Mardi Gras isn’t the only game in town

Carlsbad, Calif.

Feb. 20-26: Only the world’s top 64 golfers are invited to compete in the Accenture Match Play Championship, but anyone can watch. Golfers go head to head in single-elimination play in the World Golf Championship event on La Costa Resort and Spa’s Championship Course. David Toms (2005) and Tiger Woods (2003 and 2004) battled their way to the tournament’s top title. Monday and Tuesday are practice rounds; golfers fall one by one Wednesday through Saturday; the final four competitors tee off Saturday afternoon and the last two swinging play for it all Sunday.

2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad. Daily tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the gate. A weekly package is $85. (866) 942-2672 or www.worldgolfchampionships.com.

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Albuquerque

March 3-5: For those who like it hot, the annual National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show claims it has “the largest collection of hot and spicy products ever assembled in the U.S.” Visitors to the Sandia Resort and Casino’s events center can watch noted master chefs play with fire, get cookbooks autographed and stock up on hot sauce, hot jams, hot jellies, hot honey, hot nuts, hot candy and chili pepper memorabilia. If the show gets too hot, there are golf and gaming at the resort, and it’s a short drive to historic Old Town and downtown Albuquerque.

Sandia Resort is at 30 Rainbow Road N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87113. Show is open to the public 4-7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. $10. (505) 877-8579 or www.fiery-foods.com/ffshow.

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Tempe, Ariz.

March 2-4: Watch seasoned pros and future stars in action as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim open spring training with a three-game home stand. The Angels meet the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, the San Diego Padres on Friday and the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. On Sunday, the Angels swoop into nearby Phoenix to take on the rival Oakland A’s. All four games are scheduled for 12:05 p.m. After the games, eat and drink along Tempe’s Mill Avenue, near Arizona State University.

Tickets $5-$22. Ticketmaster, (480) 784-4444 or www.angelsbaseball.com. Tempe Diablo Stadium is at 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe. For Sunday tickets, call (602) 392-0217 or go to www.oaklandathletics.com. Phoenix Municipal Stadium is at 5999 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix.

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San Diego

Feb. 28: Revel in green, purple and gold as the entire Gaslamp Quarter transforms into a West Coast French Quarter for Mardi Gras. On one of five stages, “The Sounds of Bourbon Street” will feature musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina, including the 504 Brass Band, which will also perform in the Masquerade Parade. Celebrants can dress as outlandishly as they please and party away before Lent starts -- without fear of getting caught: No still or video cameras are permitted.

Gaslamp Quarter, between 4th and 6th avenues, from Broadway to Harbor Drive. Festivities 7 p.m.-midnight. Tickets are $20 at the gate. Restaurant packages available. The San Diego Trolley will run from free parking lots at Qualcomm Stadium. Information: (619) 233-5227 or www.gaslamp.org.

-- Blake Hennon