DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS JUNE 6-8, 2014

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By Ariele Johannson

 

June 5, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County is buzzing this weekend with an air show at Gillespie Field, an ethnic fair to celebrate diversity, an historical day in Alpine, music events, a farm tour, and more. Plus our preview has some exciting upcoming events, all happening right here in East County!

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World War II aircraft, paratroopers, mock aerial “dogfights,” along with performance flying demonstrations, an airplane racing jet-car, and fireworks. All of this is part of this weekend’s “AirShow San Diego” at Gillespie Field in El Cajon taking place both Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8.

 

The air show, formerly known as “Wings Over Gillespie,” has been put on annually at the county airport for nearly two decades by Air Group 1, the San Diego Chapter of the “Commemorative Air Force.” This year’s airshow honors the 70th anniversary of “D-Day,” the 1945 Allied invasion at Normandy in France that freed Europe and helped end WWII.

 

The airshow will feature more than 60 rare aircraft, from a Douglass C-53 “D-Day Doll” that actually dropped paratroopers on Normandy at D-Day, to “Lady Alice,” a WWII-era P-51 Mustang, a Curtiss P-47 Thunderbolt, to “Wardog,” the North American T6-SNJ Texan flown by perennial airshow favorite and aerobatic pilot John Collver.

This year, Collver and Wardog will race against the “Smoke N’ Thunder” jet car — a 10,000-horsepower automobile powered by a jet airplane turbine that can speed from 0-to-400 mph in nine seconds — at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

 

There will also be live music, a 1940’s dance contest on Saturday, a female pilot parade, the “Red Eagles” formation flying team, food and beverages, a free “Kids’ Zone,” educational displays, and a beer garden. Gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Saturday’s attractions will run through 7 p.m. Parking is free, and discounted tickets can be purchased through the Air Group 1 website.

 

Discounted tickets are available online at http://ag1caf.org

before the event: $16 a day for adults and $11 a day for children aged 7-14. Multi-day and discounted group packages for active-duty and retired military can also be bought online.

 

People can buy tickets on the day of the event at the gate or online: $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 7-14, seniors 65 years and older and active-duty military personnel. Kids 6 years old and younger will get in for free, as will all WWII veterans and wounded warriors.

 

 

For more information, go to Air Group 1’s website: http://ag1caf.org.

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The Nile Sisters Development Initiative invites the public to celebrate diverse cultures in the City Heights community on Saturday, June 7 to commemorate World Refugee Month. The event features a variety of ethnic foods, dancing, spoken word, a DJ, raffles, entertainment for children, and more. Festivities take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Colina Del Sol Recreation Center in City Heights.

 

For more information, contact email:info@nilesisters.org or visit http://www.nilesisters.org.

 

Colina Del Sol Recreation Center, 5319 Orange Avenue, San Diego.

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A Laotian Immigrant's Story will be the subject of a lecture on Thursday, June 5 at the H. Lee House Cultural Center in Lemon Grove at 7:00 p.m. as part of their “History Alive” series.

 

"In 1975 the Western forces left Vietnam and the "domino effect" was building steam.  Communist powers spreading into Cambodia and Laos brought fear and chaos. Men and boys were subject to conscription into the Laotian army. So, like thousands of other young men, Sonam Vorachack fled across the Mekong River to a teeming refugee camp in neighboring Thailand."

 

Vorachack's story is one of courage under literal fire and determination to make it in the promised land -- America. After earning his B.A. at San Diego State University, he landed a job with the San Diego Police Department as a cultural liaison with immigrant communities -- work that carried him through the next 30 years and made him a community leader. A Question and Answer time will follow the lecture, and then refreshments.

 

H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove.       Information:  619-460-4353.

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The Santa Ysabel Preserves is featuring a hike called “Hike All the Way Across,” which is a staff-led adventure through the back trails of the preserves, which range from Julian to Santa Ysabel. Along the way, hikers can enjoy discussions about its history, the plants and wildlife of the preserves; and experience places that guests don’t normally get to see. The hike is approximately 8 miles in length with an elevation gain and loss of 1500 ft. Hikers meet at the Hwy 79 east staging area gate.

 

Santa Ysabel Preserves Eastside, 500 Farmer Road, Julian.

For more information, please call the at 760-765-4098.

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The Alpine Historical Society is sponsoring Alpine History Day on June 7 from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The benefit event features a comedic western skit, a buggy restoration in progress, two pioneer houses open for touring, live music, antique vehicles, food, and ice cream! The event takes place at 2116 Tavern Road in Alpine.

 

Alpine Historical Society website: http://www.alpinehistory.org.

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This week’s Friday night “Dinner & a Concert” in El Cajon is featuring Bluegrass music on June 6 with the group “Next Generation.” Music and dancing takes place at the Prescott Promenade every Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. through September 26. The only two exceptions are June 13 and July 4, when concerts will be held on Thursday, June 12 & July 3, in conjunction with the Farmers’ Market.

 

Guests can arrive early to dine at one of the many restaurants downtown, or bring their own picnic and lawn chairs.

 

These free concerts are located at 201 E. Main Street in El Cajon, and they are created by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. To see the full line-up of bands, go to http://www.downtownelcajon.com. Phone: 619-334-3000.

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A live, local music concert by Levi Dean will be performed on Friday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Kaffee Meister in Santee. With rich vocals, introspective writing, and accomplished musicianship, Levi Dean creates a progressive style that draws heavily on folk, roots, and bluegrass to make a distinct sound; rooted in tradition, yet contemporary.

 

For more information, contact Levi Dean at 505-550-5183 or visit the website: http://www.levidean.com.

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The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation 2014 Concert Series features the San Diego Native American Flute Circle this Sunday, June 8 at 3:00 p.m. in the ampitheatre at the Vistors Center. Guests can also view the art exhibit by the Colored Pencil Society of America/San Diego Chapter at the gallery inside the Visitors Center, as well as all of their permanent exhibits.

 

Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. Phone: 619-668-3280. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

Nadin Risha will be performing at Vision Center for Spiritual Living on June 7 at 7:00 p.m. on Mission Gorge Road. Nadin’s unique melodic voice could be called hypnotic. Her musical numbers include uplifting contemporary pop and ancient world inspired spiritual chant.

 

Tickets: Preordered-$20 or $25 at door. Vision, 6154 Mission Gorge Road, Suite 100, San Diego. Website: http://www.visioncsl.com.

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Now, here is our preview of events and activities for the next couple of weeks in East County:

 

Early next week, on Tuesday, June 10, the San Diego Bluegrass Society invites bluegrass music lovers to Fuddruckers at Grossmont Center for this free monthly event in the back room.

 

San Diego Bluegrass Society can be reached at 858-679-4854 and by email at info@socalbluegrass.org.

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El Cajon’s America on Main Street will be held on Saturday, June 14 in Downtown El Cajon from 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. The event is a family-friendly community festival that celebrates the American spirit through appreciation and respect for the many diverse, ethnic, and historical groups in the community. Highlights include two stages with live entertainment, American and ethnic food booths, a Ferris wheel, rides, arts, crafts, display booths, a petting zoo, a rock wall, a Fiesta de Futbol street soccer event, and more.

 

This patriotic event is planned to coincide with the nationally recognized Flag Day. Additionally, there will be a special “Red, White & Blue” area saluting our military.

 

Location: East Main Street and Rea Avenue, between Magnolia and Claydelle Avenues, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

 

For more information, call 619-441-1762

*Volunteers are needed for this fun event! If you are interested in being a volunteer or community sponsor for this inaugural event, please call 619-441-1762.

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James Hubbell’s Annual Father’s Day Open House includes the grand opening of the new Ilan-Lael Foundation Building, the first brand new building on Hubbell Hill in 10 years. Iconic San Diego artist, global humanitarian and cultural leader, James Hubbell, once again invites the public to tour his family’s magical and historically-designated compound in Julian, California for the annual Father’s Day Open House on Sunday, June 15, 2014.

 

The archive and gallery spaces of the new building will be open for the first time ever, which will showcase some of Hubbell’s most recent work. The Father’s Day tour will be open to the public with tours from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. The ticket price includes shuttle service from Wynola Farms Marketplace to Hubbell Hill.

 

Tickets are priced at $50 per person ($30 for students with ID, $40 for seniors) for a one-day admission to the Hubbell property. An included shuttle service will transport visitors from Wynola Farms Marketplace (located at 4470 Hwy. 78, Julian, CA) to the Hubbell home and studios.

 

For additional information on the Ilan-Lael Foundation visit http://www.ilanlaelfoundation.org. Contact information:

Hayley Croop, Olive PR Solutions, Inc. Phone: 702-809-1183

Email: hayley@oliveprsolutions.com.

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The El Cajon City Council is recognizing El Cajon/Crest native Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion, for his racing accomplishments and philanthropic contributions to the community on Tuesday, June 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Centennial Plaza. We will have more information for you before the event.

 

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, the City Council, Senator Joel Anderson, and other local dignitaries will be honoring Johnson during a special ceremony beginning promptly at 11:00 a.m. Special presentations are planned, and portions of the event will be broadcast live on 101.5 KGB. To date, Johnson’s Foundation has given more than $6.5 million dollars to schools here in El Cajon and across the nation. 

 

Due to Jimmie’s hectic schedule and the crowds expected, this is not an autograph opportunity event.  But, Jimmie’s #48 show car will be on display and special Team 48 photo cards will be available – while supplies last. 

 

Date: June 17, 2014  Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Location: Centennial Plaza, 200 Civic Center Way. Schedule subject to change.

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Outdoor movies at Santee Lakes will begin on June 27 this year. The Movies by the Lake series includes games and activities for children before the movie, and of course, picnicking with lots of grass, picnic tables, and a playground nearby. A Snack Bar is available.

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That’s all for this week! All of these events and more can be found on our Calendar and in our Festivals and Events section online at www.eastcountymagazine.org.

 

Destination East County is supported by our listeners and by a Community Enhancement Grant from San Diego County. If you would like to sponsor Destination East County, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org


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