Matt: I've been meaning to ask this for a long time. It's bugged me. I remember seeing a car screaming past me on the freeway one day that had wire mesh screen between the front …
September 24, 1998
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
What and who are the postal police?
What causes heartburn, and how do you prevent it?
Mattster: I just ate a sandwich and a handful of pepperonis, and now I'm suffering from a near-crippling case of SDSU cafeteria heartburn. Years ago I was never plagued by this phenomenon. What causes heartburn, …
September 24, 1998
What officially makes a place a town?
Dear Matthew Alice: What officially makes a place a town? When the highway department puts up a sign? When it's on the AAA map? Or when you have a post office? In North County, De …
September 17, 1998
What exactly does the body go through in the electric chair when the juice is turned on?
Dear Matmail, What exactly does the body go through in the electric chair when the juice is turned on? I have heard that the eyes have to be taped to keep them in. Does the …
September 3, 1998
A sunset walk in Coronado, Carlsbad, or Mission Blvd.
Got a hot date with your loved one this weekend? If so, then start the evening with a romantic "sunset walk" by the bay, complete with a full-moon-rise over the twilight-bathed city and its scintillating …
September 3, 1998
What is the "Slow Food Movement?"
Dear Matthew Alice: My friend told me about something called the Slow Food Movement. She says it's a bunch of people who think we all should slow down and enjoy our food more, but she …
August 27, 1998
What happens to all the tire rubber from all the cars on the highway?
Hey, Matt: As I sat in my car, parked on the highway at the 5/805 merge the other afternoon, a curious thought came into my mind. There must be 10 million cars and trucks on …
August 27, 1998
At the Plunge, why are there swastikas on the pool?
Dear Matthew Alice: Recently my mom took my son to the Plunge for swimming lessons, and he came home telling me there were "Nazi signs" in the pool. Sure enough, I took him the following …
August 20, 1998
How did the tune "Turkey in the Straw" become the song for ice cream trucks?
Matthew: How in God's name did the tune "Turkey in the Straw" become the perennial favorite for ice cream trucks? -- Summertime Dreamer, La Mesa Hey, make that Summertime Screamer. "Turkey in the Straw" has …
August 20, 1998
What is a Camaro?
To: Matmail: A Mustang is a horse, a Javelin is a spear, a Corvette is a warship. What the heck is a Camaro? -- Joe in E-mailville I haven't a clue what Camaro means, but …
August 20, 1998
Why doesn't the Reader use staples?
Straight to the Lip: Two questions concerning your fine publication. 1) Why are there no staples in your paper? Seems like the Reader always wants to fall apart. Staples are cheap. They would make your …
August 13, 1998