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A Community Destination for Food, Faith and Ramadan Staples; Altadena's "Stay Behinds"; A San Diego Mural Restored

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Shoppers stroll the aisles at Besan's International Market in San Bruno on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Year-round this halal butcher shop and market is a go to spot for the Arab, North African, and Middle Eastern folks in this community. During Ramadan, customers come in and out for their groceries for iftar meals when they break fast during Ramadan. (David M. Barreda/KQED)

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In San Mateo County, This Market is a Community Destination for Food, Faith and Ramadan Staples

This weekend, Muslims around California will celebrate Eid al Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan. People observing the holy month have been fasting from dawn to dusk. And although fasting is a big part of Ramadan, so is the food people eat to break the fast each night. Small shops like Besan’s International Market in San Bruno are key to observing Ramadan. Not only do they supply the ingredients for the holiday, they also connect people from all ethnicities who follow Islam. Lisa Morehouse and Leenah Bassouni spent time reporting at Besan’s Market for the series California Foodways.  

In Fire-Scarred Altadena, These Residents Refused to Leave

Tens of thousands of people evacuated Altadena during the Eaton Fire. But some people took a huge risk and never left, and tried to protect their homes and neighborhoods. They lived a totally different experience of the fire and its aftermath. Reporter Steven Cuevas brings us this profile of two residents from opposite ends of Altadena, who made that choice to stay behind.  

A Legendary Art Wall Lives Again in San Diego

For decades, a dusty grey wall sat at the top of Division Street in southeast San Diego. Right where it curves upwards, away from the freeway, and down into the mostly residential neighborhood of Paradise Hills. Three high school friends painted a mural here 30 years ago, and as KPBS’s Kori Suzuki explains, they’ve reunited to bring it back to life.

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