Rock and roll venue celebrates their biggest tradition tonight.

When I first visited The Go Lounge (7123 El Cajon Boulevard - La Mesa) in May, owner Marcus told me he was big on traditions. As such, the quirky rock and roll bar has played host to customary meals including …

Every year Write Out Loud, the popular company that performs stories, plays, and poems has a Big Read. This year it's Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. In April, the group will offer "community reads" and panel discussions. They also encourage students …

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/28/37592/ There is nothing cuter than a well-dressed couple. I found Moira Lewis and Blake Hunter browsing the racks at Anthropologie at Fashion Valley Mall a few days after Christams. Moira is an elementary school teacher while Blake is an …

Hop aboard the Inspiration Hornblower to bring in the New Year.

Of course, if you’re especially thrilled (or astonished, as the case may be) that 2012 is coming to a close, you can hop on board “the largest private charter yacht in SoCal.” The seventh annual New Year’s Eve San Diego …

"I grew up in San Diego, in a big family -- I've got three older sisters," says Matthew Cirello of Cirello Gallery. "My mom's always been artistic; she did stained glass window design, and now does custom landscaping. She was …

Snail Trail Media premiers adventure documentaries from Tijuana and Mexicali at VISUAL

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/28/37584/ DSEK World A few months ago, my friend Hugo (aka MOISTRIX) and I went to Mexicali, Mexico with a video camera, a tentative plan, and a mission: to document the music scene that continues to bring us back to …

Reviewing a year of theater on deadline's like trying to take the pulse of a lion on the move. Omissions come to mind immediately. Here are a few: TOM STEPHENSON. What a year he had! In Cygnet's radio version of …

Ever since John D. Spreckels gifted the City of San Diego with the largest outdoor pipe organ in America (almost 100 years ago), concerts at the pavilion in Balboa Park have been free to the public. Organists come from all …

I just hope there isn't another one marked "Dreams" in the next lot over.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/27/37488/

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/oct/26/34396/ I spotted Lauren Pope at Influx in Golden Hill back in October. I love the simplicity of Lauren's look. She has a very modern Audrey Hepburn vibe. Her purple suede skirt was a thrift store score and her glasses …

EDIT: This event has sold out. With the exception of a handful of restaurants doing special pre-fixe menus and a few hotels offering either a Singles Soiree or a Family Friendly Affair, there's really not much happening in North County …

I came across this anecdote while researching a history column. I won't have room for it but wanted to share. It comes from William Manchester's Goodbye Darkness. Call it "Out & About on Guadalcanal, October, 1942." "Guadalcanal is not a …

Thursday | 27VAMP BEST OF 2012So Say We All dedicates this December storytelling and live literature performance showcase to celebrating their favorite performers of 2012: Jessica Ruane, April Ventura, Ryan Bradford, Pat Johnson, Justin Hudnall, Holland Holzer, Laura Condi, Brian …

While snapping street style photos for the Reader I often ask my subjects what their biggest fashion pet peeves are. The following are the top five most common offensives listed: UGG Boots--Just about every San Diegan I ask to name …

I wonder if Charles Dickens had any idea how much "A Christmas Carol" would proliferate. Come the yuletide season, there are different versions in every American city. A note to budding theater critics (along with encouragement to keep going and …

LA's world-famous Devil's Playground burlesque and wrestling troupe don capes at the Ruby Room

“We all grew up on Nintendo and Star Wars,” Nerdcore night and Tiny Nightmare promoter Aubree Miller told The Reader in May. “It's a part of our childhood and for a lot of us it's a part of our adulthood, …

Nominees for Craig Noel Awards for 2012 include: LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY, MALE Laurence Brown, Topdog/Underdog, Ion Theatre Robert Foxworth, Inherit the Wind, Old Globe Theatre Jeffrey Jones, The Little Flower of East Orange, Ion Theatre Mark Christopher Lawrence, …

Thursday afternoon I met my friend Hope in the Gaslamp for a late lunch. I grumbled over her location choice. I find parking to be a hassle and the whole scene down there a tad cheesy. "Hillcrest has some great …

On February 4, the San Diego Theater Critics Circle will offer Craig Noel Awards in the following categories (part two tomorrow): RESIDENT MUSICAL Fiddler on the Roof, Moonlight Stage Productions Parade, Cygnet Theatre The Scottsboro Boys, Old Globe NEW MUSICAL …

Bumble bees and balloons coexist at a 5K along the San Diego waterfront prior to He Holiday Bowl.

Two days after Christmas is the Bumble Bee Foods 5K. The event is designed to be a part of the Big Balloon Parade and Holiday Bowl activities. The course starts near The Star of India, heads south, loops around behind …

Suzy Favor Hamilton sold her companionship for $600 per hour.

How about a three-time Olympian, motivational speaker, Disney associated, professional "escort"? Sounds too good to be true? Well, it is now because she got busted. The Smoking Gun is reporting that Suzy Favor Hamilton was a $600 per hour call …

The Lux Art Institute store (1550 S. El Camino Real) in Encinitas is going on sale through December 29. The store is open Thursday and Friday from 1-5 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members get …

Saturday | 22PASTIES FOR PUPSJoin Ginger N. Whiskey, Bibi Bordeaux, Dottie Deville, and the rest of the Drop Dead Dames for an evening of burlesque and good cheer. All proceeds go to the FACE Foundation, which provides financial grants to …

A '90s revival in San Diego

If you haven’t already noticed, grunge is back. 1990’s inspired fashion was all over the runway this fall. Out and About in San Diego you’ll spot an abundance of flannel and thermal shirts, combat boots, grunge band tee’s, oversized sweaters, …

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/18/37138/ I ran into 28-year-old, Heidi Hoffman at Lestat's in University Heights. She wore a Zara military jacket paired with Urban Outfitters jeans and suede Chukka boots. Hoffman runs her own small business called Triple Cream Bakery. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/18/37139/ Her least …

Ramona isn’t exactly a mecca for fashion. On Monday afternoon I spotted dozens of sweat pants, a whole lot of pale denim jeans, more Christmas sweatshirts featuring Frosty the Snowman and Santa than I could count, and Ugg boots on …

If you grew up in San Diego in the past five decades or so, there’s a good chance you’ve hopped on a skateboard at least a few times. Surfboard manufacturers Gordon & Smith were among the first to establish America’s …

Mister Lies opened for Tycho in late spring at Belly Up in Solana Beach, and though he was the opening act and the audience was still streaming in during his performance, the reaction to his set was one of awe …

This Wednesday evening, December 19, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Bliss 101 (next to Whole Foods in Encinitas), will be hosting a shopping event for men. “Beer, chips, and no holiday music!” is their enticement for those guys who have …

SDMT made a daring choice. Not the musical, which offers some of the master's most popular songs of the season, but the size of the project, which calls for near Busby Berkeley proportions. And SDMT has met the challenge with …

You wouldn’t expect it to be serious

In case anyone missed Jeannette DeWyze’s August 1 story on the La Jolla Map and Atlas Museum, it is worth a reminder. The location is weird — hidden in the lower level of the Merrill Lynch office building on Fay …

TJ's seasonal artisan market pops up at Sixth and Revolucion

Four times a year, seasonal flea market Arts and Trees showcases Tijuana’s homegrown artisans with an all-day, all-ages bazaar featuring art, photography, clothing, live music, food, wine, and beer. Cross south for the Winter installment this Saturday, December 22 from …

The company's admirable mission: give voice to the voiceless (or as Jim Mullin, former editor of the Reader, used to demand of is writers, "tell me something I didn't know about San Diego"). Collaborating with artists from the community, they …

Run 10K, get a holiday cocktail

Hot Buttered Run and Kid's Kandy Kane Race? For reals? This might be the most delicious race I've heard of--excepting that one marathon in France where there are wine a cheese "aid stations" every mile. This is a 10K run/walk …

Bonita is claiming to have one of the fastest courses in the country.

If you're in the Bonita area on Sunday there is a 10K to benefit local cross country teams. The course is two loops around a golf course and it is very flat. The event is claiming to be one of …

Got a wild hair for a half marathon? Hit this one up "just because"

Borrego Springs High School is holding their second annual half marathon to raise funds for its athletic programs. The half marathon is rapidly replacing the 5K as the recreational event of choice and this sounds like an excellent spur of …

Tijuana street art exhibition to be held Saturday, December 15

The HEM (Hecho en Mexico) crew started in 1989 as a close-knit bunch of Tijuana artists. Now, HEM is an internationally recognized collective with members in Switzerland, the U.S., Spain, and southern Mexico. HEM 's work can be found everywhere …

Tierrasanta family pulls out all the stops with yearly Christmas light spectacular

In Tierrasanta, not far from the freeway's reach, the majority of the neighborhoods are sleepy and darkened in the evenings and the Christmas lights glow softly in the darkness. There’s something very All-American about big houses and festive lights that …

First time event is a big success for schools.

The 1st Annual Carmel Valley 5K and Kid's Fun Run was a huge success. The event was sold out three days before the race date and it raised $35,000 for the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation (DMSEF). The event doubled …

Mall girls discuss their fashion favorites and pet peeves

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/11/36845/ Maria Azuria doesn't get the latest obsession with mustaches. Also, she can't stand Ugg boots. The 23-year-old works at Sanrio. Her Aztec sweater, retail prize $69, is from Urban Outfitters. Her boots are Nine West. She was sporting a …

Thursday | 13STREET. ART. PROPHETS.The theater company Circle Circle dot dot presents five short pieces featuring stories about the graffiti community and the “life of a street artist.” San Diego playwrights collaborated with graffiti artists to give audiences “a glimpse …

Little Fish Comic Book Studio show how to expand an idea into a full comic

Little Fish Comic Book Studio (4837 Voltaire Street - Ocean Beach) will be broadcasting a free demo class titled "Writing for Comics: Scaling 10 pages to 200" this Thursday, December 13 at 7 p.m. Participants can interact live from home …

I spotted friends and fellow fashion co-bloggers Tiffany Williams and Anastasia Balom walking down Fern Street in South Park on Saturday night. The ladies have a shared style blog called Timeless Menagerie. They showcase local designers and San Diego fashion …

Nonprofit storytellers So Say We All show the ropes of the writing business

Got a knack for writing but not sure how to break into the industry? Join Justin Hudnall of nonprofit storytelling group So Say We All for a Publishing 101 workshop at the Malcolm X Public Library (5148 Market Street) in …

Okay, Manny's just a musician with a great log cabin way up in the mountains. It's got a huge picture window looking east and is stocked with enough food to feed the 5000. He's taking time to relax and remodel …

San Diego County Art Mart Association hosts art shows the 2nd and 4th weekends of each month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you visit Balboa Park regularly, you've probably seen the little white tents and booths near the …

We asked local and national celebs where they were on the day Lennon died

Along with many vidiots my age, television was the teat that nurtured us all, and I was less weaned than most. I recall "discovering" the Beatles on a Smothers Brothers show from October 1968 (which I recently re-watched, spotting a …

Graffiti Beach's holiday fashion show

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/07/36633/ On Saturday, December 8th, Graffiti Beach in South Park will host a holiday Fashion show. “We are celebrating the launch of our first Holiday Issue of our digital magazine with a runway show debuting all of the top trends …

Balboa Park December Nights ushers in the holiday season! Tonight from 5-10 p.m., and Saturday, December 8, from noon-10 p.m., the park will be transformed to celebrate the winter season. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/07/36620/ "Revelers can watch top-notch musical and dance performances, enjoy …

San Diego Writers, Ink hosts a holiday party + gallery preview!

On Saturday, December 15, nonprofit organization San Diego Writers, Ink is hosting a free holiday party and gallery preview of local artist Blair Thornley's illustrations and paintings. Thornley's work has appeared in The New Yorker, Forbes, and The New York …

After losing my way with smartphone apps, Garmin gets me back on the path of righteousness.

Now that I have an event in mind, The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, and a goal for that event, 3:15:00 or better, it's time to keep track of stuff. I've reviewed a few running apps for smart phones but there …

71 years ago, San Diego woke to terrible news, and wondered: where next?

Seventy-one years ago, today, San Diegans awoke to cloudy skies. When the sun pierced through, those who went outside for the Sunday paper looked forward to yet another pristine December day to brag about to friends back east. A front …

Over 150 artists submitted their work to the exhibition titled, "In Search of Wonder Women," on display at the Women's Museum of California through February 24. Each submission was to "evoke the essence of women as interpreted through the artist's …

When I am old, I shall wear sparkles. Seeing the many older women shimmering in the Schulman Auditorium, this is always my first thought at the poetry reading held every December in Carlsbad by the Magee Park Poets. This past …

A La Mesa resident shares her favorite wardrobe items

Mia Tedford always wears black. "I'm drawn to dark things. I don't feel comfortable in color," the 18-year-old tells me. "I used to be Hollister prep. Those were the dark days. I had a quick punk phase too. I used …

Ernest Hemingway's great granddaughter, Dree Hemingway, stars in Starlet, which opens Friday, December 7, at Ken Cinema (4061 Adams Ave). (BTW, I went to elementary school with her brother!) On Saturday, December 8, the film's director, co-writer and editor Sean …

I graduated from UCSD about six years ago. This what I remember fondly: the expansive walks across campus, the eucalyptus grove, the sunny coffee shop on the edge of the food court facing the engineering buildings. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/06/36561/ My husband and …

A conversation open to the public regarding drone policy and ethics. This is part of the Drones at Home series at the Gallery@calit2 on UCSD's campus.

Since March, an exhibition entitled Drones at Home has been taking place at the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) on UCSD's campus. The series is focused on "The strange allure of drones and the push for their …

Keoki Kahumoku, Herb Ohta Jr. and Chino Montero serving up holiday music of the islands

"Ticket sales have continued to climb -- a lot -- and we're now almost sold out of the upfront seats [with] dinner packages and upgrades," says AMSDconcerts honcho Carey Driscoll of the December 15 Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas performance slated …

High Tech High students showcase art pieces & recycled jewelry at affordable prices

Image from student zine that will also be lasercut out of veneered MDF (medium-density fibreboard) To say Joshua Krause is excited about Art, Everywhere, the upcoming art exhibition/market featuring pieces from his High Tech High Media Arts students and those …

This Sunday, December 9, there are two holiday events happening at North County historical societies. Both events are from 2:00-4:00p.m. The Vista Historical Society will host their annual Christmas Tea at the Park Terrace Café at the Gloria E. McClellan …

Leisurely ride stops for special food, fun and libation at El Cajon Blvd. businesses

Usually avoid El Cajon Boulevard and opt to take side streets when bicycling from University Heights to City Heights? "Safety in numbers", the old adage goes, so hop on your steed and help Bike the Boulevard celebrate their 2-Year Anniversary …

A 5K to support science, music, art etc.

The 1st Annual Carmel Valley 5K and Kid's Fun Run is Saturday, December 8th. The proceeds from this event will go to support the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation. The 5K is for ages six and up and the one …

Thursday | 6OPEN MIC AND ART SHOWProdigy School students and other young performers (ages 6 and up) are invited to perform. Parents and public are welcome; be sure to bring a pillow for sitting on the dance floor.WHEN: 6 p.m.WHERE: …

Run or walk like an Egyptian in your 60's, 70's, or 80's vintage attire.

Do you still have your workout clothes from the 60's,70's, or 80's? If so then you have an excellent chance to show them off this weekend. The Retro Run 5K is coming to San Diego this Sunday, December 9th. The …

Mercado Golodrina promises food, local vendors and music at their pop-up shop this Thursday

If you weren't able to get down to The Goods Show this Black Friday, another opportunity to have fun while shopping local is just on the horizon. This Thursday, December 6, Mercado Golondrina is holding their free holiday shopping pop-up …

At the end of Fahrenheit 451, outcasts stand around a campfire and decide which piece of writing they'll commit to memory. They must choose because a reactionary government isn't just anti-intellectual, it's anti-intelligence, and is banning every book that inspires …

What Santa Claus wears in her free time

On most December days, 21-year-old Julia Bowen is LEGOLAND’s Santa Claus. She wears a heavy costume that covers her body and face. When I spotted her on a Saturday afternoon, she had the day off. Oddly she chose to spend …

Local zine kicks off website, RAD.TV pending

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/02/36329/ Open-submission zine The Radvocate recently released their eight issue (available at shops around San Diego and online) featuring cover art by Anthony Zinonos, a photo set by Jose & Angelina Romero (check out The Reader’s preview of their work), …

The Jingle Bell Run begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, at Balboa Park (6th and Quince). The event benefits The Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region (a nonprofit). Participants can also walk (starts at 8:05 a.m.) or register their kids …