who knows, leave a comment thread below if you do.

 “As a hotel developer you couldn’t ask for too much more than to have a location on the coast in Carlsbad,” said Bill Canepa, Wave Crest owner.

Robert Moore, the general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn, which also is owned by Wave Crest, will manage the new Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa.

“This new hotel will be a great addition to the Carlsbad area,” said Moore. "It will provide oceanfront luxury amenities in a family and business-friendly setting, while placing guests in a central location perfect for taking advantage of the countless activities and attractions Carlsbad has to offer.”

 The project secured $60 million in financing from UBS Realty Investors, marking a strong endorsement of the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa’s future success and of Carlsbad’s economy.

Wave Crest Resorts has developed three other projects in Carlsbad:  the Tamarack Beach Resort, a combination hotel and time share, at Walnut Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard, in 1985; the 161-room Hilton Garden Inn at the foot of Palomar Airport Road on Carlsbad Boulevard, in 2000; and Laguna Point Condominiums at State Street and Laguna Drive, in 2006.

Del Mar Fairgrounds Ghostbusters Going Public with Results This Month

Something funny is suspected going around the Del Mar Fairgrounds. And it's not the ridiculous attempt by the cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach to buy the place. Nor is it the highly questionable tenure of Barry Nussbaum characterized by perks and...But we digress.

The damn place may be haunted. Or that's where some of your 22nd District Agricultural Association efforts are going to this month. They agreed to allow some local Ghostbusters to investigate whether "The truth is out there," as they used to say on 'X-Files'.

David Walters of South Coast Paranormal -- "Putting the 'normal' back in paranormal," according to his web site -- said he plans to reveal in the next two weeks the outcome of a July investigation at the hallowed hall. The project is gratis, presumably minus the publicity for the group.

Reports of strange sights and sounds well past the witching hour have haunted the facility that Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante helped build for decades.

"I worked in the Grandstand for over six years and there were many times strange things would happen," said a former seasonal worker. "Lights flickering, doors opening and closing (and locking), cold spots, our names being called etc. I never actually saw a figure but just about everything else. Nothing menacing, a trickster at worst. I'm kinda glad to know other people have seen things there too."

Why the six-month delay? Hours and hours of videotape the "team" had to sift through to determine what in heaven's name is going on round there, according to Fairgrounds officials.

To view some raw footage from July follow this link:

 http://www.scparanormal.com/evidence/delmar/shadow2.mp4

"This was caught at our first investigation of the Del Mar Fairgrounds/Grandstand investigation in the Pub on the ground level. We can not figure out what the cause of this shadow could have been." Walters said.

Walters, and fellow Ghostbusters, conducted three sorties into the race track grandstand's -- ooh, scary -- 2nd and 5th floors. A well-trafficked night club once haunted the upper space and a pub now occupies the lower floor.

Fairground officials have not commented on what they planned to do should the facility be deemed haunted.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Who are the San Diego based Ghost Hunters, South Coast Paranormal?

San Diego based Ghost Hunters, South Coast Paranormal, know that for many who live under the suspicion that their home is haunted, daily life can be, both, emotionally and psychologically stressful. People who are victims of paranormal activity often suffer in silence, out of fear that friends, coworkers, and even loved ones will judge them or question their soundness of mind. The erosive effect of lost sleep, damaged relationships, poor focus and diminished job performance lead eventually to profound self-doubt about their own grasp on reality. San Diego based Ghost Hunters, South Coast Paranormal, takes this threat very seriously, and we are there to help give you peace of mind in your home once again. Based in Southern California, South Coast Paranormal (SCP) provides research and assistance to Californians experiencing what they believe to be paranormal activity. Our group of highly skilled paranormal investigators and experienced paranormal researchers offer one of the most comprehensive approaches to paranormal investigating available today.

 For more on South Coast Paranormal visit http://www.scparanormal.com/aboutus/index.html.

For more on the Del Mar Fairgrounds visit http://www.sdfair.com/

Country Friends 55th Annual Art of Fashion Show VIDEO Presentation

A record crowd of more than 550 incredibly fashionable patrons showed up for the big tent on Thursday, Sept. 23 as the Country Friends, in partnership with South Coast Plaza, turned heads with its 56th staging of that grand annual tradition the Art of Fashion outdoor runway show. It all happened from 10:30 a.m. to well past 3 p.m. in, and around, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.

 It's one of the largest, if not the largest, outdoor fashion show in North America. The latest in haute couture for the fall/winter season from some of the leading designers and fashion houses in the world strolled, strutted and amazed a highly attentive, and appreciative gathering.

"We are thrilled to have such an incredible line-up of designers," said Jeanne Lucia, president of the Country Friends.

Added Debra Gunn Downing of South Coast Plaza, which partnered in the event for the sixth consecutive year: "It's a pleasure to bring our stellar cast of luxury boutiques to this show."

This year's runway show featured fall/winter collections from Emilio Pucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Marni, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Saks Fifth Avenue, St. John, TOD'S, and Versace.

Aloha Taylor, KSWB 5/69 Fox San Diego meteorologist, and former Miss USA Hawaii, emceed the fabulous event, noting how the weather was perfect and so were the fashions. Andrea Naverson, chair of the Art of Fashion, welcomed everyone to the special event and introduced Country Friends Art of Fashion committee members and special guests.... (more)

BREAKING NEWS 4 P.M. - GOING, GOING, GONE TO THE COUNTRY FRIENDS 'ART OF FASHION SHOW'

Midnight UPDATE: Video of the event will be posted later today...

A record crowd of more than 550 incredibly fashionable patrons showed up for the big tent on Thursday, Sept. 23 as the Country Friends, in partnership with South Coast Plaza, turned heads with its 55th staging of that grand annual tradition the Art of Fashion outdoor runway show. It all happened from 10:30 a.m. to well past 3 p.m. in, and around, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.

 It's one of the largest, if not the largest, outdoor fashion show in North America. The latest in haute couture for the fall/winter season from some of the leading designers and fashion houses in the world strolled, strutted and amazed a highly attentive, and appreciative gathering.

"We are thrilled to have such an incredible line-up of designers," said Jeanne Lucia, president of the Country Friends.

Added Debra Gunn Downing of South Coast Plaza, which partnered in the event for the sixth consecutive year: "It's a pleasure to bring our stellar cast of luxury boutiques to this show."

This year's runway show featured fall/winter collections from Emilio Pucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Marni, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Saks Fifth Avenue, St. John, TOD'S, and Versace.

Aloha Taylor, KSWB 5/69 Fox San Diego meteorologist, and former Miss USA Hawaii, emceed the fabulous event, noting how the weather was perfect and so were the fashions. Andrea Naverson, chair of the Art of Fashion, welcomed everyone to the special event and introduced Country Friends Art of Fashion committee members and special guests.

 Those guests included family members of the late Betty Mabee and Betty Zable. These ladies were honored at the event. "Mrs. Zable and Mrs. Mabee, longtime members of the Country Friends, are being honored for their commitment to the community," Naverson said.

The Country Friends was founded in 1954 with 167 members. It has grown to more than 1,200 members and has distributed more than $12 million to San Diego County charities. The Art of Fashion show, the consignment shop on El Tordo, and the Hats and Flats event at the San Diego Polo Club were the annual fundraising events with proceeds going to 18 county nonprofit groups.

Much more to report, including a great video about the event, all of which will appear at Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News later today and tonight.

Misty Morning Surf -- Ben Sever, Ah-Ha Photo Editor

More of Ben's photos may be viewed at:

http://tiny.cc/1yr1p 

South Carlsbad State Beach

Park Information

This San Diego beach features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking. The large bluff-top campground is very popular, especially in summer. Stairs lead to the beach.

Location-Directions 

The beach is located 3 miles south of Carlsbad on CARLSBAD BLVD.
Take INTERSTATE 5, exit POINSETTIA LN.  
Go west to CARLSBAD BLVD.  Turn Right (north) onto CARLSBAD BLVD.
Make a legal U-Turn at Breakwater Rd. (First Light).  
Drive SOUTH on CARLSBAD BLVD.  Continue to campground entrance on right.

Campground Address
7201 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008 
NOTE:  The campground entrance is not accessible directly from Poinsettia Ln.  Drivers must continue NORTH on CARLSBAD BLVD and make the first legal U-Turn at Breakwater Rd.