Readers react to our sexy cover story, draw the line with orthopedics and defend Rod Luck.

La Mesa’s Amy Finley has all the makings of The Next Food Network Star. Plus: the ultimate San Diego iPod playlist; a fashion prodigy’s catwalk for charity; and red-hot Carter Oosterhouse’s...

By Julia Beeson

Playing with Goo Goo Dolls for Children’s Hospital; a floral fête for Art Alive; and a vintage vantage at the Museum of Photographic Arts.

By Julia Beeson

What’s heating up the style pages this season; sandals to flip over.

By Heather Eubanks

What’s heating up the style pages this season; sandals to flip over.

By Lori Bergamotto

Keenly focused California/Mediterranean cuisine and impeccable service provide the bedrock of Addison’s charms.

By Robin Kleven Dishon

Gorgeous pastries make Opera a temple of self-indulgence, and Chuao makes bonbons inspired by history.

By David Nelson

Sampling 2005 vintages of the Taz Pinot Noir from Fiddlestix Vineyard and the Taz Syrah from Goat Rock Vineyard.

By Brett Anderson

Lei Lounge woos visitors with its island charm and eclectic cocktail menu.

By J. Maury Harris

New fiction and nonfiction from local pens; puppets at the Globe; and a fairy festival for the entire family.

By Julia Beeson & Phyllis DeBlanche

Carmen goes to the cirque.

By Don Braunagel

David Atherton’s Mainly Mozart Festival continues to astonish.

By David Gregson

Notable husband-and-wife watercolorists Frederic Whitaker and Eileen Monaghan Whitaker expressed themselves differently in their works.

By Marcia Manna

The currency’s in prehistoric copper at the Museum of Man.

By Pat Sherman

Humphrey’s jam-packed summer session; a salute to heroes at the San Diego County Fair; and baby makes three at NCRT.

By Julia Beeson & Phyllis DeBlanche

Digging deep to divine all things best around town.

By Ron Donoho

Sunny San Diego loses its perfect climate title once a year——each June. Is everybody okay with that?

By Ron Donoho | Illustration by Darren Thompson

Is the growth of cash-back-at-closing on real estate deals benign or malignant?

By Pat Launer

Scripps Health CEO Chris Van Gorder resuscitated the healthcare organization and is a poster child for public service.

By Lillian Cox

Playing tag in Vista; steering clear of lagoon waters; and rerouting partying punk rockers to Del Mar.

By Thomas K. Arnold

Appointed president and CEO of San Diego’s Convention & Visitors Bureau last summer, David Peckinpaugh has faced down a spate of dicey issues.

Britney rides the bus, Brian goes Bravo, and Jersey Boys visits Vegas.

By Tom Blair