Ode Written on the First of January Come melancholy Moralizer—come! Gather with me the dark and wintry wreath; With me engarland now The SEPULCHRE OF TIME! Come Moralizer to the funeral song! I pour the …
December 27, 2018
Latest News & Stories
A poem to finish off the year from England’s poet laureate
Born to drum
This is the 50th anniversary of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by San Diego’s Iron Butterfly. The 17-minute rock opus was known for taking up one entire album side. Its mid-song drum solo helped grease the wheels for the …
December 27, 2018
The memory of swordfish
The waves crash as if this were an episode of Poldark. Sun and spume glint through the colored plastic surfboard sculptures, here at IB’s Portwood Pier Plaza. “So I’m still looking,” says Kevin. We’re meeting …
December 27, 2018
Flashpants flashback
It took the producers from ABC’s reboot of The Gong Show three attempts before they got Flashpants to bite. Their persistence paid off. The group decided to go for it, even though they knew crashing …
December 27, 2018
2018: Apparition to Zama
A strange year at the movies for your exceedingly humble correspondent. Only about 100 reviews this time ‘round, and three of my notable ten didn’t even make it into the paper. The first of those …
December 27, 2018
Big Sonic New Year’s Eve
Consider XIV, a loosely-structured La Mesa congregation that joyfully lives in the loungey music groove known as Big Sonic Chill. Nathan Samuels (keyboards, trumpet, vocals) and wife/partner Kelly Samuels (vocals, flute, keyboard, percussion) have anchored …
December 27, 2018
What real music sounds like
“It’s not an interpretation of Steely Dan,” says guitarist Hank Easton, whose tribute band Steely Damned II will stage a rare performance at the Music Box on December 30. “It’s like the records, but with …
December 27, 2018
Christmas king tides ravage Cardiff by the Sea
Christmas Day was not kind to the beaches of San Diego County. The strong wind and rainy day saw ravaging king tides, which washed away sand and flooded parking lots and low-lying areas. The National …
December 26, 2018
You suck, Scrooge
A Christmas Carol at Cygnet is unique in that the book and lyrics were adapted by Cygnet co-founder Sean Murray, with music by frequent Cygnet collaborator Billy Thompson. This year marks the fifth the show …
December 26, 2018
The other truth
Rosie Gutierrez is 33, looks 23, and is not easily dissuaded. She’s a trainee nurse, wife, mother, works in a restaurant to pay the bills, and, oh, by the way, believes that the earth is …
December 26, 2018
San Diego – Democrat stronghold?
Left turn only The surprisingly lop-sided victory of Democrat Jen Campbell over eight-year Republican incumbent Lorie Zapf in San Diego’s second district city council race last month is boosting liberal interest in taking two of …
December 26, 2018
Caravan reporters invade Tijuana
Chingue su madre todos esos Hondureños.” those were the first words I heard spoken over a loud speaking as I approached the area where the caravan of migrants arrived, Sunday, November 18th. The source of …
December 26, 2018
Six-figure incompetence at Lincoln High
According to TransparentCalifornia.com, Myeshia Etia Whigham earned $124,829 in pay and benefits in 2017. Meanwhile, principal Jose Soto Ramos was at the taxpayer trough for $182,307 just last year alone. Are we getting our money’s …
December 26, 2018
Shyrehl Wesley leaves best friend's body on Twin Oaks Valley Rd.
“I attracted a lot of women, yes,” Shyrehl Wesley testified in October of 2018. “I do believe that men are the dominant ones in a relationship with a woman.” Wesley turned in the witness box …
December 26, 2018
Last day
Michael Schmid has decided to end his life. I first met Michael at the Café Madrid in Coronado. First thing you notice are his electric-blue eyes. The next is his soft voice, which makes you …
December 26, 2018