Personalities - Ranch & Coast


Best Radio DJs: Dave, Shelly, And Chainsaw Often crude, sometimes immature, but always funny, Dave Rickards, Shelly Dunn, and Cookie "Chainsaw" Randolph have been hooking San Diego listeners for almost two decades with a catalogue of ingeniously irreverent bits — Lash Wednesday, Sixty Second Divorce, and the Half-Baked Crackpot News, to name a few. But be careful when you listen or you’re liable to "asnr" up your morning coffee. Even off the mic, the team is bound to crack wise. "We were nominated for best morning rock show a few years ago," says Rickards, "but we got edged out by a nighttime DJ named Dillweed or Cockroach or something...so this is way better than that. Thank you, San Diego." When they’re not bickering with Boyer, or driving Bromo bonkers, they’re making national news with April Fools’ jokes about the Space Shuttle landing in Montgomery Field, and purchasing the Coronado Bridge for $2 (yes, Dave owns the bridge, call his lawyer if you think differently). Celebrity guests often stop by, sometimes for real, sometimes in the guise of "puppets." The team has also written, produced, and directed two feature films — the proceeds of which support their Grand-A-Day giveaways, as well as the 12 Days Of Christmas in December, charitable programs that help struggling members of the community get back on their feet. The Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw Show can be heard on 101.5KGB weekday mornings from 5-10am, and again at night from 7-11pm. (888/570-1015, www.101kgb.com) — Ryan Thomas

		Best Maitre D’: Julien Hug "I’m very jealous of him," says Mille Fleurs owner Bertrand Hug of his son, Julien. "I always wanted to be six-two and good-looking." Thirty-two-year-old Julien took over his dad’s spot at the award-winning restaurant six years ago after the legendary Bertrand opened Bertrand at Mister A’s and had to spend more time downtown. "Julien was the necessary link," says Bertrand proudly. "We’re a family business, and people love that connection." That connection is even more apparent in the dead-on imitations of his father with which Julien entertains customers. No wonder he’s considered the host with the most. (858/756-3085, www.millefleurs.com) — Lois Alter Mark

Best Chef: Jeffrey Strauss From the zesty to the savory, chef/owner Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grille continues to impress his guests with accolades inspired from his European travels. "I love adding fresh herbs to my dishes, especially thyme and chervil." Strauss says. "Thyme is a true flavor enhancer and is great in marinades, and chervil is soft, tender parsley that makes for a wonderful garnish." Light and fresh entrees include Arugula, Prosciutto, Fig & Orange Salad with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese or Crispy Half Duck served with Sautéed Gnocchi, Sweet White Corn, Porcini Mushrooms, and a Cherry Balsamic Glaze. Don’t deprive yourself of dessert. Try the semi-cooked Chocolate Truffle Cake served with raspberry sauce and vanilla gelato — too good for words. (858/792-9090, www.pgrille.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana

		Best Radio Talk Show Host: Dr. Laura Syndicated since 1994, The Dr. Laura Schlessinger Program still proves to be a favorite, with San Diego listeners tuning to KOGO for their daily dose. Schlessinger doles out advice on every and any topic, including philandering spouses and terrible teens. "Receiving this award from San Diego radio listeners pleases me to no end. I am grateful for their support for my ’preaching, teaching, and nagging,’" says Schlessinger. "What keeps my show popular year after year for over three decades is that it is true ’reality’ programming — dealing with stimulating the best in folks, instead of using their worst for entertainment purposes. I deal with real people having real life dilemmas with morals, values, ethics, and principles, as well as struggling to be and do their best with family, friends, community, work, and spiritual challenges. I appreciate that they trust me and I do my best to help them be and do their best." The Dr. Laura show can be heard weekdays from 6-9pm on Newsradio 600 KOGO. (800/375-2872, www.drlaura.com) — E.S. Magill

Best Sommelier: Jesse P. Rodriguez When The Grand Del Mar tapped rising culinary star William Bradley to help position Addison, its fine-dining venue, as a culinary tour de force in the region, it was important the restaurant find a top-notch head sommelier who could build a wine program to complement the chef’s artisanal approach to cooking. Coming from Napa Valley’s legendary French Laundry, Jesse P. Rodriguez was a natural choice. "Our goal is to offer our guests amazing wines in a world-class tasting environment," says Vikram Sood, general manager of The Grand Del Mar. "Jesse’s expertise is invaluable to that experience." We’ll drink to that. (858/350-7600 www.thegranddelmar.com) — Lois Alter Mark


		Best Event Planner: Kathy Wright Kathy Wright & Company, San Diego’s premier floral and event designer, excels at creating open-mouth awe. At a private party this summer, they hung a thousand orchid stems from a billowing tent roof. At another event, they covered a swimming pool with Lucite squares to make a signature dance floor. Jaws dropped, and Kathy Wright smiled. "There is great joy when you know you’ve made someone happy," she says, "that’s why I do this." Whether you have a specific design in mind, or need some help fleshing out the details, she’s sure to make your event something to remember. "What I do is a true expression of the customer’s creativity. I do what they would do for themselves if they could." Call her an artistic enabler. Call in advance though — she recommends three to six months lead time. (619/299-2520, www.kathywrightandco.com) — Paul Stuart

Best Bartender: Marc Huff It’s always happy hour when Marc Huff is tending bar. His bosses call him "Mr. Personality," and guests ask for him by name. "He has this incredible ability to make people feel special, like they’re the only ones who matter," says Toni Bretzing, manager of Poseidon where the popular bartender holds court five nights a week. "He is just a genuinely nice guy." A fixture at the beachfront eatery for more than a decade, Huff has developed a loyal following of thirsty customers who drink up his charm as eagerly as his signature Green Flash. (If you have to ask, you haven’t been initiated yet.) (858/755-9345, www.poseidonrestaurant.com) — Lois Alter Mark

		Best Anchor: Marty Levin Whether the news is good or bad, our readers want to hear it from NBC 7/39’s Marty Levin. This year marks Levine’s 20-year anniversary as channel 7/39’s anchorman. "The most challenging part of the job is staying current in an area of the country which is growing so dramatically while also keeping up with the constantly-changing technology," says the 13-time Emmy Award winner. No matter the story, Levin is always a true profesional. He may describe himself as "old school," but to viewers, he’s as solid and stable as, well, an anchor. — Lois Alter Mark

Best Weatherman: Loren Nancarrow No one wants to hear about bad weather, unless it’s delivered by Nancarrow, whose light-hearted demeanor has once again won over our audience. "I enjoy the inexact science of weather," says the 53-year-old self-described nature freak. "The variables are so numerous that getting a forecast right is nearly impossible and so very satisfying when it happens." Nancarrow has won numerous awards for his reporting as well as for the three books he’s written on nature and organic gardening. — Lois Alter Mark

		Best Athlete: LaDainian Tomlinson The Chargers may not have snagged the Super Bowl ring, but they came closer than they have in a long time, and it’s mostly due to Tomlinson’s running ability. L.T., as he’s known to the fans, can find his way through just about any blockade, racking up touchdown after touchdown. Just look at last year’s stats: 1,815 total rushing yards (up nearly 400 yards from the previous year) and he broke the NFL’s record for touchdowns with 28 in a single season. "San Diego Chargers’ fans are among the best in the NFL," says Tomlinson. "The energy and excitement they bring to our games really helps us on the field. San Diego is really becoming a tough place to play for our opponents because our fans are so fired up on Sundays." (www.chargers.com) — Alicia Garcia