Bats, balls, beer, and babes - well, maybe its reputation precedes it. But the OMBAC World Championship Over-The-Line Tournament on Fiesta Island is, in its over 50 rowdy years, an event unique to San Diego. This modified game of softball might attract teams that merely want to flaunt an outrageous name (which we can't print here), but it also attracts some serious OTL players. And if you can see past the haze of beer and politically incorrectness, you'll see that OTL is a pretty cool sport. Besides, OMBAC (the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club) donates all proceeds to charity. The OTL Championships runs over two weekends: July 9-10 and 16-17, 2011.

Read my profile on the Over-The-Line tournament here.

The capacity for Americans to feel that celebrity is a right and entitlement never ceases to amaze me (can anyone say "Kardashian?" "Real Housewives?") And the biggest vehicle for the pursuit of instant fame (or notoriety) is, of course, "American Idol." Now, that's not to say the kingpin of reality talent shows doesn't produce deserving performers. To wit: five of Season 7's Idol finalists auditioned in San Diego, and it's also Adam Lambert's hometown.

On the other hand, the delusion of fame becomes a forceful magnet, talent be damned. And that magnet known as the "American Idol Auditions" makes its way to San Diego's Petco Park in July for Season 11. According to the "American Idol" website: "Auditions will be held at Petco Park. Registration will occur July 6 and July 7. Auditions will occur July 8. Additional details TBD."

In any case, you have a few days to get your voice in order, to plan your gimmick to impress Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez (maybe?) and the Idol producers, and maybe, just maybe, you can be the next Kelly Clarkson, Carey Underwood, Adam Lambert...or even William Hung.

For rules, FAQs and release forms, go to the American Idol Audition page here.

Celebrating the Fourth of July means being outdoors and enjoying everything that summer has to offer. And though it may or not be hot during the holiday, Independence Day in San Diego is never unbearably hot and humid like elsewhere in the country. So, San Diegans especially love to celebrate the occasion with family and friends outdoors.

And what if it is scorching on July 4th? Well, that's why we have beaches! Besides, when the sun goes down, there are a number of spectacular fireworks displays along the coastal beaches and bays, making the Fourth quintessentially San Diegan.

Read my article on things to do and places to go for the Fourth of July weekend in San Diego.

The neighborhood movie house is a dying breed in San Diego; most local screens have long gone dark and given way to the gargantuan multi-plex we're all familiar with. In 2009, the Village Theater in Coronado fell to this fate, and the shuttered building was destined to become a memory.

So, it's heartening to see that the City of Coronado chose to defy the odds and mark the beginning of the Coronado landmark' second life, thanks to  Lance Alspaugh, president of Five Star Theatres, Inc., who was in charge of the venue's restoration. The cinema, converted from a single screen to a three-screen venue, re-opened on June 23.

The renovation of the Village Theatre cost $3 million and is a project of the city of Coronado's Development Agency (CDA). In addition to developing the Village Theatre, Alspaugh also manages and operates the Los Feliz and Vista Theaters in the Los Angeles area.

One of the feature highlights in the refurbished theater is the decor by cinema designer Joseph Musil, who died before the renovation was completed. Each auditorium harkens back to the Art Deco-era, but now has modern lighting and plush, spacious seating. The two tiny auditoriums seat 42 guests, while the main screen can accommodate up to 195 people.

Murals in one auditorium features Balboa Park's Aerospace Museum. The main screening room features the Hotel Del with the Coronado bridge on one side, and   the downtown skyline on the other. The other small screen features a Spanish revival theme.

Showtimes for most evening showings will be at  5:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

Read more about the Village Theater in Coronado here.