Chargers safeties Kevin Ellison and Paul Oliver will appear at the Chargers Team Store, located at Gate G at Qualcomm Stadium, tonight at 6:00 p.m. to meet fans, sign autographs, pose for pictures and talk football along with Charger Girls. All fans who visit the Chargers Team Store between 5-7 pm will receive 13.60% off all store merchandise and the first 50 customers that spend more than $25 will receive a commemorative 50th Anniversary Chargers Yearbook and front of the line privileges for autographs.

XTRA Sports 1360 AM will join the fun as hosts Jeff Dotseth and Josh Rosenberg broadcast the Chargers Power Hour live from the Chargers Team Store from 5-7 pm.  XTRA Sports 1360 will broadcast the Chargers Power Hour live from the Team Store every Thursday night during the season featuring live player interviews and autograph opportunities with Chargers players and Charger Girls. *dates subject to changes, please contact team store for specific dates.

The Chargers Team Store is open daily from 10-7 p.m. and features all new AFL 50th Anniversary Merchandise along with a complete line of Chargers merchandise. For questions or more information, contact the Chargers Team Store at 619-641-6053.

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The San Diego Chargers have signed rookie linebacker James Holt from the practice squad. He will fill the roster spot created Monday when the team released wide receiver Chris Chambers.

Holt (6-2, 223) originally joined the Chargers in May as an undrafted free agent. He was released at the conclusion of training camp and immediately added to the team’s practice squad, where he’s spent the first nine weeks of the regular season. Holt appeared in all four of the Chargers’ preseason games and recorded eight tackles. He will wear No. 53.

Prior to joining the Chargers, Holt was a consensus All-Big 12 performer at Kansas.

The San Diego Chargers released wide receiver Chris Chambers today. 

"There are a number of things that went into the decision," Head Coach Norv Turner said.  "The reason we’re able to do this is the play of Malcom and the way Legedu Naanee is performing.  Certainly there are a number of other things in terms of our football team that we need to address.  Defensively and in the kicking game... we need to get some help."

• Vincent Jackson had 103 yards receiving today, his fourth 100-yard game of the season and second week in a row. It’s the second time this year that Jackson’s had back-to-back 100-yard outings. The last Chargers wide receiver to have four 100-yard games in a season was Curtis Conway in 2001.
• Jackson’s four 100-yard efforts in seven games this season is the best since Jeff Graham had four 100-yarders in six games in 1999.
• Prior to Jackson, the last Charger to have four 100-yard games in the first seven games of a season was John Jefferson in 1980.
• Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips each had two sacks today. The last time they each had two sacks in the same game was Oct. 14, 2007 against the Raiders.
• Phillips has now recorded two sacks in each of the last two games, a first for his career.
• Philip Rivers threw his first interception today since Sept. 20 against Baltimore, a career-best span of 143 consecutive passes thrown without an interception.
• LaDainian Tomlinson became the 14th player in NFL history today to reach 12,000 career rushing yards, finishing the day with 12,027 total yards.
• Tomlinson had two rushing touchdowns today, his first multi-touchdown game of the season. The touchdowns were the 128th and 129th rushing touchdowns of his career.
• Tomlinson now has 144 career touchdowns (rushing and receiving) just one behind Marcus Allen for the third-most all-time.
• Antonio Gates played in his 100th career game today.
• The Chargers picked up their 13th win in a row today over the Raiders, the longest win streak by either team in the series. It is also the longest active win streak in the NFL by one team over another.

For the tenth consecutive year, San Diego Chargers President Dean Spanos and the Chargers Champions community initiative have provided the largest privately-funded gift to support San Diego’s educational community.

With this year’s contribution of $200,000 in school grants and scholarships, the Spanos family has donated more than $3.75 million to San Diego’s schools and students through the Chargers Champions program.

The Chargers Champions program is committed to improving physical fitness in San Diego County schools by providing grants for new facilities and equipment.
“Schools throughout California are suffering from large budget cuts,” Spanos said.  “The main goal of our program is to provide students with the necessary means to living a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness.”

The educational grants provided in 2009 ranged from $70,000 to Castle Park High School to $9,000 given to Alpine Elementary.

Six San Diego-area schools received grants to improve their physical fitness, athletic or nutrition programs:

$70,000 Castle Park High School, San Diego: Weight room
$45,000 Mt. Empire High School, Pine Valley: Football, track, and basketball equipment
$30,000 Bay Park Elementary School, San Diego: Fitness area for visually impaired
$25,000 Tierra Del Sol Middle School, Lakeside: Fitness equipment and heart monitors
$15,000 Horton Elementary School, San Diego: Indoor fitness room and equipment
$9,000Alpine Elementary School, Alpine: Fitness equipment

This year’s recipients will be honored when the Chargers host the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, November 1 at Qualcomm Stadium.

Funds allocated to Chargers Champions are administered through the Chargers Community Foundation, the San Diego Chargers’ charitable foundation. The Foundation was established in 1995 by Dean and Alex Spanos to “help San Diego build on its strengths by supporting individuals, activities and organizations that work to make the city a better place to live.”

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This weekend's game is the 43rd consecutive regular season or postseason Chargers home game to be televised live in Southern California.  The last regular-season home game blacked out in the local market was on Nov. 7, 2004 versus the New Orleans Saints.  The team record for consecutive games televised live is 44 games set from 1979-84.  The Chargers' next home game is Sunday, Nov. 15 versus the Philadelphia Eagles.  

The Chargers are strongly recommending that fans attending Sunday's game use mass transit or carpool, and arrive EARLY.  The parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium will open at 9:00 am for general parking and 8:00 am for those with pre-purchased permits. The lot is expected to fill and close early, so fans are encouraged to get to the stadium gates early to ensure that they are in their seats for kickoff.

To avoid heavy traffic around the stadium on Interstates 8 and 15, fans can reach the stadium via the Friars Rd. East exit off of Highway 163.

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Tickets are available now at the Chargers' ticket office at Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium, at www.Chargers.com and through TicketMaster at 800-745-3000.
 
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Chargers defensive ends Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire will appear at the Chargers Team Store, located at Gate G at Qualcomm Stadium, on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:00 p.m. to meet fans, sign autographs, pose for pictures and talk football along with Charger Girls.

All fans who visit the Chargers Team Store between 5-7 pm will receive 13.60% off all store merchandise and the first 50 customers that spend more than $25 will receive a commemorative 50th Anniversary Chargers Yearbook.

XTRA Sports 1360 AM will join the fun as hosts Jeff Dotseth and Josh Rosenberg broadcast the Chargers Power Hour live from the Chargers Team Store from 5-7 pm.  XTRA Sports 1360 will broadcast the Chargers Power Hour live from the Team Store every Thursday night during the season featuring live player interviews and autograph opportunities with Chargers players and Charger Girls. *dates subject to changes, please contact team store for specific dates.

The Chargers Team Store is open daily from 10-7 p.m. and features all new AFL 50th Anniversary Merchandise along with a complete line of Chargers merchandise. For questions or more information, contact the Chargers Team Store at 619-641-6053.

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The San Diego Chargers have re-signed cornerback Dante Hughes and waived cornerback Simeon Castille.

Hughes originally signed with the Chargers on Oct. 20, but was waived on Oct. 24 as Castille was signed from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game in Kansas City. Castille appeared on special teams in the Chargers’ 37-7 win over the Chiefs on Sunday.

The 5-10, 190-pound Hughes was a third-round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts in 2007 (95th overall). He spent two seasons in Indianapolis, appearing in 24 games as a reserve defensive back and special teams player. The Colts released Hughes at the conclusion of training camp this season.

The Chargers have also signed offensive tackle Joe Toledo (6-5, 330) to the practice squad and placed center Ryan McDonald on “Practice Squad-Injured” due to a back injury. Toledo attended La Costa Canyon High School in San Diego County and played at the University of Washington. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft (114th overall) and has spent time with the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.

San Diego Chargers lightning bolts will take over the Gaslamp Quarter on Friday, Nov. 27 when the Chargers host their 50th Anniversary Block Party from 5-11 PM. The largest tailgate party of the year will take place on Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, between Island and J Streets

The team and the San Diego Hall of Champions have partnered on the event that will celebrate 50 years of Chargers football with live entertainment on two stages, interactive games, celebrity and player appearances and much more.

The highlight of the Block Party will be the introduction of the Greatest Chargers of all time as selected by vote of the team’s fans as well as members of the Chargers Hall of Fame and select football aficionados. The Block Party will heat up with hot musical acts and DJs performing live on two stages. The introduction of the Greatest Chargers will kick off the party. After honoring these current and former greats, Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band, will get the crowd singing along to “Sweet Caroline.” Then the pop band Fountains of Wayne will rock the Gaslamp Quarter with favorite hits such as “Stacy’s Mom” and “Too Cool for School.” In between this musical line-up, Scooter & Lavelle will keep the energy flowing throughout the night as they spin the latest tracks. Partiers can choose to join the crowd by the main stage or upgrade their experience in the VIP area. This VIP experience includes a chic outdoor lounge with luxurious cabanas and fancy food and beverage opportunities.

Stage 2 will be the turned into Club Chargers where the DJ stage will keep the dance floor moving. The nearby Bolt Bubble Lounge will offer guests a chance to relax among the excitement. Athletic skills will be put to the test in the ultimate Fan Fest zone, including a variety of high-energy and exciting interactive games. A fully-stocked merchandise tent also will be available.

Block Party tickets also grant access into more than 20 East Village and Gaslamp Quarter hotspots where they’ll be offering drink specials courtesy of Block Party partner Coors Light. Complimentary designated driver buses will provide partiers with a safe ride home to anywhere in San Diego County.

Tickets to celebrate 50 years of Chargers football are just $35 and are available through www.Chargers.com as well as at the Chargers Ticket Office at Qualcomm Stadium and the San Diego Hall of Champions. Additional information is available at www.Chargers.com

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