He has the golden touch

Terry Whyte found his calling when he watched a teacher demonstrate silver soldering during a class in college. From that point on, he's made jewelry of all kinds, while getting much of his inspiration from the world around him -- particularly the ocean. His profile, for my "A Living in La Mesa" column: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/surferjeweler-has-one-of-oldest-shops-in-the-village-but-fresh-with-creativity

Keeping up with the Smiths

Alex Smith and Troy Smith, quarterbacks for the San Francisco 49ers, are a one-of-a-kind combo in the NFL. Check out this item that ran on ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5946741

Remembering "San Diego Stinkin' State" ...

Before SDSU tasted its success in both football and basketball under coaches Brady Hoke and Steve Fisher, it went through some tough times and a lot of dissing. Remembering some of those embarrassing moments on ESPN.com's Page 2 blog: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5943252

The former Brown still bleeds Red & Black ...

Brian Sipe once was an All-America quarterback at SDSU and the MVP of the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns. Now, he's back at San Diego State as quarterbacks coach and the Aztecs are in their first bowl games since 1998. http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/whos-your-daddys-quarterback-brian-sipe-returns-to-bowl-season

The place to go for a cup of Joe...

Jitters is a cool name for a coffee shop. It's an old-fashioned little neighborhood place in downtown La Mesa with a lot of character. And Jessica Beedy, a barista at Jitters, is a fun woman with a lot of character herself, who feeds the caffeine cravings of her customers. My profile of her for my "A Living in La Mesa" column: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/doing-the-daily-jitterbug-beedy-the-barista-fuels-her-customers#c

A holiday movie guide for sports fans

Here's something I wrote for ESPN.com's Page 2 on what the plot lines of current movies might be: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5923572

The Man in the Red Suit

Sean Celecki has been playing Santa Claus for 24 years, the last 14 in the same mall. You wear the red suit that long, you have some stories. My profile of him in my "A Living in La Mesa" column: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/grossmont-centers-gift-to-children-sean-celecki-aka-santa-claus#c

The Padres' "Curse of the Iguana"

With the trading of Adrian Gonzalez, the Padres have protected one of the longest records in the major leagues: Nate Colbert's puny team home record of 163, set back in the early '70s. My item on the "Curse of the Iguana" that ran on ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5891495

A place to run wild

For almost 10 years now, Canine Corners has been the place to be if you're a dog owner in the La Mesa area, a leash-free, fenced-in park where owners can let their friends safely run wild. A look at the park, its people and its dogs in my "Faces and Places" column: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/dog-disneyland-at-harry-griffen-park-is-culmination-of-a-rocky-ride#c