Click here to view the embedded video.

In December we were delighted to have Steve Sexton from Sexton Advisory Group be more than a guest on E&L TV. Steve not only gave the viewers excellent financial advice, he also moderated the show, striking dialogue with top advisors as they discussed popular topics regarding finance, taxes, and real estate.

Steve gave us some insight on the current market, and discussed the key elements to look out for when making decisions in investments. He illustrated how most people are handling current investments by waiting or hoping just to break even in an investment they made years ago. Steve gives advice on how to handle this situation, to make sure you’re not paying too much fees, taxes, and expenses especially right now as we approach the end of the year.

Right now is the best time of the year to start planning for your taxes and that is why we were joined by one of the very few certified tax coaches in the country- Daniel Green. Daniel Green is a certified public accountant (CPA); he worked for the State of California as a business tax auditor and audited over 300 businesses.

Daniel discussed very important topics that most of us are curious about, “What questions should I ask my CPA right now and how can I save money on my taxes?” He gave great advice on this topic and further elaborated on how important it is to speak to a professional, because you never know what transactions might give you money back.

We were later joined by an advisor that is a specialist in owning, buying, and selling businesses of all sizes. He is a CPA and has an MBA in finance; he is a certified business broker and has over 7,000 buyers in his Southern California network - Joe Atchison.

Joe discussed what he called the “new normal” in business is and how businesses are being affected by it. He then discussed the issues that people run into with the bank and lending money when they want to buy a business, especially here in San Diego.

E&L TV concluded the show with advice from one of the premier estate planning firms in the country – R. Michael Walters. R. Michael Walters, Mike for short, is one of the top attorneys in Southern California and has given his expert legal advice on a number of broadcast venues; he is a renowned speaker and has given thousands of workshops all over California. Mike discussed a hot topic that confuses most of us, “Misconceptions between wills and trusts.”

We were lucky to be joined by the top advisors this December and as “Your Source for Everything San Diego,” we want to thank you for watching. Be sure to tune in this March to learn more about the latest and greatest this city has to offer!

The San Diego Entertainer Magazine is excited to announce the “Best of” awards to recognize San Diego’s best bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and more!

The idea of the Best awards is nothing new, In fact for over 20 years, the Entertainer Magazine has published our print version of the Best Of Awards, a tradition we have now taken online.  The “Best Of” awards highlight the best that San Diego has to offer, according to real San Diegans.

The Entertainer Magazine’s “Best of Awards” have always received great attention and reader participation, growing to the level of thousands of voters per year. This is because, “We’re Everything San Diego.” If you have never taken part in the voting process, we encourage you to set aside a few minutes to cast your electronic ballot.  It’s a perfect break time activity, just you, a cup of coffee, and a few minutes to wander through your mind as to which things in San Diego are deserving of special recognition.  Maybe it was an extraordinary dining experience, or an incredible music venue that sticks out in your mind as deserving special recognition.  This is your chance to recognize someone who has done something well.

Our categories include a broad range of businesses that encompass everything entertainment-related in San Diego.  From Restaurants to Bars and Night Clubs, Music Venues, all the way to best Taco Shop and Best Burger, we want to know who the “best of the best” are in our great city.  Businesses that are nominated by our readers are then assembled into a list and put to a vote!  Nominations have already begun (click here). The nomination period begins December 12, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011. Voting for the winners will take place January 3 – January 15.

The San Diego Entertainer Magazine values your opinion and would like to give you a gift as a token of our appreciation for continuing to read the Entertainer and participating in the voting process. All you have to do is submit a name for 2 different categories and you’ll automatically receive 2 movie tickets to Ultra Star Cinemas if your nomination is chosen as a finalist. That is ALL you have to do!

But wait, there’s more: once you nominate 2 places you’ll automatically be entered to win the grand prize…more details on the prize in the coming weeks.

Please share the contest with your friends and colleagues.  Click the “Share It” icon below and add it to your Facebook page, whatever you can to get the word out!  Next time you go to that coffee shop, or Local Pub, let them know that you took the time to nominate them and encourage them to come cast their own vote.  Without you, the reader, we couldn’t have grown this event into what it is today, and for that the Entertainer wants to thank you!

Each month San Diego Entertainer Magazine brings you the best entertainment and lifestyle segments on E&L TV. The show airs the first Sunday of the month at 5pm on Channel 6 (CW).

This December we were delighted to have Steve Sexton from Sexton Advisory Group be more than a guest on E&L TV. Steve not only gave the viewers excellent financial advice, he also moderated the show, striking dialogue with top advisors as they discussed popular topics regarding finance, taxes, and real estate.

Steve gave us some insight on the current market, and discussed the key elements to look out for when making decisions in investments. We were later joined by one of the very few certified tax coaches in the country- Daniel Green. Daniel Green is a certified public accountant (CPA); he worked for the State of California as a business tax auditor and audited over 300 businesses.

Daniel discussed very important topics that most of us are curious about, one of them being, “How can I save money on my taxes?” He gave great advice for all of the taxpayers out there, so make sure to listen close and take notes as we’re getting closer to tax season!

We were then joined by an advisor that is a specialist in owning, buying, and selling businesses of all sizes. He is a CPA and has an MBA in finance; he is a certified business broker and has over 7,000 buyers in his Southern California network - Joe Atchison.

E&L TV concluded the show with advice from one of the premier estate planning firms in the country – R. Michael Walters. R. Michael Walters, Mike for short, is one of the top attorneys in Southern California and has given his expert legal advice on a number of broadcast venues; he is a renowned speaker and has given thousands of workshops all over California. Mike discussed a hot topic that confuses most of us, and it’s important to know and understand this confusing topic, so stay tuned to find out.

We were lucky to be joined by the top advisors this December and as “Your Source for Everything San Diego,” we want to thank you for watching. Be sure to tune in every month to learn more about the latest and greatest this city has to offer and Happy Holidays!

Click here to view the embedded video.

This month E&L TV would like to recognize the excellent team that produces this show. Pixel Productions does everything from pre-production-scripting, to producing, to finally editing a video that is crisp, tight, and clean, using the latest technology. They just opened their studio in the college area in San Diego featuring one of the only Cyclorama walls in San Diego market. They also have a full coved photography studio and sound stage all available for rent at reasonable rates. For more information on Pixel Productions click here http://www.pixelproductionssd.com/

R. Michael Walters from Walters and Ward, is one of the leading estate planning attorneys in California and spends a few minutes talking to Angel Star about the importance of wills and trusts. We were also joined by Steve Sexton from Sexton Advisory Group. Steve has been sharing his financial knowledge with Entertainer readers for over 2 years and his financial tips are always quick, informative and helpful. In Steve’s segment you’ll learn five questions to ask yourself when making a financial decision, because a lot of people tend to make these decisions based off of emotions and myths. You can also catch Steve on Channel 6′s San Diego Living Show on November 15, 2011.

E&L TV visited the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, a beautiful getaway for tourists and locals. Kerman Beriker, the managing director at the Inn talks about what makes the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe so unique. They also visited a local San Diego day spa located in Bankers Hill, downtown San Diego. Melanie Vasseur is the founder of Vasseur Day Spa and with over 30 years of experience as a cosmetic chemist, nutritionist, and more it is no wonder she created her own skin care line. Angel Star was lucky enough to enjoy an entire spa treatment at Vasseur Day Spa. She experienced everything from a deep tissue massage, to an airbrush tanning.

The last segment of E&L TV featured a local band recommended by a viewer, they recently opened for Chris Issac at Humphreys by the bay concerts. Already receiving national attention The Riders are on their way to stardom.

As “Your Source for Everything San Diego,” we want to thank you for watching. Be sure to tune in every month to learn more about the latest and greatest this city has to offer.

For the past six years, Pinkberry has been leading the frozen yogurt market with its fresh motto, a bold sense of design, and great customer service.

“Back in 2005, there was nothing else like Pinkberry,” Ron Graves, CEO of Pinkberry told SDEntertainer.  “It was really one of a kind when Pinkberry launched and it just really reignited the frozen yogurt category.”

And this is because Pinkberry doesn’t just focus on giving their customers “authentic and high-quality treats that their customers can resonate to.”  When someone enters a Pinkberry store for the first time, they know they are in a Pinkberry.  And Graves makes the point that one of the values that his company upholds is social connections.

He states that one thing Pinkberry team members like to do most is engage over the topping bar, share what they like, and ask new visitors what they’d like to try.  With over 30 toppings and 6 flavors that you can mix and change around, there’s definitely an abundance of potential combinations to try.

Pinkberry’s interactive spirit gets easily carried onto the company’s growing sense of community.  To Pinkberry, whose profits come from a niche product, connecting with people fosters not only a sense of community, but when the yogurt company decided to take over the formerly D’Lush beverage joint inside Fashion Valley Mall,  location also factored a great deal into the planning of the facility.

And it wasn’t just the physical attributes of the facility that affected the progress of opening a Pinkberry inside the mall.  A lot of attention was galvanized towards how Pinkberry could connect locally.

That was solved when Pinkberry decided to donate a dollar to the USO with every purchase of the newest Pinkberry flavor, the Peanut Butter + Jelly, which has been getting equally rave reviews from avid fans of the older flavors.

Graves reinforces that Pinkberry, who is known for their “fresh, high-quality ingredients, with a taste profile that balances sweet, and tart, light, refreshing, and clean,” spends a lot of time and effort into each new Pinkberry creation.

Graves gives the latest Pinkberry recipe as an example:  “We don’t just launch a flavor. We go through a lot of work to get it out there.  [For the PJ & J,] it’s the organic jelly.  And we make sure it’s paired well together.  The toasted bread crumbs—they’re unique and it all works well together.”

Even when a flavor that is launched does not work out, Pinkberry doesn’t see it as a setback.  The people behind the tasty frozen treat factor in customer feedback and use all the information they can gather, not excluding global trends, to provide Pinkberry customers the best possibly product.

Because at the end of the day, Pinkberry is presenting to you more than just an ordinary frozen yogurt treat; they are extending a culinary offering.

Each month San Diego Entertainer Magazine brings you the best entertainment and lifestyle segments on E&L TV. The show airs the first Sunday of the month at 5pm on Channel 6 (CW).

Past shows have included segments with financial expert Steve Sexton, local artists like The Riders, and local businesses from the Coronado Boathouse to Vasseur Day Spa. In this month’s show, you’ll be treated to find even more great San Diego stories.

The show is hosted at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. This location is a true San Diego staple for visitors and locals alike. It’s a hot spot for celebrities and has played host to past presidents and Hollywood royalty. It’s tucked in the hills in North County San Diego and overlooks rolling hills and riding trails, giving guests a taste of the country just a few miles from downtown. Hear from Kerman Beriker, the managing director at the Inn about what makes the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe so special.

Join host Angel Star as she talks to representatives from Plum District, a new daily deals site in San Diego that offers a great spin on the traditional concept. Plum District is designed “for moms, by moms.” Moms living right here in San Diego are out in the community sourcing deals. Each day a new deal is available, targeted directly for moms and families in the community. Plum District is helping San Diegans save money and at the same time is providing moms opportunities to start businesses by working as a district consultants. You can find much more about Plum District and the great things their doing in the community by tuning in this Sunday.

In the September show you’ll also see a familiar face — expert financial advisor Steve Sexton. Steve has been providing financial advisories to Entertainer readers for over 2 years now, and we’re happy to share more advice on how to manage finances in these turbulent economic times. In Steve’s segment you’ll also learn more about finding money that has “fallen through the cracks” and how many people in San Diego have used those monies to help charities in need.

Set your DVR or tune in this Sunday for E&L TV airing on local channel 6, The CW, at 5pm. You can also check back on SDEntertainer.com Tuesday to watch the show online. As “Your Source for Everything San Diego,” we want to thank you for watching. Be sure to tune in every month to learn more about the latest and greatest this city has to offer.

Watch July’s show:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch August’s show:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The San Diego Entertainer Magazine is proud to have been “Your Source for Everything San Diego” since 1981 and we are excited to announce another way to get your San Diego entertainment and lifestyle news.  E&L TV is back and better than ever.

“E&L” stands for entertainment and lifestyles and that’s just what we bring you here in San Diego.  Watch E&L TV on the first Sunday of every month on San Diego’s CW Channel 6.

Tune in for the next show: Sunday, August 7^th at 7pm on CW Channel 6 San Diego

Together with the SD Entertainer Magazine, E&L TV brings you a comprehensive view of what’s going on in America’s finest city and offers expert advice on how to get the most out of life.  We regularly share financial, legal and nutritional tips with our audience including scrumptious recipes and where to attend free local workshops for more information.

The August show will feature San Diego lifestyle pieces including an inside view of one of San Diego’s best kept beauty secrets, Vasseur Day Spa, located downtown on Banker’s Hill. Tune in and you’ll also see The Riders, an American classic rock band recording in studio; they recently opened for Chris Isaak at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay. In addition, we will continue to offer financial tips from Financial Guru Steve Sexton, and allow you a personal introduction to renowned Estate Planning Attorney R. Michael Walters.

The San Diego Entertainer invites you to join Angel Star at the host location for this month’s show, Vasseur Day Spa. Angel will be trying various beauty treatments at this award-winning skin clinic that offers everything from acne treatments to laser hair removal, botox and spray tanning.  Vasseur Skincare was recently featured in US Weekly Magazine when Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky acknowledged that she uses Vasseur Skincare Day 25 Cream saying, “[It] has pomegranate and smells so good!”

Join us this Sunday to learn more about these great local businesses. And set your DVR because E&L TV will be your source for everything San Diego the first Sunday night of every month.

We would love to hearing your feedback and input on how we can continue to cover this fine city we share. Comment below or on our Facebook Page. We’ll see you again next month when we switch to our new time slot at 5pm – Sunday, September 4th.

Want to learn more about the Entertainer’s legacy and the history of E&L TV? Read more.

The San Diego Entertainer Magazine is proud to have been “Your Source for Everything San Diego” since 1981 and we are excited to announce another way to get your San Diego entertainment and lifestyle news.  E&L TV is back and better than ever.

“E&L” stands for entertainment and lifestyles and that’s just what we bring you here in San Diego.  Watch E&L TV on the first Sunday night of every month on San Diego’s CW Channel 6.

As a reader of the San Diego Entertainer & Lifestyles Magazine, you are familiar with the comprehensive San Diego coverage we provide. Together with the SDEntertainer.com, E&L TV features what San Diegans want to know about. Tune in to learn about what’s going on in America’s finest city and get advice from local experts on how to get the most out of life.  We regularly share financial, legal and nutritional tips with our audience including scrumptious recipes and where to attend free seminars for more information.

The first E&L TV show aired last spring with host Jeanne Howell. The show featured Coronado Island as we visited some of Coronado’s best restaurants and local businesses. Historic Coronado Boathouse 1887 was the host site for the show and remains a hot spot for locals and tourists to enjoy live music, great food, happy hour specials, nightlife and some of the finest steak and seafood San Diego has to offer.  We also discovered less formal eateries like Lil’ Piggy’s BBQ, the Village Pizzeria, The Beach-N-Diner and Moo Time creamery.

The latest show aired in July and not only kicked off the newly revamped format, but was brought to you by our wonderful new host, Angel Star. We covered the local business scene and featured a few of San Diego’s top experts in the legal, financial and educational fields.

Watch last month’s E&L TV show:

Click here to view the embedded video.

We interviewed Steve Sexton, President of the Sexton Advisory Group, who answered some very timely financial questions that our readers have. Steve has provided financial advisories to the San Diego Entertainer Magazine as our trusted financial expert for more than a year and we are happy that Steve has joined us on the new show. As our readers know, Steve is a local Financial Advisor who is rated in the top 1% Money Managers in the entire country and has been offering Southern California residents “Personal CFO” services for the past 15 years.

In July we also met with renowned Attorney R. Michael Walters who has been specializing in estate planning, wills and trusts for the past 30 years. Not only has Mike shared his knowledge with 40,000 people over the past 10 ½ years at his free legal workshops, he too provides legal advisories for the readers of San Diego Entertainer Magazine.  Michael is proud to call San Diego his home and we welcome him to the E&L TV family.

Next we visited with John Ryan, CEO of Cardlink, Inc., a San Diego based credit card processing provider who serves the nation with personal care.

Lastly we were able to connect with Marketa Hancova, the Dean of Students at Platt College, a local media arts school that offers small classes and individual attention while offering state-of-the-art education for those wanting a degree in graphic design, multimedia, web design, 3D animation or digital video.

Vasseur Day Spa

Our next show, airing Sunday, August 7th at 7pm on CW Channel 6 San Diego, will feature even more of what San Diego has to offer. Tune in as we visit Vasseur Day Spa, hit the recording studio with The Riders, and get more great advice from our trusted experts. Read more about the August show here.

The San Diego Entertainer Magazine (“SD Entertainer” for short) has been published in the San Diego market for over 30 years. We re-launched online a few years ago and have seen great success thanks to readers like you.  We’d like to thank the community for helping us continue to grow our online readership and our Facebook and Twitter following.

The Entertainer was the originator of the San Diego’s “BEST OF” contest and hosted that award ceremony for years.  We rated categories ranging from Best Sports Bar and Best Karaoke to Best Mountain Bike Trail.  Rookies in Oceanside has ranked highest for Best Bar category and Moonlight Beach in Encinitas won the Best Trail title.

We have a rich history, and continue to provide San Diegans with what they want to know. Need weekend plans? Our “SD This Weekend” column covers fun things to do in San Diego Thursday through Sunday. Want celebrity buzz? We’ve successfully launched our “Entertainer Quickie” story where you can get the latest celebrity buzz in one place.

You can also find signature celebrity interviews at SDEntertainer.com.  We recently interviewed Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis, Danish musical phenom Oh Land, Singer Gavin DeGraw and The Bare Naked Ladies.

We offer pre-release movie reviews, restaurant reviews and event coverage if you want to hit the town. We even offer great recipes if you want to stay home and cook!

As “Your Source for Everything San Diego,” we want to thank you for your continued support. Click back to SDEntertainer.com and tune in to E&L TV for the latest and greatest this city has to offer.

Have you seen our show or read our stories? We would love to hear your feedback and input on how we can continue to cover this fine city we share. Comment below, on Facebook or Twitter, or shoot us an email. We’d love to hear from you.

UltraStar Cinemas has found the answer. The theater chain knows that oftentimes new moms and dads find themselves missing out on the movie theater experience because they don’t want to leave little ones at home with a sitter or don’t want to bring the baby with them. For this reason, Parent Movie Morning was created.

Parent Movie Morning is a weekly program offered in select UltraStar locations that is catered specifically to new parents.

“Once a week UltraStar selects a new film, generally a romantic comedy or drama,” the company explained. “The lights are dimmed, not completely darkened as in a normal film, so new parents can still see their babies to nurse or comfort them; the volume is reduced so that any action scenes aren’t as startling; and changing tables are set up in the auditorium so when a baby’s diaper needs attention their parent doesn’t need to miss any of the movie.”

The program has been a hit so far, occurring in eight different locations.

“When the program debuted at our La Costa Cinemas in 2003 I had high hopes that other new parents would embrace the concept and I wouldn’t be the only one in the auditorium with my baby stroller, but I didn’t anticipate how well-received it would be,” Julie Bravo, vice president of advertising and marketing for UltraStar Cinemas, stated.

The idea started eight year ago when an UltraStar guest asked about starting a program that would allow her to come to the movie with her baby in an atmosphere that would be welcoming.

“As a new mom myself, and an avid moviegoer, I loved the idea instantly,” Bravo said. “I would never bring my newborn to the theater for fear of disturbing other guests, but I didn’t want to wait 7-8 months for the hot new movie to be available on DVD either … our Parent Movie Morning and Baby’s Night Out programs allow new moms and dads a unique opportunity to get out and enjoy a new movie they want to see with their baby. ”

One of the great things about Parent Movie Morning is the early bird ticket price, which allows parents to buy tickets for $6. The movie content is also geared toward the parent instead of the child, making it an event for the adults instead of the kids.

“Parent Movie Morning is a way for new moms and dads to see a movie they want to see, not a chance to bring their child to see a movie,” Bravo said.

However, parents are warned that featured films can be rated R so parents are asked to think twice when bringing along older children.

The success of Parent Movie Morning was so great it sparked a spinoff last year called Baby’s Night Out, which is currently held at Hazard Center.

“I was contacted frequently by moms that had returned to work following their maternity leave that still wanted to see movies but could no longer come to our morning show. Working dads wanted to come too,” Bravo said.

Baby’s Night Out follows the same family friendly philosophy and is held the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. for the same early bird discounted price.

“Families phase of out this program within six months to a year so the fact that the program is still going strong is truly a testament to the great experiences new moms and dads share,” Bravo said.

“Both of these programs have been extremely successful and have received great feedback from our guests. Parents are able to come to the movies with their newborns, then when they end up leaving the baby at home they come for a date night out, then when their children are a little older they graduate to the Kidtoons program.”

The Kidstoons Program offers G-rated content every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at participating theater locations. A different G-rated film is featured very month for $2.50 per person and free for children 3 and younger.

“The major studios only release a handful of G rated films each year, but we are the only theater company in San Diego that offers consistent family programming every weekend,” Bravo said. “And at only $2.50 per person it is an affordable way to entertain the kids and to introduce little ones to the magic of movies.”

Kidtoons features characters and stories that preschool to school-age children are familiar with, including Barbie and Sesame Street. After each show children also receive a free give-away item such as stickers, temporary tattoos or a coloring sheet.

Ultra Star Cinemas is headquartered in San Diego County and operates 141 screens at 14 sites throughout Southern California and Arizona. The company was formed in 1999 by John Ellison, Jr.and Alan Grossberg with the same goal in mind – be a pioneer in the industry and consistently stay onthe forefront of technology, while providing the best movie-going experience to every guest that walksthrough the doors.

UltraStar was the first exhibitor in the world to be equipped with D-BOX Motion Seats. D-BOX Technologies uses motion integrated within theater seats to capture some of the best action scenes in all types of movies. Feeling the action immerses the guest in the movie like never before. D-BOX films opening this summer include Pirates of the Caribbean and Super 8.

Do you want to start planking? Or do you have some great photos already? Upload a photo of yourself planking on our Facebook page or mention @sdentertainer when you upload on Twitter and enter to win our giveaway today! Submit your photo through Sunday 7/24 at midnight. The top 5 photos will be chosen and our readers will vote on the winning plank-er. The winner will receive 10 free movie passes, that’s over $100 value!

Planking has grown enormously in popularity around the world due to social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook which allow plankers to upload and share their planks for all to see. According to the official planking facebook page, which is “liked” by more than 566,000 people, there are six official rules to ensure proper planking technique.

1. You must always lay face down, ensuring your face remains expressionless for the duration of the Plank.
2. Your legs must remain straight, and together with toes pointed.
3. Your arms must be placed by your side, held straight and fingers pointed.
4. You must make it known that you are Planking. Saying ‘I am Planking’ usually gets this across. Sternly announcing it will ensure a good result.
5. Your safety should always be considered. Properly thought through Planking procedures should always go to plan. Never put your self at undue risk.
6. Every Plank that is captured must be named.

First known as “The Lying Down Game,” the origins of planking derive from the mid-1990′s. However, as more information surfaces about this lazy-by-nature activity, it’s beginnings are becoming a hotly-contested topic. On July 13, CNN.com posted a story about the new clues in planking origins mystery helping boost the notion that planking has officially become a mainstream activity.

Canadian comedian Tom Green claims to be the “Father of Planking,” which he originally called “dead guy” during a 1994 stunt on his cable TV show in Ottawa, Canada. However, according to an article in The Guardian (UK), planking began in 1997 when two Englishmen, Gary Clarkson, then 15, and his friend Christian Langdon, 12, would perform the plank in public places, amusing one another and baffling onlookers. Rapper Xzibit, on the other hand, has his own explanation for where planking began.

“Planking is THE dumbest shit ever,” Xzibit wrote on his official Twitter page, Twitter.com/xzibit.

“Planking was a way to transport slaves on ships during the slave trade, it’s not funny. Educate yourselves,” he later tweeted, before continuing: “Don’t get it twisted. I care less where your dumb asses lay face down and take pictures of the shit, I’m just telling you where it came from.”

Regardless of the origins of planking, one thing is certain, it wasn’t until recently that planking became a world-wide phenomenon. The rapid gain in popularity is most likely attributed to seven English hospital employees who were suspended for planking while at work in 2009, back then it was still known as the Lying Down Game. It wasn’t until March 2011 when English rugby player David “Wolfman” Williams planked as a celebration that the fad exploded as a mainstream activity. According to an ESPN.com article debating the “sport” of planking, Don Caldwell, the senior reporter for Know Your Meme, which tracks all sorts of Internet trends, pointed to the rugby celebration as the moment planking became a mainstream trend.

As more major news outlets research and report on the new fad, planking’s popularity is sky-rocketing. However, just because it is a popular activity does not mean it is performed without risk. Because plankers can be awarded unofficial “points” for the uniqueness of a plank, plankers are encouraged to plank in risky or highly-unique places. This could then lead to arrests, like a 20-year-old man from Queensland, Australia who was arrested after planking on the roof of a police car, or even death.

On May 16, two months after Williams’ celebratory plank, the planking craze claimed it’s first victim. 20-year-old Australian man Acton Beale fell seven stories from the balcony of a block of flats in Brisbane, Queensland, after he tried to plank on some railings. Witnesses said Beale had been preparing to lie on a balcony rail after a night out partying with friends when he fell to his death.

If you choose to plank you must remember these three key components. First, and foremost, be safe. Second, make sure to document and name your plank and then share for all to see. Third, be unique and have fun. If you can remember these three things you are ready to plank; now go lie face-down somewhere.

Photos courtesy Fiona Shields, Chicks with Guns Magazine and salzburger.land via Flickr. Video courtesy tomgreendotcom via YouTube.

Switched at Birth” revolves around two teens, Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc) and Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano), who discover that they were accidentely switched at birth at the hospital. Each teen grew up with a completely different environment and upbringing, and each feeling different.

When the two teens discover the change and meet their real biological parents they come together. Due to Daphne’s adoptive mother/Bay’s biological mother’s, financial struggles, Daphne and Regina are invited to live in the Kennishs’ home with Bay’s wealthy family. The girls learn and start developing relationships with both their biological parents as well as each other.

SD Entertainer had the wonderful privilege of interviewing one of the main stars of the series, Katie Leclerc. Katie has been fluent in American Sign Language since she was in high school and was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease at the age of 20. While she is not deaf, she is hard of hearing due to one of the symptoms of Meniere’s disease, which causes a disorder of the inner ear that affects her hearing and balance.

Katie has a real heart of gold, a real love for her fans, and really enjoys the role she has on the show. She feels that the show has made a real difference in people’s lives on their views of those who are deaf and the deaf culture itself, as well as how people view things different from their own perspective.

During the interview, she talked to us about herself, her character, the show, and her enthusiasm about the show’s impact. The interview was fantastic and very eye opening. Katie not only represented the voice of “Switched At Birth,” but also represented her own voice within the deaf culture.

We give you her insight and voice:

Entertainer: How do you like your character? What’s your opinion of her?

KL: I like her a lot. I feel like I’ve got a lot of similarities with the character Daphne. She was sort of bullied as a kid. She grew up with a mother who made her work for all the good that she’s received. She worked hard at school. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and she’s pretty grounded. I think that its really nice to be ale to play someone that people can identity with and people really root for. And not only that as I read the script, and as I go along, I’m rooting for her. And that it’s cool to see the relationship sort of blossom and its really fun to see the two families are coming together to form a family. It might not be the most conventional family, but it’s definitely a group of people that really support each other. That’s the great thing about the show. At the end of the day its just about family and loving people that you’re with no matter what the circumstances are.

Entertainer: Your character is such an inspiration not just for those in the deaf community and hearing world, but also for others with other types of disability.

KL: I think that the nice thing is that I think that people are afraid of what they don’t know and having a deaf character, having multiple deaf characters, come into your life and into your television. Being able to familiarize with that will only help build a bridge between the two worlds. This show and other shows like Glee where they have people in wheelchairs and they have cerebral palsy. And I think this is a great time for television where they’re sort of expanding their horizons a little bit.  I think producers and writers are not afraid to show people who, by everyday conventional terms might be considered disabled, but you can see them as fully able to communicate. As is in the deaf culture’s case to get by. Not only get by but to thrive. Daphne, One of my favorite parts about the show, Lizzy Weiss, the creator, she made sure that Daphne was never the victim. She’s very strong and she makes it work no matter what the situation is. It’s very cool to see that.

Entertainer: What strengths and weaknesses do you think your character had to face with that? Since I know it’s different for everyone.

KL: I think that she was made of fun, like I said, as a kid. And I think that kids are very mean. Or at least they can be. She was made fun as a kid. And she had to find her past. When she found her sign language, she lost her hearing at the age of age, and when she found sign language, she sort of found this culture and this community that is so supportive of each other that she was sort of able to rise above. And she, you know, plays basketball and nobody can take that away from her. She’s the best girl on our team I think. (Laughing).

Entertainer: How do you relate to the character? Were you involved in any sports as a teenager like her?

KL: I was. I played basketball actually coincidentally enough.  I was in Basketball when I was in junior high and growing up and all of that. I cooked as well. Daphne really likes to be in the kitchen. That’s something I can relate to her with. I LOVE to be in the kitchen. Haha. If I wasn’t an actor, I would probably try to be a chef.

Entertainer: That’s great too that they have the equal opportunity to hire those who are deaf or partially deaf to play the deaf roles.

KL: Yeah. Absolutely. And I’m so very lucky. I feel like I’ve been preparing for this role for a very long time. I learned sign language when I was 17. I took as an elective in high school. I actually grew up in San Diego. So it’s nice to speak to a local. Haha. I went to Valley Center High School. I was involved in their drama program. So I sort of needed a foreign language to graduate. So I took sign language since my sister was my teacher. I figured that I could speak with her and that would cool. Then, when I was 20 I found out that I was diagnosed with something called Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s Disease has four main symptoms: you get pressure in the ear, ringing in the ear, fluctuating hearing loss, and attacks of vertigo. I’m very fortunate because my sister also has Meniere’s disease and I can see what her struggle is and learn from that. And also, to know what her strengths are and try to capitalize on those as well. I feel like it’s been a long road to get here and that after about 10 years it’s finally all paid off and I couldn’t be happier. The role of lifetime. And like you said, I identity with the character so much and I sort of feel like things happen for a reason. I’m very grateful that they chose me.

Entertainer: What’s it like to be an actress with the hearing impairment? Have you gotten other roles besides this one?

KL: I have. Been acting for about 10 years. Most people I think are unaware of my disability, my hearing loss. It’s been challenging at times, but I’m very lucky because I work with a wonderful group of people. They are all very aware of my Meniere’s. There’ve been times when I have attacks of vertigo, which for me is the most challenging symptom. But there was the time on set, where I’ve gotten dizzy and had the vertigo thing happen and D.W Moffett ran over to me. He can tell I was spinning. He ran over to me and it was like, “Are you ok?” “I’m ok.” And he took me down in a chair and he asks for one of the PAs to get me a bottle of water. And he had to check in with me every so often to make sure I was feeling good. But everybody is just so kind and everybody is so considerate with everyone else and so supportive of everyone else.

Entertainer: Right. And then you never learn.

KL: Exactly. I’ve gotten to meet some really cool people and have so much on set. I’ve gotten to wear some very pretty clothing and some gorgeous shoes. And I get to be on the back of MX motorcycles and go really fast. That’s really fun. I think that’s opened so many doors for me and I’ve become friends with some of the crewmembers on set. If nothing else I’ve just thankful for the people involved in our show. From the cast to the bottom.

Entertainer: What impact are you hoping that the show will have for the viewers besides that unique perspective?

KL: I think that the impact is really starting to show up. One of the little girls that came to my parents’ restaurant today, she looked up at me and she said and signed “Thank You” when I signed their autograph for them and took a picture with them. She then signed “Thank You.” I think that it’s great that a four-year-old little girl that would otherwise have never known sign language is sitting there signing “Thank You.” The first girl that ever “recognized me” was at Lucas Grabeel’s launch. He just launched his EP while filming.  So Lucas has this launch show at the restaurant I was there, Sean Brady was there, Vanessa Marano, and a lot of people from the crew showed up to support. This little girl maybe 11 or 12 came up and she signed, “Hi. My name is Piper.” To Sean Berdy and I. This is just so cool to see that these kids who would never be exposed to this world are all of a sudden picking up on signs and picking up on this culture. I think that it’s really cool. I think that there’s no way to go but keep doing that and helping people realize that we’re not so different. Opening minds and just creating color. So whatever anyone’s differences are, as long as we’re creating color I think it’s great.

Entertainer: That’s fantastic.

KL: And to go on Twitter. I tweet. To go on Twitter and see people’s posts of thanks like: “Thank you for making me feel comfortable in my own skin because I’m deaf.” “Thank you for showing me that it’s ok to be deaf.” “Thank you for inspiring me to become an interpreter.” All of these different things I think that we really can do some good. Even if we only do good for that one deaf kid who all of a sudden feels like maybe he is not so strange in school. I think that’s amazing. I think that it’s great.

Entertainer: What do you like best about San Diego? Figured it be a fun way to end this off.

KL: That is a good one to end off. Well I grew up there. I don’t get down there as much as I wish I did. I grew up in North County. The beaches in San Diego are about a million times better than in Los Angeles in my humble opinion. I just think that the San Diego culture is really laid back and there’s so much less traffic in San Diego than there is in LA. I like to go down there just for the weekend and kind of just veg, and hanging out with friends, and go check out the beaches. And I don’t know. I love the San Diego culture. I’m really excited for Comic Con. I’m really looking forward to that. Just looking forward to the food down there. I just love food in general. There’s a couple of restaurants that I can’t help but go to. Yeah. I like San Diego a whole lot.

Photos courtesy of ABC Family Site

UltraStar Cinemas is based right here in San Diego, and provides wonderful programming in addition to the biggest blockbuster movies for our viewing pleasure. With 141 screens at 14 sites throughout Southern California and Arizona, the company tries hard to stay at the forefront of technology, while providing the best movie-going experience to every guest that walks through their doors.

They also offer discount days and great matinée pricing to help everyone that has been struggling in this sluggish economy. For a list of their specials and showtimes, head to their website for more information. With locations in Oceanside, Bonsall, Poway, Del Mar, Mission Valley, and Chula Vista, there’s a location close to you.

As part of this wonderful partnership, we will bring you coverage on hot summer releases, family friendly programming, new releases, and the newest cinematic technology like 3-D films and movies being shown in DBOX.

UltraStar was the first exhibitor in the world to be equipped with D-BOX Motion Seats. D-BOX Technologies created D-BOX Motion Code which uses codes specifically programmed for each film, which are sent to a motion generating system integrated within the seat. D-BOX Motion Seats  capture some of the best action scenes in all types of movies. Whether it’s the anticipation of Freddy Krueger coming through the wall or Sylvester Stallone kicking the bad guy, feeling the action immerses the guest in the movie like never before.

The D-BOX seats move in sync with the action unfolding on the big screen, immersing the viewer further into the world of the film. The latest films to be offered in the DBOX experience are Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, opening May 20th and Super 8, opening this June.

For reviews and previews of upcoming films, stay tuned to SDEntertainer.com, subscribe to get updates in your inbox, or get our RSS feed now!

As part of this special announcement, the Entertainer will be giving away 10 4-packs of movie passes to our loyal readers so you can check out UltraStar Cinemas yourself.*

Sign Up Now for the Giveaway! Enter by Friday, May 27th at 4pm for your chance to win a 4-pack of tickets to UltraStar Cinemas.

*Tickets expire October 31, 2011 and are not valid for 3D films, DBox, or Special Engagements

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hitting theaters nationwide are specialized, cushioned seats manufactured to move in sync with the action unfolding on the big screen, immersing the viewer further into the world of the film. I was offered the chance to check out D-BOX for the opening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I a few weeks ago at San Diego’s Ultrastar Mission Valley Cinemas in Hazard Center.

Upon entering the theater, I was a little apprehensive since I’m prone to motion sickness (bumpy car rides, Cloverfield and Call of Duty are not my friends), but I was still enthusiastic about trying the new technology. Luckily for me, I found out viewers can choose the intensity in which they would like their chair to move along with the movie and even have the option of turning off the motion entirely.

Instead of lowering the level, however, I increased it to its full potential and actually wished it would have moved even more. D-BOX Motion Code™ has the ability to hypnotize and energize the audience even further than the 2-D image would allow on its own. The chair swayed from side–to-side mimicking the movements of Voldemort’s snake Nagini, shook as Harry and Hagrid crashed next to the Burrow, and jerked as Dobby disapparated from the Malfoy Manor. I felt like I was right there in the action with Ron, Hermione and Harry as they battled Bellatrix LeStrange and destroyed horcruxes as I felt the physical effects of the scene because of D-BOX chair.

Unfortunately, D-BOX Motion Code™ does require a bit of extra cash in order to live the action, about $10 more than the average movie theater ticket. While the price is a little steep, it isn’t much different from the price of paying for the IMAX experience, except instead of a massive screen, the D-BOX viewers get to go along for the ride. Theaters offering the D-BOX experience may also have the demo set up in the lobby for guests to check out the action before deciding on the ticket upgrade. Think of it as something along the lines of the Disneyland-Indiana Jones amount of action and movement minus the ridiculously long wait in line surrounded by whiny kids. Having had the opportunity to see the film in IMAX as well a few days later, I must admit I missed not having my chair move with the movie.

While waiting to enter the world of the Deathly Hallows, they showed the trailer for the upcoming Tron:Legacy, set for release on December 17, 2010, which will also be released in D-BOX Motion Code™. The sequel to the original Tron (1982), Tron:Legacy appears to be an action-packed feature film full of epic fight scenes within a digital world—a perfect choice for the D-BOX experience.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I definitely enjoyed having my introduction to D-BOX Motion Code™ with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, and I definitely would indulge in the experience again, possibly as soon as Tron: Legacy premieres. The D-BOX site reveals the ability to purchase the specialized chairs for home theater and gaming use, which would bring car racing games to a whole new level—a thrilling theatrical event right in the privacy of your own home. I can only imagine that fusing D-BOX with IMAX would provide full immersion into the cinematic realm—a truly life-changing experience yet probably not very affordable.

Head over to UltraStar Cinemas to live the action yourself and reserve your theater seat now. Check out the extended video explaining how D-BOX Motion Code™ works to bring you a special entertainment experience:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photos courtesy of Katrina Cabral.

After searching for a prominent California attorney to answer reader questions and concerns, we were please to come across one of the best: Attorney R. Michael Walters of the Law Firm of Walters & Ward.

The tumultuous economy sheds light on common concerns, including how to better provide for the future. Mike Walters is a leading speaker on the subject and has helped tens of thousands of people better understand the intricacies of proper planning. Mike will continue to provide legal advisories in the areas of estate planning and how you can protect yourself and your family from not having the right documents in place.

Mike Walters is a preeminent California Attorney specializing in the area of estate planning, including but not limited to wills, living trusts, probate, and much more. Michael is widely recognized as one of the premier wills and trusts specialists in the San Diego area, helping over 22,000 clients, many of whom are in Southern California. He has been seen on The Leeza Gibbons show twice, acted as a commentator for the NBC Television News in San Diego, hosted his own radio show, Law Talk with R. Michael Walters on KSDO 1130 AM and has written many articles in legal and other publications. Recently you may have seen him on San Diego Living on Channel 6 or heard him on the radio on KCBQ’s Real Talk.

Mike Walters is a prominent speaker in the area of estate planning, offering weekly free workshops on the subject around California. The goal of the workshops is to educate on critical topics that will allow one to make intelligent decisions for the future. He shares his 35 years of experience and a unique teaching style with workshop attendees so they can truly understand how to properly protect themselves and their loved ones. Visit  www.WaltersTrustInfo.com for a schedule of upcoming workshops. Find one near you and register today.

Attorney Mike Walters will contribute to the Entertainer through weekly video features on various subjects including estate planning. Mike Walters understands the importance of having an estate plan in place. Did you know that a having a comprehensive estate plan is the only way to remove the possibility of probate, which could cost thousands of dollars and take years? It will also allow you to specify the disposition of your assets, so they go to whom you wish. You can make certain that you have control of your health care decisions in the event you become incapacitated. And possibly most important, a proper estate plan will allow you to specify who will care for your minor children.

People who ignore these issues put undeserved hardship on their loved ones. The first step in protecting yourself is through education.

This week’s legal advisory focuses on the Death Tax. Yes, there may soon be a tax for dying.

In 2011 the government may pass a bill that would mean a death tax of 55% will be owed to the government. There are opportunities for exemption for a limited group of people, but that doesn’t mean you cannot reduce what you will owe. Instead of 55%, how does 0% sound? Mike Walters will explain all of this and much more at an upcoming free workshop. For dates and times or to sign up, visit www.walterstrustinfo.com and register for a free workshop today.

Want to know more? Continue to check back for information on trusts, wills, probate, guardianship, and much more. Mike Walters will answer all you need to know about revocable living trusts, how to avoid probate, why you should have a General Durable Power of Attorney and a Health Care Directive. Do you want to reduce future taxes? Mike will explain that as well.

For additional information, visit www.WaltersTrustInfo.com or call the Walters & Ward Law Firm at 1-877-779-9729. The staff is available and willing to schedule a consultation with an attorney. The best part is, Walters & Ward believes in the power of education and will never charge to talk to a lawyer.

Share this page with your friends, family and coworkers (heck, share it with acquaintances) through Facebook, Twitter and email.

Each additional entry gives you more chances to win. You’ll also receive deals and coupons for your favorite restaurants, venues and events around San Diego. It’s a WIN-WIN situation!

And remember, we won’t spam you or your friends and will never use your information for anything except bringing you exclusive prizes and sweet deals.

Black Resume stands above many other hip hop artists swarming the San Diego scene. The name itself speaks volumes as to the deeper meaning behind their music and the type of harvested talent that makes our city proud. With their debut album Bar-Barian Music inspiring fans to make their own copies, t-shirts and travel up the Cali coast to support their shows, its become a captivating movement. But what is Black Resume?

Black Resume meets…

Terence and Tavares were brothers who shared a liking for music, and met Guilla. LC would ditch lunch at his high school to watch Guilla’s battle with a fellow classmate, Flip, who Guilla clobbered lyrically. Impressed by the each others flow, the group connected and began to collaborate, in 2009 they joined forces to create Black Resume.

Why do they call themselves Black Resume?

Guilla had a vision of creating a group or concept called Black Resume. But, as you gaze over their first album background, a man wearing a suit, you know that there must be a deeper meaning. When we asked them, “What exactly does Black Resume” mean, they explain that your Black Resume is essentially the talents that wouldn’t go on a normal corporate resume. They throw out examples like picking a lock, a great three-point shot in basketball or even hustling, but it’s more than that.

Black Resume
Whatever you wouldn’t put on your actual resume. Your special talents or skills.
- Guilla of Black Resume

And what is the meaning behind the title of the debut CD, Bar-Barian Music?

I’ve heard about Black Resume a lot for the last six months, whether they were opening for an artist coming to town or my friends were listening to their CD, Bar-Barian Music.

Bar-Barian Music, their debut album, has a two fold play on words meaning. First, in hip hop the standard moniker for the writing structure to add a rap to a song is 16 bars. Then, Barbarian linked with being old, prehistoric, connects to the true roots of music; when songs weren’t excessively produced and the only artists selling records were authentic musicians.

What influences and drives the style of your music?

Guilla: The style is like 90′s West Coast.

LC: We are all influenced by different rappers and different things individually, but we could all agree that we are influenced by West Coast music.

Tavares: Music in general influences us, whether bad music or good music it makes us want to do better. For example, ‘this music is garbage let’s do better than that, or this music is good let’s try to be as good as that.’

Exclusive Drop:

A music video for their single “Animal” is coming out soon. The video is filled with energy, excitement and was professionally filmed in a gorgeous home in Santa Barbara with a full tilt crew.

The group see’s their cultivation of music as an investment for their future. They mix living daily life, working, relationships and recording music to allow time for their group and creative work. But they already see it paying off, while walking in the streets of Santa Barbara they have been stopped before, even when wearing plain clothes getting approached by fans clamoring for Black Resume.

For 2010 you can look forward to a new album, and a few mix tapes the guys assure. While the guys are hopeful that their hard work, talent and experience will give them a contract they aren’t holding out for one. In the mean time you can catch them live, they have already performed with many of the popular acts of today such as E-40, New Boyz and Crooked I.

THIS WEEKEND: You can catch Black Resume this Saturday at 4 & B opening up for Lloyd Banks of G-Unit. Make sure to wear your favorite Black Resume t-shirt or make one, this is going to be a set to remember as they debut a brand new track for you!

To get more information and stay up to date with Black Resume “Fan” them on FaceBook visit their website blackresume.com or follow them on Twitter @blackresume

Sign up for Entertainer Extras and receive FREE weekly coupons, offers and special deals from some of the best vendors in town; some at over 90% savings. Enjoy America’s Finest City, taking advantage of what the gorgeous city has to offer, while saving money in the process.

Why stay in when there’s an Entertainer Extra that makes it affordable to go out? Why pay more than you have to? Coupons provide locals with amazing deals and fantastic discounts on various services such as dining, fitness, health, and services that you use everyday.

The current economy has people more cautious than ever when it comes to spending: Entertainer Extras is the solution to this monetary dilemma. Even the most costly services are offered at almost unbelievable prices, some offers are as much as 90% off! The best part is that these discounts come directly to you, saving you the trouble of searching for coupons and discounts.

We call Entertainer Extras “America’s finest savings” for a reason. Not only does the program provide a system in which you can discover the best products and services San Diego has to offer, but it does so by saving you more than the typical 10-15% off that is offered by most coupons. Try savings that go up to 90%. Now THAT’S saving.

Save and indulge today by subscribing to our Entertainer Extras, and take advantage of what San Diego has to offer!

Check out our Products Page now and see what amazing deals we have for you today.

For information from Thursday’s events, read our highlights from yesterday. Or for a peak at what’s to come read our featured event coverage including Comic-Con 2010 Schedule and Program Highlights.

Yesterday we reported that Walt Disney Pictures presented a special inside look at “Tron: Legacy,” the sequel to the 1982 film “Tron.” Today we share the trailer with you which highlights the amazing gadgets and costumes used in the film.

Film:

Summit Entertainment: Drive Angry 3D— 3D is the new phenomena and it’s popping up all over Comic Con. “Drive Angry” is about a vengeful father who hunts down the people who killed his daughter and kidnapped her baby. The film is brought to you by Patrick Lussie, the writer and director of My Bloody Valentine 3D and stars Nicolas Cage, William Fichtner, Billy Burke, and Amber Heard. The director not only showed clips from the film, but shared how it got it’s name. Aparently the title came from Ground Hog Day when Bill Murray was shouting “Don’t drive angry” and the director thought “Yeah, do drive angry!” People who watched the trailer seemed to enjoy it, including @jenniferhchao who reports from Twitter that “Drive Angry 3D looked good. I appreciate movies that are planned as 3D from the beginning.”

Sony Pictures Entertainment: The Other Guys and The Green Hornet— Those attending the convention got two more sneak peeks at films from Sony Pictures.
- “The Other Guys” is about New York Detectives played by Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson, Will Ferrell, and Mark Wahlberg. Instead of playing heroes, they play “the other guys” who just happen to stumble on one of New York’s biggest crimes.
- “The Green Hornet” director Michel Gondry revealed that he will be taking on “The Green Hornet” in 3D. In “The Green Hornet” Britt Reid, played by Seth Rogen, takes over his father’s media empire after his death. He partners with Kato (Jay Chou)to fight crime by posing as criminals, only to become the vigilante, The Green Hornet. They revealed the Green Hornet car and Seth Rogen explained that they wanted to make an original movie that is heavily based on the original series while exploring how the Green Hornet came into being.

8:00-10:00 World Premiere: Batman: Under the Red Hood— Tonight they will be releasing the world premiere of “Batman: Under the Red Hood”, the eighth entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 movies. The voice cast includes Bruce Greenwood from Star Trek, Jensen Ackles from Supernatural, Neil Patrick Harris from How I Met Your Mother, and many more. Executive producer Bruce Timm, director Brandon Vietti, comics writer Judd Winick and members of the cast are on hand to reveal what happened behind the scenes. Batman: Under the Red Hood on Blu-Ray and DVD, OnDemand and For Download on July 27, 2010.

TV:

Comedy Central: Ugly Americans— The producer and cast tok us behind the scenes of this at this animated series with a sneak peek of the new season as well. “Ugly Americans,” currently has two million total viewers and returns with new episodes on October 6 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

The Big Bang Theory— The Big Bang Theory will begin this fall on a new night – Thursdays on CBS. They offered a screening and Q&A with the show’s creators and stars including Wil Wheaton, executive producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, as well as series stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons , Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar. As a special treat to the convention-goers, @ sonya415 reports on Twitter that “By audience request, Big Bang Theory cast sang “soft kitty.”

MTV’s Teen Wolf— We got a look at MTV’s newest drama based on the Michael J. Fox movie. Tyler Posey, Tyler Hoechlin, Dylan O’Brien, Crystal Reed, series creator/exec producer Jeff Davisand director Russell Mulcahy were there for a screening of scenes from the pilot and hosted a Q&A.

Bones— Creator and executive producer Hart Hanson and star David Boreanaz discussed Season 5 of Bones and what’s in store for Booth and Brennan in Season 6. We hear from @meek_the_geek on Twitter that they’re “Hinting that someone is going to be killed off on bones this season!” And Bones’ creator @HartHanson confirms, saying that “Grave Digger will lead to something worse in the next season.”

Nickelodeon: Penguins, Lemurs, and Pandas, Oh My!— Nickelodeon presented their upcoming Penguins special “The Lost Treasure of the Golden Squirrel” and cast members performed a table read from a new episode. Previews of the new series Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, were also shown.

4:30-5:30 Adult Swim Panel Featuring Robot Chicken, Venture Bros, and Metalocalypse— Show creators Seth Green, Matt Senreich, and Tom Root (Robot Chicken), Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer (Venture Bros), and Brendon Small(Metalocalypse) are gong to talk about the series’, show sneak peeks, and answer questions.

5:15-6:15 True Blood Panel and Q&A session— True Blood began its third season June 13 on HBO. It has earned two Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series-Drama. Anna Paquin, Golden Globe winner for True Blood season one and Oscar-winner for The Piano, Stephen Moyer, Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy-winning HBO series Six Feet Under), and many other cast members will be on hand to answer questions from the crowd.

Alternative:
Peanuts Turns 60— 1950 marked the launch of the Peanuts comic strip in seven American newspapers. Jerry Beck moderated a panel where Jeannie Schulz (widow of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz), and others presented an in-depth look at the work of Charles M. Schulz. They also discussed all the great things to come for Peanuts Fans.

Building a Horror Entertainment Franchise: Dead Space 2— The sequel to 2008′s award-winning horror videogame will be released in January 2011. Visceral Games announced two all-new products in the Dead Space™ franchise; Dead Space Aftermath and Dead Space Salvage. Dead Space Aftermath is an animated feature that explains what happened during the first-responder mission to Aegis VII. Dead Space Salvage is a graphic novel that tells the story of a rogue group of miners who come across the dilapidated USG Ishimura. Aftermath andSalvage will be available in winter 2010, as part of the pre-launch campaign for Dead Space 2, winner of 17 awards at the Electronic Entertainment Expo including ‘Best Action/Adventure Game’ from top media outlets including Game Informer, GameSpot, GameSpy and Machinima.com.

Convention Center Photo from Staff photographer AKAFotoGirl

Other photos from Thomas Duchnicki::Location Scout, therainstopped, and -l.i.l.l.i.a.n- via Flickr

More photos from AKAFotoGirl are available below and on the SD Entertainer Flickr page.

Day 1 at the San Diego Convention Center was jam packed of must-see celebrities and great panels that many spectators took advantage of. If you were lucky enough to score a ticket to Comic Con today, let us know what you thought in the comments section below or on our Facebook page or on Twitter. If you were not lucky enough to make it to Comic Con today, or if you want to know more about what happened today, keep reading.

Film:

Photo from Guillermo Quezada

10:00-11:00 Dreamworks Animation: Megamind—This hilarious and upbeat animated flick tells the time-honored tale of good vs. evil, superhero vs. supervillain, Superman vs. Lex Luthor—but with a twist. What if, for once, the bad guy actually got what he wanted and won? This is exactly what happens to Megamind (Will Ferrell), who, after years of having his dastardly deeds thwarted, accidentally manages to off the superhero, Metro Man (Brad Pitt). But after killing his arch-nemesis, Megamind realizes that he has destroyed his life’s purpose, and sets out to create a superhero that promises to be bigger and better than Metro Man—Titan. But Titan likes being evil more than he likes being good, and decides to destroy the world. Only Megamind can stand in his way—so will the supervillain change his ways and decide to save the world? Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and Jonah Hill all appeared at the movie’s debut in Hall H, cracking jokes and entertaining the audience with their antics. Ferrell even came decked out in Megamind attire, complete with a huge blue dome sitting atop his noggin, and Fey jokingly issued a public challenge to former Golden Girl Betty White, yelling, “Betty White is my nemesis and one day I will fight her in a ball of fire!” Hall H.

Photo from Ballistik Coffee Boy via Flickr

11:15-12:45 Walt Disney Pictures: Tron: Legacy—Walt Disney Pictures presented a special inside look at this sequel to the hit 1982 film Tron. The story continues in Tron: Legacy, when Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) gets sucked into a digital world as he searches for his father and the world’s former premier video-game developer, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who has been missing for twenty-five years. Father and son reunite and embark on a dangerous journey across the cyber universe that Kevin himself created, dodging obstacles and a dangerous enemy who wants to stop them from escaping at all costs. The film’s panel included a Q&A session with cast members Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen, and Bruce Boxleitner, producers Sean Bailey and Steven Lisberger, and director Joe Kosinski. About eight minutes of the 3-D film were shared with the audience, impressing the more tech-savvy fans, and the actors gushed about the amazing gadgets and costumes they used for production: “It was an honor to be able to wear something like that. It was really beautiful,” Olivia Wilde said at one point during the discussion. The panel took place in Hall H.

1:00-2:00 Sony Pictures Entertainment: Battle: Los Angeles and Salt—Both of these action-packed, suspense-filled films from Sony Pictures Entertainment were presented in the Center’s Hall H today to tremendous reception by fans and convention-goers. Hall H.

Battle: Los Angeles: An edge-of-your-seat nail biter, Battle: Los Angeles revolves around a local Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his fresh-faced platoon, who are forced to come together and put their newly minted training to use when aliens suddenly and unexpectedly wage a violent attack on the City of Angels.  Director Jonathon Liebesman and cast members Neal Moritz, Michelle Rodriguez, and Aaron Eckhart appeared in person to support the film and mingle with fans.  Hall H.

Photo from jamiejohndavies via Flickr

Salt: Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) learned the ins and outs of espionage and spywork as a CIA officer in order to protect the citizens of the United States. Now she must use those skills to protect a different entity altogether: herself. When she is accused of being a Russian spy, Evelyn flees, evading government capture and attempting to prove her innocence. But as the hunt to find her continues and Evelyn’s past unravels, will her efforts clear her name? Or will they serve as the evidence that condemns her once and for all? And get this: Angelina Jolie herself made an appearance in Hall H to promote this spy thriller! Hall H.

2:15-3:15 Summit Entertainment: RED—Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, and John Malkovich shared footage and the final, never-before-seen trailer from their upcoming action-comedy RED, based on the DC Comics graphic novel by Warren Ellis, who was also in attendance. The movie depicts the story of four former top CIA operatives who have been targeted by the Agency because of the valuable secrets they learned during their work as spies. Director Robert Schwentke rounded out the movie’s panel. Hall H.

4:45-5:45 Lionsgate: The Expendables— Debuting this summer, The Expendables is an action thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American government and overthrow its dictator.  Upon embarking on their mission however, the men realize something is amiss and find themselves caught in a web of betrayal. With an innocent life on the line and their mission destroyed, the mercenaries must face a challenge bigger than they anticipated, one that threatens to create a rift in their brotherhood. Director, writer, and leading male Sylvester Stallone attended the movie’s Comic Con debut in Hall H, along with stars Dolph Lundgren, Steve Austin, Randy Couture, and Terry Crews. Hall H.

Photo from Mutari via Wikimedia

6:00-7:00 Universal: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World—This quirky, off-the beaten-track flick features Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, a 23-year old young man whose life is just about perfect—he’s in a rock band, he doesn’t really have a job (but that’s more than fine by him), and he’s dating a pretty young thing who’s still in high school. But suddenly Scott starts having dreams about a gorgeous roller-blading, seriously badass delivery girl that he always runs into at parties: Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). But in order to make Ramona his, Scott has to defeat Ramona’s seven evil exes. Can he win the day and the girl? Or will Scott fail and ruin his perfect life in the process? Director Edgar Wright and castmembers Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ellen Wong, Allison Pill, Mark Webber, Johnny Simmons, Kieran Culkin, Satya Bhabha, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Mae Whitman, Anna Kendrick, and Aubrey Plaza provided a sneak of the film and participated in a following Q&A session. Hall H.

For more schedule highlights and information, please visit the official Comic Con 2010 website.

TV:

3:30-4:30 USA Network’s Psych— The most-watched comedy series on cable TV made a comeback to Comic Con with juicy tidbits from its 5^th season! Stars James Roday (Shawn Spencer), Dulé Hill (Burton “Gus” Guster), Maggie Lawson (Juliet O’Hara), Tim Omundson (Carlton Lassiter), Kirsten Nelson (Chief Karen Vick), and Corbin Bernsen (Henry Spencer), creator/executive producer Steve Franks, executive producers Kelly Kulchak and Chris Henze,  and comedian, co-executive producer, and writer Andy Berman provided an all-access pass to the show’s newest episodes, telling some secrets, outlining production processes, and answering all manner of personal questions. The team also debuted special video presentations created exclusively for Comic Con, a preview of Season 5, and never-before-seen outtakes from the show. Ballroom 20

Photo from xploitme via Flickr

6:00-7:00 Showtime’s Dexter— The show featuring the serial killer that won Americans’ hearts is back with a new season and an amazing panel at Comic Con.  Stars Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, and Desmond Harrington, as well as executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Chip Johannessen, and Manny Coto attended an exciting Q&A panel moderated by KROQ entertainment reporter Ralph Garman. The show’s panel also included the world premiere of the trailer for the upcoming new season, which premieres September 26 on Showtime. Ballroom 20

Panels:

3:00-4:00 Spotlight on Jenette Kahn, Former DC Comics President and Publisher—Paul Levitz (editor, writer, and himself a former DC Comics president and publisher) interviewed Jenette Kahn on her 27 years as the head of DC Comics and her momentous work in steering the company towards the brilliant future it is now enjoying. The youngest female executive in Warner Brothers history, Kahn oversaw the transformation of the company’s graphics and products, transforming the comics from children’s fare to sophisticated art for adults, and revitalizing many of the brand’s heroes into the legends they are today. Kahn is revered as one of the most talented and respected women in the entertainment industry today and has moved into the movie industry, producing films such as Gran Torino. Room 5AB.

3:30-4:30 Entertainment Weekly Hosts a Discussion with J. J. Abrams (Star Trek) and Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) on the Future of Pop Culture—Entertainment Weekly’s Jeff Jensen jointly interviewed production powerhouses and all-around industry geniuses J.J. Abrams and Joss Whedon, inquiring about topics ranging from their upcoming projects, to their opinions about the recent 3-D phenomenon that seems to be emerging in the film industry, to their stints as actors. In Hall H, with a few thousand fans looking on, Jensen got the answers to his burning questions. To learn more, visit http://popwatch.EW.com.  Hall H.

4:30-5:30 The Best and Worst of Manga 2010—Panelists and manga experts Deb Aoki (manga.about.com), Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide), Christopher Butcher (The Beguiling), Tom Spurgeon (comicsreporter.com), Shaenon Garrity (Skin Horse) and Carlo Santos (Right Turn Only) discussed the current trends in manga, from the freshest faces in publishing to their favorite (and not so favorite) series from the past year. Room 3.

Photo from Gage Skidmore via Flickr

4:30-5:30 A Celebration of 75 years of DC Comics—DC Comics celebrates its 75^th anniversary this year, and to celebrate, Comic Con held a panel with moderator Paul Levitz (writer, editor, and former president and publisher of DC) and panelists Dan DiDio and Jim Lee (co-publishers, DC Comics), Geoff Johns (chief creative officer), and Comic Con special guests Jenette Kahn (former president and publisher), Dennis O’Neil (writer/editor of Batman), and the legendary Jerry Robinson (Batman). Room 6DE.

For more schedule highlights and information, please visit the official Comic Con 2010 website.

Alternative:

11:30-12:30 Iron Man and Rocket Men: Is Stark Industries an Appropriate Model for Private-Industry Space Exploration?— We’ve all seen the movies with the crazy futuristic gadgets and the robotic men shooting through the rings of Saturn, but how much of what we see in the movies is actually feasible? Mark Street (XCOR Aerospace) and John Hunter (Quicklaunch) discuss this question and more in their Comic Con panel, presented by the San Diego Space Society (SD Space). The panel also includes Chris Radcliff (SD Space) and Dave Rankin (The Mars Society – San Diego cofounder) and is moderated by Jeff Berkwits (former Amazing Stories editor and two-time Hugo Award nominee). Room 24AB

2:00-3:30 Animation on a Shoe String—The author of Animation on a Shoe String, Larry Loc, held a panel at the Con today, offering tips and tricks of the animation trade designed to help you create your own animation studio on a low budget. Loc discussed topics such as assembling the necessary equipment, appropriate software, how to buy the right tools, etc. Room 30CDE

For more schedule highlights and information, please visit the official Comic Con 2010 website.

Much more is still happening at the Convention Center, and the Entertainer will bring you all the best information as the festivities continue. But if you’re interested in more, keep in mind that fun doesn’t stop at the Convention doors. Two words: After Party!

The fun doesn’t have to stop after the Convention Center closes its doors—in fact, one of Comic Con’s best traditions is the after party, and this Thursday, there’s plenty to choose from! You don’t have to attend the Convention to attend, and Comic Con after parties are always a blast—everyone will be decked out and ready to have some fun! For a full list, we recommend TheMixter.com as your source for great after party ideas. Our top picks are as follows:

Rusko and Bubblegum Sci Fi at Red Circle

Samurais and Schoolgirls at Mainline (1676 Main Street)

The Hard Rock Hotel hosts: G4 and Lucasfilm “Gphoria Strikes Back” Party, IGN.com party, and the Lionsgate: Sylvester Stallone and “The Expendables” Party

Tacos with the Crew of Machete Plus After Party

**This article was a collaborative work by Rochelle Emert and Pooja Bhatt

Put simply, San Diego is becoming less and less cost-effective for hosting Comic-Con, which is growing at exponential rates. The San Diego Convention Center has not been able to accommodate more attendees or exhibit vendors, which have since spilled out into temporary tents and nearby hotel ballrooms. Additionally, Hollywood studios and TV networks are pushing for the move closer to Los Angeles, which would more easily accommodate Comic-Con’s growing number of movie and TV representatives. Could the popular art take-over be changing Comic-Con too much? Should Comic-Con stay true to its roots—graphic novels and San Diego? You tell us!

As a fourth grade student at Torrey Hills School, Chen has begun to branch out from what launched his career, and is now critiquing movies and other entertainment. Chen met Bill Plympton, twice-Oscar-nominated animator for “The Fan and The Flower,” one of Chen’s favorite movies, at Comic-Con International in San Diego in 2009.

Perry and John C. Riley on the red carpet

Now although Chen has found his calling, writing movie critiques, the young talent is also an artist at heart. He was able to demonstrate his drawing talent for Plympton, and soon Chen got the opportunity to pursue a chance to animate. With his mother Zhu Shen’s help Perry attracted two major corporate partners: Wacom, the leading computer tablet maker to donate its tablet, and Toon Boom, a leading animation software developer to provide its software for Chen’s animation film.  Shen, the executive producer of the animation, will soon lead a fund-raising campaign for the project to get communities involved.

“I’ve always liked to draw ever since I was 3-years-old. I began making up my own unique style of drawing- I started doing a lot of creative projects in pre-school,” Chen said enthusiastically as he described his upcoming role in helping to animate “Beyond the Forest,” an educational short about a young Jewish girl, Ingrid Pitt, who survived the Holocaust, slated to premiere in 2011. “I’m honored to be a part of this project to help educate today’s children about the Holocaust.”

In Chen’s spare time he creates shapes of animals from foil, origami paper, twist tie, and wax, has designed his own greeting cards and has even written poems in Chinese and English. He claims to be most inspired by nature, and loves nature walks as well as going to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park.

Shen said, “Perry has a tremendous imagination that goes in all directions. He could make anything into art.”

The busy young man has gathered awards from many different organizations such as: the Excellent Writer Award from “We Chinese in America,” Cox Communications 2010 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Honoree, Vic Kops Children’s Challenge Award in the arts category, and most recently two art awards at the 2010 San Diego County Fair.

Chen and his parents make school his first priority. He excels at reading, writing, speaking, math, and sciences. Screenings and events that he is invited to don’t usually interfere with his school schedule.

As a film critic Chen has managed to grow in an enormous way from his first piece. In the third grade his teacher Joli Harris told his mother that he was decoding words at a high school level and needed to be challenged. His mother thought writing reviews would be a great way to challenge him.  He began reviewing books and then his mother decided, “why not movie reviews?”

It all began with the movie “Charlottes’ Web,” and ever since he has been expanding his insight and critiquing has allowed his level of writing to really flourish. Chen and Shen have created a kid-friendly way of ranking the movies he reviews, by starfish. So what constitutes a high ranking on the 1-5 starfish scale?

“I look for colorful visuals, rich characters, interesting story lines, and powerful moral,” Chen said.

Some of his favorite movies being: The Princess & the Frog, Azur & Asmar, Charlotte’s Web, The Perfect Game, Up, The Fan & the Flower, How to Train Your Dragon, Toy Story 3, and The Secret of Kells.

Being at such a young age, Chen is able to reach an audience adults simply cannot. He has become a spokesperson for kids his age. His reviews actively engage the audience and help other kids understand the moral lessons within movies while also discussing and learning valuable lessons in life.

Chen is “very adamant about his opinion” said Shen. He never takes notes while watching a movie and is able to pick up on specific details that many adults would have missed. After a movie, Chen and his mother go over all the scenes and important details. As Chen grows as a critic, he is able to relate the material from the movie to his own life experiences, bettering his understanding.

With all the attention he has been getting, Chen doesn’t let it go to his head, and it doesn’t seem to bother his friends either.

“I give special press screening tickets to my friends for movies they might like,” Chen said as he explained a lot of times he makes new friends at the junkets and festivals he goes to and many of his friends visit his website.

What’s in store for the witty critic? “I see myself as a director or an animator,” Chen said.

Chen just came back from the annual Los Angeles Film Festival in June 2010 as the youngest credentialed journalist, where he charmed directors, stars, adult critics, and audience alike on the red carpet and post-screening Q&A, with his unique starfish rating and thought-provoking questions.  To the Oscar-winning director Davis Guggenheim (who directed “An Inconvenient Truth”) on his new documentary “Waiting for Superman,” about the broken public educational system in America, after proclaiming the film is as good as “Up,” Chen asked, “Since the U.S. is lagging far behind in children’s education, what can the students do to catch up?”  Director Guggenheim responded in good-natured humor: “First of all, you’re very impressive.  I always thought it’s important to be nice to the critics.  Can I get you a drink?”  Guggenheim said that students can do a lot by demanding great schools, great teachers and great principals.  Chen was invited by Jonah Hill, the star of Cyrus, to join him and the cast & crew of Cyrus on stage during the film’s premiere where Perry gave his 4 starfish rating to a cheering crowd.

Chen asked the last question after the world premiere of “One Lucky Elephant,” a moving documentary about the life of the circus elephant Flora and her owner who tried to find a good “home” for her to retire to. “Why are humans so ignorant of animals’ feelings and emotions?” Chen became instant friends with director Lisa Leeman and producer Cristina Colissimo with whom he had one-on-one interviews.  They hope that through Chen’s interviews and reviews, children can take actions to protect elephants and other animals in their wild habitat.

The San Diego Entertainer is featuring Chen’s reviews monthly, starting in July, including movies, restaurants, and family-friendly entertainment. During Comic-Con on Saturday, July 24, 2010, the first four episodes of “Perry’s Previews Webseries” will be officially launched at the ICON event held at the Horton Plaza Event Center (show time 11:30 am and 3:30 pm, followed by a panel discussion where Chen and his mother Zhu Shen and other filmmakers are invited to speak at 4:25 pm).  The webseries feature Perry’s “How to Train Your Dragon” press junket interviews with directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, and voice talents Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), America Ferrera (Astrid), and Craig Ferguson (Gobber). Viewers can watch the Webseries on YouTube, Perry’s Previews Facebook fan page, and Perry’s website after the launch. Also, fans can sign up to receive the latest information about Perry Chen including his movie reviews, guest appearences, interviews and animation releases. By signing up you will also be entered for special promotions and a chance to win prizes and passes to special film screenings.

Chen also plans on spending summer break working on the animations for “Beyond the Forest” and looks forward to meeting Bill Plympton and director Kevin Sean Michaels at Comic-Con July 22-25.  He is invited to be a judge at the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival (www.sdchildrensfilm.org, July 25 – August 15) to vote for winning films after his popular debut there last year when he welcomed a Chinese children’s film delegation and spoke to the audience about his journey as a young film critic.

Chen will interview biotech CEO and entrepreneur John Crowley at the July 29 TiE event (www.sandiego.tie.org) where Crowley will speak about his inspirational journey to find treatment for his children’s rare genetic disorder (The 2010 movie “Extraordinary Measures” starring Brendon Fraser and Harrison Ford was based on his story).  Chen is also invited to speak to high school students on August 3, 2010 at the University of San Diego’s “Blazing My Trail” summer program that teaches students to create their own opportunities and build personal success and independence.

http://www.sandiego.edu/success/ParentsandEducators.php

Also in the works is a non-profit organization focusing on education through movies and entertainment for kids, where Chen will help other children learn to write movie reviews and develop analytical and critical thinking skills.

The opportunities Chen has been offered and plans for the future seem to be just getting started. He has been able to introduce a new world to kids his age and inspire them to take on journeys of their own by using imagination and creativity doing what they love.

The MTV TJ ‘Twitter Jockey’ competition tests 20 individuals’ skills and knowledge about social networking. The search for these 20 candidates was a little less than conventional. MTV searched the social media networks, such as Twitter and Facebook to find the best of the best. These top 20 individuals were selected from thousands across the country for their unique perspective of pop-culture and music.

Now, it gets even better. The competition is compromised of challenges that the contestants must complete. During the challenges there is live-voting via Facebook, where anyone can vote for who they want to be the first MTV TJ.

If you follow the local hip hop scene, or have friends that do, you have probably heard of Twelve, previously known as 12 Gauge Shotie. Twelve is arguably one of the neighborhood’s most revered rappers. Whether the love for Twelve is for his swagger, hooks, beats or raw lyriscm- we’re not sure, but he’s definitely got the city’s support.

Since 2004 Twelve has been making serious waves in the San Diego scene.  Twelve was part of the Mary Jane Junkeez, a trio hailing from San Diego that put out their first album called Operation Gain Green. The CD did exceptionally well, was enjoyed by the community and began to put Twelve on the map.  Still, people refer to Twelve as the “solo bolo with a lot to say,” from track number six on the album. The project with his group was nearly six years ago, and since then Twelve has maintained a very active career and growing fan base.

Twelve has worked with everyone from DJ Fingaz from San Diego to The Jacka from the Bay. In 2007, Twelve released The Price of Money album with The Jacka which was a collaboration and featured 12 slappin’ hits, presented by Yze Guyz Entertainment.

The digital distribution and online capabilities that Twelve has provided to his fans, allowing them to connect with his music, has most definitely been something worth noticing. Many local artists lack the ability to properly organize their musical distribution. With his label, Yze Guyz Entertainment, Twelve has really stepped up his professional game — and it’s working.

We had the opportunity to catch up with Twelve, as 2010 stands to be a landmark year and probably his most active yet. With internet searches for music by Twelve surging, and his response with more videos, music and a fresh new website, there’s lots to know about.

Why did you start making music – how did you find out that you could rap?

I’ve been making music since I was 10 years old. I was writing raps, not really recording then but having songs in the arsenal basically. By people’s response I could tell they liked it,  I had more people saying ‘yes’ than ‘no’ and it got me started.

Having been in the local scene for several years, what do you think has kept you relevant and arguably one of the most followed local hip hop/rap artists?

I stay relevant because I am in the streets and I really connect with the people by them seeing me and interacting. You know I’m always around and they can see me really making moves. And I’m not afraid to really work with people and help to put on other people in the scene.  Just by staying in the community I stay relevant.

On that note, recently D.O.M. was released which you are featured on. As we understand this was an initiative from The Batkave, how did you get involved?

D.O.M had 60 artists, and was created at the Batkave and with my main producers. It is a project for the city, just an effort to get as many artists to work together as possible; with different songs, hooks, DJ’s and producers — basically to all work together on one project.

Twitter buzz in the community surged when people began asking “What is D.O.M,” so can you break the silence?

Yes, it stands for Death of the Mix tapes. We made our own re-mixtape, taking the beats and re-doing them along with the lyrics with different songs that you’ve heard before.  We put our own twist with it. Everyone does mix tapes with the beats that sound the same, but we changed the beat a bit so it sounds different. It’s free, you can get it on thechannel12.com.

“Winner”-  Twelve ft. Tommy Redding from the Re-mix tapes

For the local artists that look up to you, what advice would you give them?

It’s hard work and dedication. You may have heard it before, but you need to hear it again. Nothing came overnight and everyday you need to keep working towards your goals. If you have a dream, it’s not going to come to you. Reality, you gotta make it happen. You got to get up and keep working towards that goal. Determination.

You will be featured and headlining on the Local Music Alliance hip hop play list for the Entertainer Magazine debuting shortly. Despite a big scene in San Diego what do you think has kept it from blowing up?

It’s the market, we don’t have a big hip hop scene.  Because it’s a melting pot of a lot of different races and people, like the Navy and the retired, a lot of people look over us because they don’t know we have talent in our city. San Diego Zoo; there’s a lot of talent out here. Somebody’s going to discover us and it’s going to be soon, or we’re going to make it our own way, like we’ve been doing.

Your new website was just launched, what can people expect from thechannel12.com

Thechannel12.com is a site for underground music only. It’s for everybody that’s trying to get their music out to other people or use it as a source for people to find them, other than YouTube. A place to find hot underground music, I’m just trying to keep helping everyone out that is on the same chase I’m on.

2010 stands to be an exciting year, can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

Click the album to get the free download!

Well I have my own version of D.O.M, which is M.I.D - which stands for  Mix tapes Is Dead, which is Part II. It’s mine but featuring a lot of SD artists as well, and DJ’s. It will be produced by DJ Jam, which is Snoop Dogg’s DJ. A lot of people don’t know that he’s actually from San Diego. And he will be bringing it all night, that’s next month.

As well, I have my upcoming solo project, I haven’t dropped one of those yet.  And it’s called That’s how I’m living; we just got work, so there is a lot of music ready.
Will these projects be different from your others? And when will they be released?

I’m always different, that’s what makes me Twelve.  So yes, they will be different. Your really are going to see a new side of me, because I will have my solo projects — so it will be all me. Rocking’ by myself , ‘the solo bolo with a lot to say.’

Also, this will be my first solo album, I’ve never put one out before– so look for that.

Who will you be working with on these projects, any specific collaborators you’d like to mention?

I’ve been working with DJ Quik, Too Short, Aaron Hal; these are more experienced music figures.  I’ve been getting a lot of game, mentor type thing. They are on my projects and helping me, Passport Music is also coming up. Yze Guyz in demand right now!

Everyone knows that getting signed is only becoming more challenging; are you choosing to keep it completely independent?

I’m going to keep it independent. When I get a deal, and the money’s right – a deal is a deal. As long as you got goals, and with the music industry you can’t expect anything overnight. As long as you’re doing better than you have been doing and seeing progress, you can’t complain. I’ll keep doing me until the deal is presented, and if not, then I’ll just keep going. One day at a time, that’s just how I live my life.

And with the struggle, what keeps you going and motivated?

You gotta have a love for it. There’s a lot of artists that are trying to get it for the money. I just love music, so I’ll do it regardless. Music keeps me going no matter what. It’s all good.

Do you still keep in contact with your band mates from the Mary Jane Junkeez days? May there ever be a reunion in the future?

Yeah. My brother is in the feds, Mickey Defense and has about a year and half left. So time will take itself and you never know what happens. We’re all close still and it could happen [a reunion], more than likely. Look forward to it, I can’t make no promises I can’t keep. But more than likely.

Is there anything you would like to add; and can we let the public announcement run, that it’s no longer 12 Gauge Shotie, it’s just Twelve?

Twelve is more wholesome, household. I got a lot of younger fans, they tell their mom ‘I wanna buy 12 Gauge Shotie’. So now, Twelve, that’s me. I may be something else next month. Call me what you want.

I just want everyone to know that Yze Guyz is a real label. Fly and I are coming out soon!  San Diego keep working and I’ll keep repping for it and holding it down. SD Live wire.

Follow @12gaugeshotie on Twitter and check out the free M.I.D. download listed above! You can vote for Twelve or one of your other favorite San Diego artists by clicking here and also get the free play list download.

Catch the play list live in the mix on Jelly Radio (jellyradio.com) Monday at 8p with DJ Play and Miss K hosting the LMA Hip Hop Countdown. Stay tuned for more San Diego coverage with sdentertainer.com

The weather is going be an average of 75 or higher depending on location so head out and enjoy the beautiful weather with great outdoor fun. Pack up the car, grab your friends and family and head on out for a wonderful day in this fine city. There are many different things to choose to do during the day before settling down to enjoy the fireworks this 4th of July.

Public transportation such as the Coaster, trolley and shuttles will be running full force to help ease the traffic on Sunday.

Here are some ideas for your holiday:

• Enjoy the sun with a nice picnic at one of the the beautiful parks in San Diego. Pack up some chips, sandwiches, drinks and sunscreen. Grap the BBQ or even head on over to your favorite place to eat and get take-out for the day
• Coronado will have their 35^th Annual Independence Day 15k or 5k Run/walk that begins and ends in the Tidelands Park. This event will begin at 7 a.m.
• Spend the day at Grape Day Park in Escondido to enjoy an all day picnic filled with food, fun and music followed by fireworks
• The community of Mira Mesa presents their 36th Annual Fourth of July Parade at 1:00 p.m.
• Pack up the car and head out early to get a good spot at any one of San Diego’s lovely beaches
• Camp out at one of these RV beach campgrounds in San Diego: Silver Strand State Beach, Mission Bay RV Park, San Elijo State Beach or Carlsbad State Beach
• Poway also offers their own all-day event at Old Poway Park
• Haven’t been to the San Diego County Fair yet? Head on over to Del Mar to spend a fun day at the fair with rides, food, entertainment and fireworks all in once place

Guide to Fireworks displays:

• Take a cruise and have an amazing view of the fireworks from the San Diego Bay. Enjoy dinner on the boat and spend a wonderful evening with one of the best views San Diego has to offer. Follow this link for more information: www.sdhe.com
• Head on over to Coronado to watch fireworks take over the sky of Glorietta and San Diego Bay at 9 p.m.
• Of course there’s always the sensational fireworks extravaganza put on by Sea World. The park has an amazing patriotic presentation prepared that will begin around 9:30 p.m.
• The San Diego County Fair also has a great show to end the fair with a bang. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. And they are visable anywhere if your standing outside at the fair. The fair will also have evening entertainment from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts which is free with admission
• One of the biggest shows in town: The “Big Bay Boom”- fireworks will be let off from barges around the bay, including Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Seaport Village, and North Embarcadero. Thousands flock to the San Diego Bay to watch the fireworks so the shuttle and trolley will be easier ways of transportation
• Legolands “Red, White and Boom!” is a spectacular fireworks show beginning at 8:30 p.m.
• For those that are staying inland- fireworks will be let off at Poway High School, Bernardo Heights Middle School, Grape Day Park in Escondido, Town Center Community Park West ball fields in Santee, Bradley Park in San Marcos, and the Community of Mira Mesa. All of these firework presentations will begin at 9 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Beverly & Pack via Flickr.

If not, then that means you haven’t experienced The Vans Warped Tour that has been traveling the nation since 1994. Since then the minds of Americans have been filled with great music and unforgettable memories year-after-year.

The Vans Warped Tour is known for its range of music performed by 50+ bands on several stages throughout a long summer day.  Now, one San Diegan may think: what does this have to do with me? Well, it has everything to do with you considering that the music-filled festival will be making a stop in our very own backyard!

The Vans Warped Tour will be making an appearance August 10, 2010 at the Cricket Amphitheater in Chula Vista. Some of the bands that will be gracing San Diego with their presence are: Alkaline Trio, Hey Monday, Mayday Parade, Mike Posner, Reel Big Fish, The All-American Rejects, and The Rocket Summer. Right away, you can see that the band’s musical backgrounds range tremendously from rock, rap, and punk. The list of artists goes on-and-on! Check out the full line-up at the official Vans Warped Tour website: vanswarpedtour.com

Not only will your inner musician be brought to life, but your inner humanitarian can be recognized as well.

The Vans Warped Tour has partnered with a dozen non-profit organizations that travel with them across the country. This summer, one non-profit organization that will embark on the journey across the nation is To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA).

TWLOHA has been growing since it started in 2006 and spreading its mission to promote hope for those that are fighting addiction and depression. To help spread awareness the non-profit organization has teamed up with bands and artists, who most often wear t-shirts displaying the TWLOHA logo.

Boys Like Girls is one of the many bands that have helped promote the non-profit by wearing their t-shirts during their performances. Don’t be surprised if you see your favorite artists rocking out on stage with a TWLOHA t-shirt. To read more about the non-profit organization, check out their website: twloha.com. A TWLOHA booth will be set-up during the music festival that will be there to answer any questions and selling their merchandise that helps raise funds.

From music to fighting for a cause, The Vans Warped Tour will be able to cater to every one of your needs. So, mark your calendars San Diego for one of the hottest music festivals to hit our beautiful city.

The crew’s journey to Las Vegas started when organizers at the MGM approached them because some of their kids were fans of the crew. The folks at MGM wanted a preview of what they could offer, so after a short 20 minute performance the Jabbawokeez were offered a test run of twenty dates for their very own 90 minute show. Crew member Rainen explains that putting together a cohesive show is difficult for a dance crew, but “we’re glad we were able to make the impossible possible, and it ended up becoming great. So that’s why they brought us back for these dates in June.”

In order to put together the show, the Jabbawokeez collaborated with some other well-known names in the dance industry. They called upon long time friends and fellow ABDC champions, SuperCr3w to hone their moves and bring the show together. In addition, Tabitha and Napolean (known for their choreography on So You Think You Can Dance and ABDC) help direct the show from behind the scenes, ensuring the audience gets the best experience possible from the Jabbawockeez.

Their Vegas show in May was tremendously successful, prompting an extended performance schedule. Performances have been added through June 17-23. The crew’s goal is to “keep pushing it, and hopefully we can stick around and take up a permanent residence.”

The “Jabbawockeez Present MUS.I.C.” show is one-of-a-kind, just like the crew that inspires it. The show, called “Mus.i.c” (muse-I-see), is billed as a visualization of sound as experienced by the troupe. “You’ll see 90 minutes of pure Jabbawockeez art. It’s not like ABDC; there are no challenges. We’re not dancing behind artists, we are the artists,” says Rainen.

Whether or not you’ve seen the crew on TV or at one of their shows, Mus.i.c. offers something for everyone. “We wanted to make sure that it’s not just for the hop hop audience. We wanted it to reflect all genres of music as far as rock, alternative, and even something for the older crowd, not just for the kids. It pretty much reaches everybody. People expect to see what they saw on ABDC, but they get something different. There’s a story line to it and there’s a lot of stuff people are going to be wowed by.”

Dressing in expressionless white masks and white gloves, the crew guides the audience’s attention away from individual identities and towards a unified and synchronized group. The Jabbawockeez create a canvas for the audience to visualize the music as they paint beautiful and artistic imagery through precise, intricate movements.

The Jabbawockeez put a lot of their own artistic creativity into the show, and you can tell they really love what they do. Before heading to Las Vegas, the crew traveled a lot, spreading their love of dance. They went to the Australia, the Philippines and performed here at home. When asked about how international fans receive them, they say “it was unexpected.” In Austrailia, they just finished airing the first season of ABDC, and a lot of people knew them from the show. In the Philippines, they are icons. “We had no idea. We were doing shows for 15,000 to 25,000 people. It was amazing. There’s so much love out there.”

In addition to traveling on their own, the crew joined forces with artists like Ne-yo, Leona Lewis, Missy Elliot, Daddy Yankee, and even opened for the New Kids on the Block. Needless to say, it’s been a wild ride for the Jabbawockeez since America’s Best Dance Crew. “Ever since we got done with the show it’s been such a roller coaster ride. We’ve been super busy and blessed. And through that, Vegas just kind of fell into our laps. We were doing all these other gigs and all of a sudden we were approached about Vegas, and said ‘Great. Let’s try it out.’”

Having a show in Las Vegas has allowed the Jabbawockeez to develop their craft. “Entertaining is what we love to do. And we know if you have a show in Vegas, people travel to you. You can build your show and progress with what you do as artists. It’s just been great.”

What’s really great about the Jabbawockeez, is not their show in Vegas, or even the success they’ve seen as a crew. The really great thing about the Jabbawockeez is their ability to remember their roots. “International fans all speak different languages, but they all understand what we do behind this mask. It’s all the same in that sense – in terms of their reactions to what we do as Jabbawockeez. The fact that we’re able to inspire the world through dance is a great experience.”

“The fact that we’re also able to inspire the younger generations is a great feeling and a great accomplishment and we hope we can keep doing that – spreading positivity through dance. It’s all about being positive. You know, there’re a million crews out there that do what we do in their own way. We’re just blessed to be one of those crews to be able to inspire the world. I’m just glad that we can do what we do as Jabbawockeez.”

Established in 2003, this unforgettable crew has a one-of-a-kind style and culture, setting new standards in the industry. Known for creativity, unique choreography, athleticism and intricate synchronization, the Jabbawockeez have changed the way we see dance. Awarded the championship on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew,” the Jabbawockeez have campaigned for Gatorade with their “G” campaign spawning TV ad’s with Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan. Additionally the group opened for the nationally televised NBA All-Star Game and performed with Shaquille O’Neal making national headlines. They have garnered millions of fans and been featured on numerous television shows including Dancing With The Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Regis & Kelly, The TODAY Show 2009 Summer Concert Series, E! News, America’s Next Top Model and MTV.

All of this success, and out of a crew from San Diego! Starting as a garage crew in 2003, they now live in LA and travel to Las Vegas for their show. A few members have spent a great deal of time in San Diego, including Rainen who grew up here for 15 years. When he comes back, he likes to hang out at some of the “typical” spots. So, if you’re wondering where you can run into one of the Jabbawockeez, here you go:

“Every time I go to San Diego, I make sure I hit the Mission for breakfast, then I go to Ichiban Sushi, Ono Sushi, Sushi Deli 1, 2 or 3, a lot of food spots. I like to hit up the Mexican spots, Cotixas, almost any Mexican spot and get some super nachos.

Balboa park is great to hang out with family and friends. I always go to the beach out in La Jolla, Pacific Beach on Grand and Garnet. I like to go shopping at the Buffalo Exchange or American Apparel, and all the places over there.”

You can catch the Jabbawockeez for a few more dates this month at the MGM in Las Vegas. Shows run June 17 – 23 at 9:30pm. Additional evening shows were added on June 18-20 at 7:30pm as well. Visit www.jbwkz.com/vegas for more information. For tickets, head to the MGM website.

You can also follow the Jabbawockeez on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Jabbawockeez) and Twitter (@THE_WOCKEEZ)