Articles by The Grapevine

Thinking pink, Grand Avenue ‘street fair(e)’ and Day of the Dead

 The Grand Tea Room Thinks Pink Care for a little sympathy with some tea? Grand Tea Room is hosting “Think Pink” to raise money for breast cancer research. It’s part of this weekend’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Awareness walk, and at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Afternoon Grand Tea is $35, all included. It features tea sandwiches, “savories,” fresh fruit, desserts, scones and,…


Lights on for groundbreaking Hawthorne Veteran and Family Resource Center

  Hawthorne Veteran and Family Resource Center is opening in a few days at 250 N. Ash St. with the lights much brighter there for Escondido and North County vets and families. As one of only five recuperative care providers in the nation certified to work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Interfaith’s Veteran and Family Resource Center is establishing a much needed state…


James and the Giant Peach at Patio Playhouse

 James and the Giant Peach Patio Playhouse director Larry Steckling and producer Sharon Gann this summer put out the call for youth actors to audition for roles in James and the Giant Peach. The kids came out alright to St. Paul Lutheran Church for tryouts and now are trying their hand at the finished production that was adapted for the stage by David Wood from…


Beautiful body language @ breathtaking Bheau View Ranch mini mockup wedding expo

As animal hospital director Mary Mandrigues said, Bheau View Ranch’s Mini Mockup Wedding Expo and Grapevine launch party was the place to be Friday. “Your event last night was beautiful,” Mandrigues tweeted. “Thank you for the invite. You have accomplished so much and you are surrounded with beautiful friends. I just want you to know I appreciate you for all you give to this community…


Escondido, San Diego County experience first drop in farm production since 2008 recession

Eric Larson director of the Escondido-based San Diego Farm Bureau said a “slight drop in production value comes as no surprise,” when he saw today’s county Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures annual crop report. “In light of the challenges faced by farmers from the drought and the rising cost of water,” Larson continued, “the change is small enough to be seen as a testament…


Vinnie, Michelle Griffin and Vinz greet October with a fest

A lot of restaurants and businesses have come and gone along Grand Avenue, Escondido’s iconic main street. Vinnie and Michelle Griffin have seen them all while starting and growing a vibrant dining and arts hub at the corner of Grand and Kalmia Street. It all started and continues in earnest for the husband and wife team with Vinz Craft Bar & Restaurant, otherwise known as…


Escondido features most county poverty outside of El Cajon, policy initiatives researchers say

Local non-profit research and advocacy group Center on Policy Initiatives this week found that Escondido’s poverty rate was just about the highest in San Diego county. Only El Cajon’s 22.8 percent was barely higher than Escondido’s 21.6 percent overall rate. El Cajon had 28 percent poverty rate for children, Escondido? It was 28.5 percent. Otherwise across the land, Vista had an 18.6 percent rate, San…


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 Police briefs: Bicyclist v. vehicle, bad party hosts, tweets ahoy, more charges for alleged sex offender

Bicyclist v. pick-up truck ends badly Escondido police today were asking for additional information pertaining to a Tuesday evening collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist leaving the bicyclist seriously injured, but alive. Witnesses and the vehicle driver provided some information about the incident that left a 16-year-old bicyclist injured at Washington Avenue and Broadway just before 7 p.m. Officers arriving at the scene found…