Pacific San Diego Magazine, September 2011 issue by Pacific San Diego Magazine

XIFSF MP GJ HFUT IJHI

"/-( (PPE 'PPE 4USPOH %SJOLT

XXX BOBMPHCBS DPN ] UI "WFOVF 4BO %JFHP $" ] PQFO UVFT TBU BU QN ] TVOEBZ CSVODI BN ] GPPE TFSWFE UJMM NJEOJHIU UIVST GSJ BOE TBU

I<3BACON I<3CARBS I <3DRAFTS

I<3VEGGIES

I<3 WINGS great food. no fuss. Eden’s New Fall Menu FALL in love with food all over again.

I<3 PIE

COMING OCTOBER 4th!

I<3 BRUNCH I <3 CHEESE

1202 UNIVERSITY AVE | HILLCREST | 619.269.3336 x209 | EDENSANDIEGO.COM

I<3 NIGHTLIFE 9.13.11 | THE RETURN OF SINDUSTRY NIGHT + SPECIAL GUEST 9.15.11 | CAMPUS THURSDAYS LAUNCH - HILLCREST’S #1 COLLEGE NIGHT - DJ LUIS PEREZ 9.22.11 | THE TREVOR PROJECT FUNDRAISER - 7PM 9.24.11 | JEFFREY SANKER PRESENTS - FIRE & ICE - LIZ PRIMO - KATRINA OPM - ALEX COHEN

VIP / BOTTLE SERVICE | 619.780.3933 | VIP@EDENSANDIEGO.COM

let down your hairr.

AIRR…(yes, its different)

AIRR, 526 MARKET ST. SAN DIEGO, CA P. 619-546-8306 F. 619-546-8309 W

I R

92101

INFO@AIRR.US .

U S

editor’s note

I used to wish for peace and quiet, but when it actually came, the silence was deafening.

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

ommercial planes, commuter trains, Coast Guard and TV news helicopters, cruise ships, aircraft carriers, C-130 Hercules and other military aircraft landing at Naval Air Station North Island—you can see and hear them all from my home at the bustling bottom of Mission Hills. I live two blocks from I-5, three from the train tracks and five from the airport’s outer fence. But despite the transportation clatter, when the bugler at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot plays “Reveille” each morning, I hear it loud and clear. At night, “Taps” rises above the freeway traffic, indicating lights-out at MCRD. When played during a funeral, the song signifies the loss of an American hero. On September 11, 2001, as the world huddled around TVs to watch the day’s horror unfold in real time, an eerie silence fell across the neighborhood. Planes weren’t moving. The freeway sat empty. The whole world seemed to pause for a collective gasp. A couple weeks later, my wife (then fiancée) and I drove to Vegas for our September 23 wedding. The plan had been to fly, but we decided to drive because so many flights were canceled. Plus, to be honest, we were scared to set foot on a plane, as were most of our guests (of the

60 people who had RSVPed, only 21 showed up). The War in Afghanistan began October 7 of that same year, when the U.S. launched Operation Enduring Freedom. Ten years and thousands of casualties later, the fight goes on. (By “fight,” I mean the war, not our marriage, Honey. Happy anniversary! I love you.) We dedicate this issue of PacificSD to the men and women of the U.S. military, with a special nod to the Marine recruits living along the tarmac at Lindbergh Field. I hear your chants; I hear your drill sergeants. (What are those guys always yelling about?) And when I hear the bugle each night, it reminds me of your unimaginable sacrifice. Thank you, Dearest Heroes, for making life in America’s Finest city possible. Ooh-rah!

David Perloff, Editor-In-Chief

P.S. In case you’re a civilian, “Ooh-rah!” is the spirited cry of the U.S. Marines. If you’re a Marine, please don’t kick my ass for saying it—I know I’m not worthy, I just wanted to feel cool for a second.

David Perloff, Editor-In-Chief

staff

VOL.5

ISSUE 9

SEPTEMBER 2011

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

David Perloff PUBLISHERS

David Perloff Simone Perloff EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Pat Sherman

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Kenny Boyer

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Brandon Hernández Ashley Cook Catharine Kaufman David Nelson John Parker Christine Pasalo Jeff Praught Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph Frank Sabatini Jr. Rebekah Sager Andrea Siedsma

PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Audley bewaterphoto.com Brevin Blach brevinblach.com Jeff “Turbo” Corrigan turbo.fm Rob Hammer robhammerphotography.com Stacy Marie Keck stacymariesd.com John Mireles johnmireles.com Mike Nowak nowakphotography.com

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Alyson C Baker alyson@pacificsandiego.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Tim Donnelly tim@pacificsandiego.com Brad Weber brad@pacificsandiego.com

INTERNS

Verena Calas Seannen Sainz Stacy Story

Reach 150,000 of the world’s sexiest readers via print, web and social media. Read, click, connect...BOOM! 619.296.6300 pacificsandiego.com, facebook.com/pacificsd Twitter @pacificsd

IVY ROOFTOP CITY BELOW. HEAVEN ABOVE.

The water: 72°. The vibe: 350°. It’s always hot on the city’s finest rooftop. Bottle Service recommended: Call 619-814-2055 to book. Andaz San Diego, 600 F Street, San Diego, CA

Social media for the socially hip: Check for Fortune and Ivy pool party dates, information and specials.

San Diego

P A C I F I C S D

contributors

P R O M O T I O N San Diego

Wager Rager

San Diego

Sycuan Casino is throwing a $27 million makeover party M

San Diego

Gaming: 2,000 slot machines 40 gaming tables Newly renovated poker and off-track betting rooms Playing: Upcoming acts at Sycuan’s Live & Up Close theater include Uncle Kracker (9/23), Colin Hay from Men at Work (10/7), Laser Spectacular featuring the music of Pink Floyd (10/22), Monty Python’s Spamalot (11/22). Tickets on sale now at sycuan.com. Dining: GameDay Sports Bar & Grill: new! Paipa’s Buffet: imagined by executive chef Paul Schwab Wachena Restaurant: multi-cultural modern cuisine with a full cocktail bar and expansive selections of wines 14

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Michael Reiter

Sycuan Casino, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon

Photographer John Mireles’ first car was a 1974 Toyota Land Cruiser, to which he dedicated a Natural Light-fueled summer replacing its six-cylinder engine with a souped-up V8 from a crashed Corvette. His current car is an Infiniti EX with an overpowered V6 engine. His dream ride is a Mercedes-Benz Roadtrek camper van, preferably towing something fast and Italian. Following a misspent college experience at UC Santa Barbara, Mireles moved to San Diego. These days, when he’s not shooting photos, drinking, hiking, paddling his outrigger canoe, playing guitar or off on some adventure in a far-flung part of the world, he’s obsessing over an image in Photoshop or sleeping. Mireles photographed the cover and fashion editorial pages of this issue of PacificSD (see story, page 48). To be alternately inspired and offended, check out his blog at mirelesblog.com. johnmireles.com

Jessica Rose Delee

Sycuan has just completed its $27 million renovation, updating and modernizing every inch of the Casino. And at their Grand Re-Opening Celebration, you can win your share of $75,000 while oooh’ing and ahhh’ing at the beautiful new surroundings. Bet on having a blast with PacificSD at Sycuan’s Grand ReOpening, featuring DJ beats and hourly cash drawings. Cha-ching!

DATE: Saturday – Sunday, September 24 - 25 LOOT: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. INFO: 619.445.6002, sycuan.com

John Mireles

Stylist and clothing designer Jessica Rose Delee’s first car was an eggplant-colored 1993 Mercury Sable with a digital speedometer (her grandfather’s car). These days, Delee can be found behind the wheel of a 2001 Toyota Tacoma pick-up, though she’d rather be driving an eggshell-colored Audi TT with a brown leather interior. Delee owns RoseRags, an up-cycled clothing line for which she transforms old clothes into beautiful new pieces. Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, she moved to San Diego two years ago to follow her dream of becoming a clothing designer, getting started as an assistant buyer for Cecilia Boutique in Mission Hills. From there, she began styling commercial shoots. A resident stylist for the weekend morning show on San Diego 6 News, Delee helped style the cover and fashion editorial pages of this issue of PacificSD (see story page 48). roserags.com

San Diego

P A C I F I C S D

P R O M O T I O N San Diego

No Forking Way How to win a San Diego Restaurant Year: M

Call 619.296.6300 or visit pacificsandiego.com today to start building your custom multimedia campaign. PacificSD—the right audience, the right media mix, the right way to reach San Diego.

It’s not just what Marlon Brando yelled in A Street Car Named Desire (1951); it’s also the first name of Stella Artois, the luscious beer host of the San Diego Film Festival. Stella Artois and PacificSD are proud to present the San Diego Film Festival Filmmaker’s Social. Scan below to visit pacificsandiego. com for your chance to win tickets to this exclusive event (see story, page 30).

Sign Me Up

still just $9.99 a year.

8721+ Facebook fans (how you “like” me now?) Oops!

Last month, we spelled Dan Sparagna’s name wrong. (Sorry, Dan!) Mr. Sparagna shot the August 2011 issue’s skateboarding pics for “Air Time” (page 52). See more of his work at dgsFoto.com.

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

IT’S A DATE

BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN: Want to go on a PacificSD Blind Date? Matchmakers are standing by. Submit a photo and a few sentences about yourself and what you’re looking for in a date to: blinddate@ pacificsandiego.com

Audience research data provided by

San Diego

f you’re not receiving PacificSD in the mail each month, join the nearly 20,000 people that do by purchasing a subscription at pacificsandiego.com. It’s just $9.99 per year for the postage, and we’ll send you invites to our soirees, exclusive offers and all the A-list trimmings. If you don’t have a mailbox, please keep picking up copies of PacificSD from wherever you scored this one—unless you swiped it from a friend’s house, in which case, please buy a subscription…

“Hey, Stelllaaa! Hey, Stelllaaa!”

San Diego

San Diego Restaurant Week and PacificSD want you to win a Finest City Food Fantasy: dinner for two at Bali Hai Restaurant, Casa de Pico, Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop, Crab Hut, The Restaurant at the W San Diego, West and Via Italia Trattoria. The gift certificates are valid for one year; the taste of glory may last a lifetime (see story page 68).

ADVERTISE VIA PRINT, WEB, SOCIAL MEDIA

09. 1 1

pa c i f i c s d

feature story, page

LOCAL MOTION On the move in America’s Finest, via land, sea and sky

Photography by John Mireles On the cover: Photo-illustration by John Mireles, johnmireles.com. Mireles photographed model Adrienne Janic at San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 2, and then added the skyline during postproduction to mask the new-terminal construction going on in the background. Lead styling by Rebecca Jefferson. Local styling by Jessica Rose Delee, roserags.com. Makeup by Morgan Merrill for Primp Beauty Boutique, primpsandiego.com. Hair by Maegan Cooper for A Robert Cromeans Salon, robertcromeans.com. Ms. Janic is wearing a top by Parker, $286, shop.nordstrom.com; Kingsley hat by Rag + Bone, $140, barneys.com; scarf by Bcat Threads, $25, ceciliaboutique.com; Anouck denim jeans by Siwy, $187, siwydenim.com; carved talon bracelets by Luv AJ, $175, luvaj.com; round bracelet watch by Michael Kors, $225, bloomingdales.com; duffle bags by Muubaa, fall preview muubaa. co.uk; ankle bootie by 2LipsToo, $55, Tutto Cuore, tuttocuoreshoes.com, 1019 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. This page: Ms. Janic is wearing a coat by Robert Rodriguez, $1150, shop.nordstrom. com; Rhonda sunglasses by Tom Ford, $395, neimanmarcus.com; Pyramid stud bracelet in gold by CC Skye, $185, ccskye. com; black and maroon pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti, $650, giuseppezanottidesign.com; vintage belt, stylist’s own; taxi by AK Cab, 619.306.9761. 18

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

B E N E F I T T I N G

T W O

C H A R I T I E S

I N C L U D I N G

L O C A L

Y O U T H

B O X I N G

VICTORY MMA & DISCOVERSD.COM GRAMERCY MANAGEMENT GROUP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

INDUSTRY

FEATURING FIGHTERS FROM LA PUERTA

BEACHWOOD STINGAREE HARDROCK BOOTLEGGER ALSO BAR WEST THRUSTERS RMD GROUP IVY LINCOLN ROOM FLEETWOOD FSIX SIDBAR AND FLUXX www.INDUSTRYBOXING.COM

contents

09. 1 1

pa c i f i c s d

page

s ta c y k e c k

This 1978 Cadillac Coup de Ville lowrider is owned by Estevan Cordova, a member of San Diego’s Amigos Car Club (see Sweet ‘n’ Low, page 36).

DEPARTMENTS CURRENTS

4 3 S ee , S aw

7 6 M arteeny

2 7 B oltin g B ac k The San Diego Chargers

4 4 P ush , P lay

GROOVE

7 9 T ouchin g B ass

power-up for another shot at gridiron glory

3 2 Y es , W e C annes

The San Diego Film Festival returns to downtown screens and scene

Shape-up with the San Diego Chargers

Introducing the next big idea: mini bottle service

Cutting-edge digital console ushers in new era of DJing

TASTE

6 5 H ome S lice

8 0 B ass is L oaded

3 6 S weet ‘ n ’ L ow

7 0 C ost S a v or

8 1 T ressed T o Kill

Cruisin’ with San Diego’s lowrider community

4 0 Y ou B et

No reason to risk wagering on the Chargers—Chainsaw’s already seen the games

4 2 T imber L ines

One local artisan wooden have it any other way

Wooden products are sprouting up everywhere

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Julian may not be NYC, but it’s sure got big apples San Diego Restaurant Week promises big flavor at small prices

Follow the bouncing head— one (dub)step at a time Garage rock revivalists The Kills return to San Diego

8 3 cause for applause

Local bands go to work for charity; plus San Diego Music Thing, IDentity Festival and September concert listings

8 4 Kni g ht R ider

On the road with a Ninja- loving bartender

8 7 L o v e T rain

One romantic journey, two tickets to ride

CALENDAR

9 4 N ine . E le v en 8 2 R oc k and A we

September event listings

8 2 S ound A d v ice

9 8 D O N ’ T S AY C H E E S E An un-flashy look back at

at least their fridges), it’s what’s inside that counts

DIY punk community rocks North Park

7 4 O pen D oor P olicy When it comes to women (or

Album reviews

PARTING SHOTS

Summer 2011

8FEOFTEBZ Pasta dinners from $4.95 Rustic grilled pizzas for $5 $3 well drinks, draft beers and house wines ½-off bottles of wine 5IVSTEBZ $10.95 Steakhouse Dinners (Petit Filet, Sirloin Culotte, Ribeye, Pork Flat Iron Steak or Ahi Steak) $2 well drinks and domestic drafts (8PM-close) 'SJEBZ $2 well drinks and domestic drafts + complimentary appetizers (4PM-10PM) 4BUVSEBZ $1 street tacos, $3 well drinks $8 Domestic Pitchers $4 U-Call-Its (after 6PM) 4VOEBZ $5 breakfast specials $1.95 mimosas and $3.50 Bloody Mary’s (‘til 2PM)

FREE POOL

TA L E N T E D D J S

DELICIOUS FOOD

CHILL VIP AREAS

F L AT S C R E E N S

OJHIUDMVC TQPSUT CBS EJOJOH MPVOHF 9 4 5 G A R N E T AV E . PA C I F I C B E A C H , C A .

858.274.4833

JOHNNYVSD.COM

VIPS: AMY@JOHNNYVSD.COM

Ladies and gentlemen, start your party engines for an evening in the Finest City fast lane… PacificSD invites you to TRANSPORT 2011, where hardcore elegance and upscale irreverence combust with live electronica, DJ beats and much love.

Transport 2 0 1 1 P A C I F I C S D

( V r o o m !

w i t h

P R E S E N T S

v i e w )

EXCLUSIVE LIVE SET BY EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRO-POP MAESTRO, RAFTER

Event begins at 9:00 p.m. (expect line by 8:30) Afterparty on Ivy Rooftop

Friday , September 16 Ivy Nightclub at Andaz S an Meet Adrienne Janic, PacificSD cover model and host of TV’s Overhaulin’

D i e g o ,

6 0 0

S t r e e t ,

Gas l a m p Burning burlesque revue by ROUGE

P u t y o u r self on t h e g u est list :

transport@pacificsandiego.com

F r iends , fa m il y , ind u st r y onl y ( h osted b a r ) :

fastlane@pacificsandiego.com

vintage car display by

Vinyl beats by

THIRD ANNUAL

STAY UP TO SPEED at pacificsandiego.com and facebook.com/pacificsd 24

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

presented by

Saturday, September 17th Following the Padres vs. Diamondbacks at 5:35

Sunday, September 18th Following the Padres vs. Diamondbacks at 1:05

In association with

cur re nt s coolture

first thin g s

chainsaw

LIVING

body

San Diego Chargers’ third-year running back Mike Tolbert does the touchdown dance in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last September. Pictured behind Tolbert is Jaguars’ linebacker and Oceanside native, Russell Allen.

BOLTING BACK With lockout hype and hysteria behind them, the San Diego Chargers power-up for another shot at NFL glory B y J e f f Pr a u g h t photos by mike nowak

he NFL is back, and Chargers fans are as stoked as ever. Following their months-long work “stoppage” (if you can call it that, since no actual games were missed), the Bolts look primed for a Super Bowl run in 2011. The doom and gloom some predicted labor negotiations would bring about never really transpired, as cooler (or smarter?) heads prevailed. After much negotiating behind closed doors and via the media, the owners and players announced a 10-year collective bargaining agreement, with no opt-out clauses. Dust off your “Super Chargers” disco moves, folks—we have professional football for the next decade. (Continued on page 28) pacificsandiego.com

currents (Continued from page 27)

first thin g s

Main Offenders Bolts backers can take comfort in the likelihood that any missed practices will not hurt the team much, as the majority of the roster is familiar with head coach Norv Turner’s master plan. Led by All-Pro quarterback Philip Rivers, the Chargers offense should be explosive and, dare say, stronger than last season. How is that possible? Top wideout receiver Vincent Jackson won’t be holding out to start the year. He’s now inked to a one-year, $11.933 million contract. The league’s best tight end, Antonio Gates, should be fully recovered from foot injuries that robbed him of half the last season. The team’s offensive line—a critical component to any team’s rushing attack—returns in full. And second-year running back Ryan Mathews can only get better, as he attempts to build on his flashes of brilliance from 2010. Yet, there are challenges to overcome. Despite leading the NFL in total offense and total defense during the 2010 season, the 9-7 Chargers missed the playoffs. Defense and special teams seem to remain the area of greatest concern. There’s no hiding it: 2010 was an embarrassment for special teams, whose circus-like season was riddled with blocked punts, missed kicks and long-return debacles. As a solution, the Chargers hired special teams coach Rich Bisaccia away from Tampa Bay. After last season, improvement is virtually guaranteed, especially with the return of long snapper David Binn (recently recovered from a hamstring injury). Of course, the pressure will be on kicker Nate Kaeding to exorcise his playoff demons. (Continued on page 30) M IKE N O W AK P H O T O G R A P HY

Chargers wide receiver Vincent “Action” Jackson basks in a moment of NFL glory while sporting the team’s 1960-style throwback uniform in a game against San Francisco.

UNIQUE LIKE YOU AYIP D 7 SH

SPIN

CARDIO

YOGA

DANCE

KICKBOXING

E BER E M E FR M

PILATES

- > Ê}À Õ«ÃÊ> `Ê Ìi ÃiÊL ÌÊV> «ÃÊÊUÊÊ7i } Ì ÃÃÊ«À }À> ÃÊÌ >ÌÊ `ÊÞ ÕÊ>VV Õ Ì>L i

ÕÌÌ } i`}iÊÀiÃ ÃÌ> Vi ÌÀ> }ÊiµÕ « i ÌÊÊUÊÊFull-service luxury spa: massages, facials, L `ÞÊÌÀi>Ì i ÌÃ]ÊÃ ÊV>ÀiÊÊUÊÊ Õ VÌ > ÊÌÀ> }Ê> `Ê-> Ê i} ½ÃÊÌ «Ê«iÀÃ > ÊÌÀ> iÀÃ L A J O L L A S P O R T S C L U B , 7 8 2 5 FAY AV E N U E , L A J O L L A , 9 2 0 3 7 , 8 5 8 . 4 5 6 . 2 5 9 5 , L A J O L L A S P O RT S C L U B . C O M T H E S P O R T I N G C L U B , 8 9 3 0 U N I V E R S I T Y C E N T E R L A N E , U T C , 9 2 1 2 2 , 8 5 8 . 5 5 2 . 8 0 0 0 , T H E S P O RT I N G C L U B . C O M

currents (Continued from page 28)

first thin g s

M IKE N O W AK P H O T O G R A P HY

Defending the Faith The Chargers’ newest faces will line up on the defensive side of the ball, as San Diego tapped the free agent market this year to plug some holes. Linebacker Takeo Spikes (49ers), a 14-year veteran and prolific run-stopper, is a highlight of the new acquisitions. Travis LaBoy (Cardinals, 49ers) was signed to help improve the non-existent pass rush. And defensive end Luis Castillo is expected to generate more pressure on the line. This should more than offset the departures of Kevin Burnett, Stephen Cooper and Brandon Siler. Hopefully, new safety Bob Sanders (Colts) can remain healthy— something he has not been able to do in years. He’ll team with Eric Weddle, who signed a controversial $40 million, five-year-contract extension this year (including $19 million guaranteed), making him the second-highest paid safety in football.

the home game Will the Bolts bolt?

By Dan Schrag

n underlying, unnerving situation for Chargers fans is that the team may leave San Diego. Qualcomm has become antiquated to the point where the NFL has stopped considering San Diego as a site for future Super Bowls, at least until a more modern facility is built. Such a stadium would likely cost close to $800 million, requiring some amount of public financing, which our cash-strapped city isn’t likely to cough up anytime soon. Discussions between the team and city officials have been ongoing for almost a decade, without resolution. In early August, the Los Angeles City Council approved AEG’s $1.5 billion downtown development plan that will ultimately attract either an expansion or existing NFL team. The Chargers are rumored to be considering this option if talks with the city of San Diego don’t produce results. To make matters worse for Bolts fans, the team has an annual exit clause in its lease at the Q, the cost of which drops rapidly following the 2011 season. Even a minimum $500 million NFL-imposed relocation fee might not be enough to prevent the Chargers from moving north if San Diego officials cannot come up with a plan to keep the team. Despite these fears, however, it should be noted that the team has gone out of its way to state that its number one preference is to remain in San Diego—and a decade of negotiation prudence seems to support this.

GRAB A BITE P H O T O :

A N D R E W

J O R G E N S E N

AND A BEVY.

3704

<=E =443@7<5 / 4C:: :7?C=@ 0/@ 7BÂ¸A 4==B0/:: A3/A=< 8=7< CA 4=@ B63 5/;3 (Continued on page 34)

!% " ;7AA7=< 0:D2 Â&#x2019; &#& "&& '"&" Â&#x2019; EEE 0=/@2E/:9;7AA7=<03/16 1=; Â&#x2019; 4@33 E7 47

currents first thin g s

chainsaw

li v in g

body

coolture

Diana DelZio

Yes, We Cannes

ABOVE: Last year’s San Diego Film Festival captivated audiences. BELOW: Still image from Bryan Storkel’s documentary, Holy Rollers.

The San Diego Film Festival returns to the big screen and downtown scene

B y A ly s o n B a k e r

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

After the Q&As, movie-watchers will have the chance to rub elbows with celebs at local after-parties hosted by Stella Artois. (Rumor has it star sightings will include Twilight film actress Anna Kendrick and actors Tom Sizemore, Stacy Keach and Elliott Gould.) “The festival provides a unique opportunity to see films you might not otherwise get to see,” says SDFF founder and executive director, Robin Laatz. “We have a lot of new and exciting themes this year.” A committee of 15 began viewing roughly 1,200 film submissions in January, whittling the selection to a final roster by mid-August. “It’s really just finding the

gems, great films you won’t see publicized, (including) some of the best films from Sundance, Tribeca and Palm Springs,” Laatz says. “In our lineup is something for everybody, whether you love surfing, dancing or you’re concerned about what’s going on in Africa.” This year’s movie highlights range from the opening night film, 50/50, a poignant comedy that tells the story of a 27year old cancer patient’s struggle (Continued on page 34)

Christians pray for luck while gambling

oly Rollers is a documentary about the largest and most well-funded blackjack card-counting team in the U.S., the “Church Team.” Intrigued by the story of these Christian card sharks (and the potential to invest in their scheme), director Bryan Storkel seeks to break down false assumptions about cardcounting and expose the human (Continued om page 34)

Co u r t e s y S D F F

uzzing with celebs and swanky afterparties, the San Diego Film Festival (SDFF) celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. On-screen at the SDFF will be 85 high-caliber features, documentaries and shorts. Offscreen, attendees will enjoy nearly the same access—and treatment—as the moviemakers and shakers themselves. Held September 28 through October 2 at the Reading Gaslamp Theatres downtown, the festival boasts question-and-answer sessions with actors and directors after 90 percent of screenings.

FINGERS CROSSED

THE RITUAL Step Nº 9 : The Bestowal

The perfect Stella Artois is not only poured. It is served. A ritual that for centuries has left patrons the world over watching and wanting. And this, their refreshing reward. So before you say cheers, expect to hear a few of them.

StellaArtois.com

Always Enjoy Responsibly.

Stella Artois® Beer, Imported by Import Brands Alliance, St. Louis, MO

currents (Continued from page 32)

C O O LT U R E

270<?06=4 60<4B B 0C D A 30H B D = 30H

!5>A 1A40:50BC " $ <8<>B0B

face behind the organization. The Church Team members cite different motives for joining the cause, including hatred for casinos. One member claims casinos â&#x20AC;&#x153;suck the goodness out of the world,â&#x20AC;? while a young pastor says being on the team gives him the funds and free time to start his own church and spread the word (flexible work hours and fat rewards donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt, either). Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all fun and games, however. Spiritual and financial conflicts arise as team members grapple with their faith after a losing streak. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big part of the film,â&#x20AC;? Storkel says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very up and down. You can lose $100,000 or win $100,000 in a day.â&#x20AC;?

4867C 0< >=4 ?< Â&#x201C; BC0AC8=6 B4?C C7

6[^eT 2[dQ 2^\_TcXcX^] Submit your best Shore Club glove photo to JORYHFOXE #\DKRR FRP E\ 2FWREHU WK

Afghanis

tan -Rob

1 4 2 A 4 0C 8E 4

Chicag

o Il

San Francisco CA

BT]S h^da _W^c^ P]S P _PaPVaP_W ^U fWTaT P]S fWh h^d c^^Z Xc FX]]X]V _W^c^ fX[[ QT UTPcdaTS X] cWT =^eT\QTa PS X] ?PRXUXR <PVPiX]T P]S fX[[ fX] $ X] _aXiTb S U N S E T S S E RV E D D A I LY 2 & ( $ 1 % /9 ' e 3$& , ) , & % ( $& +

F74A4 6A0=3 <44CB C74 B0=3

'$' !&! BDA5 Â&#x201C; ?1B7>A42;D1 2><

with his diagnosis (starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick), to Holy Rollers, a documentary about card-counting Christians, shot in San Diego and Las Vegas. A stirring addition to SDFFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green Screen series, the award-winning documentary, The Last Mountain (featuring Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.) depicts the struggles of an Appalachian community battling a behemoth mining corporation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We kind of bring those issues to San Diego,â&#x20AC;? Laatz says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of discussion about social activism and what you can do on the ground here.â&#x20AC;?

AND... SEENS

San Diego Film Festival WHEN: September 28 - October 2 WHERE: Films at Reading Gaslamp Theaters, 701 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp; awards show and gala at the Culy Warehouse, 335 6th Ave., Gaslamp TICKETS: $12 per film or $65 festival pass; party admission extra VIP PASS: $250, grants pass-holder access to all films (with reserved seating), after-parties and invitations to private filmmaker meet-and-greets INFO: sdff.org

Look for (or like) celebs at these SDFF after-partieS Opening Night Party: September 28 at Se San Diego Hotel Filmmaker Social: September 29 at Quality Social Industry Party: September 30 at AIRR Supper Club and Night Club Awards Ceremony: October 1 at Culy Warehouse Wrap Party: October 2 at Lincoln Room

currents first thin g s

chainsaw coolture

Sweet 'n' Low Cruisin’ with San Diego’s lowrider community

B y Cat h a r i n e L . K a u f m a n • P h oto s b y S tacy K e c k

Southern California’s Chicano and African American communities of the 1930s and ’40s, Zoot-suited young men put rocks and sandbags in their trunks to minimize the distance between their tricked-out cars and the asphalt...and the lowrider was born. The lowrider community’s influence has since spread beyond the barrio to become a co-ed culture absent of socioeconomic barriers. These days, groundhugging auto enthusiasts share a passion, pride and (mostly friendly) rivalry grounded in a love for their hydraulic masterpieces—each with its own custom engine, paint job and ability to bounce. Though packed with street cred, lowriders haven’t always had a golden relationship with the CHP. In 1958, the California Vehicle Code outlawed any car with parts lower to the ground that its wheel rims. 36

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

A year later, a custom auto mechanic found a legal workaround in hydraulic Pesco pumps, which allowed a car’s height to be altered at the flick of the switch—from lowrider to street legal. It was also the year the first Chevy Impala hit the market with an X-frame chassis that made lowering and raising the cars with hydraulic modifications a snap. Much has changed since the birth of the lowrider, but Rigoberto “Rigo” Reyes, co-founder of San Diego’s Amigos Car Club and the San Diego Lowrider Council, says some traditions die hard. He and his longtime cruisin’ pals still

congregate at the corner of 30th Street and Coronado Avenue, in the parking lot of Northgate Market in South Bay, as they’ve done for 35 years. “But now that we’re getting older and can’t stand for hours, we bring our own chairs,” Reyes says. It’s been a long and winding road for this veteran lowrider, who has struggled with prejudice and stereotyping for decades, “due in part to the media portrayal of lowriders as gang bangers and criminals.” The upside? “The feeling you get when you show off your lowrider is a feeling you cannot (Continued on page 38)

LIVING

body

currents first thin g s

chainsaw

LIVING

body

coolture

Car Talk

(Continued from page 36)

(lowrider lingo)

describe, similar to hot rods when they win races,” says Reyes, who finds automotive nirvana in his 1948 Chevy Fleetline and in his 1929 Willy’s Knight sedan, which he named “La Cucaracha.” Another local lowrider enthusiast, Magic 92.5 FM radio host Xavier “The X-Man” Soriano restored his baby, a 1961 Chevy Impala convertible called “Doin’ It To Death” (after the James Brown tune) from the ground up. “Recapturing the era when great cars with sleek bodylines were built in America, not like the cookie cutters of today,” gave Soriano a sense of pride and accomplishment, he says. Soriano’s dream lowrider would include a $10,000 Corvette engine, Jaguar suspensions, an integrated sound system, a flatscreen TV, chrome muffler, exotic animal skin upholstery, air-brushed murals and pin-striping. “Let your imagination run tastefully wild,” he says, estimating the customization would cost about $150,000. When you love lowriders this much, the sky’s the limit. For more of the lowdown on lowriders, check out sandiegolowridercouncil.com.

R ecapturing the era when great cars with sleek bod y lines were built in A merica , not like the cookie cutters of today

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Candy: A flashy paint job, often including neon colors and/or designer metallics. Deadhead: A lowriding newbie who continues flipping switches even after the car has been lifted to its maximum height. Deuce: Nickname for a 1962 Impala. Dog Leg: A lowrider’s three-wheel stance, where one rear wheel is off the ground. Pumps and Dumps: “Pumps” activate the hydraulic system, making the lowrider rise; “dumps” are release valves that return the vehicle return to earth. Queen: A car that sits on its “throne,” meaning it isn’t driven. Scrape: The act of purposely dragging a car on the pavement while driving to make sparks shoot out from underneath the chassis (also, another term for a lowrider).

CLOCKWISE (from top left): Members of the Amigos Car Club show off their prized lowriders; hydraulics help a Lincoln Continental take a nose dive; (remaining four photos) bumperto-bumper attention to detail makes lowriders sparkle.

limos • limo buses • beer/wine tours • sports/concert packages • bachlorettes/weddings

permit #tcp22808B

Luxury comes at a price: as little as $5 per person per hour. Call to book your Epic Limo adventure today Custom packages for parties of 2 to 45 people

Scan here for details epiclimobus.com/pacific.html

858-270-limo (5466)

epiclimo.com

currents first thin g s

coolture

LIVING

body

chainsaw

COOKIE “CHAINSAW” RANDOLPH

Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph has already dreamt what he’s going to say on the Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw Show, weekdays on 100.7 JACK-fm.

You Bet

No reason to take a gamble on the Chargers—I’ve already seen the games B y COOKIE “ CHAINSAW ” R ANDOLPH

ithin my vast array of incredibly awesome gifts (which includes unparalleled humility) is the ability to have timetraveling dreams that foretell actual events. The other night I was having my standard dream of being naked in a classroom during a midterm I hadn’t studied for, when I was launched into a wild adventure that spanned the entire 2011-12 Chargers season. Fortunately for all of us, when I woke up, I jotted down the results of all the games before I could forget them. Bet accordingly. September 11 vs. Minnesota: Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder throws for an NFL record 12 interceptions (including one to Chargers equipment manager Bob Wick) in a performance so abysmal, Christian Ponder, as his name suggests, considers changing religions. Chargers 49, Vikings 6. September 18 at New England: Tom Brady’s hair gets caught in Giselle’s juicer before the game. Chargers 27, Patriots 13.

T he other night I was having m y standard dream of being naked in a classroom during a midterm I hadn ’ t studied for . . .

September 25 vs. Kansas City: Defending division champs? Please. The only bigger fluke than the Chiefs winning the AFC West was Amy Winehouse outliving Jack LaLanne. Chargers 31, Chiefs 10. October 2 vs. Miami: His recently confiscated Heisman Trophy now moves faster and more often than recently acquired Dolphins running back, Reggie Bush. Chargers 24, Dolphins 14. October 9 at Denver: Broncos QB Tim Tebow’s throwing motion is so slow, Chargers safety Eric Weddle was able to begin his blitz as Tebow cocked, and tackled him before the release. Chargers improve to 5-0 into the bye week with a 31-0 massacre at Mile High. October 23 at New York (Jets): Philip Rivers completes an NFL record 47 passes, or one for each of Jets corner Antonio Cromartie’s illegitimate children. Chargers 38, Jets 17.

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

October 31 at Kansas City. Last year, the Chiefs masqueraded as champions. This Halloween, the trick is on them. Chargers 35, Chiefs 10. November 6 vs. Green Bay: Super Bowl MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who lives in Del Mar during the offseason, sprains his back on game day while picking up the 123 Union-Tribunes that had collected on his driveway since training camp started. Chargers 35, Packers 24. November 10 vs. Oakland: Uhoh. This is a “trap” game. The 8-0 Chargers take on the 2-6 Raiders on Thursday night. Raiders return three kickoffs for touchdowns in a special teams nightmare reminiscent of 2010. The ’72 Dolphins can celebrate the fact their undefeated season is safe again. Raiders 21, Chargers 20. Ouch. November 20 at Chicago: Jay Cutler limps off the field with a separated taint midway through the first quarter. Back-up QB Caleb Hanie fumbles six times. Chargers 24, Bears 3. November 27 vs. Denver: Poor Bronco Tim Tebow. This time he overthrows a wide-open receiver in the end zone as time expires. In his best throw of the day, the ball shatters a cluster of lights on the scoreboard. Chargers 23, Broncos 20. December 5 at Jacksonville, December 11 vs. Buffalo and December 18 vs. Baltimore: Even my dream was bored by these games,

but the final scores are 13-6, 17-9 and 21-7 respectively. The Chargers are 13-1 at this point. December 24 at Detroit: ‘Twas the night before Christmas in suburban Detroit, the Lions pathetic, the Chargers adroit. Chargers 45, Lions 6. January 1 at Oakland: Nothing like ringing in the New Year with 10,000 hungover Chuckies in the Black Hole. By now the 3-12 Raiders are phoning it in (leave your name at the bleep). Chargers 23, Raiders 3. Divisional Playoff, January 14 vs. Indianapolis: Long-necked Peyton Manning visits the San Diego Zoo that morning to finally meet his biological father: Hoppy the Spastic Giraffe. Chargers 35, Colts 31. AFC Championship, January 22 vs. New England: Attention addict and Pats receiver Chad Ochocinco legally changes his name to Kareem Oliver Diaz just in time for kickoff. Chargers 31, Patriots 21. Super Bowl XLVI, February 5 vs. Philadelphia: Booking the Baha Men for the half-time show proves to be a cruel joke on Eagles QB Michael Vick, who hears “Who Let The Dogs Out?” in the locker room and becomes completely distracted. Chargers 35, Eagles 28. Antonio Gates (3 TDs, 116 yards receiving) is the MVP. Chargers finish 18-1. You’re welcome.

currents first thin g s

coolture

chainsaw

body LIVING

(b.)

(a.)

Timber Lines

wood HAs BEEN sprouting up in the most unexpected places

(c.)

(e.)

(d.)

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

B y A ly s o n B a k e r B R E V I N B LACH

his month, we’re digging punches of Pinocchio in our lives—and that’s no lie. Go against the grain and update your look with these sleek, wood and wood-inspired products.

Watch This (a.)

B R E V I N B LACH

You’d give someone the time in a New York minute sporting a stylish WeWood watch, made from woods including maple, ebony and guaiac. Plus, WeWood aims to sustain— for every watch sold, they plant a tree. Price: $119 we-wood.us Shop local: Ivy’s Boutique 5040 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach Gaslamp Garage 301 5th Ave., Gaslamp

Stick in Your Eye (b.) See the forest through the trees with Shwood’s classic Canby sunglasses. Each frame is shaped and veneered by hand in Oregon from sustainably harvested wood. Available in East Indian rosewood, cherry wood and zebrawood. Price: $145 and up shwoodshop.com Shop local: Aloha Sunday 3118 University Ave., North Park alohasunday.com

Neck of the Woods (c.) Get a splinter of sustainable couture with reclaimed wood neckties from San Francisco-based Wood Thumb. Price: $34 woodthumb.com

Walk the Plank (d.) Find inner peace with a Plank Luxe yoga mat, offering the look of wood with the sponginess of rubber. Mats also come in genuine-looking grass and shag carpet prints. Price: $85 plank.myshopify.com Tree Ride (e.) Renovo hollow wood and laminated bamboo bicycles are engineered for maximum performance, offering a shock-absorbing ride that wards off rain and holds up better than most metal models. Price: $2,700 and up renovobikes.com

See, Saw

One local artisan wooden have it any other way

By Andrea Siedsma

owa native Joseph Bedford is bringing wood to the ’hood. Since opening his Little Italy workshop, Bedford Built, and an adjacent gallery, Coalesce, in 2004, he has been creating artistic furniture and accent pieces made from local and imported wood. Bedford works with scraps of trees he finds on forest floors and driftwood-covered shores around the globe. One of his favorite scrap yards is Morley Field in Balboa Park, where he gathered redwood for a 20-foot wall sculpture, Muir Reflection, now on display in the University of California, San Diego’s John Muir Center. He used leftovers from the piece to craft a line of multi-colored redwood stools, chairs and tables. “When people buy them, they can get a slice of Balboa Park,” says Bedford, who also salvages eucalyptus and other disease- or storm-felled trees from Morley Field. Most of Bedford’s furniture is commissioned and custom-built, incorporating an array of styles, textures and colors. Through collaboration with other artists, he merges his found, organic elements with fabricated materials including acrylic, upholstery and metals. But wooden you know it, Bedford seems to prefer what’s au natural. “To me, there is so much character in wood,” he says. “I like clean lines, but I also like when wood is weathered.” Take a seat (or a table) at Bedford Built, which features a new artist every month to coincide with Little Italy’s Kettner Nights gallery showcase, held the first Friday of every other month. Bedford’s pieces range from $350 to $1,000. Bedford Built, Coalesce / 2360 India St., Little Italy / 619.564.2671, bedfordbuilt.com pacificsandiego.com

currents first thin g s

coolture

chainsaw

LIVING body

PUSH, Play

San Diego linebacker Darryl Gamble charges through a preseason workout at the team’s training compound in Mission Valley.

Getting ready for kickoff with the San Diego Chargers

B y J OHN PA R KE R • p h o t o s b y m i k e n o w a k

espite getting a late start on the season, NFL stars are poised once again to inspire the tailgating masses with superhuman displays of athleticism and determination.

The abridged preseason (a months-long players strike ended July 25) meant even more intense workouts during training camp. To make up for lost time, the guys in charge of preparing the Chargers to win games pushed

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

players through rigorous strength and conditioning exercises combined with functional, game-time movements intended to pay big dividends when our hometown heroes hit the field on any given Sunday.

“Our philosophy here is that you get strong from the middle out,” says Chargers head strength and conditioning coach, Jeff Hurd. “If we build a good base—core, legs—that power will generate out their hands.”

The Bolts supplement weight room routines with exercises that promote agility and stamina, enabling the explosive movements required to leap and catch passes or juke through a rushing (Continued on page 46)

currents first thin g s

coolture

chainsaw

LIVING body

(Continued from page 44)

defensive line. “I try to keep my training as dynamic as possible,” says Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who took up boxing during the offseason to improve his hand-eye coordination and make himself lighter on his feet. “I do a lot of box jumps, running up stairs, jump rope, single leg jumps (and other plyometrics)… because in football, you’re rarely going to be in a balanced position all the time,” Jackson says. “Everything’s usually on one leg or the other.” Put your best leg forward this fall by adopting some of these NFL workout strategies. Even if you don’t make the Super Bowl, you can still feel super while training like a Charger. Set… ready… Go! Go! Go!

P eople talk about all these fanc y core exercises , but there ’ s nothing that engages y our core more , if y ou do it properly, than a squat. —Chargers head strength and conditioning coach, Jeff Hurd

Catch Me If You Can To develop the speed and coordination essential for a Pro Bowl receiver, Vincent Jackson performs Crossfit workouts. Combining power and Olympic lifts with full-body exercises, Crossfit conditions athletes to adapt to high-intensity training.

“High-tempo, high-repetition exercise results in a very dynamic and challenging workout,” Jackson says.

crossfit.com

TDs Through DVDs Cornerback Marcus Gilchrist makes the popular P90X home fitness DVD collection his offseason protocol.

“It works not only endurance and conditioning, but the core work, the arm work, stuff like that,”

Gilchrist says. Following the instructor on P90X is like having a personal trainer on-call whenever you turn on the TV. The program’s serious workouts incorporate strength, flexibility and cardiovascular exercises. beachbody.com No Need to Weight For safety Steven Gregory, there is nothing more vital than leg work.

“A lot of sprints, a lot of change of direction type movements—cone drills and things that (require) a quick, sudden change of movement,” Gregory says. “You don’t necessarily need weight. You can do things on stairs and things like lunges. Just get out there and do movement.”

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo gets in a serious leg workout. Nwagbuo played football at Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley and at Southwestern College in Chula Vista before going on to play for Michigan State University and the Bolts.

Critical Mass Heaviest dumbbell in the Chargers’ weight room: 200 lbs. Weight of tires the Chargers flip on the field during training: 450 lbs. Weight of Chargers defensive tackle Antonio Garay: 320 lbs. Weight (in addition to body weight) required to achieve the core-and-leg-toning benefit of squats, when executed with proper form: 0 lbs. —Source: Chargers head strength and conditioning coach, Jeff Hurd

On the move in Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest, via land, sea and sky

i o t o n m

LOCAL 48

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

fashion editorial photography

John Mireles lead stylist Rebecca Jefferson local stylist Jessica Rose Delee hair Maegan Cooper for A Robert Cromeans Salon

makeup Morgan Merrill for Primp Beauty Boutique

assistant seannen sainz

ransporting an estimated 3.1 million people around San Diego County involves a lot of moving pieces. Adding fashion flair to the local commute, TV-screen auto queen Adrienne Janic (from TLC’s Overhaulin’) embarks on a whirled tour of the city’s main transit attractions, from the waterfront to airport to the freeway. Roam, if you want to, and please enjoy the ride.

ON ADRIENNE: Cream blouse by Parker, $187, blue high-waisted harem by Robert Rodriguez, $178, shop. nordstrom.com; noir necklace in cherry quartz by Shelmade, $325, shelmade.com; stepping stone stackable rings by Sophia & Chloe, $88, sophiaandchloe. com; Stingray singlewrap screw bracelet by CCSkye, $95, brown leather bullet bracelet by CCSkye, $125, ccskye. com; strapped pumps by Alejandro Inglemo, $480, bloomingdales. com; vintage belt, stylist’s own.

LOCATION: Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 1st Street, Coronado

pacificsandiego.com

B R E V I N B LACH

Ship Out of Luck New cruise ship terminal is already underwater

what’s Up, Dock?

s the sparkling new, $28 million cruise ship terminal was opening at Broadway Pier last year, Carnival Cruise Lines announced it would yank the last of its 2,500-passenger vessels from local waterways in April of 2012, resulting in what the Port of San Diego estimates as losses of $54 million in regional spending.

Kerplunk! In 2008, 255 ships docked at the Embarcadero. Today, only 85 ships are scheduled for 2012, says the Port’s media relations manager, Marguerite Elicone. “There’s violence in Mexico that has contributed to a lot of the cruise lines not doing as many tours down there,” Elicone says, “but we still have ships scheduled for this coming year. Come September, you’ll see them start coming in again, and they’ll go to Mexico. We also have ships that go to Hawaii, Alaska and the Panama Canal.” In the meantime, the new terminal is available for private functions— weddings, bar mitzvahs, you name it. “We also use it as a public space,” Elicone says. “The public’s allowed to go there and walk out on the pier and enjoy the views.” Unobstructed views of Coronado, that is, without those pesky cruise ships in the way. —Pat Sherman

First phase of port renovations to break ground in January

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Elements of future phases of the development are still being discussed by a citizens advisory committee and could include a permanent amphitheatre for the symphony pops or a worldclass aquarium. Total planned waterfront

improvements, including developer Doug Manchester’s private, billiondollar hotel and office development of the Navy Broadway Complex (just south of the Midway museum), will take about a decade, depending on the availability of funding, officials say. —Pat Sherman

North Embarcadero Waterfront Renovations Project Area: 1.5 miles Estimated Cost: $228 million First Phase Cost: $29.6 million First Phase Completion Date: 2013

Rendering of the Port’s planned North Embarcadero improvements.

Co u r t e s y P or t of S a n D i e go

he Port of San Diego is set to begin $228 million in renovations to San Diego’s bay-front Embarcadero (Spanish for “landing place”), the roughly two-mile stretch of coast that encompasses two cruise ship terminals, the USS Midway museum, Navy Pier, the San DiegoCoronado Ferry, Hornblower cruises, the Star of India and the San Diego Maritime Museum. Earlier this year, the California Coastal Commission approved $29.6 million in first-phase improvements to San Diego’s 1.5mile North Embarcadero area. The project, which begins in January, includes moving Harbor Drive slightly to the east to improve traffic, widening sidewalks and adding a visitor center, palm trees and public art projects. A 150-foot park is planned for the east side of Harbor Drive on the former site of Lane Field, a baseball stadium where the Padres played from 1936 to 1957 (currently used for cruise ship passenger parking). “We have a developer that’s going to be building two hotels, restaurants and shops on that corner, and they are providing the park space,” says the Port’s media relations manager, Marguerite Elicone.

ATTENTION

span

Port seeking funds to

beautify Bay bridge

ould the iconic San DiegoCoronado Bay Bridge someday be known as Coors Light Crossing? Actually, yes. Hoping to raise $4.5 million for a public art project that would add dramatic, decorative and environmentally-friendly lighting to the underside of the 2.1-mile bridge, Port of San Diego officials say they’re open to creative fundraising, including naming rights. A design team led by British artist Peter Fink was selected to complete the work, which includes multi-colored support-beam lighting that can be changed seasonally or for holidays and special occasions. “The bridge is spectacular during the day, but you kind of lose it at night,” says Port media relations manager, Marguerite Elicone. “We would like to make it sort of a landmark and a destination— like our own Eifel tower or Empire State Building.” First, the Port must raise $700,000 for a feasibility study to see if the project is, well… feasible, Elicone says. portofsandiego.org

Co u r t e s y P or t of S a n D i e go

B R E V I N B LACH

Rendering of Peter Fink's public art lighting concept for the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge.

pacificsandiego.com

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Lindbergh Field Expansion Cost: $1 billion ($865 million for the project; $135 million in financing) Construction start date: 2009 Target completion date: 2013 Passengers served in 2010: Almost 17 million Expected passengers by 2030: 27-33 million Jobs created by construction: about 1,000 Gates at new terminal: 10 Runways before construction: 1 Runways after construction: 1 Terminal improvements: dual-level roadway to relieve traffic congestion; curbside kiosks that allow passengers to print boarding passes, check baggage and view gate information; additional aircraft parking; shops and restaurants â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Source: San Diego Airport Authority

ON ADRIENNE: Top by Parker, $286, shop.nordstrom.com; Kingsley hat by Rag + Bone, $140, barneys.com; scarf by Bcat Spacethreads, $25, ceciliaboutique.com; Anouck denim jeans by Siwy, $187, siwydenim.com; carved talon bracelets by Luv AJ, $175, luvaj.com; round bracelet watch by Michael Kors, $225, bloomingdales.com; duffle bags by Muubaa, muubaa.co.uk; ankle bootie by 2LipsToo, $54.99, Tutto Cuore, tuttocuoureshoes.com, 1019 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach.

Location: San Diego International Airport, 3225 North Harbor Drive, Downtown pacificsandiego.com

PLANE

$1 billion Lindbergh Field expansion on target for a 2013 finish

S a n D i e go A i rpor t A u t h or i t y

site

Rendering of a new Lindbergh Field airport terminal, slated for completion in 2013.

After more than a decade of wrangling over what should be done to ease congestion at the 661-acre San Diego International Airport—including transferring operations to a new facility in Miramar, East County or South Bay—the public voted to retain the current location on Harbor Drive. Construction on a new terminal and related infrastructure upgrades began in 2009 and is slated for completion by mid-2013. The project, which San Diego Airport Authority (SDAA) officials refer to as the “Green Build,” incorporates sustainable design elements geared toward obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. During the initial development phase, the SDAA first had to spend $45 million to clean up a municipal waste landfill that operated on the site from 1950-1971 as part of the Naval Training Center (NTC) San Diego. Despite many people’s concern about the breathtakingly narrow margin between arriving aircraft and the tops of downtown buildings, the airport was deemed the seventh safest in the nation this year by Travel + Leisure magazine. “We really don’t have any safety issues,” says SDAA vice-president of development, Bryan Enarson. “This expansion will continue to provide us

with a safe operation. We’ll have more aircraft (space) and more aircraft parking positions, giving the Federal Aviation Administration the ability to maneuver airplanes more easily and efficiently.” The new terminal will be a commonuse facility, allowing for more efficient use of its gates. “The airlines won’t have their proprietary equipment,” Enarson says. “We’ll provide the computer systems that link up with their computer systems. It gives us the flexibility to move airlines from day to day. You won’t end up with an airline at one a gate with only two or three flights; you can put multiple airlines on a gate.” What’s more, new check-in kiosks will provide a time-saving alternative to waiting in line at the ticket counter. “It’s just a way for us to be able to process passengers quicker and make the facility more flexible,” Enarson says. If we could start checking that first bag for free again... now that would be some real progress. —Pat Sherman

B R E V I N B LACH

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

ON ADRIENNE: Black blouse by RoseRags, $50, ceciliaboutique. com; Nikira Cateye sunglasses in black by Tom Ford, $360, neimanmarcus.com; gray denim by Hollywood Million, $165, blue stone cuff by Mimi & Lu, $125, ceciliaboutique.com; H&M necklace used as belt, $14, hm.com; Stinger platform Creeper shoes by Jeffrey Campbell, $159, neimanmarcus.com; custom-built Mixte cruiser by Public, provided by Velo Cult, velocult.com.

LOCATION: Station Tavern & Burgers 2204 Fern Street, San Diego (South Park)

The People Have Spoke Bicycle enthusiasts pedal their cause to public officials

ach day in San Diego County, people make an estimated 510,000 bicycle trips—to work, to school, for exercise or just to enjoy the splendor of America’s Finest at a manageable pace. Though there are some 1,000 miles of bikeways throughout the region (mostly along streets with automobile traffic), bicycle advocates are constantly fighting for their share of funding to increase lanes and make cycling a safer and more attractive mode of transportation. “Too many roads and intersections in Southern California seem to have been built without regard for pedestrians and bicyclists,” says Jim Baross, a spokesperson for the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and chair of the San Diego Association of Government’s (SANDAG’s) Bicycle-Pedestrian Working Group. (SANDAG has roughly $8 million, generated through the Transnet sales tax and other sources, to spend on regional bicycle infrastructure this year.) Baross says motorists need to be reminded that bicycling is a “lawful and encouraged means of transportation” on most public roads. “Using a bike instead of a car is a good choice for so many reasons—air pollution, congestion, dependence on oil, climate change and health,” he says. “We’re trying to help elected officials realize the value of spending the gazillions of dollars that becomes available for something other than expanding freeways.” Partial success on that front came when State Senator Christine Kehoe and others helped convince SANDAG and Caltrans to expand a stretch of I-5 in North County by four lanes instead of six, making some of the roughly $450 million in savings available for public transportation and bike lanes. A current project that excites Baross is the Bayshore Bikeway, which will enable cyclists to pedal 24 miles around San Diego Bay via off-road bike paths—from San Diego south to Imperial Beach and back up the Silver Strand into Coronado. “With the use of the Coronado Ferry, someone can ride all the way around the bay,” Baross says. “They just held a groundbreaking in August for a section of it in National City.” For the first time in history, city and regional planning officials in California also are required to come up with plans to reduce per-person greenhouse gas emissions. SANDAG is tasked with reducing gas emissions by 13 percent per person by the year 2020, and by about 18 percent by 2035. “One of the approaches is to make bicycling more attractive than transit,” Baross says. “All the cities have some responsibility to contribute to that effort.” —Pat Sherman

ROLLING DISCOUNT: Environmentally conscious customers who ride their bikes to Station Tavern in South Park receive 10 percent off all food and drink. “Just show us a helmet, bike key or whatever you like,” says owner Sam Chammas. “We’ll believe you.” The program (rewarding cyclists with discounts at local businesses) was started by Velo Cult, an adjacent full-service bicycle shop. For more info and discounts at other area businesses, visit sdbikecommuter.com. pacificsandiego.com

track

MTS trolley system to receive $620 million makeover

he San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is giving a much-needed nip-and-tuck to its 30-year-old trolley system, which began service in July 1981 along its Blue Line, running from Old Town to San Ysidro.

“All stations will be totally upgraded with new amenities,” says Rob Schupp, MTS’s director of marketing and communications. “One of the nicest features will be ‘next train’ signs telling people exactly when trolleys will arrive.” As part of the $620 million project (funded by federal, state and local sources, including the region’s half-cent Transnet sales tax), MTS will retire the system’s original trolley cars, some of which have logged more than two million miles. The new rides—57 low-floor, easier-access models—will ring in at around $233 million. The current overhaul is set for completion by 2015. By 2050, hundreds of miles of new trolley tracks will be added, including a Mid-Coast line extending to University City, with stops at Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Clairemont and UCSD. That project breaks ground around 2015, Schupp says.

B R E V I N B LACH

SILVER STREAK urrently celebrating its 125th year of service to the region, MTS is in the early stages of revitalizing San Diego’s once thriving streetcar service, which began on July 3, 1886, with an open-air streetcar being pulled along 5th Avenue, downtown, by a pair of horses. At the time, the cost per ride was a nickel. In late-August, MTS revived a piece of that history, introducing service on a restored electric streetcar that had picked up its last San Diego passenger in 1949, before rusting for decades on a lot in Lake Tahoe. The streetcar will operate weekends and holidays on a downtown loop known as the Silver Line, with stops at San Diego City College, America Plaza and the 12th and Imperial Transit Station. —Ashley Cook

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

ON ADRIENNE: Sparkle top by Naven, $120, shopnaven.com; black pants by Work Custom, $495, workcustomjeans. com; chain necklace by Lush, $58, ceciliaboutique. com; Morley Ayers snakeskin clutch by Kotur, $391, koturltd.com; blue pumps by Chinese Laundry, $30, chineselaundry.com; vintage rings, stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own.

LOCATION: Santa Fe Depot 1050 Kettner Boulevard, Downtown

San Diego Trolley Facts One-way fare: $2.50 Number of lines: 3 (Blue, Orange & Green) System length: 53.5 miles Trolleys in service: 134 Top Trolley Speed: 65 mph

pacificsandiego.com

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Looking south along I-5 from the Old Town exit overpass

WIDELY

traveled Expansion of I-5 corridor in North County is coming…eventually

rawling through rush hour traffic along Interstate 5 in North County can make San Diego feel a little bit like L.A., only with fewer billboards and Bentleys.

B R E V I N B LACH

About 700,000 people per day travel some portion of the 27-mile stretch of I-5 spanning from La Jolla Village Drive to the northern end of Oceanside. Caltrans expects that number to increase by 30 percent (to 1 million people) by 2030. To ease congestion (and road rage), Caltrans and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has planned $6 billion in improvements, which include widening I-5 from eight to 12 lanes and adding an additional rail line in North County to increase rider counts on the Metrolink, Coaster and Amtrak trains. “You’re not going to be able to meet all our demands just by widening the highway,” says Caltrans I-5 corridor director, Allan Kosup. “It’s got to be a little bit of railway and a little bit of highway and additional bus service to address the long-range need.” The project, to be funded in part by the region’s half-cent Transnet sales tax, must clear environmental hurdles before construction can begin—in 2013, at the earliest. “It’s going to get built out in phases over the next 20 years or so,” Kosup says. In the meantime, the freeways may need a crash diet to lose the wait. keepsandiegomoving.com —Pat Sherman

B R E V I N B LACH

Taking Its Toll Fee rollback seen as likely for economically challenged roadway

outh County motorists could save time and money if the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) bid to take over the State Route 125 toll road is approved by the public this fall. The fee to drive the 10-mile stretch, which runs from Otay Mesa north to State Route 54, is $4 for most vehicles and twice that for vehicles with three or more axles. SANDAG officials say they would reduce the price to combat such highway robbery. Since it opened in 2007, the roadway has been operated by the privately owned South Bay Expressway, LLC, which entered into bankruptcy when projected South Bay development went south with the economy. SANDAG has offered the company $345 million to assume the lease. —Ashley Cook

ON ADRIENNE: Top by Emu Australia, $65, Theory necklace by Mimi & Lu, $90, ceciliaboutqiue.com; black blazer by Rachel Roy, $149, macys.com; fedora by Scala, $26.95, villagehatshop.com; red tuxedo crop pants, $216, workcustomjeans.com; “The Cutout Ring” Tall, $45, “The Cutout Ring” Short, $30, luvaj.com; gold watch by Michael Kors, $225, bloomingdales.com; red clutch by Aldo, $39, aldoshoes.com; shoes, stylist’s own.

LOCATION: Park Boulevard overpass above Interstate 5, Downtown

Four Wheels Under

Best of a bygone auto brand on display in Balboa Park he car that captivated Americans in shows such as Smokey and the Bandit and Knight Rider died on Halloween of last year. GM’s iconic brand, Pontiac, was 84 years old. Despite an eleventh-hour image overhaul, General Motors pulled the plug on Pontiac during its bankruptcy recovery of 2009, also deep-sixing Hummer and Saturn. Anyone missing the cars can take a trip through time via “Pontiac: Rise & Fall of an American Icon,” on display through September 25 at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. The exhibit features 12 classic Pontiacs, including a 1932 Pontiac Six Sedan, 1941 Super Streamliner Torpedo, 1959 Bonneville, 1962 Grand Prix sports coupe, 1964 Tempest LeMans GTO and 1968 Firebird. sdautomuseum.org —Ashley Cook pacificsandiego.com

Blushing Ride Pink Bentley coupe is the latest vehicle employed for breast cancer awareness

The Green Mile

San Diego to unveil nation’s first electric car sharing program

ne of the city’s latest green-tech agendas is San Diego’s new Car2Go program, North America’s first fleet of allelectric, shared vehicles. The program will include 300 blue-and-white electric cars and a network of 1,500 Blink electric vehicle chargers (the first 10 of which will be located in Balboa Park, with others located near Car2Go designated parking spaces around town). The roomy, two-person vehicles will be available for rental by the mile, hour or day. Though rental rates are still being negotiated between city officials and Austin-based Car2Go, in Austin, rates are $12.99 per hour or $65.99 per day. By swiping a membership card, drivers can jump inside any of the cars (locatable via cell phone or the Internet) and take one for a joy ride of up to 84 miles (or a less joyful trek to the office), and then leave the vehicle at any legal parking space within Car2Go’s service area. Jonathan Read, CEO of ECOtality, a San Francisco-based company partnering with Car2Go on the program, says the stations will create the “robust public infrastructure” necessary to support a wide-range of electric vehicles. The program, says Mayor Jerry Sanders, is designed to make greenfriendly practices accessible to more than hard-core environmentalists. “For those who’ve chosen a more walkable, urban lifestyle, but still need a vehicle for errands, this is an ideal solution,” Sanders says. car2go.com —Ashley Cook

omething pinks here. Bentley San Diego, the sales arm of La Jolla-based Symbolic Motor Car Company, has commissioned the world’s only factory-built “Passion Pink” 2012 Bentley Continental GT Coup, designed to raise awareness of Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure (which raises money for breast cancer research, advocacy and health services). A portion of proceeds from the car’s sale go to the foundation. sandiego.bentleymotors.com

Fast & Curious

So-Cal automaker unveils environmentally friendly luxury sedan

inally, a luxury sports sedan that won’t send you on a guilt trip: the Fisker Karma. This plug-in hybrid from Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive is about as environmentally-friendly as they come, even sporting a solarpaneled roof to help recharge its lithium-ion batteries. The company says the car is capable of traveling 100 miles per gallon, has a range of 300 miles and can reach a maximum speed of 125 mph. The base model (starting at about $96,000) features an eco-friendly interior, including mahogany and oak salvaged from forest fires and lake bottoms. Kick the tires at Marvin K. Brown Auto Center in Mission Valley. mkb.com/fisker.php

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

CAR

we there yet?

With telematics, new wheels are picking up speed on the Information Superhighway

onnectivity is the new frontier of automotive innovation. If you could slap wheels on a smartphone, you’d have a vision of the car of the future. In fact, much of that “app”-titude is coming on line now. Ford and Audi, for example, are testing systems that allow cars to communicate with each other, exchanging highway condition info to help drivers avoid accidents and traffic jams. “Most of it is pretty proven technology already, so hopefully there is not a downside of ‘another thing to go wrong,’” says Todd Turner, president of Thousand Oaks, Calif.based automotive consulting company, Car Concepts, Inc. Turner expects even more of this “connectivity” down the line. Already, Audi offers an advanced technology package on some models that turns the car into a rolling Internet connection—with WiFi service for up to eight devices, including tablets, laptops and phones. Such devices are also adding flexibility to car design. Volkswagen has shown a concept electric Microbus that uses a removable iPad as a multifunction touchscreen on the dashboard, controlling such functions as a Bluetooth hands-free telephone, a navigation system—even climate control and hazard lights. When you lock up the bus, the iPad goes with you. At home, you can upload a trip route with stopping points and more. “Configurability will be key,” says Dan Hall, vice president of AutoPacific, an automotive market research firm in Tustin, Calif. Most gasoline-electric hybrids and electric cars, including the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, allow users to reconfigure the gauge array. You can’t get rid of the speedometer, but you can set the gauges that are more relevant to you—such as driving range or various aspects of the Eco Meter, which monitors driving efficiency and “coaches” the driver for more fuel savings. Nearly all manufacturers have or will

debut voice-activated controls for just about every function from interior temperature to selecting a playlist. Hyundai has just launched what it calls Blue Link, a voice-activated system for navigation, infotainment, safety, vehicle diagnostics and more. It’s not unlike Ford Motor Co.’s Sync system or General Motors’ OnStar, but Blue Link also has some interesting apps. Want to restrict the cruising radius of that teen driver? Activate the Geo Fence, which monitors vehicle movement in and out of pre-defined regions, such as known hangouts for the bad boyfriend or girlfriend. When the vehicle enters or leaves a designated region, the site administrator (i.e., the person making the car payments) is notified by e-mail, text message or automated phone message. There’s also a curfew monitor. Still down the road for motorists is Biometrics—the science that analyzes such human features as fingerprints, eyes and voice for authentication purposes. Just think how simple and freeing it would be to go keyless and be able to unlock and start your car with the touch of a finger. “Right now, it’s just too futuristic for most people to grasp,” says AutoPacific’s Hall. In the meantime, use that idle finger to gesture at drivers who are playing with their smartphones instead of watching the road. —Mark Maynard Mark Maynard is automotive editor for the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has been writing about cars since 1994 and hosts a weekly Internet radio show, Maynard’s Garage, at SignOn-WSRadio.com. See what he’s driving this week at facebook.com/ MaynardsGarage.

The Audi A6 has an option package that offers Internet connectivity for up to eight devices.

Volkswagen’s concept electric Microbus uses a removable iPad as an instrument panel.

pacificsandiego.com

YO,

adrienne!

Take a peek under the hood of a PacificSD cover model

odel and actress Adrienne Janic, best known for her stint as host of TLC’s hit reality show, Overhaulin’, makes our hearts race.

In Overhaulin’, “where the owner gets tricked, and the car gets tricked out,” unsuspecting car-owners have their rusty jalopies high-jacked by imposter thieves. While the “punked” owners are mourning their losses, famed auto designer Chip Foose (at center in photo) gets to work with his expert build team, transforming wrecks into masterpieces of engineering art, packed with new engines, custom paint jobs and over-the-top accessories. And the whole process takes just seven days. So, Ms. Janic must be a car expert, right? Actually, not quite. “I told the producers that I knew nothing about cars,” Janic says. “They said that was okay. They wanted me to ask the same kinds of questions the average person would, and it worked. We shot 48 episodes during my two seasons on the show.” PacificSD: What did you do after exiting Overhaulin’?

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Janic: “I moved on to host Hot Rod TV and later Hot Import Nights, both on the Speed Channel. I became the ‘car girl.’” What’s next? “I’m waiting to hear about two possible new shows. One is fashion-based and the other is a food show about desserts.” What was your first car? “I had a 1990 Toyota Corolla SR5. I put over 100,000 miles on it. Back then, a car was just a car.” What’s your current car? “I have a 1968 Pontiac Firebird. I designed it from top to bottom. It’s my fun car. I also have a CLK 320 Mercedes and my ‘Mom car,’ a Lincoln Navigator.” How about your dream car? “Audi R8—it’s loud, powerful, masculine but still girly. When I first saw it, I had hearts in my eyes. It’s perfection.”

You recently had a baby. How did you get back to showroom condition so fast? “Honestly, losing the weight right away was not at the top of my to-do list. I just wanted to enjoy my baby. Now, he’s a little Tasmanian devil running all over the place. It was just good, old-fashioned working up a sweat at the gym, doing Pilates and going to Cardio Barre…plus eating right. Now that Deuce is 18 months, I’m finally back.” Deuce? That was Henry Ford’s nickname for his son, but then eventually he named the 1932 Ford, “The Deuce Coupe,” or the “30 Deuce.” I thought it was such a cool name, and it fits him so well. He is the best thing in the world and I love him to pieces. It’s kind of funny, because he looks at my 1968 Firebird and his eyes light up. If he thinks he will get that car when he’s a teen, forget it! —Rebekah Sager

taste DINING OUT what ’ s coo k in g DRINK

home slice

John Audley

Empire apples are ripe for the pickin’ at Raven Hill Orchard in Julian.

Julian may not be NYC, but it’s sure got big apples By David Nelson

•

Photos by Rob Hammer and John Audley

pples mirror the climates they prefer. Cool and crisp, they’re the fruit of northern latitudes and mountain orchards. You won’t find apple trees growing side-byside with orange trees, which is one reason this odd couple is too odd to mix, even in fruit salad. (Continued on page 66) pacificsandiego.com

taste (Continued from page 65)

ulian and its tiny neighbor, Wynola, are the famed Southern California center of apple-growing. And it’s safe to say that on Main Street and elsewhere in and around Julian, you can’t stroll more than a few feet without encountering a temptation that’s likely to become the apple of your eye. From Gold to Golden Delicious

John Audley x3

Julian got its start in the 1870s as a gold mining town (experience the history with a tour of Eagle and High Peak Mine, 2320 C Street, Julian, 760.765.0036), but when the shafts dug into its mountain slopes played out, the town continued to mine treasure from the apple orchards that gradually spread a cool, fragrant canopy over its landscape. The fruit is a big enough deal to merit an annual festival called Julian Apple Days (celebrated this year October 1 and 2), which features a wide variety of activities but nonetheless is apple pie-centric. In 1907, Julian apples captured the Wilder Medal granted by the American Pomological Society, taking best-in-the-nation status for that year. In that era, if you handed an American housewife a couple pounds of the fruit, you could expect an apple pie cooling on the kitchen windowsill an hour later.

Fresh apple pies and donuts from Julian Pie Company.

Hard Core Pies and other apple-based treats are so in demand that Julian cannot produce sufficient fruit and must import a fair percentage of its annual needs. Many purveyors take a strictly local approach anyway, such as Julian Hard Cider, which uses a Colonial American method from 1670 to craft hard cider (the kind with a kick) from precisely one ingredient: fresh, hand-picked apples. The distillery’s motto, “American to the Core,” is as tartly on target as a perfect Granny Smith. The cider can be purchased to take home at the company’s “general store.” Or, for some live Bluegrass with your glass of icy, draft hard cider tapped from barrels, head next door to Miner’s Saloon, constructed of wood salvaged from local structures and decorated with historic photos of Julian mining scenes. Julian Hard Cider 4468 Highway 78, Julian 760.765.2500, julianhardcider.biz

American Pie Founded in 1986 by Liz Smothers, the Julian Pie Company is by far the town’s behemoth baker, located adjacent to an array of craft shops on Julian’s quaint Main Street. The business was so successful early on that, in 1989, Smothers and her husband, Keith, bought an apple farm and planted 17,000 trees to supply pie fruit. Julian Pie Company pies are also available at Albertsons supermarkets around San Diego, as well as many neighborhood markets and Navy commissaries. Julian Pie Company 2225 Main St., Julian 760.765.2449, julianpie.com (Continued on page 68)

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

DINING OUT what ’ s coo k in g DRINK

R O B HA M M E R

Relive the California Gold Rush at Julian’s Eagle and High Peak Mine.

pacificsandiego.com

taste (Continued from page 66)

PICK A WINNER One of the prime destinations for pickyour-own-apple aficionados is Raven Hill Orchard, where seven varieties grow on a total of 8,000 trees. Other attractions include the artworks of sculptor and co-owner Patrick Brady. Raven Hill Orchard 1284 Julian Orchards Dr., Julian 760.765.2431

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Apple-boysenberry crumb-top pie from Julian Pie Company; a “miner” traffic jam; Cowbella Ranch Cafe’s apple burger; Kristi’s Julian Apple Salad from Julian Cafe & Bakery; caramel apples from Julian Pie Company; signs lead the way to Julian’s roadside attractions.

John Audley

At 107, a Gravenstein apple tree is the oldest at Peacefield Orchard, which promises “free rein to experience hand-picking your own fruit right off the tree” and features a Meditation Garden and labyrinth. Peacefield Orchard 3803 Wynola Rd., Julian 760.765.0530, peacefieldorchard.com

R O B HA M M E R

Reservations are required at Apples and Art Orchards, which predicts that this will be a very good year for apples. Tours can be booked for groups of 10 to 50 and include apple cider making and tasting, as well as picking for $10 a half-peck (a dry measurement equivalent to eight quarts). Apples and Art Orchards 1052 Julian Orchards Dr., Julian 760.310.6368 applesandartorchards.com

Pears, which like the same climate as apples, are the attraction at O’Dell’s Organic Orchard, yet another destination for those hankering to pluck some serious fruit straight from the tree. O’Dell’s Organic Orchard 1095 Julian Orchards Dr., Julian 760.765.1174, odellsorganicorchard.com

Apple Days

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

R O B HA M M E R

John Audley

WHEN: October 1-2 WHERE: Downtown Julian INFO: Julianca.com

DINING OUT what ’ s coo k in g DRINK

Variety: The Slice of Life In Julian, all things apple are possible. Its rough-and-ready Main Street recalls mining days in a way that can only be described as “cute-as-a-button,” while its candy makers, pastry shops and restaurants all prove that there’s more than one way to skin an apple. The enticements range from simple treats like the famous bacon, lettuce and apple sandwiches served at Jack’s Grocery to the remarkably elaborate, eye-arresting candied and caramel apples confected by the Candied Apple Pastry Company. There are many flavors, but the “Cherry RED” candied apples are so vivid that they’d tempt Snow White to take a second bite. Jack’s Grocery 2117 Main St., Julian 760.765.3200 Candied Apple Pastry Company 2128 Fourth St., Julian 760.765.2655, candiedapplepastry.com

Ham Made If you can’t visualize an apple burger, pay a visit to Cari Thompson’s Cowbella Ranch Cafe. Thompson gives partial credit for this unusual creation to the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, where she enjoyed a similar dish, but nonetheless says, “I kind of invented” the Apple Burger. It’s big and bold, and piles slices of Granny Smiths atop a beefy patty also garnished with Provolone cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, lettuce and a sweet maple-mustard sauce. Cowbella Ranch Cafe 2116 Main St., Julian 760.765.2167

Jeremy’s Spoken A traditional apple cobbler is one of the offerings at Jeremy’s on the Hill California Bistro, an ambitious, upscale restaurant at which chef Jeremy Manley, age 23, aspires to culinary greatness. During apple season, Manley sometimes features savory dishes that pair pork, veal and the like with tart apples. Such creations are in the style of Normandy, the historic district in Northwest France, which is something of Apple Central to the universe. Jeremy’s on the Hill California Bistro 4354 Highway 78, Julian 760.765.1587, jeremysonthehill.com

Slice of Heaven One of the town’s mainstays, the Julian Cafe & Bakery is known for several kinds of exceptional apple pies, as well as specialties like Kristi’s Julian Apple Salad, a refreshing meal that embeds the town’s claim to fame in every bite. During the height of apple season, this extremely popular salad includes Granny Smiths as crisp bedrocks for a tumble of avocado, blue cheese, candied walnuts and, if you like, chicken, with poppy seed dressing on the side. Julian Cafe & Bakery 2112 Main St. Julian 760.765.2712 pacificsandiego.com

taste DINING OUT what ’ s coo k in g DRINK

Bertrand at Mr. A’s chef de cuisine, Stéphane Voitzwinkler.

B R E V I N B LACH

COST savor Local chefs offer flavorful feasts at a discount during San Diego Restaurant Week By Brandon Hernández

raving a meal at that new place everyone’s been talking about but can’t justify forking over the dough? Here’s your chance to dine without the need to dash. During San Diego Restaurant Week (SDRW), September 18-23, as many as 180 top-tier restos will offer foodies the chance to cross to-die-for dining spots off their lists—at prices that won’t make them cross.

Since its debut in 2006, SDRW has evolved from an annual to a biannual event (held also in January), offering diners two weeks per year during which to enjoy three-course dinners—and now, for the first time, lunches—for as little as half the regular menu prices. The brainchild of members of the local chapter of the California Restaurant Association (CRA),

SDRW involves nearly all of the county’s CRA members and has equated to great success for both the eateries and their patrons. “Initially, Restaurant Week was established as a ‘thank you’ to the San Diego dining community,” says Michael McGeath, a former CRA San Diego chapter president, whose Mission Hills restaurant, Brooklyn Girl Eatery, is slated to open later this year. “(Now it) helps drive business forward by introducing thousands of diners to new establishments they may not have tried before,” McGeath says. “It’s also the impetus to bring guests back to restaurants they already know but might not have dined at recently.” A key motivator for diners is the fact that three-course dinners cost just $20, $30 or $40 (or $10, $15 or $20 for lunch), depending on the restaurant, creating the perfect conditions for experimentation. SDRW is a winning deal for particitpating restaurants, too. “Restaurant Week takes place during the slow times of the year, so it increases sales when restaurants need them the most,” says Ingrid Croce, owner of Croce’s in the Gaslamp and a CRA member who was integral in implementing the first SDRW. “I wanted to [help] bring Restaurant Week to San Diego to help our hospitality community be recognized as a dining destination. Now, it’s the biggest local dining event in San Diego and the second largest Restaurant Week in the country, behind only New York City.” To hear S.D. mentioned in the same culinary breath as The Big Apple makes you want to take a bite—and another... (Continued on page 72)

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Daily! 5pm-7pm Sat & Sun 12pm- 3pm Selected Appetizers $3.-$5. All Draft Beer $3. Selected Wines $5. Large Singha Beer $5. All Soju Cocktails $5.

MODERN

FURNITURE SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM SOFAS

PACIFIC BEACH

1345 Garnet Ave. [ 858.581.0229 ] WWW.UNDERGROUNDFURNITURE.COM

OPEN DAILY 6am - 3pm PACIFIC BEACH 1851 Garnet Ave. 858.270.YOLK

GASLAMP 355 6th Ave. 619.338.YOLK

thebrokenyolkcafe.com EASTLAKE 884 Eastlake Pkwy. 619.216.1144

LA COSTA 7670 El Camino Real 760.943.8182

SAN MARCOS 101 S. Las Posas Rd. 760.471.YOLK

taste (Continued from page 70)

DINING OUT what ’ s coo k in g DRINK The dining room at BO-beau Kitchen + Bar welcomes patrons with a rustic, French countryside charm.

C O H N R ESTAU R A N T G R O U P

San Diego Restaurant Week WHAT: Restaurants offer three-course meals at discounted, fixed prices WHEN: September 18-23 WHERE: 180 San Diego restaurants COST: $20, $30 or $40, excluding tax and beverages INFO: Make reservations and view menus at sandiegorestaurantweek.com

From splurging at a buzz-worthy new eatery to savoring the old-school sophistication of a classic establishment, SDRW offers a smorgasbord of flavors. Here’s a taste of how to navigate the week and spice up the experience. Fresh Faces Cavaillon When Phillippe Verpiand took his dreamy foie gras and other French delicacies and left the building, North County foodies shed tears in their Coq au Vin. But fear not, there’s a new and highly capable chef in the house, and SDRW provides the perfect opportunity to get a nibble of what Michael von Euw has cookin’. Supping Sample: Housecured salmon with mustard dressing; locally-caught sea bass with ratatouille; crème brûlée trio—lavender, orange and chocolate. Similar Options (with new chefs): Eden, Hillcrest; Pacifica Del Mar, Del Mar 14701 Via Bettona, Santaluz 858.433.0483, cavaillonrestaurant.com 72

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Renewed Concepts The Mediterranean Room Don’t judge a menu by its cover. The dining room on the lobby level of La Jolla’s iconic La Valencia hotel may need some updating, but the food is right in line with current culinary trends. Expect simple, yet zesty tapas-style all-stars, punched up with the trademark flavors brought forth by Mediterranean herbs and spices. Supping Sample: Crab crake fritter with poblano aioli; Lightning pilsner roasted Jidori chicken with squash risotto; stone fruit cheesecake. Similar Options: Arterra (San Diego Marriott), Del Mar; Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, downtown; Kitchen 1540, Del Mar 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla 858.551.3765, lavalencia.com

Big Buzz

Splurge Spots

BO-Beau What was once Thee Bungalow is now BO-beau Kitchen + Bar, located in bohemian (“BO”) O.B., which sports a cozy, southern French motif. Diners are raving about chef Katherine Humphus’ laidback and often communal take on contemporary cuisine. Supping Sample: Goat cheese and roasted beet flatbread with curry onion jam; Boeuf Bourguignon with pancetta and fingerling potatoes. Similar Options: Flavor Del Mar, Del Mar; Terra American Bistro, near SDSU; The Wine Vault, Downtown

George’s California Modern With a decades-long legacy as one of San Diego’s top-tier eateries, George’s California Modern could easily rest on its laurels, but owner George Hauer and executive chef Trey Foshee consistently kick up their game with inventive and unique dishes incorporating fresh seafood reeled in from nearby sustainable sources. Supping Sample: George’s menu changes so often that they couldn’t commit by press time, but expect one of Foshee’s inventive take on sardines. Similar Options: Amaya at the Grand Del Mar, Carmel Valley; NINE-TEN, La Jolla; Nobu San Diego, Downtown

4996 West Point Loma Blvd., Ocean Beach 619.224.2884, bobeaukitchen.com

1250 Prospect St., La Jolla 858.454.4244, georgesatthecove.com

Classic Dining Rooms Bertrand at Mister A’s New restaurants come and go, but for as long as many of us can remember, this topshelf, top-floor bastion for gourmet fare and incredible views has remained king of the hill—Bankers Hill. With consistency like that, you can bet they’ll be every bit as good during SDRW as they’ve been all these years…at a fraction of the everyday price. Supping Sample: duo of Brandt farm rib eye and short rib in a red wine reduction sauce; milk chocolate mousse bars, peanut nougat, caramel. Similar Options: El Bizcocho, Rancho Bernardo; Marine Room, La Jolla; Mistral, Coronado 2550 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill 619.239.1377, bertrandatmisteras.com

A>=@BA @3>=@B San Diegoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s place for co-ed sports leagues, happy hours and social events

16/;>7=<A 1=@<3@( JULY WINNERS Flag Football, Clairemont - Shockers Flag Football, PB - Belly Option On 3 Flag Football, Clairemont - Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Eat Yellow Snow Kickball, OB - Cram it Up Your Cramhole Kickball, Old Town - Gaucho Loco Kickball, La Jolla â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Two Kicks in Your Mouth Kickball, North Park - Recess Warriors Kickball, North Park - Wolfpack Soccer, Point Loma - Billyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Angels Soccer, Mira Mesa - The Phoenix Softball, La Jolla - ProFlowers Softball, North Park - Master Batters Softball, North Park - Drunk Tank Softball, North Park - Trouble Makers Softball, North Park - Slump Busters Softball, Point Loma - Booze Bags Softball, Old Town - Cubinals Softball, OB - Green Monsters Softball, North Park - Bad News Paloozas Indoor Volleyball, Carmel Valley - Dirty 1/2 Dozen Indoor Volleyball, Carmel Valley - Aces Up Beach Volleyball, OB - The Hot Toddies Beach Volleyball, OB - DezzManian Devils Beach Volleyball, OB - Balls Deep Inner Tube Water Polo, Mission Beach - Team Shrinkage Kickball, PB - Red Balls & Vodka Soccer, Gaslamp - FC Pacific Beach Surf Shop GASLAMP QUARTER Acqua Al 2* Bandar Restaurant Burger Lounge Chianti Restaurant deâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Medici Cucina Italiana Dickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Last Resort Donovanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prime Seafood Dublin Square Irish Pub Gaslamp Tavern Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop Hennesseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tavern Henryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub La Fiesta Mexican Cuisine Masala Spices of India Mint Downtown Thai Monsoon - Fine Cuisine of India Ocean Room Operacaffe Pinkberry Quarter Kitchen at Andaz San Diego Rock Bottom Brewery Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Baja Coastal Cantina Royal India Shorelines Gallery* 21+ ONLY The Field Irish Pub The Lincoln Room The Melting Pot Gaslamp Urban Bar & Grill

EAST VILLAGE Cafe Chloe CrunchTime Gourmet Popcorn* Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Den* East Village Tavern + Bowl Knotty Barrel Gastropub Lotus Thai McCormick & Schmicks Montrealâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Proper Gastro Pub/Wine Steals Starbuckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coffee The Fleetwood The Village Coffee & Wine Bar Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery Toast Enoteca & Cucina Tom Hamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lighthouse Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mexican Food Zanzibar CafĂŠ

FINANCIAL DISTRICT Chef Miguelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deli Juice Bar Crab Hut* House of Blues La Gran Tapa* Panera Bread Sixth Avenue Bistro St. Tropez Bakery & Bistro Stout Public House Suite & Tender The Local The Westgate Room

7,&.(76

%X\ WLFNHWV DW UHVWDXUDQWV PDUNHG ZLWK DQ DVWHULVN RU FDOO

PFIDUODQHSURPRWLRQV FRP THE WEST COAST

%HQHÂżWLQJ WKH 'RZQWRZQ 6DQ 'LHJR 3DUWQHUVKLS

GRZQWRZQVDQGLHJR RUJ

B3/; =4 B63 ;=<B6 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Drinking Team with a Kickball Problemâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hands Down the Grooviest Team in San Diego

/@=C<2 A/< 2735= E7B6 D/DW Coed Kickball Thursday in Old Town

Coed Flag Football Saturday at Pacific Beach Elementary

SANDIEGO.com

Coed Soccer Wednesday in Mira Mesa

www.govavi.com pacificsandiego.com

taste DINING OUT what ’ s coo k in g

open door policy

DRINK

When it comes to women (or at least their fridges), it’s what’s inside that counts By Rebekah Sager

L F R I D G E ILLUST R ATI O N b y m i k e g a r i t e

ike a therapist, BFF or bikini waxer, photographer Ben DeCamp knows the secrets of women’s most private regions—he knows what’s inside their refrigerators. In August, the 25-year-old Thomas Jefferson School of Law student launched hotgirlsfridges. com, showcasing photos of hot women next to photos of the contents of their refrigerators. Within three days of going live, the site garnered more than 4,500 visitors, DeCamp says. The project began as a joke, when DeCamp woke up in a girl’s apartment one morning and decided to raid her fridge. Finding it nearly empty, he snapped a picture of its contents (or lack thereof ) and posted it on Facebook, alongside a photo of the fridge’s owner. The rest is social media history. Now, there are more than 25 “hot girls” featured on the site, and women have begun to submit their own pics. Why would they do such a thing?

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

“IT’S because they want to prove that champagne isn’t the base of their food pyramid,”

DeCamp says, adding that the healthiest fridge he has seen “looked like the Whole Foods produce aisle: a cornucopia of leafy greens, fruits and almond milk.” As for the most remarkable, it’s “the one with the Tapatio sauce. There was nothing else in there except this glowing red bottle of hope and despair.” DeCamp insists he doesn’t sleep with all of the women pictured on the site. He has standards, after all, and says there are things he looks for inside the homes of the women he’s considering dating: bookshelves (with actual books on them), dental floss in the trash (indicating good oral hygiene) and, of course, a fully stocked fridge. Discover what else this stillsingle, Albany, New York, native looks for in women—and their fridges—in this month’s blind date (page 83).

SMILE!

TAKE A SEAT: At Dr. Walinskiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dental spa, a massage chair, serene atmosphere, skyline views and peaceful music make seeing the dentist fun (well, almost).

(Consider it practice for what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be doing when you meet your new dentist, Christoper J. Walinski, DDS)

HOLLYWOOD MAKEOVERS: For a beautiful smile with a lifetime guarantee, Dr. Walinski uses daVinci Veneers, the brand favored in Hollywood and showcased on the hit TV shows, Extreme Makeover and The Swan. SERVICES: Implants: usually a better option than a fixed bridge or removable partial. Laser Gum Surgery: minimally-invasive option to traditional cut, scrape and sew periodontal treatment. Invisible Braces: benefit fromthe same beautiful results as traditional methods with our new (almost invisible) braces. ÂŽ

WELCOME, RELAX: Dr. Christopher J. Walinski is nationally renowned for his conservative approach to patient care. SEE THE LIGHT: Dr. Walinski is an expert and pioneer in Laser Dentistry, a practice which is more precise and causes less collateral damage than traditional drilling. His book on the subject has been published around the world in ten languages. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hated going to the dentist when I was a kid. Hated the pain. Hated the smell. Hated the sound of the drill. In hindsight, I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become so compassionate with my own patients.â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dr. Christopher Walinski (Former President of the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry) and your new dentist

CHEW ON THIS: Xylitol is a naturally-occurring sugar that stops cavities, period. Dr. Walinski recommends Epic (epicdental.com), which comes with a cavity-free guaranteeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if you use Epic gum or mints and ever get another cavity, they will give you a full refund. Standard Pricing for exam, X-rays and cleaning: $349. Reduced to $99 for Pacific Magazine readersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; this special offer is not being published elsewhere.

: % . $ ) % ' / $ % . 4 ! , ! 2 4 3 s 7 ! 3 ( ) . ' 4 / . 3 4 2 % % 4 3 4 % ( ) , , # 2 % 3 4 s 4 % , 3 - ) , % s : % . $ % . 4 ) 3 4 2 9 # / -

taste DINING OUT

marteeny

what ’ s coo k in g DRINK

Introducing a new kind of bottle service B y Fr a n k S a b a t i n i , J r . • P h o t o s b y B r e v i n B l a c h

hey’re calling it “the smallest bar in San Diego,” although with only four bar stools, a couple swivel chairs and a couch, the Mini Bar inside downtown’s newly opened Bootlegger may well be the most diminutive watering hole in the nation. “I’ve seen places advertised as ‘small bars’ in Mexico, Key West and New Orleans, but there’s really nothing like this,” says co-owner Barrett Rinzler. Mini Bar is stocked with miniature, 50-milliliter bottles of liquor, giving customers a service experience akin to flying first class on a commercial airline. The booze is presented on silver airline-style trays with mixers, ice and garnishments. And if you’re as finicky about martinis as James Bond (“shaken, not stirred”), little tin shakers are provided. Mini-bottle service costs less than what most airlines charge for checking a bag—$9 for basic mixed drinks and up to $15 for a singlemalt scotch. Rinzler, who also co-owns P.B. Shore Club, says the idea for Mini Bar came to him when he and his business partners seized the circa-1911 building to create Bootlegger, an urban-style saloon serving standard-size drinks and hearty comfort fare such as

lobster pot pies, pork belly steaks and smoky mac-n-cheese. “A light went on when I saw what used to be an old back office, which is literally 15 by 15 feet,” he says. “The awning above the tufted leather barn door we installed is the

Flight of Hand Tired of overpriced airline cocktails served with a side of condescension by bow-tied flight attendants? Give the Bootlegger mini-bottle concealer a try. This stealth product (unaffiliated with Bootlegger in East Village) fits snuggly around the ankle, allowing passengers to smuggle six little bottles of booze onto their flight. Just don’t blame us if the caper goes awry, resulting in a full body cavity search by a hefty TSA agent named Brenda.

getmybootlegger.com —Pat Sherman 76

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

same size as the bar—about 45 inches long. We’ll be keeping the capacity in there to about 12 people.” Mini Bar’s entrance is separate from Bootlegger’s and is accessible from Eighth Avenue. The bar is open Thursdays through Saturdays and

available for private parties through the remainder of the week. Mini Bar (inside Bootlegger) 804 Market Str., East Village 619.794.2668 bootleggersd.com

Oh, Lord!

Bootlegger’s rendition of The Lord’s Prayer Our lager, which art in barrels, hallowed be thy drink. Thy will be drunk (I will be drunk), at home as it is in the pub. Give us this day our foamy head, and forgive us our spillages, As we forgive those who spill against us. And lead us not to incarceration, but deliver us from hangovers. Forever and ever, Barmen.

Craft Every Moment

Discover more on Facebook. ®

sho

w ti me

bar

g ro ove n

l yc

-i

spin

Touching

Bass Slick new console ushers in a new era in DJing

B y PAT SHE R MAN p h o t o s b y j e f f “ TU R B O ” c o rr i g a n

ike the translucent crime-predicting machine Tom Cruise’s character manipulates in Minority Report, the Emulator is one helluva cool electronic tool.

“It’s a completely new interface,” says hospitality maven Matt Spencer, co-owner of SD Creative Media, which operates Firehouse in P.B. and Analog and Vin de Syrah in the Gaslamp. Spencer, who purchased the Smithson Martinmade machine for about $7,000 (plus another $2,000 for the computer and software required to operate it) is confident his investment will pay off. (Continued on page 80)

DJ Cheyenne Giles mixes tracks with the Emulator on the rooftop of Firehouse in Pacific Beach.

pacificsandiego.com

groove

DJ Cheyenne Giles feels the love while playing a set on the Emulator.

W ith the E mulator , y ou feel like y ou ’ re interacting with the D J a little more . 80

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

BassisLoaded Mixing music one (dub) step at a time

J e ff “ T u rbo ” Corr i g a n

(Continued from page 79) “My biggest issue with current DJs is, when you see them, they have their apple computers right in front of them,” Spencer says, “which blocks the energy from the crowd to DJ (and vice versa). With the Emulator, you feel like you’re interacting with the DJ a little more. You can see when the DJ’s dropping a track, when he’s looking for music, when he’s turning the bass on and off.” Emulator operator DJ Cheyenne Giles says the device allows him to work four turntables at once, as well as rows of effects and samples that can be plugged in simultaneously. He says the reaction from club-goers has been jawdropping. “I’ve never been tagged in so many pictures on Facebook the next day,” he says. sdcreativemedia.com, smithsonmartin.com, djcheyennegiles.com

DJ Joseph “Headshake” Maldonado commands the crowd during Dub Dorado nights at El Dorado in East Village.

oseph “Headshake” Maldonado’s love of electronic music began when he was 12 and would sneak out of the house late at night to hit raves and warehouse parties with older friends. Back then, he shook his head to the sounds of DJ Dieselboy, Cassius and The Prodigy. More than a decade later, Maldonado’s still boppin’ his brain bucket to electro and bass-heavy beats as a ringleader of the local dubstep scene—energizing El Dorado Cocktail Lounge’s Dub Dorado nights, held the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. “It’s a performance,” Maldonado says of his cranially animated sets. “The whole ‘Headshake’ thing is simply what I do. I basically get fu#king crazy, so that everyone can get crazy with me. I’m deeply connected with every single track I play.” From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Maldonado is joined by DJs Corey Biggs and Austin Speed to deliver the best of

bass-heavy (up to eight additional booming bass cabinets are brought in for Dub Dorado nights), low-end dance music—from Kastle to the tribal house of Canblaster. “The beat is really slow, to where you can really nod your head and get into it,” Maldonado says. “When you feel bass just roaring, it almost feels like it’s inside of you. It definitely can get people partying.” planetheadshake.com, facebook.com/djheadshake, eldoradobar.com Joseph Maldonado (a.k.a. DJ Headshake) Age: 26 ’Hood: Golden Hill Hubs: El Dorado, Voyeur, Kava Lounge, “crazy, outdoor desert parties” First Car: 1999 Ford F-150 truck Current CAR: 2003 Nissan 350Z Dream CAR: Audi R8

—Pat Sherman

sho

w ti

bar

l yc

-i

spin

ill K o t d Tresse R

aven-maned American singersongwriter Alison Mosshart and her arty garage rock revivalist band, The Kills (fresh off a UK performance spree), are holing up at San Diego’s House of Blues September 11. Touring in support of its fourth studio album, Blood Pressures, the acclaimed indie group features Mosshart’s alternately startling and seductive stylings coupled with British guitarist Jamie Hince’s bluesy riffs. Expect to hear the duo’s reggae-tinged current single “Satellite” and crowd-pleasers like “Cheap and Cheerful” at the show, presented by The Casbah and radio station FM 94/9. And get a taste of why Mosshart is nicknamed Baby Ruthless as part-time frontwoman for altrock supergroup, The Dead Weather. —Pat Sherman

S h a wn B r a c k b i l l

The Kills (with Eleanor Friedberger and Mini Mansions) When: Sept. 11, 8 p.m. Venue: House of Blues, downtown Tickets: $29.50 Info: hob.com pacificsandiego.com

groove

ROCK &AWE

Annual festival reunites the DIY punk community for music, camaraderie, fun in North Park

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

C h e r y l G roff

ore than 65 bands from across the U.S. and Canada will come together in North Park September 2-4 for the fifth annual Awesome Fest, a multi-venue punk and indie music extravaganza. The event is a collaboration of longtime members of the Southern California DIY (i.e., experimental, non-corporate-sponsored) punk community—and centered on what they call “non-sh!t” music. Co-organizer and self-described local “band whore” Davey Quinn (Tiltwheel, Bloodbath & Beyond, Too Many Daves) says Awesome Fest is a looser alternative to corporate-backed festivals like the Warped Tour, comparing it to “a couch to crash on and a cooler full of beer in the backyard.” Another co-organizer, Kyle Pagel, agrees, likening the weekend to “a big family reunion.” “Our music scene’s pretty close-knit, but we’re spread out all over the country,” Pagel says. “These festivals are the only time some of us get the chance to see each other all year.” U-31 general manager Nicole Novak says her venue has hosted Awesome Fest since it moved from Riverside to North Park three years ago. “Those kids literally come out in packs of hundreds, like unbelievable, in solidarity,” she says. “Three hundred punk rocks kids will just show up at the same time.” While the vibe is understated, the talent shouldn’t be underestimated. One Awesome Fest headliner is David Dondero, whom NPR labeled one of the top 10 “best living songwriters” alongside Bob Dylan, Aimee Mann and Paul McCartney. Dondero performs on the evening of September 2 at Eleven, 3519 El Cajon Boulevard. If the sounds are anywhere near as epic as the names of some of the other acts—which include Lipstick Homicide, God Damn Doo Wop Band, Underground Railroad to Candyland and the seminal ’90s garage punk band, Scared of Chaka—brace yourself for an awesome weekend, indeed. —Pat Sherman

Awesome Fest 5 When: September 2-4 ic Where: North Park mus e, Soda venues Eleven, The Offic Lounge Bar and U-31 Cocktail e days Passes: $36 for all thre up (passes must be picked merset September 2 or 3 at Sum ton hing Suites Hotel, 606 Was Street in Hillcrest) Info: awesomefest5.com

Lenguas Largas perform during last year’s Awesome Fest.

JAY-Z & Kanye West Watch the Throne

The War on Drugs Slave Ambient

Reatards Teenage Hate

hhh

hhhh

It was only a matter of time before the reigning kings of hip-hop, Kanye West and Jay-Z, split spit-time on an album. Watch the Throne picks up where Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy left off—it’s unpredictable, eccentric and futuristic, albeit more pop-orientated and club-ready. A “who’s who” of co-producers, including Q-Tip, RZA and The Neptunes, offset Kanye’s affinity for over-the-top ideas that, in the past, have come off as more self-indulgent than enjoyable. Lyrically, there’s a lot to soak in. While Kanye and Jay-Z boast about designer gear and jet-trips to Paris, they also focus on the selferosion that comes along with those perks, eloquently delving into issues of gender equality, spirituality and black-on-black crime with the perfect amount of swagger.

Certain bands inspire you to do sh!t— Bob Marley and The Wailers might compel you to fire up a joint and inhale a bag of Cheetos, while The War On Drugs’ latest offering, Slave Ambient, compels you to get in the car and just drive...with the windows down. Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile began crafting Dylan-esque Americana doused in shoegaze and ’80s nostalgia in 2003. And after undergoing a few line-up changes (and Vile pursuing a prolific solo career), The War on Drugs appears to have hit their stride. Billowy synth hooks, ethereal guitars and Granduciel’s slow drawl make for an interesting mash-up. While Granduciel can at times sound like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen, he finds a way to borrow inspiration instead of stealing it.

The production on Teenage Hate, a deluxe reissue of the Reatards’ 1998 garage punk classic (which includes the entire F*ck Elvis Here’s the Reatards EP), makes the album sound as if it were recorded in 1961. But it’s in this low-fi aesthetic that its intensity lies. It’s a balls-to-the-wall, dirty punk album with a side of rock ‘n’ roll. Unlike a lot of punk rock guitarists, Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. (aka Jay Reatard), who died last year of a cocaine and alcohol overdose, could really play. And despite his having derided it, the Memphis blues scene seems to have rubbed off on him—on Teenage Hate, he sped up those blues chords and cranked the distortion. Lindsey was a normal dude until he stepped on stage, then it all went downhill. Or uphill, depending on how you look at it.

For fans of: My Blood Valentine, Fleetwood Mac, Grateful Dead Standout tracks: “Best Night,” “It’s Your Destiny” Goes well with: Roadtrips, American beer, looking at old photos

For fans of: Pussy Galore, Iggy Pop, Bad Brains Standout tracks: “Out of My Head, Into My Bed,” “When I Get Mad” Goes well with: Skateboarding, bad decisions, rioting —Tim Donnelly

For fans of: Kid Cudi, Rick Ross, T.I. Standout Tracks: “Otis,” “Murder to Excellence” Goes well with: Tinted windows, rooftop parties, blunts

te bar

l yc

-i

spin

ABOVE: Nervous Wreckcords Z ACH A N D R E W S

The Howls N IC O R IC O Y

The Great American Showcase WHEN: Sept. 4, 2 to 10 p.m. WHERE: El Dorado Cocktail Lounge (and adjacent parking lot), downtown TICKETS: $20 advance, $25 at the door INFO: greatamericanshowcase.us, keep-a-breast.org

SEPTEMBER MUSIC CALENDAR

Lyon Crowns

Kaskade

THE CURRENT’S RAGE

lug into an outdoor electronic music experience September 2, when Skullcandy’s IDentity Festival lays serious cable at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre. Some of the nation’s top electronic DJs and musicians will juice the massive all-day dance jam, which is part of the first touring show of its genre to zap every major outdoor venue in North America. The ultrasensory event on three stages boasts 20 live performances and DJ sets, including Disco Biscuits, Steve Aoki, Aeroplane, Afrojack, The Crystal Method, LA Riots, international house hero Kaskade and the appropriately named Pretty Lights. Clap on/clap off to your heart’s content. —Alyson Baker pacificsandiego.com

U lt r a R e c ord s

Vista Tickets: $50 and up Info: idfestival.com

R ICH C O O K

i a n s i gmon

On Auto Pilot Joshua Epstein of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. First Car: 1996 Jeep Cherokee with a cassette player Current Car: 2000 Volkswagen Passat and new Honda Insight (“an affordable lease”) Dream Car: Fully-restored vintage DeLorean

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

To that end, the location will be decked out in a turn-of-the-20th century vaudevillian theme—harking to the variety stage shows that were popular when the first Labor Day was observed in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. Outdoor Stage: The Soft Pack, Nervous Wreckords, DJ Numark, The Howls, The Creepy Creeps, Old English, Grand Tarantula, Lyon Crowns, Joy, Euphoria Brass, Brand, Adam Salter. Indoor Stage: Kevin Martin, Corey Biggs, Bubble Gum Sci-Fi, Saul Q, Profile, Blancnoir, DJ All Good, The Kabbs. —Christine Pasalo

9/2: Explosions in the Sky w/ Twin Sister @ Soma, somasandiego.com 9/2: Hardwell @ Voyeur, voyeursd.com 9/2-4: Awesome Fest @ multiple North Park venues, awesomefest5.com 9/2: Friday Night Jumpoff (DJ Artistic) @ U31, u31bar.com 9/2: Identity Festival @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, livenation.com 9/3: DJ Pauly D @ Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, interventionsd.com 9/4: Ben Harper @ Del Mar Racetrack, delmarscene.com 9/4: Intervention Sunday w/ Martin Solveig @ Hard Rock Hotel, interventionsd.com 9/6 & 9: Los Amigos Invisibles @ House of Blues, hob.com 9/7-8: Thievery Corporation @ House of Blues, hob.com 9/9: The Kills @ House of Blues, hob.com 9/10: Ocean Beach Music and Art Festival @ Newport Avenue, obmusicfest.org 9/12: Tears for Fears, @ Humphreys, humphreysconcerts.com 9/12: 91-cent drink Mondays w/ DJs Colourvision and Qenoe @ U-31, u31bar.com 9/13: Ray Laymontagne @ Copley Symphony Hall, sandiegosymphony.org 9/14: The Vaccines w/ Tennis @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 9/16-17: Bon Iver @ Spreckels Theatre, spreckels.net 9/17: White Hills @ Soda Bar, sodabarmusic.com 9/17: Caifanes @ Valley View Casino Center, valleyviewcasinocenter.com 9/18: Intervention Sunday w/ DJ Steve Aoki @ Hard Rock Hotel, interventionsd.com 9/18: Rascal Flatts w/ guests @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, livenation.com 9/18: Ke$ha @ SDSU Open Air Theatre, stubhub.com 9/21: Santana @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, livenation.com 9/21: Bright Eyes w/ Kurt Vile & The Violators @ Soma, somasandiego.com 9/23: Ladytron @ House of Blues, hob.com 9/24: TV on the Radio w/ Arctic Monkeys @ SDSU Open Air Theatre, stubhub.com 9/21: Buddy Guy @ BellyUp Tavern, bellyup.com 9/22: Marc Anthony @ Viejas Arena, stubhub.com IDentity Festival 9/28: Steve Earl @ House of Blues, hob.com When: Sept. 2, 1 p.m. 9/30: Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues, hob.com Where: Cricket Wireless 9/30: Peter Bjorn & John @ BellyUp Tavern, bellyup.com Amphitheatre, Chula

What: San Diego Music Thing When: Sept. 9-10 Where: Conference at Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park; music performances at various venues Tickets: $45 to $50 for two-day conference pass, all shows; $25 to $28 for one-day conference and that day’s shows Info: sandiegomusicthing.com

sho

oss shop-talking musicians, producers and indie enthusiasts together with more than 150 local, regional and national bands, and you’ve got the fourth annual San Diego Music Thing. By day, the September 9-10 conference and festival, based at North Park’s historic Lafayette Hotel, features a trade show, pop-up performances and interactive roundtables with renowned industry pros. (“The Resurgence of Indie Labels,” with legendary Dead Kennedys co-founder and political activist Jello Biafra, is one panel highlight.) After dark, punk’s elder stateswoman Exene Cervenka and the Motor Citybased pop band Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. are among the acts set to do their thing at 14 venues citywide. —Pat Sherman

ardrums will be doing overtime Labor Day Weekend when downtown’s El Dorado Cocktail Lounge rolls out the Great American Showcase on September 4. Billed by organizers as “San Diego’s next big thing in art, charity and music”—with one dollar for every ticket sold going to the youth-focused cancer foundation Keep A Breast— the Sunday gig-athon features top local musical acts including The Soft Pack, Euphoria Brass Band and Nervous Wreckords, plus turntable trickery from Jurassic 5’s DJ Numark and others. Just don’t call the event a music festival. “Every time some bar or club has a few bands, they call it a festival,” says El Dorado’s marketing and entertainment director, Justin Fortier. “The name ‘Great American Showcase’ was chosen because we wanted to celebrate an era when hard work really meant something.”

Reunited Thingdom

Great American Showcase puts local bands to work for charity

Tr i c y c l e R e c ord s

The Frail

Cause for Applause

sho

bar

l yc

groove

-i

spin

c Sharla Knight Age: 27 ‘Hood: Pacific Beach Hubs: Tavern at the Beach, P.B. Shore Club and Miller’s Field in Pacific Beach; The Fleetwood in the Gaslamp Ride: Kawasaki Ninja 250

KNIGHT RIDER On the road with a NINJA-loving bartender B y b a rb a r a c u rr y • P h o t o s b y B r e v i n B l a c h

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

hat Sharla Knight lacks in bartending flair, she makes up for with go-go moves. “I can’t do all those bottle swinging tricks,” she says, “but I will dance and swing myself around.” Knight tends bar Wednesday nights at the brand-new The Griffin in Bay Park and during Intervention Sundays at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. As a professional club dancer, she entertains the partying masses at FLUXX, Wave House and Voyeur, among other ultra-hotspots. She also has a degree in kinesiology (the study of human movement), shoots guns, practices martial arts and loves her motorcycle. “I just want be known as that bad-ass chick who rides a bike,” Knight says. And then off she speeds, always on the go-go. thegriffinsd.com

CLOTHES

MAKE THE MAN (WE IMPORT THE CLOTHES) s $%3)'.%2 )4!,)!. #,/4().' !.$ !##%33/2)%3 s .%7 3%,%#4)/.3 )-0/24%$ &2/- )4!,9 7%%+,9 s ,)-)4%$ 15!.4)4)%3 3/ ./ /.% #!. #/09 9/52 ,//+ s !&&/2$!",% 02)#%3

IMPORTED ITALIAN FASHION,

Stop in for complimentary espresso, friendly Italian lessons and sharp, new gear for the weekend

142 UNIVERSITY AVE., HILLCREST 619.288.7968, WWW.STILEITALIANO.US

love <This true story took place last Friday>

LOVETRAIN

D AT E One romantic journey, two tickets to ride B y D a v i d PE R LOFF P h o t o s b y br e v i n b l a c h

ot counting a handful of taxis waiting for the next commuter train to drop its fare booty, Union Station seems pretty quiet for a Friday afternoon. As the 5:55 p.m. Amtrak Surfliner idles on the other side of the tracks, Ben is waiting in the lobby with two tickets to “The Big O” (Oceanside), the northernmost tip of this evening’s blind date. Before Nicole arrives to meet Ben for the first time, let’s review their pre-date interviews. (It’s 5:39; please read fast.) PacificSD: Where are you from? BEN: I grew up in New York and Rhode Island. Now I live downtown, in the Gaslamp. NICOLE: Originally from Napa. I live in Crown Point now. What do you do for a living? BEN: I was a professional surf photographer and traveled internationally, but now I do marketing for Night Access, an events production company that throws parties in San Diego and Las Vegas. Oh, and I go to law school. NICOLE: Research at a biofuels company. What do you do for fun? BEN: I love yoga, swimming in the ocean and reading a good book in a cafe. Cosmic Banditos by Allen Weisbecker basically changed the course of my life and led me to pursue a degree in Philosophy from UCSD. Also just finished Hells Angels by Hunter S. Thompson. NICOLE: I’m obsessed with live music and yoga, biking around P.B., happy hours, hiking, road trips, cooking, wine tasting—not that I know anything about it—lounging by the beach, anything with friends or the fam. I wish I could travel more. What makes you a good catch? BEN: Tall, dark and handsome. I love spontaneous travel and I’m studying to be an attorney. That sounds like a pretty good package. NICOLE: Free room and board in Napa. (Continued on page 88)

pacificsandiego.com

love (The blind date keeps rolling; continued from page 87)

D AT E

What are you looking for in a date, physically and/or otherwise? BEN: Great conversation and girls who can laugh at themselves. I’ve dated a lot of hot girls, but I’d rather skip the bullsh!t games and discuss stimulating topics. Physically, there’s qualities about every girl that are attractive, but it’s always light eyes that get me. NICOLE: I look for a guy who is down to earth and honest, confident not cocky, someone who has a passion for knowledge and life, and the obvious one, someone who makes me laugh. Looks-wise, I’m a total sucker for muscles. What’s your biggest fear? BEN: Drowning; I’ve come close twice, and one of my close friends drowned from surfing in big waves.* *Scan here for a video of Ben swimming with a camera in Hawaii.

NICOLE: Bad drivers and politicians. PacificSD: What’s your sign, 88

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

religion or spiritual belief system, if any? BEN: Gemini. I’ve been told I have two distinct sides: schmoozing/fun/party guy and introspective/spiritual/serious guy. Most people only see the former. NICOLE: I’m a Virgo. I believe in introspection with the goal of compassion. What’s the sexiest thing about you? BEN: My facial hair; girls love scruff. NICOLE: My eyes. What’s your favorite thing about yourself? BEN: I’m never bored or lonely. Growing up as an only child, you could give me two sticks and a rock and leave me in the backyard for hours. NICOLE: I can only pick one? How and why did your last relationship end? BEN: I thought she cheated on me. Always trust your gut. NICOLE: He couldn’t live up to his promises.

Fill in the blanks: I want my date to be “blank” and “blank.” BEN: Educated and sarcastic. NICOLE: Open-minded and a good conversationalist. If my date were a means of transportation, I’d want her/him to move “blank” and be equipped with “blank” and “blank.” BEN: In low gear and be equipped with snow tires and heated seats. NICOLE: Me and be equipped with wings and a jet engine, so I can travel wherever I want. What was your first car and what did it say about you? BEN: Honda Accord. It said I was broke and flipped burgers every summer. NICOLE: It was an old Honda and showed that my parents were wonderful people for giving me a car that would be totaled within a year. It wasn’t my fault! What’s your current car? BEN: Honda CRV. I like dependable people in life, who will always be there when I need them.

NICOLE: Mazda, zoom-zoom. I just wanna go fast. Dream car? BEN: ‘91 Cadillac Brougham d’ Elegance in triple black. That says I’d like to pose as a retired Colombian drug dealer living in a suburb outside of Miami. NICOLE: Remember the plane thing? That. I want to go on adventures all the time. When Nicole arrives, she and Ben talk for a few minutes before someone hollers the proverbial “All aboard!” from across the tracks. (Editor’s note: I was the one hollering; the conductor didn’t say boo.) Smiling wide, the couple crosses the platform, steps onto the train and heads upstairs to find their seats. Destination: Harney Sushi, Oceanside. Turns out they’re working on the tracks at the Old Town station, so we’re headed straight to Sorrento Valley (with beers in the Team PacificSD backpack, which is permitted…supposedly). (Continued on page 90)

4 0 B C E 8 ; ; 0 6 4 Â½ B = 4 F 4 B C F 0 C 4 A 8 = 6 7 > ; 4

g n i n e p O d n a r G

9>8= DB

! d n e k e e W h t 0 1 8 r e b m Septe

C7DAB30H 5 A 8 3 0 H 3 9 3 4 E > H F ?4A2DBB8>=8BC B 0 C D A 3 0 H B D A ? A 8 B 4 ? 4 A 5 > A < 0 = 2 4 F 9D=8>A C74 38B2> ?D=:

0;; 0<4A820=

2><5>AC 5>>3B 1;D4 2>;;0A ?A824B 1>>C;4664A ?A>D3;H BD??>ACB

270A64AB 0=3 0;010<0 5>>C10;;

9>8= DB 5>A 6A0=3 >?4=8=6 F44:4=3 5>>C10;; 1AD=27

?;0C4B ?>DAB

' C7 <0A:4C

' # < 0 A : 4 C Â&#x201C; B 0 = 3 8 4 6 > Â&#x201C; 2 0 ; 8 5 > A = 8 0 Â&#x201C; ( ! Â&#x201C; C % ( & ( # 1 > > C Â&#x201C; 5 % ( & ( # ! % % ( Â&#x201C; F F F 1 > > C ; 4 6 6 4 A B 3 2 > <

love (Continued from page 88)

MISOharney Sushi by the seashore

assing the natural scenery along the tracks makes riding the Surfliner feel like taking a trip through a forest with an ocean view. Nicole snagged the window seat, but she’s been turned toward the aisle, talking to Ben during most of the 55-minute voyage north. As the train pulls into the station at O’side, the couple disembarks and walk, hand-in-hand, a few blocks over to Harney. The place is packed, from the sushi bar to the bar bar, when Ben and Nicole arrive and are led to a booth next to the DJ. Once they’ve had a chance to sip some sake and share some sashimi, they’re split for mid-date debriefings. PacificSD: How’s it going so far? BEN: It’s going great. We have a lot of mutual friends. It’s weird we never met before. We went to the same school, we hang out in the same places, I kind of tripped out about it. NICOLE: Good, really good. We have a lot of friends in common, so it’s a lot of common ground, good things to talk about. We both went to UCSD, so I knew his roommates and stuff.

out, but it was full attention on him the whole time.

What were your first impressions? BEN: I thought she was really goodlooking. I was worried that she was going to be an idiot, and she wasn’t at all. She’s very well versed, has a bio background from the same school as me, so she’s very intelligent. NICOLE: He seems really cool. He really reminds me of one of my good friends, so it felt really comfortable. And he’s really easy to talk to and he’s a super gentleman.

Would you like to kiss your date right now? BEN: Yes, I plan on doing so. NICOLE: Not really.

How was the train ride? BEN: It was nice. We were kind of faced in the opposite direction, so it was weird going backwards in time. The conductor said, “Where’d you get those beers? We don’t sell them here.” I go, “Oh, it’s contraband, we smuggled it in.” He thought it was funny and just let us have them. NICOLE: We almost got in trouble for our beers, but it was great. It wasn’t uncomfortable, which is something I really appreciated, ‘cause I was a little nervous that the conversation wouldn’t be very fluid. He had the better view because I was at the window and he was looking 90

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

Rate your date on a scale from one to 10 for looks. BEN: Nine. NICOLE: I’d give him a nine. And for personality? BEN: Eight. NICOLE: Nine for sure.

Does your date want to kiss you? BEN: Ummm, it seems like the vibe…I would say yes. NICOLE: Yeah, probably. If you had to choose between leaving right now with $100 cash or staying and making-out with your date right, what would you do? BEN: Stay and make out with her. NICOLE: I’d stay. What would make this date more fun? BEN: Ice cream. Maybe a walk on the beach after. When we walk on the beach, I wanna make out with her. NICOLE: There’s like a DJ, right? If there was a dance floor… THANK YOU! Harney Sushi 301 Mission Ave., Oceanside 760.967.1820, harneysushi.com (Continued on page 92)

D AT E

‘

Roll Rock n

nos a i P g uelin

Great Music I Food & Drinks I FUN!!

OPEN NIGHTLY

PIANOS 7 NIGHTS A WEEK 655 4th Ave, Gaslamp Quarter W W W. T H E S H O U T H O U S E . CO M

love (Continued from page 90)

homewardbound The blind date goes south (not in a bad way)

fter sushi, Nicole and Ben stroll toward the ocean. At the entrance to Oceanside Pier, an apparent religious zealot is expressing his passion at full volume as a group of breakdancers performs to a crowd of skate-board-toting teenagers on the level below. The daters soak in the scene for a few minutes and then soak up a quick round of drinks and tequila shots at 333 Pacific before walking back to the Amtrak station. When their train arrives, they climb aboard, and Nicole is nearly caught in the closing door as the two disappear, laughing, into the cabin. The magazine crew catches a ride home with our designated driver. We call the next morning to see what we missed. PacificSD: How was dinner? BEN: Harney was amazing. The DJ was playing electronic music, which she loves, and it kept the mood relaxed. The food was exquisite. Their sushi chefs have presentation down to a fine art. NICOLE: So incredible. The DJ kept the vibe upbeat, but the lighting was romantic. Our waitress was awesome, and the sushi was to die for. Describe the experience after dinner. BEN: We got barraged by screaming bible thumpers and watched inner-city youths breakdance from the pier. (Former Chargers linebacker) Junior Seau was at the second bar we went to. NICOLE: We took a walk along the pier and got a drink at 333 Pacific. We saw Junior Seau, but he wouldn’t take a picture with us. How was the ride south? BEN: The conductor gave us free bottles of cheap wine, and Nicole kept checking her phone because she was supposed to meet up with friends later. That’s one of my pet peeves. I told her I didn’t like it, but she kept texting people. I mixed a juice box of apple juice with white wine—my foray into prison mixology. NICOLE: We discovered mixing apple juice with the free white wine made it taste a lot better. 92

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

What was the best part of the date? BEN: Probably the train ride back downtown. She wasn’t selfconscious about doing something stupid on camera and could open up a bit more. Plus, it was nice to have a cuddle buddy on the way home. NICOLE: Probably the train ride up. I think it was part relief that the most awkward part was over, and part really enjoying getting to know each other, finding out we had so many friends in common and wondering how we had never met. What did you after the train ride? BEN: We took a cab. I showed her where I live downtown and walked her a couple blocks over to a club. She had to meet up with her friends, so I made sure the VIP hosts took care of her. Then I went and met up with some friends at Stingaree to see Mickey Avalon. NICOLE: Got a drink and parted ways. Was there a kiss? BEN: A gentleman never kisses and tells. NICOLE: Apparently there’s something romantic about train rides. Will there be a second date? BEN: I hope so. Usually, I want to stab myself in the ears on first

dates, but she was intelligent, and we had a lot of similar life experiences. NICOLE: I could be pretty easily convinced. If my date were a car, he/she would be a “blank,” because he/ she is “blank” and “blank.” BEN: Mazda, because she is zoom-zoom. NICOLE: Mercedes, because he is alluring, desirable and classy. Aftermatch

While a dating train wreck might have been more exciting to watch, last night’s intracountynental blind date—from Nicole’s sexy eyes and Ben’s dashing scruff to the fleeting scenery along the tracks—was a sight to behold. Before the date, Nicole said she drives a “Mazda, zoom-zoom. I just wanna go fast.” And by the end of the evening, Ben seems to have caught that need for speed. The moral of the story: Texting while driving is dangerous. Texting while riding the train? Now that’s just plain annoying…but thankfully not so annoying as to prevent someone from becoming a “cuddle buddy.” All aboard!

D AT E

Top-Shelf, All-Natural Spring Water Refresh with nature’s perfect spring water from a higher source: At 4,800 feet, atop Palomar Mountain, San Diego County

Served by the glass bottle at these ﬁne restaurants: BENCOTTO BLUE POINT HOTEL DEL CORONADO JAKE’S DEL MAR LA JOLLA STRIP CLUB SBICCA DEL MAR THE MELTING POT VIGILUCCI’S ZENBU SUSHI

760-743-0140

palomarwater.com

calendar

09.11

Submit events to calendar@pacificsandiego.com. Compiled by Verena Calas

PADRES HOME GAMES

9/2: vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:05 p.m. (fireworks show) 9/3: vs. Colorado Rockies, 5:35 p.m. (Padres “Go Green” bags) 9/4: vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:05 p.m. (Padres gumball machines for kids) 9/5: vs. San Francisco Giants, 1:05 p.m. 9/6: vs. San Francisco Giants, 7:05 p.m. 9/7: vs. San Francisco Giants, 3:35 p.m. 9/16: vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 7:07 p.m. (Oktoberfest, college night) 9/17: vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 5:53 p.m. (Padres long-sleeve T-shirts) 9/18: vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:05 p.m. (military appreciation: Air Force) 9/23: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05 p.m. (fireworks show) 9/24: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 5:35 p.m. (“Beat LA” rally towels) 9/25: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05 p.m. (military appreciation: National Guard) 9/26: vs. Chicago Cubs, 7:05 p.m. (Padres team photos) 9/27: vs. Chicago Cubs, 7:05 p.m. 9/28: vs. Chicago Cubs, 5:35 p.m. (“shirts off their backs” fundraiser, presented by Sycuan)

9/1-4: Art San Diego Contemporary Art Fair Venue: Hilton San Diego Bayfront, downtown Tickets: One-day pass for $15 ($20 door); three-day pass for $20 ($25 door) Info: artsandiego-fair.com See and buy contemporary art by local and international artists. The three-day event also features musical entertainment, short film screenings and a series of “art labs” at various San Diego venues.

9/10

R onn i e W ood ’ s “ V oodoo M i c k , ” S y mbo l i c Co l l e c t i on G a l l e r y

9/8: Fashion’s Night Out Location: Fashion Valley Mall Admission: Free Info: simon.com Herald the arrival of the fall fashion season at this annual event, including a fashion show, DJs, live mannequin modeling, cocktail parties, free swag bags and in-store promotions and events. 9/9: San Diego Festival of Beer Location: Columbia and B Streets, downtown Tickets: $40 Info: sdbeerfest.org Taste more than 150 craft beers and ciders, including selections from Kona Brewing Co., Julian Hard Cider, Karl Strauss, La Jolla Brew House and more. Proceeds benefit charities aligned with San Diego Professionals Against Cancer. 9/10: Ocean Beach Music and Art Festival Location: Newport Ave., Ocean Beach Tickets: $30 Info: obmusicfest.org Soak in the sights and sounds of O.B. at Jazz 88.3 FM’s annual beachfront event, featuring works by 80 fine artists and live performances by legendary harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite, headliner Dr. John and more than 20 other musical acts. 9/10-11: ArtWalk On The Bay Location: Hilton San Diego Bayfront Park, Downtown Admssion: Free Info: artwalkonthebay.org Peruse more than 3,000 paintings, sculptures, photographs and other art for sale, while enjoying live music and family-friendly food and fun along the waterfront. 9/11-1/29: It’s Not My Fault: Everett Peck Venue: Oceanside Museum of Art Admission: $10 Info: oma-online.org Everett Peck, best known for his 1990s animated sitcom, Duckman, will display 30 years worth of his whimsical art—including early concept sketches and recent, pop-culture-inspired paintings.

9/1

A R T B Y E V E R ETT P ECK

9/12: Hillcrest Grub Sprawl Location: Restaurants throughout Hillcrest Admission: Free to attend; $5 per plate of food Info: grubsprawl.com Enjoy $5 mini plates from some of Hillcrest’s finest eateries, including Eden, The Range, Busalacchi’s, The Tractor Room, Ortega’s Mexican Bistro and more.

The Exendables

9/11 94

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

9/10

9/12

calendar

09.11 9/18: Brazilian Day San Diego Location: Garnet Ave., from Bayard to Everts Streets), Pacific Beach Admission: Free Info: braziliandaysandiego.com Join the more than 60,000 people expected to pack the streets of Pacific Beach for the West Coast’s largest Brazilian-themed event, featuring samba dancers, exotic floats, percussion groups and dozens of musical and cultural performances. 9/18-23: San Diego Restaurant Week Venue: Participating San Diego restaurants Cost: $10, $15 or $20 lunches; $20, $30 or $40 dinners Info: sandiegorestaurantweek.com Enjoy deep discounts at nearly 200 top-tier restaurants throughout San Diego County—from classic, refined cuisine to the latest culinary trends (see story, page 70).

9/18

9/20-25: Blue Man Group Venue: San Diego Civic Theatre, downtown Tickets: $20-$86 Info: broadwaysd.com The blue-faced, live-art trio returns to hypnotize San Diegans with their unique, multimedia blend of percussion, music and comedy.

9/24

9/23-25: Carlsbad Music Festival Locations: Main stage at Carlsbad Village Theatre, Carlsbad Tickets: $15 Info: carlsbadmusicfestival.org Experience a weekend of alternative classical music during this series of indoor and outdoor concerts.

KE N H O W A R D

9/24: Hellbilly Fest Car & Bike Show Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar Admission: $35 Info: socalhellbillyfest.com Rev your engines with hot rod and motorcycle fans, uniting for a day of car shows and live rockabilly music on two stages. A portion of proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 9/24-25: Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Location: Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado Tickets: $25-$45 (free for active duty military) Info: fleetweeksandiego.org Check out a classic car show and watch live Formula One and NASCAR-style racing on the actual runway at Naval Air Station North Island, the birth place of Naval aviation.

9/20-9/25

B EL G IU M LI O N P H O T O G R A P HY

9/24: Bootcamp Challenge Location: Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Point Loma Admission: $35 per individual, $105 per three-person team, $175 per five-person team Info: bootcampchallenge.com Try to navigate more than 40 obstacles like the United States Marines do during the 10th annual running of this three-mile course led by hardcore drill instructors. 9/26: The Man Class Location: Great News! Cooking School, Pacific Beach Admission: $59 Info: great-news.com Go from flop chef to top chef during this two-hour crash course, where master butchers from Iowa Meat Farms help culinaryclueless dudes find their way around the kitchen.

9/26 9/24

from t h e f i l m 5 0 / 5 0

9/28-10/2: 10th annual San Diego Film Festival Venue: Reading Gaslamp Theaters, Gaslamp Tickets: $12 per film or $65 festival pass; party admission extra Info: sdff.org Catch a flick (or 85) at the San Diego Film Festival, returning to the downtown scene with a fresh selection of high-caliber films, followed by Q&A sessions with directors, swanky after-parties and celeb sightings. Sponsored by Stella Artois (see story page 32).

9/18-9/23 96

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}

9/28-10/2

SPRAWL HILLCREST

GRUBSPRAWL.COM F I N D

GIVE ME A “T” GIVE ME AN “E” GIVE ME AN “A” GIVE ME AN “M” WHAT’S THAT SPELL?

GRUB

US ON

PRESENTED BY

MEAT!

>LWWd¿^ YZ_ O`XM ^SP U`^_ SL^ -L]P -LNV M`]RP]^ ZY _SP M]LTY

WE HAVE SPIRITS, YES WE DO! 2P_ TY _SP RLXP^ 1ZZ_MLWW¿^ MLNV L_ -L]P -LNV 2]TWW

15 SPOTS //$5 DISHES

1 FULL STOMACH PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:

great food. no fuss.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: FOOTBALL BINGO AND CRAFT BEER DINNER PAIRINGS SATURDAY: COLLEGE BALL AND BEAT-THE-CLOCK MIMOSAS SUNDAY: NFL GAMES AND BRUNCH (AND MORE MIMOSAS) GASLAMP: 624 E STREET (BETWEEN 6th & 7th ON E), 619.237.9990 PA C I F I C B E A C H : 4 6 4 0 M I S S I O N B L V D. ( 2 B L K S N O F G A R N E T ) 8 5 8 . 2 7 4 . 7 1 1 7

www.barebackgrill.com

TO PARTICIPATE, PICK UP A

FREE WRISTBAND FROM 5:45 - 9:30 PM AT EDEN 1202 UNIVERSITY AVE OR BUSALACCHI’S 3707 5TH AVE THANKS

TO OUR SPONSORS

GAY SAN DIEGO

think

Don’t Say “Cheese”

An un-flashy look at Summer 2011

elf-proclaimed (and award-winning) master photographer John Mireles is never without his camera—even when he probably should be. The “about” section on Mireles’ website says, “While commonly agreed to be the most artistically gifted photographer of his generation, John is also remarkably humble.” Hmmm…wonder who wrote that. If you ever look up and think, “hey, who’s that guy with the camera?” it’s probably Mireles (who shot the cover and fashion editorial for this issue of PacificSD, BTW). And if that happened to you in the past couple months, you may find yourself in one of the photos on this page. Mireles explains it best: I’m out to document a feeling. A feeling of American-style celebration, joy, beauty and the primal lust of boy seeking girl (and vice versa). Though I will snap that photo of you and your friends smiling at the camera, I’m more interested in the moments that come before and after. My inspiration comes not only from the people in my images, but also from a grand tradition of street and social photography. Robert Frank, William Eggleston, Slim Aarons and Larry Fink have all carved a photographic path that I seek to dig still deeper. So every summer, with tequila in my water bottle and camera at the ready, I head off in search of little moments that tell the story. I’m the guy crashing your beach party, stopping my bike for that barbecue on your front lawn, sneaking a photo of you chatting away or aiming the camera at your midsection. Don’t worry, though, it’s all in the name of art. —John Mireles (See the rest of John Mireles’ Summer 2011 series at pacificsandiego.com.)

pacificsandiego.com {September 2011}