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.

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.

East County News Service

April 14, 2018 (Pala) - Leaders of Native American tribal governments convened at the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association last Friday at the Pala Casino, Spa and Resort, where they were joined by representatives from the San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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 15^th.  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.”

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 14^th. 

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?

East County News Service

December 12, 2017 (Alpine) –  East County’s biggest New Year’s festivities happening at the Viejas Resort and Casino. On New Year’s Eve, December 31^st, you’re invited to ring in the new year at one of two celebrations.

East County News Service

November 18, 2017 (Escondido) - The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians is supporting and sponsoring the 1^st Annual North County Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway including three upcoming events.

Updated to include remarks from Kim Hamilton.

By Miriam Raftery

October 27, 2017 (Jamul) --The Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego has been granted a permanent license to serve alcohol by the state department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Administrative Law Judge Adam Berg.  The ruling came over the objections of Supervisor Dianne Jacob, the Sheriff, the Jamul-Dulzura School District, and numerous residents in rural Jamul. 

The decision makes permanent a temporary alcohol license granted when the casino opened approximately a year ago, but also mandates that the tribe continue its previously voluntary restriction to limit alcohol sales to the hours of 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m..  View the decision.

Source:  Sycuan

September 26, 2017 (El Cajon) – Rick Michel, a master impressionist who has performed and headlined in Las Vegas since 1981, will present “Sinatra Forever,” a show focusing on the music of Frank Sinatra. Michel has been called “the closest thing to Sinatra we have ever heard” by Variety.