It looks different now

Northmont Park in La Mesa has gone through a metamorphosis, transforming from a bigger -- but soggier -- layout to a greener and drier spot for locals to gather. And still, more change is afoot. For those who've come to the park for years, they say it's a much nicer place now. My "Places and Faces" features for La Mesa Patch:http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/before-northmont-park-was-beautified-the-space-went-south#c

Jeopardy for July 29th on ESPN.com

Who's been sleeping in my bed? That was the question one NFL defensive end was asking. My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2 for July 29th: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6815599

A company built on teamwork

Carrie Ellwood runs Out of the Ordinary, a team-building company in North County San Diego. She's taken a little of this and a little of that from her previous careers to forge a success story in helping companies bring their employees together to improve teamwork and efficiency. My profile of her for the "On the Job" series for the Union-Tribune: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jul/26/north-county-job-business-owners-third-career-even/

From sous-chef to bagel baker

Jolene Allen has traveled the country, working almost every type of restaurant job. But when the economy forced her out of her job as a sous-chef at a country club in Arizona, Allen decided to return to her hometown of Santee, where she now happily works as a shift manager at Einstein's Bagels. My profile of her for "On the Job in Santee": http://santee.patch.com/articles/on-the-job-coming-around-in-circles

NBA star to "Rock" star? It's been no sweat for Dwight Howard

You meet some interesting characters at Comic-Con, the annual parade of costumes and pop culture at San Diego's Convention Center. One such character this year was Dwight Howard. Sometimes, he's an NBA star. Sometimes, he's been Superman. And now, he's a voice in a Disney cartoon. For him, it's been a slam dunk. My story on ESPN.com's Page 2:  http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/6799831/dwight-howard-hypes-kick-buttowski-comic-con

Jeopardy for July 22nd on ESPN.com

No, we've certainly never thought there was anything wrong with soccer moms. But this actress? We wonder. My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2 for July 22: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6792765

He called an audible and scored in Santee

Al Treadwell once was a cost analyst for a big company until he decided he wanted to work for himself. Back in 1979, he opened up a sporting goods store in Santee -- Al's Sport Shop -- that has become an institution. Athletes from across the county visit his store, now in its 32nd year. My profile of him for the "On the Job in Santee" series: http://santee.patch.com/articles/al-the-man-behind-the-sport-shop#c

A veteran firefighter talks about 28 years on the job

For 28 years, John Burningham has been a firefighter in La Mesa. It's a job he aspired to as a kid, and he craved the action and adventure that comes with the job. Now, however, his responsibilities take on a deeper meaning for him. My profile of Burningham for the "A Living in La Mesa" series: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/firefighting-father-of-five-reflects-on-28-years-with-lmfd#c

Jeopardy for July 15th on ESPN.com

Those old NFL dudes really love the Big Macs, right? Check out the Jeopardy for July 15 on ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6772737

It's Carmaggedon!

When you mess with the freeways in L.A., it's a big deal. So this weekend's closure of the 405 is dubbed "Carmaggedon." But the term would also apply in the sports world, too. My piece on ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6769465

Drinking from opportunity's cup

In these hard-knock times, sometimes a layoff can be a blessing. When Jeff Trevaskis was laid off from Eastman Kodak, it gave him the spark to do something he and buddy Garry Pitman had been talking about for a long time: start up their own brewery. Now, Trevaskis is a busy -- but happier -- man, running the Manzanita Brewing Co. My profile for the "On the Job in Santee" series: http://santee.patch.com/articles/on-the-job-brewing-up-a-dream#c

Jeopardy for July 8th on ESPN.com

For golfers, remember this: if you win a tournament, be careful when you celebrate. Golf is NOT a contact sport. My "Jeopardy" for July 8 on ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6748690

Making a difference at Santee Lakes

Cindy Smith, whose parents moved to Santee in 1960, grew up near Santee Lakes, exploring the park and enjoying the area -- but never dreaming she'd someday be a part of managing the resources and park that are such a part of the community. Yet for the past 16 years, Smith has been a park and recreation director at Santee Lakes. Her profile as part of the "On the job" in Santee series: http://santee.patch.com/articles/santee-on-the-job-the-lady-at-the-lakes#c

In any language, she connects with dogs

Rika Otsuka has a way with her clients, the dogs she grooms. Her profile for La Mesa Patch: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/rika-otsukas-puppy-love-canine-clients-respond-to-japanese-and-english

Sports and fireworks: an explosive combination

In 1909, Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss may have provided the first full-scale fireworks show to accompany a major league baseball game -- a rarity in the dead-ball era, of course, because games were played in the day. Since then, however, pyrotechnics are an institution in all varieties of American sports. My feature for ESPN.com: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=williams-110701_sports_fireworks

Jeopardy for July 1st on ESPN.com

So who's that rookie who shoots like Reggie Miller? http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6728617