May 28 2005
Archive for May, 2005
May 27 2005
San Diego free wi-fi
San Diego
Art Institute of California San Diego – 7650 Mission Valley Rd – (858) 598-1200
Aztec Coin Laundry – 6931 El Cajon Blvd
Bandwidth Bay project provides access at the outdoor sitting area on the east side of the building at 225 Broadway
Bakery & Cafe – 4176 Convoy St – 858-627-0888
Cafe Lulu – 419 F Street – 619-238-0114
Caffe Calabria – 3933 30th Street – (619)683-7787
Cin City Chili – 6074 El Cajon Blvd. – 619 246-2486
Finest Doughnut and Bakery – 1250 University Avenue – (619) 574-1808
Gelato Vero Caffe – 3753 India St. – 619-295-9269
Golden Hill neighborhood – 4 locations – near 2035, 2426 Broadway, 26th and Broadway, 2302 C St
Hot Java Cafe – with purchase, ask for weekly password – 11738 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 182
Influx – 1948 Broadway
It’s a Grind Coffeeshop – 13350 Camino Del Sur, Suite 9. – 858.780.2601
Korova Coffee Bar – 4496 Park Blvd., University Heights, – (619) 260-1917
Lang’s Premier Kosher Bakery, Deli and Foods – 6165 El Cajon Blvd. – (619) 287-7306
Lestat’s Coffee House – 3343 Adams Avenue – (619) 282-0437
Liberty Tobacco – 7341 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Mailboxes Etc. – 1220 Rosecrans St
Milano Bistro – Rio San Diego
Mount Etna Park – 4741 Mount Etna Drive
Normal Heights neighborhood – corner of Adams Avenue and Bancroft Street
One America Plaza – 600 West Broadway
Panera Bread – 10751 Westview Parkway
Red’s Espresso Gallery – 1017 Rosecrans St – 619-523-5540
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center – Science Museum – Balboa Park – 1875 El Prado
San Diego Public Library locations (eventual plans for all branches)
Mission Valley Branch – 2123 Fenton Parkway
Point Loma/Hervey Branch – 3701 Voltaire St.
Santos Coffee House – 3001 Beech St. – 619-236-8622
Sherman Heights neighborhood – 20th between Island and J Street
Sip This Coffee – 4121 Park Blvd – 619-297-6030
Sorrento Valley Food Court – corner of Mira Mesa Boulevard and Scranton Road near the 5/805 junction
Sorrento Mesa area building campus near Karl Strauss
That Technical Bookstore – 8909-A Complex Drive – 858-614-4323
The Aero Club Bar – 3365 India St
The Ould Sod Irish Pub – 3373 Adams Ave.
Travel University International – 3870 Murphy Canyon Road Suite 310 – 858-292-9755
University of San Diego campus
Omni San Diego Hotel – 675 L St – 619-231-6664
Best Western Hacienda – lobby area – Old Town
Holiday Inn – 17065 W Bernardo Dr – 858-485-6530
Holiday Inn on the Bay – rooms and lobby – 1355 Harbor Dr – (619) 232-3861
Inn At Mission Bay – 4545 Mission Bay Drive – 858-483-4222
From
Couleur Caf�
7820 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA, 91945 .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours: 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm Sun
Free wireless internet, great coffee, excellent atmosphere, relaxed. Great food! Live music occasionally, looking to add more.
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Gelato Vero Caffe
3753 India Street, 92103 .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours:
Caf� with a downtown view and a youngish crowd. And, of course, good ice cream.
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Influx
1948 Broadway, 92102 .. Map
Restaurant .. Hours: Everyday 6AM-9PM
In addition to coffee and pastrie, you can also grab sandwiches and other meals in this cool peppermint-candy-colored shop. Tres chic.
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It’s A Grind coffee house
Corner of Ist Ave. and G-street, .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours: 5:30 am to 10:00 pm
Great coffee, not nearly as overrun as Starbucks. Fast internet speeds.
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Lestat’s Coffee House
3343 Adams Ave., 92116 .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours: 24 Hours
Coffeeshop with a littel street patio, caf�, and a packed live music calendar. Check out their website for more details.
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LittleItalyWiFi (by Color Graphics
1660 India St., 92101 .. Map
Other .. Hours: 24hrs/day
This reaches a bunch of businesses near downtown. From their website: “LittleItalyWiFi (a division of Color Graphics, Inc.) provides FREE wireless connections to the Internet from many locations on India Street between Cedar & Fir in the Little Italy section of downtown San Diego. If you have a portable computer and a wireless network card (802.11b), you can power up on India Street within direct line of sight of the antenna located at the corner of India & Date to enjoy free wireless Internet access.” Cool!
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NHWiFi.org
Adams Avenue and Bancroft Street, 92116 .. Map
Other .. Hours: 24/7
Normal Heights’ first residential FREE wireless access point. Been online since May 2004! http://nhwifi.org/ for more information.
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One Bank Building
400 West Broadway, .. Map
Other .. Hours: 24/7
Office Building and Trolley Stop with Free WiFi access
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orange county
, .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours:
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San Diego Public Library – Mission Valley Branch
2123 Fenton Parkway, 92108 .. Map
Library .. Hours: M-F 10AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 2PM-10PM
The San Diego Public Library system is offering free wireless internet (wifi) access at a couple of branches as of 2004. See their website for more details.
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San Diego Public Library – Point Loma/Hervey Branch
3701 Voltaire St., 92107 .. Map
Library .. Hours: Varies
The San Diego Public Library system is offering free wireless internet (wifi) access at a couple of branches as of 2004. See their website for more details. See here for their hours.
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Santa Fe Depot, Amtrak Station
1050 Kettner Blvd., 92101 .. Map
Other .. Hours:
The train station in downtown San Diego. Not sure if this is fully free or not right now.
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The Naked Bean
530 Hacienda Dr Vista CA, 92083 .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours: 6-7 M-F 7-7 Sat, Sun
Sweet coffee house, great coffee, smoothies and sando’s. www.nakedbeancafe.com
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Twigg’s Coffeehouse (University Heights)
4590 Park Boulevard, 92116 .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours: M-Th 6:30AM-11PM, Fri 6:30AM-Midnight, Sat 7AM-Midnight, Sun 7AM-11PM
Cool shop with coffee, lots of pastries and baked goods (including some great-looking tarts), an art gallery with a constantly-changing collection, live music, etc. They even make wedding cakes. Twigg’s site.
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Twigg’s Coffehouse (El Cortez Hotel)
702 Ash Street, 92101 .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours: M-Th 6:30AM-11PM, Fri 6:30AM-Midnight, Sat 7AM-Midnight, Sun 7AM-11PM
The new Twigg’s location is really close to downtown and has a casual-yet-sophisticated flair. They’ve got wines and beer on hand, as well, and sandwiches and other food items. Website.
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Other .. Hours: all the time
a home giving free wirelwss internet.
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W Hotel
421 W B. St., 92101 .. Map
Other .. Hours: 24hrs.
Tall, luxury hotel in downtown near Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, the convention center, and the Bay. In addition to all of their other amenities, they offer free wifi!
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Yummy Yogurt & Espresso
Scripps Ranch – Mira Mesa, 92131 .. Map
Coffeeshop .. Hours: Mon~ Fri: 7AM-8PM
Rarely crowded. Best frozen yogurt in town. Very good coffee and smoothies too.
Central San Diego
Aero Club Bar
3365 India St., Mission Hills, (619) 297-7211
Maybe coffee isn’t your thing. Whether it makes you jittery or gives you bad breath, the Aero Club feels your pain. They suggest an alternative to the standard Internet-browsing beverage of choice: Alcohol. The nightlife scene at the Aero Club may prove too raucous for quiet web surfing, but during the afternoon, it’s perfectly laid-back. The bar’s open front porch lends plenty of natural light and the jukebox is one of the city’s best. Sip a drink with a date and share a look at your favorite blog, or grab a beer on your lunch break and check your email. Make sure to keep your eye out for specials on beers, well drinks and shots.
Little Italy
1660 India St.
With its sunny sidewalk cafes, fountains and shop windows filled with culinary delights, Little Italy looks more European every day. The antenna on the corner of India and Date provides free Wi-Fi service from Cedar to Fir, making the area even more conducive to outdoor leisure. Plenty of chairs and benches line the streets near the antenna, ensuring Web users a comfortable seat near the best connection.
Enjoy a pastry from Mimmo’s or an espresso from Cafe Zucchero or Caffe Italia as you read Il Giornale online or scan the Internet for cheap tickets to Florence.
Gelato Vero
3753 India St., Mission Hills, (619) 295-9269
This two-story Mission Hills hotspot overlooks the distant harbor and downtown San Diego skyline. Gelato Vero offers a free wireless connection for customers to browse the Web, either at one of the tables that hedge the Cafe’s front windows or up in the spacious clubhouse of a second floor.
Gelato Vero might not be the best environment for conducting serious Internet research. If the happening social vibe doesn’t distract you, the creamy gelato will.
Central San Diego – Inland
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Cafe
Balboa Park
Since the Reuben H. Fleet Center is on the cutting edge of science and technology, it’s obviously hip to the Wi-Fi revolution. And Balboa Park, amazing place that it is, offers free access to the Internet. A small cluster of tables outside of the Fleet Center Cafe provide a convenient spot for sipping a cup of coffee or eating some lunch while you surf the net, but the signal also stretches out past the fountain in the courtyard. Benches and a low white wall surrounding the sculpted fountain make an ideal place to sit and enjoy the day online. Just be careful not to let your laptop get wet from children splashing in the water.
Caffe Calabria
3933 30th St., North Park, (619) 291-1759
Directly across from dingy-but-endearing Scolari’s Office is Caffe Calabria, a sophisticated coffeehouse with modestly priced beverages and sandwiches. This hip North Park hangout has had free wireless Internet for over a year and with the blend of artists, musicians, locals and strangers roaming the area, makes for an interesting backdrop as you roam through websites of artists, musicians, locals and strangers. Weekend nights at Caffe Calabria, check out live music acts and spoken word poetry performances.
Krakatoa
1128 25th St., Golden Hill, (619) 230-0272
Krakatoa’s tree-shaded wraparound porch is a sure-fire way to escape the San Diego heat, and ever since the Golden Hill coffeehouse joined the no-cost Wi-Fi revolution, patrons can get their digital ya-yas without even breaking a sweat. Untethered from cables and wires, you can shift with the shade or get up to order one of Krakatoa’s mouth-watering sandwiches without losing your connection.
Influx
1948 Broadway, Golden Hill, (619) 255-9470
With plenty of natural light and a retro minimalist look, Influx is one of the coolest supporters of free wireless Internet. This hipster-haunt coffee shop bridges Golden Hill and lower downtown San Diego and attracts a daily influx of San Diego’s artists and musicians.
If your laptop doesn’t have existing wireless capabilities, you can purchase a kit here for $90. To learn more about wireless hotspots from the folks at SoCalFreeNet.org, an organization devoted to deploying free Wi-Fi throughout San Diego, stop by Influx on the second Saturday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m.
Lestats Coffeehouse
3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, (619) 282-0437
Do you really expect vampires to log off their Yahoo accounts every time they need to drain blood from unsuspecting innocents? Lestat’s surely doesn’t, because it supplies a free hook-up to those with wireless-equipped laptops. This Normal Heights coffeehouse attracts a mix of eccentric, reclusive and creative characters with its gothic atmosphere and one of the city’s best open mike nights.
Lang’s Premier Kosher Bakery, Deli and Foods
6165 El Cajon Blvd., College Area, (619) 287-7306
Located within walking distance of the SDSU campus, Lang’s provides free Wi-Fi to the mostly college-age locals who stop in for kosher snacks like fresh bagels and challah. There are only a few tables inside the air-conditioned deli, but the Wi-Fi connection also supports outdoor browsing and is rumored to pick up support in certain areas of the neighboring used bookstore.
Ye Olde Bicycle Cafe
6729 University Ave., College Area, (619) 582-4024
Ye Olde Bicycle Cafe is by far the most unusual place providing free wireless to San Diegans. A bicycle repair shop, a coffeehouse and a vintage bicycle museum make for a true experience. The coffeehouse is set up like a living room, with three cushioned chairs and a sofa surrounding an oval coffee table. Around the room, however, hang vintage Schwinns. And upon ordering a drink at the counter, you will probably be asked by an enthusiastic, ponytailed man named Vic if you would like the tour. Take it. It’s fascinating.
Korova Coffee Bar
4496 Park Blvd., University Heights, (619) 260-1917
Named after the milk bar in Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange,” Korova Coffee Bar is looking to establish itself as the premier hipster hangout in University Heights. By providing one of the few free Wi-Fi access points in that area, it’s well on its way. Korova is air-conditioned for those looking to escape the heat, but also has tables outside. The coffee bar also supports local artists with a separate gallery room highlighting large paintings and photography.
Cafe Mojoe
7513 Pearl St., La Jolla, (858) 456-9663
On the corner of Pearl and La Jolla Boulevard, Cafe Mojoe is one of La Jolla’s little-known gems. Though the Cove-area Living Room attracts more attention, Cafe Mojoe offers free access to wireless users. The quiet atmosphere and comfortable air conditioning are perfect for summer Web surfing, or you can grab a table outside without ever logging off your laptop.
Cappy’s Coffee Shop
4978 Cass. St., Pacific Beach, (858) 274-0028
Pacific Beach is most famously associated with the hustle, bustle and bar scene of Garnet Ave., but north PB offers a more mellow experience. On the corner of Cass and Loring, Cappy’s Coffee Shop looks as if it were made for people watching. Inside, a handful of granite tables overlook the street, while outside, the cafe is fenced with chairs with even better views. The free Wi-Fi signal can be picked up indoors or out, and Cappy’s is quiet enough for serious work or casual web surfing.
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North County – Coastal
E Street Cafe
128 West E St., Encinitas, (760) 230-2038
A well-known Wi-Fi hotspot in Encinitas, the spacious E Street Cafe hosts activities and events such as live music, spoken word poetry, art exhibits and lectures. The wireless connection is strong indoors and outdoors, which is helpful because the popular coffeehouse gets crowded and finding a table right away can be a challenge. E Street Cafe is fairly quiet during the day and early evenings, and is conducive studying or working online. Plus the coffee is good and you could sit at a table up on the stage and make even checking your email seem dramatic.
Vinaka Cafe
300 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad, (760) 720-7890
On the second floor of Carlsbad’s Village Faire, Vinaka Cafe is one of the most comfortable Wi-Fi spots in San Diego. Cushy seating and dim lighting give Vinaka the feeling of a living room, while the shelves of board games and open invitations to chess matches encourage socializing among strangers. Moderately priced coffee and twelve flavors of ice cream also help make Vinaka irresistible. Sneak out onto the veranda–where the wireless connection also works–and while taking in the picturesque Village Faire fountains or the nearby Carlsbad cliffs, check the Internet for some chess strategy.
La Costa Coffee Roasting
6965 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, (760) 230-2038
If you feel more comfortable drinking coffee at a corporate establishment, but don’t want to pay for wireless, La Costa Coffee Roasting is your place. Ask a barista for the password and you can link up to the Internet for free. La Costa is still fine-tuning its wireless service and working to broaden the access area. The Wi-Fi connection currently works indoors and at a handful of the outdoor tables.
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North County – Inland
The Blue Mug
122 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, (760) 796-7540
The Blue Mug makes every cup fresh, letting the customer choose from 11 daily flavors of whole beans and grinding and pressing the coffee right then and there. The wireless connection is strong and the baristas are more than willing to help set you up. Choose a inside table or bring your laptop outdoors without losing the signal. The Blue Mug faces west, so wireless lets you shift away from the blinding sun between 4 and 6 p.m.
Grappa
328 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, (760) 744-0024
More of a restaurant than a cafe, this Italian eatery in San Marcos flags certain tables with red cards: these are the Wi-Fi access points. Although the entire building is “hot,” Grappa prefers that laptop users stay within the designated areas. Simply bring the card to the bartender for a password and log on. Grappa is an ideal location for surfing the web on your lunch break. The pizza is fantastic, and the authentic Italian desserts make for a great midday snack. College students receive a 10 percent discount on pizzas with a student ID.
Panera
Multiple locations
With locations in Mira Mesa, Escondido, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos and Westview Parkway, Panera is a boon for Wi-Fi users outside of central San Diego. The bakery-cafe chain, which includes almost 600 locations nationwide, is known for its tasty artisan breads and coffees. Attractive earth tones and soft lighting make it a cozy place to enjoy the scent of freshly baked goods while browsing the Internet for free.
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East County
Couleur Cafe
7820 Broadway, Lemon Grove, (619) 697-0036
Located 15 minutes southeast of downtown San Diego, Lemon Grove’s Couleur Cafe is a quaint spot perfect for studying or surfing the web. New management has added free Wi-Fi access and a cozy, autumnal-colored interior The giant front bay window is camoflauged with magnolias and azaleas, so keep your eyes peeled on Broadway if you’ve never been there before; it is directly across from Miss Donut-a tasty study break. The Couleur Cafe also has food for a study break, specializing in raw foods and vegan cuisine. On the last Tuesday of each month The Couleur hosts an open raw foods meeting which attracts patrons from all over the county.
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Countywide
San Diego City Libraries
Card catalogs are a distant memory at San Diego’s tech-savvy public libraries. A growing number of local branches offer free Wi-Fi to patrons, including: Central, Mission Valley, Carmel Mountain, La Jolla, North Park, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, San Carlos and Valencia Park.
May 24 2005
Rot in Heck, Bike Thieves!!!
My beautiful red and while Specialized road bike, with yellow pedals, is no more.
I went up to get it at lunch time to get my registration sticker, and it was gone. The only thing left was the piece of velcro that holds my new, thick, USELESS Kryptonite cable lock together in my bag. Even the stupid lock is gone.
So, if you see a pretty red and while road bike with yellow pedals, give me a shout.
Yep, I’m checking craigslist frequently…
May 22 2005
Testing qdig gallery integration
Here’s a qdig gall3?
[qdig path=050219 alt=”Go see the pictures!”]
May 20 2005
E3 Pictures
Hi – I’m not home yet, but I was able to upload E3 pix:
Ok, this one may be more indicative of the theme:
May 17 2005
Illinois Trip, Chicago!
On Friday, we headed up to Chicago to have lunch with the Notari, but Leah was wimping out with morning sickness (wuss! :-)).
Mark did join us though.
Then we went to Elaine’s sister’s house in Naperville and saw that Greg has turned his daughters into little Bulls!
Here’s Rebecca:
And Rachael:
We grabbed some Italian sandwiches and invited my old buddy Jason DeHaan over. His wife Sue and son Jack came too!
The girls enjoyed dressing Jack up!
My sister Una was also able to come over:
Nathan keeps the girls occupied:
May 17 2005
Illinois trip, on to Champaign-Urbana
Next, we went to Champaign to meet up with Penny Wolf and have some Monicals Pizza!
Nathan likes Monicals – you can fuzzily see him taking a picture of the door…
Then we drove down through Savoy to see the “green” house – our old place. It’s blue now…
And they are building some ugly behemoth across from it:
Next, we stopped in to see some of Declan’s old work buddies like Lacy:
And Daver:
Then we met up with the Noonans and Nathan’s old daycare buddies, Hannah, Sam, and Teresa:
For lunch on Thursday, we met more CSO folks like Leslie and Danvan:
The ever smiling Engwig!
Daver acts all busy and stuff:
Had to hit First Wok for dinner with the Noonans!
MMMMmmmmm, House Special Angel Hair… WITH extra garlic…
Nothing makes Pat and Ellen more snuggly than good asian food:
That night we went over to the Ruby’s for Magin night. Here are the Ruby kids, Meridian and Verizon:
I think Elizabeth was walking asleep…
May 17 2005
Illinois trip, Bloomington time
So, I never finished the Illinois trip report:
On Monday we went to Chester Il to see my brother Kevin. Chester is the home of Elzie Crisler Segar – the creator of Popeye! The kids were so thrilled:
then we found my old college roommate, Jim Beasley, who was inspecting a meat plant in town:
Next, we headed up to Bloomington to stay with the Hardys.
Here’s Sue and her grandson Sam:
Ginny and her brood, Hannah and Sam:
Erin shows Mike how to use a computer:
Rich and Judy Koch came for dinner:
I think Erin was getting tired of having her picture taken…