While we were at Blind Lady Ale House in Normal Heights, Roger and I discussed how you have to reference local bars by what they used to be. With recent developments for many bars in the central San Diego area leaves most locals struggling to keep up saying, “What is that place called again?” Here is a reference of recent bar turnovers for those who are having a tough time:

Scolari’s Office = The Office
Buster Daly’s = U31
Shooterz = True North Tavern
San Diego Sports Club = The Ruby Room
Zombie Lounge = Radio Room
Chaser’s = Soda Bar
Dinos = Bar Pink (Pink Elephant)
Hamburger Mary’s = Urban Mo’s Bar & Grill
Sparky’s = Hamilton’s Tavern
Wolf’s/Rebar = Bluefoot Bar & Lounge

For better or worse, things change. It is hard not to hold on to the past but embrace the awesome things that are appearing.

North Park Nights are officially moving to the 3rd Saturday of the month starting in March in an attempt to separate from Ray at Night which will continue to be on the 2nd Saturday of the month. What does this mean for the hundreds of people that attend the event(s) each month? Well, it could mean a couple of things…
1) There will be two Ray at Night events (most people really don’t know about North Park Nights as an event) OR
2) Both events will suffer since half the galleries belong to one of the two groups.

So you might be asking… what in the world is going on? Why would the businesses split the event in two? What is the difference? Well, I will attempt to explain the nonsense:

Ray at Night was started in 2001 by Gustof Rooth, owner of Planet Rooth gallery on Ray Street and an informal collective of art galleries in the North Park area (artist buddies) to bring together the artist community and create an “art scene” on Ray Street. The event involved bringing in a band, opening the galleries and giving out free food and drinks. The following businesses are part of the Ray at Night collective:
* Planet Rooth Studio Gallery
* Santos & Cirello Gallery
* San Diego Art Department
* 4 Walls Gallery
* Obr Architecture
* raystreetstudios.com
* Sharp Studio Gallery
* Luxe Hair Studio
* Soul Ryde
* Enclothe

North Park Nights technically started in October of last year by the San Diego Art Institute as a non-profit organization of a broader collective of art galleries, theaters, studios and supportive business. These businesses and artists want to promote art in the community rather than just create a scene for drinking and hanging out in the street. The event expands beyond Ray Street to include the dance studios on 30th and some of the restaurants and clothing stores. Check out the map and list of the 36 participating North Park Nights businesses.

Each of the North Park Nights events will be themed, with March’s theme being “It’s Complicated,” a group showing featuring controversial themed artwork and events in various businesses and galleries. At the core of the theme stresses the complicatedness of the “break-up” between Ray at Night and North Park Nights.

I really don’t think the intention of North Park Nights is to completely exclude the Ray at Night businesses… only to the extent to convince them that it is more about the “art” than the “scene”. But what neither group realizes is that the public doesn’t give a care about the drama and truthfully will barely notice the difference. Guaranteed that the Ray at Night businesses will be open on North Park Nights events and visa versa. Ray at Night events will be smaller, contained on Ray Street but will still be jumping with art scenesters. Take your pick. More art for all of us.

I got this email from my friend, Dan this weekend and I just had to repost it since it is hilarious, straight-forward and just as informative. Eddie’s Place is a new restaurant located on 30th and Myrtle in North Park.

Today, I was gonna get an answer to the question that many people have been asking.
“When is Eddie’s Place opening?”
Eddie’s Place is across from Lefty’s Pizza.

Hank, the mailman didn’t know and actually sounded disappointed that the business owner hadn’t communicated with him in any way because people have been asking Hank. Note for future business owners: Inform your mailman. This is a walking, talking free advertising agent.

After climbing the series of steps and ramps to the pinnacle of the front porch at Eddie’s Place, I saw a sign on the door that stated they are opening Feb 2, 2009. I have seen similar signs in the past. Seeing the door was ajar and a chef mixing something up in a large bowl in the kitchen, I walked in to confirm the date on the sign as real or hopeful. She informed me the date is very real. Eddie’s Place will open this Monday February 2.

After asking what kind of food they will have, she allowed me to look at the only menu they have printed. They will offer lunch and dinner. Lunches seem to be mainly sandwiches, hoagies, etc. Dinner offers ribs, steaks, chicken pot pie, etc. Prices range from $7-$15.
The place also offers domestic beers like Miller, Bud, etc for $3.50 or so.

After thanking her and retreating down the labyrinth I had earlier climbed to enter the front door, I went to Jack in The Box to use the free terriyaki bowl coupon I was given at the Holiday Bowl. One bowl later, I am nearly ready to throw up.

I am looking forward to Eddie’s opening.

Dan

Reposted email from North Park resident, Dan Altenburg

Take what you want from it. City Beat will be moving into North Park shortly. From what I have heard, they will be renting/leasing the remodeled building on the south west corner of University and Grim, second floor. I guess that means Kevin and I will be neighbors.