Source: Helix Water District

Photo: Dignitaries rode boats to celebrate opening day of the San Diego Flume in 1889, which brought water from Lake Cuyamaca to meet the needs of East County residents.

 January 15, 2020 (La Mesa) -- At the next Helix Water Talks, on Saturday, January 25, Helix Water District will take customers through 130 years of local history including how the need for a robust water infrastructure played into development of East County and how Helix Water District was formed to meet that need.

The doors open at 8:30 a.m. at Helix’s administration office in La Mesa. The free event includes coffee and bagels, a presentation and an hour-long, 3-floor tour of the district’s collection of historical photos.

“The history of Helix Water District and our role in developing and providing water for East County over the last century is fascinating,” said Helix Water District General Manager Carlos Lugo. “Our customers really enjoy this event.”

Celebrate vegan lifestyle with all-vegan eats, drinks, music and more

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2020 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce has inked a deal with Grossmont Center to host a beer garden at all of the center’s First Friday markets starting February 7th through the end of this year. The beer garden will feature featuring Mike Hess Brewing Company and Local Roots kombucha.

The markets are held on the first Friday of each month from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.in the shopping mall’s parking lot between Chuze Fitness and Fuddruckers. The  market celebrates the vegan lifestyle with all-vegan foods, sweets, drinks, goods for sale and live music. Grossmont Center is located at 5500 Grossmont Center Blvd., La Mesa. 

The beer garden will have a seating area beneath lighted tents for dining and drinking under the stars. 

By Miriam Raftery

December 26, 2019 (La Mesa) – Frank Read, former owner of Read Pharmacy and pharmacist at Grossmont Hospital, passed away today at his home in La Mesa’s Windsor Hill neighborhood.  He was 108—older than the city of La Mesa.  Back in 2012, when the city celebrated its centennial, Read provided an exclusive interview to East County Magazine, reflecting back on his carefree childhood days of riding a bike to the bay, swimming at local watering holes and watching helium dirigibles. He shared many memories of early La Mesa, also recalling hardships in World War I, Prohibition and the Great Depression as well as his pharmacy career and travels later in life.

Below is our original article, reprinted in full:

You’re invited to feast and make merry at our annual VIP holiday party!  RSVP today to reserve space for this popular event.

When: Sunday, Dec. 15 from 3p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Our editor’s Mt. Helix home at 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa, CA 91941

Live music by Paul Nichols and Cindy Burnham at 4 pm; caroling sing-along after dinner

Holiday feast: We have a delicious menu including honey glazed ham, baked yams, cranberry-orange relish, red cabbage and greens slaw, macaroni and cheese, bacon-wrapped dates, veggies with spinach and crab dip, gourmet cheese platter, winter salad with pecans and pomegranates, Wassail bowl/spiced cider, wine from the award-winning Vineyard Grant James, molasses gingerbread, lemon squares, holiday cookies and more. If you wish, bring a dish to share.

Special thanks to Smart & Final for donating delicious foods for our holiday feast!

Raffle: prizes include Hooley's gift certificate, Smart and final gift certificate $100 activity gift certificates to Fort Cross Ole Timey adventures,  Oasis Camel Dairy special event passes, jewelry, holiday accessories, gift basket for wine lovers, locally roasted coffee, chocolates, and more. 

Cost:  $15 with RSVP in advance, $20 at the door

Prepay online at www.EastCountyMedia.org/donate

East County News Service

December 2, 2019 (La Mesa) -- Westmont La Mesa is inviting local residents to stop by visit the area's newest Senior Living community on Wednesday, December 4 from 4:30 to 6:30 at 9000 Murray Drive, La Mesa, 92020.

Jacob, Joshua and Noah Epperson of La Mesa completed three local community projects

East County News Service

Photo:  pictured with Senator Brian Jones are Jacob, Noah and Joshua Epperson during a ceremony in Senator Jones' El Cajon District office.

November 27, 2019 (El Cajon) - Senator Brian Jones (R-Santee) yesterday met with and presented official Senate Certificates of Recognition to three local brothers who all earned their National Eagle Scout awards on the same day last month.

East County News Service

November 17, 2019 (La Mesa) – Visionary Dance Theatre will present “Brother of Man” at the Visionary Performance Space (8677 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa) on December 6 and 7at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Spencer John Powell  and choreographed by the VDT male dancers, "Brotherhood of Man" is themed on the diversity of the male experience. The cast includes a broad spectrum of ages, races, and sexual orientations.  Each dancer presents a positive male role model going through the experiences and the struggles of life.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2019 (Mt. Helix) – This year’s 29th annual Christmas on Mt Helix on Saturday, December 7th is expanding to feature European Christmas markets with local artisans from 2-5 p.m., followed by a family caroling sing-along from 5-6 p.m. and a reading of the Nativity story from 6-7 p.m.

Update: The victim has been identified a Theresa Chenelle Clouthier, according to the Medical Examiner.

East County News Service

November 1, 2019 (La Mesa) – A motorcycle crashed on the Severin Drive onramp to I-8 westbound at 11:19 p.m. last night, ejecting three people and killing an El Cajon woman, 38.  She was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Join East County Magazine at our Haunted Mt. Helix Manor for our annual Halloween party!

Open to all subscribers (subscribe free at the top right side of our homepage):

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26  

4 p.m.- 8 p.m.

4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa, CA 91941

--Bring a devilishly delicious dish to share

--Costume contest and parade

--Prizes and surprises! (Prize donations welcome)

Thanks to our prize donors! City Tacos, La Loteria del Jamul, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Scare Trail at Marshal Scotty's, SoCal Axe Throwing, Pearson Brothers Winery, Reanimated Records, and more. Prizes include gift certificates to local restaurants and shops, wine lovers gifts, coffee lovers' basket, chocolate truffles, Spring Fling and Summer Bash Business Expo tickets, accessories, holiday party passes and more.

Cost $16 in advance, $20 at the door.  GET TICKETS: 

By Miriam Raftery

October 23, 2019 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Village Association invites the community for family-friendly Trick-or-Treating in downtown La Mesa on Halloween.  Participating businesses will be handing out treats from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 31st in La Mesa’s historic downtown village. Some will also offer discounts and promotions. Costumes are encouraged!

Source:  City of La Mesa

October 21, 2019 (La Mesa) – Similar to other jurisdictions in California and around the nation, the La Mesa City Council has directed the City Attorney to file a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California against numerous opioid manufacturers and distributors.