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Parsing the DeMaio scandals After San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Duing that Dumanis—a politically oriented district atmanis and San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmertorney if there ever was one—benefitted not long man released statements on Monday saying they’d ago from a fundraiser held by DeMaio. The DA’s ofcompleted their investigations in a couple of matters fice tackled that one in its statement: “The Office of involving controversy magnet Carl DeMaio, there the California Attorney General has confirmed the was so much parsing of words. Let’s run it all down: assessment by the District Attorney’s Office that Dumanis’ office announced that it had conthere is no legal conflict of interest restricting the cluded its review of evidence related to an alleged DA’s Office from reviewing either case.” burglary and vandalism at congressional candidate Meanwhile, more parsing: Reporter Wendy Fry of DeMaio’s campaign headquarters, as well as allegaNBC 7 was among those who asked the Police Detions of “sexual misconduct” made against DeMaio partment if Chief Zimmerman called DeMaio two

by Todd Bosnich, the DeMaio campaign’s former months ago and told him that the harassment case political director. DeMaio has repeatedly referred was closed. This week, Fry says, a police spokesperto Bosnich as a “suspect” in the alleged office breakson encouraged her to read the department’s statein, but he’s the only one who has; the authorities ment carefully. In response, on Twitter, Fry highlightnever called Bosnich a suspect. ed this line: “The highest level of confidentially was “After thorough investigations conducted by the maintained during the entire investigative process, San Diego Police Department on both cases,” the and will continue to be maintained, to protect the statement read, “no criminal charges will be filed at integrity of each investigation.” Sounds like DeMaio David Rolland was lying, but the department won’t come this time due to insufficiency of evidence.”

Numerous media subsequently reright out and say it. We wish it would. ported that DeMaio had been “cleared,” Surely, DeMaio is happy to see the and several DeMaio antagonists—some word “cleared” all over the place, but of them lawyers—strenuously objected he might not want to get too comfortto the word, because it implies that Deable. Our lawyer friends say harassment Maio’s been completely exonerated of is typically handled in civil court rather wrongdoing, and what the DA said was than criminal, and Bosnich is going to that there simply wasn’t evidence to Carl DeMaio sue DeMaio. Possibly more problematic charge DeMaio with the crime. We won’t is Fry’s report this week that the FBI and quibble too much with the word, as it surely seemed the U.S. Attorney’s office are investigating Bosnich’s that Dumanis had wiped her hands of the matter. assertions that the DeMaio campaign offered him More interesting to us is what crime was con$50,000 in hush money, that his personal email acsidered—“sexual misconduct”—and that this was count was hacked and that he and his mother rereviewed by the DA’s office, which prosecutes feloceived threatening emails. nies, and not by the City Attorney’s office, which For his part, DeMaio is doing what he does best: prosecutes misdemeanors. What Bosnich described framing a narrative to suit his needs. Just as he’s DeMaio allegedly doing—including masturbating in been pushing, without evidence, the idea that he from of him unwantedly—sounds like misdemeanor fired Bosnich for a plagiarism incident that embarsexual harassment (Voice of San Diego’s Lisa Halvrassed his campaign back in May, this week he’s erstadt did a great explainer on sexual harassment been claiming, again without evidence, that Deand sexual battery when former Mayor Bob Filner Maio’s opponent, Scott Peters, is actively promoting was embroiled in harassment allegations). the sexual-harassment scandal to reporters. In so We can only assume that the Police Department doing, his narrative goes, Peters and his supporters sent the harassment claim to the DA’s office because are guilty of gay-baiting—by that logic, a gay man it considered it a potential felony. Typically, the DA can never be accused of sexual harassment. will kick cases it thinks are more likely misdemeanOops, we’ve run out of space and haven’t even ors over to the City Attorney’s office. So, it’s likely discussed the story we broke this week about an that after finding no evidence of a felony, the DA’s outrageous, sexist email DeMaio sent back in Januoffice also concluded there was no misdemeanor, ary, fat-shaming a Peters staffer. Folks, guilty or not, either. Also, the DA’s office won’t tell us what “sexCarl DeMaio is just the worst. ual misconduct” means, in a legal sense.

None of this can be analyzed without mentionWhat do you think? Write to editor@sdcitybeat.com.

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Volume 13 • Issue 11

Cover illustration by Matthew Smith

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6 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 7

Correction Last week, we published a letter to the editor, titled “Heroic act of jornalism,” written by Julia and Stanley Stanert, whom we mistakenly referred to as “Julia and Stanley Stanertber.” That was an editing error, and we’re terribly sorry.

There are (hard) solutions Thank you for writing about the struggles of the mentally ill who are trapped in the criminal justice system [Cover story, Aug. 27]. The narrative gives a good description of the anguish and frustration that families face with adult children with serious mental illness.

I went through this in 1996 with a sister who failed a murder-suicide attempt by overdosing her then 7-year-old daughter. The daughter survived. She’s 25 now.

The mother was very, very lucky. She was arraigned on attempted-murder charges and ultimately pled out to felony child abuse with formal probation. I spent a lot of time at Las Colinas; I spent a lot of time in the court room: criminal, civil, family and probate court. So, I have some standing to comment on this article.

The problem with the article as I see it is that you make it sound like that there are no resources or recourse for the parents of young adults when, in fact, there are: 1. NAMI-San Diego (National Alliance

on Mental Illness) is an invaluable resource to the mentally ill and their families. NAMI’s family-to-family and peerto-peer classes, among many others, do an incredible job of educating people on mental illness and solutions to problems like the ones discussed in your article.

2. Probate conservatorship: There is legal recourse for families to protect young adults. It’s not easy, and it’s complicated. While it’s almost always best to consult with a private attorney on establishing a conservatorship, it is possible to do it yourself.

The value of a probate conservatorship is that it establishes protections for your adult child or family member. In our case, the prosecuting attorney was very much aware that there was a family who gave a damn, who was educated about court proceedings and, from their perspective, served as a mitigating factor in terms of public safety.

You might want to write a companion piece about alternative solutions and strategies for coping with an adult child with mental illness. The court system isn’t just a place to adjudicate criminals or the mentally ill who commit criminal acts, it’s also there to meet the needs of society, the public and private parties (plaintiffs, petitioners) to find solutions to everyday problems such as mental illness.

The most important thing I ever did in my life (so far) is advocate for my sister

8 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

for more than 10 years. I exerted enormous effort and finally succeeded in finding mental-healthcare services that would stabilize her situation. With that combination of care, ultimately she was med-compliant. Most importantly, she was no longer suicidal.

Unfortunately, she believes that the conservatorship had a detrimental effect in all of the court proceedings. In fact, it’s what saved her from a seven-year prison sentence. The conservatorship saved her life.

There are solutions. The consumer has to do the work and advocate for their adult child. Nothing about it is easy. They need to be pro-active in the process and be persistent.

Elaine M. Northcutt, Spring Valley

Wanted: wage debate To begin with, congratulations on a wellwritten editorial, “Don’t sign the anti-minimum-wage petition” [Aug. 27]. It included appropriate facts and related numbers that are not always present in editorials.

In regard to signature collectors who do not tell the truth, something should be done, as 95 percent of the people who sign these petitions do not read them.

How about nullifying existing signatures upon proving that a signature gatherer is

communicating false information. That signature collector would then be banned from collecting subsequent signatures.

In general, I’m for raising the minimum wage. I believe that 95 percent of the raise will filter back into the economy, and it will benefit everyone. When people don’t earn enough money to live on, the government (we) pay for their necessities—food stamps, Medicaid and housing. Therefore, employers who pay low wages are being subsidized by the government (us).

And most important of all, working people who are struggling will be able to improve their lives.

Since this decision may have major economic impacts for everyone, it makes sense that everyone votes on it. There should be discussions and debates—pro and con. If the petition passes, these debates and discussions should commence immediately. The real problem to me is that it will take more than a year to vote on the issue if the petition passes.

Ronald Harris, Scripps Ranch Editor’s Note: It was announced last Thursday that the forces wanting to put a minimum-wage referendum on the ballot were indeed able to collect enough valid signatures. The ballot measure is scheduled for June 2016.

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 9

Joshua Emerson Smith

David Blair (left) and Zachary Lazarus are business partners in A Green Alternative, which is on track to be the city’s first licensed medical-marijuana dispensary.

Hashing out the details Meet the men poised to open the first approved medical-marijuana dispensary in San Diego

by Joshua Emerson Smith Outside of the third-floor entrance to the city of San Diego’s Development Services Department, around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, David Blair joined a long line of would-be marijuana entrepreneurs. Other people had been queued up for days in anticipation of the city issuing its first-ever permits for operating medical-marijuana dispensaries.

With a limited number of permits available, Blair hired a security guard for about $1,400 to also wait outside the

10 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

building for several days prior to the city opening its doors to applicants. However, at the last minute, officials told everyone to walk downstairs to the first floor of the building and form a new line.

“Imagine Black Friday at Target or Walmart,” said Blair, who recalled a mad rush down a staircase, across a street and into a lobby filled with reporters. “We wanted to be first in line—first in, first out.”

To his satisfaction, Blair was among the initial six people allowed into an elevator up to the third floor, where he submitted a stack of professionally prepared documents outlining his plan to operate a dispensary.

As it turns out, the race for permits had only just begun.

Today, applicants continue to scramble to complete the city’s approval process, which includes an environmental review, an appearance before a community planning group and an administrative hearing.

Finding a location that satisfies the city’s requirements isn’t easy, either. A limited number of commercial and industrial zones fit the bill. Dispensaries must be at least 100 feet away from residential property, as well as 1,000 feet away from each other and youth facilities such as schools and playgrounds.

Nearly six months after the city began taking applications, Blair, last week, became the first person in the city’s history approved to run a dispensary. He says the effort cost him and his investors about $140,000 in up-front costs and will likely top half a million before the store opens, which could be by the end of November.

However, not everyone who fronted the dough for lawyers and zoning professionals will be as lucky. With only four dispensaries allowed in each of the nine City Council districts, 38 total applications are still pending, including 18 in District 2, eight in District 6 and five in District 8.

Why have aspiring business owners spent so much money and time on something that’s far from a sure thing?

One factor that can’t be ignored is that selling medical marijuana can be hugely profitable. Many dispensaries do millions of dollars in sales every year. Owners rake in sixfigure salaries. Oakland’s pot behemoth, Harborside, has continually wrangled with the IRS over its yearly revenue of $22 million.

Faced with this question, Blair doesn’t deny that he expects his dispensary to make significant money. However, like many in the industry, he’s quick to say his first priority is to help the sick.

Back in February, when Blair first considered the idea of opening a dispensary, he and his romantic partner, Douglas Cristofo, had already been operating a medical-marijuana delivery service called Blossom San Diego.

“It’s about taking care of the patient,” the soft-spoken Blair said. “In fact, with the delivery service, Doug will spend a half-hour to 40 minutes with each new patient, making sure that we’re sending them the right strain based upon their illness.”

Diagnosed with AIDS in the mid 1990s, Blair, now 59, has used marijuana to treat his chronic pain and persistent flu-like symptoms for nearly 20 years. First recommended to him by an infectious-disease specialist, he said, the drug worked almost immediately.

“Initially, I got stoned, but within a few days, within a week, the pain started to go away, using it once a day,” he said.

The couple’s new dispensary—A Green Alternative—will be a 1,400 square-foot storefront at 2335 Roll Drive in Otay Mesa. They plan to employ roughly a dozen people, including eight fulltime workers making $15 an hour with benefits.

Blair has taught business ethics at San Diego State University twice a week for the last six years and holds a doctorate degree in leadership studies from University of San Diego. But for most of his life, he worked as an interior designer and, for a brief period in the ’80s, owned a juice company.

Living in a nice house in Chula Vista, Blair and his partner have seemingly done well for themselves financially.

Having bought multiple cars during the past few years, the couple got to know Zachary Lazarus, a former general sales manager at the Perry Ford car dealership.

It was Lazarus who first suggested the idea of opening a brick-and-mortar marijuana business. Last year, Lazarus said, he made a nice bundle of cash by trading marijuanarelated stocks, such as Terra Tech, which produces indoorgrow equipment.

“It was crazy,” the 37-year-old said. “It was stupid what these companies were worth. Some of them were heavily inflated.”

With his initial success in the marijuana industry, Lazarus pitched to Blair in January the idea of opening a dispensary together. With the city on the verge of approv-

ing its permitting program, the two decided to explore the idea further.

“We just kind of had this great bond, as far as business,” Lazarus said. “It got to a point to where I was showing up every day. I was calling every minute—literally—emailing, texting.”

From the beginning, Lazarus talked about franchising and going public, Blair said. While Blair was open to the idea, he had to win over his partner, whom he refers to as “very conservative.”

“Doug was against it in the beginning, and then he had an epiphany that it could be a means,” he said.

Having left his old job in October to go on disability, Lazarus winced in pain as he described being overworked.

As a result, he said he also started medicating with marijuana, which he hadn’t used since 1996. He’ll be the COO

and general manager of A Green Alternative.

“We’re not thinking about the permit being worth money,” he said. “That’s the farthest from our concerns.

We’re thinking about serving the community.”

However, he acknowledged the potential for profit.

“When I was fortunate enough to be selling [Blair and Cristofo] cars, I realized in my brain that they were in an emerging billion-dollar industry,” he said. “When I saw what they were doing and how they were serving the community, it gave me kind of the drive to figure out how I could get involved.”

By most estimates, this is an emerging industry that could skyrocket with legalization likely headed to the state ballot in 2016.

Dispensary CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 11

Dispensary CONTINUED from PAGE 11 Blair’s lawyer is medical-marijuana attorney Lance Rogers, who in June shifted away from criminal defense to join a practice focused solely on the business side of the industry. Rogers and pro-marijuana Washington, D.C., lobbyist Dan Riffle have more than 40 clients in multiple states.

“For me, as an attorney, I’m following my clients who are following the legalization and institutionalization of marijuana,” Rogers said. “My professional goal has been to put myself out of business as a criminal-defense attorney.”

Legalization wouldn’t necessarily mean San Diego’s permitting system would be irrelevant, said Eugene Davidovich, a founding member of Alliance

12 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

for Responsible Medicinal Access, the city’s largest marijuana trade association.

It’s likely a voter-approved initiative could include an opt-out provision for cities, Davidovich said. “This could be, for many years to come, the only legal way in the city to obtain marijuana for medical use.”

If that’s true, the coming crop of new dispensary owners, such as Blair, have a specific responsibility to the city’s medical-marijuana patients. With no permit applications in many areas of the city—including Districts 1, 4, 5 and 9—advocates are already planning future efforts to lobby the city to loosen its restrictions on where dispensaries can operate. And that’ll likely be a much easier sell if the first city-approved businesses prove to be good neighbors.

Write to joshuas@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

edwin

sordid tales

decker Rewriting the worst team fight song in the NFL Now that the Chargers have excised the tumor attachment to the Chargers fight song, I see it for that was Coach Norv Turner and are back to kickwhat it really is. Again, I’m only saying this because ing most excellent ass, it’s time to address another we’re friends. I’m saying this so that you may rise pressing issue concerning this team. against—so that you rally the others to crush, kill, No, I’m not talking about a new football stadium destroy this abomination. I say this because friends or performing a human centipedillian procedure don’t let friends abide foofy fight songs. for the Spanos triumvirate. I’m talking about exThat said, a lot of the other NFL fight songs punging the atrocity that is the official Chargers’ are also lame. This includes my beloved New York fight song.

Football Giants’ fight song, “Heart of New York,” If you aren’t familiar with the tune, it’s called which sounds like a 1940s barbershop quartet “San Diego Super Chargers” (which is a problem singing about donating scrap metal to the war efright there) and begins with a disco-peppy guitar fort. It’s not nearly violent or agro enough. Nor up-stroke that sounds more like a movie montage does it have any lyrics about their nickname. of two unicorns falling in love than it does a song They’re Giants! Their song should be about enorabout destroying your opponents to death. Next mous humanoids stomping on opponents’ heads comes the bass line—which has all the resonance of and dragging them to the lair to suck the marrow a pair of tweens chatting on a tin-can telephone— from their bones. followed by a horn section that’s immediately recTo the Chargers’ credit, their fight song actually ognizable as the arrangement that was too corny does attempt to weave their nickname into the lyrto be included on the recording of “Disco Duck.” ics: “With thunderbolts and lightning / We’ll light up the sky… with high voltage play… we’re going all the Just when you thought you couldn’t fit any more way—all the way!” Only problem is, despite the big shit into one septic tank, here come the vocals— yellow bolts on their helmets, “Charger” doesn’t which sound as though KC and the Sunshine Band refer to lightning. True story: The Chargers were recorded a commercial for a mattress store. first owned by William Barron “San Diego Super Chargers / Hilton, founder of the Hilton San Diego Chargers! / Charge!”

I’m saying this so that Hotel empire and purveyor of OK, can we all please the Carte Blanche credit card. agree that a football fight song you may rise against— Credit cards were a new innoshould never be in the key of so that you rally the vation at the time, and Hilton “Boogie Woogie”? And all you wanted to spread the word, disco fans out there needn’t others to crush, kill, thus settling on the name split your spandex over this. destroy this abomination.

“Chargers”—as in, people who I’ve got nothing against the purchase things with credit genre, per se. It’s just that disco cards. (A second, less-popular is not an appropriate theme for theory is that Hilton named them after fans who a football fight song any more than easy-listening shouted “Charge” in the stands. In either case, the jazz would be, or techno, or even folk: “Ye riots and moniker has nothing to do with electricity.) revels of Diego, adieu / And Folly, ye foplings, I leave Still, it was a good try. I wish more teams would to you / Ye ol’ Super Chargers of bustle and steel / O’er do that. For instance, instead of “Bear down, Chibanks o’ Qualcomm Glen, yon bannocks be smashed cago Bears,” their theme song should have been, to barley-meal.”

“Rise up on hind legs, Chicago Bears! Gore off their Bleh! Fight songs are supposed to be powerful faces and disembowel their guts!” The Philadelphia and driving. They are triumphant and march-like— Eagles song should go, “We’re gonna swoop into surging ever forward with percussion, bass and $10 town and peck out your eyeballs,” and The Dolphins beers to hoist and clink. Lyrically, they need to be should just shriek, “Eeee, eeee! Eeee, eeee, eeee!” agro, with plenty of “Kill, kill, kill!” and “Stomp, while splashing water in the opposing fans’ faces. crush, destroy!”

As for the Chargers’ fight song, well, a whole Even if you don’t quite agree with what I think new rewrite is in order. Which is why I now proa fight song should be, I’m confident we are on the pose the new official Chargers fight song. I call it same page about what it should never be. And that “With Visas Sharp and True” (for the melody, think is an utterly outdated, peppy-go-happy disco-dance Tchaikovsky’s “Overture 1812” meets Disturbed’s tune at which even a roller-rink DJ would turn up “Down with the Sickness”): his nose.

“With Visas sharp and true we destroy the enNow, look, my dear diehard Charger-fan friends, emy bastards! / We buy up their whole city and please believe this is not an attack. The truth is, I’ve put it all on plastic / Charge, charge, charge, San got your back. Because I get it. You grew up with this Diego Chargers / Charge them straight to Hades / song. There’s nostalgia attached. The tune sounds Because the credit cards we are using / Were stolen great to you in much the same way the Brady Bunch from Al Davis.” theme sounds great to people of my era.

But we both know the Brady Bunch theme is Write to edwin@sdcitybeat.com not great. Oh no, not great at all. And as a transand editor@sdcitybeat.com. plant from New York, someone with no emotional

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 13

[T echnology ] no life

offline

by dave maass

Ian Linkletter

Farts and feminism I promise there will be farts in this column. First, I need to talk about something that has been troubling me deeply.

Standing with Sarkeesian On Oct. 14, the Salt Lake City Tribune published this headline: “Feminist cancels talk at USU after guns allowed despite shooting threat.”

My heart sunk reading this article and the very detailed, very serious threats of a mass shooting if said feminist took the stage at Utah State University’s Taggart Student Center Auditorium.

Anita Sarkeesian, who bravely had gone on stage several times before, despite receiving threats of violence (including bombs), finally allowed herself to be censored by terror. I can’t blame her: Utah law doesn’t allow schools to restrict firearms on campuses, so without a metal detector at the door, it was just too dangerous.

Sarkeesian really shouldn’t be so controversial. It’s not as if she’s a Holocaust revisionist or a government official who authorized torture.

Sarkeesian isn’t some ultra-radical abort-all-thebabies femi-eugenicist. No, she attracts threats of rape and mass murder for nothing more than offering feminist critiques of video games and for speaking out about the psychopathic reaction she’s received from gaming trolls.

Yeah. We now live in a world where talking about video games earns you death threats.

Please stay with me. We’ll get to the farts in a moment.

You can view Sarkeesian’s situation as unique to her character, or you can view it as part of the larger “Gamergate” saga. Or you can view it in the context of the greater attack on women from the same puerile sectors of the Internet that celebrated the stolen intimate photos of female celebrities and threatened to release further images of actor Emma Watson after she delivered a speech at the United Nations encouraging men to support women’s rights.

When I heard about the mass-shooting threat, I immediately connected it to 22-year-old Elliot “My War on Women” Rodger’s killing spree near University of California, Santa Barbara, in May. I see it on all these levels, but right now I’m most urgently concerned about helping Sarkeesian spread her ideas, not because I agree with all of them, but because she has a right to express them, and I believe that the video-game industry can only benefit from considering them.

Here are two things I’d like you to watch, then we’ll get to the farts.

• Sarkeesian’s speech at XOXO: In September, Sarkeesian confronted her trolls with a presentation at the XOXO arts and technology festival in Portland. In this video, she explains how a group of gamer trolls have attempted to intimidate her through a variety of means, including people impersonating her on social media, death and rape threats via Twitter and graphic pornography with her head photoshopped on.

Even if you don’t give two Mario coins about

14 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Anita Sarkeesian video games, you really should watch this video to get an idea of how truly ugly people can be toward women on the Internet. Here’s the link: http://youtu.be/ah8mhDW6Shs • Tropes v. Women: Through her nonprofit Feminist Frequency, Sarkeesian produces videos that critique the portrayals of women in pop culture, most prominently in her “Tropes vs. Women in Video Games” series. These aren’t viral videos by any means, with some clocking in at 30 minutes. They’re more like video textbooks explaining gender stereotypes and imbalance in games throughout history. If you’re going to start anywhere, go with “Women as Background Decoration, Part 1”: http://youtu.be/4ZPSrwedvsg

And now, farts At the beginning of the month, I received a hilarious story pitch with this subject line, “Star Wars Farts: We’re ReInventing Star Wars... through Farting.” It turns out that this is a project by Shaun Spalding, a local filmmaker and attorney formerly with New Media Rights (I profiled the group in the 2012 cover story “Geek vs. Troll,” and, coincidentally, they also helped Sarkeesian when one of her videos was taken down from YouTube in 2011).

The project is exactly what it sounds like: the original first three Star Wars films, dubbed over with farts. But it’s also more than that.

“In addition to being a ‘parody’ of Star Wars parodies (that’s epic in its ‘dumbness’), it’s also meant to raise awareness of how hard it is to distribute parody remix video,” Spaulding told me via email. “Long story short, I do a channel of experimental films as a hobby. Well, I wanted to put SWF on YouTube for free. But of course, I couldn’t, even though we were doing it in a fairuse style way, because of YouTube ContentID.” (ContentID is YouTube’s automatic system for filtering out copyright infringement.)

Unfortunately for us fart-joke lovers, since Star Wars Farts Kickstarter went live at the beginning of the month, Spaulding’s changed the project to Star Wars Barks (same concept, with ruff-ruff instead of pbbth-poof ) to attract a larger audience.

It’s still a great concept with some very clever posters and T-shirts offered as perks (and Stars Wars Farts will still be a thing). Check that out here: http://tiny.cc/StarWarsFarts Write to davem@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 15

the

SHORTlist

ART

COORDINATED BY KINSEE MORLAN

MICHAEL REGALA

ative, and it kind of takes food to a different place.”

Storytellers 6.0 (facebook.com/ storytellerspopup) will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at North Park’s Ritual Tavern (4095 30th St.).

Brian Holwerda of the band Black Out Party and Jesse Lamonaca will play music, and Brune and Ritual Tavern’s Jonathan Harthorn will cook the food.

Tickets range from $45 to $65 (higher price includes beer) and include five courses, five songs and CDs. At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Downtown’s Saltbox Dining & Drinking (1047 Fifth Ave., inside Hotel Palomar) will host Kitchen Ink: A Chef Tattoo, a dinner with five topnotch chefs conjuring up dishes inspired by From left: Chefs Rose Peyron, Jarle Saupstad, their own tattoos.

Jeremiah Bryant, Elliott Townsend and Johnny Duran “When someone asked if I could come up with a dish based on my tattoo, I was, like, ‘Oh, hell yeah. I put a lot of thought into my tattoo, this should be fun,’” says Johnny Duran of Prep Kitchen, one of the featured chefs who’ll be translatIntimate, themed pop-up dinners are ing his yin-yang-themed tattoo sleeve into a unique nothing new, but the concepts behind two upcom- dish celebrating land and sea and fire and water. “I’m ing foodie events are so deliciously original that they definitely going for that wow factor—simple elegance deserved some extra ink. with an oh-my-goodness type of deal.”

Storytellers 6.0 makes music the centerpiece of Tickets are $50 for the food, with an optional $15 the night, asking local musicians to play their songs for beverage pairings. kitchenink.bpt.me. and share with dinner guests the stories behind them.

The chefs listen to the songs beforehand and come up with dishes inspired by the music. They, too, will tell If you’ve not had the pleasure of experifolks about how the songs inspired each dish. encing Scott Paulson’s Teeny-Tiny Pit Or“At the last event, the song was about solitude, so chestra, shame on you. “Birdcalls! Bulb I did an octopus dish because octopi live by themselves their whole lives,” explains chef Nick Brune, horns! Ukuleles! Musical saw! Orchestral harp!” is founder of the ongoing Storytellers pop-up dinner how ArtPower! describes the group’s accompaniseries and the chef behind Eco Caters and Local ment for Sally of the Sawdust, a 1920 carnival-cenHabit. “The concept really allows chefs to be cre- tric silent film starring W.C. Fields and Carol Dempster. It screens at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, as part of the “Foovie” (food and a movie) series at The Loft at UCSD (Price Center East, fourth floor). Show up at Remember when you were in elemen- 7 p.m. for a pre-show dinner with a menu of upscale tary school and the bookmobile would fair food: soft garlic-butter pretzel with mustard, roll in, promising brighter and shinier pork sliders, beer-battered onion rings, blue-cheese literary offerings than the worn-out copies of Frog horseradish slaw and a caramel-corn dessert. (Vegand Toad you kept forgetting to turn back in? Well, etarian options are available; wine and beer are sold trade the bus for a bar separately.) Tickets are $10 for the film only, $34 for and bright-eyed stu- the whole shebang. artpwr.com dents for word-hungry grownups, and you’ve got something that looks a lot like the Guerilla Book Fair. Held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Whistle Stop Bar in South Park (2236 Fern St.), the fair will feature local authors like Ben Ted Washington Johnson, Vera Sanchez, Ted Washington, Justin Pearson, Alfred Howard and Terrie Leigh Relf, who’ll sell their own books as DJ Claire and Roger Lane (aka Records with Roger) spin music and bartenders keep the drinks flowing. whistlestopbar.com

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16 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

WHAT’S A BULB HORN?

HBatvisions at Tractor Room, 3687 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. Local artist David Russell Talbott’s new series takes a look at familiar DC superheroes with a large helping of satire. Opening from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. davidrusselltalbott.com HMedium Festival of Photography at Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park. The third annual photography event features workshops, portfolio reviews and artist lectures on photography.

See website for schedule. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. $15-$550. 619296-2101, mediumsandiego.org Good Luck: Incoming Student Exhibition at Room 202, SME Building, UCSD, La Jolla. The UCSD Experimental Sculpture and Painting Studio presents works by firstyear MFA students. Opening from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. visarts.ucsd.edu HOccupy Thirdspace at Space 4 Art, 325 15th St., East Village. The last chance to see this showcase of contemporary artwork that questions the transborder condition and the effect of the border on the lives of individuals. There’s a Transborder Art History Panel discussion at 7 p.m.

Closing from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.

619-269-7230, sdspace4art.org Travelers Club Warehouse Show at EQ Studios, 2001 Main St., Barrio Logan.

From the creative collective that curated the Warehouse Takeovers, a one-night, multi-sensory exhibition in the heart of the Barrio Logan Arts District that includes four rooms of multimedia visual art and music.

From 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24. $5. 619-755-6355, thetravelersclubsd.com Diversity at Fallbrook Library, 124 S. Mission Road, Fallbrook. A Latino art show featuring new works from Juan Solis, Victor Ochoa, Jan Herdez and over a dozen more. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. sandiegolibrary.org Gum Nuts, Bunyips and Billabongs at Concetta Antico Fine Art Gallery, 1920 Fort Stockton Drive, Ste. A, Mission Hills.

Tetrachromat artist Concetta Antico will show off new works in her gallery space.

Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. 619-955-5285, concettaantico.com Grand Art Exhibit Party at Dolphin and Hawk Fine Art Gallery, 7742 Herschel Ave., La Jolla. A ghoulish art show and fiesta featuring works from abstract artist J. Hinos, new-wave music, wine and a costumefriendly environment. From 8 p.m. to midnight. Saturday, Oct. 25. 858-401-9549 HUNTITLED at 3rdSpace, 4610 Park Blvd., University Heights. Show and silent auction to benefit the Museum of Photographic Arts. Thirty photographs will be on display from Jason Smith, Dana Neibert, Ed Masterson and dozens more. From from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. apasd.org HThree on the Edge at Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park. A showcase of the architectural works of locals Kendrick Kellogg, James Hubbell and Wallace Cunningham. Opening Saturday, Oct. 25. $5-$8. 619-239-0003, mingei.org BOOHAI at WSOHOIDPS, 2690 Via De La Valle, Del Mar. A costume party and art show featuring new works from Kim Garcia, Omar Lopex, Jaclyn Rose and more.

Includes music from Monochromacy and DJ Asha Sheshadri. From 6 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25. shipinthewoods.com Still Wet at Jill Joy Studio, 710 13th St. Ste. 201, East Village. See Joy’s latest work from “The Consciousness Series”— large, abstract oil paintings that reference the sky and the sea as metaphors for uni-

versal consciousness. Opening from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. jilljoy.com HA Necessary Evil at Visual, 3776 30th St., North Park. New paintings from Paul Vargas, who specializes in multilayered, spray-painted works and stencils for a dark, apocalyptic result. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. 619-5015585, visualshopsd.com Wonder and Weight at White Box Contemporary Art, 1040 Seventh Ave., Downtown. Sasha Koozel Reibstein’s new work features large-scale, mixed-media sculptures alongside screen prints inspired by the complex relationship between our physiology and psychology. Opening from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. facebook.com/WhiteBoxContemporary

BOOKS HChuck Palahniuk at Mandeville Auditorium, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The author of Fight Club will discuss his latest, Beautiful You, about the apocalyptic marketing possibilities of female pleasure.

The event will include games, audience Q&A and a pre-signed copy of the book.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. $30. 858534-TIXS, warwicks.indiebound.com Raymond M. Wong at Alpine Branch Library, 2130 Arnold Way, Alpine. The local author will present a program on his immigrant experience, sharing his newly published memoir, I’m Not Chinese: The Journey from Resentment to Reverence.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. 619-4454221, raymondmwong.com Alison Weir at Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine, 5911 Balboa Ave., Clairemont. The author and journalist will discuss her new book, Against Our Better Judgment: The Hidden History of How the U.S. Was Used to Create Israel. At 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. Dinner: $25 Presentation: Free. 858-278-7770, againstourbetterjudgment.com/events HTony Abou-Ganim at BevMo Mission Valley, 5644 Mission Heights Road, Mission Valley. The renowned mixologist will be plugging his new book, Vodka Distilled. There’ll also be demonstrations and cocktail tastings. At 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. 619-326-9987 Hallowe’en at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. A Halloween-themed day of books including Richard Lederer and his latest kid’s book, Monsters Unchained!. At 2 p.m., Abigail Padgett will sign her latest vampire novel, An Unremembered Grave. At noon Saturday, Oct. 25. mystgalaxy.com HGuerrilla Book Fair at Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St, South Park. An intimate event with local authors representing many different literary voices, including Ben Johnson, Ted Washington, Justin Pearson, Bonnie ZoBell and more. From 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

HMaria Desiderata Montana at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Montana will discuss and sign San Diego Italian Food: A Culinary History of Little Italy and Beyond. At noon Sunday, Oct. 26. warwicks.indiebound.com Hank Phillippi Ryan at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. The author will sign and discuss the third book in her award-winning Jane Ryland and Jake Brogan mystery series, Truth Be Told. At 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com Rob and Kristen Bell at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The New York Times bestselling author Rob Bell and his wife and co-author will present their new book, The Zimzum of Love:

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October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 17

THEATER

Duel in the dark at North Coast Rep What if Sigmund Freud, the founding father of psychoanalysis, and C.S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia books, had sat down one day and talked? Do you think the subject of God might have come up? Is the pope Catholic?

Mark St. Germain’s one-act play Freud’s Last Session, now on stage at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach, imagines just such a scenario. It pits fierce atheist Freud against converted Christian Lewis in a battle of beliefs and wills, and it all happens on the exact day that Britain entered World War II. The premise is intriguing, but does it make for effective theater? It does in this North Coast Rep production, thanks to winning performances by Bruce Turk as Lewis and, even more so, Michael Santo as Freud, who, in St. Germain’s play, is dying of oral cancer but is strong enough to hold his own in a philosophical fight.

Freud’s Last Session’s rise above what could have been talking heads spouting diametrically opposed views about God’s existence (or non-existence), sexuality (of course—it’s Freud!) and the universe is the product of the actors’ commitment to their characters. Neither stops to speechify without directly addressing the other, believably sustaining the impression of two unwavering intellectuals respecting each A New Way of Understanding Marriage.

At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. 858-4540347, warwicks.indiebound.com HCharlie Lovett at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. Lovett will discuss and sign his latest mystery, First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. mystgalaxy.com Harry Katz at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The author and former head curator at the Library of Congress will present his latest, Mark Twain’s America: A Celebration in Words and Images. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. warwicks.indiebound.com Patrick Rothfuss at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. The author of the Kingkiller Chronicles series will sign and discuss the

AARON RUMLEY

other’s strengths even as they discover each other’s weaknesses. Director David Ellenstein keeps the pacing brisk, with both men usually on their feet and no stereotypical positioning of an upright Freud in a chair and Lewis reclined on a shrink’s couch.

Besides the specter of the coming war, the fictional visit of Lewis to Freud’s serene study (rich scenic design by Marty Burnett) is complicated by the doctor’s worsening illness, which is depicted in vivid blood-red in one of the play’s most audience-silencing junctures. Santo and Turk operate in an atmosphere of foreboding and tension, yet their debate is animated and spiced with bits of humor.

Freud’s Last Session succeeds not only in shining a light on two fascinating historical figures, but also in provoking critical thought about the most enigmatic complexities of life and afterlife. It runs through Nov. 9. $37-$54. northcoastrep.org

—David L. Coddon Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

OPENING Cellar Door: The brand-new New Fortune Theatre Company has a New Works Reading Series, and one of the first performances will be of this play about a Depression-era couple, whose Loui-

new spinoff novella, The Slow Regard of Silent Things. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com

DANCE Shoutin’ in the Library: Swing Dancing Under the Dome at Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., East Village. Swing Dancing San Diego offers free lessons and hosts a rooftop dance under the dome.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27. sandiegolibrary.org

FASHION Trunk Show: Jack Boyd Art Studio at Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park. Shop Boyd’s modernist-inspired jewelry, hand-forged in sterling and bronze. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

siana home is crumbling into a surrounding swamp, and the religious woman who shows up to help. It happens on Oct. 28 at BLKBOX Theatre in Hillcrest. newfortunetheatre.com Good People: A staged reading of a play about a struggling single mom in South Boston who thinks she’s found a way out of financial trouble. Presented by Carlsbad Playreaders, it happens on Oct. 27 at the Carlsbad City Library. carlsbadplayreaders.org The Great Divorce: The Christian-oriented theater group Fellowship for the Performing Arts brings to San Diego C.S. Lewis’ exploration of Heaven and Hell. It’ll be staged twice (4 and 8 p.m.) on Oct. 25 at the Balboa Theatre, Downtown. great divorceonstage.com/san-diego Henry V: The first main-stage production of the New Fortune Theatre Company is Shakespeare’s play about the young English king who leads his army into battle against France and woos a French princess. Opens in previews on Oct. 23 at BLKBOX Theatre in Hillcrest. newfortunetheatre.com

Bruce Turk (left) and Michael Santo The Picture of Dorian Gray: The second in New Fortune Theatre Company’s New Works Reading Series is Richard Baird’s adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s story about hedonism and the fleeting nature of physical beauty. It happens on Oct. 27 at BLKBOX Theatre in Hillcrest. newfortunetheatre.com Rent: The rent is too damn high for a group of artists living in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Presented by the Southwestern College Theatre Department, it runs Oct. 22 through 25 at Mayan Hall Theatre on the campus in Chula Vista. swccd.edu

Horror Unscripted: The Impro Theatre troupe will create a 1980s-style horror movie right there on the spot. It happens on Oct. 27 at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org

Spamalot: Fred is not yet dead in the musical version of the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Opens Oct. 24 at Coronado Playhouse. coronado playhouse.com

The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A new musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s story of the not-superattractive bell ringer Quasimodo and the enchanting gypsy Esmeralda. Opens Oct. 26 at La Jolla Playhouse. lajollaplayhouse.com

Titus Andronicus: A staged reading of Shakespeare’s ultra-violent tragedy about a Roman general who returns victorious from battle against the Goths, only to find more conflict. Presented by Intrepid Shakespeare Company, it happens on Oct. 27 at the Encinitas Library. intrepidshakespeare.com

Johnny Tenorio: In celebration of Day of the Dead, Chronos Theatre Group will present a new version of the legend of womanizer Don Juan, and each performance will be followed by a fiesta. It’ll be staged on Oct. 24, 25 and 31 and Nov. 1 at the 10th Avenue Arts Center in East Village. chronostheatre.com

and Saturday, Oct. 24-25. mingei.org

FOOD & DRINK HTaste of Bankers Hill at The Abbey, 2825 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. Sample signature dishes from over a dozen restaurants at this third annual event including Bertrand at Mister A’s, Croce’s Park West Barrio Star and more. From 6 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 22. $30-$35. 877-5769766, tobh14.brownpapertickets.com Beer Dinner with URBN St. Brewing Co. at The Grill at Torrey Pines, 11480 North Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla. The next installment of the Craft Beer Dinner Series featuring URBN craft beers paired with selections from The Grill chef Jeff Dibble.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. $75.

453-6641, lodgetorreypines.com/beer

HKitchen Ink: Chef Tattoo Dinner at Saltbox, 1047 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp. Five San Diego chefs will create a dish inspired by their tattoos. Participating chefs include Jeremiah Bryant (Saltbox), Rose Peyron (Counterpoint), Johnny Duran (Prep Kitchen) and more. At 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23. $50. 619-515-3000, kitchenink.bpt.me National Food Day Celebration at World Beat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., Balboa Park. Food Day hopes to inspire Americans to change their diets and food policies. There’ll be food samples, live music and local nonprofit booths.

From 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. 619230-1190, worldbeatcenter.org Wedge Cheese Festival in Downtown Escondido. 25-plus stops at local businesses hosting fine cheeses and a diverse selection of craft beers and boutique wines, as well as local restaurants offering samples. From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $45. wedgeescondido.com HCollege Avenue Farmers’ Market at College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Ave., College Area. The grand opening of the new Wednesday market offering seasonal produce. From 2 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 29. sdfarmbureau.org

HALLOWEEN HHaunted Aquarium: Shipwrecked! at Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. Enjoy live music, games and close encounters of the fishy kind at the Aquarium’s annual Halloween event. Wander the gallerys for treats and discover a sea of glowing creatures. From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25. $12-$17.

858-534-FISH, aquarium.ucsd.edu HHauntFest on Main at East Main Street

18 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

For full listings,

please visit “T heater ” at sdcit ybeat.com

and Rea Avenue in El Cajon. The third annual, family-friendly event in Downtown El Cajon features two stages of live music, a carnival rides and games area, a kids zone with outdoor movies, magic shows, pumpkin patches and more. From 5 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24. hauntfestonmain.com Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Halloween Show at Courtyard by Marriott Central San Diego, 8651 Spectrum Center Blvd., Kearny Mesa. A special Halloweenthemed mystery comedy dinner show.

Solve a hilarious murder case during a four-course dinner. Halloween costumes welcome. From 6:15 to 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $59.95. 866-496-0535, thedinnerdetective.com/sites/san-diego HBoulevard BOO Parade at College Area Business District, 4704 College Ave. The annual parade and street fest is turning 10 and is bigger and better than ever with more floats, more zombies, more music and more surprises. Afterward, enjoy live music, carnival rides, games, cold drinks and food trucks. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. booparade.com Mysterious Midnight on the Marsh at Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Dr., Chula Vista. An overnight adventure for parents and their children. Enjoy nature hikes, a movie, snacks, indoor camping, breakfast and a lot of other cool animal adventures. From 5:45 p.m. to 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $40-$45. 619-409-5900, thelivingcoast.org Halloween Family Festival at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. Little ghosts and ghouls of all ages are welcome at this special Halloween-themed Family Festival Day. Enjoy hula hoop dancing, crafts and a concert. Costumes welcome. From 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. 619-7028138, spreckelsorgan.org

PERFORMANCE

Owl-o-Ween at Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista. Spooky trail walks, gooey science experiments, dance parties and nighttime animal encounters. Wear your favorite family friendly costume (or something comfortable) for this inaugural event. From 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. $5-$10. 619-409-5900, thelivingcoast.org

HCharlie Musselwhite at Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. One of the most revered blues harmonica players in the world, Musselwhite has collaborated with giants like Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Tom Waits, Eddie Vedder, John Lee Hooker and more. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $34-$49. 858-748-0505, powayarts.org

HSuper Awesome Showdown at Victory Theater, 2558 Imperial St., Logan Heights. Technomania Circus’ take on professional wrestling returns for a night of family-friendly intergalactic combat. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $5-$15. 619236-1971, victorytheatersd.com

Halloween Mutt Strut at Mission Brewery, 1441 L St., East Village. PetBox teams up with San Diego Doggy MeetUp groups for a night of pooch-friendly fun. There’ll be a food truck, a photo booth, raffle, great brews and, of course, a costume contest. Benefits the Imperial County Humane Society. From 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. 832-468-6331

Jazz! at Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad. Four San Diego jazz musicians—Rob Thorsen, Gilbert Castellanos, Richard Sellers and Bob Boss—present a virtual time machine of jazz music geared towards elementary school students. At 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Free-$7. 760-438-5996, museumofmakingmusic.org

All Souls Remembrance Concert at Sunset Temple, 3911 Kansas St., North Park. A night of music and dance featuring choreography from Michael Velez and music by Strauss, Faure, Rossini and more. There’ll be Dia de los Muertos-style altars and outfits and makeup are encouraged. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. $15-$20. 619-795-3630

Sikes Spooktacular at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, 12655 Sunset Drive, Escondido. A family-friendly Farmstead Halloween celebration featuring apple coring, pumpkin rolling, web weaving, mummy wrapping and trick-or-treat activities. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. $5 suggested donation. 858-674-2270 sdrp.org

HDan Levenson at Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad. The troubadour plays a mean banjo and fiddle while singing songs and telling stories of the road. It’s also the last chance to check out the Museum’s The Banjo: A New Day for an Old Instrument exhibit. At 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25. $22-$28. 760-4385996, museumofmakingmusic.org

Once Upon a Hallowe’en at Old Poway Park, Midland & Temple, Poway. Now in its seventh year, this award-winning event features haunted train rides, ghostly gunslingers and old-fashioned fun for the whole family. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 26. poway.org Halloween Family Day at Balboa Park.

Over two dozen participating museums and cultural attractions throughout the park will present creepy craft projects, scary gallery tours, spine-tingling storytelling and more. See website for details.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

Various admission prices. balboapark. org/halloweenfamilyday HPumpkin Carving Contest at The Pearl Hotel, 1410 Rosecrans St., Point Loma.

The Pearl provides the pumpkins, carving tools, specialty cocktails, good eats and groovy tunes. You just bring your carving A-game to win cool prizes. From 8 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. thepearlsd.com

MUSIC Talea Ensemble at Conrad Prebys Music Center, UCSD campus, La Jolla. The contemporary classical ensemble will perform alongside soprano singer Susan Narucki. The program includes music from Charles Wuorinen, Aaron Helgeson, Oscar Bettison and Rand Steiger. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. $15.50. 858534-6503, music.ucsd.edu/concerts Crescendo at North Chapel, 2881 Roosevelt Road, Point Loma. The premier concert of the 50-voice men’s chamber chorale who’ll be performing classical and modern masterworks from around the world. At 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. $15-$25. 877-296-7664, sdgmc.org HMinguet Quartet at Conrad Prebys Music Center, UCSD campus, La Jolla. One of Europe’s most sought-after chamber music quartets, the night’s program will include selections from Mozart, Gould and Mendelssohn. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. $12-$54. 858-534-8497, artpwr.com Lola Astanova at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., Downtown. The classical pianist virtuoso will bring her unique style to selections from Bernstein and Rachmaninoff. At 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. $30-$80. 619235-0804, sandiegosymphony.com Music of Light at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. The Center Chorale will present works centered on the theme of light. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $17-$20.

800-988-4253, artcenter.org

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD Poetry Grove Reading at Poetry Bench in Balboa Park, Corner of Balboa Drive at Quince, Hillcrest. Prose writers, poets and enthusiasts gather under magnolia trees for an open mic without the microphone.

From 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. 619283-3003, poetrygrove.weebly.com Open Shakespeare Reading at La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave., La Jolla.

Sponsored by the San Diego Shakespeare Society, bestselling author Richard Lederer will lead an open reading of scenes from Julius Caesar directed by Rupert Essinger. Anyone can join in the reading or just come along to listen. From 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. 619-333-

0141, sandiegoshakespearesociety.org

SPECIAL EVENTS The 3rd NotWedding at San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park. The ultimate (fake) wedding that allows brides-to-be to see wedding vendors in action. It’s a radical alternative to a bridal show. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. $30. 619232-7931, thenotwedding.com HSDAF PechaKucha Night at Hold It Contemporary Home, 1570 Camino de la Reina, Mission Valley. San Diego Architectural Foundation’s semi-regular networking night designed for artists to

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HA Little Fandango at Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave., Logan Heights. The MIXX Concert Series held inside Bread & Salt’s new Camarada performance space will feature a concert of classical Latin music by Boccherini, Rodrigo, Zimbalist and more along with a catered dinner. At 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25. $25. camarada.org HLemon Grove Live at Lemon Grove Main Street Promenade, near intersection of Broadway and North Ave. Stroll through the new Lemon Grove Main Street Promenade and enjoy live, buskerstyle performances by street musicians playing a variety of music. From 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. 619-955-2396 Greg Osby Four at The Auditorium at TSRI, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, La Jolla. Celebrated alto and soprano saxophonist Osby and an all-star band perform. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $35. 858-784-2666, ljathenaeum.org/jazz Hagen Quartet at Sherwood Auditorium, 700 Prospect St, La Jolla. Recognized as one of the finest string quartets in the world, they will play three works, each considered masterpieces, from Mozart, Shostakovich and Brahms. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $30-$80. 858-454-3541, LJMS.org San Diego Mixtape Society at Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. Join fellow music lovers as they swap music at this semi-regular event. Bring a CD or flash drive of the songs you play way too much after breakups and exchange it with someone else. From 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. facebook.com/sdmixtapesociety Burgan & Chan: Songs & Stories at Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Tyler Ave., Hillcrest. Jerry Burgan and Debbie Burgan have musical roots tracing back to the classic folk era of the early ‘60s. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. $16-$20. 619-2965662, comedyuc.com Hred fish blue fish at Conrad Prebys Music Center, UCSD campus, La Jolla. Founded 15 years ago by Steven Schick, the San Diego-based ensemble performs, records, and premieres works from the last 85 years of western percussion’s rich history. At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. $10.50-$15.50. 858-534-3448, music.ucsd.edu/concerts HArt of Elan: The Song Goes On at San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park. Art of Elan’s eighth season debuts with an homage to opera featuring lyrical works spanning four centuries. Led by composer Nico Muhly, this concert features selections from Respighi, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Purcell, Puccini and more. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. $12-$30. 619-232-7931, artofelan.org

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 19

share their ideas and chat with other creatives. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23.

619-295-6660, sdarchitecture.org HA Night at the Besties at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park. Celebrate CityBeat’s “Best of San Diego” issue with live music from Little Hurricane and Steph Johnson, performances from the Fern Street Circus, an art exhibit from the Dream Machine Arts Collective, a mobile video arcade by Coin Op North Park and more. From 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. $25. 619-238-1233, sdcitybeat.com HNoche de Mole at Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave., Sherman Heights. The opening reception of the 20th annual Sherman Heights Dia de los Muertos celebration. There’ll be mole sauce tastings, live music and

dance performances, a silent auction and a special preview of the community altar exhibit. From 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. $25. historicbarriodistrict.org Happy Healthy Harvest at Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, 2505 N. Ave., National City. Enjoy hands-on cooking, gardening, crafts, nutrition education and games in an outdoor garden setting.

From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. 619-434-4281, olivewoodgardens.org Monsters! at San Diego Museum of Man, Balboa Park. The new interactive family exhibit includes monster habitats: caves, the sea, under the bed, and elsewhere. Kids can make a monster of their own, put on a play with strange creatures, learn the truth about monster legends and more. From Opens Saturday, Oct. 25. $6-$12.50.

619-239-2001, museumofman.org San Diego Walk for Farm Animals at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 111 W. Harbor Drive, Downtown. This annual walk raises vital funds for Farm Sanctuary’s lifesaving work for farm animals. From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $15$25. walkforfarmanimals.org Stigma Buster 5K at Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy., Escondido. Run or walk to raise awareness at this inaugural 5K for those who struggle with a mood disorders. Funds benefit the International Bipolar Foundation. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25. $35. racewire.com First Five San Diego Parent Summit at Liberty Station, Roosevelt & Cushing, Point Loma. Parents and caregivers will discover new parenting tools and tech-

niques through workshops and demonstrations, covering a variety of topics. From 8 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Oct. 25. 619523-7703, first5sandiego.org Fall Harvest Festival & Boutique at Farm Stand West, 2115 Miller Ave., Escondido.

Local artists, crafters, bakers, canners, seamstresses and more will have their goods for sale. There’ll also be a BBQ lunch, hayrides and you-pick pumpkin patch. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-26. 760-7389014, thefarmstandwest.com HWacky Wonky Walk & Kids Festival at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, Little Italy. A walk and festival with a Willy Wonka theme, games and activities. There’ll also be Phil’s BBQ available for purchase.

Proceeds benefit the San Diego Center for Children. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $15. stayclassy.org

“Madeline” by Pamela Jaeger will be on view in the Dream Machine Artist Collective’s exhibition at CityBeat’s “A Night at the Besties” event from 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

HOld Town Fall Festival at Old Town Historic Park, 2454 Heritage Park Row. At Old Town’s annual harvest festival, peruse crafts, make corn-husk dolls and paper flowers, and enjoy games in the plaza. There’ll also be a performance from the Historic Dance Society.

From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. parks.ca.gov Howl-At-Helm’s at Helm’s Brewing Company, 5640 Kearny Mesa Rd. Ste. C/N, San Diego, Kearny Mesa. PetBox is hosting this Halloween-themed event with beer specials, a raffle, special cask beer and a doggy costume contest with proceeds benefiting Second Chance dogs in need. From 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. 858-384-2772, helmsbrewingco.com HNorth Park Nursery Grand Reopening at North Park Nursery, 2335 University Ave., North Park. The unveiling of North Park Nursery 2.0, with music, food, facepainting and other activities in addition to the usual fresh stock of plants, gifts and garden supplies. From noon to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25. northparknursery.com Family Fall Festival at San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Celebrate the season with Hullabaloo’s kid-friendly live entertainment and fall-themed activities like hay wagon rides, pumpkin carving, Halloween crafts, a petting zoo and more. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $8-$14. 760436-3036, sdbgarden.org Row for the Cure at Ski Beach, Ingraham St., Bay Park. Mission Bay will be filled with rowers, paddlers and kayakers of all levels at this 14th annual event to benefit Susan G. Komen San Diego.

Paddle through a 4.5 kilometer course finishing just north of Ski Beach. From 6 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. $30. komen sandiego.org/event/rowforthecure Spring Valley Tailgate & BBQ Festival at Cali Comfort Restaurant and Sports Bar, 8910 Troy St., Spring Valley. The community event takes over the streets surrounding Cali Comfort restaurant. 30 teams will vie for title of best BBQ. Event includes games, music, street vendors and more. Proceeds benefit after-school sports programs. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. $2 per sample. 619-337-0670, calicomfortsd.com Archtoberfest Happy Hour Meet at 5.30 p.m. at Gensler San Diego (225 Broadway, Ste. 1600) for a brief stroll through Downtown to take in the architectural highlights.

End at Courtyard by Marriott where you can talk architecture and design over a

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drink. At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.

858-573-0700, sdarchitecture.org

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS HUrban Mavericks at R3 Gallery, 2421 India St., Little Italy. An intimate evening of conversation about the creative, collaborative nature of entrepreneurial architecture and its relationship to our region. Speakers include Lloyd Russell, Mike Burnett and Eric Naslund. From 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. $45. archtoberfest.com HArchtoberfest Breakfast Dialogue: Major Changes That Forever Altered San Diego’s Form and Future at The Prado Restaurant, Balboa Park. Moderator Phil Pryde and six distinguished speakers will talk about endeavors that critically impacted San Diego County’s development. At 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. $35 includes breakfast. 619-5579441, c3sandiego.org The Murals of India at San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park. Filmmaker, art historian and photographer Benoy K. Behl discusses his images of the early Indian murals in the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, which offer new perspectives on tradition Indian painting. From 3 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25. $8-$20. sdmart.org Slow Art Saturday at Lux Art Institute, 1550 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Julie Chippendale will lead an hour-long, deeplook at the subtleties and details of a single piece by former resident artist Ye Hongxing. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $10. luxartinstitute.org Conceptual Art: From Object to Idea at MCASD La Jolla, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Part one of MCASD’s Sessions in Contemporary Art seminars led by chief curator Kathryn Kanjo, associate curator Jill Dawsey, assistant curator Elizabeth Rooklidge and museum director Hugh Davies. From 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. $20. 858-454-3541, mcasd.org

For full listings,

please visit “E vents” at sdcit yb eat.com

Seen Local

Courtesy: San Diego Mesa College

Evolution or devolution?

Mario Torero has made his mark with largescale, Chicano-style, outdoor murals coloring places like Chicano Park and Centro Cultural de la Raza. In recent years, the artist has taken note of what he sees as a somewhat alarming trend in big, outdoor art—the rise of the billboard-style mural.

Rather than hand-painted directly on walls, more mural projects involve artwork that’s been enlarged and printed on vinyl, which is then mounted in aluminum frames and put into place.

“It’s a way of getting big art for a lot less money,” says Torero. “It’s this chintzy attitude. It’s not the same as a painting. Banners are not murals.”

Lynda Forsha is the project curator for the popular Murals of La Jolla, which uses the billboard-style technique for its privately funded, large-scale murals affixed to the outside of businesses throughout the coastal community. She says the method is more affordable, easier to pitch to businesses and offers artists other than traditional muralists the opportunity to have their work represented large-scale.

“We show conceptual artists, photographers and others,” Forsha says. “We’re working with artists who’ve never done work like this before.”

Local art critic Robert Pincus says he thinks there’s room for both mural styles. He says the newer approach creates more opportunities rather than acting as a replacement for the traditional style.

“I think it’s better to have a project like Murals of La Jolla than not to have any art up in La Jolla,” he says. “I feel that, except for probably very few locations, they would encounter resistance to having artists paint directly on their property.”

Because opportunities for commissioned outdoor art are limited, Torero has participated in the

Santos goes big Exit Through the Gift Shop: A Banksy Film, the documentary following Mr. Brainwash’s fervent, self-fueled rise to street-art fame, quickly comes to mind when you walk into the colossal Carlsbad warehouse that Santos Orellana has infused with art.

“It’s big,” says Orellana, a North County artist who goes simply by Santos, as he strolls through the 20,000-squarefoot distribution warehouse (2350 Camino Vida Roble), which has been transformed into a sprawling pop-up gallery featuring dozens of his paintings, sculptures and custom furniture, plus a mural that’s roughly 25 feet high and 175 feet long painted on an interior wall.

Santos says the show started with an email to Bardia Rahim, founder of True Honor Clothing, the company leasing the space. From there, the ideas and energy spiraled, and what began as a simple mural project ended in what looks to be the region’s largest-ever solo show, Lost and Found, which opens from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 (RSVP to 760-6331644 and follow facebook.com/theartofsantos for

Mario Torero’s mural at San Diego Mesa College billboard trend. One of his vinyl pieces hangs on the mixed-used development Mercado del Barrio in Barrio Logan, and he even used the banner method himself at UCSD to help pave the way for a now-permanent mosaic on campus.

Torero was also the lead artist on a hand-painted mural on H Building at the San Diego Mesa College campus. The college has been undergoing major construction, and Torero’s piece is the last original mural on campus, yet it, too, sits in a building scheduled for demolition.

Mesa College has replicated other demolished campus murals through a metallic printing process; a spokesperson says the school is open to all options for reproducing Torero’s piece. Those options will be discussed at a panel discussion, “Last Mural on Campus,” at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in room H-117/118.

Torero says he’s pushing for a more permanent mosaic-style method. He says that while the lifespan of vinyl-printed murals is short and they fade after just a few years, even painted murals eventually wear off.

“We should be thinking of a more permanent installation,” he says. “And banners don’t fool me.

They’re just decoration…. It’s just a poster.”

—Kinsee Morlan

other events and updates).

“I think this is every artist’s dream,” Santos says.

“For me, I’ve always known that this is the direction I want to go. I want to do massive shows in different cities and give them kind of a circus-like atmosphere.”

The work on view includes Santos’ early, thickly Kinsee MOrlan textured and colorful oil paintings; his black-and-white, winding line drawings; pop-art inspired paintings of cans of beans; large-scale functional furniture sculptures; and a few prototypes of Viral, a street-art character made of rebar that’s currently under development.

Santos says he’s excited to unveil his gargantuan exhibition to the public, but now that it’s up, he’s worried about getting enough people to show up.

Santos Orellana “There’s definitely a fear of failure,” he says. “We’ve done this huge thing but we’re not sure if we know how to tell people about it yet…. And it’s San Diego. It’s sleepy.”

—Kinsee Morlan Write to kinseem@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 21

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Illustration: MAtthew Smith

T

he forces who are fighting an increase in the minimum wage in San Diego call themselves the Small Business Coalition. No. The genuine small-business coalition is right here in this issue of CityBeat.

For our annual issue, our biggest of the year, we shine the spotlight on 15 local businesses that are mostly family-run operations—that is, multiple members of the family help keep the place running and the commerce flowing. Truly, these folks are the backbone of the local economy, and we’re more than happy to support them in our yearly salutation of all that’s fantastic in the San

Diego region.

Those stories fill Pages 26 through 48 and are followed by our wildly popular Readers Poll: 13 pages full of winners (starting on Page 53) in more categories than you could have ever imagined. Congratulations to all.

Oh, and we’re throwing a party to celebrate all this greatness. It’s our “Night at the Besties,” and it happens from 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. Find details of what’s in store in an advertisement on Page 24, and get tickets at sd citybeat.com.

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Brooklyn Bicycles

David Rolland

by Ryan Bradford

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rooklyn Bicycles owner Richie Ditta is not a fan of beach cruisers.

“People love [them] but, unless you’re riding by the beach, they’re not very practical. They’re not very easy to ride. It’s not very easy to climb hills.

People like the look, and, unfortunately, that’s what usually sells a bike is the looks.”

Yet, during a Saturday afternoon visit to his shop, Ditta is nearly on his hands and knees trying to unscrew the bolt on a dangerously wobbly rear axle to a customized black, three-gear beach cruiser. The bike looks toast—even the chain guard has separated and hangs from the frame like a disjointed bone. But Ditta’s passion is unwavering.

Since opening in 2011, he’s been the face behind Brooklyn Bicycles (3437 Adams Ave. in Normal Heights, brooklynbicyclesd.com, and he’s earned a reputation for high accountability and honest work.

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His enthusiasm for fixing bikes—even for bikes he wouldn’t ride—is an admirable trait, especially considering the elitism that has seeped into the hipster bike culture.

Refreshingly, Ditta values altruistic practicality over style, and it seems his primary focus is keeping everyone in his community riding. He offers lifetime service for the bikes that he sells and prides himself on his ability to fix just about anything on a bike.

“I have a niche of being able to resurrect bikes from the dead,” he says. “A clapped-out bike that was unusable, I can just do a couple things and make it ride-able…. If you’re dead broke and this is the only way you’re going to get back and forth to work, I just saved your ass until you get your next paycheck.”

Write to ryanb@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Richie Ditta

Duffy of San Diego

Kelly Davis

by Kelly Davis

S

an Diego’s what’s known as a late adopter.

Sometimes, it takes awhile for That Cool Thing They’re Doing Somewhere Else to arrive here. Like Duffy boats, for instance. When Bill and Kathy Gonzalez and their two kids moved to San Diego from Orange County last year, one of the first things they wanted to do was rent a Duffy, like they’d frequently done in Newport Beach. But, what they found is that San Diego is kind of a Duffy desert.

So, Bill, who works in real estate, and Kathy, a flight attendant, saw an opportunity. “We’d love to bring [Duffy] to San Diego,” Kathy recalls.

A Duffy is a small, electric (and, therefore, ecofriendly), covered watercraft. Think Disneyland Small World boat meets cozy living room.

The couple purchased three new Duffys and started Duffy of San Diego (Bill’s also now an authorized Duffy dealer). The boats are docked in Mission

Bay (1548 Quivara Way, duffyofsandiego.com), and available to rent for one to three hours. Bill and the couple’s son, Alec, run the business, and Kathy joins them when she’s not flying.

You can pilot your own boat—which holds up to 10 people and includes a table and cooler for drinks— or you can hire Bill or Alec to captain your boat. If you can drive a golf cart, you can drive a Duffy. A detailed map of Mission Bay shows you where you can and can’t go and includes stops for food, cocktails and restrooms. But, the way to do it is to bring a spread of food, drinks (and ice for the built-in cooler) and explore. The boats include zip-up windows for chillier days. “My favorite is when there’s a little mist, a little rain,” Kathy says.

Write to kellyd@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

From left: Alec, Kathy and Bill Gonzalez

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Trophy

Joshua Emerson Smith

Motorcycles

by Joshua Emerson Smith

“W

e have customers who bought bikes in the showroom in the ’60s,” said Isaac Heinrich, co-owner of Trophy Motorcycles in City Heights.

In 2009, Heinrich and his business partner, Tim Johnson, opened the vintage motorcycle repair shop at 4952 El Cajon Blvd. (trophymotorcycles.com).

The two friends had looked for a location for their business all around the city, but when they landed a spot in a former motorcycle dealership, open in the ’60s and ’70s, everything seemed to fall into place.

Having both worked on and ridden motorcycles since they were teenagers, the two enthusiasts now specialize in fixing vintage Japanese and European bikes, such as Honda, Triumph and Norton. As the only shop of its kind in San Diego County, they’ve cornered the market.

“Since day one, we’ve been busy,” Heinrich said.

“It’s wildly trendy right now.”

As a result, the duo, now in their 40s, work long

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hours as the shop’s only mechanics. It’s a labor of love, and both feel lucky to have the business.

Their authenticity is reflected in the atmosphere of Trophy Motorcycles. With a few wonderfully stylish bikes and some tasteful present-day gear—such as plain white helmets—for sale in the front of the store, the shop is punctuated with time-appropriate accoutrements and posters. It doesn’t feel like stepping back in time so much as forward into a smartly curated future.

That said, the past is very much alive with the two friends, who will chew an ear or two off if someone brings up City Heights’ history. Home to multiple dealerships in the ’60s and ’70s, El Cajon Boulevard used to be a motorcycle “mecca,” Heinrich said enthusiastically. “They had the total Happy Days scene.”

Write to joshuas@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Tim Johnson (left) and Isaac Heinrich

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Bates Nut Farm

Kinsee Morlan

by Kinsee Morlan

A

s the name implies, Bates Nut Farm started with mostly walnut trees filling its 100-acre stretch of land in Valley Center. The Bates’ homegrown walnuts—a popular baking necessity in the 1920s and ’30s—were sold to local bakeries, clubs and even secretaries who’d take orders from coworkers.

“The business has changed a lot,” says Sherrie Bates-Ness, whose great grandfather opened the ranch in 1921 (she runs it now with her husband, Tom Ness, and is the fourth generation in her family to keep it humming). “A decade ago, Time magazine came out and called what we do ‘agri-entertainment.’

People just like to come to the farm and experience it. We had to change the way we do things…. Obviously, we couldn’t just keep selling walnuts.”

They do, in fact, still sell walnuts in the farm’s oldtimey general store, alongside other nuts they roast in-house, plus candy, dried fruit, house-made fudge, knickknacks and other cutesy goods. But, these days,

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everything aside from pumpkins and squashes are grown elsewhere and shipped in.

The charming general store is just one of the many draws bringing visitors out to Bates Nut Farm (15954 Woods Valley Road, batesnutfarm.biz).

There’s also the handsome turtle named Dash, plenty of goats, donkeys, geese, pigs and other farm animals that folks can feed and pet. And every October, the farm becomes an outdoor, fall-themed amusement park, complete with hayride wagons, a haybail maze, a baby-animal petting zoo, live music, a pumpkin patch, bounce houses and other fun things that Bates-Ness continues adding to the mix.

“For a lot of people, coming out here to the farm is a family tradition,” she says. “And we’re on the third, almost fourth generation with a lot of these families now. I just love what I get to do here.”

Write to kinseem@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

From left: Sherrie Bates-Ness, Sandra Bates and Tom Ness

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Lone Flag

Jackie Wonders Photography

by Kelly Davis

A

year ago, a group of shops opened in the Flower Hill Promenade (2720 Via de la Valle), called the Row Collective, composed of independent retail, local artisans and purveyors of good taste. Among them was Lone Flag (loneflag.co), the vision of husband-and-wife Sam Larson and Kelli Murray, who merged his experience in retail apparel with her knack for design (check out her work at kellimurray.com) to create an impeccably curated shop.

“I had worked for brands in the past and always wanted to see retail here in town that matched some of our favorite shops we sold to elsewhere,” Sam says. “I don’t know that we had confidence it would work here; I think we more just wanted to try and weren’t too afraid to fail.”

Lone Flag has filled a niche by featuring clothing and accessory brands you don’t find in many (or any) stores in San Diego, like Ace & Jig and Portland’s Bridge & Burn. San Diego-based Bradley Mountain

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leather goods are sold here. And, before Boutonne— another local company, which specializes in minimalist / rugged totes and bags—opened up in Row Collective, its products were at Lone Flag.

Lone Flag’s also started its own clothing line that includes collaborations with indie labels, like Dixon Rand. They’ve got some holiday one-off collaborations in the works, Larson says, and in November, they’ll roll out a line of denim for woman, made in Los Angeles.

“The goal was to curate and create amazing pieces that could only be found here and were San Diego and our style and design,” he says.

As for the future, Larson says they’ve looked at a few locations for a second shop and are considering a holiday pop-up in Little Italy to test the waters.

Write to kellyd@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Kelli Murray, Sam Larson and their daughter Rylee

La Loupe Vintage

Joshua Emerson Smith

by Joshua Emerson Smith

S

tarting as early as 4 a.m., Brandi Muñoz will drive around the county, scouring thrift stores for hidden gems. With more than 40 locations on her thrift-dar, she’ll pick up dozens of pieces in a single morning. She does it so you don’t have to—and because she loves it.

“Thrift stores are my natural habitat,” explains Muñoz, who, with her husband, Tom Kitsos, owns and operates two of the city’s most accessible vintage-clothing shops. With an original location in University Heights (4646 Park Blvd.), La Loupe Vintage (laloupevintage.com) expanded in August into Normal Heights (3337 Adams Ave.).

After more than two decades in retail and a degree in apparel design, the native San Diegan pulled her musician husband into the business when she was unexpectedly offered a coveted managerial position at a major cosmetics company. While also working night shifts at Toronado, the North Park beer bar, Kitsos, a transplant from Montreal, said he

was happy to pick up the slack.

“We’re hard workers, and if we want something, we’re going to work our asses off to get,” he said.

“We’re really proud of it.”

The new store is clever and eclectic without feeling chaotic. With prices starting at around $15 for vintage apparel, the shop also offers smartly curated clothes by local designers, jewelry and other items.

However, La Loupe also offers higher-end vintage ware for those in the know. Often, rare pieces will be mixed in with more affordable clothes.

While the couple could make more money selling such clothing online, Muñoz says it makes her happy to see fellow enthusiasts discover a great deal.

“The second the person finds it, and they’re just so excited and they know what they have in their hands, that’s all worth doing right there.”

Write to joshuas@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Tom Kitsos and Brandi Muñoz

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Hunt & Gather

Kinsee Morlan

by Kinsee Morlan

Z

oe Crenshaw and Lee Reynolds might be the youngest-looking, most fashionable grandparents in town. Lucky for San Diego, the married couple’s personal Fountain of Youth is no secret; it comes in the shape of their zany little clothing and apparel shop in North Park, Hunt & Gather (2871 University Ave., huntandgathershop.com).

“We’re just super-selective about what we put out here,” Crenshaw says, thumbing through racks of colorful, vintage clothing, plus a few handmade garments she designed and crafted herself. “It has to be unique and special, not anything you’d find at the mall. Maybe something you’d find in Grandma’s closet—deep, deep back in there.”

Crenshaw handpicks most all of Hunt & Gather’s eccentric inventory. A former denim designer at Bebe and other big-name brands, she has a degree in fashion design and an incredible knack for finding the one flawless 1975 Christian Dior dress amid a mess of smelly old rags.

She scores the best stuff at overlooked thrift

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stores, often tagging along with Reynolds, a longtime, well-known DJ, on his out-of-town gigs and hitting up spots she thinks have never been picked through by someone with her distinct fashion sense.

More and more, Hunt & Gather is becoming known among Burning Man folks and other festivalgoers as the place to find funky outfits that stand out at the arty, free-spirited affairs. Reynolds even mixes original blends of house and techno music especially for the shop, giving the place its own bohemian party vibe.

The duo just celebrated the shop’s five-year anniversary. Crenshaw says people who walk in seem to really appreciate the concept.

“There’s backlash against the mall and mass-made products, and more people appreciate old things,” she says. “They’re well-made. They stand the test of time.

Like that sweater there: It looked good 20 years ago, and it’ll look good 20 years from now.”

Write to kinseem@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Zoe Crenshaw and Lee Reynolds

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Alan’s Music

Kinsee Morlan

by Jeff Terich

G

iven the omnipresence of corporate musicalinstrument titan Guitar Center, you’d be forgiven for assuming that the neighborhood music shop had gone extinct—or, at the very least, mostly been phased into a cottage industry. But if the prospect of hearing budding Kirk Hammetts work their way through poorly tuned “Enter Sandman” riffs makes you rethink picking up your own instrument, then take solace in knowing that Alan’s Music in La Mesa offers a more palatable alternative.

Opened in 1954 by then-owner Alan Urich, Alan’s Music (8510 La Mesa Blvd., alansmusiccenter. com) is a more casual, friendly alternative to megachain instrument retail, and one that’s remained in the family for 60 years. The store’s namesake and patriarch died in 2013, but his widow Janice and sons William and Robert still keep the lights on and the strings strumming. A true family music store in many senses of the word, Alan’s caters not to rock-

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stars-in-training, but also to first-timers, students, dabblers and professionals.

When you walk into the shop, the first thing you’re likely to notice is the racks upon racks of sheet music, but every corner of Alan’s focuses on a different niche, be it the room of moderately priced electric and acoustic guitars, the electric organs and keyboards or the glass cases of curiosities—which house ocarinas, melodicas and kalimbas (thumb pianos). But no matter how esoteric the instrument, Alan’s is considerably more accessible than your average warehouse of guitars, and particularly convenient for students of music.

Those in need of a custom-built guitar or banjo with a four-figure price tag might want to look elsewhere, but for everyone else, there’s Alan’s.

Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Janice Urich and her son Robert

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 37

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Donut Panic

Kinsee Morlan

by Jeff Terich

F

rom the outside, the Grantville fried-dough emporium Donut Panic looks more or less like any unassuming doughnut shop. In fact, the sign out front still reads “Sunshine Donuts,” which is what occupied the unassuming storefront before ownership changed in March. Now under the control of new owners Linda Dami and her father, Mark, Donut Panic (6171 Mission Gorge Road, facebook.com/DonutPan icSD) has taken the idea of the humble doughnut purveyor and infused it with it a lot more character.

It helps that the doughnuts themselves—many of which are vegan—are damn tasty. Linda Dami bakes the sugary treats, which range from the classic (chocolate, glazed) to those with a little more innovation and subtlety (Earl Grey, lemon lavender), right on up to a pink-frosted doughnut with sprinkles that looks like it should already have been devoured by Homer Simpson. Take a dozen to go if you must, but there’s a cozy living-room atmosphere that’s likely to give

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patrons an immediate feeling of comfort. Wednesday night is game night—you’re more than welcome to cart over your own Clue or Candy Land boards— and the crackly recording of Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home you’re hearing isn’t streaming on Spotify; it’s actually spinning on a record player.

Not that Donut Panic’s gooey, pillowy creations need be consumed inside the store. You’ll occasionally find Dami’s doughnuts at other haunts around town, whether paired with beer at Modern Times or The Hideout or with student activism at Che Café meetings.

Here’s the best part, though: Donut Panic sometimes books live music. So, if you ever thought allages shows were missing something, you were absolutely right: Doughnuts.

Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Linda Dami and her father Mark

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 39

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Sister Pee Wee’s Soul Food

Aaryn Belfer

by Aaryn Belfer

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ay you’re walking down the street on your way to lunch when you topple from your 3-inch wedges. You land on your backside and lie there for a moment, thinking, I’m turning into my mother, before you gather yourself and walk tall— even as you feel a little low—into your destination: Sister Pee Wee’s Soul Food in Logan Heights.

A regular customer enters moments later and returns your cell phone, which he found on the sidewalk where you’d been lying moments earlier. This right here is the reason Sister Pee Wee has been in business for more than 50 years: community.

The food is delicious, authentic soul food. But the real feeding of the soul comes from the heart of this establishment’s beloved namesake. Sister Pee Wee will call you “baby” and “sweetheart” as she feeds you; you’ll want to cry even if you didn’t skin your knee. And the woman was leaning in long be-

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fore it was cool: Barbara “Pee Wee” Harris raised eight kids and her grandson, Christopher, while working the counter during the day and doing shift work as a nurse.

“If you’re hungry, and you got nothin’,” Christopher says, “she’ll fix you a plate. Doesn’t matter who you are, that’s just who she is.”

Her shop (2971 Imperial Ave.) is but a lunch counter with seating for about a dozen; the daily menu is scrawled on a grease board. All meals are $10 and include a drink, giant portions of the day’s sides—greens, rice, mac ’n’ cheese—and a slab of cornbread. Doors open at around 11:30 a.m., and when the food’s gone, it’s gone. You’ll leave full and happy and in pole position to pay it forward.

Write to aaryn@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Barbara Harris and her grandson Christopher (in the kitchen)

Alforon

Aaryn Belfer

by Aaryn Belfer

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edged inconspicuously as it is in a tiny strip mall between a hookah lounge and a karate gym, it’s easy to miss Alforon amid the non-descript surroundings. But it’s worth driving from wherever you live right this minute to feast on what is quite possibly the best Mediterranean food in the city. Gastronomic nirvana awaits you at this husband-and-wife-owned eatery (5965 El Cajon Blvd., alforon.com) where everything is cooked in a giant open-flame oven.

George and Samia Salameh dreamed of owning a restaurant with food from their homeland of Lebanon, and good for us that they made that dream come true. The friendly, gregarious couple opened their doors four years ago and are on the verge of an expansion. They’ve become too popular for their intimate 20-seat dining room, so a wall is coming down.

Flatbreads are their specialty, the most popular being the chicken tawook, which comes with garlic paste (good lord, the garlic paste), cheese and

peppers. The zataar flatbread with added mint is an experience, and the baba ghannouj deserves to be eaten with a spoon. Kafta, shawarma—all of it is delish, and, hey, vegans! You’ll be happy here, too!

If you get the munchies, cure them with a baklawa tube or several. They’re outrageous.

Samia claims they import everything. “Everything!” she exploded, laughing, when I shot her a side eye.

“From where?”

“From Lebanon, of course! We import it all!

Chickpeas, olive oil... the olive oil is the best!” It’s possible she’s exaggerating about the chickpeas.

Fact is, Alforon is on the map, even if your husband can’t find Lebanon on one and the proprietress has to point it out to him, followed by a bold laugh and the delivery of more flatbread ecstasy.

Write to aaryn@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

George Salameh

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Henebery Celebrated Whiskey

Courtesy: Jesse Fanning

by Kelly Davis

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irst question for Jesse Fanning, CEO of Henebery Whiskey: Who’s this Matthew Henebery dude?

“He was one of the most philanthropic guys of his generation,” Fanning says of his great, great, great grandfather-in-law. Indeed, Henebery was Peoria, Illinois’ civic-booster extraordinaire in the mid-tolate 1800s: a member of the school board, president of the city’s opera, director of its public library and at least a half-dozen other roles. The family motto is Dare maxima virtus: “Giving is the greatest virtue.”

Henebery also made his fortune manufacturing and distributing liquor, most notably making infused whiskeys before the whole infused-spirits thing was even cool.

Several years ago, Henebery’s heirs started piecing together his history, Fanning says. While they don’t have his recipes, they do know his technique and have applied that to the distilling process for their spiceinfused rye, launching Henebery Celebrated Whiskey

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(heneberywhiskey.com) in late 2013. The whole family’s involved the biz: Fanning’s wife, her parents and her brother. Currently, Henebery’s made in Los Angeles, at Greenbar Craft Distillery, but the headquarters is in La Jolla. Fanning says plans are in the works to open a distillery and tasting room in San Diego soon.

Several months ago, you might have spotted a bottle of Henebery on a few bar shelves here and there. Now it’s at roughly 50 bars and restaurants in San Diego alone, including craft-cocktail spots like Sycamore Den, Lion’s Share, Juniper & Ivy and JSix. The whiskey’s earned a reputation for being versatile and nuanced (to really get a sense of that versatility, check out food-and-drink website forageandfir.com’s Henebery cocktail creation).

As Fanning puts it, “It’s innovative and different and still really respects what whiskey is.”

Write to kellyd@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Jesse Fanning and his wife Natalie

Benchmark Brewing Co.

Kinsee Morlan

by Ian Cheesman

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hen Matt Akin graduated from UCSD in 2003, he didn’t waste a second translating his high-powered degree into a lucrative position in the keg-scrubbing industry. Despite the glamor and allure of his new career, he somehow found himself craving more. A mere three years later, he was head brewer at AleSmith and a key hand in developing many of its delicious beers.

If the story ended there, we could rest well knowing that Akin was destined to be content and fulfilled in his work. However, perhaps sensing that finale would make for a really shitty article someday, he decided in 2011 to go his own way and founded Benchmark Brewing Co. (benchmarkbrewing.com).

Since its founding a little more than a year ago, Benchmark Brewing, located at 6190 Fairmount Ave. in Grantville, has been almost entirely a family affair.

Akin handles all aspects of brewing, while his wife, Rachel, essentially handles everything else, including the interior design of the tasting room. Further, all of this came to fruition because of the financial

backing of Akin’s parents, meaning this “mom and pop” earns the designation twice over.

Benchmark Brewing’s motto is “Setting the Standard,” and it’s a pretty apt way to describe the company’s philosophy. There’s very little indulgence in esoteric ingredients or zany infusions in this brewhouse. Most every brew stands as the sole representative of the style for which it’s named and does so astonishingly well.

The one departure from this model is Benchmark’s Table beer, which is really more an adaptation than a standard beer style. It’s a sessionable Belgian brew once deemed suitable for children or monks who didn’t want to get high on their own brewing stashes. Light, sparingly sweet, and only 4-percent ABV, it’s a prime example of how Benchmark Brewing modestly puts its substantial stamp on the San Diego beer scene.

Write to ianc@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Matt and Rachel Akin (right) and Matt’s parents, Margaret and Jim Akin

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Border X Brewing

Alex Zaragoza

by Alex Zaragoza

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our Mexicans walk into a bar. Sounds like the beginning of an offensive joke, right? For the first time in terrible-joke history, the outcome won’t end with a racist punchline. Border X Brewing is making sure of that.

Celebrating a year in business in November, Border X (borderxbrewing.com) is the brainchild of brothers Martin and Marcel Ivan Favela; their dad, Marcelino Favela; and their uncle, David Favela.

Martin and Marcel Ivan have taken on the task of brewing beautifully balanced beer with a bicultural edge. Each beer pays homage to their Latino heritage by incorporating ingredients meaningful to the Mexican community.

Their Blood Saison, for example, is a bright-red, light beer made with hibiscus, the main ingredient in agua de Jamaica, a tart Mexican drink found at every taco shop that knows what it’s doing. The brew’s delightfully sour and sweetened with agave syrup purchased at Tijuana’s Mercado Hidalgo. It

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took third place at this year’s San Diego International Beer Festival. They also make their smoky, sweet Abuelita Chocolate Stout with Abuelita, a brand of Mexican hot chocolate found in Latino households.

These beers have helped Border X connect with Latino drinkers, who pack the brewery’s Otay Mesa tasting room (8684 Avenida de la Fuente) on Fridays and Saturdays and clean them out of their drink supply in just two days.

“We hit the target with those beers because they match our vision,” David Favela says. “Border X is about crossing borders in taste, in culture, in music, in art and in beer.”

Border X Brewing opened a second location in Barrio Logan that recently closed down, but only because they’re moving across the street. A grand opening should be held early next year.

Write to alexz@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

From left: Martin, David and Marcel Ivan Favela

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Til-Two Club

Joshua Emerson Smith

by Joshua Emerson Smith

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ne night several years ago, a previous owner walked into the Til-Two Club (then called Beauty Bar) and laid a series of old blackand-white photographs on the bar. The pictures showed the City Heights watering hole—first established in 1948, located at 4746 El Cajon Blvd.—in its old-time glory.

In 2010, when Mick Rossler and Dannielle Cobb bought the bar, the couple used the donated pictures to make a replica of the original sign that hung over the entrance, inspiring a new era for the hangout under its former name. Also owner-operators of the iconic Tower Bar around the corner, Rossler and Cobb book and occasionally play music shows at their bars, with Til-Two featuring an intimate stage and dance floor neatly tucked into the rear of the venue.

Known for supporting up-and-coming musicians, the couple regularly puts up touring bands at their home.

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“We live less than a mile away, so we invite people to come stay with us when they’re in town,” Cobb said. “We try to help in every way we can, making things affordable for people.”

An incubator for punk bands and others, Til-Two Club (tiltwoclub.com) balances grit and style while not trying too hard for either.

“It’s just a local bar,” Rossler said. Unpretentiously priced, the cocktails don’t disappoint, and the on-tap selection draws intelligently from the local craft-beer scene. The bar’s style matches the warm disposition of the hardworking duo, who have two children, play in several local bands and for years have lived and invested in an often-neglected neighborhood that has, of late, transformed into a cultural hotspot.

Write to joshuas@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Dannielle Cobb and Mick Rossler

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Readers

Poll

Community Best Beach Coronado

Honorable mention: La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach

Best Public Park Balboa Park

Honorable mention: Mission Bay Park, Bayfront Water Park, Kate Sessions Park, Trolley Barn

Best Community or Neighborhood Park

Best Monument or Landmark Sunset Cliffs

Honorable mention: Coronado Bridge, Cabrillo National Monument, Mt. Soledad, California Tower in Balboa Park

Best Neighborhood Ocean Beach

Honorable mention: Little Italy, North Park, Normal Heights, Hillcrest

Best Place to Go Camping

Cardiff State Beach

Honorable mention: Cuyamaca State Park, Mt. Laguna, La Jolla Indian Reservation, Honorable mention: Morley Field Park, Kate San Onofre Sessions Park, Presidio Park, Bird Park

Balboa Park

Best Place to Get Married

Hotel Del Coronado

Honorable mention: The Prado, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Bali Hai, Marina Village

Best Elected Official Todd Gloria

Honorable mention: Kevin Faulconer, David Alvarez, Susan Davis, Scott Peters

Best Lawyer or Law Firm

Aminpour & Associates

Honorable mention: Mr. Ticket, Golden State Law Group, Higgs Fletcher & Mack, Gordon & Rees

Best Boutique Hotel Hotel Solamar

Honorable mention: The Pearl, The Lafayette, Tower 23, Hotel Indigo

Best Hotel Swimming Pool

Credit Union

Honorable mention: Mission Federal Credit Union, California Coast Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, North Island Federal Credit Union

Best Place to Get a Bail Bond

The Lafayette

Honorable mention: Hilton Bayfront, Loews Coronado, The Pearl, Kona Kai Resort

Best Bank

King Stahlman

Honorable mention: Aladdin, Sanctuary, All Pro, Bail Hotline Bail Bonds

Best Place to Work

Union Bank

Honorable mention: Chase, Wells Fargo, California Bank & Trust, Torrey Pines Bank

Best Local Credit Union San Diego County

San Diego Zoo

Honorable mention: Stone Brewing Co., Keller Williams Realty, Qualcomm, County of San Diego

CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

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Best Private School La Jolla Country Day School

Honorable mention: St. Augustine High School, Our Lady of Peace, The Bishop’s School, Army and Navy Academy

Best Public School Torrey Pines High School

Honorable mention: Point Loma High School, Eastlake High School, La Jolla High School, Coronado High School

Best Career College Coleman University

Honorable mention: Art Institute of California - San Diego, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Kaplan College, Bellus Academy

Best College or University

San Diego State University

Honorable mention: UC San Diego, University of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene, Cal State San Marcos

Best Community College

San Diego Mesa College Honorable mention: San Diego City

College, Grossmont College, Southwestern Community College, Cuyamaca College

Best Radio Station

Best Local Sports Blog

Honorable mention: 91X, Jazz 88.3, 95.7 Kiss, KPRi

Honorable mention: San Diego Sports Junkies, The Friarhood, San Diego Sports Domination, Lob Shots

Best Tourist Attraction

Gaslamp Ball

Best Sports Team

San Diego Chargers

Honorable mention: San Diego Padres, San Diego Aztecs, Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Sockers

FM 949

San Diego Zoo

Honorable mention: San Diego breweries, The USS Midway, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld

Best Tour Company Hornblower Cruises

Honorable mention: Brewery Tours of San Diego, SD Beer & Wine Tours, San Diego Whale Watching Tours, Pacific Nature Tours

Best TV Personality

Dagmar Midcap (NBC 7)

Services Best Auto Repair Shop Smitty’s

Honorable mention: Turko (KUSI 51), Chrissy Russo (Fox 5), Catherine Garcia (NBC 7), Brad Perry (KUSI 51)

Honorable mention: Mission Bay Automotive, PB Foreign and Domestic Car Repair, Allied Gardens Automotive, Auto Haven

Best TV Station

Best Car Wash

Honorable mention: Fox 5, CBS 8, KUSI 51, KGTV 10

Honorable mention: Uptown Car Wash, Soapy Joe’s, Auto Scrubber Point Loma, 5-Point Auto Detailing

NBC 7

Ryan Bradford

Best Pro Athlete

Body Beautiful

Phillip Rivers

Best Dry Cleaner

Best Radio Personality

Honorable mention: Mission Cleaners, Colony Cleaners, Mr J’s on Midway, Stephan’s Cleaners

North Park Cleaners

Honorable mention: Antonio Gates, Phil Mickelson, Rob Machado, Andrew Cashner

Halloran (91X)

Best Home Remodeling

Honorable mention: Geena the Latina (Channel 93.3), Hilary (FM 94.9), Chris Cantore (KPRI), AJ (Energy 103.7)

Lars Construction

Honorable mention: Murray Lampert Design, Remodel Works Bath and Kitchen, Stewart Brothers, Greyhound General

Best Radio Program

The Local Pyle (FM 94/9)

Honorable mention: 91X Loudspeaker, Brunch With Bob & Friends (Pala Rez Radio), Lites Out w/ Kelly Cole (102.1 KPRi), The Homegrown Hour (102.1 KPRi)

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Best Hospital

Scripps La Jolla

Honorable mention: Alvarado Hospital, Dagmar Midcap

CONTINUED ON PAGE 56

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Sharp Grossmont, Tri-City Hospital, Kaiser

Best Home Cleaning Service Merry Maids

Best Pharmacy

Kensington Veterinary Hospital

Rite Aid, Walgreens, Hillcrest Pharmacy, Sav-On

Best Mortgage Broker

Hina Mehta - Integrity Mortgage Group

Honorable mention: Eric Otfinoski Prospect Mortgage, Erik Sandstrom - New American Funding, Sean Paul Aguirre Movement Mortgage, John McNulty - Bay Shore Mortgage

Eats

Honorable mention: Starlite, Juniper & Ivy, Urban Solace, Table No. 10

Best 24-Hour Restaurant Studio Diner

Best Bagel Shop

Honorable mention: Gregg and Debbie

Honorable mention: Lestat’s, Claire de Lune, Influx Café, Rebecca’s

Best Contemporary Cuisine

Honorable mention: Ascent Real Estate Inc., Keller Williams Realty Carmel Valley, Prudential California Realty, Re/Max Coastal Properties

Carlos Gutierrez

Caffe Calabria

Honorable mention: B Street Veterinary Hospital, Bodhi Veterinary Clinic and Animal Hospital, Morena Pet Hospital, Rose Canyon Animal Hospital

Honorable mention: Brian’s 24, Rudford’s, Saguaro’s Mexican Food, Roses Donuts

Best Realtor

Best Coffeehouse

Best Veterinarian

Best Real Estate Office Century 21 Award

Honorable mention: Mandarin House, Dumpling Inn, Royal Mandarin, Rising Dragon

A-1 Self Storage

Honorable mention: Public Storage, Big Box, San Diego Self Storage, North Park Storage

Best Chinese Restaurant Wang’s

Best Storage Facility

Honorable mention: Alina’s Cleaning, Betsy’s Professional Cleaning, Cleanology, Super Bright Cleaners

CVS

Lindsey Voltoline

Neuman, Catrina Russell, Barbara Truglio, Noah Grassi

Big City Bagel

Honorable mention: D.Z. Akin’s, Point Loma Bagels, Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company, Garden State Bagels

Best Bakery Bread & Cie

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The Patio

Wang’s

Honorable mention: Extraordinary Desserts, Dudley’s Bakery, Hans & Harry’s Bakery, D.Z. Akin’s

Best Brunch Spots Urban Solace

Honorable mention: Snooze, Great Maple, 94th Aero Squadron, Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern

Best Cajun Restaurant Bud’s Louisiana Café

Honorable mention: Crab Hut, New Orleans Creole Cafe, Proud Mary’s Southern Bar &

Grill, Mardi Gras Cafe

Best Casino Buffet The Buffet View Casino

at

Valley

Honorable mention: The Buffet at Viejas Casino, Harrah’s Resort Buffet, Seasons Buffet at Barona, Paipa’s Buffet at Sycuan

Best Cheap Eats Pokez

Honorable mention: Chicken Pie Shop, K Sandwiches, Papa Luna’s Empanadas, Carnitas’ Snack Shack

on

Lamont

Best Donut Shop VG’s Donuts

Honorable mention: Donut Bar, Golden Donut, Donut Star, Mary’s Donuts

Best Ethnic Food Market 99 Ranch Market

Honorable mention: Pancho Villa, North Park Produce, Mitsuwa, Zion Market

Best Family Restaurant Station Tavern

CONTINUED ON PAGE 58

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Honorable mention: Corvette Diner, D.Z. Akin’s, Waypoint Public, La Bella’s Café & Games

Best Farm to Table Restaurant

Carnitas’ Snack Shack

Honorable mention: Blind Lady Ale House, The Smoking Goat, Alchemy, Brabant

Best Farmers Market Hillcrest

Honorable mention: Little Italy, Ocean Beach, North Park, Encinitas

Best Fast Food

In-N-Out Burger

Honorable mention: Rubio’s Fresh Mexican,

Sombrero Mexican Food, Chick-Fil-A, Jack in the Box

Best Greek Restaurant The Kebab Shop

Honorable mention: Olympic Cafe, Cafe Athena, Zorbas Greek Cuisine, Alexis Greek Cafe

Best Indian Restaurant Bombay Exotic Cuisine of India

Honorable mention: Taste of India, Punjabi Tandoor, Royal India, Sundara

Best Italian Restaurant Cucina Urbana

Best Hotel Restaurant

Honorable mention: Bouna Forchetta, Arrivederci, Il Fornaio, The Godfather

Honorable mention: The Pearl, Saltbox, Cosmopolitan, Currant

Best Japanese Restaurant

Nine-Ten

Best Ice Cream Shop Gelato Vero

Honorable mention: Mariposa, Chocolat Cremerie, The Baked Bear, Hammond’s Rees Withrow

Ichiban

Honorable mention: Izakaya Ouan, Yoshino’s Japanese Restuarnt, Dao Fu, Wa Dining Okan

Best Mediterranean Restaurant

Honorable mention: Emerald, Hong Kong BBQ & Dimsum, China Max, Pearl Chinese Cuisine

Mama’s Bakery

and

Deli

Honorable mention: The Kebab Shop, Aladdin Cafe, Mediterranean Cafe, Kous Kous

Jasmine

Best Romantic Restaurant

The Marine Room

Best Mexican Restaurant

Honorable mention: Bertrand at Mr. A’s, George’s at the Cove, C Level, Whisknladle

Honorable mention: Old Town Mexican Cafe, The Blind Burro, Miguel’s Cocina, Fidel’s Little Mexico

Matt Gordon

Ponce’s

Best Chef

Honorable mention: Deborah Scott, Chad White, Sharon Wilson, Kevin Lissy

Best Sandwich Shop

Best Catering Company Best Outdoor Dining

Best Seafood Restaurant

San Diego Taco Company

Honorable mention: Phil’s BBQ, Waters Fine Food & Catering, MIHO Gastrotruck, Cali Comfort BBQ

Best Pizza

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Best Dim-Sum

Best Korean Restaurant Best Mexican Seafood Restaurant Manna BBQ Honorable mention: Convoy Tofu House, Grandma Korean BBQ and Tofu, Friend’s House Korean, Do Re Mi House

Gelato Vero

Honorable mention: Woodstock’s, Pizzeria Luigi, Blind Lady Ale House, URBN

Lefty’s

Puesto

Rubicon Deli

Honorable mention: Mona Lisa, Big Front Honorable mention: Oscar’s Mexican Seafood, Door, The Cheese Shop, Board and Brew TJ Oyster Bar, El Zarape, Ortega’s Bistro

C Level

Honorable mention: George’s at the Cove, The Patio on Lamont, The Station, Mitch’s Seafood

Best Late Night Dining Brian’s 24

Honorable mention: Rudford’s, La Puerta, Lion’s Share, Don Chido

Mitch’s Seafood

Honorable mention: The Fish Market, Ironside Fish & Oyster, Oceanaire, Blue Water Seafood

Best Soul Food Restaurant

Proud Mary’s Southern

Bar & Grill

Honorable mention: Sister Pee Wee’s Soul Food, Louisiana Fried Chicken, Bonnie Jean’s, That Boy Good Southern BBQ Joint

Best South American Food Restaurant

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

Honorable mention: Pampas Argentine Grill, El Salvadoreno, Qero, Brazil by the Bay

Best Spanish Restaurant Cafe Sevilla

Honorable mention: Costa Brava, Tapas Picasso, The Joint, Iberico Bistro

Best Steakhouse

Donovan’s Steak & Chop House

Honorable mention: Cowboy Star, Bully’s East, The Butcher Shop, Gaslamp Strip Club

Best Sushi Restaurant Sushi Deli

Honorable mention: Sushi Ota, Harney Sushi, Hane Sushi, RA Sushi

Best Taco Shop Lucha Libre

Honorable mention: El Indio, Lolita’s, City Tacos, Sombrero

Best Thai Restaurant Lotus Thai

Honorable mention: Amarin, Bangkok Spices, Street Side Thai, The Original Sab-E-Lee

Best Vegan Restaurant Loving Hut

Honorable mention: Native Foods Cafe, Evolution Fast Food, Jyoti Bihanga, Plumeria

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

Brabant, Puesto, Pizzeria Mozza

Honorable mention: Urban Solace, Cucina Urbana, Mr A’s, Nine-Ten

Best Gaslamp/ Downtown/East Village Best New Restaurant (opened Since October Restaurant 2013) Cowboy Star Honorable mention: Searsucker, JSix, Oceanaire, Saltbox

Best Restaurant

Juniper & Ivy

Honorable mention: The Patio on Goldfinch, Puesto (at Headquarters), Ironside Fish & Oyster, Florent

Island Prime

Kelly Davis

Sipz

Food Stuff Best Barbecue Phil’s BBQ

Honorable mention: Coop’s West Texas BBQ, BBQ House OB, Kansas City BBQ, Cali Comfort BBQ

Best Breakfast

Hash House A Go Go

Honorable mention: The Broken Yolk, Original Pancake House, The Mission Cafe, Richard Walker’s Pancake House

Honorable mention: Pokez, Plumeria, Native Foods Cafe, Evolution Fast Food

Best Breakfast Burrito

Best Vietnamese Restaurant

The Mission Cafe

OB Noodle House

Honorable mention: Lolita’s, Kono’s Surf Club Cafe, Taco Surf, Dos Brasas

Honorable mention: Pho Hoa Noodle Soup, Saigon on 5th, Cali Baguette, Phoung Trang

Best Burger Hodad’s

Best Business Lunch Spot

Honorable mention: Rocky’s, Slater’s 50/50, Burger Lounge, Crazy Burger

Slater’s 50/50

Honorable mention: Blind Lady Ale House, Station Tavern, Puesto, Doods Foods

Best Burrito

Best Restaurant Staff

Honorable mention: Lolita’s, Sombrero Mexican Food, Nico’s Mexican Food, El Zarape

Lucha Libre

Urban Solace

Honorable mention: Blind Lady Ale House,

Juniper & Ivy

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Best Chicken Wings Dirty Birds

Best Prime Rib Bully’s East

Honorable mention: Bub’s at the Ballpark, South Park Abbey, Wings-N-Things, Ritual Tavern

Honorable mention: Island Prime, The Butcher Shop, Albie’s Beef Inn, Cafe La Maze

Best Cupcakes Honorable mention: Heavenly Cupcake, PubCakes, Pure Cupcakes, Frost Me

Best Salad Bar Honorable mention: Fogo De Chao, Salad Style, Whole Foods, Napizza

Best Arts & Crafts Store

Best Smoothie

Best Deli

Señor Mangos

D.Z. Akin’s

Honorable mention: OB Smoothie, Swamis, Krakatoa, Captain Kirk’s

Honorable mention: Mona Lisa, Big Front Door, Rubicon Deli, Milton’s

Best Tapas

Best Dessert

Costa Brava

Extraordinary Desserts

Ocean Beach Antique Mall

Honorable mention: La Mesa Antique Mall, King’s Antiques, Carlsbad Village Art & Antique Mall, Vignettes

Tender Greens

BabyCakes

Best Antique Shop

Blick Art Materials

Honorable mention: Michael’s Arts & Crafts, Artist and Craftsman Supply, Beverly’s Fabric & Crafts, The Making Place

Best Auto Dealer

Kearny Mesa Fiat

The Joint, Cafe Sevilla, Izakaya Ouan

Honorable mention: Kearny Mesa Toyota, Lexus of San Diego, Toyota of El Cajon, Mossy Ford PB

Best Yogurt

Best Bathing Suit Shop

Honorable mention: Yogurtland, Yog-art, Golden Spoon, Yogurt Mill

Honorable mention: Sun Diego, Pilar’s, Julie’’s Beachwear, Fables by Barrie

Shopping

Best Bead Store

BabyCakes Honorable mention: Prepkitchen Little Italy,

Honorable mention: Eclipse Chocolate Bar & Bistro, Heaven Sent Desserts, D.Z. Akin’s, Chocolat Cremerie

Best Food Truck

Hot Dogs, Hot Diggity Dog, Mastiff Sausage Company

Best Fish Tacos

Honorable mention: Tacos La Mezcla, God Save the Cuisine, It’s a Dogs World, Frida’s Cocina

Best Philly Cheesesteak Paradise Yogurt

Gone Bananas

Honorable mention: Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, South Beach Bar & Grille, Pacific Beach Fish Shop, Mitch’s Seafood

Best Health Food Store

Honorable mention: Monkey Paw, Giorgino’s, Pop’s Jersey Style Cheese Steaks, Effin’s Pub & Grill

Best Fish-N-Chips

Honorable mention: OB People’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Frazier Farms

Best Pie Shop

Honorable mention: Pacific Beach Fish Shop, Princess Pub, Bay Park Fish Co., Mr. Fish and Chips

Best Hot Dog

Honorable mention: Mom’s Pie House, Betty’s Whole Pie Saloon, Sugar & Scribe Bakery, Mama Kat’s Restaurant and Pie Shop

Wahoo’s Fish Taco

Shakespeare’s Pub

Devilicious

Jimbo’s Naturally

Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria

Honorable mention: Fathom Bistro, Daddy’s

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Gaglione Brothers

Julian Cafe

Best Adult Bookstore The Crypt

Honorable mention: Pleasures & Treasures, Adult Emporium, Adult Depot, Mercury Books

South Sun

Honorable mention: The Black Bead, Beads of La Jolla, Gem and Bead Mall, Bead Gallery

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Mission Hills Bikes

Honorable mention: North Park Bikes, Adams Avenue Bicycles, Pacific Coast Bicycles, Cal Coast Bicycles

Best Bridal/Tux/ Formal-Wear Shop David’s Bridal

Honorable mention: Friar Tux, Here Comes the Bride, Prevue, A Better Deal

Best Camera Store George’s Camera

Honorable mention: Nelson Photo, Camera Exposure, Oceanside Photo and Telescope, C & H Photo

Best Comic Book Store Comics-N-Stuff

Honorable mention: Villainous Lair, Comickaze, On Comic Ground, Galactic Comics

Best Cooking Store Great News

Honorable mention: Sur la Table, The Kitchen Shop, HipCooks, Do it With Icing

Best Costume Shop Buffalo Breath

Honorable mention: Gypsy Treasure, Amvets, Hunt & Gather, Dr. Love’s

Best Dive Shop House

of

Scuba

Best Local Grocery Store

Honorable mention: San Diego Divers, Ocean Seaside Market Enterprises, Dive California, Power Scuba Honorable mention: Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market, Barons Market, Best Eyewear Jimbo’s Gaslamp, Olive Tree Market

Hillcrest Optical

Honorable mention: Unoptical, Specs, Sunglass & Optical Warehouse, Eyes on Fifth

Best Hardware Store

Ace Hillcrest Hardware

Best Flower Shop

Honorable mention: North Park Hardware, San Diego Hardware Company, Ocean Beach Paint & Hardware, Crown Ace Hardware

Honorable mention: Wholesale Flowers, Rainbow Flowers, Allen’s Flowers, Florabella

Best Hydro Store

Mission Hills Florist

Best Garden Supply Store/Nursery

San Diego Hydroponics

Honorable mention: Mighty Hydro Garden Supply, Encinitas Hydroponics, Grow a Lot

Hydroponics, Miramar Hydroponics

Intimacy, Temptress, Kapreeza

Best Jewelry Store

Best Liquor Store

Honorable mention: Robbins Brothers, Ben Bridge, Blondstone Jewelry Studio, Enhancery Jewelry

Honorable mention: Keg N Bottle, Clem’s Bottle House, Bine and Vine, Boulevard Liquor

Leo Hamel

Best Kids Clothing Store Honorable mention: Hillside Artisans, Only Kidding, The Children’s Place, Vanilla Squid

Best Lingerie Store Fantasyland

Honorable mention: The Enchantress, Rees Withrow

Honorable mention: 5th Avenue Books, Mysterious Galaxy, Warwicks, The Grove

Best Marijuana Dispensary Kindest Meds

Honorable mention: Left Coast Collective, Organic Roots, Green Nectar, Grand Organics

Best Mattress Store

Honorable mention: North Park Nursery, Walter Andersen Nursery, Armstrong Nursery, City Farmers Nursery

Sleep Train

Honorable mention: Jerome’s, Matress Discounters, Furniture and Mattress Warehouse, Metro Decor

Best Gift Shop Pigment

Best Men’s Clothing Store

Honorable mention: Babette Schwartz, Progress, Bazaar del Mundo, Pleasant Surprise

Men’s Fashion Depot

Honorable mention: Hunt & Gather, 5 & A Dime, Martin and Wall, Le Chauvinist Consignment Store for Men

Best Golf Shop

The Golf Mart

64 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Best Independent Book Store

Adams Avenue Books

So Childish

Mission Hills Nursery

Honorable mention: Golf Galaxy, Golfsmith, Riverwalk Golf Club, Fairway Golf

BevMo

Pigment

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Best Motorcycle Shop San Diego Harley

Honorable mention: Rocket Motorcycles, BMW San Diego, Trophy Motorcycles, GP Motorcycles

Best New Furniture Store Jerome's

Honorable mention: Living Spaces, Metro Decor, Pigment, Underground Furniture

Best Outdoor Furniture Store Pigment

Honorable mention: Hauser’s Patio, Skylar’s Home & Patio, Greathouse, Eurolux Patio

Best Pawn Shop A Hillcrest Pawnbrokers

Honorable mention: Animal House, City Dog, Noah’s Natural Pet Market, Earthwise Pet Supply

Best Shopping Center

Best Retro Furniture Store

Honorable mention: La Jolla UTC, Las Americas Premium Outlets, Horton Plaza, Flower Hill Promenade

Boomerang

for

Modern

Honorable mention: Revivals, Atomic Bazaar, Rusty Gold Design, Skylar’s Home & Patio

Best Scooter Shop Vespa Motorsport

Honorable mention: Pacific Beach Scooters, Point Loma Scooters, Cool Scooters, Main Street Scooters

Best Surf Shop

Play

it

Again Sports

Best Pet Service

Honorable mention: Camp Run a Mutt, City Dog, The Pet Palace, All Creatures Hospital

Best Shoe Store (women)

Best Skate Shop Honorable mention: Overload Skate Shop, Ave-A-New, Pacific Drive, Active Ride Shop

Best Sunglasses Shop

Best Toy Store

Honorable mention: Eyes On Fifth, Dziner

Honorable mention: Build-A-Bear Workshop, So Childish, Hillside Artisans Children’s Boutique, Kidz Garage

Route 44

Best Smoke Shop RAW Smoke Shop

Sunglass & Optical Warehouse

Rees Withrow

Orbit Vape

Honorable mention: Vapure, Vape Shoppe and Lounge, Vaperoo, Liquid Vape

Best Vintage Clothing Store Frock You

Honorable mention: Buffalo Exchange, Flashbacks, Hunt & Gather, The Girl Can’’t Help It

Best Wine Shop Wine Steals

Mint

66 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Geppetto’s

Best Vape Shop

Mint

Honorable mention: Cedros Soles, Swirl Boutique, Forward Footwear

Mitch’s Surf Shop La Jolla

Honorable mention: Berry’s Athletic Supply, Honorable mention: Clairemont Surf, Bird’s Surf Shed, Encinitas Surfboards, PB Surf Charlie Rose Baseball, SoccerLoco, Al’s Shop Sport Shop

Honorable mention: The Crypt, Adult Emporium, Pleasures and Treasures, Barnett Avenue Adult Superstore

Honorable mention: Boot World, Famous Footwear, Blends, Color Blind Shoes

Pet Me Please

Best Sporting Goods Store

Hustler Hollywood

Best Shoe Store (men)

Best Local Pet Store

Eyez, Sunglass Boutique Inc., Designer Style Sunglasses

Best Sex Shop

Honorable mention: San Diego Pawn, Ocean Beach Pawn Brokers, PB Pawn & Jewelry, CashCo Pawn Shop

South Bark Dog Wash

Westfield Fashion Valley

Honorable mention: Illusions Smoke Shop, The Black, Vishions Smoke Shop, Get It On

Honorable mention: San Diego Wine Co., 3rd Corner, Bine and Vine, Holiday Wine Cellar Mint

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Best Womens Clothing Store Mimi & Red

Honorable mention: Aphrodite’s Closet, Temptress Fashion, Tatyana, Dream Girls

Health, Fitness & Beauty Best Barber Shop Sports Clips

Honorable mention: Floyd’s 99, Mister Brown’s, Barberside, Ducky’s Barber Shop

Best Chiropractic Center

Spence Chiropractic Center

Honorable mention: Chiropractique, San Diego Chiropractic, Adams Avenue Integrative Health, Libs Chiropractic Center

Best Cosmetic Surgeon

Dr. G Plastic Surgery – Dr. Grzekiewicz

Pousti Plastic Surgery – Dr. Tom Pousti

Best Day Spa

La Costa Resort Spa

and

Honorable mention: Bellagio Salon & Day Spa, Bella Tosca, Artesia Day Spa and Salon, Spa Velia

Best Dentist

Crown Dental

Honorable mention: Park Dental Arts, Pacific Beach Dentistry, Strober Dental, Affinity Dental of La Mesa

Best Hair Salon (men)

Rees Withrow

West Coast Eyecare

Honorable mention: Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center, Global Laser Vision, Shiley Eye Institute, Motwani Lasik Institute

Best Martial Arts Studio

Gracie South Bay Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Honorable mention: White Dragon, Family Karate, Arena MMA, Karate Heroes

Best MMA & Boxing Gym Undisputed

Honorable mention: Art of Eight (AO8) Training & Fitness Center, Arena MMA, Honorable mention: Gila Rut, Disconnected, Victory MMA, Blue Ocean Muay Thai The Chop Shop, Sweet Salon

The Electric Chair

Best Hair Salon (women) Gila Rut

Honorable mention: Disconnected, Hair Drezzers on Fire, Bluxom, Hyde Edwards

Best Hiking Spot

Cowles Mountain

Honorable mention: Torrey Pines, Mission Trails, Mount Laguna, Rancho Penasquitos Honorable mention: Faces Plus – Dr. Steven R. Canyon Preserve Cohen, Changes Plastic Surgery – Dr. Gilbert Lee, Nowak Aesthetics – Dr. Eugene Nowak, Best Laser Eye Center

68 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Best Outdoor Rental Shop (kayak, jet ski, boat) Mission Bay Aquatic Center

Undisputed

Therapy, Adams Avenue Integrative Health, Hillcrest Community Acupuncture, North Park Acupuncture

Best Place to Get a Massage The Knot

stop

Honorable mention: Everyday California, Honorable mention: Karma Relaxation Spa, San Diego Jet Ski, Action Sport Rentals, San Green Bamboo Massage & Foot Spa, Bella Diego Speed Boat Adventures Tosca, Spa Velia

Best Place for Acupuncture

Chiropractique

Honorable mention: Tripoint Holistic

Best Place to Get Pierced Enigma

Honorable mention: Church of Steel,

Apogee Body Piercing, Big City Tattoo, Body Piercing by Tracy

Best Place to Get Waxed

The Pretty Kitty

Honorable mention: The Undercarriage, Le Wax Boutique, Brazilia Skin Care, Clean Slate Skin and Body

Best Tanning Salon iTan

Honorable mention: Hollywood Tan, Naked Tan, Cali Tan, The Tan Line

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Best Tattoo Artist

Su’a Sulu’ape Angela Honorable mention: Mike Stobbe, Fip Buchanan, Ben Grillo, Bill Canales

Best Tattoo Parlor Avalon 2

Honorable mention: Lifetime Tattoo, Big City Tattoo, Guru Tattoo, Left Hand Black

Best Workout Gym Chuze Fitness

Honorable mention: Gold’s Gym, 24 Hour Fitness, Fit, Crunch Fitness

Best Yoga Studio Core Power

Honorable mention: Pilgrimage of the Heart, Yoga One, Spirit Yoga, Indie Yoga

Bars & Booze Best Bar

The Waterfront

Honorable mention: The Field Irish Pub, Elbow Room, Hamilton’s Tavern, O’Brien’s Pub

Best Bar to Play Pool

Kelly Davis

Jolt 'N Joe’s

Best Craft Beer Store

Krisp / Best Damn Beer Shop

Honorable mention: McGregor’s Grill & Alehouse, Society Billiards Bar, Redwing Bar and Grill, Silver Fox

Honorable mention: Bine and Vine, Bottlecraft, Clem’s Bottle Shop, Boulevard Liquor

Best Baristas

Caffe Calabria

Honorable mention: Lestat’s, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, Influx, Starbucks

Best Craft Cocktail Bar

Best Winery in San Diego County

Honorable mention: Polite Provisions, Starlite, Craft and Commerce, Prohibition

Honorable mention: Bernardo Winery, Rock Canyon Vineyards, Witch Creek Winery, Kohill Vineyard & Winery

Fluxx

Best Beach Bar

Best Domestic Beer

Sycamore Den

Orfilia Winery

Best DJ / Dance Club Honorable mention: Bssmnt, Onyx Room, Whiskey Girl, Rich’’s

Lahaina’s Beach House

Miller High Life

Honorable mention: Wonderland, Tavern at the Beach, PB Shore Club, Draft

Honorable mention: Bud Light, Coors Light, Budweiser, Coors Banquet

Best Bloody Mary

Best Downtown / Gaslamp /East Village Bar

The Tractor Room

Honorable mention: Small Bar, The Waterfront, Great Maple, World Famous

Barleymash

Best Cigar Lounge Churchill’s

Honorable mention: Excalibur, Hoffer’s, Cigar Grotto, Cesar’s Cigar and Spirits Lounge

72 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Sycamore Den Honorable mention: Tipsy Crow,

Best Cocktail Lounge

Best Craft Beer Bar

Honorable mention: Sycamore Den, Polite Provisions, Bar Pink, Seven Grand

Honorable mention: Blind Lady Ale House, Toronado, Sessions Public, The High Dive

Starlite

Hamilton’s Tavern

Moonshine Flats, Bootlegger, Henry’s Pub

Best Gay / Lesbian Bar Urban Mo’s

Honorable mention: Redwing, Rich’s,

Gossip Grill, Brass Rail

Best Happy Hour

Best Local Craft Beer

Ballast Point - Sculpin

Honorable mention: Tilted Kilt, Harbor Town Pub, Elbow Room, Henry’s Pub

Honorable mention: Green Flash - West Coast IPA, Karl Strauss - Red Trolley, Saint Archer - White Ale, Coronado Brewing Company - Islander IPA

Best Hookah Bar

Best Margarita

La Puerta

Area 51

Honorable mention: Prince Hookah Bar, Fumari Hookah, Diamond Hookah Lounge, Liquid Lounge

Best Imported Beer Stella Artois

Honorable mention: Corona, Guinness, Pacifico, Dos Equis

Best Irish Pub Hooley’s

Honorable mention: The Field, Ould Sod, Gallagher’s, Dublin Square

Best Jukebox Live Wire

Honorable mention: Small Bar, Black Cat Bar, Monkey Paw, Cherry Bomb

Best Karaoke Bar The Lamplighter

Honorable mention: Red Wing, Norma Jean’s, Gilly’s, Mr D’s Cocktail Lounge

Baja Betty’s

Honorable mention: Cantina Mayhuel, La Puerta, El Camino, Guadalajara Grill

Best Martini Bar

Tin Roof, The Hideout, Werewolf

Best Open-Mic Night Lestat's West

Honorable mention: Rebecca’s, Blarney Stone Pub, Parkway Bar, Hart Lounge

Best Outdoor Bar Fathom Bistro

Honorable mention: Wavehouse, Bier Garden Encinitas, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Starlite

Best Brew Pub Pizza Port

Best Brewery Tasting Room

Best Brewery

Honorable mention: Ballast Point Brewing Company, Modern Times, Stone Brewing Co., Belching Beaver

Honorable mention: Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Monkey Paw, Hillcrest Brewing Co., San Diego Brewing Co.

Ballast Point Brewing Co.

Green Flash Brewing Company

Best Dive Bar

Honorable mention: Stone Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing, Coronado Brewing, Mike Hess Brewery Rees Withrow

Martini’s Above Fourth

Nunu’s

Honorable mention: Live Wire, The Waterfront, The Alibi, Pacific Shores

Best Sangria Café Sevilla

Honorable mention: Turf Club, Starlite, West Coast Tavern, Tony’s

Honorable mention: The Prado, Costa Brava, Pokez, Ritual Tavern

Best Neighborhood Bar The High Dive

Best Sports Bar

Best Neighborhood Bar to Dance At

Honorable mention: True North, Bub’s at the Ballpark, Miller’s Field, Elbow Room

McGregor’s Grill & Alehouse

Honorable mention: Whistle Stop, Bluefoot, Coin-Op Game Room, Hamilton’s Tavern

Whistle Stop

Best Strip Club

Honorable mention: Air Conditioned Lounge, U31, Bar Pink, Bluefoot

Pacers Showgirls

Honorable mention: Pure Platinum, Cheetahs, Goldfingers, Les Girls

Best New Bar (opened since October 2013)

Best Tequila Bar

Lucky Bastard Saloon

Honorable mention: Coin-Op Game Room,

Lucky Bastard Saloon

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Cantina Mayahuel

Honorable mention: Baja Betty’s, La Puerta, Old Town Tequila Factory

Best Uptown Bar Sycamore Den

Honorable mention: Seven Grand, Bluefoot, West Coast Tavern, Uptown Tavern

Best Wine Bar

Arts & Culture

Best North County Bar

Best North County Dive Bar The Kraken

Honorable mention: The Saloon, The Shanty Cocktail Lounge, Saddle Bar, One More That’s It Pub

Best North County Sports Bar

Player’s Sports Bar

Honorable mention: Saddlebar, Jimmy O’s, The 55 Yardline Sports Bar and Grill, PCH Sports Bar & Grill

American Comedy Co.

San Diego County Fair

Best Annual San Diego Charity Event

Honorable mention: Churchill’s Pub, Encinitas Ale House, Regal Seagull, The Compass

Honorable mention: Barona Casino, Viejas Casino, Sycuan, Valley View

Best Comedy Club

57 Degrees

Bier Garden Encinitas

La Jolla Festival the Arts

Honorable mention: The Comedy Store, Finest City Improv, The Comedy Palace, Legends Comedy Club

Best Dance Studio Culture Shock

Honorable mention: San Diego Civic Dance Arts, Creative Dance Theatre, Visionary Dance Theatre, Tap Fever Studios

of

Best Cultural Festival

Honorable mention: AIDS Walk, San Diego Music Awards, Switchfoot Bro Am, Bulls Only Rodeo

Little Italy Festa

Best Art Framing Art

of

Framing

Honorable mention: Aztec Graphics, Ray Street Custom Framing, Crack in the Wall, San Diego Custom Framing

Best Art Gallery

Contemporary Fine Arts Art Gallery in La Jolla Honorable mention: Thumbprint Gallery, Chuck Jones Gallery, Art Expressions Gallery, Peerless Fine Art

74 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Best Casino

Harrah’s Resort

Best Annual Event (non-music)

Honorable mention: Comic-Con, San Diego Beer Week, San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival, Over the Line

Honorable mention: Wine Steals, Splash, The Rose Wine Pub, 3rd Corner

Rees Withrow

Best Art Event

Little Italy Art Walk

Honorable mention: Ray at Night, Art Around Adams, La Jolla Festival of the Arts, Del Mar Taste & Art Stroll

Best Art School

The Art Institute of California - San Diego Honorable mention: Art Academy of

Honorable mention: Pacific Island Festival, German American Societies Oktoberfest, Latin American Festival at Bazaar del American Comedy Co. Mundo, Cardiff Greek Festival San Diego, Design Institute of San Best Film Festival Diego, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Bravo School of Art San Diego Latino

Best Bowling Alley

East Village Tavern and Bowl

Honorable mention: Kearny Mesa Bowl, Parkway Bowl, Mira Mesa Bowl, Poway Bowl

Film Fest

Honorable mention: San Diego Film Festival, San Diego Black Film Festival, San Diego Asian Film Festival, Surf Film Festival

Best Golf Course CONTINUED ON PAGE 76

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Torrey Pines

Honorable mention: Balboa Park, Riverwalk, Maderas Golf Club, Steel Canyon

Best Live Theatre The Old Globe

with Live Music

Music

Honorable mention: Claire De Lune Coffee Lounge, Rebecca’s, Java Joe’s, Old California Coffee House San Marcos

Honorable mention: La Jolla Playhouse, Cygnet Theatre, Lamb’s Players Theatre, Diversionary Theatre

Best Annual Music Event

Best Local Performing Arts Group

Honorable mention: Gator by the Bay, Ocean Beach Street Fair, San Diego Music Thing, Adams Avenue Unplugged

Honorable mention: San Diego Musical Theatre, New Village Arts, Ion Theatre Company, Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theatre

Best Blues Club

Malashock Dance

Best Movie Theater Cinépolis

Honorable mention: ArcLight Cinemas, Hillcrest Cinema, Ken Cinema, AMC La Jolla

Best Museum

Adams Ave Street Fair

Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub

Honorable mention: Humphreys Backstage Music Club, Proud Mary’s, Croce’s Park West, House of Blues

Best CD / Record Store (new) M-Theory Music

Honorable mention: Lou’s Records, Record City, Access Music, Spin Records

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Best CD / Record Store Honorable mention: Museum of Natural History, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art

Best Skate Park Ocean Beach

Honorable mention: Washington Street,

Rees Withrow

Clairemont Skate Park, Coronado Skate Park, Alex Road

(used) Off

the

Record

Honorable mention: M-Theory Music, Record City, Cow Records, Folk Art Rare Records

Best Coffee House

76 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Lestat’s West

Best Concert Venue Humphrey’s

by the

Bay

Honorable mention: North Park Theatre, House of Blues, Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Balboa Theatre

Best Jazz Club

Croce’s Park West

Honorable mention: 98 Bottles, Dizzy’s, Café Bar Europa, Seven Grand

Best Live Music Club (all ages) Soma San Diego

Honorable mention: The Irenic, Ché Café, Lestat’s West, The Epicenter

Best Live Music Club (over 21)

M-Theory Music

ListenLocalsd.com, Owl & Bear, Tentacle Ears

Best Music Equipment Store

Belly Up Tavern

Guitar Center

Best Local Music Blog

Best Music School

Honorable mention: The Casbah, House of Blues, Soda Bar, Winstons Beach Club

SoundDiego

Honorable mention: SDDialedin,

Honorable mention: Guitar Trader, Alan’s Music Center, Apex Music, Carvin

School

of

Rock

Honorable mention: Rock & Roll San Diego, Recreational Music Center,

Rockademy, Villa Musica

Best Place to Get Vinyl Records M-Theory Music

Honorable mention: Off the Record, Record City, FeeLit Records, Spin Records

Best Place to See Local Bands The Casbah

Honorable mention: Soda Bar, Tin Can Ale House, Belly Up, Croce’s Park West

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 77

Stage dive Michael Keaton makes a desperate plunge for relevancy

by Glenn Heath Jr. We suspect that every superhero has an internal voice raging at all times, expressing conflict and doubt while their external actions bravely save the day. Yet, this contradictory side usually remains hidden to sustain the pureness of the mythology. Aside from Christian Bale’s mumbling caped crusader in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Michael Keaton (left) and Edward Norton, at odds trilogy, emotional cracks aren’t that appealing to the fanboy masses yearning for simplistic idols. his heightened orations. He doesn’t necessarily gain America likes its tights-wearing titans to be surefire strength from these one-sided conversations; it’s and strong, not self-loathing and complex. anger and self-delusion that feed his auteurist drive.

Alejandro González Iñárritu flips these expec- This invariably impacts Riggan’s already strained tations on their head in Birdman, creating a post- relationship with his recovering drug-addict daughcomic-book film that features nothing but dialogue ter (Emma Stone) and girlfriend (the underused Ansequences and internal monologues that spew out drea Riseborough). into a world strafed with superhero blowback. Set As a black comedy about legacy, Birdman eventuentirely in the cavernous confines of a Broadway the- ally turns more grueling than pertinent. While often ater district, the film follows actor Riggan Thompson impressive as a satire of our 21st-century obsession (Michael Keaton) as he tries to transcend his status with self-importance, the film’s extreme stylistics turn as a B-movie burnout and adapt a Raymond Carver redundant very quickly, no matter how impressive the play for the stage. Like with many behind-the-scenes technical feat. More egregious is Iñárritu’s desire to tales, nothing goes right: Riggan battles casting di- engage the polemics of modern-day superhero culsasters, tyrant critics and his own crumbling ego. ture with the same grandstanding and megalomania Iñárritu traces his protagonist’s every move with that brought it into fashion in the first place. Riggan’s a roving camera perceived to look like one con- tortured experience turns into a surrealist fairy tale tinuous shot, thanks in large part to the skill and about the dangers of believing in fairy tales. creative dexterity of master cinematographer EmBy the end of Birdman, Riggan enters a broken manuel Lubezki. Aside from showmanship, this for- psychological state that affords the viewer a window mal choice is also meant to into nifty dream sequences convey the omnipresence of that, for the first time, reveal Birdman Riggan’s nasty feathered ala bombastic sensibility that Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu ter ego, Birdman, who growls the film’s been desperately Starring Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, self-righteous misinformalacking thus far. Known for Emma Stone and Naomi Watts tion and skewed logic into being a deathly dour filmthe ear of a desperate artist maker, Iñárritu displays a Rated R already on the brink of selfwonderful absurdity that destruction. Together, they finally matches Keaton’s inplunge into the abyss, hoping to remain relevant, but sane performance. The actor who once donned the to whom exactly? black mask of Batman in Tim Burton’s gothic films Much of Birdman’s domineering opening act here relishes the chance to deconstruct his own culgrapples with this question in interesting ways, tural persona. shoving Riggan from one demoralizing pissing conIn today’s Hollywood, films like Birdman—which test to the next, the most volatile of which involves opens Friday, Oct. 24—counter the stagnancy brought a critically lauded method actor played to the hilt on by too many Marvel movies and the like conby Edward Norton. It’s here that the film’s themes structed purely for capitalistic reasons. Yet despite regarding panic, performance and pain are most ex- this ambition and vitality, Iñárritu’s film doesn’t risk pertly conveyed. The two actors square off like two a whole lot by simply subverting our meta-obsessed raging bulls ready to clash horns. Iñárritu often com- world with more of the same. It shrieks the same plements these showdowns with a clamoring drum song again and again, sound-and-fury style. score that becomes a kind of jazz-like white noise.

Still, Riggan perseveres because this is his “chance Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com to do something right,” as Birdman states in one of and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Puppy love

John Wick

78 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Calling John Wick a throwback to 1980s action films feels like a disservice to both parties. It’s true that directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski have a crafted a nononsense revenge bruiser where raindrops and bodies fall from the sky. But the ghoulish neon color scheme and close-contact gun-fu are more in line with the work

of Hong Kong masters like John Woo than any directorial mercenary who captured the talents of Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Second chances are taken, not given, in John Wick, a formally audacious shoot-first thriller about a former hit man (Keanu Reeves) who exacts mass revenge against a Russian crime syndicate after three of their members kill his dog. The cute beagle was

a gift from his dying wife (Bridget Moynahan in the briefest of roles), a symbol of their ongoing puppy love that’s so corny, it only makes sense in a movie as barren and rugged as this.

One of the Eastern-bloc ruffians is the son of Wick’s former boss (Michael Nyqvist), a reserved but calculating demon who understands the storm of bloodshed that’s about to get unleashed on his organization. John Wick lends an otherworldly quality to the criminal landscape of the city; assassins working contracts stay in the same classy hotel where killing is off

limits. The rest of the world is their oyster. A treasure trove of withered character actors get wonderful moments in the shadows, including Ian McShane as the hotel proprietor and David Patrick Kelly as a creepy disposer of bodies.

John Wick—which opens Friday, Oct. 24—can’t sustain its raging pace, but the film affords action junkies multiple brazen set pieces that bulldoze posh urban spaces with creative carnage.

Here, a pistol or knife becomes an extension of a man’s hands, ready to reach out and touch someone.

—Glenn Heath Jr.

Opening Birdman: A burnt-out superhero actor (Michael Keaton) tries to mount a play on Broadway in order to prove his worth. It co-stars Naomi Watts, Emma Stone and Andrea Riseborough. See our review on Page 78.

The Blue Room: In this sensual French thriller from director Mathieu Amalric, lust turns to murder when a suburban husband is suspected of killing his lover.

The Conformist: Mussolini’s Italy becomes a stage for betrayal, desire and sexuality in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Italian masterpiece. Screens through Oct. 30 at the Ken Cinema.

Dear White People: Four black students must deal with the ramifications of an ill-conceived theme party that turns their Ivy League campus into a hotbed for racial controversy.

Hiroshima Mon Amor: Alain Resnais’ first film follows a French actor who’s filming an anti-war film in Hiroshima and falls in love with a Japanese architect. Screens through Oct. 30 at the Ken Cinema.

John Wick: After his dog is killed in a random break-in, a former hit man (Keanu Reeves) goes on the warpath looking for vengeance. See our review on Page 78.

Ouija: Board game meet cinema.

Somos Mari Pepa: Young Mexican punk rockers try to make it big despite their changing interests as a group. Screens through Oct. 30 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

St. Vincent: A misanthropic senior citizen (Bill Murray) befriends a young boy going through familial trouble, inevitably leading to redemption for all involved.

One Time Only The Bit Player: A satirical look at the Filipino entertainment industry, this film revolves around a day in the life of a single mom trying to make it as a soap-opera bit player. Screens at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Mission Valley Library.

The Man Who Knew Too Much: In Alfred Hitchcock’s remake of his own film, James Stewart and Doris Day play a happy couple who are vacationing in Morocco when they accidentally discover an assassination plot. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Reading Gaslamp Cinemas.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari: A madman controls a somnambulist and uses his power to murder unsuspecting people in a small German town in the Alps. Screens at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.

Ilo, Ilo: The Asian economic crisis hits a family of three and threatens to undo all of their hard work. Screens at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Point Loma / Hervey Branch Library.

No Evidence of Disease: Six oncologists form a band to bring attention to women’s cancers. Screens at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, and Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

The Mexican Suitcase: A riveting documentary that looks at the story behind the 4,500 pictures taken by master photographers during the Spanish Civil War. Screens at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.

Comic Warriors: Veterans from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars work with comedy veterans to work through their traumatic experiences. Screens at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Jewish Community Center in La Jolla.

Now Playing

Ouija 22, at The Whaley House in Old Town.

Hocus Pocus: Three witches come back to life and turn Salem, Massachusetts, into a hoot-hollering good time.

Screens at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Hillcrest Cinemas.

Little Shop of Horrors: Rick Moranis stars as a nerdy florist who achieves success thanks to a giant man-eating plant.

Screens at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Arclight La Jolla.

Shaun of the Dead: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost star as slacker buddies trying to survive the zombie apocalypse.

Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

Rear Window: Look out your window and see the world for what it is: Alfred Hitchcock’s menacing universe filled with everyday murderers. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Reading Town Square Cinemas in Clairemont.

Becoming California: Narrated by Jane Fonda, this epic documentary looks at the geologic origins of California and the impact humans have made on the environment. Screens at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park.

Psycho: Mother knows best for Norman Bates. Screens at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, through Saturday, Oct. 25, at Cinema Under the Stars in Mission Hills.

Only Lovers Left Alive: Vampires have feelings too in Jim Jarmusch’s moody meditation on life, love and longing.

Screens at midnight on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Ken Cinema.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Come experience the crazed imaginings of this insane camp classic about a couple who wander upon the wrong house one dark and stormy night. Screens at midnight on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Ken Cinema and at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

The Girl on the Train: A complacent filmmaker meets a mysterious woman on a train, and his whole life drops into a tailspin. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at the San Diego Public Library in East Village.

Aqui Entre Nos: In this rambunctious comedy from Mexico, a bitter father wakes up one day and decides he’ll no longer support his family until his wife stops mistreating him. Ends Oct. 23 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Default: An American news crew gets hijacked on a runway in Africa and must band together to survive in this thriller starring David Oyelowo. Ends Oct. 22 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Fury: A surly tank commander (Brad Pitt) and his small crew fend off Nazis during the waning days of World War II. Lilting: In this drama from Hong Khaou, a Cambodian-Chinese mother in contemporary London mourns the death of her son and meets a stranger. Ends Oct. 23 at the Ken Cinema.

Men, Women & Children: Jason Reitman’s new ensemble drama starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Gardner looks at the way human interaction has changed in the Internet age.

The Best of Me: Former high-school sweethearts fall in love again after they reunite many years later while visiting their small hometown.

The Book of Life: This animated fantasy follows a young man who’s torn between fulfilling his family duties and following his heart. It features the voices of Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana and Channing Tatum.

The Good Lie: Three refuges from Sudan travel to America hoping to find a better life but instead encounter a vastly different world with new and unique obstacles.

The Green Prince: Based on Mosab Hassan Yousef’s bestselling memoir Son of Hamas, this documentary exposes a complex world of terror, betrayal and impossible choices within one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations.

Ends Oct. 23 at La Jolla Village Cinemas.

Life Inside Out: Music plays a crucial role during the healing process for a mother and her troubled son. Ends Oct. 23 at UltraStar Cinemas in Mission Valley.

For a complete listing of movies, please see “F ilm S creenings” at sdcit yb eat.com under the “E vents” tab.

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 79

Well, That was awkward

ryan

Bradford A nightmare on University Avenue I have a friend who compares North Park to the NES game Castlevania II. In the game, when night falls, enemies require more hits to kill. Things become more difficult for no reason. Life becomes harder at night. It was his funny way of addressing the troubles that the Gaslamp crowd brings—the drunkenness and fights.

It was a joke. Then the North Park Attacker arrived.

call something that makes adults afraid of the dark?

It’s just a little past 10 a.m. on a Sunday and the temperature is already touching 100 in Lakeside. A man standing outside the 7-Eleven chugs a 5-Hour Energy and talks loudly about his good night at a casino and his plan to skip work as celebration. A crispy woman, dry as a piece of beef jerky, exposes her belly “I just watched The Re-Animator for the first time,” to the East County sun. Although it’s still morning, Craig Oliver says. “Shit was amazing. Funny, but there’s a line of people buying cold beer inside, one surprisingly well-done.” of whom wears mismatched camouflage hat, shirt The horror talk is fitting for our dark journey. and pants. It’s like looking at a walking Magic Eye. We’re driving north on Interstate 15. It’s just a little But with a triple-pack of Tecate tall boys under after 5 p.m., but the sun is already dipping below my arm, I don’t have any right to judge. I keep my the hills; a harsh yellow flickers between the peaks. head down, avoid eye contact, pay for the beer and Craig was the first person I approached to show get the hell out of there. me genuinely scary places in San Diego. I’m not talkThe tension from the heat and the unsettling ing about touristy haunts like The Whaley House convenience-store characters seem like a good preor the Hotel Del, but places of legend that don’t relude to finding some real scares at “5.5.” quire an admission fee, places that people go out of It was in a Reddit forum where I learned about their way to avoid. Craig is a longtime San Diegan, 5.5, a site of alleged witchcraft and Satanic rituals— and his similar interest in horror movies and dark the ominous, numerical name stemming from the stuff qualifies him as a spooktacular companion. mileage at which it’s located along El Monte Road.

Escondido looms closer. The conversation dies.

To heighten the chance of potential terror, I’ve Craig turns the music up and looks at his phone for brought my wife, Jessica, and insist on the beer the directions to Questhaven. because what couple canoodling and Questhaven is a community near drinking in on a Satanic ritual site To heighten North County’s Elfin Forest that’s hasn’t been murdered by monsters? birthed every horrific speculation El Monte Road narrows as it the chance of imaginable: cults, an abandoned insnakes up to El Capitan Reservoir. potential terror, sane asylum—there’s even a legend of The claustrophobia is promising. The a giant ghost-owl that haunts the surmile markers stop after the fifth, so I’ve brought my rounding forest. It seems like a fearwe drive a little farther until spotting wife, Jessica. junkie’s ectoplasmic wet dream. a tagged rock overlooking the road.

The city streets give way to an inWe scamper down the bank on the dustrial park before spitting us onto opposite side. Countless trails branch the winding road that leads us through the Elfin Foroff through a gnarled forest, littered with shattered est. Craig’s phone illuminates his face like he’s tellliquor bottles, baby wipes (?) and the beer cans of deing a ghost story. We’re close, according to the GPS. linquents past and present. Every now and then, we We turn onto Questhaven Road. There are no encounter a mattress or a blanket. I scrape the weeds cults, no insane asylum, not even a g-g-ghost owl— away from a rock and reveal an eye painted on it. just million-dollar estates, whose inhabitants, wit“Here’s a pile of bird-feathers,” Jessica says. nessing our creeping vehicle, are the only people “That’s kind of gross.” scared tonight.

The whole place is gross, but not scary—just a The fear deflates as hunger takes over. We colstrip of wilderness for East County kids to drink lect ourselves at El Pollo Loco and investigate furand screw and create scary stories to keep people ther. We discover that fire ravaged the area in 2003, out of their garbage utopia. and the resulting redevelopment has produced the The noontime sun beats down on us. I ask Jesconsiderably non-scary estates. The Questhaven of sica if she wants to drink one of the beers—at least?

“No, let’s get out of here,” she says. lore has been rebuilt as a Christian retreat, which is still plenty scary, but in a different way.

Police arrested David Angelo Drake on Sept. 8 on suspicion of the North Park attacks. Since then, there’ve Between June 11 and Aug. 28, six women were attacked been no victims. Found guilty or not, it’s a reminder within a 10-block radius of my house. Victims were that there is no bogeyman and that the North Park jumped from behind, sexually assaulted and/or beatAttacker was an actual person, nothing worth canonen—details similar enough to suggest a single perpeizing with monikers and spooky nicknames. trator. In informal company, we called him The North Still, it sucks when the scariest place in San Diego Park Attacker, an admittedly sensationalistic moniker is your own neighborhood. that elevated his terror to that of a bogeyman. But, really, he had turned our neighborhood into an unfamilWrite to ryanb@sdcitybeat.com iar landscape. What was once safe now felt alien. We and editor@sdcitybeat.com. were afraid to go out at night. What else would you

80 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 81

Guilt-free

pleasure

There’s no shame in Hall and Oates’ game • by Jeff Terich

W

hen it comes to pop culture, I don’t Change the focus to the very literal imbelieve in guilty pleasures. It’s always age they’ve put forth since the early ’70s seemed silly to me—or worse, elitist—to and the camp meter rises even further. suggest that anyone should feel guilty about The cover of their 1975 album Daryl Hall something that gives them pleasure or joy. and John Oates borders on self-parody, The term, particularly as it pertains to mu- the duo’s smoldering mugs slathered in so sic, is loaded with snobby implications. It much makeup, they practically went kasuggests that there’s objectively “good” buki. And their videos—especially “Private and “bad” music, and that if you happen to Eyes” (clap, clap)—were often unbelievenjoy something a bit less highbrow than ably silly, which can be attributed partially OK Computer, you should acknowledge to everything in the ’80s being unbelievably its inferiority, and feel sorta bad about it. silly. Then again, outside of Magnum P.I., That’s utter nonsense.

John Oates’ mustache has no competition.

Daryl Hall’s got my back on this one.

Pick and choose certain moments from Hall—half of the famed Philadelphia pop throughout Hall and Oates’ career, and you’ll duo Hall and Oates—doesn’t care much for come away with a pretty ridiculous picture. the idea of guilty pleasures, either. “That’s But whether you choose to ignore this or a horrible expression,” he said in a 2010 embrace it, it doesn’t overcome one imporChicago Tribune story. “You should never tant fact: As songwriters, Hall and Oates feel guilty for your pleasure.” have a résumé that’s hard to argue with.

He’s right, you know, as long as we’re More specifically, Hall and Oates’ ninenot talking about genuine depravity. year run from 1973 to 1981 is particularly It’s likely a lot more perstrong, beginning with Abansonal for Hall than it is for doned Luncheonette, often me, because for as long regarded as the duo’s best. as anyone can remember, It’s undoubtedly a product Hall and Oates have been of the 1970s, its silky melosynonymous with guilty dies built around breezy Oct. 25 pleasure. Admittedly, it’s acoustic guitars and the understandable how that warm caress of Rhodes Open Air Theatre got to be the case. In the piano. As pop records go, at SDSU ’70s and ’80s, the duo floodAbandoned Luncheonette hallandoates.com ed the airwaves and eventuis easy like Sunday mornally MTV with camp value— ing, but it’s also a marvel of glossy production, cheeseball saxophone, sumptuous sound; soak in the shimmering melodies that are Ken-doll smooth. And as keyboards on “She’s Gone” and you might catchy as a song like “She’s Gone” or “Sara find yourself on a bearskin rug with a snifSmile” might be, I’ll be the first to admit that ter of brandy, asking, “How did I get here?” there’s little edge or boundary-pushing go- But when you make it the porno-funk wah ing on in these ubiquitous hits. wah of “Everytime I Look at You,” you likely

Daryl Hall & John Oates

82 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Daryl Hall (left) and John Oates achieved pop-music perfection in 1981. won’t want to leave that cozy spot.

As Hall and Oates entered the ’80s, they adapted admirably to the times, starting with Voices—an album that’s arguably even better than Abandoned Luncheonette. Yet the smoothness here has been partially phased out in favor of a more jangly, streamlined new-wave sound. And do they ever nail it; the opening trio of “How Does it Feel to Be Back,” “Big Kids” and “United State” is a series of punchy, high-energy tracks that share more in common with The Police or Joe Jackson than Bread. Not that their ability to spin keyboard licks into pop gold was dulled in any way by the sharper sound of guitars; “Kiss On My List” is the runaway standout of its singles (though “You Make My Dreams” is arguably catchier), and though Paul Young turned “Everytime You Go Away” into an even bigger hit a few years later, H&O’s version is the richer and more soulful of the two.

And then there’s “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do).” A return to the ultra-smooth style that Hall and Oates built up in the ’70s, with a contemporary R&B twist, the song finds the duo going all-in on their campiest qualities and ending up with their strongest hand. Calling it their best song might be too

strong a statement, but I’ve gone this far, so why back down now? Alright, then: It’s their best song. The twinkling keyboards, the drum-machine patter, the head-nodding bass groove—which inspired “Billie Jean,” no less—it all adds up to pop perfection.

Now, not everything that Hall and Oates have done is amazing. The ’90s didn’t treat them all that well, for starters, and “Maneater,” even if tame by today’s standards, is a wee bit sexist. But everyone is allowed some missteps here and there, and prevalence of “guilty pleasure” status aside, history’s been pretty kind to Hall and Oates.

They’re the most commercially successful duo of all time and last year were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And if Joseph Gordon Levitt’s dance routine to “You Make My Dreams” in (500) Days of Summer is any indication, they won back some elusive hipster cred in the process.

Not that sales figures, awards or Hollywood should necessarily have that much influence on how you hear the band. Just get comfortable, put on your headphones, turn up “I Can’t Go For That” and enjoy.

But don’t you dare feel guilty about it.

Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com or editor@sdcitybeat.com.

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 83

notes from the smoking patio Locals Only San Diego has its share of music festivals and film festivals, but November marks the launch of the Point Music Film Festival, which bills itself as San Diego’s first music-only film festival.

It will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, at the 10th Avenue Arts Center in East Village (930 10th Ave.) and will feature 11 different films, including Rubber Soul, a film about John Lennon that premiered at South by Southwest this year, and the 1976 documentary Heartworn Highways, which features interviews with country greats like Townes Van The Palominos will perform at the first Point Music Film Festival.

Zandt and Guy Clark.

Rick Bowman, the producer of the festival and cup of tea, so there are bands playing on the rooftop,” a filmmaker himself, says the event came about be- he says. “People can go watch them, or get some food cause of a major gap he saw. or drinks, and then go back to the films later.”

“Not too many film festivals feature films about Films that Bowman highlights as being particular music—they tend to lump them in with other docu- favorites are OK Buckaroos, a documentary about mentaries,” he says. “So, I just wanted to open it up to Jerry Jeff Walker, who wrote “Mr. Bojangles,” and everyone from different styles of music.”

It’s Gonna Blow!, the San Diego music-scene docuTo make the Point festival (pointmusicfest.com) mentary by Bill Perrine that screened earlier this even more music-friendly, it’s also hosting live per- month at The Victory Theatre. formances by bands like The Palominos and James “I remember some of those bands” in It’s Gonna Reams and the Barnstormers. Bowman says that Blow!, Bowman says. “It wasn’t a scene I was into, so having live music is a way of offering more diversity it really opened my eyes.” in the festival’s programming.

—Jeff Terich “Not every film that’s showing might be everyone’s

Music review

sound, reinforced with some live-band arrangements.

There’s a touch of Portishead in the moody cin10 19 The Numberman ematics of “Popular Opposites,” as 10 19 gets lost The Natalie Rose EP (Fam Royal / GMG) “wading through all the anger that I have.” It begins the EP with a touch of darkness and introspection, Cassette culture has reemerged in recent years as a setting a cool, intriguing tone that’s comfortable, kind of niche, cottage industry among independent, if just a little unsettling. With “Farmer’s Heart,” DIY artists. A lot of the credit goes to labels like however, things get a lot weirder, with fuzzy guiBurger, which has helped reinvigorate cassettes’ im- tars squealing beneath The Numberman’s surreal narration, clouded in distortion age through the release of high(“The clouds I’m on—a cumulus, profile tapes from King Tuff and breathing loud I’m new to this”).

The Black Angels, as well as an No disrespect to Chance the active noise-music tape culture.

Rapper, but this is some serious Hip-hop, however, has a long acid rap. and fabled history with cassettes, The best song of the bunch reaching mythic proportions in is “H.D.,” which finds a powerthe early ’90s when Wu-Tang ful middle ground between the Clan supposedly sold an impresstyles 10 19 explores on the EP’s sive number of copies of their first two tracks. It’s funky, but acfirst demo tape through word-ofcessibly off-kilter. And it’s eerie, mouth. But after a long period of but it bumps. And by the time fihip-hop mixtapes being “tapes” in nal track “Untitled” queues up, it name only, underground hip-hop becomes clear that the only glarcassettes are back in distribution, 10 19 The Numberman ing setback on The Natalie Rose like 10 19 The Numberman’s imEP is that there’s just not enough of it. Of course, the pressive new four-track The Natalie Rose EP. Half of hip-hop duo Parker and the Number- best thing about playing it in your car’s tape deck (if man, 10 19 carves out an interesting path on this you’re lucky enough to still have one), is that once it brief but compelling release. Reportedly inspired by ends, it flips right back over to the beginning.

Kanye West’s experimental production flourishes on —Jeff Terich last year’s Yeezus, The Numberman doesn’t so much employ dancehall sirens and Nina Simone samples Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com as pursue a more atmospheric, almost trip-hop-like or editor@sdcitybeat.com.

84 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 85

if i were u

BY Jeff Terich

Wednesday, Oct. 22

Saturday, Oct. 25

PLAN A: Tinariwen, Insects vs. Robots @ Belly Up Tavern. Tinariwen is a band that formed from a group of exiled Touareg musicians from Mali, but they’ve since made a name for themselves for their unique and eclectic mixture of Touareg music, American blues and rock. It’s incredible stuff, and it was probably a long plane ride to get here, so make sure to check them out. PLAN B: Sinkane, Helado Negro @ The Casbah.

Ahmed Gallab, aka Sinkane, has played as a touring member of Yeasayer and Of Montreal, but his solo work is even more interesting, blending indie pop, dub and disco into a diverse and intriguing dance party. BACKUP PLAN: Allo Darlin’, Ghost Comeback @ Soda Bar.

PLAN A-1: Daryl Hall and John Oates @ Open Air Theatre. Here we have a night with two Plan A picks. But there’s a good reason for that, the first being smooth and soulful pop duo Hall and Oates (see Page 82), who—based on my set-list research— are absolutely going to play the hits. And they have so many! PLAN A-2: Big Ups, LVL UP, The Cardielles @ The Hideout. This other Plan A is a band with less name recognition, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know them. The New York group channels the intensity of The Descendents and pairs it with Fugazi’s post-hardcore grooves, and it’s pretty much awesome. PLAN B: Jenny Lewis, The Living Sisters @ House of Blues. Jenny Lewis spent a good five years without releasing any new music, but her new album, The Voyager, is one of my favorites this year. She channels classic Fleetwood Mac while maintaining a modern touch that’s just irresistible.

Thursday, Oct. 23

Au t

PLAN A: White Mystery, The Lumps, Kids in Heat @ Til-Two Club. It’s generally accepted that you don’t need more than two people to kick up a pretty furious garage-rock dust storm, and Chicago’s White Mystery do just fine for two Sunday, Oct. 26 people. In fact, if they added PLAN A: The Spits, Timany more musicians, the whole my’s Organism, The Stalins thing just might spiral comof Sound @ Soda Bar. Kapletely out of control. PLAN lamazoo’s The Spits have been B: Wildcat! Wildcat!, White around since the mid-’90s, but Hinterland @ The Casbah.

Jenny Lewis their giddy and raw style of I’m generally a little skeptical of any band that uses two exclamation punk rock harks back to the sounds of the points in their name (exception: !!!), but I’ll late ’70s and early ’80s. If you like your punk let Wildcat! Wildcat! slide on this one, since rock messy, tuneful and loaded with snotty I find their dreamy synth-pop both catchy humor, they’re the band for you. BACKUP and charming. BACKUP PLAN: Daedelus, PLAN: Asgeir, Low Roar @ The Irenic.

Penthouse Penthouse, Tiger Milk Imports, Uhuru Peak at Soda Bar. umn

il d e de W

Monday, Oct. 27

Friday, Oct. 24 PLAN A: Carcass, Exhumed, Dia De Los Muertos, Sangre @ Brick by Brick. It’s not often that you get a chance to see some genuine U.K. death-metal legends wreak some destruction in our humble town. Their newest album, Surgical Steel, proves they’re still able to pull off an impressive mix of melody and brutality, and I highly encourage you witness the mayhem. PLAN B: Christian Bland and the Revelators, Burnt Ones, Emerald Rats @ The Hideout. Austin-based musician Christian Bland is the frontman for heavy psychedelic rockers The Black Angels, but with The Revelators, he’s got a slightly more laid-back sound. Instead of freaking out with distortion and volume, he goes for more of a sunny, earthy kind of psychedelic. Don’t worry, there are still vibes aplenty. BACKUP PLAN: Koffin Kats, The Strikers, Hard Fall Hearts, Radio Threat @ Soda Bar.

86 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

PLAN A: Guantanamo Baywatch, Pookie and the Poodlez, Buddy Banter @ The Hideout. I’m recommending Guantanamo Baywatch primarily because of their unbeatably punny name. It just so happens that their fuzzy surf-rock style also hits the spot.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 PLAN A: La Femme, Sego, Les Cardielles @ Soda Bar. Here’s a fun one: Paris’ La Femme crafts a weirdo new-wave sound that falls somewhere between the lo-fi machinepunk of Big Black and the haunting minimalism of coldwave. It’s fun, it’s eerie and it’s all in French. Tres bien! PLAN B: Tycho, Com Truise @ North Park Theatre. I’d be remiss not to mention Tycho, a musician and graphic designer whose work in any medium is uniformly stylish and melancholy. Bliss out before the Halloween creeps begin.

October 22, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 87

88 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

HOT! NEW! FRESH! Lord Dying (Brick By Brick, 11/18), X (Casbah, 12/11), Fenix TX (Soda Bar, 12/13), The Greyboy Allstars (BUT, 12/27), Pato Banton (BUT, 1/2), Jucifer (Brick by Brick, 1/10), Midge Ure (Casbah, 1/13), Tower of Power (BUT, 1/17), Guster (HOB, 1/21), Kenny Wayne Shepherd (BUT, 2/5), Cursive (Casbah, 2/22), Super Diamond (BUT, 3/6-7), Tommy Castro and the Painkillers (BUT, 3/14).

GET YER TICKETS Tinariwen (BUT, 10/21), Carcass (Brick

by Brick, 10/24), Daryl Hall and John Oates (Open Air Theatre, 10/25), Warpaint (North Park Theatre, 10/25), Jenny Lewis (HOB, 10/25), Phish (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 10/25), Ab-Soul (SOMA, 10/26), Iceage (Casbah, 11/3), Rhye (North Park Theatre, 11/6), Eyehategod, Today is the Day (Soda Bar, 11/7), Hot Water Music (Irenic, 11/12), Death From Above 1979 (HOB, 11/12), Blonde Redhead (HOB, 11/15), Tegan and Sara (North Park Theater, 11/15), The Misfits (HOB, 11/16), The White Buffalo (BUT, 11/21), Love Revisited (Casbah, 11/22),The Ready Set, Metro Station (HOB, 11/22), Chris Robinson Brotherhood (BUT, 11/25-26), Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Viejas Arena, 11/28), Cake (BUT, 11/30), OFF! (Epicentre, 11/30), John Waters (North Park Theatre, 12/1), Jonathan Richman (Casbah, 12/2), Chris Isaak (BUT, 12/3), Pallbearer (Soda Bar, 12/6), Ryan Adams (Copley Symphony Hall, 12/15), Dick Dale (BUT, 12/21), The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Justin Higuchi

(HOB, 12/21), Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven (BUT, 12/30), Donavon Frankenreiter (BUT, 12/31), The Wailers (BUT, 1/27), Buddy Guy (Balboa Theatre, 4/11).

October

Monday, Oct. 27 Leon Russell at Belly Up Tavern.

Wednesday, Oct. 15 Wayne Hancock at Soda Bar.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 J.D. McPherson at Belly Up Tavern.

Thursday, Oct. 16 Turquoise Jeep at The Irenic. Washed Out at North Park Theatre. The Colourist at The Loft at UCSD. The Body at Che Café. Fujiya and Miyagi at Soda Bar.

Friday, Oct. 17 Yellowcard at North Park Theatre. The Story So Far at Epicentre. Rubblebucket at Casbah. Perfume Genius at Soda Bar. Watsky at Porter’s Pub.

Saturday, Oct. 18 Rubblebucket at Casbah. Writer at Soda Bar. D.R.I. at Brick by Brick. The New Pornographers at Belly Up Tavern.

Sunday, Oct. 19 Neon Hitch at Porter’s Pub. Metronomy at Belly Up Tavern. Federico Aubele at Soda Bar.

Monday, Oct. 20 PUP at The Casbah. Jerrod Niemann at House of Blues. Asia at Belly Up Tavern.

Obliterations at Soda Bar.

Tuesday, Oct. 21 Grieves at Porter’s Pub. Tinariwen at

Smith Neu Jazz Trio.

Sunday, Oct. 26 The Spits at Soda Bar. Tennis at The Casbah. Bonobo at House of Blues.

Matisyahu at Belly Up Tavern. Ab-Soul at SOMA. Asgeir at The Irenic.

Charli XCX Belly Up Tavern. Charli XCX at House of Blues.

Wednesday, Oct. 22 Bear Hands at The Casbah. Erasure at Humphreys by the Bay (sold out). Suicide Silence, The Black Dahlia Murder at House of Blues. Allo Darlin’ at Soda Bar.

Thursday, Oct. 23 Dale Earnhart Jr Jr at Belly Up Tavern.

White Mystery at Til-Two Club. Daedelus at Soda Bar.

Friday, Oct. 24 Carcass at Brick by Brick. Alt-J at SOMA. Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe at North Park Theater. The Afghan Whigs at Belly Up Tavern.

Saturday, Oct. 25 Big Ups at The Hideout. Daryl Hall and John Oates at Open Air Theatre. Jenny Lewis at House of Blues. Phish at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Big Freedia at The Casbah. Warpaint at North Park Theatre.

Wednesday, Oct. 29 Rachael Yamagata at House of Blues.

Grizfolk at The Loft at UCSD.

Thursday, Oct. 30 Bernhoft at Belly Up Tavern. The Rural Alberta Advantage at Soda Bar. New Politics at House of Blues. Rick Elliot and the Secondhand Smoke Band at Belly Up Tavern.

Friday, Oct. 31 The Creepy Creeps at The Casbah. Cut Copy at North Park Theater (sold out).

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach. 710bc.com. Wed: Open mic, open jam. Thu: Live band karaoke. Fri: Pat Hilton (5 p.m.); Splitfinger (9 p.m.). Sat: Roots Covenant, Revival. Sun: Karaoke.

Tue: ‘Haus Party’ w/ Donald Glaude.

98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd. Ste. 110, Little Italy. 98bottlessd.com. Thu: David and Devine, 22 Kings. Fri: Whitney Shay.

Sat: Lorraine Castellanos. Sun: The Matt

Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St, Normal Heights. airconditionedbar.com.

Wed: DJ Josh Taylor. Thu: DJ Paul Najera. Fri: DJ Junior the DiscoPunk. Sat: DJ Mike Czech. Sun: DJs John Reynolds, Karma, Tripsy.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave, Downtown. americancomedyco.com. Wed: Cy Amundson. Thu-Sun: Bruce Bruce.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St, Downtown. facebook.com/BangBangSanDiego. Fri: Monkey Safari, Klatch. Sat: Slaptop.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St, North Park. barpink.com. Wed: DJ L. Thu: Killola, The Maybe Somedays. Fri: ‘Bonkers!

Dance Party’. Sun: Rat Sabbath. Mon: Tori Roze and the Hot Mess. Tue: ‘Tiki Tuesday’ w/ Old Man Johnson.

Bassmnt, 919 Fourth Ave, Downtown. bassmntsd.com. Thu: Stellar. Fri: Jewelz and Sparks. Sat: Bassjackers and Dyro.

Beaumont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla. brocktonvilla.com/beaumonts.html.

Thu: Adam Block Duo. Fri: Camino Paz. Sat: Jewel Street Rhythm Authority. Sun: Todd Pyke.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. bellyup.com. Wed: Tinariwen, Insects vs Robots. Thu: Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr, Miniature Tigers, Madi Diaz.

Fri: The Afghan Whigs, Joseph Arthur.

Sat: Dead Man’s Party, Okapi Sun. Sun: Matisyahu, Radical Something (sold out).

Mon: Leon Russell, AJ Croce. Tue: JD Macpherson, Cactus Blossoms.

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave, Carlsbad. boarcrossn.net. Thu: Rachel Aldous and the Road Home. Fri: ‘Club Musae’. Sat:

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City Reef.

Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd, University Heights. bourbonstreetsd.com. Wed: VJ K Swift. Thu: ‘Wet’. Sun: ‘Soiree’. Tue: Karaoke.

Brass Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave, Hillcrest. thebrassrailsd.com. Fri: ‘Hip Hop Fridayz’.

Sat: DJs XP, KA. Sun: Daisy Salinas, DJ Sebastian La Madrid. Mon: DJs Junior the Disco Punk, XP. Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave, Bay Park. brickbybrick.com. Thu: Deedub, Pioneer, BARE, Penelope Dyan. Fri: Carcass, Exhumed, Dia De Los Muertos, Sangre. Sat: Authentic Sellout, Processor, Playfight, Reef Bound Sol. Tue: Voodoo Glow Skulls, Guttermouth, Against the Grain, The New Addiction.

Cafe Sevilla, 353 Fifth Ave, Downtown. cafesevilla.com. Thu: Malamana. Fri: Joeff and Co. Sat-Sun: Oscar Aragon.

Comedy Palace, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Clairemont. thecomedypalace.com.

Fri: Patrick DeGuire.

Comedy Store, 916 Pearl St, La Jolla. lajolla.thecomedystore.com. Fri: Sam Tripoli.

Croce’s Park West, 2760 Fifth Ave., #100, Bankers Hill. crocesparkwest.com.

Thu: Ian Tordella Quartet. Fri: Christopher Hollyday Quartet. Sat: Eve Selis, Hart and Twang. Sun: Besos de Coco.

Mon: Ruby Duo. Dirk’s Nightclub, 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove. dirksniteclub.com. Fri: Granite Hill. Sat: DJ Dizzy D. Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay. dizzyssandiego.com. Thu: Joanna Borromeo. Fri: Charlie Chavez. Sat: Brett Sanders.

90 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Epicentre, 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd, Mira Mesa. epicentreconcerts.org. Fri: Outline in Color, Smarter Than Robots. Sat: Chin Chin Optometrist, Fight My Tractor.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave, Downtown. fluxxsd.com. Thu: ‘IDGAF’ w/ Will Sparks. Fri: Gareth Emery. Sat: Sid Vicious.

Gallagher’s, 5040 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach. 619-222-5303. Thu: Hazmat, DJ Reefah. Fri: Crucial Blend, DJ Sammie B. Sat: Concrete Project, DJ Chelu.

Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave, Downtown. hardrockhotelsd.com. Fri: DJ Fingaz. Sat: Royal Teeth. Sun: Sid Vicious, DJ Kurch.

Henry’s Pub, 618 Fifth Ave, Downtown. henryspub.com. Wed: Johnny Tarr, DJ Christopher London. Thu: Mark Fisher, DJ Yodah. Fri: ‘Good Times’. Sat: DJs E, Yodah. Mon: ‘Kinetic Soul’. Tue: Big City Dawgs.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave, Downtown. houseofblues.com/sandiego. Wed: Suicide Silence, The Black Dahlia Murder.

Thu: The Janoskians, Eric Dash, Blush.

Sat: Jenny Lweis, The Living Sisters.

Sun: State Champs, Handguns, Forever Came Calling, Front Porch Step, Heart to Heart, Brigades. Mon: Jarabe De Palo, Todo Mundo.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. kavalounge.com. Fri: ‘Friday the 2IV Monster Bash’. Sat: ‘Boogie’. Sun: Konrank. Mon: ‘Roots Reggae Jah Jah’.

Tue: ‘High Tech Tuesday’.

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave, Kensington. 619-284-2848. Fri: Oddball, Dead on the Wire, The Seks.

Legends Comedy Club, 9200 Inwood Dr, Santee. legendscomedyclub.com. Fri & Sat: Felicia Michaels.

Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave, Coronado. mcpspub.com. Wed: Harmony Road. Thu: Ron’s Trio. Fri: Ron’s Garage. Sat: In Midlife Crisis. Tue: Glen Smith.

Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd, Hillcrest. numberssd.com/. Thu: ‘Throwback Thursday’.

Fri: ‘Uncut’. Sat: ‘Club Sabbat’. Sun: ‘Joe’s Gamenite’. Tue: ‘Karaoke Latino’.

Onyx Room / Thin, 852 Fifth Ave, Downtown. onyxroom.com. Fri: ‘CarnEvil Masquerade’. Sat: ‘Play Saturday’.

Patricks Gaslamp, 428 F St, Downtown. patricksii.com. Wed: The Rayford Brothers.

Thu: The Fuzzy Rankins Band. Fri: Trey Unplugged, Johnny Vernazza. Sat: Mystique Element of Soul. Mon: The Groove Squad. Tue: Walter’s Chicken Jam. Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave, La Mesa. rivierasupperclub.com.

Thu: True Stories. Fri: Johnny Deadly Trio. Sat: Javier Escovedo.

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave, North Park. sevengrandbars.com/sd. Wed: The Midnight Pine with Gilbert Castellanos.

Fri: Bones. Sat: Jimmy Ruelas. Mon: ‘Makossa Monday’ w/ DJ Tah Rei. Side Bar, 536 Market St, Downtown. sidebarsd.com. Wed: DJ Dynamiq. Thu: Jay Valdez. Fri: DJ Kurch. Sat: DJ Bamboozle.

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. sodabarmusic.com. Wed: Allo Darlin, Ghost Come Back. Thu: Daedelus, Penthouse Penthouse, Tiger Milk Imports, Uhuru Peak. Fri: Koffin Kats, The Strikers, Hard Fall Hearts, Radio Threat.

Sat: Griffin House, Lee Coulter. Sun: The Spits, Timmy’s Organism, The Stalins of

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Sound. Mon: Counterpunch, Castoff, Halo Slipping, Strike Twelve. Tue: La Femme, Sego, Les Cardielles.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd, Midway. somasandiego.com. Wed: Beartooth, Vanna, Sirens and Sailors, Sylar, Alive Like Me. Thu: One OK Rock, Ghost Town.

Fri: Alt-J, Lovelife. Sat: Whitechapel, Upon A Burning Body, Glass Cloud, Hannibal. Sun: Ab-Soul.

Somewhere Loud, 3489 Noell St, Midtown. somewhereloud.com. Fri: ‘Deep Underground’.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St, Midtown. spinnightclub.com. Fri: DJ Icey.

Stage Bar & Grill, 762 Fifth Ave, Downtown. stagesaloon.com. Thu: Superbad.

Fri: Disco Pimps, DJ Slynkee. Sat: Hott Mess, DJ Miss Dust. Mon: Karaoke.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., San Diego, Normal Heights. sycamoreden.com.

Thu: Jesse Lamonaca and the Dime Novels, Michael McGraw. Fri: Matthew Stratchota with Trailduster, The Heartbeat Trail.

The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Rd, Spring Valley. 619-469-2337. Thu: Vanguard, Abiotix. Fri: Deadbolt, 13 Wolves, Hobo Torch. Sat: Reptoid, Cinder Cone, California Bleeding, Tactical Ffever.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. casbahmusic.com. Wed: Sinkane, Helado Negro. Thu: Wildcat! Wildcat!, White Hinterland. Fri: Melvins, Les Butcherettes, Death Eyes. Sat: Vacationer, Brick Mortar, Monster Rally. Sun: Tennis, Pure Bathing Culture (sold out). Mon: The Preatures, Hills Like Elephants. Tue: Freeman (Gene Ween), Arc Iris.

The Che Cafe, UCSD campus, La Jolla. thechecafe.blogspot.com. Wed: Q Ortiz, Pano Rama, Cassandra Saldivar, Charles

92 · San Diego CityBeat · October 22, 2014

Fullwood, Cosmic Tourist, Serena Ellsheva Elchanan. Thu: Man vs Man, Fantasy Arcade, Trash Axis, Debt Ritual. Sat: ‘Hardcore Halloween Show’.

The Hideout, 3519 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. thehideoutsd.com. Wed: ‘Bitch, Please’. Fri: Christian Bland and the Revelators, Burnt Ones, Emerald Rats. Sat: Big Ups, LVL UP, The Cardielles. Mon: Guantanamo Baywatch, Pookie and the Poodlez, Buddy Banter.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave, Hillcrest. theMerrow.com. Wed: David John Carnell Band, Karina Toriz. Thu: Truth and Salvage Co., Hit Dog Hollar. Fri: The Protomen, Urizen, Blood Dancer. Sat: One I Red, Cobra-Las, The Beta Collected. Tue: Gunner Gunner, Sensory Station, Weight of the Sun. The Office, 3936 30th St, North Park. officebarinc.com. Wed: ‘Dub Dynamite’ w/ DJs Rashi, Eddie Turbo. Thu: DJ Myson King. Fri: DJs Adam Salter, Kid Wonder.

Sat: DJs Kanye Asada, Gabe Vega. Sun: ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ w/ Tribe of Kings.

Mon: ‘Tom Petty Under Cover’. Tue: ‘Trapped in the Office’ w/ DJ Ramsey.

The Tin Roof, 401 G Street, Gaslamp. tinroofbars.com/Home/SanDiego. Wed: Rock Out Karaoke. Thu: Southern Caliber. Fri: Freeze Frame, Joe Cardillo. Sat: The Bootleggers, Sam Hosking, Julia Lucius. Sun: The Amalgamated, Mochilero All Stars. Mon: The Kracker Jax. Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. tiltwoclub.com. Thu: White Mystery, The Lumps, Kids in Heat. Fri: Sonido de la Frontera, Solark, DJ Unite, Me Henshaw. Sat: ‘Sleepwalking’. Sun: Open mic comedy. Mon: Karaoke.

Tin Can Ale House, 1863 Fifth Ave, Bankers Hill. thetincan1.wordpress.com.

Fri: Latex Grenade. Sat: Beta Lions, Mariel, Voveri. Mon: ‘Tin Can Country Club’.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St, Bay Park. tioleos.com. Thu: Blue Largo. Fri: Bump N Brass. Sat: The Hollywood Stones. Tue: Sue Palmer Quartet.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave, City Heights. thetowerbar.com. Wed: DJs Mikey Ratt, Tiki Thomas. Thu: DJs Diana Death, Heather Hardcore, Francis Marie.

Fri: The Department of Descriptive Services, MC Tracheotomy, Carisa Bianca Mellado, Nekrotizer. Sat: Still Ill. Sun: Heartsounds, Anchors, Caskitt, New Colonies. Tue: Horror Vacui, Vivid Sekt.

Turquoise, 873 Turquoise St, Pacific Beach. theturquoise.com/wordpress.

Wed: Tomcat Courtney (7 p.m.). Thu: The Jade Visions Jazz Trio (7 p.m.). FriAfro Jazziacs (9 p.m.). Sat: Tomcat Courtney (7 p.m.); Son Pa Ti (9 p.m.). Sun: Sounds Like Four (4 p.m.); Middle Earth (7 p.m.).

Mon: Locked Out of Eden (7 p.m.). Tue: The Trio (4 p.m.); Grupo Global (7 p.m.).

Ux31, 3112 University Ave, North Park. u31bar.com. Wed: Splavender. Fri: Saul Q. Sat: DJ Junior the Disco Punk. Sun: Maitland Roots Sound System. Mon: Von Kiss.

West Coast Tavern, 2895 University Ave, North Park. westcoatstavern.com. Wed: DJ Decon. Thu: DJ Slowhand. Fri: Billy the Kid. Sat: J Louis. Tue: DJ Clean Cut. Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St, South Park. whistlestopbar.com. Thu: Kalashnikov.

Sat: Happy hour w/ DJ Claire (5 p.m.), ‘Booty Bassment’. Tue: ‘Videodrome’.

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St, Ocean Beach. winstonsob.com. Wed: Shoreline Rootz, DJ Carlos Culture. Thu: Atlantis Rizing.

Fri: The Electric Waste Band. Sat: Monophonics, Sure Fire Soul Ensemble. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Electric Waste Band.

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