At the Mira Mesa Recreation Center, playing for my fifth-grade youth basketball team, I watched as my coach threw a chair onto the court in anger. On another occasion, the referee threw my coach out …

Joshua and Zachary Wheeler (Scarlet Symphony, Society!) play every Sunday morning for the Beautiful Rescue, the Mission Gathering's worship band. While Zach has been playing bass for Mission for over a year, Josh joined in …

Before saxophonist Chris Klich founded his Jazz Quintet, he played club and corporate events with the Mar Dels, who have taken their act around the world. "When we traveled to Macau in China, I had …

Paul Devitt opened the Beauty Bar in late 2005 after launching other salon-themed nightspots in New York, L.A., San Francisco, Austin, and Las Vegas. Erica Jessup ran the Beauty Bar as general manager until vacating …

Drummer Freddie Fontaine once spent six months touring with the Blue Man Group. "I was with the band; I wasn't a Blue Man," says the longtime local wedding-band vet. "It was still a difficult audition, …

Last month, the online "Pacific Songwriting Competition" named local Michael Tiernan "2007 Songwriter of the Year" after he briefly was recognized as runner-up in the contest. Privately sponsored by New Zealand opera singer Deborah Wai …

The annual "Mods vs. Rockers" scooter rally rolls out next weekend. The two archetypes were portrayed in the 1979 British cult film Quadrophenia (based on the Who's rock opera of the same name). The sharply …

San Diego ranked number 17 in U.S. terrestrial radio-market earnings last year, with the 45 stations in operation generating around $203 million of income. The same Arbitron ratings show the two most-listened-to local stations are …

Tamzon Feeney outside the Box Office nightclub, 1965. According to our local daily, she and "a band of teenagers have attempted what may be the city's first statue veiling. The 17-foot fiberglass-and-steel statue of a …

I heard about a jungle-themed party in National City. I put on a pair of khaki shorts and a jungle shirt that my mom gave me years ago. I’d worn it only once before. I …

Lo! Men have become the tools of their tools. — Henry David Thoreau I remember my first time like it was yesterday. My heart beat fast with the excitement and trepidation of journeying into virgin …

The triple set of waterfalls dubbed the “Three Sisters” is an amazing San Diego County feature not many have seen. In full flood, these cascades put on a show reminiscent of Yosemite’s show stoppers — …

“We went to Europe four or five years ago,” said 20something pastor Jeff Holmes, “and we saw that the church...was not really relevant to the real life of most people — the young people, especially. …

This is how far we’ve come: An affordable new neighborhood eatery, warm and pretty but unpretentious, serving humanely raised natural Niman meats, precious Jidori chicken, local organic veggies in thoroughly tasty simple dishes — am …

If past behavior is any guide, last weekend’s playoff game between the Chargers and the Tennessee Titans resulted in a full house at the City’s Qualcomm Stadium box, to which each San Diego city council …

Charger owner Alex Spanos, who has proclaimed Chula Vista the ultimate locale of his new football stadium — if it is to be built in San Diego County at all — has been putting a …

A limousine operator in Washington, D.C., linked to the Randy “Duke” Cunningham scandal is suing the Copley Press for libel, alleging that Union-Tribune business writer Dean Calbreath falsely reported that company limos “would pick up …

Hungarian plumbers are all great fans of M.C. Escher, I’ve deduced. They don’t just see the artist’s creative works as pleasing concepts but more as hard-fact schematics and blueprints for their own work. In the …

Tom PlonkaHockey player from Rhode Island I’m on the water a lot with my boat going to Catalina and Mexico, so I guess I like movies that take you out to the high seas. I …

What are you reading? “Keeping Faith: A Novel (P.S.), by Jodi Picoult.” Tell me about it. “It’s about a lady who is getting a divorce, and she’s trying to keep her daughter. The daughter has …

Sorry, Babe A necessary and sufficient characteristic of an a******* is being self-consumed ("Merry Tuesday," "Diary of a Diva," January 3). Barb's entire essay was about Barb. Family, friends, and tradition be damned. Ergo: David …

Gotta be careful here. To say something’s the best. But…oh, to heck with it. This is the best freakin’ sandwich I can remember munching, okay? It’s enough to make a vegan out of me. I’m …

This started with Brian McNamee saying he injected Roger Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone from 1998 to 2001. Fast forward to Monday, the Clemens press conference, and a secretly recorded telephone conversation. As …

Artist: Ajizza Song: “Do What We Do” (from the CD Do What We Do Records Presents) Heard By: Gabe Gayhart, Escondido It was average. It wasn’t something that I’d necessarily buy, but I think it’s …

Dear Matthew: I got a Swiss Army Knife for Christmas. The person who gave it to me keeps trying to tell me that the Swiss Army actually uses these knives. I think that’s baloney. It’s …

Name: Marty Cowles Lives: Ocean Beach Surfing: Avalanche Jetty, Ocean Beach “Go home, Barney,” Marty Cowles says is the worst insult he’s heard from locals. The most he’s been hassled is at Oceanside. “They get …

Man, can Jenn Grinels sing! Her sultry voice growls at the hot, slow parts in song one, “Misery,” and it rings out like gold in the quick-paced and heartfelt track three, “No Better.” The album …

Longtime Encinitas singer/songwriter Jack Tempchin did well when the Eagles released his "Peaceful Easy Feeling" in 1972 and "Already Gone" two years later. Both were top 40 hits. Every time the Eagles rereleased the songs …

THE YEAR IN REVIEW: PLAYS AND PRODUCTIONS. Last year, several shows arrived ballyhoo-first. Pre–opening-night accolades promised “Broadway bound” quality and SRO houses both here and in New York. Some of them, however, were a letdown, …

It would be a mistake for history to remember L.A. Guns only for the temporary merge with Hollywood Rose that spawned the first official lineup of Guns N’ Roses. During the last great hard-rock era …

The Electric Prunes are best known for their 1966 hit “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night),” a great song and a fantastic example of psychedelia kitsch. With its backwards-playing guitars and unusual echo …

José Sinatra is a good-time party and music man around town, first as front man for the former José Sinatra and Troy Dante Band and now as host of the “O.B.-oke” at Winstons, which draws …

There is an old Wall Street adage that is apt for both 2008 and 2009: “When they raid the whorehouse, they take the charwoman and piano player too.” Translation: when the stock market panics, it …

Ten years ago, Elissa Davey received her vocation. She was a 50-year-old realtor, mother of two sons, and resident of San Marcos when the call came in the form of a story in the newspaper …

Thirty Years Ago Soon I will join the bulk of you in the suburbs. I can hardly wait. In my mind is a vision of provincial bliss, complete with the aroma of back yard barbecues …

The after-Christmas glut of stuff landed hard on the Kelly home — every surface was laden with goodies waiting to find a place on our crowded shelves. Hubby Patrick and I decided it was time …

Hours grew into days, days into weeks, weeks into months, and yet time gives me the illusion that it was just a few days ago when my illness began. Ah! Time had ceased to exist …