Thursday, Sep 9, 2010   Updated: 3:01 pm

SoCal Slings & Arrows

Salazar: Expert betting tips for Del Mar Opening Day

Plastic surgeons and milliners around town will pray that their work is praised as their customers take part in San Diego’s biggest social event of the summer.

Hacksaw Padres notes: Trade prospects and Braves NL showdown

Jed Hoyer says his team will be a "buyer" on the trade market as the first-place Padres prep for an NL showdown in Atlanta.

8 Great restaurants for Del Mar race season

Whether you’ve pressed your luck a little too hard with the ponies or are looking to splurge after a big win, we’ve got the eight best spots to wine, dine and top off your day at the racetrack.

'Top Secret America' lifts the veil on government counterterrorism agencies

San Diego alone has 56 top-secret government agencies and companies, reveals the “Top Secret America” interactive map.

Hit the trail year round with Alaska's Iditarod racers

Alaska cruisers can meet Iditarod racers and even experience a wheeled sled dog ride at a mushers camp near Juneau.

L'Auberge Del Mar preps for opening day

With the opening of the Del Mar racing season on Wednesday, Michael Slosser is getting ready for the busiest time of the year at L'Auberge Del Mar, a 120-room hotel in the middle of downtown Del Mar.

'Final Fantasy': Composer Nobuo Uematsu is game for San Diego

Composer Nobuo Uematsu is the John Williams of video games. And in an SDNN interview, he and conductor Arnie Roth get real about “Final Fantasy” and the music that’s taking them to San Diego and far beyond.

Benches clear as Padres sweep Diamondbacks

A crazy benches clearing incident in the 6th inning was the only interruption of an otherwise solid Padres victory.

Castronovo: On aging gracefully -- and grayfully

Instead of looking at my gray hairs with alarm and dread, I will embrace them, remembering that my gray hairs are a sign of living.

San Diego Pride Parade photo gallery

San Diego's annual Pride Parade made its way through Hillcrest on Saturday and was as, ahem, colorful as ever. SDNN's Don Kohlbauer was there with his camera to document the excitement. Enjoy!

Hacksaw: Midseason Padres report card

Memo to management: It's a 162-game season and your 25-man roster needs help.

 

A Conversation with San Diego

With Gratitude...

Thank you to our readers and advertisers for their support of SDNN. Our goal was to create a conversation with San Diego, and we appreciate your participation. The conversation was wide ranging, at times vociferous but always respectful. We hope the dialogue within the community continues unabated.

At this time, we are exploring our options.

Our other site, Southwest Riverside News Network (SWRNN.com), continues to grow, thrive and prosper.

--SDNN team
feedback@sdnn.com

Padres ink Bud Black to 3-year extension

The club reached agreement over the weekend, replacing the one-year option in his contract with a package that extends him through 2013.

Do we really want a stoned workforce?

Wwhat would be best for the people of California when it comes to educational attainment, productivity, workmanship, innovation, creativity and competitiveness?

Voluntourists to visit Padres home in Dominican Republic

UC San Diego Extension and the San Diego Padres have teamed up to provide voluntourists with a productive, safe experience in the Dominican Republic

SDNN wins SPJ-San Diego awards

Hundreds of members of the local media were on-hand at the newly-renovated Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island in a celebration of the great work being done by all media in San Diego County.

Pitching depth thinned as Latos and Adams officially hit DL

The Padres officially announced a few expected moves on Friday. The team placed starting pitcher Mat Latos and reliever Mike Adams on the disabled list.

Brian Bilbray, stop sending mailers at taxpayer’s expense!

Opinion: In this day and age, with the internet, newspapers, radio, CNN and Bilbray’s repeated television appearances, there should be no need to know need to send out mass mailings into the district.

MORE: A CONVERSATION WITH SAN DIEGO

MOST POPULAR SDNN STORIES

Eight Greats

Inspire food love -- introduce your kid to the kitchen

asdf

Today, it seems that kids are not expected to develop kitchen skills beyond using a microwave and can opener. But teaching a child to cook can give them self-confidence, independence and, perhaps, even a future career.

Arts & Entertainment

Pat Launer on San Diego theater: 'Spelling Bee,' 'Parasite Drag'

Andy Collins and John Polak in “Paradise Drag” at ion theatre. (Courtesy photo)

Reviews: Check out Pat's reviews of “Parasite Drag,“ “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and more local theater news.