Pastor Kenny Dodd of Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist church says his missionaries are talking to a cannibalistic tribe, translating the Bible.
May 1, 2013
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Stories by Joseph O'Brien
Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist
Sycamore Den's Harvey Wallbanger
If you didn’t have the good fortune of having a dad who grew up in the 1970s, then you probably know little about the glories of wood paneling, Gordon Lightfoot, and plaid-on-plaid polyester suits. But, …
April 17, 2013
The Stout's Brasser
If Ireland truly is the Island of Saints and Scholars, then Brothers McCullough, Dan and Nate — the Stout Public House’s own scholars of the dram and ounce — have canonized St. Germain liqueur into …
March 27, 2013
Chabad at La Costa
Chabad La Costa’s rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort trains to desire Godliness.
March 20, 2013
The Saltbox's French 75
When the old folks talk about the ritual evening cocktail as “shooting the sunset gun,” they probably had the French 75 in mind. Stroll into the Saltbox any evening at the right time and manager …
February 27, 2013
San Diego doctors who make house calls
A new (old) breed of doctor is surfacing — one who makes house calls, believes pills are overprescribed, and cares to talk to their patients.
February 20, 2013
Katsuya's Pucker Up
When it comes to holidays, few lead to such controversy as Valentine’s Day. He thinks the day is only for her — she thinks it’s for both of them. Discussion ensues, shifts into a debate, …
February 13, 2013
The Imperial House's Negroni
Few drinks admit of such variety as the bittersweet Negroni. Switch out the shot of gin for vodka and you have a Negroski; add bourbon instead of gin and you’re drinking a Boulevardier; order a …
January 24, 2013
Lou & Mickey's Scorpion's Sting
Tiki-cocktail culture might be making a comeback, but at Lou & Mickey’s, it never went away. Take yourself downtown, where bartender Brian Gaudet is ready to take the sting out of your day by putting …
January 23, 2013
Paradise Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church
Interview with Will James, pastor at Paradise Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church.
January 23, 2013
Seeking the lost and serving the found at Shepherd of the Hills
Interview with Pastor Aaron Boehm
December 26, 2012
Bar West's Drunken Monkey
Inspired in part by hip-hop and in part by “wheat pop,” one of Bar West’s best-selling drinks, the Drunken Monkey, developed from the beer-and-fruit combos already sliding across the bar most nights, says bartender Scott …
November 28, 2012
Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
Don’t be distracted by all the shiny, glittery things.
November 28, 2012
Whaling Bar & Grill's Sazerac
According to the Whaling Bar & Grill’s bar manager Scotty Moises, the establishment took its name when it opened in the early 1950s from the mural that hangs over the bar, The Whale’s Last Stand. …
November 14, 2012
Tierrasanta Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Membership: 525 Pastor: Gary McCary Age: 60 Born: Needles, CA Formation: La Sierra University, Riverside, CA; Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI Years Ordained: 33 San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on which to …
November 14, 2012
St. Timothy Episcopal Church
Columnist Patrick Daugherty tries to hunt down a a Beretta M9 for sale.
October 31, 2012
Beaumont's Jack-o-Lantern
When it comes to a good hand-crafted cocktail, according to the bar manager at Beaumont’s Eatery, Gavin McManes, the trick is in the treat. “Anytime someone comes into my bar, I’m basically treating them as …
October 24, 2012
First Lutheran Church of San Diego
Interview with Wilbert “Wilk” Miller of First Lutheran Church of San Diego, in its 125th year.
October 17, 2012
Thrusters' Basil Hendricks
The bar manager at Thrusters Lounge Matthew Compton claims that the Basil Hendricks is a “perfect summer cocktail.” “It’s not something,” he says, “I could see someone drinking in the middle of winter in the …
October 10, 2012
The Church of Yeshua Ha Mashiach
Membership: 50 Denomination: Nondenominational/interdenominational Pastor: Dennis Hodges Age: 57 Born: Chicago Formation: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL; International Theological Seminary, Bradenton, FL; Ashford University, Clinton, IA Years Ordained: 7 years San Diego Reader: What is …
October 3, 2012
The Lei Lounge's Tokyo Plum
As an Asian-fusion restaurant that seeks to bring the best of Eastern and Western cuisine under one pagoda, the Lei Lounge is offering an intriguing twist to the cocktail concept. Take, for instance, one of …
September 26, 2012
Mt. Soledad Presbyterian Church
Interview with John Moser of Mt. Soledad Presbyterian Church
September 19, 2012
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
Interview with pastor Craig Dorval of St. Mark United Methodist Church.
September 5, 2012
Block No. 16 Union and Spirits’ Junior Exec
As the political season heats up, Block 16 Union & Spirits manager Johnny Leal is holding fast to the party line. “A lot of the stuff we do at the Block,” he tells me, “is …
September 5, 2012
Pacific Hope Church
Certain churches draw people in by way of entertainment. Interview with Pastor John Leeder of Pacific Hope Church.
August 22, 2012
Croce's Lovers Cross
The late barroom balladeer Jim Croce penned “Lover’s Cross” as a bittersweet break-up song, and perhaps there’s a bit of that to the drink which the song inspired at Croce’s Jazz Bar and Grill, the …
August 15, 2012
Maryjane's Champagne Punch
Besides 20 years of mixing cocktails — the last five at Maryjane’s — Marcos Villalobos’s résumé includes his history of working for human resources in the corporate world. “In HR I would have people come …
August 1, 2012
Prince Chapel by the Sea African Methodist Episcopal Church
Grow, glow, and go at Prince Chapel by the Sea African Methodist Episcopal Church.
July 25, 2012
Barefoot Bar & Grill's Barefoot Blockbuster
Customers call Barefoot Bar & Grill bartender Serena Mappa the human drink dictionary. “After I make something once, I seem to remember it forever,” she explains. “I wasn’t good at math in school, but for …
July 18, 2012
Mission Village Christian Fellowship
Pastor Carl Baker worries that churches are “giving up their biblical values for political correctness.”
July 11, 2012
Onyx Room's French Martini
There’s a fine line that Onyx Room bartenders walk between time and taste. According to Onyx Room bartender Nathan Colonero, this nightclub’s bartenders pride themselves on being able to deliver smart concoctions and efficient service. …
June 27, 2012
First Lutheran Church Vista
Ramón Zarate was a business administration major before he graduated to God.
June 27, 2012
The church has moved from “service” to “serve us”
Interview with pastor Harvey Throop of Palisades Presbyterian Church in Allied Gardens.
June 13, 2012
Brazen BBQ’s Blazin’ Sunrise
The bar manager at Brazen BBQ, Grey Lockwood also moonlights as a commercial advertising photographer. So, naturally, when he develops a drink, he’s looking for that Kodachrome moment — say, turning a regular old sunrise …
May 30, 2012
The business of God appealed to Steven Myatt
Pastor Steven Myatt intended to become a businessman. But he thought there had to be more to life.
May 16, 2012
Anthology’s Whiskey Rose
Barkeep Marc Canzoneri’s Whiskey Rose — an Old Fashioned for the 21st Century.
May 9, 2012
Clairemont Covenant Church
When pastor Greg West talks about disciples, he’s not talking about “pew potatoes.”
May 2, 2012
Chula Vista Community Church
Phil Golden of Chula Vista Community Church says he likes to preach on John 3:16. And he won’t skip over John 3:17.
April 18, 2012
Hooley's Irish Bären
The Irish Bären they make over at Hooley’s could just as well be called an “O’Jito.” According to Hooley’s bartender Austin Bell, his creation has all the properties of the traditional mojito but with a …
April 18, 2012
Chabad Jewish Synagogue Center of La Jolla
Membership: 120 Rabbi: Baruch Shalom Ezagui Age: 34 Born: Montreal, Canada Formation: Rabbinical College of Montreal, Canada; Yeshiva Geloda Lubavitch, London, England; Educational Institute Oholei Torah, Brooklyn, NY; Yeshiva Gedola of New Haven, Conn., Rabbinical …
April 4, 2012
Starlite's Cleopatra
Shimmering in all its gold-plated decadence, the Starlite’s Cleopatra is worthy of the woman for whom it was named. According to Matt Hoyt, Starlite owner and sometime bartender, the drink serves as a seductive entrée …
March 28, 2012
Mesa View Baptist Church
Membership: 300 Pastor: Darrow Perkins Age: 46 Born: Baton Rouge, La Formation: Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla, Ga.; U.S. Marine Corps (1983–2003) Years Ordained: 19 San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on which to …
March 21, 2012