MORE ORCHIDS, ONIONS

Architects James Gates and James Brown, who won an Orchid last weekend for their My Beautiful Dog-O-Mat pet salon in San Diego, also worked, together or alone, on the three other projects nominated in their category. Brown designed the interior of Altitude, a Hillcrest clothing store; both architects worked on Extraordinary Desserts in Hillcrest, and Gates was a co-designer of the entry gate at Cafe Cinema in Mission Hills.

When an Orchid was awarded to Balboa Park, the Committee of 100 was credited for its preservation efforts, including the new arcade along the Prado--a prime example of phony, inappropriate nostalgia that some feel is intended to hide the hard-angled Timken Gallery. . . .

The choice of rap music to play during the presentation of an Onion for graffiti “taggers” carried racist undertones. . . .

Odd highlights included Chula Vista City Manager John Goss’ competent renditions of Cannonball Adderley and other music during his acceptance of the Orchid for the Norman Park Senior Center, and two dancers from Pacers and someone in a chicken suit during the presentation of a special “Waffle” award to the Richley Plaza Medical Office building, which is sandwiched between Pacers and a fast-food chicken restaurant.