San Diego Mama Favorite: North University Community Library

I did a little mama sleuthing this past week and visited the new North University Community Library that is part of the Nobel Athletic Complex.

My friend was right when she said it looks like a Starbucks without the coffee. It is clean, spacious, and well-designed.

The children's area has plenty of kid-friendly seating, books at eye-level, and educational toys to entertain. And, all of the books are brand new!

My daughter's favorite part is the enormous playground outside the library. There are several play areas for different age groups. The playground is clean and there are always plenty of children and moms to mingle with.

This is definitely going to be a weekly activity for us.

Check out the newest library in San Diego!
8820 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA

Calendar Pick of the Week:Spa Day on the Bay

Spa Day on the Bay! Treat yourself to a little sun, fun and pampering!

Who: San Diego Mamas in need of some relaxation!

What: San Diego Harbor Excursion and Holistic Hands are hosting the second annual Spa Day on The Bay – a decadent spa party – to celebrate the mind, body and spirit aboard the chartered yacht, the California Spirit. Spa services will include massages, facials, foot treatments, lip masques and healthy elixirs. There will also be a lunch menu designed by nutritionist Jan Lovejoy (author of the nationally acclaimed book Get Balanced) and prepared onboard by San Diego Harbor Excursion chefs. The event will also include guest speakers, live music and a variety of health and wellness vendors.

When: Saturday, October 13, 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Where: The cruise departs from the foot of Broadway (at Harbor Drive): 1050 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101

Why: Proceeds from Spa Day on the Bay will benefit the Heritage Day Festival and Parade, which takes place each February in celebration of Black Heritage month. The Heritage Day Festival is presented by the non-profit organization, Nu-Way Operation BHILD (Black History is Learning Development program).

How: The cost for Spa Day on the Bay is $125 per person. Reservations are limited, so please call, 619-325-8338, to guarantee your spot. For more information please visit www.holistichands.org.

Weekend Happenings: Baby Panda Naming

Name the newborn giant panda cub at the San Diego Zoo!

What: In appreciation for the community's continued support of the giant panda conservation program, the San Diego Zoo is asking its visitors to become personally involved in the naming of the newborn giant panda cub.

When: Friday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 14

Where: Visit the Giant Panda Research Station

Why: Become part of San Diego Zoo History!

How: Stop by the Giant Panda Research Station and submit a name in Chinese (pinyin), have an English translation and be symbolic in meaning. After the 10-day period, the Zoo’s giant panda team, comprised of keepers, veterinarians, scientists and others, will choose several names from those suggested by Zoo visitors based on certain criteria.

The selected names will then be reviewed by the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association and those approved will be posted later this month on the Zoo’s Web site at www.sandiegozoo.org for a final vote by the global community. Check the Zoo Web site for updates on when to vote online and to see the cub live through Panda Cam.

Yoga Today

Check out my "guest" post over at the Mamas In Training blog today...

Meet the San Diego Mamas Behind...

SanDiegoTravelTips.com is a great new San Diego Mama find. If you are looking for unique things to do and interesting San Diego sites to see…this is your site! And the best part – it is run by two women!

Their goal is to “discover and provide tips and information you probably won't find on other San Diego-related websites…our primary focus is to lead you to the hidden treasures and local spots. We want to shine a light on what makes San Diego special by suggesting ideas off-the-beaten path.”

Sign up for the free online membership, check out their free weekly travel tips, and visit their blog.

Meet the women behind SanDiegoTravelTips.com!

1. How long have you lived here?
There are two women behind San Diego Travel Tips.com. One is a native San Diegan born and raised in La Jolla. The other, a transplant from Los Angeles (thankfully), going back to 1979. We believe that makes a total of 70 years in San Diego!

2. Why did you start your business?
We started the business because we needed a change. We had both been working in the political arena. As we like to say, it was time to do something positive! We wanted to have a blast doing something we loved to do and put it all together in a website. We love to explore and find hidden treasures our region. We built our website from top to bottom which allows us share what we love the most about San Diego by providing great tips for our members. And it’s FREE!

3. What is your favorite thing about running your business?
We love the freedom. The freedom to create, push our limits (real or imagined) and short-circuit our brain cells! LOL. We have learned more than we could have ever imagined. We love the freedom to work on our own terms, make decisions without having to wait for a chain-of-command and adapt to all of the situations that come our way. We really enjoy going out and researching the places we recommend. There has to be something special about the place for us to recommend it. While a restaurant might not have the best food, if it has great ambiance and something unique to San Diego or something about it, we recommend it. We love supporting San Diego local businesses. Everything we do has a positive spin and it just beckons positive outcomes.

4. What is your all-time favorite thing about living in San Diego?
Always first and foremost: we love the water. We love being close to the water and seeing it everyday. We love that there is just so much to do in San Diego- from the desert to the ocean and everything in between. It is just amazing to explore and constantly find new discoveries.

5. Where is your favorite place to eat in San Diego?
Different places based on different moods. For sushi, Sushi Ota in PB. For muscle bisque, a great loaf of bread, great ambience,- Dobson’s-downtown. Persian? Soltan Banoo in University Heights. A woman and her two daughters own and operate it. This is a wonderful family and we have to support woman-owned businesses! Shall we go on? LOL.

6. Where is your favorite place to go with your child/children in San Diego?
We’re fresh air kind of gals. And we don’t believe in taking the ocean/beach for granted. We are all so lucky to live here! In the San Diego region, we have so many urban and rural places to visit. There are so many places that are free or inexpensive, and great for kids and the kids-at-heart. We love to take kids to the Balboa Park Carousel and miniature train ride. Getting kids on the water-cheap- is always best on the ferry to Coronado. Picnic or eating inexpensively on Coronado is easy. The canyons of Balboa Park for small hikes provide a learning laboratory of our natural habitat and there’s always the Spruce Street Bridge.

7. Where is your favorite place to go without your child (with your husband or girlfriends)?
Our favorite places fall nearly always anywhere along the water. The Fish Market downtown has great view and is really relaxing. Spending time out on Sunset Cliffs watching a sunset. We love to take the time to have a special lunch at La Valencia Hotel or even Mille Fleur in Rancho Santa Fe—special places for special occasions. We have to splurge sometimes! Still these restaurants don’t have to break the bank.

8. Any insider San Diego secrets to share?
Well, that goes without saying. You have to check out our website at www.sandiegotraveltips.com to find out all the secrets we find.

Check out this great resource…and explore San Diego!

Mamas in Training

Are you training for a marathon, triathalon, jog down the street? Then, check out our TodaysMama blog, Mamas in Training. Real moms like you share training tips, nutrition tips, general exercise tips and their training journeys.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hi San Diego Mamas! It's October, and that means falling leaves, colder nights, sweaters, and yes, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

And to help raise awareness San Diego Mama is giving away 2 t-shirts to one lucky mom, from Keep A Breast Foundations signature clothing line! Check out SanDiegoMama.com to enter today!

Keep A Breast is a nonprofit breast cancer awareness organization that creates one-of-a-kind plaster casts of the female torso, which are customized by fine artists and auctioned to raise funds for breast cancer research, treatment and support programs. Combining sculpture, philanthropy, and symbolic artistry, Keep A Breast’s goal is to bring a fresh perspective to this important cause in a way that is relevant and inspiring to today’s youth. Founded by Shaney Jo Darden and Mona Mukherjea-Gherig in 2000. Funds have been raised on behalf of Young Survival Coalition, Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Breast Cancer Fund, Asha-Killgallen Fund, Kapiolanni Breast Center, and Europadonna. More information can be found at keep-a-breast.org.

So, enter to win, spread the news, and let's raise awareness! Go Mamas Go!