San Diego's hottest arrivals in shopping, nightlife, dining, entertainment, attractions, museums, theater, culture, sports and recreation. MAPS of San Diego

STYLE
Fashionista fiesta
Big-city fashion weeks are the stuff of Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada. With the advent of its own style event, it's clear San Diego's sartorial scene is growing up. The first annual San Diego Fashion Week debuts Sept. 28 with a week's worth of daily runway shows featuring designers on both sides of the border, plus lectures, shopping events and, of course, parties. Green fashion is the order of the day, with dozens of local designers making a commitment to put sustainability first. Charmone Shoes creates "cruelty-free" footwear, crafted using only animal-free, eco-friendly materials, while Jeans for Justice offers denim embellished by artists from around the world, with proceeds funding rape crisis prevention—because social consciousness never goes of out of style. Sept. 28-Oct. 5, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island. For single-day tickets and weeklong passes, log onto fashionweeksd.com.

NIGHTLIFE
THE KIN CROWD
Competition is heating up in the category of "weirdest entertainment at a poolside lounge." First the Ivy Hotel hired "mermaids" to perform in the pool at the rooftop Eden, and now newcomer Kin Lounge is upping the ante. Against a backdrop of breathtaking bay views, the poolside hangout at the Manchester Grand Hyatt will occasionally feature acrobats performing feats of agility while floating inside giant clear balls atop the pool. Onlookers can watch from their perch at luminescent tables, sleek ottomans or private cabanas, while DJ-spun beats set the mood. Potent cocktails like the Tequilatini and the Strawberry Kiss (berry vodka with champagne) pair with bar bites including crab salad sliders on mini-brioche. Kin Lounge is open Thursdays through Sundays at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, downtown, 619.232.1234.

BOOKS
Collins mixer
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins is a bard beloved even by those averse to verse. His latest collection, Ballistics: Poems, crackles with memorable lines from the wistful to the wry. Collins's trademark levity and self-deprecating style offset the gravity often associated with the poetry genre. "This is a poem, not a novel," he writes, "and the only characters here are you and I,/ alone in an imaginary room/ which will disappear after a few more lines." Collins will talk candidly about his career and regale readers with a selection of sublime stanzas on Sunday, October 19 at D.G. Wills Books, 7461 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.1800. —Allison Block

DINING
Mexico North
While the Gaslamp's Fifth Avenue has long been a haven for Italian trattorias and chic steakhouses, just one block over, Fourth Avenue is having a gastronomic renaissance of its own—this one inspired by the cuisine of San Diego's southern neighbor, Mexico. Sister to a popular upscale Tijuana eatery, newcomer Tabule prides itself on fresh, zingy ceviches—including those made with ahi, sea bass and caracol, or sea snail—but the innovative cocktails are worth a sip as well, especially the kicky tamarind-flavored martini. Just across the street, the more casual La Puerta is named for the large ornate door that ushers guests into the lively, atmospheric space, which plays host to the occasional live band. A short, sweet and reasonably priced menu offers flavorful tacos, enchiladas and other familiar favorites, along with excellent margaritas.

• Tabule 535 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.238.0048.
• La Puerta 560 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.237.0012.

FILM
Silver screen soiree
Once voted "best party festival" by the Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, the four-day San Diego Film Festival also offers a respectable program of features, documentaries and shorts to go along with its glamorous, star-studded galas. Ranging from little-known gems from the world's far-flung corners to indie buzz flicks starring name actors, the festival brings a touch of Tinseltown to S.D. Highlighting this year's event is Mark Eaton's documentary Start the Machine, about rock singer Tom DeLonge and his post-blink-182 project, Angels & Airwaves. DeLonge and bandmates are scheduled to be in attendance for a Q&A with the filmmakers at the doc's Sept. 26 screening. The San Diego Film Festival runs Sept. 25-28 at Pacific Theatres, 701 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. Call 619.582.2368 or visit sdff.org for tickets and information.

MUSEUM
What is art?
For centuries, debate has raged over what constitutes art—let alone good art. This fall affords a rare opportunity to check out how one museum director defines it. In Weighing and Wanting: Selections from the Collection (Sept. 19-Jan. 11, 2009), Dr. Hugh M. Davies, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego since 1983, presents a personal selection of about 40 of the 2,000 pieces he's added to the museum's collection during his tenure. Among the works on display: photographs by John Baldessari, a screenprint by Shepard Fairey (creator of the iconic Barack Obama "Hope" poster) and a series of charcoal drawings by South African artist William Kentridge. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.3541, mcasd.org.

MUSEUM
What tykes like
What's the quickest way to get a hyperactive child to doze off? Say the word "museum." At the New Children's Museum, however, the experience is far from boring, giving youngsters a fun, hands-on education in art. Parents can rest easy here: these artworks are meant to be touched by kids' grubby hands. In addition to looking at (and interacting with) the art on display, kids get a chance to make their own through fun activities and art camps. The museum is open Thurs.-Tues. at 200 W. Island Ave., downtown, 619.233.8792, thinkplaycreate.org.

DAYTRIP
FLUX CAPACITOR not REQUIRED
Those needing a respite from the trappings of modern urban life don't need a Delorean to travel back in time—any vehicle will do during the Fall Apple Harvest in historic Julian. Each fall, this erstwhile mining town about an hour east of downtown San Diego has seasonal delights by the bushelful. Famous for its apple pies, Julian's quaint Main Street is home to three old-fashioned pie shops: Mom's (2119 Main St., 760.765.2472), Apple Alley Bakery (2122 Main St., 760.765.2532) and Julian Pie Company (2225 Main St., 760.765.2449). A warm slice is a must—à la mode, of course—along with a steaming mug of hot cider.