Deep-Fried Quesadillas Everything was just out of reach as I lay on my left side in a bed at Tijuana's newest and most modern hospital. I had to sit up or lie down only on …

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America. -- Bill Clinton Visiting four countries over the span of five weeks led me to one astonishing revelation: I …

Crewman and dog of Rafael Trujillo Jr. (son of the Dominican Republic dictator), 1958. When his yacht docked in San Diego, news-gatherers and about 5000 people swarmed the waterfront. Most-desired glimpses included the "dapper," "handsome," …

Name:Kevin Darcy Lives: Pacific Beach Surfing: Ocean Beach jetty On his Chris Gallagher 6'0", Kevin Darcy likes the waves at Ocean Beach jetty. He says the spot "is especially fun if you're a regular footer, …

Mike Mehaffey Age: 25 Occupation: Student/Retail Lives: Ocean Beach My slang word is Barney because it's funny and it makes me laugh. A Barney is a dork or a loser -- someone who's goofy or …

Name: John Mood Age: 75 Occupation: retired/writer Neighborhood: Ocean Beach Where Interviewed: at his home What are you writing? "I have a new book out called Rilke on Death and Other Oddities. Rainer Maria Rilke …

I spent last night, a Friday night, in a Motel 6 somewhere off I-5. I don't know where exactly, but it is right around the corner from that mock Dutch windmill you see from the …

Although relatively unknown among hikers, the Piru Creek gorge offers a rugged wilderness experience less than one hour's drive away from L.A.'s northern suburbs. In 1992 the 220,000-acre Sespe Wilderness was carved out of lands …

Small-college sports don't get enough press, fans, or money. This is probably a good thing; relative poverty is a powerful tool for keeping sports as a lesser part of what a university education was meant …

For years, all I had to do was wince in the presence of my mother-in-law and out came the Advil. Mom was caring for her parents and her in-laws in their declining years; fighting pain …

"Poetry is somewhere between singing and speaking," says neurologist Ani Patel. "It's using the voice in a regulated way, with pitch and time. The Iliad and the Odyssey, before they were written down, were transmitted …

Super Cocina is the secret destination of San Diego gringos who love authentic home-style Mexican food. (It's no secret to local Latinos, of course.) If you're hoping to find something resembling the sophisticated Mexico City-style …

California's Office of Historic Preservation has just announced the recipients of the Governor's Historic Preservation Awards for 2007, and it happens that one of the winners is dear to the heart of the office's director, …

Sempra Energy spent the third quarter of this year handing out the usual raft of free food, drink, and frivolity in Sacramento and elsewhere around the state to legislators and their staffers. The utility giant …

"I always wonder how such brilliant musicians could be so unsatisfied with themselves when they have the ability to create art that touches so many people."

Any doubters of Jesse Unruh's old adage that "money is the mother's milk of politics" need only look at the 2007 endorsement questionnaire issued by the county's GOP Central Committee for city council candidates, technically …

Some comparisons are invidious. Others are ridiculous. The attempts to compare politicians' responses to the 2007 San Diego fires with the pols' performance during Hurricane Katrina two years ago are preposterous. Fox TV blusterer Bill …

San Diego needs some good news. Here's some: high-paying tech jobs continue to proliferate. Tech should get some help from the weakening dollar, although it won't be as much as it might be. Much of …

High Mountain Tempel's new CD, A Screaming Comes Across the Sky, includes the song "Fluctuat Nec Mergitur," which pays homage to Elizabeth Clare Prophet of the Church Universal and Triumphant. "She had a free cable-access …

Rumors are flying that Led Zeppelin may be preparing to tour again. A November 26 London date has been booked to honor the late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. With 25 million ticket requests for …

Drummer Josh Olmos played music with singer Caleb Wilborn when the two attended Rancho Buena Vista High. In 2004, four years after high school, they formed the pop/reggae band Free to Burn, which played regularly …

Developer writes persuasion letter to the San Diego Development Services Department. What else is new? Read on. "Today I was brought into the fold on the neighborhood uprising regarding the Kensington Terrace project," stated Jim …

The upstairs tenants who forced Twiggs to cease live music in February have left the building, says Twiggs' former music coordinator John Ciccolella. But the music won't be coming back to the University Heights coffeehouse. …

Regular rockabilly shows in San Diego have diminished during the past decade. The Screamin' Solo Flights (featuring Omar Romero), the Hooligans, and Rip Carson used to rock and bop regularly at Tio Leo's and other …

When Ozzy Osbourne plays the Sports Arena on Tuesday, November 20, the venue "must have a real ear, nose, and throat doctor on site [and] must be able to administer if required a B12 shot …

Moving Day Dear Noah, You found out today that the girls next door are moving. You are very upset about this. You told me you would have to say goodbye to them forever, all the …

Del Cerro, which is Spanish for “of the hill,” is located just off I-8 at College Avenue. Turn north onto College and there it is, welcoming visitors and residents alike with a small cement sign. …

The Average White Band

The naturalistic acting comes across as unnaturally actorish.

Thirty Years Ago WEEKEND NATURE LOVER, Cuyamacas, deserts, etc. Seeks paying passengers to diminish car expenses. At destination we split. Come return time, my Magic Bug will be there. Mike 222-8557. DRIVING TO PHOENIX for …

'I always had a passion for play-making," says Robert Landis, co-founder of the legendary Footlights Theatre of San Diego (1947) and equally legendary Scripteasers (1948). "Theater has always been -- how to put this -- …

My first note upon hearing the band at Grace was "powerful." Not so much the lyrics — the songs were familiar enough that I remembered at least three from last week's service at another church …

A red-eye flight, six miles above the black icy Atlantic, winging toward Greenland is the quintessential setting to make a pillow fort and work on creative projects, I've found. Think of it. You have free …

Babette MangolteFilmmaker and professor, UCSD Visual Arts Department Michael Powell is probably best known for The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus, made after the war with his collaborator Emeric Pressburger. But the films they made …

Album: Stay Awhile (2007) Artist: The Isam Band Label: self-released Where available/price: Lou's Records in Encinitas for $9.99. Online at isamband.com for $12. Songs: 1) Gypsy Girl 2) You Stole Their Hearts 3) Stay Awhile …

"Lamby joes. No question. You get two. They're so tasty. Shall we go for that?"

Artist: High Mountain Tempel Song: "Ruins of the Empire" (from the CD A Screaming Comes Across the Sky) Heard By: Craig Oliver, South Park It's very soundscape-y. It reminded me of the "star gate" sequence …

"I've been on every day since April of '78 & five original shows a week."

On Saturday, October 27, there were several more Halloween parties to crash. I planned to hit two or three... The first one I got wind of was in Encinitas. It started early, and as I …

"I'm breaking up with you guys, dumping you in the gutter, and jumping your sinking doomed ship on its destined voyage to hell," wrote Poway High teacher Luke Wientzen to 91X. He feels his costume …

AcousticMusicSan-Diego, Saturday, November 17, 7:30 p.m. 619-303-8176. $18 or $22. I thought Sing You Sinners was a fearless gesture, given Erin McKeown's catalog of funky, hip-hoppy (and sometimes countrified) folk/punk/swing. She belongs to that musical …

Belly Up Tavern, Sunday, November 18, 8 p.m. 858-481-8140. $6. There are now more bands with the word "wolf" in their name touring North America than there are actual wolves in the wild. But Los …

Hey, M.A.! Given the following hypothetical -- two identical twin brothers, Joe and Moe, marry two identical twin sisters, Jean and Jane, at double wedding ceremony. They both consummate their respective marriages on the same …