Every weekday, in a small room on the sixth floor of the Wyndham San Diego Hotel at Emerald Plaza, dozens of people come to close the book on their personal bankruptcies. Today eight debtors have …

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005; 752 pages; $35. FROM THE DUST JACKET: American Prometheus is the first full-scale biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, "father of the …

Pilgrims Smell Worse, Allen Boudreaux This has been a long, long, long month for me. It's funny how time flows, where (at least for me) days seem to last forever, but weeks and months seem …

Paul Koch spent six years as road manager for the San Diego Chicken. Now that he’s in real estate, you might see his Cadillac around town. “I drive a big car with a big name,” …

"All eight tires on both of our vans were slashed," says an FM-94/9 employee. "No other tires in the area were slashed." During the two-day Coachella Music and Arts Festival (April 30 and May 1), …

"I guess they wanted to make the event more family-accessible," says Timothy Joseph, singer/guitarist with Buckfast Superbee. Joseph's band and other P.B. Block Party favorites such as Slightly Stoopid are not being asked to perform …

"I know for a fact he lives there." Ruggy, the sidekick on the 91X morning show, broke the news recently that Metallica front man James Hetfield lives in Fallbrook. "My sister works in Starbucks," said …

Thirty Years Ago In each of the camps at Camp Pendleton, there are the bulletin boards. Vietnamese leaving messages for other Vietnamese -- lost friends and relatives -- and notes to "The Employees of IBM," …

Filipina singer/actress Nora Aunor, who has a home in Linda Vista, pleaded not guilty April 21 to felony drug possession charges in an L.A. court. Associated Press reports say she was arrested March 30 at …

For the first time in its 31-year history, Solana Beach's Belly Up Tavern will host a headliner brought in by an outside promoter. Casbah talent buyer/co-owner Tim Mays will host his first Belly Up show …

'This is the most inexpensive art you could ever get into," says Rhonda Cole. "For $25 you can get all the supplies you would need for a year." Cole has been a member of the …

How did KYXY-FM salesman Larry Goodman get a free Hoffner bass, autographed by Paul McCartney, from Las Vegas's Hard Rock Cafe? By swapping a piece of the plane Otis Redding died in after crashing into …

Wild Truth drummer Bill Ray says Artwalk organizers gave his band some unwanted "special treatment" while they performed -- for free -- at the Little Italy street festival on April 23. According to a posting …

My friend went to a "Battle of the Bands" at Dream Street in Ocean Beach and was blown away by Taz Taylor. He's a guitarist from England who now lives in San Diego. Was he …

Now that San Diego city councilman Scott Peters is wrapping up his single term on the California Coastal Commission, a behind-the-scenes struggle has erupted over who will replace him. Sources say La Jollan Peters, whom …

I had a busy day one weekend. It started by going to the KUSI studio. They wanted to talk to me on their morning news program about parties. I felt awkward on a day when …

You read it everywhere: the city of San Diego may be broke, but the underlying regional economy is robust. Sorry. I can't agree. The local economy appears strong now but sits on a powder keg. …

The April 21 report is called "a cautionary tale that the general public and the San Diego City Council should consider when future major land-use opportunities are presented." Written by the San Diego County Grand …

My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. -- Erma Bombeck I slipped in undetected. Every part of me was silently screaming, …

You can explore two of San Diego's most beautiful old neighborhoods -- Mission Hills and Banker's Hill -- on the seven-mile, self-propelled tour outlined here. We'll define "self propelled" as walking, jogging, or bicycle riding. …

"Oh, shoot!" Mrs. Juhl said. "I forgot the TV and VCR in the teachers' lounge. Tony, since you're in the back near the door and drawing on your desk instead of reviewing the chapter, why …

Del Mar Rendezvous promises "Originality with a New Style" and "to put some ZING into Chinese dining." This rendezvous between Eastern and Western cuisines favors the Asian side of the equation, and given the menu …

'I can hear you getting fatter." The line is from Tommy Boy; David Spade says it to Chris Farley as Farley pounds away at his junk food in the passenger seat. Husband Patrick and I …

Golden Baseball League (GBL) is a new, independent, eight-team, class-A baseball league with a franchise in San Diego. The league reminds me of what a friend said when talking about her favorite restaurant. "I like …

I had a bowl of popcorn thrown on me.

"In a traditional church, God is over here," said Paula Brandes as she reached her hand away from her body. "In Religious Science, God is within us. We don't have to reach out to find …

“Can’t go on leaning over the banana tree, dude. Back’s killing me.”

Hey Matt: I understand one throwing up because of too much alcohol or bad food. I do not understand one throwing up because of emotion, like seeing a big pile of dog doo (or worse). …

Heymatt: What with this new election for mayor, all the TV stations are talking about so-and-so "throwing his hat in the ring." What does that have to do with running for office? -- Voter, San …