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Opinion: Why I seek to spread Día de los Muertos traditions far and wide

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Opinion: Why I seek to spread Día de los Muertos traditions far and wide


I am originally from Tijuana, Baja California. I discovered the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos in high school at the age of 13. I was part of an art class and my teacher gave us the topic and explained it to us. The teacher explained the culture, tradition and meaning in such a way that I truly fell in love with it and what it represented.

I remember my first altar was like a dream come true since that day my teacher told us that wonderful story of our beautiful Día de los Muertos tradition. Although my altar was very small and with very few elements, for me, it was very beautiful to make it at a very young age.

Every year it gets more elaborate, I discover more new stories of our magical towns in my country (Mexico) and my heart grows more with those stories.

Since then, every year my love and passion for the holiday has grown and has even spread to my neighborhood Colonia Montebello. I think my neighbors eagerly await the moment when I start putting together the altar. They ask me when it will be ready. I have been told that their children ask them if it is the same as Halloween celebrations. It helps them explain to their children that this has nothing to do with Halloween and that it is a coincidence that Día de los Muertos is celebrated on Nov. 1 on All Souls’ Day and on Nov. 2. It also helps them explain our beautiful Mexican traditions.

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As I have studied the tradition I have learned that each region of Mexico does it a little differently. That is why I try to give my altars that special touch, adding those particular details from each state of Mexico. For example, one year I added special decorations like those used in the state of Michoacán, Oaxaca, Puebla and Campeche.

Every time my husband and I travel throughout Mexico, in every corner of the beautiful towns we visit, we always find details that we take home for our next altar.

I have also found that in this universe of Día de los Muertos celebrations, I have found many friends who have extracted fascinating things from this tradition and have shared these ideas with us and take them to other corners of the world.

Previously, here in the border region it was very difficult to find many Día de los Muertos celebrations. But it is true that the movie “Coco” helped many people understand the true meaning of the holiday. In fact, some children comment when they see our offering, “Look, mom it’s just like ‘Coco.’” As the years go by, it seems that more families celebrate this beautiful tradition, hoping to know that their loved ones will come to visit them even if it is only one day a year. This is truly a beautiful illusion.

For me and my family, the Día de los Muertos celebration is officially on Nov. 2. But we plan to make it last two weeks. My whole family participates in the festivities. 

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During the pandemic, to help with finances, my family made and sold over 30 mini altars. It was a beautiful experience.

Unfortunately, I don’t have children. But I always share my altar and celebrate with friends and children of my friends. I always take the time to explain the meaning to children who are interested, and I hope more and more people in the border region will be interested as well.

I have studied history, and we understand that this holiday comes from ancient times, long before colonization. We know and respect that “our loved ones will die but return to us in spirit as long as we don’t forget them.”

Lopez is a Mexican popular art and culture enthusiast. He works at a restaurant and lives in Tijuana.

Here’s a guide from the San Diego Union-Tribune to other Día de Muertos events around the city.

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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

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Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight


On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

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“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.



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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance


UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

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The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

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Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.





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