Tribal Beat

Exploring the lives of East County's Tribal Community

ANTHROPOLOGIST TO SPEAK ON KUMEYAAY ETHNOBOTANY AUG. 19 IN ALPINE

 

East County News Service

August 6, 2018 (Alpine) – The Alpine Historical Society and Alpine Woman’s Club invite you to a potluck luncheon on Sunday, August 19 at 2156 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The lunch and general meeting starts at 1 p.m. with program at 2 p.m. featuring anthropologist/author Michael Wilken-Robertson, who will speak on the interdependence between native peoples and native plants in Southern California and Baja.

See attached flyer for information on reservations and details.

JAMUL INDIAN VILLAGE INVITES COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE GRAND RE-OPENING OF THE JAMUL CASINO

 

East County News Service

August 3, 2018 (Jamul) -- The Jamul Indian Village (JIV) and the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC) will celebrate the official relaunch of the newly renamed Jamul Casino with a block party celebration on Saturday, August 4, 2018.

“We look forward to welcoming the community to Jamul Casino where we will be celebrating in every venue at the casino,” said Jamul Indian Village Chairwoman Erica M. Pinto. “We’re celebrating not just the change in the casino’s name, but our Tribe’s success in achieving our dream of independently owning and managing our own casino. We want to thank the community for their continued support and invite everyone back into the casino to enjoy the hospitality of the Jamul Indian Village.”

JAMUL INDIAN VILLAGE BREAKS GROUND ON ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN JAMUL

 

East County News Service

August 1, 2018 (Jamul) - The Jamul Indian Village broke ground Tuesday on road improvements at the intersection of Lyons Valley Road and Campo Road.  The Tribe marked the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony that included Jamul Tribal Council members. The improvements are part of the Jamul Indian Village’s $3.7 million commitment to the County of San Diego for improvements to county roadways.

VALLEY CENTER’S TRIBAL CASINO RESORTS: GETAWAY RETREATS IN SAN DIEGO’S NORTHEAST COUNTY

 

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2018 (Valley Center) – Tucked into the largely rural Valley Center area of northeast San Diego County are two tribal-owned casino resorts on Native American reservations: Harrah’s Resort and Valley View Casino and Hotel.

BARONA RESORT: VACATION IN THE HEART OF LAKESIDE

 

 

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

May 27, 2018 (Lakeside) – The Barona Resort & Casino offers luxury and comfort, with plenty of amenities onsite at the Barona Native American reservation, as well as a wealth of activities nearby including spectacular county parks, lakes and reservoirs all in Lakeside, the Lakeside rodeo in season, and nearby attractions including wine tasting in the Ramona wine region.

SYCUAN TOPS OFF HIGHRISE HOTEL RESORT

 

 

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2018 (Sycuan) – The Sycuan Casino held a topping off ceremony on Tuesday to celebrate placement of the final beam at the 12-story, 300-room hotel and resort slated to open in March 2019.

Sycuan Tribal Chairman Cody Martinez thanked tribal elders and members, the executive team, and Swinerton builders.  “It really is a collaboration,” he said, calling the tribe’s achievement “a family effort--everybody bringing together the vision of what it is going to take to bring Sycuan to the next level.”

The hotel will create 700 new jobs for the community, Chairman Martinez said.

SANTA YSABEL TRIBE’S MARIJUANA PRODUCTION INDUSTRY POISED TO GO UP IN SMOKE

 

Lawsuit alleges tribal development corporation breached contract in cannabis operation

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

May 16, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) – The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel has had a troubled history achieving its goal of gaining financial stability and independence for its 300-member tribe near Julian, some 40 miles east of Escondido.  Now, the Santa Ysabel Tribal Development Corporation is in hot water.

“PADRE FOR LIFE” MATT LACHAPPA FEATURED ON ESPN E:60

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 10, 2018 (Lakeside) – A quarter of a century ago, Matt LaChappa was drafted by the San Diego Padres out of El Capitan High School in Lakeside, the pride of the Barona tribe on the Native American reservation where he grew up. But three years later, tragedy struck on April 6, 1996 while the talented left-hander was warming up in the bullpen on opening day of the season with the Padres’ minor league team, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

He collapsed after suffering a heart attack, then had a second heart attack during an ambulance ride to the hospital.  In a coma for months, he suffered irreversible brain damage. Yet to this day, he remains on contract with the Padres, who promised to take care of their injured player for life.

LaChappa’s inspiring story was highlighted last Sunday on ESPN’s E:60 program in an episode titled “The Contract.” (View trailer.) The show will be replayed throughout the month.

KPRI IS BACK

 

By John Fox,  Pala Rez Radio Station Manager

March 29, 2018 (Pala) -- Effective March 23, 2018, the North County FM station at 91.3 owned and operated by the Pala Band of Mission Indians has adopted the new FCC-authorized call sign “KPRI,” with the initials standing for Kupa Pala Rez Indians.  The station will continue to be known as Rez Radio 91.3.  We maintain our commitment to local programming including a wide variety of rock, reggae, blues, country, native and other local music as well as maintaining North County’s only local broadcast news presence.  But now we have a legal ID that actually says what we stand for.

STAR-STUDDED LINEUP AT VIEJAS SUMMER CONCERTS

 

 

East County News Service

 

March 26, 2018 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino and Resort in partnership with Goldenvoice today unveiled its 2018  Viejas Concerts in the Park lineup. This summer’s performers will include Wynonna Judd, Loverboy, Three Dog Night, Little River Band, Los Tigres Del Norte, Jeff Foxworthy, Eddie Money, Jeff Dunham, Peter Cetera, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and King of the Cage, with more performers to be announced soon.

SHIRLEY MURPHY NAMED GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE TO GROSSMONT HOSPITAL CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

East County News Service

March 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – El Cajon resident Shirley Apple Murphy, a cultural psychologist, life coach and advocate for Native American issues, has been appointed to serve on the Grossmont Hospital Corporation (GHC) board of directors as a representative of the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD). Murphy will serve on the GHC as a designee of GHD board member Gloria Chadwick.

JAMUL CASINO ANNOUNCES NAME CHANGE AND SHIFT IN MANAGEMENT

 

Penn Gaming parts ways with tribe; SEC filing cites concerns over unpaid loans

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2018 (Jamul) – In a press release issued tonight, the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation, a wholly owned entity of Jamul Indian Village, announced termination of Penn Gaming and a transition to a new management team at the Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego, which will be rebranded as Jamul Casino.

The JIVDC press release describes the transition as a “natural next step toward economic self-sufficiency for JIV.”  Penn Gaming’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 018 does affirm that the decision for Penn’s local entity, San Diego Gaming  Ventures LLC, to cease management of the casino effective May 28, 2018 is a “mutually agreed” upon decision. 

But the filing also indicates serious financial difficulties, including outstanding loans that Penn suggests it may be unable to collect.  The filing states:

NATIVE FOODS CLASS APRIL 7 AT BARONA CULTURAL CENTER

 

East County News Service

March 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Shawii, or acorn “mush,” was one of the most important foods for Kumeyaay/Diegueño People for thousands of years. The long process for preparing this staple food has been passed down from generation to generation.  On Saturday, April 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Martha Rodriquez (San Jose de la Zorra) will teach a class on how to make this rare treat at the Barona Cultural Center and Museum.

VIEJAS CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF THE WILLOWS HOTEL AND SPA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

 

 

February 9, 2018 (Alpine) – At the grand opening last week of The Willows Hotel & Spa, an adults-only luxury high-rise  at the Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine, located in San DIego's inland region, tribal chairman Robert Welch reflected told the crowd to "put on your sunglasses, because the future of Viejas has never looked brighter!”

The entire facility is reserved for adults only (families may stay at the original Viejas Hotel nearby). Each suite is sumptuously appointed and attention to architectural and design details are evident in craftsmanship throughout.

The Willows features a tower with 159 suites, a saltwater swimming pool, spa and salon facilities, restaurants, fitness center, and business center.

ANNUAL CUYAMACA COLLEGE POW-WOW SET FOR FEB. 3

 

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

January 26, 2018 (El Cajon) - Cuyamaca College’s Native American Student Alliance is hosting its 4th Annual Powwow on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Communication Arts complex quad in the center of the picturesque Rancho San Diego campus. The free, public event celebrates American Indian culture with a variety of activities including bird singing, gourd dancing and storytelling steeped in spiritual significance.

SYCUAN CASINO TO ADD OVER 700 NEW CASINO AND RESORT JOBS

 

Now hiring for new Director of Sales position

East County News Service

January 24, 2018 (El Cajon) --  Sycuan Casino announced today that the organization is now hiring for a new Director of Sales position. This position is the first of over 700 new jobs for the hotel and resort expansion project. The new positions will be in the hotel, food and beverage and casino divisions. Sycuan will begin hiring for departmental leadership positions during the first half of the year and will host a series of job fairs mid to late 2018.

VIEJAS CASINO & RESORT ANNONUCES ANTONIO VOTTA AS EXECUTIVE CHEF FOR NEW RESTAURANTS LOCALE AND GINGER NOODLE BAR

 

Votta brings more than 10 years of experience to Willows Hotel & Spa’s culinary destinations

East County News Service

January 24, 2018 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino & Resort has announced Antonio Votta as Executive Chef of Willows Hotel & Spa’s new restaurants, Locale and Ginger Noodle Bar. His focus in this new role will be highlighting the very best locally sourced bounties for the farm-to-table inspired menus.

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS: THE OAK RIDGE BOYS LIVE FEB. 3 AT SYCUAN

East County News Service

Photo: cc by Gage Skidmore

January 24, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The Oak Ridge Boys, who were recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, will perform on Saturday, February 3rd at 5 p.m. in Sycuan’s Live and Up Close Theatre in EL Cajon.

Their four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have won many awards including a Grammy, Country Music Association and American Country Music awards—and they’re still going strong after more than 40 years.

COMMUNITY MOURNS LOSS OF CHUCK HANSEN, CIVIC LEADER AND FORMER VIEJAS VICE PRESIDENT

 

Update: Services are scheduled for February 8 at 11 a.m. at Foothills Christian Church. 365 West Bradley in El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

January 18, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Charles “Chuck” Hansen passed away suddenly on Monday night, January 15th.  A civic leader active in many organizations for decades, Hansen mentored and befriended many people , leading numerous charitable efforts as well as promoting East County.

He is remembered by San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Eric Lund as a community icon whose “years of knowledge and experience has helped to make San Diego East County a better place to live, work and play.”

ARTRAGEOUS AND TEJANO MUSICIANS FLACO AND FRIENDS AMONG ARTISTS SLATED TO PERFORM AT SYCUAN

 

East County News Service

January 15, 2018 (El Cajon) – The entertainment line-up at Sycuan’s Live & Up Close Theatre this season is widely varied, including Tejano musicians Flaco and Friends in April and Artrageous, an interactive art and music experience in July. 

SYCUAN PRESENTS GIFTS TO LOCAL CHARITIES

 

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Photo: Sycuan Tribal Council and the charity Father Joe’s Villages. Chairman Cody Martinez chose this charity for the Gift Giving Ceremony

January 3, 2018 (Sycuan) – Recognizing organizations making a positive difference in our community, Sycuan’s Tribal Council and Sycuan Leadership team presented $76,000 to 30 charities during a gift giving ceremony on December 14th. 

VIEJAS CASINO & RESORT TO OPEN A NEW LUXURY TOWER IN FEBRUARY 2018

 

 

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

The newly revealed 159 all-suite luxury tower features adult-only wellness retreat

East County News Service

December 26, 2017 (Alpine) — Viejas Casino & Resort, a Forbes Travel Guide 4 Star rated and AAA 4 Diamond rated establishment, will open a new luxury tower in February 2018 as the third phase of its latest development plans. The newly unveiled tower Willows Hotel & Spa is designed as a resort within a resort, where a holistic approach to the guest experience will be customized to promote wellness.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WINTER SOLSTICE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Sunrise seen from the ancient Kumeyaay observatory on Cowles Mountain. The larger mountain to the left of the sun is Lyons Peak.

 

December 22, 2017 (Deerhorn Valley) – Deerhorn Valley Antler editor Kim Hamilton sent in these beautiful shots taken by Don Endicott on a winter solstice several years ago.  In her email today, she writes: December 21—Today is Winter Solstice.  Did you know Deerhorn Valley is the site of ancient Kumeyaay "Solstice Rocks?

COME ONE, COME ALL TO CARNAVAL FANTASTIQUE: JAN. 7 AT SYCUAN

 

East County News Service

December 20, 2017 (Dehesa) -- Carnaval Fantastique will bring performers from around the world to Sycuan’s Live and Up Close Theatre on January 7th in a celebration of music and action that combines gravity-defying acrobatics, contortionists, jugglers, comedy, beautiful dancers and dynamic laser special effects.

HOLIDAY SHOW AT VIEJAS

 
East County News Service
 
December 8, 2017 (Alpine) -- Each year, Viejas Outlets in Alpine lights up the night with a holiday spectacular show at the show court.  Guests can enjoy a dazzling display of dancing fountains, lasers, firefworks and a gentle cascade of winter snow, choreographed to holiday music.

VIEJAS ICE RINKS NOW OPEN: HOLIDAY ON ICE SHOW NOV. 11

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2017 (Alpine) – The largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California is now open for the season  (through January 28) at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine, transforming the grounds into a winter wonderland.  On Saturday, November 11, the rink will feature a Holiday on Ice  show and lighting of a large holiday see.

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