Articles by Hoa Quach

San Diego’s Mohamed Morsy said he had a plan to introduce the world to his latest invention on March 17, but when COVID-19 prompted mandatory stay-at-home orders, he held off. A few weeks ago, Morsy, and his co-inventors, decided to move forward — introducing the Canal Battery Guard, a device that expands the lifespan of a smartphone battery. Since unveiling the product on Kickstarter, Morsy has raised more than $11,000 in funding. The product was also covered in Forbes and GadgetFlow, among o...

San Diego native Deja Fields said Moxie Theatre changed her life six years ago when she was a junior at San Diego Creative and Performing Arts. The small Rolando theater with a mission to empower women in the theater and arts industry cast Fields as Ermina in "Crumbs from the Table of Joy.” "Moxie helped fuel my career during a pivotal time in my life," she said. "It was the first role that I felt like a real actor. I was doing the work that I was called to do.” Fields, who has since appeare...

San Diego advocates of Ranked Choice Voting said they have renewed momentum after the election reform measure was approved in several U.S. cities and in the state of Alaska. Five cities, including Albany and Eureka in California, and the state of Alaska approved Ranked Choice Voting measures during the last election cycle. The election change allows voters to rank their candidate preferences on the ballot rather than just pick one candidate. If a candidate doesn’t receive the majority of votes...

When Dennis O’Connor co-purchased the vacated Fraser's Boiler Service building in 2015 — he had big plans for the historic Barrio Logan space. It began with creating a production space for his brewery, Thorn Brewing Co., and was meant to be completed with eateries and a speakeasy with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. Five years later, the space known as Acre of Awesome, is finally open but it’s looking different than O’Connor had anticipated. He, along with his partners, have pause...

When it comes to improving neighborhoods, Pete Garcia and Beth Callender aren’t holding their breath while waiting for others to step in. The San Diego couple are the minds behind Urban Interventions, a grassroots nonprofit that takes the initiative to improve unsightly areas in downtown San Diego. So far, the couple have planted trees, cleaned streets and installed artwork in the neighborhood. “We’re instigators, integrators and we make things happen,” said Garcia, a real estate developer. ...

Growing up in Madison, Wis., Stephen Whitburn said he was taught civic engagement mattered. But what mattered even more than civic engagement is doing the right thing. With the lessons from his parents in mind, Whitburn finally won a seat for public office after his third campaign in 12 years. Whitburn will represent District 3 on the San Diego City Council, beating his opponent, Toni Duran by 17,500 votes, 63% to 37%. Whitburn is joined by Joe LaCava and Sean Elo, who won in their respective ...

At the Nierman Preschool in La Jolla, the minimum voting age is just 18 months old. As Americans across the country cast their votes, children at this preschool will have the opportunity to vote in their own election: They’ll decide whether the following day will be Pajama Day or Superhero Day. It may sound like a silly lesson plan for a nation confronted with a deadly virus and civil unrest this presidential election season — but educators say children will learn valuable information. Find M...

Native San Diegan Shakema Martin says she may still be employed today if she weren’t Black. Martin, a Mira Mesa native, was working at a Carlsbad company until August when she caught COVID-19. She quarantined until she felt better and returned to work with a doctor’s note, clearing her of the highly contagious virus. “They let me start work right away but told me I needed my doctor to fill out other paperwork,” she said. Martin found it difficult to complete her extra work during her Monda...

Jitters, anxiety and hope. Those are some of the feelings going through San Diego voters as Election Day comes. Watch the video to hear directly from the voters and hear more from the same people at 6 p.m. Wednesday on Mightier 1090am. They'll tell us how they feel after Election Day as results roll in....