November 23, 2015 (La Mesa)--A person at Helix Charter School was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and may have exposed others, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reported.

By John Greenwall

November 23, 2015 (La Mesa) - La Mesa Conversations and the Friends of the La Mesa Library presented a joint program earlier this week titled: The Town Library: A Valuable Community Partner?  Members of the audience listened to various leaders from around the San Diego metro region about the evolving role of libraries and how they maintain relevance in contemporary civic life.  After the panelists presented their views, there was a very robust, but civil moderated discussion with more than 35 attendees, including La Mesa City Councilmembers Guy McWhirter and Kristine Alessio.

By Miriam Raftery

November 16, 2015 (La Mesa) – La  Mesa artist Grace Schlesier has been awarded the American Women Artists Gold Medal for her oil painting titled “Desert Magic.”

“It was chosen by the curator of the Scottsdale Museum Of The West,” Schlesier said. The show is currently at the Bonner David Gallery in Scottsdale until the end of November and available for purchase.

Schlesier is a signature member of the American Impressionist Society and American Women Artists, noted for her mastery at capturing the beauty and moods of nature, painting on location or En Plein Air. Her landscapes and seascapes reflect light and softness, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility--welcome qualities in today's fast-paced and stressful world.

November 12, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Experience the Connect La Mesa 2015 Block Party! Get connected with friends, family, destinations, and all things La Mesa when you join the rest of your community this Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the La Mesa Farmer’s Market Parking Lot behind City Hall. This is a fun packed event focusing on healthy activity, our urban environment, energy efficiency, and connecting you with essential destinations, services, and opportunities to Live Well in La Mesa.

By Janis Russell

November 11, 2015 (La Mesa)- On November 6^th, the Caregiver Coalition of San Diego with the city of La Mesa had an event for caregivers of military veterans called “Finding the Balance in Caregiving- Caring for Veterans.” The event took place at the La Mesa Community Center with resource booths, free lunch provided by AARP, and a drawing. Respite care was available, provided by Heritage Senior Care.

East County Magazine was there- and below are details on many important programs and services to help our local veterans.

November 11, 2015 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police have released surveillance photographs of the suspect who robbed the AM/PM Gas Station in La Mesa this past weekend. The suspect was armed with a rifle when he entered the store at approximately 1:25 AM on 11/07/15.

East County News Service

November 7, 2015 (La Mesa) – A man armed with a rifle similar to an assault weapon entered the AM/PM gas station at 3775 Massachusetts Avenue in La Mesa at 1:25 a.m. and demanded cash.  After the clerk turned over money, the suspect left on foot and was last seen running eastbound on Waite Drive, according to La Mesa Police.

Officers from La Mesa Police Department searched the surrounding areas with assistance from the San Diego Police Department helicopter ABLE and a San Diego Sheriff’s Department canine team, but were unable to locate the suspect.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male adult in his 20s, approximately 5’9” tall, with a thin build. He was wearing a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and a baseball cap. The suspect also wore dark sunglasses and had the hood of his sweatshirt up over his head.

November 4, 2015 (La Mesa) – Connect La Mesa invites you to bring you family and friends to a fun and interactive Block Party on Saturday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market parking lot on Allison Avenue.

Join East County Magazine at our Halloween Eve Masquerade Party at our editor's "haunting" home on Mt. Helix!

Friday, October 30th, 6-10 p.m.

Savor a "spook-tacular" feast, hear local spine-tingling ghost stories, watch classic '50s suspense films, listen to live original and variety music with Paul Nichols, and win wonderful prizes!  Free, fabulous masquerade masks for the first 50 RSVPs. 

Suggested donation: Just $10 and bring a dish to share. Happy Halloween Eve!

This event is open exclusively to East County Magazine subscribers. Our subscriptions to our weekly e-newsletter are FREE. Sign up here: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts  and then reserve your space!  Reserve space now!  Call 619-698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org to RSVP and get the address.

East County News Service

October 22, 2015 (La Mesa)—The bodies found in a home in the 6900 block of Wyoming Avenue in La Mesa on October 14 have been identified as Rose M. Welch, 73, and her husband, William R. Welch. 

“Based on our investigation we believe that Mrs. Welch was murdered by Mr. Welch,” Lt. Brian Stoney states. “Based on the autopsy. it appears that Mrs. Welch sustained multiple blunt force trauma injuries to her head and was asphyxiated. Several days later Mr. Welch committed suicide by apparently overdosing on prescription medications.”

East County News Service

October 20, 2015 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis will be the special guest speaker at a no-host social mixer to speak on La Mesa’s Oktoberfest.  He will also be available to chat with guests afterword on topics of interest.

The event, hosted by La Mesa Conservations, will be held Thursday, October 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Johnny B’s Burgers, Brew & Spirits, 8393 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa.

By Miriam Raftery

October 19, 2015 (La Mesa) – Award-winning country music star Brent Payne charmed the audience with a sizzling hot performance at the first La Mesa Fall Fest Saturday night in the parking lot at Grossmont Center, hosted by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce.  It wasn’t hard to see why this self-proclaimed “country cowboy and southern gentleman” has rocketed to the top of the charts internationally and won fans in performances from Vegas to NASCAR to the National Rodeo Finals.

East County News Service

October 18, 2015 (La Mesa) – The San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room at 8364 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa announces a series of music nights in November featuring talented artists performing Spanish and classical guitar, blues, folk, bluegrass, country, classic rock, jazz with a Latin twist and more.  Admission is free; wine, cheese, crackers and dessert are available for purchase in this intimate back-room setting.  Scroll down for details on each concert, and for more information, visit www.sanpasqualwinery.com

Photo, left to right:  Heartland & Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic Neil Carter, Captain Tom Brown, and Firefighter/Paramedic Sean Finley. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 16, 2015 (La Mesa) – A woman who recently moved into a rental home at 7000 Colony Drive in La Mesa with her children got a big surprise on Saturday. Walking out of the family’s bedroom, she found a huge snake in the kitchen.

The startled mother called 9-1-1 and barricaded herself in the bedroom with her children while waiting for help to arrive. Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa, along with La Mesa Police and the El Cajon Animal Control soon came to the rescue.

City of La Mesa Food Drive October 17

October 13, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa Human Relations Advisory Commission is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank. The food drive will be held on Saturday, October 17, from 8:00 am to noon in the municipal parking lot (Farmers Market site) at 8130 Allison Avenue, along Date Avenue. The drive-thru drop off will be fast and convenient – no need to get out of the car.