Newsletter: Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving!
Plus, some events and long reads for your holiday weekend
Our team here at Daylight San Diego wishes you all a very happy Thanksgiving! In lieu of a story this week, each member of our team is sharing what they are most thankful for this year — and what food they’re most excited to eat today.
While you’re enjoying time with friends and family this weekend, please consider contributing to Daylight San Diego’s end of year fundraising campaign.
We’re looking to raise $20k to support our nonprofit newsroom next year, which includes expanding our news coverage, hosting more listening sessions, highlighting communities that are misrepresented in mainstream news coverage and holding our government accountable for immigration policies. Plus, if you make a donation, you’ll get to find out why Kate was dressed as a snowperson!
We hope you all have a joyous holiday weekend, and we’ll be back next week!
Niawen:kowa,
— Lauren J. Mapp
What I’m thankful for: I am thankful for my friends, family and my partner Angelo for supporting me through all the hardships this year brought. Sometimes things feel so bad that you don't know if you're ever going to come out of it, but I'm grateful to say that I have and I'm super proud of myself. I also just finished an anime called Black Clover, and I'm thankful for the rest and entertainment this show gave me!
My favorite holiday dish: I'm making gollai hagan suni for Thanksgiving. This is a traditional CHamoru dish that is usually made with taro leaves, but we use spinach because it's easier. The dish is spinach cooked in coconut milk, onions and lemon. It’s a perfect side dish to eat along with barbecued ribs, chicken, red rice and kelaguen!
What I’m thankful for: It may sound cheesy to put this in a newsletter about Daylight, but I'm very grateful to all of you who have been supporting us on this journey this year — and to the rest of the Daylight San Diego team. It feels surreal sometimes to get to do journalism as I think it should be done with a team of likeminded people who care deeply about the community and about each other's well-being.
My favorite holiday dish: Food has always been a big part of my family's celebration of holidays, so picking one thing is difficult. My southern grandmother's roll recipe, finished with a dab of Crisco on each one, is definitely high on the list. I'm also excited to host friends for a Christmas tree decorating party soon, which means I get to subject them to my favorite Irish Christmas music, and I will be putting out a cheese plate in honor of my Irish American grandmother, who passed last year. She always put out cheese when she had guests, and I now have her wooden cheese plate, which will make this year's offering extra special.
What I’m thankful for: I'm extremely thankful having had the opportunity to dive deeper into San Diego and its beautiful communities. As somewhat of a newbie to the area, the push and trust from my team here at Daylight San Diego to explore not only the diversity of the county but also the ins and outs of local, impactful, community-led news has my heart full and mind working hard!
My favorite holiday dish: My mom used to love baking — and she was absolutely amazing at making a classic apple pie and apple turnovers. I'm excited to carry on her legacy by bringing these dishes to my Thanksgiving festivities as a reminder that the holiday season is first and foremost about mindful memory-making with our loved ones.
What I’m thankful for: I’m thankful for my daughter who was born this year.
My favorite holiday dish: I’m excited for any of my mom’s Indian cooking since I’m visiting my parents this week.
What I’m thankful for: This year, I’m so thankful to work with such a strong team of fellow journalists who have been amazing partners in launching Daylight San Diego together. From building our curated events calendar and publishing weekly content to creating a following on social media and celebrating with our community at the launch party in August, I am so proud of the work we have accomplished together this year. I look forward to continuing to grow our newsroom in 2026!
My favorite holiday dish: I’ve looked forward to snacking on Toll House pie every holiday season since I was a kid. My mom used to always make this chocolate chip walnut pie, and since moving to San Diego, I routinely make this dessert loaded with homemade whipped cream for Friendsgiving meals.
Ways to celebrate the holiday season in San Diego
From no-cost Thanksgiving meals and winter festivals, to donation drives collecting food, winter clothing and toys, here are some ways to spread cheer in San Diego County this holiday season.
— Lauren J. Mapp
U.S. deports people to third countries
The U.S. government is deporting people from other countries to Mexico, and the Mexican government then buses them to Villahermosa, a town a couple of hours from the Guatemalan border in the state of Tabasco. They have to figure out how to survive without any status to live or work in the country.
— Kate Morrissey, Capital & Main
California’s unresolved housing crisis
California’s housing crisis didn’t begin on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s watch. But it’s fair to wonder whether Newsom will be able to claim any significant progress in the area he’s made so central to his agenda by the time he leaves office in early 2027.
— Story by Mark Kreidler, Capital & MainCalifornia’s child farmworkers
Thousands of children and teenagers are part of a faceless legion of underage workers in California who put fresh fruit and vegetables on America’s tables. In California, laborers as young as 12 can legally work in agriculture. But many of them toil in punishing and dangerous conditions, and the state is failing to ensure their health and safety.
— Story by Robert J. Lopez, Capital & Main
Lack of oversight leave child farmworkers vulnerable
Farmworkers young and old can be exposed to dangerous concentrations of toxic chemicals if they are not properly trained, left uninformed about when they can safely enter sprayed fields or exposed to pesticide applications — because of factors such as wind drift or operator error. Yet California’s system of protecting farmworkers from pesticide dangers is anything but a tight safety net.
— Story by Robert J. Lopez, Capital & Main
Upcoming Events
Nov. 27
Scott Carlson/Dan Ferbal Thanksgiving Community Dinner: The Imperial Court de San Diego and Rob Benzon Dan Ferbal Foundation are hosting the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. A comedic film will play during the meal, and there will also be a clothing and toiletries drive during it. Doors open at 11 a.m., with meal service from noon to 3 p.m. The San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Nov. 28
Oceanside Green Friday Fair: Sustainability is Sexy and Viridian Productions are hosting an eco-friendly alternative to Black Friday shopping in downtown Oceanside. The event features more than 70 vendors, live music and games. 12 - 4 p.m. on Pier View Way between Coast Highway and Ditmar Street
Foodies & Goodies Emergency Food Drive: The North County LGBTQ Center hosts weekly food distribution every Friday. Food is first come, first serve. There are no requirements, but there is a short census with basic demographics. 12 - 2 p.m., 1919 Apple St., Oceanside, CA 92054. Non-perishable, pantry item donations can be dropped off Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A Denim Mending Workshop : The Anti-Consumerism Sewers Club is hosting a denim-mending workshop. Bring your denim and learn mending techniques. No sewing experience is required. Venmo @gpwnce $25 to RSVP. 6-8:30 p.m., 2113 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Dec. 1
World AIDS Day: A coalition of organizations, including the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, are hosting an event for World AIDS Day in Oceanside. There will be an open mic, live music, free HIV testing and AIDS Memorial Quilt panels. 5 - 8 p.m., Civic Center Library, 330 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054
Dec. 2
Artist Book Workshop: Artist Damariz Aispuro is offering a free workshop at The FRONT Gallery that will guide participants in creating artist books. The workshop includes materials needed. People interested in attending should email AlejandraR@CasaFamiliar.org to reserve a spot. 5 - 8 p.m. at The FRONT Gallery, 147 W. San Ysidro Blvd., San Diego, CA 92173
Dec. 3
Celebrate Without the Waste: I Love A Clean San Diego is hosting a free webinar focused on increasing awareness of how to be sustainable during the holiday season. Speakers will provide ideas for low- and no-waste gifts, decorations, wrapping methods and food use. The event is free, and attendees must register online here to receive a virtual link to attend. 10 - 11 a.m.
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