Originated by the Town Council in 1999, the Mira Mesa Street Fair is a premier event held on the fourth Saturday in September, which is the 27th this year. The Fair is located on Camino Ruiz, and runs from New Salem to Mira Mesa Blvd. Displays include Arts & Crafts vendors, local businesses, civic groups, the Kid’s Zone and 2 community stages. It is fun for the whole family. The most outstanding point of this event is that it is completely organized and hosted by community volunteers.

Anyone that would like to volunteer, and volunteers are greatly needed, there are meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Mira Mesa Senior Center. The next meeting is July 24th at 6:30 p.m. for the Mira Mesa Street Fair Committee. Chairperson for the committee is Robin Stutsman.

For more information on how you or your business can make this event a success, or to download your vendor application, please go to the Mira Mesa Town Council website, under Street Fair.

1. Play a round of golf at St. Andrews in Scotland and drink pints of Guinness with the locals.

2. Buy a round of drinks for everyone in a bar without giving a reason. (easy to check this one off the list if you do it at closing time in a very small bar).

3. Go to another city to see your favorite artist play in concert, even though they played right here in San Diego. (I saw Stevie Wonder play in Arizona last year, and it was awesome!)

4. Sing the National Anthem at an event (not just standing in the crowd mouthing the words).

5. Write the last check paying off the 30 year mortgage on my house.

6. Watch my son hit a home run, and tell him that I am proud of him.

7. Volunteer to help change someone’s life for the better, not for the praise, but because it is the right thing to do.

8. Take my whole family on an exotic trip (we are far too practical to accomplish this one, but it is there none the less.)

9. Catch a baseball (foul or home run) at a Padres game. Note: I did get hit in the face by a homerun ball when I was 18, but a greedy fan decided he needed it more than I did.

10. Win more than a free ticket in the Lottery. I know, I am more likely to get struck by lightening than winning the lottery, but a boy can dream.

That is my bucket list. What would be on yours?

1. You Light Up My Life – Debbie Boone

2. I Think I Love You – The Partridge Family

3. The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia – Vickie Lawrence

4. Elvira – The Oak Ridge Boys

5. Puttin’ On The Ritz – Taco

6. A Fifth of Beethoven – Walter Murphy

7. Stayin’ Alive – The Bee Gees

8. Brand New Key – Melanie

9. Muskrat Love – Captain and Tennille

10. Escape (the pina colada song) – Rupert Holmes

I stand behind this list. All were once very popular songs, and when you hear the first few notes, you will remember them fondly. Then wait a few seconds, and you will want to race to the remote and forward to the next track. I guarantee it.

We were not able to see the parade, as we were in it, but I heard it was great too! We had a lot of fun seeing all the people on the parade route and everyone seemed very happy to get of the cold water we were handing out, and the kids were chasing us down to get Frisbees. All in all it was a great day.

I videotaped the fireworks display and posted the finale below, for those of you that missed it.

Well this year we had lunch over at Callahan’s, and after we ate (around 1:30), me and my boys drove by the Rec Center to see if people had already started setting up for the next day. To my surprise there were tons of people already staking out spots. Someone had even taken our traditional spot.

Now, I would not have been mad at all if I saw someone sitting there holding the spot. I would have walked over and said, “Bummer, you got our favorite spot”, asked him what time he got there, and that would have been that. But that is not what happened.

These guys came early in the morning and took plastic tape (like police tape) and wrapped it around a couple of trees and a few chairs to mark their territory, and then left, leaving no one there to hold the spot. Then they showed up about 4:30 in the afternoon and started setting up.

In my opinion, that is just not right. That is like waiting in line to buy tickets to some big event coming up and putting your chair there 2 days early, and then showing up when the ticket box opens up.

I actually went around and spoke to several people that had been there all day and they said that they saw lots of people getting there at 7 AM and taping off areas and then going to work for the day. There were even a couple of real young guys that taped off their area on the night of July 2nd and then showed up around 5 PM on the 3rd. Now that is really crazy.

Okay, I am going to quit rambling on about this, as we actually got a fine spot and we had a great day. That just really bugged me at the time and I promised myself I would write a post and see what other people thought. So, if you would please leave a comment below letting me know what you think about people being able to hold a spot without actually being there, I would really appreciate it. I may be totally wrong in my thinking… that is why I want to get your opinion.

To help achieve our goal we have created the “Mira Mesa News” newsletter to be a simple way to let people know what is going on in Mira Mesa each week. Not only will it keep you informed on what is going on in Mira Mesa, but we are also starting to work with local merchants to get you discounts at neighborhood businesses that we will let you know about.

Right now we are running a contest to build our subscriber list, and beginning next week we will start having a random drawing of our subscriber’s each week and give out some great prizes. Prizes include; Gift cards to local restaurants, movie tickets, car washes, pizzas, etc… So make sure and sign-up today!

Simply add your first name and email address below and click submit. Then check your email to confirm your subscription. We will not share your name or e-mail address with anyone; for more information, see our privacy policy.

Take a simple thing like “the 10 greatest songs of all time.” My list would look like this:

1. Hotel California – The Eagles
2. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
3. Blackbird – The Beatles
4. I Wish – Stevie Wonder
5. Layla – Eric Clapton
6. Because I Love You – Lenny Williams
7. Funeral for a Friend – Elton John
8. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant – Billy Joel
9. Into The Mystic – Van Morrison
10. 16 Tons – Tennessee Ernie Ford

I just finished typing my list, and already I disagree with several picks. Reading other’s lists enables me to learn a little about a complete stranger. Are they a rocker, or into punk or R&B? Do they have any ballads, which would show a sensitive side, or is it all about partying and stadium anthems? Does the list represent different genres, or is it completely one sided? Do I even know any of their songs at all? If I like some of them, I might just try out some of the others. Let me know what you think of my list, and please include a top 10 of your favorites. I will post a new top 10 with a specific category, so if you have any ideas, I would love to hear from you.

This is the perfect time to recycle unwanted or broken appliances, TV’s, computer monitors, electronics, lawnmowers (free of oil and gas), metals, wood & yard trimmings (must be bundled & tied, not to exceed 50 lbs. or over 6’ long).

You can get rid of non-recyclables such as: carpeting, broken furniture, mattresses and palm fronds (must be bundled & tied, not to exceed 50 lbs. or over 6’ long).

Items not accepted: light bulbs/tubes, dirt, construction or demolition rubble, hazardous wastes (paint, motor oil, batteries) and tires.

Please separate waste and recyclables, as there will be different bins for each.

Arrive early! Cleanup will run from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Download Flyer

Note: Enter the school parking lot ONLY from northbound Reagan Road and then exit onto Mira Mesa Blvd after dropping off your items.

Events include: A Pancake Breakfast, The Fun Day at the Park at the Gil Johnson Community Park and Recreation Center, followed by a Community Parade, and ending with a Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.

The Pancake Breakfast runs from 7:00 a.m. through 11:00 a.m. at the Mira Mesa Epicentre, 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd. It is sponsored by the Black Mountain Masonic Lodge #845. The cost is $5.00 per person.

The Fun Day at the Park begins at 10:00 a.m. and continues throughout the day, with games for the kids, food, rides, and community booths featuring many of our local businesses. The location is the Gil Johnson Community Park and Recreation Center, across from Mira Mesa High School.

The 34th Annual Fourth of July Parade, featuring: floats, marching bands, and entertainment, starts at approximately 11:30 a.m. and runs along Mira Mesa Blvd. from Greenford Drive to Camino Ruiz. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Our Community”.

The Fourth of July Fireworks, sponsored by the Mira Mesa Community Fourth of July Committee and its sister nonprofit group, Scripps Mesa Fireworks, Inc. will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. from the Mira Mesa High School Fields. The fireworks display can be enjoyed from locations, such as the Community Park and seen from as far away as Miramar Lake in Scripps Ranch.

The fireworks display is funded completely through donations, and both donations and volunteers are always greatly appreciated. To give your support, send donations to: Mira Mesa Community Fourth of July Committee, PO Box 261264, San Diego, CA. 92196.

If you or your group can volunteer time, convertibles, or manpower, please contact Karen Burger at (858) 271-0419 or Judy Sluyter at (858) 549-4557.

Be sure to look for us in the Fourth of July Parade. We will keep you cool during the parade with free water bottles, and handing out t-shirts and Frisbees.