Pacific San Diego Magazine, September 2010 Issue

Automotion What moves you FOX 5 San Diego’s Morning Traffic Anchor Chrissy Russo PB, DUIs and the ABC Chic, Ultra-Mini Mobile Homes Bike Builder Brian Bayliss Tailgating Tips from Local Chefs An Interstate Blind Date

www.pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

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M

y wife and I jumped in the car last weekend for a quick road-trip to LA. We were just going for a night, so she packed light—three suitcases and a hanging clothes bag.

We were headed to a charity event at the Playboy Mansion that evening, and our late departure meant we might miss the daytime poolside soiree. That would have been fine with me, but Simone had just bought a new bikini at Gone Bananas.

As we merged onto the 5 North from Old Town, the fuel gauge said we had 23 miles to go. I joked that we might run out of gas, but Simone, who knows I’ve had to call AAA for an emergency roadside refill (twice), wasn’t laughing. The bikini was $75—and for all I know, that was just for half of it.

“I’ll get off in Del Mar, somewhere,” I said, knowing I might try to push it to Carlsbad.

When we got close to Mt. Soledad, I looked up at the cross—still there. Wasn’t someone fighting to have that removed? A little further into La Jolla, I noticed that the scaffolds have been removed from the Mormon church. What did they just do to that building?

“Honey, you’re going to run out of gas.”

I knew I could make it a few more exits but agreed “not to be an ass,” as was requested of me, and got off at Manchester to fill up at the 76 station near Cardiff. Inside, I was eyeing a jumbo bag of Funyons for the road, but was convinced to go with gum, water and a banana instead.

“Don’t you want to look skinny at the pool?”

How could I argue with that?

Back on the road again, we made good time through Orange County, then slowed to a crawl as we approached downtown LA. Simone had entered the destination address into the navigation app on my phone, so we were following virtual-voice directions when we finally exited the freeway.

“In 400 feet, turn right onto Spring Street, and you will arrive at your destination,” the phone said. Sweet! We made it. Wait, did we?

No, we didn’t. Simone had entered the address incorrectly—right address, just in the wrong field—so, we were in East LA, at least one bumper-to-bumper freeway ride away from our actual destination by the coast. I pulled over and looked at Simone, her pink bikini matching her manicure matching her toes, the whole nine. Tears were welling up in her eyes.

“At least we didn’t run out of gas,” I said, thinking about how perfect a few Funyons would be.

Well, we missed most of the pool party but

got to the hotel early enough to have a glass of champagne with our feet in the water. Threeand-a-half hours after leaving San Diego, we had finally made it.

The event that night was the seventh annual Partying for a Purpose Playboy Mansion Party in support of the It’s All About the Kids Foundation, among other charities. There were live music and DJs; abundant gourmet food and an open bar; and more sexy, topless acrobatic pole-dancers than you could shake a thong at.

(Of course, I was just there for the kids.)

Even Hef himself made an appearance.

When he came out of the mansion, flanked by buxom blondes and Secret Service-looking guys with ear-pieces, you’d think the President had arrived (Clinton more so than Bush or Obama).

They say the camera adds 10 pounds, but I’ll tell you what, it doesn’t add years. Hef really looks that old, even older in person. But despite his ripeness, he was laughing with friends, smiling at strangers and being an all-around gracious host.

Last year’s event raised $60,000. Hats, actually, make that “tops” off of to Angela Brannon (partyingforapurpose.com) and her team for making this night absolutely fabulous and completely unforgettable—except for the parts that are a little hazy.

The next morning, Simone and I packed up and hit the road. It was smooth sailing all the way south past Via de la Valle, then it slowed a bit around Torrey Pines.

As we rounded the bend, I looked up at the freshly unencumbered Mormon church and had a eureka moment. As the light sparkled off the golden Angel Moroni (I Googled it) perched atop the building against a backdrop of clear blue skies, I realized, once again, how much I love this town. Even when we have traffic, it doesn’t take too long to break on through. And, sure, people lose their ability to drive when the freeway gets wet, but it almost never rains here.

The point is, it’s always a perfect day for a drive in San Diego. And if you have a hankering for a road-trip, then jump in your car and get going—before it’s too late.

I mean, seriously, you know the world is coming to an end, right? Why else would they have spent all that money just to polish a tabernacle? Just so it looks good from the 5?

God only knows…

Happy motoring.

David Perloff, Publisher

editor’s note

{staff}

Yeah, I like it fast.

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

ISSUE 09

SEPTEMBER 2010

PUBLISHERS David Perloff Simone Perloff EDITOR Seth Combs CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kenny Boyer CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brandon Hernández CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dave Good Chantal Gordon Scott McDonald Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph Lorena Nava Ruggero Frank Sabatini, Jr. Jamie Wolfcale PHOTOGRAPHERS Brevin Blach, brevinblach.com Jeff “Turbo” Corrigan, turbo.fm Stacy Marie Keck, stacymariesd.com Kenny Sanchez, kennysanchez.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Logan Broyles INTERN Sara Cunningham ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Cambria Dotterer Jason Gregory

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

12

pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

A

nyone who has ever spent a significant amount of time with me knows I’m pretty high-strung. I’m antsy, insatiable and have a perpetual, nervous leg twitch that has nothing to do with, uh, pharmaceuticals.

I’m coarse, caustic and highly critical, and I raise my voice a lot even when I’m not particularly agitated. Or, as my dad used to say, “rude, crude and socially unacceptable.” It’s probably why I’ve been single for so long. It’s certainly not my looks (kidding, kind of).

Nowhere is this crazed beast more evident than in the car. If I have a Jeckyl and Hyde complex, then my personal monster lives in my Honda, and the transformative drink is the cans of Red Bull that live in my cup holder. I yell, I scream, I tailgate, I play my music loud, I give dirty looks and gestures, and I almost certainly drive faster than you do. I call it “offensive driving.”

Don’t hold it against me. I grew up in a place where people drive differently than the perpetual, mellow coasting that would best describe the drivers in San Diego.

Not to mention the fact that when I was 15, I lived briefly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and had to operate a car (albeit illegally) where people drive like they’re all trying out for NASCAR. If you’re not driving fast, then get out of the way, because I’m coming.

Yeah, I like it fast. I wanted to apply that same attitude to PacificSD’s “Automotion” issue.

Fast, furious and fueled with people, places and things that are coming up in your rearview. One of the first people that came to mind was superstar photographer Kenny Sanchez. I was blown away when I first saw his automotive-themed photos in an issue of PacificSD a couple years ago, and he did not let me down this time around (see Page 34 to see what I’m talking about).

There’s the La Mesa bike frame builder that has become a legend to anyone on two wheels (Page 26) and the Pilates instructor that has created a regimen that will keep San Diego athletes on the field (Page 30). Speaking of the field, if you’re headed to Qualcomm this season, we have your tailgate tastes covered courtesy of three all-star chefs (Page 48). Then there are the two Barrio Logan craftsmen that busted out a stylish mobile home that is more art than trailer park (Page 32). We’ve got a news piece on the DUI problem in Pacific Beach (Page 42) as well as an editorial from a former valet who has no problem telling you what your car really says about you (Page 40).

However you slice it, this issue is packed with motion and we’re glad you’re along for the ride. So buckle up, because PacificSD is about to floor it.

“Nowhere is this crazed beast more evident than in the car.

If I have a Jeckyl and Hyde complex, then my personal monster lives in my Honda, and the transformative drink is the cans of Red Bull that live in my cup holder.”

Seth Combs, Editor

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1200 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach tavernatthebeach.com Join us week one and enter to win an Apple iPad on the house

1261 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach brewleyspint.com Catch your favorite futbol or football games over a proper pint

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{contents} pacific

F e a t u r e s 34 Full Throttle

Life in the fast lane in Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest City 40 Auto Motives

A valet-turned-automotive-blogger reveals what

your car really says about you 42 Driven to Drink

DUIs, CUPs and the ABC

14

pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

On the cover: FOX 5 San Diegoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s morning traffic and weather anchor Chrissy Russo was shot downtown by Kenny Sanchez (kennysanchez.com.) See full story Page 34.

THIS PAGE: Todd Ichinaga (left) and his business partners, Rich Morris (middle) and Matthew Gorton, own and operate the deliciously mobile Tabe BBQ. Photo by Kenny Sanchez. See full story Page 34.

{contents}

“Spectrum” by Gail Roberts (see story Page 24)

D E P ART M E N TS CURRENTS 19 First Things

San Diego Film Festival; a

Charlie Chaplin musical debuts

in La Jolla 24

Eyes on the Prize San Diego painter Gail Roberts transforms the ordinary into extraordinary

26 Frame and Fortune

If Brian Baylis builds it, bike

enthusiasts will come 28 Drive Time

OMG, I’m texting instead of

using my turn signals 16

pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

Joint Effort A La Jolla Pilates instructor unveils a new approach to injury prevention

48

Out of the Game All-star chefs share recipes to help you score at tailgate parties

HOME 32 Blazing a Trailer

Two local artisans breathe new

life into the concept of mobile

homes

50

Creating a Stir San Diego’s cocktail movement reaches a plateau at Craft & Commerce

30

TASTE 46 Northern Bites

As even more restaurants open,

North Park continues to be a

dining destination to watch

GROOVE 52 Son of a Preacher Man

Meet a local rocker who’s out

of the church and behind the bar 54 Bill Kills

A former San Diego DJ

returns home bigger than ever

BLIND DATE 56 On the Road Again

The blind date hits the

interstate

CALENDAR 62 NINE.TEN

September event listings THINK 66 Blue Light Special

It’s time to pull over

turn it the eff up!

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first things

coolture

chainsaw

body

home

currents

Seeing Stars

THE SAN DIEGO FILM FESTIVAL TRANSFORMS SAN DIEGO INTO THE REEL WORLD

BY SETH COMBS and LOGAN BROYLES

W

San Diego Film Festival September 29 through October 3, at multiple venues in the Gaslamp sdff.org

(continued on following page)

pacificsandiego.com

19

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OVERTONE PHOTO

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: James Van Der Beek shows off his Best Actor award at last year’s SDFF; Jennifer Tilly won Best Actress at the 2007 SDFF; the after-parties bring out stars and film-buffs alike; Richard Dreyfuss and SDFF co-founder Robin Laatz-Kozak walk the red carpet

hen Robin Laatz-Kozak moved to San Diego in 2000, she had no idea what she was going to do next.

“I didn’t have a job,” she says. “All I knew how to do was plan events, and the only contacts my husband had were in the film industry, so I thought it was only natural.”

What came naturally to Laatz-Kozak (with help from her filmmaker hubby), was the San Diego Film Fesitval (SDFF). Ten years and nine film fests later, her efforts have helped to establish the SDFF as one of the nation’s most respected events among movie buffs. The festival has premiered blockbuster and prize-winning films like Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite and Hustle & Flow (see the following page for three of this year’s highlights), while also attracting Hollywood heavyweights like Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Dreyfuss, James Woods and Zach Braff.

MovieMaker magazine recently declared SDFF the “Best Regional Film Fest,” put it among the “Top 25 Fests Worth Your Entry Fee” and placed it in the “Best Festival” category. SDFF has also garnered a reputation (one that Laatz-Kozak, as a former party planner, is proud of) for throwing the best afterparties. The industry’s authoritative guidebook, The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, placed SDFF in the top 10 of the “Best Party Fest” category.

This year’s soireés include the Se Hotel rooftop for opening night, the W Hotel for Friday night and a closing party at downtown’s Wine Steals on Sunday.

Even with all the glitz, Laatz-Kozak maintains that anyone with a passion for movies is welcome to attend. Prices range from $12 for individual film screenings to $135 for a pass that grants access to all films and after-parties.

“The most important thing about our festival is that it’s very accessible,” says Laatz-Kozak. “That’s the way we’ve kept it since day one.”

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first things

(continued from Page 19)

Best known for his roles on TV shows like Felicity and Head Case, Rob Benedict stars alongside Jenna Fischer and Chris O’Donnell in A Little Help, which premieres in San Diego during the SDFF. Here, Benedict dishes to PacificSD on everything from kissing Fischer to his mad video-game skills.

PacificSD: How is acting for a feature film different from acting on TV? Benedict: You can’t get away with as much in a movie.

That is to say, with your face up on the big screen, the camera catches everything.

Especially with a movie like this, you have to keep it real.

What was it like to work with Chris O’Donnell and Jenna Fischer?

Benedict: They are both terrific actors who give 100 percent to the performance. It was great.

There’s a love triangle involving you and Jenna Fischer in the movie. Any steamy scenes?

Benedict: Yes.

Rate Jenna as a kisser on a scale from one to 10.

Benedict: I don’t kiss and tell.

You have some of the most recognizable eyes in the biz. What’s your second best physical quality?

Benedict: I’ve got great videogaming thumbs. I mean, really, I’m a natural.

PacificSD: What are your favorite places in San Diego?

Benedict: A friend of mine studied at the Old Globe, so I’ve spent a lot of time in that area. There are some great restaurants nearby, and the experience of seeing a show there is truly spectacular.

The San Diego Film Festival is screening more than 75 movies and documentaries. Here are three that we think are especially worth grabbing a seat for.

Waiting for Superman Director: David Guggenheim Why you should see it: From the producer of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, this documentary tackles the issue of the United States’ education system, offering a searing critique of our schools by following the struggles of three families.

Butthurt Director: Vinnie Jones Stars: Don Cheadle, Ben Affleck Why you should see it: As if the title and seeing Vinnie Jones’ directorial debut weren’t enough (you may remember Jones as the crazed Brit in Snatch), the film’s stars play extras in the gay porn industry. Uh…don’t bring the kids.

Norman Director: Jonathan Segal Stars: Richard Jenkins, Adam Goldberg Why you should see it: For Norman Long, lying about having cancer seems like an easy way to keep everyone at arm’s length as he deals with his mother’s death and his father’s terminal illness. Leading actor Richard Jenkins was recently nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.

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first things

Light It Up DESTINED FOR BROADWAY, A CHARLIE CHAPLIN MUSICAL DEBUTS IN LA JOLLA

S

BY CHANTAL GORDON

CRAIG SHWARTZ

taging a musical-theater production about a long-dead, tortured movie genius with a penchant for meltdowns and womanizing would be maddening. And if said genius were known for making silent films, the project could make you scream.

Director Michael Unger and composer Christopher Curtis rose to the challenge—and even maintained their composure in the process.

The result, Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin, premieres September 7 at the La Jolla Playhouse.

“It’s not a biography,” says Curtis, who composed the score and wrote the lyrics. “It’s a take on [Chaplin’s] life—how the elements and moments from his childhood are manifested in his life and his art.”

A veteran of the Disney Animation Songwriter program, Curtis has performed with Stevie Wonder and has written music for TV and film. He studied avant-garde music at Robert McClure UCSD before heading and Ashley Brown lead to LA to be mentored the cast of

by David Raksin, Limelight who orchestrated the music for Chaplin’s 1936 masterpiece, Modern Times.

Close-lipped about the specifics of the musical, Curtis and Unger are keen to let the audience discover the thematic elements on their own.

“I think people will be surprised at the depth of [Chaplin’s] genius,” says Unger, noting that Chaplin often derived inspiration for his films from his own impoverished childhood and anguished adulthood. “He knew what the world needed to see on-screen before they did. His skill and his talent were almost beyond human, and yet he had foibles and problems and issues like the rest of us.”

Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin September 7 through October 17, at the La Jolla Playhouse lajollaplayhouse.org

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pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

Limelight isn’t the first Broadway-bound musical to debut at the La Jolla Playhouse.

In fact, the theater boasts a long track-record of launching awardwinning shows, including these greatest hits: The Who’s Tommy (1992): Former Playhouse artistic director Des McAnuff collaborated with The Who guitarist Pete Townshend in creating the stage adaptation of

the band’s most famous album.

When it went to Broadway a year after its premiere in La Jolla, the show stayed for two years and 899 performances.

Thoroughly Modern Millie (2000): This musical comedy about a country girl gone wild in New York City scored so many Tony Awards that most people forget it was based on a movie from the ‘60s.

Jersey Boys (2004): Another McAnuff hit, this musical chronicles the tumultuous careers of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The score won a Tony Award and even garnered a Grammy.

Memphis (2008): The Playhouse’s most recent triumph, this musical about the birth of rock ‘n’ roll radio won four Tony Awards last year, including Best Musical.

20 SAN DIEGO TEN FILM FESTIVAL

m l i f e c experien ne for li n o ” ic if c a “p o code y passes enter prom $5 off sunda

09.29 - 10.03 gaslamp quarter sdff.org

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coolture

Eyes on the Prize

SAN DIEGO PAINTER GAIL ROBERTS TURNS THE ORDINARY INTO EXTRAORDINARY

N

BY LORENA NAVA RUGGERO ow in it’s fourth year, the San Diego Art Prize has proven to be a reliable indicator of the local artists people will be talking about tomorrow.

Today, Gail Roberts, who’s been nominated for the past three years in a row, has finally won.

“It’s an honor to be chosen,” says Roberts, a faculty member at the San Diego State University School of Art, Design and Art History. “I feel like I’m in good company.”

One look at Roberts’ explorative new works provides an immediate sense of why she was picked. Her paintings document the things she’s accumulated throughout life—paperbacks, bouquets of flowers, even the weekly trash pile. With new takes on landscape and still-life paintings, Roberts has, in a sense, been marking the trail of her life through her art.

“As I get older, I become more and more conscious of how time is passing so quickly,” she says. “I became more interested in defining a particular moment in these piles of things.”

It was this work that caught the eye of the local arts community, says Patricia Frischer, director of the San Diego Art Prize and coordinator of the San Diego Visual Arts Network. Frischer says that Robert’s latest pieces should propel her, along with fellow Art Prize winners like David Adey and FROM TOP: Gail Roberts’ “War and Peace”; Gail Roberts herself; Roberts’ “Tone”

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pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

Julio Orozco, into the national spotlight.

“With this brand new series, she is still representing San Diego, but seems to be even more widely speaking to basic human relationships,” says Frischer.

Most of the series of paintings will be on display September 2 through 5, during the Art San Diego Art Fair at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. For a more intimate viewing, see Roberts’ solo show, opening September 25 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla. gailroberts.net Need more coolture? From dance to short films, mark your calendar for these September events: 9/2-9/6: EASEL—A San Diego Arts Affair (Corner of 7th Avenue and C Street, Downtown) Featuring more than 50 California artists, this art fair showcases some of the best in local talent, including the works of Eric Wixon, Mike Maxwell and Rich Walker. A portion of sales benefits the It’s All About The Kids Foundation.

9/9: alt.pictureshows Film Festival Museum of Contemporary Art, Downtown The museum’s eighth annual showcase features more than 20 provocative short films, animated shorts and short-subject documentaries. Highlights include Elevated (pictured above), a horror short from Splice director, Vincenzo Natali, as well as the animated short Madagascar, which recently screened at Sundance.

9/25-9/26, 10/2-3: Trolley Dances Trolley stops throughout San Diego Trolley Dances needs to be seen to be believed. Spectators can ride MTS (or drive) to various stops along the route to see site-specific performances choreographed to match the rather unexpected locations. More than 50 dancers from Jean Issacs Dance Theater will perform at the 12th annual event. Visit sandiegodancetheater. org for times and locations.

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Frame and Fortune Paul Oakenfold performs at Intervention in April 2010

LABOR DAY WEEKEND FORECAST AT HARD ROCK HOTEL:

Party with a Chance of Sleep

Legendary deejay Paul Oakenfold, platinumselling recording artist Flo Rida plus lots more local talent will entertain party-goers at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s 207 nightclub, Float pool lounge and 8,000-square-foot Woodstock deck over Labor Day weekend.

Thursday, September 2: Jump Smokers perform at 207 These techno-remix masters have quickly developed a substantial following in the hottest nightclubs from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

Friday, September 3: Flo Rida performs live at 207 With four Grammy® nominations under his belt, Flo Rida is responsible for Billboard Top 100 hits including “Right Round,” “Low” and “In the Ayer,” and has collaborated with the industry’s leading talents including Timbaland, T-Pain, will.i.am and Sean Kingston.

Saturday, September 4: DJs Theron and Chris Cutz Top local DJ Theron will make the outdoor deck go “BOOM,” all day and all night at Float pool lounge. Plus, Chris Cutz will spin evening dance beats at 207.

Sunday, September 5: Paul Oakenfold Sure to be epic, a special Intervention pool party goes off at Float, featuring an exclusive performance by Grammy®-nominated deejay Paul Oakenfold.

In addition to star-studded entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel offers guests a menu of creative cocktails and traditional libations, as well as a signature grill menu including Kobe Sliders with Horseradish Cheddar and so much more. Relax in chaise lounge chairs or plush day-beds, or laze the day away poolside in one of Float’s luxurious cabanas featuring private refrigerators and flat-screen HDTVs. Advance tickets for Oakenfold are available at wantickets.com/intervention and will sellout early. Cabanas and VIP seating are always in high-demand, so book early by contacting Float at (619) 764-6924.

For more information on how to have a seriously memorable Labor Day Weekend, check us out online: 207sd.com, interventionsd.com, hardrockhotelsd.com.

IF BRIAN BAYLIS BUILDS IT, BIKE ENTHUSIASTS WILL COME

BY JAIME WOLFCALE PHOTOS BY BREVIN BLACH

W

ABOVE: Brian Baylis shows off one of his custom bikes. BELOW: Baylis hard at work in his La Mesa workshop

hether it’s a result of the recession or just because we have the best weather, bikes are bigger than ever in San Diego. In keeping with this trend, countless custom bike-frame builders have been popping up all over, many of whom claim to be the best.

To these self-proclaimed experts, Brian Baylis would say, “How could you make the best bike in the world? I do.”

A Southern California native currently living in La Mesa, Baylis has become a legend among bike connoisseurs over the past few decades. His East County workshop is a bike-geek wonderland, with frames in various states of repair hanging from the walls. Sitting on a stand in the middle of the room is a recently completed jewel-like bike frame—the attention to detail is so astonishing that it would almost be a shame to attach the wheels.

For Baylis, building bikes has been a lifelong passion, and he regards his work as a privilege versus a business venture. He got his start after meeting Faliero Masi, the legendary Italian bike builder who still has devoted “Masiphiles” that collect his vintage frames. The two met in the early ‘70s, when Masi had just built a factory in Carlsbad to capitalize on the American bike boom exploding at the time.

“I just happened to meet him at a bike race in 1973 in Escondido, and I was riding a Masi at the time,” says Baylis. “The old man was just standing there, and I got his autograph on my racing number.”

Baylis went on to work for the man whose work he had long admired, learning and crafting alongside Masi for two years.

Nowadays, Baylis keeps a low public profile. His only official Internet presence is a blog a friend set up for him, and though he does occasionally post updates, his focus has never been on promoting himself. Instead, he prefers to build frames only for those people who are willing to go through the trouble to find him.

“Unlike blogs whose purpose is to promote and advertise,” he says, “my purpose shall be primarily, but not exclusively, to educate.”

A Baylis custom frame costs upwards of $5,000, and each one can take up to two years to build. But some of his customers have waited even longer—a few months ago, he got a call from a customer who had first ordered a frame 20 years ago. For various reasons, the customer had put the process on hold, but Baylis plans on building the frame soon and delivering it as promised. Seems the ride will have been worth the wait.

{currents}

chainsaw

Drive Time OMG!, i’m texting instead of using my turn signals

BY COOKIE “CHAINSAW” RANDOLPH

H

ere’s a fun game: the next time you’re stuck in the left-turn lane waiting for your light to turn green, count the number of drivers who whiz by holding cell phones.

The other day, I counted 13 out of 22 drivers with hand-held phones before the guy behind me honked, whereupon I tweeted about this horrible development while making my turn.

This is not counting the drivers who may have been on their hands-free devices, but I couldn’t tell.

LOL! Hands on the wheel!

You know the ones, chattering away when it appears nobody else is in the car. They could be talking to the unseen child sitting low in the backseat or the illegal aliens being smuggled under the tarp—but if indeed they are celling hands-free, at least it’s legal and reasonably safe.

Here is my call to action: we need to turn off our devices in the car, even though all of this really isn’t our fault; it’s technology’s. We’re like Pavlov’s dogs—when we hear that chime, we pick up. It’s involuntary.

We must battle technology, or it will kill us. Let’s get selfish! You know the stats: texting drivers are 23 times more window down. likely to crash than non-texters. Holding the cell phones up to our ears cuts off Well, Ferrari Man may have been tweeting his 5,000,000 followers, our peripheral vision, et cetera. because it turns out he was a very famous, three-time All-Pro Chargers Imagine if the pilot of the Enola Gay had been texting, “OMG Mt. Fuji is linebacker. Uhh…I went ahead and stifled myself and rolled up the window. awesome!!!” instead of focusing on his target. He would have A-bombed China.

Totally chicken, and everybody was better off for it. In the big picture, I’ll admit it: I’ve been guilty. I’ve texted while driving and thought I could do Ferrari Man was being safer than I was. it because I was more coordinated than regular people. How arrogant. (I’m not If public safety isn’t enough to motivate us to stop texting or using a cell proud of that, which I think is Step Nine of my recovery. Almost there.) phone without a headset, consider that California is going broke. At $20What’s worse, I’m ashamed to say, is that I’ve gone vigilante—putting down $50 a pop (or waaay more if other violations are involved), cops could snag the iPhone long enough to zip across lanes, risking everybody’s well-being us like fish in a barrel and erase the state debt in about a day. just to catch up with some reckless texter so I could honk and pantomime the The point is, we’re all in this together. We’ve all been guilty. Instead of “stop-texting” signal like some rabid charades player. Yeah, that’s real smart. remembering Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch, the one thing we And I’m chicken, too. Oh, sure, I’ll get all huffy with a teenage girl or owe to the The Big O’s legacy is her campaign to stop driving while texting some mild-mannered looking guy, but if it turns out to be a tough-looking and cell-phoning without a headset. dude, I’ll just do what I should do anyway: mind my own business and try Let’s pledge together. I’ll even promise to stop scolding (reformed to get to my destination in one piece. hypocrites are the worst).

One day this past July, and I swear to the religious icon of your choice Let’s turn off our devices so that we don’t salivate when they chime. that this is true, I was right behind a guy driving a Ferrari with the top Tragedies suck. down. He was bobbing his head up and down and driving erratically— telltale texting. As it happens, I was turning right when the light turned Instead of texting on your drive to work, you can tune in to Cookie “Chainsaw” red, so as I breezed by him on the right, I had my scold all ready and my Randolph, weekday mornings with the DSC on 100.7 JACK-FM.

“They could be talking to the unseen child sitting low in the backseat or the illegal aliens being smuggled under the tarp—but if indeed they are celling hands-free, at least it’s legal and reasonably safe.”

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pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

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{currents}

Joint Effort

body

ABOVE: Stills from the new Bench Busters training video.

BELOW: Kristen Norman is all smiles

A LA JOLLA PILATES INSTRUCTOR UNVEILS A NEW APPROACH TO INJURY PREVENTION

BY SARA CUNNINGHAM

A

JEN JANSON

nterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can be debilitating, even career-ending for some athletes. Superstars like Tiger Woods, the Chargers’ Philip Rivers and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer can attest: when a doctor says “ACL,” you’ll likely be out of the game for awhile.

San Diego Pilates instructor and nutritionist Kristen Norman sees a lot of people with this type of injury (aka when your knee “gives out”) in her classes.

“I seem to be drawn to people with injuries,” she says. “I kept thinking about the surgeries, pain and discomfort that could have been avoided had these people had proper training techniques earlier on.”

With the goal of helping her clients “stay off the bench and in the game,” Norman created Bench Busters, a do-it-yourself system designed to be self-empowering while encouraging athletes to understand different parts of their bodies—and protect them. She describes her approach as “athletic training that promotes proper bio-mechanics and body awareness, like Pilates does.”

Exercises included on Norman’s recently completed training video, which she developed with business partner, Mike Bosworth, are meant to help both sexes and include fairly simple ball and stretching exercises.

“I want to empower people with the tools to live a happy and healthy life before they are forced into it by some sort of health crisis,” Norman says. She claims that following her 30-minute program three times a week can reduce the rate of injury by up to 89 percent.

As for her company’s future growth, Norman has more big things planned. One of her clients, Padres star pitcher Chris Young, who originally sought her out because of an oblique tear, has since noticed relief in his back following her workouts. As a result, she intends to expand the Bench Busters focus to include the lower back and other commonly injured areas.

“We have a vision for creating a network of all types of healing,” she says. “Eventually, Bench Busters will include nutrition, natural and herbal medicine, body-work, anything that promotes wellness and prevention of injury or disease. We see it becoming a forum for health. It’s all about maximizing the benefits of the time and effort we put in to taking care of our bodies.” benchbusters.com

{currents}

home

MAIN: Terry Dixon and Jamie Huffman show off their custom teardrop trailer.

INSETS: The trailer, which can sleep two, has room for a bed and electronics.

Blazing a Trailer TWO LOCAL ARTISANS BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE concept OF MOBILE HOMES

BY CHANTAL GORDON PHOTOS BY BREVIN BLACH

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here’s no shortage of visual stimulation at Glashaus. The Barrio Logan design and art warehouse is the creative home of some of San Diego’s most prolific artists and designers. Of these, a metal-worker and a carpenter might not seem to have much in common (after all, their preferred materials couldn’t be more opposite), but one such duo has found a shared passion.

Bonding over a common vision of a trailer, woodsmith Jamie Huffman, of Surface furniture, and metal-master Terry Dixon, of Make Fabrication, have teamed up to create a camper for the designobsessed. A swooping pod made of aluminum, glossy acrylic and birch plywood, their creation is fashioned after the original Kit Teardrop Trailer that were must-have accessories for PostWWII honeymooners. Huffman says the idea came to him after a camping trip with Dixon and his wife.

“They got the van, and I was the only one left in the dirt,” Huffman says. “I started looking at tent trailers and the older tow-behinds—the ones I saw were rusted out and beat up. It turns out it costs just as much to build one from scratch as it does to rebuild.”

Combining their individual strengths,

Huffman and Dixon fabricated a modern teardrop model that is eight-feet long by four-feet wide by five-feet tall. Its wheels are ‘50s-flavored, blackfendered Mooneyes (like the ones you see on the era’s vintage automobiles), and it sports old-school windowknobs and a rear galley made with durable birch wood and a two-burner stove. While both Dixon and Huffman have a no-tech rule while camping, the trailer has enough room for a bed, and its interior’s cubbies and shelves allow for docking an iPod or even setting up a Bose mini-system and small flat-screen TV. Since it’s completion more than a year ago, the trailer has received so much attention and comments from prospective buyers that Huffman and Dixon have decided to build more of them.

They plan to produce the vehicles on a specialorder basis, with prices starting at $8,000, and the whole process is customizable per the customer’s preferences. Dixon believes the trailers will continue to rise in popularity, since they are an easy fit with the San Diego and So-Cal lifestyles.

“All the good hot-rod clubs are here on the West Coast, and a lot of people like to pull these trailers behind them,” Dixon says. “Teardrop [owners] all get together and follow each other across the country.”

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Great Food

Fresh Beer

721 Grand Ave. | San Diego, CA 92109 | Phone: 858.581.BEER (2337) | www.pbalehouse.com

Life in the Fast Lane in America’s Finest City Through the eyes of photographer Kenny Sanchez, everyday life accelerates to full speed…even when you keep it in Park

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pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

FOX 5 San Diego’s morning weather and traffic anchor; producer and host of “Chrissy Russo Live”

First Car: “An Isuzu pick-up truck my parents bought for my older sister and me to share. It was four-speed, no bumper, no radio and zero to 60 miles per hour in five minutes flat.”

Dream Car: Ducati Superbike “I love to drive. I loooove to drive—not in traffic, but on the open road. I like good music while I’m driving, a quiet phone and good safety technology. I think all cars should have NASCAR safety standards.” pacificsandiego.com

35

Limousine and limo bus driver for Epic Limo Bus

First Car: “My first car was a sky blue Celica hatchback with a sunroof and a personalized license plate that read: MSCURBY. I had a habit of running up and over curbs.”

Current Car: “I drive a black S320 Mercedes. I love my car! She’s sleek, classy and reliable, like me.”

Dream Car: “My absolute dream car would be a Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Gullwing.”

“I always thought it would be an adventure to drive a rock band on tour, or maybe drive a bus to surf destinations.

It’s funny, I never thought I would love driving buses so much.

I get a kick out of it. That’s just work, though—my favorite mode of transportation is my 7’4” surfboard.”

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pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

Executive Chef and coowner of Tabe BBQ

First Car: 1968 Dodge Charger Current Car: 2006 Acura TL Dream Car: Aston Martin One-77 “I have loved cars from as far back into my childhood as I can remember. When I set out to develop the concept of Tabe BBQ, my goal was to make gourmet Asian Fusion affordable, fun and easily accessible to all the people of San Diego. It’s only fitting that I use a truck to create a mobile kitchen in order to accomplish this.”

pacificsandiego.com

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Sales executive at Ferrari & Maserati of San Diego

First Car: Chevy Tahoe Current Car: Toyota Prius Dream Car: Ferrari California “Selling Ferraris and Maseratis for a living has placed cars in a very important role in both my personal life and my career. For me, cars are not just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about creating an experience for someone and putting a smile on their face. I enjoy every minute of what I do, and that’s why it has become more of a lifestyle than a job.”

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pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

Captain of Fire Station 21, Pacific Beach

First Car: “1978 VW Rabbit—all I could afford.”

Current Car: “For taking the kids around, a 2003 GMC Safari. For work stuff, a 1996 Nissan pick-up. And for fun, a 2008 Harley Davidson Street Bob.” Dream Car: “I am kinda living my dream now, so maybe some American muscle, like the new Camaro or Challenger...the eightcylinder models, of course.”

“I like to drive fast and loud, and there is not a better ride than going to an emergency in a big, red fire engine—the combination of speed, noise, being high above the traffic, the adrenaline rush when there is a big column of smoke in the distance and knowing you are about to put yourself in harm’s way.”

pacificsandiego.com

39

Auto © 2 0 1 0 P orsche C ars N orth A merica

“Porsche 911 drivers tend to be a fairly specific breed, too. Male drivers are often stereotyped as trying to compensate for a lack of trouser furniture, but I don’t buy this.”

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Motives

A valet-turned-automotive-blogger reveals what your car really says about you

T

By Jamie Wolfcale here’s little doubt that stereotypes are bad for our culture. However, they don’t just materialize out of thin air. This applies just as much to car owners as it does to the rest of our society. Are all Corvette drivers balding, middle-aged men in the midst of a midlife crisis? Probably not, but if a Corvette pulls up next to you in traffic, take a quick glance, and chances are you’ll see a guy who resembles a slightly younger Clint Eastwood.

I spent nearly a decade as a valet at malls and restaurants before starting my own automotive blog. During this time I started asking myself a few questions: Why do most Cadillac drivers look like they lived through the Great Depression? Why are Porsche drivers such anal-retentive snobs? Why don’t Jaguar drivers tip well? My coworkers and I even had a running joke about how strip clubs must hand out Scions as company cars.

One thing I did not anticipate when researching this article was how hesitant people who work in automotive businesses would be to discussing this topic. I talked to mechanics, valets and car wash attendants, none of whom were willing to go on the record for fear of offending their clientele.

Except for one guy.

Nazar Aldulaimi owns a chain of San Diego car washes, is a professor of Arabic at the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and is a former manager of Rolls Royce Dubai. He’s also currently at work on a book about this very subject.

“I don’t think Corvette drivers are interested in speed or anything like that,” says Aldulaimi, who also agrees with my contention that the ’Vette has always been America’s flagship sports car, which means the decision to buy one is partially rooted in patriotism.

Hipster Highway

The top 10 cars driven by the über-cool

By Jamie Wolfcale

BREVIN BLACH

Most people these days are familiar with what a hipster is. Urban Dictionary defines them as “a subculture typically in their 20s and 30s that value independent thinking, counterculture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence and witty banter.” Still not sure? Well, to paraphrase comedian Jeff Foxworthy, if you drive one of the cars below, you just might be a hipster yourself.

Automotive blogger Jamie Wolfcale

entry-level classic car of choice for years now because of its low cost and classic proportions. #7 Honda Civic The Civic makes the list because of its shear ubiquity. Fact: 97 percent of all Civic owners are hipsters. The remaining three percent are your grandparents. #6 Toyota Prius Now more of a fashion accessory than an environmental savior, it’s the car for the socially conscious trust-fund hipster. #5 Any Saturn The only thing that Saturns says about their owner is that they don’t give a sh*t about cars. This is perfect for hipsters, because it’s totally un-hip to like cars. #4 AMC Pacer An integral part of being a hipster is having an irreverent sense of irony. The AMC Pacer is the automotive equivalent of a vintage Rush concert t-shirt.

© 2 0 1 0 T oyota M otors S ales , U . S . A . , I nc .

© C opyright G eneral M otors

JEFF “TURBO” CORRIGAN

the average Prius driver is “very careful with their money but not necessarily the environment”

#3 BMW 2002 A car for the hipster who appreciates cars, the BMW 2002 has and always will be one of the coolest cars to be seen in, and it’s widely considered to be the world’s first sports coupe.

JEFF “TURBO” CORRIGAN

Congruently, Porsche 911 drivers tend to be a fairly specific breed, too. Male drivers are often stereotyped as trying to compensate for a lack of trouser furniture, but I don’t buy this. Porsche drivers see themselves as having refined sensibilities. They might be doctors or investment bankers, as opposed to landscaping-empire-owning Corvette drivers.

“Honda owners are practical people,” says Aldulaimi.

The same could be said of Toyota owners. Both companies build cars that make sense to, and serve the purposes of, people across all demographics.

According to Aldulaimi, drivers of the two big Swedish brands, Saab and Volvo, tend to be “mid-40s, conservative, white collar and married with two kids.”

As for Hybrid cars, Aldulaimi says that the average Prius driver is “very careful with their money but not necessarily the environment,” suggesting that saving money on gas is a bigger motivator in the purchase of a Prius than being an environmental savior.

Of course, all of this has to be taken with a grain of salt.

None of these are absolutes. But whether you realize it or not, the kind of car you drive probably says as much about you as the clothes you wear and the music you listen to.

Whatever you drive, just be sure to tip the valet. He’ll think highly of you, no matter what logo is on the keys.

#10 Volkswagen Jetta For decades now, the Jetta has offered European styling at an affordable price.

As any self-respecting hipster can tell you, European stuff is way hip. #9 Saab 9-3 This one applies to a different type of hipster—a professional hipster, if you will. Think first-year architect who goes to wine bars on the weekends, but still periodically slums it at the dive bar. #8 Ford Falcon Formerly a favorite of the rockabilly set, the Falcon has been the default

#2 Mini Cooper Minis are very popular with the female hipster set. Since the Mini’s introduction in 2002, it has become commonplace to see girls with horn-rimmed and asymmetrical haircuts in the driver’s seat. #1 Volvo 240 I have known so many people that have owned Volvo 240s. The things are like tanks in that they last forever, and I fully expect them to be handed down to an entirely new generation of hipsters.

Honorable Mention: Fixed-Gear Bike Everyone knows the hipster’s transport of choice is the fixed-gear bike. If you’re thinking about buying one, just remember that the tapered-leg girl jeans and facial hair don’t come standard.

Let Jamie Wolfcale take you for a ride at drivecult.com

pacificsandiego.com

41

Driven to Drink DUIs, CUPs and the ABC

T

BY DAVID GOOD

“The person who drinks more than they’re supposed to is who is to blame for drunken behavior, Not the person who sells it.”

-san diego city councilmember, donna frye

hree years ago, Doug Sondomowicz and his partners sold Martini Ranch in the Gaslamp (now Double Deuce) and bought Pacific Beach Shore Club. Since then, they’ve been working to gain the legal and community approval needed to build something that most of their competition already has: a patio.

“We’re pretty much the only [oceanfront] restaurant that does not have an outside patio or deck area,” Sondomowicz says.

Shore Club sits atop a souvenir shop on the boardwalk, “where Grand meets the sand,” as the company’s slogan goes. The proposed deck would accommodate more than 100 additional patrons, providing at least a view of the beach for people who miss being allowed to legally drink there.

Some locals, however, oppose the venue’s would-be development. Pacific Beach has a drinking problem, they say, and they place the blame on the backs of the bars and nightclubs that continue to serve alcohol long after closing for dinner.

“From 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.,” says Scott Chipman, chairman of the PB Planning Group’s alcohol license review committee, “we have [liquor] licenses that operate primarily as bars, serve little or no food, have drinking games, participate in pub crawls, and yet they’re operating under restaurant licenses.”

There may not be a University of Pacific Beach, but the community sure has the feel of a college town.

Renters outnumber homeowners more than two to one, and the business district is a non-stop party zone lined with bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

“The opportunities to go someplace to drink in PB are pretty much limitless,” says San Diego City Councilmember Donna Frye. She and her husband Skip should know—the surf shop they ran for years was demolished to make room for what is now Tower 23 Hotel, which boasts a popular bar.

If the numbers of DUI arrests in a given area are an indication of a party on overdrive, then Pacific Beach is pedal to the metal. Last year alone, there were more than 500 DUI arrests made there, by far the highest concentration of drunk-driving stops in all of San Diego. The next highest DUI total was in East Village, where police made just over 150 arrests.

All the Hub-Bubs

Bub’s Dive Bar owner Todd Brown’s two cents

T

odd Brown owns or co-owns Bub’s Dive Bar & Grill and Brewley’s Pint, in Pacific Beach; First Street Bar, in Encinitas; Bub’s at the Ballpark, coming to East Village; and Deep Deuce Grill, in Oklahoma City.

If you know Todd, then you know the guy’s got opinions he’s willing to share. If you don’t, here’s proof—in his own words: Drinking and driving hurts everyone—the offenders, innocent victims, businesses and the overall quality of life for a community. The battle to stop this behavior isn’t new, nor does it have any clear-cut answers

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pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

towards resolve. That being said, we want to do everything we can to limit the practice, right?

Getting rid of restaurants, bars and nightclubs isn’t the answer. If it were that easy, it would have happened a long time ago.

I’ve been volunteering in community service for about as long as Bub’s has been around, just over 13 years. I’ve served on the PB Planning Board, the Board of Directors of Discover Pacific Beach, Kevin Faulconer’s Alcohol Task Force, the Pacific Beach Community Advisory Committee, chaired the Pacific Beach Special Events Committee and the Hospitality

Task Force, been a member of the Town Council, received the Community Patron Award and am now acting Honorary Mayor of Pacific Beach. Need a ribbon cut? Give me a call.

That’s all fine and well, but what does it mean? It means I’ve come home so frustrated and mad from community meetings that my wife can’t understand why I continue to do it. Being treated like a criminal is no big deal, but when you watch years go by and the community doesn’t move forward, that is no fun. Many of the people who care enough to get involved in our community have chosen to take a negative approach

But these numbers can be misleading, Sondomowicz says. For example, if the police were to set up more late-night DUI checkpoints at the beach than say, in Downtown, of course they’d issue more DUIs at the beach, so the stats could be skewed. Further, Sondomowicz points out that not all DUIs stem from on-premise (bars, restaurants, nightclubs) alcohol consumption. He adds that grocery, convenience and liquor stores (off-premise outlets) are responsible for the majority of alcohol sales.

“I believe it’s somewhere between 60 and 70 percent of all alcohol sold in Pacific Beach,” he says.

As of August 5, the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) listed a total of 180 active liquor licenses operating in Pacific Beach. Of those, 47 are designated as off-premise, but they still account for the lion’s share of alcohol sales, according to Sondomowicz.

So, who’s to blame for all that drinking going on in Pacific Beach? Bars and nightclubs?

Restaurants? Liquor stores? (Continued on following page.)

to solving problems instead of trying to partner up with the community members on the other side of certain issues, mostly alcohol related, in order to find truly effective solutions.

I can promise you, CUPs are not the answer for Pacific Beach. In an established business district like ours, you only serve to lock-in the current conditions with more government overlay. CUPs can be an effective form of community control when they are used in the right place at the right time. Look at Little Italy— excellent example of a neighborhood that completely revitalized itself for success. A CUP was part of that

process. Then again, so was adding liquor licenses to the area. Anyone up for that?

The bars, restaurants and nightclubs don’t even account for 30 percent of the alcohol sold in Pacific Beach. Not my opinion or a statistic to make my point, just a fact. The off-premise guys (i.e. liquor stores, groceries, et cetera) already have a CUP in place. I wonder how effective the people calling for additional CUPs feel that one is.

Point is, we have a unique situation in Pacific Beach. We are a small community of approximately 40,000 residents; that can swell to 100,000 people

“No one’s going to want to remodel or clean up their businesses for fear that new conditions could be put on their license”

just by adding a beautiful sunny day to the mix.

Beware of statistics. We already know one DUI is too many. Residents and business owners should be working together and pooling resources to re-brand Pacific Beach. We need to change the mindset of the people who come to the beach, as well as some of the ones that live here, to understand how lucky we all are to have such a beautiful beach community and how we need to be respectful of that opportunity.

In my mind, that doesn’t mean you can’t have as much fun as you want, including a cold crispy beer.

(Continued on following page.)

pacificsandiego.com

43

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;When our business was there,â&#x20AC;? says Frye, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the problem, as I saw it, was not that there were bars or that there were liquor stores or things like that.

It was the over-concentration of all of them.â&#x20AC;?

Scott Chipman would like to see Pacific Beach take control of the situation through the issuance of conditional use permits, or CUPs. Why a CUP? This, from the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office of Planning research: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Another traditional purpose of the conditional use permit is to enable a municipality to control certain uses which could have detrimental effects on the community.â&#x20AC;?

CUPs are different from liquor licenses. They are essentially a landuse issue, explains Melissa Beach, an investigator with the ABC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The city issues conditional use permits (and the ABC issues liquor licenses).

That CUP would come with the application [for a liquor license] to our department, and we would take that into consideration.â&#x20AC;?

It works like this: a CUP is discussed at public hearings held by zoning boards or planning commissions and can have a significant impact on an existing liquor license. For example, a CUP can limit hours of operation, serving hours or the volume of alcohol that may be sold by an establishmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; things like that. Such conditions would naturally decrease sales volumes at a bar or restaurant, thereby decreasing the value of the liquor license.

Sondomowicz fears what he sees as the dark side of the argument. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a CUP, my business is going to be worth a half to a third of what it is now.â&#x20AC;? And, he says, the CUP comes with a price to the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to want to remodel or clean up their businesses for fear that new conditions could be put on their license,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tricky situation.â&#x20AC;?

DUIs hurt the community, CUPs could hurt the bars, and the ABC is trying to sort through the whole mess. But what about the liquor and grocery stores? Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really to blame? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The person who drinks more than theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supposed to is who is to blame for drunken behavior,â&#x20AC;? says Frye. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not the person who sells it.â&#x20AC;?

It just means you have to respect the privilege.

You want to blame somebody, then hold them accountable for negative behavior? Educate them about the impact their negative behavior has on our community. It works in our Community Court system that Discover PB runsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; they have almost no repeat offenders.

We have never had a group of licensed operators, as in the bars and restaurants and nightclubs, that has been more cooperative and enthusiastic to help and contribute to Pacific Beach. Many have improved their locations and their business practices, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paid off. More people than ever are coming to the beach. Thing is, with more people comes more problems. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an unfortunate reality. As a whole, the hospitality group at the beach probably operates around a 99.5 percent success rateâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;pretty good measure for any business. People come down and eat and drink and have fun on the beach, all while getting home safely. Great, right?

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the thing, on a busy day in PB, that one-half of one percent can amount to (using 50,000 people as an example) 250 â&#x20AC;&#x153;not-so-fun-to-bearoundâ&#x20AC;? people. It really only takes a couple of idiots that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give a crap about PB to do some real damage. Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem equitable or effective to me to start laying blame on the people who really are vested in our community. Keep in mind that example gives you 49,750 fun people and families who spend money and exercise their right to enjoy the beach and all its amenities.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to stop comparing Pacific Beach to other communities and statistics. We need to work together to improve our quality of life. Clean the place up, enforce operating practices both on a local level and through already existing laws. Really try to understand what the issues are and effective ways to solve them, so we can work together to change the perception that some have of Pacific Beach. Change the perception and mindset of our beachgoers, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll change their behavior for the better, for all of us.

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{taste}

dining out

what’s cooking

cocktail

Northern Bites

As more new restaurants open, North Park continues to be a dining destination to watch

T

By SETH COMBS

greg ronlov

pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

says Mangini. “It’s going to be more food-focused. More craft pies, cheese and meat boards and salads.”

While the pizza will remain New Haven-style (thin crust cooked in a brick oven over coals), Mangini says URBN’s varieties will be more experimental than Basic’s. Notables will include clam pizzas with white sauce and fennel sausage pizzas with melted onions.

Yet, even with all these new eateries, Jay Porter says that North Park’s restaurant scene will continue to grow and that the customers will keep coming.

“Obviously, it can keep getting better, and there’s lots of opportunity for new places,” he says. “And certain kinds of people who really like independent-minded businesses are going to want to patronize them.”

S TA C Y K E C K

46

greg ronlov

here was a time, not so long ago, when North Park’s fine dining consisted of 99-cents-a-slice pizza places and drive-thru Mexican joints. Nowadays, however, an evening along 30th Street, on what has become known as “restaurant row,” reveals that those days are long gone.

“I think San Diego was really missing a place you could go wander the street, go place-to-place and know you were going to get character and quality,” says Jay Porter, co-owner of The Linkery, one of the original eateries that put the neighborhood on the dining map.

Following the unprecedented and continuing success of The Linkery, however, Porter and his partners had a lot of different options. Rather than try to recreate that winning formula in a different burg, they ultimately decided to try something fresh, right down the street, transforming an Italian tapas place into a fresh take on Mexican, Mediterranean and American fare.

Thus, El Take it Easy was recently opened near the corner of 30th and University, with a farm-to-table, artisan approach and more of a social, cantina design. Dishes include tortas and tacos, but they’re slow-cooked with what Porter calls a “Tijuego” approach, using everything from goat and prawn to rabbit and octopus.

Speaking of goats, another restaurant that just opened down the street is The Smoking Goat. Don’t let the name fool you. It’s actually a more casual, accessible take on French cuisine from chefowner Frederick Piehl of Nine-Ten and Avenue 5 fame. Escargot is bypassed; instead, menu highlights include delectable duckfat truffle fries and a halibut that’s served with an out-of-this-world fumet sauce.

North Park has also become the epicenter of craft pizzas, boasting some of the best places to get Sicilian, Chicago or New York-style slices. This reputation won’t change when Jon Mangini and his compatriots from Basic, the perennial brick-oven pizza joint and bar in the East Village, open their newest venture, URBN, near the corner of University and 31st.

“It’s definitely going to be different,”

FROM TOP: New Haven-style pizzas from URBN, are coming soon to North Park; the cantina-inspired interior of El Take It Easy; a view of El Take It Easy from along “restaurant row”; diners enjoy The Smoking Goat (right); a salad from URBN

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{taste}

Out of the Game

ALL-STAR CHEFS SHARE RECIPES to HELP YOU SCORE AT TAILGATE PARTIES

By FRANK SABATINI, JR. / Photos by BREVIN BLACH

W

e’ve all seen them, those culinary iconoclasts who incite jealously and curiosity among regular tailgaters by preparing eye-popping fare that seems better suited for VIP bashes than stadium parking lots.

For some illustrious fans, hamburgers and hotdogs are for the birds, and pre-game team spirit is instead elevated with snazzier proteins and imaginative side dishes that heat up the pavement between rounds of beer pong. So, while the Chargers are beefing up for their first regular-season homegame on September 19, let’s peek into the ice coolers of a few of San Diego’s tailgating chefs to see what they’ll be cooking up before kickoff.

Where’s the Beef?

The executive chef at Proper Gastro Pub (a new, small-platefocused restaurant adjacent to Petco Park), Sean Magee is a sports enthusiast. His passion for cooking sometimes trumps the action on the diamond, however, so he’s been known to skip the game to keep grilling and hang out with friends. He sees nothing unusual about wowing fellow tailgaters with panseared foie gras and prime-grade steaks donning blue cheese crusts. To him, it’s all part of the fun.

“If you already have the heat source set up, then why not,” he asks.

Magee has prepared throw-chair fare like homemade, gourmet sausages (which he’ll often trade for beer) served with grilled asparagus and baked potatoes with all the trimmings.

This season, he’s planning a Qualcomm tailgate debut of Proper’s new ancho chili veal skewers, perhaps using sugar cane sticks instead of bamboo to inject sweeter pith into the meat.

“Everything I cook at tailgates causes the cougar set to cringe because of all the fat,” Magee brags. “It’s liposuction waiting to happen.”

48

pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

Sean Magee gets skewered

Chili-marinated veal skewers (6 to 8 servings) 3 lbs. veal skirt steak 40 cherry tomatoes 40 crimini mushrooms 1 lbs. ancho chilies 3 shallots 6 garlic cloves 1 cup olive oil 1 tbsp. salt 16 10-inch bamboo skewers, pre-soaked in water for 12 hours

Chop the chilies, shallots and garlic, then run them through a blender with the olive oil and salt until a rough paste is achieved. Cut the veal into oneounce pieces and mix with the marinade. Wash the tomatoes and mushrooms, then construct the skewers by alternating pieces of meat with the vegetables.

Place skewers in a sealable container and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. On game-day, cook on a pre-heated grill to desired doneness.

dining out

what’s cooking

cocktail

The Green Queen Known in local culinary circles as “the Salad Queen,” chef Maryjo Testa of Gossip Grill in Hillcrest lives up to her regal title in Qualcomm’s parking lot about three times a year. The former brains behind fave Downtown lunch spot, Salad Style, she always has a medley of fresh organics in tow.

“I never see other tailgaters eating salad,” she says.

“They just don’t think of it.”

Testa transports her creations in large, disposable plastic bowls with snap lids that she buys at Smart & Final. Sprightly dressings, such as her famous sesame-ginger recipe, are made in advance. The gingery concoction, she notes, is a perfect comeon to shredded red cabbage tossed with vermicelli noodles, shaved carrots, cucumbers, peanuts and grilled shrimp or chicken.

Her Highness has also stunned neighboring tailgaters by making grilled pizzas on-site, using thin flatbread from Trader Joe’s, which she crowns with feta, ‘shrooms and pre-cooked sausage.

There’s something fishy about Colin MacLaggan

Maryjo’s sesame-ginger dressing (Yields one gallon) 1/8 cup of fresh ginger, peeled 1 lbs. cream cheese ½ cup of chili-garlic sauce 1 ¼ cup of low-sodium soy sauce 2 cups of water 2 cups of rice wine vinegar 1 ½ cups of white wine vinegar 1 ½ cups of sesame oil 5 cups of canola-olive oil blend Salt to taste

MaryJo Testa dresses it up

Blend the ginger in a food processor. Add the cream cheese, chili-garlic sauce, soy sauce and water until well blended. Strain the mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the rice and wine vinegars, then slowly whisk in the oils until smooth. Salt to taste.

Go Fish Colin MacLaggan is a tailgate party veteran. His grandfather, Fidel Rubalcaba, was manager of Qualcomm back when it was Jack Murphy Stadium.

When he was a kid, MacLaggan was in charge of rotating hotdogs. These days, he is the chef-owner of Avenue 5 in Bankers Hill; and when he’s tailgating, he grills lobsters, serving them with butter heated in small aluminum bowls. When burgers come into play, so does his makeshift condiment bar stocked with brie, jalapenos and pickled onions.

These days, MacLaggan’s favorite meat to grill at The Q is salmon. He sometimes carts along fourpound slabs of the fish marinated in lemon, dill and garlic. His rule of thumb is to slap the meat onto a hot grill, flesh-side down, wait until it turns slightly pink, and then flip it onto its skin for a few minutes.

The reward: no stick, no fuss and “everyone gets to pick at it, caveman style.”

Side of salmon (5 to 8 servings) Rub an entire three- to four-pound side of salmon with chopped garlic and several tablespoons of olive oil. Coat both sides of the fish with chopped fresh dill, and then line the flesh side with thinly sliced lemons. Seal tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight before grilling.

pacificsandiego.com

49

{taste}

dining out

what’s cooking

cocktail

Creating a Stir

SAN DIEGO’S COCKTAIL MOVEMENT REACHES A PLATEAU AT CRAFT & COMMERCE

O

By SETH COMBS / Photos by STACY KECK nce upon a time, just having a “specialty cocktail” list was enough for most local bars and restaurants. Then, maybe three years ago, the “craft cocktail” movement hit, and suddenly clever twists on a martini no longer sufficed. Places began taking a more sophisticated approach to mixology, doing things like making their own bitters and infusing their vodkas with everything from bubble gum to peanut butter. The results have been both splendid and bizarre.

The three minds behind the new Craft & Commerce in Little Italy know what works and what doesn’t. Through their individual efforts, they’ve brought this new attitude towards the cocktail to places like the Hard Rock Hotel, El Dorado and Noble Experiment. Working together, they managed to lure nationally celebrated mixologist Phil Ward (known for his two award-winning bars in New York City) to design the drink menu for Craft & Commerce.

Along with an intimate atmosphere and delicious small-plate fare, a conversation-friendly vibe runs throughout Craft. There’s a clever spin on the punch bowl, where customers can pick from three varieties of “punches” to be served up for the whole table. For individual cocktails, there’s something on the menu for everybody. Made with grapefruit and lime juices, jalapeno-infused tequila and fino cherry, and served on the rocks in a pint glass with a salt rim, the “Paloma de Jerez” seems bound to be a word-of-mouth hit amongst those looking for an alternative to the standard Margarita. And with its dark hue and bubbly, absinthe-and-Cognac taste, the “Marseille” is one of the bar’s three Champagne cocktails. It’s certainly not for the bottomless mimosa crowd, but it isn’t so overwhelming as to scare them off, either.

While the focus of other local restaurants seems to have been skewed by the idea of experimentation just for the sake of it, Craft & Commerce gets back to the root of things.

They look at the cocktail not as some laborious work of art, but as a social accompaniment to conversation and dialogue. Oh, and they believe that it should taste good, not simply like something you’ve never tasted before.

Craft & Commerce 675 W. Beech Street, Little Italy craft-commerce.com

Clockwise from top right: The “Paloma de Jerez” cocktail; the Paul Basile-designed interior; the “Marseille” Champagne cocktail; the Craft & Commerce bar

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{groove}

bartender

spin cycle

Son of a Preacher Man MEET THE LOCAL ROCKER WHO’S OUT OF THE CHURCH AND BEHIND THE BAR

by SETH COMBs / PHOTO BY JEFF “TURBO” CORRIGAN

F

rom the looks of him, Analog Music + Burger Bar bartender Aaron “A-Fresh” Thompson looks to have quite the wild side.

He’s got tattoo sleeves on both arms, a bed-head hairstyle and a fashion sense that would make the rock band Kings of Leon jealous. But a note to those ladies trying to flag him down at the bar: don’t be so quick to think you’re flirting with a bad boy.

“I’m the son of a preacher,” says Thompson. “Coming up as a kid, I was kept from the secular world.”

Now that he’s grown up, bourbon isn’t the only thing he traded in his bible for. When he isn’t slinging Colt 45 tallboys at Analog or glasses of wine at Vin de Syrah, Thompson’s running Let It Ride Design, a merchandise printing company that has worked with local bars and bands including Dashboard Confessional and Angels and Airwaves.

A verteran of the music scene, he also plays in two bands and hosts Analog’s weekly karaoke night.

“I think the owner of Analog knew I was in a band, so he just said, ‘Okay, that means you can talk on a mic in front of people,’” Thompson says. “It’s cool because it gives me a break from doing the bartending all the time.”

PacificSD: So, your dad was a Christian preacher. How does he feel about his son’s chosen professions?

Thompson: I don’t think he would have chosen any of the stuff I do, but he’s cool. He tolerates and supports it as much as he can.

What are the best parts of working at Analog?

Thompson: I love how social it is, and I think the music they play is more geared towards people like me. It’s not the typical house and electro music they play at other places.

You host the karaoke night. Any advice to potential singers?

Thompson: People stress about it too much.

Who cares if you’re good? Just show up with friends, have a couple drinks and don’t worry about it. Have fun.

I bet some of the ladies get flirty with you.

Thompson: Oh, yeah. But my job is to be social, so I take it with a grain of salt.

Do they ever tell you that they’ll have what you’re having?

Thompson: Yeah, and then I’ll plunk down a double shot of rye whiskey and watch them go, ‘Uh, what are you talking about?’ [laughs] 52

pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

But then I’ll give them what they really want and take the whiskey for myself.

In terms of trendiness, are malt liquor tallboy cans the new Pabst Blue Ribbon tallboys?

Thompson: I don’t know, man, I can’t drink that stuff anymore. It reminds me of living in a tour van with nine dudes and not having much beer money. I think most people drink them to be cool, because I throw away half-full ones 90 percent of the time. Nobody finishes them.

If you had to choose, which one is the best?

Thompson: Colt 45. It’s the lesser of the evils.

And because Billy Dee Willaims used to say, ‘It works every time,’ in those ‘80s commercials?

Thompson: Dude, I grew up in a Christian household. I wasn’t even allowed to watch TV! [laughs].

Favorite hangover spots: “Small Bar and Lei Lounge have a legit Sunday brunch. There’s a place called 94th Aero Squadron by this airfield [Montgomery Field Airport], where you can eat brunch and watch planes come out on this airstrip.”

Specialty drink: “I can make a mean mule [vodka, ginger beer and lime juice]. I like the oldschool stuff. Anything with whiskey and bourbon. I’m not into the foofy, neon-pink stuff.”

Biggest tip: $400 bucks off a $100 tab at Vin de Syrah from “some rich yacht guy.”

Notable celebrity customers: “When Comic-Con was in town, Seth Green was in Analog; and when I was over at Syrah, I met Dan Akroyd, because we carry his vodka.”

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{groove} Bensussen gets upclose and personal

A FORMER SAN DIEGO DJ RETURNS HOME BIGGER THAN EVER

W

By SCOTT MCDONALD illiam Bensussen (aka The Gaslamp Killer) grew up as a San Diego punk, but all he really wanted to do was dance.

After one too many mosh pits, the scrawny youngster decided to try something different, but it wasn’t until he and his friends took a late-night bus trip to a rave in Clairemont that he knew what that something was going to be.

“I found out that just one DJ could control the whole room and get everyone moving just like a band,” says Bensussen. “I was fascinated by that, so I immediately sold my bass and started collecting records.”

With the help of mentors (including prominent local spinsters DJ Demon and DJ Artistic) and armed with the ability to smooth-talk promoters into letting him play, Bensussen started spinning neighborhood raves in the early part of this decade. The challenge was that the cops liked to frequent those places as well, so he quickly set his sights on the then emerging Gaslamp scene.

It was there that he made a name for himself by playing innovative mixes that left some audience members clamoring for more, and others clamoring for the exit.

“They’d come to the Gaslamp expecting to hear Beyoncé, and I’d be playing Company Flow and DJ Shadow,” Bensussen says.

“But the owners believed and kept booking me. It’s however you want to take it. The Gaslamp Killer ruined a lot of nights, but to others, I was ‘killing’ it. The name has multiple meanings, but it all comes from doing the anti-pop thing.”

Bensussen’s local success soon propelled him to San Francisco.

After a short

54

pacificsandiego.com | SEPTEMBER 2010

spin cycle

Here are some of the club events everyone will be talking about the next day—after a few Bloody Marys, of course.

9/2: Kissy Sell Out @ Voyeur The London-based DJ has major street cred for breaking new acts on his BBC radio show, and none of his live mixes sound the same. Think thumping electro-pop that’ll be stuck in your head long after you leave the club.

9/5: Paul Oakenfold @ Intervention (at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego) San Diego’s equivalent to the famed Sunday Rehab parties in Las Vegas (but waaay better), Intervention pool parties reach an even higher level of big-time when legendary trance master Paul Oakenfold is providing the soundtrack. This one is definitely a don’t-miss!

9/8, 9/22: Dub Dorado @ El Dorado This night has become so popular, they now do it twice a month. The best local and national dubstep acts (Austin Speed, Mr. Biggs and Headshake, to name a few). It’ll be heavy bass, heavy drums and a heavy crowd, so get there early.

9/16: DJ Dan @ Fluxx Keeping with the new, space-age “Odyssey” theme at Fluxx (above), the LA electro-funk king will be celebrating the release of his brand-new Future Retro album.

MIKE PARK

“Killing it,” live

stint there, underground hip-hop producer Daddy Kev asked him to join his “Low End Theory” Wednesday nights at the famed Airliner Club in Los Angeles. Alongside other big-name acts like DJ Nobody, D-Styles and an ever-changing cast of Alist guest DJs, he flourished in what soon became a who’s-who of the underground scene.

Like his recorded music, The Gaslamp Killer’s live shows are an eclectic mix of sampled and original electro-noise that taste-making music website Pitchfork describes as “outer-space funk.” All the hype has afforded Bensussen the opportunity to travel the globe, doing what he loves, and he’s excited to make his triumphant return to San Diego for a September 23 performance at the UCSD club, The Loft.

“It’s a great job,” he says. “I’m blessed. I thank God, Mother Earth and the universe every day. It’s amazing, and I am grateful, but it’s not all glamour and glitz. It’s also a lot of pain, sweat, blood and tears.” thegaslampkiller.com

THEO JEMISON

Bill Kills

bartender

{love} blind date

On the Road Again The blind date hits the interstate

T

PHOTOS BY BREVIN BLACH wo late-model singles, aka Love Bugs, available for immediate drive-off. No major accidents, excellent condition, original owner. Designated driver assumes liability for any breakdowns.

All fluids topped off. Mileage: undisclosed. Vroom!

Car Facts: Dear PacificSD, Hmmm...where do I begin?

I like to think I’m a pretty fun and easy-going chick. I love traveling and experiencing new things, and I’m never shy about tasting new foods or drinks.

I have a pretty active lifestyle with work and friends, but I always try to find time to hang out with my family. I’m a San Diego native, and I’ve told many this, but you couldn’t pay me to leave this city. There is always something to do!

I love hiking up Cowel’s Mountain, sipping cappuccinos in Little Italy, laying out in Coronado, curing a hangover with awesome Mexican breakfast in Old Town and jogging through Balboa Park. I try and drag people to come with me to do all of the dorky touristy stuff, and when I do, they never complain. I tell them about San Diego history and how this fine city was back in the day when Alonzo Horton transformed a desolated Spanish Village into what is now considered “America’s Finest City.” I am a tour guide, by the way...yup!

My ideal date would be a guy who is at least six-feet, has a job (a rare commodity, so I’ve noticed), enjoys anything having to do with culture and can plan a fun day for the both of us. I like a mama’s boy who knows how to treat a lady, but can also have fun and not take himself so seriously. My favorite thing in the whole-wide-world is to laugh so hard that tears are running down my face and my stomach starts to hurt. It’s not the cutest sight in the world, but OMG...it feels sooo good! Haha! So, a man with a good sense of humor is definitely a plus! I hope this helps! Yay!!!

Talk soon, Bianca Dear PacificSD, I’m 30 years old, Filipino, 185 lbs. and stand 5’11’’. Most of my family lives in southern California. I came from a huge family. I was born in the Philippines. My father served for the U.S. Navy at the time, therefore we moved around a lot.

Most of my life, I’ve been living here in San Diego. I’m an electrical engineer for an aerospace company. I’m very outgoing, social and family-orientated. I love to cook, eat and hangout with friends. Traveling is a must. I take advantage of the San Diego weather and do as much outdoor activities as possible. At this time of my life, I am looking for love. What I look for in a woman is a great sense of humor, intelligent, ambitious, beautiful personality, family-orientated, willing to try new things together, loves to eat, enjoy the outdoors and has a great career.

–Jeff 56

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ABOVE: Right after the daters meet, their glasses are still halffull. BELOW: warming up at 57 Degrees.

PacificSD: What makes you a good catch?

Bianca: I’m selfconfident, and I believe I have a good grasp of who I am. I’m rational, open-minded, happy, passionate, and I have a good heart.

Jeff: My ethnicity—I’m half amazing, a quarter cool, and a quarter charming. Oh, and another quarter spontaneous.

Which celebrity do people say you resemble?

Bianca: Mila Kunis, Cameron Diaz.

Jeff: Every famous actor in the Philippines.

What car are you most like and how?

Bianca: I think I’m like my car; I have a Volkswagon EOS. It’s a white, hard-top convertible, nothing too fancy or expensive,

but will certainly turn heads on occasion. It’s fun, small, practical and reliable.

Jeff: An Aston Martin DBS—its elegance, sleekness, style, power and charisma.

Bianca and Jeff meet for the first time at 57 Degrees, a new wine bar and wine storage facility at the foot of Mission Hills. They talk over glasses of champagne for about half an hour, then stroll the aisles of vino and check out the venue’s current art showcase.

(Continued on Page 58)

{love} blind date (Continued from Page 56)

Taken for a Ride

FROM TOP: The blind date hits the road; Russ, the owner of 57 Degrees, talks shop; the charriot awaits; rockin’ out by the on-ramp

FROM 57 DEGREES TO 65 MILES AN HOUR (GIVE OR TAKE)

W

ith two wine bottles in hand, Jeff and Bianca board their 40-foot Epic Limo land yacht for the trip north to Encinitas.

A block before the onramp to the 5 North, the stretch-Cadillac Escalade pulls over, the sunroof opens, and booming DJ music emanates from within as the daters emerge, dancing, to pose for pictures. As they disappear back through the roof, the mobile nightclub pulls away from the curb and merges onto the freeway.

At Encinitas Boulevard, the limo (with the magazine crew following in the chase car) exits the 5 and heads west, then follows Coast Highway 101 south to Trattoria i Trulli for dinner.

Inside the restaurant, once they’ve had a chance to open their wine and look over the menu, the couple take a pit stop for mid-date debriefings.

How’s it going so far?

Bianca: It’s going really well, I’m having a really good time. Jeff is awesome, a really fun guy. It’s kind of funny that I’ve seen him around before. It actually turns out that my best friend is his neighbor.

I actually found out because he was wearing a ring that she designed. San Diego is such a small city.

Jeff: Date has been amazing so far. We definitely like each other; the vibe is good.

We’re comfortable and having a good time, a lot of laughs. Bianca’s beautiful, hot. Her aura, her personality, just the way that she carries herself, you can tell that she is a very intelligent person.

How was the wine bar?

Bianca: It was really well designed and I loved the art, how they’re supporting local artists. I can’t tell you what kind of wines we got. Russ, the owner, helped us pick out some great bottles. I think Jeff switched them—the one we drank in the limo was what we were supposed to drink at dinner, but that was fine.

Jeff: The champagne and cheese were great, and we got to check out the art gallery. She loves art, and I have a couple pieces at my place, too, so we have that in common. We knew what we wanted and we were shooting for Italian wines. Also, we asked the owner for his opinion. And, of course, his selections were great. One was from Napa and the other was from Italy.

How was the limo?

Bianca: We had this huge limo just for us two, and we were able to put our iPod in and we were jamming out. It gave us a chance to really chat and figure out what we were going to do after dinner.

Jeff: Good music, and we opened the bottle of Italian wine and had great

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conversation. We had a blast, really—we were taking pictures and laughing. It just seemed like we were friends right away.

We’ve had good chemistry so far.

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

Bianca: No. Physically, the height is a big thing for me. Other than that, I think his personality is pretty cool. He’s really laid-back, a really nice, fun-loving guy.

Jeff: Yes, definitely. She’s Latina/ Mexican/Filipino, so we both have that Spanish blood mix. She’s my type.

Rate your date, physically, on a scale from one to 10.

Bianca: I think he’s an attractive guy. I’d say an eight.

Jeff: Physically, she has an amazing body.

I’d give her like a nine…plus one.

Do you want to kiss your date right now?

Bianca: No. Jeff: I’m very old-fashioned, in a way, so I do want to—her lips are amazing—but I don’t think it’s the right time.

Does your date want to kiss you?

Bianca: Probably.

Jeff: It’s hard to tell. Honestly, if she wanted to, she would have done it. I think she’s kind of holding back. She doesn’t want to mess things up, I’m assuming.

Will there be a second date?

Bianca: I don’t know if I would necessarily call it a “date,” but I could definitely see us hanging out again.

Jeff: There will be a second date. We’ve even been talking about traveling. She loves to travel, and I love to travel. Her birthday’s coming up, so we’ll see. It’s in the works.

(Continued on Page 60)

{love} blind date

(Continued from Page 58)

Final Lap

FROM TOP: The daters arrive; dinner is served; Bianca’s water takes a dive

THERE’S STILL TIME TO MAKE A PASS

A

s their fuel arrives, the daters are finally left alone to enjoy the rest of the ride at their own pace, without being photographed or otherwise pestered by the pit crew. We call the next morning to see if there were any illegal lane changes, failures to yield or other moving violations.

Overall, how was the date?

Bianca: I ended up having a really fun time. I’d put the date in my “best date” category.

Jeff: The date was a success, and we had an amazing time together. We were comfortable and there was no awkwardness at all. The art gallery, wine bottles, limo rides, dancing and food were perfect.

How was Trattoria i Trulli?

Bianca: The restaurant was quaint and felt very Italian. It was crowded, which made it seem like a favorite pick amongst the locals. Thanks to 57 Degrees, we brought our own dinner wine. Jeff and I shared the Caprese Salad to start, the Salmone Tirreno with artichoke hearts and mushrooms, the Filetto Gorgonzola (a filet with brandy mushroom sauce and gorgonzola cheese), and this ice cream dessert. Everything was phenomenal.

Jeff: I loved it; friendly staff. First time there, and I felt like I was in Italy. It was very romantic, 60

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great architecture, and the vibe was very relaxing. I devoured a Caprese salad and Tournedos al Barolo. We brought in an amazing $95 bottle of red wine that was given to us from 57 Degrees.

What was the best part of the date?

Bianca: It’s hard to say, but I really liked picking out the wine with Russ and some regulars of 57 Degrees. I also had a great time in the limo, dancing and singing at the top of my lungs.

Jeff: When she said, “I feel kind of wasted,” over dinner. Then, two minutes later, she dropped and broke her glass of water on the table, and water spilled all over my…situation.

Then we high-fived and laughed hysterically.

What’s the sexiest thing your date did during the date?

Bianca: I really liked his outfit. You can tell he has a nice body because his button-down shirt

was opened at the top, and he was wearing a long necklace that went into the shirt. I couldn’t tell what it was, but it kept me guessing and wanting to see more.

Jeff: We were dancing on the dance floor, and I noticed her staring at the hot go-go dancer for a long time.

What’s the most unattractive thing your date did?

Bianca: He told me exactly how much cash he had on him, not in a tool-ish way, but I don’t think that should be disclosed on a first date.

Jeff: She had brochures in her purse and gave them to a business owner and myself later that night. It looked like she was promoting her business during our date.

What happened after the magazine crew left you two alone?

At Beauty & Body Lounge,

Bianca: We were having so much fun that we decided to have the limo drop us off at Fluxx. We dropped off the remainder of the wine at Jeff’s house, picked up a couple of his neighbors and rolled up to the club.

We drank more, danced like maniacs and managed to get Mexican food before heading our separate ways.

Jeff: We talked more, discussed where to go dancing after dinner, then realized we almost had two bottles of wine. We danced the night away at Fluxx nightclub and closed it down, then ate Mexican food afterwards.

Our philosophy is that healthy skin is beautiful skin.

A d van ced S k i n Care & Med i cal S p a B ri l l i an t & B eau t i f u l S k i n

Was there a kiss or romantic moment? Describe.

Bianca: No. Jeff: Just kisses on the cheeks. I’m not easy.

What kind of car does your date remind you of?

Bianca: A BMW Z4, because it’s fast and luxurious, you don’t see them too much, and it almost has a smile as big as Jeff’s when you look at it from the front.

Jeff: She reminds me of a Mercedes Benz E-class. The “E” stands for exotic, like her eyes. This car is very well dressed and put together, like her hair, outfit and heels. A very expensive car, she’s very ambitious and successful at a young age.

Would you want to ride that vehicle?

Bianca: I would love to ride in the passenger’s seat with my head sticking out the convertible top going about 120 miles an hour, one hand on the windshield and the other in the air, because it’s fun.

Jeff: “So gimme that toot-toot and let me hear that beep-beep, runnin’ her hands thru my ‘fro, bouncing on 24s…” [lyrics from “Ignition,” by R. Kelly] Romance can rev up your heart or leave you just idling by.

Last night’s blind date was a gentle ride, but the pit crew had been hoping for racier action, like a crash course in embarrassment, some sort of blowout, maybe even a ding in the bumper.* Instead, we got courteous driving and a safe night out—and of course late-night tacos. This is San Diego, after all.

Date safely, friends and lovers. Buckle-up, use the buddy system, grab the wheel and floor it.

THANK YOU!!!

Epic Limo Bus, for making every ride ridiculously delicious epiclimo.com, 858.270.LIMO (5466) 57 Degrees, for being not too hot and not too cold, but just right 1735 Hancock Street, Mission Hills fiftysevendegrees.com, 619.234.5757 Trattoria i Trulli, for piatti caldi (hot food), warm people and a cool dinner 830 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas itrulli.signonsandiego.com, 760.943.6800 *Mom, ask someone else what that might mean

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calendar

D owntown S an D iego P artnership

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

{Listen}

9/2: Green Day, AFI @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, ticketmaster.com 9/2: Delorean @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 9/3: The English Beat @ Del Mar Racetrack, delmarscene.com/concert 9/5: Paul Oakenfold @ Intervention at the Hard Rock Hotel, interventionsd.com 9/9: Sheryl Crow @ Humphrey’s by the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com (sold out) 9/10: The Beach Boys @ Humphrey’s by the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com 9/11: Abstract Festival ft. Major Lazer @ San Diego Sports Arena, resetfest.com 9/12: Dead Confederate @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 9/16: Stone Temple Pilots @ Viejas Arena at SDSU, as.sdsu.edu

9/1: Taste of Downtown Venue: Select restaurants from the Gaslamp to Little Italy Tickets: $30 Info: mcfarlanepromotions.com Gluttons, get ready. Stroll through Little Italy and the Gaslamp and enjoy samples from some of San Diego’s tastiest restaurants along the way.

{Home Games} San Diego Padres Vs. 9/3-5: Colorado Rockies 9/6-8: Los Angeles Dodgers 9/9-12: San Francisco Giants

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9/24-26: Cincinnati Reds 9/27-30: Chicago Cubs San Diego Chargers Vs. 9/19: Jacksonville Jaguars

J essica B rooks / P ottle P roductions © 2 0 1 0 P ottle P roductions , I nc . A ll R ights R eserved .

9/16-17: George Lopez @ Pechanga, pechanga.com (comedy) 9/17: Menomena @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 9/18: Hanson @ House of Blues, hob.com 9/19: NBC’s Last Comic Standing @ Humphrey’s by the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com 9/20: Serj Tankian @ Humphreys Concerts By the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com 9/21: Phoenix @ SDSU Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu 9/22: Muse @ Viejas Arena at SDSU, as.sdsu.edu 9/23: Michael Franti & Spearhead @ House of Blues, hob.com 9/24: Easy Star All-Stars @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 9/25: Helmet @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 9/25: Aziz Ansari @ House of Blues, hob.com 9/25: Kathy Griffin Live @ Pechanga, pechanga.com (comedy, sold out) 9/26: Collie Buddz w/ Shoreline Rootz @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 9/28: Jukebox the Ghost @ The Loft at UCSD, theloft.ucsd.edu 9/28: Jamie Lidell, Twin Shadow @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 9/28: Vampire Weekend @ SOMA, somasandiego.com 9/28: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, ZZ Top @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, ticketmaster.com 9/30: Fountains of Wayne @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com

artwork by V ictor R odriguez

C hapman B aehler

9/2-5: Art San Diego Contemporary Art Fair Venue: Hilton San Diego Bayfront Tickets: $15 Info: artsandiego-fair.com Returning for its second year, the Art San Diego fair showcases choice pieces from more than 45 galleries worldwide, putting our town on the map as a destination for art lovers everywhere.

9/8: America’s Next Top Model Venue: On TV on San Diego 6, The CW Info: cwtv.com The new season of ANTP starts with a local twist, as San Diego native Rhianna Free struts her stuff on the runway and competes against other up-andcoming models for a shot at fame and glory.

] XXX WJOEFTZSBI DPN ] JOGP!TZSBIXJOFQBSMPS DPN ] UI BWFOVF UVFTEBZ o TBUVSEBZ QN o BN ] TVOEBZ QN o BN

calendar 9/10: The DSC’s “Love your Show” Show Venue: Belly Up Tavern Tickets: $5 Info: bellyup.com, sandiegojack.com The DSC is back! After a seven-month hiatus, San Diego’s immensely popular morning radio show has found a new home at 100.7 JACK-FM. Check out their welcome-back party at the Belly Up, with live music by Atomic Groove and free admission for the first 200 people.

C hris B auer

courtesy 1 0 0 . 7 jack - fm

9/11: Ocean Beach Music & Art Festival Venue: Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach Tickets: $30 Info: obmusicfest.org San Diego’s diehard jazz scene converges at the OB Music & Art Festival this month. More than 60 artists and 26 bands will be putting their skills on display, including SDSU’s All-Star Big Band and local trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos.

9/19: Chargers Opening Day Venue: Qualcomm Stadium Tickets: $54-$315 Info: chargers.com The Jacksonville Jaguars come to town for the Bolt’s first home game of the year. Bust out your powder-blue jerseys and get ready for a new season of hard hits, big plays, rowdy fans and nail-biting wins.

C O U R T E S Y O F A D A M S AV E . B U S I N E S S A S S ’ N

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C ourtesy of the O ld G lobe T H eatre

9/25-26: Adams Ave. Street Fair Venue: Adams Avenue, between 35th and Bancroft Streets Admission: Free Info: adamsavenuebusiness.com One of the largest music festivals in Southern California is right here in San Diego and, best of all, it’s free. With more than 70 live music performances and hundreds of vendors, you’re sure to get your money’s worth.

COURTESY OF SAN DIEGO THREAD SHOW

9/25-10/31: Welcome to Arroyo’s Venue: Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre Tickets: $29-$62 Info: theoldglobe.org Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, this play tells the story of Alejandro and Molly, New York siblings who lose their mother and have to find their places in the world. This will be the West Coast premiere of one of the year’s most exciting theatrical performances.

9/10: 16th Annual Festival of Beer Venue: Corner of Columbia and B Streets, downtown Tickets: $30 in advance, $40 at the door Info: sdbeerfest.org Join 6,000 other brew enthusiasts in enjoying some of the city’s best craft beers from more than 75 breweries. A portion of proceeds benefits San Diego Professionals Against Cancer.

9/26: San Diego Thread Show Venue: Horton Plaza Tickets: $5 in advance, $10 at the door Info: threadshow.com Fall is coming, and it’s time to restock your wardrobe with duds from more than 100 top designers and merchants.

DJ beats, on-site art-making and tasty food samples from top-notch restaurants help accentuate the event.

M ike N owak

P aul N estor

9/18-19: ArtWalk on the Bay Venue: Hilton San Diego Bayfront Admission: Free Info: artwalkonthebay.org Admire (or purchase) more than 3,000 original works from many of San Diego’s best fine artists.

The open-air festival is expected to draw a crowd of 40,000 to the waterfront along San Diego Bay.

Keep the dream alive...

House Party

Mondays!

50% off entire tab 7pm-close with BIG SWELL CARD! Rock Band 2, Wii Sports Tournaments, Ping Pong, Jenga & Music Videos!

No Worries Wednesdays!

Happy Hour All Day! Build Your Own Pasta Bar $7.95 Beer Pong Tournaments, Wii Sports, Jenga & DJ Famous Dave playing music videos!

Fridays & Saturdays The Best In Local LIVE MUSIC!

Reggae Sundays

$5 Specials 5pm-9pm Live Reggae Music & More at 9pm!

1466 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach • 858.270.4030 • longboardgrill.com

Find us on...

Taco Tuesdays with Open Mic $1.50 tacos, $3 Corona & Corona Lights Live Bands & Open Mic 9pm-close!

Waterfall Thursdays Build Your Own Fajita Bar $8.95 Live Music!

NFL & COLLEGE FOOTBALL! In HD and on our BIG SCREEN! Drink Specials Breakfast served Saturday & Sunday 9am-2pm!

{think}

Blue Light Special IT’S TIME TO PULL OVER

T

raffic laws are important, but there are just so damn many of them. Hexagon means stop. Triangle means yield. It can be overwhelming…if you aren’t smart. And if you really aren’t, then the next time you get stopped by a cop, just roll down the window and try one of these sure-fire “get-outof-a-ticket” phrases your fellow readers posted at facebook.com/pacificsd.

10. Jason A.: Tag, you’re it!

9. Carissa O: Aren’t you the guy from the Village People?

8. Vanessa Q.: It’s thirsty Thursday!!!

7. Kevin S.: How’s your wife?

6. Jordan B.: I have priors.

5. Ed H.: Watch the paint.

4. Jessica H.: Wanna race?

3. Tyler O.: Your fly’s open.

2. Jeremy P.: Hold my beer.

1. Joseph E.: That’s medically prescribed.

For admitting his crime and offering a defense in the same breath, Joseph E. wins a $50 gift certificate to Sandbar Sports Grill in Mission Beach, though he’ll probably sell it and head to the nearest dispensary.

Hurry up, Joe, while it’s still legal ;-) .

Want your 50 bucks? Play the game of the day at facbeook.com/pacificsd

Don’t just sit there, win something at facebook.com/pacificsd. Every day in September, PacificSD is giving away $50 gift certificates to the Verant Group’s bars, nightclubs and restaurants: Brewley’s Pint, Offshore Tavern, Sandbar Sports Grill, Tavern at the Beach, True North Tavern and West Coast. Thanks for playing from PacificSD, the magazine that loves you back.

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