Northbound: What to root for in a potential post-Chargers era
What do North County sports fans have to look forward to in 2016 without the San Diego Chargers? As expected, the Chargers, Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams all filed for relocation on Jan. 4....
View ArticleNorthbound: Exploring Mexicali
If you’re a fan of craft beer, you’re going to want to take a road trip to Mexicali soon. Last week I spent a few days with friends who are in the Mexicali craft beer scene. Mexican hospitality is...
View ArticleNorthbound: El Niño has arrived
According to San Diego officials, emergency responders rose to the challenge of last week’s El Niño-enhanced storms. On Monday, representatives from the city and county held a press conference to...
View ArticleNorthbound: Pointing the way to North County craft beer
How easy is it for visitors to North County to learn about our local breweries and brewpubs? It’s a question worth asking. With so much of the craft beer industry focused on word-of-mouth marketing,...
View ArticleNorthbound: High noon in Nevada
From my columns, you may not know that in my professional life I’m a local elections analyst. Lately, I’ve taken a notice that just a few hours away from North County may be a major GOP standoff....
View ArticleNorthbound: A small business-friendly agenda for North County
Local economists are projecting an economic slowdown in San Diego County this year, which may impact our North County small business community. If there were an opportunity to advance a pro-active...
View ArticleNorthbound: Building a soccer battalion in North County
Soccer action is set for North County this spring. Five months ago, I profiled the North County (NC) Battalion, a new expansion soccer team in the National Premier Soccer League. At the time, NC...
View ArticleNorthbound: Reflections on Measure A
Wow. What an election. On Tuesday, voting in Carlsbad wrapped up for Measure A, the proposed Agua Hedionda South Shore Specific Plan “85/15 Plan,” which would have designated 203.4 acres between the...
View ArticleNorthbound: Travels to Tijuana
Amidst all the rancor over Measure A in Carlsbad, I forgot to mention I traveled to Tijuana recently. Like most North County residents, I haven’t visited TJ in years. My lapse has nothing to do with...
View ArticleNorthbound: The Coaster Life
How do you get around North County? For most of us, car ownership is required for daily work commutes, running errands, and enjoying life in our part of the region. Still, I would ask, is car ownership...
View ArticleNorthbound: Green grass in drought-stricken North County
Have you thrown in the towel on owning a lawn? I haven’t. Though it’s been challenging to say the least in the new reality of drought restrictions and rising water rates in North County. As a kid,...
View ArticleNorthbound: Spring Cleaning
Spring is here! And not a moment too soon. All around my neighborhood in Carlsbad, I see neighbors working on home improvement projects. Cleaning out garages and landscaping front yards. Many of us...
View ArticleNorthbound: Soccer season is underway in North County
What a kick off! This past Saturday, minor league soccer start-up North County Battalion hosted its inaugural season home opener at the Del Norte Nighthawks Stadium in 4S Ranch. I was invited to attend...
View ArticleNorthbound: 2015 was a good year for San Diego craft beer
Every year, as part of my full time job as a think tank analyst, I survey San Diego County’s craft brewing industry and develop economic reports based on my findings. This last year had some surprising...
View ArticleNorthbound: North County for Trump?
Last weekend, Republican delegates and presidential candidates gathered for the California Republican Party Spring Convention, but all eyes were on businessman Donald Trump. With recent polls showing...
View ArticleNorthbound: Forecasting the June election
Early voting began this week in the June 7 presidential primary election. Are you registered to vote? I took a closer look at the local races and voter dynamics for this election cycle in San Diego...
View ArticleNorthbound: Raising a pint to Vista’s Rhythm & Brews event
Here’s a toast to North County’s craft brewing community. This past weekend, I attended the fifth annual Rhythm & Brews music and craft beer festival in downtown Vista. Hosted by the San Diego...
View ArticleNorthbound: To all the weekend warriors, I salute you
How do you spend your weekends in North County? Since I moved to Carlsbad, I’ve grown to love a well-spent weekend. By that, I mean that I’m productive in meeting a range of personal goals and...
View ArticleNorthbound: What an election!
As I’ve shared in the past, part of my professional work involves election analysis. This past Election Night was one for the storybooks. The day before Election Day, I conducted about nine or so media...
View ArticleNorthbound: Reclaiming public spaces
I have a confession to make — despite my proud boosterism for all things North County, my favorite park isn’t in North County. It’s in downtown San Diego. Located at the corner of Park Boulevard and...
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