It was a very busy week in East County, so much so that it all just will not fit into this week’s edition, but deserves recognition. Our communities are alive and thriving, working for charity, raising money and giving community members a fun and safe place to go for a day, or an evening.
It was a very busy week in East County, so much so that it all just will not fit into this week’s edition, but deserves recognition. Our communities are alive and thriving, working for charity, raising money and giving community members a fun and safe place to go for a day, or an evening.
Runners came from around the county to participate in El Cajon’s St. Patrick’s Day half marathon 5K, Green Mile & East County Beer Invitational. This joint effort between the City of El Cajon and the El Cajon Downtown Business Partners was a great success, and in all their green glory, there was much fun to be had. Within the boundaries of the Beer Invitational, there was a surprisingly large variety of beer vendors from all around the county, and a few right outside.
I love going to these events, even if I am not necessarily reporting on them, as it gives such a personal sound of the heartbeat of the community involved. And El Cajon in particular, had a little bit of something for everyone.
One thing I must say though is that none of this would be possible without the many volunteers and El Cajon’s unsung heroes, the El Cajon Recreation Department. As a whole, it works like a well-oiled machine and I am always amazed at what they pull off with each event. And mind you, many of these hours they spend working at community events are off-the-clock hours. This personal given time shows not only their dedication to their jobs, but also their dedication to their community.
Across the way, at the El Cajon Branch Library, there was a different celebration of music going on with the Delnavazan Ensemble and the Sibarg Ensemble. With a variety of Iranian classical and folk music, they showed many in the community how they celebrate Nowruz, or the Persian New Year. The Sibarg Ensemble, with only a couple of hand drums and a kimanche, this trio did an amazing job with musicals and lyrics. As I’ve said before, you do not have to understand the language to get the emotion and feel of the music. In speaking with the instructor, Masih Salafzoon from the San Diego Persian Cultural Center, he said these were just a few of his students of a much larger group. That being said, I would love to see the entire ensemble singing and playing the music of Persian heritage. An interactive group, the music was beautiful and the singing hauntingly so. If you ever get the chance to taste a bit of culture other than your own, then this is one to look out for. Running back and forth between the beer invitational and the library, I missed a bit, but am so happy that I got a taste of the Persian New Year. In its culture, people celebrate up to 15 days before the Persian New Year on March 19, the beginning of spring in Iran. It is a time of family, food, music and celebration. This is 1395, based on the solar calendar.
I am grateful for the San Diego County Library for continuously bringing culture to every part of our region.
Up in Lakeside, it was the coronation of the Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen and for the second year in a row, Lakeside’s own Brittany Miller once again is representing the Lakeside Optimist Bulls Only Rodeo this year. So she has another full year of not only representing Lakeside, but also travelling around promoting the sport of rodeo and encouraging young women to follow their heart. This past year, she represented the Lakeside community so well, and I’m personally looking forward to watch her grow even more this year. She is an amazing ambassador and absolutely loves her community and the sport of rodeo.
And the Lakeside Optimist Club, thank you for a wonderful dinner. You really know how to put the feedbag on and your contributions to the youth of Lakeside do not go unnoticed. All in all, it was a wonderful family filled fun evening. I love its hometown feeling, and as gussied up as Miller was in her lace chiffon with a denim flair, she’s as hometown as it gets. Congratulations and here’s to another year of chasing dreams.
