San Diego, CA
Free rides help San Diego Community College students reach their education destinations
Some San Diego Community College students are getting a free ride for their education.
But the financial support is not going toward tuition; students are being helped with their fundamental need for transportation to attend classes.
Adriana Dos Santos is one of those students. She is an immigrant from Brazil building a life in San Diego, and is the student trustee on the San Diego Community College board representing the College of Continuing Education (SDCCE).
Dos Santos is working on an associate’s degree and learning English. She does not have a car and depends on taxis to get around, but that can get very costly. For example, she said, “Last week, I needed to go to Miramar College (for a meeting). It cost $50.09. It is so expensive for just one drive.”
But Dos Santos did not pay for that ride because of a pilot program now underway between SDCCE and the United Taxi Workers of San Diego. Using a mobile app similar to rideshare programs, students call taxis and pay for rides to and from school with a $100 voucher.
It’s a financial break for students who need it most.
“When you’re taking classes at several different campuses, it’s a challenge. It’s an additional challenge having a job, being a parent, and having to work and go to school,” said Dr. Tina King, SDCCE President.
According to the district, almost half of all students attending a continuing education campus have an annual income of under $10,000. A car is a luxury and the need is significant.
Colleges in the region, including SDCCE, have long provided students with discounted and cost-free bus and trolley passes. This is the first time free cab rides are being offered.
“When you’re taking classes at several different campuses, it’s a challenge. It’s an additional challenge having a job, being a parent, and having to work and go to school.”
Dr. Tina King, SDCCE President
The vouchers are being funded through the SDCCE CARES school budget which pays for students’ basic needs.
A click on the website link connects students to an application for vouchers, which they can reapply for as they need them. It’s a pilot program designed to help the surrounding community as well.
Many of the taxi drivers live in City Heights, in neighborhoods surrounding the Mid City Campus.
“The drivers are providing rides to the students. The students are paying the drivers (through vouchers) who then give it to their families who are part of the community. We’re building community wealth,” said Peter Zschiesche, United Taxi Workers of San Diego Trustee and the financial advisor.
United Taxi Workers of San Diego President Mikaiil Hussein agreed. He said, “This is about elevating everybody, our students, our workers, our community.”
Here is some of the dining news from across San Diego County, as well as some upcoming events for foodies.
Cala café opens in La Jolla: From 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Amy de Leon will host the grand opening of her new restaurant Cala La Jolla Café in La Jolla’s historic Arcade building. Cala will offer what she calls an “omakase” coffee and matcha experience, breakfast and lunch menus and fresh-made pastries. De Leon, a real estate agent, also owns a coffee shop on the UC San Diego campus. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 7910 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-333-8610, calalajolla.com.
Board & Brew opens in Midway District: This sandwich-and-draft beer quick-service restaurant chain has opened a new location near the USS Midway Museum. Founded in 1979, the company now dozens of locations in California, Arizona and Texas. Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. 825 N. Harbor St., Suite 109, San Diego. boardandbrew.com.
Vincenzo debuts pasta program: Vicenzo Cucina & Lounge in Little Italy has introduced an in-house pasta program powered by its new artisan pasta-making machine that guests can see churning out different varieties of pasta in the restaurants’ front window. The handmade pasta wil be served with lunch and dinner entrées. 550 W. Date St., Suite A, San Diego. vincenzosd.com
Urban Plates new summer menu: Urban Plates, with 22 locations statewide including Carlsbad, Del Mar and La Jolla, has unveiled new drinks and dishes this month for its summer menu. New dishes include a BBQ jalapeño cheesebuger, Southwest grilled chicken salad and a superfood grilled chicken salad. There’s also a new lineup of refreshing fruit-based “cooloer” drinks priced at $4.50. They include strawberry basil lemonade, pineapple coconut lime, organic lemonade and dragon fruit and strawberry. urbanplates.com
Del Mar festival lineup announced: This year’s Del Mar Wine & Food Festival, returning with seven events Sept. 30 through Oct. 3, has unveiled some of the culinary headliners who will be cooking at the event. They are Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman; cookbook author and TV food show judge Aarti Sequeira; Camelback Mountain executive chef Beau MacMillan; “Top Chef” victor and now chef/co-owner of Huson in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood, Buddha Lo; cookbook author and Weelicious.com media platform founder Catherine McCord; L.A.-based chef Jackson Kalb; Pei Wei culinary executive, Food Network host and contestant and cookbook author Jet Tila; Clutch Chicken restaurang group founder and TV cooking show contestant Kelsey Murphy; chef, author TV personality and Morph Hospitality Group co-founder Maneet Chauhan; and James Beard-nominated chef of the Colorado restaurant Mawa’s Kitchen, Mawa McQueen. Tickets are now on sale at delmar.wine
Lion’s Share + Animae family-style collab: On July 9, two downtown restaurants will collaborate on ANIMAENIACS, a family-style dinner for parties of six. The Lion’s Share chef Dante Romero and Animae chef Tara Monsod will create a multicourse meal that draws on Romero’s Mexican heritage and Monsod’s Filipino heritage. The all-inclusive meal will include three beverages per person including cocktails, beer or non-alcoholic, and an after-party. Seatings are available at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. July 9. $1,080 for a party of six. The Lion’s Share, 629 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. Reservations at exploretock.com/the-lions-share-san-diego.
Tiki Oasis returns: The annual Tiki Oasis convention, which takes place each summer at the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley, has announced its 2026 dates and theme. This year’s 26th convention, titled “Psychadelic Tiki,” will run Aug. 5-9. This year’s convention will include an art exhibition, more than 40 seminars, a 150-vendor marketplace, live entertainment and more. There will also be a sunset luau dinner at The Catamaran Resort. Details at tikioasis.com.
Pam Kragen, Union-Tribune
The San Diego State Aztecs are exuding a vibe that is catching recruits’ attention both on and off the field.
The latest is Travon Garrison, a 1,000-yard receiver at Damien High in La Verne, who announced his commitment to the Aztecs on Tuesday afternoon.
“I thank God for this opportunity. Grateful to all the coaches who helped me through this process. I’m excited to announce my commitment to San Diego State University!” he posted on X.
On3.com posted a picture of Garrison, some family members and SDSU coach Sean Lewis at Snapdragon Stadium. Garrison is wearing sunglasses and a sign in the picture reads, “Speed Limit None,” with the interlocking SD logo forming the “S” in Speed.
Why Travon Garrison committed to SDSU
“I’ve been on campus at San Diego State a lot,” Garrison said in an interview with on3.com. “Every time I go, I feel more comfortable, more at home. The city of San Diego is great, there’s a lot to do, the weather is nice and it feels like a place I can see myself living and growing in for the next few years.”
He added that he “really clicked well” with wideouts coach Matthew Middleton, and that he thinks he will “fit in really well with the offense. It’s very similar to what we run at Damien, so I feel comfortable with it and believe it will allow me to play fast and showcase my strengths.”
BREAKING: La Verne (Calif.) Damien WR Travon Garrison has committed to San Diego State and broke down why he chose the Aztecs
“Everything about SDSU, the coaches and the environment made it the right place for me.”
Intel: https://t.co/GW6CDqLW6Y pic.twitter.com/e2YajRQjGy
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) June 23, 2026
The 6-foot, 185-pound Garrison told the recruiting website that it was a tough decision after making official visits to SDSU and Washington State, which is part of the reconfigured Pac-12 that the Aztecs will officially join on July 1.
“I had to think about what was best for me, but in the end San Diego State felt like home,” Garrison told on3.com. “Everything about the program, the coaches, and the environment made it the right place for me.”
The three-star had an impressive list of offers that, besides SDSU and WSU, included bids from Kansas, UCLA, Washington, Utah, West Virginia and Colorado State.
As a junior, he had 46 passes for 978 yards and 13 touchdowns. He had four 100-yard games and one three-touchdown game.
How Garrison could fit in at SDSU
Garrison is at least the fifth wideout from the class of 2027 to commit to the Aztecs, which should make for some lively competition a year from now.
The Aztecs currently have an intriguing wide receiver room. Although the group was hit by injuries last year, when the Aztecs had an impressive turnaround season that ended with a 9-4 record, they do return all three starters and their top four pass catchers.
The most eye-catching development in spring was when Bert Emanuel Jr. switched from backup quarterback to wide receiver. That will allow him to showcase his big-play skills while sharing the field with returning starting quarterback Jayden Denegal. They are both seniors.
The wideout corps is senior-heavy.
Follow
-
Oklahoma53 seconds agoWhat Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State and Why It Matters
-
Oregon6 minutes agoMarion County may join 6 other counties to control garbage, recycling
-
Pennsylvania13 minutes agoThe Dish: Caesar salad with a twist from Rivertown Taps in Phoenixville, Pa.
-
Rhode Island16 minutes agoRI becomes first state to establish grocery self-checkout limits
-
South-Carolina21 minutes agoSpartanburg’s Riley Vaughn named Gatorade Girls Track and Field Player of Year in SC
-
South Dakota28 minutes agoSouth Dakota Supreme Court upholds Box Elder burglary, assault convictions
-
Tennessee31 minutes agoMiddle Tennessee man facing 64-count indictment involving child sex crimes, police say
-
Texas36 minutes agoA Judge Issued a Rebuke to the Texas GOP’s Claims About the East Plano Islamic Center
