Clam Chowder Cook-off

Head to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on Saturday, February 21, to watch clam chowder cooks compete for the title of THE BEST CLAM CHOWDER. Amateurs and professional chefs will cook up their Manhattan and New England chowder.

Cooking begins at 10 a.m. and tasting for the public is at 1 p.m.

Admission is free but if you'd like to do some taste-testing for yourself, there is a fee of $8 for a tasting kit. From what I hear though, it's a lot of fun to watch the chefs at work.

Money raised from the cook off will go towards the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit: www.beachboardwalk.com/clamchowder

Attend an open-mic night

Open mic nights bring all sorts of people together. There are the performers, the regulars, the not-so-regulars, the randoms who stumbled in, the occasional groupies and sometimes a few hippies. If this mix of people isn't your cup of tea, that sucks because that sounds like a good time to me. Anyways.

Many well-known signers and musicians often played at open mic nights to get themselves heard. You never know. Maybe a few years down the line, that cutie guitar player who performed just around the corner at the local coffee shop might one day be the next Jack Johnson or Tyrone Wells. Or the aspiring songstress might be the next Ingrid Michaelson. You really never know.

I stumbled across this great web site, The Bay Area Open Mic Calendar, which has the names of coffee shops and venues that offer open mic night. Very helpful site to find your possible new hangout.

Who loves guacamole?!

I can't believe that I have never heard of the Guac Off!

This Sunday, February 15, from noon to one, the 4th Annual West Marin Guac Off will be taking place in front of Toby's Feed Farm (11250 Highway One).

If you think you've got the best guacamole around, now's the time to show them what you've got. If you just want to do the tasting, you've got to place a vote for who you think should win as well. No double dipping and no fingers in the guac. Keep it classy.

For more information, click here.

Visit the new Academy of Science

The Academy of Science is located in Golden Gate Park. This San Francisco favorite had a complete makeover and from what I've heard, is looking pretty good. Some of my old favorites are still there, like the T-Rex skeleton and the African hall, while new additions, like the Living Roof and updated technologies and make this museum modern and eco-friendly.

The science museum has free admission every third Wednesday of the month. If you have time off from work or school, I'd definitely head to the Academy of Science and spend some quality time in the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, and the Hearst 3-D Theater.

I have yet to go since it was remodeled, but I'll be the first one in line on the third Wednesday in May. School's out. I wonder if they still sell those lollipops with the grasshopper in the middle. Yuck. Brings back memories of truth or dare after a third grade field trip.

The Academy of Science hours are:
Monday-Saturday 9:30am-5:00pm
Sunday 11:00am-5pm

Visit the website at www.calacademy.org

Pillow fight!!!

If you haven't heard yet, the 3rd annual Valentine's Day pillow fight in San Francisco is taking place on the 14th at the Justin Herman Plaza at Market and Embarcadero. When the clock strikes 6 p.m., it's time to bring back the kid in you and hold on tight to your pillow.

Rules apply, of course, so be safe and keep it friendly!

Check out the video below from one bystander's view.

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