dan weisman

Rocking the House: Etheridge part of arts center’s plans to attract broader audience

‘The goal is to be the Balboa Park of North County.’  — Jerry Van Leeuween, Executive Director, California Center for the Arts   Melissa Etheridge comes to town on Nov. 6, playing the only North County venue large enough for such a major act, the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. The center has had a troubled financial past. However, nobody can deny it…


Mission Hills, Valley Center, Escondido football teams are studies in contrast

It’s been a tale of the good, the bad, and the .500 for three local high school football teams this season. We’re talking Mission Hills, Valley Center and Escondido high schools this week. Mission Hills serving winning football on a roll Starting with the good, the Mission Hills Grizzlies are on a roll. The team that plays on the former site of Hollandia Dairy off…


Up in smoke, Holland RV Center fire stops traffic in its tracks (Breaking News) (Video)

Holland RV Center on Travelers Way went up in smoke, and a whole lot of other stuff, with a 3-alarm conflagration around 4 p.m. Sunday that was seen all over San Marcos and the Highway 78 corridor. The fire enveloped the RV center and  brought nearby Highway 78 traffic to a crawl, authorities said. West San Marcos Boulevard’s off-ramp was closed during the 90-minute incident….


President Obama comes to town for little golf, little luxury, little fundraising (Video)

 President Obama comes to town for a little golf, little luxury, little fundraising. All systems were go, go, go for President Obama to walk among the wealthy, and play some golf,  in North County San Diego, just a few miles down Del Dios Highway from Escondido this weekend. The president, and family,  landed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar late Saturday. He was expected to…



Shape of Grapevine to come

Congratulations. This is the first step toward providing honest, believable news and information for Escondido, San Marcos, Valley Center and beyond filling the void left by the departure of all local media in 2013. This publication is being out together by a partnership of former North County Times personnel, local marketing and sales people and community contributors and sponsors. You’ve probably seen us online at…


Escondido’s Cruisin’ Grand drags to finish with nitro blasts from the past

Escondido’s Cruisin’ Grand car show never truly ends. Like the day after Christmas or Mardi Gras for some, planning immediately began for Cruisin’ Grand 2016 after the 2015 version ended on Oct. 2. That 2016 event will be the 17th incarnation of the annual rite of spring and summer. Swaying with the rhythms of spring and summer, almost in sync with the Major League Baseball…


Tradition continues as San Dieguito Citizen, now printers, brings The Grapevine to Escondido

With a glorious family and regional tradition, San Dieguito Printers today embarks on yet another groundbreaking community and journalistic relationship. Perhaps you’ve noticed. How could you miss it? The venerable printing company that started as one of North County’s finest community newspapers and transformed into a leading printer provider produced the new print edition of The Grapevine debuting Oct. 8. When they say hot off…


Saying Goodbye to all that at Petco Park, Escondido Style

It was all over, especially the shouting, little that it was, as the San Diego Padres wrapped up their 2015 home schedule at Petco Park. And oh, by the way, in this season of their continued discontent, the Padres humbled their apparent arch-nemesis Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 behind Ian Kennedy’s best game of a 9-15, 4.28 ERA season. Believe it or not, the Brewers had won…


Lucky in Love styled wedding shoot at iconic Bheau View Ranch

A good rustic chic style wedding venue is hard to find. Make that nearly mission impossible. Have no fear. Bheau View Ranch is here. Venue, value and mission made July 7, 2015 a special day for a chic group of wedding service vendors at the classy urbane rustic ranch. “It was a great experience,” Bheau View Ranch owner Shera Sandwell said. “The shoot accentuated all…