NEW SCOOTER REGULATIONS TO START JULY 1 On May 14, the City Council unanimously approved the new electric scooter regulations, which will go into effect July 1. The new rules will decrease the allowable speed of dockless scooters from 15 to 8 mph on the boardwalk, and to 3 mph in high-traffic areas with the use of geofencing technology. Scooters are to be banned from parking near hospitals, schools, near Petco Park, and on the boardwalk. Electric scooters and bikes are prohibited from riding on city sidewalks. MUD DAY IN PACIFIC BEACH The City Parks and Rec Dept. is organizing the second edition of San Diego Mud Day for Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. After last year’s success, this time the event will take place at Crown Point Park. It is free and open to the whole family. There will be nature crafts, a mud obstacle course, pop up nature play, fort building and a kids’ favorite: Dr. Bonner’s Magic Foam Experience. SUMMER WINE SERIES AT TOWER23   Tower23 Hotel will hold its annual "Sip Into Summer Wine Series" at 6 p.m. every Wednesday from June 26 through Sept. 4 at 723 Felspar St. Drink and admire the coastal view the beachfront hotel, right on the Pacific Beach boardwalk. Enjoy live music and more. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit t23hotel.com. CATAMARAN HOTEL AND SPA RUM SOCIAL  The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa will host a Rum Social from 5:30-7:30 p.m., June 26 at 3999  Mission Blvd. Using their Rum Social “passport," guests will enjoy two signature Catamaran rum cocktails, a Catamaran rum tasting guided by one of Malahat’s founders, Ken Lee, and heavy stationed appetizers. All of this will be paired with a laid-back atmosphere, communal tables, live music, stunning bay views and lawn games. The signature cocktails include: Cat Collins | Catamaran rum, soda, lemon, simple syrup, on the rocks and garnished with a lemon and cherry. Cat Dark & Stormy | Catamaran rum, ginger beer, on the rocks and garnished with a lime. Cat & Cola | Catamaran rum, Pepsi, on the rocks and garnished with a lime. Barrel Aged Mai Tai | Catamaran rum, Cointreau, orgeat, lime juice and a float of Myer’s dark rum. Cannibal Colada | Catamaran rum, mango, papaya, coconut and pineapple – blended.  The next Rum Social will be Aug. 28 and the series will conclude with a special Halloween themed social on Oct. 30. Tickets cost $35 per person and can be purchased at catamaranresort.com. SURFRIDER FOUNDATION ANNUAL SUMMER GALA The Surfrider Foundation San Diego County will hold its 18th annual Endless Summer Art Gala and Auction at 7 p.m. June 21 at Seaside Room, 1936 Quivira Way. Tickets cost $85 now and $95 at the door. They include entry, buffet dinner, two drink tickets, and live entertainment from Iron Sage Wood with Paul Cannon. More than 75 art and non-art items are up for bid in a silent auction. For more information, visit sandiego.surfrider.org. FLAMINGO CHICKS BORN AT SEAWORLD Caribbean flamingo breeding season is here and SeaWorld has welcomed seven new flamingo chicks. Guests can see the chicks (ranging in age from 2 to 11 days old) any time during park hours, and learn more about flamingos and ask questions of the keepers during special “Inside Look” sessions June 8-9 at 12:30 and 4 p.m. at Flamingo Cove. SeaWorld’s breeding program and educational presentations for Caribbean flamingos are important now more than ever, as their wild counterparts in South America and the Caribbean are being threatened by human activity. Out of the 35,000 animals that SeaWorld has rescued in its 55-year history (a milestone reached just this week), the majority are birds. Ocean debris that washes ashore is a huge threat to their survival. TRIKE RACES IN PACIFIC BEACH The Local PB, at 809 Thomas Ave., is keeping Nick's tradition alive by bringing back the Trike Races. The races will take place 6 p.m. Thursday, June 27. The competition will be between five bars with two racers per team on a two lap course. Contact info@thelocalpb.com if you're interested in racing. AIRPORT AUTHORITY HIRES SENIOR DIRECTOR The Airport Authority recently hired Michelle Brega to fill the newly created role of senior director for external relations. In the role, Brega will be responsible for leading the Airport Authority’s public and community outreach, and government relations functions Brega has strong ties to the San Diego community, having been involved in key civic initiatives in San Diego over the past 25 years. She worked on San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 2 expansion in the late ’90s along with a number of major downtown projects. As an executive with the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Brega was at the center of major campaigns, including the last Convention Center expansion, the Padres “Yes on C” ballpark campaign, and the property owner vote to create a Property-Based Improvement District downtown.  She also worked on the Balboa Park Transportation Master Plan and the Downtown San Diego Master Plan. MISSION BAY HIGH SEEKS CHEERLEADING COACH Mission Bay High School is looking for a cheerleading coach for the 2019-20 school year. Interested individuals may contact Mission Bay High athletic director Jorge Palacios at 619-952-3429. COUNTY TO SPEND $25 MILLION MORE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING The County Board of Supervisors recently voted to spend an additional $25 million to build more affordable housing units in the region. The recommendations include revisions to the Innovative Housing Initiative ordinance to broaden the criteria for use of future monies to provide more opportunities for critical housing assistance. “This is an innovative public/private partnership,” said Chairwoman Dianne Jacob. “The first $25 million, we’re expecting 1,000 affordable housing units. We expect no less on the (other) $25 million…2,000 affordable housing units is not a bad deal. It’s not a full solution, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.” In 2017, the County established the Innovative Housing Initiative to increase the regional supply of affordable housing. The Initiative, launched with $25 million of County funding, was structured to address housing needs by making a pot of money available to developers so that they build and/or rehabilitate housing for low-income households and vulnerable populations. 2018 TOP BABY NAMES According to County Health and Human Services Agency, a total of 41,555 babies were born in San Diego County in 2018. Of those babies, 21,313 boys and 20,242 girls. Here are the top baby names parents chose for boys in 2018: Liam (242), Noah (202), Sebastian (200), Mateo (196), Benjamin (185), Daniel (185), Ethan (172), Oliver (164), Alexander (162), and Logan (156). Here are the top baby names parents chose for girls in 2018: Emma (264), Olivia (235), Mia (223), Isabella (191), Camila (173), Sophia (159), Sofia (151), Victoria (147), Mila (138), and Charlotte (137).

Did you ever wonder what catapulted skateboarding’s popularity into the stratosphere? Does history of a “sport,” born and bred along the coast of Southern California, coincide with your love of surfing? Are you “stoked” to know that skateboarding will be featured in Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics? If you’ve answered yes to any of the above questions, John O’Malley’s new book, “Urethane Revolution: The Birth of Skate-San Diego 1975,” is a must read. The always interesting, sometimes shocking, off-color page-turner dialogues the history of the skateboarding from one of its founding fathers, John O’Malley. Dubbed the “greatest story never told in extreme sports history,” O’Malley retraces his steps as a member of the original Skunkworks crew to creating his own skateparks. Photographs – sure to make everyone reminisce about the good ole’ days – accompany stories from the underground. “One crazy year on the California coast in 1975 a hippie skunkworks, bred in garages and shacks, launched the modern skater movement,” writes O’Malley. Strap in for a wild ride replete with two car chases, two plane crashes, a massive truck bomb, Colombian Narcos, the Mafia, senior White House staff, a gypsy fortuneteller, three straight-up miracles, Jacques Cousteau, big piles of cocaine and naked hippie chicks.” O’Malley details the books title, “Urethane Revolution” beginning with the history behind the urethane. “Around 1973, a guy named Frank Nasworthy discovered these urethane training wheels that were used on beginners’ roller skates,” he notes. “They were grippier than the unforgiving composite clay wheels of the day. Frank bolted them on his skateboard and bingo! Suction-cup traction like no one had ever imagined possible. It’s in that instant that the skateboard went from a toy with feet of clay to a wall-climbing UFO, screaming at warp speed to the 2020 Olympics.” The Revolution follows suit. “The Revolution began when a rift opened in the universe and that centrifugal buzz – heretofore available only through sports like surfing and skiing – came leaking out of the streets,” writes O’Malley. “Adrenaline rushing up your road, serotonin dripping down the drive. And the scales fell from our eyes: Any paved surface could be ridden. And the call went out: The rift has opened, God is great, spread the word.” According to O’Malley, a perfect storm of “ill winds” that began with a historic drought fueled the Revolution. “The drought uncovered insanely fun new skating forms like the reservoirs and drainage ditches while recession-vacant homes had their swimming pools drained and skated,” he pens. “Our eyes spoked an urban landscape lit up with a million new possibilities.” “Urethane Revolution” also showcases La Jolla native Bobby Turner. The innovative craftsman built Turner Summer/Ski slalom skateboards. Still popular today, these boards are constructed along the design vein of surfboards and snow skis. According to O’Malley, Turner’s skateboards “revolutionized” slalom skating boards. O’Malley touts, “The Revolution is over. Skaters won.” And if you need a place to play, check out Robb Field; San Diego’s first skateboard park constructed and operated by the City. Designed with input from the legendary Tony Hawk, the 40,000 square foot concrete park is suitable for all ages and skill levels. Sidling the San Diego River Bike Path at the onset of Ocean Beach, the “street course” features a combination bowl, handrails, ledges, blocks, a pump bump and an octagon volcano. Location: 2525 Bacon St.

With 20 live theatre venues, 12 acting schools and 10 comedy clubs, San Diego is not a bad launch pad for those trying to catch a break in the entertainment industry. From The Old Globe to The American Comedy Co., the city is enriched by theatre and is particularly welcoming to those who are willing to bear their amateur skills on the live stage. Two of those brave souls are Jules Chanel Hoberg and Ava Bunn, both looking to tap into the world of comedy, one through stand-up and the other through acting. Point Loma High graduate Bunn, now 18, has started attending The American Comedy Co.’s Tuesday night Open Mic Nights where she recently had the chance to see Hoberg, who prefers “Chanel,” take her shot at the spotlight. “It’s in these little clubs and theatres where people often get discovered,” said Bunn. “My friend and I saw probably 40 people go up on Open Mic Night and take a swing at comedy. It’s amazing to know there’s so many people out there trying to pursue their passions and do what they love here in San Diego.” While Chanel, a Pacific Beach resident, had no idea she was being observed by another aspiring comic, she says she’s not surprised. To her, this is one of San Diego’s many charms when it comes to entertainment. “San Diego is very pro-youth,” said Chanel, who moved from Bremerton, Wash. to Pacific Beach this past January on an impulse. “There’s quite a few of us going for the same goals in comedy and entertainment. It’s a city definitely geared towards younger people and it’s a lot more welcoming than most other big cities.” Bunn added: “I’ve heard from people, ‘Good luck being an actor. You’ll live with your parents forever.’ I know it’s going to be tough, but there’s no point in not believing in what you love to do.” For the past 10 years Bunn has performed in local theatre shows, such as in “Annie Get Your Gun” and The Old Globe’s “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” as well as starred in college short films and national commercials for Petco, SeaWorld, and Jeep. This May, Bunn was asked by TEDxYouth@SanDiego to do a TED Talk. Her subject? Having the “BALLS” to chase your dreams. Standing for “Believe,” “Achieve,” “Listen,” “Learn,” and “Support,” Bunn, who will be attending University of Southern California on scholarship for an acting major in comedy, believes these are the main ingredients everyone needs in order to successfully achieve their dreams. “Don’t have a back-up plan,” said Bunn, during her talk. “Grow a pair… Stop developing your plan B. You’re putting energy in the wrong direction. Don’t have something to fall back on. Instead, fail forward.” It certainly took “BALLS” for Chanel to get herself on the stand-up stage for the first time. While she’s harbored a deep appreciation for comedy since age 17, Chanel still had serious doubts about getting on the San Diego stage, until she had a chance encounter with a celebrity in March. “I was working at Hennessey’s Tavern in La Jolla and just happened to serve David Koechner right before his stand-up show in La Jolla’s Comedy Store that night,” said Chanel. “I asked him for advice about getting into comedy and he said to me, ‘Why are you nervous? You already know you’re funny, so just do it.” That night, March 26, Chanel went to the American Comedy Co.club and did her first stand up. Now, the comedian works at the comedy club, does stand-up every Tuesday night. Also performing at Mad House Comedy and the La Jolla Comedy Store, Chanel’s bits are drawn from stories of new friends, old boyfriends, her “boring” degree in accounting and, of course, her “posh” name. “Comedy is like therapy for poor people,” said Chanel. “That’s a joke everyone says. But it’s something I really apply to my comedy. I’ve had three failed relationships in the six months I’ve been here. That’s tragic to some people, but I think it’s pretty hilarious.” Bunn, who was called “mute child” by her gymnast coach, says she “grew a pair” after her first rejection at age 8 from San Diego Junior Theater’s Miracle Worker production. “I used to be the biggest introvert ever… but acting has totally brought me out of my shell once I realized how badly I wanted to do it,” said Bunn, who has gotten the chance to work with theatre legends Beth Malone and Allison Spratt Pearce. “I fell in love with the adrenaline rush that comes with improve, not having a safety net or any back-up takes. And I’ve learned from the best-of-the-best here.” San Diego might not have the highest profile gigs, but according to Chanel and Bunn, it offers a welcoming atmosphere to beginners, the perfect environment for growing a pair of “BALLS.”