The popularity contest is over. Texas hold 'em has won. We're all in. Some approximations state that over 20 percent of Americans play hold 'em poker on a regular basis. Thirteen networks currently offer poker …
January 12, 2006
News & Stories
Texas Hold 'Em the San Diego way
Foxtrot Bravo
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. -- Mahatma Gandhi 'We live like kings," Dad said. The last pill from the colorful assortment in his hand disappeared …
January 12, 2006
Skyline Wesleyan, La Mesa
Denomination: Wesleyan Address: 11330 Campo Road, Highway 94 at Jamacha Road, La Mesa Founded locally: 1954 Senior pastor: Dr. Jim Garlow Congregation size: about 2800 Staff size: 14 pastors Sunday school enrollment: about 1800, including …
January 12, 2006
To Kill and Impregnate
'Even though the animal was dead, it was a real encounter to know there was a [mountain] lion there, to know this is where it fed on this animal," says Deborah Knapp, manager of the …
January 12, 2006
Walking the Line
Cash'd Out is San Diego's newest Johnny Cash cover band. The success of the recent biopic Walk the Line has not hurt the group's popularity. The band consists of Douglas Benson on vocals and guitar; …
January 12, 2006
Millard Canyon, in the San Gabriel Mountains, hosts a melodious cascade during the rainy season.
Sheltered in a cool, shady canyon a few short minutes from the 'burbs of Altadena and Pasadena, Millard Falls comes alive at about this time of year with runoff from the "front range" of the …
January 12, 2006
Add a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia...and we are firmly in my post-holiday terrain.
I think I might assume that I am not alone in the aftermath of the holidays (whatever you need to call them), surrounded by yet unchucked gift wrappings, batteries; maybe your tree is still in …
January 12, 2006
White Crane Spreads Its Wings
Two years ago I wrote a column about taking up the practice of Tai Chi Chuan, said I'd report back after a year. Last year. I checked in, promised an update in 12 months' time. …
January 12, 2006
Caffeine: Hooked
Caffeine is my life support. I drink tea and coffee. I drink iced tea like a crazy man because it is my favorite. At Starbucks, I opt for the black iced tea, sweetened. It tastes …
January 12, 2006
Missing Chef Found in Clairemont Mall
The last two years, we've seen a game of musical chefs. Now it's progressed to musical restaurants, with a mad swirl of newcomers replacing old- and not-so-old-timers. In a recent change, Cucina Italiana ("Italian kitchen") …
January 12, 2006
Ivory and Ebony
Movies reviewed this week: Glory Road, Last Holiday, and The White Countess
January 12, 2006
Radio station KMAT
HY MTTHW LC! Why do radio stations have those consonant-filled names, like KQVO or KFMB? And why is there a disproportionate amount of the letter K? -- VWL-HNGRY IN NRML HGHTS THR R 5 VWLS …
January 12, 2006
Nazi Rock
"They have to keep it as secret as possible," says a promoter about a hate-rock show that may or may not be coming to San Diego. "For obvious reasons they only want their inner circle …
January 12, 2006
MC Ron Jeremy in da Palace
"No one takes San Diego [rappers] seriously," says Nasty O of National City, one of the four men in Sky Tower Click. "People [outside of SD] think San Diego rap revolves around gangsters. Many rap …
January 12, 2006
The Letters of Lytton Strachey
The Letters of Lytton Strachey edited by Paul Levy. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2005, 720 pages; $40 FROM THE DUST JACKET: Lytton Strachey is one of the key figures in the cultural life of the …
January 12, 2006
Expect Sex and Violence
Before they've ever played a show, the Prayers have received offers of sex and death threats via myspace.com. But, because three members of the new pop/rock outfit are in the Plot to Blow Up the …
January 12, 2006
Pridebowling for Popularity
"I met this Swedish girl in Newport Beach," says punk singer/songwriter Aaron Goulding. "I followed her home in 1993.... I met these other guys [in Sweden] and we started a band." Pridebowl did well in …
January 12, 2006
Clean House
After seven months in operation, downtown's House of Blues is saying goodbye to general manager Jim Biofore and Kyle Svanda, assistant director of venue operations. Insiders who do not work for House of Blues speculate …
January 12, 2006
Keepin' It Real...Dirty?
Local pastor and Grammy-nominated gospel artist Tonex (pronounced Toe-nay) says his newest CD, Oak Park: 92105, is the first Christian-artist album to carry a parental advisory sticker. Released on iTunes.com, the 24 tracks document his …
January 12, 2006
Sometimes You Can't Get What You Need
Al Kooper played keyboards for the Stones ("You Can't Always Get What You Want"), Bob Dylan (the organ on "Like a Rolling Stone"), and various Beatles tracks. Yet, as of this writing, he hasn't yet …
January 12, 2006
The Reader's Eye on Television
Two Policia scratch the black leather soles of their boots against the grit of the sidewalk as they turn their backs to me. The Spanish in their mouths is the deliberate cadence of morning, and …
January 12, 2006
Classical Act
Even before 18-year-old pianist Eldar Djangirov played on Late Night with Conan O'Brien last June, the 2005 graduate of Linda Vista's Francis Parker School had sold over 50,000 copies of his debut CD Eldar (his …
January 12, 2006
City and UT in Log Roll SNAFU
Ethicists often examine the "do" contract -- "you do me and I'll do you." The advertising salesman sells an ad to a company, and lo and behold, the paper's business page shortly carries a puff …
January 12, 2006
Bored on Wheels
You've worked hard, you've succeeded in your profession, you've gotten rich. And now you want a car that says those things to the people you blow past on the freeway. A Cadillac or even a …
January 12, 2006
Breaking Stories
Scandal city It might not be up to the level of Washington's Abramoff scandal, but the California Fair Political Practices Commission has filed a flurry of sanctions against San Diegans. First up is Ace Parking …
January 12, 2006
Jeri Kemple in Colorado
My life before my husband came into it was out of control. Divorce, incest, neglect, abandonment, promiscuity, alcoholism, drug addiction -- just to name some of the elements throwing my life out of whack. I …
January 12, 2006
Ms. Simon’s Century
I got an invitation for a New York party. I thought that was a long way to go until, reading on, I realized that it was in Rancho Santa Fe. There's always great food and …
January 12, 2006
A Fungus Among Us
Hey, Matt: I see guys in the gym, usually older, who wear sandals in the shower, presumably to avoid athlete's foot. Now, if I drop my trunks on the gym shower floor and then put …
January 12, 2006
Corpsenapping
Hey, Matt!: I was watching President Ford's funeral on C-SPAN and something occurred to me. The cameras kept cutting away to Betty, who was sitting in a huge armored Cadillac. At least I assume it …
January 12, 2006
Concealer Makeup
She was dancing a mean tango with a rose in her teeth. She and her partner then displayed the decisive steps of the cha-cha. An hour later, when the party broke from ballroom dancing into …
January 12, 2006