The Highland Avenue Project

City Times Media students acknowledged at national conference

Students who attended the ACP/JACC Conference took home 17 individual and team awards

Victor Ortiz, Jr., Multimedia Journalist • March 8, 2022

Represented by six City Times Media students along with journalism advisor and assistant professor Nicole Vargas, San Diego City College competed in several state and conference-wide competitions, winning 17 awards.

Read Story

Dueño de restaurante se apoya en conecciones para sobrevivir la pandemia

El dueño de Birrias, Chivos & Cheves batallo para mantener el negocio abierto

Susana Serrano, Multimedia Journalist • July 9, 2021

En un pequeño centro comercial donde la avenida Highland intersecta la calle 24 en National City, un restaurante mexicano llamado Birrias, Chivos & Cheves se encuentra entre una pizzería y un salón de uñas.

Read Story

Tortilleria batalla con bajas ventas durante la pandemia de COVID-19

El dueño de El Grano de Oro intentó aplicar para ayuda del gobierno sin éxito

Susana Serrano, Multimedia Project • July 9, 2021

El olor a tortillas de maíz frescas estaba en el aire en la Tortilleria El Grano de Oro, un negocio familiar en la esquina de la avenida Highland y la calle 7 que ha estado abierto por 33 años.

Read Story

Barbero continúa su negocio solo

La Rumba fue obligada a cerrar dos veces durante las restricciones de COVID-19

Susana Serrano, Multimedia Journalist • July 9, 2021

Dentro de la barbería se escuchaba música bachata y las paredes estaban decoradas con los cortes más populares.

Read Story

Restaurant owner taps his network for help to survive pandemic

Owner of Birrias, Chivos & Cheves struggled to keep the doors open

Susana Serrano, Multimedia Journalist • June 23, 2021

In a small shopping center where Highland Avenue connects with 24th street in National City, a Mexican restaurant called Birrias, Chivos & Cheves stands between a pizzeria and a nail salon.

Read Story

Family-owned advertising and marketing business finds ways to survive during the pandemic

Family Decals in National City transitioned to its garage to continue filling customer orders

Gabriel Schneider, Multimedia Journalist • June 23, 2021

Family Decals is located in National City inside a Price Breakers outlet located where Highland Avenue and Plaza Boulevard meet.

Read Story

GALLERY: A tour of Highland Avenue’s small businesses

The street is home to small, locally-owned restaurants, barbershops and markets

Vicky Pineda, Multimedia Journalist • June 23, 2021

Highland Avenue was once known for lowrider car cruising. Now it is National City’s downtown, a strip where small businesses reside.

Read Story