Articles by The Grapevine

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…


SDG&E-funded 2016 San Diego Regional Quality of Life Dashboard released

Sempra Energy-funded Center for Sustainable Energy’s (CSE) Equinox Project has released its 2016 San Diego Regional Quality of Life Dashboard, which assesses the top economic and environmental indicators to gauge the region’s progress toward sustainability. The dashboard is a nonpartisan report card that tracks and grades quality of life indicators in 15 categories from data supplied by 28 sources to evaluate livability in the region….


May odds be in write-in candidate’s favor?

(Editor’s Note: Tired of the same old, same old officially registered candidates running for California’s 50th Congressional District? Say hello to El Cajon editor/writer Katie Memmel, a San Diego State graduate who works for SteelOrbis, a steel industry publication and marketplace with offices at Del Mar and Istanbul, Turkey. She is running as a write-in candidate. In this case of congressional district musical chairs, top…


Kickin’ it to fight breast cancer returns

Registration: Now open. Last day to register is Thurs., May 5.  Register and find out more about rules and schedules at www.kickinitchallenge.com. Date: Sat., June 18 through Sun., June 19  Time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (both days) Location:  Frances Ryan Park, 450 Hidden Trail Rd., Escondido, CA 92027 Registration continues through May 15 for The 5th Annual Kickin’ It Challenge soccer tournament. The tourney at Frances Ryan…


Palomar smoking policy flirts with fines

It’s no secret that Palomar College has a campus smoking issue despite the ‘smoke-free campus’ placards placed throughout the college. A new proposal seeks to increase the campus’s authority to further enforce the campus smoking policy, potentially levying fines against violators instead of verbal warnings. While some students say that Palomar should not include vaping in its policy — and others want to bring back…


Ex-SDSU football player sentenced in I-15 on-ramp death of Caltrans worker

Former El Camino High School and San Diego State football star Reginald Grigsby Jr., 32, was sentenced this week to six years in prison for gross vehicular manslaughter without intoxication. That was the maximum penalty allowed by law. Grigsby pled guilty to the charge in March. During sentencing this week. Grigsby apologized for what he had done to the victim and his family. “I’m truly…


Stone Brewing $100 million ‘True Craft’ investing fund takes aims at ‘Big Beer’

“There is a squeeze coming in the craft beer world. True Craft’s goal is simple: Give craft brewers another option than selling a majority interest to private equity or selling out to big beer.” — Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder on new $100 million True Craft fund. Greg Koch’s talk at EG 2016 where he announced, True Craft, an “alternative to being pushed out or…


Butterfly releases to plants and farm fresh

Elizabeth Hospice takes wings More than 200 supporters joined The Elizabeth Hospice for the 7th Annual Wings of Hope Butterfly Release on from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at the Salon Room of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. Community members of all ages were invited to attend and sponsor butterflies in memory or in honor of…


Local LGBTQ students receive scholarships

San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF) is partnering with PFLAG San Diego County to recognize nine deserving LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Asexual) students from around San Diego County for their exemplary academic achievements and leadership vision at the 2016 Launching Leaders Scholarship Awards Luncheon, 1:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 13 at the Corky McMillin Companies Event Center at Liberty Station….


Mother’s Day dining options abound

What better way to thank mom for all she does than to take her out to a nice meal on Mother’s Day? Choices abound, but let’s consider a few. Vintana hosts a 3-course menu with champagne from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 8. It costs $59.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids under age 12. Chef Deborah Scott — you know her, you love…