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The Blast •

William H. Macy 'Really Glad' Wife Is Working Again

On the red carpet for the premiere of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” his latest film, Macy was asked about his wife Felicity Huffman’s new acting gig, one of her first since her involvement with the college admissions scandal that rocked Hollywood in 2019.

Huffman Will Return To TV In New Role

"It was great! I went to visit her on the set a couple of times... and she had a great time. I think she did a great job, too. I'm really glad she's working,” he gushed.

“We talk the talk and walk
The Blast •

Raven-Symoné Asks Haters To Stop Trolling Her Wife

Symoné Asks Followers To Stop With Hate Towards Wife

Symoné's Wife Wasn't Familiar With Her Work Prior To Meeting

"The internet is mad at me for it. I did this TikTok video on the trend of like, 'I'm Raven-Symoné's wife, da da da. And the number of comments that people left saying, you think you can do that trend and you didn't even watch the show one time—I’m like, how does that make sense, sir?'" according to ABC News.

Pearman-Maday is referencing a TikTok video she posted in January where
The Blast •

Tommy Dorfman Marries Partner In Private Ceremony

The Netflix star talked about her low-key engagement and marriage in an essay in Vogue. She described moving to New York City as a fresh divorcée, with big dreams of casually dating around the city. Her marriage to Peter Zurkuhlen, whom she married in 2016, had ended and Dorfman was eager to explore life as a single woman (Dorfman came out as trans in 2021).

“Jumping into a long-term relationship, let alone another marriage, was not part of the plan. I wanted to explore my newly minted womanhoo
The Blast •

Sia Files For Legal Name Change To Match Husband

Sia might be known for being a little mysterious, but she’s not hiding her name anymore. On May 2, the singer filed to officially change her name from her birth name, Sia Kate Furler, to Sia Bernad.

The Australian singer’s legal documents state that the she wishes to change her last name to match her husband’s legal name. Last year, Sia, 48, married Dan Bernad in an intimate ceremony held at Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's Villa Olivetta in Portofino, Italy. It’s the same venue that Kourtn
The Blast •

Kim Kardashian And Odell Beckham Jr Split After Less Than A Year

Kim Kardashian has been in her fair share of high-profile relationships. Now, the reality star is single again after reportedly breaking up with her football player boyfriend, Odell Beckham Jr.

The Relationship Was Never Confirmed

While the two never officially confirmed their relationship, the rumors about their status had persisted since the two were first linked in September of 2023.

Kardashian, 43, and the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver kept their relationship casual, never appearing on a
The Blast •

Fans, Andy Cohen React To 'Vanderpump Rules' Production Pause

It’s not a break up, it’s just a break. The cast of “Vanderpump Rules” will have the summer off from filming the hit reality show, as the show is reportedly pausing production this summer, when the show normally films.

While season 11 is currently airing on Bravo, TMZ reported that a source close to the show stated that production felt the cast needed time to breathe in the wake of Scandoval, the affair between two cast members, Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss, that shook things up last year.

“
The Blast •

Tyra Banks Claims She Was Completely Alcohol-Free Until The Big 5-0!

While most wait until they turn 21 to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, supermodel Tyra Banks took it a step further. She said in a new interview that she had her first sip of alcohol in honor of her milestone 50th birthday last year.

“‘My mom and my best friend surprised me there, and it was so magical. We took a seaplane, had a meal in the middle of nowhere. I even had an alcoholic drink for the first time! It wasn’t worth it. I was like, ‘This is nasty!’,’” she told the magazine.

Banks Has Been
The Blast •

Christie Brinkley Shares BTS Videos From 'Uncle Billy's' Concert

The "Uptown Girl" is still singing her song. There’s no bad blood between Christie Brinkley, 70, and her ex-husband, Billy Joel, 74, as evidenced by videos and photos that Brinkley shared from the Piano Man’s Madison Square Garden concert last week.

The supermodel shared multiple videos and photos from the concert, which was part of Joel’s historic monthly residency at the famed arena. Joel has been performing monthly at the arena since 2014.

“Joel's record-breaking residency began in January
The Blast •

Mariah Carey And Nick Cannon's Twins Celebrate 13th Birthday

Cannon, 43, and Carey, 55, each posted in honor of their twins’ birthday. The couple was married from 2008 to 2016. Cannon shared videos and photos to his Instagram story showing a fun day with his kids, appearing to celebrate the teens with a party featuring large images of the twins, streamers, cake, balloons and even a sing-along with their famous dad. Everyone attending wore t-shirts emblazoned with the twins’ images and their nicknames, Roc and Roe.

The "The Masked Singer" host also shared
The Blast •

Single Meri Brown Says She's Still Looking For Her King

In response to the question, "Who is Meri?," the former wife of Kody Brown described herself as a fun person to be around.

Meri Brown Is Still Looking For Her 'King'

But things got real when Meri was asked whether she was dating. Meri legally divorced Kody back in 2014 so that he could legally marry his fourth wife, Robyn. Kody and Meri remained "spiritually married" until 2023 when Meri left the family following the departures of fellow sister wives Janelle and Christine Brown.

"Not exclusiv
The Blast •

Melissa McCarthy Laughs Off Barbra Streisand's Ozempic Gaffe

Streisand left a comment on photos posted by actress Melissa McCarthy, 53, on Monday, April 29, that some of McCarthy's 13 million followers found cringeworthy. McCarthy shared photos of herself dolled up for a celebration honoring director Matthew Bourne at the Center Theatre Group gala. In the snaps, McCarthy and director Adam Shankman pose in pastels.

"Pastels only to honor the incredible Matthew Bourne at the Center Theatre Group gala last night with this fella Adam Shankman !! Thiiiiis muc
The Blast •

Darren Criss Says He Is 'Culturally Queer'

Darren Criss made a name for himself in Hollywood by playing prominent gay characters, but he said in an interview recently that, despite identifying as a straight, cisgendered man, he feels as though he is "culturally queer."

Criss Says His Upbringing In San Francisco Made Him 'Culturally Queer'

"Reflecting on the groundbreaking nature of the relationship depicted on Glee, Criss described it as 'f------- awesome.' He emphasized the significance of portraying a gay relationship on mainstream t
The Blast •

Julia Fox Is Pro Nepo Baby

Fox Wants To Share Her Fame With Her Son

"Unlike other celebrities who are determined to keep their kids out of the spotlight, Fox wants to include Valentino in the fortunate life she’s made for herself. She’ll often show up at events with him wrapped around her hip, and he most recently made a cameo in the the music video she shot for her upcoming single 'Down the Drain,' which she hasn’t officially released but is already viral on TikTok. 'I feel like by [hiding your kids] it’s almost like a
The Blast •

Rachel Leviss Seeing New Man Following 'Scandoval'

"'Rachel is seeing investment CEO Matthew Dunn. The two met through friends and have been enjoying their time together,' a source tells ET. Leviss' publicist, Juliette Harris, confirmed the situationship to ET but emphasized that assigning labels is premature. Harris stated that the two met just over a month ago and are currently getting to know each other as friends."

"Matthew posted a group photo—including Rachel—to his Instagram on April 15th. He thanked two friends 'for making the connectio
The Blast •

Taylor Swift’s Ex Has ‘Moved On’ Following Relationship

Alwyn Has 'Moved On' After Breakup

A source told People magazine that the British actor, 33, has moved on since his high-profile relationship with Swift ended in April of 2023. While it was reported that Alwyn was "slightly disappointed" in the new album, the source told the magazine that he is more than happy to remain out of the spotlight.

“Alwyn has ‘moved on’ from Swift, 34, and ‘certainly doesn’t talk poorly about her,’ the source says. ‘He was in love with her, and it just didn’t work ou
The Blast •

Alexia Nepola Feels ‘Lost’ Amidst Divorce

Alexia Nepola is opening up about her divorce from Todd Nepola. The "The Real Housewives of Miami" star addressed the sudden split on the latest episode of her podcast, "Aye Por Favor," which she hosts with costar Marysol Patton.

“The first week, for the first two weeks, actually still today, it’s been three weeks, I am still going back in my head like, ‘What happened?’” Nepola tearfully stated on the episode entitled, "Alexia Speaks Out."

“You know, I’m a positive person, so I tried to think
The Blast •

Kristin Cavallari And Younger Boyfriend Whoop It Up At Stagecoach

Kristin Cavallari’s relationship with “Montana Boyz” member Mark Estes continues to heat up! The former “Laguna Beach” star shared pics to her Instagram of the two enjoying the Stagecoach music festival in Indio, CA over the weekend.

Cavallari, 37, shared four photos of she and Estes, 24, having a blast with friends at the country festival. In the first pic, she and Estes sweetly kiss in front of the festival. In another, she and Estes pose in front of a stage with her friend, Brittany Field, a
The Blast •

Sophia Bush And Girlfriend Ashlyn Harris Make Red Carpet Debut

Sophia Bush And Ashlyn Harris Take Romance To Red Carpet

Bush, 41, recently appeared on the cover of Glamour magazine and penned an essay for the magazine in which she came out as queer and discussed the end of her marriage to Grant Hughes and the beginning of her romance with Harris, 38.

Sophia Bush Says Relationship Was 'Deeply Misunderstood' At First

“She asked Harris on a date and says that their four-and-a-half hour meal changed her life," the publication revealed. "And, she says, it ush
The Blast •

Lori Loughlin Speaks Out In First Major Interview Since Scandal

Aunt Becky is moving forward. Five years after the beloved sitcom actress was involved in a scandal dubbed “Varsity Blues” involving her daughters’ admission to college, Lori Loughlin is speaking out in her first major interview since she pled guilty to wire fraud charges related to the scam.

Loughlin was featured on the cover of FIRST For Women and spoke candidly to the publication about her life since the scandal. While she directly address the incident, she talked about her resilience since
The Blast •

New Documentary Explores Secrets Of Carter Family

On the heels of a new interview with Angel Carter, a member of the famous Carter family, in which she offers new insight into her family, an upcoming Investigation Discovery documentary aims to shed even more light on the family’s trials and tribulations, including controversies surrounding late brother, Aaron Carter, and allegations against big brother Nick Carter.

“Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter” is a four-part docuseries set to air next month on ID. The trailer offers a no-holds-barred
The Blast •

Matty Healy's Mom Wishes Taylor Swift 'The Best'

There's no "Bad Blood" between Matty Healy's mom and Taylor Swift. The British singer is getting support from his family as Swift released her latest double album last week, on which Healy is rumored to be the inspiration for a few songs. His mom, Denise Welch, was recently asked about her reaction to Swift’s latest album.

Healy's Mom Jokes She Hadn't 'Heard Anything' About Swift's Album

Welch appeared on an episode of British talk show, “Loose Women,” on Thursday. Welch, an actress and TV hos
The Blast •

Sophia Bush Comes Out As 'Queer,' Talks New Love

Sophia Bush is ready to embrace who she really is. The “One Tree Hill” actress is speaking out about the end of her marriage to Grant Hughes, her relationship with soccer player Ashlyn Harris, and her newfound sense of self.

Bush Wanted To Call Off Marriage To Hughes

“Make it look easy. Make it look perfect. If your smile is shiny enough, maybe no one will notice that up close all of your teeth are broken,” she wrote. “But sometimes, broken is just broken.”

Bush goes on to describe the loneli
The Blast •

Monica Lewinsky Posts Savage Taylor Swift-Inspired Meme

Ever since the release of Taylor Swift’s latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," the internet has been abuzz with thoughtful commentary and, course, hilarious memes related to the double album. Monica Lewinsky, who has never been one to shy away from controversy, jumped onto the Swift trend, posting a Taylor-inspired meme to her social media on Wednesday that proves can laugh about her past.

Lewinsky Pokes Fun At Herself On Social Media

Of course, Lewinsky, 50, shot to notoriety in the
The Blast •

From Ms. To Mrs: Alex Cooper Is Married!

Looks like all the love, dating, and sex advice Alex Cooper has been doling out for years on her podcast, “Call Her Daddy,” has paid off. Cooper and her fiancé, entertainment executive Matt Kaplan, are married—and they have the Vogue wedding spread to prove it.

Cooper And 'Mr. Sexy Zoom Man' Tie The Knot In Mexico

Cooper, 29, and Kaplan, 40, were married earlier this month in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The couple famously met in 2020 on a Zoom call. Podcast listeners, aka the Daddy Gang, were privy
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San Diego Magazine

San Diego Magazine •

Covering 75: October 2023

Most doctors we know can’t fly or shoot lasers from their eyes. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t at work constantly pulling off superhero-esque feats. Because the MDs who keep us healthy typically don lab coats instead of capes, it can be easy to forget that the stethoscopes and clipboards they often rock in classic regional magazine covers (like this one from October 2009) are their own Bruce Wayne–style tools to save lives and help those in need.

In honor of our 75th anniversary, we’re askin
San Diego Magazine •

Editor's Picks: 3 of Our Fave SD Products This Month

If it seems like you’re the only one who didn’t spend their summer sunning on a yacht off the Amalfi Coast, now you can get a taste of Italy right here in SD. Rest your bod upon a made-in-Italy sofa or bed from Natuzzi Italia, a luxury design and furniture brand that recently opened a storefront at UTC in La Jolla. They carry a wide range of sleek furniture for every room in your house. Hey, it might not be sipping an Aperol spritz surrounded by breathtaking views of Capri, but their stunning so
San Diego Magazine •

The Good, the Bad, and the Ridiculous Covers of SDM's Past

Over the span of 75 years, San Diego Magazine has produced more than 800 covers. From early illustrated classics of the ’40s and ’50s to fever-dream Photoshop nightmares of the early ’00s, we’ve run the gamut from timeless to outright cringe.

Our editors have spent a lot of time in the archives as we celebrate three-quarters of a century of SDM, and looking back at old covers has become a favorite pastime in the office. Some we love so much we might use them as tattoo inspiration, and some we’r
San Diego Magazine •

Behind-the-Scenes of Our 75th Anniversary Cover Shoot

San Diego Magazine has seen many years and many editors. That’s hundreds of hands and minds covering the city’s inner life, reflecting and (sometimes) shaping its tastes. For our 75th anniversary cover, we wanted to celebrate our seven decades as a publication while acknowledging that we’re still just getting started.

And we’re inspired by the growth in the city. San Diego may be a fine old town by the sea, but it’s under constant reinvention. Whether we’re welcoming new sports teams or enjoyin

Dining + Hospitality

San Diego Magazine •

15 of the Best San Diego Food & Drinks to Try This November

Sandwiches. Tacos. S’mores. Good ol’ American breakfasts. When the weather in San Diego takes on its (admittedly minor) winter chill, often all we want is a really delicious, occasionally Michelin-recognized take on the classics. Here are 15 local dishes that hit the spot for us this month. Go get some.

Where to Eat in San Diego Right Now

One of the most likable mother-son duos have opened a permanent shop in Barrio Logan (their OG food truck was on Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race). Mom B
San Diego Magazine •

Bivouac Adventure Lodge Is Coming to North Park

Prosecuting… pivoting… pouring… Lara Worm’s path to opening North Park’s Bivouac Ciderworks was an unconventional one. She grew up in SD in a family that’s been in hospitality for 70 years. So, after 11 years as a federal prosecutor in the US Attorney’s Office in DC, she was prepped for an adventure in the high-pressure, uber-competitive hospitality industry—but she was still surprised by the challenges women encounter when opening a restaurant.

“I’ve always worked in male-dominated fields,” sh
San Diego Magazine •

The Food Hit List: July 2023

The SD food scene gets better by the minute, and our staff is out there, day after day, heroically tasting as much good stuff as we can. Each month we're compiling a hit list of some our favorite dishes and drinks we think our readers might 1 want to put their mouths on. Go get some.

Chef Josh Mouzakes is really cooking at Arlo, making dishes where you can see the creative idea but it doesn’t taste like an “idea.” Just tastes pretty damn great. Like this secret-menu charcuterie board—all the us
San Diego Magazine •

Food Hit List: June 2023

We eat. And drink. A lot. We’re constantly poking our heads into kitchens across the city. We tell the stories of the people in them. And along the way, we taste some pretty remarkable things. So we decided to create this two-page spread—a monthly hit list of dishes and drinks and places and things in the food and drink scene we think will bring you decent if not great amounts of joy. Turn it into a bingo card. Go nuts.

Want our editors to try your food? Email food@sdmag.com with the subject li
San Diego Magazine •

San Diego's Best Restaurants of 2023

The devil is in the details—and so is the revel.

This year’s “Top Five” is a chronicle of obsession. When Callie chef and San Diego native Travis Swikard learns local boats have fresh spot prawns, he drives to Scripps Oceanographic Institute, secures optimal seawater, and keeps the prawns swimming in his kitchen until dinner service. On the other side of downtown, fellow hometowner Tara Monsod and her three main chefs at the heavy-draped, softly opulent Animae are Filipina a major local culture
Pacific San Diego •

The Smoking Gun in Gaslamp launches revamped brunch menu

Looking for a good brunch in the Gaslamp? The Smoking Gun has your back.

Their new brunch menu features items like their Frito Chili-Quiles, made with wagyu beef chili, corn chips, poblano beer cheese, two over-easy eggs, green onions and Cali Wing green chili sauce; the Waffle Breakfast Sandwich, made with a bacon waffle, sausage patties, fried eggs, American cheese and maple butter; the French Toast Sticks, made with vanilla-agave cream cheese, powdered sugar and maple syrup; and the Chicken
Pacific San Diego •

Bivouac Ciderworks' launches happy hour

Bivouac Ciderworks, North Park’s urban cidery, is launching a new happy hour menu with filled with favorites priced at only $6.

A few menu items available on the new HH menu? Fancy fries with garlic poblano aioli, chips and fire-roasted, house-made salsa, Brazilian meatballs with chimichurri and soft pretzels with honey mustard aioli.

Pair these bites with $6 glasses of wine, craft beer or one of Bivouac’s famous ciders like the San Diego Jam blackberry cider or the Albright pear cider.

Bivou
Pacific San Diego •

Herb & Sea and Ironsmith Coffee Roaster introduce collab menu items

North County dining destination Herb & Sea is collaborating with the coffee shop next door — in this case, Ironsmith Coffee Roasters — on two new collaboration menu items as a way to foster a sense of neighborhood and community in Encinitas.

Introducing the Carajillo, an after-dinner cocktail made with Ironsmith Coffee espresso and Licor 43, and the Lava Cake Chocolate Muffin, inspired by Herb & Sea’s Chocolate Lava Cake dessert, made with Ironsmith Coffee and buttermilk, and featuring a chocol
Pacific San Diego •

Rise and shine! New brunch menu at Café Gratitude in Little Italy

Café Gratitude , Little Italy’s trendy eatery, has unveiled new plant-based, vegan brunch items to brighten your morning.

Chef Seizan Dreux Ellis has updated the menu with items like “I am Hospitable” Gluten-Free Chick’n Waffles, made with Belgian oat waffles, “chik’n-fried” oyster mushrooms, cashew whipped cream, maple syrup and orange slices; the “Yo Soy Vida” Machaca Mexican Breakfast Hash, made with mushroom carnitas, tofu scramble, tomato, red onion, red pepper, black beans, brown rice sal
Pacific San Diego •

Enclave Café purchases 19 acre regenerative farm in Bonsall

Enclave Café , the “food as medicine” concept restaurant, has taken the next steps to a fully sustainable operation with the purchase of a 19-acre regenerative farm in Bonsall.

Located just 30 minutes north of Enclave’s flagship café at Juneshine Ranch in Scripps Ranch, the farm will provide fresh produce and fruit to all of Enclave’s restaurants.

The farm will produce avocados, tangerines, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, macadamia nuts, kumquats, herbs and honey, with more to come.

They plan to
Pacific San Diego •

The Smoking Gun Arcade is now open in Gaslamp

The Smoking Gun is already known as one of the most popular bar/restaurants in the Gaslamp, with a retro vibe, cool drinks and a full menu of burgers, sandwiches and more.

Now the downtown spot adds to the fun with a new arcade. Enjoy classic games like air hockey, skeet ball, basketball, driving games and old-school video games like Pac-Man, while sipping cocktails and watching sports on one of the multiple TVs.

The arcade is open during The Smoking Gun’s normal business hours (3 p.m. to 2 a.
Pacific San Diego •

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar introduces new menu items

Now on the menu at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar , find new items like Cheeseburger Fries, featuring a heaping pile of French fries loaded with seasoned ground beer, grilled onions, three-cheese sauce, pickles, tomatoes, bark + bite sauce, mustard, toasted sesame seeds and green onions, and the Fish N Chips TV Dinner, made with crispy beer-battered fish served on waffle potato chips with a side of sweet potato tot and white corn succotash and a Nutella brownie for dessert.

At Lazy Dog’s virtual con
Pacific San Diego •

Rainbow Bunny? Cloud Chaser? These are the newest cocktails at You & Yours Distilling Co.

You & Yours Distilling Co. , the trendy urban distillery in San Diego’s East Village, debuts four winter cocktails.

The new flavors are the Rainbow Bunny, made with You & Yours vodka, rainbow carrot, blueberry, lime and sarsaparilla bitters; the Sangria & Tonic, made with London Dry Gin, Sauvignon Blanc syrup, green apple, white pomegranate, lemon and East Imperial Grapefruit Tonic; the Darling Clementine, made with London Dry Gin, clementine, persimmon, elderflower, lemon and rosemary; and the
Pacific San Diego •

Understory at Sky Deck debuts tableside cocktails

Understory , the craft cocktail bar located in Del Mar’s Sky Deck food hall, is now offering tableside cocktail service, giving guests a behind-the-scenes opportunity to see how its cocktails are made and chat with bartenders about the process, inspiration and flavor profiles.

Understory’s new tableside cocktail program will launch with two drinks: the Jalisco Pine, made with barrel-aged tequila, elderflower and rosemary syrup, lemon juice, cardamom-infused angostura bitters, rosemary spice and
Pacific San Diego •

Don't miss this gray whale conservation fundraiser dinner at Vistal

Vistal at the Intercontinental San Diego hotel is launching a new menu with a dinner that also supports the conservation of gray whales.

The dinner will celebrate the California and Baja coasts while raising funds for Wildcoast’s gray whale conservation efforts. Enjoy Chef Todd Bencivenni’s new menu, along with cocktails from Gray Whale Gin. There will be educational speeches from Wildcoast and Xplore Offshore, with the restaurant’s sweeping ocean views serving as the backdrop.

Tickets are $17
Pacific San Diego •

Enclave Café debuts breakfast with menu items like Sandy Eggo Sandos and BAE Toast

Located in the Juneshine Hard Kombucha Brewery in Scripps Ranch, Enclave Café is now serving a menu of breakfast favorites like Hot Lava Stacks (paleo waffles, fried eggs and bacon topped with hot honey), BAE Toast (bacon, avocado and egg on house-made sourdough toast), Sandy Eggo Sandos (bacon or chicken sausage, eggs and arugula on choice of a house-made sourdough bagel, sourdough brioche or gluten-free bread), the Breakfast Burrito (meat, vegetarian and vegan options) and more.

The breakfast
Pacific San Diego •

Powerhaus in Pacific Beach launches NFTs for National Pizza Day

Celebrate National Pizza Day on Wednesday with Pacific Beach’s Powerhaus Wholesome Pizza & Eats and the launch of its NFTs (non-fungible tokens) in partnership with PizzaDAO.

Proceeds from the sale of the NFTs (featuring some classic San Diego images) will be used to sponsor pizza parties for students in low-income San Diego neighborhoods.

Powerhaus will also be hosting a meet-up for the crypto community, the PB community and the general public on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. All alcoholic drink
Pacific San Diego •

Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas announces new executive chef

Celebrity chef Claudette Zepeda and the Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas have announced the appointment of a new executive chef for the resort.

Ananda Bareño will oversee menus for the entire resort, including VAGA, The Pocket Pool & Bar, Coffee Box, special events catering and in-room dining. Zepeda, who had served as executive chef, will continue her work with the resort as a consultant.

Bareño’s culinary background includes stints at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, the Hyatt Regency
Pacific San Diego •

Happy birthday, Belching Beaver! The San Diego brewery celebrates 10 years with unique label art

In October, Belching Beaver Brewery will be celebrating its tenth anniversary and to commemorate, the brewery unveiled new label art for some of its core beers, like the number-one-selling Peanut Butter Milk Stout, Must Be The Honey!, Phantom Bride and Viva La Beaver.

The refreshed labels illustrate the brand’s whimsical sensibilities and showcase the flavors and inspiration behind the brews. Some new labels will already be hitting shelves, with others scheduled to drop in the summer.

Belching
Pacific San Diego •

Mendocino Farms rebrands, offers Thai-inspired menu options

Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market , the fast-casual dining spot known for its fresh sandwiches, salads and bowls, has rebranded into simply Mendocino Farms (removing “Sandwich Market” from the name, which allows it to highlight other menu items).

Expect a complete makeover of the brand, including stores and website, but with the same high-quality menu items, plus new Thai-inspired menu items that are available for a limited time. Enjoy the Sweet Heat Crispy Thai Chicken Sandwich, made with air-fr
Pacific San Diego •

An's Hatmakers opens in Del Mar

An’s Gelato, the innovative gelato makers behind North Park’s An’s Dry Cleaning, have debuted another gelato shop in Del Mar with a sartorially-inspired name: An’s Hatmakers.

An’s Hatmakers will carry the brand’s signature flavors, like Canvas (olive oil and rosemary) and Leather (brown butter and chocolate chip cookie), but will add new, Del Mar-exclusive flavors like Newsboy (vanilla and white chocolate macadamia praline), Fez (red velvet made with cream cheese, white chocolate and beets) and
Pacific San Diego •

Wormwood brings cozy French cuisine to North Park

Wormwood , one of North Park’s newest restaurants, combines the charm of the French countryside with a worldly cuisine and bar menu that celebrates absinthe, an often misunderstood spirit that was popular with French bohemians in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The anise-based liquor became known as a mythical spirit with hallucinatory properties that was enjoyed by artists and writers like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh and Oscar Wilde, among others. In fact,
Pacific San Diego •

Café Gratitude expands meal delivery program to San Diego

Looking to start the new year on a healthier track? Already popular in Los Angeles, Café Gratitude has expanded its meal delivery program to San Diego and Orange County.

The programs are available in three-day or six-day options and include vegan breakfast, lunch and dinner items created by Executive Chef Dreux Ellis. Meal options include the ‘I am Hearty’ Tofu Breakfast Scramble, ‘I am Dazzling’ Kale Caesar Salad, ‘I am Dedicated’ Mushroom Carnitas Keto Bowl and more. Meal plans are available
Pacific San Diego •

Rare Society Solana Beach debuts new cocktails

The latest restaurant in the Trust Restaurant Group world, Rare Society Solana Beach, has launched a line of cocktails that pay homage to traditional steakhouse fare but with a modern twist.

Enjoy the Rare Old-Fashioned, made with dry-aged fat-washed bourbon, rosemary citrus, oleo saccharum and gentian bitters, and garnished with charred rosemary, bacon, largo and a wagyu bourbon cherry; the Manhattan, made with American whiskey, Amari, dry curaçao and vermouth; All the Gin Joints, made with L
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Wellness + Beauty

The List •

The Micro Bob Is The Super Short Hair Trend That Gives You A Sleek, Sexy Look - The List

The Micro Bob Is The Super Short Hair Trend That Gives You A Sleek, Sexy Look

Looking for inspiration before your next trip to the hair salon, but over the '90s and other throwback hair trends that are still going strong? You might want to consider traveling back in time a little more for inspo. Those in the know are taking their style cues from the flappers and silver screen stars of the roaring '20s — specifically, their super-short micro bobs, which are popping up on celebrity style-makers l
The List •

Disco Curls Are Trending - Here's How To Achieve The Revived '70s Look

Disco Curls Are Trending - Here's How To Achieve The Revived '70s Look

Everything old is new again, or so the saying goes. In 2023, that can be applied to everything from what we're wearing to how we're styling our hair, particularly when it comes to the '90s. In fact, the '90s are also making a comeback in fashion. Suffice it to say that, this year, we're borrowing liberally from the past to create a look that's at once timeless and modern. Disco curls are just one such hairstyle that we're ta
The List •

How Do Paraffin Manicures And Pedicures Benefit Your Skin? - The List

How Do Paraffin Manicures And Pedicures Benefit Your Skin?

With the dry winter months unfortunately still upon us, the need to stay hydrated is more important than ever — and we're not just talking about drinking the recommended amount of water each day. Your skin is also desperate for moisturization and hydration during the colder months. The chilly air and lack of humidity can suck the moisture right out of your skin, leaving it dry and cracked particularly on the cuticles, knuckles, and feet
The List •

The 3 Makeup Products Emily Ratajkowski Always Has On Hand - The List

The 3 Makeup Products Emily Ratajkowski Always Has On Hand

These days, model, actor, and author Emily Ratajkowski is busy making headlines for her post-divorce dating adventures (hello, Brad Pitt, Pete Davidson, and Eric Andre) and her refreshing — and sometimes surprising — takes on parenting, divorce, sex, and body positivity. Ratajkowski is also a huge presence on social media, boasting millions of followers across her platforms. Unsurprisingly, her social media activity also makes waves. In


Guides

San Diego Magazine •

Best of San Diego 2023

Think we’ve run out of stuff to wax poetic about after seven-and-a-half decades of celebrating San Diego? Think again. Ever-evolving and always awesome, the city’s got a nonstop supply of cool places to eat, shop, and play. From a Michelin-starred chef’s game of “Guess Who” to zero-gravity camping, bioluminescent boozing, and one legendary goose, here are 70 of our current local favorites. (Plus more than 100 of your picks, too!)

Click on the links above to see our full list in each category.
San Diego Union-Tribune •

For subscribers: Who has San Diego's best fish taco? We tried 8 local favorites

Ah, the fish taco — an item as ubiquitous in San Diego as the beach, good weather and craft brews. Fish tacos — the classic, beer-battered kind — were first popularized in Baja — gradually made their way across the border. Legend has it that Ralph Rubio , founder of San Diego-based chain Rubio’s Coastal Grill, discovered fish tacos on a surfing pilgrimage in college. He opened the first Rubio’s in Pacific Beach in the early 1980s, specializing in the popular taco. The tacos made a splash then, a
Pacific San Diego •

Deck the halls: The ultimate guide to the holidays in San Diego

Ready to make the most of what’s left of the holiday season? From ice skating with a view to Christmas cocktails, here are 13 events and activities to make the holidays brighter in San Diego. Follow us on TikTok (@pacificsandiego) and Instagram (@pacificsd) for more!

Festive and kitschy Christmas pop-up bar that runs through Christmas Eve.

Classic holiday flicks like “Elf,” “The Grinch,” “Home Alone” and more, screened on an upscale downtown rooftop through Dec. 23.

Like your holiday cocktail
Pacific San Diego •

Where to celebrate New Year's Eve in San Diego

Ready to bid adieu to 2021? Grab your party favors, champagne and glitziest outfits and get ready to welcome 2022 with these New Year’s Eve parties happening in San Diego.

Note: Be sure to check the event websites for updated COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Celebrate 2022 by going back in time to the original Roaring ‘20s. Presented by VIP Nightlife and San Diego Nightlife, this Great Gatsby-themed party features four local DJs spinning various genres in two music areas and a prepaid bar
Pacific San Diego •

Shine bright! Here are the best places to see holiday lights in San Diego

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than with some twinkling lights?

After lots of socially-distanced and virtual holiday happenings in 2020, this year invites San Diegans out of their cars and off their computer screens. From large-scale events to casual neighborhood set-ups, here’s where you can find holiday lights in San Diego this year.

Enjoy a dazzling evening in nature and explore the grounds of the 37-acre San Diego Botanical Garden, includi
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Potato Po-tah-to: Here are our favorite mashed potatoes in San Diego

While turkey might be considered the official star of a typical Thanksgiving meal, side dishes that complement the bird are the unsung heroes of the holiday. For some, Thanksgiving just isn’t Thanksgiving without the usual side suspects: stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, dinner rolls, roasted veggies, pumpkin pie and, of course, mashed potatoes.

Whether you like them buttery and classic or jazzed up with an elevated spin, we’re here to help you find the perfect tater for your Thanksgiving table
San Diego Union-Tribune •

A pumpkin spice roundup for people who don't like pumpkin spice

Now that it’s October, we pumpkin spice people can officially enjoy our favorite seasonal flavor without judgement.

Pumpkin spice — a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves — officially became a Starbucks latte in 2003 and since then the flavor has infiltrated everything from pasta and bagels to ice cream and beer. From late August until after Thanksgiving, there’s no escaping the power of pumpkin spice — so it’s understandable why there’s an equal amount of hatred and disdain for it.
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Best bars to check out at 10 San Diego-area casinos

From Pauma Valley to El Cajon, San Diego County has no shortage of casinos — and casino bars. . If you’re looking for the perfect place to celebrate a jackpot — or drown your sorrows after a loss — here some of the best bars at area casinos.

There’s lots of fun spots to enjoy alcohol at Harrah’s, from the casual Swim-up Bar to wine hangout Corked, but Spiked offers a true craft cocktail experience in a swanky but modern setting. The menu boasts 16 creatively crafted cocktails from expert mixolo
San Diego Union-Tribune •

For subscribers: 21 things to do in San Diego before the end of summer 2021

School’s back in session, pumpkin spice is everywhere and we even had a surprise lightning storm — but officially, it’s still summer. So before we make that mental shift to fall — because weather-wise ... not so different — let’s soak in these last few days of the season.

Here are 21 things to do before the end of summer. Because of the ongoing threat of COVID-19, please check websites and state guidelines for any updates.

1. A trip to the beach, obviously

September is actually the best month
San Diego Union-Tribune •

The top 15 things to do in San Diego this summer

Though we’re still in a pandemic, the county is opening back up with a docket of concerts, festivals and other favorite events. From the inaugural season at Rady Shell to the return of the Del Mar races, here are our picks for the top things to do this summer.


Make a big splash this summer at Chula Vista’s waterpark, which opened in May after a 2-year hiatus. Enjoy rides and slides, plus a lazy river and a wave pool, now through Sept. 6 (after Labor Day, the waterpark is rebranding to Sesame
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in San Diego

Cinco de Mayo 2021 might not be the raging party we’re used to here in San Diego, but anything is better than Cinco de Mayo 2020, right?

In a sign that San Diego is slowly reopening following the coronavirus shutdown, this year, several restaurants around town are offering specials for Cinco de Mayo. COVID safety orders are still in place, but here’s where you can celebrate Mexico’s victorious Battle of Puebla.

619 Spirits, North Park

The North Park restaurant and distillery is going big for
Pacific San Diego •

8 COVID-safe activities to do this Valentine's weekend

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is certainly in the air in San Diego.

As restaurants and businesses slowly open up following the stay-at-home order, there’s plenty to do with your sweetheart (or with friends!) while still saying safe. Single or spoken for, here are eight Valentine’s weekend ideas to sweeten up your holiday.

What’s better than a home-cooked meal for the one you love? A home-cooked meal prepared with the help of noted chef Christina Ng (Chinita’s Pies, Berry Good Food). Thi
San Diego Union-Tribune •

From Carlsbad to Santee, where to see holiday lights this year

Because of COVID-19, a lot of events are canceled this 2020 holiday season. But one tradition that remains is hopping in your car — with people from your own household — putting on your favorite Christmas playlist and driving around to see colorful light displays. Whether it’s a spirit-filled neighborhood or an outdoor event at an amusement park, here’s where you can find holiday lights this year.

Botanic Wonderland at Botanical Garden: Enjoy a dazzling evening in nature with Holiday Nights in
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Thanksgiving 2020: Here are 13 pies by San Diego restaurants we're thankful for this year

Thanksgiving is still a thing in 2020. This year, make it a little sweeter with one of these local pie picks. Whether you like your pumpkin pie classic or with a twist (bourbon vanilla cream, anyone?), or if you’re looking for something a little different (see Aunt Dubo’s Peanut Butter Pie), here’s where you can get a piece of the pie this Thanksgiving.

Whole pumpkin pie, one of the five Pop Pie Co. flavors this season, is available for $35. True to its name, Pop Pie Co. is the go-to place for
Pacific San Diego •

Here's your Padres playoff fan guide

2020 has been a wild year, so the San Diego Padres making it to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years kind of makes sense.

Though we can’t sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at the stadium this year due to COVID-19, there are still plenty of fun ways to show the hometown team how proud we are to live in Slam Diego. Go Pads!

Take in the games from downtown

The playoff energy will still be alive and well downtown with multiple bars and restaurants broadcasting the game. Just be sure to we
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Your 2020 guide to pumpkin patches around San Diego County

Autumn — the season for warm sweaters, a cup of hot cocoa and pumpkin patches. And with Halloween darkening our doorsteps, that means it’s time to find that perfect or not-so-perfect orange gourd to carve up for your All Hallows’ Eve fright night ... even if the pandemic has canceled your plans to trick-or-treat or host a party.

Luckily, many pumpkin patches are alive and well this season. Make a day of your pumpkin picking by enjoying the various family activities, snacks and shopping opportun
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Fall musts: 31 things to see, eat, watch, wear and listen to this season

It’s fall, everyone! The days are getting shorter, the air (hopefully) will get crisper, and we can start buying all things pumpkin spice without fear of judgment. But ... we’re still in a pandemic, which means the fall arts season is going to look a lot different. Instead of opening night at the symphony or theater, we’ll have livestream concerts and plays on Zoom. And rather than experiencing music and art in usual settings, we’ll have drive-in opera (!) and online auctions. Then, of course, w
San Diego Union-Tribune •

San Diego's best beaches: Here's our Top 10 list

Two people enjoy a visit to Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad. The Carlsbad coastline is divided into Carlsbad City Beach (from Ocean to Elm Streets), Carlsbad State Beach (also known as Tamarack Beach) and South Carlsbad State Beach. The scene: Surfers, sunbathers and families make Carlsbad an idyllic beach getaway. You might even spot a beachside yoga class. Keep an eye out for people walking, running, biking and walking their dogs on the sidewalk that lines Carlsbad Boulevard. For a dog-free w
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Our 2020 San Diego summer-musts

SONG OF THE SUMMER: “Black Like Me” The usual best Song of the Summer candidates are frothy invitations to celebrate. But there is nothing usual in this year of mass civic protests and a global pandemic. That is why my Song of the Summer pick is Mickey Guyton’s exceptionally contemplative “Black Like Me.” One of the few female African-American country singer-songwriters in Nashville, Guyton, 36, seamlessly fuses elements of pop, country and gospel on “Black Like Me.” Released without fanfare on
San Diego Union-Tribune •

With so many video chat apps, which one do you choose?

With social-distancing in full swing, we now heavily rely on virtual dates, dinners and happy hours to keep us social and sane. Plus, as many of us transition to working from home, office meetings are moving online.

But with so many video chat apps out there, how do you decide which one to use?

We tested out six options, all of which can be used on a mobile device or computer, and each with its own personality. So read on to decide where your next virtual (professional or personal) meet-up sho
Pacific San Diego •

6 safe things to do outside during coronavirus

Because so many people packed the coastline over the weekend, our beaches are now closing. So are our hiking trails, bayfronts, boardwalks and playgrounds. As coronavirus cases in San Diego continue to rise, the county’s public health department is taking more extreme steps to keep people from gathering in large crowds. So what do we do now? How do we get our recommended outside time while still following the rules of safe self-distancing? Here are some ideas.

In the age of self-quarantine, pho

Events

Pacific San Diego •

Love love? Here are some Valentine's Day events and experiences

It’s the season of love and San Diego is full of things to do with your significant other or friend to show them you care. From lush hotel packages to fun drag shows, here’s a guide to the top Valentine’s Day events and experiences happening all over the county.

Looking for a sweet treat to brighten someone’s day? Café Gratitude in Little Italy is offering their 100% organic Artisanal Valentine’s Day Chocolate Boxes, filled with six vegan chocolates like Almond Butter Squares, Coconut Almond Tr
Pacific San Diego •

Fans are welcomed back at the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines

The famed Farmers Insurance Open, one of the PGA’s most prestigious tournaments, is back for another year at the beautiful Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla. While last year’s tournament occurred without spectators, this year, fans are welcomed back to the greens to watch greats like Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson as they compete for golf glory.

Due to lingering uncertainty surrounding COVID and the Omicron variant, this year’s festivities will still be a scaled-down event. Ther
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights returns for its 50th year

One of San Diego’s most beloved holiday traditions, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, presented by the Port of San Diego, is back for another year of dazzling boat light displays set against the city skyline — and this year, it’s celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary.

Each year, the parade takes on a special theme, which is then incorporated into participating boats’ decor. The 2021 theme is the Twelve Days of Christmas and about 80 boats are scheduled to participate. In addition to ligh
Pacific San Diego •

What we’re most looking forward to at Comic-Con Special Edition

It’s beginning to feel a lot like … Comic-Con? The venerable movie and pop culture fest normally takes place in July in San Diego, but this year, due to pandemic postponements, the scaled-down show will go on in November — over this Thanksgiving weekend, to be exact.

Dubbed a “Special Edition” of Comic-Con , the convention takes place Friday through Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center. But if you’re expecting the usual star-studded parties, huge crowds and big studio activations, you’ll h
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival returns to Embarcadero this weekend

Experience the best in food, wine and culture at the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, a four-day event celebrating San Diego’s dining scene.

Expect food sampling, wine tasting, Q&As, celebrity chefs, educational panels and more, all leading up to the epic Grand Tasting event on Saturday.

The festival continues through Sunday . Events happening at various locations, but the Grand Tasting event is at Embarcadero Marina Park North, 400 Kettner Boulevard.
Pacific San Diego •

Attention foodies: Taste of Liberty Station returns next week

Liberty Station is a hub for many things, including food.

At the Taste of Liberty Station, diners can sample bites from a variety of onsite eateries like Stone Brewing, Buona Forchetta, Dirty Birds, Eggies, THE LOT, Solare and many more.

Attendees will also enjoy live music, vendors and artwork from local galleries. Ticketholders will receive a “Liberty Pass,” which maps out participating restaurants and outlines each of their offerings.

Taste of Liberty Station is Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Pacific San Diego •

Blended Festival San Diego aims to "blend" food, alcohol and music at two-day event

If being stuck in quarantine made you miss live music, you’re in luck. Blended Festival San Diego is back with an event that aims to “blend” together food, music and alcohol — resulting in a festival that offers something for everyone.

Blended Festival is the brainchild of My Wine Society, a social media app based in San Diego that guides wine-lovers in various cities, telling them where to find the best wines and wineries in their area.

John Bazzo, the president of My Wine Society, said the a
San Diego Union-Tribune •

ArtWalk in Little Italy is back! Here's what to expect at this favorite San Diego arts event

One of San Diego’s favorite art events — the 37th annual Mission Fed ArtWalk — returns to Little Italy this weekend for two days of sunshine, art, interactive activities and more.

It’s also a celebration of all forms of artistic expression.

As you stroll through the streets of Little Italy, you’ll be able to peruse work from artists who hail from the U.S., Mexico and beyond. They’ll be showcasing paintings, sculpture, glasswork, jewelry, photography and more. Or you can take part in a variety
Pacific San Diego •

ArtWalk Liberty Station returns as in-person event

This weekend, over 200 artists will head to Arts District Liberty Station for the latest installment of ArtWalk, San Diego’s venerable art festival. Liberty Station’s Ingram Plaza will showcase works — in person — in a lush, outdoor environment.

This is the 16th anniversary of ArtWalk at Liberty Station and the first major in-person ArtWalk event since the pandemic. Safety protocols will be in place, including sanitation stations and unvaccinated guests being asked to wear masks. ArtWalk offici
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Boots in the Park brings splashy music festivals back to San Diego

Boots in the Park is a good, ol’ fashioned country music festival happening this week at Waterfront Park.

The all-day event features performances from country powerhouses like headliners Old Dominion, a five-member contemporary country band from Nashville, as well as acts like Dustin Lynch, Scotty McCreery (of “American Idol” fame) and Ryan Griffin.

The last San Diego version of Boots in the Park was in October 2019 and attracted about 6,000 people. Steve Thacher, president of Activated Events
San Diego Union-Tribune •

8 things we're excited about at this year's Comic-Con@Home

Comic-Con International is normally a time when San Diego shines in the international spotlight. Downtown transforms into a movie-and-pop-culture-lovers’ wonderland, with highly anticipated movie trailers dropping, breaking news in the world of comic books and pop culture and celebrities roaming the streets of downtown, rubbing elbows with cosplayers and fans alike.

This summer, Comic-Con returns with an online-only iteration, much like it did in 2020. There’s an in-person “Special Edition” eve
Pacific San Diego •

Celebrations for a fabulous Fourth of July in San Diego

Fourth of July is here, and that means San Diego will have plenty of parties, fireworks and events. Whether you’re gathering with friends or heading out, here’s a guide to San Diego’s best Independence Day events.

The biggest fireworks show of them all, San Diego’s Big Bay Boom is legendary and can be viewed from a multitude of places including Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Marina District, Coronado Ferry Landing and from the bay itself. The show starts at 9 p.m.; bigbayboom
Pacific San Diego •

Shop, groove (and skate!) at the San Diego Made Summer Market

As San Diego slowly begins opening back up, vintage shoppers who love local goods can make their way to the San Diego Made Summer Market.

Happening this weekend at Grossmont Center, the event brings two days of more than 90 local artisans selling their wares along with live music, photo opps and art installations – all in a safe, socially distanced setting.

The San Diego Made Summer Market is the first summer market that San Diego Made has produced. The group normally puts on winter and spring
Pacific San Diego •

‘Holidays in Your Car’ is safe, family-friendly way to make the season bright

We can all agree that it’s not your average holiday season. The COVID-19 pandemic and spike in cases means that decking the halls needs to be done from at least six feet away and nobody’s sitting on Santa’s lap this year, at least not without a mask. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the magic of the season – you just need to do it in a safe and socially distanced way.

Enter “Holidays in Your Car,” a drive-through immersive holiday light show currently running through Jan. 2 at the Del
Pacific San Diego •

Here's your Padres playoff fan guide

2020 has been a wild year, so the San Diego Padres making it to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years kind of makes sense.

Though we can’t sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at the stadium this year due to COVID-19, there are still plenty of fun ways to show the hometown team how proud we are to live in Slam Diego. Go Pads!

Take in the games from downtown

The playoff energy will still be alive and well downtown with multiple bars and restaurants broadcasting the game. Just be sure to we
Pacific San Diego •

Hat’s on! Celebrate Opening Day from home

It’s not your typical Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Opening Day celebration, but there’s still a chance for you to tip your hat to the traditional racing season by participating in the Opening Day Hats Contest from the comfort of your own home.

On Friday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., racing fans are invited to post a photo of themselves to Instagram or Twitter sporting their finest Opening Day duds (including over-the-top head-toppers) using the hashtag #DelMarHatsContest and the tag @DelMarRac
Pacific San Diego •

Party (C)on: Where to mix and mingle all night long

Comic-Con is San Diego’s weekend to shine. But it wouldn’t be an epic Comic-Con weekend without some epic parties. Looking for the best place to get your geek on? Here’s a guide to Comic-Con parties in San Diego to mix and mingle with all the X-Men and Wonder Women.


Kick off the Con by meeting the bloggers behind The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog at this meet-up for fans and readers. Free. First come, first served.

Game of Bloggers at House of Blues

The mightiest of media nerds will g

Profiles

San Diego Magazine •

If You Grow It, They Will Follow

Kevin Espiritu has never been one for convention. To pay for college, he didn’t rely on scholarships or his parents to foot the bill: instead, he played online poker and used the winnings to finance his education.

Post-college, when Espiritu had graduated from playing online poker to playing video games with his brother, he felt the need to challenge himself to come up with a hobby that would take him and his brother outside and away from their screens.

That challenge turned out to be gardenin
San Diego Union-Tribune •

For this Navy helicopter pilot and promoter, the show must go on and on and on ...

Julie Roland grew up in an extremely creative Bay Area household. Her mother was both a health researcher and a poet and made sure that there was plenty of opportunity for creativity at home — from puppetry and filmmaking to music and even magic.

“My mom was just a huge promoter of any kind of artistic endeavor we wanted to explore,” Roland said during a phone interview.

Now Roland brings that spirit of creativity to her adopted hometown of San Diego through her “Just Tryna Make Friends” varie
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Meet a San Diego influencer: craft beer's Megan Stone

Follow if you like: Craft beer, advocacy, colorful photos

When North Park’s Megan Stone originally set up her Instagram account, @IsBeerACarb, she wanted to give her followers a behind-the-scenes look at the craft brewing. But over time, her account transformed into an online community that gives voice to marginalized people in the beer industry.

Stone’s passion for craft brewing began when she worked as a server at Birroteca, a craft beer and cocktail-focused restaurant in her native Baltimor
PB Monthly •

Noted Pacific Beach volunteer has new lease on life after heart transplant

Pacific Beach resident Ellen Citrano has dedicated her life to serving others — first, as a critical care nurse for 40 years and then as a volunteer in her beloved community.

But her passion for volunteering hit a snag this year when she had to undergo a heart transplant — the result of a longstanding virus in her heart.

On May 1, Citrano became the 470th person to receive a new heart at Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa, courtesy of thoracic surgeon Dr. Robert Adamson and his team.

Citr
PB Monthly •

Community activist, hotelier and entrepreneur Elvin Lai is Pacific Beach's new honorary mayor

Elvin Lai might just be the busiest man in Pacific Beach.

As the fourth-generation owner/operator of the Ocean Park Inn hotel on Grand Avenue, Lai has firmly entrenched himself in the PB community. He implemented the Pacific Beach Clean & Safe program through Discover PB, serves on the San Diego Foundation COVID Relief Fund executive committee and was recently appointed as the 2021 board chair for the San Diego Convention Center Association.

In April, he’s unveiling a redesign of the hotel bas
PB Monthly •

Lysundra “Sunny” Lee brings new light to Discover PB

Lysundra “Sunny” Lee, the former executive director of Old Town in San Diego, is now in charge of promoting all things Pacific Beach.

Lee is the new executive director of Discover PB, the community’s business improvement district, replacing Sara Berns, who served 13 years in the position and left the organization in December.

Since taking on her new role, Lee has been integrating herself into the community.

“It’s not a new job for me, it’s just a new community,” Lee said in a phone interview.
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

'Becoming American': Point Loma author recounts his immigrant experience on way to a life in law and politics

Point Loma resident Cary Lowe wears many hats: He is a teacher, retired lawyer, political activist and an author who worked with politicians such as Robert Kennedy, George McGovern, Jerry Brown and Tom Hayden, to name a few.

Born in Austria just after World War II to Holocaust survivors, Lowe immigrated to the United States with his family as a teenager and became actively engaged in American society.

In his new book, “Becoming American,” released in October by Black Rose Writing, Lowe shines
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

People in Your Neighborhood: AnneElise Goetz — lawyer, TV analyst, wife, mother, children's advocate

AnneElise Goetz has an extensive resumé. The Point Loma resident is a partner at the downtown San Diego law firm Higgs Fletcher & Mack, a TV legal analyst who has appeared on CNN and HLN, and a wife and mother.

In case she wasn’t busy enough, Goetz recently acquired another title: board chairwoman of Voices for Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting foster children.

Goetz and her husband, Andy, moved to San Diego nearly 10 years ago from the Midwest. They are the parents of
PB Monthly •

Pacific Beach Middle School student honored as 'Most Promising Teen' is shooting for the stars — or Mars

According to Lilian Franqui’s dad, she’s always been destined for big things.

“She’s a bright kid, on the bright side of any normal kid,” Ed Franqui said of the 13-year-old Pacific Beach Middle School student. “What she has is just an incredible work ethic. Even at this age, she outworks just about everybody. And so that goes for violin or whatever else. And I’ve noticed that from an early age.”

Lilian has been named one of this year’s “25 Most Remarkable Teens” by the San Diego County Public
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Point Loma author links past and present to tell stories of women

Point Loma native and author Jill Hall likes to let her characters dictate how to tell their stories.

“I’m an intuitive writer, so I don’t really decide when I’m writing. I just start writing and my characters tell me what they want to do and where they want to be. They just unveil themselves to me through my writing,” Hall said while discussing her latest book, “The Green Lace Corset,” which will be released in October.

The book is the third in a series of Hall books that tell stories using t
PB Monthly •

People in Your Neighborhood: Community advocate Caryn Blanton works to bring hope to those without homes

Caryn Blanton doesn’t like to refer to herself as an activist.

“I will say I’m an advocate, not an activist,” she says.

The difference, in her mind, is that “activist” connotes a more “in your face” style, while an “advocate” takes a more positive approach.

“I would say I’m an advocate for my neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. Where they might not have a voice, I can have a voice,” Blanton said.

Her passion for helping marginalized groups began in childhood. Blanton lived with her
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Ex-vice principal prepares for first semester as principal at Point Loma High in time of change and challenge

A lot of things will look different when students at Point Loma High School begin their fall semester at the end of this month.

In addition to a campus modernization and online learning due to the coronavirus, there will be a new principal: Kelly Lowry.

Lowry, Point Loma High School’s vice principal the past five years, assumed the principal’s position last month after a lengthy, all-virtual interview process.

He succeeds Hans Becker, who announced in May that he would become principal of Ran
Pacific San Diego •

My home office: Olia Majd

Occupation: Majd is a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger and influencer at loveolia.com. She’s also a licensed esthetician and the founder of the O Cosmétiques skincare line.

Back story: The half-Persian, half-French Majd was born in Florida, but she’s lived in San Diego since she was a young child and has no plans on leaving. “Haven’t wanted to live anywhere else,” she says. She bought her La Mesa home two years ago, and she lives there with her two “co-workers” (her dogs, a Yorkshire Terri
Pacific San Diego •

Getting through difficult times with Monica the Medium

Monica Ten-Kate (also known as Monica the Medium) knew she had a gift from an early age.

“I was always very intuitive and empathic growing up, but it wasn’t until high school that I discovered I had this gift,” she explains. “Around the age of 15, I began to realize that my empathic tendencies were accompanied by an overwhelming sense of feelings, flashes of images, and voices that I would later learn were ‘Spirit’ communicating.”

The “Spirit” Monica the Medium refers to is what she calls the
Pacific San Diego •

Get busy in the kitchen with foodmaker Holly Haines

Holly Haines likes to describe herself as a “foodmaker” rather than a chef. “I feel like [chef is] not only a title, but also a rank that is earned working in a restaurant. I worked at Subway in high school, but I don’t think that counts.”

So while she isn’t technically trained, Holly has built a loyal following of fans who love her thoughtful spins on classic recipes, like experimenting with ube (a purple sweet potato from the Philippines) and her preference for using black cocoa powder for he
Pacific San Diego •

CRSSD festival fashion tips with Samm Jandrisch

Samm Jandrisch is all about balance. By day, the stylish 23-year-old is an employee at a local project management software company. But by night (and on weekends), Samm’s a trendsetter with nearly 50,000 Instagram followers who regularly shares her many adventures with her fans. From boozy brunches with friends and traveling the world to cheering on her favorite teams and dancing the day (and night) away at music festivals, Samm likes showcasing her “real” life, versus the highly commercialized
Pacific San Diego •

Paint the town with Phoebe Cornog and Roxy Prima

If you’ve ever posed in front of a colorful mural on the streets of San Diego for that perfect, Insta-worthy pic, you can likely thank Phoebe Cornog and Roxy Prima for the eye-catching backdrop.

Phoebe and Roxy are friends and business partners who co-founded and serve as creative directors of Pandr Design Co., a branding and design business that creates splashy murals for major companies like Target, Visa and Bumble. Phoebe and Roxy also started Ladies Who Paint, a nonprofit aimed at empowerin
Pacific San Diego •

Up your fitness game in 2020 with Andrea Lopez-Velarde

It’s the New Year and for many people, it’s a time for rebirth, rejuvenation and resetting goals for the coming year. It’s the time when people make resolutions and — more often than not — those resolutions are to get in shape or live a healthier lifestyle.

Those struggling with these goals or simply looking for fitness inspo can look to Andrea Lopez-Velarde (@andrea.lva) for sweat session motivation, healthy recipes and on-trend fitness apparel, making her the ultimate in “new year, new me” go
Pacific San Diego •

Have a glass of wine with Arielle Meads of Pourstyles

As the voice behind @Pourstyles, Arielle shares her passion for all things vino and vintage clothes with her followers, along with decorating tips, restaurant recommendations and the occasional cat picture.

A trained ballerina who formerly danced with San Diego Ballet, she now spends her days as a fashion stylist, marketing director and wine aficionado, while showcasing her eclectic and unique style (think Stevie Nicks meets David Bowie, with a little Jack Skellington mixed in for good measure)
Pacific San Diego •

Good Influencer: San Diegan Erin Aschow whips up cookies, cakes and Instagram gold

Erin Aschow is more than just your standard lifestyle blogger.

On her blog, Ice Cream and Neon Dreams (formerly Revenge Bakery), Erin regularly updates her loyal audience with everything from concert-going tips (she’s kind of an expert) to travel guides (check out her roundup of dog-friendly spots in downtown San Diego) and recipes for everything from how to make your own Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supremes at home to a decadent skillet s’mores crack dip.

She’s a music-loving ordering travel enthusi

Retail + Business

San Diego Union-Tribune •

Pura Vida opens first storefront at Westfield UTC

Local jewelry company Pura Vida Bracelets has come a long way since its inception in 2010.

The brand was originally started by two San Diego State University alumni, Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman, on a surf trip to Costa Rica following their college graduation.

On the trip, the two men met local artisans selling colorful, handmade bracelets on the streets. They decided to buy a few hundred and bring them back to sell at home in the United States. The bracelets quickly sold out, and Thall and
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Business Spotlight: EZE Ryders powers up electric bike sales and service in Point Loma

Spring 2020 might not have seemed like the best time to launch a new business, but for Devin Raymond, the timing proved to be perfect.

Raymond was working in the logistics industry in Los Angeles, but when his girlfriend accepted a position at UC San Diego, they moved here at the end of 2019. At the time, his intent was to pursue a logistics job, but 2020 had other plans.

“With the pandemic, a lot of companies stopped hiring,” Raymond said. “I had a side business in the electric bike industry
Pacific San Diego •

Jenni Kayne vintage Airstream shopping experience coming to One Paseo

Fans of Jenni Kayne’s classic California lifestyle brand will be pleased to know there’ll be an exclusive shopping experience at Del Mar’s One Paseo.

From Dec. 9 through 15, a renovated 1956 vintage Airstream trailer will stand in as a pop-up shop where customers can experience the full Jenni Kayne brand and purchase classics like chic flats and slides, comfy cashmere sweaters and elegant accessories from the latest fall collection while enjoying daily specials and promotions.

Due to Covid-19
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Last family member in the business prepares to close 83-year-old A.L. Jacobs and Sons Jewelers

There have been a lot of changes during the run of A.L. Jacobs and Sons Jewelers.

From the development of downtown San Diego to the rise in customers’ online shopping habits, the store has withstood it all, selling jewelry to San Diegans, most recently at 1055 Rosecrans St. in Point Loma.

But at age 67 and after 44 years in the family business, Chris Jacobs, who runs the store, is ready to close up shop.

“I’d been thinking about it for a while, but definitely COVID made it a lot easier to mak
Pacific San Diego •

Nay Secka brings African-influenced face masks to San Diego

Originally born in New York as the daughter of a diplomat, Secka’s childhood was far from the norm. At four years old, her family relocated back to The Gambia, where they were originally from. Her unconventional childhood included stops in Nigeria as well, and after high school, she did a brief stint in London and then found herself back in New York.

But Secka’s worldly background has served her well since creating TEGAA, her clothing and accessories line. Originally founded in 2015, with a bri
San Diego Union-Tribune •

San Diego Zoo partners with Knockaround for limited-edition shades

If you’re planning to visit the recently reopened San Diego Zoo anytime soon, you might want to consider picking up a pair of special-release shades from Knockaround Sunglasses, a locally based sunglasses company.

Knockaround and the San Diego Zoo have partnered to create a series of new animal print glasses, inspired by some of the zoo’s favorite animals: giraffes, cheetahs and rhinos.

The collaboration kicks off with the Reticulated Giraffe Premium shades, which have a trendy giraffe print a
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Face it: We need to wear masks, so they might as well be cute

Last week, the latest in a string of public health orders to slow the threat of coronavirus in San Diego stated that employees who interact with the public are now required to wear face coverings, and while it isn’t mandatory for the public to employ such measures, it is highly encouraged.

This latest health order came at a time when business was already booming for local designer (and winner of the 2015 season of Project Runway) Ashley Nell Tipton. Tipton had recently converted her Hillcrest c

News

The Blast •

University of Kentucky Dancer Kate Kaufling Loses Cancer Battle

The University of Kentucky community is mourning the loss of one of their own. Kate Kaufling, a sophomore and a member of the UK dance team, lost her battle with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, on Sunday, March 31. She was 20 years old.

Kaufling and her twin sister, Abbey, joined the dance team in the fall of last year. Following Kate's death, Abbey posted a heartfelt message to her sister on Instagram, writing, "My heart is in pieces having to write this. My sweet Kate, you were my person
San Diego Magazine •

Hillcrest's Youth Center Serving SD's LGBTQ Community

As a queer youth growing up in El Centro, Cara Dessert says that having a place like the Hillcrest Youth Center would have been invaluable—and unimaginable.

“A place like this was beyond my wildest dreams,” says Dessert, now the CEO of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. “It’s our love letter and survival guide [for] the next generation.”

Just one of the several vital facilities operated by the SD LGBT Community Center, the new 2,500-square-foot Hillcrest Youth Center opened in April. It's th
San Diego Magazine •

Local Stokes: July's Hottest Picks

The world lost an icon when the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner, passed away on May 24. The trailblazing singer, actress, and author’s life is celebrated in the new musical, TINA–The Tina Turner Musical, which runs July 25–30 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. From her humble beginnings in Brownsville, TN, to her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner and a triumphant comeback that cemented her reputation as one of the greatest musical acts of our time, Tina was simply the best.

The picklebal
San Diego Magazine •

Local Stokes: September's Hottest Picks

While having fun in the sun is a San Diego staple, protection from harmful rays is a top priority. Enter SWCHBAK, a female-owned, SD-based company offering an array of functional athletic apparel and accessories made from sustainable materials in prints designed by artists from around the country. The brand’s line of gaiters (a neck and face scarf) are UPF 50, with a percentage of sales going to local nonprofit Stage Free Melanoma.

Whether it’s shredded, sliced, shaved, or melted, cheese is the
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Rooftop Cinema Club offers earlier showtimes for family-friendly films

Rooftop Cinema Club is making some big changes: audiences of all-ages will now be able to enjoy an evening of cinema under the stars.

The popular series — officially titled Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero at the Manchester Grand Hyatt — has unveiled a brand new, state-of-the-art LED screen which allows movies to be screened at earlier times, making it easier for families to enjoy early evening matinee showings.

In addition to the 8 and 10:30 p.m. screenings, all-ages 5 p.m. matinees have been
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Liberty Station’s Hire Heroes USA helps military veterans and spouses find their place in civilian world

San Diego County has a storied military background — it’s the home of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Naval Base Point Loma and others.

It’s also home to one of the largest concentrations of military personnel in the world.

A major issue facing many in that population is figuring out their next steps in a post-service life.

Enter Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit founded in 2007 by John Bardis, who currently is chairman of the board.

In 2005, Bardis met
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Three members of Point Loma troop are among first female class of Eagle Scouts

For as long as it had been in existence, the Boy Scouts of America’s prestigious Eagle Scout rank was limited to male members. But that changed in 2018, when the organization announced a rebrand, changing the name to Scouts BSA and making the decision to allow females to participate.

Now, the first female class of Eagle Scouts has been granted the honor, including three young women from Point Loma’s Troop 555.

Kaya Hoffman, Eden Tillotson and Alienor Alexander are friends who are active in Sco
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Point Loma Boy Scout's Eagle project: make and distribute 1,000 masks for homeless

Killian Treppa, a Boy Scout in the Point Loma-based Troop 500, shows the supplies he’s used to make face masks for his Eagle Scout project.

Fourteen-year-old Killian Treppa likes to do the typical things young teenage boys like: He’s an avid gamer (Minecraft is a favorite). He likes card and board games. He enjoys spending time with his family — a family that has been involved in the Ocean Beach-Point Loma community for decades. And he especially likes being a Boy Scout in the Point Loma-based
Los Angeles Times •

International students create an app to prevent food waste

Till Hartwig , 24, and Till Kuehn, 23, have more than just a home country and a first name in common.

The two were both students at Germany’s Berlin School of Economics and Law when they applied for an exchange semester at San Diego State University. The men, who met during the application process, were both accepted into the program in the fall of 2019.

The two immediately bonded over their shared passion for business and entrepreneurship. In fact, it was during an entrepreneurship class taug
PB Monthly •

Paid parking proposal in Pacific Beach commercial district faces opposition

A proposed pilot program for Pacific Beach’s Garnet Avenue commercial district that would include metered parking has yet to go to the City Council for a vote. But a growing chorus of residents who oppose the program have taken issue with the way it was presented to the public, even going so far as to say that those who oppose it are being silenced.

The one-year paid parking program was proposed by the Pacific Beach Community Parking District to help relieve congestion on Garnet between Ocean B
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Could palm weevil treatment harm Point Loma-OB's parrots and other wildlife?

The red-masked conure is one of five species of wild parrots found in Point Loma and Ocean Beach.

As the city of San Diego grapples with infestations of South American weevils on local date palms, questions have been raised about the safety of the insecticides used to protect the trees and their potential effects on local ecosystems, including the parrots of Point Loma and Ocean Beach.

While the city maintains that the insecticides used pass safety standards set by the California Department of
San Diego Union-Tribune •

Rooftop Cinema Club premieres 2021 season

After canceling the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rooftop Cinema Club is back with a full lineup of classic and beloved movies — all screened in a fun, outdoor setting.

Films like “The Princess Bride” and “Pulp Fiction” are screened on the roof of the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego.

This year, the space has expanded to ensure proper social distancing. Guests are invited to arrive early to enjoy the city views, play games, take photos and grab a cocktail. Food is also
PB Monthly •

South American palm weevil wreaking havoc on Pacific Beach palm trees

The majestic palm tree is part of San Diego’s classic iconography — symbolizing Southern California and the beach, the feel of a tropical paradise.

Most of San Diego’s palm trees are classified as Canary Island date palm trees. Unfortunately, Canary Island date palms are also a favorite snack of the South American palm weevil, a type of bug that first made its presence known in Southern California in 2011. Once a palm weevil attacks a tree, the tree begins to show visible signs of disease, such
PB Monthly •

Pacific Beach leaders look ahead to 2021

As 2020 is drawing to a close, Pacific Beach leaders are looking to what the new year brings. Though 2020 was a year of unpredictable, catastrophic events, that doesn’t mean 2021 can’t be a success.

Here, Brian White , president of the Pacific Beach Town Council; Karl Rand , chair of the Pacific Beach Planning Group; Sara Berns , executive director of Discover Pacific Beach; Bonnie Franklin and Becca Horowitz from the Mission Bay Cluster of San Diego Unified School District and District 2 City
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Ocean Beach vet and San Diego Humane Society president pens children's guides to pet training

Dr. Gary Weitzman is an Ocean Beach resident, a veterinarian and president and chief executive of the San Diego Humane Society. To say he is an expert on pets would be an understatement. He’s literally written the book — make that, books — on the topic.

Late this summer, National Geographic Kids published his two latest books, “Fetch! A How to Speak Dog Training Guide” and “Pounce! A How to Speak Cat Training Guide,” which are companions to his previous books “How to Speak Dog: A Guide to Decod
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Point Loma Association hopes to brighten Rosecrans Street with Village Anchor Lights

Part of Point Loma will get a little brighter if the Point Loma Association is able to flip the switch on its Village Anchor Lights project.

The project involves installing a canopy of lights across two blocks of Rosecrans Street between Talbot and Cañon streets in the Roseville section. The lights would be up year-round to add to the welcoming, village feel that proponents are hoping for.

Mike McCurdy, chairman of the Point Loma Association, supports the project in part because he feels Point
PB Monthly •

Proposed paid parking program for commercial district gains momentum in Pacific Beach

Garnet Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and Fanuel Street in Pacific Beach would be included in a proposed paid parking program.

The program, including metered parking, was proposed by the Pacific Beach Community Parking District to help relieve congestion on Garnet between Ocean Boulevard and Fanuel Street and on stretches of Cass and Bayard streets. The idea is to increase turnover of parking spots in popular areas and provide a stream of revenue that would stay in Pacific Beach to fund local p
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Surfing course at Point Loma Nazarene University offers new ways to view a favorite San Diego pastime

Students at Point Loma Nazarene University have been flocking in waves this semester to a new elective course — “The History and Culture of Surfing.”

The course, co-taught by professors Ben Cater and James Wicks, focuses on the history of surfing and the ways surf culture has permeated society.

While there is no certainty the course will return beyond the fall semester, its popularity seems to show that students are interested in its less-traditional take on the subject.

In a place like San D
PB Monthly •

Pacific Beach Town Council wants more time for dogs in Mission Bay parks

Madison Parker walks Billie, Charlie, Lucy and Bodi at Fanuel Street Park in Pacific Beach. The park is part of a Pacific Beach Town Council proposal to loosen dog hours at Mission Bay parks.

If the Pacific Beach Town Council has its way, parks in Mission Bay will become a little more dog-friendly.

Currently, dogs are not allowed in Mission Bay parks from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April through October and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March. The Town Council is aiming for those hours to be lo
PB Monthly •

Environmentalists win more comprehensive study in Mission Bay wetlands debate

Land near the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve in the northeast corner of Mission Bay is being considered for additional marshland.

Local environmentalists who want hundreds of acres of new marshland added to the northeast corner of Mission Bay have a reason to be happy.

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board voted unanimously Oct. 14 to approve an environmental study, the Supplemental Environmental Project, which would be in addition to ongoing studies regarding the best us
PB Monthly •

Pacific Beach groups take clean streets and sidewalks into their own hands

The streets of Pacific Beach are getting some extra attention lately.

Efforts led by groups such as the Pacific Beach Town Council and Street Stewards are cleaning the streets and sidewalks of litter, stains, sticky gum residue and other eyesores.

The Town Council is tackling dirty sidewalks much like its weed abatement program trims overgrown vegetation on traffic medians throughout Pacific Beach.

Town Council President Brian White said the sidewalk cleanup project is long overdue.

“It’s so
PB Monthly •

Growth trend: Pacific Beach Town Council tackles weeds on traffic medians

Pictures show a traffic median on Mission Bay Drive near the Interstate 5 southbound on-ramp before and after members of the Pacific Beach Town Council cut the weeds Aug. 22.

If you’ve noticed that traffic medians in Pacific Beach look less overrun with weeds lately, thank the Pacific Beach Town Council — volunteers who have taken it on themselves to spruce up the streets.

Brian White, president of the nonprofit Town Council, said the city of San Diego has fallen behind on clearing weeds, part
PB Monthly •

Pacific Beach students' new magazine sheds light on community creativity

Erick Girouard and Gracie Semmens are 17-year-old students who soon start their senior year at Mission Bay High School. Like the rest of us, they are stuck in coronavirus restrictions this summer. And, like many of us, they are looking for ways to connect to their community during this time.

Enter Light!MoreLight!PB, a magazine that aims to showcase the creativity of young people in the Pacific Beach area.

The two friends realized there’s more to the PB scene than the typical “beaches and bros

Art

San Diego Magazine •

Covering 75: July 2023

The cover of San Diego Magazine’s February 1965 issue pointed readers towards the pristine, “unplundered” beaches in Baja, boasting of potential undiscovered gems to be found by “intrepid” visitors.

“On this beach,” reads the cover description, “a ‘mystique’ is made possible by the fortuitous lack of too many people and intrepid campers can find Nirvana in the cool breezes of that more southerly Pacific as well as a trove of cast-off treasures.”

Nearly 60 years later, San Diegans’ relationship
San Diego Magazine •

Covering 75: June 2023

Summer 1977 Superguide,” screamed the cover of the July 1977 issue of San Diego Magazine, splashed over a photo of a woman enjoying a multi-flavored, triple-scoop ice cream cone. And enjoying it she is, her tongue lapping at the highest scoop.

Tongues might not be the most visually appealing body part to some, but they certainly conjure reactions. Magazine covers are meant to get people talking. They should be provocative, memorable, and get tongues wagging. This on certainly seemed to.

Beneat
PB Monthly •

Local artist and residents team up to beautify PB Rec Center with surfboard murals

Residents of Pacific Beach are about to get a much splashier look for their recreation center thanks to a collaboration between local artist Rob Tobin and the Pacific Beach Town Council.

The non-descript center, built in the 1950s and regularly used for sports and other community activities, is getting a makeover, with lots of help from residents.

The “Pacific Beach Community Surf Garden” mosaic murals will beautify the north and south wall of the building. The project is the brainchild of Bri
San Diego Union-Tribune •

New mural at Bread & Salt brings public awareness about coronavirus

Local artist Tatiana Ortiz Rubio is bringing more color to Barrio Logan thanks to a mural installation on the silo of Bread & Salt gallery.

The mural is displayed as part of the “Your Actions Save Lives” campaign by the state of California to raise awareness about continuing to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It is one of 12 original works being shared in public places throughout California. The state partnered with local artists to “reach disproportionately impacted communities w
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Liberty Station mural depicts 'Women Who Persisted'

Point Loma’s Liberty Station is known as a cultural mecca for local artists and art lovers, filled with various installations and exhibits.

Recently, one such exhibit was installed on the walls outside the Women’s Museum of California depicting 100 years of the women’s movement.

Installed in January with plans for it to be up at least a year, “Waves of Feminism: Women Who Persisted” by local artist Katie Ruiz was inspired by women who might be lesser-known figures in the feminist movement and
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Liberty Station's 'Installations at the Station' aims to make public art more accessible

If you’ve ever spent time wandering around the Liberty Station commercial and cultural center, you’ve no doubt encountered pieces of art on display outside. What you might not know is that a fairly new project, “Installations at the Station,” is responsible for some of those pieces.

Since 2018, the NTC Foundation’s Art in Public Places Committee has commissioned pieces from local artists to display in the Arts District at Liberty Station, the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma.


Two
Point Loma-OB Monthly •

Ocean Beach MainStreet Association debuts OB-themed jigsaw puzzle

Looking for a local gift with a little flair this year? The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association’s new OB-themed jigsaw puzzle might be just the ticket.

Designed as part of the association’s merchandizing efforts, the puzzle depicts an artist’s view of one of San Diego’s most unique neighborhoods.

Denny Knox, executive director of OBMA, said the idea for the jigsaw puzzle came about during a Promotions Committee meeting. The committee was looking for a creative way to showcase Ocean Beach and fo

Lifestyle

San Diego Union-Tribune •

San Diego Loyal Soccer Club: A rookie’s guide to kicking it at a game

If there’s one thing you can say about fans of the San Diego Loyal Soccer Club , it’s that they’re, well, loyal.

But even if you’re just a casual sports fan — or, if you’re like me, which is less than casual — the SD Loyal wants you to know that you are welcome at its games — and you can still have a ball, even if soccer isn’t your thing.

The SD Loyal SC was founded in 2019 and officially debuted in 2020. No big deal, but Landon Donovan, probably the most famous American soccer player of our t
Pacific San Diego •

Getting into the swing of things at The Links at Petco Park

If you’re like me and not much of a golf or baseball fan, you might think that spending a morning hitting golf balls around a baseball stadium wouldn’t be enjoyable. Yet, despite my athletic ineptitude, I got a lot out of my time spent putting around Petco Park as part of their The Links at Petco Park by Callaway experience.

For two weeks, from Nov. 5 to Nov. 18, Petco Park transformed into a nine-hole golf course, the kind of thing a sports fans dreams are made of. But even if sports aren’t yo
Pacific San Diego •

I tried: Taking a sound bath

It’s 2:15 pm on a Tuesday afternoon during a global pandemic and I’m sprawled out on my yoga mat in the middle of my living room, burning sage and drinking flower essence in an attempt to clear out negative energy and achieve inner balance in my life. This is much easier said than done.

I’ve been working from home since the shutdown orders went into effect in mid-March. And since then, I’ve been resistant in shifting my real life to a virtual one. To me, participating in life virtually (whether
Pacific San Diego •

Coping with uncertainty with 'Yoga with Adriene'

It’s not an easy time in the world. The days are filled with turmoil and an underlying sense of hopelessness and uncertainty that permeates every corner of life.

In addition to the battle against Covid-19 and the overwhelming effects of the pandemic, like the economic ramifications and the politicizing of the virus itself, we’re also dealing with issues of racial inequality and the protests that have ensued because of it.

In short, things feel very messy. And we’ve all had to live with it. We’
San Diego Union-Tribune •

We try it: cutting and coloring our hair at home

Coronavirus has temporarily shut down hair salons, resulting in a lot of people trying out home haircuts and color kits.

All over social media, you’ll find tearful videos of bangs being cut way too short, color coming out in uneven stripes and very, very crooked trims.

But do we need to be doing this? Some local hairdressers advise against it.

“Don’t do it,” says Susanne Kende, owner of Me, My Curls and I salon in Kearny Mesa. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, it could take a long time to

Gift Guides

San Diego Union-Tribune •

For subscribers: 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Fashion made in San Diego

San Diego might not be known as one of the fashion capitals of the world, but it is home to a flourishing community of local creatives making everything from clothing, shoes, jewelry and other accessories. From small businesses to collaborations between two powerhouse brands, here are our picks for fashionable gifts made right here in America’s Finest City.

From delicate gold hoops to chunky rings, local jewelry brand Joiana Jewelry has chic, affordable pieces for everyone on your list. The bra
San Diego Union-Tribune •

For subscribers: 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts designed to soothe stress, calm nerves and help you relax

We all know a good night’s sleep is an important part of our self-care routine. For those nights when you just can’t rest your mind, try Remrise sleep vitamins . They’re made with natural ingredients and are even approved by the self-care queen herself: Gwyneth Paltrow! (GOOP sells Remrise on its website.) Remrise is available for single-purchase at various retailers like Amazon. Subscriptions are available directly through Remrise.

Subscriptions start at $50 per month; individual bottles are $
San Diego Union-Tribune •

For subscribers: 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Etsy gifts to fulfill your holiday checklist

If you can’t find a gift on Etsy, the online retail marketplace where makers and creatives sell their wares, then you need to rethink your gifting strategy. Etsy focuses on handmade and vintage items — sort of like an online flea market — making unique gifts accessible to all. Check out our picks for top Etsy gifts this holiday season.

Celebrate the city we love with a hand-lettered San Diego neighborhood map from the T Calligrapher Etsy shop. Display your pride for America’s Finest with these
San Diego Union-Tribune •

2020 Holiday Gift Guide: Style

San Diegan Kate Gookin was only 22 years old when she founded Fiber, a size-inclusive, small batch clothing line made from recycled materials or environmentally friendly fabrics that, according to their website, “cause no air, noise or water pollution during production.” Items like tops, tanks and face masks are available in tones like terracotta, olive, ivory and mustard and are generally priced under $100. A favorite? The color block tee in mustard/ivory priced at $78. shopfiber.co

A blanket
San Diego Union-Tribune •

2020 Holiday Gift Guide: Drinks

The holidays are going to look a lot different this year, but you can keep the magic alive by gifting loved ones a jolly buzz.

Perfect for times of social distancing, Taffer’s Mixologist cocktail mixers are the brainchild of “Bar Rescue” host Jon Taffer . Mix your own cocktail creations at home with this line of low-calorie mixers, including Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, Piña Colada, Mojito, Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan and Skinny ‘Rita. Just mix with your favorite alcohol for an at-home treat,
Pacific San Diego •

Shop Small San Diego

Don’t get us wrong, we love a mall.

But sometimes we’re in the mood for something different: A smaller shopping experience where you can find gifts close to home, meet your neighbors and even get suggestions from the shop owners.

That’s why we created the Shop Small Holiday Guide. We’re spotlighting items and boutiques that are exclusive to San Diego — everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry to books written by local authors.

We scoured the city to find items that should make for unique and tho
Pacific San Diego •

Shop Small San Diego: Booze

Instead of the usual bottle of champagne or red wine, bring over some booze from these local distilleries.

You and Yours Canned cocktails from You & Yours Distilling Co. are available in flavors like Gin & Tonic, Vodka Mule and Cranberry Vodka Soda. Keep an eye out for new flavors like Tangerine Vodka Soda rolling out before the holidays!

Whether you sip it on the rocks, shoot it straight or mix it up into a cocktail, Skrewball peanut butter whiskey would warm even the Grinch’s heart.

For the

Blind Dates

PACIFIC magazine's famous Blind Date series chronicles the dates of strangers set up by the magazine. 

Pacific San Diego •

Blind Date: Winning the Pottery

The 1990 movie Ghost gave us many things: It gave us a timeless love story between the luminous Demi Moore and the sultry Patrick Swayze. It gave us Demi’s chic boy haircut and Patrick’s razor sharp jawline. It gave us an Academy Award-winning performance from the great Whoopi Goldberg, who uttered classic lines like, “You in danger, girl.” And it gave us the perfectly normal idea that you could still carry on a romantic relationship with your loved one and solve crimes from beyond the grave — w
Pacific San Diego •

Blind Date: When in Dome

Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few months, you’re probably familiar with something called Dinner With a View. Described as a “most fabulous dining event,” the much-hyped pop-up dinner invites diners to indulge in a three-course menu of upscale cuisine while enclosed in a clear plastic dome filled with lush greenery, dramatic lighting and trendy décor. It’s a dinner setting that’s tailor-made for Instagram.

Dinner With a View promises “a dining experience in a highly unexpecte
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Cryo me a river

Once upon a time (1998, to be exact), a pop princess named Britney Spears burst onto the scene with her infectious debut single, …Baby One More Time. In it, she sings, “My loneliness is killing me; I must confess, I still believe.”

In the spirit of these lyrics, PACIFIC set up two singles who might be feeling lonely, but “still believe” in finding their chance at love — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

On paper, this month’s daters, Josh, 34, and Mateo, 39, have a decent amount in common: The
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Going with the flow

Most people look at the beginning of the year as a time to recharge and set some healthier habits. Whether it’s resolving to spend Sundays meal-prepping or vowing to try a new exercise , January is the time that people buckle down in an effort to make up for the sins of the holiday season.

With this in mind, PACIFIC set up Jasmine and Correy, two singles who are looking to up their dating game by stepping outside their comfort zones and (hopefully) into each other’s arms. Jasmine and Correy hav
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Ice to meet you

San Diego winters can be brutal. The days are shorter. It’s freezing, with daytime highs sometimes barely breaking 65 degrees. We have to wear coats. It might even rain. Which is why, during the winter months, most people prefer staying indoors, where all they need is a warm blanket, a roaring fire in the fireplace (even candles will do), a cozy cocktail and a Netflix subscription.

That can get lonely, though, so why not try to find a partner during “cuffing season?”

With this in mind, PACIFIC
Pacific San Diego •

Blind Date: A Perfect Pair

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: A personal trainer and a chiropractor walk into a wine bar on a Wednesday evening, hoping for a connection, preferably of the romantic variety. OK, so there’s no punchline to this joke, but it turns out, this month’s blind daters are full of laughs, and they both have a great sense of humor about themselves, each other and this crazy little thing called a PACIFIC magazine Blind Date.

Meet Austin, a personal trainer who’s looking for something authentic, and Vin
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Leap of faith

Ask any single and they’ll tell you: dating can be risky. There’s the risk of getting ghosted, the risk of jumping in too fast, the risk of getting hurt and the risk of being humiliated and left with nothing but a bruised ego and a broken heart.

But, of course, dating can also be rewarding: the reward of feeling sparks with someone new, the reward of falling in love and the reward of never having to swipe on a dating app again.

As the saying goes, “no risk, no reward.” So, with that in mind, t
Pacific San Diego •

Blind Date: For Batter or for Worse

Is it even summer in San Diego if you haven’t gone to a Padres game? There’s no better or more American way to spend a Friday evening than hanging out at the ballpark, hot dog in one hand, beer in the other, a relative stranger you’re on a blind date with sitting next to you and a photographer trying to inconspicuously take your photo all night for a magazine.

OK, so maybe going to the ball game during a PACIFIC blind date isn’t the most traditional baseball experience, but this month’s daters,
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: One Date Wonder

A quick scroll through Instagram proves that the Wonderspaces phenomenon is showing no signs of slowing down. In case you aren’t familiar, Wonderspaces is a pop-up, interactive art exhibit (happening in San Diego, Arizona and Austin) that seems ready-made for the influencer set. With elaborate backdrops, eye-catching light displays and bold representations, Wonderspaces attracts a diverse crowd of people who want to experience the wonder of Wonderspaces firsthand (and also capture it for the ‘gr
Pacific San Diego •

Blind Date: All's fair in love and war

It’s a balmy Sunday evening at the San Diego County Fair, and the air is thick with the smell of popcorn, funnel cakes and other fried delicacies. The sounds of children squealing in delight and carnival barkers trying to entice fill the air, while techno beats blast from the roller coasters whizzing by.

There’s something magical about the fair, as anyone who grew up in San Diego knows. It’s the ultimate summer activity, a place with something for just about everyone to enjoy.

It’s also the se
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Crazy little thing called love

When making a list of the greatest movie couples ever to grace the silver screen, certain pairs instantly spring to mind: Rose and Jack from Titanic. Baby and Johnny from Dirty Dancing. Allie and Noah from The Notebook.

Some of the actors who played these iconic roles had such powerful chemistry, people assumed their love affair played out off-screen as well, leaving audiences to wonder, “Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy?”

Which brings us to tonight’s cinema-themed blind date, se
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Getting lucky

In the game of love, there are two types of people: there are the types of people who bet wisely and keep their hands close to the vest, and there are the types of people who go all in and put everything on the line. Because what is dating if not a game of chance? Much like gambling, finding love involves a bit skill and a bit of luck. You’ve also got to trust your gut (and it helps if you have a good poker face).

So what better place for this month’s blind daters to test their luck than the ne
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Mezcal me maybe

It was a cold and rainy night in San Diego, the kind of night you just want to stay in, cuddled up under a blanket and getting your Netflix and chill on.

But blind daters Jessica, 30, and Jimmy, 26, aren’t the kind of people to let a little rain get in the way of a good time. Instead, they put on their finest outfits (well, at least one of them did) and braved the cold in order to meet each other on PACIFIC magazine’s blind date. Not even wet stuff falling from the sky could drown their hopes o
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Mission improv-ible

Once upon a time, in a sunny seaside town filled with beaches, craft breweries and great Mexican food, a man and a woman agreed to be set up on a blind date for PACIFIC magazine. They agreed to do so in the hopes of finding their one true love, or at the very least, having a fun night out on the town. Both daters were ready to head into the date with open hearts and open minds, hoping that the person they were being set up with might be the one to break their single streak and take them off the
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Let it bee

It’s February in San Diego and love is in the air. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and, most importantly, the bees are buzzing in anticipation over this blind date.

This month’s daters are Katrina, 34, a wine expert who eschews popular dating apps and chooses to spend her free time outdoors, and Ian, 38, a hopeful courier with a unique sense of style and humor who has reached out to PACIFIC (a few times, actually) to make his blind date dreams come true.

This date stands out for a fe
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: Road hard

Happy New Year, dear readers. It’s 2019 and, in an effort to start things off on the right track, we sent blind daters Chris and Ellie to take a few laps and play some games (but, hopefully not of the mental variety) on a chilly Sunday evening in America’s Finest City.

In addition to being the first blind date of 2019, this date also has some international flair added to the mix, as Chris is a Brit who hopped the pond to live in sunny San Diego. Here’s hoping he can adapt to driving on the righ
Pacific San Diego •

Blind date: The cold and the beautiful

It’s the holiday season in San Diego, and while we may not have fresh snowfall to create a picture-perfect winter backdrop, we do have several seasonal ice skating rinks to help get us into the spirit. Ice skating rinks also happen to make great date spots, and it’s where singles Tierra and Chad will have their first on this chilly (for San Diego) evening.

The daters first lay eyes on each other after an Epic Limo picks up Chad at his Mission Hills pad, and then swings over to Pacific Beach to

Weekend Event Guides

Pacific San Diego •

San Diego’s top weekend events: March 17-20

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, March 17 to Sunday, March 20.

Kurt Metzger: Comedian Kurt Metzger brings his standup set to San Diego with three nights of shows at American Comedy Company. Metzger is best known for his work on the TV series “Inside Amy Schumer,” which won him both an Emmy and Peabody Award. 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. American Comedy Co., 818 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp. Tickets are $20 but are currently on sale for $10 at time of writing; amer
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego’s top weekend events: March 10-13

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, March 10 to Sunday, March 13.

Comedian Steve Byrne (“Comedy Central Presents Steve Byrne,” “Steve Byrne’s Happy Hour”) has appeared in films like “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard,” “Four Christmases” and “Couples Retreat.” He’ll be headlining five shows over the weekend in downtown San Diego. 8 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday . American Comedy Co., 818 Sixth Ave., downtown. Starting at $10; americancomedyco.com.
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego’s top weekend events: March 3-6

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch: The Flower Fields are back! The 55-acre floral attraction at Carlsbad Ranch officially kicked off its 2022 season on Tuesday. In addition to the abundance of beautiful flowers, there will be activities like live concerts, yoga classes, flower arranging and photography workshops, wine-tasting events and tea parties, and food vendors. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Runs through May 8. The Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad. Tickets (sold online by timed ent
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego's top weekend events: Feb. 24-27

Eighth Annual Crow Show Preview Night: The Crow Show returns to Hillcrest! The exhibit, which runs through March 31, opens with a preview night on Thursday. Thursday’s opening coincides with another anticipated return: Hillcrest First Thursdays event. Preview night is 6-9 p.m. Thursday. The exhibit is viewable during studio hours, noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Studio Door, 3867 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Free; thestudiodoor.com/the-crow-show

Brent Morin at American Comedy Co.: If you
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego's top weekend events: Feb. 17-20

San Diego International Jewish Film Festival: Catch the final four days of the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival, which concludes Sunday. This year’s lineup features more than 30 films, shorts and documentaries, which are all available to stream virtually. There are also still 11 in-person film screenings still on the schedule, including “Wet Dog” (Thursday), “Kiss Me Kosher” (Friday), “200 Meters” (Saturday) and “Tiger Within” (Sunday). Times vary, runs through Feb. 20. David & Dorot
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego’s top weekend events: Feb. 10-13

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, Feb. 10 to Sunday, Feb. 13.

San Diego Jewish Film Festival: This year, the San Diego Jewish Film Festival (SDJFF) will host film screenings both in person and virtually. This year’s lineup features more than 30 films, shorts and documentaries. Times vary, runs through Feb. 20. David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre at Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Tickets are $15 per film (excluding fees); 2022sd
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego’s top weekend events: Feb. 3-6

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, Feb. 3 to Sunday, Feb. 6. Check event websites for latest health protocols and cancellations.

Four Seasons by Vivaldi and Piazzolla: The San Diego Symphony presents performances of Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons, as well as composer Astor Piazzolla’s interpretation of the music that’s infused with Argentinian spirit and tango rhythms. The concert, conducted by Christopher Dragon, features violinist Elena Urioste and will be performed
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego’s top weekend events: Jan. 27-30

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, Jan. 27 to Sunday, Jan. 30. Check event websites for latest health protocols and cancellations.

The Marias: Indie pop band The Marías, aka singer María Zardoya and drummer Josh Conway, are on the road with its CINEMA Tour 2022. They will stop in San Diego to will play an all-ages show at SOMA, also featuring openers are Maye and Rosie Tucker. 8 p.m. Thursday. SOMA, 3550 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway Sold out; somasandiego.com.

READ MOR
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego's top weekend events: Jan. 20-23

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, Jan. 20 to Sunday, Jan. 23. Check event websites for latest health protocols and cancellations.

There aren’t a lot of opportunities to experience the kind of dancing you’ll see from Alonzo King LINES Ballet. The San Francisco-based contemporary ballet company blends classical dance with movement that’s inspired by nature, by ideas and by emotions. Be sure to catch this rare San Diego appearance for a show that highlights dances from
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego's top weekend events: Jan. 13-17

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, Jan. 13 to Monday, Jan. 17. Check event websites for latest health protocols and cancellations.

Bryce Vine: Rapper/singer Bryce Vine, whose work includes TV show “The Glee Project” and his 2019 debut album “Carnival,” brings his “Miss You A Little Tour 2022” to San Diego, featuring openers Gianni & Kyle and Chloe Lilac. 7 p.m. Thursday. House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp. $30-$75; houseofblues.com/sandiego/concert-eve
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego's top weekend events: Jan. 6-10

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, Jan. 6 through Monday, Jan. 10:

soundON Festival: This informal festival, put on by San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, focuses on modern music with three days of chamber music concerts and open rehearsals. 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $22 and $27 for individual concerts; $60 and $75 for the series. Doors open at 7 and seating is first-come, firs
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego's top weekend events: Dec. 30 to Jan. 2

Here are top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, Dec. 30 through Sunday, Jan. 2.

After taking 2020 off, Mannheim Steamroller returns to San Diego with its 36th anniversary Christmas tour, presented by Broadway San Diego. Check out this nontraditional genre of rock-infused classical music, which will be a compilation of Christmas classics. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $35.50 and up; broadwaysd.com.

San Diego soul band and Daptone Records-signe
Pacific San Diego •

San Diego's top weekend events: Dec. 23-28

Here are the top events happening in San Diego from Thursday, Dec. 23 through Tuesday, Dec. 28. Check event websites for latest health protocols.

As Spreckels Theatre undergoes renovations, City Ballet takes its popular, Victorian-era “Nutcracker” on the road. The ballet still showcases choreography by Elizabeth Wistrich and will be accompanied by The City Ballet Orchestra, with John Nettles conducting the Tchaikovsky score. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 3