Author: Hailey Moore Neighborhood: Carmel Valley Age: 24 Occupation: Freelance writer When asked where ­I’m from, I often hesitate to respond. I pause and vacillate between versions of the truth before finally settling upon “San …

At the “town hall dialogue,” on September 20th, in the middle of a discussion about possible ways of revamping San Diego’s city council, Councilwoman Donna Frye gave an example demonstrating the ways in which the …

James Bond, councilmember for the City of Encinitas, serves as chairman of the budget-and-finance committee for the Metropolitan Water District &mdash the multi-member agency responsible for supplying water to nearly 16 million residents throughout Southern …

On Tuesday night, the Carlsbad City Council issued an order to the city’s 184 restaurants...and it wasn’t for take-out, either. The city council voted unanimously to add a subsection into the city’s municipal code, Title …

Double-bladed, surgical steel guillotine cutter in hand, a fellow in a Hawaiian shirt slices off a little less than a quarter of an inch, and the cap falls to the floor. It’s a clean, decisive …

Heymatt: Sometimes I don’t sleep for a couple of days. I have a friend who told me that I could die from lack of sleep. I can’t believe that, but this friend is always throwing …

Album: Mike Pinto (2007) Artist: Mike Pinto Label: self-released Songs: 1) Full Speed 2) Surf Tune 3) Addictions 4) Backburner 5) Get Me Down 6) Temptation 7) Bad Luck 8) Knocked Up 9) Never Hold …

Before Journey appears at the Pechanga casino in Temecula on October 1, “All announcements must be done 20 minutes before the performance.” They want — on call — an ear, nose, and throat doctor, an …

“If things in the music biz continue to fall apart,” says Manganista singer Matt Rhea, “maybe we’ll have [X-Ray Babies] to fall back on. People may stop paying for music, but they’ll never stop having …

“We record nearly all of our shows because every performance is a unique one-off and we want to capture the magic,” says bassist Larry Vernec of Blue44. All three albums by the Encinitas band were …

“If anyone tries to sell it, I will certainly know about it,” says uilleann-pipe player Tim Foley, whose instrument was stolen on September 6. “There’s a lot of eyes and ears on the lookout there.” …

Sirhan Sirhan founder Jason Blackmore wasn’t at the San Diego Music Awards last week when his band won the Best Hard Rock Album award. He assumed his “balls-out hardcore rock band” would continue to get …

Of all the “charity eat-a-thons” in this town, my favorite by far is the Chef Celebration, a series of extraordinary banquets crafted by some of the county’s top chefs and held at several of the …

This restaurant is closed “I came before crack hit the streets,” says the Mother of East Village. “That’s how long I’ve been here.” Which means that Gloria Poore arrived in the 1960s, when this part …

Picture hell. For those who live in Pacific Beach and work nine-to-five jobs, hell arrives every Thursday afternoon. College students schedule their classes Monday through Thursday. Come that afternoon, especially in the “Kill Zone” around …

Visitation weekends are an anxiety experience for Baldwin, punctuated by sheer bliss. Baldwin is in his 50s and lives in Mission Hills. His little boy is 32 years old. Since 2003 he has registered bipolar …

Sal Convento is chief instructor and owner of the United States Karate Academy in Point Loma (uskasandiego.com). He’s single, 36 years old, a third-degree black belt, and world champion. I don’t find any of that …

“For more than 30 years,” said Vision pastor Patti Paris in her introduction, “Mother Antonia has lived in a small, cold cell in Tijuana’s La Mesa prison, where she ministers to some of the most …

The word of the day is “tragesty.” Pretty much because I can’t speak even basic English, a tragesty is something that is not only a tragedy, but a travesty as well. Such as when your …

A rambling patch of newly acquired open space that goes by the long-winded name of Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park at Joughin Ranch spreads over a south-facing slope that culminates in a 3747-foot summit called …

As my superhero alter ego, Narcoleptic Dingo, I plan to attack Washington and Wall Street. Sure, sure, the trio of supervillains, Fedsy McMoneychanger, the Tax Reaper, and Bendover Herecomesthe-porkbarrelspending Monster will try to confuse me …

We can easily tell when summer’s over. In lieu of the lazy pace of one mainstream blockbuster and an also-ran, plus perhaps one or two “alternatives,” we get seven, eight, nine new movies per week, …

“Squash is associated with Ivy League schools and expensive athletic clubs,” says Renato Paiva, executive director of Surf City Squash. “But that image is changing. Right now there are 55 colleges in the country [with …

The Modlins wear suits and skinny ties and play what they call “oldies-influenced indie-pop.” That may lead you to assume that the band plays obscure cover tunes from the early 1960s, but the Modlins play …

It was at X-Fest at SDSU several years ago — blink 182 was scheduled to headline the evening, but Sprung Monkey, another local band, owned the afternoon. Sprung’s popularity was beginning to soar on the …

In the mid-’90s, when every other musician in the musician-rich city of Portland, Oregon, was cultivating a lo-fi sound and a low-budget look, the Dandy Warhols sounded, dressed, and acted like rock stars. In the …

What are you reading? “Breaking Dawn, by Stephenie Meyer.” What’s it about? “It’s a romance novel about a young woman, Bella, and a vampire, Edward. It’s part of the Twilight series. This one is different …

An easygoing husband is the one indispensable comfort of life. — Marie Louise De La Ramee ‘You know what sounds really good right now?” David looked up from the magazine in his hands. “Frozen ravioli …

Are you entrusting your money to banking houses or sportin’ houses? The United States is in its worst credit crisis since the Great Depression, as shotgun marriages are arranged and financed by the government. Investment …

Beer garden at City Brewery, circa 1870s. In 1868, the same year Austrian brew-master Christian Doblier established San Diego’s first brewery in Spring Valley (Chollas Valley Brewery), City Brewery opened on the northwest corner of …

"I figured there would be a lot of riesling. That’s why I brought a chardonnay – but it’s a different sort of Australian chardonnay, the Bindi Composition.” You don’t often hear sentences like that – …

I was living in Seattle [in 2005], across the street from the Space Needle...in the shadow of the Space Needle, really — no sunlight, and rain to boot; it made me want to sleep a …

Many are predicting that next year’s state budget deficit will grow to $7 billion, but that hasn’t stopped the University of California from its habit of handing out big salaries to high-ranking executives. At their …

Carlsbad-based self-help guru Deepak Chopra is reportedly getting paid big bucks to appear in a new series of commercials for Microsoft that attempt to rebut those long-running Apple “I’m a PC and I’m a Mac” …

Where Are The Bags? I have spent at least a thousand hours in the ocean and have not seen a plastic shopping bag yet (“Plague of the Urban Tumbleweeds,” Cover Story, September 11). I bring …

Organizers of the semiannual Rosarito Ensenada Fun Bicycle Ride recently announced that the September 27 event would be their last. As with Baja tourism in general, participation in the ride has been declining. In April, …

It’s been a while since I’ve seen my husband Patrick’s impulsive side. But last week was our anniversary, and he surprised me with a trip to Italy. “Last-minute deal on the package — tremendous bargain,” …

Thirty Years AgoMy former colleague, Jonathan Saville, has the town abuzz with his “review” of Shange’s For Colored Girls. I found both the poetry and the stage production of Colored Girls to be ambitious, adventurous, …

The battle between pro– and anti–gay-marriage forces continues. Among the latest to back Proposition 8, the proposed statewide ban on gay marriages, is Robert Bolingbroke of Rancho Santa Fe, who recently kicked in $25,000. The …

At 9:00 a.m., Saturday morning, under the steady hum from the air conditioner inside Salvation Army’s Fellowship Hall, District Six councilmember Donna Frye and councilmember-elect from District Five Carl DeMaio conversed with a sparse crowd …

A friend scored a pair of tickets to the Chargers’ final preseason game against Seattle. I don’t care much about preseason, but it would give me a chance to check out the Seahawks running back …

Author: Rodney Akins Neighborhood: Downtown Age: 43 Occupation: Homeless After finally moving out of Colonia Libertad, Mexico, which is two blocks across the San Ysidro border crossing, I was homeless with about $50 in my …

It’s been seven years worth of workshops, hundreds of thousand’s of taxpayer dollars, and hundreds of volunteer hours, for Cardiff to finally agree on a General Plan for their community. It started back in 2001 …

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 …

“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, …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

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 …

The Hillcrest Town Council held a community forum on September 9, with District Three candidates Stephen Whitburn and Todd Gloria fielding questions from members of the community. The two candidates attempted to distinguish themselves and …

• Captain Charles Moore, UCSD alum, steps overboard. He disappears into the inky Pacific. It’s 2007, nighttime, 500 miles west of San Diego. He swims, about three, four feet beneath the surface, through the spooky …

We’ve Been Warned I’m calling about last week’s cover story (“They Think They’re in Love,” September 4). I think as the community speaker, the Reader is handed out freely to everyone, including children. I think …

In the 1970s, a fellow student used to confide in me about his family problems. His little girl had been diagnosed with autism. While he showed plenty of concern for the child, my friend seemed …

On August 31, the Union-Tribune printed an obituary on the death of Allard Roen, one of the original developers of Carlsbad’s La Costa Resort and Spa. He was living there when he died August 28 …

“We just had Lol Tolhurst, one of the founding members of the Cure, sit in with us,” says Zippy Twombly of the Cured, a local tribute group. The British drummer joined Twombly’s band onstage for …

How bad is the concert-industry slump? “We are off 30 percent compared to last year,” says a local promoter. “I heard Southern California [concert ticket sales are] off 20 percent.” Yet, Slightly Stoopid’s Tailgate 2008 …

Below is an interview with Tiltwheel songwriter Davey “Tiltwheel” Quinn, who penned "I Spent My Spring Break in Vancouver and All I Got Was This Dumb Song" — SDReader.com’s most downloaded mp3 during the month …

MISS VICTORIA’S IN LOVE On Friday, June 13, 1856, Maurice Franklin invited Victoria Jacobs to join him for a picnic. Even though 17-year-old Victoria suffered a severe toothache, she was thrilled to have “the pleasure …

When word broke two weeks ago that GOP presidential nominee John McCain had picked Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, among the few San Diegans to have actually met her was a small …

La Jolla–based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., owned by La Jolla millionaires Linden and Neal Blue, has made millions of dollars on its best-known product, the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, which has seen service over …

When Kid Rock appears at Pala Casino on Wednesday, September 17, his dressing room requires a clothes rack with 12 hangers, a bottle of shampoo, a bottle of hair conditioner, a pack of white crew …

Heymatt: Everybody’s so worried about being bitten by mosquitoes these days. It sort of occurred to me that maybe if you were drunk and had a pretty high blood-alcohol level and were bitten by a …

William H. Carlson in 1893, newly elected as San Diego’s youngest mayor at age 28. He’s credited with luring the Navy to town, raising money for the jetty at the mouth of San Diego Bay, …

Recipe by Ryan Johnston, executive chef, Whisknladle. Basil Pesto Ingredients: Serves 4–6 10 1/2 oz blanched fresh basil2 oz mortared peeled garlic5 oz grated Parmesan cheese3 oz toasted pine nuts20 oz extra virgin olive oilLasagna …

“Do you know we go up to the altar today?” asked the friendly woman seated in front of me. “We go up and receive bread and wine. It’s up to you; we’re not going to …

My slang word comes from my quest to swear less. I know that it’s kind of an old word, but I say, “snap.” I say it whenever I’m surprised or shocked or exclaiming about something. …

Diminutive Corral Canyon Park is one of the newer parcels of open space to be added to the archipelago of public lands known as the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. A lazily looping hiking …

Punk rock has arrived at the Fashion Valley mall. A manager at the Boudin bakery says she talked her boss into allowing bands to play one night a week. “We’ve had live music since July,” …

Herpes simplex A through Q saw fit to land on my face and create a tiny ecosystem of interconnecting blisters and communities. I’m going to give it to John McCain. (I already gave it to …

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere. — Frank A. Clark The only burp so far on our maiden voyage to Montreal had been the poutine. As a …

Having covered ‘50s and ‘60s theme parties the past two weeks, it seemed appropriate to jump to a ‘70s bash at the VFW hall in Pacific Beach. Coincidentally, I went to a going-away party at …

“I thought only new parents looked like that,” I said to my friend Cherie, worrying over her glazed eyes and exhausted stare. “It’s been like this for months. I’ll wake up after two hours of …

Thirty Years Ago FREDDIE FREAK. Didn’t you believe me when I said I met Eddie at Parkway Plaza? If I didn’t I got the next best thing. Eddie Freak. HECKLE JECKLE: Love to. Meet me …

“Anybody who is first learning how to ride should get a longboard,” says skateboarder Brad Harvey. “It’s definitely more stable, like a longer snowboard or surfboard would be. Bicyclists think we’re nuts when they realize …

Forty-two years ago today — September 11, 1966 — Del Mar was renamed “Clarksville” as part of a promotion for the Monkees’ TV show to debut the following night. The Sunday event marked the first …

There have been a lot of Nick Caves over the years. He’s been the skinny Australian guy clowning around onstage with the chaotic-sounding Birthday Party; the junkie leader of the Bad Seeds, telling tales of …

Vains of Jenna is part of the Swedish (yes, Swedish) sleaze-rock revival…sleaze rock being an American phenomenon from the ’80s known for cheap lyrics and fast guitars. Call it glam metal, big-hair rock, whatever. It …

For months before it opened, Mukashi seemed like a presold hit: Everyone who ate at Avenue 5, just across Nutmeg Street, could see the sign in the window, announcing a new sushi bar with a …

“Where am I from?” says Dzung. “Hanoi.” Wow. We’re sitting ’round the fire pit, chowing down. He’s eating grilled chicken and fries. I’m into pork tacos with chicken nuggets, a cheese enchilada, and a little …

When rock ’n’ roll first hit the scene, hipsters swore that “things’s gonna get REAL GONE for a change.” Although it felt born full grown to those it blew away, rock ’n’ roll didn’t spring …

Sitting down to write this column, I checked the exact date this would appear and was immediately transported to that morning of 9/11/01. It is such an obvious choice for a topic that I am …

An erratic NFL Week 1. Tom Brady’s gone. After 111 consecutive starts, the New England quarterback left Sunday’s KC game in the first quarter. Knee injury. The Patriots were an ordinary football team after that, …

Infant massage educator Suzanne P. Reese is releasing a CD, Talk to Me, with music intended to be sung along while massaging infants. The album is a musical follow-up to her book Baby Massage: Soothing …

It’s back! The 301 University project is back — bigger and badder than ever, and the Hillcrest community is reeling. Warnings went out to the community during the September 2 meeting of the Uptown Planners, …

The Del Mar City Council wants to be marketable: more distinguishable from its coastal sister cities. They want a brand name and to have their own catchy slogan. In local government lingo, they want to …

Faith Paulus remembers growing up in the ’50s, the good old days of playing in the sprinklers and drinking from the hose on a hot day, when people could spend hours outside without a plastic …

Some residents in the Marston Hills area of Hillcrest are scared to let their children play outside, frightened to walk their dogs, and leery of parking on the street outside of their house. Apparently, road …

Author name: Bryan Varela Neighborhood: Downtown Age: 35 Occupation: “Town drunk” I sit here on the corner of Broadway and Columbia, ­puffin’ a smoke and remembering the old broad. Carol, I think was her name. …

According to a survey of 4600 teenagers (aged 12–17) conducted recently by Mediamark Research Inc., 89 percent of teens say they have been in dating relationships, 57 percent regularly date, and 33 percent have a …

Name: Gretchen Kauffman Age: 25 Occupation: Technical designer for Reef Been Surfing: Five years Pre-Surf Music: Slightly Stoopid Gretchen, an O.B. resident, has just experienced her first bit of sexism on the beach. “This guy …

I took my girlfriend to see the Creepy Creeps at the Casbah. She had never seen these local legends, and they were playing with two other local bands I like — the mostly female Glossines …

Before Willie Nelson plays Harrah’s Rincon Casino on Sunday, September 7, he requires the venue to post a $5000 deposit with the William Morris Agency and another $10,000 “shall be presented to the Artist’s representative, …

Robin Henkel: “I remember that I [fell] asleep onstage one time. Before a show with Big Rig Deluxe, I’d eaten a huge Mexican meal and was sitting in this comfy chair playing steel guitar. It …

Comedic singer-songwriter Happy Ron – aka Ronald Hill – recently attended a weeklong “How Music Really Works” seminar/retreat in Canada. “On one of the last days,” says Hill, “I had the opportunity to perform my …

“Poppy music is coming back again. When everybody [originally in blink-182] is out of work long enough, we may see them get back together,” says an insider who has dealt with the band before. When …

“We are the creators of the personal paparazzi phenomenon,” says Reggie Waller, president of Private Paparazzi, which he calls “the first company to offer an authentic paparazzi experience.… They’ll never know you aren’t famous.” The …

Artist:Plane Without a Pilot Song: “What I Would Do” (from the CD It’s about Time) Heard By: Tony Diprima, Mission Bay The first thing I heard was a “pang” cymbal, which bummed me out. It’s …

Have passions cooled? Can we discuss calmly? Without dispute The Dark Knight was the big story of the cinematic summer, which is the same as saying the big money of the summer, $500 million domestic …

By now, huge portions of San Diego’s literate and book-buying public know that Chuck Valverde, owner of Wahrenbrock’s Book House on Broadway, downtown, died on Saturday, August 23, from respiratory illness and complications at the …

Recipe by Martin Gonzalez, executive chef, Acqua Al 2. I really like to cook — at home or at a friend’s house. Even when I’m invited to a barbecue, I manage to take over the …

Mr. Alice, Sir: I’ve never seen you or anybody else for that matter take on this situation. Maybe the answer is too obvious, but I don’t understand how. I like frequenting upscale bars and mingling …

Late summer has been a busy fund-raising time for opponents and advocates of Proposition 8, the measure on November’s ballot to ban gay marriage in California. And, in what has become a regular theme of …

One of La Jolla’s most august and well-heeled institutions is throwing a fund-raising party inspired by the classic 1970s porno movie, Debbie Does Dallas. A flyer for the September 6 bash, “Debbie Does Disco,” put …

Thirty Years AgoMoving through the shadows along Fourth Avenue is a man who appears to be another holdover from last night’s revelry. But as he draws nearer, the yellow light from the Cabrillo Theater reveals …

The kids rolled and patted. Celia sautéed onions and ground beef. I watched and learned. We were having an Argentinean day in our home. Hot empanadas were to be served for dinner. My friend Celia …

Last week I wrote about a ‘50s party. This week, we move forward a decade into the Summer of Love. I wore a crazy orange shirt with flowers all over it that I bought in …

If it’s true that men are such beasts, this must account for the fact that most women are animal lovers. — Doris Day According to a recent article in the Boston Globe, over 80 percent …

I busted my damn foot. I was in ninja school; we were practicing that throw-the-egg-full-of-explosive-powder-down-and-disappear thing when the new guy in the purple sweats disappeared in the wrong direction and stomped my foot. “WAAAAA!” I …

Surf, sand, and picturesque bluffs. Salty breezes and the ever-present licorice scent of wild fennel. The rhythmic bumping of your bike tires over the pavement of an old four-lane highway, abandoned save for the occasional …

“Hurting people loved here,” read the tall, black letters on the sign outside North Park Baptist Church. “I think that’s started getting us in contact with people we don’t normally get contact with,” said senior …

Is the proposal to build a 40-foot-high, 100-acre concrete deck over the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal so far-fetched from an engineering and economic viewpoint that it is really a hoax? Is the envisioned project, which …

Many people will tell you, when the subject comes up, that one’s dreams are uninteresting to others. I do not find that to be the case, but what I do find is that most people …

Shakespeare’s range was enormous. He could charm with Twelfth Night, enchant with Winter’s Tale, go deep with Hamlet and Lear. But what if only one play of his survived? And what if that play were …

E.J. Wilson sings it like he really means it. “No one can take your happiness, long as you/ Do what you gotta do.” That’s exactly what he’s doing. What he has to do. Busking. We’re …

Girls just wanna have fun, and aging-boomer foodie girls especially wanna have fun at the table (as other options become scarcer). Tabule offers that kind of culinary gambol. (Not gamble — I didn’t taste anything …

LIBERTY: SCENES FROM SAN DIEGO’S SHORE-LEAVE HISTORY DANA TOURS SAN DIEGO “A sailor’s liberty is for a day,” writes Richard Henry Dana in Two Years Before the Mast, “yet while it lasts it is perfect,” …

It seemed as if everyone who worked at our local hospital knew Jake. A self-proclaimed “recovered hater of doctors,” he became a fixture, volunteering in the emergency room. The wisecracking 86-year-old’s wrinkled face, slumped shoulders, …

Rolling Stone once wrote that Alejandro Escovedo is his own genre. I agree, with this caveat: Personal as it may be, Escovedo’s music sounds familiar. Not familiar in the way of the plagiarist, mind you, …

Someday, someone will write a musical history of the first decade of the 21st Century and come up with definitive answers to these questions: What was with all that grandiose indie pop? The 17-member bands …

“One of the most important predators in the kelp forest is the California sheephead, a fish that changes sex during its lifetime,” says marine ecologist Edward Parnell. All California sheephead begin life as females and …

Mary Lynn Price, Underwater Videographer One of the aspects of underwater imaging that most appeals to me is the rhythm and motion of the underwater world — it’s like music. Two DVDs that have really …

Unlike some nattering nabobs of negativism in the local press, I thought our San Diego State Aztecs played with skill and enterprise against those beasts from upstate San Luis Obispo. Hell, if the game ended …

Solana Beach, summer 2002. A job interview. “So you like to post on the Internet a lot,” said the human resources person. “Yeah,” I said. “How do you know?” “Did some online investigating.” The term …

How Low Can You Go? Just took a gander at this week’s offering. All that I can say is egads! Leading off with an article about obtaining pentobarbital in TJ to off yourself (“Suicide Tourism,” …

Just how ideologically polarized is San Diego’s state legislative delegation? Pretty much, judging from a recently released scorecard of how legislators voted on a series of critical bills. But some are more absolute than others. …

In 1980, the City of San Marcos made a pledge: for every 1000 residents they would have five acres of parkland. Over the past 28 years, the population of San Marcos has swelled to more …