There never seems to be enough room to cover all of the things happening in East County, and especially during this time of the season it is even more so. We have hit the streets in full force trying to cover as many of the wonderful events going on and for the most part are getting a good light on the people in all of the communities that we cover.
There never seems to be enough room to cover all of the things happening in East County, and especially during this time of the season it is even more so. We have hit the streets in full force trying to cover as many of the wonderful events going on and for the most part are getting a good light on the people in all of the communities that we cover.
I was particularly impressed this year with Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas held on Saturday. I do have a special place in my heart for Lakeside, having lived there for quite some time and my children going to El Capitan and it is amazing to see the changes on Main Avenue, since I have left the area. It has already become the hub of Lakeside that it was always meant to be. And it just keeps getting better.
It was a delight to see Lakeside come out in full force (as it always does) to enjoy this spectacular holiday street fair. And it gets better every year. The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, along with the help of too many sponsors to list really outdid themselves this year. I’m running on a bum leg this week due to surgery, so I got to Lakeside early to make sure I could find parking close enough to walk, as I knew it would be a long evening. It was the best decision I made because it gave me ample opportunity to walk around and talk with people setting up vendor booths, stop in the local shops and grab a bite to eat. What is really nice is that now there are choices of restaurants to choose from, and more to come.
When I lived in Lakeside in the 90s, Main Avenue was a place to be avoided. Scarce of anything to do it was the dumping ground for gangs and even if you wanted to do something, there was nothing there to do. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me feel to see downtown Lakeside coming alive. And justifiably so.
Many people have put tremendous efforts in revitalizing downtown and so far are doing a great job of it. In my wanderings on Saturday, I spoke to many people that have brought their business home on Main and put in a word to contact me, because many of these places deem attention by themselves.
I shopped at the Lakeside Historical Society, which had prices on many wonderful Christmas gifts and decorations. I believe they are still open for business, so stop by and see what they have.
I spent a long time with the Friends of the Lakeside Library and learned some interesting news about its efforts to raise money for a larger branch in the area. Something that I will be coming back to soon as I meet with them and get more specifics. Stopped in a collector’s shop that had such a variety of just about everything that I like and I am sure to go back. Do not want to give away too much information here, as these are things I plan on following up on and giving you all the details about what is still happening in Lakeside.
It is great to see Lakeside booming like a ghost town revitalized and I cannot wait to see many of the new changes coming to the area. And if you have never been to one of Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas events, then mark you calendar for next year. As a matter a fact, if you live in East County, you should keep an eye out on all of the activities that this community offers to East County. You’ll be welcomed with open arms, meet great people in a wonderful community and I can just about guarantee that if you go to one, you will want to come back for more.
