Imagine an eight-year-old English boy arriving at LAX for the first time in his life. Having taken off from a freezing, raining London, he arrives 14 hours later to a freezing, raining Los Angeles. He …
Thursday, April 29
Dear Matthew Alice: I seem to remember reading somewhere that primitive people didn’t have as many names for colors as we have today. Is that true? Why would that be? Was everything in olden times …
Ted Kennedy, now 61, is an arrested development beau ideal. Cause, in Teddy’s case, has never led, necessarily, to effect. He’s escaped visible consequences. He’s kept his Senate seat for 30 years. He’s not even …
Dear Matthew: What is earwax and where does it come from? — Mort S.G., San Diego If you’re looking for a profitable hobby, Mort, you might save your earwax in a little jar until you …
Thursday, April 22
Plaintiffs’ personal injury attorneys have been called the entrepreneurs of adversity. It is they who initiate lawsuits on behalf of those who claim injuries for which the law awards money damages. The attorneys are entrepreneurial …
Matthew Alice: Why do prices always end in 9? Seems illogical when a penny more is even money. — Barry Wahlgren, San-Diego Okay, class, by now you all know Matthew’s Maxim #23, the retailer’s mantra, …
Dear Mr. Alice: My friend Jake and I have a controversy we wondered if you could help us settle. Does a rising fastball actually rise or is this term a misnomer? I say the ball …
Gated communities are the coming trend in Southern California, ad although this isn’t really a gated community, it sort of has that feel. People here feel safe because of the security measures.
Thursday, April 15
My connection, as it were, called to inform me there might be a "slight problem" with delivery because she was going out of town. To a "Southwestern beach resort." For her family's annual eight-day pheasant …
Dear Mr. Alice: I have to have the hair on my head cut every month or so, but I never have to have my eyebrows trimmed. What’s up? — Maryanne, Del Mar It’s the miracle …
Dear Mr. Alice: I've always wondered at exactly what moment a couple is considered officially married. When the preacher says, “I now pronounce you man and wife” or when the license is signed or what? …
Thursday, April 8
On this chill evening, a mere fortnight before a Trilateralist named Clinton got the nod, American-built cars of substantial steel pull up in front of Lakeside’s Harvest Christian Fellowship. The bumper stickers say it all: …
1-30-89 Jerry Zanelli calling for R.S. 2-1-89 Jerry to Dick Kathy Reese is close friends with Maureen O'Connor. She represents City of San Diego. It would not be a motivator for Susan — discuss the …
Murphy Canyon was named for Jack Murphy. Not the 1960s sports columnist who led the fight for a new ballpark, but a pioneer rancher who acquired about a hundred acres of the San Diego Mission land grant.
Recently my four grown children (who all seem to be older than I am) were visiting me, and we got into a discussion on vegetarian food. One daughter commented that the human being was never …
Several factors conspire this time of year to make the bicycle ride down the whole length of Highway S-2 one of the easiest, most carefree and exhilarating experiences you can have in San Diego County. …
Thursday, April 1
There is a cult Iranian movie, popular both in Iran and among exiles in the U.S., called Agha-ye Avareh, "Mr. Exile." In it a kind of Iranian Charlie Chaplin, complete with shabby suit coat, loosened …
Dear Matthew: From whence or what does the term or phrase “Uncle Sam" derive? — Greg. Where did Uncle Sam come from? — Vlada. — Greg and Vlada, Point Loma Greg: The term “Uncle Sam” …
Dear Matthew Alice: How do spacecraft avoid hitting things as they speed through the universe? Presumably, big things like planets can be planned for and avoided. But what about all the other space junk? It …