By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2018 (La Mesa) – After 14 years as Superintendent of the La Mesa0Spring Valley School District, Brian Marshall will retire on December 31^st, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Marshall has a long career in East County and San diego.  After receiving his Masters of Arts degree in Educational Administration from San Diego State University and a teaching credential at the University of San Diego, he became vice principal of Lakeside Middle School in 1993 and in 1995 was named principal of Tierra del Sol Middle School in the Lakeside Union School District.

East County News Service

March 9, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library in La Mesa will host “Reiki: Healing with Energy,” a free program from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 28. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free and RSVP is not necessary. Light refreshments will be served. Handouts will be available. The library is located at 9001 Wakarusa St.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 7, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont-Helix rivalry may not be as strong in lacrosse as it is in other sports, but the hate was still there as the boys from both schools took the field tonight in the first conference matchup of the season.  The Highlanders are 2-1 overall and undefeated (1-0) in league, while the Foothillers remain undefeated at 1-0 in each category coming into tonight.  

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Councilmembers Colin Parent (left) and Bill Baber (right) release a Civic Center memo without the word “library” (credit: City of La Mesa)

March 6, 2018 (La Mesa) – In response to a city memo on the future of La Mesa’s civic center that omitted any mention of a long-promised new library, Friends of the Library members showed up at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, speaking volumes on the need for more library space.

By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2018 (La Mesa) – Nainsook Framing + Art invites you to “Glow,” a spring artists’ reception  on Saturday, March 3 from 6-8 p.m.  The event features works by local artists Beverly Berwick, Mary Sue Compton, Gary Dyak, Tina Fries-Miller, Sue Z. Gold, Susan Hewitt, Roberta Labastida, Harriet Lisak, Carol Mansfield, Ann Slater, Paul White and Jami Wright.

Wine and cheese will be served at the reception, which is open to the public.  The art show will run from March 3 through April 30. 

Why is library omitted from the plan?

By Dr. Anthony McIvor

February 27, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Tonight the City Council agenda includes a returning item: engagement of an urban planning firm to update feasibility tests for the Civic Center site. Included are the introduction of market-rate housing, as well as office and/or governmental use, park and parking uses in combination with another civic building.

And once again we see a baffling omission.  Surrounding cities – from Alpine to IB – are proudly opening – and winning awards with – new town libraries. Just yesterday, San Diego Mayor Faulconer lauded libraries as “…hubs for inspiration, discovery and opportunity.” But in La Mesa, the long-delayed new library continues to get the crickets treatment at City Hall.

Why?

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

January 8, 2018 (La Mesa) -  In 2018, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is celebrating their 10th anniversary and this year’s “Salute to Local Heroes” is a special evening that begins this year-long celebration. La Mesa is known as the “Jewel of the Hills” and this evening will be the first “jewel” of this celebratory year that is themed, “One Jewel of a Night.” This evening will honor local heroes, install the Board of Directors and includes a silent auction, raffles and a delicious dinner. This special evening will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Town & Country Resort Hotel (Town & Country Ballroom), 500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley. 

Source:  City of La Mesa

Photo via Tree City USA

February 22, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Arbor Day Foundation, in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management, has named La Mesa a 2017 Tree City USA for the 38th consecutive year.

La Mesa achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

By Miriam Raftery

February 20, 2018 (La Mesa) –  Firefighters from Heartland Fire and Rescue, aided by San Diego Fire Department, saved an elderly and disabled man from a burning apartment building Tuesday night in La Mesa.

Crews responded to the blaze in the 7300 block of La Mesita Place around 6:45 p.m. after receiving reports of black smoke coming from underneath an apartment door, with an elderly couple inside. The fire was in the living room of their downstairs unit.

February 17, 2018 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to our Mardi Gras dinner party benefit for East County Magazine!

Join us Wednesday, February 28 at 6 p.m. at the award-winning San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room (8364 La Mesa Blvd.) in La Mesa for a catered New Orleans Cajun/Creole dinner and festivities -- all for just $28 (leap year pricing on leap day!).  

$28 price includes tax, tip, Mardi Gras mask, beads, New Orelans dinner and a glass of wine

RSVP required by Feb. 21 as we must guarantee a number and prepay the caterer.

There will also be opportunity drawings, a silent auction, games and prizes galore! Scroll down or click “read more” for the delicious details.

City to appoint independent investigator for use-of-force case by La Mesa Police officer on student at Helix Charter High

By Jonathan Goetz

February 11, 2018 (La Mesa) - La Mesa's City Council members heard from local residents in a lively townhall last week that filled Northmont Elementary School's auditorium. The townhall forum, unlike Council meetings, allows discussion back and forth among residents and Council members after residents speak out with concerns or praise.

East County News Service

February 8, 2018 (Mt. Helix) -- Art in the Park camp is being offered for the sixth season by Art Smarts, Inc. at Mt. Helix Park starting Monday, March 26 and running through Friday, March 30 from 9 a.m. until noon each day. You’re invited to treat your kids to a creative outdoor experience at the historic Mt. Helix Park and Amphitheater.

By Paul Kruze

February 1, 2018 (Casa de Oro) – The San Diego County Board of voted in principal to approve a blueprint laid out for the eventual revitalizing of the Campo Road area of Casa de Oro at last Thursday’s meeting.

But don’t expect changes to occur overnight.

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (East County) – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the 12 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the restaurants at 9418 Mission Gorge Road in Santee and 8200 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, will host a “Daddy-Daughter Date Night” for fathers and daughters from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa invites residents to attend two upcoming town hall meetings, where elected officials and city staff will be on hand to answer residents’ questions and hear concerns.  The forums will be held Tuesday, January 30 at the La Mesa Arts Academy (4200 Parks Ave.) and Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Northmont Elementary School (9045 Gregory Street), both from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis and City Council members Kristine Alessio, Bill Baber, Guy McWhirter and Colin Parent are expected to participate, as well as Police Chief Walt Vasquez, Heartland Fire & Rescue Chief Colin Stowell, City Manager Yvonne Garrett, City Attorney Gleen Sabine, and staffers from La Mesa’s departments of public works, finance, and community development.