Business

Looking back at Del’s Barber Shop

Like father like son like grandson, Del’s Barber Shop is old school and proud of it. “It’s pretty much the same old barber shop,” said Jason Engelbrecht, now large and in charge of the 4-barber shop on S. Escondido Boulevard next to Lourdes Restaurant and its famous chicken soup. “We try not to change anything.” One would be hard-pressed to find another blast from the…


Holiday shopping (fraud) tips, resources

(Taxpayer-funded San Diego County News Center provides the following tips and resources concerning keeping the holidays jolly by avoiding fraud and other miscreant behavior.) Santa’s checking receipts, he’s checking them twice — you should, too By Gig Conaughton Cash registers ring, are you listening? Black Friday’s back, sales are glistening! Make sure your shopping is sweet, double check your receipts. So you’re not accidentally overcharged…


Don’t pack a pest for the holidays

The holiday season means it’s time to ship gifts to faraway friends and family, or maybe even travel to deliver them in person and bring gifts back home in return. Whatever you do, be sure you don’t ship or bring back a present nobody wants—a harmful pest! It can happen if you’re not careful. The gifts you send or receive could be carrying hitchhiking pests…


Why quit Twitter when you can stick around for a train wreck

I have no intention of quitting Twitter, the social media site that I’ve dutifully scrolled through nearly every day since I joined in 2009. I intend to stick around and watch this train wreck happen. The sight of Elon Musk getting his comeuppance will be at least as entertaining as the dozen or so accounts the algorithm masters in Twitterland have decided to send my…


Nagata named SD Farm Bureau farmer of the year

Former California Strawberry Commission Chairman and longtime Board member, Neil Nagata was honored as the San Diego County Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year. Nagata has over 30 years’ experience in fresh fruit, vegetable, and strawberry substrate/hydroponic production and research.  In addition to his growing experience, Nagata is an expert in many aspects of agriculture and biological science, including field and commercial research and production. …


Dragon fruit like they do in Westeros

Once you know what a dragon fruit looks like, you will never forget it. The bright red, sometimes yellow or purple, scaly skin makes for a dramatic appearance. One that will surely leave an impression. The flesh ranges from white to a deep pink and the flavor is often described as having hints of kiwi, watermelon, or pear. Since 2007, the Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Production Tour, has united…


Esco AgTech Hackathon seeks farm/tech innovations

The city of Escondido and Fresh Brewed Tech are partnering together to bring the AgTech community together next week at a first-time AgTech incubator. The objective of the event scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21 to Sunday Oct. 23 at the Synergy CoWorking Centre, 140 North Escondido Boulevard is to bring together farmers, technologies, community leaders, engineers to understand better “today’s agriculture and food system problems…


Local avo irrigation hot topic thanks to climate change

San Diego County used to be home to nearly 25,000 acres of avocado trees but today there are about 14,000. The drastic decrease is largely due to rising costs associated with avocado production, namely the cost of water. On September 28, avocado growers gathered at the San Diego County Farm Bureau offices for an Avocado Irrigation Workshop facilitated by Ali Montazar, University of California Cooperative…


Move over avos, ornamental trees-shrubs No. 1 crop now

San Diego County has a new number-one crop for the first time in 12 years, other crops racked up double-digit value increases, and agriculture remained a key industry at $1.75 billion in value in the County’s new Crop Report. However, the report, which covers the 2021 growing season, also showed total crop and commodity values fell for the first time from the previous year since…


Historic Inn at Rancho Santa Fe reportedly sold

The historic Inn at Rancho Santa Fe reportedly has been sold with the announcement expected this week, according to sources who did not want to be identified. The sale reportedly will be completed by May 18. Speculation was that all employees would be laid off and have to re-interview for jobs with the current general manager and executive chef leaving the Inn. No further details…