March California Roundup

California Roundup: March, 2009

San Diego - Look out, old Macky’s back in town! March 6 through March 29, 2009, the REP presents the sinfully scandalous musical THE THREEPENNY OPERA. Hailed as The Greatest Musical of All Time, this incredible cultural masterpiece tells the cunning story of love, deception and greed run wild. Written by legendary playwright Burtolt Brecht, THE THREEPENNY OPERA features a celebrated score composed by Kurt Weill. Performances are at the Lyceum Theatre, www.sdrep.org. Also of interest, Rent arrives at the San Diego Civic Theatre, www.broadwaysd.com, for a short run, March 10-15.

San Diego - World famous Balboa Park offers free weekly events. On Tuesday at 10 AM and Sunday at 1 PM, a park ranger leads a one hour tour featuring the historical, architectural and botanical treasure in the park. Every Saturday at 10 AM, a rotating series of subjects are presented as "Offshoot Tours." They are: Balboa Park history (1st. Saturday), palm trees (2nd. Saturday), other trees in the park (3rd. Saturday), desert vegetation (4th. Saturday) and a tour du jour if there is a 5th. Saturday in the month. As a public service, most park museums and attractions, offer free admission on a rotating basis throughout the month. Check online at www.balboapark.org for further information.

Sacramento - The California Museum hosts a special exhibit, “American Masterpieces: Artistic Legacy of California Indian Basketry,” beginning March 14. Over 80 California Indian baskets from the California State Parks collection will be on display through early 2010. Many of the baskets will be on public view for the first time. The exhibit is presented by California State Parks and the California Arts Council, with funding from a National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces grant. The museum’s web page is www.californiamuseum.org.

San Francisco - The San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide is available at the Visitor Information Center, 900 Market St., at the corner of Powell and Market streets, lower level, Hallidie Plaza. A visitor's kit may also be ordered by phone at 415-391-2000, online at www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com, by written request to the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, 900 Market St.,San Francisco, CA 94102, or via email to vic1@sanfrancisco.travel.

Vallejo - The Convention & Visitors Bureau is sponsoring a Destination Vallejo photo competition that ends March 31, 2009. Photographers are invited to showcase their best images of Vallejo. A total of $1,500 in prize money will be awarded, including a Grand Prize of $500. Winning images will be featured in print and electronic marketing materials produced by the Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau. Contest information can be found at their website, www.visitvallejo.com.

Borrego Springs - Blooming season is upon us at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with the peak to hit in mid-March. From just above sea level to more than 6,000 feet in elevation, the park has unique and diverse landscapes and environments. It is California’s largest state park and the largest state park in the contiguous United States, with more than 600,000 acres. It extends into San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties. Call the Wildflower Hotline at 1-760-767-4684 to get regularly updated information about this year’s bloom. You can also visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s website, www.parks.ca.gov or the Anza-Borrego Foundation and Institute’s website, www.theABF.org, for wildflower sightings and locations that are updated weekly.

Safe travels and enjoy the journey…

Howard Hian