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Diane Bell

Diane Bell was a longtime columnist for The San Diego Union-Tribune. She chronicled life in and around the city of San Diego for The San Diego Union-Tribune starting in1995. In prior years, Diane was opinion pages editor and an editorial writer, and served as president of the National Association of Opinion Page Editors. She received her masters in journalism from the University of Missouri, followed by stints as an editor and a reporter covering various news beats, including education, features, general news and consumer issues. She won the national Penney-Missouri award for consumer reporting. Before becoming opinion pages editor at the U-T, Diane was senior deputy editor of U.S. News & World Report in Washington, D.C.

Imagine my surprise to find a city bus outside our Union-Tribune building in Mission Valley promoting my new job as city columnist in 1995.

It’s been a great ride – thanks for the memories

July 24, 2023 at 5:19 a.m.

For years, I have had the privilege of patrolling the Del Mar racetrack on opening day in pursuit of off-the-beaten-track stories as I capture the atmosphere of this annual San...

Kallie, a former roadside petting zoo tiger, relaxes in her pool at Lions Tigers and Bears after amputation of her front leg.

Tiger with three legs has outstanding recovery

July 19, 2023 at 10:55 p.m.

When Bobbi Brink arrived at the Oklahoma ranch that had become a dumping ground for a shuttered roadside zoo's unwanted exotic animals, she had three words:“I was disgusted.”The cast-off animals...

Richard Nares took along the shoes of his late son, Emilio, when he embarked on a 1,700-mile run from Seattle to San Diego in his son's name.

El legado de Emilio Nares, de 5 anos, sigue vivo 23 anos despues de su fallecimiento

July 19, 2023 at 11:13 a.m.

Cuando Richard Nares hizo su recorrido de 1700 millas de Seattle a San Diego en 2018, metió en la maleta un par de zapatillas extra.No eran para él. Eran las...

Richard Nares took along the shoes of his late son, Emilio, when he embarked on a 1,700-mile run from Seattle to San Diego in his son's name.

Legacy of Emilio Nares, 5, lives on 23 years after his ing

July 18, 2023 at 1:01 p.m.

When Richard Nares made his 1,700-mile run from Seattle to San Diego in 2018, he packed an extra pair of sneakers.They weren't for him. They were the pint-sized shoes of...

Richard Nares took along the shoes of his late son, Emilio, when he embarked on a 1,700-mile run from Seattle to San Diego in his son's name.

Legacy of Emilio Nares, 5, lives on 23 years after his ing

July 18, 2023 at 10:54 p.m.

When Richard Nares made his 1,700-mile run from Seattle to San Diego in 2018, he packed an extra pair of sneakers.They weren't for him. They were the pint-sized shoes of...

First of a new comic book series, "Con & On," based on a fictional Comic-Con, came out this week. It sure looks like San Diego.

Comic-Con is the star of a new comic book series

July 15, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

Comic-Con has just become the star of a new comic book series, "Com & On."It's about time.The convention that kicked off in San Diego in 1970 in the basement of...

Comic-Con A to Z graphic lettering.

Your guide to San Diego’s Comic-Con International – from A to Z

July 15, 2023 at 7:23 a.m.

Comic-Con International returns next week for four-plus days of s, exhibitions, outdoor activations and cosplayers filling the streets of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. There are thousands of things to see...

This device helps Daisy Kent hear. The curved portion slips over her ear while the magnet senses the cochlear implant under her scalp.

Introducing a social media good Samaritan

July 21, 2023 at 6:56 p.m.

For years, Daisy Kent endured a tumultuous medical journey that turned bouts of flu and meningitis into tangos with death, and generated overwhelming fatigue, stroke-like symptoms and inexplicable progressive hearing...

Zoe Bernard, striped dress, of La Mesa, plays a space camp cadet in Wes Anderson's newly released movie, "Asteroid City."

Zoe Bernard of La Mesa acts with the stars in ‘Asteroid City’

July 12, 2023 at 1:20 a.m.

A highlight of being in the cast of a Wes Anderson film was solving riddles with actor Tom Hanks.That's how Zoe Bernard, 12, often spent her breaks from shooting the...

Kathleen Newhouse, in her Fallbrook studio, never painted before her near-death experience inspired visions she felt compelled to turn into art.

Mom awakes from coma with amazing artistic transformation

July 8, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

What is it like to live between heaven and earth? To be locked in a world with one foot in a rainbow of flowers and the other in a grave?In...

Girl Scouts San Diego awarded Cadette Girl Scout Amelia Umstadter, 13, its Medal of Honor for quick action during an emergency.

Heroic action wins youth, 13, a Girl Scout Medal of Honor

July 6, 2023 at 5:27 p.m.

Last Sept. 4 started as a fun Saturday at the Los Peñasquitos home of Anna and Karl Umstadter as the family got ready to go sailing. Then things quickly turned...

Girl Scouts San Diego awarded Cadette Girl Scout Amelia Umstadter, 13, its Medal of Honor for quick action during an emergency.

Heroic action wins youth, 13, a Girl Scout Medal of Honor

July 6, 2023 at 1:10 p.m.

Last Sept. 4 started as a fun Saturday at the Los Peñasquitos home of Anna and Karl Umstadter as the family got ready to go sailing. Then things quickly turned...

San Diegan Cheryl Rattner Price visits a shop in Gorlitz, which displays The Butterfly Project, which she co-founded.

Children of Holocaust are memorialized in German town

July 4, 2023 at 10:32 p.m.

Cheryl Rattner Price was simply a ceramic artist until butterflies came into her life and sent her on a worldwide quest.It all started in 2006 when Jan Landau, then teaching...

San Diegan Cheryl Rattner Price visits a shop in Gorlitz, which displays The Butterfly Project, which she co-founded.

Children of Holocaust are memorialized in German town

July 6, 2023 at 1:17 a.m.

Cheryl Rattner Price was simply a ceramic artist until butterflies came into her life and sent her on a worldwide quest.It all started in 2006 when Jan Landau, then teaching...

In "Human Footprint" Episode 2 narrator Shane Campbell-Staton, l, and producer Nathan Dappen visit the Smithsonian's "Whale Warehouse," home to the largest bone in the world.

PBS series by San Diego producers investigates evolution

July 3, 2023 at 2:04 p.m.

Nathan Dappen has gone on a rat safari in the urban jungle of America and been pelted by Asian carp in the Illinois River.He has explored the extensive habitat of...

In "Human Footprint" Episode 2 narrator Shane Campbell-Staton, l, and producer Nathan Dappen visit the Smithsonian's "Whale Warehouse," home to the largest bone in the world.

PBS series by San Diego producers investigates evolution

July 1, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

Nathan Dappen has gone on a rat safari in the urban jungle of America and been pelted by Asian carp in the Illinois River.He has explored the extensive habitat of...

Alejandro Nazario, once homeless and truant, invited Escondido police Officer John Larson to his high school graduation.

The story of a cop and a homeless boy has a fairytale ending

June 24, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

Alejandro Matias Nazario is a lucky guy.That's a surprising adjective to use in describing a homeless 12-year-old who was hanging out at a Starbucks and Jack in the Box in...

Sean McQuaid, 33, pushes Riley Pathman, 24, to a Guinness World Record-breaking time in Grandma's Marathon in Minnesota on June 17.

San Diego duo sets wheelchair marathon world record

June 23, 2023 at 12:49 a.m.

A San Diego duo broke the Guinness world record for running the fastest marathon pushing a wheelchair last weekend.Sean McQuaid, 33, who operates a downtown San Diego flooring store with...

Debbra Sweet, of Vista, has re-invented herself as pop icon Cher. She performs with guitarist Chris Yates and back-up musicians.

From traumatic head injury to channeling Cher

June 20, 2023 at 8:29 p.m.

Debbra Sweet hasn't served in the military, but she knows the terror of post-traumatic stress, depression and suicidal thoughts.A week before graduating from high school in Wisconsin, she slammed head...

Late comedian Russ T Nailz, c, played a vice principal in "Scuba," filmed in Poway. He is flanked by Poway teacher Sharon Wezelman, l, and Bob Himlin.

Feature film made in Poway to have its Hollywood premiere

June 18, 2023 at 6:29 p.m.

When a young film producer from Poway appeared on the local "On the Air" show on KUSI TV, co-host Russ T Nailz jokingly said, "You should cast me in the...

Late comedian Russ T Nailz, c, played a vice principal in "Scuba," filmed in Poway. He is flanked by Poway teacher Sharon Wezelman, l, and Bob Himlin.

Feature film made in Poway to have its Hollywood premiere

June 17, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

When a young film producer from Poway appeared on the local "On the Air" show on KUSI TV, co-host Russ T Nailz jokingly said, "You should cast me in the...

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mysterious Galaxy on May 13 were owners Jenni Marchisotto, l, with Matthew Berger and their daughters Isla, 1, and Amelia Marchisotto, 3.

Mayhem, murder and magic continue at Mysterious Galaxy

June 15, 2023 at 12:28 p.m.

When Matthew Berger was a kid in Corona, his dad used to drive with him to San Diego to meet authors at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore and browse through its...

Wearing his T-shirt, "Straight Outta Countries," Randy Williams memorializes his visit to Turkmenistan, completing his quest to visit all 193 nations.

Visiting every country in the world fails to end wanderlust

June 13, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

When I last talked to Randy "R Dub" Williams, he was on a wait list to visit Turkmenistan, the Central Asian country that declared its independence in 1991 after the...

Former Vietnam War POW Wayne Goodermote welcomed to Berlin in 1973. (Times Union archives)

Vietnam POW es away after 50th anniversary of release

June 10, 2023 at 12:23 p.m.

Wayne Goodermote rarely opened up about his nearly six years of incarceration in North Vietnam prison camps, where he was blindfolded and moved from one detention facility to another.The Poway...

Henry Chan, 62, of Mira Mesa, who runs barefoot and dresses as Elvis, finished his 100th Rock 'n' Roll race event here on June 4.

Rock ‘n’ Roll 25-year milestones – and a barefoot runner

June 8, 2023 at 11:58 p.m.

Denise Carbone has vivid memories of the first Rock 'n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego in 1998.The portable restrooms were locked, there was a scarcity of drinking water available in...

An artist's depiction of Oceanside in the new Disney TV animated series, "Hailey's On It!" adds an amusement park to the pier.

TV series to put Oceanside on the map – again

June 5, 2023 at 11:20 p.m.

Oceanside got 15 seconds of international fame when Tom Cruise, as Maverick, rode to his girlfriend Charlie's cottage during a stunning sunset, with "Take My Breath Away" playing in the...

Twins, Carol Baker, l, and Carolyn Lowery-Baker, r, with their photo as toddlers, finished high school after dropping out in 1975.

Twins, age 64, earn their high school diplomas together – at last

June 3, 2023 at 12:41 p.m.

Identical twins captivated the audience at MiraCosta College graduation ceremony last week. It was an adult high school commencement, and the proud, smiling grads were 64-year-old Carol Elizabeth Baker and...

Kim Fletcher, 90, lives on the low-lying coast of Del Mar in a neighborhood projected to be increasingly threatened by sea-level rise, shown here on April 26, 2018. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/ San Diego Union -Tribune)

Legal turmoil embroils San Diego’s pioneering Fletcher family

June 1, 2023 at 6:03 p.m.

The pioneering Fletcher family has been making news in Southern California for generations — mostly good news, but not always.Charles “Kim” Fletcher, who died in 2019 at age 91, turned...

Kim Fletcher, 90, lives on the low-lying coast of Del Mar in a neighborhood projected to be increasingly threatened by sea-level rise, shown here on April 26, 2018. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/ San Diego Union -Tribune)

Legal turmoil embroils San Diego’s pioneering Fletcher family

June 2, 2023 at 2:07 p.m.

The pioneering Fletcher family has been making news in Southern California for generations — mostly good news, but not always.Charles “Kim” Fletcher, who died in 2019 at age 91, turned...

Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey took a selfie in front of Mount Everest at the start of his climb up the world's highest peak.

Coronado mayor runs Boston Marathon, then climbs Mount Everest

May 31, 2023 at 11:12 p.m.

Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey barely had time to catch his breath after running the Boston Marathon on April 17 before catching a flight to Kathmandu in Nepal.He was about to...

Sasha Foo (lower far right) wrote a play, "Choice Words," presented by these actresses and director Terry Ross (center back) at the 2023 Fringe Festival.

Ex-newscaster Sasha Foo finds her voice as a playwright

May 26, 2023 at 1:24 p.m.

When newscaster Sasha Foo bid adieu to KUSI TV viewers on Oct. 15, 2020, after 17 years, she had covered topics that ranged from the Cedar wildfire, Petco Park opening,...

Actors with guns, Ryan Stuart, l, and Julia Ling, r, shown in behind-the-scenes filming of 2019 film "Tango Down."

Veteran suicides spark actress Julia Ling’s ion project

May 24, 2023 at 1:24 a.m.

Actress Julia Ling is ionate about her latest project — Veteran Powered Films.You might recall her from her recurring role as Anna Wu on the NBC TV series “Chuck” or...

Alejandro Pliego, 18, poses in a hallway at Rock Academy in Liberty Station on Friday, May 5, 2023. Pliego, the first in his family to go to college, will be attending Princeton with a full-ride scholarship. He hopes to study public policy and minor in global health.

Suena a lo grande, le dijeron de adolescente; ahora va a Princeton

May 22, 2023 at 6:45 p.m.

Princeton fue calificada por U.S. News & World Report como la universidad nacional número 1 de Estados Unidos en 2023. Tiene menos de 6 mil estudiantes universitarios y una baja...

P.O.D. front man Paul "Sonny" Sandoval s in Border View YMCA event with YMCA Regional Executive Director Laura Humphreys.

South County YMCA has ‘Sonny’ future as P.O.D. singer s board

May 19, 2023 at 11:15 p.m.

He wasn't performing, so why was the lead singer of nu-metal-hard-rock-reggae band P.O.D. mingling with the crowd at the YMCA in Otay Mesa for Healthy Kids Day on April 29?Paul...

San Diego PR specialist Derek Danziger wrote a children's book on autism in his free time in his home office.

San Diego author looks to change perception of autism

May 18, 2023 at 4:34 p.m.

Derek Danziger deserves an "A" for showing that autism can be something awesome.The north San Diego resident has penned his first children's book. It's not the typical tale of adventure,...

Eliot Stein, shown with his dog, Ringo, now lives in Oregon. As a teen in San Diego he was a frequent radio contest winner.

How did he do it? Serial winner of radio contests reveals his secret after 50 years

May 15, 2023 at 1:24 p.m.

For decades, Eliot Stein has kept mum about something that bewildered San Diego fans of Top 40 radio music in the late '60s and early '70s.He and his twin brother,...

Alejandro Pliego, 18, poses in a hallway at Rock Academy in Liberty Station on Friday, May 5, 2023. Pliego, the first in his family to go to college, will be attending Princeton with a full-ride scholarship. He hopes to study public policy and minor in global health.

Dream big, teen was told. Now he’s going to Princeton

May 12, 2023 at 3:01 p.m.

Princeton, rated by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 university in the United States in 2023, has fewer than 6,000 undergraduates and a low 4.4 percent applicant...

Five National City taco vendors visit Las Vegas with media influencer Juixxe (back row, right), ed by a videographer and guide.

Taco vendors are taken on a surprise free trip to Vegas

May 12, 2023 at 5:28 a.m.

Just being a social media influencer wasn't fulfilling enough for Jesús Morales, whose online persona is Juixxe.He wanted to make a difference. In 2020, he set a goal of being...

Research compiled by psychologist Jean Twenge sounds a loud warning bell about the harmful effects of social media on teens.

Do phones hurt kids’ mental health? SDSU researcher says yes

May 11, 2023 at 3:42 p.m.

Shock. That is the only way to describe my reaction to the deterioration of teen mental health documented by prominent local researcher Jean Twenge.She is a professor at San Diego...

Research compiled by psychologist Jean Twenge sounds a loud warning bell about the harmful effects of social media on teens.

Do phones hurt kids’ mental health? SDSU researcher says yes

May 11, 2023 at 3:33 p.m.

Shock. That is the only way to describe my reaction to the deterioration of teen mental health documented by prominent local researcher Jean Twenge.She is a professor at San Diego...

Alejandro Pliego, 18, poses in a hallway at Rock Academy in Liberty Station on Friday, May 5, 2023. Pliego, the first in his family to go to college, will be attending Princeton with a full-ride scholarship. He hopes to study public policy and minor in global health.

Dream big, teen was told; now he’s going to Princeton

May 10, 2023 at 9:03 p.m.

Princeton was rated by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 national university in the United States in 2023. It has fewer than 6,000 undergraduates and a low...

Jenny Craig, center, with, from left, Wendy Walker, Michelle Weinger (Craig's daughter) and Katie Couric in 2023.

Jenny Craig is sad the weight loss empire she built is crumbling

May 5, 2023 at 11:14 p.m.

The sudden closure of Jenny Craig Inc. headquarters in Carlsbad caught Jenny Craig, the company's co-founder and namesake, by surprise.Forty years ago, she and her late husband, Sidney, gave birth...

Ex-Navy buddies Steve Dobesh, l, and Matt Zarracina, whose ticket delivery system discourages scalpers, at a Miami theater.

S.D. Symphony guards against fraudulent ticket sales

May 4, 2023 at 6:42 p.m.

It is certainly frustrating when two or three or four, or more, concert attendees show up with a ticket for the same seat.Given the high demand for resale tickets, it's...

In the "Slaughterhouse" movie sequel being filmed in Campo, Remdog prepares Wonder Jerky using a flame thrower.

‘Slaughterhouse’ horror film sequel set in Campo

May 2, 2023 at 1:22 a.m.

Thirty-seven years ago, Rick Roessler and Jerry Encoe collaborated to create a low-budget cult horror comedy, "Slaughterhouse."They shot some of the footage in Lakeside and at a pig farm in...

This Menorah outside the SDSU Chabad was destroyed by vandals early this month, and the community has rallied to replace it.

A fight against anti-Semitism, and Harry Belafonte’s activism hailed

May 2, 2023 at 7:40 p.m.

In the early morning of April 2, a surveillance camera recorded a young man destroying a 12-foot-tall menorah sculpture that stood in front of the SDSU Chabad at 6115 Montezuma...

This Menorah outside the SDSU Chabad was destroyed by vandals early this month, and the community has rallied to replace it.

A fight against anti-Semitism, and Harry Belafonte’s activism hailed

April 29, 2023 at 12:37 p.m.

In the early morning of April 2, a surveillance camera recorded a young man destroying a 12-foot-tall menorah sculpture that stood in front of the SDSU Chabad at 6115 Montezuma...

Research compiled by psychologist Jean Twenge sounds a loud warning bell about the harmful effects of social media on teens.

Research has linked teens’ mental health struggles to social media. One SDSU professor is issuing a call to action

April 28, 2023 at 9:45 p.m.

Shock. That is the only way to describe my reaction to the deterioration of teen mental health documented by prominent local researcher Jean Twenge.She is a professor at San Diego...

Heidi Langbein-Allen is with her dad, Wilhelm "Willi" Langbein. She ghostwrote his book on being part of the Hitler Youth.

Former Hitler Youth tells his story, nearly eight decades later

April 25, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

Eighty years ago this month, some of the darkest hours of the Holocaust emerged as, on the day before Hitler's birthday, German troops invaded the Warsaw ghetto in Poland and...

Poway indoor rowing champion Ella Fox, who holds five world records, works out at CrossFit Sun in Carmel Mountain Ranch.

Poway businesswoman gains five world records in two years

April 22, 2023 at 7:34 p.m.

A Poway mother of three young kids has muscled her way to five world records and multiple world championships only two years after taking up her sport.Ella Fox, 45, owns...

SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 20: Indoor rowing champion Ella Fox , who holds five world records in the 40-49 age group, and took up the sport two years ago, works out at CrossFit Sun in Carmel Mountain. (Howard Lipin / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Businesswoman gains five world records in two years

April 22, 2023 at 12:01 p.m.

A Poway mother of three young kids has muscled her way to five world records and multiple world championships only two years after taking up her sport.Ella Fox, 45, owns...

Hanna Gundrum paints a mural promoting San Diego on an L.A. building in a campaign to attract tourists to sunny San Diego.

The writing is on the wall for boosting San Diego tourism

April 20, 2023 at 12:26 p.m.

Local tourism officials are taking a bold and unconventional approach to enticing residents of the three largest U.S. cities to visit San Diego.They've ed forces with the folks at Tripadvisor,...

Randy "R Dub!" Williams gets into the garb in Kazakhstan en route to visiting every U.N.-recognized country in the world.

San Diegan visits every country in the world

April 18, 2023 at 3:58 p.m.

Randy Williams has slept in a yurt in the Mongolian desert, spent the night in a safe house in Afghanistan and bedded down in a floating village in Brunei. He...

When chancellor of the San Diego Community Colleges, Constance Carroll, r, met Jill Biden at a Washington, D.C. conference.

Longtime San Diego education leader, 77, named by Biden to star-studded arts

April 19, 2023 at 12:24 a.m.

Constance M. Carroll has long joked about failing at retirement.After stepping down in 2021 with 17 years' service as chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, she continued to...

Randy "R Dub!" Williams gets into the garb in Kazakhstan en route to visiting every U.N.-recognized country in the world.

San Diegan visits every country in the world

April 15, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

Randy Williams has slept in a yurt in the Mongolian desert, spent the night in a safe house in Afghanistan and bedded down in a floating village in Brunei. He...

Citizen astronaut Katya Echazaretta sits next to a gravity well that simulates planetary orbit at the Fleet Science Center, where she will be honored April 15, 2023.

First Mexican-born woman in space becomes a space activist

April 13, 2023 at 4:55 p.m.

At age 27, Katya Echazarreta already has appeared on the cover of Vogue Mexico, was a woman of the year for Glamour magazine's Mexican edition, co-hosted the YouTube series "Netflix...

Meet Ollie, the dog who goes to court. Trained by Pawsitive Teams, he is in the S.D. District Attorney's Victim Advocate program.

Canine in court – Ollie is there to serve

April 13, 2023 at 9:37 p.m.

Magen Queen's Vista office is unlike those of the other San Diego County deputy district attorneys. It's equipped with a dog bed, plush toys and dog food.And she has a...

Citizen astronaut Katya Echazaretta sits next to a gravity well that simulates planetary orbit at the Fleet Science Center, where she will be honored April 15, 2023.

La primera mexicana que ha ido al espacio se vuelve activista espacial

April 11, 2023 at 7:18 p.m.

A sus 27 años, Katya Echazarreta ya ha aparecido en la portada de Vogue México, fue mujer del año para la edición mexicana de la revista Glamour, copresentó la serie...

Citizen astronaut Katya Echazaretta sits next to a gravity well that simulates planetary orbit at the Fleet Science Center, where she will be honored April 15, 2023.

First Mexican-born woman in space becomes a space activist

April 11, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

At age 27, Katya Echazarreta already has appeared on the cover of Vogue Mexico, was a woman of the year for Glamour magazine's Mexican edition, co-hosted the YouTube series "Netflix...

First opened to the public in 1923, the Torrey Pines Lodge, seen at top left, celebrates its 100th birthday on April 8.

Local landmark Torrey Pines Lodge celebrates 100 years

April 8, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.

When visiting the lodge at Torrey Pines you may think of taking a relaxing spa, golf clubs and ogling romantic California craftsman architecture popularized by Greene and Greene designers in...

Michael Leaf stands by his monumental metal artwork of "The Last Supper." It matches the size of da Vinci's masterpiece.

Artist creates his version of the ‘Last Supper’ in steel

April 6, 2023 at 12:45 p.m.

Michael Leaf's Linkedin profile lists his primary skill as his ability to think outside the box.He certainly does that in his latest work of art – a 3-D life-size rendition...

Trial juror Ronald Gladden, right, is perplexed. What he doesn't know is the trial is fake, and everyone knows it but him.

Surprise! You’re a TV star

April 5, 2023 at 1:24 p.m.

Meet Ronald Gladden — accidental TV star.The 30-year-old North Park solar installer-turned-Home Depot project manager never expected to star in an eight-episode TV show executive produced by some of...

Inventor Martin "Marty" Cooper holds a replica of the first cellphone he designed at Motorola and debuted on April 3, 1973.

Del Mar man made a world-changing phone call 50 years ago

April 3, 2023 at 10:17 p.m.

On April 3, Del Mar’s Martin "Marty" Cooper will be in midtown Manhattan reliving his historic first call on a hand-held mobile phone that he and his team designed for...

Inventor Martin "Marty" Cooper holds a replica of the first cellphone he designed at Motorola and debuted on April 3, 1973.

Del Mar man made a world-changing phone call 50 years ago

April 1, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

On April 3, Del Mar’s Martin "Marty" Cooper will be in midtown Manhattan reliving his historic first call on a hand-held mobile phone that he and his team designed for...

Christina Salazar, Vic Salazar and Carole Salazar each hold up signs showing how many years of attending San Diego Padres home openers.

Salazar family has own Padres opener winning streak

March 30, 2023 at 4:52 p.m.

When news anchor Vic Salazar negotiated his contract at Bakersfield KGET TV in 1984-90, he insisted on permission to take off the Padres home opening day each year, so he...

Pro CrossFit athlete Dani Speegle, who lives in San Diego, is dedicating herself to empowering women and promoting self-esteem.

CrossFit champ Dani Speegle is on a body image rampage

March 28, 2023 at 9:24 p.m.

When Dani Speegle works out at Invictus Fitness in East Village, people often approach to ask for her autograph or a photo.Many seeing her on NBC TV with Dwayne...

Classical pianist Melissa Evans Tierra plays with emotion. She uses music to encourage listeners to release pent up feelings.

Pianist Melissa Evans Tierra breaks the classical mold

March 27, 2023 at 2:20 p.m.

Most performers insist the audience be quiet while they perform, but classical pianist Melissa Evans Tierra is turning tradition on its ear.She will urge concertgoers to scream at the top...

"Lingo" host RuPaul Charles is with Riley Compton, l, and her mother, Annmarie Tejcek, on the game show's March 8 episode.

Camp Pendleton Marine wins war of words on quiz show ‘Lingo’

March 23, 2023 at 4:48 p.m.

"When my daughter calls me to do fun and exciting things, I usually don't have an option to say 'no,'" Annmarie Tejcek says.The Indianapolis mom had gotten a call from...

"Lingo" host RuPaul Charles is with Riley Compton, l, and her mother, Annmarie Tejcek, on the game show's March 8 episode.

Camp Pendleton Marine wins war of words on quiz show ‘Lingo’

March 23, 2023 at 12:21 p.m.

"When my daughter calls me to do fun and exciting things, I usually don't have an option to say 'no,'" Annmarie Tejcek says.The Indianapolis mom had gotten a call from...

This photo appears on the February-March cover of Seapower magazine. Magda Fernandez is the chief of San Diego Harbor Police.

Jefa de policia local latina, Magda Fernandez, recibe reconocimiento nacional

March 21, 2023 at 10:30 p.m.

Magda Fernández es la segunda mujer, y la primera latina, que jura su cargo como jefa de la Policía Portuaria de San Diego. También es reconocida como la primera jefa...

This photo appears on the February-March cover of Seapower magazine. Magda Fernandez is the chief of San Diego Harbor Police.

Local Latina police chief, Magda Fernandez, gets national recognition

March 21, 2023 at 12:19 p.m.

Magda Fernandez is only the second woman, and the first Latina, to be sworn in as chief of the San Diego Harbor Police. She also is recognized as the first...

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 13: With President Joe Biden aboard one of two Marine One helicopters, along with three Ospreys, after departing San Diego International Airport, en route to an engagement, reported to be a fundraiser, in Northern San Diego County, Monday March 13, 2023, part of his trip to San Diego which included meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese where they announced they're accelerating plans to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines to help the nations counter a military build-up by China in the Indo-Pacific. (Howard Lipin / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

A peek at President Biden’s visit to Rancho Santa Fe

March 21, 2023 at 7:59 p.m.

As is customary, the location of the private Democratic National Committee fundraiser Monday evening for President Joe Biden didn’t appear on the invitation. It remained a closely guarded secret until...

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 13: With President Joe Biden aboard one of two Marine One helicopters, along with three Ospreys, after departing San Diego International Airport, en route to an engagement, reported to be a fundraiser, in Northern San Diego County, Monday March 13, 2023, part of his trip to San Diego which included meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese where they announced they're accelerating plans to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines to help the nations counter a military build-up by China in the Indo-Pacific. (Howard Lipin / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

A peek at President Biden’s visit to Rancho Santa Fe

March 21, 2023 at 8:01 p.m.

As is customary, the location of the private Democratic National Committee fundraiser Monday evening for President Joe Biden didn’t appear on the invitation. It remained a closely guarded secret until...

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 13: With President Joe Biden aboard one of two Marine One helicopters, along with three Ospreys, after departing San Diego International Airport, en route to an engagement, reported to be a fundraiser, in Northern San Diego County, Monday March 13, 2023, part of his trip to San Diego which included meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese where they announced they're accelerating plans to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines to help the nations counter a military build-up by China in the Indo-Pacific. (Howard Lipin / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

A peek at President Biden’s visit to Rancho Santa Fe

March 18, 2023 at 11:56 p.m.

As is customary, the location of the private Democratic National Committee fundraiser Monday evening for President Joe Biden didn’t appear on the invitation. It remained a closely guarded secret until...

Conductor-composer Osvaldo Mendoza founded the new Coronado Philharmonia which will perform a concert March 18 in Coronado.

One man’s mission to bring classical music to Coronado

March 16, 2023 at 12:34 p.m.

No one said starting a philharmonic orchestra would be easy.That thought surely ran through the mind of composer/conductor Osvaldo Mendoza as he and his wife, Marisol, carried and set up...

This image released by Netflix shows Felix Kammerer in a scene from "All Quiet on the Western Front." (Reiner Bajo/Netflix via AP)

A San Diego triathlete is behind Oscar-winning ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’

March 14, 2023 at 4:17 p.m.

Which of the following is true?A San Diego five-time world champion triathlete is executive producer of an epic film up for nine Academy Awards.She mentally "wrote" the screenplay while on...

Solana Beach film producer John Cappetta on the set of "A Snowy Day in Oakland," a spirited comedy feature film that will be released March 17.

Local movie producer uplifts with another film

March 14, 2023 at 2:11 p.m.

Last March, John Cappetta's Planet 9 Productions in Solana Beach premiered "Tyson's Run," a movie about an autistic teen who took up running to earn the respect of his father,...

Solana Beach film producer John Cappetta on the set of "A Snowy Day in Oakland," a spirited comedy feature film that will be released March 17.

Local movie producer uplifts with another film

March 14, 2023 at 1:50 p.m.

Last March, John Cappetta's Planet 9 Productions in Solana Beach premiered "Tyson's Run," a movie about an autistic teen who took up running to earn the respect of his father,...

This image released by Netflix shows Felix Kammerer in a scene from "All Quiet on the Western Front." (Reiner Bajo/Netflix via AP)

A San Diego triathlete is behind blockbuster movie

March 11, 2023 at 1:31 p.m.

Which of the following is true?A San Diego five-time world champion triathlete is executive producer of an epic film up for nine Academy Awards.She mentally "wrote" the screenplay while on...

This image using the colors of Ukraine appears in the award-winning music video "Ukraine, Ukraine (Half The World Away)."

A tale of two music videos from San Diegans about Ukraine

March 9, 2023 at 1:31 p.m.

Andrew Granston and Andrés Useche do not know one another.Yet the two San Diego County residents separately were inspired to write amazingly similar poems in the first days of the...

These books about Joseph Conrad are among 220 items given to Georgetown University Library by La Jolla collector Paul Kennerson.

Local rare book bibliophile donates huge Joseph Conrad collection

March 8, 2023 at 4:09 p.m.

In 2015, a San Diego rare book collector made literary headlines with the Christie's auction of letters, photos and other memorabilia by "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee.The sale...

Gene Coster with past customer and friend, Liz Abbott, during a Quel Fromage reunion at Ellen Goldman's house in May, 2019.

Quel Fromage founder brewed far more than coffee

March 4, 2023 at 1:39 p.m.

On Feb. 21, the renovated Hillcrest sign spanning University Avenue by the corner of Fifth Avenue was mounted and ceremoniously re-lit after a brief hiatus.That surely would have made Gene...

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 1978, file photo, Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry is given a victory ride after the team defeated the Denver Broncos in NFL football's Super Bowl XII in New Orleans. The Cowboys evened their Super Bowl record at 2-2 by taking advantage of eight Broncos turnovers. (AP Photo/File)

Did Dion Rich ‘crash’ his own celebration of life?

March 2, 2023 at 2:45 p.m.

If anyone could crash his own memorial service, it would be Dion Rich.That's essentially what the San Diegan did as he greeted about 180 attendees to his "Kick the Bucket"...

FlingGolf founder Alex Van Alen, with a FlingStick, at Riverwalk Golf Club in Mission Valley. The game uses only one club.

FlingGolf is catching on – with San Diego in limelight

February 28, 2023 at 6:29 p.m.

Move over, pickleball. Make room for the new kid on the block — FlingGolf.This newly introduced hybrid sport is growing in popularity. Just as pickleball marries tennis and table tennis,...

FlingGolf founder Alex Van Alen, with a FlingStick, at Riverwalk Golf Club in Mission Valley. The game uses only one club.

FlingGolf is catching on – with San Diego in limelight

February 28, 2023 at 6:28 p.m.

Move over, pickleball. Make room for the new kid on the block — FlingGolf.This newly introduced hybrid sport is growing in popularity. Just as pickleball marries tennis and table tennis,...

FlingGolf founder Alex Van Alen, with a FlingStick, at Riverwalk Golf Club in Mission Valley. The game uses only one club.

FlingGolf is catching on – with San Diego in limelight

February 28, 2023 at 6:26 p.m.

Move over, pickleball. Make room for the new kid on the block — FlingGolf.This newly introduced hybrid sport is growing in popularity. Just as pickleball marries tennis and table tennis,...

FlingGolf founder Alex Van Alen, with a FlingStick, at Riverwalk Golf Club in Mission Valley. The game uses only one club.

FlingGolf is catching on – with San Diego in limelight

February 28, 2023 at 8:43 p.m.

Move over, pickleball. Make room for the new kid on the block — FlingGolf.This newly introduced hybrid sport is growing in popularity. Just as pickleball marries tennis and table tennis,...

Martin Luther King III, a human rights advocate and the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr., looks on during the “Say It Now” event at La Jolla Country Day School on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. King, along with Say It Now founder Walter Green, was a keynote speaker during the event.

Martin Luther King III helps launch ‘Say It Now’ in San Diego

February 27, 2023 at 2:22 p.m.

Give flowers to people you appreciate right now — don't wait until after they die. That is the message that Martin Luther King IIIed others in delivering to local students...

Martin Luther King III, a human rights advocate and the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr., looks on during the “Say It Now” event at La Jolla Country Day School on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. King, along with Say It Now founder Walter Green, was a keynote speaker during the event.

Martin Luther King III helps launch ‘Say It Now’ in San Diego

February 25, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

Give flowers to people you appreciate right now — don't wait until after they die. That is the message that Martin Luther King IIIed others in delivering to local students...

Senior student Shakur Jackson, 18, poses inside the theather at Hoover High School on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. Jackson wrote a play, “The Legend of Nathan Harrison,” which is based on SDSU archaeology professor Seth Mallios’ book “Born a Slave, Died a Pioneer.” The production will debut at Hoover High School on Feb. 22.

San Diego County’s first Black homesteader inspires a play

February 21, 2023 at 6:44 p.m.

When Shakur Jackson was in the third grade, he read an Octavia Spencer mystery: "Randi Rhodes: Ninja Detective." From that moment, he was determined to become a writer.He checked out...

Personal collection of Hollywood legend Gregory Peck and his wife, Veronique, are being auctioned on Feb. 23.

Treasure trove of Gregory Peck memorabilia goes to auction

February 21, 2023 at 1:27 p.m.

Actor Gregory Peck ed away in 2003, just before the American Film Institute named his "To Kill a Mockingbird" character, Atticus Finch, the big screen's greatest hero. The No. 2...

Senior student Shakur Jackson, 18, poses inside the theather at Hoover High School on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. Jackson wrote a play, “The Legend of Nathan Harrison,” which is based on SDSU archaeology professor Seth Mallios’ book “Born a Slave, Died a Pioneer.” The production will debut at Hoover High School on Feb. 22.

S.D. County’s first Black homesteader inspires a play

February 20, 2023 at 6:21 a.m.

When Shakur Jackson was in the third grade, he read an Octavia Spencer mystery: "Randi Rhodes: Ninja Detective." From that moment, he was determined to become a writer.He checked out...

Sydney Kroonen (left) and Ryan Berberet took part in a protest Jan. 21 in San Diego urging climate action by President Biden.

Vogue invites two San Diego student activists to meet Billie Eilish

February 16, 2023 at 9:02 p.m.

When popular singer/songwriter Billie Eilish was invited to do a cover story for Vogue magazine, she wanted to make more than a fashion statement.She was intent on making an environmental...

Sydney Kroonen (left) and Ryan Berberet took part in a protest Jan. 21 in San Diego urging climate action by President Biden.

Vogue invites two S.D. student activists to meet Billie Eilish

February 16, 2023 at 1:34 p.m.

When popular singer/songwriter Billie Eilish was invited to do a cover story for Vogue magazine, she wanted to make more than a fashion statement.She was intent on making an environmental...

Tens of thousands of robins have invaded San Diego County this spring. This one chows down on a pyracantha berries in Ramona.

Robins are flocking to San Diego – and no one knows why

February 17, 2023 at 3:43 p.m.

"When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" ... a lot of San Diegans these days may be singing that catchy tune recorded by Al Jolson in 1926.American...

Tens of thousands of robins have invaded San Diego County this spring. This one chows down on a pyracantha berries in Ramona.

Robins are flocking to San Diego – and no one knows why

February 15, 2023 at 3:46 p.m.

"When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" ... A lot of San Diegans these days may be singing that catchy tune recorded by Al Jolson in 1926.American...

Tens of thousands of robins have invaded San Diego County this spring. This one chows down on a pyracantha berries in Ramona.

Robins are flocking to San Diego – and no one knows why

February 14, 2023 at 4:25 p.m.

"When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" ... A lot of San Diegans these days may be singing that catchy tune recorded by Al Jolson in 1926.American...

Jason Oppenheim, fourth from right, poses with the cast of "Selling Sunset" on Netflix. His brokerage is opening an office in La Jolla in late March.

Upscale real estate biz comes to town; donor gives house to charity

February 14, 2023 at 1:31 p.m.

The flashy Hollywood-based residential real estate office of The Oppenheim Group is preparing to open an office in late March near downtown La Jolla's most prominent intersection — Prospect and...

Tens of thousands of robins have invaded San Diego County this spring. This one chows down on a pyracantha berries in Ramona.

Robins are flocking to San Diego – including Point Loma-OB – and no one knows why

February 13, 2023 at 7:45 p.m.

"When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" ... a lot of San Diegans these days may be singing that catchy tune recorded by Al Jolson in 1926.American...

Tens of thousands of robins have invaded San Diego County this spring. This one chows down on a pyracantha berries in Ramona.

Robins are flocking to San Diego – including La Jolla – and no one knows why

February 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

"When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" ... a lot of San Diegans these days may be singing that catchy tune recorded by Al Jolson in 1926.American...

Tens of thousands of robins have invaded San Diego County this spring. This one chows down on a pyracantha berries in Ramona.

Have you seen robins in Pacific Beach? Robins are flocking to San Diego – and no one knows why

February 23, 2023 at 6:56 p.m.

"When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" ... A lot of San Diegans these days may be singing that catchy tune recorded by Al Jolson in 1926.American...