To Pivot or Stay the Course? Catering, Events Professionals Seek Paths to Survive

The COVID-19-related private event cancellations started in February, reaching a crescendo in March as the pandemic closed down travel worldwide. Meetings, conventions and catered private events, including weddings, ground to an abrupt halt. By the time the state and county issued lockdown orders catering and event professionals' suspended businesses were already facing hibernation at best.

San Diego’s tourism and events industry, which represents about $11.6 billion in annual total visitor spending and employs nearly 200,000 people, mostly shuttered.

Election Reformers Made Important Gains in 2020; Now We Talk Next Steps

The biggest overlooked story from this election is how reformers made history, once again.

From Virginia to California, voters sent a message that they want less hyper-partisanship, greater voter choice and better representation.

To celebrate our accomplishments and dive deep into how we move forward in the coming years, we’re hosting a two-day December Spotlight on Friday, December 11, and Saturday, December 12.

Now That the Election is Over, We Must Reform Our Politics

This is an independent opinion. Have one of your own? Email it to hoa@ivn.us

In the recent elections, the U.S. came perilously close to re-electing a man who, after four long years as our president, made it clear that he was an incompetent, authoritarian conman. He presided over a failed pandemic response, greatly increased the budget deficit despite promising to reduce it and dismantled environmental protections that had been in place for decades.

There Wasn't a Red or Blue Wave in 2020; There Was An Independent Wave

On Saturday, November 7, the presidential election was called for Joe Biden after media outlets projected he won the state of Pennsylvania and thus exceeded the 270 electoral votes he needed to win. But, Biden could not have won without independent voters.

All of the discussion on a blue wave or a red wave -- depending on which side you talk to -- few are talking about the reality of the 2020 election: It was an independent wave.

It's Time to Pick Up Your Political Litter In San Diego

This is an independent opinion. Have one of your own? Email it to hoa@ivn.us

Let me state this right up front. I dislike political signs. I consider them litter. I cringe when I see them sprouting up like weeds in my neighborhood in the weeks before an election is held. If I could restrict them to being in people’s yards or the windows of homes or businesses, I’d enjoy my neighborhood walks so much more.  

Despite Promising Unity, Ending Partisan Gridlock Not a Top Priority for Biden-Harris

President-Elect Joe Biden repeatedly told voters leading up to Election Day and during his acceptance speech that though he was a proud Democrat, he was going to be a president for all Americans. He passionately called for unity in a time of deep political division.

Yet, the nation’s leading anti-corruption organization, RepresentUs, noted Monday that ending the hyper-partisan divide and addressing policy paralysis doesn’t appear high on the new administration’s priorities.