I got an invite to an ‘80s party and figured that’d wrap up these decade-themed events. I assumed nobody would have a ‘90s-themed party; I’m not even sure how I’d dress for something like that. …
September 17, 2008
Pacific Beach News & Stories
Yo Ho, a Pirate's Hat for Me
That '70s Party
Having covered ‘50s and ‘60s theme parties the past two weeks, it seemed appropriate to jump to a ‘70s bash at the VFW hall in Pacific Beach. Coincidentally, I went to a going-away party at …
September 10, 2008
A river of people in a thirsty world
Traces of the old tile pattern still darken the stained concrete floor at Christ Lutheran, but they don’t distract much from the surface’s overall look — that of parched, cracked earth. It’s in sharp contrast …
August 20, 2008
City council mum on vacation rentals in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Pt. Loma
The struggle to ban vacation rentals amid single-family homes.
August 13, 2008
Beach drinking ban pushes Ocean Beach and PB boozers to alleys
In an alleyway in Ocean Beach, near the intersection of Newport and Bacon, Keith Morgan sits in a white plastic chair padded with two pieces of cardboard. He’s slept in that chair since May, when …
August 13, 2008
Beach Booze Banter
"January 9, 2008, is a day that will live in infamy," says Terry Brickman, a beachgoer I talk to in early April about the day the beach booze ban went into effect. I am surprised …
August 13, 2008
Pretty in PB
I'm wearing a denim skirt that shows off my legs, the one part of my body I actually like. I'm doing my best to walk gracefully in the black wedged heels I bought last summer. …
August 13, 2008
The Worm Turns
I saw a story in an entertainment magazine about how Tara Reid lowered the price she gets for attending parties. She used to ask for $25,000 to attend a party or grand opening. Nobody was …
August 13, 2008
Mess with the Bull…
Moondoggies in PB has been found in contempt of court for substituting generic energy drinks for Red Bull without telling patrons who order the beverage by its brand name. “This is the second time that …
August 13, 2008
International Heat
Hey. Here it goes. The scalp. Prickling, breaking out in sweat beads. Ladies and gentlemen, we have liftoff. Tonight I stopped outside this big red-and-yellow sign on Garnet. “World Curry.” Hmm... Why not? I like …
July 23, 2008
Coastland Church
Toddlers sprawled quietly on the patch of thick carpet at the back of the dim auditorium, filling in their coloring books. Behind them stood a row of tables holding free Bibles, juice, sandwich bags filled …
July 16, 2008
The Morning After Mess
The Fourth of July is about celebration. It's about honoring our country, our freedoms, while tossing a few back with family and friends — not on the beach of course — and watching the spectacular …
Booze Ban Driving Homeless Inland?
Two opposing views regarding the ban on brew at San Diego's beaches inadvertently surfaced during the June 25th meeting of the Ocean Beach town council. When Officer David Surwilo, community liaison for the police department's …
P.B. Isn't Getting M.A.D.
Some residents of Pacific Beach don't want to pay to get a MAD — Maintenance Assessment District — because they feel the property owners shouldn't have to pay to clean up after the bars and …
June 25, 2008
PB Police Prepare for Beach Booze Ban
The 4th of July is quickly approaching and the San Diego Police Department is treating Pacific Beach as Ground Zero. Lt. David Nisleit spoke to the Pacific Beach Town Council, on the 18th of June, …
June 19, 2008
Dixie-Fried
Since the last time I reviewed Chateau Orleans for Mardi Gras, 2001, it’s been through at least two changes of ownership. I wasn’t crazy about the food, and then the second-to-last owner complained that our …
June 18, 2008
Pacific Beach Bible Church
The backlit wooden cross hanging on the wall above the stage was bare, but Christ crucified was a prominent feature of Sunday’s service at Pacific Beach Bible Church. I say prominent, not exclusive; the mentions …
June 4, 2008
Delicate Gut-Liner
It’s morning. Feeling lousy. No, wasn’t grog last night. Toothache. Normally, I never take pills. But Carla persuaded me. Took an antibiotic. Gripped my gut like a vice. This mawnin’, still recovering. Weaving gingerly through …
January 16, 2008
The Rainbow Sign
We are a frazzled, worried country after seven years of every important decision being decided wrong by that "deciderator" and the awful gray eminences whispering in his ears. So do I dare to interpret the …
Pump House, Pacific Beach
Joe Lodico Lives: La Jolla/UTC Surfing: Pump House, Pacific Beach Last week's big swell reversed almost all aspects of the San Diego surfing scene; tourists and kooks fled the water and left the waves to …
December 13, 2007