Feature Stories

My uncle plays the Granada piano bar in Hillcrest

San Diego in books - Andy Warhol editor notes PSA crash, builder of first jail was father of wine industry

Kitchen Spanish

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My summer with Santa Ysabel Indians

The first time I ever saw Arlo Two Moons, I was seven. Except that I didn’t know it was him. My father was driving his black ‘67 Chevy truck on ...

Balboa Park Feature Stories Writing Contest

My uncle plays the Granada piano bar in Hillcrest

We didn’t meet often, and when we did, it was always in the dark. From the outset, I could have described the warm baritone voice, the music, and the well-worn ...

San Diego in books - Andy Warhol editor notes PSA crash, builder of first jail was father of wine industry

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1978 — Los Angeles — New York The new Interview arrived from New York and Fran’s column was so boring I told Bob we should Fire her. ...

Barrio Logan Chula Vista City Heights Downtown San Diego Ensenada Feature Stories Golden Hill National City Pacific Beach San Ysidro Tijuana Writing Contest

Kitchen Spanish

A clatter against the window of my second-story room in Golden Hill awoke me. Then, shouts. What the hell? “Eh, Miguel.” “Miguelito.” “Barba de Chivo, levántate, cabrón.” Only Rodolfo called ...

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Feature Stories

A day In the life of Charles Snelling

He awoke to the shrill sound of the alarm pulsating through his skull like there was a rat in his brain. “Fuck!” he impotently screamed as he pushed the button on his alarm clock, ceasing ...

April 6, 2022

The poet who washed cars by hand

I’m kinda glad to talk ‘bout this, Sarge, ‘bout Audrey and such. Spendin’ time talkin’ to a smart cop like you is good for an intellect like me. But ‘fore you go thinkin’ wrong stuff ...

April 6, 2022

Baja Feature Stories Writing Contest

March 23, 2022

Harley rider punches dad on way to Baja

In Memory of Dennis Avery It was a hot Saturday afternoon in 1984. I’d been on the chopper for several days straight and I reeked worse than skunk roadkill. But I didn’t think the old ...

My Filipina mom always said I was too American

March 23, 2022

When I was nine years old, just a year after my dad died, I choked on a sharp fish bone. The bone became lodged in the back of my throat, stuck behind one of my ...

Feature Stories Oceanside Writing Contest

March 16, 2022

San Diego boys try picking up bar girls in Orange County

Author’s note: This story is non-fiction, but certain elements are romanticized. Think Hunter S. Thompson. The sun cut flat over the city, and as it departed, it took with it the last of my time ...

March 9, 2022

Cry Covid

The smell of blood and fear and death hangs in the air like the toxic smoke of a chemical fire. The sound of alarms ring in my ears, drowning out the voices of my teammates. ...

March 9, 2022

He actually stabbed me

I’ve heard about these turning points in people’s lives, little moments when someone could maybe stop their future from happening. I like the idea of those moments, I’ve missed a few myself. I always wonder ...

San Diego in books - Willie Nelson in National City, snakes vs. horsehair, La Jolla's Enzyme Valley

February 14, 2022

IN 1964 A SAN DIEGO INVENTOR named James Tanner caused a major stir at the National Association of Broadcasters’ meeting in Chicago, where he planned to demonstrate a ratings truck capable of capturing the tuning ...

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San Diego in books - FBI in Tijuana, George Plimpton conducts SD Symphony, SEAL training

WITH A LOW WHINE the plane began its descent toward San Diego, skimming in over the roofs of the highest buildings. Graves didn’t much like San Diego. It was a utilitarian town dominated by the ...

December 27, 2021

San Diego in books - UCSD, Market Street, mobs in San Diego

IF YOU SEEK ROGER REVELLE'S MONUMENT, take a walk around the campus which has spread on the mesa. Looming near and over the center is the very good Central Library. An upside-down pyramid of glass ...

November 22, 2021

November 10, 2021

Before City Heights

Barely two minutes after we leave the airport and pick up our rental car, a minivan with Ohio plates cuts us off and my husband curses at the driver. “Stay in your own #$%^@&* lane, ...