Matthew Alice: As a member of the San Diego press, I hope you will be able to answer this. Why can't the Union-Tribune obtain the correct starting times for many cable channels. All of their …
October 17, 2002
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
TV frustration.
Whose big idea were the wedding vows, anyway?
Matthew Alice: Who created the marriage vows "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till …
October 10, 2002
Why can't I find cashews in the shell?
My Friend Matt: Why don't I ever see cashews in the shell? Do cashews have shells? Peanuts in the shell are cheaper than peanuts out of the shell, so wouldn't cashews be? Why can't I …
October 10, 2002
Are jelly beans healthier for you than salt water taffy?
Hi Matt: Halloween is coming up. What's the healthiest kind of candy for me to eat? I like salt water taffy, but I've heard that jelly beans are your best bet. I'd like your opinion. …
October 10, 2002
How did they draw the eastern border of California?
Hey: How was the border between Nevada and California determined? Basically, it's an imaginary line drawn in the sand. -- Peter Torrance, San Diego For an imaginary line, it sure caused a ruckus. When Spain …
October 3, 2002
House cleaning for kangaroos
Hello, Matt: I saw a documentary about kangaroos, and they said the baby kangaroo spends about six months in the mother's pouch before it comes out into the world. The one thing they didn't tell …
October 3, 2002
What's the official state dance of California?
Matt: I read somewhere that California has an official state dance, the Western Swing. Can this be possible? -- Wondering, San Diego In Sacramento, all things are possible. But right at the top, to fend …
October 3, 2002
Why do Canadians pay so much more for stuff than we do?
Hey, Matt: Why is it that "WE" who live in the United States need to know what "THEY" who live in Canada pay on consumer items/goods???? (i.e., greeting cards/flower vases, etc.) And why is it …
September 26, 2002
Cockpit? Why "cockpit"?
Haymatt: Could you tell me why the pilot sits in a cockpit? Why is a cockpit called a cockpit? Did Orville and Wilbur think up the word? Do other countries use this same term? In …
September 26, 2002
Tell me about the day we could bicycle down the 805 freeway.
Matthew: I was in high school when the 805 was built and open for business. I seem to remember hearing that the day before it was open to cars, it was open to the public …
September 19, 2002
If I paint myself silver, will I live to enjoy it?
Dear Matthew: A friend says that if I paint myself with house paint, I would drown. Could this be true? I wanted to paint myself silver, but now I'm not so sure. -- Cindy, San …
September 19, 2002