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LA FRONTERA: Stefan Falke Talks About Artists Along The U.S.-Mexican Border

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Editor’s Note: I am happy to introduce Stefan Falke,a professional photographer who has done fascinating work along the U.S.-Mexican border. He agreed to an interview and to share some of his pictures with SDFP. Thank you Stefan!

Q & A with Stefan Falke

Stefan Falke works for international magazines, book publishers and film studios. He has published two photography books: MOKO JUMBIES: The Dancing Spirits of Trinidad and LA FRONTERA, for which he portrayed 180 artists on both sides of the 2000 miles long US-Mexico border. He lives in Brooklyn, New York and his website is stefanfalke.com   [Read more…]

Free Sand and Sand Bag Distribution January 7 at Qualcomm Stadium

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By Staff

More storms are expected to move into San Diego through the end of the week—and beyond. San Diego City Councilman Scott Sherman’s office in partnership with Superior Ready Mix and the Urban Corp will be providing free sand and sand bags for residents to help protect their properties from flooding.

This is good news for impacted residents who do not live close to the beach distribution centers.   [Read more…]

Accolades for SDFP, Recognition of Activist Writers

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The power of citizen journalism in San Diego

By Staff

It has been a busy and deeply gratifying final quarter at the San Diego Free Press. The eight member editorial board and over sixty contributors– all volunteers– continued to make sense of what has been happening in the world through a distinctively progressive and grass roots lens.

During this past quarter it has become clear to us that our unique form of journalism resonates with an ever growing readership.   [Read more…]

Buena Vista Social Club in the (White) House!

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By Staff

Here’s something to celebrate–the Cuban musicians who compromise the Buena Vista Social Club will be performing at the White House on October 15. They have been touring the United States for almost twenty years. They got their start in 1997 when Ry Cooder searched out a number of aging and forgotten singers and musicians from Cuba’s rich musical past, brought them together and cut the album Buena Vista Social Club. Wim Wenders documented the process and outcome in his popular film of the same name.

It’s worth remembering that while the group was well received here, there was bitter and loud push back from the most anti-Castro segments of the Cuban exile community in Miami.   [Read more…]

Ocean Beach … ‘It’s Beside the Point’

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If you visit Ocean Beach in anything more than beach gear and flip-flops, there is a very real danger of being overdressed. Casual and colorful, Ocean Beach is San Diego’s land of hippies, surfboards, street music and weekend BBQs. And let’s not forget some pretty good-looking –er, hard-working — lifeguards.

This community is punctuated by older one-story homes, wild lawns, hand-painted fences, and open doors. There is an ever-present aroma of weed, and the number of dogs on the street sometimes ties the number of humans.   [Read more…]

In Memoriam: Judy Oliveira

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By Staff

San Diego Free Press readers are familiar with long time contributor John Lawrence. He has written a Tuesday column ever since we launched in June of 2012. We were saddened to learn that John recently lost his life partner Judy Oliveira.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, October 3 and John extends an invitation to the SDFP community to attend.   [Read more…]

How Our Stadium Saved Hilton’s Ego & Other Chuckles To Cry Over

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As published by the original San Diego Free Press (circa 1968), we reprint the rundown on the Stadium in Mission Valley. Outside of the names and a few little details, you’ll be surprised how little has changed. Part Two & Three of Two…
Transcribed by John Lawrence / Original byline “Jim Knastick”

Hi sports fans. Big Jim, again.

Well, fans, last issue – – when we looked into that great muskmelon in Mission Valley – – we found a bill for $52 million addressed for the little taxpayer in San Diego and nothing but profits for local sports czars (your druggist knows them as merchants, financiers and industrialists).

Current vignette, fans: Taking Care of Barron.
  [Read more…]

Qualcomm Stadium: a Boondoggle from the Get-Go?

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As published by the original San Diego Free Press (circa 1968), we reprint the rundown on the Stadium in Mission Valley. Outside of the names and a few little details, you’ll be surprised how little has changed. Part One of Two…

Transcribed by John Lawrence / Original byline “Jim Knastic”

Hi, sports fans. Big Jim here.

Well, fans, there is a big spat brewing in major league San Diego and from this experienced observer’s view the losers in this main event are going to be the city’s middle- and lower-income taxpayers.

This whole new controversy is revolving around that great concrete muskmelon in Mission Valley, the San Diego Stadium.

As the Free Press goes to the printers, the news is out that the City of San Diego is suing the San Diego Chargers for one year’s back rent (more than $200,000). The Chargers apparently have decided that they don’t want to pay rent, at least not for the next seven years.

But that is just one of a long series of rubs – one of the first rubs in how that stadium got there in the first place.   [Read more…]

7 Great Music Videos about Work and Working People

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By Staff

We have a long history of music that chronicles the struggles of working people in this country. This music depicts our transformation from an agrarian economy to an industrialized one and the labor movement that arose from that transformation. The econ0my has been transformed yet again as we moved from manufacturing to service sector jobs; as jobs are outsourced and employees are re-defined as independent contractors; and as worker productivity has sharply increased, wages for the middle class and working poor remain stagnant.

Work remains dangerous and too often deadly for some; underpaid or unequally paid for far too many. Labor unions have historically addressed both of those work issues and union members have put their lives on the line to remedy them. These videos are a reminder of the work and of the struggle. And they still resonate today.   [Read more…]

The Big Kitchen Cafe in Golden Hill

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A family friendly version of Cheers, if you will, the Big Kitchen Cafe is owned by Judy “The Beauty on Duty” Forman, and is a community center and diner that has been a staple in Golden Hill since the early ‘70s.   [Read more…]

City Farmers Nursery

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Family owned and operated since 1972, City Farmers Nursery specializes in gardening products, American-made items for the home and yard, and free advice. In San Diego, it is the largest organically maintained nursery.

But it’s really far more than just a nursery. In addition to the carefree but seemingly immobile cat that can be found lazing about on the register counter, the nursery hosts a farm animal menagerie, including a pony, goats, turkeys, chickens, ducks, turtles, fish, a puppy and a parrot. There’s also a play area for children, and a bonsai and bamboo sitting area for those needing a peaceful moment out of the inner-city sun.   [Read more…]

48 Hour Film Project to Include SDFP Video-Journo Horacio Jones’ ‘Wingin’ It’

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By Staff

San Diego Free Press contributor Horacio Jones, who recently garnered an award from the San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, has produced a short film with co- director Fabrice Murgia for the 48 Hour Film Project San Diego. Titled Wingin’ It, the work is the story of a rebellious angel who must be coached on how to take souls to the after-life.

The 48 Hour Film Project is a worldwide film competition in which local teams have 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a 4-7 minute short film. A little over 100 teams signed up to compete. To keep the process honest, contestants randomly picked a genre one Friday night at 7pm. They were also provided a prop, line, and character to use in their film.   [Read more…]

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