Published Articles

The Julian Town Hall spotlighted the annual Julian Arts Guild show Sept. 4, 5, and 6. This event has been in existence every year since 1973.

I am compelled to warn you that I know nothing about art of any kind. I wouldn’t know a Picasso from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. So you won’t have to suffer a reporter telling you that the artist’s picture was a reflection of his passive mood, or some other idiotic comment. I represent the average poor husband/boyfriend that is forced to go to one of these shows, and has to pretend to enjoy it. These events always fall on a date that is a big game, or some other event that a guy would rather attend. Remember guys … Happy Wife – Happy Life!

The first thing I did was to walk around the whole display and note the names of the artists that were showing their art. Then I took random pictures of the different works.

Here are some tips, guys … if the painting is kind of lumpy or has raised streaks, it is probably an ‘oil’ painting. If it looks a little faded, but no lumps, it is probably a ‘watercolor’ painting. If it is different from that, just look at it intently, and some one will say what a nice charcoal (or type) of picture it really is. Now be careful here, guys. Let’s say the wife has fallen behind and catches up with you at the ‘charcoal’ painting. You might be tempted to ask her what she thinks of the ‘charcoal’ painting. Now this might impress her, or it might convince her you are interested in art, and you will be going to art shows from now on. Steer you wife past any ‘abstract’ art. This will probably look to you like the artist used a clean piece of canvas to clean his brushes on, and if your wife likes it, is going to cost you thousands of dollars to bring it home. (End of my helpful hints guys. You are on your own.)

This show was represented by many different artists, and types of art. Evelyn Goldschmidt — Cindy Hedgecock — Beryl Warnes (weaver) — Rex Harrison — William Overy — Shawn Smith — Linda Todd — Dorthy Mushet — Bill Duffy — Angela Simpson — Shawn Smith — Helen Actre — Deborah Lea Butts — Leslie Wagner — Ed White — Barbara Nigro (President Julian Arts Guild) — Deb Behnke — Anne Garcia — and Don Weeke. These are all Julian locals, and surrounding area.

Now you have to promise to keep this paragraph secret between you and me. I really did have a fun time at this show, and yes, I did learn about different types of art. This group of artists are good enough, that even a dummy like me can enjoy what they have created. No, I won’t become a ‘critic,’ nor do I want to be. Instead, I hope to check it out next year, and if no one recognizes me, I will have another article on the Julian Arts Guild.

Nickel Beer Company is in the process of celebrating their four-year anniversary at 1485 Hollow Glen Road, a half mile east of the town of Julian on Highway 78.

They currently offer 16 different taps of house brewed beer, along with a large outdoor beer garden that is dog friendly.

Nickel Beer was founded in 2013 by Tom and Lindsey Nickel, owners of O’Brien’s Pub in San Diego. Tom started home brewing at the age of 18. He worked at local breweries from ’96 to 2005 and in 2004 he was named World Beer Cup Small Brewing Company Brew master of the year.

Now is the time of the year that they brew locally grown hops in and around San Diego County. The beer is made the same day they get the fresh (or wet) hops.

This creates a unique flavor in the beer. Hops are only harvested once a year. Right now two wet hop beers are on tap; Ted Nugget and Golden Nugget IPA. Three wet hop beers are in the fermenters right now, and will be available soon.

This building and site was the location for the Sherriff Office from the early ’70’s into the late ’80’s. The room used for storage of the hops and the game room were used for lock down of prisoners that were to be transported to San Diego. Most were just overnight ‘guests’. Sorry any and all graffiti has been painted over.

This business over the last four years has become the place to go for locals, and is also visited and enjoyed, by ‘flatlanders’ as well: check it out for yourself.