Articles by The Grapevine

San Diego March 14, 2017

Financial interests behind San Diego deals worth billions still undisclosed

Despite overwhelming voter approval in 1992, three separate city attorney recommendations and an inewsource investigation, the city of San Diego is still not following a law mandating government transparency. After recent follow-up questions from inewsource, however, three city council members have agreed to address the issue. Section 225 of the city charter requires every person or entity doing business with the city to make a “full and complete disclosure of the…

Tourism, Travel March 14, 2017

7 ways to experience the year-round city

Sometimes finding the perfect town to visit is very close to a familiar one. We’ve partered with travel writer Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal to point out the features of the small town of Escondido, which has big activities to share. You would think a town this small would be a secret, but it is hard to keep from shouting in celebration when a place…

Tourism, Travel March 9, 2017

Julian gold mining on my mind

Eagle Mine & High Point Gold Mine Tour in Julian with famed California travel blogger Josh McNair, by permission. Visit “California through My Lens” for more…  The town of Julian is a fun little hideaway that is visited often by people from San Diego and Temecula for the excellent pie. I have driven there on a few occasions just to get pie as well; it…

Biotech/Tech, Business, Escondido February 26, 2017

World’s largest lithium-ion storage battery

Escondido got the world’s largest something this weekend, so that’s something big. Let us introduce to you the world’s largest lithium-ion bayberry presented Saturday by San Diego Gas & Electric. It’s online and humming, officially unveiled by the utility following a fast-track procurement process that began less than a year ago. The 30-MW, 120-MWh system supplied by AES Energy Storage, a Virginia-based company was built…

Horse racing, Sports, Travel February 23, 2017

Breeders’ Cup 2017 at Del Mar a go, go, go

The Breeder’s Cup is like the World Series of racing, and it comes to Del Mar for the first time this fall. Breeders’ Cup officials have announced that tickets for the 34th running of the World Championships will go on sale to the public beginning Monday, March 6. The 2017 renewal, scheduled for Nov. 3-4, will be the first Breeders’ Cup held at picturesque Del Mar racetrack in Del…

Health, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, Lifestyle/Society, Politics February 17, 2017

Single-payer health care bill introduced in California Senate

Legislation introduced in the state Senate Friday would set California on a path toward the possible creation of a single-payer health care system ― a proposal that has failed to gain traction here in the past. The bill, which is a preliminary step, says that it is the “intent of the Legislature” to enact a law that would establish a comprehensive, single-payer health care program for…

Valley Center February 16, 2017

Valley Center happenings at the museum

Between the Valley Center Museum and Dos Valles Garden club, lots to do, lots to see in the unincorporated  10,000-resident community spanning the globe from the Hidden Valley to Palomar Mountain. New thoroughbred exhibit An exhibition of famous thoroughbreds with a local connection has been mounted at the Valley Center History Museum in a new expanded display.  The show, first presented in 2010, is one of…

Food, Restaurants February 5, 2017

Burger Bench on Grand Avenue, Escondido

Burger Bench is the brainchild of one of my hiking / blogging friends 100peaks and in its first year of being open, it has already carved itself a spot in the downtown Escondido culture. Serving up good burgers and a large menu of San Diego craft beer, it is one of those spots you want to go after a long hike in one of San Diego’s many…

Arts, Entertainment, Entertainment/Arts, Music February 5, 2017

What happens to San Diego institutions if Trump guts federal arts funding?

President Donald Trump’s staff is proposing to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency that has funded art performance, research and accessibility since its formation in 1965, according to a recent report in The Hill. To understand how that decision would affect San Diego, inewsource dug into NEA grant data and spoke with local arts leaders. Here’s what we found: In terms of general operating…

Music, Rancho Santa Fe January 27, 2017

Unlikely RSF resident, WorldstarHipHop founder Lee ‘Q’ O’Denat dies at age 43

“Q was a brilliant businessman who championed urban culture, ultimately creating the largest hip-hop website in the world. But more than that, he was a devoted father and one of the nicest, most generous persons to ever grace this planet.” — WorldstarHipHop statement While legendary hip-hop and street fight website entrepreneurs might not be one’s first guess for ultra-sedate Rancho Santa Fe residency, WorldstarHipHop founder Lee…