Good morning, Escondido.

The City of Escondido honored Coach Aubrey Sanchez by proclaiming February 28 as his day after his Pop Warner Savage Wolves cheer squad won first place at the State Championship and Nationals.

A banquet at the Chamber of Commerce, attended by councilmember Judy Fitzgerald, celebrated the milestone.

On Thursday, 34 cats and kittens arrived at the San Diego Humane Society’s Oceanside campus to ease overcrowding at Stockton and provide specialized treatment, with eight moving to the Escondido location as they await adoption.

Vons at 2345 E. Valley Parkway will close on May 1 (its pharmacy will end April 16), affecting 65 employees as part of a cost-saving move; Albertsons will reopen its remodeled store in the same area on May 1 and plans to reassign as many workers as possible.

The Escondido Art Association will host Kids Kaleidoscope 2026 to showcase local student art.

Art submissions will be accepted Saturday, Mar. 7 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Grand Ave Gallery and an awards reception will follow Saturday, Mar. 14 (3 to 7 p.m.) for students, families, and visitors.

The American Guild of Organists Student Scholarship concert will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Escondido on Sunday, Mar.

8 at 4:00 p.m., featuring a theme—A Grand Musical Tour Through Europe—and performances by seven local talent, including a student scholarship winner, with a suggested donation of $20 at the door.

Escondido Choral Arts Foundation will present Irish Spring—Music of the Heart when The Center Chorale and Pacific Coast Chorale join a chamber orchestra for a spring concert on Sunday, Mar.

15 at 3 p.m. in the Ritz Theater on Grand Avenue.

Thai Thai restaurant, which has been open for several months on Centre City Pkwy, offers a menu of authentic Thai dishes including panang curry and spring shrimp rolls.

The well-known owner expanded from Vista and said business is better than expected.

Local gas prices rose for 15 straight days, with self-serve regular gasoline reaching $4.894 per gallon on Thursday (the highest since Nov.

13) as rising crude oil costs and a shift to summer-blend fuel push prices up. Prices are 22.4 cents above last week.

Classical Academy High School will host an Official Game Jam for Games for Change on March 7 & 8 from noon-4 p.m. The event is open to the public while only students 10–25 may compete to design games for social impact.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park will soon open the Denny Sanford Elephant Valley project that lets visitors walk near elephants at the 1,800-acre site in Escondido, featuring an overhead walkway and the Mkutano House restaurant (inspired by African culinary flavors) to promote conservation.

The local girls basketball team won the CIF San Diego Section D3 championship last Friday at Mira Mesa High with a 40-26 win over Vista.

The Cougars finished the season 23-5 and will face top-seeded Marina in the state championships next.

Calvin Christian High School captured two CIF titles on Thursday, Feb.

26; the boys won the basketball crown at Mira Costa College while the girls clinched the soccer championship at Montgomery High School, marking a historic double win and a season of standout play.

Route 78 Mariachi Festival

12-5 p.m. — California Center for the Arts, Escondido — $25-$125 — Experience a vibrant Sunday of professional Mariachi performances and cultural festivities.

Circus Vargas

1-4 p.m. — Mershops North County Mall — Tickets starting at $69 — Experience an unforgettable circus performance with featuring Circus Vargas.

Circus Vargas

12-3 p.m. — Mershops North County Mall — Tickets starting at $69 — Experience the thrills and excitement of live circus performances in Escondido.

Circus Vargas

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Mershops North County Mall — Tickets start at $69 — Experience the magic and excitement of Circus Vargas in Escondido.

Circus Vargas

7-10 p.m. — Mershops North County Mall — Tickets from $69 — Experience the magic of Circus Vargas at North County Mall in Escondido, CA.

Circus Vargas

7-10 p.m. — Mershops North County Mall — Tickets starting at $69 — Experience the thrill of Circus Vargas in Escondido's North County Mall.

Circus Vargas

7-10 p.m. — Mershops North County Mall — Tickets from $69 — Experience the thrills and chills of Circus Vargas at North County Mall in Escondido.

Ticitozaá Folklorico Dance Festival

12-10 p.m. — California Center for the Arts, Escondido — Free to attend — Experience a vibrant celebration of traditional Mexican dance with colorful costumes and energetic performances.

Ticitozaá Folklorico Dance Festival

12-8 p.m. — California Center for the Arts, Escondido — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate vibrant folkloric dance cultures at this exciting festival.

Circus Vargas

7-10 p.m. — Mershops North County Mall — Tickets start at $69 — Experience the thrilling performances of Circus Vargas at North County Mall.