We’re buzzing about the latest addition to San Diego’s food scene, and it’s not your grandma’s tea party! California English is shaking things up with their new “Tipsy Tea Time”—a cheeky twist on the classic afternoon tea that’s got us all aflutter.

Imagine sipping on tea-infused cocktails while nibbling on gourmet bites, all with a dash of British charm and a hefty splash of San Diego cool. It’s like stepping into a whimsical garden party where the Mad Hatter traded his hat for a cocktail shaker.

Sip, Savor, and Play

The menu is a playful dance of flavors that’ll make your taste buds do a happy jig. We’re talking Hot Honey Fried Chicken Scones that’ll make you question why you ever ate scones any other way.

And don’t get us started on the Hamachi Crispy Rice Bars—they’re so good, you might forget you’re at a tea party and not a swanky sushi joint.

But the real stars of the show? The boozy tea cocktails. The Chap’s Medicine is basically what happens when bourbon and chamomile tea decide to elope. And the Southern Belle? Let’s just say it’s the kind of drink that’ll make you want to buy a fancy hat and start saying “y’all” unironically.

Between sips and bites, we’ll be trying our hand at croquet and cornhole. Who knows? We might just win some swag to commemorate our descent into tipsy teatime madness.

See you there!

Want to join the fun at California English? The launch event is happening on Wednesday, August 21, from 5 PM to 7 PM. Tickets are $55 a pop, which includes two drink tickets. Just remember, this shindig is strictly 21+, so leave the kiddos at home for this one.

Reserve your tickets here.

Can’t make it to the launch? No worries! You can get your tipsy tea fix Tuesdays through Saturdays from 3 PM to 5 PM. Just book a regular tea time and let your server know you’re in the mood for something a little stronger than Earl Grey.

See you there, San Diego!

Construction on the long-awaited Beyer Park in San Ysidro kicks off this week, with a goal of completing the eight-acre park by spring 2026, officials announced Tuesday.

Phase 1 of the project, slated for a 43-acre undeveloped site, is receiving funding through several sources, including Mayor Todd Gloria’s Parks for All of Us initiative.

“Beyer Park will be the first new public park in San Ysidro in over 25 years and serves as an example of our commitment to providing every San Diegan with access to high-quality recreational spaces,” Gloria said. “It’s also an example of why partnerships matter, and I’m grateful to the California Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program and funds secured by [Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego], which together provided the millions of dollars in funding to make this vision a reality.”

San Ysidro residents have waited decades for a park in the location, with an unimproved 6.78-acre site designated for future park development in a 1974 community plan. Both the 1990 and 2016 San Ysidro Community plans reiterated calls to build Beyer Park along East Beyer Boulevard.

“My top priority is to ensure residents of District 8 have the amenities that provide for a high quality of life, like parks and libraries,” said Councilwoman Vivian Moreno, whose district includes San Ysidro. “For over 30 years, City Hall has promised to build Beyer Park for the residents of San Ysidro. Unfortunately, past city leaders failed to keep that promise. I am proud to have worked closely with community members, particularly San Ysidro youth, to finally build Beyer Park and deliver residents with the park space they deserve.”

When complete, the park will have a children’s playground area, ball fields, picnic areas, restrooms, a dog park, skate park, walking trails and public art, according to city documents.

Through San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture, artists Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón created an art piece for Beyer Park, titled “Air Sanctuary.” The artwork consists of a “singular ironwood tree that will grow within a sculptural enclosure that relates visually to the growth of the tree and that also creates a charismatic space to contemplate the living processes of a tree,” a city statement reads.

Visitors to the park will be able to watch the tree grow and change with the seasons.

Through Parks for All of Us, Beyer Park received $1 million from the Citywide Park Development Impact Fee in March 2024. The project also received an allocation of $2.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funding in fiscal year 2023, along with $8.5 million in funding from the state’s Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program.

For Phase 2 of the project, the federal government in 2022 gave a $5 million grant from a program that aims to create more green space and outdoor recreation options in underserved areas.

The total project cost is around $22.4 million.

“Construction for the new Beyer Park has been a long time in coming and is exciting to see come to fruition,” said Andy Field, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “We thank our numerous partners, including the San Ysidro community, youth, numerous nonprofit organizations, and federal and state levels of government, in helping fund and build this much- needed park.

“It’s important that all San Diegans have equitable access to park and recreation resources and this brings us one step closer to ensuring that more parks are available to more people across our city,” he added.

The Barona Band of Mission Indians will celebrate Native American heritage at their 52nd annual Barona Powwow from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 at the Barona Sports Complex. The three-day community cultural event starts at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 with gourd dancing followed by the grand entry of dancers at 8 p.m. The Powwow continues from 1 to 11 p.m.  Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

The powwow will feature dance and drum contests, music and singing along with Native American food including Indian fry bread tacos, arts and crafts and handcrafted jewelry. Hundreds of Native American participants of all ages from around the country are slated to show their dancing skills in a variety of competitions ranging from the Grass Dance to the Fancy Shawl Dance contests along with the Hand Drum contests. Contestants will compete for more than $75,000 in prize money.

Weekend highlights include a Fun Run starting at 7 a.m. Aug 31 and  Gourd Dancing from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and Grand Entry at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 along with a drum contest after the Saturday evening session.

The event is at 1095 Barona Road on the Barona Indian Reservation in Lakeside. Admission and parking are free.

Visit  https://www.facebook.com/BaronaPowwow/.

Originally Published: August 20, 2024 at 1:31 p.m.