Santee Salutes July 4th in a Big Way

When it comes to celebrations, Santee knows how to do it right, especially on the Fourth of July.  Last Saturday was the annual Santee Salutes July 4th Celebration, held at the Town Center Ball Fields next to Rio Seco School on Cuyamaca St.  The fun kicked off at 3:30 pm and continued until the fireworks ended well after 9:00 pm, and included rides, games, food, and music.  Santee’s adopted USMC unit from Miramar, HMH 462, the Heavy Haulers, provided the Color Guard for the ceremonies; Lt. Colonel Ronnie Carson, commanding officer of HMH 462, was the keynote speaker, guest of honor, and honorary mayor for the day.

A big “Thank You” goes out not only to the City of Santee, but also to the event’s major sponsors, Waste Management and RCP Block and Brick.  In addition to these companies, several local businesses helped out, setting up booths or selling food in conjunction with community groups.  This was truly a community event, at all levels.

Business Booths

Food Booths

Before the main ceremonies, the crowd was entertained by a group calling itself “Bootylicious,” playing music of the 70s.  What was probably the highlight of their performance was a rollicking rendition of YMCA.  Interestingly, aside from their afros, platforms, and 70s outfits, they bore a striking resemblance to the musical headliners, 80z All Stars (insert nod and wink here).

Mayor Randy Voepel began the opening ceremonies and introduced the guests, including Lt. Col. Carson, Councilmember Brian Jones, Miss Santee, Miss Santee Teen, Miss Santee Runners-Up and Princesses, and special singers.  After the presentation of the colors, eight-year-old Natalie Sako sang the National Anthem, followed by Brittany Siler and Madeline Cepeda singing “America the Beautiful.”  Even though she is only eight, Natalie has a voice that could easily come out of someone three times her age.  Brittany and Madeline performed a great harmony duet, although they did have a tough spot, following Natalie.  After the songs, Lt. Col. Carson spoke, followed again by Mayor Voepel, and finally Miss Santee, Sierra Billock, and Miss Santee Teen, Nicole Ehlke, gave a rundown of the activities for the day.

(L-R) Brian Jones, Lt. Col. Ronnie Carson, Mayor Randy Voepel, Sierra Billock, Nicole Ehlke, Miss Santee Runners-Up and Princesses, and Brittany Siler and Madeline Cepeda listen as Natalie Sako sings the National Anthem

 

Madeline Cepeda and Brittany Siler perform “America the Beautiful”

(L-R) Santee Princess Miranda, Miss Santee - Sierra Billock, Miss Santee Teen - Nicole Ehlke, Santee Princesses Madison and Michelle, Miss Santee Runner-Up – Monique Edmond, Miss Congeniality – Rhawnie Kelsch, Miss Santee Teen Runner-Up – Taylor Shelton

Following the ceremonies, the 80z All Stars took the stage to entertain until 9:00 pm.  This high-energy group is always a hit at Santee events, including this year’s Street Fair and the Santee Summer Concert Series.  Featuring lead singer Nigel Naughty, guitarist Motley Who, bassist Devo 2.0, and drummer Karate Kid, the group kept people hopping and dancing all through the evening.

As with any good July 4th celebration, the night ended with a literal bang as fireworks lit up the sky and patriotic music filled the air.  The approximately 20-minute show seemed to satisfy everyone, eliciting multiple “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd.

Finally, I want to commend the people of Santee for their great behavior during and after the celebration.  On KUSI News the following morning a reporter joined a Boy Scout troop in Mira Mesa as they picked up dozens of bags of trash left after the July 4th celebration there.  As I left the Santee event I saw very little trash lying around – just another example of the small-town neighbor attitude in our community.  Way to go, Santee

I will have more pictures up soon.

Twilight Walks at Mission Trails Regional Park

This summer, why not try an evening walk at Mission Trails Regional Park?  The park, located just across the line in San Diego, encompasses some magnificent scenery, including riparian woods, meadowlands, and much more.  Walks begin around dusk, starting at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground entry (just off Mission Gorge Rd. on the west side of Santee), and last about an hour and a half.  The walks are free, but the number of people is limited, so you need to call ahead to reserve space.

On walks in previous summers I have seen bats, birds, tarantulas, and a rattlesnake.  Well-trained guides lead the walk, explaining the ins and outs of the park and its inhabitants.  They will also give you some background on the human history of the area, usually including a stop at some grinding stones.  This is a fun way to spend a Saturday evening.

Upcoming walks are July 18, August 1, August 15, August 29, and September 19.

“Movies by the Lake” Returns

Santee Lakes once again invites you to come late and enjoy a movie under the stars as their Movies by the Lake series returns for 2009.  Film fans can begin setting up around 6:00 pm, games for kids start about 7:00 pm, and the movie kicks off at 8:00 pm.  The films are free, although there is an $8.00 parking fee per vehicle – so load up the minivan or SUV with the neighborhood kids and head on down.  This year’s schedule is:

July 10 – Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D

July 24 – Kung-Fu Panda

August 7 – Hotel for Dogs

August 21 – Bolt

Southbound Jonny Plays Next Summer Concert

The self-styled “San Diego’s Most Wanted Country Band,” Southbound Jonny, brings their “Ass Kickin’ Country” music to the Trolley Square amphitheater on July 9.  As always, the concert starts at 6:30 pm and continues until 8:00 pm.  Come down early, pick a good spot, bring a snack or money to buy something at one of the area eateries, and just enjoy some good ol’ community time.

Coming up July 16 – Spectrum, a high-energy dance band to get you up and “movin’ and groovin’.”

Café 67 VIP Party

Café 67, located at Highway 67 and Mapleview St. in Lakeside, bills itself as “East County’s Best Kept Secret.”  The café, which has recently opened a deli as well, serves breakfast and lunch from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm daily – for sit down dining and take-out as well.  Well, after attending a special VIP party last Monday, June 29, I doubt if it will remain a “secret” for long.  This was a rollicking party for special friends and supporters of this big little restaurant located just off the big intersection, and if the food they serve regularly is half as good as what they had that night, you should be seeing long lines waiting for a table.

The Café 67 Team: (L-R) Galin, Lavonne, Brenda, Robi

The food included an wonderful prime rib that really did melt in your mouth.  I have had some very sub-standard prime rib at other restaurants and parties, but this blew them all away.  They also had a fantastic pulled-pork sandwich, delicious deviled eggs, sumptuous shrimp, and a glorious green bean and tomato offering.  There was also some apparently tasty cheesecake, but I was too late to get to try any of it.  I also missed out on ham and their signature potato salad, but I can tell you from previous experience that the salad alone is worth a drive out there.

The Fabulous Food Line

The entertainment was quite eclectic – in keeping with the overall feeling of this unique little café.  In addition to a DJ playing some classic Rock and Roll, they had invited Larry Cisewski, self-proclaimed “Worlds Greatest Knife Thrower” and arrow catcher.  Because of the limited space, Larry didn’t attempt any arrow catching, but he and assistant Ariana Cowen thrilled the audience with their act.  Rather than traditional knives, this evening they used something that looked like a little double-bladed hatchet.  Cisewski started out simply tossing his “knives” at balloons, but quickly upped the ante by bracketing his assistant with blades.  Then came the audience participation portion of their show, with Larry picking out people to hold balloons for him to break.  The “height” of this was breaking a balloon held between the legs of a very trusting male volunteer.  The climax of the show came with Larry tossing at Ariana as she stood behind a sheet of paper that completely covered her.

Larry Cisewski and Ariana Cowen – Thrilling Knife Show

Brave Volunteers

The Hidden Target

Following the knife show, the floor was cleared for a decidedly different entertainment – belly dancer Leilainia.  This extremely talented woman, trained in modern and theatrical dance as well as traditional Middle Eastern styles, thrilled the audience in a much different way.  From dancing with a sword balanced on her head to performing with veils and streamers, this beautiful dancer had the watchers in the palms of her lovely hands.  Even some of the youngest guests tried their hands - well, hips – at dancing with her.  Several gentlemen were also “persuaded” to join Leilainia on the dance floor, as were a few of Café 67’s own.

Middle Eastern Dancing with Leilainia

Leilainia and the Veil Dance

The Café 67 VIP party was a great success, and showed just how popular this restaurant is among its regulars.  It may not be located in Santee, but the short drive up Highway 67 is a small price to pay for a great time and great food.  Do yourself a favor and stop by for breakfast or lunch.

Santee Salutes July 4th

This Saturday the place to be is the Town Center Community Park next to Rio Seco School on Cuyamaca Street for the annual Santee Salutes July 4th Celebration.  The fun kicks off at 3:30 pm and lasts until 9:30 pm after the fireworks.  There will be games, rides, inflatables, food, and music with Primo DJ and the 80z All Stars.  In addition, Simply Spa will be there giving free back and neck massages until 8:00 pm (maybe they should consider giving some after we stare at the fireworks).  It’s a great time for family outing.  You can get details at the City of Santee Event Calendar.

If you can’t make it down to the festivities, at least do yourself and everyone else a favor and don’t try to celebrate Independence Day with your own fireworks show.  Not only are fireworks illegal in San Diego, they possibility of accidentally starting a fire in this extremely dry season is too high to take any chances.  Add to that the danger of injury, and it just is not worth it – check out the report from News 8 if you don’t believe it.  Besides, whatever you set off is not going to compare to what the professionals can do.

Gone to the Dogs

Santee has joined the list of “dog-friendly” communities with the opening of several off-leash park areas.  The three parks scheduled for off-leash hours are Woodglen Vista Park, Mast Park, and Big Rock Park.  Each park has its own schedule, but the basic rules are the same, as you can see by the sign: control your dog, clean up after it, and don’t let it cause trouble.  As for times at the tree parks, Big Rock Park can only be used as an off-leash site from dawn to 8:00 am Monday through Friday while Mast Park is off-leash from dawn to 8:00 am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm or dusk (whichever is earlier) every day.  Woodglen Vista Park is off-leash the same times as Mast Park, but only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday; in addition the multi-purpose field is open from December 1 to August 15, and the ball field is open from August 16 to November 30.  This is to allow for the youth soccer that takes place in the late summer through fall.  Now, these time and day/date restrictions may not be all some had hoped for, but let’s all follow these rules and be good dog owners so we can keep the off-leash times and, maybe, get them extended in the future.

Cool “Cats” Heat Up Summer Concert Series

Thursday night, June 25, the music was hot and the “Cats” were cool as the Cat-illacs brought their rockin’ show to the Santee Summer Concert Series.  This is another of the favorite groups to play the Trolley Square amphitheater, and the place was full.  The band specializes in music of the 50s and 60s, but their repertoire ranges from the 40s (Nat “King” Cole) to the 90s (Santana) and includes Classic rock, blues, soul, and ballads.

The Cat-illacs have been entertaining folks since 1983, playing for everything from community concerts to corporate events to politicians.  Bassist/vocalist and original Cat-illac Harley (aka Steve Loftis) is joined on stage by early band addition Rocco (Michael Stone) on guitar and vocals, vocalist/keyboardist/sax man Sketch (Thom Van Ourkerk), and lead guitar/vocalist Gator (Mark Siers).  The four combine for some great harmony and kickin’ music.  One of my favorites of the evening was their take on Santana’s “Smooth,” with Gator doing an excellent job of channeling the master himself.

If you come to any of the concerts this summer, take some time out to stop by the Barona Resort and Casino booth and thank them for helping to sponsor the series.  While you’re there you can spin their wheel and put your name in for a drawing for a night at the resort.  The City of Santee also has a booth, and you can get information on future concerts and other events and activities.  This week Daphne’s Greek Cafe also had a table with giveaways.

The Cat-illacs

Harley

Rocco

Sketch

Gator

Miss Santee, Sierra Billock, and Miss Santee Teen, Nicole Ehlke, with a few of the Cat-illacs’ younger fans

Rockin’ to the Cat-illacs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Next week (July 2) there will be no concert as the city prepares for the big Santee Salutes July 4th at the Town Center Community Park.  The following week, July 9, Southbound Jonny (San Diego’s Most Wanted Country Band) brings its “Ass Kickin Country” to the Trolly Center.  See Y’all There!

Return to Domo – Sushi, That Is

 

For Fathers Day this year my youngest daughter and I went to Domo Sushi for dinner.  I had been promising to take her there for several months, so this was a perfect time.  I wrote about Domo’s take out about a year ago, and had promised myself that I would come back to have the full experience – and it is a great experience.

Your experience begins as soon as you sit down.  We decided to sit at the sushi bar so we could watch the itamae make his magic. Our server brought us each a lovely little plate with a selection of thinly sliced ginger, lightly pickled cucumber slices, and a dollop of wasabi.  There was also a small bowl for soy sauce that my daughter liked so much she wanted to know where they got them (we forgot to ask once the food arrived).

The most difficult part of eating at Domo Sushi is deciding just what to try.  We finally decided to share a Sushi Sampler (with albacore, kani kama, mackerel, salmon, tamago, white fish, 4 pieces of California roll, and 4 pieces of spicy tuna roll) and a two-piece order of unagi.  It was great fun eating sushi with my daughter, because even at 11 years old she has become fairly well versed in many areas of world cuisine, including sushi.  (I can either thank or blame Food Network for this.)  She was able to explain several elements of our meal, and I noticed the itamae smiling in approval.

First of all, if you have never tried unagi, do yourself a favor and have some next time you get the chance.  What is unagi, you ask?  It is freshwater eel that is traditionally grilled and eaten during the summer to provide extra stamina.  The unagi at Domo Sushi is served over rice with a delicious, slightly sweet sauce and tied on with seaweed.  The rolls were very good – the spicy tuna rolls had a nice kick to them and the California rolls were way above the usual.  We split the rest of the sushi so I didn’t get to taste all of them, but we both enjoyed them.  My favorite of the ones I tried was the salmon.

At the end of our meal the itamae presented us with a beautiful fruit plate that consisted of two slices of peach, two cherries, and an orange cut into a beach scene with a wave and umbrella.  It was a tasty and refreshing end to a great meal.

Domo Sushi is located at 9625 Mission Gorge Rd., Suite D – right next to the Vons.  They are open for lunch and dinner, with a short closed time in between.  If you like sushi, do yourself a favor and stop in – frequently.

On Food Patrol – Frubble

Yes, we’re back on Food Patrol, and this time we’re dropping in at Frubble, the new restaurant/community center in the Pathways Church center at Mast Blvd. and Carton Hills Blvd.  I’ve stopped in several times for their signature offering, the frubble, but recently I finally had a chance to try some of their food offerings as well.  There are a few items I still want to try, but what I have tried is definitely worth having again.

Strawberry Frubble

One of their specialties is a wrap, with a choice of turkey, ham, barbecue ham, beef, and vegetarian.  I had the turkey wrap and the barbecue ham wrap, and my favorite of the two is the ham.  The balsamic vinegar dressing they use really sets off the tang of the barbecue.  It also gives a nice kick to the turkey wrap.  The wrap comes with an order of freshly cooked, crispy potato chips – some of the best chips I’ve had in a long time.

Barbecue Ham Wrap and Chips

Frubble is always trying new items to find just what its patrons like best.  The last time I was there I got to taste a new rice bowl they are working on.  As it was I did find it a bit heavy, but Vicki and I talked about some ways to pep it up, such as including some onion and/or bell pepper.  I talked to her a couple days later and she had tried it with the bell pepper and that worked.  I want to check it out again and see how it is coming.  Another tasty-sounding item they are working on is a teriyaki burger or chicken sandwich.

Check them out and see what they have cooking now.

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