Pacific San Diego Magazine, December 2009 Issue

holiday the

issue

www.pacificsandiego.com | DECEmBER 2009

PERMIT NO. 94 SAN DIEGO, CA

PAID

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

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6 0 0 F S TR EET

G A S LA M P Q U A RT ER

S A N DI EG O,CA LI F OR N I A

I V YH O T E L . C O M

editor’s note

{staff}

vol.3

iSSue 12

deceMBer 2009

PUBLISHERS

David Perloff {Editor in Chief} Simone Perloff CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Kenny Boyer

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Julia Clarke Brandon Hernández CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Edwin Decker Lenny J. Ploffer Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph Frank Sabatini Ida West PHOTOGRAPHERS

Brevin Blach, brevinblach.com David Good, davegoodphotography.com Janelle Maas, janellemaas.com ACCOUNT ExECUTIVES

Kimberly Gates Jim Lucich Laura Rovick mARkETING

Michael Capone EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Ryan Balke

Advertising in PacificSD is a mistake...

…unless, of course, you want more business.

In that case, call 619.296.6300 or visit pacificsandiego.com today.

Hyper-effective campaigns start at just $249/month.

Distribution 35,000 copies distributed monthly 20,000 copies direct-mailed 15,000 copies picked up by readers at 573 retail outlets countywide, including 7-Eleven stores west of Interstate 15

W

hen I was five, Hanukkah lasted eight days. All I had to do was say was baruch atah adonai (ask any Jew), light a few candles and—Mazel Tov! —a gift every day for more than a week.

Granted, the seven preliminary gifts were snooze-fests (Legos, a backpack, pants), but that eighth present was pure glory—a Six Million Dollar Man doll with bionic sounds and a magnifying-glass eyehole.

The next year, thinking we might score bonus gifts, my brother and I asked if we could celebrate Christmas like some of the other kids at school. Mom and Dad declined the tree but agreed to stockings, which we decorated and hung on Christmas Eve. The next morning, I was walking downstairs to check what booty had been left by the fireplace, when I noticed that my stocking, the one with David glued and glittered on the side, was decidedly more bulky than it had been when I went to bed.

Goose-bumps! I swear, every single hair on my body stood straight up. I think I may have hyper-ventilated during the final approach.

When I arrived at my stocking, I stared for a moment. What wondrous, beloved thing could possibly lie inside the magical Christmas-y sock that my atheist-Jewish parents let me tack into the mantelpiece? I stood on my tippy-toes and tried to peek over the fuzzy white rim, but I wasn’t tall enough.

So I reached up, stuck my hand in and, lo and behold—an orange, a deck of cards and more Legos.

That’s why I hate Christmas.

Just kidding. The story is true, but I actually love Christmas—well, this time of year, anyway.

Now that I’m all growed up, I often find myself reminiscing during the holidays (never used to do that, apparently it comes with age). And when I do, I remember the unbridled thrill of tearing open wrapping paper as a kid. I can still see my hands trembling as I lit the candles, distracted and dripping wax on my grandmother’s carpet while thinking about the presents to come. I can still feel the goose-bumps.

But while remnants of that childhood excitement live on inside me, it’s the memories of family and love that have had the most impact.

And if I can manage to keep those images clear from age five through the end of my life, I think they will prove to be the greatest gifts of all.

Well, that and cash.

Happy Hanukkah, y’all. And Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa, of course. May your stockings be stuffed better than they were at my house, and to all a good night.

(By the way, Mom, I really did like the Legos. I’m just trying to look cool to my friends.)

I remember the unbridled thrill of tearing open wrapping paper as a kid

ACTUALLY…

In last month’s bartender story (Hit Me With Your Best Shots, Page 42) we made a couple mistakes. Sorry about that. First, The Shout! House in the Gaslamp does not have a location in Chicago. They do, however, have one in Minneapolis and another one in Glendale, Arizona.

Regarding their hours—on Sunday through Thursday, doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, it’s doors at 6 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m.

12

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

David Perloff, Editor in Chief

RESERVE YOUR SPOT groovetickets.com

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| Join us on Facebook

{contents}

GC- 4024

pacific

ON THE COVER AND THIS PAGE:

Dress by Aqua, $198, Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com; shoes

by Christian Louboutin, $775, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com; ring, $50, Banana Republic, bananarepublic.com; vintage earrings, bracelet, belt, stylist’s own.

{Features} 30 ANO NOVO

3…2…1…twenty-ten. The New Year

looks bright 36 THE DOCTOR’S WIFE

A visit with Mrs. Seuss

{Departments} C u r r e n t s

17

{Upfront} Go, meb, go!

San Diegan Meb Keflezighi wins the New York City Marathon

19

{Voice} RAP IT UP San Diegans (and a guy from L.A.) say what they want for the holidays

23

{Chainsaw} CHRISTMAS PRESENCE Santa vs. Jesus: The very first Super Bowl

14

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

26

28

{Making Waves} RISE AND SHINE A morning show DJ helps brighten kids’ lives from high above San Diego {About Us} WE’RE THREE! Celebrating PacificSD’s 36th issue

t a s t e

38 {What’s Cooking}

THE SWEETEST THINGS

San Diego pastry chefs take the cake 42

{Cocktail} HOLIDAY SPIRITS Six seasonal cocktails we hope yule enjoy

45

{Dining Out} ‘TIS THE ‘TINIS Get a grip and a sip on what’s going down Uptown

G R O O V E

46

48

{Bartender} MR. ED Straight from the horse’s mouth {Event} this is the end The world’s kaput in 2012—party like it’s 2010

GSG Job #: 252113

Publication Name: PacificMag_1109_

Kelly Thiebaud at Ford Models was shot by Brevin Blach at Vin de Syrah in the Gaslamp. Styling and makeup by Jeanette Marie, jeanette-marie.com. Hair

by Gwendolyn Sneed, gwendolynsneed.com. Stylist’s assistant: Katie Kilkenny, katie@katiekilkenny.com.

L O V E

50

{Blind Date} A NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Strangers exchange more than just glances on a yuletide blind date

c a l e n d a r 56 TWELVE.09

December event listings T H I N K

58 SANDY CLAUS

Saint Nick’s visit to San Diego

Become a fan of PacificSD on Facebook for access to cool events, photos, videos and great giveaways. Follow us on Twitter @PacificSD and check us out at pacficsandiego.com.

f

‘TIS THE SEASON TO SAVE. ADIDAS, BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY STORE, BARNEYS NEW YORK OUTLET, BCBGMAXAZRIA, COLE HAAN, CONVERSE. TWO AREA LOCATIONS. GAP OUTLET, GUESS, J.CREW, JUICY COUTURE, KENNETH COLE, LACOSTE, LUCKY BRAND,* NEIMAN MARCUS LAST CALL, NIKE, SKECHERS, TOMMY BAHAMA, TOMMY HILFIGER AND MORE. SAVINGS OF 25% TO 65% EVERY DAY. *STORES VARY PER CENTER.

LEGENDARY BRANDS. ABUNDANT SELECTION. REAL SAVINGS. Enjoy additional holiday savings at www.premiumoutlets.com/vip

CARLSBAD PREMIUM OUTLETS | 90 STORES | CARLSBAD, CA LAS AMERICAS PREMIUM OUTLETS | 125 STORES | SAN DIEGO, CA VISIT PREMIUMOUTLETS.COM FOR HOLIDAY HOURS • GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE ON-SITE AND ONLINE

Relax + Mexican = Relaxican. Beer Me!

Come for Lunch...

Stay all Night

Monday Night Football $3 well drinks and beers (7pm-close)

Happy Wednesday

Taco Tuesday

$1.50 tacos* & all drinks 1/2 price open to close *carne asada & chicken

$1 tacos* $1.75 beers (12 oz. cans, 7oz. bottles

Thursday

*carne asada & chicken

$5 shots of Tradicional tequila (blanco & reposado)

Football Sundays $1 Mimosas & delicious brunch

Live Mariachi w/ La Barca: 8pm-11pm

Happy Hour

$1.50 tacos* & 1/2 price drinks

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619.23-funky (38659)

upfront

voice

chainsaw

making waves

currents

celebration

Go, Meb, Go! He went, he ran, he conquered (in 2:09:15)

W

BY IDA WEST

hile the rest of the world was recovering from Halloween night sugar-highs and hangovers, San Diego’s own Meb Keflezighi became the first U.S .runner since Alberto Salazar in 1982 to win the New York City Marathon.

The 34 year-old Eritrean-born long-distance runner, who grew up in a hut without electricity, immigrated with his family to San Diego in the late ‘80s to escape the turmoil of a 30-year war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Keflezighi attended San Diego High School (at the southern end of Balboa Park) in the early ‘90s, graduated from UCLA in 1998, then scored a silver medal for his marathon effort at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

The excitement surrounding Keflezighi’s historic win in New York is magnified by his having just completed 18 months of grueling rehab and therapy for a broken hip, and despite the physical obstacles he faced, our local hero finished the 26.2-mile race in a personal best time of two hours, nine minutes and 15 seconds.

Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners

DECEMBER 2009 | pacificsandiego.com

17

{currents}

upfront

bar » restaurant nightclub » lounge

THURSDAYS

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What Drives You?

Courtesy of San Diego International Auto Show

Find out at the Convention Center Kick the tires of more than 500 new-model sports cars, alternative fuel vehicles, exotics and pre-production concepts at the San Diego International Auto Show (SDIAS), December 30 through January 3 at the San Diego Convention Center.

SDIAS, the most-attended five-day auto show in the U.S., will also showcase boat and cycle exhibits and zero-emission technologies. sdautoshow.com

Chutz-Spa

A San Diego hotel goes for gold and gets it Thankfully for the future of the hotel brand and our televisions, Paris isn’t the only Hilton making news these days. Having tallied more than 100,000 votes, Spa Magazine has just released the results of its annual Silver Sage Readers’ Choice awards: San Diego Hilton Bayfront’s Spa Aquazul wins in the Favorite New U.S. Spas (opened in 2008) category. aquazulspa.com

Ice, Ice Baby

FINDING FROST IN SAN DIEGO Skating on thin ice at work or home? Take that show on the road at seasonal outdoor ice-skating rinks around the county. Get that dum-de-dum-delightful feeling at Viejas, Hotel del Coronado and Horton Plaza. viejas.com, hoteldel.com, hortonplaza.com

BRING IN THE NEW YEAR AT THE BEACH.

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Call to schedule a complimentary consultation.

{currents}

voice

Rap It Up San DIeGanS (And A guY froM l.A.) SAY WhAT TheY WAnT for The holidAYS

What’s the best gift you could receive this season?

Here’s what your neighbors are saying.

1. “I’ve got too much stuff already. I’m asking my family to reserve the corner barstool at The Tilted Kilt on game days. Right there in front of the hi-def.”

—Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph, from the Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw show on 101.5 KGB-FM (story Page 23) 2. “The Best Gift? How about a three-month rainy season; San Diegans making and spending money again; education—first and foremost; affordable healthcare; my chubby dog, Chewbacca, mysteriously loses five pounds; the green flash seen nightly off the coast; record snowfall in the Sierras; the orthodontist says my son doesn’t need braces; San Diego County Schools and charities look for ways to spend surplus; and the Chargers build a new stadium downtown. If that’s not possible…I’ll settle for World Peace. If that’s not possible, how about the Chargers in the 2010 Super Bowl!”

—Susan Taylor, news anchor, NBC 7/39

“I would LOVE to get a puppy. I used to have two pit bulls, but they are no longer with me. I live alone and would love to have a little baby to come home to that doesn’t talk back, that just loves me no matter what.”

3.

—Kelly Thibaud, this issue’s cover model from Ford Models (story Page 30) 4. All I want for Christmas is for the early-2010 grand opening party for our

newest venue, Fluxx, to be so unforgettable that it’s deemed “Best Party of the Year,” before the year has even begun. Oh yeah, and another Patriots Super Bowl! Sorry, Charger fans.

—Mike Georgopoulos, partner/co-founder, RMD Group (Side Bar, Ciro’s Pizzeria and Fluxx)

5. “Mario Lopez in a bow? Just kidding. Honestly, as long as my family and

friends are healthy and I get to see them every holiday season for the rest of my life, I’m good.”

—Geena the Latina, co-host of the AJ in the Morning show on Channel 933 FM (story Page 26)

“Don’t gift me any more!

I don’t need anything.”

—Audrey Geisel, widow of Ted Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss (story Page 36) 6.

7. “For Christmas, we all want brand new Mac computers and matching snow

mobiles.”

—Donny Fontaine (from L.A.), rapper/vocalist, Hyper Crush (story Page 48)

20

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

1. 2.

Photo by Janelle Maas Photo by Brevin Blach

3.

WE HAVE A WINNER! “I want all of the signal lights to be synchronized.

What’s the deal with stopping at a red light only to get another red light immediately after that? If it wasn’t for that, I’d always be on time.”

–Tracy B., Chula Vista Congratulations to Tracy B. for giving the winning response on PacificSD’s Facebook page. Tracy wins a $50 gift certificate to Firehouse in Pacific Beach.

You could be next— become a fan of PacificSD on Facebook to win!

4.

5.

Photo by Dave Good

6.

Photo by Janelle Maas

7.

VOTED

“BEST R BURGE” T JOINN DIEGO! A IN S , 2009 06, 2007, 2008 20

Tuesday Night:

free burger

with purchase of any beer pitcher

Saturday & Sunday: 2 for 1 Select Drafts, Munchies & Burgers *Gaslamp location only

Turkey is for the Birds (100% organic beef here, mate!)

GASLAMP: 624 E STREET (BETWEEN 6th & 7th ON E), 619.237.9990 PACIFIC BEACH: 640 MISSION BLVD. (2 BLKS N OF GARNET) 858.274.7117

chainsaw

{currents}

esus was supposed to walk over Santa like water.

Gomorrah oddsmakers considered the Messiah, hounded by whispers of nepotism, a heavy favorite and set the betting line at 3:16.

And no wonder— Santa had been eating himself to obesity in his quest to find a quarterback with enough vision to run his complicated offense, and out of desperation settled for an undersized walk-on named Rudy.

DECEMBER 2009 | pacificsandiego.com

23

{currents}

chainsaw

Why play the game at all?

Old Testament purists were against the B.C./A.D. merger and didn’t even consider “Bethlehem Joe” the Messiah in the first place! Just another brash “Bonus Baby” basking in the spotlight of his 15 minutes of infamy.

For reasons still unexplained, the eight-day playoff system that had been in place for centuries was deemed antiquated by modern radicals.

Commissioner St. Pete Rozelle wanted to settle things with a “Super Bowl” to determine whether Santa or Jesus would symbolize a single day of yearend gift-giving.

So it was on: Jesus vs. Santa in Super Bowl ZERO, to be played in the Roman Coliseum.

On Game Day, the paparazzi swarmed to sketch celebrities like John the Baptist, Favorinus Ptolemy and Larry King, as the stars took their seats. However, due to strict religious copyright laws of the day, the living Jesus was never sketched. Not so with Santa, who was a bigger ham than the ones he devoured between meals.

The game didn’t start well for Jesus.

On the very first play from scrimmage, he lined up in the wildcat formation, and the snap flew right through his hands. Since the reindeer was Blitzen, Santa’s team recovered and took over on the Jesus 33-yard line. On first down, Rudy pitched out to Dasher, who scampered 27 yards to the Jesus 6. Rudy followed with a play-action touchdown pass to

24

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

Dancer, who performed football’s firstever endzone celebration: a gyrating goal-post humping that horrified the crowd, drawing a 15-yard penalty on the ensuing kickoff.

Jesus failed to capitalize, and the game turned into a defensive struggle.

Despite encouraging shouts of GO ALL THE YA-WAY!, the son of God failed to convert critical third downs.

He even failed to convert a single undecided spectator.

Not helping matters for Jesus was when, midway through the third quarter, he accidentally turned his waterboy into a wineboy. As a result, by the time they lined up for their final play, Team Jesus was totally hammered— and still trailing Santa 7-0.

With the sundial winding down, no time-outs remaining and the ball on the Santa 49-yard line, Jesus called a

“Despite encouraging shouts of GO ALL

THE YA-WAY!, the son of God failed to convert critical third downs”

Hail Mother play. The pass soared into the heavens, wobbling awkwardly as it disappeared into the clouds. Then, as if by some miracle, the ball reappeared as a spiral and fell gently into the hands of Jesus’ wide receiver, Randy Moses, in the end zone. Moses held on just long enough before dropping the ball, which shattered when it hit the ground.

Jesus quickly lined up and snuck in for a two-point conversion before Santa had an opportunity to challenge the touchdown catch.

Final score: Jesus 8, Santa 7.

Afterwards, Jesus thanked Himself for giving Himself the strength to carry Himself to victory.

Santa immediately jumped into his sleigh and flew off to file a protest with the other bearded man in the clouds,

but he was denied. As a concession, the Big Guy promised to give Santa a secondary role in future marketing for the as-yet untitled “single day of giftgiving.”

Still bitter over the loss, Santa pledged from then on to give a lump of coal to any autograph-seeking child who wasn’t polite. Can you blame him for being cranky? Exiled to the North Pole while Jesus opens up a million franchises where people still worship him? That’s football.

Yet, they operate on the same principle, whether you’re seeking a ticket to heaven or a quality gift— they know when you’re sleeping, they know when you’re awake, they know if you’ve been bad or good…

So be good for goodness sake! n Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph makes his list and checks it twice on the Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw morning show at 101.5 KGB-FM.

1984

2008 Š2009 Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, Portland, OR

{currents}

making waves

Rise and Shine

A MORNING SHOW DJ HELPS BRIGHTEN KIDS’ LIVES FROM HIGH ABOVE SAN DIEGO

By Brandon Hernández Photos by Dave Good

C

“I used to try a different stupid stunt every year to collect toys for kids.

One year, I lived in a dollhouse.”

26

ranes are great for getting to hard-to-reach places.

In October, Star 94.1’s AJ Machado, one of San Diego’s biggest and most beloved radio personalities, used one to get to the hearts (and wallets) of his listeners during his annual toy drive for AJ’s Kids, a fund benefitting Rady Children’s Hospital (RCH).

In this case, it wasn’t just the crane that had to do the heavy lifting. The promotion required Machado to shed his worldly possessions, save for the barest of essentials and necessary broadcasting equipment, and climb aboard an 8’x10’ platform, which was then hoisted 60 feet in the air.

And there he would stay for as long as it took for generous San Diegans concerned for kids and AJ’s welfare—and personal hygiene—to donate 101,000 new toys for the kids at RCH. It may seem an outlandish way to coax listeners’ inner Santa out of hiding, but this high-altitude approach is the result of years of trial and error.

“I used to try a different stupid stunt every year to collect toys for kids,” says Machado. “One year I lived in a dollhouse.

One year I stayed awake on-the-air through a three-day weekend. One year I rode a ‘sleigh’ (aka a petty cab with bells on it) all through town. The first year I did the crane, it was going to be just another stunt, but it worked way better than anything else, so I decided, ‘Let’s keep doing it.’”

This year, AJ spent eight days in his roost; in years past he’s stayed cooped up for as many as nine. It’s quite a sacrifice from someone who, up until this year when he discovered he was going to become a father, seemed something of an unlikely champion. How many single guys do you know who have such an ardent devotion

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

to young children?

“I’ve always gotten along great with kids and had an eye out for different kids’ causes and charities that I could lend a hand to early in my career,” Machado says.

“Once my show grew to the point where we could actually carry our own charity, I had already spent quite a bit of time at RCH, and AJ’s Kids just came naturally.”

Machado cites the growth of his charity and getting to share his life on-the-air with his faithful listeners as the best aspects of his eight-year stint on local radio. He appreciates the success and intangible rewards his listeners have provided him and, judging by the outpouring of support elicited by his crane capers, those listeners appreciate him and his efforts every bit as much.

THE INSIDE SCOOP

Behind every good man is a good woman, or as in Machado’s case, two extraordinary women and one exceptional (if not a tad irritable) guy hunkered down in a shed out back.

Co-hosts Geena the Latina and Delana Bennett and producer Hula add their own distinct seasoning to the overall flavor of the show, but how much do listeners really know about this motley morning crew?

PacificSD: AJ, let us in on some stuff most listeners don’t know about the rest of the crew.

AJ: Hula originally planned to be an OBGYN, Delana is the bomb at

DAILY SPECIALS scuba diving and Geena doesn’t cook… anything…ever!

PacificSD: Your bias against pandas is well known—why are you so anti-panda, anyway?

AJ: I’m not.

I’m pro-allother animals at the zoo. A panda pushes out one baby every three years and it’s the top story on every newscast. Meer cats push out a dozen young before lunch and they get no attention. Pandas do two things, eat bamboo and sleep, and there’s a line around the park for them. Meanwhile, polar bears are diving in and out of water, slapping giant beach balls around and putting on a show, and they’re hidden in the far back corner.

PacificSD: Geena, you used to write PacificSD’s starsightings page. Anything you’d like to say to your readers?

Geena: All the meaningless celebrity gossip and sightings—isn’t mindless knowledge just absolutely necessary sometimes?

PacificSD: Lately, you’ve been very open about your fibroids (typically benign uterine tumors). What led you to share this with your listeners?

Geena: I felt that if I was able to tell my story on-air, I could not only educate others on the subject, but also let other women going through the same thing know that they are not alone.

PacificSD: Delana, what led to you join the AJ in the Morning crew, and how’s it been so far?

Delana: I lost to AJ in Indian leg-wrestling and I had to join the show. AJ is a slave driver, Geena ignores me and Hula is such a typical man—he never listens to me. I’ve got a great group of friends to hang out with in the morning. What could be better?

PacificSD: Hula, how does your job differ from that of rest of the crew?

Hula: Something you might not know is that I am physically not in the room with AJ, Geena and Delana.

While they’re living the lifestyle in a nice airconditioned studio, they keep me in a storage shed in the back of the Clear Channel building, which is good since I tend to “rage out” every once in a while. n

Busch Pints: $2.50 * Busch Pitchers: $8.50 * Shots: $4.00 Jagermeister, Rumple Minze, Tuaca, Goldschlager

football sundays: Hot Dogs: $1.00 Nachos: $3.00 Bud Pints: $1.75 Bud Pitchers: $6.50

monday specials: Widmer Hef & Drop Top Amber Ale: $3.50 Pints & $13 Pitchers Street Tacos: $1.00

Beach House On the beach at 710 Oliver ave.

* 858.270.3888 * open 9am-9pm *

7 days

{currents}

celebration

We’re Three!

Celebrating PacificSD’s 36th Issue

Thank you, dear reader, for helping PacificSD become the city’s hottest, most popular magazine. To thank you for your support over the past three years, we’re giving back to you…big. PacificSD celebrates everyday life in San Diego. To help you celebrate every day in 2010, we’re excited to announce:

PacificSD’s $20,000 EVERYDAY GIVEAWAY Every day in 2010, PacificSD is giving away at least $50 in gift certificates to many of San Diego’s top bars, restaurants, hotels and retail stores. We’ve already begun to conduct some of these giveaways on Facebook and Twitter, but once our new website is revealed (more on that shortly), we’ll ramp up to every single day of the year.

Friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our eblasts at pacificsandiego.com and get ready to win. You’ve earned it.

28

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

Happy New Year from PacificSD, the magazine that loves you back.

Photographs by Brevin Blach Model: Kelly Thibaud at Ford Models Styling and makeup by Jeanette Marie Hair by Gwendolyn Sneed Stylist’s assistant: Katie Kilkenny Location: Vin de Syrah, Gaslamp

anonovo 3…2…1…twenty-ten

the new year looks bright

Dress by Tadashi, $288, bracelet by ABS, $95, necklace by ABS, $175, Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com; shoes by Gucci, $1,190, gloves, $160, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com; clutch, $130, Banana Republic, bananrepublic.com.

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pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

december 2009 | pacificsandiego.com

31

Dress by BCBG, $248, Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com; shoes by Rene Caovilla, $1,040, necklace, $170, bracelets

by Alexis Bittar, $375, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com; ring, $35, Banana Republic, bananarepublic.com.

Dress by Single Dress, $300, necklace by Aqua, $30, Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com; shoes by Christian Louboutin, $995, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com; clutch, $130, rings, $50, $40, Banana Republic, bananrepublic.com.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

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pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

The weather outside is frightful DECEMBER 2009 | pacificsandiego.com

33

Dress by Phoebe Couture, $290, shoes by Manolo Blahnik, $715, earrings, $295, jewelry (bracelets, $125, $195, $225, ring, $175) by Alexis Bittar, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com.

34

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

And to all a good night...

Dress by Diane Von Furstenberg, $425, necklace, $465, shoes by Rene Caovilla, $1400, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com; ring by Kenneth Jay Lane, $180, Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com.

DECEMBER 2009 | pacificsandiego.com

35

the doctor’s

e f i w

’

A visit with Mrs. Seuss

By JULIA CLARKE / Photos by Janelle Maas

THIS PAGE: Joined by the Grinch, Audrey Geisel sits on her favorite desk, made of giant replicas of her favorite Dr. Seuss books.

OPPOSITE PAGE (clockwise from top right): The Lorax speaks for the trees at the Geisel estate; the Geisels pose with a cheetah at the San Diego Zoo in 1977; the Cat in the Hat on the Geisel’s front door; Dr. Seuss used this desk when writing and drawing many of his books; Semi-Normal Green-Lidded Fawn statue by Dr. Seuss that hangs inside the Geisel home.

36

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

W

hat would the holidays in San Diego be without the Old Globe’s staging of the perennial Dr. Seuss classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas? For that gift, San Diegans can thank Audrey Geisel, the widow of Ted Geisel, aka iconic children’s book author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss. “I gave The Globe The Grinch,” ,” says Audrey, who in 1989 bestowed then Globe artistic director and friend, Jack O’Brien, with the rights to produce the theatrical production of the celebrated book.

Audrey took the reins of the Seuss empire as president and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises after her husband’s passing in 1991. At 88, she’s still brokering licensing deals, producing Hollywood films inspired by her late husband’s work and actively supporting a number of local charitable causes. But if you want to catch this age-defying dynamo in person, you’ll have to get up early.

“I have breakfast at the La Valencia with people who want to see me,” says Audrey, who motors down from her La Jolla hilltop home to the village in an ‘84 Cadillac with custom “GRINCH” license plates.

“I am amazed at how many people are now having breakfast at La Valencia at 7:30.”

Once dubbed “the Grinch’s gatekeeper” by Newsweek, Audrey has the final say in the use of any Seuss property. Universal Studios wooed her for permission to produce the feature film, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey.

She agreed, and the film grossed $137 million in its first 10 days. Audrey was far less impressed with Hollywood’s page-to-screen treatment of The Cat in the Hat. “Universal was behind the eight ball with Mike Meyers [playing the title role],” she recalls. “He got it, and he trashed it.”

Audrey has much higher hopes for the film adaptation of The Lorax, which she’s in the early stages of co-producing. “I don’t know how Ted did it, but

he always had something that was exactly right for the times,” she says of the book’s plot, which addresses depletion of the environment. “And the timing is just right for The Lorax.”

A sculpture of a Lorax figure sits just outside Audrey’s office window overlooking the Scripps Pier and La Jolla coastline. The much-loved characters dreamt up by her husband’s prolific imagination occupy every corner of her office—an oversized Cat in the Hat perches above her desk; row upon row of Seuss books, some translated into Japanese, Italian, Spanish and Swedish, line bookshelves; framed literary awards and medals decorate the walls.

Audrey believes it was her destiny to play a part in the Seuss legacy. She and Ted met in La Jolla in the 1960s, when both were married to other people. After starting a relationship that caused a stir in the tightknit village of La Jolla, the couple married in 1968. “I was meant to do this,” she says, her sapphire-blue eyes lighting up. “And there was love involved.”

She had two daughters from her first marriage, and though Ted would tell her, “You have the children and I’ll entertain them,” the couple never had kids together. Audrey devoted her time to supporting her husband’s work, which also meant promoting his public image. “He was a little, oh, how do I say this… he didn’t care much how he looked,” she says. “He had this perfect figure to drape clothes on, and his face screamed out for a beard. It made him look more scholastic.” Newly made over by Audrey, Ted paid a visit to his publisher. “They couldn’t believe he was so put together!” she declares proudly.

Audrey has since swapped stylist for philanthropist, among her many hats, and is one of the city’s most generous benefactors. Some of the causes closest to her heart are the San Diego Zoo (she was a major underwriter of the new Elephant Odyssey exhibit), UCSD (heard of the Geisel Library?) and San Diego Hospice.

This time of year, Audrey’s thoughts invariably turn to the Grinch. She recalls a story about screening the movie for the Queen of England: “We took the whole crew to London…that was a fun time. Jim Carrey cleans up really well. He had on an evening coat that was knee length and he was beautiful. And he has wonderful hair; it was back, with just a hint of a wave. I really love him.”

But then, haven’t we all fallen for the Grinch? n

Copyright Zoological Society of San Diego 1977

SEUSS ON SEUSS AudreY’S fAvoriTe dr. SeuSS BooKS: Oh, The Places You’ll Go! “From birth to graduation, it’s an allaround book. People use it for anything happening to an individual in which they’re moving up.”

You’re Only Old Once “I simply have to get this one out more often—it’s so uplifting and humorous.”

NExT STOP: WHOVILLE Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas plays through December 27 at the Old Globe Theatre. theoldglobe.com DECEMBER 2009 | pacificsandiego.com

37

{taste}

what’s cooking

cocktail

dining out

The Sweetest

Things

san diego pastry chefs take the cake

D

By Brandon Hernández / Photos by Janelle Maas espite the sour economy, we can still afford to indulge on desserts, the sweet glue that, along with industrial-strength eggnog, holds the holidays together. Hey, if it weren’t for an insatiable penchant for cookies, that jolly fat dude up at the North Pole might not even head south each winter.

Whether you’re craving gourmet chocolate truffles, cake or ice cream, San Diego’s got gifted pastry chefs and dessert divas dishing up divine treats to get you through December and beyond. As our gift to you, PacificSD wrangled up a sleigh-load of our city’s finest for some candy-coated Q&A about their favorite indulgences, influences and ideas for entertaining.

Thanks to these skilled artisans, this season’s gonna be sweet. (And if you already have a sweet tooth, it’s the perfect time to ask Santa for a brand-new grill.)

LEFT TO RIGHT: Claudette Zepeda, James Foran, Michele Coulon, Jack Fisher and Isabella Valencia at Michelle Coulon Dessertier in La Jolla

James Foran Pastry chef

MARKET Restaurant + Bar Del Mar marketdelmar.com

(Foran also teaches “Pastry Arts,” a 16-week program at Grossmont College)

FAVORITES Sweet Spots: Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt in Carmel Mountain, Downtown and Hillcrest Cookie: Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Chunk Candy Bar: Reggie Bar Cookbook: The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Fannie Farmer Fruit: Stone fruit Dessert Wine/Spirit: Bonney Doon Muscat Vin de Glaciere

Claudette Zepeda

Owner and pastry chef

Urban Confections Coronado urbanconfections@gmail.com FAVORITES Sweet Spots: NINE-TEN in La Jolla and Tartine on Coronado Cookie: Oreos with a tall glass of milk Candy Bar: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Cookbook: The Last Course by Claudia Fleming Fruit: Pineapple Dessert Wine/Spirit: Sauternes

PacificSD: Who’s the sweetest person in your life?

Foran: The sweetest person I know is my Momma.

PacificSD: Who’s the sweetest person in your life?

Zepeda: Kids are always sweet.

Most adults are bitter. Ha!

PacificSD: I have 10 people coming over for dessert in three days. What should I do?

Foran: Call one of us and wave some money around. <smiles>

PacificSD: I have 10 people coming over for dessert in three days. What should I do?

Zepeda: Come down with a 72-hour bug. If that doesn’t scare them, do a hands-on dessert where your guests can customize their own plates. Try s’mores bars with homemade or store-bought ingredients, or individual pear upside-down cakes with storebought ice cream.

(Continued on Page 40)

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pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

{taste}

what’s cooking cocktail dining out

lot of different desserts without getting full. Make your favorite chocolate dessert and a fruit dessert—one that is nonchocolate. Have something crunchy and a frozen dessert.

Make sauces, too. Definitely have a pretty, packaged cookie for everyone to go home with.

Isabella Valencia

Owner and pastry chef

Michele Coulon

Dallmann Confections El Cajon dallmannconfections.com

Owner and head pastry chef

(Provides sweets for Eno Wine Room at Hotel Del Coronado and Wine Steals in Hillcrest)

Michele Coulon Dessertier La Jolla dessertier.com

FAVORITES Sweet Spots: Tender Greens in Point Loma—one of the owners’ moms makes the desserts.

Cookie: Go Take A Hike cookies at O.B. Peoples Food Store Candy Bar: Côte d’Or Belgian Chocolate Bar with hazelnuts and dried fruit Cookbook: Chocolat: Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts by Alice Medrich Fruit: Strawberries from Crow’s Pass Farms in Temecula or Chino Farms in Rancho Santa Fe Dessert Wine/Spirit: Kir Royale

PacificSD: Who’s the sweetest person in your life?

Coulon: My mom. She never says anything bad about anyone and she loves to eat sweets. Everyone loves her and she loves everyone.

PacificSD: I have 10 people coming over for dessert in three days. What should I do?

Coulon: Have fun. Make a variety of small, bite-sized desserts so everyone can try a

Jack Fisher

Owner and head pastry chef Jack Fisher Confections jfconfections.com

(Provides sweets for Eno Wine Room at Hotel Del Coronado and KITCHEN 1540 at L’Auberge Del Mar Resort)

FAVORITES Sweet Spots: Michele Coulon Dessertier in La Jolla Cookie: Soft Batch Chips Ahoy!

Candy Bar: Milky Way Original Cookbook: The French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas Keller Fruit: Banana Dessert Wine/Spirit: I don’t drink alcohol, so I prefer milk.

PacificSD: Who’s the sweetest person in your life?

Fisher: My wife, Judi.

PacificSD: I have 10 people coming over for dessert in three days. What should I do?

Fisher: Wait two days, then go to Michele Coulon’s and buy something and serve it alongside my chocolates.

FAVORITES Sweet Spots: Extraordinary Desserts in Hillcrest. They have some fantastic cakes.

Cookie: Chips Ahoy!—a crispy, buttery chocolate-chip cookie Candy Bar: Michel Cluizel 66% chocolate bar Cookbook: I don’t have a favorite. I use online resources and call my father (a heralded Austrian pastry chef).

Fruit: Passion fruit Dessert Wine/Spirit: Muscat

PacificSD: Who’s the sweetest person in your life?

Valencia: That’s tough to answer. Everyone around me is sweet. Every now and then, I run into someone sour.

PacificSD: I have 10 people coming over for dessert in three days. What should I do?

Valencia: Grill a banana until the top opens on its own.

Whisk together brown sugar, cinnamon, orange zest, rum and a little hint of orange juice. Top the banana with some vanilla ice cream, pour on the sauce and voilà—delicious, fun and fast. n

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{taste}

Holiday

Spirits

sIX SEASONAL YULE ENJOY

COCKTAILS WE HOPE

’T

By FRANK SABATINI JR. / Photos by DAVE GOOD is the season when hints of gingerbread, minty confections and late-autumn fruits float up from cocktails that sing to December. Feeling weary and drymouthed from gnarly mall traffic and slothful checkout lines? Don’t despair—these quenching holiday elixirs invented by San Diego mixologists are aimed at fortifying the soul, at least until the sun goes down on New Year’s Day. Sip from their birthplaces, at string-lighted bars and candlelit restaurants. Or serve them to party-hoppers huddled around the coffee table. Either way, the merrymakers agree that gin and tonics deserve a provisional vacation.

Candy Cane Margarita ($8)

Ginger Splash ($9) Urban Solace, North Park urbansolace.net Snappy and effervescent, ginger takes center stage in Urban Solace’s new holiday cocktail that unites two parts Absolut Citron with one part French ginger cognac known as Canton. The feisty pair is combined in a tall Collins glass with a blend of ginger ale and soda, which mixologist Summer Rose credits for quelling the sweetness of the aristocratic liqueur. A squeeze of fresh lime provides a clean finish and magically pops the drink’s golden color. In terms of flavor, think ginger snap cookies injected with booze and fizz.

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pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

Café Coyote Old Town, Old Town cafecoyoteoldtown.com Salt is a no-no in this year’s holiday margarita at Café Coyote Old Town.

Designed to look and taste like its namesake candy dissolved in a 14ounce glass, the drink is constructed with nearly a jigger of 100 percent agave silver tequila, an ounce of Crème de Menthe liqueur and five ounces of sweet-and-sour mix made by a local vendor. The brightgreen base is augmented by a swirl of red peppermint syrup and then garnished with the perfect swizzle stick—an actual candy cane.

what’s cooking

cocktail

dining out

Cider Toddy ($10)

Jsix and LOUNGEsix, Downtown jsixsandiego.com Fresh-squeezed apple juice simmered with honey, fall spices and ribbons of orange peel…sounds like a brew Norman Rockwell would ladle to kids gathered around the fireplace on Christmas Eve. Add shots of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum and the drink moves into the hands of adult patrons at Jsix restaurant and LOUNGEsix patio bar a few floors above. The hand-warming toddy, crafted by bar manager Mark Spears, boasts a nostalgic bouquet achieved from fresh nutmeg, cloves and star anise. Their combined flavors are intoxicating, while the rum and temperature heat things up. (Fuzzy sweaters not included.)

Indigo Spiced Punch ($10)

Phi Bar and Bistro, Downtown hotelsandiegodowntown.com The apples turned brown. Nectarines imparted bitterness. But plums stayed true and sweet while floating in the Moscato wine punch concocted by Adriana Tietz, the mixologist at Hotel Indigo’s Phi Bar and Bistro. The chosen fruit receives a 48-hour soaking in three parts wine, one part apple-cranberry juice, whole cloves and a few vanilla beans that Tietz flash-grills to arouse their flavor. Except for the sliced plums, the solids are strained, and the liquid is cascaded over ice in a wide cocktail glass. Opt for hot, and the mixture is heated with house-made simple syrup and finished off with Stoli Gala Apple vodka.

Chocolate Peppermint Stick ($6) East Village Tavern, East Village bowlevt.com East Village Tavern bar manager Jake Hopkins scored a lucky strike this season when he debuted a lush, red-tinted cocktail that combines secret measures of Rumple Minze, white Crème de Cacao, cream and grenadine. Served in a traditional martini glass with “whatever chocolate garnish is in stock,” the velvety potion has become a holiday fave among denizens who can gleefully bowl off the calories on a dozen lanes inside the tavern.

Poached Pear Martini ($11)

Pacifica Del Mar, Del Mar pacificadelmar.com Chris Isdo of Pacifica Del Mar leaves the partridge to 18th-Century England but snags the pear tree to poach its fruit in cinnamon, star anise, vanilla, lemon and simple syrup. He then muddles the spiced pears in a hand shaker with homemade vanilla syrup and a few ounces of Absolut Pear Vodka. After several tumbles, the greenish mixture is poured through a loose strainer into a standard-size martini glass rimmed with spiced sugar. Pears are touted for preventing sore throats, so drink to your health this holiday season.

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{taste}

what’s cooking cocktail dining out

‘Tis the

‘Tinis

GET A GRIP AND A SIP ON WHAT’S GOING DOWN UPTOWN

T

BY JULIA CLARKE / photo by JANELLE MAAS o spice up the gift-buying experience, the Hillcrest Business Association introduces Taste ‘n’ Tinis, a self-guided, food-and-drink-fueled holiday shopping tour of the neighborhood’s participating restaurants and retail shops.

On December 10, grab a bite (or two) at any or all of the participating restaurants, which run the culinary gamut from Mexican to Thai to Italian. Between bites, stop into area stores for presents and to get into the holiday spirits—themed cocktails poured by bartenders stationed at each retail store (peppermint martini, anyone?).

“The quality of the restaurants and retailers sets this event apart from others of its kind,” says Benjamin Nicholls, executive director of the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA), which also organizes the Taste of Hillcrest each April. “Hillcrest doesn’t have many neighborhood holiday events, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we do Taste of Hillcrest with a holiday twist?’”

Another new HBA program is Shop Hillcrest for the Holidays, which launches in time for Taste ‘n’ Tinis. Each shopper who makes a purchase from a participating business is entered to win a $1,500 shopping spree. “The more you shop, the better your chances of winning,” says Nicholls.

And even if you don’t win, you still get the ‘tinis. ‘Tis the season. n

mega bites

(participating restaurants) Baja Betty’s Brians’ American Eatery Chipotle Mexican Grill City Deli Crest Café Kemo Sabe Kona Coffee Company Lalo’s Tacos Al Pastor Lotus Thai Cuisine Nami Papa John’s Pizza Pizza Fusion Taste of Thai Urban Mo’s Wine Steals

HELLO, GOOD BUYS (participating retailers)

Buffalo Exchange Cathedral Column One Fido + Co. Canine Country Club Flashbacks Obelisk Pure Boutique The Village Hat Shop Torreon Importers Twirl

DETAILS When: December 10, 5-9 p.m.

Where: Throughout Hillcrest Tickets: $30 in advance; $35 day of (ages 21+ only) Info: fabuloushillcrest.com, mcfarlanepromotions.com, 619.233.5008

{groove}

bartender

events

{now we’re talking}

Mr. Ed

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

H

By EDWIN DECKER

ello. My name is Edwin Decker.

Recently, PacificSD requested an interview with me as their featured bartender. When they found out I was also a published writer, they thought, “Well, dang! How about we cook two birds with one fire and have Decker interview himself?”

Works for me.

I arranged to meet myself at Winston’s Beach Club in Ocean Beach and, over a couple of hot toddies, asked myself a little bit about my history in the business.

“I started bartending in the mid ‘80s for a now defunct concert club in Kearny Mesa called The Bacchanal,” I responded. “We had a wide variety of national acts go through there—from B.B. King to Nine Inch Nails to Randy Newman to Red Hot Chili Peppers to Devo to Marie Osmond to Kiss to YouNameIt. One of the greatest aspects of the job was boozing after hours with some of my rock-and-

46

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

roll idols. After the Bacchanal, I slung drinks in a number of live music venues, including Winston’s Beach Club, 4th & B, Buffalo Joe’s and Blind Melons, which became 710 Beach Club, where I have been working for the last 10 years or so.”

“Why do you continue to bartend after 25 years?” I asked myself.

“Because I still love the job,” I replied. “I find the culture and personalities to be fascinating. Also, as a journalist, there are all sorts of writing fodder that can be found in the bar biz, all kinds of kooks running around. For example, there was this one guy who didn’t want to leave the bar at closing time. So he removed all his clothes—I mean all of them—and wrapped his arms and legs around a wooden support beam. I felt awful for the bouncers who had to yank and tug on this crazy naked man ‘til he finally succumbed and was dragged out the door kicking and screaming. It wasn’t pretty, but I got a column out of it.” n

Hi, again. It is I, Edwin Decker (call me Ed). In this space, we will be presenting a bartender’s advice column.

This is where we will answer your questions about life, love and the pursuit of mixing and/or consuming cocktails.

It’s going to have an emphasis on the night club business, but will also delve into other areas since, as you know, bartenders are eager shamans, ready and willing to help out any customer who happens to be drowning his or her sorrows in a beer mug and in dire need of advice.

Whether you’re a bartender wanting to know the best way to cut off a customer, a customer wanting to know the best way to comport himself in a bar, or just a regular Joe wondering what’s the best way to retrieve your Pearl Jam box-set from his ex-girlfriend (who recently broke up with you because you slept with her roommate), this is the place to ask.

And what, you may ask, gives me the right to advise people on such matters? Well, that’s easy. I’m a bartender—I have a PhD in Crying in Your Beer, a Bachelor’s degree in Your Football Team Lost, Get Over It and a Master’s in Whaddya Havin’, Bub? Want to ask a question or suggest a bartender to be featured? Email ed@edwindecker.com or visit edwindecker.com

Biggest tip: $500.00 (almost). I turned it down because he was inebriated.

Strangest celebrity encounter: I accidentally saw Moby’s naked buttocks in the green room at 4th & B. Most expensive drink poured: I don’t know, 10 bucks maybe? What can I say, I work low-brow.

Number of bands seen while working: 15,000 (approximately) Number of alcoholic beverages served: 882,000 (approximately)

Effin Good Happy Hour

(Monday-Friday: 4-7PM)

• $3 Draft Beers • $1 off well drinks • Half-price appetizers

Have an Effin Good Day Gimme Mo’ Monday: 2-for-1 cheese steaks +

half-price pitchers ‘til 10 PM

Taco Tuesday: $1.50 tacos + $2 Dos XX bottles & drafts Wing Wednesday: $.40 wings Thirsty Thursday: $3 drinks 7 PM – midnight (wells, drafts, bottled beers, all drinks with Smirnoff, Captain Morgan or Jose Cuervo)

6164 El Cajon Blvd. • 619.229.9800 • effinspubsd.com

)

Good Time

F yo ee 2 u l (e 1 ’ lik r ve n a e e if g yo u’ a re in 22

Effin

t h to ig t U R ex S n SD

Have an

{groove}

bartender

events

Photo by John Hildebrand and Keegan Gibbs

This is the

End

The World’S KAPuT in 2012— party LIKe It’S 2010

I

BY lennY J. Ploffer f you ever saw mommy kissing Santa Claus, or daddy chasing his girlfriend around the Hanukkah Bush, you may have an inkling about what it means to have a holiday crush.

Or maybe you just have a big therapy bill.

Either way, if you found yourself alone under the mistletoe last year at your married friend’s economy-conscious holiday potluck, it’s time to have your fruitcake and eat it, too.

This New Year’s Eve, celebrate life, love and lust, as Hyper Crush performs live in San Diego.

Comprised of rapper Donny “Playboy” Fontaine, DJ/keytarist Preston Meronie and singer Holly Valentine (who, according to the group’s website, “has a voice like an angel and a mouth like a truck driver”), Hyper Crush recently toured with Lady Gaga across Europe.

And now they’re performing at PacificSD’s New Year’s Eve party, created by DJhere Productions.

How do you categorize a group that describes themselves as The all-time greatest Electro, Hip-Hop group from the ’80s? You don’t. You just dance.

The December 31 extravaganza, to be held at San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina downtown, will also feature live performances by superstar DJs Scooter & Lavelle.

There’s more: multiple theatrical stages, plenty of plush seating, elevated VIP sections, arena-caliber lighting and sound, 50 bars, huge dance areas, lush outdoor patio with DJs, multiple areas for lounging and socializing, a live-art foyer, birthday-suit body-painting, giant video screens and an explosive, live LED/audio/video countdown to midnight.

One big night…one intimate crowd of 4,000 people. Bring your love, find a new one or just have a crush. Happy New Year! n 48

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

NExT-DAY POOL SOIREE

Tropical-vibe, heated pools and spa, refreshing waterfalls, chaise lounges, cool cocktails and chill-out DJ beats.

SPREAD THE LOVE

A portion of proceeds will help Rady Children’s Hospital build its new Patient Care Pavilion, which is on track to be the first LEED®-certified hospital in California.

mADE POSSIBLE BY:

DJhere Productions, 3D Entertainment, Night Access, DDJ Presents, DiscoverSD and PacificSD

WIN TICkETS

AT FACEBOOk.COm/PACIFICSD

INFO Tickets and hotel rooms: newyearsevesd.com General questions: vip@newyearsevesd.com VIP tables and bottle service: jason@newyearsevesd.com VIP hotel packages: crystal@newyearsevesd.com

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{love} blind date

A Night Before Christmas STrAngerS eXchAnge More ThAn JuST glAnceS on A yULetIDe BLInD Date

I

PhoToS BY JAnelle MAAS t’s a freezing late-Autumn night in Hillcrest. It’s so cold, in fact, that folks throughout the neighborhood have closed their windows.

You can even see your breath. Good night for a sweater.

Despite the wintry conditions, tonight’s got a chance to sizzle.

And hopefully there will be some heat, or at least a spark, between this evening’s blind daters, who are about to meet for the first time at Wine Steals on University Avenue.

Eric and Lauren, the couple maybe-to-be, have been asked to bring $20 gifts for each other. Before they meet or get a chance to take their bows off, let’s review the pre-date interviews.

Where are you from and where do you live now?

LAUREN: Born and raised here in San Diego. I live in Little Italy now.

ERIC: I am originally from a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere, in Pennsylvania. I got in my car one day and ended up in San Diego. I currently live in the Clairemont area.

What do you do for a living?

LAUREN: I’m a personal trainer.

ERIC: Not much. Just kidding, it’s just a really boring explanation. Let’s just say I’m an account manager and work at a hotel.

Describe your personality in seven words.

LAUREN: Outgoing, spontaneous, giving, little bit of a rebel, sharp, athletic, positive.

ERIC: Talkative, reliable, goofy, independent, happy, confident and talkative (that does need to be said twice; I really don’t know how to shut the hell up).

What do you do for fun?

LAUREN: Anything with friends.

I like to cycle, hike, camp, travel, learn, explore.

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ERIC: I love riding my motorcycle, camping, backpacking, fishing, rock climbing. Anything that gets me outside. I really enjoy playing sports and going to the gym. I like to challenge myself.

What are you looking for in a date?

LAUREN: Someone who challenges me on all levels. If you can’t make me laugh or hold a conversation, you’re out.

ERIC: Someone that can keep up with me in conversation and isn’t all nervous and weird. If we like each other, cool. If not, no big deal— we’re right back where we started, just with one less person to have to worry about dating in the future.

smile. And if he has a great body, I guess I will just have to accept him for who he is.

ERIC: <crosses fingers> I hope she’s hot. I hope she’s hot.

Rate yourself physically on a scale from one to 10.

LAUREN: I don’t do numbers.

ERIC: Right now I’d say an eight.

Without this goofy beard and when I’m in a little better shape, I’m a solid nine.

What’s the best gift you’ve given?

LAUREN: It was a long-board skate board. I had a waterfall painted on the deck.

ERIC: Last Christmas, I bought my grandma this stupid little snow globe/ Christmas tree ornament. Inside, it said, “I Love My Grandma.” That was the last time I saw her—she passed away a few months later. Guess it wasn’t so stupid after all.

What do you hope your date will look like?

LAUREN: I like guys on the taller side, with nice eyes and a good

What’s the best gift you’ve received?

LAUREN: A Garmin GPS. Father knows best—he said, “This is so you

don’t get lost.”

ERIC: My mom calls it “the gift to gab.”

What’s the best present you could receive?

LAUREN: A ticket to see my dad in Florida. Someone lured him in to retiring on the other side of the country. It was his boat.

ERIC: Someone to spend the holiday with. I spend Christmas alone most of the time. My family is all back east, and most of my friends go away for the holidays.

Eric arrives at Wine Steals carrying a large gift bag and takes a seat at a wine-barrel table. He orders a glass of wine and waits for his date. Then he waits some more.

(Continued on Page 52)

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hirty minutes after the scheduled meeting time, Lauren appears with a smile and flowers. The two hug, then sit and talk awhile before getting up to browse the wine selection. A few minutes later, they return to the table to enjoy their bottle of choice.

The place is abuzz with clinking glasses and chatting patrons, but Lauren’s laughter can be heard above the fray. Things appear to be going well—at least for the magazine crew; we got a bottle, too.

After about half-an-hour, the daters move to a nearby couch to exchange gifts. Lauren gives Eric flowers and a box of chocolates, and Eric presents Lauren with the gift bag, from which she pulls a luxurious pink Snuggie.

The gift is a hit. As the daters laugh and take turns modeling the exquisite $20 blanket with arm holes, their body language reveals blossoming levels of comfort and affection.

How’s it going so far?

LAUREN: Fantastic. It’s easy conversation. He’s super jovial.

ERIC: It’s going well. We’re having a very good time.

What did you think of Wine Steals?

LAUREN: Great atmosphere, a place where you could bring the girls or the fam. Killer wine selection and fancy cheese plates.

ERIC: Relaxed and casual. We had a Cru Pinot Noir and a really good artisan cheese plate.

What do you think of your date?

LAUREN: He’s cute; he has a great personality. We have similar traits, and he kinda likes the same things as me.

ERIC: I think she’s a little more straight-edge than I’m used to, but I think she seems like a fun person to be around. She’s cute; she makes me laugh.

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At just before 8 p.m., Lauren leaves Wine Steals with Eric, and the two drive to North Park to have dinner at West Coast Tavern.

When they arrive at the all-new small-plates joint (which used to be Hawthorne’s), they’re split for mid-date debriefings.

Are you compatible?

LAUREN: I would say so. We have the same personality and sense of humor.

ERIC: She’s super cool, I just wonder if she can keep up with my lifestyle in general. She seems to be straight-up fitness oriented and she hardly parties at all.

Rate your date’s physical appearance on a scale from 1 to 10.

LAUREN: Seven to eight. Get rid of the facial hair and he’d be good.

ERIC: She’s a solid seven.

Is he/she the kind of person you’d normally date?

LAUREN: Yes. He has good looks and personality. We only know each other on a surface level, but we behave the same way.

ERIC: No. She doesn’t challenge me.

I don’t feel like it’d be super difficult to get to know her really well and

I’m usually into girls that are a pain in the ass.

Is the vibe friendly or romantic?

LAUREN: It’s still pretty friendly.

ERIC: We’re borderline right now.

We’re working our way towards romantic and I honestly think that, given enough time, it could get to that. At first reaction, it’s not what I’m used to, but nothing I’m used to has worked out yet.

What’s the best way the date could end?

LAUREN: With a second date, maybe in a more relaxed setting.

ERIC: It’d be nice to go somewhere and kick it. I don’t think we necessarily have to hook up, but as long as we could hang out, it’d be cool.

Worst way?

LAUREN: He lives with his parents.

ERIC: I end up sleeping in the back seat of my car.

What gift did you receive?

LAUREN: I got a frickin’ Snuggie.

That’s awesome.

ERIC: I got flowers and chocolate.

Fairly unoriginal.

Do you want to kiss your date right now?

LAUREN: I’d give him a warm, friendly kiss at this point, but I’m kind of a prude.

ERIC: Oh, absolutely. I’d make out with her right now.

Does your date want to kiss you?

LAUREN: For sure.

ERIC: I don’t know, I think so.

(Continued on Page 54)

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{love} blind date

Wrap Up the end of the datE and the morning after

W

hen their dinner arrives, the daters are finally left alone for the rest of the evening. PacificSD calls the next day to see what we missed.

Overall, how was the date?

LAUREN: It was a good time. Plenty of conversation.

ERIC: It went really well. We had a lot of fun.

How was West Coast Tavern?

LAUREN: Super-hip vibe. They have small plates, so we picked several things. Super-yum.

ERIC: It was cool. It’s an old movie theatre that they turned into a restaurant. They serve small portions so you can try lots of different things. The wings were really good.

What happened after the magazine crew left you two alone?

LAUREN: We stayed and chatted for awhile.

ERIC: We both got kind of drunk.

Then we made out at the table, in front of everyone. Oops.

What was the best part of the date?

LAUREN: The Snuggie.

ERIC: I made her sneak into another part of the building, and we made out on the stage.

Worst part?

LAUREN: The restaurants were cool, but where was our skydiving or go-kart riding action? (Activities from previous PacificSD blind dates.)

ERIC: My hangover this morning.

What’s the sexiest thing your date did last night?

LAUREN: He definitely has this look he casts that kinda makes you want to melt.

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pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

ERIC: Umm…sorry, but my lips are sealed on that one.

What’s the most unattractive thing your date did last night?

LAUREN: Okay, the Jameson Whiskey and Miller combo was funny the first time, but I don’t Margaritas, tacos and think you need to drink that much laughs at Funky Garcia’s to hang with me.

ERIC: She must have said “that’s hilarious” 10 times, even when it wasn’t appropriate. I think she was nervous.

What dating advice would you give your date?

LAUREN: Don’t drink so much on the first date.

ERIC: Show up on time.

What, if anything, do you wish you had done or said differently during the date?

LAUREN: I could have been on time; I am Queen Lagger. And I wish I could have learned a little more about his aspirations and goals.

ERIC: Nothing, I think I was pretty on point all night. Well, the waitress at West Coast was smokin’ hot and I’d have loved to ask her out, but that might have been weird. I guess I’ll have to go back there sometime.

Will there be a second date?

LAUREN: Could be. Have to see if he had the first-date jitters or if he is a little too hyper for me.

ERIC: Maybe, we got along great, but I just didn’t feel that spark. Things just wouldn’t work out between us, and I refuse to lead girls on. Then

again, she was a lot of fun and she did have an amazing little body, so I guess there could be another date—if she’s cool with knowing that nothing would ever really come of it.

What’s one thing your date doesn’t know that he/she really should?

LAUREN: I am smarter than I look.

ERIC: The flowers she gave me are dead already. n

Aftermatch:

Like a true gentleman, Eric refused to kiss and tell (not counting, of course, when he mentioned that he made out with Lauren at the table and on the stage), but what are his lips sealed about? And when Lauren said the worst possible ending to the evening would be learning that Eric lived with his parents, was the fear that she might meet Mom and Dad that same night? And did she?

This time of year, mistletoe gets hung over the door, whereas Eric just got hungover. And while it’s tough to say whether Lauren will try to exchange her Snuggie for one that fits better than a “seven or eight,” the real question is whether Eric has the jingle bells to return to the scene of the make-out to regift Lauren’s chocolates to the sexy server at West Coast.

Celebrity observations:

I gotta know what happened; would someone please put me out of my misery. –Dr. Kevorkian Did somebody say wings? I love wings! Hey, is someone going to eat those chocolates? –Dr. Phil For safety’s sake, I vill always tell my patients zat zay must wrap it up. –Dr. Ruth Snug as a bug in a Snuggie, I knew they’d do more than just huggie. –Dr. Seuss

events

Submit events to calendar@pacificsandiego.com Compiled by Ryan Balke

Balboa Park December Nights Dates: December 4-5 Admission: Free Info: balboapark.org Location: Balboa Park Participating Balboa Park museums will open their doors free of charge to an expected crowd of more than 300,000 people at this two-day event, now in its 32nd year.

Photo by Richard Benton

Head to Toe Women’s Expo Dates: December 4-6 Tickets: $8 Info: 877.491.0677, headtotoewomensexpo.com Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds Grab the girls and head to no-man’s land: a three-day festival of shopping, pampering, makeovers and inspirational speakers. More than 10,000 attendees are expected to stroll through 200 vendor booths filled with apparel, gourmet foods, home décor and more.

CHARGERS

SDSU BASKETBALL

12/20 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

12/2 at USD (City Championship) 12/9 vs. Cal State Fullerton 12/12 vs. Arizona 12/29 vs. UC Riverside 12/31 vs. Pomona-Pitzer

North Park Toyland Parade

San Diego Thread Show

Date: December 5 Admission: Free Info: 619.294.2501, northparkmainstreet.com Location: University Ave., between Idaho St. and Iowa St. Marching bands, car clubs, beauty queens and countless others comprise this annual parade along University Avenue, which has drawn huge crowds since the Courtesy of North event began in 1936.

Park Main Street 56

12/5: Jerry Seinfeld / San Diego Civic Theatre, broadwaysd.com 12/10: Brett Dennen / House of Blues, hob.com 12/11 : Train / House of Blues, hob.com 12/11-12: LeAnn Rimes / California Center for the Arts, artcenter.org 12/12: Aventura / San Diego Sports Arena, ticketmaster.com 12/12: Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, Spoon, Manchester Orchestra / RIMAC

Arena, ticketmaster.com 12/13: AFI, Rise Against, 30 Seconds to Mars, Anberlin / Viejas Arena,

ticketmaster.com 12/13: Ingrid Michaelson, Michelle Branch and Uncle Kracker / Anthology,

anthologysd.com 12/15: Foreigner / Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 12/17: Five for Fighting and Howie Day / Anthology, anthologysd.com 12/19: Lady Gaga and Kid Cudi / San Diego Sports Arena, ticketmaster.com 12/29: John Mayer Trio / Copley Symphony Hall, ticketmaster.com 12/29: Reel Big Fish / House of Blues, hob.com

pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL GAMES 12/23 Poinsettia Bowl 12/30 Holiday Bowl

VAVi’s Holiday Bar Crawl-iday Date: December 5 Tickets: $20 Info: 858.273.3485, govavi.com Venue: Pacific Beach bars Throw on a commemorative t-shirt (included with ticket price) and throw down some Miller Lites during VAVi Sport & Social Club’s annual pub crawl through seven bars in Pacific Beach. A portion of proceeds will be donated to AJ’s Kids.

Dates: December 5-6 Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at door Info: 858.208.9227, threadshow.com Venue: Wonderhaus, 14th Street, downtown Preview the newest fashions from more than 100 designers while taking advantage of discounts on apparel. The popular event also features live art, DJ beats, fashion shows, a clothing swap and on-site style consultants.

The Ten Tenors

Courtesy of

Ten Tenors Dates: December 8-13 Tickets: $15-72 Info: 619.562.3000, broadwaysd.com Venue: San Diego Civic Theatre, downtown The internationally renowned vocal group returns to San Diego to perform holiday classics and songs from their latest album.

Blue Christmas in the Gaslamp Quarter Date: December 10 Tickets: Free Info: 619.233.5227, gaslamp.org Venue: Gaslamp bars and restaurants Enjoy complimentary live blues, rock and R&B performances at venues throughout the Gaslamp, including Jimmy Love’s, Hard Rock Café, Dick’s Last Resort, Henry’s Pub, Patrick’s II, Rock Bottom Brewery, Gaslamp Tavern, The Field, Croce’s, Bitter End and Horton Plaza.

Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade Date: December 13 Tickets: Free to watch, $10 to parade Info: 619.233.5227, gaslamp.org Location: Parade begins at 4th Ave. and K St. Dress up your furry friend for a four-legged parade through the Gaslamp.

Awards will be given for Best Pet Costume, Best Human Costume, Best Costumed Duo and Cutest Critter.

Awwww!

The Da Vinci Experience Dates: Through January 3 Courtesy of San Diego Air & Space Museum Tickets: $12-$25 Info: 619.234.8291, sandiegoairandspace.org Venue: San Diego Air and Space Museum, Balboa Park See replicas and models of the mechanical devices designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. The year-long exhibit, which also features reproductions of a dozen of Leo’s most famous paintings, will be in San Diego for just one more month.

The Nutcracker

Photo by Chelsea Penyak

Dates: December 11-20 Tickets: $29-$59 Info: 858. 272.8663, cityballet.org Venue: Spreckels Theatre, downtown See San Diego’s own City Ballet perform the holiday classic live on stage.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Date: December 13 and December 20 Tickets: Free to watch, $30 to compete/ participate Info: 619.224.2240, sdparadeoflights.org Location: San Diego Bay San Diego Bay transforms into a Photo by Joanna Dibona sparkling winter wonderland for this twonight event, as boats decorated for the holidays (this year’s theme: Christmas At The Zoo) sail from Shelter Island into the Downtown waterfront. Both evenings explode with fireworks shows over the water at 5:30 p.m.

Poinsettia Bowl Battle of the Bands Date: December 21 Admission: Free Info: 619.285.5061, poinsettiabowl.com Location: Gaslamp Quarter Marching bands and spirit squads from the colleges competing in the Poinsettia Bowl perform holiday classics at opposite ends of Fifth Avenue, then meet at Market Street for a heart-pounding battle for band supremacy.

San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade

Ken Jacques Photography

Ken Jacques Photography

Date: December 30 Admission: Free to stand; $15 for bleacher seating Info: 619.285.5061, pacificlifeholidaybowl.com Location: Harbor Drive, Embarcadero Cheer with more than 100,000 spectators as enormous balloons, floats, marching bands and drill teams parade along the waterfront in celebration of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl.

Whale Watching Dates: December 26-April 4 Tickets: $30-$35 Info: 858.534.3474, aquarium.ucsd.edu Location: Launch from Harbor Excursions, Embarcadero Witness the San Diego leg of the longest mammal migration in the world, as 20,000 gray whales migrate from the Bering Sea to their breeding grounds in Baja. Scripps naturalists will be onboard to help visitors spot marine life and listen to whale and dolphin sounds in real time.

New Years Eve 2010

Photo by Michael Beck

Date: December 31 Tickets: Prices vary Info: newyearsevesd.com Venue: San Diego Marriot Hotel and Marina, downtown Join DJhere Productions and PacificSD for our official New Year’s Eve event, as Hyper Crush, Scooter & Lavelle and a furious collection of the region’s top DJs and performers spin a crowd of 4,000 into 2010. The overnight event continues January 1 at the Next Day Pool Soiree.

DECEMBER 2009 | pacificsandiego.com

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{think}

Sandy Claus SAINT NICK’S VISIT TO SAN DIEGO

I

By LENNY J. PLOFFER t’s almost sunset on Christmas Eve when Santa finally finds parking spots for all eight reindeer.

Having just completed the Asia and Africa legs of his world tour, he’s excited to relax for a moment before continuing with the evening’s deliveries.

Wouldn’t it be wondrous To see a green flash?

To jump in the waves And to make a splash?

On such a merry night, It just feels so grand To shake off the snow And put my toes in the sand.

Santa has never had much of a singing voice, but he’s got rhymes in his blood. The mood is good. He crosses his fingers, closes his eyes and wishes for a green flash. As he waits, he’s calmed by delicate whitewater trickling over his tired feet.

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pacificsandiego.com | DECEMBER 2009

The anticipation mounts.

Is it really going to happen?

After eons of slaving away for cookies while everyone else was sleeping, will this be the year that Santa finally sees what even the Tooth Fairy has never seen—the northern lights and a green flash on the same day?

He inhales deeply, takes a wellearned sip of eggnog…and gets cited for having an open container of alcohol on the beach.

As Santa looks down to dig out his valid sleigh license, the cop says, “Son of a gun, there really is a green flash.”

Oh, sh!t. Forget about all the Wiis and Starbucks cards now—at this point, it’s looking like coal for all of us…if we’re lucky.

In exchange for America’s Finest gift to him, Santa checks his San Diego list a third time. Depending on where you live, here’s what he’s getting for you.

Mission Valley -Someone to buy all those cars Chula Vista -Billboards in English -The Chargers Solana Beach -New VW buses for all the retired hippies Little Italy -A Chinese restaurant -A train engineer who doesn’t honk at every intersection Pacific Beach -Gift certificates for $2 drinks -Bong cleaner -Morning After pills -A movie theater North Park -Baggier jeans (not for style, but for the future of the neighborhood— skinny jeans reduce sperm count, which

may ultimately lead to the depopulation of the now burgeoning community) Julian -Something to do… anything Mission Beach -Surf wax -More parking -Laser tattoo removal La Jolla -A nightclub -More parking -Freeway access Coronado -Depends and Viagra San Ysidro -A taller fence Oceanside -Women Del Mar -A new cougar den Rancho Santa Fe -Mailboxes

Olivenhain -Billboards in German Gaslamp -Someone to buy all those condos -More parking -Padres ticket-buyers Lakeside -Rodeo tickets -Billboards in Redneck Hillcrest -A sushi restaurant without a 40-minute wait -A t-shirt that says, “Ask, Tell” Ocean Beach -More plastic bags for dog beach -Any deodorant but patchouli

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night (in jail, for Santa—he told Rudolph to sic the cop).

Become a fan of PacificSD on Facebook to win gift certificates to some of San Diego’s top restaurants and bars. Check us out at facebook.com/PacificSD and pacificsandiego.com.

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