Rocks are for climbing, collecting, throwing, building. They're also full of information, if you can read a rock. Scientists who become fluent in rock — geologists — peruse these old, hard texts and interpret them. …
January 13, 2005
News & Stories
Tom Deméré reads the Rose Canyon Fault, the Elsinore Fault, Julian Schist, Friars Road, Mission Gorge, Fossil Canyon
Light into Darkness
New Year's resolution: resist the hype. Ignore it. Pay it no heed. Don't get sucked in. As we buckle up for another annum of stunning masterpieces and electrifying thrill rides, it could do no harm …
January 13, 2005
The Fog Thickens
In a booming James Earl Jones voice: When we last left our hero, he had successfully crashed a Pee Wee Herman party. As he walked briskly across the street to another party, he saw the …
January 13, 2005
Happy Triggers
“Nothing is complete — things are chopped off, or they run off the edge of the canvas.”
January 13, 2005
High-Income Housing
Superintendent Alan Bersin has finally sold his Point Loma house and moved into a manse down the hill in La Playa overlooking San Diego Bay. The controversial school honcho got $1,250,000 in September, when he …
January 13, 2005
Crooked Shooters
The editorial board over at the Union-Tribune lost more face last Tuesday with the defeat of George Stevens, the old Southeast San Diego pol, minister, and ex-city councilman whom the paper had endorsed over Tony …
January 13, 2005
Pink Steam
Pink Steam. Suspect Thoughts Press, 2004; 190 pages; $16.95. FROM THE DUST JACKET: Pink steam rises from the vats of melting goo in the Vincent Price 3-D horror classic, House of Wax. Railroad buffs know …
Executive suit
San Diego Regional Airport Authority board member Bill Lynch is getting more than a bit of personal education in the pitfalls of running an aviation-related business. Back in November 2001, according to a recently filed …
January 13, 2005
Unkind Cut
Tonya Jamois, a housewife from San Marcos, leads an international grassroots movement battling the medical establishment. Dressed in tennies and a raspberry-colored velour track suit, she sits in a purple armchair in the corner of …
January 13, 2005
Banner Year
As recently as eight or ten years ago, "when things were gritty in the Gaslamp Quarter," says downtown's Golden Pacific Art owner Catherine Wall, artists could rent small work spaces for $60 per month. "A …
January 13, 2005
John Moores's Mississippi Nightmare
A tsunami originating in the little town of Clinton, Mississippi, could soon whack the larger town of San Diego, California. Clinton was the home base of WorldCom, an $11 billion accounting fraud in the telecom …
January 13, 2005
Last summer's flash flood in Borrego Palm Canyon paved the way for easier access into the canyon's upper reaches.
For now and for the next several years, the normally slow and painstaking trek ambitious hikers make into the middle and upper reaches of Borrego Palm Canyon will be considerably easier. Much of the impeding …
January 13, 2005
Tranquil Trip
"You're gonna go wacko if you're just listening to Enya over and over again."
January 13, 2005
Madonna, Bono, Sting, Cher
"Madonna, Bono, Sting, Cher. None of them are here, but in the great tradition of one-name stars like those, there's a new one about to burst on the music scene, and you're lucky enough to …
January 13, 2005
We Used to Play Acoustic Delta Blues on the Corner of Prospect
"We used to play acoustic delta blues on the corner of Prospect and Herschel. We would put on really nice suits and shine our shoes and look like we didn't need the money. But we'd …
January 13, 2005
Deep Cleaning
Yes, Mother. I can see you are flawed. You have not hidden it. That is your greatest gift to me. -- Alice Walker 'You know how I can tell this is an elegant place?" I …
January 13, 2005
"I Just Want My Money or My CDs Back"
"I just want my money or my CDs back." The owner of a local record label says he was burned by the abrupt closing of a CD store that operated for five months out of …
January 13, 2005
There Was a Long Line to Get Into L5
There was a long line to get into L5 for its last hours on New Year's Eve. Two cops stood by and made sure no one got too rambunctious. One guy was yelling on his …
January 13, 2005
"Twenty-Two Days [in Jail] is Not Enough Punishment
"Twenty-two days [in jail] is not enough punishment," said prosecutor Jeff Dort to the court. "I'm not an advocate for breaking up families, but I am an advocate for the rights and safety of children." …
January 13, 2005
The Associated Press' "Overlooked Albums" of 2004
The Associated Press' "Overlooked Albums" of 2004 includes a review of Tom Waits's Real Gone which says the one-time local nightclub doorman "has thrown dice in the back alleys of music before and found perfection …
January 13, 2005
"You Need to Get Laid!"
"You need to get laid!" a drunk woman in a tube top yelled at the police officer arresting her. "What's the matter, haven't you ever [expletive] a pretty girl before?" This is according to SDPD …
January 13, 2005
The Way Christian Church
"More than nine out of ten people go to counseling because they do not have a close meaningful relationship in church. Many people will go their entire life and struggle to find a good friend. …
January 13, 2005
Chargers Wrap-up
There's a reason why Marty is 5-12 in playoff games. Defense, an excellent quarterback, and a good front line can get you into the postseason, but once in, you need to take risks; be assured, …
January 13, 2005
Coffee Ice Cream
I've crash-landed into the post-holiday wasteland. The parties and planning are over. Where needed, gifts have been returned or exchanged. The Christmas tree has kept its date with the wood chipper, and the holiday decorations …
January 13, 2005
The Reader's Eye on Television
My first script "Hello, a lot of folks with diabetes are having a tough time eating right. Well, now there's -- goddamnit!" Wilford Brimley is interrupted by a series of loud bangs. "It's bad enough …
January 13, 2005
When a cow joined the band
Hi Matt: I was recently doing some deep thinking on the origin of the cow bell (as a musical instrument). I can't figure out if it's the chicken or the egg. Did we put the …
January 13, 2005
Witness Security program? What Witness Security program?
Heymatt: If my best friend or uncle entered the federal Witness Protection Program, would I even know it? I mean, would he and his family just disappear? What explanations are given, if any, to friends …
January 13, 2005
Fire hat stickers
Dear Matthew: Why do people have those firefighter stickers on the back of their cars? I figure the driver must work for the fire department. But why are they advertising it? Is it in case …
January 13, 2005
Whither Social Security
Hi Matt: Articles have been written regarding the uncertainty of the future of the Social Security system. The system is nearly 70 years old and they probably add thousands of people each day. My question …
January 13, 2005