2017

Baseball, Books April 5, 2017

Tale of the Toppled Hurler: A Peter Hartwell Story (Parts 12-13)

Tale of the Toppled Hurler: A Peter Hartwell Story by Bruce A. Kauffman c 2017  All rights reserved. For full story to date, visit: https://escondidograpevine.com/a-the-tale-of-the-toppled-hurler-a-peter-hartwell-story/. CHAPTER 12 Last we saw, Hartwell’s latest escape attempt was foiled and he was chauffeured by the fat man from Boston to the Donut Depot in the heart of Hartsdale.  The fat man is now indulging his tryptophane urgings. The fat…

Politics, Weather April 4, 2017

Hunter denies, Issa waffles on climate

Within moments of Donald Trump’s inauguration, the White House web page on climate change was purged. On March 28, Trump ordered the dismantling of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which was designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Many members of Congress, as well, continue to be climate change skeptics or deniers. The Stopping EPA Overreach Act (H.R.637) introduced in January, with 121…

San Marcos, Vista April 3, 2017

Bonsall, Vista, San Marcos and beyond

Bonsall Woman’s Club gets fashionable for Mother’s Day The Bonsall Woman’s Club (BWC) Luncheon/Fashion Show Committee (pictured above) has been tirelessly planning this year’s event. The Fashion Show will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 19 at the ever popular and elegant Vista Valley Country Club. Lunch will consist of the delightful Vista Valley Pear Salad — Grilled Chicken, Asian Pear, Bleu…

Escondido April 3, 2017

Creative artist Jayne Spencer gets to teaching

Don’t tell award-winning watercolor, portrait and landscape artist Jayne Spencer that art is best executed and appreciated only by fellow artists. An award-winning creative artist and teacher, like TV’s father, knows best. “Anybody can be an artist,” Spencer said. “Anybody can learn to paint once they learn the skills and techniques. Find something that inspires you. Paint what you love. Art is subjective” Art is…

Editorial, Opinion, Public Policy March 24, 2017

Turn Duncan Hunter over, he’s done

Step off Duncan Hunter, time to resign… You know the Monopoly card everybody dreads:  “Go directly to Jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.” Hello, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-50th District). Looks like you got served. Hunter wasn’t playing with Monopoly money, unfortunately, but with $62,000 — that we know of now, it definitely was more — of campaign donor money illegally used for…

Grapevine Investigation March 23, 2017

Hunter campaign finance gift keeps giving (Updated: Justice Department puts Hunter under criminal investigation)

UPDATED NOON THURSDAY:  “Rep. Duncan Hunter is under criminal investigation by the Justice Department over alleged campaign finance violations,” the House Ethics Committee announced Thursday. The Justice Department has now asked the Ethics Committee to hold off on any action against Hunter because of its own criminal probe into the lawmaker, according to a statement from Reps. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.) and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), the chairwoman…

North County, San Diego, Weather March 21, 2017

Don’t expect Lake Hodges Dam overflow

In a rainy season, Lake Hodges Dam last overflowed in February-March 2011 — it also overflowed in February 2005 — but despite the record rains this season, it looks to be standing tall and holding firm. The lake was at 75 percent capacity as of last week, according to the  City of San Diego’s Public Utilities Department that has owned and operated the reservoir and dam…

Politics March 21, 2017

California Congress members face quandary over Republican health plan (Issa flip-flops)

With the House expected to vote this week on the American Health Care Act, the GOP leadership’s first swipe at repealing the nation’s landmark health care law, California’s 14 congressional Republicans find themselves in a delicate position. Seven of them represent districts that voted for Hillary Clinton, and many of their constituents could lose coverage under the GOP health plan. Since the Republican bill was introduced…

Breaking News, News, Politics March 18, 2017

Jig up for Duncan Hunter this week?

House Ethics Committee scheduled to consider Hunter financial affairs Wednesday Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-50th District) and his use of campaign funds for personal expenses is scheduled to come under review from the House Committee on Ethics at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 22. The committee announced the meeting in a Website posting Friday. However, before one gets too excited, consider that the committee previously set meetings…

Courts/Law, Escondido, Police, Police/Fire March 17, 2017

Suspect arraigned in murder of church worker driving through gang war (Updated)

Documented gang member Dionicio Crespin Torrez Jr., 24, pleaded not guilty to murder, Friday, March 17 at the Vista Courthouse in connection with the murder of an Escondido woman who drove through a violent gang turf confrontation on the way home from Bible study. Torrez could face the death penalty. Superior Court Judge Cynthia Freehand denied bail citing “the allegations and my concern for public safety.” “On…