Why locals mis-pronounce Garnet P.B.’s OGs (original gentry) pronounced the name as it should be, like the jewel, “GARnet.” Because they witnessed the name-change, they recognized that the street was part of a series of …
December 17, 2017
Straight from the Hip
Linda Nevin, aka Matthew Alice, wrote Straight From the Hip for 25 years, and died in 2013. The column has subsequently been discontinued. — Editor
Archived articles
What Matthew Alice found interesting in San Diego
Straight from the Hip — editor's picks
Useless parts of a sports jacket If you like your explanations tidy and tasteful, then the buttons are vestigial decorations, a sort of fashion appendix, left over from the days when wealthy men buttoned tight-fitting …
November 26, 2017
Matthew Alice's weird food facts
The noise produced by Rice Krispies When the wet parts of the Krispie finally pull hard enough, the dry parts snap open and make a noise loud enough for you to hear. Have you ever …
November 4, 2017
Animal secrets: dog tail-wagging, sick flies, fish eyelids, cat whiskers, and the loss of songbirds
The indestructability of cats' whiskers When he’s prowling around in dark places, his whiskers help him determine whether a space is wide enough to crawl through. They’re like curb feelers on Dad’s Olds, but sensitive …
October 23, 2017
All you need to know about celebrities
Robert White owns Rose Kennedy bathing suit but not JFK assassination suit The man driving the 1961 custom X-100 Lincoln Continental convertible was William Greer. According to a 1983 Associated Press interview, Greer joined the …
October 16, 2017
The Answer Man: 25 years of facts ... mostly
All the greatest questions and answers from Matthew Alice’s Straight from The Hip column which ran for over 25 years in the San Diego Reader.
January 29, 2014
Repossession of possessions upon death
Heymatt: A few years back, a friend’s husband’s death required the coroner. His very expensive cowboy boots, sterling silver belt buckle on a nice leather belt, wedding ring, and watch were undamaged. He also had …
June 19, 2013
The tallest tree in SD
Heymatt: What’s the tallest tree in San Diego? I have some guesses, but I suspect I’m completely wrong. And I wonder if the tallest tree in these parts is one that was planted by humans …
June 19, 2013
Storm-ending bombs?
Heymatt: If we can develop bombs that level whole cities, why can’t scientists come up with the same stuff to obliterate tornadoes before landfall? What is it in these tornadoes that can’t be neutralized? Tornadoes …
June 19, 2013
Mouthy ASL users, “South” vs. “Southern” Florida, the surname South
Why do people mouth words while using ASL? Why “South” and not “Southern” Florida? Popularity of the surname South.
June 12, 2013
San Diego's tallest building
Heymatt: How tall is the tallest building in San Diego? Is there a limit as to how high you can build in the county? — Jeff, via email There’s an easy answer to the first …
June 5, 2013