On the far northern fringes of coastal North County, within a mile or two of each other along Interstate 5, are two shameful symbols of the failings of our government. One is the border checkpoint, some 60 miles north of the border. Immigration reform is badly needed, but nothing seems to ever get done. Meanwhile, our border is so porous that the federal government feels…
Willie Gillante took the mound to pitch the game that would decide if the dream gets dashed or faith is rewarded. If Willie and his precious Red Sox lost tonight, their exhausting season-long march to the world championship of baseball would be over, and the hope gone that the crown would finally come to Boston for the first time in a long eighty-six years. The…
This bit of Escondido-mania has blown up on social media since Wednesday. Desiree Bates of iHeartMedia sent me the “scoop” saying, “Thought I’d send this to you since it’s relevant to Escondido.” No sale. I wrote her back, saying, “Whoa, what is this thing? Don’t think our viewers are into it though.” Wow, was I wrong. This sucker has blown up all over the Internet….
Accretive Investments LLC last month may have turned in enough signatures for their ballot initiative to qualify it for the November election. If voters approve, Accretive will be allowed to build Lilac Hills Ranch (LHR), an abomination of 1,746-home, 90,000-square-feet of commercial space, and an assisted living facility, in what is now pristine farm land and natural habitat, far from any existing infrastructure San Diego…
As proud alumni of the University of San Diego, spanning different generations, races, faith traditions, genders, sexual orientations and professions, we love and care deeply about the mission and moral core of USD. We support and cherish USD’s mission to operate as a “preeminent Catholic university known for educating students who are globally competent, ethical leaders committed to the common good and empowered to engage…
Nothing like fire to spark interest in the “mainstream media” — it’s the easiest and most colorful spectacle to trot across local TV — and social media. Throw in spectacular smoke, large numbers of responders and close proximity to freeways and morning rush hour traffic and voila’, the perfect 2016 media storm. (Updated at 4:30 p.m.) It’s an easy story and no doubt interesting although…
Beginning with baboons, researchers have studied these great apes because they have more than just DNA in common with humans. They are masters of social interactions living and loving, working and warring in tightly knit clans. Princeton University researchers have found is that the biggest problem for baboons are other baboons. Which brings us to the 50th Congressional District and District 3 County Supervisor contests….
Escondido’s Congressman Duncan Hunter, an Alpine resident, won his last election by a 40-point margin in a District that was 44 percent Republican registered and 31 percent Democratic registered voters. No California Republican incumbent congressman ever has lost a race in a GOP-majority district. This time around, he can’t seem to get out of his own way. In recent weeks, Hunter has been involved in numerous…
LIVING WITH DOGS Yes, yes, I’ve moved again. The last place didn’t work out even though it was incredibly beautiful. The tribe that lived there was, well, not my cup of tea (to the say the least.) Well-meaning, maybe but from another universe I think. Anyway, I’ve relocated and am living with two, and sometimes more, of the cutest dogs, both personality-wise and physically, the…
Gregory Paul Welch and Ivan Rios couldn’t be more different. You may not know them, but you’ve seen them. As this holiday season winds down Grand Avenue to its inevitable conclusion, the poignant reflections of these two ghosts casts a spell along the city’s shadows. Walking the streets of Escondido today, delivering newspapers to stores incarnate, these men’s stories struck an odd note surrounded and…