Recognition highlights the often unspoken, but significant need for compassionate healing and support for those suffering from reproductive grief

East County News Service

November 24, 2024 (La Mesa) -- In recently presenting its more than two dozen "Celebrating Women 2024" awards, San Diego Magazine recognized one individual as "Pioneer of the Year" for her groundbreaking work to support those suffering from the very personal and far-too-often unacknowledged grief that follows reproductive loss. 

Dr. Michaelene Fredenburg, Founder and CEO of Institute of Reproductive Grief Care and long-time La Mesa resident, was honored November 6, following a panel of the magazine's judges reviewing hundreds of Pioneer and Rising Star nominations received in 15 different categories.

View a 3-D video tour by Wow Media

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Wow Media and Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) -- The home that I grew up in is filled with warm memories—and now, a fully remodeled interior and exterior with open floorplan and a wealth of amenities -- ready for new homeowners to create memories of their own.

My brother and I inherited our childhood home at 5810 Marengo Avenue in La Mesa’s Lake Murray neighborhood. Our parents were the original owners when the house was built back in 1956; Eisenhower was president, sock hops were all the rage and Elvis Presley had just released his first gold album.

Since we each have homes of our own, my brother and I decided to sell the house we grew up in and fully remodel it, creating an open floorplan and modern conveniences while retaining elements of vintage charm that respect the home’s mid-century heritage.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (La Mesa) – Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council, and the race is too close to call.  With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters counted in early returns, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki lead with 32.03% and 31.27% respectively, followed closely by former Councilmember Kristine Alessio at 29.47%.  Fitness trainer Shawn Townsend trails with 7.23%. 

Cost reduced due to a generous sponsor!

East County Magazine invites you to our Roaring '20s Jazz Age Party!

Sunday, November 17  6 p.m.

at Wine Works (8167 Center St., La Mesa, CA 91941)

Benefits East County Media, 501c3 nonprofit supporting East County Magazine local news reporting and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

• Celebrate the era of Great Gatsby, flappers, gangsters, silent film stars, ragtime. speakeasies and the Jazz Age
• Savor an elegant dinner and delicious desserts from Cupid’s Catering including charcuterie/appetizers(meats, fruits, cheeses), tri-tip, herbed chicken, portabello mushrooms (on request), ambrosia, salad, cheesecake, lemon marscapone cake
• Award-winning wines and sparkling wines available from San Pasqual Winery, the winemakers who led La Mesa to roll back its Prohibition-era ban on alcohol production
• Live jazz by the Joseph Luna duo (piano, sax, and vocal)
• Silent auction and raffle with amazing prizes
• Hear about local history during Prohibition from La Mesa Historical Society
• Dress in your best ‘20s attire or cocktail wear and party the night away
•  

Cost:  $50

Prepayment is REQUIRED for this special event.  To reserve space:

View forum:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7V44cS5UCY

A version of this forum, edited slightly for length,also aired on the East County Radio Show on KNSJ.  Hear audio.

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2024 (La Mesa) – All four candidates vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council spoke out on their goals and priorities if elected during an Oct. 3 forum on Zoom moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery. They addressed issues including housing and homelessness, restoring remote public comments, policing and public safety, district elections and campaign finance reform, and infrastructure to protect against extreme storms such as January’s floods.

Candidates opened with introductions, experience and top goals if elected.

Reserve space now at early bird rates—seating is limited!

You’re invited to a Spanish paella feast and fundraiser on Sunday evening, October 20 catered by Paella Valenciana at a private Mt. Helix home to benefit East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts!

 RSVP by Oct. 5 for early bird rates for this fun and festive event, which also features live Spanish guitar music by the Malamaña duet, a raffle with prizes galore, Spanish tapas, and three varieites of paella, plus and a historical reenactment by Early California Speaks. 

Below are the delicious details:

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2024 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police are seeking tips to identify the killer of a homeless woman, 52, last night. Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at 10:33 p.m. reporting an  unconscious woman with a serious head injury inside a solo encampment in the 8000 block of High Street in La Mesa. 

“Responding officers found the female and sought to render first aid, but unfortunately the victim was deceased,” says Sergeant Jose Gaytan.  A white male adult with a beard was seen leaving the area a few hours prior to the initial call and is a person of interest, but there is no further description.

“Initial information gathered by investigators revealed the victim, a 62-year-old white female known to be homeless in the La Mesa area, was inside her encampment when the attack occurred. Evidence at the scene indicates that the attack likely occurred within hours of the victim being discovered," Sgt. Gaytan says.

East County News Service

September 16, 2024 (La Mesa) – Many restaurants have set up outdoor dining sites since the pandemic. While some cities, such as San Diego, have since imposed barriers to outdoor dining that forced many to shut down, La Mesa aims to streamline the process for new outdoor dining sites to open, while retaining clear paths of travel to businesses. 

On Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the city will host an outreach session on outdoor dining at the La  Mesa Community Center in the Arbor Room, 4975  Memorial Drive, La Mesa.

“We want to hear from you!” A flyer states.  Objectives of the update are:

By Miriam Raftery

September 6, 2024 (La Mesa) – Caleb Carvalho, 14, was riding his bicycle to school yesterday morning when he was struck and seriously injured by a garbage truck at the intersection of University Avenue and La Mesa Blvd. 

A Go Fund Me site has been set up to help the teen, a freshman and football player at Helix Charter High School, with his medical bills as he faces long road to recovery.

His father, David Carvalho, told NBC 7 that Caleb’s pelvis was broken on both front and back. Currently hospitalized, Caleb will need rehabilitation and costly medical treatments. 

Caleb was in the bicycle lane but the trash truck driver didn’t see him, running over Caleb as the truck pulled into a driveway.

East County News Service

August 15, 2024 – The Element Dance Center in La Mesa announces its upcoming charity event, "A Night of Hope," gala benefiting Dancers Against Cancer. This extraordinary evening of compassion, talent, and philanthropy is set to take place on August 24 at Joan Kroc Theater, just east of La Mesa at 6611 University Ave., San Diego.

The Element Dance Center has consistently demonstrated a commitment to nurturing young dancers' dreams while fostering unity and giving back to the community. "A Night of Hope" is designed to raise awareness and funds for Dancers Against Cancer, a nonprofit organization providing essential support and assistance to dancers and their families affected by cancer.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Genevieve Suzuki,Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend.

August 9, 2024 (La Mesa)—La Mesa’s City Council will have two new members after the November election.  That’s because Councilman Jack Shu is retiring and Councilman Colin Parent, whose term  expires, is running for State Assembly.

Both Parent and Shu have endorsed two Democrats running for Council seats:  Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist and community volunteer, and Lauren Cazares, a policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The County Democratic Party and prominent Democratic officials have also endorsed Suzuki and Cazares.

The County Republican Party has not endorsed any candidate in this race. Two other candidates have pulled papers to run: fitness company CEO and  personal trainer Shawn Townsend, an independent, and Jose Fernandez, whose information is not yet available.