Poway Gives Back: a Parade Was Saved, and What a Parade it Was!

By Bill Stoudenmire

Poway Road was lined with Powegians on Saturday, ready to enjoy the 49th annual Poway Days Parade, and they were not disappointed. 

Some 110 floats paraded along the one-mile route, including five high school marching bands, city leaders, local businesses and service groups, scout troops and more. 

This year's theme was, “I Love a Fit Poway,” and more than 100 runners were at the starting line for the inaugural Poway Days 5K earlier in the morning. Councilman Jim Cunningham lead the way. 

A big thanks to our title sponsors Walmart and Live Right Wellness Centers, the U.S. Army Poway recruiting office, and to all who contributed time and money. The Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps now has its feet wet running this event and has plenty of time to plan the big 50th celebration next year.

The Parade is Just the Start

But wait, there's more. The parade is just the kick-off for a month of activities in Poway, beginning with the Robert Cray Band performing Sept. 20 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, gourmet food trucks and country music put on by the Poway Chamber of Commerce Sept. 21 at the Poway Valley Riders Association grounds, a Poway Rodeo Trail Ride on the 22nd, the 41st Poway Rodeo itself on the 27th and 28th, the 28th Tour de Poway Fun Bike Ride on October 6, and more into October. 

And this Wednesday, you can get six free roses, while they last, starting at 9 a.m. at Crystal Gardens florist shop, located at 13565 Poway Road in the Creekside Plaza, because it's Good Neighbor Day! It's fun to be a Powegian.

A Garden of Words

How plants got their names is the topic when best-selling author and language columnist Richard Lederer visits the Poway Valley Garden Club on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park. The club's general meeting begins at 9 a.m. and Lederer is scheduled to speak beginning at 10:30 a.m. The club's website is www.powayvalleygardenclub.org.

Homeland Security

Now that you know the Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps can run a parade, learn what other kind of work the club does both locally and internationally and how you can get involved by attending a meeting. 

This Wednesday, on the anniversary of the 9-11 attack, also known as Patriot Day, Serge Duarte, chairman of the North County Gang Commission and former Deputy in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will talk about his experiences with local gangs and with issues of Homeland Security. 

The club meets at noon at the Poway Brigantine, 13445 Poway Road in the Creekside Plaza. The website is www.powayscrippsrotary.org.