dan weisman

Leichtag steps up for Aleppo medical relief

CARLSBAD, CA. — The Leichtag Foundation today said it was providing $75,000 in emergency grants for Aleppo emergency medical relief, and called for North County residents to do the same. “Leichtag Foundation has approved emergency grants to Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and the White Helmets, which are both providing relief directly to the citizens of Aleppo,” officials said. “We have identified these organizations in consultation over the…


Champion’s aside, Rosie’s Cafe now open

Lines out Grand Avenue, tears on half-eaten cinnamon rolls, Champion’s Family Restaurant wrapped it up Friday, Jan. 29, after 44 years in business, the future be damned. Now, almost a year later, bookending Champion’s run is the new Rosie’s Cafe, which soft-opened with little notice on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 117 Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido. Owned and operated by the youthful Kaitlin Rose, under…



Navigating the ‘Bermuda Triangle of Price Overcharging’ at Westfield North County

“Bermuda Triangle of Price Overcharging?” That’s how one store manager characterized navigating through a well-traveled, but consumer challenged, section of Westfield North County regional mall. Three of what inspectors called the top 10 overcharging outlets in San Diego County reside within plain sight of each other in a 50-yard stretch at the Escondido mall. A fourth store whose Oceanside branch is number one in the…


What? Me Worry? Believe it or not…

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, is one of only 30 persons undergoing the highest U.S. security rating reviews for a top national security or defense department job, NBC News said Thursday evening. Two published reports said Hunter might even be named National Security Advisor. “Early endorsers, like Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), could be in line for top posts as well,” at the Department of Defense or as National Security…


Election 2016: None came running

ESCONDIDO, CA. — Voting was brisk around Escondido, San Marcos and Valley Center polling stations in Tuesday’s general election, but with a caveat: Many voters weren’t happy to be there. “I don’t know what will happen,” Do-Art  Shoe Repair Owner Lucia Capuano said of the presidential election, “but I wasn’t happy with both of them. We’ll just see how it goes.” Capuano proudly wore her “I Voted”…


Duncan Hunter defends Donald Trump

“You’re going to see more members of Congress come out of the Donald Trump closet on this to be sure.” — Duncan Hunter to Greta Van Susteren, February 2016 So, you want to vote for Duncan Hunter in California’s 50th Congressional District versus Patrick Malloy. Hunter was the second member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president and is co-chair of Trump’s congressional election…


Escondido Art Walk Saturday Night

Escondido Art Walk Saturday Night toasting the town with sights and sounds, gratis Hors d’Oeuvres and a splash of craft beer or wine. Ground Zero, Grand Central Station, stage right is Escondido Partnership for the Arts, sponsor and exhibitor of the finest in local art. Across the Street Person Pocket Park, stage left, a long lanky fellow with a bass and percussionist scores the hit of…


Modest proposal: Support The Grapevine

The Escondido Grapevine website has proven successful, reaching 500 to 6,000 visitors daily, and gaining national recognition for quality and direction. Now, it’s time to do more, but that takes community sponsorship. Sponsorship ads can be successful on many levels. Sponsors receive maximum and positive community exposure, reaching local residents in the most popular and credible online format available today. Aside from getting out the…


Escondido Grapevine roars like a LION

After undergoing a rigorous application and review process, The Grapevine became part of something larger today. The prestigious 130-member LION, the Local Independent Online News Publishers organization, accepted The Grapevine into the fold as its newest member. Founded in 2011, LION Publishers is the leading national nonprofit educational group focused on local independent online news publishers, their editors, reporters and staffers. The Grapevine is the…