valley center

Local crime rates fall, county rates rise

People may have behaved badly this year, but they’re behaving a lot less badly around San Marcos, about the same around Escondido and somewhat greater around Valley Center than last year. Overall, crime rates in these three communities combined dropped this year compared to last year, bucking a trend that found overall countywide rates rising. This, according to mid-year 2016 crime statistics compiled by SANDAG and…


Countywide vote set for Lilac Hills Ranch

San Diego County supervisors Tuesday officially placed the proposed 1,700 home Lilac Hills Ranch project initiative on November’s ballot for a countywide vote. Supervisors voted 4-0 after hearing a County study outlining differences between the project ballot initiative that voters will consider and the project that County planners evaluated. Supervisor Bill Horn, whose district includes the Valley Center area where the project is proposed, recused himself after…


Accretive’s Lilac Hills ballot abomination

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…


Valley View Casino Buffet | Valley Center

Last month my mom had the great idea to treat Jake and I to “free” buffet at Valley View Casino. I’m sure she planned this out carefully. Mom gets a ride to the casino while Jake and I get to feast! Normally the buffet (which features lobster!) costs $32.99 on the weekends so this was a DEAL. Thanks, Mom, for being a big time player….


If it’s Monday, must be Welk market time

It happens every Monday. Vendors and shoppers meet and fete at Welk Village for the weekly Welk Certified Farmers’ Market from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. It’s the only one of over 50 San Diego County farmers markets open Monday, so has the pick of the litter when it comes to fruits, vegetables, food and vendors. It’s also one of only 11 county certified farmers…


Say G’Day to our May print issue

So, here it is our next issue, hitting the streets of Escondido, San Marcos, Valley Center, Vista. Online, aside from the non-local, San Diego Union Tribune, The Grapevine has more daily page views than any North County media source. In fact, it has 15 to 20 times more daily page views than the nearest competitor(s). As has been found to be the best community news…


Free MusicFest set for Valley Center’s Maxine Theater

The Valley Center Pauma Music Boosters (VCPMB) 2016 MusicFest will be held Thursday, June 2 at the Maxine Theater. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and drumlines and leading into the concert time of 6:30 p.m. The concert event is free for the community and will feature BBQ dinner and raffle item tickets for sale as part of the Valley Center Pauma Music Boosters…


Welcome to our April print issue

So, here it is our next issue, hitting the streets of Escondido, San Marcos, Valley Center, Vista.  Online, aside from the non-local, San Diego Union Tribune, The Grapevine has more daily page views than any North County media source. In fact, it has 15 to 20 times more daily page views than the nearest competitor(s). As has been found to be the best community news…


Bates Nut Farm rolls in the food trucks

Fifth or Sixth Annual Valley Center Food Truck Festival, they all tend to blur, but whatever number it was, it was happening Saturday at Bates Nut Farm. This incarnation was dubbed the Bates Nut Farm Spring Food Truck Festival 2016. Eight of San Diego’s favorite food trucks will be on hand serving a variety of mobile cuisine. The lineup included Two For the Road, Pierogi…


Zip, zip and away at La Jolla Zip Zoom

La Jolla Zip Zoom features longest zip line in California… Think rainforest canopy, or raging river below, Hawaii and Puerto Vallerta. How about Rotorua and Queensland, New Zealand and Rixos, Turkey? Then, think rubber tire tubes and the La Jolla Indian Campground. What do these exotic locales have in common with the campgrounds at the foot of Palomar Mountain. Zip lines, of course Tthese long…