Here in San Diego, the weather is excellent, the beaches some of the finest, and at least for the moment, the dollar is comparatively weak (though strengthening): All good reasons for foreign visitors to descend …

Jacob Blumenfeld delivered what was arguably the most courageous performance by a San Diegan at the recent Beijing Olympics. And he didn’t compete in swimming, track and field, or gymnastics but in the far more …

It’s A Puzzle Hey, what’s up with this week’s puzzle (September 11)? You guys printed the answer for this week’s and not last week’s. Although I don’t submit a puzzle, I still enjoy them, and …

The 1990 Gulfstream IV executive jet owned by David Copley's once-proud Copley Newspaper chain, which is still trying to unload the Union-Tribune, is on the block. The luxurious aircraft — used by Copley to transport …

Democrat Lori Saldaña is busy campaigning for reelection to her third term in the state assembly, representing the 76th District, which covers such San Diego neighborhoods as Point Loma, Pacific Beach, and Clairemont. With GOP …

As a result of gerrymandering by the state legislature, San Diego’s congressional incumbents don’t have much to fear in their quest for reelection this fall. Democrats Susan Davis and Bob Filner, along with Republicans Brian …

Thirty Years AgoMany years before For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf appeared at San Diego’s Fox Theatre, a little black girl named Paulette Williams lived in Trenton, New Jersey. …

My nephew Tom needs to sweep his woman off her feet. It seems there was a lovers’ quarrel and feelings were hurt. “What about sending her a sky message, you know, one of those banners …

I got an invite to an ‘80s party and figured that’d wrap up these decade-themed events. I assumed nobody would have a ‘90s-themed party; I’m not even sure how I’d dress for something like that. …

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. — Rita Rudner When Rosa asked me what my plans were for the rest of the day, I shifted uncomfortably in …

Since one of my ex-girlfriend’s ideas of the most fun one could have was to sprinkle red wine about my bedroom floor, I decided I needed to rent a carpet cleaner and turn my burgundy …

The six-mile-long Big Laguna Trail, high in the Laguna Mountains, wends its scenic way over gently rolling hills and grassy dales, never dipping below 5400 feet of elevation nor rising to more than 5900 feet. …

The psychedelic stained-glass window over the altar (and even above the electric sanctuary lamp) caught the feel of Christ Church Unity pretty well: psychedelic, but still stained glass. Modern spirituality swirled with tradition. More examples: …

I pick up the phone and hear a grunt, ambient department-store music, bar noise, and slot machines. I know the grunt. “Larry, where are you?” “Harrah’s. Laughlin.” “Why?” “Wanted a drink.” Larry Gibbons and I …

Over halfway through September. I can’t wait. I’m still stuck here in these dog days, maybe all of us are. My sentences are too long. I hear this from readers. On spell-check now I’m getting …

On Victoria Petrovich’s set for The Good Body at the Rep, shiny panels reflect clouds and pale blue skies. Projected slides take us from America to Brazil, Africa, and Afghanistan. Standing on small pedestals, six …

Jerry Toliver’s a big guy. He’s a rock drummer and tennis coach, and he looks like a young James Brown with a headband. So I’m not surprised he’s put away a plate of rib tips …

Everybody’s hurting in this economy except the fortunate few vulture capitalists and hedge traders who got the big tax breaks. But it’s a mighty plunge from a stylish stainless spoon to a grease-stained tin fork. …

“Everybody in the hotel read The Little Dog Laughed, everybody; a story to make you die holding the page and it wasn’t about a dog, either; a clever story, screaming poetry…Mrs. Hargraves read it and …

I leafed through a fashion magazine supplement recently and saw yet another feature on Goth style (fashion magazines love Goth), this one featuring a gallery of style inspirations over the years. And right there was …

The Wedding Present is an old, seasoned British band that you are not likely to have heard of unless you are a devotee of college radio or frequent the sorts of clubs that book indie-rock …

“Lestat’s is my favorite spot to hang out and perform,” says singer-songwriter Josh Damigo. “I’m pretty much there every night. I’m a huge fan of acoustic music, and the soundman Louie Brazier and I just …

“You should keep it to no more than six kinds of wine at a party,” says Christopher Silva, president and CEO of St. Francis Winery and Vineyards of Sonoma. “You don’t want your guests to …

Perception that the Coen brothers are running a little low on inspiration, albeit still nowhere near empty, will not now need to be radically revised. Remake: The Ladykillers. Book adaptation: No Country for Old Men. …

White Gold and the Calcium Twins are a Spinal Tap-esque glam band created for the “Got Milk?” advertising campaign. White Gold’s spandex-clad singer plays a milk-filled guitar and encourages milk consumption in humorous ads alongside …

Although the Sports Arena sits on city property, it has been operated by developer Ron Hahn and his son Ernie for over 15 years. The recent announcement that the Hahns were yielding majority control of …

“I was brought to San Diego via the hand of the judicial system,” says Chris Powers, aka 3ntra-P, one half of the hip-hop duo Clay Pigeons. Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, he says, …

“The cops keep shutting us down,” says Aaron Witherell, who has been staging outdoor concerts with friends at “the Yard,” a makeshift performance space outside a four-unit rental property on 17th Street, between Imperial and …

Brain Bucket's song “You Rock ’n’ Roll,” from the band’s new album, is featured in the upcoming film Lonely Street. “It’s about the ‘Second Coming’ of Elvis,” says guitarist Chris Kelly. “It stars Jay Mohr, …

Artist: The Peter Pupping Band Song: “Sea Journey” (from the CD Sea Journey) Heard By: Richard Gutierrez, Pomona, CA It was basically a mix of styles. It was all instrumental with mostly a Latin feel. …

Heymatt: We took the kids to the aquarium, and that got me to thinking about what eats what in the marine environment. Little fishes are pretty much lunch for bigger fish, but they also have …

Name: Jack Turner Age: 23 Occupation: Personal Trainer Lives In: Jamul Surfing: Scripps Favorite Surf Movie: Point Break Jack blamed his “surf karma” for his inability to catch a wave a couple weeks ago. “So, …

Greater Golden Hill’s Maintenance Assessment District is looking for someone to fill the program-manager position. Yep, program manager Alia Kanani is moving on. The MAD committee isn’t seeing this as a bad thing because this …

One quadrillion. That’s 1,000,000,000,000,000 — one plus 15 zeroes, or one thousand trillion. It is incomprehensible. And that’s what’s terrifying. This summer, the Bank for International Settlements, the bank for the world’s central banks, estimated …

Escondido councilmember Ed Gallo and Sam Abed have been talking about implementing an overnight-parking ordinance for 18 months. They’ve heard complaints from constituents about crowded residential streets and a growing trend of multiple families dwelling …