Pacific San Diego Magazine, October 2010 Issue

Page 1

Tricks & TreaTs! chainsaw Gets Zombified sD’s creepiest cocktails The Best Halloween Haunts

BlinD DaTe 2 singles,

1 Psychic, 8 Pickle-Backs

FinesT ciTy

WorkForce

local Workers channel Their childhood Fantasies JoBs—Where They are, Where They’re Going Take a Break with TV star christina Moore

OCTOBER 2010 | www.pacificsandiego.com

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Saturday October 30 Flicks & Tricks : Classic Halloween

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Trash day isn’t exciting.

T

Click yourself 50 bucks at facebook.com/pacificsd Thanks for playing from PacificSD, the magazine that loves you back.

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uesday night, the cans go to the curb. Wednesday morning, a pristine truck rolls up to the house, a hydraulic arm grabs the black bin, and the show’s over. I’ve never met the guy who’s got my neighborhood on his collection route—I don’t even know if he’s a guy. It didn’t used to be that way. When I was growing up on the mean streets of the Philadelphia suburbs, trash day was a big deal. I heard the mechanical behemoth thundering down the next block, and I dashed to the curb to see Manny the Trashman. I was seven, and he was my hero. Manny had my dream job. My love affair with all things refuse began a year earlier. I was standing outside with my father when a trash-truck driver pulled over across the street. His colleague jumped from the back of the vehicle, and then the magic happened. As the guy was dumping a neighbor’s can, a red ball and two stuffed animals appeared amid the rubble. He retrieved the ball and one animal from the gaping steel chamber, inspected them briefly, then threw them inside the cab with the driver. My jaw dropped. “Dad, does he get to keep that stuff?” In the instant that my father nodded, I saw my career path. The perfect job. Working with friends, finding treasures on every block and getting paid for it? Sign me up! I might have missed a few of the next 52 trash days, but no more than that. The ground shook as the sanitation crew neared our street. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end when the reverse-indicator beeped. When the Dream Team actually arrived, I smiled so wide and waved so emphatically, they had no choice but to wave back. One time, the driver even talked to me. “What’s your name, Kid?” I told him it was David. When he said his was

Manny, it was as if a superhero spoke to me. He was the man behind the wheel, the conductor of cleanliness and in complete control of the trashcompacting jaws of death—which occasionally kept its mouth open for emergency toy retrieval. When toys lost their thrill for me, so did Manny’s job. Later, I wanted to be a doctor like my dad, but studying for biology exams (or even showing up for class) didn’t agree with me. After college, I interned at a radio station and thought I wanted to be a deejay, but I ended up selling airtime instead. I did that for seven years, then operated a small ad agency for six, and now I’ve been running this magazine for four. And now I think I may really have found my dream job. My hours suck a little, and my brother, who did go the doctor route, makes more money in a quarter than I do in a year (he still lives in the suburbs outside Philly, though, so that evens the score), but I love this town and the unifying characteristics of life here that bring us all together. Working with friends and my wife on a magazine that celebrates this city is a dream job. Last night, the woman who cleans our office was emptying the trash. Watching her dump the cans was way less exciting than it was when I was a kid—then she paused, reached into a can and pulled out a mint-condition Padres beer holder. I don’t think a career change is in the cards for me at the moment, but my childhood fantasy has been rekindled. And I just figured out my Halloween costume—Manny the Trashman. Happy Halloween, guys. If you see me dumpster-diving, don’t feel bad—it’s my dream come true.

David Perloff, Publisher

editor’s note You gotta crawl before you walk

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ometimes I feel like I’m well on my way to becoming that grizzledold-man clichĂŠ. You know the one, the elder statesman who likes nothing more than to point out to the younger generation how tough it was back in his day. I can hear myself now: “Back when I was your age, I had to wash dogs’ butts to put myself through school.â€? And I’m sure you’re more than familiar with some kind of variation of this one: “You call that work? Shoot, when I was your age I had to mow lawns and rake leaves all day in the hot sun to make ends meet.â€? God, I’m lucky I haven’t procreated. I’m about 40 years, two heart attacks and five ungrateful grandchildren away from resembling something like Clint Eastwood’s character in Gran Torino. No matter. I’ve always wanted to say something like, “Get off my lawn.â€? Funny thing is, all the examples above are true. We’ve all had jobs growing up that we look back on and think, “Sheesh, that really sucked.â€? Myself, I’ve had a few. I did, in fact, work as a dog-washer in Hillcrest to help put myself through college. And at one point, desperate for work, I did landscaping and yard work. To this day, I always offer beers or lemonade to any day laborer working in my neighborhood. As bad as those jobs were at the time, I don’t look back on them as low points in my life. They were character-building and made me a better person in the long run. As my dad used to say, “Son, you gotta crawl before you walk.â€? The five people featured in our “Dream Jobsâ€? feature this month (Page 34) know the feeling. Some of them worked as factory workers and grocery store bag-boys before landing the jobs they always dreamed about. Or, take the lovely actress Christina Moore, who photographer Nels Olvin shot at the W Hotel for the spread on Page 44. She had to play parts like “J-Wags Patronâ€? in The Sore Losers and “Court Reporterâ€? in The Drew Carey Show before landing the co-starring role on the hit TV series, Hawthorne. I doubt any of the people in this issue would trade the path they have taken for one less bumpy. When you work hard to get where you’re at, even if it was humiliating and humbling, the end result always tastes sweeter. So many of my friends and colleagues have been the victims of layoffs over the last few years. In fact, it’s hard to meet anyone these days that hasn’t either been personally affected or at least knows someone who has been affected by the recession. But things are looking up–kind of. As Dave Good’s feature (“All Worked Up,â€? Page 38) discusses, the local economy is, in fact, growing, but not at the speed at which many would like. Still, there are new industries emerging and now might be a great time to reevaluate your career path. For me, it’s time to reevaluate my own path. This will be my last issue as editor of PacificSD PacificSD. I’ve spent almost five months here, worked with some great people and put out four issues that I’m extremely proud of. Who knows what the future holds, but I know I’m a better person for having worked here. So, even if I do end up a surly old-codger, at least I’ll get to say, as Sinatra so eloquently put it, that I did it my way. Even if I use my experiences one day as verbal ammunition to put some young whipper-snapper in his place, right now, the path to the present has been well worth it. Now, get off my lawn.

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{staff}

Celebrating the best of everyday life in San Diego VOL.4

Nominated for Best 2010 Cosmetic Surgeon

ISSUE 10

OCTOBER 2010

PUBLISHERS David Perloff—Editor in Chief Simone Perloff EDITOR Seth Combs CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kenny Boyer CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Logan Broyles Brandon Hernández

2009 Readers’ Choice

“Best of ” First Place

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dave Good Scott McDonald Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph Frank Sabatini, Jr. PHOTOGRAPHERS John Audley, bewaterphotographic.com Brevin Blach, brevinblach.com Jeff “Turbo” Corrigan, turbo.fm Stacy Marie Keck, stacymariesd.com Gabriela Lingenfelder, photographybygabriela.com Nels Olvin, nelsolvin.com INTERN Justin D’Angelo ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Cambria Dotterer Jason Gregory

Advertising in this magazine is the wrong thing to do... …unless you want your business to grow right away. In that case, call 619.296.6300 or visit pacificsandiego.com today to start benefiiting from immediate countywide exposure via print, web and social media.

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{contents} pacific

ON THE COVER: Andaz San Diego marketing manager Rachael Giannecchini was shot on the Ivy Rooftop by Brevin Blach (brevinblach.com). Costume courtesy of Buffalo Breath Costume Co. (buffalobreathcostumes.com). See story Page 38. THIS PAGE: Christina Moore was shot by Nels Olvin (nelsolvin.com) at The W Hotel San Diego. See story Page 44.

F e a t u r e s

D E P ART M E N TS

38 Dream Jobs Icons in their respective industries, five San Diegans reveal their alter-egos

CURRENTS 21 Pretty in Pink Celebrating 25 years of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in San Diego

38 All Worked Up Things are looking better for San Diego’s job market, but certain sectors face a slower recovery 44 Rx & Relaxation Christina Moore isn’t a doctor, but she plays one on TV

22 Scare Tactics Frightening facts about haunted trails, houses and even boats 26 Dead Man Talking His radio career reborn, “Chainsaw” gets zombified 31 Young and Restless A blossoming San Diego artist has a style beyond her years 34 Dead Man’s Party A Little Italy art show gets festively morbid TASTE 50 Going Coastal Having conquered inland San Diego, two big-name chefs storm the beaches of North County 54 Getting the Chills Made with sugar or spice, these Halloween drinks make everything nice GROOVE 56 Full Circle A former nightclub manager turns the tables on her career, a local pop band goes for superstardom, local records that rock our world 60 Super Sonic One man, countless bars and high-frequency airwaves BLIND DATE 62 Outta Site A dot-com dude meets a tomboy bartender at the intersection of work and play CALENDAR 70 TEN.TEN October event listings THINK 74 Who Are You Wearing? Celebrity Halloween costumes—an advanced screening

18

pacificsandiego.com | OCTOBER 2010

first things

chainsaw

coolture

currents

Pretty in Pink

From parties to pooch walks, San Diegans make a difference in women’s health By Logan Broyles

I

t started out as a few altruistic health organizations teaming up to combat and prevent a terrible disease. Now, a quarter-of-a-century later, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has grown into a large-scale national movement comprising benefit concerts, fundraising parties, charity walks and sporting events for the cause.

Here are just a few of the October events where you can sport your pink ribbon with pride. All month: Karats for the Cure Throughout October, local fashion brand Fresh Karat is donating proceeds from sales of their crystallized pink-ribbon headbands to help fund the American Cancer Society’s San Diego fundraiser walk. freshkarat.com 10/15: Pink Party with Wynter Gordon at Hard Rock Hotel’s Club 207 Female musicians are performing at Hard Rock Hotels worldwide for the annual “Pinktober” campaign. At Club 207, R&B star Wynter Gordon will perform along with some of the city’s best DJs. hardrockhotelsd.com 10/16-17: Concours d’Elegance Charity Gala Fulfill your most expensive James Bond fantasies by browsing some of the world’s finest antique automobiles at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The elegant

gala, topped off with a five-star dinner, benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. delmarconcours.com 10/17: 3 Dog Walk Haute dog! Man’s best friend switches his attention to women for this charity dog-walk in Del Mar. Event highlights include a K-9 costume contest, raffle and doggie fashion show. dogtownsandiego.com 10/31: Row for the Cure UCSD Women’s Rowing coach, Pattie Pinkerton, hosts this competition, now in it’s ninth year. Rowers of all ages, shapes and sizes are encouraged to participate. regattacentral.com 11/7: Race for the Cure San Diego’s original and still preeminent breast cancer awareness event, this race covers 60 miles in a three-day show of unity for women everywhere. komensandiego.org pacificsandiego.com

21

RACE FOR THE CURE®

Runners gather for the annual Race for the Cure

Overtime 101 “I’m salaried so I don’t get overtime.” I just finished trying an overtime case, and I heard that comment a few times when questioning the potential jurors. It’s not that simple. It happens a lot more than you think. California law, when it comes to One reason is that not all sexual assaults are overtime, favors employees over the reported–to anyone, especially the police. employer. Unless your employer can In turn, the rapist learns the wrong lesson, prove “exempt” from overtime and so you’re do his friends. laws, you’re entitled to time-and-a-half But you can’t a woman for not8 calling for any timeblame worked more than hours the police or even telling her friends. I am per day or 40 hours per week (and at representing three women right now who were some point, you get double-time). raped, one through the use a date rape drug. All three women reported it to the police. Generally speaking, managers, All three men claimed the sex was consensual. executives, andwere professionals, None of the men convicted. who are on salary and make a certain hourly Here’s how things can be different. rate, are exempt, and not entitled to Don’t resort just to calling the police. They overtime. However, your boss can’t just can only investigate the case and refer it to put you on salary, call you a “Manager” the District Attorney, who then has to decide and then youaperform non-“beyond whether he make can prove criminal case manager duties. What matters is awhat a reasonable doubt,” i.e., well beyond 90% you do, not what you’re likelihood. Since many rapescalled. occur behind closed doors, a D.A. might view the “he said, she said” problem asboss insurmountable. Don’t expect your to know or care about overtime laws. One company, Not so in Civil Court. Unlike in criminal cases, a which Isuing haveher sued several woman rapist in Civiltimes Court for must only different employees, run than by an show the rape was “moreislikely not,” i.e., unlicensed who knows thedown the burden of attorney proof is just 51%. It boils overtime laws to whom the jury but seeswillfully as more violates credible. them Not many men it’s willing to rapeto a woman because cheaper wait tohave get the sued capacity to settle. Other appear credibleemployers in front of asimply jury. and then don’t know the laws. California’s “Gender Violence” law is powerful, lets the woman not only obtain a money and If you areforwondering if (e.g., you’re being bills, judgment her damages medical paidwages, correctly, or know distress), that you’re lost and emotional but the law the rapist pay his victim’s not,also callmakes the Labor Commissioner or attorney’s fees andthe costs. an attorney. By way, the Labor Codehe requires the employer pay the When takes advantage of you,to take attorney’soffee. advantage the law and make him pay—

Date Rape

{currents}

first things

Scare Tactics

ALL OVER THE COUNTY, THE FREAKS ARE COMING OUT AT NIGHT BY SCOTT MCDONALD

J

ust because you don’t live in Amityville doesn’t mean you can’t find a good scare in your hometown. From crazed rodeo clowns in Del Mar to real ghosts in Old Town, here are five great ways to get your scream on in America’s Finest City. (Continued on Page 22)

Life is cut short at the Gaslamp’s Haunted Hotel

possibly for the rest of his life.

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{currents}

first things

HAUNTED HOTEL INC.

Haunted Trail Scream Zone

sANDE LOLLIs

Scream Zone, Del Mar Toll: $14.99 to $27.99 The shocking details: The biggest haunted attraction in town, the Del Mar “Scare” Grounds offer a choice of frights—from simple spooks for the kids to hellish heart-stoppers for adults. Try to keep your balance on the giant spinning tunnel of terror and watch out for the rabid rodeo clowns trying to snatch you from the horse-drawn death wagon. sdfair.com/screamzone

F R E D g R E Av E s p H O T g R A p H y

The Haunted Trail, Balboa Park Toll: $14.99 to $16.99 The shocking details: Follow a mile-long trail of creeps, as ax-wielding maniacs chase you through the woods. It’s your chance to prove you’re more agile than all those horror movie victims who inevitably trip when being chased by a psychokiller under a full moon. hauntedhotel.com/pages/trail

The Whaley House, Old Town Toll: $10 adults, $5 children The shocking details: If ghosts actually exist in San Diego, they probably hang out at this historical sight that was home to public hangings and a dramatic suicide. Famed ghost hunter Hans Holzer says The Whaley House just might be the “most haunted house in America,” so don’t be surprised if you run into a real spook roaming the halls. Who you gonna call? whaleyhouse.org The Haunted Hotel, Gaslamp Toll: $14.99 to $16.99 The shocking details: This multi-storied downtown attraction, located inside a historic 130-yearold building, is home to the Clown Asylum and Zombie Subway Station. For a real scare, ride the “Hellevator” down to the boiler room and check out Freddy Krueger’s workshop. hauntedhotel.com The Waley House

The Star of India

MARITIME MUsEUM OF sAN DIEgO

Maritime Museum of San Diego, Embarcadero Toll: $14 adults, $8 children The shocking details: Even Jack Sparrow would pee his pirate pants on these extra-spooky lantern tours aboard the oldest active sailing ship in the world. The Star of India has more ghost stories to tell than the crew of the Black Pearl. sdmaritime.org

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{currents}

chainsaw

Dead Man Talking

A LOCAL radio HOST’S BROADCAST career rises from the grave By DAVID PERLOFF PHOTOS BY BREVIN BLACH

I

f you’ve listened to San Diego morning radio in the past 25 years (or read this magazine in the past four), you probably know that Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph, who costarred on KGB-FM’s Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw Show (aka The DSC), recently lost his job. Despite his more than two decades of big ratings on the FM dial, Chainsaw and company found themselves off-the-air about six months ago, when contract negotiations with Clear Channel fell through. Long story short, Chainsaw’s illustrious broadcast career was, for a time, kaput. Everyone knew he’d reemerge somewhere, but no one knew where or when. It was the end of the road, radio silence...dead air. Then, on August 2, Chainsaw was reborn. The new DSC (minus Shelly, who remains in radio purgatory for the moment) is now rockin’ the airwaves weekday mornings on 100.7 JACK-FM (KFMB-FM). In celebration of his new, undead status (and the fact that he’s been writing for us for peanuts forever), PacificSD was happy to pay for Chainsaw’s recent makeover—into a zombie. Sure, he’s a bloody mess…but then he got the makeover.

(Continued on Page 28)

26

pacificsandiego.com | OCTOBER 2010

An undead Chainsaw rises from an Old Town graveyard

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{currents}

chainsaw

She Kills Me SITTING IN THIS WOMAN’S CHAIR IS A DEATH SENTENCE

“Uh, in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve lost a lot of blood, so my stamina isn’t what it could be.” Want to be undead like Chainsaw? Give Dana Issa a call at 858.735.8270. She’s a killer makeup artist.

S

BY COOKIE “CHAINSAW” RANDOLPH ome people go to La Jolla plastic surgeons for their extreme makeovers. I went to Hollywood-trained makeup artist Dana Issa—so she could make me undead. Having researched on Wikipedia for nearly a full minute before meeting my maker, I tried to imagine the undead lifestyle during the two hours Dana spent creating wounds so horrific and ghastly, they actually turned out more hideous than my “before” photo. According to my exhaustive research, many undead revisit the living to resolve something unrealized or regretted during life—like, in my case, forgetting to turn off the chainsaw before scratching an eyebrow itch. As Dana applied a mixture of liquid latex and, I kid you not, oatmeal to my skin, I wondered how the undead, being in such a hideous condition, could blend into society well enough to resolve anything. I mean, imagine meeting an estranged loved-one at Starbucks for a heart-to-heart: “Hey, listen, forgive me if some of my ooze splashes into your latte, but could we talk about our relationship?”

Dead-End Relationship A DREAM WHILE DYING

BY COOKIE “CHAINSAW” RANDOLPH

People are generally repulsed by the maimed. This is why undeads are more suited for fear-mongering trades like grave-robbing or politics, which are sometimes the same thing—like when the Chicago mob got those headstones to vote for JFK (that reminds me, when I die, I want to remain a registered independent). When it comes down to it, the only legitimate job market available for the undead is seasonal work at haunted houses. But even there, when you show up for work every day, already in full make-up and never really hang out after hours, you’re always going to be an outsider…unliving under a cloud of suspicion with your co-workers. And what to do for the 11 months outside of October? Be an outcast like Mel Gibson in The Man Without a Face. Or, for that matter, Mel Gibson now? Being undead isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially in this economy. Oh, sure, it’s fun staggering around and scaring people for a few hours, but after awhile, you’re just like everybody else: trying to make it through the day without dripping on people.

A

t one point during the makeup process, I nodded off for a little while and dreamt I was having a PacificSD-style Blind Date with Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. We met at a Warlock’s Coffee, where we each had a grande hemoglobin and got to know each other.

PacificSD: Elvira, what was your first impression of Chainsaw? Elvira: I thought he was nice, but I prefer my undead a little more dismembered. Chainsaw, where do you feel like kissing Elvira right now? Chainsaw: Where do you think? We moved on to a graveyard for the “activity” portion of the date, where we were each given a shovel. Elvira dug up a Civil War veteran, while I focused on an early 20th Century suffragette.

PacificSD: Elvira, how did you enjoy the gravedigging? Elvira: Loved it! San Diego’s graveyards are so much more sandy than, say, Transylvania, where it’s much harder clay and the bodies are waaay uglier. 28

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Chainsaw, you barely broke ground. What’s up with that? Chainsaw: Uh, in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve lost a lot of blood, so my stamina isn’t what it could be. Besides, watching Elvira bend over digging is a lot more entertaining than unearthing a Susan B. Anthony wanna-be who probably didn’t even like guys. That’s offensive. Chainsaw: Oh, and your grave-digging dreams aren’t? Our final destination on the date was the chic Del Mar Plasma restaurant, Epaziotome, where we enjoyed several Bloody Marys—not cocktails, actual Marys that were bloody.

PacificSD: So, Elvira, you think the sparks will fly with Chainsaw? Elvira: Oh, absolutely. I have an electric chair at home I want him to try out later. How about you, Chainsaw? Are you attracted to Elvira? Chainsaw: Are you kidding? Then again, I might just have to whiz. I can never tell with dreams. Whoops, I have to wake up now. See ya’!

Young and Restless

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{currents}

A BLOSSOMING SAN DIEGO ARTIST HAS A STYLE BEYOND HER YEARS BY seth combs portraits by monica hoover

W

hen Celeste Byers visited the Playboy Mansion earlier this year, Hef and company were hoping to convince the striking 21-year-old to pose in their magazine. Instead, the Ocean Beach native left them with something else to remember her by. “They wanted me to be a centerfold,” says Byers, who shares a mutual friend with Hef’s girlfriend, Crystal Harris. “I had my art with me and I gave Hugh [Hefner] some of my stuff. People were really surprised that I did these things. I was reading a book and multiple people were shocked that I was even reading.” So, while you may not see Byers herself in the pages of Playboy anytime soon (she politefully declined after spending three days at the mansion),

Celeste Byers strikes a pose

(Continued on Page 32) “What My Van Would Look Like if It Were Made Out of Bread” pacificsandiego.com

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Celeste Byers, at home in Ocean Beach

“Anthropologie”

her art seems destined to grace the pages of periodicals soon enough. Influenced by the Abstract and Pop Surrealism art movements, she creates intricate, psychedelic worlds using paint, pencil, collage and even sewing techniques. Whether it’s youthful energy or a prodigal spirit that drives her, she’s been able to produce enough original pieces in her short career to have landed her art in galleries as well as on the covers of local papers. “It has just come naturally to me,” says Byers, who splits her time between San Diego and the prestigious Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena. “Right when I got to art school, people were always talking about other people’s styles. I’d always talk about

“STDs”

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it in class—that I was searching for my own style—but then people would tell me, ‘Celeste, you have your own style.’ I don’t know if I was conscious of developing it. It just happened.” Byers style recently scored her a gig designing a skateboard for the skate company Santa Monica Airlines. More recently, she’s been preparing new work for an art show on October 9 at the new Bedouin Vintage Collective store in North Park. “I’m so excited to be home and working,” says Byers, having recently returned from vacation in Southeast Asia. “I’ve absorbed so much new stuff, so now I know this is what I want to do.” celestebyers.tumblr.com

{currents}

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Dead Man’s Party A LITTLE ITALY ART SHOW GETS FESTIVELY MORBID BY SETH COMBS

T

o anyone that doesn’t celebrate it, the annual Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) might seem morbid. Held two days after Halloween, the day is largely devoted to praying at homemade altars and visiting cemeteries to honor loved ones that have passed away. However, Jorge R. Gutierrez—artist and co-creator of the Emmy Award-winning Nickelodeon cartoon, El Tigre, The Adventures of Manny Rivera—is quick to point out that Día is more about celebration than mourning. “Aside from the gorgeous and timeless iconography associated with it, the core belief is very poetic,” says Gutierrez, who proposed to his wife and creative partner, Sandra Equihua, on a Day of the Dead years ago. “As long as you remember your dead, they will live forever. The moment you forget them, then they are truly gone.” Gutierrez and Equihua decided to tap that poetic spirit for their new art show, Día de Tus Muertos (“Day of Your Dead”), which opens with a big party on October 29 at Subtext Gallery in Little Italy. From animators to painters, the couple compiled an international wish-list of contemporary artists for the show, and almost everyone they invited said yes. “The idea was to have all the artists give their contemporary take on the ancient holiday,” says Gutierrez. “I think the art in the show will be pretty spectacular and inspiring. Day of the Dead is a very festive event, so it’s going to be very family-friendly. I guarantee that after you see all this death, you will feel more alive.” subtextgallery.com/blog (Continued on Page 36) 34

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Dream Icons in their respective industries, these five San Diegans reveal their alter-egos Photos by Brevin Blach

Keeping a job in this economy can require superhuman skills. Yet, in these uncertain times, many San Diegans still love going to work, even if they aren’t in the careers they dreamed of having as children. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s what we were all asked as kids and the question PacificSD posed to five members of the Finest City workforce. Here, they reveal their childhood fantasies, which range from FBI agent to backup singer to lightsaber-wielding member of the Dark Side. And now that they’re all grown up, they’re finally getting the chance to “work it,” living the dream courtesy of Buffalo Breath Costumes in Middletown.

ALL WORKED UP

Things are looking better for San Diego’s job MARKET, but CERTAIN SECTORS FAVE A SLOWER RECOVERY By Dave Good There is good news, and there is bad news. First, the good news: If you’ve got a job, chances are better than good, say economists, that you’re safe from recession-based downsizing, which has become a thing of the past. The bad news: If you’re currently unemployed in San Diego, those same economists say that, without a massive infusion of new jobs into the community, the next few years will continue to be difficult. “The San Diego labor market is pretty weak right now,” says Dr. Alan Gin, an economics professor at USD. “The local unemployment rate is 10.8 percent.” That means roughly 171,400 San Diegans are presently without work in a state that 38

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has the third highest overall unemployment ranking in the nation. According to The Associated Press, 12.3 percent of Californians are unemployed. Michigan ranks second with 13.2 percent, and Nevada is in first place at 14.2 percent. Seth Stein has been watching fluctuations in the San Diego economy for the last dozen years. He is the president of Abbot Staffing Group, a subsidiary of one of this area’s largest staffing companies, the Eastridge Group. “We’re not out of the woods,” he says. “I think there is a perception that things are getting a little better, but it’s going to be a long road to recovery.” Part of the problem with hiring full-time workers right now, he says, is that employers

A gent

P ro v ocateur

(aka Rachael Giannecchini) Marketing manager, Andaz San Diego, Downtown

Way before The X-Files made it chic, Rachael Giannecchini dreamed of a life filled with covert action, working as a field agent for the FBI. She fantasized about running through urban areas, kicking down doors and, in her words, “just being a pretty bad-ass without messing my hair up.” After she had been in marketing for a few years, the opportunity to flash a badge actually presented itself. “One of my old bosses, who was originally from [Washington] D.C., said, ‘I have a lot of connections with the F.B.I. You could still do it,’” says Giannecchini. “I thought, ‘Hmmmm…maybe I should.’” Despite the appeal of Washington, Giannecchini stuck with marketing and quickly found herself climbing the ranks at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Recently, she was promoted to being the goto girl at the Andaz San Diego (formerly The Ivy), where she is in charge of branding Downtown’s newest boutique hotel as well as the Ivy clubs and Quarter Kitchen restaurant. It turns out that using her experience to open doors is much easier on the hair than kicking them in. “It’s weird how you make certain decisions and they lead you to the right place,” says Giannecchini. “And I know I’m supposed to be here.”

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S h erlock Homes

(aka Jonathon Stevens)

Project manager, Public Architecture and Planning, University Heights

Like many San Diego natives, Jonathon Stevens grew up in a military household and could easily have followed in his stepfather’s footsteps. Yet, it was his stepfather’s cabinetry skills around the house that really mesmerized Stevens when he was young. “I just became fascinated with the mechanics of building things,” he says. “I had Legos and Erector Sets, and in pre-school I had a ton of Lincoln Logs.” Stevens pipe dreams were also fueled by the sleuthing adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Indiana Jones. “I was fascinated with them because of the problem solving—figuring out things that no one else could,” he says. These days, Stevens applies those early predilections to his current career as a project manager for the local architecture and design firm, Public, where he transforms rough sketches into fully-realized plans and blueprints. He has worked on the expansion of the student center at UCSD and The Lofts at 655 Sixth in Downtown, while also finding time to build furniture that has been featured in design-focused art shows. “I still get really excited about building things,” says Stevens. “The focus and researching of it is like an inspector, and I love the discovery that follows.”

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can’t predict demand. So, instead, they hire temps. “During this time of year, you’ll see a temporary decline in the hospitality industry. The summer rush,” he says, “is somewhat over.” Earlier in the year, local job losses were heaviest in manufacturing and in financial services. “And construction,” Stein says, “remains fairly flat.” “Unemployment is still really high,” says SDSU finance professor Daniel Seiver, “and it’s going to stay high for a while.” The 5.6 percent unemployment of healthier US economies in the past is becoming a rapidly fading memory. “But,” says Seiver, “some businesses are beginning to hire again.” And if there is a silver lining in terms of local job recovery, he says it will be in the fields of health care and technology. “It is seeing a nice surge,”

says Stein. “And on the manufacturing side, medical devices continues to do well. San Diego is a hub for medical devices and biotech. Defense is big,” he says, “but biotech has surpassed that, as we have diversified our economy over the past 15 to 20 years.” Qualcomm may still be the largest employer in San Diego County, but Stein says defense subcontractors are projecting growth as well. “I know that there are several of them in San Diego that are involved with working on the unmanned warplane projects.” In response to the hemorrhaging within the construction industry, (estimates say that more than 30,000 local construction workers have been idled by the recession), San Diego councilmember Todd Gloria says the City Council has passed measures that would defer building fees and simplify

G ame

B oy

(aka Matt Higby) Lead designer, Sony Online Entertainment, Miramar

Like many boys his age, former Floridian Matt Higby was obsessed with everything Star Wars as a kid. This led to a passion for playing video games, which eventually drove Higby to pack his bags and move cross-country. He was 20 then, and he hasn’t looked back since. “I had no idea if I was going to get a job out here or not,” says Higby. “I more or less showed up on the doorstep of Sony, got an interview and got a job testing games.” Higby has since moved up to the position of lead designer at the North American headquarters of Sony Online Entertainment, and those fantasies of wielding a lightsaber have come full circle—he recently led the team in charge of Sony’s newest online game, Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures. “I actually got to meet [Star Wars creator] George Lucas a couple nights ago,” Higby says. “Working on this game has been a dream come true. I’m part of something that meant so much to me growing up. The themes of the films still resonate: It doesn’t matter where you come from, if you work hard you can be an important person.”

pacificsandiego.com

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permit processing. “These are things that can really help make small differences for businesses that are trying to construct projects,” says Gloria. “We also passed a small-localbusiness enterprise program.” He says that the city awards more than $200 million worth of contracts each year. If applicants are local and are planning to hire locally, Gloria says they will be given incentives not available to applicants from outside the city. “We want to take those taxpayer dollars and keep them as local as possible.” Action sports is a growth market in San Diego. “Bill Walton heads Connect,” says Stein, “a locally-based organization that supports the development of companies, jobs and investments to the active lifestyle sector. It makes sense. You’ve got Roadrunner Sports headquartered here. You’ve got a lot of [sports] apparel companies here, and I imagine they’ll go after some form of investment in San Diego, because Orange County is a huge hub. Oakley’s up there, Hurley’s up there, surf board companies are up there.” Stein says that bicycleparts manufacturing is big in San Diego. “And,” he says, citing Callaway and Taylor Made, “San Diego is a golfmanufacturing hub.” Stein points to another California growth industry: video gaming. “Arguably the biggest companies in the world are here [in California], and there is a significant presence in San Diego.” He says the gaming industry traditionally gains financial strength around M ega h ert z

the holidays. Southern California is also a proving ground for the new “green” industries. Stein says that San Diego is the ninth largest sector in the world for clean technology. “The bottom line is that the demand for skilled labor is still there,” he says. But the prognosis for recovery is that it will be a slow procedure. “Our index of economic indicators is up, and it has been up for 16 months in a row, which is a good sign,” says Alan Gin, “but it hasn’t been rising very strongly. That suggests that we probably won’t have a double-dip in the recession, but that the recovery is going to take a long time.” And, while a fraction of displaced workers around the county are indeed finding gainful employment, analysts say that most new jobs will come with smaller paychecks and reduced benefits. “The implication is that there is going to be a lower standard of living for a large block of the population,” says Gin. He says that the middle class was hardest hit by the recession. “When those jobs were lost, we also lost jobs at the lower end in retailing and in services that [the middle class] would have spent money on.” Todd Gloria predicts another two years before San Diego will have the kind of growth that feels like a solid recovery. “That’s further off,” he says, “than any of us would like.” In the end, it seems that creating jobs for unemployed and underemployed San Diegans will require patience, a solid plan...and a whole lot of work.

D ental

D ynamo

(aka Dr. Tony Chammas) Cosmetic, implant and prosthodontic dentist, Kearney Mesa

As a boy, Tony Chammas just wanted to help people. Long before he decided, at age 13, to become a dentist, he idolized altruistic comic-book heroes like Superman. “It’s carried on in my business,” says Chammas, who grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood in San Carlos, California. “I don’t run it as a business. Honestly, I just want to help everybody. That’s probably my weakness. If someone comes to me and says, ‘I really want to have a nice smile, but I don’t really have a lot of money,’ I would still help them. I don’t know what it is, I just have a soft heart.” Whether or not his philanthropic nature is his Kryptonite, the Harvard-trained prosthodontist (think dentistry, but with prosthetics—dentures, bridges, implants) has become a regular Clark Kent when it comes to helping people with major dental issues get their smiles back. “You could probably come and talk me into doing a full-mouth rehab for free,” says Chammas. “Just tell me you want me to be your hero and I’ll be your hero, baby. That’s me, I want to be Super Dentist.”

M a i den

(aka Gina Landau)

Vice president and general manager, KFMB Radio, Kearny Mesa

Music has always been very important to Gina Landau. Growing up in Los Angeles, she would listen to the radio and daydream about being a backup singer in a rock band. “I just always found myself singing the background and harmony parts,” Landau says. “I did the typical high school stint singing in a band, until I realized that I really didn’t have the voice for it.” While she might not have had the pipes, Landau did translate her passion for music into a career in broadcasting. Today, she works behind the scenes as vice president and general manager of KFMB’s two local radio stations, where she oversees all aspects of Jack 100.7 FM and 760 AM Talk Radio, including sales, programming and production. She says she’s tried a few other jobs, but is quick to acknowledge that this is exactly where she belongs. “Working in broadcasting is like crack,” Landau says. “But, really, if you love it, you really love it. Once you get it in your blood, even if you leave, you always go back.”

THANK YOU to Abraham and the friendly staff at Buffalo Breath Costumes for transforming the Finest City Workforce into their childhood fantasies. Become what you never thought you could at Buffalo Breath Costumes, 2050 Hancock Street, at the foot of Mission Hillls. 619.297.1175, buffalobreath.com. pacificsandiego.com

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Photography by

Nels Olvin

n o i t a x a l Re

Christina Moore isn’t

a doctor…but she plays one on TV

O

ne of Christina Moore’s first television roles was playing “Gorgeous Woman” on Married… with Children. Fourteen years later, she has no problem with being the woman who turns heads but isn’t immediately recognized. Moore has stolen the show in hits like Two and a Half Men, Scrubs, 24 and both 90210s—not to mention proving her comedy chops with a stint on the sketch comedy show, MADtv. More recently, having just wrapped up her second season playing the no-nonsense Dr. Candy Sullivan on the hit medical drama, Hawthorne (co-starring alongside Jada Pinkett Smith), Moore was ready for a break. It was time for some serious R&R, so she headed to the W Hotel San Diego, where she hooked up with photographer Nels Olvin and a dream-team of stylists for a decidedly fierce fashion shoot. The result—Moore is still a gorgeous woman. Some things never change.

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Chanel tweed suit Gaspar Gloves perforated leather gloves Neil Lane diamond and pink Tourmaline Platinum ring by Neil Lane Cesare Paciotti leather booties with Swarovski crystal brooch (Clothing, shoes and accessories provided by designers and may not be available at retail stores.)

Photographer: Nels Olvin, nelsolvin.com • Stylist: Brian Primeaux @ ArtMix Beauty Los Angeles, artmixbeauty.com • Makeup by: Samuel Paul using MAC Cosmetics for The Rex Agency, therexagency.com • Hair by: William Williams using Bumble and Bumble for The Rex Agency, therexagency.com • Model/Actress: Christina Moore @ Rogers & Cowan • Retouching: Denis Kuznetsov, denisdigital.com • Photographer’s Assistant: Christopher Blythe • Stylist’s Assistant: Georgi Chavez • Location Coordinator: Andrea Ebbing • Shot on location at the W San Diego Hotel pacificsandiego.com

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Prada multi-color beach print silk and polyester blend dress Salvatore Ferragamo leather wedge Favero diamond and yellow gold ring

Measuring Up

nels olvin sees the light...and shoots it Inspired, as he describes it, by “the geometrical and textural aspects of the world” around him, photographer Nels Olvin has something most photographers don’t: a master’s degree in mathematical physics. While it isn’t a prerequisite for a career in fashion and beauty photography, Olvin’s education isn’t going to waste—his knowledge empowers him to be aware of the subtleties of light and color and how best to harness them to accent his subjects.

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Pamella Roland Ombre beaded dress Amrapali diamond and yellow-gold earrings Rene Caovilla satin bag and leather shoes

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{taste}

dining out

cocktail

Going Coastal

HAVING conquerED inland San Diego, two big-name chefs storm the beaches of North County

B

By Brandon Hernández / Photos by Brevin Blach y using bold, down-home flavors in the comfort food he serves in North Park, Chef Matt Gordon, the mind behind Urban Solace and the menus at True North Tavern and West Coast Tavern, is at least partly responsible for revitalizing the neighborhood’s now booming culinary scene. Meanwhile, it was flashy, forward-thinking gourmet preparations that catapulted Chef Jason Maitland to local success. Relying on 50

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molecular gastronomy (using methods in the kitchen that might seem more suited to a chemist’s lab), Maitland has engineered edible powders, gels and foams to adorn the dishes served at Arterra, his restaurant in Carmel Valley. Despite their different approaches in the kitchen, these two chefs have something in common—later this month, each will throw open the doors to a new beachside restaurant in North County.

(Continued on Page 52)

{taste}

“I had scouted quite a few locations, then just happened to drive down the 101 in downtown Del Mar and noticed that Sunset Bar and Grill had closed,” says Maitland. “It’s a little bigger and higher profile than I imagined my first restaurant would be, but a spot like that only comes along once—if ever—in an entire career. I had to go for it.” He went for it. At Flavor Restaurant and Lounge, Maitland aims to provide a relaxed, casual atmosphere and food to match. For the latter, he’ll mix his trademark innovation with more accessible flavors. “My short ribs have always had a great following, so I’m taking them with me, but developing a new braising liquid and technique,” says Maitland. “I will have several vegetarian and lighter-fare options; and there’s the bar and lounge menu, where I’ll put my twist on some classic American favorites.” Further north, Gordon notes a parallel between his old stomping grounds and his new digs. “Downtown Encinitas is going through what North Park is going through,” he says. “People are hungry for something new.” And he intends to give it to them, in this case courtesy of Solace and the Moonlight Lounge, a 5,000-square-foot, two-story comborestaurant-and-bar that will be the new westerly outpost for Gordon’s ideals—serving environmentally responsible, sustainabilityminded, health-conscious food. “We like what we do and have built a reputation for it,” says Gordon. “Urban Solace and Solace [and the Moonlight Lounge] will share some signature dishes. Moonlight Lounge will have an integrated raw and liquor bar with oysters, shrimp, meats and cheeses— cold stuff to compliment the beverages and make it a nice after-work, happy-hour place.” Somone once said, “Go West, young man!” These two chefs did just that, using sharp knives and a keen entrepreneurial spirit to take a stab at North County’s beachside dining scene. Solace and the Moonlight Lounge 25 East E Street, Encinitas, eatsolace.com Flavor Restaurant & Lounge 555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 322, Del Mar, flavordelmar.com

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dining out

cocktail

“We like what we do and have built a reputation for it”

“MY SHORT RIBS HAVE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT FOLLOWING”

{taste}

dining out

cocktail

Getting the Chills Made with sugar or spice, these Halloween drinks make everything nice

By Frank Sabatini Jr. / Photos by Stacy Keck

F

orget those eyeball martinis and black witchypoo brews of yesteryear. Local mixologists have replaced them this Halloween season with a newfangled breed of themed cocktails that are laced with everything from bright-orange pumpkin paste to kicky tequilas poured from skullshaped bottles. And if you’re feeling really freaky, look no further than the drink that was invented by the “Mother of All Drag Queens.”

Sweeney Nod A tribute to the legendary headless horseman, the 13ounce “Sleepy Hollow” drink at Alchemy combines cranberry chutney, pumpkin paste and nutmeg with oneand-a-half ounces of vodka. Mixologist Frankie Thaheld originally created it for Thanksgiving last year, but realized that it was a better fit for Halloween because of its vivid orange hue. Garnished with a speared cranberry, it’s priced at $9 and available October 29 through 31. 1503 30th Street, South Park / alchemysandiego.com

Spell

Dry 54

pacificsandiego.com | OCTOBER 2010

Scary Spice Todd Camburn of Barrio Star will debut his bleeding-red Muertos Fresca (“fresh deaths”) this year in rock glasses rimmed with chili-spiked salt. The concoction involves an ounce-and-a-half of Kah Reposado Tequila (which, appropriately enough, comes in a skull bottle) that he blends with blood-orange purée, lime juice, agave nectar and cayenne pepper for a spicy-sweet result. Available from October 25 through November 1, the drink sells for $9 and comes garnished with a “level-seven” chili pepper for those who dare sink their canines into it. 2706 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill / barriostar.com

Bloody Queens “Yvonne’s Bloody Frozen Cosmo” is almost as popular as the quick-witted and anatomically mysterious divas that perform at Lips Restaurant. Served October 29 through 31, the slushy vodka-based drink was invented 15 years ago by “Yvonne Lame,” founder of the popular drag-queen establishment. Dispensed from a machine, the cocktail blends generous volumes of Smirnoff Citrus with cranberry juice and a splash of sour. It’s served in a hurricane glass rimmed in grenadine-soaked sugar. The result? “Pretty bloody looking,” says general manager Brent Smithson. 3036 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park lipssd.com

If you’re looking for a cool way to snazz up cocktails at your Halloween party, look no further than dry ice. Plunking an ultra-frozen (about −80 °F) piece the size of a sugar cube into cocktails adds foggy drama and “looks really cool,” according to molecular mixologist Mike Yen of Avenue 5 in Bankers Hill. However, Yen warns to sip, don’t chew, because the flavorless carbon dioxide matter can “burn a hole in your esophagus if you bite into it like regular ice.” Also, use gloves when handling the substance. Steamy smoke will cascade from glasses for about two minutes once the dry ice is dropped into drinks. Yen purchases the frosty stuff for $1.49 per pound at Smart & Final.

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{groove} DJ Erica J at The Office in North Park

Full Circle

A former nightclub manager turns the tables on her career

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By Seth Combs / Photo by John Audley s the former manager of popular clubs like Beauty Bar in City Heights, U-31 in North Park and Voyeur in the Gaslamp, Erica Jessup has booked just about every DJ in town. After taking some time off from the nightlife scene over the summer, she recently reemerged and surprised everyone with a fresh vision. A new club? Think again. “I always did DJ a little at the clubs I managed,” says Jessup. “After all, I got into this industry in the first place because I loved the music. So, instead of working at one bar, now I get the opportunity to work at all of them.” That’s right, the woman who’s been behind the scenes for years is now behind the turntables, performing under the name DJ Erica J. She’s organizing and playing the ‘30s-themed “Gatsby Nights” Thursdays at The Office in North Park (with a musical emphasis on trip-hop, burlesque and even live jazz), and she’s booked herself a prime spot spinning electro at the famed local rock club The Casbah on Halloween night. Still, just because she’s transformed into Erica J doesn’t mean she’s left her old life completely behind. Nothing’s finalized yet, but Jessup’s in talks with San Diego design firm Bells & Whistles (the minds behind the interiors of the Starlite Lounge and the UCSD bar The Loft) about opening up a club together. “We’re definitely looking into it,” says Jessup. “There will definitely be cool things coming soon.”

On the Records The newest crop of albums from the hottest local bands By Seth Combs 56

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Crocodiles—Sleep Forever (Fat Possum Records) Last year, the two core members of Crocodiles (singer Brandon Welchez and multi-instrumentalist Charles Rowell) were featured in Rolling Stone and Spin magazines for the strength of their debut album, Summer of Hate. Luckily, the praise hasn’t gone to their heads or affected their sound too much. Their new LP sticks to the distorted psychedelic rock that made them popular in the first place, but with better hooks and more epic choruses. H H H H

The Nervous Wreckords— Valuminium (Karsongs Music) Brian Karscig made quite a splash with his last band, the glam-rock outfit Louis XIV. His new band, The Nervous Wreckords, proves Karscig hasn’t lost his ability to craft super-catchy rock music. The band’s debut is a solid mix of synthy pop and heavy guitars, and features cameos from members of The Killers and singersongwriter Anya Marina. While not exactly groundbreaking, it’s satisfying from beginning to end and has more than one song that could break the band nationally. H H H

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Lesands (FROM LEFT): Joel Plotnik, John Fredericks, Austin Tirado and Andy Breihan

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“I’LL TAKE FINEST CITY PHENOMENA FOR A THOUSAND, ALEX.”

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By SETH COMBS / PHOTO By EMMILy EMMIL SHAW or singer Austin Tirado, headlining a show at his favorite local rock club was all but a dream a few months ago. He and his North County buds in the band Lesands haven’t even been playing together for a year, but they just packed the house at The Casbah, and they’re already generating buzz nationally. “It’s very encouraging,” says Tirado. “People are getting what we’re trying to do and dancing at our shows.” Along with a lively stage show, Lesands play a spirited brand of electro-pop that has garnered comparisons to everyone from Duran Duran to The Killers. They were recently invited up to legendary L.A. club, The Troubadour, to play a music-label showcase, and this month they’ll be flying to New York to play the renowned CMJ Music Marathon, famous for being the event that broke big bands including The Strokes and The White Stripes. “The LA shows have gone really well,” says Tirado. “The labels are definitely talking to us and they want to hear more songs. Maybe doing the New York shows will open the next door for us.” While the band has recorded only a handful of songs, Tirado hopes they will have an album or an EP out by the end of the year. “I’m not going to lie, we are very ambitious,” he says. “I just want to go for it.” lesandsmusic.com THREE MILE PILOT—THE InEvITAbLE PAST P IS THE FuTuRE FORGOTTEn n (TEMPORARy EMPORAR RESIDEnCE) After four albums, alternative rock band Three Mile Pilot took a self-described “hiatus” in 1997. However, its main members went on to form even bigger bands like Black Heart Procession and Pinback. Now, the 13-year “hiatus” is over. While the youthful vigor of 3MP’s early albums has been replaced by a more refined sound that might alienate some of the band’s original fans, the songs on the new record seem destined to expose the band to an audience that may have missed the boat the first time around. Reunited and it sounds so good. H H H H

arty like it’s the last day of your nightlife at DJhere’s seventh annual (and biggest ever) Halloween Ball, Sunday, October 31, at the Prado in Balboa Park. Join nearly 2,000 sexy, undead souls who would rather die all over again than miss DJhere’s most exclusive event of the season. This year’s entertainment highlights include a monster spin-session by international mega-star DJs scooter & LaveLLe, plus a sultry R-rated dance revue from the sexy sirens of Lipstik Inc. DJhere’s DJ craig smoove will spin his blood-curdling beats in the Grand Ballroom, while celebrated DJ’s Erick Diaz, The Office Twins, Shewfly and Collin Perry (to name a few) rock their own signature sounds in the huge venue’s other distinct musical atmospheres.

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Tune-In Matt & kim

October Concert Calendar School of Seven Bells

GO CHARGERS! 10/1: Matt & Kim @ House of Blues, hob.com 10/1: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 10/1: Tea Leaf Green @ Soundwave, wavehousesandiego.com 10/1: Spoon @ SOMA, somasandiego.com 10/3: School of Seven bells @ The Loft at UCSD, artpwr.com 10/4: basia bulat @ The Loft at UCSD, artpwr.com 10/4: The Futureheads @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 10/5: Hotel St. George @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 10/6: v van Morrison @ San Diego Civic Theatre, sandiegotheatres.org 10/7: DJ Muggs vs GZA @ fluxx, fluxxsd.com 10/7: Matt Costa @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com Lotus

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10/8: bassnectar @ House of Blues, hob.com 10/9: Jack Johnson @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, ticketmaster.com 10/9: Phantogram @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 10/10: Ra Ra Riot, villagers @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 10/10: Street Dogs @ House of Blues, hob.com 10/12: Tom Tom Club @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 10/13: LCD Soundsystem @ Rimac Arena, ticketmaster.com 10/13: The Weepies @ Winstons, winstonsob.com 10/14: Frightened Rabbit @ House of Blues, hob.com 10/14: Foals @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 10/15: Shakira @ SD Sports Arena, sandiegoarena.com 10/15: Jonsi @ 4th & B, 4thandbevents.com 10/16: Maroon 5 @ Viejas Arena, livenation.com 10/17: Dan black lack @ fluxx, fluxxsd.com 10/19: Paul Oakenfold @ House of Blues, hob.com 10/19: One eskimO @ Anthology, anthologysd.com 10/21: Azure Ray @ The Loft at UCSD, artpwr.com 10/22: bret Michaels @ Dreamcatcher at Viejas, viejasentertainment.com 10/23: DJ Homicide @ fluxx, fluxxsd.com 10/24: Octopus Project @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 10/24: Widespread Panic @ Harrah’s Rincon Casino Open Sky Theatre, harrahsrincon.com 10/26: Lotus @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 10/27: built to Spill @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 10/27: Kate nash @ House of Blues, hob.com 10/28: Gorillaz @ Viejas Arena, livenation.com 10/30: Justin bieber @ SD Sports Arena, sandiegoarena.com 10/31: bloody beetroots @ House of Blues, hob.com

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Super Sonic ONE MAN, COUNTLESS BARS AND HIGH-FREQUENCY AIRWAVES

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by SETH COMBs / PHOTO BY JEFF “TURBO” CORRIGAN

ean “Sonic” Leckie’s bartending resume includes prominent local hotspots: the W Hotel’s Beach, Onyx Room, Vin de Syrah and even Petco Park. Nowadays, he slings drinks at Basic Urban Kitchen & Bar in East Village, and he’ll soon be pouring at Basic’s new sister spot, URBN Coal Fired Pizza and Bar in North Park. Yet, despite all the public face-time from his bar gigs, it’s Sonic’s voice that people most often recognize. That’s because when he isn’t behind the bar, he’s a weekend deejay and producer at Channel 933 FM—and he used to be the sidekick on the radio station’s highly rated morning show, AJ’s Playhouse, where he was known for his song parodies and quick wit. During a rare occasion when he’s off-air and isn’t ontap, Sonic dishes on his radio gig, the time he insulted Green Day and why men should never ask him to make his specialty cocktail.

PacificSD: So, how does a bartender land a job on the radio? Sonic: Hard work. I started as an intern when I was going to school and moved up within four years, after working at other stations like KGB. Now, I’m a morning show producer and deejaying on the air on weekends at 933. What’s your specialty cocktail? Sonic: I can make a mean mojito. Besides that, when a dude comes in says, “What can you make that’s good?” I just make them something really jacked up, like gin with Red Bull and cream. Ewww. Sonic: [Laughs] It’s disgusting, man! They pretend to like it because they don’t want to insult you. For girls, it’s all right to do that, but a man should know his drink. Most embarrassing bartending moment? Oh, man, one time I was doing this trick where I squeeze the lime in the drink, throw it behind my back, and it comes back around and I catch it in the glass. I was showing off for these girls and I flicked the lime right into my eye—it was watering uncontrollably and turning red. Nice. Yeah, that’s what they said. The girls were like, “niiiice.” 60

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Favorite hangover recovery spots: “Oh, the Hash House [in Hillcrest] for sure. You can get the ’Hair of the Dog,’ which is a really big Bloody Mary and a ton of food. I always get the fried chicken.” Preferred late-night nosh: “I’m not trying to drop a plug, but Basic is serving pizza til 1:45, and they’re right by my house.” Celebrity customers: “This one guy came in, and I was making fun of his tie—until my buddy told me, ‘Hey man, that’s the guy from Green Day [Billie Joe Armstrong].’” Biggest Tip: “A couple hundred bucks? I can’t remember, or maybe I just don’t deserve one. When you serve gin with Red Bull and cream, you might not get a big tip.”

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SOMEThiNG WiCKED COOL ThiS WAY COMES

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ow that the thoroughbreds have stopped running in circles, headless horsemen are preparing to converge on Del Mar. On Saturday, October 30, the proverbial battle between good and evil finally erupts. The souls of 10,000 costumed demons, fairies and Supergirls (and probably a dozen version of that chick from the Progressive insurance commercials) are expected to rise from the dead for Halloween and head to the fairgrounds for massive musical mayhem.

WelcoMe To HeaVen anD Hell. The celebrated nightlife production company Eventvibe has created this immense party to be the biggest Halloween bash in Southern California history. They’re transforming the Del Mar Fairgrounds into a holy-moly trinity of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory, three separate (and gigantic) areas for nightmarish celebration of monstrous proportion. What goes into producing a nearly 10,000-person event of this magnitude? The devil is in the details (and in booking a few of the world’s top-ranked DJs)...

HeaDlininG MUsical acTs: Fedde le Grand, Wolfgang Gartner, Joachim Garraud, Bart B More, Dada life & Hyper crush. also FeaTUrinG: DJ cowboy Mike, Johnny James, Don santino, stir crazy, DJ Till and a dozen more.

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{love} blind date

Outta Site

A dot-com dude meets a tomboy bartender at the intersection of work and play by DAVID PERLOFF PHOTOs BY GABRIELA LINGENFELDER

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s cofounder and president of DiscoverSD.com (“San Diego’s premier online lifestyle guide,” as the slogan goes), Nadav spends a lot of time at bars and restaurants. He’s one of those guys who high-fives bouncers, gets VIP bottle service and drinks like he’ll live forever. Ivana seems most comfortable when she’s hanging out with her guy-friends, and she can hold her own with the party-all-the-time types at work. She’s a bartender at a couple places downtown, but somehow she has never met (or poured a drink) for Nadav—which is rare for bartenders in this town. A drink-maker and someone who likes nothing more than to knock ‘em back— it’s a match made in AA heaven. Nadav and Ivana are about to meet for the first time at Quality Social in the Gaslamp. After that, they’ll meet Zimfa the psychic, who already knows how this whole thing is going to turn out. Let’s meets the players.

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PacificSD: Where are you from? IVANA: I’m originally from Florida. Grew up there, hit 30, all my buds were pushin’ out kids and getting hitched (in that order, mostly), so I had to get out. Moved to Vegas, had a blast for two years, got burnt out—now in downtown S.D. and lovin’ it. NADAV: I’m from the Land of Milk and Honeys—Israel. What do you do for a living? IVANA: I’m your favorite bartender at Red Pearl Kitchen weekdays, and La Fiesta and Ocean Room on weekends. And I do film projects on the side. Sorry, no porn, boys. NADAV: I work to educate people on how to have the most fun in San Diego through DiscoverSD.com. Why are you going on a blind date in a magazine? IVANA: Why not? Wouldn’t you? It’ll be fun to see who this cat is. NADAV: Because I’m a douchy, desperate individual that can’t get a date in real life. Help! What do you hope your date will look like? IVANA: I hope he’s taller than a leprechaun, doesn’t wear sunglasses at night, drinks something else besides vodkaRedbulls and doesn’t think he’s tha shiiiz. Humbleness is hot.

NADAV: Pretty smile, pretty eyes and tan. What makes you a good catch? IVANA: I’m one of the coolest chicks you’ll ever meet—definitely one of the guys, but don’t ever ask me to a Padres game. I’m a lot of fun, funny and keep it real. And I eat meat. Yum. NADAV: I’m not. What’s your prediction for what will happen on date night? IVANA: I think he’ll fall madly in love with me, and I gotta ditch him half-way through the night ‘cause he’ll get too clingy. NADAV: I would say that, at first glance, the girl will be disappointed with me, then she will get to know me a little better and feel like there is some hope, and then she’ll be disappointed with me again. Within moments of meeting, Ivana and Nadav order pickle-back shots (shot of whiskey with pickle-juice chaser), and then they order a couple more. They seem to be getting along well as they talk over cocktails and a few of the chef’s favorite dishes that just arrived from the kitchen.

(Continued on Page 64)

THANK YOU! Quality Social 789 Sixth Avenue, downtown 619.501.7675, qualitysocial.com

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?

Out of 45 PacificSD blind dates, we’ve produced 1 marriage 2 engagements 3 couples living together 25 sets of great new friends 32 people who will absolutely, positively never talk to each other again, no matter what!

You’re looking for one in a million. We’re 1 for 45.

COMING SOON!

pacificsandiego.com/dating Secure Online Dating for San Diegans, Powered by SafeList.com No Fakes, No Flakes, No Cons.

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Shooting Stars

THE DATERS BECOME “GLITERATTI” (“IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE,” ZIMFA PREDICTS)

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fter about an hour, Nadav and Ivana are escorted to a candlelit room at the back of Quality Social to confer with the allknowing and mostly unknown Zimfa the psychic. What Zimfa divines when he’s “in the zone” typically remains secret, but spirits are high around Halloween, so he agrees to reveal at least some. (See Mind Over Grey Matter, Page 68.) When the couple emerges from the séance, they’re chauffeured to East Village for dinner at The Fleetwood. Right before they go inside, Nadav pulls out two pairs of sunglasses, hands one to Ivana, then reaches his into a plastic bag full of glitter and throws a handful into the air above their heads. Inside The Fleetwood, the bar is full and dinner service is winding down in preparation for a busy night. The atmosphere feels energized but chill—not counting Nadav, who, it turns out, is armed with DiscoverSD.com-logoed water guns and is now shooting his date, their server and the couple at the next table (we told them we work for the Union-Tribune). After they ordered their entrees, the couple is split for mid-date debriefings…and to towel off.

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PacificSD: How’s it going so far? IVANA: It’s going super-good. We both like to party. NADAV: I think it’s going pretty good. She’s a champ for putting up with my shenanigans. Is this the type of person that you would usually date? IVANA: No, he would be someone that I would kick it with, because I have a lot of guy friends. But I do like his style. He’s not ugly—the only problem is he’s younger than me. I’m in my 30s now, and I’m going for older. NADAV: She’s the type of person that I would bring home to my mother, and my mother would say, “Why are you bringing her home?” And the answer would be, “Because I was drunk.” How was Quality Social? IVANA: Love Quality Sosh. I like the pickleback shots—you’ve gotta commit to it, but if you like pickles and Jamo [Jameson Irish Whiskey], then belly up and do it. Thank god I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian, ‘cause everything they brought was meat. But I love meat, so put a saddle on it and let me ride it out of there. NADAV: Quality Social is always good. The meat and cheese plates are delicious. The duck wings—oh, man! I feel bad for the ducks, because I really like ducks, but, man are they tasty…so F ‘em. What did you think about the experience with the psychic? IVANA: He knew a lot of stuff about my past. He was on the money about everything.

NADAV: I was surprised by how much the psychic knew about me that wasn’t just general BS shots in the dark. What is the best way the date could end? IVANA: How about a kiss, just a peck, nothing crazy, numbers exchanged but only for future reference as friends, because I don’t think it’s marriage material—and an extra 100 bucks in my purse. NADAV: The best way the date could end would be fist-pumping at Voyeur and living happily ever after in LED-wall heaven. Oh, and spraying champagne all over each other. What’s the worst way it could end? IVANA: The guy gets down on one knee. NADAV: With me holding her hair, while she prays to the porcelain god. Rate your date’s looks on a scale from one to 10. IVANA: Seven to eight. NADAV: Eight. Do you want to kiss your date right now? IVANA: What was his name again? No, really, that’s my answer. NADAV: I want to kiss you right now, David. can I? Does your date want to kiss you right now? IVANA: I think he wants to squirt me in the face with a squirt gun. And, no, I do not want to kiss him. NADAV: I think she actually wants to kiss our waitress. I’m going to try to make that happen. (Continued on Page 66)

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If Memory Serves

The blind daters reminisce...as much as they can

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hen their dinner arrives, Ivana and Nadav are finally left alone to enjoy the rest of the evening without the PacificSD crew bothering them. We tip well, head home to de-glitter and then call the next day to see how many shots we missed.

PacificSD: Overall, how was the date? IVANA: Overall, the date was pretty fun. NADAV: Ivana was a champ. She was super-fun. She takes the song “Shots” by LMFAO to a whole new level. How was Fleetwood? IVANA: It was good for a blind date. It’s not romantic, really, but not too bar-ish, either. I had the filet mignon and washed it down with a shot of Ketel. I mean, c’mon, if it was a real date, I wouldn’t be throwing ‘em back, I would’ve had wine. But since this was all for fun, and you guys want something juicy to read…line ‘em up. Little hungover today, but you’re welcome. NADAV: Fleetwood is always good, definitely one of my favorite places to hang out to watch games, chill or dance-dance. We kicked off the action with some confetti, sunglasses at night, shooting our photographer with squirt guns and tattooing each other. I need you guys to fill this part in for me, as it’s a bit hazy—but I’m pretty sure I had the bass. What happened after the magazine crew left you two alone? IVANA: We went to Voyeur, had a drink and enjoyed the awesome DJ. NADAV: That’s when things got a bit hazy. Basically, I remember cartwheeling our way down Fifth Avenue to Voyeur. We got there and the music was pumping, so we put on our shades on and let the fist-pumping begin. Of course, we went and had more shots— Ivana’s idea. How did the date end? IVANA: I woke up today, brushed the confetti off my head and looked to my side…he wasn’t there. That’s ‘cause we said goodbye at Voyeur, and he took a cab—too many pickle backs for him. I met some of my buddies, and we moseyed to Ivy, aka Andaz. Wait, was that my date’s name? I could never remember his name or get it right. Nasdaq?

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NADAV: That’s a good question, one that I don’t have the answer to. Will there be a second date? IVANA: I’m sure he’s out ring-shopping today and writing his vows, but another one bites the dust for me. He will be added to my drinking-buddy list. Maybe his vows will be something along the lines of, “I vow to never go out drinking with that broad again.” Happy hangover, buddy! NADAV: I would say that, mentally, I could do it. But physically, my body doesn’t need that kind of abuse for a while. What costume should your date wear on Halloween? IVANA: I’d like to see him as Mango [a Saturday Night Live character] with fairy wings, running around downtown, sprinkling his confetti everywhere. NADAV: Definitely recommend being one of those guys from TJ that shoves a bottle of tequila down your throat from behind, blows a whistle and then charges you for it. Ivana, you are a natural. Despite the psychic’s magical enlightenment, last night’s blind date was no fairy tale. In fact, Mother Goose just turned over in her coop (not since Peter Piper has she seen anyone so pickled), and then she laid an egg while trying to think of a word that rhymes with “Nadav.” As the density of his liver would attest, Nadav likes to party. Last night, however, he learned the hard way not to go shotfor-shot with a professional. He got his glass handed to him by a bartender. The moral of the story: even at Halloween, just be yourself—lest your date remember you with fairy wings and pixie dust…and you don’t remember a thing. THANK YOU! The Fleetwood 639 J Street, downtown 619.702.7700, thefleetwood.com (See Zimfa’s blind date revelations in Mind Over Grey Matters, Page 68.)

nightclub, sports bar, dining lounge

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[

WED: Powerful DJs, no cover, $2 well drinks and domestic pints THU: $2 drinks, $10.95 filet mignon + steak-house favorites FRI: $2 drinks + complimentary appetizers 4-10PM SAT: $2.50 Svedka/Rockstars + Bud Lights SUN: Open 9AM for Football—all the games, plenty of big-screens, $2 drink specials, $5 breakfast platters

945 Garnet Ave. Pacific Beach, Ca. • 858.274.4833 • johnnyvsd.com • VIPS: amy@johnnyvsd.com

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Mind over ver Grey Matter BLInD DATE pREDICTIOnS FROm A SAn DIEgO pSYChIC

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egend has it he’s 700 years old. Others say he’s about 40. Folks rarely question his abilities, and he’s seldom around to provide answers. To lure the mysterious Zimfa back from an extended hiatus (a nasty flying-carpet accident nearly ended his career), PacificSD’s interns tried everything. They rubbed magic lamps, kissed countless frogs and even looked for him on Craigslist’s adult services listings. In the end, however, all it took was a mighty elixir (in the form of a few beers). And then, POOF!, there he was. What’s your real name? It’s Zimfa, which is a Sanskrit word meaning “one who’s zim is full of fa.” Where did your powers come from? Like most San Diegans, I’m hooked up to SDG&E. How good are you? I’m very good, but when I’m bad, I’m better. What did you see in Ivana’s past? Going in, I knew nothing. Then, I found out she was a Virgo, a sign that had a very difficult three-year period between 2007 and 2010. What did you predict about Ivana’s future? I don’t remember exactly what I said, because when I do my readings, I move out of the way and let the spirit do its job. Plus, I was buzzed from three beers. I do believe she’s still so shell-shocked from the last three years that she is trying to put herself in a position where she controls a situation and, in fact, needs to let go and relax and little more. She tends to put guys as either bad boys or good guys and, to be honest, some are a little bit of both. So, the pigeon-holing can prevent a relationship from happening. I believe she’s a rolling stone and will be spending a large part of her life in other countries. Ivana’s a very deep, intelligent person who may be trying to hide that side of herself from herself—maybe because she thinks shallow people have it easier, emotionally. I think the sky is the limit for whatever she wants, as long as she’s not scared to ask for it.

What did you know about Nadav’s history? I knew he had a great name if he ever wanted to become a smooth-jazz or new-age artist. What can you predict about his future? He’s the type of guy who isn’t caught up in romantic drama. If you like him, and he likes you, fine, but he’s not going to stress about it. I sense good things are going to happen with him careerwise. Romantically, he needs a woman who had brothers and is cool with guys being guys. Nadav will be very successful financially because he’s a good listener and very savvy in business. I think he is very willing to give the other person what he thinks they want. He’s not a jerk at all, but is willing to put up the front since that’s what women like. He was very nice with Ivana. Are Ivana and Nadav a good fit for each other? Right now, I think they could be good friends with benefits. I do think there is a possibility they could reconnect in their 40s and be very happy. How’s the future look for Pacific San Diego Magazine? Very good, and it will get even better through 2013. When will another couple get married as a result of one of our blind dates? The couple that appears in the March 2011 issue. It’s not quite interesting enough to note that, not counting the “I” and the “D,” the names N-A-DA-V and I-V-A-N-A are anagrams of each other. Zimfa probably knew that would happen.

calendar

Submit events to calendar@pacificsandiego.com. Compiled by Logan Broyles

{Home Games} The NFL’s Crucial Catch Campaign Throughout October, the San Diego Chargers are teaming up with the NFL in the battle against breast cancer by wearing pink gloves and selling a special pink hat to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. chargers.com

M i k e N o w a k of the San D ie g o C har g er s

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San Diego Chargers Vs. 10/3: Arizona Cardinals 10/24: New England Patriots 10/31: Tennessee Titans

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10/1-3: Miramar Air Show Venue: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Admission: Free for blanket seating, $8.50 - $189 for preferred seating Info: miramarairshow.com See the Blue Angels and more of the world’s top fighter pilots and airplane tricksters take to the sky for intense aerial acrobatics. The 300mph jet truck is a crowd fave, and the Sunday twilight show adds a dramatic visual element, as flaming jet engines erupt in the night sky.

10/2: Taste of North Park Venue: Restaurants throughout North Park Tickets: $35 Info: tastenorthpark.com Get your fill of some of the neighborhood’s best fare and wash it down with samples of locally-made microbrews and ales on this self-guided culinary tour of North Park.

10/7: 4 Troops Quartet Venue: Balboa Theatre, Downtown Tickets: $20.50-$40.50 Info: sandiegotheatres.org From the frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan, these four brave combat veterans perfected their singing while serving abroad. Together, they sing harmonized favorites and originals to raise money for military charities.

NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO.

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10/2: Tour de Fat Venue: Balboa Park Admisssion: $5 Info: newbelgium.com Ditch the four wheels for two and give a toast to the simple joy of riding your bike around town. The makers of Fat Tire Ale present this traveling festival, which includes a bike parade, performances, art and family-friendly activities.

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10/10: Fifth Avenue Auto Showcase Venue: Along Fifth Avenue, in the Gaslamp Admission: free Info: gaslamp.org Get revved up for one of San Diego’s premiere automotive events, featuring everything from antique European cars to old-school Detroit muscle.

10/19: Spike & Mike’s Sick & Twisted Festival of Animation Venue: The Loft at UCSD Tickets: $8 Info: artpwr.com The dynamically disturbed duo, Spike & Mike, return with their annual installment of animated short films to help you get your fill of devious laughs.

AEG Live

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10/9-10: The Gourmet Experience Venue: Del Mar Fairgrounds Tickets: $15-45 Info: thegourmetexpo.com More than 250 exhibitors, including many of the region’s most celebrated chefs, converge on Del Mar to showcase and sell gourmet foods, demonstrate the latest kitchen equipment and technologies and teach everyday gourmands how to prepare everything from a light lunch to an elegant dinner party.

10/21: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Venue: San Diego Sports Arena Tickets: $14-$305 Info: sandiegoarena.com The NBA defending world champion Lakers bring professional basketball to San Diego, even if it’s just for one night of exhibition basketball against the lowly Warriors. Hey, beggars can’t be choosers.

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10/26: Beauty and the Beast Venue: Civic Theatre, Downtown Tickets: $20-$79 Info: broadwaysd.com Whether it’s The Lion King or this classic tale of discovering inner-beauty, Disney has a winning track-record of adapting their films into lavish Broadway musicals. Come see why Beauty and the Beast has already grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide.

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{think}

Who Are You Wearing? Celebrity Halloween costumes—an advance screening

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by DAVID PERLOFF C O U R T E SY P R P H O T O S . C O M

ome celebrities treat lots of days like Halloween. Lady Gaga just sported a meat dress on MTV, Prince Poppycock’s been scaring guys back into the closet on America’ Got Talent, and the cast of Jersey Shore are caricatures of themselves seven days a week. (You know what situation I’m tawkin’ abowww? Boo-yah! Fuhgettaboutit!) When Halloween actually arrives, celebs go batsh!t. When the doorbell rings and the kids go, “Trick or Treat,” even Jack in the Box wears a costume—basically, he paints his head beige, throws on a brunette wig and goes as Rosie O’Donnell. As you step out onto the stage-blood-soaked red carpet at the end of the month, here are some of the other celebrity costumes you might see. Bud Black*: The Invisible Man The Padres manager goes transparent for a night to commemorate the fact that, whenever the playoffs come around, the Pads are nowhere to be seen. Paris Hilton: Prize Fighter with Bloody Nose All she really needs is boxing gloves and Everlast shorts—the cocaine should take care of the blood part. Jamarcus Russell: Phillip Rivers The drug-smuggling ex-Oakland Raider can pretend to be a real quarterback (like our hometown hero, Mr. Rivers), even if just for one night. Glenn Beck: Obama Mask with Hitler Mustache Fresh off his Million White Guy March (some estimates put the Washington Mall crowd at closer to 50,000), the crackpot newscaster has compared our 44th President to the fuhrer. Heil, Glenn! Kate Gosselin: A Samsonite Suitcase To complete the look for the whole family, the Kate Plus Ei8ht star dresses her kids as carry-ons. When you have this much baggage, there’s no sense in trying to hide it. Mel Gibson: Road Warrior No costume needed—the hammered anti-Semite can simply fly down Mulholland Drive shrieking racial epithets out the car window, then blame the Jews when he gets pulled 74

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over. (It’s not just the Jews, Mel…God hates you, too.) Adam Lambert*: Six-Foot Weiner “Walmart sold out of Simon Cowell masks,” the American Idol winner says. “This seemed like the next closest match.” Christine O’Donnell: Wicked Witch of the East The anti-masturbation member of the Tea Party recently revealed that she practiced witchcraft in college. The accessory: a tub of Vaseline, of course. Ahh…therein lies the rub. Shawn Merriman*: Trojan Man Having dated Tila Tequila, the Chargers’ linebacker has learned the value of protection. The costume comes with bottle of Valtrex as an accessory. Phil Mickelson*: Charles Barkley The pro-golfer wants the world to know that he isn’t the only overweight celebrity athlete with a gambling problem. Demi Moore: Rumer (her eldest daughter) With skin so wrinkle-free from all the Botox, all Demi has to do is throw on one of Rumer’s short dresses (they wear the same size, after all) to look like she’s the same age as the girls her husband’s been shagging. Dude, where’s my car? Check the parking lot at Déjà Vu. *From San Diego

Lady Gaga in the raw

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