VOTER’S WATCHDOG: WILL YOUR VOTE COUNT?
Printer-friendly version This information is important for everyone, but especially for newly registered voters. Please forward, post or printout this information. Avoid confusion on Election Day and make sure everyone gets to the correct polling place to avoid use of Provisional Ballots. MAKE SURE YOUR VOTE WILL BE COUNTED Confirm you are registered in San Diego County at the San Diego County Registrar’s website: www.sdvote.com – or call 858-565-5800. October 20 is the last day to register for the Novemer 4 election. Registered outside San Diego County or the state? Check League of Women Voters: www.vote411.org VOTE IN THE PRECINCT WHERE YOU ARE REGISTERED. Unless you registered too close to the Oct. 20 deadline, you will receive a sample ballot in the mail. Your precinct location is on the back. Polling place locations can change. Check for updated information on YOUR polling place at www.sdvote.com or call 858-565-5800 Out of County or out of state? Check LWV at www.vote411.org Name not on the voter roll in your precinct? Ask the poll worker to check newly registered voters at the back of the roll. If you are at the correct precinct there is no justification to make you vote provisionally. At the wrong polling place? Find the correct address or use a provisional ballot. If you feel you have been wrongly refused a regular ballot, call one of the hotline numbers below. A picture ID is not required at the polls in California. Bring it anyway. Be in line by 8:00 pm and do not wear campaign message items. VOTE BY ABSENTEE (MAIL IN) BALLOT – Mail Early Mail all Absentee Ballots no later than October 30, 2008. Drop off at any poll location on Election Day November 4, 2008 VOTE BY PROVISIONAL BALLOT AS A LAST RESORT If you are not registered to vote in San Diego County – your provisional ballot cast here will not count. If you are registered to vote in another county, request an absentee ballot from that county or re-register in San Diego County by Oct. 20, 2008. You have the absolute right to vote provisionally if you are registered in San Diego Count, even if your name is not on the rolls. Take Hotline NumbersWith You and report any problems. These groups have established hotlines: Election Protection Hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE SD County Registrar of Voters 858-565-5800 San Diego Democrats Hotline 858-277-3367 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Student Voting Rights at Brennan Center: www.brennancenter.org/studentvoting League of Women Voters at: vote411.org/pollingplacebystate.php Printer-friendly version
SDG&E THREAT TO CUT POWER DURING FIRE DANGER SPARKS HEATED OUTCRY AMONG EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS
Printer-friendly versionLarge crowd likely at CPUC meeting Tuesday in San Diego By Miriam Raftery October 13, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Backcountry residents are reacting with shock, praise and outrage to a notice sent by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to 45,000 customers warning that power lines may be shut off when fire danger is high. With red flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service through Tuesday night, thousands of East County and North County residents may find themselves without power Monday or Tuesday. “Many of my neighbors are up in arms. The guy next to me has about 280 acres, and he’s about ready to storm Washington,” said Bill Root, an Alpine resident who relies on power from SDG&E to pump well water that sustains his horses and other livestock as well as his family. “We have a 10,000 holding tank, but during a fire, the fire department uses it to fight fires,” Root told East County Magazine. “We opened up our own emergency operation center at 7 a.m. this morning in response to the National Weather Center’s red red flag warning for San Diego County,” SDG&E spokesperson April Bolduc said in an interview Monday morning. “We are at high alert, but all five criteria have not been met for shutting off power.” Weather forecasts indicate wind speed could “hit the trigger” by tonight and tomorrow morning through San Diego County’s inland valleys and mountains as well as parts of southern Orange County, she added. Root is considering buying a generator, but is worried about the cost, which he expects will be several thousand dollars. “SDG&E is just protecting themselves,” he said, noting that the utility faces potentially huge liability claims for major fires that Cal Fire has blamed on arcing from SDG&E lines. Boulevard resident Donna Tisdale noted that “many of our seniors and struggling families cannot afford a backup generator or the fuel to run it.” In addition, a power shut-off could prove deadly for individuals who rely on power to run medical equipment such as respirators. But other area residents have praised SDG&E’s plan, arguing that a power shut off is the lesser of two evils. “Would your livestock be better protected during a 1-3 day power outage that you could start preparing for now – or in another 200,000 acre fire that you haven’t a prayer of fighting?” asked Patsy Fritz in a post to a listserve group on local land use issues. Fritz noted that SDG&E can already shut off power to save energy during rolling blackouts or to protect firefighters from a lethal combination of live power and water once a fire occurs. While power outages are inconvenient, Fritz pointed out, “the effects on people who were damaged by the fires took a much longer toll on their lives.” Darrell Beck, in a post on the same list serve, said people should be prepared to do without electricity, adding that his household has done just that due to problems with lines that failed in bad weather. “We always had a backup system such as kerosene lamps, wood, gas or oil stoves. We had water storage tanks with a week or more supply; we had gasoline pumps and windmills. We had food storage and root cellars or spring houses,” he wrote, adding that power lines could burn down anyway if power is not shut off and arcing lines ignite a wildfire. “I plan to be prepared and not complain if the power goes off,” he concluded. Charlene Ayers, operator of the list serve, opposes the shutdown orders. She has called for SDG&E to properly maintain its lines instead of ordering massive power outages. Others have expressed concern that people who rush to buy generators and improperly use or hook them up could actually cause fires, leading one poster to ask whether SDG&E should provide technical expertise to assist homeowners in installing generators. On Tuesday, October 14 at 6 p.m. the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a public meeting at the al Bahr Shrine Center, 5440 Kearny Mesa Road in San Diego regarding the October 2007 San Diego area fires. “If you want your voice to be heard about the fire strategy for the future in the backcountry, you should come to the CPUC meeting,” said Martha Sullivan, an activist who has opposed SDG&E’s proposed Powerlink project because of fire risks and other concerns. She and others believe that by asking regulators to approve its shutdown plans, SDG&E now seeks to pass on liability to CPUC. “If the CPUC says no, when the next fire hits, SDG&E will argue in court that it wanted to prevent its lines from starting fires, but the commission wouldn’t let it,” Don Woods wrote in an e-mail forwarded by Sullivan. “If the Commission says yes, then SDG&E will refer all the people hurt by the shutdown to the commission, saying its acting under CPUC orders.” Woods urged the CPUC not to get “sucked into SDG&E’s trap.” Instead, he believes the CPUC should order SDG&E to comply with existing laws and regulations and seek ways to prevent fires that don’t require cutting off people’s power. SDG&E has stated that the company has taken additional steps to prevent wildfires, including replacing over 300 wood poles with steel poles, using heavier wire in some rural communities, expanding aerial inspections and adding high-resolution cameras to inspect transmission lines. A Cal Fire report has found that last October’s devastating Witch Creek, Guejito and Rice Canyon fires were caused by arcing from SDG&E lines. Area residents complained before the fires that some lines were improperly maintained. Facing potentially huge liability claims, SDG&E now indicates it may shut down power without notice, though efforts will be made to notify customers first, if five conditions are met: a red flag warning of fire danger issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) sustained winds greater than 35 mph or wind gusts greater than 55 mph relative humidity less than 20 percent moisture
HIGH FIRE DANGER, SANTA ANA WINDS STARTING TONIGHT
Printer-friendly versionCAL Fire gears up with extra airpower, asks homeowners to take defensive steps; SDG&E may cut power in high-risk areas Story and photos by Miriam Raftery October 12, 2008 (El Cajon) – CAL Fire has issued a warning that the danger of wildfire is high due to forecasts of Santa Ana winds starting tonight combined with already hot, dry conditions in San Diego’s East County. “We provide the offense,” CAL Fire Batallion Chief Ray Chaney said at a press conference this morning, where reporters received a briefing on preparations being made to battle a major conflagration. “It’s up to homeowners to provide the defense.” Two additional helicopters have been brought in for this weekend’s wind event to supplement five choppers already in San Diego County for this year’s fire season. Aircraft from the U.S. Marines and Navy are also on standby, including SH 60 Blackhawk helicopters, CH 53 Sea Stallions, and CH 46 units. “These are very large aircraft that all have water pickup and drop capability,” Chaney confirmed. A Sheriff’s helicopter will coordinate communications between military craft and others. “The smoke, environmental factors, and wind wreak havoc on aircraft,” CAL Fire’s Steve Shoemaker said, noting hazards posed to pilots and crews. “We need direct and excellent communication between aircraft.” The Sheriff’s Department has four pilots on standby this weekend including three helicopter pilots plus a 707 pilot. CAL Fire has brought in five additional fire engines for a total of 33 available this weekend, plus four additional hand crews for total of 24 and two additional bulldozers. A type-1 incident command team is also in place, Captain Nick Shuler at CAL Fire confirmed. San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) earlier this week announced it is sending letters to 45,000 residents warning that it plans to shut-off power to selected areas if fire danger is high, high winds are forecast and several other key conditions are met. SDG&E faces potentially huge liability claims from downed power lines found to have caused several major fires last year, including the devastating Witch Creek blaze. Homeowners are advised to clear at least 100 feet of defensible space around their homes and to cut down low-hanging tree limbs that can serve as “fire ladders”, Shuler said. “Be prepared,” advised Chaney. “Have a discussion with your family on where and how to evacuate. Have a plan. Start a phone tree. Do you have all your medications with you? All these conversations need to take place before the fire.” Editor Miriam Raftery is a national award-winning journalist who has been covering wildfires and fire-related issues in San Diego County for the past 20 years. Printer-friendly version
Great Debates: Congressional Candidates Square Off
Printer-friendly version Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin 52nd Congressional district candidates face off in a series of five debates. Here’s your chance to learn first-hand where candidates stand–or even ask a question yourself! Former U.S. Navy Seal Commander Mike Lumpkin, a Democrat, battles ex-USMC Captain Duncan D. Hunter, Republican, and Libertarian Mike Benoit to replace retiring Congressman Duncan Hunter in debates Oct. 7, 8, 12, 22 and 28. Tues. Oct. 7, 9-9:30 am, KPBS FM 89.5 "These Days" show (Hunter vs. Lumpkin); call in phone: 888-895-5727 Wed. Oct. 8, 9:30-10:30 pm KCBQ AM 117 "Rick Amato" show (Lumpkin vs. Benoit); call lin phone: 888-344-1170 Sun. Oct. 12, 10-10:30 am KUSI 9/51 "San Diego People" (Lumpkin vs. Hunter)(pre-recorded) Wed. Oct. 22, 6 p.m. East County Chamber of Commerce candidates debate at Cuyamaca College Tues. Oct. 28, 6:30 pm candidates debate at Grossmont College To learn more about these candidates, visit www.vote-smart.org, a nonpartisan voter information site. Printer-friendly version
WATER, PACE OF DEVELOPMENT TOP CONCERNS IN CAMPO/LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP RACE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Lake Morena October 6, 2008 (Campo) – Concerns over the impacts of new and proposed major developments on water supplies and community character have divided community members in this rural region. Tensions ran high at a forum for Campo/Lake Morena Planning Group candidates held on September 29th, where community members posed tough questions for candidates on two opposing slates, plus independents with sharply different visions for future growth. DUELING SLATES AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES VIE FOR SEATS Mountain Empire Resources Information Task Force (MERIT), a citizens’ group favoring slow growth, has recruited a slate of four candidates to run for the Campo/Lake Morena Planning Group. The mission statement on MERIT’s website pledges to protect and maintain natural resources, promote responsible groundwater use, and preserve the community’s rural character. MERIT-backed candidates are: Joe Carmody, Shirley Perkins Driscoll, Jane Hamilton, and Tammy Inman. “We recruited the slate because we felt there’s so much in our community that’s untruth,” said MERIT’s Sheryl Bush-Carmody. Five other candidates have been endorsed and received financial backing from H.O.P.E. of the Mountain Empire: Brian Elmore, Kristi Kor, Paige McAllister, Mitch Sanchez, and Brandon Will. HOPE’s site describes the organization as “homeowners for the preservation and enhancement of the mountain valley.” HOPE has opposed Sunrise PowerLink. Planning group chair FPPC records indicate HOPE has received funding from Star Ranch Development Co. Yet even some HOPE-backed candidates expressed doubts about Star Ranch’s proposal. The Planning Group has voted to deny approval of Star Ranch’s proposal for a major residential development. “On August 25, we had a meeting to get comments from the public. They ran 86% against it. It’s just too big,” said Planning Group chair Bev Esry, who is not up for reelection. Two independent candidates have also thrown hats in the ring: Larry Johnson and Rob Romero. Here’s a rundown on the candidates, compiled from their ballot statements, comments made at the candidate forum, interviews and public documents: MERIT-BACKED CANDIDATES Historic Campo Diner is one of few commercial outlets in the community Joe Carmody, incumbent, believes in “growth at a rural pace.” He has served on a groundwater subcommittee and co-chaired a committee on the General Plan update. Carmody says the newly-built KB Homes project, Campo Hills, project has too much density and wants to assure that future projects will be less dense. He highlights what’s at stake in this election: “If we built on every piece of land available before the new General Plan, we could have 19,000 people—but that’s not something I’d ever want to see,” said Carmody, noting that that community now has a population of about 3,000 people. Carmody respects owners’ rights to develop property but doesn’t agree with some aspects of what Star Ranch has proposed in its plan to build-out a large residential project over 20 to 30 years. “Everything revolves around water. We have a limited supply,” he noted. Asked about Star Ranch, he replied, “They need to adjust it a lot. It does not fit our community in its current form.” He expressed distrust of the County. “The County is not something we can really cont on,” he said, noting that residents of Campo Hills were forced to have lawns and have been fined if they fail to keep them green. “These plans get out of hand, and I think it will end up hurting our community,” he said. Carmody opposes the proposed Sunrise PowerLink southern route. “It is too close to the other route. One fire could take out both. It’s dangerous,” he said. Shirley Perkins Driscoll, incumbent, is a rancher and 25-year Campo resident who supports “moderate rural growth, rather than large development forced growth” citing water management as her biggest concern. A well on her property went dry and she had to drill another, she said. Now the new well’s water level has dropped from 20 to 43 feet. “Part of it is drought. Part of it is Campo Hills,” said Driscoll, who is disturbed over polarization in the community that “forced development” has brought. “There are many places we no longer feel welcome,” she noted. Driscoll said she was “appalled” to see mature oak trees cut down for the Campo Hills project and opposes future heavy-density projects such as Star Ranch. “If they build 450 homes, they can’t help but impact water,” she said, adding she would reconsider if the scale of the project is reduced. Driscoll opposes PowerLink, adding that power generation from coastal tides should be considered instead. She aims to “keep Campo rural” but would support restoration of Camp Lockett, a former Civil War outpost, to attract tourist dollars. Jane Hamilton has lived in the back country for most of her life. Past president of Mountain Empire Homemakers and current president of the VFW Post 2080, she was on vacation and unable to attend the candidate forum. But she wrote “To live here is to embrace what Campo has to offer, not to change it to something else for profit. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t build our homes and businesses here, as I was able to do. But we must be aware of the risks and consequences of forced large growth.” Tammy Inman, a teacher in Jacumba, is a Campo native who returned four years ago after living abroad. “I realized I loved the small town I grew up in and wanted to raise my own children here,” she said. “As a teacher in our school district I understand growth is important, but it needs to be done responsibly and gradually. I am a `growth at a rural pace’ candidate.” She called Campo Hills “horrifying” because it violated community character. But she praised its residents, including many parents who have become involved with local schools. She believes Star Ranch is too big and suggested a project one-third the size would be reasonable. “If they build 460 homes it will affect every one of our wells,” she said, noting that some residents near Barona now have to have
CITY, COUNTY SEE SHIFTS TOWARD DEMOCRATIC COLUMN – OCT. 20 DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
Printer-friendly versionCountywide, new voter registrations have been running ten to one Democratic over Republican for the past several months, even in traditionally “red” conservative areas including Santee and El Cajon. According to an October 1, 2008 report issued by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 249,338 to 189,012 in the City of San Diego, while a whopping 151,659 voters are listed as decline-to-state (DTS) party affiliation. Whether the latter trend reflects dissatisfaction or merely independent thinking is unclear, though nationwide polls have found DTS voters trending Democratic. A small percentage of local voters belong to other parties including Libertarian, Green, American Independent, and Peace and Freedom. La Mesa recently flipped to a Democratic majority (11,576 to 10,965) with 6,169 DTS voters. Lemon Grove has a solid 5,259 to 3,785 Democratic majority. The Republicans remain the majority party in El Cajon, but the lead has thinned with 15,460 Republicans, 12,737 and 7,514 DTS. Santee, Poway and Escondido remain Republican strongholds, however. Unincorporated areas of San Diego County remain heavily Republican by a nearly two-to-one margin (112,698 Republicans, 63,815 Democrats, and 44,476 decline to state.) The 52nd Congressional district, which encompasses most of East County, has a roughly 3-to-2 Republican to Democratic registration advantage (150,618 Republicans, 106,767 Democrats, 70,888 DTS), though the adjacent 51st seat held by Bob Filner (which includes the Southern portion of East County and the South Bay) has a hefty 104,036 to 62,212 Democrat-over-Republican registration. October 20 is the last day to register to vote in the November 4 election. Check to see if you’re registered to vote: http://www.votersunite.org/info/RegInfo.asp Even if you’ve registered before, the Registrar of Voters cleans its list and regularly drops off people who have moved or not voted recently. Even people who haven’t moved and voted are occasionally dropped in error, so it’s best to check this site and make sure your registration is current—and reregister if you’ve been dropped: Voter registration drives will be held at: October 17-21: Parkway Plaza, El Cajon, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday Every Tuesday until Oct. 21: Grossmont College, El Cajon, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Every Tuesday until Oct. 21: Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Or go the Registrar of Voters, which will be open until midnight on October 20. Mailing Address Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 85656 San Diego, CA. 92186-5656 Street Location Registrar of Voters 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I San Diego, CA. 92123 San Diego County Registrar Voter registration and general information: (858) 565-5800. For more information, visit the San Diego County Registrar of Voters website. You can register to vote in California, if you are: •A U.S. Citizen •A California Resident •At least 18 years of age on or before the next election •Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction •Not declared mentally incompetent by court action If you have an absentee ballot, it must be received (not postmarked) by Election Day, November 4th. Don’t be fooled by dirty tricks; in some areas voters have been falsely told to mail ballots to an out-of-state address or to give ballots to campaign representatives. Ballots may only be returned to the Registrar’s office or dropped off at a polling place. Printer-friendly version
A FIERY ARGUMENT
Printer-friendly versionFire Chief, City and County leaders debate pros and cons of fire tax By Miriam Raftery 2007 San Diego wildfires destroyed over 3,400 structures and killed 15 people (photo: La Mesa Fire Dept.) October 1, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – “We have to stop turning to others to solve our problems,” said Ron Roberts, Chair of San Diego’s Board of Supervisors. He urged voters to support Proposition A, the fire parcel tax initiative on the November ballot. “The most recent state budget had money for 150 new fire trucks. We expected 15. We were told we would get five,” Roberts added, noting that during the 2007 firestorms, only three aircraft fought fires locally during the crucial first 24 hours: all San Diego city and county helicopters. Proposition A will ask voters to approve a parcel tax increase averaging $1 a week per parcel to fund creation of a regional fire authority, increase firefighting forces, add equipment and improve communications. “You can’t get a cup of Starbucks coffee for that,” Roberts noted. “It’s a good plan and it warrants your support.” The majority of fire chiefs and many elected officials support Prop A. But not all—and some have leveled heated criticism against local political leaders. “I think the County of San Diego neglected fire protection,” said La Mesa Councilmember Dave Allan, a retired firefighter and former head of the San Miguel Firefighters Union. “A lot of things are jacked up here,” added Allan, who opposes the tax. Ron Roberts, San Diego Board of Supervisors Chair, fielded tough questions at a Congressional committee hearing in San Diego on the wildfires Roberts and Allan spoke at a California Special Districts Association (CSDA) meeting in Kearny Mesa September 18, where fire experts debated the pros and cons of the ballot measure. Proposition A, which would cost $150 million, allocates half the money for regional firefighting and half for local districts. If passed, he predicted, “When we have the next devastating fire, we can get to it sooner with more force…We can minimize the destruction and turmoil.” August Ghio, president of the County Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Chief in the San Miguel Fire District, said the majority of fire chiefs also support the measure. “We don’t have the time to wait,” he said in response to criticisms that the measure is imperfect. San Diego is the largest county in California that does not have a regional fire department. “We’ve been talking about consolidation for years but haven’t taken any reasonable steps,” said Ghio. The County has had several severe blazes that would once have been considered once-in-a-career fires for firefighting professionals, Ghio noted, including the Normal Heights Fire (which burned 23 homes), the 2005 Cedar Fire (2,400 homes) and the 2007 Harris, Witch and other wildfires in San Diego County which collectively burned 3,421 homes. “We did as good a job as anybody can,” Ghio said of firefighters’ efforts, “but we need one thing…money.” He asked people to vote with “hearts and minds” and to remember recent history. “Don’t forget what it smelled like. Don’t forget what it tasted like. Don’t forget we evacuated 500,000 people.” The City of La Mesa opposes the fire tax proposal, though Allan said that La Mesa is not opposed to a County fire authority. He accused the County of misallocating funds generated through passage of the statewide ballot Proposition 172 in 1993, after the state took property tax funds from local governments to fund schools and created a gap in public safety funding. Prop 172 ads promised to guarantee funds for firefighting, as well as provide funds for police protection. Voters approved Prop 172, which increased sales tax by a half-cent statewide. But in San Diego, out of $235 million in revenues generated by Prop 172 last year, zero dollars were spent on fire protection. “I think Ron can take $50 million out of Prop 172 funds each year and get this going,” Allan maintained. San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors decided to give 95% of Prop 172 funds received to the county, leaving just 5% for cities (later increased to 5.6%). Last year, La Mesa residents paid $6.1 million into this sales tax pool, but got back just $257,000. Noting that La Mesa spent $8 million last year to protect just nine square miles, while the County spent $15.5 million for a whopping 3,600 miles, Allan observed, “We’re totally getting hosed. I fear the city is going to end up paying for another Prop 172 scam.” Even local Indian tribes have spent more on fire equipment to protect County residents than the County has spent, he added. Allan faulted County leaders for eliminating brush cutting programs in the back country. He also leveled criticism at the City of San Diego, noting that Prop A proposes funds to buy 23 new fire trucks—with 19 of those going to the City of San Diego. “Where is the responsibility of the City Council to equip those to fight fires in their cities?” Allan asked, noting that East County cities and fire districts such as Heartland are the first responders to fires that can burn into San Diego if not stopped early. “I challenge the County to explain – and get that $50 million.” Roberts insists that there is “no fund of money out there.” He noted that prior to Prop 172’s passage, the state took money that forced deep cuts in sheriff and probation department budgets—not firefighting. “If La Mesa wants to sue us they can do that, but let’s get this done,” he said, urging approval of Prop A. “We can’t afford to wait and have another fire like last year.” At a Congressional hearing convened after the 2003 fires in San Diego, former San Diego Fire Chief Jeff Bowman also criticized San Diego County officials. “This is the largest urban area without a County Fire Department,” he testified. “Someone should be held accountable for that. My recommendation to the County Board of Supervisors is they buy 50
EAST COUNTY OKTOBERFESTS: WUNDERBAR!
Printer-friendly versionOctober 1, 2008 (East County) – Time to get into the zeitgeist (spirit of the time) and take to the streets for some old-fashioned celebrating at East County’s multiple Oktoberfests! Began in Bavaria to celebrate the marriage of royalty, Oktoberfests have since gained popularity worldwide. Below are details on our region’s oldest and biggest Oktoberfests, where you can savor German food, music, and more. IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY AT LA MESA OKTOBERFEST 2008: OCT. 3-5 By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero For Richard Felix, involvement in La Mesa’s Oktoberfest began with wiping tables at age 12. His father, George Felix, proposed the idea 31 years ago. La Mesa Oktoberfest is not only a local family tradition, but a cherished community happening. “My father liked to travel and saw the festivals in Europe, so he got together with Gordon Austin, then-President of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce,” said Felix, who has organized the event for the past ten years. Over the past generation, it has evolved from small town gathering to street party to this year’s family-oriented event the first week of October. In recent years, La Mesa’s Oktoberfest has attracted more than 200,000 visitors, becoming the biggest Oktoberfest west of the Mississippi. Organizers have included the Village Merchants Association, the old La Mesa Chamber, the East County Chamber, and this year the new La Mesa Chamber of Commerce (LMCC) Passions run high among them, but one thing is clear: everyone views Oktoberfest as a hallmark La Mesa community event. It began as a dance floor in the intersection of La Mesa Blvd. and Palm Ave. with an oompah band, a truck that sold beer, folk dance clubs, and families manning the grills. The village fabric and shoe store sold folk costumes materials, and many a child was so attired over the years. In recent years it grew into a craft fair, a beer garden with headliner acts late into the night, and a crowd that more than triples the city’s population during Oktoberfest hours. This year Oktoberfest shifts back towards its family-friendly origins. “We have family style entertainment, games for all ages, serving ice cream for children, soda and soft drinks and more,” said LMCC president Mary England. “It’s not just about the beer!” While there will be two small beer gardens for 21 and over, the Karl Strauss Pavillion main beer garden and stage is moving to Palm Avenue, where children may dine and dance with their families. Traditional German fare and entertainment, including Peter Pan Junior Theater, have been chosen to appeal to all ages. In addition to over 300 craft and commercial booths, there will also be a children’s carnival. Live entertainment will include Joe Dyke and his Bavarian Beergarden Band, Alpine Gemütlichkeit Dancers, Helix High School Band and Pipes, San Diego Concert Band, and the El Cajon German Band. Oktoberfest runs October 3-5 in the La Mesa Village. The beer pavilion is open 11a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Service animals only will allowed. Parking is limited, but trolley and bus service takes you to the heart of this event; find transit schedules at www.sdcommute.com. For more information, visit www.lmvma.com/lmv_oktoberfest.html. Kristin Hobbs Kjaero grew up dancing in the street with her family at Oktoberfest. GERMAN OKTOBERFEST, October 3-5 and October 10-12 By Miriam Raftery The German American Societies hosts a traditional German Oktoberfest featuring fun-filled events October 3-5 and 10-12, 2008. Hours of the festival are Fridays from 3:00 to 10:00 PM, Saturdays from noon until 10:00 PM, and Sundays from noon until 9:00 PM. Selected as one San Diego’s top five festivals by SignOnSanDiego.com readers in four of the past six years, German Oktoberfest this year will feature a series of Community Days, in which elected officials and other honored members of the East County will be recognized: Saturday, October 4 – El Cajon, Lakeside, and Julian. Representatives from these communities will also participate in our annual opening parade and ceremonial "Tapping the Wooden Keg," at 4:00 PM. Sunday, October 5, is Alpine, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley Day. Saturday, October 11, Santee and La Mesa: The parade at 4:00 PM is also the annual tribute to Kinder, the children, who will turn out in traditional dress. Sunday, October 12- Oktoberfest in El Cajon: The second annual Chicken Hat Day will feature Mother Goose and the Mother Goose Parade Queen and her Court. There is also a chicken hat contest, hosted by our favorite chicken hat model, Mayor Mark Lewis. Oktoberfest in El Cajon is open to the public with a donation of $5 for age 21 and over ($3 for club members), teens and children under 21 and all active military are admitted for free. Authentic German food, such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut and red cabbage will be served, along with a tasty variety of German pastries. Soft drinks and adult beverages will be available, including German beers and liquors. Dance to an authentic German band from Baden-Württemberg, Germany, called Guggenbach-Buam. Musicians dress in traditional clothing and play a variety of German music, just as you would hear in the beer gardens of Bavaria! Folk singing and dance performances will be featured, along with games and contests, vendor and craft booths, plus a Kids’ Fun Zone. On Saturday nights, the clubhouse is open for dancing (8 pm to midnight). A raffle prize giveaway of a round-trip ticket for two to Germany is a highlight, along with many other door prizes. For more information please phone (619) 442-6637. The address is 1017 S. Mollison Avenue, El Cajon (from San Diego take I-8 East, turn South on Mollison Avenue) For a complete schedule of events, visit www.OktoberfestElCajon.com. For more festivals and events throughout East County and San Diego’s eastern region, check East County Magazine’s calendar of events. Miriam Raftery is an East County native who has been savoring our region’s festivals for many years. Printer-friendly version