SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR: 32ND ANNUAL DIXIELAND JAZZ FESTIVAL IN SAN DIEGO THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
November 11, 2011 (San Diego) Looking for a lively time over Thanksgiving weekend? The public is invited to America’s Finest San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival November 23 – 27 at the Town & Country Resort and Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle North in San Diego. The Festival features over 25 bands and guest artists from across the U.S. as well as bands with East County ties. Musicians will be playing for dancing and listening in seven non-smoking venues in the Town & Country Convention Center. Discerning jazz fans call this festival "The Crown Jewel of Jazz Festivals,” say organizers. Food, beverages and special festival room rates are available at the Town & Country Resort Hotel. Dixie Express from La Mesa will be the ‘kick off’ band for the festival and play throughout the five day event. The band has played for 12 years at Fuddruckers in La Mesa on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Festival Hours: Wednesday 7 – 11 p.m. (Two Bands); Thursday 7 – 11 p.m. (Five Bands); Friday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (All Bands Play Friday and Saturday). All-Events Badges Are: $95 (5-Day), $90 (4-Day) and $85 (3-Day). These badges may be purchased in advance from AFCDJS, P.O. Box 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387. Daily badges will be available at the Festival: Wednesday, $15, Thursday, $20, Friday or Saturday, $40, Sunday, $25, children 12 and under are admitted free accompanied by an adult. Ages 13-29, (5-Day) $30 (4-Day) $25 (3-Day) $20; Wednesday-$5, Thursday or Sunday $8, Friday or Saturday $10. Festival admission is free to active duty military personnel with government issued ID. Special Dedication: The festival will be dedicated to Alan D. Adams AFCDJS Executive Director who passed away on August 11, 2011 following a year-long battle with oral cancer. His imprint on the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival cannot be overstated. In fact, during the last decade, the event was frequently referred to as “Al Adams’ Festival” by performers and patrons alike. Born in Howell, Michigan in 1937, Alan began playing music as a teenager and settled on trombone as his primary instrument; however, he was very accomplished on the tuba as well. Alan Adams played with a wide variety of performing groups. More recently, he performed locally with Dixie Express and the Elktones — at the El Cajon Elks Lodge #1812, where Alan was a member for many years. The San Diego Festival has been a family affair. His wife Joan was the Secretary of the Society at the very beginning and has run the Information Center at the Festival ever since. Alan’s sons grew up at the Festival, and Bill and Ed — as well as Al’s grandchildren continue to be involved. To honor Alan during the Festival, there will be a number of tribute sets; plus, a two-hour jam fest on Saturday evening. Special Events Include: Tributes to the music of King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Turk Murphy, Lu Watters, Jerry Lee Lewis; “Pianorama,” a Sunday morning “Hymn-a-Long,” Ragtime Dance Concert, organized jam sessions, dance classes, parasol parades, and more. The pre-festival party on Wednesday night is 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. The festival is funded in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. For More Information: E-mail: pdstamant@yahoo.com or call Paul Daspit directly at 619-222-9535 to obtain additional information. For 2011 Hotel Reservations, contact the Town & Country, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108, 1(800) 772.8527 or (619) 291.7131. Rates start at $103/night. For additional information contact America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society, P.O. Box 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387, (619) 297.5277, email: jazzinfo@dixielandjazzfestival.org or visit the website: www.dixielandjazzfestival.org,
SDG&E’S 6TH ANNUAL LED LIGHT EXCHANGE BRINGS ENERGY SAVINGS TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON
November 14, 2011 (San Diego) — The holidays are right around the corner and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) wants to help San Diegans become more energy efficient this holiday season. For the sixth year, SDG&E will be offering complimentary light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) to customers throughout San Diego County during the company’s annual LED Holiday Lighting Exchanges. SDG&E customers will have the opportunity to exchange up to three strands of incandescent holiday lights for an equivalent number of energy-efficient, multi-colored LED holiday lights at any of the six lighting events. Participation in the exchange is easy; customers simply need to bring their old lights and present a copy of their current SDG&E bill or their California ID. The exchanges will be held at several events countywide starting November 20 in El Cajon. “We’re happy to kick off the season with this year’s LED holiday light exchanges,” said Ted Reguly, director of customer programs for SDG&E. “We have received feedback from customers who look forward to this event as a tradition, and also appreciate learning how to save energy and money on their electric bill at the same time.” Compared to traditional incandescent holiday lights, LED lights can save customers up to 90 percent in holiday lighting costs. SDG&E is also encouraging customers to sign up for My Energy Charts on www.sdge.com to see how much energy they are using and saving by the every hour, day, week and even month. My Energy Charts is one of SDG&E’s new tools to help customers manage their energy use and help them make smart energy decisions. SDG&E’s annual holiday lighting exchange events continue to draw more energy-conscious customers. Last year, more than 4,300 customers exchanged over 12,635 strands of lights. To date, SDG&E has exchanged 40,885 LED holiday light strands to over 14,000 customers. Not only will LED lights save customers money on their energy bills, but they are also cool to the touch, reduce fire risk, and are safer for use both inside and outside the home. They also shine brighter and last up to 100 times longer than incandescent holiday lights. SDG&E’s six lighting exchanges take place in their service territory with the first beginning on Nov. 20 in El Cajon, and the final taking place on Dec. 4 in Escondido. The complete schedule includes: · El Cajon LED Holiday Lighting Exchange Sun., Nov. 20, 2011 – 8 a.m. to noon Main Street between Magnolia Avenue and Claydelle Avenue (before the Mother Goose Parade) · Chula Vista LED Holiday Lighting Exchange Sat., Dec. 3, 2011 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial Park (before Starlight Parade) Park Way and 3rd Ave, Chula Vista · Escondido LED Holiday Lighting Exchange Sun., Dec. 4, 2011 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. California Center for the Arts (in front of the Center Theatre) 340 N. Escondido Blvd. To learn more about the SDG&E LED Holiday Lighting Exchanges in San Diego County visit sdge.com/led.