Tag: carlsbad

Carlsbad mural depicts World’s Fastest 5K race!

Several murals can be found in Carlsbad on a wall in the southeast corner of Carlsbad Boulevard and Grand Avenue. (I shared a photo of one back in 2019. That mural still exists. It shows two tigers and dripping colored paint. See it among other Carlsbad murals by clicking here.)

Here are photographs of a more recent mural on the left end of this wall. It celebrates the Carlsbad 5000 road running event, which has been called the World Fastest 5K since 1986.

From the nearby artist signatures, it appears both the race imagery and the intermingled sailboats were painted by sports muralist Taylor Gallegos.

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Italo Scanga sculptures at Carlsbad’s Elmwood House.

There’s a house in Carlsbad at the corner of Laguna Drive and Elmwood Street, across the street from the Georgina Cole library. This building, the Elmwood House, is where you’ll find the City of Carlsbad Sculpture Garden.

When I visited weeks ago, the Sculpture Garden’s main gate was closed. In the front yard of the Elmwood House, however, I was able to approach these two sculptures.

The first sculpture I photographed is quite unique. It’s blue, appears to have a mysterious function, and seems to belong on a farm.

The public art is Untitled, by notable Italian born artist Italo Scanga, who taught for many years at UC San Diego. The sculpture is from the Art in Public Places Program, Carlsbad Arts Commission, May 2009.

The second, mostly green sculpture is also quite unique. It appears to be a tree (or a cloud?) with a bird flying above. I like how it casts a mysterious shadow on the grass.

I couldn’t find a title for this piece of art. It’s also by Italo Scanga and is dated 1998.

One day I’ll return to the Elmwood House. Hopefully, on that day, the City of Carlsbad Sculpture Garden’s main gate will be open.

I’ll be sure to share any photos I take!

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Carlsbad mural at Village Faire near Twin Inns.

I love this super colorful mural in Carlsbad. It was painted by several artists on a wall near the west entrance of the Village Faire mall, adjacent to the Twin Inns.

The artwork shows coastal scenery and sea life, plus Carlsbad’s iconic, historical Twin Inns building.

Artist signatures I found on the wall are Cheryl Ehlers, Bobbi Harrington, and Ira Cosmos.

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The Colors of Carlsbad mural at North Coastal Art Gallery!

I love this mural!

It’s painted on a wall outside the North Coastal Art Gallery in Carlsbad. Find it tucked away inside the Village Faire mall. The mural is called The Colors of Carlsbad.

Was the super colorful artwork painted by an octopus? No! This mural that celebrates Carlsbad was created by North Coastal Art Gallery artists.

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Contemplation at Georgina Cole Library in Carlsbad.

This exceptional bronze sculpture is titled Contemplation.

The public art stands in a park-like space in front of the Georgina Cole Library in Carlsbad. It’s not far from this bench.

The artist is T.J. Dixon, creator of so many similarly beautiful sculptures in and around San Diego.

Contemplation was dedicated in 2001 as part of the Art in Public Places Program supported by the Carlsbad Arts Commission.

I took these photographs during my visit to the library a couple days ago.

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Coffee bean smuggler mural in Carlsbad!

Okay, what’s this all about? A coffee bean smuggler mural in Carlsbad?

Yes! It’s painted on the side of Baba Coffee. As their website explains: Our name was inspired by the 16th-century mystic Baba Budan who heroically introduced the coffee plant to India by smuggling seven raw beans in his beard from Yemen.

The artists who created this unique mural in 2026 are Taylor Gallegos and Kole Trent.

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Carlsbad bench dedicated to Revolutionary War patriots.

I saw this plaque today, during my first ever visit to the Georgina Cole Library in Carlsbad.

The bronze plaque adorns a bench in the park-like space in front of the library entrance.

It reads:

DEDICATED TO OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED

1776 – 2004

SANTA MARGARITA CHAPTER, NSDAR

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Constitution Week celebrated at Carlsbad library.

Did you know that Constitution Week this year runs from September 17th to the 23rd? I was reminded of the celebration when I visited the Georgina Cole library in Carlsbad today. The library has a Constitution Week display!

If you enjoy being free, and like your ability to vote, think of the United States Constitution.

During our everyday life, it can be easy to take our rights secured by the Constitution for granted.

Curious about your own family history? Looking at this display, I learned the Georgina Cole Library has one of the largest genealogical collections in California!

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Assistance League helps kids in North County!

While strolling through the North County Health and Wellness Fair in Oceanside yesterday, I came upon an organization that helps underprivileged kids in North San Diego County. Two nice ladies introduced me to the Assistance League of North Coast!

As their fact sheet explains, the Assistance League of North Coast (ALNC) is one of 95 chapters of the National Assistance League, a nonprofit organization that puts caring and commitment into action through school-based philanthropic programs.

The many volunteers of ALNC serve the youth of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista by providing scholarships, teacher grants and more under the umbrella of Operation School Bell. In the past year they’ve provided elementary students with new shoes and socks, health kits, new clothing, new books, new jackets and blankets, and much more! Last year, 174 volunteers spent 24,266 hours helping kids!

Would you like to help them out? Here’s their website.

Should you find yourself in Oceanside, visit the Assistance League of North Coast’s thrift store, located at 1830 Oceanside Boulevard, Suite A. They’re open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm.

Thank you!

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Carlsbad Village is ready for the holidays!

The Holiday Season is upon us and the Village of Carlsbad is ready!

I rode the Coaster train north to Carlsbad a few days ago for a pleasant walk, and this is what I found!

Festive decorations everywhere one turns: at storefronts, in windows, on street banners and signs. I saw Christmas trees, Santa, elves at the North Pole, candy canes, wreaths, Frosty, snowflakes, poinsettias, Rudolph, gingerbread houses…

A free Musical Kickoff to the Holidays will take place this Friday, December 5th, from 4 to 7:30 pm. It will be at the Carlsbad fountain parking lot at 2898 State Street.

You can expect middle and high school student musicians, hot cocoa and more!

A smiling Steven Blake was playing Happy Holidays music at the Carlsbad Village fountain! (His Instagram is @deverb.band.)

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