Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, October 31- Wednesday, November 6, 2024: SD Halloween Freakout | Creepy Creeps | Southern Culture on the Skids | King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard | La Santa Cecilia | Men At Work | ELECTION DAY!!

Art by Shepard Fairey. Reference photo by Lawrence Jackson

Great shows this week, but let's be honest. Only one thing matters: election day. 

Please vote. 

Stay safe out there. 

Some Thoughts On The Election: Stop Targeting Trans People

While TVs everywhere are tuned into the final innings of tonight's World Series Game, I'm sitting here giving trigger warnings to our kid who is trying to sit in the room while we are force-fed the bigoted, fear-mongering ads that are absolutely full of lies from TFG. 

So let me tell you just a little bit of what being the parent of a trans teen has been like for the past year and a half that our kid had the COURAGE to come out to us. For the greater part of two years, Toby has had a weekly therapy session with a LICENSED THERAPIST (not some fake "church counselor" or "advisor"). Toby has had to see his primary care doctor and his gender counselor and his gender-affirming doctor too many times to count ---just to see if this is real, true, connecting all the gender-dysphoria and depression together. Toby has also had to go through extensive legal legwork, to figure out how to legally change his name, get a proper ID and passport, all while trying to assure his uber-Christian biomom is on board and going to support all steps of this process without backing out at any moment.  He also goes nearly daily to youth centers and peer groups to find support and to just be a kid instead of wearing his gender-identity on his forehead. They do group activities, have a band that marched in Pride, and offer full support services. 

I could literally go on an on about how many clinics, blood draws, psychiatrists, testing centers, etc this kid has had to endure.. We WISH we knew sooner and could've gotten on board with puberty blockers. We wish we knew so he could've been in counseling before things got dark and he was silently suffering alone, trying to find any reason to stay alive one more day.

We are finally at the stage where Toby can actually start hormone therapy, and even that has been a hassle; we have the script but have to have the prescribing doctor administer the first dose, with weeks to wait for that appointment. 

I have shared all of this with his permission, because this election is personal. We are overjoyed every day that Toby is finding joy in his life, has hope in his life, and is actually thinking about a future, Seeing these insane ads from a misogynistic bigoted CONVICTED FELON who nearly killed us all the first time around compelled me to write during the final two innings of this game. Your life may not depend on this election, but the life of MY FAMILY certainly does.

There is no choice except Harris-Walz this election. None. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Hippo Lupe Makes A Splash| Voting Centers Open| Las Cuatro Milpas Chisme| County FINALLY Audits Shady Flood Response and more...

I think Lupe believes if she opens her mouth for the people, she might get treats.
(Taken 10.28.25)

I know I skipped a couple weeks of diary/newsy posts, but I have been working a lot, had quite a few family things come up (not vague-booking, just have a senior in high school so there are a lot of extra-curriculars and whatnot), and I spent several days with an ear infection that was irritating and kinda knocked me out, in addition to getting my flu and COVID booster on the same day as my Urgent Care. When I wasn't working, I was trying to enjoy as much time as I could at the zoo for HalGLOWeen, particularly spending hours with my (human) friends as we have been obsessed with Lupe, the new hippo, and enjoying watching the sometimes tenuous but mostly fascinating introduction period as she gets to know Funani and Amahle. Sunday was the last day of extended hours, so that means that zoo hours are back to 6pm close for the rest of the month, and then Friday, November 1st, the zoo starts closing at 5pm!! Ugh. Maybe I'll break in my hiking shoes or perhaps take advantage of later hours on certain nights at Sea World. Cozy nights at home won't be bad, either. Nonetheless, things are good, for now, though I'm not gonna lie, the election is definitely giving me hope and dread simultaneously. The ads are bonkers, the news DOES NOT need to show snippets of rallies, and I seriously am sick of the email and polls, and I'm tired of the trauma dreams. If it isn't clear, we are a Harris-Walz household. I've got a couple merch nights lined up this week, but I also plan on sitting with my ballot and the many voter guides I generally consult so I can go into my in-person voting on election day; I just prefer it. I hope you do the same.

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, October 24-Wednesday, October 30, 2024: Michigander | Clem Snide | Dream Baby Dream| Orville Peck| RFTC| FIDLAR| THICK| Black Heart Procession| Aimee Mann | Y La Bamba & Kiltro

I am really really trying to get up early on Thursday, so I don't have a whole lot to say this week. Halloween is in a week, but that makes this weekend the big party weekend so on top of a lot of really huge shows, there are also quite a few "Halloween Bash"-type events. Being that it is the last weekend of late hours at the Zoo, that's probably where I'll be, but I've got my eye on a couple other fun things, too. I'll be working tonight at Quartyard for Michigander and on Sunday our kid is performing at the Organ Pavilion with San Diego Youth Symphony. The North Park Book Fair also seems pretty fun, though the last thing I need is more books. If you're looking for a really good show, may I recommend the Y La Bamba and Kiltro show at Belly Up. Both bands kill it at the Casbah, so playing together up there will be a pretty rad show if you can make it. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, October 17-Wednesday, October 23, 2024: Boogarins| Hiss Golden Messenger| Gin Blossoms| Charli XCX| Cole Chaney| Babe Rainbow| Moon Hooch| Nada Surf| Chaos Chaos|

Matthew Caws of Nada Surf (1.18.2020)

Keeping it short this week. I've got an ear infection so I want nothing more than to crawl back into bed. Lots of good shows this week, but right now the only one on my radar is Nada Surf at the Belly Up on Monday. I figure my infection will be cleared up by then. The following night, Chaos Chaos plays at the Casbah and I might have to make that one. Back in 2007, Smoosh played at the Casbah when the youngest sister was just 10 years old, which I believe means they still hold the record for youngest band ever to play the Casbah. It's crazy to think they're adults now and it might be cool to check them out. 

I think I'm also working for Babe Rainbow but we haven't confirmed. In all honesty, I wish I was going out to the desert on Thursday or Friday before we get another heat wave, but it looks like that might have to wait. Anyway, good stuff this week, but judging by the line at urgent care, everyone is sick right now, so stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, October 10-Wednesday, October 16, 2024: Etr| Foxing| Mumiy Troll| Unwound| Touché Amoré| Pinback| Mo Lowda| Hinds| Cancerslug| Psymon Spine| Melissa Etheridge| Kiesza|

As I've been saying, October shows are bonkers. There are so many rad shows coming up that it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed. The bad news for venues, though perhaps it's good news for you, is that people are spread a little thin right now. Of course there are some sold out shows, and for those you're outta luck, but there are plenty of shows that should be sold out that aren't, which give you the freedom to get a wild hair and check out a lot of these shows on a whim, with chances pretty high that you can grab a ticket at the door. And you should. Because there's a lot of good stuff. As I mentioned in my last post, I'll be working at the Quartyard on Friday and Saturday and it's been a little mind-blowing how many tickets for those shows have sold this week, when typically those shows would be sold out well in advance. Same goes for the incredible Etran de L'Aïr, playing tonight at the Casbah. But then you look at the competing shows on the same night, and maybe it's not so hard to believe people aren't making up their minds until the last minute. So, be kind to yourself, you can't do it all, but you should definitely take a chance on some great live music. Unlike sportsball, at the end of a show, half the crowd won't leave heartbroken. (Ideally nobody does, but there is the occasional crying girl in the bathroom.)

Go to a show. Participate in one of the free community events. The heat wave that was promised never really hit, so we're in a really perfect time in San Diego at the moment. Take it all in. 

Stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: SD Greenest City in US| Tacky Mission Valley Property For Sale| LaJolla Seawall Gets Rehab| Ballots Are On Their Way| Newsom Signs Slate of New Laws|

Mandazzi Dreaming About His New Family (Taken 10.1.24)

I guess last week's diary post got away from me, so I decided to make sure it gets posted before I dive into this week's listings. Things have been pretty good, I had a birthday but had to work, so we kinda sprinkled in some fun over the past couple weeks to compensate. My brother came to town, so we had a big family dinner at Miguel's Cocina, I worked at the Clairo show and Darren and Toby were able to use the tickets that Jeff bought for me, and my family went to the El Cajon Oktoberfest on Sunday. I'm trying to do as much nighttime zoo as possible, but it's only on weekends, so I have to fit it in where I can. I'm bummed I didn't make it to Damien Jurado on Monday, but I got caught up making a big dinner and by the time that was all done, it was too late to commit. Like a lot of people, I have been obsessed with the Menendez brothers, so over the weekend I watched Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed on Peacock, and then I watched the new Netflix documentary, The Menendez Brothers. I attempted to watch Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, also on Netflix, but it was so bad I only got through one episode. It's interestingthat that the Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón had a press conference on Monday, the day the new Netflix movie dropped, to say they would 'reevaluate' the convictions. It's all fascinating to watch unfold. 

Besides all that, I'm presently working for Clikatat Ikatowi at the Casbah and it is nuts to butts in here. I'll also be working at the Unwound show on Friday, and the Mo Lowda show on Saturday, both at the Quartyard. I hope everyone has a great week. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, October 3-Wednesday, October 9, 2024: Oktoberfest | Clairo | Dashboard Confessional | DVG | Nation of Language | Avett Brothers | Field Guide | Damien Jurado | Clikitat Ikatowi | Carina Round |

Damien Jurado (Taken 3.7.24)

There are a couple shows I'm working on that are really struggling to sell tickets, and now looking at this week's listings, I can see why. There is so much going on this weekend. There are a ton of amazing tours rolling into town, Oktoberfests, and now the Padres playing the Dodgers this weekend, it's gonna be pretty bananas. If your band is playing somewhere and it seems underattended, you should definitely not feel bad about it. Plus, we're rolling into another heat wave, so that isn't really gonna help the whole vibe of the weekend. Of course I'm a "Zoopie", so HalGLOWeen kicks off this weekend at San Diego Zoo with a member preview night on Friday and the Autumn Festival kicks off at Safari Park with a member preview night on Saturday. It's a lot. I've got my brother in town, I'm working for Clairo, we're going to El Cajon Oktoberfest on Sunday, and I'm working for Clikitat Ikatowi on Tuesday. I'd love to get in a few more things, like perhaps going to the Damien Jurado show at Lou Lou's on Monday, but I'll have to see how it all goes. I hope you can find your own adventures, too. It's a great week to be a San Diegan. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, September 26-Wednesday, October 2, 2024: illuminati hotties | Fontaines DC| Acid Mothers Temple| Goth Babe| Green Day| Tokyo Police Club| Jason Mraz| Lucinda Williams|

Look, I love my birthday, but could we have maybe spread some of these shows out over time? Look at these nightly shows!! Friday is crazy. On my actual birthday, Saturday, there are at least 6 shows I would go to any other night of the week, including the show I'll be working at the Casbah. It actually kinda concerns me...I feel like we're about to hit a music recession. Take a minute to read this: So many music festivals have been canceled this year. What's going on? (NPR, 9.17.24) and then push that out...if bands aren't playing festivals, they're touring more than ever, but the audience for live music doesn't seem to be growing, so one big show can siphon the audiences and the resources for a trickle of many others. Of course the biggies aren't hurting, they're the ones setting the pricing and ticketing so exorbitantly high which ripples to what bands expect. When smaller bands that should be playing smaller independent venues have marketing teams of a dozen people, how are all of those people being paid?? Too many cooks in the kitchen, if you ask me. But we love music. So I know times are tough and money can be tight, but these days, going to a show, and choosing which shows to go to, is almost a political statement. Make it count. 

Stay safe out there.  

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: County Gaslights Citizens About Dangers of TJ River | SDUSD Wasted $ On Turf, Not On Classrooms | Congress Agrees To Funding Deal Beyond Election|

Baby Francois Langur Yezi, Born April 14, 2024 (taken 8.31.24)

Not gonna lie, I'm feeling pretty worn down this week. I worked at Music Box on Thursday night and decided to have a super late night at Black Cat which turned into morning, and then I worked on Friday at Panama 66 and then had a family BBQ at my mom's then worked Saturday night at Adams Avenue Street Fair and as much as I would have liked to just sleep all day Sunday, I thought walking the zoo in the afternoon would give me fresh air and I'd be all better on Monday, but the truth is, I still feel pretty run down. I fully intend to sleep normal human hours tonight, but then I'm working at the Casbah on Tuesday night, so I'm sucking it up, drinking my fluids, overconsuming my vitamins, and just trying to keep whatever this thing is at bay. (It's not COVID, I obviously tested for that the second I felt a sniffle.) I spent a lot of my Sunday transferring photos from my camera to my laptop (thus the month old photo above), I finished watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (after which I canceled Hulu), and am all caught up on Housewives (which is so bad, I may cancel Peacock, too). When I'm in public, I'm trying to avoid people, signaled by wearing my giant headphones, on which I've been binge-listening to the podcast "Something Was Wrong" and am currently in season 3, which is bonkers. 

Anyway, I want to get a jump on listings this week, which is why I'm wrapping up this latest diary post. It's just easier to get my brain straight and stay on top of my work week that way. 
Stay safe *and healthy* out there. 

 

• SAN DIEGO LOCALS:
• Supervisor Vargas: There’s No Toxic Gas Concern in Tijuana River Valley. County air quality and public health experts combat alarm over toxic gas reports from university researchers in South Bay. - Voice of San Diego (9.11.24)
• Ed Note: Kim Prather was at the forefront of COVID science about aerosolized particles months, if not years, before it was acknowledged and accepted by the CDC and others. I'm gonna trust her on this one. 
• Cross-border sewage: Officials call for state of emergency amid toxic gas concerns - City News Service/kpbs (9.9.24)
• County Board Adopts 2024 Climate Action Plan - County News Center (9.12.24)
• Billions of Dollars Later, Some San Diego Unified Students Still Dealing with Hot Classrooms - Voice of San Diego (9.12.24)
• Toby had Open House at Hoover High on 9.19.24, where I asked the principal about hot classrooms and was assured that ALL A/C units in the school are currently working, that there was only one day that any units were down, and the school always has a contingency plan...where classrooms are too hot, students may choose to go to a "cool zone" like the library, or teachers have alternate rooms where they can take their classes. The principal also comically pointed out that one of the students interviewed by the news and was complaining about how hot it was was called out by another student during the interview, "Bruh, you're wearing a hoodie!!" 
• California Is 2024’s Most Diverse State in America – WalletHub Study (9.17.24)
• State Declares Citrus Quarantine in Fallbrook - County News Center (9.17.24)
• ZOO GOSS:
• Veterinarians successfully perform C-section for a North American porcupine - AP News (9.17.24)
• In spring of 2024, rumors swirled that Mandazzi, the now 22 year old silverback, was to be transferred to Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, where two females have been determined by the SSP to be matches for him to start a family. Weather and other delays occurred and the move never happened. Now the rumors are back...that the crate has returned for him to train with and the plan is back in motion to "marry him off", so to speak. Obviously we're all heartbroken that he could be leaving any day, but also want to see him thrive with his own troop. Ekuba hasn't taken too kindly to the presence of the transport crate and there's been a noticeable change in his behavior, so while Tuesday is International Gorilla Day, we'll all send him all the extra lovey vibes and just hope if and when a transition does happen, everyone knows what they're doing and minimizes the destabilization in the bachelor troop left behind. 
• In other zoo goss, there's a zoo in Seattle called Woodland Park Zoo. For a long time, they had two female river hippos, Lily and Lupe. Earlier this year, Lily was diagnosed with cancer and the decision was made to humanely euthanize her, leaving Lupe alone. Hippos are very social animals and in the wild can live in "bloats" with up to 30 hippos! Woodland Park made it clear that they had no intention of upgrading their 40+ year old habitat and would seek to rehome Lupe within the AZA. 
  Enter San Diego Zoo. Otis, the male and longtime partner of Funani, passed away a couple years back, after which time Fu and daughter Amahle were moved so their habitat could be renovated. Because of residual COVID supply chain issues (or whatever), the reno took a super long time, but the girls finally moved back into their habitat in March of this year. With Funani too old to reproduce at 42ish --while the number changes, it is said she has had 13 calves!!--it is a very strong possibility Lupe, in her mid-twenties, may be headed to San Diego to be an "Auntie" to Amahle. Lupe's last day on habitat in Seattle is 9.24.24, after which the receiving zoo will be able to announce the impending arrival. Will it be San Diego??? I can't wait to find out!! 
• SEA WORLD GOSS:
• "Little Miss Walrus" is an orphaned walrus that was taken in by the Alaska Sea Life Center a couple months back (7.22.24). She's been under 24 hour care since she was brought in and has been rehabilitated enough to live her life at another facility. (Because she was orphaned so young, her release into the wild is not possible.) 
• Our animal care team has been working diligently to create positive associations with her large, secure kennel through feeding and playtime. She’s doing AMAZING! In fact, she has independently chosen to enter the transport unit multiple times to play and rest, showing great confidence.
  
  This is a significant step as we prepare for her upcoming move to the lower 48, where she’ll join other walruses in human care. We know you’re curious about her destination — stay tuned for TWO major announcements tomorrow! @AlaskaSeaLifeCenter (9.23.24)

• There are only three facilities in "the lower 48" that still care for walruses: SeaWorld Orlando, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and SeaWorld San Diego. SWSD sent care specialists to help care for Little Miss Walrus, and presently only has two walruses after the passing of Mitik and Kulu and the move of Chou Chou to Orlando. FINGERS CROSSED this beautiful little baby girl will come join Basa and Dozer at SeaWorld San Diego! All this to say, I haven't heard anything...no speculation or gossip whatsoever...just my hope...though looking at Point Defiance, they have two younger wallys and all the recent wallys at SeaWorld came from Point Defiance at some point...Dozer, Mitik, Basilla, and Kulu. I guess the reveal will come on Tuesday, so fingers crossed!! 
  
• UPDATE: Little Miss Walrus  is going to Sea World Orlando. So maybe our Chou Chou will foster and love her. 
• POLITICS:
• The debate between Harris and Trump wasn't close and 4 other takeaways - NPR/kpbs (9.11.24)
• No government shutdown for now: Congress agrees on temporary funding deal into December - USA Today (9.22.24)
• NEWS:
• Announcing Online Passport Renewal!! - US State Dept Press Statement (9.18.24)
• Renew Online Here - Travel.State.Gov
• OTHER READING:
• Women Much More Likely to Face Violence from Partners - Statista (9.13.24)
• Can captive tigers be part of the effort to save wild populations? - Phys.Org (9.19.24)
• COVID-19/AVIAN FLU/DENGUE/HEALTH/WELLNESS:
• COVID-19:
• CDC Data Tracker: New Weekly Updates on Fall and Winter Virus Season 
• COVID variant XEC sees rapid global growth: What to know about the new strain - USA Today (9.18.24)
• WELLNESS:
• Higher suicide rates tied to lack of basics: Internet, insurance, income, CDC says - USA Today (9.10.24)
• AVIAN FLU
• Bird Flu Detected in Wastewater, But Not In People - County New Center (9.16.24)
• The Bird Flu Outbreak Takes a Mysterious Turn. US health officials say they don’t know how a patient in Missouri contracted bird flu. - Wired (9.13.24)
• Mysterious bird flu case in Missouri was similar to strain circulating in cattle, CDC says - CNN (9.16.24)
• DENGUE/EEE/Mosquitoes:
• Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus - County News Center (9.13.24)
• Hantavirus Found in Mice at San Onofre State Campground - County News Center (9.16.24)