WHAT'S HAPPENING IN EL CAJON

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From Dancing in the Park to Oktoberfest and Hauntfest, there’s a lot of hot happenings in El Cajon in September and October.

By Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon

 

EVENTS

September 7 – Labor Day - All City offices will be closed in observance.  

Nominations Now Being Accepted To Honor Women In Leadership

September 5, 2015 (El Cajon) - The East County Chamber of Commerce Annual Women in Leadership Luncheon will observe its 13th anniversary at Mission Valley’s Town and Country Resort Hotel on Friday, October 16, 2014, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The luncheon honors San Diego County women, recognized by their peers as exemplary leaders. Women will be honored in seven fields: Arts/Media/Culture; Business; Education/Academia; Hospitality; Government/Defense; Healthcare, and the Non-profit Sector. Nominees must be San Diego County residents and have demonstrated exemplary character, integrity and outstanding leadership, not only in their field, but in their community. This year, the keynote speaker is Mo Anderson, Co-Owner/Vice Chairman, Keller Williams Realty and author of A Joy-Filled Life – Lessons from a Tenant Farmer’s Daughter…WHO BECAME A CEO.  The cost is $70 per person.  The Town & Country Hotel is located at 500 Hotel Circle North.

Note: The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for women of distinction.  These awards provide an opportunity for individuals or organizations to honor a special woman who is making an impact in San Diego. The deadline for nominations is September 11.  To access the nomination form online, or to purchase tickets for the luncheon, please go to www.eastcountychamber.org. For more information please call the East County Chamber at (619) 440-6161.

The New Gateway City Newsletter & Recreation Guide Is Now Available

The new 2015 Fall Gateway City Newsletter and Recreation Guide is now available online and is being mailed to several thousand homes in El Cajon!  Pick up a copy at the Downtown El Cajon Library, or in the lobbies of El Cajon City Hall and the El Cajon Police Department.  See the latest news of what’s happening in the City and all the great programs offered by the City of El Cajon Recreation Department. Check out the full line up of affordable classes at www.elcajonrec.org. For more information or to register, please call (619) 441-1754.

More Dancing In The Park At The Next Dinner & a Concert

The Petty Breakers will be playing a musical tribute to Tom Petty at the next Dinner & a Concert in Downtown El Cajon, coming Friday, September 11.  Don’t miss a moment of the 2015 season of “Dinner & a Concert” at the Prescott Promenade!  Enjoy great music and dancing on Friday nights, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., now through September 25.  Arrive early to dine at one of many great restaurants downtown or bring your picnic and lawn chairs. There are also some local vendors to visit. These free concerts are located at 201 E. Main Street and are brought to you by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. See the full line-up of bands at www.downtownelcajon.com or call (619) 334-3000.

A British Invasion At The Next Cajon Classic Cruise

At the next Classic Cruise Car Show on September 9, the theme is a British Invasion!  See an amazing selection of classic vehicles during the 2015 season of “Cajon Classic Cruise Car Shows.”  Car shows are every Wednesday night through October 28 on East Main Street, between Magnolia and Claydelle Avenues, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This popular car show is held in the area of the Prescott Promenade, and is hosted by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. For more information, please visit www.cajonclassiccruise.org or call (619) 334-3000.

Antique & Collectible Show

The next San Diego Antique & Collectible show is Wednesday, September 9, at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Avenue, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.  See great collectibles, from artwork to jewelry!  Free parking and admission. Call (619) 887-8762 for more information.

Iraqi Art Show – Reception And Open House

The El Cajon branch of the San Diego County Library, 201 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon, will hold a special Reception and Open House on Thursday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m. to present the first Iraqi Art Show, sponsored by the Friends of El Cajon Library and the Iraqi Culture and Art Association. The art show features paintings done by local Iraqi artists and will run from September 10 through September 12. The event will include a musical performance, refreshments, and a meet-and-greet with local and administrative dignitaries. This event is free and open to all. Please stop by and support our local artists.  For more information about the Iraqi Art Show, contact the El Cajon Library at (619) 588-3718.

All FORE R.E.C. Golf Tournament – Supporting Local Youth Programs

Golfers - register now for this fun event! The 17th Annual All Fore R.E.C. Golf Tournament, Dinner & Auction, is Friday, September 18, at Sycuan Golf Resort, 3007 Dehesa Road.  Check-in is at 10:00 a.m. and the Shotgun Start is at 12:00 p.m.  A box lunch is included, and then a buffet dinner at 5:30 p.m.  This event is presented by the City of El Cajon Recreation Department and Crest Kiwanis Club.  All proceeds directly support activities that develop youth and provide positive choices through youth activity scholarships, youth sports, recreation classes and after-school programs. To register online for golf and/or dinner, please visit www.elcajonrec.org.  For more information or sponsorship, please call (619) 441-1673. 

5th Annual Chaldean American Festival

The 5th Annual Chaldean American Festival will be held the weekend of September 19 & 20 at Centennial Plaza, 200 Civic Center Way in Downtown El Cajon.  There will be music, dancing, vendor booths and food.  Hours for this free event will be from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. both days.   For more information, please call (619) 654-1451.

Don’t Get Hooked’ Event Set For East County Seniors

Register now and learn how to avoid getting reeled in by financial scammers and other crooks at East County’s first-ever “Don’t Get Hooked” event set for Wednesday, September 23, in El Cajon.

The free presentation and lunch is geared toward seniors and caregivers and will be led by county Supervisor Dianne Jacob.  Speakers will include scam victims, Sheriff’s Department Detective Maureen Perkins and Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood, an expert on elder abuse and financial crimes. Experts from county Aging and Independence Services, Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk's office and Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office will also be on hand to offer advice and answer questions. They will also provide take-home materials and talk about some of the most common swindles, including the “grandma scam” and the “IRS scam.” 

The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Avenue, El Cajon. Check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m.  To attend the event, call (844) 899-1597 by September 17 or register online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/DontGtHooked.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Clear out those medicine cabinets!  On Saturday, September 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the El Cajon Police Department, working in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be hosting a prescription drug drop off site in the parking lot of the police station.  The police station is located at 100 Civic Center Way. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. This effort is designed to prevent pill abuse and theft by getting rid of potentially dangerous, expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs in a safe manner. Studies show that most teens who have abused prescription drugs get those drugs from their own homes or from the homes of friends. Bring your outdated, unused or unwanted prescription pills, ointments, or liquids; no questions asked! To find the collection site nearest you, visit: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.

Oktoberfest In El Cajon Is Coming

Don’t miss the experience of a real German Oktoberfest in El Cajon! The German American Societies of San Diego, Inc. will host its traditional Oktoberfest October 2 - 4 and October 9 - 11!  Hours on Friday are 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Enjoy authentic German food and BBQ, a variety of German pastries, and authentic German music!  Visit the vendor and craft booths and bring the kids to the Kids’ Zone.  There is no entry fee for those under age 21 and for active duty military; for those age 21 and up, the entry fee is $5.  This annual celebration will be located at 1017 S. Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. For more information, visit www.oktoberfestelcajon.com, or call (619) 442-6637.

HauntFest On Main Is October 23

Get your costume ready! The fourth annual “HauntFest on Main” is set for Friday, October 23rd, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Downtown El Cajon.  Admission is free, but some of the rides will charge a nominal fee.  This fun, family-friendly Halloween themed event features live bands, a haunted car show, a variety of local vendors, and excellent dining experiences at local restaurants and food trucks.  Visit the special children’s craft and game booths, face painting, outdoor movies, and enjoy carnival rides.  Dress in your favorite costume and enter the costume contests for a chance to win fun prizes!  This event is presented by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, the City of El Cajon, and the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. See how you can get involved with HauntFest - be a vendor, sponsor or volunteer.  For more information, please visit www.Hauntfest.org or call (619) 442-5129, ext. 115.

You Can Be A Water-Wise Gardener

Are you interested in becoming a more water-wise gardener?  Helix Water District will be hosting two separate California Friendly Landscape classes this fall, sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.  Attend one of the three-hour workshops and learn six ways to make your residential garden California Friendly by:

  • Using a holistic approach to gardening
  • Building a living soil sponge
  • Rethinking elements of your site
  • Placing the right plant in the right place
  • Using rainwater as a resource
  • Managing Irrigation

The classes are free and are scheduled for Saturday, October 17 and Saturday, October 24.  Each class will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon at Helix Water District’s Operations Center located at 1233 Vernon Way in El Cajon.  Space is limited so pre-registration is required.  To register, email rsvp@helixwater.org or call (619) 667-1711.  Please include your name, phone number, the date of the class you will be attending and the number of attendees.  If you are unable to attend either of the classes hosted at Helix Water District, additional sessions are being offered throughout San Diego County.

Visit http://www.watersmartsd.org/programs/california-friendly-landscape-training-classes for a list of additional dates and locations.

Free Disaster Preparedness Classes

Just a few spaces left! Now is the time to prepare for the next earthquake or wildfire!  Register for the last East County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) disaster preparedness academy of 2015, it begins September 19. An academy consists of six classes. Once the academy begins, classes are held every other Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  These classes are free, but what you learn is priceless!  Classes are taught by members of Heartland Fire & Rescue.  Visit the East County CERT website at www.heartlandfire.org for the full 2015 CERT schedule.  If you would like to register, please call (619) 441-1737, and leave your name and best contact phone number.

General Information:

The El Cajon Farmers’ Market Every Thursday

Stop by the El Cajon Farmers’ Market every Thursday at the Prescott Promenade, located at 201 E. Main Street.  Hours are from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - rain or shine! The Farmers’ Market offers a wide variety of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, fresh baked breads and hot prepared food. Also, there are several vendors and live music! For more information, please visit www.elcajonfarmersmarket.org.  

September 11 & 25 - Alternate Friday closures for El Cajon City offices. Please go to www.cityofelcajon.us for a full calendar of hours for City offices during 2015.

September 8 & 22 - El Cajon City Council Meetings are at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., as needed. The meetings are held in the Council Chamber at 200 Civic Center Way. For more information, and to view the full agenda online, please visit www.cityofelcajon.us. September 8 & 22 - El Cajon City Council Meetings are at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., as needed. The meetings are held in the City Council Chamber at 200 Civic Center Way. Note: There will be no August 25 City Council meeting which was canceled as part of the summer schedule. 

Looking ahead:

November 11 – Veterans Day Ceremony – Honoring Our Veterans - 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Centennial Plaza, 200 Civic Center Way. Call (619) 441-1756 for more information.

November 21 – Mother Goose Parade in Downtown El Cajon – The theme is “Super Heroes!”  Now the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the parade begins at 10:00 a.m.  If you are interested in being a parade entry, sponsor or volunteer, please visit www.mgpelcajon.com for more information. 

May 21, 2016 – America on Main Street in Downtown El Cajon – 10am to 8p.m.  A free, fun, family event!  To be a community sponsor or volunteer, please call (619) 441-1754.

Safety Tip:

 “Check Before You Step”

Pedestrian safety reminders from the El Cajon Police Department:

  • Avoid wearing dark clothing at night
  • Do not cross the street between two controlled intersections as this puts you in an area where motorists are not looking for pedestrians
  • Use crosswalks and wait for the appropriate symbol which allows you to cross
  • Look both ways before crossing the street and do not cross unless it is safe to do so, spend as little time necessary in the roadway
  • When crossing the street outside of a crosswalk, pedestrians MUST yield to oncoming vehicles
  • Never assume the driver of a vehicle sees you

Visit the El Cajon Police Department’s website for more information at www.elcajonpolice.org.  

 


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