Mario is a recent immigrant from Mexico, and he's typical of homeowners facing foreclosure. He doesn't want me to use his surname; he's ashamed of getting behind on his payments. He thinks he's been irresponsible, …

That woman in Howard the Duck did it with him, and he was a duck, and that's weird and sad, but it's not why the movie is glorious and hysterical. Nor is it because Howard …

Greg EichelbergerEditor and film critic, East County Herald News For quality television comedy writing and execution, few can match The Muppet Show. It combined classic, lovable characters such as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie …

Driving home from Vegas, I got into San Marcos around 10:00 p.m. I drove by a house that had festive lights glowing in the back yard and several cars parked in front.I went home, took …

I don't want to compare to any other group of people, but Brazilians are not pushovers," says Jaro Pribyl. "They want to do something for themselves, they want to make more money, be more successful." …

Cafe One Three feels like home for a San Francisco expat -- an eclectic, creative eatery that you might find in the Inner Sunset or Cole Valley, where good neighborhood restaurants are thick on the …

The high inverted V made by the slanting walls made it clear that this was a church, but the overall effect was unobtrusive: abstracted stained glass on the high front wall shedding light onto a …

Name: Roger Witthoeft Home: Santee Vehicle: 1967 Volkswagen Bug Surfing: Dog Beach in Ocean Beach Roger Witthoeft's Bug trundles and rattles into the parking lot on mismatched wheels and bare tires. Its paint, multitoned and …

"These may be the first South African coconut balls in America."

"We have to get back to the visceral love, pleasure, seduction, sensuality of it."

Carole Manning at Tavern Owners Bartenders School on Union Street, 1971. In May of '71, the state supreme court decided it was unconstitutional to prevent women from holding a job as bartender. "Percy Husong claims …

A Spoon He called and asked me to bring him a pair of shorts, his sketch pad, a soda, and something to eat. He made a big deal about how I shouldn't look in the …

They named a crater on Mars for Richard Anthony Proctor. The British astronomer (1837–1888) not only popularized his subject, he enjoyed making controversial claims: that there could be life on other planets; that the moon …

Alan Alzona Age: 23 Occupation: Sales Associate Lives: Hillcrest I'm a big MySpace fan, and my friends and me have some good terms we use for general MySpace stalking. We'll say someone was "lurking the …

Before we get to the Chargers, I should note Division II dwelling Appalachian State and its convincing 34-32 victory over nationally ranked (number 5) Division I opponent Michigan. The game was played at Michigan. Follows …

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce regularly opposes legislation favoring citizen entitlements that would, theoretically, promote the general welfare. But the chamber and its local affiliates are all for corporate welfare. Indeed, four years ago, two …

Imagine the food and trash that restaurants in San Diego's tony Gaslamp Quarter throw away every night. For more than 15 years, an alley on G Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues made things easier. …

San Diego city councilman Jim Madaffer has been elected president of the League of California Cities, and one of the city's biggest special interests is throwing a party to celebrate. "It's Jim Time!" says an …

Two weeks ago Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger used his line-item veto to slash $30 million from the state budget earmarked for city and county governments for use in dealing with adverse impacts of Indian gambling casinos. …

San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders's resigned development czar recently took out a big mortgage on his mansion on La Jolla Scenic Drive. According to a trust deed recorded April 12, Jim Waring, who departed city …

Last night, Roses on Her Grave debuted at the Viper Room, the same West Hollywood showcase that rewarded Dirty Sweet with a month-long residency last year. "Dirty Sweet are now in the about-to-be-the-biggest-thing-ever mode," says …

Name: Brenda Larnin Occupation: Spa Manager Neighborhood: Pacific beach Where Interviewed: crown point What book are you currently reading? What page are you on? "Katherine by Anya Seton. I'm on 12, but this is the …

Pinback's in-store appearance this Tuesday at Lou's Records in Encinitas coincides with the release of their fourth full-length album, Autumn of the Seraphs. The band's subsequent national and world tours will be the first with …

"The radio doesn't play reggae down here," says tijuanense Carlos Garcia, bassist in the Astrorumberos. "The only time we get to play [in Tijuana] is when Pato Banton or Manu Chao comes down here and …

Todd Loren launched Rock 'N' Roll Comics in 1989 to spin unlicensed comic-book biographies of rock stars. Some, like Frank Zappa and Kiss, were supportive, while others -- such as the New Kids on the …

"It pays to have your mom as a GM," says Shey Euphoria guitarist Ian Cochran, 17. His mother Kathleen is general manager at Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa, the site of three recent "Jam …

This great Friday night: fly-blown and beer redolent, resounding with the subsonic backbeat booming from the trunks and rear seats with words of racial hatred, fantasies of bullet-riddled cops echoing up Texas Street, the odor …

Kiss front man Paul Stanley has begun a career as an artist. La Jolla's Wentworth Gallery will present an exhibition of his work beginning September 7 and 8. Consisting of a series of abstracts with …

Thirty Years Ago When Winchell's Donuts first cast its corporate eye on the intersection of Sunset Cliffs and West Point Loma Boulevard, company officials doubtless never expected such sticky questions. Winchell's tried to sweeten the …

When Toby Keith performs at Coors Amphitheatre on Sunday, September 9, "artist has his own roaming glow ring, glow rose and live rose operation...no glow products of any nature or any live roses are allowed …

Since forming in 2005, the CHI Club have been playing shows around San Diego wherever they can. Whether you run across the band rocking on the beach, at a house party, a farmers' market, or …

'Tricked out?" I asked Patrick, incredulous. "You want to get the minivan tricked out? Let's get serious. I'm not sure that a Toyota Sienna is the sort of car you trick out. More importantly, I'm …

Point Mugu State Park, midway between Los Angeles and Ventura, sprawls across 15,000 acres of the coast-hugging Santa Monica Mountains. About 70 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails lace through the park. Campers are …