San Diego’s richest person is someone I’ve never heard of: Gwendolyn Sontheim Meyer. The Rancho Santa Fe resident owns a 7 percent stake in the family business, Cargill, a purveyor of grain and agricultural commodities …
April 19, 2017
News & Stories
San Diego’s top 12 philanthropists
The Know-it-all and the Space Invader
Scott Starbuck, a writing and literature coordinator at Mesa College, is the author of Lost Salmon (MoonPathPress) from which the following excerpts are taken. Know-it-all If it can be caught, shot, bought, or trophy-mounted, he’s …
April 19, 2017
And then the singer went crazy...
“It’s a power-pop ballad based on the true and tragic story of the murder of San Diego musician Chuck Duerr, a friend and coworker of mine,” says Scott Samuels of his single “Not Far Enough.” …
April 19, 2017
Mother’s milk
Former San Diego city manager Jack McGrory, controversial for his role in the costly downtown Padres stadium project on behalf of mega-millionaire John Moores and later a big-time real estate developer in his own right, …
April 19, 2017
There she is: Star Bar
It’s hard to believe that any dive worth its weight in spilt Schlitz has survived the past few decades of redevelopment in the Gaslamp with any semblance of integrity left intact, yet there she is: …
April 19, 2017
The Verigolds standard: mystique
Having formed in 2014, the Verigolds are fairly new to the San Diego music scene. But the Pacific Beach foursome, known for their pastiche of ‘60s psychedelic rock and spacey synths, have made an impact …
April 19, 2017
Italian comfort food — plus Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin — on Palm Ave. in Imperial Beach
Cool evening. Aboard the 934. Swinging east along Palm in I.B. Cruising past 10th, 11th, Florida. I’m craning my neck. “Know any good places to eat along Palm?” I ask the driver. “Like, good, but …
April 19, 2017
Proven hipster business models
Dear Hipster: I have been wondering, what’s the best way for me to get rich quick without having to do too much work? I know, that sounds a little sarcastic, but I’m serious. Surely there …
April 19, 2017
Mission Valley green
The ongoing battle over whether to turn over the 165-acre, publicly owned Qualcomm Stadium site to a group of La Jolla hedge-fund managers seeking to develop a soccer stadium and commercial complex has been very …
April 19, 2017
Trumpeter Stephanie Richards keeps it bicoastal
“It’s kind of like living a double life,” says trumpeter Stephanie Richards, who arrived in San Diego two years ago to become an assistant professor of music at UCSD while still maintaining a Brooklyn residency. …
April 19, 2017
James Cromwell on The Promise and the hoops of Hollywood
This was the first time James Cromwell and I have spoken, but it wasn’t the first time I was in his presence. Starting at age 13, my family began making semi-regular visits to Los Angeles …
April 19, 2017
A pen for every purpose
It’s the little things. A freshly laundered bath towel, a muffin still warm from the oven, a handwritten note from a loved one — these add sweetness to life. I would file a decent writing …
April 19, 2017
Qualcomm gave $1 million to Trump inaugural
San Diego’s Qualcomm, Inc., cofounded by La Jolla Democratic billionaire Irwin Jacobs, has lobbied long and hard to greatly increase so-called H-1B visas, the entry permits issued by the federal government, allowing lower-wage foreign engineers …
April 19, 2017
Califone’s own thing
Ever since he relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles, Califone’s Tim Rutili has found himself in San Diego often. He is close with locals Little White Teeth and estimates that he has played about six …
April 19, 2017
Walam Olum
At first, in that place, at all times, above the earth On the earth [was] an extended fog, and there the great Manito was. At first forever, lost in space, everywhere, the great Manito was. …
April 19, 2017
Explore Borrego Palm Canyon’s less-visited neighbor, Henderson Canyon
While Henderson Canyon lies just a few miles north of the very popular and often visited Hellhole and Borrego Palm canyons, it sees less activity and is a pleasant alternative for those wishing to avoid …
April 19, 2017
There have always been hipsters
Dear Hipster: Will there always be hipsters? If so, why? If not, why, and what will come after? — Daisy In one sense, hipsters have been around in one form or another since just about …
April 19, 2017
San Diego Asian Film Festival hosts 20 films
In spring, a San Diego cinephile’s fancy turns to the Asian cinema. With its 20 film schedule, this year’s San Diego Asian Film Festival’s Spring Showcase is the biggest in its seven-year history. The festival …
April 19, 2017
Black Cat Bar to live up to its name
“When I came to San Diego in ’89, I played at the old Casbah with my punk band Big Tension,” says Matt Parker, who now plays guitar in the five-piece Americana band Bartenders Bible. “The …
April 19, 2017
Tax havens with funny names – Mauritius, Brunei, Niue, Vanuatu.
At least one good thing may come out of this year’s investigation of the Trump campaign’s alleged Russian ties and last year’s Panama Papers scandal. The public may learn how oodles of money is stashed …
April 19, 2017
Free casting clinic by San Diego Fly Fishers at Lake Murray
There are areas in San Diego for fly fishing where wading or float tubing access is easy and there are plenty of tidal beds and shallow water. Flies that resemble the prey of bass, halibut, …
April 19, 2017
Such a tiny little box to carry a soul
Remains Such a tiny little box to carry a soul Faux wood with a walnut coat What does it hold? One foot wide and six inches deep, large enough for a person 170 pounds before …
April 19, 2017
Real job, fake news
The City of San Diego’s communications department, already chock full of public relations hands speaking favorably of Republican mayor Kevin Faulconer (himself an ex-PR man), is looking for more of the same. The new employees, …
April 19, 2017
Creeping Malaise in Kensington
Re: “Kensington: The Only Real Neighborhood in San Diego,” January 12 cover story As a fairly recent new homeowner in Kensington, I found it sad to see the shine slowly peeling off this historic and …
April 19, 2017