A Little Bit Newer Crest History – News of 2007-2015

(Taken from The Crest Sun Newsletters.  Archived issues can be found by going to www.thecrestsun.com

As I look through past issues of the Crest Sun, it seems only right to share a few of the highlights from the Crest Sun over the 9 year period the paper reported Crest News. Go to the Crestca.com archives to read details

Year 2007
The big issue in 2007 was the Crest Community’s fights to save the East County Fire Protection District. The district was facing critical financial issues. Efforts included a Casino Night sponsored by Friends of Crest Fund Raising Committee, as well as fund raising efforts by the Crest Community Association, the Crest PTA, Kiwanis and the Girl Scouts. These organizations raised $103,683 toward their goal of $150,000 to assist with the payroll shortfall. Knowing this was a short term solution, a controversial Proposition E was passed with a 73% of the voters assessing $250 per parcel as a supplemental tax to fix this shortfall in funds. This was quite a controversial issue.

On a more positive note, horse fun shows and health clinics were held in South Lane Park.

Not yet completely rebuilt from the 2003 Cedar Fire, the Crest Clubhouse opened its doors for its first official activity – a Fire Disaster Communication Center for the Crest Community during the threatening 2007 fire. Luckily, this fire never reached Crest.

Crestridge Ecological Reserve started its first educational program with the kids of the Cajon Valley Union School District.

The first official (post Cedar fire) Crest Garden Club was held on October 15th

Year 2008
After 4 long years, 2008 was all about the reopening of the Crest Community Association Clubhouse. The 2003 Cedar Fire burned the original 1930s clubhouse to the ground, and out of the ashes in 2008 came the grand opening of our beautiful new building. With the opening of the clubhouse, activities abounded including Ladies Bunco, Marie’s Painters, Spaghetti dinners, music events, yoga classes, Scout troop meetings and town hall meetings including “Meet the Candidates” gathering.

Another very controversial issue arose as the town received disappointing news that the El Cajon Fire Protection District Governing Board voted to consolidate with San Miguel Fire Protection District, taking away the local control of the fire district.

Year 2009
2009 can be best known as the “Year of the Goats.” The Crest Fire Safe Council was awarded $208,010 for education and fuel reduction (weed abatement). Starting with the “Running of the Goats,” dozens of these little critters could be found everywhere in Crest munching away at our weeds.

2010
Jimmie Johnson returned to Crest and presented his former Crest Elementary School children with a check for $45,900 from his foundation for activities including science, technology, and the arts.

The Crest Kiwanis became the official sponsor for the K-Kids at Crest School, a program that works with kids to develop leadership, foster strong moral character, and encourages loyalty to school, community, and nation.

Crest established a Cert Team (Community Emergency Response Team)

Marie’s Painters held its first art show in the clubhouse.

T/he Crestridge Ecological Reserve held a Spring Festival.

Year 2011
No news is good news? It seems like Crest had a positive year with lots of activities including bingo, Kiwanis breakfasts, CCA dinners, music nights, town hall meetings, Santa nights, Easter egg hunts, as well as the annual Easter Sunrise Services and July 4th event.

Friends of Crest closed its door after 22 years of service to the Crest Community. A job well done!

Crest Boy Scout Troop 332 earned the distinction of having seven out of seven boys earn the Eagle Scout medal this year. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program.

The Shammas family (Tony and Patti and kids Nick, Alec, and Jackie) sold Crest Foods to Kevin Detty, its present owner.

Year 2012
The Crest Sun established a Facebook page – The Crest Sun Newsletter – Like us!

The Endangered Habitat Conservancy purchased 700 acres of preserve land around the Suncrest “old grade.”

San Miguel Fire Protection District, in financial distress, outsourced the Crest Fire Station to Cal Fire. Additionally, San Miguel continued to invoke the controversial optional increase attached to Prop E.

Senate Bill AB24 proposed and eventually granted a $150 SRA fee on Crest residents which was considered by some to be double taxation.

The Board of Supervisors attempted to end sub-regional local planning groups which serve as local input. This eventually was rescinded.

Long time Italian restaurant, Leonardos, moved off the hill.

Year 2013
CCA sponsored an Electronics Recycling event, and the CCA created a Welcome Wagon
program for new residents. A Ladies’ Tea sponsored by CCA was held at the Crest Clubhouse. Other programs including CCA dinners, Kiwanis breakfasts

Crest Fire Safe Council’s “One Call Now Emergency Call System” and the July 4th event continued.

Crest held a 10th Anniversary October 26 Cedar Fire Commemoration Event.

Year 2014
The Crest Fire Safe Council worked to create alternative exit routes in the event of an emergency. Routes included the Suncrest Truck Trail as well as an evacuation route through the Crestridge Reserve.

The Crestridge Reserve sponsored a Lilac 5K Trail Run, Acoustic Crestridge, and Camp
Crestridge.

Community events included a Mother’s Day Brunch, Silva and Baird Music Nights, Electronic Recycling, a Historic Walks through Crest, CCA dinners, monthly Kiwanis breakfasts, the annual Easter Sunrise Service, and July 4th event.

Year 2015
La Cresta Taco (formerly Gabriela’s) opened next door to Rainbow Market.
Crest Kiwanis celebrated its 10 year anniversary.

The Crest Historical Society released its new publication of Crest History: Crest, California –History and Recollections of Suncrest and La Cresta.

The Garden Club sponsored a garden tour and chose to take a break from scheduled meetings.

The Crest Community Church, which had changed its name to New Season’s Church, decided to return to its original name in keeping with Crest history.