The southern California waters from Mexico to Point Conception are generally safe and secure to navigate. But at the end of September, be on the lookout: buccaneers are known to frequent the waters off Catalina …
March 6, 2015
Festivals
Swashbucklin' to Catalina
Crowd sourcing
What makes a music fest work in San Diego? Ten-thousand pounds of crayfish. That, plus accordions, those metal washboard things you wear on your chest, and Mardi Gras beads. Many San Diego music fests have …
March 4, 2015
Be smart, take risks
It’s been three years since the Moon Block Party collective threw their first free event at the Downtown Pomona Arts Colony with over 50 acts including notables such as Strangers Family Band, Allah-Las, Halloween Swim …
October 6, 2014
I drank my fill in the Bahamas
The Caribbean and Atlantic islands weren’t the origin of rum – that was created in New England – but they were part of the trade triangle that included African slaves and island molasses. Any thought …
September 2, 2014
Laguna Beach: summer means art fests
If you want to add some art to your summer, consider heading up to Laguna Beach. A July visit here brought me within walking distance of three major art festivals: the Sawdust Festival, Festival of …
July 21, 2014
Thirty samplers later, I was ready to pass out
I woke up in a mansion in Ensenada on Sunday morning not sure how I got there. My new next door neighbor, Freddy, had invited me to the Baja Beer Fest and told me not …
March 27, 2014
Rajasthan, India: land of the kings
The largest state in India, Rajasthan, located in the northwest of the country, is known as “the land of the kings." Rajasthan is wrapped in vibrant colors, with impressive cities including the Pink City of …
In preparation for landing: San Diego Asian Film Festival
With 140 films to choose from — the program book is as thick as the city directory — spread out over ten days, a world of cinema (aka the 14th Annual San Diego Asian Film …
November 6, 2013
About the beer: Oktoberfest in Munich
I took another swig of crisp, clean German lager as I spied the nascent Oktoberfest fairgrounds across the street. Only the steel frames and brewery names were up – the stark beginnings of the world’s …
Wagner's Lucerne
May 22 is the bicentennial of the birth of German composer Richard Wagner. Although born 1813 in Leipzig, the operatic genius has a strong connection to Switzerland. Wagner – then Royal Saxon Court Conductor – …
June 11, 2013