March 2014

San Diego

SITTIN’ PRETTY

Furniture Shopping with Miss California USA 2014 Cassandra Kunze

Try Angles

Tour San Diego’s Modern Residential Architecture

MARCH 2014

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2/20/14 2:14 PM

editor's

note

[03.14]

know one’s home

M

y phone just vibrated and dingdonged at the same time. It’s AT&T calling — we need your wallet back.

“AT&T Free Msg: More than 65% (2664MB) of shared data for your AT&T Mobile Share group has been used for the period ending on 03/03/14.”

AYFKM? (“Are you f---ing kidding me?” It’s a text shortie for companies that charge data-usage to my credit card.)

Yesterday, they sent a text thanking me for my monthly payment of $202.97, which would have been fine if I weren’t on the $150-for-two-phones (wife has the other one) plan. Today, I’m already posting the same numbers I did as a college freshman: 65 percent. #smokedtoomuchbackthen I know I can buy more gigabytes for 10 bucks a month or whatever, but the dude on the phone made a point of specifying that, if I went over my data plan, my account would automatically bump up to the next tier. Overages would cost 20 bucks on the high side. He promised. So, how does my bill go from $150 to $202.97? That sounds like a lot of streaming porn… even for me.

Is it my auto-backup to iCloud? Is it the slowmotion video of my 20-month-old kid, Lex, running around the house, barking? Do I need to turn off HDR? Maybe I should shorten my emails, eliminate photos and start sending binary.

TXT MSG: Hey, AT&T, go 01100100 yourself!

All this nothingness is happening while I’m waiting for my drink at Starbucks (the one on Falcon Street in Mission Hills; holla, y’all!). Of the seven people in line, five are playing with their phones, one is paying for a latte, and the other is looking through her purse, no doubt for her phone.

As Ariel, the kickboxing barista with the everchanging hair color, hands me my usual (venti iced coffee, no sweetener), the phone pings again.

It’s Mom. MOM: Please e-mail me the photo you texted me. I can’t open it. Lex looks so cute!

ME: You can’t open it?

MOM: No. It doesn’t work at my house.

ME: How do you know Lex looks cute if you can’t open it?

MOM: I can see it, I just can’t open it. There’s something wrong with it.

ME: Can you e-mail it to yourself?

MOM: My phone doesn’t do that.

I know when to throw up the white flag. Mom calls Verizon so much they’ve assigned a special agent to her account. She says she has him on “speed-dial,” which means I’ll need to help find his number on her allegedly non-emailing

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Android sometime soon.

When I get to work, I Facetime the fam for two and a half minutes — Lex’s maximum attention span — before jumping into the day. There’s Wi-Fi at the office, so my phone connects fast and free.

Good stuff.

Simone and I don’t have a landline at home, so when I call AT&T after dinner, I put the iPhone on speaker while checking data usage in “Settings.” Not a big deal, but it does make the process of calling customer service a smidge less awesome.

Less awesomer still is the woman on the other end of the line, who reveals my first senior moment — or at least the first one brought to my attention.

Turns out the iMac (which streams Pandora 24/7) and the TV (which streams Netflix so Lex can watch “Curious George Swings into Spring” at breakfast) are tethered to my iPhone hotspot when I’m home.

AT&T WOMAN: Before I issue your a credit, Mr. Perloff, are you saying you didn’t know the other devices were using your phone as a hotspot?

ME: Correct. Isn’t that what we just figured out together? How can I avoid this in the future?

AT&T WOMAN: Yes, Mr. Perloff. There should be a green flashing bar at the top of your screen indicating when other devices are using your phone as a hotspot.

I check my phone. Lo and behold, it’s blinking… something about hotspots. Has it always done that?

When did it start? No way it said that all this time.

No way! Am I losing my friggin’ mind?

The woman offers to walk me through the process of turning off my personal hotspot in the same condescending tone I’d use to help Mom find Verizon Guy’s number. I decline, adjust the settings all by myself and put the phone down.

Some people have smart homes. Mine’s a moron.

Or maybe it’s a case of operator error. Either way, this is where I come to relax, unwind, step in salivasoaked Play-Doh in the middle of the night and wonder if I just crushed a mouse with my foot.

In this home-focused issue of PacificSD, San Diego Architectural Foundation president Maxine Ward leads a tour of the city’s sublime residential architecture, and Miss California USA 2014 Cassandra Kunze shows how to shop for modern furniture in a fashionable fashion. Learn about going solar (see “Dough Ray Me,” page 54), enjoy the tour (see “Try Angles,” page 64) and happy sofa shopping (see “Sittin’ Pretty,” page 56).

They say there’s no place like home, but if I can’t unplug and go off-grid when I’m there, maybe I don’t know a place like home after all. I should Google “place like home.”

Where’s my phone?

—David Perloff, Editor-in-Chief

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Kenny Boyer MANAGING EDITOR

Patricia B. Dwyer

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A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

Catlin Dorset CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lee Allen, David Coddon, Ron Donoho, Brandon Matzek, Dan McLellan, David Nelson, Frank Sabatini Jr., Jennifer Vigil C O V E R P H O T OG R A P H Y

Paul Body C O N T R I B U T I N G P H O T OG R A P H E R S

Kate Auda, Michael Auda, Brevin Blach, Paul Body,

Jeff “Turbo” Corrigan, Brandon Matzek, Sara Norris

PUBLISHERS

David Perloff Simone Perloff D I R E C T O R OF A D V E R T I S I N G

Dana Schroedl (dana@pacificsandiego.com) MARKETING DIRECTOR

Alyson C. Baker (alyson@pacificsandiego.com) B U S I N E S S D E V E LO P M E N T D I R E C T O R

Vicki Marangos (vicki@pacificsandiego.com) PROMOTIONS MANAGER

Katie Dunn (katie@pacificsandiego.com) ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Brennan MacLean (brennan@pacificsandiego.com)

Johnny Wiskow (johnny@pacificsandiego.com) M A R K E T I N G A S S I S TA N T

Dawn Siddons (dawn@pacificsandiego.com) INTERNS

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MARCH 2014

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[ PA C I F I C S A N D I E GO . C O M ]

Contents

San Diego [MARCH

2014]

Features

56 pa g e

sittin’ pretty

Furniture shopping with Miss California USA 2014 Cassandra Kunze

64 pa g e

Try Angles

An expert’s perspective on San Diego’s modern residential architecture

ON THE COVER: Miss California USA 2014 Cassandra Kunze was photographed by Paul Body. Styled by Andrea Ross. Hair by Maegan Cooper for A Robert Cromeans Salon. Makeup by Lisa G. Artistry, lisagartistry.com. Shot on location at Hold It Contemporary Home in Mission Valley.

Ms. Kunze is wearing a dress by Halston Heritage, $495, available at Halston Heritage Fashion Valley Mall, halston.com/halstonheritage. Earrings

by Roni Blanshay, $728; ring by ABS, $55; both available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales.com. Shoes by PinkBasis, $27, available at pinkbasis.com.

Furniture credits: Hands Stool by Studio A, $695. Spazio Wall System by Pianca, $4,295.

Maltino Shag Rug by Linie Design, $2,195.

THIS PAGE (ON CASSANDRA): Dress by Maje, available at Bloomingdale’s, Fashion Valley Mall, bloomingdales.com.

Necklace by Glam & Sassy, $55, available at glamandsassy.com. Shoes by PinkBasis, $27, available at PinkBasis, pinkbasis.com.

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Miss California USA 2014 Cassandra Kunze plants herself in Hold It Comtemporary Home’s floral section.

(See story, page 56.)

INSIDE MAN: “If you aspire to have a green thumb but simply can’t keep your plants alive, try less-thirsty succulents that won’t mind if you forget about them for a month.

Another options is to go faux, as many artificial plants and flowers look very realistic these days. A colorful bouquet of flowers, whether fresh-cut or replicas, can enhance a home’s natural aura without the hassle of maintenance.” —Hold It Contemporary Home lead designer Dwayne Lutringer

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[ PA C I F I C S A N D I E GO . C O M ]

Contents

San Diego [ marc h

2014]

104 pa g e

blind date Things get funny when comedian Tommy Davidson takes the stage during this month’s blind date.

DEPARTMENTS CURRENTS

PULSE

30 Three.Fourteen March event listings

48 Think Outside The Box Office March motion picture mania

25 Fourth Coming See what’s new along the avenue

34 Laughing Stock March’s stand-up line-up

34 pa g e

38 A Head Of The Game A Padres preseason preview

comedy

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41 Art Beat March museum and gallery openings

50 In Good Company San Diego businesses rub elbows with the nation’s rising stars 54 Dough Ray Me San Diegans are cashing-in on endless sunshine

TASTE

73 Stocked Market San Diego restaurants invest in a bumper crop of freshness 82 All Rise It’s time to make flatbread, not loaf around 86 Bottle Service Drinks for the house (not on the house), from the pint of no return to the supreme quart

GROOVE

93 Sounds Like A Plan March concert calendar 102 Spin Cycle March EDM shows 104 The Ugly Truth Honest answers from a dancing bartender

LOVE

106 BUT SERIOUSLY, FOLKS...

A steamy blind date and a stand-up guy

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See what’s new along the Avenue B y D avid L . C o dd o n

While the focal point of the Gaslamp Quarter continues to be the glittery and bustling Fifth Avenue, a revitalization of (continued on page 26) Fourth Avenue is building momentum.

C U RRENTS

FOURTH COMING

[FIRST

THINGS]

Preston Roeschlein

The Gaslamp’s new Werewolf

MARCH 2014

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cu r r e n t s [FIRST

THINGS]

(continued from page 25)

Designed by Walker Macy Rendering by Joe Cordelle

“I

t has a different vibe than Fifth Avenue, and it’s getting a very distinct persona,” says Jimmy Parker, executive director of the Gaslamp Quarter Association. “A lot of people in the Marina [District] love La Puerta, and Bice is one of the highestrated restaurants in the city.”

Parker credits Balboa Theatre’s renaissance with being the catalyst for the evolution of Fourth Avenue. Slated for a 2015 opening, Horton Plaza Park is poised to make the next big impact.

The project, a private-public partnership between the Westfield Group and Civic San Diego (formerly the CCDC), envisions an active urban plaza that will include three pavilions for a variety of live entertainment. Proponents say the 1.3-acre space between Third and Fourth on Broadway will eventually host 200 events a year.

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“It’s creating much needed open space for the city,” says project manager Eli Sanchez. “This can be a true gathering place that’s flexible for multiple events that occur on the site.”

For the growing number of downtown families, and for people who work in and near the Gaslamp, the new Horton Plaza Park could become what Pioneer Courthouse Square is for Portland, or what the venerable Union Square is for San Francisco – meeting places to enjoy art shows, farmers markets and music.

The spillover effect, too, could bring new consumers downtown, and to the Fourth Avenue corridor in particular.

“If we get that new interest, people may want to see what urban can be,” Parker says.

To find signs of transformation already underfoot, start at the corner of Fourth and G, the former home of Rock Bottom Brewery and soon to be (sometime in 2014) the site of Tin Roof, a restaurant and live-music-club concept born in Nashville. (continued on page 28)

Rendering of Horton Plaza Park, with Fourth Avenue to the left side of the image, and Broadway to the right.

“ I t ’ s creatin g m u c h needed o p en s p ace f o r t h e cit y. . . t h is can b e a tr u e g at h erin g p l ace . ”

— p r o j ect mana g er E l i S anc h e z

MARCH 2014

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cu r r e n t s

The Shout! House dueling piano bar celebrates its 10th anniversary March 27.

[FIRST THINGS] (continued from page 26)

BELOW: Werewolf is a new Fourth Avenue bar from the family behind Little Italy’s Waterfront Bar & Grill.

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is going to be the new Fifth,” says Nichols. “There’s a lot of cool stuff going on.”

Nightlife industry veteran Chris Martin, who helped open Stingaree way back when, is gearing up for an April opening of his AD Nightclub in the erstwhile Red Circle Bar location. The 4,300square-foot space will house a boutique nightclub and lounge with a theatrical, Gothic-inspired motif and high-end service.

The name “AD” (as in “anno domini”) signifies a rebirth, which Martin says makes his venue an ideal fit for the transitioning Fourth Avenue. He’s confident the forthcoming Horton Plaza Park and its entertainment facilities will be good for business.

“The center of the Gaslamp universe is going to be Fourth and Broadway,” Martin Says. “I think that park’s going to completely shift the focus of the neighborhood.”

FIVE ON FOURTH Tin Roof 401 G St., Gaslamp tinroofbars.com

Werewolf 627 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp 619.234.0094, thewerewolf.net

The Shout! House 655 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp 619.231.6700, theshouthouse.com

AD Nightclub 420 E St., Gaslamp 619.962.7588, adnightclub.com

The Garage 655 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp

Preston Roeschlein

p the street, The Shout!

House dueling piano bar, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary March 27 (an impressive run among Gaslamp venues), is getting a sibling. The sister club “will have its own identity,” says coowner Bob Walin about The Garage, a music-focused restaurant and bar set to open in April in the old Carriage Works building adjacent to Shout! House.

Meanwhile, there’s a grandma waiting next door at Werewolf, a new project from the folks behind the legendary Waterfront Bar and Grill on Kettner Boulevard.

“Our hostesses are literally grandmothers,” says Werewolf’s Rocky Nichols. But don’t be misled — this is a happening place. “Fourth

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cu r r e n t s [ ca l endar ]

t h r e e. f o u r t e e n [ marc h

by C at l in D o rset

2014]

3/23: Something Borrowed:

Ideas and Inspirations for the Modern Bride The US Grant, Downtown

Admission: $75 / Info: usgrant.net/wedding-show Southern California’s nuptial experts share concepts, tips and tricks at this annual bridal brunch and wedding day fashion preview.

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(continued on page 32)

cu r r e n t s [ ca l endar ] (continued from page 30)

3/1-5/11: The Flower Fields

Location: Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad Admission: $12-$25 Info: theflowerfields.com Stop and smell millions of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus (aka Persian Buttercups) blooming across 50 acres of Carlsbad Ranch.

E D D IE TR U J ILLO

3/1: Ocean Beach Kite Festival

3/4: Hillcrest Fat Tuesday

3/1: Sixth Annual St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-thon

3/4: Gaslamp Mardi Gras

Location: Dusty Rhodes Park, Ocean Beach Admission: Free Info: oceanbeachkiwanis.org This annual event draws thousands of people to Ocean Beach to build kites, fly them and take carnival rides.

Location: The Commons Bar, Gaslamp Admission: $10-$20 donation Info: stbaldricks.org Knock back beers before getting buzzed. The brief baldness benefits childhood cancer charities and research.

Location: University Ave., Hillcrest Admission: $20-$30 Info: hillcrestfattuesday.com The largest LGBT Fat Tuesday celebration west of New Orleans includes a masquerade parade, flying trapeze performers and an outdoor nightclub.

Location: Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Admission: $30-$45 Info: sdmardigras.com Join a crowd of 40,000 bead throwers with breast intentions at what organizers are calling the second largest Fat Tuesday celebration in the U.S. Snoop Dogg/Lion is headlining the annual outdoor parade/concert/party.

(Look for the PacificSD/Epic Limo float.)

3/8-3/9: Vista Civil War Reenactment

ANNE J A M ES P HOTOGRA P HY

Location: Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum, Vista Admission: $15 Info: civilwaralliance.com The War Between the States rages once again, this time with all the grandpappys of North County on the front lines.

3/1-2: 27th Annual Koi Show Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds Admission: Free Info: koiclubofsandiego.org Learn everything you’ll never need to know about Japanese carp from more than 40 vendors specializing in Koi sales, Koi pond design and Koi art.

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3/9: Siro-A

Location: Balboa Theatre, Downtown Admission: $27-$67 Info: sandiegotheatres.org Hailed as “the Blue Man Group of Japan,” Siro-A blends EDM music and ultra-high-energy dance expertise with mesmerizing light displays and intense on-stage theatrics.

3/14-15: Golf Fest

3/15: San Diego ShamROCK

Location: Sixth Ave. and E St., Gaslamp Admission: $30-$45 Info: sandiegoshamrock.com More than 20,000 revelers, multiple stages with live bands and DJs, and acres of green Astroturf help transform the streets of the Gaslamp into the largest outdoor St. Patrick’s Day party on the West Coast.

Location: Oaks North Golf Course, Rancho Bernardo Admission: $10 Info: golffestshow.com Get free pointers from a PGA pro before taking a swing at the Putting Challenge and Hole-In-One shoot-out with a $50,000 booty at stake.

Padres Home Games:

3/30-4/2: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (promotions: Opening Night 3/30; Opening Day Hat 4/1)

[ marc h

2014]

t h r e e . f o u r t e e n

What’s Afoot: running events 3/29: Ironman 70.3

Location: Oceanside Harbor Admission: Registrations sold-out; free to watch Info: ironman.com Swim a 1.2-mile loop in the Oceanside Harbor, bike 56 miles through Camp Pendleton and finish with a 13.1-mile run along the coast. No sweat.

GABE RO U X

3/27-3/30: Kia Classic

Location: Aviara Golf Club, Carlsbad Admission: $10-$100 Info: kiaclassic.com Top female pro golfers from around the world compete for a $1.7 million purse.

NILS NILSEN

3/29-3/30: Spring Busker Festival Mission Valley Admission: $50-$60 Info: cosmicrun.com Run, walk and dance through this glowing nighttime 5K followed by an EDM concert.

3/8: Undy 5000 Location: Mission Bay Park Admission: $20-$40 Info: ccalliance.org Run this 5K in your skivvies to support the Colon Cancer Alliance, and then pick up a shiny new pair of Undy 5000 boxer shorts at the finish line.

3/22: Race for Autism Location: Balboa Park Admission: $35-$38, plus $150 fundraising suggestion Info: nfar.org Dress as a super hero for this 5K in the park to raise funds for local autism programs and services.

LEAH D ’ A M BROSIA P HOTOGRA P HY

3/1: Finish Chelsea’s Run 5K Location: Balboa Park Admission: $35 Info: chelseaslight.org Walk or run to raise money for the Chelsea’s Light Foundation.

Info: animalcenter.org Grab your best two- and four-legged friends to raise money for the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

3/9: San Diego Half Marathon Location: Starts at Petco Park, Downtown Admission: $55-$109 Info: sdhalfmarathon.com Follow a scenic 13.1-mile loop through the Gaslamp, Hillcrest, Liberty Station and Balboa Park.

3/16: Puppy Love 5K Location: Hwy 101, Solana Beach Admission: $35

3/16: Seal Sprint V and Superseal VIII Triathlons Location: Silver Strand State Beach, Coronado Admission: $95-$245 Info: superfrogtriathlon.com Test your endurance in the modest Seal Sprint V (500-meter swim, 20K bike ride, 6K run) or the overachiever’s Superseal VIII (1500meter swim, 40K bike ride, 10K run).

3/22: Cosmic Run Location: Qualcomm Stadium,

3/23: Hot Chocolate 15/5K Location: Petco Park, Downtown Admission: $44-$66 Info: hotchocolate15k.com Run for the Ghirardelli chocolates, hot cocoa and commemorative fleece jacket at the finish line.

3/29: March for Meals Location: Road Runner Sports, Kearny Mesa Admission: $30-$50 Info: meals-on-wheels.org Fundraising 5K run/walk in support of Meals on Wheels.

Location: Seaport Village, Downtown Admission: Free Info: seaportvillage.com Unicyclists, sword swallowers, extreme jugglers, you get the idea...

3/30: CicloSDias

Location: Pacific Beach to La Jolla Admission: Free Info: ciclosdias.com Ditch the whip for a day and walk, ride or board the 2.5 miles between Pacific Beach and La Jolla to promote cleaner, pollution-free air.

3/30: East Village Opening Day Block Party

Location: Sixth Ave. and J St., Downtown Admission: Free Info: eastvillagesandiego.com Before the Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in their home opener, tailgate with the masses at this annual event featuring a micro-brew beer garden, food trucks and live entertainment.

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cu r r e n t s [ COMEDY]

Laughing stock march’S stand-up round-up C o mpi l ed by C at l in D o rset

3/14 ANJELAH

JOHNSON “People always ask me, ‘How do you go from being a professional cheerleader to a stand-up comic?’

I just tell them, ‘Let’s keep it real, it’s kinda easy transitioning into telling jokes when you cheer for the Raiders.’”

(Anjelah Johnson on Lopez Tonight) Balboa Theatre sandiegotheatres.org (continued on page 36)

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ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

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MARCH 2014

PACIFIcSANDIEGO.com

35

cu r r e n t s [ COMEDY] (continued from page 34)

“I have a prescription for marijuana in Los Angeles. It’s for anxiety… primarily anxiety about getting arrested for marijuana.”

Jillian Sorkin

—T.J. Miller on No Real Reason 3/6-8: T.J. Miller @ American Comedy Company, americancomedyco.com

T o n y Ly o n

“Doctors become obsessively interested in your prostate as soon as you turn 50. It’s a round thing, kinda like a donut, and his job is to check that it hasn’t become a bagel yet.

There are two ways in, and one is a camera through the hole in your willy. F*** that.”

—Bill Connolly on Erect for 30 Years 3/11: Billy Connolly @ Balboa Theatre, sandiegotheatres.org

M IN D Y T U CKER

“When you love someone, you’re obligated to that person forever, man… even after you don’t like them anymore. That’s the problem with love; there’s no exit strategy out of it.

That’s why, if you watch the news, you’ll see people kill loved ones all the time. Nobody ever kills people they like, though.”

—Michael Che on John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show 3/13-15: Michael Che @ American Comedy Company, americancomedyco.com

3/12 maria

bamford “[My therapist] said I was afraid of success, which may in fact be true, because I have a feeling that fulfilling my potential would really cut into my sittin’ around time.”

(Maria Bamford on Comedy Central Presents: Maria Bamford) American Comedy Company americancomedyco.com

“Joan’s face has been lifted more times than Bristol Palin’s prom dress.”

—Brad Garrett on The Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers 3/22: Ray Romano and Brad Garrett @ Pala Casino, palacasino.com

Kat e Lit t le Photo grap hy

“I do like robots, in particular Transformers.

As a kid, I used to make them, build them and enjoy them. Then, of course, the movies came out, and I had to see them; thought they were rubbish. Bullsh!t. Anyone who’s ever had a Transformer can tell you, it takes half a day to transform those things.”

—Rhys Darby on BBC’s Comedy Marathon 3/23: Rhys Darby @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com

—Steve Rannazzisi on Manchild 3/27-29: Steve Rannazzisi @ American Comedy Company, americancomedyco.com

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Natalie Bras ing to n

“I’m not gonna hit my kids. You can’t. You cannot do it; it just teaches them how to lie. But last week I stepped on a Lego with a barefoot and I almost murdered my whole family.”

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cu r r e n t s [ s p o rts ] “ T h e team is l o o kin g rea l ly g o o d ri g h t n o w , s o it is g o in g t o b e f u n . ”

— PA D R E S P I TC H E R JO S H JOH N S O N

A HEAD OF THE GAME

A Padres preseason preview B y D an M cLe l l an

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lthough they played winning ball down the stretch in 2013 (32 wins – 30 losses), the Padres finished last season in third place, 18 games under .500 (72 – 90 for the year). This year, the team’s general manager, Josh Byrnes, hopes key acquisitions will make the Friars competitive all season long, ultimately putting them in the playoff hunt.

Byrnes’ off-season moves brought the squad new players to bolster the pitching roster and add depth to the outfield.

Starting pitcher Josh Johnson, who signed as a free agent, stands out among the new faces. Johnson is a twotime All-Star (2009-10) and led the National League in ERA in 2010 (2.30). Although shoulder inflammation impacted Johnson’s effectiveness in recent years, now that he’s had bone spurs removed, Padres manager Buddy Black believes he’s worth the risk.

“We are really, really pumped to have Josh here,” Black says. “This guy… potentially brings a lot to the table.”

Byrnes also traded for two hot, yet inexperienced young arms in Jesse Hahn and Alex Torres. Hahn is expected to be a mid-rotation starter. Left-hander Torres is slotted for mid-relief.

“The left-handed reliever is something critical we’ve been looking for,” Byrnes says.

Offensive help was added when left-handed outfielder Seth Smith was acquired via trade for reliever Luke Gregerson. Smith has a career .279 batting average with 65 home runs and 235 RBI versus right-handed pitchers.

“When we were at our best offensively, from the middle of 2012 to the middle of 2013, we had a balance of left and right, guys who could move around, who had power and speed.” Byrnes says. “Smith has done that very well and hopefully he can do that for us.”

While injuries played a major role in last year’s atrocious start (40 – 60), the retooled and currently healthy 2014 Padres have a chance to compete by playing consistent ball. For the team to reach the postseason, the health trend will need to continue, Johnson will need to be nearly as good as he was in 2010, and young players will need to meet expectations.

“The team is looking really good right now, so it is going to be fun,” Johnson says.

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CLOCKWISE (from top left): Joaquin Benoit; Josh Johnson; Alex Torres; Seth Smith; Jesse Hahn.

P U L SE [ARTS]

ART BEAT

March’s museum and gallery openings B y P atricia B . D wyer

3/8-4/6

“Trash Metropolis”

by GMONIK Thumbprint Gallery 920 Kline St., La Jolla 858.354.6294 thumbprintgallerysd.com

“The Unknown” by GMONIK

This painter/drawer/graffiti artist finds inspiration for his graphic imagery in pop culture, urban decay and society’s discarding of the “old.” (continued on page 42)

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pul s e [ arts ]

“Curious Gardens” by Kelly Vivanco

(continued from page 41) “I Really Only Wanted One” by Jan Lord

3/1: “Art in the Garden” The Tear Residence 6112 Waverly Way, La Jolla raystreetartists.com North Park-based Ray Street Artists will showcase their works of varied mediums and styles in this daytime event at a private residence in La Jolla.

3/1-4/27: “Glamour at the End of Time”

by Alexia Markarian Art Produce 3139 University Ave., North Park 619.584.4448, artproduce.org Local jewelry-maker and painter Alexia Markarian will display stereotypically feminine items combined with objects representing the strength of modern womanhood, i.e. high-heeled shoes with blades hidden in the heels.

“Self Defense Pumps” by Alexia Markarian

Still from “Circles”

3/6-3/9: “Film Forward: Advancing Cultural Dialogue” Museum of Photographic Arts 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park 619.238.7559, mopa.org Eight films that explore communities in conflict comprise this traveling series put on by the Sundance Institute. Screenings will be accompanied by moderated discussions and artist roundtables.

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MARCH 2014

3/5-4/5: “Curious Garden” by Kelly Vivanco Art Hatch 317 E. Grand Ave., Escondido 760.781.5779, arthatch.org See playful paintings rooted in the magnificence of childhood as Art Hatch features “one of Escondido’s most beloved artists.”

3/8-3/29: “Edge Conditions” Bread & Salt Main Gallery 1955 Julian Ave., Barrio Logan 619.851.4083 A group of female artists are showing their work to celebrate Women’s History Month.

“I’m Goregous Inside” by Lisa Hutton

3/8-3/29: “Whither Properties”

by Lisa Hutton Not an Exit Gallery (at Bread & Salt) 1955 Julian Ave., Barrio Logan 619.223.5889, lisahutton.net

“History of the World as Told Through Discarded Files on a Desktop” by Jessica Buie

Local artist Lisa Hutton’s simple drawings juxtapose real estate marketing slogans with images of nature.

“Beyond” by Jetter Green

3/8-4/7: “Cosmosis” Visual Shop 3776 30th Ave., North Park 619.501.5585, visualshopsd.com Geometrically inspired psychedelic works by Jetter Green and the surreal art of Teddy Pancake promise to make this an otherworldly exhibition.

3/15: “Art Above San Diego” Porto Vista Hotel 1835 Columbia St., Little Italy 619.544.0164, portovistasd.com See contemporary works by local artists at this free, open-air art fair on the rooftop of Little Italy’s Porto Vista Hotel.

“Portrait of an Artist” by Lauren Siry

BELOW: “Muxima” by Alfredo Jaar.

(Courtesy Galerie Lelong, New York, and the artist.)

3/15-7/8: “Muxima”

by Alfredo Jaar San Diego Museum of Art 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park 619.232.7931, sdmart.org Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar is known for his installations, photographs, video and public projects that often focus on societal themes. Jaar’s short video “Muxima” explores themes of life in Angola. (continued on page 46) MARCH 2014

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GET YOUR CLAN HOME SAFE. FREE RIDES BEGIN WHEN MILLER TIME ENDS.

MARCH 15TH, 2014.

4PM TO MIDNIGHT. VISIT

Horizontal logo with gold drop and no gradation on red

SANDIEGOSHAMROCK.COM FOR DETAILS.

[ p r o m o ti o na l ]

SUNDAY, MARCH 9

SIRO-A The Balboa Theatre goes BOOM! With bass-booming electro beats and on-stage power DJs, Japan’s SIRO-A makes the Blue Man Group look like a bunch of rhythmless Smurfs.

Experience an unforgettable evening of EDM fused with laser lights, mind-blowing optical illusions and cutting-edge live performance technologies as SIRO-A takes the stage for one night only.

Limited engagement. Call 858.459.3728 or visit ljms.org for tickets/info.

[

after party

[

Exclusive, DJ-fueled afterparty at Vin de Syrah.

Hosted Miller Fortune and Hendrick’s Gin cocktails.

Drinks provided by PacificSD for first hour.

Open to ticket-holders only.

Immediately following performance.

San Diego

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pul s e

“Deep Down” by Sonia Lopez-Chavez

[ arts ] (continued from page 43) Transannual Cat

3/21-4/13: “Femme Fatale” TPG2 1475 University Ave., Hillcrest 858.354.6294, thumbprintgallerysd.com Local artists display their moody portraits of feminine figures.

3/22: Transannual Adams Ave., between 32nd and 34th Sts., Normal Heights facebook.com/transannual This “anti-art fair” features what organizers call “Transmedia” (Installation, Sound, Video and New Media) created during the fair by local artists.

“Ephemera” from the collection of Stephen Huyler

3/22-8/17: “A Golden Age of Marketing Design: Huyler’s Pure Delicious Chocolate, 1876-1925” Mingei International Museum 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park 619.239.0003, mingei.org

“Index” by Kenneth Capps

3/22-6/6: Kenneth Capps Oceanside Museum of Art 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside 760.435.3720, oma-online.org Follow accomplished artist Kenneth Capps’ creative path, from his early ink-on-paper works to his current abstract steel sculptures.

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MARCH 2014

“The Green Fan (Girl of Toledo, Spain)” by Robert Henri.

Collection — Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, South Carolina Robert Myers

Magazine ads, cocoa tins and other vintage treasures illustrate the five-decade marketing and advertising design history of a company that was once the nation’s largest chocolate manufacturer.

3/29-9/9: “Spanish Sojourners: Robert Henri and the Spirit of Spain” San Diego Museum of Art 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park 619.232.7931, sdmart.org This will be the first museum exhibition of American painter Robert Henri’s portraits of bullfighters, gypsies and peasants he painted in Spain in the early 1900s.

[ p r o m o ti o na l ]

March 4: Gaslamp Mardi Gras

IN FOR A RIDE? First there was Yellow Submarine (1966).

Then came the Magic Bus (1968).

And who could forget Soul Train (1971)?

The time has come for Rage Rover (2014).

All aboard!

As the Gaslamp Mardi Gras returns to the streets of downtown, PacificSD is already kinda giddy (errr‌ tipsy?) about Rage Rover, the EDM-powered mobile nightclub experience making its San Diego debut in the Fat Tuesday parade.

[

858.270.LIMO (5466) EpicLimo.com San Diego

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DJ Schoeny spinning live.

Laser F/X + Next-Sound bass technology.

Surroundings by Epic Limousine.

Bartender and hosted bar by PacificSD.

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Win tickets to this exclusive party-inside-a-block2party at facebook.com/pacificsd MARCH 2014

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pul s e [ c o o l t u re ]

R I P , PH I L I P S E Y M OU R HO F F M A N ( 1 9 6 7 - 2 0 1 4 ) and Har o l d ramis ( 1 9 4 4 - 2 0 1 4 )

Think Outside the Box Office march motion picture preview B y N ick K n o tt

Particle Fever “With one switch, everything changes.”

Genre: Documentary Director: Mark Levinson In theatres: March 5 Starring: Savas Dimopoulos and Nima Arkani-Hamed This documentary looks at the development and first use of the Large Hadron Collider, which scientists built to recreate a mini Big Bang in hopes of discovering the origin of matter.

300: Rise of an Empire Genre: Drama/Action/ Adventure Director: Noam Murro In theatres: March 7

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Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, Rodrigo Santoro and Eva Green The epic war rages on as young warrior Themistokles rallies all of Greece to fight Xerxes and his massive Persian army.

Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel Xerxes.

Bethlehem “When you’re playing both sides, who do you trust?”

Genre: Mystery/Suspense/ Drama Director: Yuval Adler In theatres: March 7 Starring: Shadi Mar’i and Tsahi Halevy An Iranian Secret Service agent struggles with conflicting loyalties and

MARCH 2014

cultural differences when dealing with his teenage Palestinian informant.

Grand Piano Genre: Mystery/Suspense Director: Eugenio Mira In theatres: March 7 Starring: Elijah Wood and John Cusack After taking a years-long hiatus, a pianist finally faces his stage fright only to find a note that says, “Play one wrong note and you die.”

Awful Nice “Two estranged brothers. One strange trip.”

Genre: Comedy Director: Todd Sklar In theatres: March 7

Starring: Christopher Meloni and Brett Gelman After the passing of their father, two brothers return to their lake house to rebuild it and their relationship.

Need for Speed Genre: Action/Adventure Director: Scott Waugh In theatres: March 14 Starring: Aaron Paul, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi and Dominic Cooper Mechanic Tobey Marshall enters a cross-country car race to save his garage, but things come to a screeching halt when a fellow racer stabs him in the back.

Veronica Mars “She thought she was out.”

Genre: Drama/Mystery/ Suspense Director: Rob Thomas In theatres: March 14 Starring: Kristen Bell, Francis Capra and Tina Majorino Veronica Mars tried to escape her old life, but

a phone call propels her to return to what she left behind.

Bad Words “The end justifies the mean.”

Genre: Comedy Director: Jason Bateman In theatres: March 14 Starring: Jason Bateman and Kathryn Hahn In his feature directorial debut, Jason Bateman stars as a grown man who finagles his way into a national spelling bee to compete ruthlessly against middle schoolers.

Le Week-end Genre: Drama Director: Roger Michell In theatres: March 14 Starring: Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan and Jeff Goldblum A rekindling of love takes a tumultuous turn when a married couple bickers over a lifetime of disappointment during their return trip to Paris.

“ T h e l en g t h o f a fi l m s h o u l d b e direct l y re l ated t o t h e end u rance o f t h e h u man b l adder . ”

— A l fred Hitc h c o ck .

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The Single Moms Club “They had nothing in common except the one thing that mattered most.”

Genre: Drama/Comedy Director: Tyler Perry Release Date: March 14 Starring: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Nia Long and Amy Smart Five single moms form a support group after their children cause trouble at school.

Enemy “You can’t escape yourself.”

Genre: Mystery/Suspense Director: Denis Villeneuve In theatres: March 14 Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal and Mélanie Laurent When a boring history teacher discovers that his identical doppelganger is an actor, he tracks the man down, and their lives become intertwined.

Muppets Most Wanted “Two frogs. One pig. Epic mayhem.”

Genre: Comedy/Family Director: James Bobin In theatres: March 21 Starring: Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey

and Ty Burrell The Muppets travel overseas and get caught up in a European jewel heist spearheaded by a Muppet lookalike.

Sabotage “Leave no loose ends.”

Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Action/ Adventure Director: David Ayer In theatres: March 28 Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington and Terrence Howard Members of an elite DEA task force begin disappearing after raiding a drug cartel’s safe house. As the death toll rises, everyone becomes a suspect.

Noah “The end of the world... is just the beginning.”

Genre: Drama/Classics Director: Darren Aronofsky In theatres: March 28 Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Watson Russell Crowe plays Noah in this classic biblical tale.

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pul s e [ b u siness ]

in good company

San Diego businesses rub elbows with the nation’s rising stars

By Ron Donoho

Of the 700 U.S. companies vying for a spot on Forbes magazine’s 2014 list of “America’s Most Promising Companies,” two San Diego brands made the cut.

“The final assessment is based on growth [sales and hiring], quality of management team and investors, margins, market size and key partnerships,” says J.J. Colao, the list’s lead writer/researcher.

Cheers to Suja, the nation’s fastest-growing cold-pressed juice company, which is poised for 2014 sales of $50 million. Also sitting pretty is PIRCH, a retail chain store that’s been going with the cash flow by letting customers test faucets and other home products before purchasing them.

SUJA JUICE COMPANY When vegan chef Eric Ethan teamed with nutritionist Annie Lawless to create and sell organic juices a few years ago, Ethan made home deliveries to friends and family on his skateboard. Seeing potential in the fledgling company, one of its early customers, Enlightened Hospitality Group CEO James Brennan (Stingaree, Searsucker) brought the project to the

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attention of one of his business partners, Jeff Church.

“The key to Suja juices is that you get the health without the punishment — it’s healthy and it tastes good,” says Church a Harvard MBA best known as being the founder and CEO of Nika Water, which donates all profits to international clean-water initiatives.

When Church first encountered Suja, he recognized an obstacle

MARCH 2014

to growth: its juices spoiled in as little as three days.

“It had no shelf life,” says Church. “So we brought in highpressure processing for pathogen protection, and that gives the juices a shelf life of 40 days.”

In its first year, sales of Suja’s cold-pressed juices surged from small-time to $18 million, a figure projected to nearly triple in 2014.

The meteoric success planted the

company at Number 3 on the Forbes list.

Suja juices come in three lines: Suja Classic, available at Whole Foods Markets for $8.99 per bottle; Suja Elements — juices and smoothies that are paired with social and environmental causes; and Suja Essentials, soon to be available at larger grocery store chains at a lower price-point. sujajuice.com (continued on page 52)

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pul s e [ b u siness ] (continued from page 50)

At PIRCH, ovens get hot, dryers spin, and customers are able to test many products before purchasing them.

PIRCH

What once was a Miramar Road homefurnishings store called Fixtures Living is now PIRCH, a four-location (San Diego, Costa Mesa, Glendale, Rancho Mirage) showroom packed with household fixtures customers can try in-store before purchasing.

“We’re constantly activated,” says the company’s marketing director, Maria Meeuwisse. “The full culinary team is always cooking something. There’s always something you can do in the kitchen, outdoor and bath areas.”

Being able to run water through 30 showerheads, for example, before deciding which one to take home has lured lots of shoppers — up to 5,000 of them a week at the new Westfield UTC store. A Chicago location opens in March; Dallas is slated for 2014; Atlanta is in the works.

The chain saw revenues of $58 million in 2013, which helped it nab the Number 78 spot on Forbes’ 2013 list. Rapid expansion bumped the retailer to Number 32 this year. thepirch.com

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pul s e

MAIN: A 6,000-watt solar power system at a private residence in Escondido.

[ h o me ]

RIGHT: Sullivan Solar Power president Daniel Sullivan oversees the installation of a solar panels at The Port of San Diego.

DOUGH RAY ME San Diegans are cashing-in on sunshine B y J enni f er V i g i l

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ccording to a February report by Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit The Solar Foundation (which promotes the global benefits of solar energy use through research and education), California leads the nation in solar jobs.

“No other state really comes close,” says Daniel Sullivan, president and founder of Sullivan Solar Power.

To say the solar market is heating up is an understatement. Electricity rates in San Diego jumped last year, and state and federal policymakers are offering tax incentives to property owners who

adopt environmentally friendly practices.

Business is good for Sullivan, who says the cost of a typical solar installation has been cut in half, to $24,000, in the decade since he launched his company. That financial accessibility coupled with ever-rising utility bills and continuing tax breaks helped propel the Mira Mesa firm to Number 77 on Inc. magazine’s 2013 list of the nation’s Top 100 fastest-growing energy companies.

Learn more about going solar when The Center for Sustainable Energy hosts March workshops in San Diego and Carlsbad to help homeowners connect with companies like Sullivan’s, which design and install solar systems. energycenter.org/events

Array of Hope Higher power: solar by the numbers

$24,000

Average cost of Sullivan Solar Power’s typical residential solar installations.

$8,000

Approximate federal tax rebate on a $24,000 investment.

$60,000

Amount saved by not paying SDG&E $250 per month for 20 years.

200,000

Number of solar projects (residential, commercial, governmental) in California.

25,000

Number of those projects within SDG&E’s territory, according to Daniel Sullivan, president of Sullivan Solar Power.

$1.7 billion

Amount of rebates paid to homeowners and business-owners statewide in conjunction with the California Solar Initiative, which has a $2.167 billion total budget funded by the state’s public utility customers.

$48 million

Amount of that money that has gone to homeowners in San Diego.

20%

Solar-sector job growth from 2012 to 2013. This number is expected to expand by another 15 percent in 2014.

47,223

Solar jobs held by workers in Southern California.

— Statistics based on data from the Center for Sustainable Energy, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Solar Foundation, californiasolarstatistics.org and gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov.

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MARCH 2014

INSIDE MAN: By adding pops of color — like artwork on your walls or pillows on your sofas — you can brighten up a sectional, a bed or an entire room, quickly, easily and affordably.

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MARCH 2014

Photography by Paul Body

INSIDE MAN:

Styled by Andrea Ross | Hair by Maegan Cooper for A Robert Cromeans Salon Makeup by Lisa G. Artistry, lisagartistry.com Shot on location at Hold It Contemporary Home, Mission Valley, holdithome.com

Interior design commentary by Hold It Contemporary Home lead designer Dwayne Lutringer.

Sittin’ Title-winning California model poised to take national stage

On Cassandra: Lucea dress by BCBG, $298; pave earrings by Roni Blanshay, $300; ring by ABS, $55; all available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales.com.

Shoes by PinkBasis, $29, available at pinkbasis.com.

by ida rosenberg It’s been a great year so far for ballet instructor and San Diego State University student Cassandra Kunze.

At the January 4 state finals of Donald Trump’s Miss USA pageant, the Grossmont High School Graduate and current double-majoring undergrad (Television, Film and New Media; and International Security and Conflict Resolution) was crowned Miss California USA 2014.

“It has been a dream come true,” says Kunze (she goes by “Cassie”).

“Now, I’m aspiring for Miss USA, which seems fantastically out of reach… which is all the more reason to go for it.”

A rising star with stars in her eyes, Kunze says she plans to move to New York City to attend the New York Film Academy if she wins. Her inspiration — Lucille Ball.

“She worked hard her entire life, following her dreams, and became not only one of the first successful comedic actresses, but also the first woman to own a production company,” Kunze says. “It would have been an honor to exchange a few words with her.”

As for what she’d say to Trump if she met him in person?

“Pick me!” she says.

Cassandra On: Dublexo sofa/ sleeper by Innovation, $1,295. Siren stainless table

by Nuevo, $695.

Lotus pillow by Dreamweavers, $79.

Smokey Atmospheres (art) on acrylic, $895.

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On Cassandra: Lucea dress by BCBG, $298; pave earrings by Roni Blanshay, $300; ring by ABS, $55; all available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales.com.

Shoes by PinkBasis, $29, available at pinkbasis.com.

Cassandra On: Muro mirror by Blomus, $248.

INSIDE MAN: Mirrors serve several purposes. They add depth to walls and provide great reflective energy to a home by spreading light and enhancing the visual dynamics of a space, especially when placed perpendicular to a window wall.

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MARCH 2014

INSIDE MAN: Shag rugs are excellent for helping to create an inviting and stylish room. They also give a room richer texture, not to mention a soft place to take a nap.

On Cassandra: Blazer by HOSS Intropia, $326; jeans by Karen Millen, $130; necklace by Aqua, $155; all available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales. com. Patent leather bag by Bebe, $120, available at Bebe Fashion Valley, bebe.com.

Shoes by PinkBasis, $31, available at pinkbasis.com.

Earrings, stylist’s own.

Cassandra On: Zara Shag by Chandra, $865.

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MARCH 2014

film’s Working in conjunction with Quartararo & Associates, Hold It Contemporary Home presents the San Diego Design Film Series, showcasing films — mostly documentaries — about architecture, interiors, art, fashion, urban planning and the like.

Upcoming documentaries (tickets are $15) include:

In No Great Hurry

March 11 at Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park Having risen to fame in his 80s, color photography pioneer Saul Leiter sorts through decades of archives piled high in his overflowing New York apartment.

IN NO GREAT HURRY 13 LESSONS IN LIFE WITH SAUL LEITER

Human Scale

TOMAS LEACH

CHARLIE MARSHALL TRINE PILLAY STEPHAN ERFURT, ALMA ERFURT HOWARD GREENBERG KATE BAIRD JOHNNY RAYNER STEVE GATTI MARK RUSTEMIER MARGIT ERB, TOMAS LEACH TOMAS LEACH

April 8 at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Downtown Danish architect and professor Jan Gehl shows how modern cities repel human interaction and argues that future metropolitan development can take the human need for inclusion and intimacy into account.

The success of the series and its sold-out events thus far prompted organizer Todd Quartararo to create this fall’s upcoming San Diego Design Film Festival.

Certain parts of San Diego “have really developed into a hotbed for creatives and designers,” says Quartararo, who will serve as the October festival’s executive director and also produces the Newport Beach Film Festival. sddesignff.com

INSIDE MAN: Raw textures and materials are invigorating.

Adding warm woods, oxidized metals, soft and fuzzy faux furs and organic wood sculptures to a room helps to create a cozy and relaxing environment.

On Cassandra: Blazer by HOSS Intropia, $326; jeans by Karen Millen, $130; necklace by Aqua, $155; all available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales.com. Shoes by PinkBasis, $31, available at pinkbasis.com. Earrings, stylist’s own.

Bag by Louis Vuitton, stylist’s own.

Cassandra On: Ophelia bedroom in Praline by Mobican. Tibetan Stool, $399. Olympic Wall Hanging by Phillips Collection, $1,395. Thai Air Root, $895.

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On Cassandra: Jacket by Bebe, $160; mesh bootie by Bebe, $149; both available at Bebe Fashion Valley, bebe.com. Leather skirt

by Marc by Marc Jacobs, $548; necklaces by Aqua, $68-$112; all available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales. com. Silver necklace (used as a bracelet) by Cache, $78, available at Cache Fashion Valley, cache.com.

Cassandra On: Dreamweavers pillows, $69-179.

INSIDE MAN: With the right texture, color and spice, one throw pillow can give a dull room zing. Plus, we’re talking design on a dime, so there’s no risk of guilt… just of overcluttering. WARNING: collecting pillows is easier than parting ways with ones you fell in love with way back, even when it’s their time to go.

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INSIDE MAN: With thousands of chair options out there, trying to select the exact right one can be overwhelming.

But it can also be a blast figuring out your own personal style. Fun geometric shapes and brightly colored fabrics get noticed, but there’s nothing wrong with classic black.

On Cassandra: Dress by Marciano, $198, available at Guess Fashion Valley, guess.com. Necklace

by Kate Spade, $68, Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales. com. Bracelets by Glam & Sassy, $28$36, available at glamandsassy.com.

Suede bootie by Bebe, $102, available at Bebe Fashion Valley, bebe.com.

Cassandra On: Chairs by Calligaris.

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angle try

An expert’s perspective on San Diego’s modern residential architecture

B y J e n n i f er V i g il

W

orld-renowned architect Louis Kahn’s Salk Institute in La Jolla is hailed as one of modern architecture’s top achievements.

Thanks in part to PechaKucha ( Japanese for “chit-chat”) — a lecture series wherein the region’s prominent architects and other designers converge to watch colleagues demonstrate their creative approach via six-minute slide shows (20 slides, 20 seconds each) — the conversation on compelling local architecture doesn’t end there.

“There definitely seems like there’s a surge of public interest around the built environment and what kind of an effect it has on us,” says Maxine Ward, president of the San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF), which sponsors the lectures. “Our mission is about promoting the value of excellence in design of the built environment as a whole.”

Since 1980, SDAF has been a key player in helping “to raise the level of awareness of what’s out there in architecture and why it’s important to care,” says Ward.

What’s out there, she explains, is a modern and contemporary aesthetic that reaches beyond San Diego’s monuments and into neighborhoods. To illustrate her point, the esteemed conversation-starter cites these four residential projects as examples of the city’s sublime design.

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BRIAN CH U RCH

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Sema 4

1200 N. Coast Hwy. 101, Leucadia Architect: Brian Church Architecture

• Built in 2012.

• Structures: four mixed-use (live/work), three-bedroom/ three-bathroom, 1,800-square-foot townhomes, each situated above a high-visibility, 375-square-foot retail space and garage.

• Many locals refer to the structures as “sails.”

"This project captures the spirit of the coastal community in a modern way."

• At 19-feet-wide, 30-feet-tall and four feet apart, the houses feel like live-aboard boats.

• The name “Sema 4” is pronounced “semaphore,” the flag system used for maritime communication.

• Sustainable features are numerous and include the nonexistent commute from the store downstairs to the house above.

“It’s tough for architecture in beach communities to be inspired by beach references without being cheesy — think of much of the architecture found in Mission Beach and Pacific Beach — but that’s not so with this project. It’s eye-catching in its form that takes its cue from the hull shape of boats.

The way the natural wood curves to screen the outdoor deck also has a sail-like quality. What you don’t realize from the exterior is that each of these four live/work buildings was designed from the inside out to be compact and efficient, just like a boat. This project captures the spirit of the coastal community in a modern way.” —Maxine Ward

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union 4

2430 Union St., Bankers Hill Architect: Nakhshab Development and Design, Inc.

"By transforming the original building, they made the entire project better."

• Built in 2013.

• Structure: three new units — two two-story lofts, 650 squarefeet each; one single-story penthouse, 1,000 square-feet.

• The historic home (two bedrooms, one bathroom, 1,000 square-feet), of Victorian Working Man Cottage-style, was built in 1888 by Fred W. Osborne, who played a significant role in San Diego’s early development.

• LEED Platinum accreditation, which means the property offers (among other sustainable features) easy access to public transportation, public parks and local shops and restaurants.

• Rooftop solar panels nearly eliminate electric bills.

“Union 4 is thoroughly modern while embracing the historic roots of the surrounding neighborhood.

This is a model for other San Diego infill projects.

When many developers have a site with an existing structure, the tendency is to tear down the old to make way for the new. Not so here. The historic house [built in 1888] has been integrated into the project. By transforming the original building, they made the entire project better. The new building doesn’t try to emulate the historic house, but forms a clean-lined backdrop that allows the transformed house to be the star of the show.” —Maxine Ward

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jewell box

Crown Point, Pacific Beach (private residence, address withheld) Architect: Architects Magnus

"And to top it all off, a large sheltered balcony off the bedroom where you can throw open the doors and feel like you are sleeping outside."

• Built in 2008.

• Single-family residence: four bedrooms, four bathrooms, 2,900 square-feet.

• A rich, tropical hardwood entry screen lends privacy by concealing the main gate and garage door.

• The covered lanai expands open living space to the outdoors, giving the property an expansive, organic feel.

• A roof-deck lounge with a fire pit overlooks Mission Bay. • Bonus room: 1,100 square-foot basement space.

“This house speaks ‘Coastal San Diego’ to me — the expansive glass windows below a floating roof overhang to capture the views and the breezes off the bay while shading the interior; the seamless transition between inside and outside; the compact house footprint while utilizing the outside spaces between parts of the house as outdoor rooms; a sense of privacy while not being fenced off from the surroundings. This is San Diego living. And to top it all off, a large sheltered balcony off the bedroom where you can throw open the doors and feel like you are sleeping outside.” —Maxine Ward

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OPEN-DOOR POLICY

Owners of some of the city’s best examples of cutting-edge residential architecture throw open their doors to the public April 5 for the San Diego Modern Home Tour. “[San Diego’s] integration of architecture with the environment… really makes the architecture stand out,” says James Leasure, co-founder of Modern Home Tour, a Texas-based company that produces similar events in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Seattle, Portland and Santa Fe, among other locales. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 day-of. sandiego.modernhometours.com

GOOD NIGHT

If owning a beachfront mansion seems out of reach, select one for a temporary stay — for a night, a week, a month. All Star Vacation Homes gives regular folks the chance to see how the other half lives by renting roughly 30 luxury residential properties in La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Del Mar. The four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home shown here has panoramic ocean views overlooking the cove in La Jolla, a private backyard and rooftop patio… and a $1,169 nightly price tag (plus tax and security deposit). allstarvacationhomes.com

GLEN COR M IER GLEN COR M IER

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D A V I D HARRISON

Casa Familia

Point Loma (private residence, address withheld) Architect: Kevin deFreitas Architects, AIA

• Built in 2008.

• Single-family residence: four bedrooms (plus a rec. room), three bathrooms, 3,774 square-feet.

• Sustainability features include solar hot water, low-water landscaping, rain water catchment, high level of recycled buildingmaterial content and natural ventilation (no A/C), among others.

• A unique, one-room-wide (18’x90’) floor-plan maximizes the natural light and air each room receives.

"This house is thoroughly modern in both its appearance and its function."

• The 450-square-foot balcony capitalizes on canyon and city views.

• “I built our home with my father, a really terrific experience that will always stay with me.” — Kevin deFreitas, architect

“This house is thoroughly modern in both its appearance and its function. As a highly energy-efficient home, it incorporates many of the green bells and whistles such as rooftop solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and radiant floor heating.

But it also harkens back to a simpler time, using time-tested passive methods of energy conservation such as natural ventilation and strategically placed windows and overhangs.

This family home is located on the site to create a sense of arrival into the central courtyard below the bridge, which connects the house with the separate office and garage. This expansion of the livable space to the exterior between these two parts of the house maximizes the way we can live in our beautiful climate.” —Maxine Ward

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San Diego restaurants invest in a bumper crop of freshness B y D avid N e l s o n / P h o t o s by K A T E A N D M ichae l A uda

When you just can’t go a moment longer without banana flowers, red frill mustard (a green that comes in bunches, not squeeze-bottles), Dragon Tongue beans and perhaps a fistful of cocktail artichokes, turn to one of the 600-plus restaurants that rely upon San Diego’s Specialty Produce. (continued on page 74)

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Cocktail artichokes for sale at Specialty Produce.

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he nationally recognized distributor of exceptional vegetables, greens and fruits grown in sun-drenched Southern California valleys and around nearby Yuma, Arizona, juggles an everchanging, seasonal stock-intrade that keeps local menus blooming with fresh options.

Entrepreneur Bob Harrington founded the La Jolla Produce shop in the 1970s, growing it into Specialty Produce in 1989. His brothers Richard and Roger came aboard as director of purchasing and IT chief.

“We deliver seven days a week and offer sameday service,” says Richard Harrington. “So, any restaurant that realizes at 3:30 p.m. that they’re missing an item, we can get it to them before dinner service.”

Specialty Produce distributes some 50 tons of green stuff weekly. While its selection of items runs into the hundreds, three of the top sellers du jour are Brussels sprouts, Little Gem Romaine lettuce and cocktail artichokes, which appear on the menus at SEA 180°, Sheerwater and Pamplemousse Grille, respectively. Dig in!

Specialty Produce (open to the public) 1929 Hancock St., Ste. 150, Midtown, 619.295.3172, specialtyproduce.com (continued on page 76) ABOVE: Swiss chard at Specialty Produce.

OPPOSITE: Specialty Produce stocks a wide variety of vegetables, leafy greens and fruits.

“We deliver seven days a week and offer same-day service.”

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Sheerwater

ABOVE: Sheerwater’s Caesar Salad with Little Gem Romaine.

LEFT: Outdoor seating at Sheerwater.

Chef Chuck Watson Specialty Produce: Little Gem Romaine Dish: Caesar Salad Of the 750 to 1,400 guests who enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner daily at Hotel Del Coronado’s spacious Sheerwater restaurant, about 50 typically order Caesar salad.

Guaranteeing that each is picture-perfect falls to chef Chuck Watson, born in far-off Alaska but a pro at presenting a famous dish introduced in nearby Tijuana nearly a century ago.

The trick lies in using fancy Little Gem Romaine, of which Specialty Produce delivers two or more cases daily. “It’s sturdy, it’s hearty, it has a nice flavor to it,” says Watson. “Little Gem makes for a nice presentation and really sets off the salad.” Watson’s crew carefully crafts croutons and a sauve dressing to make this jewel of a salad sparkles. (continued on page 78) Sheerwater 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado 619.522.8866, hoteldel.com 76

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MARCH 2014

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Pamplemousse Grille

Chef Jeffery Strauss Specialty Produce: Cocktail Artichokes Dish: Cocktail Artichoke Risotto Known for elegant catering as well as the luxury dishes that populate his moverand-shaker-packed restaurant near the Del Mar racetrack, chef/restaurateur Jeffrey Strauss is among Specialty Produce’s most prominent boosters.

“In 35 years of cooking, I have never worked with a company more service-friendly than Specialty,” says Strauss. “There are days when they send four different delivery trucks, which is huge in this business. What sold me on S.P. was the other year, when we had the power outage [Southern California went dark on September 9, 2011], they sent refrigerated vans to clients all around the area to save our perishables.”

Strauss, a classically trained chef with a distinctly creative side, likes to use Specialty Produce’s diminutive and tender “cocktail” artichokes in several ways, including poached in white wine sauce and finished in pan-roasted fish juices to garnish prime baramundi. His fans rave over another innovation, for which finely sliced cocktail ’chokes are quickly browned in hot olive oil, and then folded into risotto garnished with scampi.

“People ask for seconds,” says Strauss. Who wouldn’t? (continued on page 80) Pamplemousse Grille 514 Via de la Valle, Ste. 100, Solana Beach 858.792.9090, pgrille.com

ABOVE: Pan Roasted Baramundi at Pamplemousse Grille.

BELOW: Pamplemousse’s cocktail artichoke risotto.

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februar M A R C H 2 y0 1240 1 4

B R E A K FA S T

LUNCH

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24 HOURS A DAY

The Restaurant That Never Sleeps™

E St

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6th Ave

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ABOVE: Brian’s Big Breakfast Sandwich BELOW: (clockwise from top left): Gaslamp Power Breakfast, Nutty Chicken Salad, Chicken & Waffle, Carne Asada Fries

F St

Daily Happy Hour (Full Bar) 4 p.m.—7 p.m. $3 16-ounce draft beers $4 well drinks $5 food specials Lunch Specials, $9.99 Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

828 Sixth Avenue

|

Gaslamp Quarter

|

619.702.8410

MARCH 2014

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CLOCKWISE (from top): Outdoor seating at SEA 180°Coastal Tavern; Dome Valley Fields in Yuma, Arizona; SEA 180°’s FireRoasted Brussels Sprouts.

[ D I N I N G OU T ] (continued from page 78)

SEA 180° Coastal Tavern

Chef Jack Fisher Specialty Produce: Brussels Sprouts Dish: Fire-Roasted Brussels Sprouts Fire-Roasted Brussels Sprouts appear as a side dish at Cohn Restaurant Group’s new SEA 180° Coastal Tavern on the sand in Imperial Beach. “Every day I walk through the dining room and get raves about the Brussels sprouts,” says SEA 180° chef Jack Fisher, a lifelong IB resident and former professional body-boarder.

The sprouts are grilled to provide a smoky finish and a lightly charred exterior.

“This dish depends on the sauce,” says Fisher. “It has that sweet-sour aspect that people really like. The sweet is from orange blossom honey, the sour from dark Balsamic vinegar.” Shavings of ham cured and smoked in-house lend a crisp, savory accent.

SEA 180° Coastal Tavern 800 Seacoast Dr., Imperial Beach 619.631.4949, cohnrestaurants.com/sea180

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Lettuce Entertain You Turning over a new leaf… from Arizona

By Lee Allen

Farms in Yuma County, Arizona, are so close to San Diego eateries that the field-to-table freshness can almost be hand-delivered. With the nation’s longest growing season, Yuma County is the winter lettuce capital of the world, supplying a whopping 90 percent of the nation’s leafy vegetables between November and March.

Something interesting is always growing on Yuma’s 230,000 acres (about 160 square miles) of agricultural land, which includes 100,000 acres devoted to romaine and head lettuce in addition to the space used for broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, watermelon, cantaloupe and various citrus products.

More than 45,000 workers harvest the fields and during peak production months, when each of the area’s nine production facilities cranks out more than two million pounds of lettuce every day.

“Most every restaurant in every city across the nation probably serves Yuma lettuce — and spinach and arugula and mache — at this time of year,” says Ann Walker with the Visit Yuma organization.

Specialty Produce, located at the foot of Mission Hills, is a San Diego distribution center for Yuma lettuce. To see lettuce-growing action in real-time, attend the Yuma Lettuce Days festival, March 1 and 2. visityuma.com

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5)&*/4-*%&34% $0.

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ALL RISE It’s time to make flatbread, not loaf around

R ecipe and ph o t o s

by B rand o n M at z ek

W

ith a rosemaryflecked, burnishedgold finish, this Roasted Garlic Focaccia’s dimpled surface glistens with rich olive oil and tiny crystals of crunchy sea salt. Each bite is heaven for garlic-lovers. (continued on page 84)

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[ ADVERTISEMENT] The Monk’s Stone Pot: a superheated stone pot filled with rice and seasoned veggies, topped with an over-easy egg and drizzled with house-made hot sauce. Add a variety of delicious toppings including marinated beef, tofu and kimchi.

East Village Asian Diner The newest location of the popular East Village Asian Diner is now open in Hillcrest.

With 12 beers on tap and a nice selection of sake, you will find plenty of options to quench your thirst and your appetite.

406 University Ave., Ste. B, Hillcrest, 619.220.4900 628 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.753.8700 eateastvillage.com, facebook.com/eastvillageasiandiner

Tenderloin Bites: Beef tenderloin brochettes, grilled then sautéed in garlic butter, sprinkled with bleu cheese crumbles and green onions, served atop waffle cut sweet potato fries.

THE BAR KEY Despite being tucked away on Turquoise Street in North Pacific Beach, The Bar Key has charming red windows that can’t be missed.

Come by Tuesday night (get here early to grab a seat) to meet new friends and play trivia (8 – 10 p.m.). Or stop in any day of the week to play table games like Jenga and Cards Against Humanity.

Be sure to ask the bartender about the daily tap — there’s always one available for only $4.

954 Turquoise St., Pacific Beach, 858.488.8200, barkeypb.com MARCH 2014

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ocaccia, a classic Italian bread, is characterized by its light, chewy texture, golden crust and rich flavor that sings with notes of yeast and olive oil. The surface is often dotted to allow olive oil to absorb into the center of the bread.

In this recipe, olive oil is infused with a whole head of garlic. The resulting roasted garlic oil is then used to flavor the dough, and the roasted garlic cloves are scattered on top before baking.

Fresh, fragrant rosemary complements the roasted garlic, while flakey sea salt provides tasty pops of flavor and texture.

Only slightly more ambitious than pizza dough, focaccia is a simple introduction to the world of breadmaking. With the right equipment and some basic ingredients, you’ll be preparing delicious homemade bread in no time. This recipe can take 3.5 to 4 hours to complete (most of that time is devoted to inactive tasks like resting, rising and infusing), so plan accordingly.

y eacs ipe:

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Roasted Garlic Focaccia Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil 1 large head of garlic, cut in half widthwise 1 envelope (2 1/4 tsps.) active dry yeast (not rapid rising) 1 3/4 cups warm water 4 cups white flour 2 tsp. fine-grain sea salt Just under 2 tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh rosemary (from 3 – 4 sprigs) Flakey sea salt

Process Infuse. Preheat oven to 300°F and place a rack in middle of oven.

Place olive oil in small baking dish or oven-safe bowl. Add garlic halves (cut-side down), cover tightly with foil, and then transfer to oven. Cook until garlic is tender and golden (45 minutes to 1 hour). Pour roasted garlic oil through a mesh strainer into a clean bowl. Carefully remove roasted garlic cloves from skin and reserve. Discard other solids. Let roasted garlic oil cool completely before using.

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Proof and Mix. Rinse bowl of a stand mixer with warm water, dry, and then add yeast. Cover with 1 3/4 cups warm water, gently stirring to dissolve yeast. Let sit for 3 – 5 minutes, until mixture starts to foam.

Using dough hook attachment, start mixer on low, and then add flour, salt and 2 tablespoons roasted garlic oil.

When dough starts to come together, increase mixer speed to medium.

Stop mixer periodically to scrape dough off hook. Mix until dough is smooth and a little sticky (8 – 10 minutes).

march 2 0 1 4

Rest and Rise. Add 2 teaspoons of roasted garlic oil to a large bowl, and then add ball of dough. Turn dough in bowl to coat it in oil. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel, and then place in a warm spot so it can double in size (about 1 hour 45 minutes). Add 1 teaspoon of roasted garlic oil to a rimmed baking sheet, spreading it around bottom and sides. Uncover and punch down dough, and then place on baking sheet. Carefully stretch dough out to sides of pan.

Cover with a tea towel, and then let rest in a warm spot for 30 minutes.

While dough is resting, preheat oven to 450°F. Dimple, Dot and Bake. Uncover dough, and dimple with roastedgarlic-oil-greased fingertips. Brush surface with more roasted garlic oil, and then dot with reserved roasted garlic cloves. Sprinkle surface with fresh rosemary and a few pinches of flakey sea salt. Place in oven, and then immediately reduce heat to 375°F. Bake until golden brown (20 – 25 minutes). Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before eating.

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Old Town Liquor & Deli sells 700 varieties of tequila.

bottle service

Drinks for the house (not on the house), from the pint of no return to the supreme quart B y Frank S abatini J r . / P h o t o s by S ara N o rris

G

one are the days when neighborhood liquor stores were best regarded for their inventories of Boone’s Farm wines, bottled screwdrivers (remember Tango?) and boxed sets of Black Velvet whiskey perched regally on top shelves. Today, scores of retail booze outlets (like the five included here) pay greater respect to the ol’ brown bag by carrying the latest and greatest releases from distilleries, vineyards and breweries – not to mention the requisite munchies needed for soaking them up.

Old Town Liquor & Deli 2304 San Diego Ave., Ste. C, Old Town 619.291.4888, zeetequila.com Owner Zack Romaya has amassed a dizzying inventory of tequila that tops off at 700 varieties, giving indecisive customers reason to regroup over a sandwich and deviled eggs from the store’s deli.

Nestled within the selection is Casa Dragones, a fine, small-batch tequila contained in skullembossed crystal bottles designed by acclaimed Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco. They sell for $1,699 apiece. But patrons on a budget throwing shot parties need not fear, because prices on other palatable brands drop to $20 a bottle. The shelves also hold high and low-end champagnes, whiskeys, cognacs, Ports and Sherries. (continued on page 88) 86 PACIFICSANDIEGO.com PACIFICSANDIEGO.com Mmarch 86 A R C H 22001144

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Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido.

Holiday Wine Cellar

Mixon Liquor and Deli

302 W. Mission Ave., Escondido 760.745.1200, holidaywinecellar.com

1427 First Ave., Downtown 619.232.8665, mixonliquordeli.com

Having grown to 4,000 labels since the place opened in 1965, the wine collection at this family-run store in Escondido is worthy of a museum exhibit. The inventory encompasses everything from affordable domestic and Moroccan wines to one of the world’s rarest pinot noirs — Domaine Romanee Conti from Burgundy, France. On the low end, there’s Boones Farm and Lancers, “but we don’t stoop to Mogen David 20/20,” says manager Jim Kern. (For “Mad Dog” diehards, the store sells retro, leather bota bags for toting the cheap stuff around.) Equipped with an underground cellar for private parties, the 8,000-square-foot store also flaunts a formidable selection of tequilas and single-malt Scotches, the latter of which include a $2,500 bottle of The Last Drop, distilled in 1960.

Established in 1933 by “Grandpa Mixon,” this store was issued one of the first liquor licenses for offpremise (non-bar) spirits in San Diego after Prohibition. It moved from Little Italy to Downtown in the 1940s and remains in the family four generations later.

In addition to a deli that slings breakfast fare and well-endowed sandwiches, the store has a booze collection embodying everything from high-end bourbons and tequilas to cheap vodkas and familiar wines and beers. Many of the liquors are sold in near-extinct half-pint bottles, which cater to a wildly diverse downtown clientele that excludes neither the judges from the nearby courthouse nor the alleged pepetrators who stand before them. (continued on page 90)

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Servall Liquor 1279 University Ave., Hillcrest 619.692.3225, servall-liquor.com What started in 1939 as a grocery market specializing in cheese eventually morphed into a liquor store during the late ’70s. Now, Servall is undergoing another change, one that will bombard beer connoisseurs (perhaps by April) with 2,500 choices stretching across a few lengthy aisles and into an existing walk-in cooler. Already, the store carries a sturdy payload of craft beers (local and imported), along with nearly 150 types of vodka and premium liquors. Crowning the top shelf are jewels such as Johnny Walker Odyssey triple-malt scotch ($1,600) and Louis XIII cognac ($3,000). Speaking further to our sinful indulgences are cigars, meat jerky and a vast selection of Sathers candies hanging from the front counter.

KNB Wine Cellars 6380 Del Cerro Blvd., Del Cerro 619.286.0321, knbwinecellars.com The 20-foot-high wall of liquor at the entrance confirms that KNB is much more than a wine depot. The six-year-old store, which features a bistro and brewery, spans 5,500 square-feet and carries thousands of diverse spirits, including some that have been long celebrated in countries abroad: Aquavit from Norway; Arak from Lebanon; and the colorless, fruity brandy, Eau Ve Vie from Switzerland. Appeasing the mixology community is a large selection of bitters and liqueurs that lead to copious wines hailing from vineyards around the world, including Mexico’s Guadalupe Valley. Owned by Tony Konja, founder of the Keg-N-Bottle franchise, this one-stop-shop emporium also spotlights beers on tap and in bottles.

KNB Wine Cellars in Del Cerro.

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DECISIONS]

John Legend S

3/20 @ Pechanga Resort & Casino, pechanga.com 3/23 @ Balboa Theatre, sandiegotheatres.org inger-songwriter/musical badass John Legend’s August release Love in the Future scored a nomination for Best R&B Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. Legend didn’t take home the gold, but he did (presumably) take home his wife, model Chrissy Teigen, who inspired the song “All of Me,” which he performed at the Awards.

Number 25 on Legend’s list of “25 Things You Don’t Know About Me,” as told to US Magazine: “I have red wine backstage, but I almost never drink it, because it’s not great for my voice. When I’m off tour, I try to make up for lost time.” (continued on page 94)

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Common KINGS House of Blues houseofblues.com

This pop rock foursome will tour with Rebelution later this spring.

MARCH concert calendar

Sounds Like a Plan

3/2

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Dum Dum GIRLS The Casbah casbahmusic.com

These indie pop ladies will perform at the South by Southwest music festival in Texas mid-March.

3/1: G-Eazy @ SOMA, somasandiego.com Oakland-raised rapper who has opened for Drake, Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg.

3/3: Childish Gambino @ SDSU Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu Hip-hop artist whose album, Because the Internet, dropped in December.

3/5: Gary Numan @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com New wave rocker most known for his 1979 hit “Cars.”

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3/5: Walk Off the Earth @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com This indie rock band’s YouTube cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” went viral in 2012 and currently has more than 150 million views.

3/6: We Butter the Bread with Butter @ SOMA, somasandiego.com German deathcore band on a North American tour with Honour Crest and Lions Lions.

march 2 0 1 4

3/6: Johnny Gill @ Sycuan Casino, sycuan.com R&B singer still riding the mild success of being Bobby Brown’s replacement in boy band New Edition some 30 years ago.

3/6: Railroad Earth @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com Americana rockers touring to promote their new album, Last of the Outlaws, which dropped in January. (continued on page 96)

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(continued from page 94)

3/7: The Ataris @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com The Spider Man 2 soundtrack features this indie punk band’s song “The Night that the Lights Went Out in NYC.”

3/9: Scale the Summit @ Soda Bar, sodabarmusic.com Progressive metal instrumentalists touring with The Ocean Collective, The Atlas Moth and Silver Snakes.

3/14: Umphrey’s McGee @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com These progressive rockers played the first Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2002.

3/7: KRS-One @ Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, 207sd.com This rapper from The Bronx, N.Y., formed the Stop The Violence Movement following the death of his friend DJ Scott La Rock in 1987.

3/12: Yo-Yo Ma @ Copley Symphony Hall, sandiegosymphony.org This 15-time Grammy Awardwinning cellist performed for Presidents Eisenhower and J.F.K. when he was seven years old.

3/14: Andre Nickatina @ UCSD Porter’s Pub, porterspub.com San Francisco rapper on his Smoke-a-Thon Birthday Run tour (his birthday is March 11).

3/8: Shpongle @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com Psychedelic electronica duo from across the pond.

3/14: Cultura Proféctica @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com Puerto Rican band that performs reggae en español.

Pechanga Resort & Casino, pechanga.com Mainstream ’80s rock band known for hit songs “The Power of Love,” “The Heart of Rock & Roll” and many others.

3/15

We Are The In CROWD SOMA, somasandiego.com

This pop punk band released its sophomore album, Weird Kids, on February 18. (continued on page 98)

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G. Love and Special SAUCE

House of Blues, houseofblues.com

(continued from page 96)

3/15: Metal Church @ Ramona Mainstage, ramonamainstage.com Heavy metalers on a North American tour.

3/15: Ronnie Milsap @ Sycuan Casino, sycuan.com Country singer who produced pop-crossover hits long before Taylor Swift’s egg hatched.

3/16: Kenny Rogers @ Pechanga Resort & Casino, pechanga.com The country crooner keeps up with long-time pal Dolly Parton — one nip/tuck at a time.

3/19: St. Vincent @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com Songs from this indie rocker have been featured in The Twilight Saga soundtracks.

3/23

Hip-hop band touring to promote its new album, Sugar, dropping April 22.

3/20: Bayside @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com Punk rockers straight outta Brooklyn, New York.

3/20: Big Sean @ FLUXX, fluxxsd.com Hip-hop singer-songwriter who has collaborated with Kanye West, Pharrell, John Legend and many others.

3/21: Stick to Your Guns @ SOMA, somasandiego.com This hardcore punk band’s album Diamonds peaked at No. 30 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart in 2013.

3/22: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com Soul/funk lead singer Sharon Jones sang a duet, “Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes),” with Michael Bublé on his Crazy Love album.

London GRAMMAR House of Blues, houseofblues.com

Jem Goulding

Electronica pop trio who performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in January.

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3/22: Kings of Leon @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre, chulavistaboxoffice.com Alt. rockers most recognized for their 2008 hits “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody.”

3/22: Magic 92.5 Spring Jam @ Valley View Casino Center, valleyviewcasinocenter.com Doug E. Fresh hosts this R&B takeover with performances by Keith Sweat, Dru Hill, Jon B. and Guy. 3/23: Memphis May Fire @ SOMA, somasandiego.com Metalcore rockers headlining the Unconditional world tour to support their new album of the same name.

3/23: Lady Antebellum @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre, chulavistaboxoffice.com This country trio became an overnight success with their 2007 hit “Love Don’t Live Here.”

3/25-26: Reverend Horton Heat @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com Songs from these rockabilly boys have been used in several video games, including Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and Guitar Hero II. 3/28: Creedence Clearwater Revisited @ Pala Casino, palacasino.com When two former Creedence Clearwater Revival members formed this rock band in 1995, they had no intention of playing for the public. Now, they average 100 performances per year.

3/28: The Used @ House of Blues, houseofblues.com Alt. rockers on the road (with Taking Back Sunday) to promote their upcoming album, Imaginary Enemy, slated for release in April.

3/30: ZZ Top @ Pechanga Resort & Casino, pechanga.com Billy Gibbons (this Southern rock band’s lead singer/guitarist) joined Will Ferrell, Beck and Ben Harper to perform Lynrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird” on Conan O’Brien’s final episode of The Tonight Show.

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3/1: Com Truise @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com Electro funk musician touring to promote his new EP, Wave 1, released February 18.

3/1: Moguai @ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com This German house DJ was one of the first to create an album on deadmau5’s label.

3/8: Ferry Corsten @ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com Dutch progressive trance remixer who’s made DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list for the past eight years running.

3/8: Ayah Marar @ Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, 207sd.com This pop dance singer-songwriter is the female vocalist on Calvin Harris’ recent smash, “Thinking About You.” 3/11: Rüfüs @ Bang Bang, bangbangsd.com Indie dance trio from Sydney, Australia.

3/13: GTA @ Bang Bang, bangbangsd.com Floridian duo that opened for Rihanna last year on her Diamonds world tour.

3/19: NERVO @ FLUXX, fluxxsd.com These progressive house twin sisters co-wrote David Guetta’s Grammy Award-winning single, “When Love Takes Over.”

3/20: Dyro and Grandtheft @ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com Big-room electro DJ Dyro is most known for his collaboration with Hardwell on the hit release “Never Say Goodbye.”

3/21: Cash Cash @ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com EDM trio enjoying recent success with the single “Take Me Home,” featuring Bebe Rexha.

3/22: Designer Drugs @ Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, 207sd.com Dubstep trance artists expected to drop their sophomore album, The Drugs Are In Control, on March 10.

3/22: Annie Mac @ Bang Bang, bangbangsd.com Electro house DJ and Friday night radio personality on the U.K.’s BBC Radio 1.

3/23: Hardwell @ Petco Park, ticketfly.com This progressive house producer was DJ Mag’s No. 1 DJ for 2013.

3/6

DJ Snake FLUXX, fluxxsd.com

Grammy-nominated hip-hop/electro producer climbing the charts with his current hit, “Turn Down For What” featuring Lil Jon.

3/23: Fedde Legrand @ Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s Wintervention, interventionsd.com Electro house megastar from the Netherlands.

3/29: Eddie Halliwell @ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com Tiesto says this trance/ techno beat-maker is a legend.

Candyland & Kill Paris 3/15 Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com

Electro dubstep and funk alliance on the North American Killer Fro tour.

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THE UGLY TRUTH Honest answers from a dancing bartender ph o t o s by J e f f “ T urb o ” C o rri g an

G

retchen Alfonso has two feet on the ground... unless she’s at work.

The 30-year-old from the Bay Area (she lives in downtown San Diego now) recently landed a gig at the new Coyote Ugly Saloon in the Gaslamp, where she tends bar — when she’s not dancing on top of it with her coworkers, just like in the movie Coyote Ugly.

The 2000 film was based on the original Coyote Ugly Saloon, which founder Liliana Lovell opened in New York in 1993.

Today, Lil’s Ugly, Inc. operates more than a dozen locations, and Alfonso seems jazzed about working at the newest one.

PacificSD: Did you have dance experience before coming to Coyote Ugly?

Gretchen Alfonso: I was a break-dancer and love to freestyle.

I also do go-go dancing in L.A. and San Diego.

Describe the hiring process.

Scary and so nerve-wracking.

There were so many girls trying out, and I didn’t think the owner, Lil, liked me at all. She made me break dance in cowboy boots.

Why were you selected?

My dancing, and I’m awesome.

Was the training very rigorous?

Exhausting. We’ve been practicing nonstop, for 8 to 10 hours a day. You have to learn quick or you’ll never keep up.

What excites you most about being a Coyote Ugly bartender?

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You can be who you are at Coyote Ugly; it’s not stuffy. Everyone is an individual, and it is super fun. You can also act like a badass, even if you aren’t.

What’s the hardest part of the job?

Making sure you don’t slip and fall off the bar.

“ i kicked s o me o ne ’ s drink [ o ff t h e b ar ] at o u r Grand O p enin g . O o p s ! P l u s side : t h e g l ass didn ’ t b reak . “

What’s your favorite part of the job?

I get to dance on a bar and feed people booze; that’s tough not to love. I also love being loud, obnoxious and putting on a show.

Have things ever gotten really ugly?

I kicked someone’s drink [off the bar] at our Grand Opening.

Oops! Plus side: the glass didn’t break.

Coyote Ugly 820 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp 619.308.8459 coyoteuglysaloon.com

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ce joke. two- senten an r o e n o a Tell u call : What do yo all shot?

M EG H EN reb mb and a fi Irish car bo ? n o r. Too so Paul Walke Bieber’s life. in st Ju : N RYA

BUT SERIOUSLY, FOLKS… A steamy blind date and a stand-up guy B y D avid P er l o f f / P h o t o s by B revin B l ach

S

ome blind dates are funny; others are sexy. (The train wrecks are the most fun to watch.) When they’re both, everyone wins — including the BFFs who hear about it the next day. Hopefully, this evening’s would-be romantic adventure will produce lasting memories, or at least good stories tomorrow.

Tonight, blind daters Meghen and Ryan are cruising town in the Epic Limo that picked them up at home less than an hour ago and is about to drop them off at Coin-Op Game Room, a cool new bar/ restaurant/arcade in North Park. Before they arrive for dinner and video games, let’s review the pre-date interviews.

PacificSD: Where are you from and where do you live now?

MEGHEN: I’m from Vacaville, California [near San Francisco]. I currently live in Point Loma.

RYAN: Grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and currently residing in Little Italy.

What do you do for a living?

MEGHEN: I’m a hair and makeup artist.

RYAN: Live.

What do you do for fun?

MEGHEN: I’m adventurous. I’ll play any sport, hike and attempt surfing.

RYAN: Everything is fun. I’m never bored.

What are you best at?

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MEGHEN: Awkward moments.

RYAN: Having more fun than everyone else.

What are you looking for in a date, physically and/or otherwise?

MEGHEN: Easy on the eyes and humorous.

RYAN: Outgoing, spontaneous.

Oh, and being pretty is always nice.

Describe your special brand of sex appeal in five words or less.

MEGHEN: Disheveled girl next door.

RYAN: Girls in yoga pants.

Rate yourself on a scale from one to 10 for looks.

MEGHEN: Ten.

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RYAN: P. Y. T. [“Pretty Young Thing,” the Michael Jackson song.]

Rate yourself on a scale from one to 10 for personality.

MEGHEN: Ten. It’s my best quality.

RYAN: What’s pi, 3.14? Sounds about right.

What’s your biggest fear?

MEGHEN: Seeing someone I love in pain.

RYAN: There’s nothing a little whiskey can’t fix.

What traits could your date exhibit that would be complete deal-breakers?

MEGHEN: Dull personality.

RYAN: Indecision. Thank god you guys picked the places for us.

Fill in the blanks: I want my blind date to be “blank” and “blank.”

MEGHEN: A stud and hilarious.

RYAN: Witty and pretty.

Why are you going on a PacificSD blind date?

MEGHEN: Free dinner.

RYAN: Well, I’ve got Tinder down to a science, so I figure I’d try something new.

Will the night end with a kiss, something more or something less?

MEGHEN: Probably not.

RYAN: Hopefully we just party all night and open the Silver Fox at 6 a.m. (continued on page 108)

THANK YOU! Epic Limo, 858.270.LIMO(5466) epiclimo.com

GLASSES UP TO RESPONSIBLE DRINKING. TULLAMORE DEW IRISH WHISKEY®, 40% Alc./Vol. (80 Proof) ©2013 Imported by William Grant & Sons, Inc. New York, NY.

FACEBOOK.COM/TULLAMOREDEW

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time for change A quarter for your thoughts?

W

hen the daters arrive and order cocktails at the bar, they seem to be hitting it off — laughing while they talk, making lots of eye contact, sitting close. After they’ve had a chance to kill a couple plates of sliders and an order of bacon-topped popcorn, they grab their guns and a roll of quarters and get ready to kill wild game in Big Buck Safari, one of Coin-Op’s Old School video games.

Signs of physical affection begin to appear as the couple gets back into the limo for the ride downtown to see Tommy Davidson (In Living Color, Ace Ventura) perform live at American Comedy Company. When they pull up to the crowded venue 15 minutes later, they’re split for mid-date debriefings.

PacificSD: How’s it going so far?

MEGHEN: Wonderful, it’s going great. It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Very handsome.

RYAN: It’s great. She’s a lot of fun; she’s cute. I’m having a blast.

What were your first impressions?

MEGHEN: Funny and easy to talk to, and those were the couple things that I was actually hoping for.

RYAN: Meghen was super cute, really fun, really talkative, totally in the moment and having a good time.

Is this the type of person you’d normally date?

MEGHEN: I guess, yeah. I go for funny and charming guys. He’s very attractive, handsome, and his style is on-point. That’s something that intrigues me. I dig it.

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RYAN: Yes. Based on looks, absolutely. Personality, she’s killing it, but it’s still only been a couple hours.

How was Coin-Op Game Room?

MEGHEN: Coin-Op is awesome.

It’s more of a bar style, but quality good food. I really like that. Their sirloin sliders were awesome.

The video games are pretty rad: Street Fighter, The Simpsons.

And the racecar game out front… awesome.

RYAN: Coin-Op’s a great place; it was fun. The guys that run the place are really cool, and the cocktails are awesome. Being able to play some games I haven’t played since I was a little kid was a lot of fun. We had a good time.

What did you eat and drink there?

MEGHEN: Sliders and some

MARCH 2014

popcorn, and then we had the Foxy Brown, a bourbon martini with Fernet and lemon.

RYAN: We had a couple sliders and the little gourmet popcorn that they did. We also had some of their craft cocktails. Everything there was awesome.

What would your parents say if you brought your date home?

MEGHEN: “He has so many tattoos!”

RYAN: My parents would love her.

She’s great. She likes to talk, my mom likes to talk. They’d probably just get lost in conversation… and I’d go have a beer.

Rate your date on a scale from one to 10 for looks.

MEGHEN: Ten. RYAN: I like to put things in a binary scale. It’s either Yes or No. I’m gonna go with Yes, and

I’ll throw in a side-note that she’s extremely pretty.

How about for personality?

MEGHEN: Ten. RYAN: Fifteen.

Do you want to kiss your date now?

MEGHEN: I want to suck his face. No, I’m just kidding.

RYAN: Yeah, let’s bring on the limo.

Does your date want to kiss you?

MEGHEN: I don’t think so. I think it’s more of a casual thing right now.

RYAN: Absolutely, let’s bring on the limo. (continued on page 110) THANK YOU! Coin-Op Game Room 3926 30th St., North Park 619.255.8523, coinopsd.com

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(continued from page 108)

YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING The blind daters are joking, lying or forgetful

M

eghen and Ryan are sitting by the stage side at American Comedy Company in the Gaslamp. When the opening act finishes her routine and introduces headliner Tommy Davidson, the crowd goes wild.

Davidson kills it, performing prepared material and interacting with the crowd, including the blind daters. About 20 minutes into the performance, a man in the audience moves from the back of the room to an empty seat in the front row, which catches Davidson’s and Meghen’s attention.

Davidson (to man): Where did you come from?

Man: I got an upgrade.

Davidson (to crowd): I’m scared of white dudes.

Meghen: He’s not white.

Davidson: Well, what is he when the police pull him over?

Davidson’s 60-minute set is punctuated by nonstop bursts of laughter. A bunch of fans stick around for autographs and photo-ops after the lights come on. Meanwhile, Meghen is sitting on Ryan’s lap, kissing his neck while the two wait for their chance to meet the celeb. Too cute!

After a sexy on-stage photo shoot, the magazine crew finally leaves the daters alone for the rest of the evening. The next morning, we call to see what we missed.

PacificSD: What did you think of Tommy Davidson’s performance?

MEGHEN: He was great, hilarious man.

RYAN: Apparently better than my performance, because he got my date’s number before me.

What was it like being onstage with him after the show?

MEGHEN: He was even better

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in a candid conversation. I was able to get some awesome photos.

RYAN: We were on stage with him after the show? That picture is going to be hilarious.

What happened after the magazine crew left you alone?

MEGHEN: Ryan and I closed the comedy club down. We stayed and hung out with the comics.

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RYAN: I was hoping one of you guys had the answer to this question.

When did you get home?

MEGHEN: My roommates tell me around 1:30 a.m.

RYAN: Sometime before the Silver Fox opened. That’s upsetting.

Describe the experience in the Epic Limo.

MEGHEN: The limo was great, nicely stocked to take the nerves off. We started our date with a Coors toast.

RYAN: Limos are always a blast.

We could have driven in circles all night and we both wouldn’t have noticed or cared… until we ran out of booze. (continued on page 112)

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Was there a kiss or romantic exchange?

MEGHEN: No, there wasn’t any romance. We were both a little sauced to be smooching.

RYAN: I’m going to have to ask the Magic 8 Ball for this one.

MEGHEN: Let’s see… a very good-looking man picks you up in a limo with flowers and beer inhand. I’ll go with that.

RYAN: The part when she had zero concern for me playing punk rock in the limo all night.

What two things would you change about your date to make the person a better fit for you?

MEGHEN: Water in between shots.

RYAN: Oh, way to try and throw me in the lion’s den, Pacific Mag.

What was the worst part of the date?

MEGHEN: I didn’t have a bad time at all. It was all great.

RYAN: When she ate all the bacon off the popcorn.

What was the best part of the date?

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Will there be a second date?

MEGHEN: I hope so.

RYAN: As long as she doesn’t eat all the bacon or ask to play DJ.

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AFTERMATCH: During the mid-date break, Meghen said, “I want to suck his face,” followed by, “No, I’m just kidding.” About an hour later, she actually did suck his face, literally (see bottom left photo). When asked about a kiss the next day, she said, “No, there wasn’t any romance. We were both a little sauced to be smooching.” Maybe she meant no romance in the limo? Or perhaps she forgot about the smooching at American Comedy Company.

Ryan’s memory may be on the fritz, too. He claims to forget being on-stage and, regarding the kiss, said, “I’m going to have to ask the Magic 8 Ball for this one.”

Yet somehow he remembers that Tommy Davidson got Meghen’s phone number before he did (whatever that means). Weird.

Even the PacificSD blind daters who don’t have convenient amnesia often try to steal kisses when they think no one’s watching, which is one reason the magazine crew always brings a camera. After all, hangovers and memories fade, but Facebook posts last a lifetime… and that’s no joke.

THANK YOU! The American Comedy Co. 818 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp 619.795.3858 americancomedyco.com

COME JOIN US FOR

OPENING DAY, TH MARCH 30

©2014 COORS BREWING COMPANY, GOLDEN, CO * BEER