Not so pretty: Bonita’s sign replacement cost Though Bonita's welcome mat has been pulled, the South Bay community is hardly discouraging people from coming by. The “Welcome to Bonita” sign, designed to convey a warm …
September 16, 2019
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Stories by RF Jurjevics
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Bucolic Bonita
Del Cerro – in the shadow of Adobe Falls
Adobe Falls lovers pin hopes on Sally Roush Frost spoke of a “battle against the internet,” which continues to draw people to the area. “As of this morning, there were 7132 Instagram pictures of Adobe …
May 20, 2019
Fledgling Jailbirds
Once he leaves a California state prison, a man gets (at max) 200 bucks “gate money,” a set of “dress outs” (post-prison clothes), and his freedom. An unmarked white van drops him and a handful …
October 19, 2011
Slacklining
The rope is purple. It stretches long and low between two palm trees, two of many that line the grassy portion of La Jolla Shores. It is attached to said trees — their trunks carefully …
May 11, 2011
"Adam" by Michael David Lewis
“Adam (Beautiful Boy)” by Michael David Lewis was the most-downloaded MP3 from SDReader.com during November. Below is an interview with the songwriter. There seem to be a lot of layers to this song. How many …
December 9, 2009
Patience needed for landlord fights
A few years ago, after moving out of a condo in a desirable San Diego neighborhood, Jacquelyn and Dave Quinonez found themselves in a bind. Their landlord, someone Jacquelyn describes as being at first only …
October 21, 2009
just.chill's "1 for 3"
“1 for 3” by just.chill was the most-downloaded MP3 from SDReader.com during September. Below is an interview with the songwriter. Who are the members of just.chill? Although many members of Mag Flux contribute to the …
October 21, 2009
Mostly a Jolly Place
Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote, of a garden, in his 1854 collection of stories Mosses from an Old Manse: “I used to visit and revisit it a dozen times a day, and stand in deep contemplation …
October 7, 2009
Swagger Street
“Swagger Street” by Mag Flux was the most-downloaded MP3 from SDReader.com during August. Below is an interview with Mag Flux’s M.Y.O. You mention in your song “Swagger Street” showing your listeners “how we do it …
September 16, 2009
Dannicus Live
Lakeside Celtic crew Dannicus Live had the most downloaded MP3 from SDReader.com during July, “Sirens.” This is the band’s second Most Downloaded track. Follows is an interview with frontman Dan. This song is pretty different …
August 19, 2009
North County girl has OCD over swine flue
Dina is 11, slight in her turquoise hoodie, and dark-haired. She’s finishing up the fifth grade at a private North County middle school where, she says, “there’s a lot going on.” Though she’s too young …
August 5, 2009
Ghostbird
While it relies on electronic looping for accentuation, Ghostbird’s debut album is a worthy listen. The first track, “Toy Soldier,” is not the most attention-grabbing, but the second song, “Night Kills Day,” is more what …
July 22, 2009
So many San Diegans carry guns
It’s a beautiful day in Pacific Beach as Nate approaches the bronze pelican statue on the boardwalk. He’s slight and blond, spectacled and clad in jeans and an army-green T-shirt. He squints. The sun’s so …
July 15, 2009
June's Most Downloaded: "mikelewismusic"
Mike Lewis’s “mikelewismusic” was the most downloaded MP3 from SDReader.com during the month of June. Below is an interview with the musician. You’ve got an interesting, wistful sound at work on this track. What instruments …
July 15, 2009
Sicarus
Despite a silly album cover — skulls and crossbones, text surrounded by flames — Sicarus isn’t as schlocky a metal band as one might think. Contrary to what their art conveys, the three tracks on …
July 1, 2009
Sara Petite
Sara Petite, at first listen, sounds not unlike a (very) country version of Metric’s Emily Haines, but the similarities stop there; where Haines’s voice possesses an ethereal quality, Petite’s has the confident folk twang of …
June 24, 2009
Zank
Zank’s new album, Without a Bridge, sounds like a primer for how to make a pop album, right down to the key changes. The construction is there — harmonies in the right place, solos expertly …
June 17, 2009
Nervous San Diegans try to share houses
“Single mom seeks same to share my home,” Christine Bevilacqua’s Craigslist ad reads. “$700 includes all utilities, laundry, internet, [satellite] TV, master bedroom and bathroom. Depressed, uptight, or lazy women need not apply.” Bevilacqua isn’t …
June 10, 2009
"Same James" by Jimmy Powers
“Same James,” by Jimmy Powers, was the most-downloaded MP3 from SDReader.com during May. Below is an interview with the songwriter. The theme of the song is about how you’ve stayed true to your roots. What …
June 10, 2009
Tornado Magnet
The first track (“Hook Up”) on Tornado Magnet’s album Double Wide is about a fishing hole, Lone Star beers, and the good old boys who convene on a Sunday to hook up. The second, “Pistolero,” …
June 3, 2009
Canobliss
Album: Psychothermia (2009)Artist: CanoblissLabel: Self-releasedWhere available/price: iTunes, $7.92; CDBaby, $7Songs: 1) Notorious 2) Psychothermia 3) Convicted Again 4) Adios 5) Take Vics 6) Slingshot 7) Pangea 8) Convicted Again (radio edit)Band: Johan Maldonado (vocals), Samson …
May 20, 2009
A lesson on couch surfing in North Park
“Don’t,” says my stepmother. “I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.” Her voice is tinny through the speakers of my cell phone. “Why not?” I ask. She pauses, considering. “The whole thing just sounds…dangerous,” …
May 6, 2009
Josh Damigo and Rob Deez
“Sugar,” by Josh Damigo and Rob Deez, was the most downloaded MP3 from SDReader.com during the month of April. Follows is an interview with the duo. Sounds as if you’ve got a Jack Johnson–meets-spoken-word style …
May 6, 2009
The Live Sick Compilation
“Live clean, die nasty,” as suggested in track three, “19:04,” seems to be the prevailing theme of this rap album. The four men behind it — Kostik, Tank, Mute, Kalibur — paint a tough-as-nails portrait …
April 29, 2009
Folding Mr. Lincoln
Album: Within My Reach (2009)Artist: Folding Mr. LincolnLabel: self-releasedWhere available/price: CDBaby, $12.97; iTunes, $9.99; Amazon, 99 cents for single “Within My Reach”Songs: 1) It Happened Just the Other Day 2) Missing Her Pretty Green Eyes …
April 15, 2009
Most Downloaded, March
“Whiskey Down,” by Dannicus Live, was the most-downloaded MP3 from SDReader.com during March. Below is an interview with Daniel. What in particular inspired “Whiskey Down”? The song was written by a former bandmember, Tim Cartwright. …
April 8, 2009
San Diego's changing its dive bars
“No matter what happens,” Chris Heaney declares with a grin, “no matter if the economy’s good or bad, you’ve got to drink.” He stands behind the bar at Club Kadan, the Adams Avenue bar he …
February 4, 2009
Cretins, Nutterbuckets, and Cutters host group bike rides around San Diego
The bike is brown. It’s light in my hands; I can lift it over my head, which I do, just to try it, and it’s easy. Walking it out of the back door of its …
December 17, 2008
Time to Walk the Goat
Both Scott Carhart and Helen Flaster are undoubtedly animal people. Their family pets number 26: seven dogs, seven cats, three horses, two goats, two tortoises, two turtles, two birds, a miniature horse, and a few …
October 15, 2008
San Diego is a top-five United States travel destination
Here in San Diego, the weather is excellent, the beaches some of the finest, and at least for the moment, the dollar is comparatively weak (though strengthening): All good reasons for foreign visitors to descend …
September 17, 2008
Life Under the Flight Path
On average, Lindbergh Field (also known as San Diego International Airport) performs 620 operations a day: 310 departures and 310 arrivals. All 620 of these operations are performed, whether planes are coming or going, over …
August 20, 2008
San Diego's Urban Explorers
DOWN IN THE DRAINS: It’s on the first sunny day after a string of rainstorms when Robert R. slides his blue SUV to the side of the road somewhere in UTC. In the passenger seat …
May 7, 2008
Goodbye, City Life
Disenchanted with their hometown of New York City, rockers Karmen Guy and Sami Yaffa of Mad Juana were looking for a change. In June of last year, they packed their bags and instruments and dog …
April 9, 2008
Go Greased Lightnin'
Paul Patrzalek’s house in La Mesa is impossible to miss: Outside in the front yard sits a 10,000-pound truck with a camper shell that looks — and sounds — not unlike a tank. It’s beige …
April 9, 2008
How Sam Became the Cooking Guy
Sam Zien is a regular guy. He’s a husband, he’s the father of three teenage boys, and he has two dogs, an orange Labrador and a Chinese Crested. He also happens to have both a …
March 26, 2008
Encinitas Interview
Music lovers, surfers, "eco-freaks" and fabled masked robbers: An interview with Beth VanBoxtel about her home town.
January 23, 2008
Cattery
A cloud of fog hangs over the mountains as morning begins at the Friends of Cats shelter in Flinn Springs, a small community just west of Alpine. At 7:00 a.m., the day is already underway …
January 16, 2008
Interview with Gary Hoag, Owner of Ace Tattoo
December 20, 2007
San Diegans who work at night
Though flanked by Jack in the Box and, farther up the street, a Denny's, the diner stands out as being a good after-party, post-drinking weekend hangout...or, at the very least, a place to park yourself …
December 6, 2007
Up on the Hill
Del Cerro, which is Spanish for “of the hill,” is located just off I-8 at College Avenue. Turn north onto College and there it is, welcoming visitors and residents alike with a small cement sign. …
November 15, 2007
16 vacant lots remain on San Diego County beaches
Israel and Lebanon were at war. England and Argentina were at war. In Hollywood, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were formed. Navy beat Army 24-7, the Chargers beat the Dolphins 41-38 to make it to …