Pay-and-display parking machines will soon be expanding to the North Beach, also called Dog Beach, and downtown areas of Del Mar.

Fergie, one of the most popular pop/R&B acts in the country, will appear at the San Diego County Fair on June 27. Barry Nussbaum, chairman of the 22nd District Agricultural Association’s fair operations committee, mad the announcement during the monthly board of directors meeting April 8.

After being urged to “seize the opportunity” and “be visionary,” City Council voted 4-0, with Mayor Dave Druker recused, to move forward and close escrow by May 15 on a 5.3-acre site owned by Del Mar Union School District.

Fourteen speakers, most of them from Del Mar, voiced their views during an hour-long meeting April 16 about the master plan proposed by the 22nd District Agricultural Association for the 340-acre fairgrounds.

With downtown revitalization on the agenda, it was practically standing room only at the April 7 City Council meeting. More than a dozen speakers, most of them downtown property or business owners, addressed the council. Although comments varied, the message was the same: Council must act quickly to adopt rules that provide incentives to reinvest in their businesses.

Fergie, one of the most popular pop/R&B acts in the country, will appear at the San Diego County Fair on June 27. Barry Nussbaum, chairman of the 22nd District Agricultural Association’s fair operations committee, mad the announcement during the monthly board of directors meeting April 8.

With gas prices reaching record highs almost daily, the Del Mar Historical Society couldn’t have picked a better time to finally publish the city’s first historical walking-tour book. Featuring five tours — four walking and one driving — “Discovering Del Mar’s Past: The city’s history on foot and by car” offers something for everyone.

A 44-year-old man was convicted April 4 on a handful of weapons charges stemming from an incident in downtown Del Mar last December.

The owners of Flower Hill Promenade are hoping the second time’s a charm as they submit new renovation plans to the city of San Diego for the Del Mar shopping center.

Antique treasure prospectors would find a wealth of ancient memorabilia at two now-covered dumps in the Surfside City and Solbeach. However, it’s not recommended that folks begin digging at possible sites.

Like the wildflowers that bloom in the spring, queen pageants are sprouting out in almost every community. The largest and most prestigious event widely known as the Fairest of the Fair pageant, sponsored by the San Diego County Fair, began at the Del Mar Hotel in 1947.

Del Mar Kiwanis Club recently held its 13th annual Ugly Dog Contest with funds going to worthy local charities. There were a dozen categories and plenty of dogs, handlers and spectators for each of them.

A permit application to construct a roof over the horse show arena at the San Diego County Fairgrounds was approved by the State Coastal Commission during its March 6 meeting at Carmel, Calif.

An Environmental Impact Report, or EIR, relating to the master plan of the fairgrounds will be ready for review sometime in March, General Manager Tim Fennell said during the Feb. 13 meeting of the 22nd District Agricultural Assn. (San Diego County Fairground)

Some protestors held banners with slogans such as “please don’t pave our park” and “save Trestles,” while supporters waved signs that read, “build the 241” and “drive less: live more.”