may 2009
the
water issue
$3.95
pacificsandiego.com
PANTONE - 262
Opening May 2009 www.syrahwineparlor.com | 901 5th avenue san diego, ca. 92101 | 619-234-4166 request invite to grand opening contact: info@syrahwineparlor.com
RAin OR Shine
21 Years & Older
i.D. MAnDATORY
The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club Proudly Presents
SUMMER MUSIC FEST Mariner’s Point • May 16, 2009 • Gates Open 12:00 pm ‘til 10:00 pm ADVANCE PRICE $10 • AT THE GATE $15
FOOD • BEER • WINE Live Bands and Miss Mission Beach Contest Featuring
The Pine Mountain Logs • Eve Selis • Cash’d Out • OU812 • Splitfinger • Greg Camp Visit our web site to purchase tickets on-line and to learn more about bands and contest
www.OMBAC.org 1. NO ONE will be admitted to this event without valid identification, with picture, confirming such person is 21 years of age or older. • 2. NO INTOXICATED PERSON will be served an alcoholic beverage, nor allowed to remain at the 2009 event. • 3. NO ice chests, coolers, containers or bottles allowed inside event. • 4. OMBAC will, at its discretion, eject any person whose conduct is rude, discourteous, or presents harm to himself or others.
CONTENTS
Inside
Photo by Ming S. Wu, h2wu.com
SPORTS
Hair and makeup: Maryl Velbeck, trendwavestudios.com
Why Marco Polo is not an Olympic event
Styling coordinator: Sheng Moua
12 All Wet
COOLTURE UnderCover Jet Set Model Amber Gregory was shot by Aaron Chang. Amber is wearing a bikini by Aaron Chang.
Model: Nix at Grace Model Management
14 Scene Diego
Dress by “Laundry by Shelli Segal”
Geena The Latina’s celebrity sightings
17 A Fish Out of Water Legendary photographer Aaron Chang opens gallery in Solana Beach
CONNECT
22 Lest We Forget
Memorial Day in San Diego, a tribute to the fallen
STYLE
24 H2Wu 2
Soak in the magnificent underwater photography of Ming S. Wu
TASTE
27 Super Savor
A first glance at San Diego’s newest nosh spots
32 Put Your Mouth Where Your Money Is The Millionaire Margarita, a liquid asset that pays major dividends
PULSE
34 Dishin’ It Up News 8’s Rekha Muddaraj has the hot scoop on-air and in the kitchen
24 GROOVE
38 The X Factor Capone rocks the mic at 91X
40 Amigo-Centric It’s time to celebrate Mexico’s victory
42 The Sandman Bartender Jesse Spencer spreads cheer and beer at Lahaina Beach House
LOVE
44 Peek Performance How to pretend not to look at other women
46 Go Fish!
22
34
Jump into a behind-the-scenes blind date at Birch Aquarium
CALENDAR
Photo by Janelle Maas
27
50 FIVE.09 May event listings
THINK
54 Endless Summer Thanks to a lack of water, San Diegans may soon be dying for a drink Wagyu Beef Sliders from Suite & Tender Photo by Janelle Maas
8 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
embark
PUBLISHERS David Perloff / Editor in Chief
letter from the editor...
MO N DA GO O
YS
OB
W
*
Mondays 4pm -9pm Offer excludes sales of alcohol. Offer expires 6.1.09 *ask for details and limitations at the counter.
hen I was a kid, Dad was big into turning off the lights. When his constant reminders failed to make me flip the switch, he explained that if we didn’t have electricity, I’d have to watch TV in the dark. Today, armed with a knack for deductive reasoning that would make Dad proud, I contemplate life without water. I suspect the price of freeze-dried coffee would plummet, Michael Phelps would need to find a new sport (and something else to fill his bong), and the Chunnel would lose most of its charm. But what really worries me is whether or not I’d be able to make a vodka-tonic with dry ice. This water issue of PacificSD quenches your thirst for surf with the work of legendary photographer Aaron Chang, whose breathtaking images make water transcend its liquid state in A Fish Out of Water (Page 17). Before coming up for air, dive into Ming S. Wu’s underwater fashion photography in H2WU (Page 24) and pay respect to our fallen 2 heroes resting in peace in an oceanfront cemetery in Lest We Forget (Page 22). For some refreshment after a long day of chilling out (or working, if you’re still employed), Put Your Mouth Where Your Money Is (Page 32) with a Millionaire Margarita, then satisfy your appetite with a Super Savor (Page 27) tour of the city’s newest nosh spots. Have a cupcake with News 8’s Rekha Muddaraj in Dishing it Up (Page 34), meet 91X’s Capone in The X Factor (Page 38) and feel what it’s like to be All Wet (Page 12) as Chainsaw examines why Marco Polo is not an Olympic event. This month’s blind date starts at Birch Aquarium and ends with a splash… or is it a kerplunk? To get the answer, peek behind-thescenes in Go Fish (Page 48). When you’re ready to dry off, check out Endless Summer (Page 54) to see what might happen if we actually do run out of water. The good news is that this is such a kickass city that we might not even notice if our water supply dried up. I mean, we’re already used to living in the desert, San Diego Bay is already 67 percent motorboat fuel, and the time we’d save by not mowing our synthetic lawns could be spent relaxing by the beach—without all that pesky wave noise.
Summer’s almost here. Dive in!
David Perloff Editor In Chief
Simone Perloff / Fashion Director DESIGN DIRECTOR Liza Samala CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brandon Hernández Editorial Assitant Danielle Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Craig Boreth Brian Brunkow Christian Buckley Geena the Latina Cookie Chainsaw Randolph Frank Sabatini, Jr. design Assistant Arian Thorne PHOTOGRAPHERS John Audley, bewaterphotographic.com
David Good, davegoodphotography.com
Janelle Maas, janellemaas.com
Brad Swonetz, bradswonetz.com
Ming S. Wu, h2wu.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jim Lucich Laura Rovick
Magazine Advertising Sucks... …sucks readers into your ads and new customers into your business, that is. Call 858.274.4795 or visit pacificsandiego.com today to find out how much your ad can suck. PACIFICsandiego.com 858.274.1111
sports
Marco!
All Wet
Why Marco Polo is not an Olympic event By Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph
I
n addition to the fact that she could never possibly have cheated at the game, did you know that Helen Keller’s very first words at that water-well pump were actually, “Marco Polo”? That’s how popular the game was and still is today. Marco Polo is the exciting, backyard swimming pool version of You’re It, wherein the “It” person pledges to close his or her eyes and tries to tag the other players, who are allowed to keep their eyes open and swim away. Whenever the sightless “It” yells out, “Marco,” the sighted players are obligated by rule to immediately answer, “Polo,” no matter how close they may be to the danger of being tagged. Controversy has swirled around this popular water sport for centuries. Kids grow up playing it—way more than say, water polo or synchronized swimming—which begs the question: Why are those Olympic events and Marco Polo isn’t? The reasons go way deeper than the difficulties of officiating the “you looked” cheating epidemic. The game is named after Marco Polo, the great Italian explorer who was away visiting the Far East for so long that his children and their cousins invented a game by which they could remember him during Fourth of July barbecues. The game quickly became a sensation throughout Italy. Pope Boniface VIII himself was known to excel at the game, although whispers of cheating dogged him until his death. Shamefully, none of his bishops had the guts to bring it up when he was alive. The game remained popular until Mr. Polo returned from China in 1295 with treasures, silks and exotic massage techniques considered so scandalously “fun” that civilized society repudiated his name and permanently banned the game from all above- and below-ground swimming pools in the greater Roman Empire. The game lay dormant for centuries until one brave historian suggested Marco Polo be an Olympic event for the return of the Olympic Games to Athens in 1896. The staunchly conservative approval committee voted a unanimous “No” and guillotined the person who suggested it. As fate would have it, the game’s popularity was reborn just five years later thanks to Vito Andolini, a nine-year-old Italian immigrant who arrived on Ellis Island in New York Harbor in 1901. Quarantined for halitosis, Vito was separated from his brother Marco, who had sailed on to Manhattan. Distraught, Vito escaped and attempted to swim to Manhattan, shouting out his brother’s name all the way there. Tugboat operators familiar with the ancient game kept sailing away from Vito until one of them noticed that he was in danger of drowning and fished him out of the East River with a Mafia stool-pigeon retrieval hook.
Rita Hayworth played in the nude and everybody cheated.
12 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
The New York tabloids made such a big story of the incident that it sparked a resurgence of the game nationwide. Publisher William Randolph Hearst even ordered a swimming pool built in San Simeon just so he and his show‑biz cronies could play Marco Polo during weekend romps (Rita Hayworth played in the nude and EVERYBODY cheated). That it survived the centuries despite so many powerful forces attempting to squelch it is a testament to the game’s allure. In 1959, Hemingway himself immortalized Marco Polo in his prize-winning short story, ”The Echoes of Suburbia.” With beckoning cries of “Marco” intermingled with muted breathing and water gently lapping on the tile, reluctant replies of “Polo” will spark frenzy for as long as the bell tolls and the sun also rises. -Verne Hemingway (no relation to Ernest) Chainsaw weaves tales of equal historical significance on the “Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw,” broadcast mornings and during nightly replay shows at 101.5 KGB-FM.
COOLTURE: celebrity
Scene Diego Finest City celebrity sightings
By Geena the Latina
April 19: Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman catches some rays at the grand opening of Intervention, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s spring/summer pool party.
April 9: Actor Brian Baumgartner, who plays Kevin Malone on the popular NBC sitcom, The Office, helps kick off Stairway to Heaven at Stingaree downtown. He has so much fun that he returns the next night and later tweets that perhaps he’d had “too much fun” during his three-day trip to San Diego.
Brian Baumgartner (right)
If you’re seeing stars, tell me about it! GeenaTheLatina@channel933.com
Seth Rogan (middle)
April 18: Competing against his girlfriend to see who can raise the most money, actor/director Seth Rogan participates in the annual QUASH (Quest to Unravel Alzheimer’s Scavenger Hunt) at Embarcadero Park. April 13: San Diego’s own mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Dean Lister, judges a bikini contest at Hooters downtown with Channel 933 radio DJ Sean “Sonic” Leckie.
Dean Lister (left) and Sonic
Doug Reinhardt
14 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
April 10: Paris Hilton’s The Hills boyfriend Doug Reinhardt hosts a party at the new Sway Nightclub inside the Keating Hotel downtown. Sans Paris, Reinhardt stays for the exact amount of time for which he was paid to be onsite, telling female guests how “in love” he is with Paris and how anxious he is to meet up with her at their hotel right after his hosting responsibility is satisfied.
Stone Temple Pilots
Geena’s Favs this Month Bar: La Puerta, in the Gaslamp, for their Monday happy hour Asher Roth and Ja Rule
Lil Jon
April 3-4: Hard Rock Hotel San Diego re-launches two new clubs, 207 and Float, and a slew of celebrities show up to celebrate the big weekend: singer Asher Roth, rappers Ja Rule and Lil Jon, singer Frankie J, Heat and Leilene from I Love Money 2, actress/rapper/singer Shar Jackson, The Hills star Holly Montag, Stone Temple Pilots, Price is Right star Claudia Jordan, Chargers Shawne Merriman and Kassim Osgood and a bunch of other reality stars. March 28: Michael Jordan is spotted at True North Tavern in North Park. Later the same night, he is seen at the Tavern in Pacific Beach, playing pool, smoking cigars and even showing off some dance moves. Patrons and employees say he is laidback and down-to-earth.
Celeb Makeovers: Kathy Griffin’s new bikini body and Khloe Kardashian’s nose job Store: XX1, the new and improved Forever 21 in Fashion Valley Mall Style Trend: Bright-color nail polish, especially electric pink, bright green and aqua blue Article of Clothing: My ripped Arden B jeans. They are sooo comfortable! Addiction: twitter.com/geenathelatina
coolture: vision
Water dancing on a remote Tahitian reef. This captures at 1/1600 of a second the fleeting moments when water becomes sculpture.
Legendary photographer Aaron Chang opens gallery in Solana Beach By Christian Buckley Photos by Aaron Chang PACIFICsandiego.com Âť may 2009 | 17
coolture: vision
armed with a camera protected by a fiberglass case tethered to his arm, Aaron Chang spent the better part of 30 years in the salty waters off the coasts of Hawaii, California, Indonesia, South Africa and everywhere in-between. The images he has captured, both in and out of the water, have graced hundreds of magazine covers and brought him acclaim throughout the surf and sport media and among advertisers and publications worldwide. By opening his extensive archives for public viewing and purchase, Chang is firmly planting his feet on solid ground for the first time. His new Solana Beach gallery features some of his greatest surfing images interspersed with a rotation of breathtaking looks at the urban, human, animal and scenic landscapes he has traveled. A sunset shot of famed surfer Kelly Slater, for example, might be displayed next to an image of a glacier summit, Balinese temple or stampeding elephant.
18 | may 2009 ÂŤ PACIFICsandiego.com
Chris Malloy in a south-swell barrel off Coronado Island.
Sunrise as seen from inside the water, shot this January in Del Mar.
“when
Brad Gerlach riding Cortes Bank for the first time in 2001. This ground-breaking expedition was conceived by the late Larry Moore and produced Mike Parsons’ wave of the year.
I first set foot on [Hawaii’s] north shore at age 17, I was blown away by the majesty of the surf and decided that that was where I wanted to be,” Chang reflects. “Water photography was a dangerous and technically uncharted territory at the time, and I had had no supervision and little mentoring.” Chang excelled at bringing back dramatic photographs from the water and quickly landed a job shooting for Surfing Magazine, which eventually took him around the world and solidified his status as one of surf photography’s greatest talents. Chang still travels and shoots extensively, while his gallery provides a new creative outlet. “I hope that it works to inspire people to appreciate the gift of life and engage with the environment around them,” he says. “The way we view and interact with art and photography is changing. Each day I am finding new ways of using images and integrating them with the way we live.” Aaron Chang, photographed in his Solana Beach gallery.
Brian Conley at Black’s beach. In the winter, the water turns emerald green during the last hour of daylight.
PACIFICsandiego.com » may 2009 | 19
connect
Lest we Forget
Memorial Day in San Diego, a tribute to the fallen By Brian Brunkow
Photos by Janelle Maas
O
n May 5, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, General John A. Logan proclaimed “Decoration Day” as a day of remembrance for fallen Union and Confederate Civil War soldiers. Decoration Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, and the name officially changed to Memorial Day in 1882. The Civil War was costly. The U.S. population was roughly 35 million before more than 620,000 soldiers died in “The War Between the States” from 1861–1865. In present day terms, with a U.S. population of 306 million, this would be equivalent to our families losing 5.5 million American soldiers. After WWI, Memorial Day became a day of remembrance for the fallen American soldiers of all wars. Congress declared Memorial Day as a national holiday in 1971. Here in San Diego, Memorial Day is an especially poignant holiday considering the importance of the military in our community. San Diego County is home to around 340,000 veterans and active‑duty personnel. Their tireless protection of our families at home and overseas is endless and often unnoticed.
Museums & Monuments: San Diego offers several year-round exhibits celebrating our region’s proud military heritage.
22 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military, Embarcadero
The Port of San Diego, Embarcadero, downtown. Tour a great collection of military-inspired artwork along San Diego’s scenic waterfront including: “The USS San Diego (CL-53) Memorial,” “Aircraft Carrier Memorial,” “Homecoming,” “A National Salute to Bob Home and the Military,” “Pearl Harbor Survivors Plaque,” “Battle of Leyte Gulf Memorial” and “Tuna Fleet Service WWII.” 619.686.6200, portofsandiego.org. Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, Balboa Park. 619.239.2300, veteranmuseum.org.
San Diego Air & Space Museum, Balboa Park. 619.234.8291, aerospacemuseum.org. Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, MCAS Miramar. 877.359.8762, flyingleathernecks.org. MCRD Museum Historical Society, downtown San Diego. Military Base: Auto registration, proof of insurance and photo I.D. required. 619.524.4426, mcrdmuseumhistoricalsociety.org. CAF - Air Group One WWII Museum, El Cajon. 619.448.4505, cafairgroup1.org.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetry, Point Loma
USS San Diego (CL-53) Memorial, Embarcadero
Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial, La Jolla
The Navy’s Bay Bridge Run/Walk. Cross the Coronado Bridge to support Navy personnel and family programs. Sunday, May 17, 8 a.m. 949.456.5693, mwrtoday.com. USS Midway Museum, Embarcadero, downtown. Veterans lay wreaths overboard, family activities, choir, Taps, speakers, free museum entrance. Saturday, May 23, 619.544.9600, midway.org.
Celebrate Memorial Day at these events:
Memorial Day Service & Day of Remembrance, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Pt. Loma. Flags mark each grave, band, speakers. Monday, May 25, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 619.553.2084, fortrosecransmemorialday.org.
Memorial Day Ceremony, Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial, La Jolla. Missing Man Formation Flyover, Navy band, color guard, presentation honoring General Patton, keynote speaker Brigadier General Angela Salinas. Monday, May 25, 2009, 2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. 858.459.2314, soledadmemorial.com. San Diego Air & Space Museum, Balboa Park. Free admission for active‑duty military and San Diego residents. Tuesday, May 26, 2009, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 619.234.8291, aerospacemuseum.org. Brian Brunkow is the creative director of Mind Venue, a San Diegobased copywriting and creative development firm. mindvenue.com
PACIFICsandiego.com » may 2009 | 23
Photos by Ming S. Wu, h2wu.com Hair and makeup: Maryl Velbeck, trendwavestudios.com Styling coordinator: Sheng Moua Model in purple: Brita Model in green: Michelle Dresses by “Laundry by Shelli Segal”
hWu 2
Soak in the underwater photography of Ming S. Wu
24 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
Fashion and commercial photographer Ming S. Wu makes a splash for a living. He imagines, creates and then captures underwater scenes that defy trends and suspend gravity. When he’s submerged with fearless models in the pool adjacent to his studio, Wu is supported by his hair and makeup expert (and wife), Maryl Velbeck. The couple’s underwater collaborations have produced remarkable images for cosmetics companies, jewelry manufacturers and international fashion labels. Wu’s dry-land accomplishments include scores of foreign and domestic magazine covers, including several for this publication. See more of his work at H2Wu.com and in upcoming issues of PacifcSD.
PACIFICsandiego.com Âť may 2009 | 25
TASTE: dining out
Super Savor
A first glance at San Diego’s newest nosh spots
By Brandon Hernández
Just because the economy sucks doesn’t mean dining out has to. Here are six new restaurants that provide a great return on an appetizing investment…at any price.
Suite & Tender | $$$$ 1047 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp (Inside Sè San Diego hotel) 619.515.3003 suiteandtender.com
key to symbols
$ $$
What’s left in your wallet What’s left in your piggy bank
$$$ What’s left in your paycheck $$$$ What’s left in your 401(K)
With rich woods, supple leather accents and a gold-plated topographical map of San Diego’s bay front stretching the length of the dining room, this modernistic take on a traditional steakhouse is right at home in the ultra-luxe Sè San Diego hotel. Award-winning chef Christopher Lee has split his menu into three sections—Ocean (seafood), Land (meat and poultry) and Suite & Tender (surf ‘n’ turf). Even more options abound in the form of a raw seafood bar, a stellar cocktail list and a wine list from which guests may choose a sip, taste or bottomless glass.
Sampler: A pairing of succulent lobster and tender braised short ribs.
PACIFICsandiego.com » may 2009 | 27
TASTE: dining out
Vela | $$$ 1 Park Boulevard, Downtown (Inside Hilton San Diego Bayfront) 619.564.3333 hiltonsandiegobayfront.com It’s right next door to the Convention Center, but lariat-wearing out-oftowners aren’t the only ones who get to indulge in the classy collection of coastal fare dreamt up by Executive Chef Patrick Dahms. A hospitalityindustry veteran who has logged time at some of the world’s most luxurious lodgings, Dahms has put together a menu that fuses ingredients and techniques from Europe, Asia and the Americas’ most cuisine-rich shoreline communities. This seaside symbiosis can be enjoyed from Vela’s sophisticated environs, which include floor-to-ceiling windows giving way to a glorious view of San Diego Bay.
Sampler: Pacific King salmon with crab-potato gratin and sweet fennel marmalade.
O’Brothers | $$ 324 Horton Plaza, Gaslamp 619.615.0909 obrothersburgers.com When O’Brothers’ owner Derek Cowling says everything at his new burger joint is 100% organic, he really means it. The beef meets all the standard certification requirements, but that’s just the beginning. The same goes for the burger buns, all of the toppings (bacon, onions, tomato, avocado) and even the fries. But wait, there’s more. Even the beer, wine, sodas, coffee, tea, water and non-edibles like cups and napkins are organic. O’ yeah… a side note for responsible consumers and festive carnivores alike—these burgers are darn good!
Sampler: The Big “O”—a juicy, avocado-laden bacon cheeseburger for under $10.
o’brothers Photos by dave good
28 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
TASTE: dining out
Mi Casa Comida Y Cerveza | $ 1775 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach 858.272.0567 micasatacoshop.com Matt Spencer (owner of Pacific Beach’s popular Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge) used to be just another gringo. Earlier this year, however, he became a local cult hero by resurrecting Los Panchos, a Mexican-food joint on Garnet Avenue. On the eve of the previous owner’s eviction, Spencer swooped in to preserve an 18-year history and the jobs of the existing kitchen staff. The result is Mi Casa, a funky and eclectic taco shop brimming with bold, zesty Mexican flavors and an expanded selection of cervezas. Soonto-come are an indoor/outdoor bar, new seating, a fire pit and music.
Sampler: Sizzling carnitas (marinated pork) with fresh tortillas or, for the more tradicional, a steamy bowl of menudo (spicy soup).
Decanter | $$$ 18021 Calle Ambiente, Rancho Santa Fe 858.756.9333 decanterwinelounge.com For an inviting spot with a laundry list of off-the-beaten-path wines and a knowledgeable yet unpretentious staff to recommend the perfect pairings, check out Decanter. Owner and head sommelier Jayson Knack has surrounded himself with vintages and personnel who are equally awesome and approachable. Sip, sample and savor at the sleek and colorful bar, in the simplistically-luxurious dining room or on the expansive outdoor patio (where the experience is enhanced by the scent of fresh rosemary and lavender from the restaurant’s herb garden).
Sampler: Chestnut honey-glazed quail served with wild rice and heirloom carrots.
The Blind Lady Ale House | $$ 3416 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights 619.255.2491 blindladyalehouse.com Exposed brick, knotty wooden planks and dusty chalkboard menus match the DIY philosophy (customers place their orders and pick up their place settings) at this craftbrew treasure trove disguised as a mild-mannered pizzeria. Blind Lady’s hand-tossed pies with house-cured meats and local herbs and veggies are delightful, but the real draw is the insane beer list, which rotates regularly and consists of esteemed domestic and imported gems. Everything from super-charged IPAs to fruity sours are on the beer board, making this the perfect spot to sit back and knock back an exceptional brew.
Sampler: The Salsiccia Pizza—Italian sausage, rapini (broccoli raab) and mozzarella— with any of those great beers!
30 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
TASTE: cocktail
Put your mouth where your money is The Millionaire Margarita, a liquid asset that pays major dividends By Frank Sabatini, Jr.
Photos by Dave Good
L
uxury and affordability become unlikely bedfellows in hand-blown glasses at Fred’s Mexican Café, where the wildly popular Millionaire Margarita leaves about 400 customers a week feeling as though they’ve been delivered by yacht to Acapulco. A double shot of highly refined, aged Corzo Tequila sets the stage for a proprietary sweet-and-sour mix manufactured exclusively for Fred’s by an undisclosed San Francisco beverage company. The 16-ounce drink is then finished off with a Grand Marnier float and the requisite rim of salt. Unlike traditional margaritas, the Millionaire version, “is less acidic, perfectly balanced and doesn’t give you heartburn,” says company vice president Ken Lovi. “We have people asking all the time if we can bottle and sell them the mix.” No such luck. “We hold that secret close to our chest,” Lovi says. A secret he doesn’t mind revealing is that the margarita pairs particularly well with Fred’s roasted, flash-fried carnitas.
Millionaires are served in lead-free glasses (made in Mexico) with brass-lined bases. And despite the opulent name and elite ingredients, a mere $9.25 is all it takes to turn your red blood into agave blue. Arriba! 32 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
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Happy Hour ‘til 10 $2.50 Svedka Vodka and Rockstar $2.50 Bud Lights (‘til midnight) $1.00 Street Tacos
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Pulse: Anchors away
Dishin’ It Up
News 8’s Rekha Muddaraj has the hot scoop on-air and in the kitchen By Brandon Hernández Photos by Janelle Maas
I
Photo courtesy of KFMB-TV
n 2003, she was the first runner‑up in the Miss India USA pageant. The following year, she was crowned Miss Asia Arizona. Today, Rekha Muddaraj lends her poise and pizzazz to Channel 8 as a roving news reporter. A crush on Peter Jennings, a field trip to a television station and years spent writing for her school newspapers inspired this Phoenix-born, first-generation American to go into broadcast journalism. Muddaraj graduated from Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and cut her teeth as a rookie reporter in the Midwest before moving to San Diego to accept a job offer from KFMB-TV. “It didn’t hurt that my boyfriend, Neil, lived here,” says Muddaraj, who has blossomed under the SoCal sun (and since married that boyfriend of hers). The popular reporter aspires to cook as well as her mother and enjoys visiting her extended family in India, but the longer she stays in San Diego, the deeper she falls in love with her new hometown. “Everyone here is so nice and happy… but how could you not be?” she says. “I don’t know if I could ever leave.”
34 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
(Continued on Page 36)
Pulse: Anchors away
Now we’re cooking
PSD: What do you cook best? RM: I make a mean chocolate chip cookie and red velvet cupcakes. I have also mastered chicken enchiladas. PSD: What’s on the back burner? RM: I’m ready to move on to the “intermediate” recipes on the Food Network website. I would eventually love to perfect a soufflé. PSD: What are your favorite restaurants? RM: I love to eat at Trattoria Acqua in La Jolla or Café Japengo. I also love Bombay in Hillcrest. For nightlife, Jack’s La Jolla, The Ivy or Whiskey Girl.
THE BEST GAMEDAY S! PECIALS D D S N I S R E G R U B T S E VOTED B $1 DRAFT BEER (with Padres Ticket Stub)
$10 HOUSE DRAFT PITCHERS $3 VODKA + MONSTER
1/2-PRICE APPETIZERS DURING GAMES MPP LAM ASLA GAS G
DIEGO 624 E STREET, SAthN E STREET th ON BETWEEN 6 AND 7 7.9990 619.23 PACIFIC BEACH: 4640 MISSION BLVD. 2 BLOCKS NORTH OF GARNET & 1 BLOCK FROM BEACH, 858.274.7117. 36 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
Photo by Janelle Maas
PacificSD: Where does your love of cooking come from? Rekha Muddaraj: My mom. She’s an amazing cook, and every meal she made was from scratch. I didn’t get into cooking until after I graduated from college, so I’m kicking myself for not spending enough time in the kitchen with her. It’s hard trying to learn how to cook Indian food over the phone!
Offshore
V-pass: Spend $20 and get passes to Sandbar, The Tavern and True North for V.I.P. entry plus discounted food at Sandbar.
2253 Morena Blvd. Bay Park 619.276.2253 offshoretavern.com
Sandbar
The Tavern
San Diego’s only drink index Some prices rise, some prices fall. You control how much! Thursday Nights from 7–close DJ D-Skwiz from 10–close
Big Wheel Wednesdays $2.50 Wells and Domestics $3.50 Premium Beers $4 EFFEN Vodka (all flavors) $2 gets you one spin at the big wheel for awesome prizes!
718 Ventura Pl. Mission Beach 858.488.1274 sandbarsportsgrill.com
1200 Granet Ave. Pacific Beach 858.272.6066 tavernatthebeach.com
True North
Happy Hour 7 days a week from 12–7pm $1 off all Beer, Wine and Spirits. Check our Website for the Weekly Entertainment Lineup! Come try our new menu items!
3815 30th St. North Park 619.291.3815 truenorthtavern.com
5145 Morena Place, San Diego CA 92110 | verantgroup.com
GROOVE: Beats
The X Factor Capone rocks the mic at 91X By Brandon Hernández
Photos by Brad Swonetz PacificSD: What was your worst experience as a DJ? Capone: When I was in Sacramento, I was lucky enough to do stage announcements for Blink-182 at our annual Christmas show. I was a little overzealous and decided to stage dive as the band came on. The result was two cracked ribs and a lot of ball-busting by the rest of the station the next day. PSD: What’s the best thing about your job? Capone: Free music. Wait…everyone can get that now. I love working with great people who are all passionate about what they do.
D
espite being a hard-core music lover, 91X afternoon jock, Capone, never set out to pursue a career in radio. “I actually went to school to be an accountant,” he admits. “I have the degree and everything.” An impromptu radio internship was all it took to convince this self-proclaimed loud-mouth to ditch his adding machine and ride the airwaves from Northern California to America’s Finest City. Nowadays, Capone’s on-air in San Diego from 2 to 6 p.m. When he’s not on the mic, he’s working behind the scenes as 91X’s program director, setting the tone for the station by picking out every one of its songs (and DJs) and handling the biz aspects of radio. Looks like that degree may have come in handy after all. When he’s away from the studios at Finest City Broadcasting (the group owns 91X, Magic 92.5 and Z90), Capone can be found at the gym, on the golf course or by the beach. “I’ve been known to grab my crew and terrorize a few bars in O.B. from time to time, too,” he says. Ocean Beach—you’ve been warned.
38 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
XOXO Some of Capone’s favs.
Bands: Incubus, The Gaslight Anthem, Cage The Elephant, Manchester Orchestra, The Cure, The Smiths, The Clash, The Replacements, The Pretenders Current Tunes: “Silversun Pickups” by Panic Switch and “Black Heart Inertia” by Incubus Flick: Pulp Fiction (“pure frigging genius”) TV Shows: 24, 30 Rock, Important Things Book: Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman Restaurants: Roy’s (downtown) and The Venetian (Point Loma) Watering Holes: Pacific Shores (Ocean Beach) and Bar Pink Elephant (North Park)
Groove: Fiesta
presents
PacificSD, in conjunction with the Historic Old Town Community Foundation, is proud to present the 26th Annual Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo, May 2 and 3, in historic Old Town. This free, two-day event invites locals and tourists of all ages to channel their Latinness through traditional music, authentic Mexican food and drink, dancing and mucho more.
Amigo-Centric It’s time to celebrate Mexico’s victory By El Gringo Grande On May 5, 1862, Mexico kicked France’s derriere at the Battle of Puebla. Gracias for that, amigos! Imagine if it had gone the other way. Oh, my dios! What a mess… • San Diegans would cross the border to enjoy quiche instead of lobster. • Late-night drive-thrus would sell escargots instead of burritos. • To celebrate their birthdays, children would have to beat fondue pots with sticks because they never would have heard of piñatas. • And what would French bread be called? Nachos? Thanks in part to their historic victory, our Latin friends have helped mold San Diego into its current paradisiacal state. Let’s make a toast— a Freedom Toast, no less:
Three cheers for our Mexican brethren! Olé! Olé! Olé! France blows… er, soufflés! 40 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
Throughout the festive weekend, the vibrant sounds of hot salsa, flamenco, traditional mariachi, rock ‘n’ roll and high-energy dance music will emanate from several stages. Enjoy food and drink specials at 20 participating restaurants, breathe fire in the jalapeño eating contest and step back in time at the birthplace of California. Who: 200,000 Fiesta-goers What: 26th Annual Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo Where: Old Town When: Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Info: 619.291.4903, fiestaoldtown.com
freds.indd 1
4/17/09 09:59:22 AM
GROOVE: bartender
Worth a thousand words…
The Sandman
Bartender Jesse Spencer spreads cheer and beer at Lahaina Beach House
“A lot of the guys now in Iraq came to Lahaina’s as young men stationed here in San Diego,” Spencer says. “So when they go overseas, it’s great for them to think about the good times they’ve had at the bar. They are so proud to display their versions of Lahaina’s from all over the world.” Displayed among the photos of customers that line Lahaina’s interior walls are these two remarkable images.
By Danielle Warren
Navy officer Scott Zellem displays his handiwork on a bomb, which was later dropped on one of Saddam’s palaces.
L
Photo by Dave Good
ahaina Beach House takes San Diego’s best features—sun, sand and friendly people—and rolls them all into one. The casual beachcottage-turned-bar is always packed with an eclectic mix of revelers. Its coveted beachfront deck, which sits on the sand by the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, is another big part of the winning formula that makes Lahaina’s such a popular destination. “It’s just a laid-back beach bar where everyone comes to have fun,” says bartender Jesse Spencer. “It gets crowded, but people are friendly and will always share tables and pitchers of beer. We have great regulars, but also tourists who have been coming every year for the last 27 years.” Spencer, who has been pouring pitchers at the famed sandy spot since 2001, embodies this loyalty. Born and raised in San Diego, he began as a doorman at Lahaina’s while still in college, then became a bartender’s assistant, which led to his current full-time bartending gig. “My perfect day would be going to work, having a packed deck until the sun goes down, making good money and then going with the boys from work to have beers in town,” he says. You know a guy must love his job when his ideal day includes working. But even in people-watching paradise, not everything is perfect. “Getting wet money,” Spencer says, “I hate that!”
Bartender’s Tip:
“Drink fast when you’re standing in the sun at Lahaina’s. You can’t let the beer get warm.” 42 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
To recreate home while deployed in Baghdad, these Army Rangers spray painted a wall to remind them of their favorite beach bar.
Sunset at
Lahaina Beach House 710 Oliver Ave., Pacific Beach 858.270.3888, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., daily
love
Peek Performance How to pretend not to look at other women By Craig Boreth
G
etting caught sucks. You know the scenario: You’re walking down the street arm-in-arm in the midday sun and you get nabbed ogling some hot chick in a belly shirt who is more likely to mistake you for William Shatner than join you for a steamy weekend in Barbados. Your wife or girlfriend thinks you’re an idiot, the hot chick thinks you’re like-Mick-Jagger-old, and you’re literally left holding the bag as you get dragged along for an afternoon of grudge shopping. Again, getting caught sucks. So, don’t get caught. The art of the covert gawk is just that, an art. I can offer a few strategies to better your chances of success, but keep in mind that each man brings his own special abilities to the table. So utilize these techniques to the extent that they work for you, but feel free to make alterations to suit your own unique tastes and talents. Regardless of your approach, remember that Jerry Seinfeld was correct, checking out a chick is like looking into the sun. You can’t just stop and stare, you’ve got to get a quick peek and then look away fast.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.” — Miss Piggy
44 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
The only thing your better half thinks is more ridiculous than fake boobs and Daisy Dukes is your obsession with them.
Like Options? Largest Cruiser Selection
You Gotta Wear Shades Dark or mirrored sunglasses are obviously the traditional tools of the trade. They do present a few problems, though. First of all, the darker the shades, the less of a view you’re going to get. This is an issue for the peeping purist. Second and more problematic is that sunglasses can make you careless. You figure your glasses give you free rein to scope out the scenery and you forget that just before you noticed that fabulous babe, you had been carrying on a conversation. Suddenly, complete tunnel vision sets in and you go stone-cold silent. Only tripping over your tongue would be more obvious. And, if you’re wearing mirrored glasses, remember that if the subject of your gaze can see herself in your shades, she’s gonna think you’re looking at her—even if you’re not. Glasses can provide some cover, but you’ve still got to put in the effort of pretending you’re not looking.
The Body Scan You’re walking down the street together and you notice a fine young lady approaching. You can’t just drop everything and whip out the opera glasses. Realize that you’ll only get a quick glimpse, and that has to be enough. You want to get the best view possible without incurring the wrath of either woman. What you want to do is keep walking, look down at the ground in front of you and maintain a normal conversational cadence. As you sense the subject approaching, do a smooth, steady scan of her from toe to head. Don’t stop along the way to browse or you’re dead meat. This move gives the impression of coincidence; you’re just raising your head to keep your eyes forward and avoid bumping into other pedestrians. If your eyes meet, just give a quick, friendly nod and then move your glance straight ahead. No harm, no foul.
The Ricochet I don’t know about you, but as soon as I see someone worth getting a good, long look at, I immediately look for indirect lines of sight. If I’m driving, the passenger side-view mirror is great for pedestrians. Downtown, use reflective shop windows to look back over your shoulder. The possibilities are limitless, so just be creative and utilize whatever resources are available.
The Tactical Retreat If you do get caught, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the consequences. Realize that she probably notices different, less bodacious attributes of other women than you do. Tell her that you noticed that other woman’s earrings or eyebrows, or that you thought her blouse was a really interesting color. If it’s just too obvious what you were up to and if the other woman has enormous… uh, how can I say this delicately… hooters, say something like “I think I know what she got for Christmas.” The only thing your better half thinks is more ridiculous than fake boobs and Daisy Dukes is your obsession with them. A good joke about them will make her think you’re not nearly as big a moron as you actually are. Finally, if all else fails, you do have one final strategy to let you enjoy the scenery with minimum risk: become an ass man.
1211 Morena Boulevard [By USD] San Diego • 92110 www.beachbikes.com
Craig Boreth is the author of How To Feel Manly in a Minivan: A Survival Guide for New Dads, and How To Iron Your Own Damn Shirt: The Perfect Husband Handbook. PACIFICsandiego.com » may 2009 | 45
Love: Blind Date
Go Fish!
A behind-the-scenes blind date at Birch Aquarium Photos by Dave Good
R
oberta loves the ocean. Raised in Rio de Janeiro, she grew up by the beach, celebrates the tradition of Yemanjá (Brazil’s fabled queen of the ocean) and even has dolphin tattoos on the tops of her feet. She has lived in San Diego since 1997 and retains a thick Brazilian accent. Patrick, a construction contractor from Ohio, just bought, remodeled and now operates Javanican, the “Purple Café” on Cass Street, in Pacific Beach. He may not be able to turn water into wine, but he can turn it into a delicious cup of coffee. The daters are in for an underwater adventure: an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, in La Jolla. They’ll feed sea horses, pet a giant octopus and meet the aquarium’s impressive array of sea life, all without getting wet. Let’s meet the players.
She Says…
He Says… What one person, food item, beverage and song would you like to have with you on a deserted island? At least God to protect me, champagne, fish— it’s the easiest to catch on a desert island and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.
PacificSD: Describe your personality in seven words. Roberta: Caring, friend, trust, ambitious, dreamer, easygoing and happy. Do you have any special talents? Singing… in my car. Last book you read? Barack Obama’s “Dreams from My Father.” What jobs have you had and what do you do now? I was a bank teller, lawyer, babysitter, maid and travel agent. Now I’m the owner/realtor of New Era Real Estate Group.
Would you bungee jump or skydive? I already did both. Which sports, if any, do you like to watch? U.F.C. fights, golf, futebol (soccer, in Portuguese). What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My tattoo on my middle finger. What are your favorite smells? My own and Michael Kors. How often do you talk to your parents? Every day.
46 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
What one person, food item, beverage and song would you like to have with you on a deserted island? My daughter, a steak, a Budweiser and “Spread Your Wings” by Queen. Would you bungee jump or skydive? Skydive, yes. Bungee, depends. PacificSD: Describe your personality in seven words. Patrick: Thoughtful, generous, fair, passionate, eclectic, artistic, modest. Do you have any special talents? Drumming… and undisclosed other talents! What was the last book you read? “Anatomy of Post Tensioning Concrete.” What jobs have you had and what do you do now? Flower shops, construction, hotels, design. Now I run a small café.
Which sports, if any, do you like to watch? Football, basketball. I’ll watch any sport live. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I wish I had broader shoulders. What are your favorite smells? Bergamot, sandalwood jasmine, lemon grass, grease, firewood. How often do you talk to your parents? Twice a month.
Patrick owns a motorcycle but, hoping to take Roberta for a ride later, he rolls up to Birch Aquarium on a larger Harley Davidson that he rented for the day. When Roberta arrives, the two are escorted to a private rooftop balcony where they get acquainted over a glass of champagne. (Continued on page 48)
Love: Blind Date
Diving in… Roberta and Patrick are taken on a private tour by assistant aquarium curator Leslee Matsushige. They feed sea horses (which live in abundance along the San Diego coastline), see baby sharks and even get to touch marine animals in Birch’s three man-made tide pools.
After the tour, the daters are split for mid-date debriefings.
She Says…
He Says…
PacificSD: How’s it going? Roberta: You can’t think that it’s going to be the man of your life, you know? But it’s cool. He’s a nice guy.
PacificSD: How’s it going? Patrick: It’s going pretty good. I’m having a great time.
What was your first impression of Patrick? He’s got that nice-guy face. On a scale from one to ten, how would you rate Patrick physically? Five. If you could do so without hurting his feelings, would you leave right now? No, I would stay. I don’t want it to be a whole-day thing, though. But I can’t hang out with any guy for a whole day. What’s Patrick’s best quality so far? He’s a nice guy. What did you think of Birch Aquarium? I really enjoyed what we learned about the sea horses. It was very interesting. What’s the best way the date could end? We’re going to start eating, then we exchange numbers. That’s it. Worst? If he’s trying to extend and being annoying because he doesn’t want it to stop. I hate that.
What was your first impression of Roberta? Beautiful. She is fantastic. On a scale from one to ten, how would you rate Roberta physically? I call myself a seven, so I can call her an eight. If you could do so without hurting her feelings, would you leave right now? No, I wanna see if she wants to go for a ride on the bike. What’s Roberta’s best quality so far? Her dark-brown eyes. What did you think of Birch Aquarium? It was great. Going back behind the scenes was fun. As a kid, I always wanted to be that guy that jumps in the tank and waves at everyone while he feeds the sharks. What’s the best way the date could end? Breakfast in bed in a nice hotel in La Jolla. Or I would say Julian, if we could make it out there. Worst? That she’s done as soon as dinner’s over. That she wants to take off, doesn’t want to go for a bike ride and the night just ends.
As the daters prepare to depart Birch Aquarium for an early dinner at Karl Strauss Brewery Restaurant in La Jolla, Patrick offers Roberta a ride on his Harley. She declines, choosing to drive her own car instead. 48 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
A big, wet thank you to the friendly folks at Birch Aquarium 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla 858.534.FISH (3474), birchaquarium.org
(Continued on page 52)
MAY SPECIALS (All Day) Busch Pints: $2.50 Busch Pitchers: $8.50 Shots: $4.00 (Jagermeister, Rumple Minze, Tuaca, Goldschlager)
MONDAY-THURSDAY (5pm-Close) Bud Pints: $1.75 Bud Pitchers: $6.50
* HEATED PATIO
calendar
Five.09 Compiled by Danielle Warren
Matisyahu and other national and local musical acts rock Mission Bay for the ELEMENTAL EXPERIENCE, an all-day, eco-friendly waterfront music and arts festival featuring beer gardens and two solar-powered stages packed with live bands and the region’s top DJs. The mission: to raise $500,000 for San Diego’s homeless youth. Date: May 2 Tickets: $45 Venue: Mission Bay’s De Anza Park Info: stayclassy.org/elemental
5/2
5/24: Taylor Swift Sports Arena, ticketmaster.com
LISTEN
5/1: Little John and Wayne Smith Canes, canesbarandgrill.com
5/3: Seal Valley View Casino, ticketmaster.com
5/8: Channel 933 Summer Kick-Off Concert with Black Eyed Peas, All American Rejects, Flo Rida and more Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, ticketmaster.com
5/9: OK Go House of Blues, hob.com
5/14: Gretchen Wilson Viejas Casino, viejas.com
5/15: UCSD Sun God Festival with N*E*R*D, Iron and Wine, Girl Talk and more Rimac Arena, sungodfestival.ucsd.edu
5/16: Nine Inch Nails with Jane’s Addiction and Street Sweeper Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, ticketmaster.com
5/20: New York Dolls Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com
5/22: No Doubt Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, ticketmaster.com
5/23: SOJA with Mike Pinto and High Tide Canes, canesbarandgrill.com
5/29: Dane Cook (stand-up comedy) Sports Arena, ticketmaster.com
5/30: Pennywise and Pepper Sports Arena, ticketmaster.com
5/31: Fleetwood Mac Sports Arena, ticketmaster.com 50 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine, traditional Mariachi music, a bustling Mercado, Mexican dance performances and much more at the 26th annual FIESTA OLD TOWN CINCO DE MAYO, the largest celebration of its kind in San Diego. Dates: May 2-3 Admission: Free Info: 619.291.4903, fiestaoldtown.com
5/2
Sample dishes from 70 of San Diego’s best chefs (including Top Chef contestants Brian Malarkey and Richard Sweeney) at the 18th annual MAMA’S DAY. “Taste the Joy of Cooking” is a night of food and music benefitting Mama’s Kitchen, a non-profit food delivery service for critically ill San Diegans. Date: May 8 Tickets: $125 Venue: Hyatt Regency, La Jolla Info: 619.233.6262, mamaskitchen.org
5/8 5/8 City Ballet closes its 16th season with “MYTHS & MAGIC,” transforming into dance the myths of the Greek god Apollo and the beloved legend of Ramona, the young girl for whom the local town of Ramona is named. Dates: May 8-10 Tickets: $42-$62 Venue: Spreckels Theatre, Downtown Info: 858.272.8663, cityballet.org
Sample more than 20 Karl Strauss beers and enjoy live musical performances by Tapes ‘N Tapes, Delta Spirit, Get Back Loretta and Stranger at the sixth annual BEACH TO BREWERY BEER AND MUSIC FEST, supporting the Surfrider Foundation. Date: May 9 Tickets: $20-$25 Venue: Karl Strauss Brewery, Pacific Beach Info: 858.273.2739, karlstrauss.com
5/9
Photo by Joerg Mitter
5/9 Watch daredevil pilots navigate a low-level aerial track, racing around San Diego Bay at speeds approaching 230 mph, as the RED BULL AIR RACES soar into San Diego. Date: May 9-10 Tickets: $40 Info: redbullairraces.com
San Diego Opera presents MADAME BUTTERFLY, the tragic love-story of a young geisha who falls in love with and marries a U.S. Navy lieutenant, who leaves Japan and then returns years later with a new, American wife. Dates: May 9, 12, 15, 17, 20 Tickets: $65-$200 Venue: Civic Theatre, Downtown Info: 619.533.7000, sdopera.com
5/9
Old Mission Beach Athletic Club’s (OMBAC) annual COMING OUT PARTY rocks the beach with live music from Greg Camp & DEFECTOR, OU812, The Pine Mountain Logs, Eve Selis, Cash’d Out and Split Finger. Celebrate with delicious food on the grill and premium beer in your cup. Date: May 16 Tickets: $10 advance, $15 at the door Venue: Mariner’s Point, Mission Bay Info: ombac.org
5/16
Discover local artisans, musicians, chefs and restaurants at the 13th annual NORTH PARK FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, where four music stages, visual art displays, vendor booths and local restaurant and brewery stands fill the streets to create an all-day, family friendly event. Date: May 17 Admission: Free Info: 619.294.2501, northparkmainstreet.com
5/17
Rogue Boxing Promotions, in association with the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, presents HAVOC AT THE HARDROCK, a night of live professional boxing. This officially-sanctioned boxing event includes five pro bouts and a major after party at Float. It’s the undisputed hottest boxing event to be held in downtown San Diego in decades. Date: May 21 Venue: Hard Rock Hotel, Downtown Info: 858.229.6669
5/21
FILMOUT SAN DIEGO 2009 enlightens, educates and entertains viewers with more than 40 LGBTthemed films. Dates: May 28-31 Tickets: $10 per screening Venue: Birch North Park Theatre Info: 619.512.5157, filmoutsandiego.com
5/28
Community Coaching Center, a non-profit after-school program for San Diego children with Autism, presents the BEACH BASH FOR AUTISM. The charity concert features the sounds of West of Memphis, Major Healey, Bombay Status and Says Rally. Date: May 30 Tickets: $15 Venue: Canes Bar & Grill, Mission Beach Info: communitycoachingcenter.org
5/30
Cheer along with more than 100,000 spectators or grab your running shoes and join the 20,000 people racing in the ROCK AND ROLL MARATHON. This annual event entertains the masses with 26 bands, one for every mile of the course that passes through the Gaslamp, Balboa Park and Mission Bay. Date: May 31 Info: 858.450.6510, rnrmarathon.com
5/31
Home Games
5/4-5: Padres vs. Colorado Rockies 5/6-7: Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks 5/15-17: Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds 5/19-21: Padres vs. San Francisco Giants 5/22-24: Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
Milestones
5/1: May Day 5/5: Cinco de Mayo 5/10: Mother’s Day 5/16: Armed Forces Day 5/25: Memorial Day
PACIFICsandiego.com » may 2009 | 51 govavi.indd 1
4/17/09 07:32:26 PM
Love: Blind Date
After Match
Feeding sea horses didn’t make Roberta want to ride Patrick’s iron horse, but Patrick went hog wild anyway, celebrating his freedom with a motorcycle ride to the mountains.
Back on dry land… Roberta and Patrick reconnect outside Karl Strauss Brewery Restaurant, in La Jolla. Inside, they sit in a booth for dinner and are then finally left alone. PacificSD calls the next day to see what happened.
She Says…
He Says…
PacificSD: How was Karl Strauss? Roberta: Good. We had beers, appetizers and pizza.
PacificSD: How was Karl Strauss? Patrick: It was good. I always get the Amber Lager. Roberta had a tomato pizza with shrimp and I ordered the top sirloin.
What happened after the magazine left you two alone? We talked about family, life in general and business for about an hour and a half. What are the chances that you’ll see each other again? There’s a chance—Patrick is nice guy. I can see myself hanging out with him as a friend. What do you think about the fact that Patrick rented a motorcycle for you two? Very thoughtful. Why didn’t you ride with him? I need to feel safe when I ride a motorcycle with a stranger. Describe the chemistry. Patrick is a down-to-earth type of guy. He knows how to handle a conversation. What was the best part of the date? Feeding the seahorses and seeing the sharks. What’s the best thing about Patrick? He’s a very nice guy. What’s the worst thing about him? Maybe the same… being a nice guy. What does the future hold for you and Patrick? Being friends.
What happened after the magazine left you two alone? Roberta and I were outta there within a couple hours. I walked her out to her car, exchanged numbers and received a nice hug good-bye. What are the chances that you’ll see each other again? I feel she might have another date with me out of kindness. Do you wish you had skipped renting the Harley? No. I had hoped to get snuggly with Roberta on the back, but I still had a great time riding. I rode that hog out to the local mountains until nearly midnight. What was the best part of the date? The best part of the experience may have been renting the Street Glide, I’m sorry to say. Did you learn anything that might affect how you behave on your next date? I’ve learned to maybe be less forward and more mysterious. I’m too nice. What’s the best thing about Roberta? She has beautiful dark-brown eyes… when she takes her glasses off. What’s the worst thing about her? I couldn’t get her to stare at me with those Brazilian eyes.
Anything you’d like to add? Thank you for the opportunity to spend the day at the aquarium and thanks to Patrick for making time to meet me.
Any regrets? I wish I hadn’t shaved my big ol’ beard before the date.
How will you find your next date? In the next edition of PacificSD. <laughs>
How will you find your next date? I have a date Thursday for lunch. I found her on Match.com.
52 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com
A couple days after the date, he called Roberta to see if she’d like to go out with him again—in a surprise move, she said yes, promising to call him back soon to pick a day. Love—sometimes it makes a splash and other times, even when it seems like a shore thing, it just goes Kerplunk! Luckily, there are other fish in the sea and, even if you don’t find love, there’s always a chance you can hook a blow fish. (Alternative ending for Jessica Simpson fans: Luckily, there are other chickens in the sea.) For your chance at love and glory, email: setmeup@ pacificsandiego.com
THINK
“There will be a rain dance Friday night, weather permitting.” —George Carlin
Endless Summer Thanks to a lack of water, San Diegans may soon be dying for a drink By Brian Brunkow
WARNING!
California is now in its third straight year of drought. And as Mark Twain said, “Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.” They say global warming is to blame for the crisis. But how will this pressing water shortage impact San Diego? Here are a few sobering predictions followed by the lucid musings of esteemed climate-change thought leaders:
“We’ve still got a lot of people alive and houses still standing… hopefully global warming can still be mitigated.”
• Water balloon fights punishable by three months in jail or summer in Arizona. • Gas‑depleted San Diego employers scrap car-pooling for shower- pooling incentives. • Fred the neighbor will siphon water from your garden hose at 3 a.m. • Kool-Aid served only two ways: damp or chunky. • Mad Max will zip down San Diego freeways chased by some scary dude in a hockey mask maniacally waving an empty water jug. • You drive to Big Bear Ski Resort on opening day—and it’s closed for the season! • Progressive friends shun you as “anti-green” for brushing your teeth every morning. So bourgeoisie. • A dozen east‑county avocados will set you back one paycheck— creative financing available. • Scientists believe the Sierra Nevada’s snowpack reduction caused by rising temps will leave Los Angeles uninhabitable by the end of the century. That long? Have these scientists visited LA lately?
“Experts are saying this global warming is serious and they are predicting that by the year 2050, we will be out of party ice.”
—Ted Turner
—David Letterman
““Arnold Schwarzenegger is blaming man for global warming. And today, Al Gore agreed with him. That’s so typical. Two cyborgs, ‘Oh, let’s blame the humans.’” —Jay Leno
“President Bush has a plan. He says that if we need to, we can lower the temperature dramatically just by switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius.” —Jimmy Kimmel
54 | may 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com