Confidential email reveals Irwin Jacobs's powerful hand in Balboa Park project
Qualcomm billionaire wanted mammoth parking garage to be "almost human-free," spurned idea his money could be used to fix potholes
San Diego's richest man, Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs, always said that since he was putting up the money for his now-defunct Balboa Park traffic and parking makeover plan, there should be no arguments about how he wanted to spend it. …
Crossroads of the West Del Mar gun show reports hugely successful gun buyback event
Over 4,000 guns bought back, no questions asked, and then re-sold to new customers, no questions asked.
"Let's face it," says Crossroads of the West Gun Show director Max Luger, "in this day and age, you have to think twice before buying a gun. For one thing, guns have gotten some bad PR lately. But more importantly, …
Beside Sondheim
In 2010, the year he turned 80, Stephen Sondheim did a surprising thing. The author of umpteen musicals - including his controversial Assassins, which opens at Cygnet Theatre March 23 - published Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant …
All-female lowriders club subject of locally produced documentary
"The Unique Ladies" screens Wednesday night at the San Diego Latino Film Festival
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/mar/11/41554/ For those outside the loop, The Unique Ladies opens with the following definition: lowrider \ loh-rahy-der \ . n1. a customized car, truck, or bicycle that has been lowered within inches of the ground 2. any individual or club …
Judge Prager OKs convention center expansion tax
Ruling tentative; San Diego's plan was based on one used in San Jose
Judge Ronald Prager of Superior Court ruled today (March 11) that the scheme concocted to evade a citizen vote on the tax assessment for the $520 million Convention Center expansion meets legal requirements. San Diego voters had twice turned down …
National Pit Bull Association President speaks out following Cornelio sentencing
President Grippe: "If you outlaw pit bulls, then only outlaws will have pit bulls."
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/mar/11/41547/ NPBA anti-regulation ad NERVOUSLY PROFFERING A MILK BONE, PARADISE HILLS - Carla Cornelio was sentenced to four years in prison today following her conviction for involuntary manslaughter and two counts of owning a mischievous animal that caused a death. …
Activist sues to block private CPUC huddle
March 20 meeting breaks open meeting law, says her lawyer
Masada Disenhouse today (March 11) filed suit in superior court after she was not permitted to attend a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) meeting March 20 meeting at Scripps Seaside Forum. The subject will be cleantech. So-called "stakeholders" will be …
Organizer of Rock-n-Roll Marathon files suit against the American Cancer Society
Active-lifestyle event company wants over $1.6 million for alleged breach of contract
The collaboration between the American Cancer Society and Competitor Group Inc, the owner and operator of the Rock-n-Roll Marathon, has run its course. The San Diego-based company, recently purchased by private equity firm Calera Capital, filed a lawsuit in federal …
Hurricane 'Tiny' rips through San Diego Latino Film Festival
Lister and Mexican superstar, Kate del Castillo, played to packed house at "K 11" premier
The phone rang just as I was pulling into the parking stall at Digiplex Mission Valley. "Where are you, man?" a familiar voice growled. "I'm upstairs in a holding area." When we spoke earlier in the week, 'Tiny' Lister assured …
Allen's Alley Cafe
Vista breakfast spot has longevity and charm to spare.
No restaurant in Vista has been open longer than Allen’s Alley Cafe. In the restaurant world, sixty years is practically an eternity. I mean, Allen’s is no White Horse Tavern, but it’s been around for a lot longer the the …
Belching Beaver migrating south
Belching Beaver Brewery using tasting rooms, bottles to reach consumers
Despite my best efforts to be clear in my communications, the messages in my articles get misconstrued from time to time. Of everything I’ve written concerning local beer, perhaps none of my opinions have been as misunderstood as those concerning …
Three San Diego lawyers disbarred
Gun assault, child pornography, cheating of client involved
Three San Diego lawyers have been disbarred by the State Bar of California, according to the California Bar Journal. Jac Francois Pouliot was disbarred January 9. He was convicted in 2011 of assault with a deadly weapon, but failed to …
City refuses to pay $7.6 million to man paralyzed by a fallen tree. Requests new trial.
Ex Parte hearing scheduled for Tuesday, March 12.
The City of San Diego wants to take another shot at convincing a jury that they should not be held responsible for the palm tree that fell on Michael Burke's legs during a in January 2010 storm. Last December, a …
Helzer, Grinnell & Hubbard: The ARC Trio
Shifting from intricate notation into free improvisation while keeping it all swinging is serious fun.
The ARC Trio featuring pianist Rick Helzer bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Nathan Hubbard played a reunion gig on March 9 at Villa Musica--reconfirming the depth of talent in the San Diego jazz scene. These guys may be the best-kept …
Con-Dor science fiction/fantasy convention photo report
San Diego's OTHER comical con happening on Hotel Circle North
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/mar/09/41483/ The annual ConDor science fiction/fantasy convention is happening this weekend at the Town and Country Resort on Hotel Circle North, which last October also hosted the inaugural edition of San Diego Comic Fest. This year's ConDor features authors, agents, …
Enormous blast from Kyle Blanks not enough for Padres to get by Rangers
The Texas Rangers beat the Padres in Peoria on Saturday in spite of a monstrously long home run from Kyle Blanks
If there was ever any doubt about how much power the bat of Kyle Blanks could possibly wield, then those doubts should have been shed on Saturday in Peoria. In the bottom of the sixth inning with a man on, …
A Scribe Amidst the Lions calling it quits
Band breakup just weeks after releasing finale of 3-album trilogy
"After many years of creating some of the best music and memories of our lives, A Scribe Amidst the Lions is saying goodbye," according to an email blast from A Scribe Amidst the Lions. "We want to thank all of …
Basshenge Technology techno dance series at AC Lounge
Burning Man sound camp drops the beat at BeHe bar.
Basshenge started last year as a series of parties to raise funds for a Burning Man installation of the same name. The result was a life-size (150 feet in diameter) Stonehenge replica powered by 100,000 watts of sound, over 120 …