HEBER — The Prestige event center had a grand opening after being operational years ago, last weekend on Janurary 20. Jason Heisel, one of the owners of the building, and Michael Nehas, property owner, both decided to reopen it. The process started last year around June or July. The event featured a mixer and opening…
BRAWLEY — On just about any given day of the week, Cecilia Victoria Gastelo can be found pitching in and giving back to military veterans, those who find themselves homeless, and countless community members across the county. The evening of Monday, November 20 seemed to be no exception as she routinely set up tables where…
BRAWLEY — Brawley’s Cattle Call weekend came and went with a bang this year marking its biggest revival yet since the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring everything from award-winning flavors and mariachi music to parade float staples and rodeo show legends. Following kick-off on Saturday, November 4, the annual Chili Cook-off brought many newcomers to the competition…
CALEXICO — A number of projects at the Calexico Unified School District postponed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremony in a “landmark moment” for Bulldogs past, present, and future, according to district officials. New additions to Calexico High School funded by the voter-approved Measure V were…
BRAWLEY — East side Brawley local and self-sufficient centenarian, Gregorio Nuñez, celebrated a legacy of hard work, dedication to God, and 100 years of “the American dream” in the making at Las Chabelas restaurant earlier this fall season surrounded by over 200 binational friends and five generations of family. Born just outside of Guadalajara, Mexico…
HOLTVILLE — On the sunny Saturday morning of November 4, red-white-and-blue-clad residents and participants of the Holtville Veterans Day Parade gathered in celebration of military personnel worldwide, uniting service men and women with civilians in a revamped effort to revive both love of country and commitment to community. Patriotic floats sailed down the main drag…
BRAWLEY — Hundreds of hungry foodies, boot-clad country fans and local chili connoisseurs descended on Main Street in Brawley on Saturday, Nov. 4 for the annual tradition of facing off over favorite chili recipes served up in makeshift open-air kitchens to kick off the city’s iconic Cattle Call weekend. As day turned to dusk, what…
BRAWLEY – City officials, staff, developers, and residents rejoiced at the official opening of two critical roadways connecting Brawley’s east end to its west end, concluding the 15-year-long construction projects that stalled in the wake of the housing crash back in 2008 and have since struggled to reach the finish line. The ribbon cutting ceremony…
CALEXICO — Despite coming to the Imperial Valley’s beloved border town at the age of 5, Georgia Faye Espinoza, now 90 years young, has come to be known as “a pioneer” in interracial politics, a mother figure to many, and a Calexican through and through. Georgia, her parents and three siblings left their home in…
BRAWLEY – Members of Burning Bush International Ministries teamed up with actors from American Immersion Theatre this past week to put on a masquerade-themed murder mystery dinner titled “The Billionaire’s Club Masquerade Ball,” hosted by the Stockmen’s Club on the eerie October 12 evening. Nearly 162 guests attended the fundraiser dinner, chatting casually amongst themselves…
CALEXICO — As the Calexico High girls flag football squad maintains its spot as the team to beat in the Imperial Valley, the Bulldogs’ mix of on-field experience and players new to the sport partly tells the story of this inaugural season. Calexico’s No. 1 ranking in the Imperial Valley League and its rising rank…
BRAWLEY – City council members recently received an unexpected update from local police regarding a long-standing noise ordinance discrepancy between mostly elderly residents of Ciudad Plaza and the owner of venue Spot 805 during a recent Brawley City Council meeting. Carol Goss, a community member and resident of Ciudad Plaza, spoke during public comment on…
EL CENTRO — From velvety pastels and articulate acrylics, to digital art, ceramics and more, the Imperial County Office of Education foundation’s Autumn and the Arts fundraiser put young, local talent on display to a sold-out room on Thursday, Oct. 5 in El Centro. One hundred percent of the proceeds from both the silent and…
BRAWLEY – Brawley City Council’s regular meeting held on Tuesday, October 3 featured reports from members ranging from updates on health care bills and noise ordinances, to conferences, Cattle Call prep, and commentary on worsening public criticism towards city officials that Mayor Nava deemed “uncalled for.” Councilmembers Luke Hamby and Donald Wharton have been involved…
BRAWLEY — A tight-knit crew of creatives and community members turned out for the Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center’s third annual Talent Search on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Teen Center in Brawley, where judges were wowed with original music from old friends and newcomers alike. Attendees trickled in and found their seats as the…
This article was originally published by The Desert Review and is republished here for archival purposes. BRAWLEY — A steady stream of people filed into Palmer Auditorium in Brawley to hear what animal behaviorist and Colorado State University faculty member, Dr. Temple Grandin, had to say about learning to thrive with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), on…
