A year behind bars for mortgage loan fraud scam
Loan applications falsified
John Allen of Laguna Hills was sentenced today (Sept. 16) for participation in a mortgage scam. According to the U.S. Attorney's office, he solicited so-called investors who would become straw buyers of homes. Allen would falsify loan applications by claiming …
Two accountants lose licenses for criminal offenses
Money laundering, witness tampering among charges
Two San Diegans have lost their Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licenses, according to the California Board of Accountancy. Steven Martinez earlier pleaded guilty to 12 felony counts, including mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and use of interstate commerce …
What San Diego multiplexes have that Hollywood picture palaces don't
The past two days in Hollywood have been a rapturous vacation from San Diego multiplexes. Sunday night saw the sparkling presentation of a 60-year-old dye transfer, 35mm dual projector 3D print of Martin and Lewis' Money From Home. The screening …
Careful with that axe, Eugene: open jam Mondays at The Bancroft
Spring Valley bar and venue hosts open jams weekly.
Band practice cancelled tonight? Grab your axe and head out to Spring Valley, where dive bar and venue de force The Bancroft is extending an open invite to jam the eff out every Monday on the house’s bass, guitar, and …
Rakiraki brings ramen burgers to San Diego!
But don't rush out to stand in line for one.
Ramen burgers are taking the world by storm! At least, that’s what the bloggers and foodie pundits--who thrive on buzzworthy stories about food crazes and celebrity chefs--would have you think. To hear them tell it, the ramen burger will bump …
Port releases results on "green" initiatives
Doing better than 2008, but not much improvement in the last year
The Port of San Diego recently released its Green Port Year In Review results for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, celebrating significant reductions in water and electricity use and in the carbon footprint of Port activities. Little, however, appears to have …
Bittersweet Memories and a Will
This is our summer of profound discontent. Ma passes. For the first time in ten years, we are together, staring at our Ma in disbelief while the cremators reel her out. Some scream out “Mama, Oh Mama, please don’t go!” …
Kevin Faulconer first mayoral candidate to buy flurry of local TV ads
Faulconer hired Kurt Snow from The Wayne Johnson Agency to purchase ads from October 5 to November 8.
Television viewers in San Diego will soon see a lot more of councilmember Kevin Faulconer. The Republican-endorsed mayoral candidate is the first of the crowded pack to buy ad time on local television stations in the run-up to the November …
Chicken lobby still roots for Fletcher
As campaign cash mounts in unusual San Diego mayoral battle, friendships of the past continue to pay off big for former Republican legislator
You might say the chickens have come home to roost for newly minted Democrat and Qualcomm executive Nathan Fletcher. Or at least some of the money they make for a big poultry processor in the California industrial town of Vernon …
JazzMikan live in Pacific Beach
Mikan Zlatkovich led a very strong sextet featuring Daniel Jackson, Lori Bell, Jamie Shadowlight, Bill Andrews and Duncan Moore.
San Diego piano powerhouse Mikan Zlatkovich began his Sept. 14 concert at Dizzy's fronting a potent trio featuring bassist Bill Andrews and drummer Duncan Moore, on a surging interpretation of the Cole Porter classic, "So In Love." By the time …
San Diego Music Thing 2013 Wraps Up for 2013 - Daytime Photos.
A photo blog of some of the daytime events at San Diego Music Thing 2013
The 6th Annual San Diego Music Thing took place September 13 and 14th at the Sheraton Hotel, Mission Valley. The first year away from the events previous home, the Lafayette Hotel in North Park, saw hundreds of musicians and industry …
Driver took the blame for cops shooting his passenger
Brian Lee Olsen made a plea deal after nearly six years in custody
A man held in custody almost six years awaiting trial on a murder charge made a plea deal admitting manslaughter. Brian Lee Olsen, 40, was charged with murder after police shot and killed the female passenger in his car the …
Solo cello in the Barrio
Eric Byers combined cello with laptop electronics very effectively.
Bonnie Wright kicked off the Fall schedule of her Fresh Sound series on Sept. 13 at brand-new venue Bread & Salt with a full, enthusiastic house taking in an amazing performance of solo cello + electronics by string virtuoso Eric …
The Most Hi EP: Kill Quanti greets new project
Chula Vista limited-run label and beat-based collective drops the dirty, again.
New nasty from Kill Quanti labelhead Sonny Romeri. The Most Hi EP delves ever deeper into Romeri’s exploration of dirty drums, anadigital noise, and live instrumentation. The 4-song release elaborates on the largely-improvised beat orchestrations of Romeri’s Illuminauts trio with …
My Take On School Board Candidates
At a special meeting this Monday night, September 16, the Carlsbad Unified School Board will choose one of eleven candidates for a provisional appointment, to serve until the November 2014 general election. The position became open following the recent resignation …
Medical ship commander relieved of duty
Navy says he falsified results of physical fitness assessment
According to the publication Stars & Stripes, Captain William B. Cogar was relieved of his duties as commander of Medical Treatment Facility USNS Mercy for falsely reporting the results of his physical fitness assessment. Cogar was also charged with failing …
Its' Freakin’ Immoral
Its' immoral, cowardly, and just plain wrong for us to "resolve" today's' budget issues by passing them on to future generations. Doing so is every bit as much "taxation without representation" as was the Stamp Act that spawned the Revolutionary …
What I’ve Learned From My First 150 Photo Shoots
Gluten-sensitive beer the new norm at California Kebab
Pacific Beach kebab joint and beer garden is sensitive to celiacs.
Though celiac disease - an autoimmune disorder triggered by the consumption of gluten - affects less than 1% of the U.S. population (1 in 133, actually), as many as 6% are allergic or gluten-sensitive. That means no pizza (except for …