Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed
Big Screen — Movie commentary
Blurt — Music's inside track
Booze News — San Diego spirits
Classical Music — Immortal beauty
Classifieds — Free and easy
Cover Stories — Front-page features
Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes
Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts
Feast! — Food & drink reviews
Feature Stories — Local news & stories
Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore
From the Archives — Spotlight on the past
Golden Dreams — Talk of the town
The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it
Letters — Our inbox
Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites
Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans
Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists
Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news
News Ticker — News & politics
Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated
Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna
Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated
Poetry — The old and the new
Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers
Reading — The hunt for intellectuals
Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails
San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds
SD on the QT — Almost factual news
Sheep and Goats — Places of worship
Special Issues — The best of
Street Style — San Diego streets have style
Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves
Theater — On stage in San Diego this week
Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative
Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work
Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego
Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads
Your Week — Daily event picks
Rite of Passage
"...as if I’d just declared my regret for not voting for the old guy and Caribou Barbie." I don't know how you keep coming up with this stuff, but don't quit! I had to wipe the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard! The holidays with my relatives usually involved a perp walk or two before they were all over. ***sigh*** Pat— December 11, 2008 11:13 a.m.
Dark Night
It's okay. We're Italians. It is our JOB to live life with so much passion that it sometimes explodes out the top of our heads. What you need is a little wine, something with garlic and a good fight with someone -- like a Republican who still thinks Bush did a good job as president. Then go home and have a lot of hot monkey sex. It's better than the Xanax. Pat (The Italian Dr. Ruth)— December 4, 2008 7:34 a.m.
Democratic Process
John Stewart said that McCain's blinking is really secret messages being sent via Morse code. He translated on one of his shows -- hilarious!! Too bad I don't drink. All I could do in response to Palin's winks was vomit. Pat— October 17, 2008 9:56 a.m.
Comfort Food
Your article made me cry with nostalgia! Growing up in South Philly, my family and I would go to Moncuso's on Ninth Street for lunch meat, olives, and the best Italian bread in the world. My father and Mr. Moncuso would have a knock-down, drag-out argument every week over Mr. Moncuso's habit of stacking the tomato cans in front of the scale so we couldn't see the true weight of the food we were buying. My mother felt it was her duty to stuff handfuls of loose chi chi beans in her purse to "make up" for any price discrepancies while the two men argued. On the way home, my brother and I would "pick" the insides of the loaf of bread out, so that by the time we got home, all that was left was the crust. We would dip into the bitter Greek and Spanish olives and split the sharp provolone and mellow scamorse cheeses. My parents would buy "extra" and keep it in the front seat so they would have enough for the "sangwitches" when we got home. Every time I smell olives and cheese, I get all warm and fuzzy.— September 26, 2008 3:50 p.m.
Reaching Nirvana at the Wonderland Coin Laundry
I so enjoyed experiencing the Wonderland Laundromat encounter through your eyes! You are now officially an "OBcean." Your insight into humanity, and life in general, was a treat for the eyes to read. This story is one that I would love to see continued should you find the gentlemen from the Wonderland Coin Laundry again. I spent my childhood in New Jersey, so I know the feeling of reaching "Nirvana" here in OB through the most mundane of events. I hope you win first place in the Reader's neighborhood writing contest for this delightful slice of life! Welcome to OB! Pat (a fellow OBcean)— September 4, 2008 8:31 a.m.
We Sisters
"By the time I got to the part where I had to screech "mamma mia" at the pitch of a man whose balls are in a vise..." I need a new chair that will keep me from falling off and hitting the floor!! GREAT STUFF! Pat— August 28, 2008 7:55 a.m.
Filippi's — Little Italy
FUGGEDABOUTIT!! This place reminds me of my Aunt Lena’s basement the week before Christmas – food everywhere, and an aroma that transports you to another world. Passing through the deli section before you get to the restaurant is a gastronomic nirvana. I love the cheese hanging from the ceiling along with the dehydrated fish waiting to be soaked. It reminds me of my uncle Strimps’ car that had a similar smell. I miss him. Then there’s the food – they actually use garlic! So many “Italian” restaurants have forgotten that real Italians LOVE garlic. The sausage and raviolis alone could end wars. Relaxing at a dimly lit table under some old statue or picture, I am always looking to see if Paulie Walnuts or Tony Soprano will walk through the door and order meatballs. The service is great and the wait staff efficient. I cry tears of joy when they get real busy and everybody starts shouting at each other. It’s like home. The price won’t set you back either. You can get a gallon of Chianti cheap. So get a couple on your way out. Mangia— August 13, 2008 1:58 p.m.
Married Off
What a delightful slice of life! Yours is ALWAYS the first column I read in the Reader every week. The entertaining glimpse into your world makes Thursdays (the day the Reader hits the newsstands) special. The Uncle Jimmy needing Botox comment knocked me off my chair! Your description of the wedding has brought back memories of how we Italians celebrate (anything) in such a unique and wonderful way. Pat— August 1, 2008 7:34 a.m.