Let’s talk Talmadge

The Talmadge sister’s San Diego history

The neighbor of Talmadge lies in Mid-City San Diego by Kensington + University Heights, but it’s closer to Hollywood than you may think. It’s noted for its mixed architectural styles and canyon views, but part of its history is unspoken. It pays homage to the Talmadge sisters — silent movie stars who have spots on the silver screen and San Diego’s history books.

Norma Talmage in Norma — Norma Talmadge in “Kiki.”

🎞️ Sister, sister... sister

Norma, Constance + Natalie Talmadge were born in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1890s and started out on very small screens. Norma posed for slides used in nickelodeons before starring in silent films, but it was Constance who relocated to Hollywood to star in the film “Intolerance.”

In the 1920s, the Talmadge trio moved to San Diego. In 1925 real estate developers Roy + Guy Lichty helped establish a neighborhood — then called the “Movie Girl Subdivision” — that was funded with capital by Joseph Schenck, Norma’s husband. Joseph also funded movies starring silent film star Buster Keaton, who was married to Natalie.

Today, the community is simply known as Talmadge and a walk through it will take you down Norma, Constance, and Natalie drives.

The gates in Talmadge — The gates + lights in Talmadge.

🎞️ The architecture

Upon entering Talmadge, you’ll be greeted by large, historic gates, and the homes have personalities that are just as big, blending elegant + eclectic designs. Styles include Spanish Revival, California bungalows + Normandy Style.

The neighborhood saw commercial development in the 1930s + 1940s, resulting in Streamline Style architecture — a common design in San Diego. This era also added WWII Era + Cape Cod cottages that were popular. In the 1960s-1980s multi-family homes began replacing single family houses.

🎞️ The end of an era

By the 1930s, talking films were becoming popular. Norma appeared in two talkies, but had little success, while Constance retired from acting and focused on real estate to maintain her wealth.

Natalie divorced Buster Keaton in 1932, and Norma divorced Joseph Schenck in 1934. All three sisters moved away from San Diego and died between 1957-1973. As time passed, their names became less common among Hollywood critics + film buffs, but will always have a legacy in San Diego.

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Monday, Nov. 7

Bennett Matteo Band | Monday, Nov. 7 | 6 p.m. | Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego | $10-$15 | “Shake the Roots” with these rhythm + blues.
Bleached | Monday, Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. | Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego | $25.24 | Sing along as this sister duo brings pop music to the stage.
Illiterate Light | Monday, Nov. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd, San Diego | $15 | Watch this rock duo shake up the stage.
Sharp Minds | Monday, Nov. 7, Monday, Dec. 5 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego | Free | Learn about the latest scientific discoveries from industry experts.

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Adult Beginning- Intermediate Painting | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 6-8:30 p.m. | And Something Different Studio, 2690 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego | $195 | Learn Color Theory + brushwork techniques in the first session of this beginner’s class.
Party Beer-Go | Tuesday, Nov. 8-Tuesday, Oct. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | Black Plague Brewing, 239 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido | Free | Party bingo, brews + food vendor Full Metal Burgers. 🍻

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Art of Elan: Broken Windows | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 7 p.m. | The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, San Diego | $40-$50 | Enjoy a classical concert inspired by multimedia works of artist Justin Sterling.
Double Peak Brewing Co. Trivia | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Double Peak Brewing Co., 1801 Diamond St. Ste. 101, San Marcos | Free | Answer questions, grab a pint, and win prizes.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

FALL INTO MORE FUN

Weather

64º | Cloudy with chances of showers | 41% chance of rain
Don’t be fooled by the recent weather, the National Weather Service predicts San Diego will have a warm, dry winter for the third year in a row. While the county doesn’t have a water shortage, this may constrain the state’s water supply even further. ☀️ (KPBS + National Weather Service).

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:11 a.m.
Set: 4:52 p.m.

Tide

Low: 1:48 a.m. + 2:09 p.m.
High: 8:04 a.m. + 8:55 p.m.
Water Temperature: 65º

Civic

Chula Vista City Council voted to rename Discovery Park as Kumeyaay Park of Chula Vista to honor the people native to the region. The space in the city’s Rancho del Rey Community used to include a statue of Christopher Columbus, which will be returned to the artist’s heirs after being in storage for two years. 📜 (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Outdoors

The moon is expected to look bloody brilliant during tonight’s total lunar eclipse — a phenomenon that won’t occur again until March 14, 2025. This blood moon is expected to be visible in San Diego very early tomorrow. The Penumbral Eclipse will begin at 12:02 a.m. local time with the Full Eclipse from 2:16-3:41 a.m. 🌕 (NASA)

Health

Health officials held a press conference to address the trio of respiratory illnesses impacting San Diego County: influenza, COVID-19 + respiratory syncytial virus. Flu cases are higher this year than last year and locals are encouraged to get vaccinations. The county is tracking cases with its weekly Respiratory Surveillance Report. 🩺

Kids

Did you hear who’s running for mayor? K-12 students in the City of San Diego can enter to win the “Mayor for a Day” contest — no campaigning needed. Instead, applicants should submit a written or video essay discussing what they’d do as mayor of the city. The deadline is Mon., Dec. 5. 🏛️

Rank

San Diego is coming in hot on WalletHub’s best winter vacation destinations for warm weather lovers, earning the No. 3 spot. The city earned praise for its climate, activities + safety, but it’s not the top location because it earned lower marks in categories associated with prices. 🌡️ (WalletHub)

Travel

Picture this: It’s a regular Monday at the office. You’re skimming your inbox for the fifteenth time when suddenly, an email arrives: ⛵Malta — $400-$500s. With a flash of your credit card, you’ve booked sunny skies + crystal blue waters for this year’s summer vacation. Good thing you got those Scott’s Cheap Flights notifications.*

Real Estate

On the heels of launching in 50+ markets across the country, Opendoor recently announced their expansion into two new cities (that just happen to be home to our sister markets): Charleston, SC + Richmond, VA. 🏡 *

Shop

Meet Rent the Runway, the easiest way to dress to impress (for less) this holiday season. By becoming a member, you can try every style, trend + designer you want — without ever buying a single thing. Bonus: Use code 6AMXRTR for 40% off two months of a membership or one-time rental. 👗 *

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A coffee shop to remember

Nostalgia Coffee opens first store in Carmel Valley

The Staff at Nostalgia Coffee's new store

Celebrating a grand opening. | Photo via @gillwight

Nostalgia Coffee Roasters has brewed some memorable coffee — but do you recall seeing it before? If you’ve sipped one of its brews, chances are you visited the coffee cart by a local business or market. Now, it has an address you can commit to memory.

📍 10945 Vista Sorrento Pkwy.

The female-founded and LGBTQ+ proud brand opened its café in Carmel Valley last week. Inside, you’ll find a welcoming community with hand-painted artwork in Danish pop-art style from the 1950s. But don’t worry, there’s also surf-themed art to show love to San Diego.

If that doesn’t get you energized, the coffee will. Founder Taylor Fields explains that during the pandemic, she put an emphasis on roasting — and it paid off. Nostalgia’s Columbia Sudan Rume won a Golden Bean in the Elite category at the world’s largest coffee roasting competition, and the brand is brewing something good by giving 5% of its revenue to its producers.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Happy Monday, San Diego. Recently, I celebrated a birthday. For the past few years I’ve had the local tradition of getting cupcakes from Babycakes. 🧁

Before this, I’d rather hold the cake and have double the ice cream — but I love that these cupcakes offer so much variety and look so delicious. I recommend trying a few, but if I had to pick one, it’d be the Chocolate Peanut Butter.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Prepare for your next flight with our guide to the San Diego International Airport.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Allie Wetteland | Advertise with us.

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