WHAT’S HAPPENING IN EL CAJON
By Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon August 28, 2015 (El Cajon)–Music, art shows, classes and more are all coming up in El Cajon. EVENTS A Day of Free Music This Weekend In Downtown El Cajon This coming Saturday, August 29, it will be a day of music at the Prescott Promenade. Starting at 12 noon, three groups will take the stage as to “make-up” concerts for those that were rained out in May during the Dinner & a Concert series. Concert Schedule: Soul Persuaders (soul) – 12:00 p.m. Laguna – 2:30 p.m. (rock) Liz Grace & the Swing Thing (swing) – 5:00 p.m. The Prescott Promenade is located at 201 E. Main Street. These free concerts are hosted by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. For more information please visit www.downtownec.com, or call (619) 334-3000. Jimmy Buffet Tribute Concert at Friday’s Dinner & a Concert Stars on the Water will be playing a tribute to Jimmy Buffet at the next Dinner & a Concert in Downtown El Cajon, Friday, August 28. 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. VW Night At The Next Cajon Classic Cruise At the next Classic Cruise Car Show on September 2, it’s VW Mania! 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. 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 will be mailed to several thousand homes in El Cajon! Pick up a copy at the Downtown El Cajon Library, and 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. 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. The El Cajon Library offers a host of cultural events to celebrate the diverse communities that comprise El Cajon. Programs such as the annual Multicultural Family Fiesta, bilingual story times, computer classes in Arabic, DMV prep classes in three languages, and cultural performances from around the world, honor the lively mixture of cultures that is unique to our area. 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. Supporting Local Youth – The All FORE R.E.C. Golf Tournament 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 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
PRESCOTT PROMENADE PARK & OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN DOWNTOWN EL CAJON
201 East Main St. – El Cajon, California, www.ci.el-cajon.ca.us Article & photographs by: Robert Gehr – Copyright Ó 2014 by Robert Gehr August 21, 2014 (El Cajon)–Renovated from the ground up, this wonderful park is located in downtown El Cajon at Main St. & Sulzfeld and features plenty of seating – from benches to grassy areas – for a break from the hustle of life. Shade trees, such as the blue flowering Jacaranda, give relief from the hot sun while street noise fades into the background. Sit quietly long enough, and you may see a variety of birds, including ducks from the waterscape across the street, ravens, hummingbirds and an occasional hawk. A Farmer’s Market is held here every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. – year round – which features fresh produce from local farms, ethnic cuisine, and live entertainment. Here you will find special events such as: Concerts On The Green. These free music shows held on Friday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. – May 2nd through September 26th – feature a variety of musicians and bands performing for small groups of people under a shaded stage area in an intimate setting. A few hundred to a thousand people may gather to listen. Other random events held at this unique place include: art shows, dancing, local community affairs, and private functions. The park is a green space within the city, and spans Main St. to Douglas. A pedestrian connector to the San Diego County Library and the Ronald Reagan Community Center plus the El Cajon Civic Center is user friendly. It’s a nice place to relax, have a quiet conversation, meditate, or just enjoy a touch of nature’s beauty and a tranquil moment of time. Nearby interests include: a variety of places to eat (some feature live entertainment), a dance / exercise studio, musical instrument supply store, beauty salons, clothing stores, self defense training center,- acupuncture clinic, a well known coffee shop ,popular fitness center, artist studios, a number Middle Eastern businesses, eclectic shops, and more. The park is also a short walk form El Cajon’s City Hall, the County Courthouse and the El Cajon Police Department, which has a gleaming new public safety center as a prominent downtown architectural feature. More attractions: Don’t forget to visit the new Waterscape on Sulzfeld that features a fountain with a stream, and the new Centennial Plaza / Amphitheater (200 Civic Center Way) – which is used for weddings, community and private events, live performances, etc. You can also pay your respects to fallen warriors at the Veteran’s War Memorial. Annual events: Visit Downtown El Cajon, where the free annual Mother Goose Parade is held every November the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This is a very big event, which attracts thousands of people and features many uniquely created, beautiful floats and entertainers. Various television & movie stars, as well as local celebrities are in the spotlight as well. Every year features a new and exciting theme, with past participants returning to display their talents. This is a must see! 2014 schedule: November 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Celebrity Red Carpet event: 8:00 a.m. Parade begins: 9:00 a.m. America on Main Street will be held on June 14th 2015 – from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is the second run of a new annual event. It fills a void where the memorable ‘Friendship Festival’ that was so well known and popular, left off. The debut 2014 event was well received and next year’s should be even bigger and better. Come enjoy the activities and food – embrace cultural diversity! Classic Cruises: Main St. is filled with old ‘classic vehicles’- vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, and much more on Wednesday nights from 5-8 p.m. during the months of April 23rd through October 29th at the free Cajon Classic Cruise. Each event features a different theme and there is music to entertain you at Prescott Park. Food vendors are sure to satisfy the hungry. HauntFest on Main is October 24th 2015 from 5 to 10 p.m. This is a very popular Halloween celebration with ghouls and goblins roaming about, a scary good time for the entire family! Dress yourself and the kids in a favorite costume and check it out. The Hooleys St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon 5k – March 15th 2015 brings out the Irish in everyone. This fun filled event begins at 8 a.m. Other attractions: a wine & beer garden, Irish dancers, live music, food, games, and the popular Tribes & Clans competition. Bring the kids and have a good time! Prescott Promenade is the nucleus of these well known downtown events, and more. El Cajon has plenty of free offerings it seems. Places to go and things to do – right here in this small city with a hometown feel. Historical note: Did you know that Main street in El Cajon and old Highway 80 is actually part of Historic U.S. Highway Route 80? Designated as such in 2006 by the State Legislature, it was originally a cross country “road” that connected the Atlantic Coast in Savannah Georgia, to the Pacific Coast in San Diego, California, and many places along the way. Also known as the “Dixie Overland Highway” – it was an all weather route for those traveling across the United States via automobile. East County is an interesting and entertaining place after all! Printer-friendly version
WORLDWIDE PROTEST HITS HOME FOR EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS OVER VIOLENCE AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ AND SYRIA
By Janis Russell August 3, 2014 (El Cajon)- Yesterday was another protest rally over violence against Christians in Iraq and Syria at Prescott Promenade in El Cajon. There was also a rally last month and a prayer vigil. The latest event was organized by the East County Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. There was an estimated attendance of about 100 at this rally. Vivian Haisha Shabille, a board member of the Chamber, was emcee of the event. She started by singing a song in Arabic and was soon joined by Deacon Tony Kabbane of the Catholic Melkite Church whose headquarters are in Boston, Massachusetts. Then Deacon Kabbane gave some background and said that “Christians are being uprooted from their own homes.” Paul Hannosh, who ran for Congress in another city, expressed his views. “I ran for Congress with the generous support of Chaldeans here… I didn’t win. I am a school board member, an Army veteran, and also very concerned about the community… I want to tell you to become politically involved.” He also said that Christians have a right to exist and “no one should deny this… What ISIS is doing is evil.” He brought up the pain and pleasure principle, which everyone should apply to the politicians. “Inflict pain on the politicians and they will respond…On the pleasure side, we need to support champions who will support our cause.” Sarmod Aboona, who is interested in going into the medical and political fields, states, “I’m a proud citizen of United States and a native of Iraq… Today marks the 10 year anniversary of church bombings in Baghdad.” No real action was taken then, or in subsequent church bombings, he lamented. “It’s extremely difficult for Americans or anyone living in the civilized era to imagine [these] acts… Today we should not only condemn these atrocities; the government should make a serious effort to end this… Tonight we need to get in contact with our Congressmen… I pray this genocide comes to an end in the very near future …” Shabille expressed how young men and women should get more involved in politics. Johnny Sargon Jacob of the Assyrian Democratic Movement of El Cajon mentioned how this type of atrocity has happened because the people are against Christians. He brought up the three options that Christians had to choose: “to convert to Muslim.. to pay the taxes (around $400/ month) plus they’re not allowed to work, or be killed.” He added that the Muslims had invaded Iraq and now rule because they are the majority. Several Muslims came to this rally from a mosque in Santee. “I want you all to get involved,” Jacob concluded. Next up were three other people from the community who spoke in their native language without any translation, including one of the Muslims named Fadi Alissa. Ben Kalasho from the Chaldean American Chamber was able to translate the essence of what Alissa said. “The backbone of Iraq comes from the Christian community, predating Islam. Many advancements are thanks to the Christian community.” Claudin Baron from Seyfo Center USA and a representative from Assyrian National Broadcasting in San Jose shared her thoughts. “I was born and raised in Iran… I have a deep love for my nation. We are here today to speak about people who have no voice,” she said. “I understand some people didn’t attend today because it was raining… I was expecting to see more people here… We have been persecuted 33 times in 1400 years…” She mentioned that there are 60,000 Chaldeans in El Cajon, adding, “About 6,000 people showed up for a rally in Sydney (Australia)…They’re literally crucifying Christians… In the name of Jesus, unite!” Shabille brought up how every year, on August 7, there’s a celebration to commemorate the lives of those martyrs who have died for their faith, but not this year. There was a framed photo on stage of them. “I ask and beg [for] your support. Protest, sign petitions and donate at Assyrianaid.org… I want to remind you this is history being repeated over and over and over again,” she warned. “The tombs of Jonah and Daniel are being destroyed.” Other people from the community without any translators spoke about their thoughts. Then Shabille invited all of the children to come up on stage, which they did. Many carried American flags and signs, and one man with them held a picture of Jesus. A moment of silence followed, and then a prayer for this genocide to stop that day. Deacon Kabanne shared some last thoughts. “There is no democracy without Christians. And the Muslims and Christians should be united against the genesis of ISIS.” Kalasho voiced sadness. “When was the last time we had a gathering of Chaldeans, Syriacs and Assyrians together?” he said. “I get a lot of phone calls and e-mails back home… Churches have trickled down… East County houses 6000 Chaldeans, Assyrians and Syriacs.” He brought up the value of togetherness for the cause of humanity. “There’s more similarities than differences.” Aboona then gave a speech in Arabic. Shabille concluded with an Arabic song. Later, Jacob explained to ECM, “August 7, every year, we celebrate Assyrian Chaldean Martyrs Day, commemorated before the massacre of Assyrians in 1933 in the village of Simmele (in Northern Iraq) where the Iraqi army massacred over 4000 men, women and children for just being Christians. Since then, Assyrians have been massacred and killed by the same enemy just for [their] belief and nationality.” James Burdette, who came out of service at the First Baptist Church nearby, decided to join the rally because “I just wanted to see what the Chaldeans thought,” he said, adding that he was sure a lot of family members here are affected by what their relatives are experiencing in Iraq. To donate online, visit: http://www.assyrianaid.org/Home.html and click on the ‘Donate Now’ button on the top right portion of the screen. To see one update of the refugee crisis, view the link: http://www.assyrianaid.org/Refugees2014.html. To learn
CAJON CLASSIC CRUISES REVS UP STARTING APRIL 23
April 6, 2014 (El Cajon)—Cajon Classic Cruises returns, showcasing classic vehicles each Wednesday night starting April 23 and continuing through October 29. The first car show will involve a full street closure of East Main Street between Magnolia and Claydelle Avenues, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This popular car show is held in the area of the Prescott Promenade in Downtown El Cajon and is hosted by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. For more information, visit www.downtownelcajon.com or call (619) 334-3000. Printer-friendly version