I stood silently as the customs official swiped my passport through the card reader at his station. He swiped it again then lifted his head and stared at me judgmentally. Turning to his terminal, he …
January 25, 2017
News & Stories
Customs stopped me in San Ysidro as a sex offender
Paterson’s hometown pride
Paterson refers both to the film’s New Jersey locale and lead character (Adam Driver), a married bus driver who fancies himself a poet. Imagine The Honeymooners’ Ralph Kramden as the Bard of Bensonhurst: Cook me …
January 25, 2017
John Cotton explains his mission
To exhort all that are planted at home, or intend to plant abroad, to look well to your plantation, as you desire that the sons of wickedness may not afflict you at home, nor enemies …
January 25, 2017
Sprinkle Stephen Pearcy over Southern California
Back to work on Ratt and related projects, singer Stephen Pearcy celebrates the release of a new solo album, Smash, on January 27. The former San Diegan took some questions from L.A. Been back to …
January 25, 2017
NFL’s nastiest word
Sports media were atwitter last week after new Chargers coach Anthony Lynn made a couple of verbal faux pas. “I am so proud to be the new coach of the San Dieg — ugh, L.A. …
January 25, 2017
San Diego mead boom ahead?
The success of craft beer has inspired new local ventures into cider and even sake in the past year, but it's a third beer alternative that is suddenly exploding in San Diego: mead. Oceanside's award-winning …
January 25, 2017
Numbers aren't lion at 91X
After “Shotgun” Tom Kelly, Mike Halloran may be San Diego’s best known rock-radio DJ. According to one friend, Halloran is doing now what he usually does when he loses a radio gig. “He’s out riding …
January 25, 2017
Fill your piehole Japanese style
"Hi! Welcome! Yókoso!” It’s this lady at the cashier desk. Love that about Japanese eateries. I know it’s just business, but welcomes like this kinda make you feel good. I had just hopped off the …
January 25, 2017
Electronic moth
“We were thinking about ‘Big Moth’ as a name,” says saxophonist Ian Tordella, referring to the search for identity on a new project and recording. “But we decided on ‘Moth & Sons’ because it’s a …
January 25, 2017
Nathan, hot dog
Twice-defeated San Diego mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher has taken to the news and opinion website financed by his political godfather — La Jolla billionaire Democrat Irwin Jacobs — to castigate the county board of supervisors …
January 25, 2017
New year, new hairstyle
“It’s a new year, I need a new ’do,” I told Patrick. “A new what?” He looked up from his book. “A new ’do, doofus. You know, a hairdo.” “Well,” his eyes got that sexy …
January 25, 2017
Order this Swedish pizza in the name of hipster science
Dear Hipster: Why do some people hate pineapple on pizza so much? — Diane I don’t know, but I can speculate. Personally, I think that Hawaiian burrito at JV’s Mexican is a straight-up delight, and …
January 25, 2017
Paul W.S. Anderson puts an end to Resident Evil
I became aware of Paul W.S. Anderson while teaching film classes at Chicago’s Columbia College. It was around the time Anderson’s Mortal Kombat was released on home video and one of my students couldn’t wait …
January 25, 2017
Muslim no more
Ten years ago the Muslims were one San Diego’s most promising bands. Founders Matt Lamkin and Matty McLoughlin renamed themselves the Soft Pack and moved to L.A. The stripped-down indie-rock band put out two records …
January 25, 2017
Imagine eating woodrat stew in Felicita Park
Felicita Park provides a nice mix of easy-walking loop trails with negligible elevation conducive for young children in strollers and any fitness level. The ancient towering oaks provide shade, making this 53-acre fenced county park …
January 25, 2017
Schizophonic freak-out
The Schizophonics’ appreciation of different musical styles comes through in everything they do. Led by husband and wife Pat (guitar, vocals) and Lety (drums) Beers, the band offers a potent blend of punk, rock, and …
January 25, 2017
Where surfing pros come from
Southern California’s Scholastic Surf league is divided into three areas: San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Each high school team consists of six to nine shortboard men, three longboard men, two …
January 25, 2017
Mexico: Just another place to get a dog
Dear Hipster: Why does it seem all the hipsters go to Mexico to get their dogs? Not to sound too Trump-y, but what’s wrong with our local dogs? — Ed Till recently, a run-of-the-puppy-mill mongrel …
January 25, 2017
The Bank of Internet had a good year
People wanting stocks to go up are called “longs.” People wanting stocks — or a particular stock — to go down are called “shorts.” Shorts borrow a stock, sell it, and hope to make a …
January 25, 2017
Lemuria — violence with a smile
The word “lemuria” can mean many things. Lemuria is a Belgian band, for example, or was a religious holiday celebrated in ancient Rome, or is a song title recorded by a Swedish symphonic metal band …
January 25, 2017
Faulconer’s marauders
With the Chargers safely out of town, Kevin Faulconer’s allies have been upping their post-game attack on team owner Dean Spanos and special counsel Mark Fabiani for setting up the mayor for political failure. “Throughout …
January 25, 2017
Double Portraits
Double Portrait All those times I said “forever” as in, “Will you love me forever?” then waited for you to say, “Yes, I will love you forever,” while you drained your glass and said instead, …
January 25, 2017
Our First Amendment rights
Lights Out Re: News Ticker, January 19: “Spanos’s Sweetheart Chargers Park Deal” Good riddance to the Chargers and to Spanos. The NFL and Spanos do not pay taxes on any profit they make. Yet, he …
January 25, 2017