Lakeside fire
Lakeside fire
The fire near El Nopal Rd. in Lakeside last Sunday was a scary thing to witness, with the 10th anniversary of the 2003 Cedar Fire coming on Oct. 26 and the hot, dry, windy conditions. I was at the Santee Swap meet with a good view of our fire teams at work together, Lakeside, Santee and Cal Fire. Mutual Aid, they call it. The fire was in the rocky hills overlooking the west side of Lakeside. Everyone at the swap meet watched the action, bombers sprayed red retardant, and two helicopters went down to the sand mining pond to suck up water then turn sharply and fly over to the fire to dump their load. Later that morning, when I was at Palm Row Ranch in Lakeside, the fire trucks were screaming up Oak Creek Road to attack the fire from our side of the steep hills.
And speaking of the Cedar Fire, there will be a Cedar Fire Monument event for the public to see the future site of the Monument Garden. It will be held next door to the new Fire District Office on Lakeside Avenue, at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Come to see other groups that were a big part of the fire, such as the Animal Rescue, Cal Fire, Gillespie Helicopter Fly Over, Santee Fire, Ham Radio Club, Logistics Volunteer Group and many other groups who will show and tell about their work. Guest speakers will be, Supervisor, Dianne Jacob and our own Fire Chief, Andy Parr. World-renowned artist, James Hubbell’s artwork of his vision of the Cedar Fire Monument, can be viewed as well. Refreshments will be served.
River Park Conservancy
River Park Conservancy had its annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony last week at the Boll Weevil. Owner, Victor Tongco and his team cooked up a wonderful brunch for more than 76 volunteers who keep the River Park beautiful. Peggy Logan won the most prestigious award—The Joan Bennet Inspiration Award for all her various projects she helps with around the Park. Lisa Wood was The Most Valuable Player for recruiting Mounted Monitors, an equestrian group who patrol the trails to keep them safe for us to enjoy.
Cindy Collins, the volunteer coordinator said she just loves her workers, as they are the backbone of the organization and so much fun to work with. They have put in more than 11,000 hours of volunteer hours this year alone. Also on the horizon for the River Park will be its annual Blue Moon Dinner, Auction and Gala, on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hazy Meadows Ranch in El Monte Valley. It is a great Western Theme Ranch with beautiful oak trees and lawns and the owner, Linda Hayes will give wagon rides pulled by its beautiful Belgian Horses. The cost of the event is $65 each or a table of 8 for $480.00. For reservations call the River Park at 443-4770. Bar None BBQ will cater the dinner. This will be your chance to get on your Western duds and boots and come for some good fun. Some of the wonderful auction items donated are a Taylor electric guitar, worth more than $2,000, stained glass art by Jeff Peer, a live River Puppy, a James Hubbell painting and a time share trip with air flight included, plus many more items.
Lakeside Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring their annual Business Expo, on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Lakeside Rodeo, only this year it is with a twist. They are calling it Chili, Beer and Business. A rather catchy title, I think. They say it will be more family friendly with a party atmosphere this year, but you can also get to know the local businesses and non-profit organizations that keep Lakeside a great place to live and play.
Lakeside Historical Society
The Lakeside Historical Society will be hosting their annual Heritage Days (formerly Home Town Reunion) on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Museum will also be open for browsing. Cafe 67 will cater the luncheon, and we all know what good food they serve. Tickets are $15 per plate. Call the History Center at 561-1886 for reservations. The Olde Community Church is located at 9906 Maine Avenue. Friends and families welcome!
So what are you and your organizations doing this fall? Just give me a call at 443-1133 and I will help you spread the word, Around Lakeside.
