Congratulations to The Dead View Project for being voted by YOU as Commune’s Featured Local of the month. I met up with Mikey to congratulate him on winning and also to get the dirt on what he has going on.

1. When did you start The Dead View Project and where do you draw inspiration?
First off I would like to thank my friends, family and all the supporters. I started The Dead View Project in ‘07.  The idea came from old horror flicks that I enjoyed, but I could never find a cool shirt with any good designs. So, I started making my own.  For the love of films, art, and music TDVP started.  Most of the ideas come from pop culture and all things dead, I try to bring “Dead life to Real Life.”

2. How did you come up with the name?

It’s kind of funny how I started and got the name.  I was working on another clothing company and just really wasn’t feeling the style.  So, I started on another project just out of boredom.  Dead View clicked in my head.  Dead View just being a different view of the dead and just appreciating horror films and art.  The first design I made was from a Peter Jackson film called Dead Alive, a must see.  After that design I knew what path I wanted to go.  That’s how the Dead View Project came along… trying to be the next dead thing!

3. Where can people find your stuff? Any upcoming shows or cool things you are working on?

If you’re wondering where you can grab some TDVP gear, check out our online store thedeadviewproject.bigcartel.com.  We are working on some shows and trying to get in some local shops, so keep your eyes and ears open.  On a side note, check out Grieves and Budo and Pierce and Veil, two new additions to TDVP family. Great music, good friends!

4. What is your favorite thing about Commune?

We think the concept of Commune is pretty rad; bringing music, art and culture together with a meaning is awesome.

For More on The Dead View Project check out thedeadviewproject.bigcartel.com.

If you would like to be part of Commune Wednesdays and stand up for a smokefree scene, contact us at jointhecommune@gmail.com or www.jointhecommune.com.

With the holiday spirit ringing in the air, beer-belly Santa’s running rampant through malls and store entrances, rainy freeways, and ridiculous traffic with even more ridiculous drivers; now is the perfect time to stay close home and enjoy some of your favorite local artists.

Despite the despicable economy most everyone still feels the pinch to give back, if you are one of those kind-hearted souls check out our friends Mimi and Red at one of our fav spots El Dorado. Mimi and a sleuth of other local companies will be hosting the Holiday Toy Drive from 9p-12a at the East Village hang out. There’s no cover, just bring in an unwrapped toy of your choice (Super Soakers are a timeless pick) or $10 that will go towards buying new toys. When you buy for someone else, despite how empty your bank account is your heart will be full, especially with that corny metaphor.

All that giving really leaves my soul yearning for some inspiration… of the visual sense. Stop by 3795 30^th for Wish You Were Beer with art by Brian Clinebell and Taylor Johnson, plus you never what local superstars might meander in. This should definitely be a stop on your Saturday night. With monsoon weather, do something different and check this shenanigan out.

Now I’m a big fan of the 4 day weekend, which starts on Thursday, but since we are all recovered from yesterday and so far you’re weekend is packed, Sunday needs to be perfect ending to this fall wonderland. “Coffee, tea, wine, beer, food, and fun” is on the agenda for this December 13^th. Kensington Café is showcasing the Holiday Trunk Show. Trunks open at 4pm, live music from 6-8pm. All the must have swag by your favorite local artists will be in shining presentation. Don’t miss this early night shindig.

Well folks all I can say about the weekend is that it should be wet ‘n wild, and because dating is hard enough in this city, you’ll find me with mistletoe and Pabst hobbing knobbing through my town, hitting up all these fly events. Stay dry friends;)

This Saturday. October 3^rd from 1:00 PM- 5: 00PM, North Park will host its first-ever Taste of North Park.  More than 30 restaurants and 20 galleries and boutiques will participate in this tantalizing event. The event is the ideal blend of delicious cuisines prepared by top chefs around the neighborhood mixed with the perfect variety of microbrews and flavorful wines.  Tickets to the event are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the North Park Mainstreet.  Don’t miss this opportunity to sample the best in local North Park dining.

Participants Include:

Restaurants & Bars

Apertivo Italian Tapas & Wine Bar

Bar Pink

Bluefoot Bar & Lounge

Caffé Calabria

*Caffé Carpe Diem

California’s Mexican Food

*Cardamom Café & Bakery

Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge

Eddie’s Philadelphia Steaks

El Comal Antojitos Mexicanos

Heaven Sent Desserts

Junz Teryiaki & BBQ

Mosaic Wine Bar

North Park Panini Place (NP3)

North Park Sushi

Paesano’s Fine Italian Food

Philly Grill

Ranchos Mexican & Vegetarian Cuisine

Ritual Tavern

Sea Rocket Bistro

Splash Wine Bar

The Office Bar, Inc.

Toronado San Diego

True North Tavern

U-31 Bar & Lounge

Uptown Fish Market and Grill

Urban Solace Restaurant

West Coast Tavern

Zensei Sushi

Yog-Art

Galleries, Boutiques, and Salons

A7D Graphic Design & Printing

Cirello Gallery

Disconnected Salon

Flip A Salon

Gorgeous Salon & Gallery

*Kate Ross Boutique

Material

Mesh Boutique

Mimi & Red Boutique

obr architecture

Overload Skate Shop

Pigment

Planet Rooth Studios Gallery

Point of Departure Architecture

Ray Street Custom Framing / Sharp Studio Gallery

San Diego Art Department

Soul Ryde, Inc.

Section 2820 Hair Studio

Taylor Studio/ D’Agostino Fine Art

The Costume Shop

Vintage Religion

To Purchase Tickets go to http://tastenorthpark.com

By Veronica Montoya

If you didn’t catch Waffo at the April Commune, you may have seen Waffo clothing in San Diego stores like Rags Fashion Exchange, Mint, and Fresh. This socially and ecologically progressive company originated in San Diego three years ago and is home to many unique indie designers.

You may be wondering what Waffo stands for. The name actually stands for “warm form” which originally came from author and inventor Edward de Bono as an alternative to the word cool. Like Commune, Waffo is against the messages and styles of the Mass media. In other words, if you are considered “Waffo” then you are unique and unsusceptible to peer pressure, which is what tobacco corporations thrive on.

All Waffo clothing is designed and created not based on the current trends of fashion, but rather on what the artists and designers who work at Waffo think of as “classic and timeless.” Their clothing designs are extremely creative and unique and if you take a look at their line of men’s and women’s clothing you can see this. Besides their talent for design, there is another characteristic that makes Waffo clothing irresistible. They produce one of the softest and most comfortable clothing possible.  When asked what their secret is, owner Tully says, “We have a special method of doing a double silicone enzyme wash and we use cellulose based polyester similar to rayon. That’s what keeps it soft, and gets it softer. 100% regular combed cotton will eventually become harsh and loose its softness once all the silicone is washed away from it. We try and make a t-shirt in which you’ll keep wearing it and that’s pretty much all you’ll wear. We’ve even created a few addicts out there who now can’t wear anything else!”

Interested in becoming a Waffo addict? Click here.