Wealthy Republican Ray Ellis lost out to Democrat Barbara Bry for the First District city-council seat representing La Jolla, but at least he got a refund. According to a December 2 closeout filed at city …
December 21, 2016
News & Stories
No interest, and a no-interest loan
Crash Worshipper John Goff talks Noise
According to former Crash Worship member John Goff, everyone knew there was no future for his band after Great White’s 2003 Rhode Island nightclub gig that ended with 100 fans dead from a raging fire …
December 21, 2016
Lapping it up with Christina Ricci and Blondie
At the unruly age of 16, the former Bar Dynamite bleached its mop and jutted its chin as Blonde Bar. Open since August, Blonde channels a ’70s CBGB into modern day through the punk-rock patchwork …
December 21, 2016
City's pension liability zooms up by $937 million
The City of San Diego's pension liability as of June 30 has soared to $2.65 billion, up by $937 million since June of 2015, according to a report by Cheiron, the actuarial firm used by …
December 21, 2016
Party with a platter of carnitas at El Pachanguero
"I need a novio!” This is Leona. She’s standing by as I chow into her lush carnitas, basically slow-cooked pork on a plate loaded with frijoles, grated cotija cheese, avocado slices, pico de gallo, and …
December 21, 2016
No OFF! switch
Hardcore revivalists OFF! are supposed to be on hiatus right now, but the band has unexpectedly switched ON! ahead of schedule. “We’re supposed to be on a year-long hiatus and we are, maybe, seven months …
December 21, 2016
It’s always the season of giving
Carlsbad’s Eric Noonan, a warden with the private prison business known as GEO Group, was one of San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer’s most uniquely employed contributors, kicking in $1050 on election day, June 7. Other …
December 21, 2016
Catania's Canella is an introduction to fall with a taste of summer
Catania’s cocktail menu holds a full offering of autumn nostalgia, including something called the Canella, created by Catania’s head bartender Cesar Sandoval. The Canella was inspired, in name and content, by San Francisco liquor producer …
December 21, 2016
Sounds of freedom from Fishbone
“The very first time Fishbone played the Belly Up,” recalls bassist Norwood Fisher, “our [former] guitarist Kendall Jones jumped up and cracked his cranium on the side of one of the hanging speakers during our …
December 21, 2016
Theater year in review: Design
I sometimes get asked “Who’s your favorite writer?” “What’s your favorite play?” Well, Shakespeare and Chekhov certainly, Michel de Montaigne, whose wisdom grows as I grow older. But what about Homer or Simone Weil, or …
December 21, 2016
Lion doesn’t roar
“‘Based on a True Story” has replaced “The Adventure Continues” as Hollywood’s most cringeworthy coming attraction tagline. Just because a narrative is rooted in reality doesn’t mean that its chronicler isn’t going to lie, cheat, …
December 21, 2016
Always something amazing in Wright’s Field Preserve
The trails along the Wright’s Field Preserve are the perfect spot to walk the family dog, go jogging, or just take a stroll on a Sunday afternoon. Historically, this area was critical to the early …
December 21, 2016
Aquile — a son is born
Carlsbad-based singer/songwriter Aquile watched last week’s season finale of The Voice. It was the first time he’s seen an episode since he appeared on the chair-spinning talent show in 2012. “It can get hard to …
December 21, 2016
Glorietta Bay yields the beautiful, elusive seahorse
She rose from afternoon slumbers with something pinching her tail. Three feet below the surface of San Diego Bay her equine head, crowned with a five-point coronet, poked through a blanket of eel grass. Alarm …
December 21, 2016
Audiobook-listening is not the same as reading
Dear Hipster: My friend and I have a longstanding dispute, and I’ve unilaterally decided to bring you into it (you’re welcome). It began years ago, when that book Born to Run came out. I remember …
December 21, 2016
Gates behind the gates in Poway
Beds: 5 Baths: 8 Current Owner: IAB LLC, care of Matthew Kemp List Price: $11,500,000 The sprawling Poway mansion at 14105 Biscayne Place is described in listing materials as “the Trophy Estate at the Heritage,” …
December 21, 2016
Punk-rock revivalists Barb Wire Dolls
They’re a good three decades late to the dance, but don’t paint them into the retro corner. This is a living, breathing band, fresh, and coming off the launch pad as if they could restart …
December 21, 2016
Even drought-tolerant trees die in San Diego
San Diego needs many more trees and must take better care of the sparse trees it has. Trees shade us from the sun, reduce urban heat and noise, save energy, raise property values, improve air …
December 21, 2016
Caesar was too old, it seems to me
Advent The time of the first advent was foretold; the time of the second is not so; because the first was to be obscure, and the second is to be brilliant, and so manifest that …
December 21, 2016
Is the Copley estate historic?
Former U-T publisher and mayoral moneyman Douglas Manchester has been stirring the genteel reaches of the late Helen Copley’s Foxhill estate ever since he bought the lavish spread up the hill from the La Jolla …
December 21, 2016
Church for those who got burnt out or burned
Riverview Community Church Membership: 600 Pastor: Todd Tolson Age: 40 Born: Waukegan, IL Formation: Christian Heritage College, Santee (previously San Diego Christian, El Cajon) Years Ordained: 16 San Diego Reader: How long do you spend …
December 21, 2016
Santa isn't the only one with a full mailbag
The Work Will Never Be Done Re: “San Diego Climate Cleanup Report Card Is In,” News Ticker, December 15 The report says there’s a lot more work to be done, but I’m curious when the …
December 21, 2016