Las Vegas, NV.August 1960 -2023 Brian Thomas Bowman, a native of San Diego North County died peacefully in his sleep. Professionally, Brian was an inventor, entrepreneur, and a highly skilled commercial lighting designer. He developed daylight harvesting technologies to reduce electrical usage while delivering consistent desktop lighting. Brian’s hobbies reflected his many-faceted personality. He was a licensed commercial pilot (top in his class), an excellent golfer, an avid guitar player, and a competitive sailor. He loved sports cars and Formula One races and cheered on the San Diego Padr ..read more

Escondido History Center dynamic duo (left) Executive Director Cynthia Castañeda and assistant director Hannah Ramirez, with the museum complex behind them. To the right is the Victorian house. Straight back is the currently inactive blacksmith house and through the fence you can see the train station.   The Escondido History Center’s only paid staff—Executive Director Cynthia Castañeda and Assistant Director Hannah Ramirez—have an important message for you: The History Center is there, right in the middle of Grape Day Park. It’s filled with resources about Escondido’s rich history and ..read more

The Escondido Times-Advocate is teaming up with News Flash Media in order to bring more up-to-the minute reports of such things as car accidents and crime news in North County. The reporter for News Flash Media (he prefers not to identify himself by name for safety reasons) has been doing this type of reporting for seven years, starting in high school. He said, “Growing up I was always fascinated by emergency personnel and responses they take on. I kind of naturally fell into it. In 2019 I started to do it professionally. In October of 2020 I started News Flash Media. It’s seen great success ..read more

  They’re calling you on the phone. They’re texting you. They use email. They favor the internet. They love Facebook. They’re conmen. They’re predators. We know them better as scammers. I, like most people with either a computer or a landline, have been hit many times in recent years as scammers have cast their hooks in my direction attempting to land a fish. I experienced one today. It’s a concern, as it will soon be reaching others here in town because it is using an unknowing local prominent citizen who has many Facebook contacts as their bait. This column’s intent is to warn others o ..read more

  It appears we have turned the corner weatherwise with some really pleasant days with moderate temperatures and sunny skies—which enhances our enjoying our surroundings. If only I could write like Escondido’s Outdoor man/writer. Today’s input is about a week early but I wanted to get it done before Cruisin’ Grand beginning next Friday. Oh my, every time I write Cruisin’ and I do spellcheck I am prompted to choose cruising. Lately I have two impromptu classic car meetups—which seems appropriate since we have a nationally-recognized cruise event. In late December, as I was entering Walmar ..read more

Del Lago Academy Junior Miles Keiser. Escondido Union High School District (EUHSD) has announced that Del Lago Academy’s 11th grade student, Miles Keiser, was selected to receive the Rensselaer Medal from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.  The medal is awarded to high school juniors who have excelled in math and science throughout high school. Miles is a member of the Robotics, Programming, and Math Clubs at Del Lago Academy and has taken Programming Fundamentals I and II at Palomar College. He is an intern with the Cure Science Scholars Program, working under a profe ..read more

The storefront to the Distinction Gallery. I discovered “Last Spot” during the Chocolate Festival. It is on the easternmost end of Grand.  When I moved to Escondido a few years ago, my wife and I made it a point to hit a bunch of restaurants on Grand. Having discovered this place made me realize that the phrase “location, location, location” means something.  I’m guessing if most people go to downtown Escondido, they don’t venture east after they’ve hit the Esco Gelato joint. So when there was a line of 20 people waiting for the ice cream, we walked a bit farther down to the Last ..read more

  The U.S. Supreme Court this week heard arguments in the case of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which might lead to an alternation in policy towards homeless people everywhere in the U.S.  The court heard arguments on whether a city can fine or jail homeless people for sleeping outside.  Grants Pass, Oregon passed a law that allowed it to fine homeless nearly $300 for illegally camping on public property, with jail and additional fines facing repeat offenders.  A federal court in 2022 found that the law violated 8th Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment if t ..read more

Residents attended a public workshop at Del Lago Academy last week hosted by a battery energy storage system developer AES. Photo by Michael Howard The developer of a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) slated to be built just over a quarter-mile from Palomar Hospital in unincorporated Escondido held its second in a series of three workshops last week at Del Lago Academy.  The workshop was geared toward addressing the concerns of local citizens who have organized opposition to the project. “This is why we’re doing these workshops,” Michael Huynh from AES, the developer of the ..read more

Del Lago Academy students setting up for the robotics competition. The 3rd annual Escondido Green Expo (formerly The Green Transpo Expo) was another success for the Escondido Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, April 20 at North County Mall. Chamber Chairman Deanna Smith told The Times-Advocate: “Our third year running had a great turnout of community, city leaders and commerce.  Many thanks to our sponsors Adam Hamill from Alive Solar with their eco-friendly display of advanced technology in solar with the Tesla roof and Tesla back up battery storage.” Opening ceremonies to the Green Ex ..read more