What are you doing after work?
April 15, 2015
News & Stories
Hubbard plays Lorca
“I was in shock,” composer/percussionist Nathan Hubbard confesses to the Reader over the phone, regarding his surprise win for Best Jazz CD at last year’s SDMA ceremony. “I ran up there to accept it but …
April 15, 2015
Big-ticket item: Revamping the City of San Diego's website
How much more will San Diego taxpayers be required to come up with for mayor Kevin Faulconer’s new PR-centric city website? The outcome hinges on responses to a recent request for proposals to provide the …
April 15, 2015
Current Swell rocks folk
Music journos have called Current Swell Vancouver Island’s answer to surf rock. Originally a backyard party band from Canada, they gelled into something (give or take a few personnel changes) and then gained an audience …
April 15, 2015
Crafted Cocktails brings that taste home
"Why should San Diego’s bartenders have all the fun?” Felicia Vieira found the answer to this question and put it in a bottle. Since opening last year, Vieira’s San Diego–based Crafted Cocktails has been bringing …
April 15, 2015
The nefarious nut
Are almonds "the center of a nefarious plot to suck California dry?" asks the publication Mother Jones, which has been reporting regularly on the possibility of a Southwest megadrought and the problem with so much …
April 15, 2015
What it's like to sing the national anthem at a stadium
Singer/songwriter Caroline Corn, who sang the national anthem at last Thursday’s Padres home opener, can be forgiven if she doesn’t recall the Padres’ most famous anthem rendition. She was only four when Roseanne Barr sang …
April 15, 2015
Happy hour all day at La Mentirosa by Karina's
It’s not every day you get greeted by a president’s grandson. I’m in this oasis I’ve come across at the empty end of B Street, near City College. It’s called, uh, “The Liar.” Or, because …
April 15, 2015
Pulling 58 water-skiers at once
Over 80 years ago, Howard Minor and Ralph Miller Sr. took a day off to fish for marlin. The two were partners in Harbor Water Taxi, which shuttled sailors from ships to downtown. A little …
April 15, 2015
Councilman Gloria's glorious gifts
Word last week that city councilman Todd Gloria is planning to run for the state Assembly seat being vacated by his termed-out fellow Democrat and speaker Toni Atkins marks the beginning of the end of …
April 15, 2015
Franco's falsehoods
True Story is a film based on a true story about stories that aren’t entirely true. Namely, the one told by disgraced journalist Mike Finkel (Jonah Hill) — fired by the New York Times after …
April 15, 2015
Earth, the purgatorial planet
Membership: 80 Pastor: Brian Grandon Age: 53 Born: Tacoma, WA Formation: Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA; Unity Institute and Seminary, Kansas City, MO Years Ordained: 1 San Diego Reader: What is your favorite topic on …
April 15, 2015
Babs for a day
Alex Moore, struggling actor, not only works at Disneyland, he’s the “Mayor of Toontown.” He hates it so much he calls the “happiest place” on earth “Mousechwitz.” The drive from his Los Feliz studio apartment, …
April 15, 2015
The highest and most remote point in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Combs Peak is the fifth highest peak in San Diego County and also one of the most remote. Surprisingly, it is in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. From this lofty summit there are views of …
April 15, 2015
Your chance to end up on the Drive-By Truckers’ next record
In 2008, the Athens, Georgia–based alt-country act Drive-By Truckers took a different musical trip. They toured with acoustic guitars, sat down for the performances, and road-tested material that would end up on 2008’s Brighter Than …
April 15, 2015
Scott Marks hears a Hu at Pac-Arts 5th Annual Spring Showcase
The email from Pac-Arts Program director, Brian Hu, began, “You want Tsui Hark? You got Tsui Hark!” For years, I’ve been badgering the poor guy to bring Hark in as a special guest at the …
April 15, 2015
Tour de Rascal
“How much money do you have in Kickstarter now?” Allison Fenner, 26, says, “We have a little over $12,000. Our goal is $20,000. It’s getting nerve-racking.” “What happens if you only get $12,000? You keep …
April 15, 2015
Which bay is dirtier? San Diego or Mission?
San Diego’s big bay has been the hub of travel and commerce in the region since Western civilization arrived in California. It’s been fronted by heavy industry for over a century. It hosts four major …
April 15, 2015
Better to just be a penguin at prom
Discern the difference between radness and annoyingness.
April 15, 2015
More like a patio in someone’s house than a restaurant
Draft For a restaurant located at an amusement park, Draft is much better than it has to be. As many as 69 beers available. Happy hour (Monday through Friday from 4–6 p.m. and then from …
April 15, 2015
Live behind 14-foot walnut doors in Carmel Valley
Current Owner: Glenn Abadir Bedrooms: 5 Baths: 8 List Price: $16,900,000 The luxury estate at 5131 Rancho Del Mar Trail in northern San Diego’s Carmel Valley was completed in 2011, following more than four years …
April 15, 2015
"This is a newspaper, not a low-level grammar class."
New Respect The article about San Diego lobster fisherman by Siobhan Braun (“99% of What We Catch We Throw Back”), was enjoyed by everyone at our house. The author gave a fascinating insight into the …
April 15, 2015
One of the largest collections of tequila bottles in the world
Bali Hai Restaurant Five-dollar Progressive Mai Tais — add $1 every hour. Best of luck finding a better view of the San Diego skyline. You’ll sit next to yachters, boat builders, and tourists while slowly …
April 15, 2015
An evening at Villa Montezuma; Coda
(The second in a two-part series. Part one was published March 18.) It’s after midnight, February 15, 1888. The last of the guests are finally leaving Jesse Shepard’s musicale at the Villa Montezuma. One- and …
April 15, 2015
Speakeasies, night clubs, and a solid but slightly self-conscious neighborhood joint
The Rabbit Hole What happens when the hipsters go underground. Ha-ha. It’s really more of a solid but slightly self-conscious neighborhood joint. Normal Heights, everybody! Worth a visit for the trippy lapine art alone: murals, …
April 15, 2015
Hillcrest Business Association awards contracts to its own president
Business leader Johnathan Hale has no comment about the no-bid contracts for his business.
April 15, 2015
With prices like these, you need not decide. Get one of everything.
Village Vino Forget about a couple o’ bucks off drinks, this quaint café and retail wine shop goes all out for happy hour. From 4 to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday and 3 to 8pm on …
April 15, 2015
That’s too loud!
Rogers is learning that her current hometown is not the easiest place to restart one’s career.
April 15, 2015
Ambiance reminiscent of a reclusive lord’s library
T Lounge Located beneath the billowing rainbow flag of Hillcrest east, the Bamboo Lounge recently rebranded to the T Lounge and, with their renovations, included a happy hour of polychromatic proportions. More than just a …
April 15, 2015
My husband cannot speak quietly on the phone
Post Title: Notes from inside a cross-cultural marriage, lesson #2: the concept of noise (and being noisy) Post Date: November 2014 My husband simply cannot speak at low volume on the telephone. This might not …
April 15, 2015
The best happy hour for a beer hound like me
The Bellows This wood-fired-oven-driven, casual-yet-upscale bar and resto has one of North County’s most conscientiously cultivated beverage assortments. From a beer list that features specialties, one-offs, and Bellows Forge, a smoked oatmeal stout developed especially …
April 15, 2015
Faulconer’s personal retinue of PR people
Chargers’ special counsel Mark Fabiani, who has been doing plenty of public outreach lately regarding the fate of professional football in San Diego, picked up $40,000 from the team in the first quarter of this …
April 15, 2015
They treat you like a full-paying customer
Lou & Mickey’s If you can handle conventioneer types, this place has the best terrazza in town. It feels like a cross between a Chicago fish ’n’ steak joint and a Paris brasserie. Best of …
April 15, 2015
Don't let the size of the list intimidate you
Solare I can’t think of a better way to spend a lazy afternoon than on the gorgeous patio of this chic Italian eatery. Sip Solare’s Blood Orange Daisy, a sophisticated twist on a traditional margarita …
April 15, 2015
An excuse to eat on the cheap in gussied surroundings
Akinori Sushi Use of marinades distinguish the Edomae style of sushi this spot is known for, and Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30–7pm you may experience select examples at reduced prices. Start with the $10 yellowtail …
April 15, 2015