If you like doughnuts, this is the place

For more than 25 years, Mary Hennessy has been the face and energy inside the Santee shop that bears her name. You can see it right there on top of the shop, a giant doughnut that says "Mary's." It -- and her giant apple fritters -- are a Santee institution. This is the first of my weekly scheduled "On the Job in Santee" columns for Santee Patch: http://santee.patch.com/articles/the-doughnut-lady-of-santee

June 24th Jeopardy for ESPN.com

So what are those things at the circus? My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2 of June 24th: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6699860

She'll tackle your biggest messes

Chris Bartsch believes she's always been organized, a trait she picked up from her dad. Now, it's what she does: she's a professional organizer, with her own business Neat Freeks, in San Marcos. Her profile for the Union-Tribune's "On the Job" series: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jun/20/north-county-job-getting-organized/

It's a long way from St. Petersburg

Elena Gorbatyuk was born and raised in Russia, then lived in Israel and now has come to the U.S., where she's studying to be a nurse and working at Vine Ripe Farmers Market in La Mesa. She's balancing a lot of change in her life, but says that's the way she likes it. Her story for my "A Living in La Mesa" column: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/zdravstvujtye-and-shalom-elena-gorbatyuk-greets-vine-ripe-job-with-fluency#c

June 17th Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2

So, what's a TinCap, anyway? http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6673333

The Blast Heard 'Round the Bayou

Warren Morris hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of the championship game of the 1996 College World Series, the most dramatic ending in the history of the event. The story of Morris' recovery from an injury that year -- to allow hit to hit his only home run of the season to give LSU the national championship -- is equally amazing. The story of that game and Morris' comeback in my story for ESPN.com's "Behind the Highlights" series on Page 2: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=williams/110615_warren_morris_college_world_series&sportCat=ncaa

Welcome to all things Nike: The ShoeZeum

Jordan Michael Geller has a law degree and a master's in business, but instead of practicing law, he decided to sell shoes -- on eBay. Geller has an affinity -- obsession? -- for Nikes, and created a successful eBay buying-and-selling company to sell the shoes worldwide. Now, he's created "The ShoeZeum," a museum of more than 2,000 shoes and related pop culture. My story, which appeared on ESPN.com's Page 2: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=williams/110613_nike_shoezeum&sportCat=nba

A weekend road trip for Padres fans

San Diegans interested in a weekend getaway can take off on a Friday morning and find a different world in the Arizona desert, complete with giant Saguaros, purple cactus, fascinating old missions, spicy Mexican food ... and the Tucson Padres, the SD Padres' Triple A team that plays at Kino Stadium. My story for the Union-Tribune's Travel section: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jun/12/minor-league-padres-become-a-major-attraction-in/

Attack of the termites

A wetter-than-usual winter in San Diego means greener hills, fuller reservoirs ... and probably a very bad termite season. My feature on termites -- and those who do battle with them -- for the San Diego Union-Tribune's Home & Gardens section: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jun/11/eating-you-out-of-house-home/

Jeopardy on ESPN.com for June 10

Who is that harmonica-playing closer? http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6647558

Nothing but positive signs from this guy

Steve Burns decided to take more control over his life, and started a new business in La Mesa -- Burnsville Sign Works -- after years of doing painting and construction. Suddenly, one good change resulted in another, and now Burns (a guitarist and band leader) is picking a positive tune. http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/life-by-design-steve-burns-graphically-illustrates-the-power-of-change

Jeopardy on ESPN.com for June 3

What kind of a name is "Sepp," anyway? http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6622210

Fifty years a priest gone by "like that"

Father Michael Cunnane, 75, is retiring after 50 years in the priesthood, a life's journey that's taken him from Ireland to Scotland to San Diego. The time has passed much too quickly he says, but he still has much more to do. My profile for him for the La Mesa and Santee Patch sites: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/sln-to-an-angel-father-mike-stepping-down-at-santee-parish#c

"Jeopardy" on ESPN.com for May 27

If "My Name is Earl," can I skate like Tony Hawk? http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/

A people person on the pier in Oceanside

Ed Gonsalves generally works seven days a week, running the baitshop on the Oceanside Pier. He spends his morning setting up shop, selling bait, snacks and coffee and saying hi to everyone who passes by. My story for the San Diego Union-Tribune's "On the Job" series: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/may/24/north-county-job-oceanside-pier-vendor/

Busy as a bee, chasing all the bees ...

Mike Zito has always had a fascination with bees and nothing -- not even the prospect of being stung almost every day -- has kept him from his appointed rounds. Zito has a bee-removal business in La Mesa and was featured in my "A Living in La Mesa" column: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/this-job-gives-you-hives-how-mike-zito-faced-his-fears-for-35-years

Jeopardy on ESPN.com's Page 2

So, who is that big-time power hitter? http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6569420

Walking La Mesa's Art Trail

Take a two-mile stroll through La Mesa to see public works of art -- painted utility boxes. Many residents of the area aren't even aware the 22 stops are tied together into one project. http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/box-set-walking-art-trail-has-miles-and-miles-of-heart

Another edition of "Jeopardy" on ESPN.com ....

What NL slugger plays Justin Bieber's "Baby" as his theme song? Check it out ... http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6541985

She's much, much more than a kindergarten cop

Ruth Leiderman gives everything she has to teaching children, something she's done since her first day of work in 1973. But it's her devotion to the kids and the ideals of teaching that's made her decide to retire after next year. http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/unrelenting-ruth-murray-manors-leiderman-is-districts-longest-serving-teacher#c