Robert Gehr

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: TWO DOWNTOWN EL CAJON BUSINESSES CLOSE

By Robert Gehr

Photography: Robert Gehr

July 23, 2020 (El Cajon) -- On my walk this morning, I noticed two businesses in downtown El Cajon closed and nearly emptied of furnishings.  Both Rock a Betties Beauty Salon and Thrill Seekers have closed these locations, with rent signs in the windows.

Thrill Seekers, a retail establishment at 164 East Main Street, still has a website. A second location at 1421 Woodside Ave. Suite C, Santee remains open for customers. The owner of Thrill Seekers told ECM's editor that relocating to Santee was not related to the pandemic and that his business is "doing just fine."

State and county mandated closures due to the COVID-19 epidemic may have played a role in the permanent loss of Rock A Betties Beauty Salon at 158 E. Main St. El Cajon, a long-time fixture in the community. The shop has has taken its website down and the phone is disconnected.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: AIR FORCE SALUTES HEALTHCARE HEROES WITH SPECTACULAR FLY-BY

The view from east county

By Robert Gehr

Photo: Six F-16C/D Falcons

May 20, 2020 (El Cajon) -- The well known U.S. Air force Thunderbirds made a brief, yet impressive flyover in El Cajon on Friday, May 15th just after high noon.

Hearing the powerful jet engines off in the distance signaled their pending arrival, especially when the pilots lit the afterburners as they throttled up more power. Seconds later they were barely within sight, arriving from the East, flying in tight formation as they skimmed the blue sky above. A moment later they were gone, leaving just a fading echo of sound, and perhaps a thought of awe.

I was fortunate to capture this single, fleeting image of these six, F-16C/D Falcons when they made their appearance over the east county of San Diego as they honored first responders, health care workers, military members, law enforcement, and so many other essential service personnel.

I add my gratitude as well. Thank you everyone!


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: FAITH IN TRYING TIMES

East County News Service
 
April 28, 2020 (El Cajon) – Robert Gehr of El Cajon sent in this image taken at Christ Church Unity in El Cajon, which he titled “Finding strength in faith during these trying times.”

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ANOTHER "PHOENIX" TRANSFORMATION COMING SOON TO EL CAJON: OLD SALVATION ARMY BUILDING DEMOLISHED FOR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT

By Robert Gehr
 
April 16, 2020 (El Cajon) -- The former Salvation Army Thrift Store at the corner of Main Street and Magnolia Avenue (101 East Main St.) in El Cajon is being demolished to make way for a future mixed-use building.
 
This once busy location has been vacant and dilapidated for many years, damaged by an earthquake that occurred on Easter Sunday in 2010.  It is now in the final phase of demolition.
 
This site in the heart of downtown El Cajon is the future home of a mixed use building. Lower floor will be for commercial use of an as yet undetermined business, with about 11,000 feet of space, with 15 residential units above.
 
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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever. In light of COVID-19 we cancelled our monthly East County Dining Club fundraisers. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.
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Click Read more for a herculean looking bulldozer, and more!
 

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: YELLOW ROSE

East County News Service
 
April 12, 2020 (El Cajon) -- Robert Gehr sent in this photo of one of many beautiful roses in bloom right now which surround the white Gazebo at Judson Park at the corner of Magnolia & Park Ave., near downtown El Cajon.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SKY BUNNY

ECM Sky Bunny 2020 Robert Gehr
East County News Service
 
March 28, 2020 (El Cajon) – Cloud-gazing is one way to pass the time during the stay-home order.  Just in time for Easter, Robert Gehr sent in this shot of a fluffy cloud shaped like a bunny in the sky.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD

 
February 10, 2020 (El Cajon) – Robert Gehr spotted this Northern Mockingbird on a thorny perch enjoying some warm sun on a chilly morning outside the Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon. A talented mimic, the Northern Mockingbird can imitate hundreds of songs from other birds. Mockingbirds have been known to imitate sounds of car alarms!

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: CHRISTMAS NIGHT’S FULL MOON

 

East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – “This is one of the pictures I captured of this year's rare Christmas full moon,” said Robert Gehr of El Cajon.

He adds, “The last Christmas full moon we were blessed with was 38 years ago in 1977. The next one will be 19 years from now in 2034.”


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: DOUBLE RAINBOW OVER EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

Robert Gehr captured an image of this double rainbow arcing over the El Cajon Police Station.

Secondary rainbows are caused by a double reflection of sunlight inside the raindrops, and are the colors appear as mirror images. In Chinese mythology, a double rainbow, due to its reversal of colors, represents the movement from earth to heaven and is considered to be a sign of future success.


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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: CACTUS BLOSSOM

 

August 28, 2015 (El Cajon) – Robert Gehr snapped this photo of a cactus bloom at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum grounds on Rea Avenue in El Cajon.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BLUE MOON

 

July 31, 2015 (El Cajon)--Robert Gehr snapped this photo of the “blue moon” this week, which actually refers to the rare second full moon in a month – not the color.  He adds, “Images were shot with my Canon Elph @ 40 x zoom.”


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SPRING DUCKLINGS

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr © 2015

April 10, 2015 (El Cajon)--Baby Mallard ducks  are swimming and exploring their new world, under the ever-watchful eyes of the adults, at the waterscape in downtown El Cajon at Main Street and Sulzfeld Way.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: DO NO SMOKING LAWS WORK?

 

By Robert Gehr

March 2, 2015 (El Cajon)--In this writers’ opinion - No!

The city where I live, El Cajon, adopted a ‘No Smoking policy’ effective since March of 2008.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: "HEY! I'M WALKING HERE--CAN'T YOU SEE ME?"

 

By Robert Gehr © 2015

January 21, 2015 (El Cajon)--I’m the pedestrian you nearly hit with your vehicle. - I’m the person you injured with your vehicle. - I’m the one you killed with your vehicle.


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EXOTIC BIRDS IN THE PARK

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr © 2015

January 16, 2015 (El Cajon)--On Monday morning, I was out for my daily morning walk. It was cloudy, cool, and a little gloomy. I was zoned out listening to some music on my iPod Touch, yet as always, keeping an eye out for a photo opportunity. Passing by Prescott Promenade Park (229 East Main Street, El Cajon), this writer noticed four birds in a tree which were definitely ‘non native’ to the area. In fact, the birds include parrots, a cockatoo and a macaw.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: "FRIENDS"

 

January 10, 2015 (El Cajon)—Robert Gehr snapped this photo of a Mallard Duck and Seagull standing together on a recent cold morning at the water-scape by the waterfall in downtown El Cajon.

“They make for an interesting pair, don't they?” he says.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: POINSETTIAS IN EL CAJON

 

December 25, 2014 (El Cajon )—Robert Gehr sent in this colorful photo of poinsettias growing in a planter on Main St. in downtown El Cajon.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SIGNS OF THE SEASON

 

December 25, 2014 (El Cajon )- Robert Gehr snapped these photos of  store windows in El Cajon, where many local shops are showing their holiday spirit.


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HAUNTFEST A HIT IN EL CAJON

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr

© Robert Gehr 2014

October 26, 2014 (El Cajon)—El Cajon’s third annual Halloween festival was a hit once again. The festivities took place in downtown on Main Street, Sulzfeld Avenue and Rea Street as well as Prescott Park. The area became quickly crowded with many costumed people enjoying themselves as dusk began to settle in and the night enveloped the area in darkness.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: MORNING GLORY

 

October 26, 2016 (El Cajon)--Robert Gehr of El Cajon snapped this photo of a morning glory flower growing on a fence in his neighborhood.  He writes, “A glowing beauty befitting its name.”


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KNOX HOUSE MUSEUM OFFERS GLIMPSE INTO EL CAJON'S PAST

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr

August 29, 2014 (El Cajon)--Built in 1876 by Amaziah Lord Knox, this structure was a hotel and residence combined. It was located near what is now Main St. & Magnolia Avenue in downtown El Cajon. The place provided a comfortable place for weary travelers to spend the night when traversing back and forth from the Julian gold mines to San Diego.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: POWER POLE REPLACEMENT

 

August 29,2014 (El Cajon) – Maintaining many miles of power lines is a time-consuming task.  Robert Gehr documented what’s involved on August 23, when San Diego Gas & Electric technicians replaced an electrical pole and transformer on west Park Avenue in El Cajon with photos and notes below.


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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.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

 

August 10, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Robert Gehr snapped this photo(s) during National Night Out on August 5 at the El Cajon Police Department.  “Low civilian turnout was a bit disappointing, yet that meant no crowds,” he writes. “Games for the kids, face painting as well. SWAT display, mini fire truck rides, hot dogs, Sheriff mounted patrol, K-9 and SWAT demonstrations, and lots of camaraderie amongst Police personnel.” This annual event was also free.”


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