East County News Service

Hear our radio interview on KNSJ with the co-founders of Visionary Dance Theatre: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

September 7, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Spencer Powell and Mickey Mounarath, artistic director and business director of Visionary Dance Studio in east San Diego, have a shared vision to enrich the community and give opportunities in the performing arts to disadvantaged young people. Their mission includes fostering “diversity that has no limits in its creative process,” according to the nonprofit’s website at www.visionarydancetheatre.org.

Powell knows first-hand the importance of mentoring for a young person with talent.  “My mother was a single Mom on welfare,” he told East County Magazine.  Fortunately, this gifted performer and teacher had a generous mentor who helped pay for his training in dance—so he went on to an illustrious career in dance and choreography that including serving as artistic director of Ogden Contemporary Dance Theatre. Now retired from the professional dance circuit, he’s giving back, helping find mentors to support aspiring young people with talent in both dance and musical theatre.

September 4, 2015 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Rotary Club invites you to a Comedy  Hypnosis show with Marsha Starr –where the audience members are the stars—on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in the La Mesa Community Center.  She’s performed on Broadway, in Vegas, and at the Comedy Store.

Saturday, October 17, 2015   8:00 am – 12:00 noon 

September 3, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Are you part of a group looking for a community project? If so, you can help make La Mesa beautiful. We have special projects in several of La Mesa’s 14 parks that may be the perfect fit for your organization’s community service endeavors.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

August 29, 2015 (La Mesa) – The Albertson’s grocery store on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa was evacuated around 2 a.m. on August 26^th due to a fire the erupted in trees between the store and State Route 125.

August 26, 2015 (La Mesa)--Hart Optical Co., 8685 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, is noting August as “Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month” with back-to-school tips about children’s vision. “Approximately one in four school age children have some type of vision problem which can affect their success in school,” said Michael Emerson, a Registered Ophthalmic Dispenser who has owned and operated Hart Optical Co. since 1987.

August 25, 2015 (La Mesa)—On Thursday, August 27th at 8 a.m., officers from the La Mesa Police Department and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. All community members are invited to attend. The event  is at Starbucks, 5020 Baltimore Drive La Mesa. Please contact Sergeant Brian Stoney with any questions at (619) 667-7555 bstoney@ci.la-mesa.ca.us

Free Dive-In Movie at the La Mesa Municipal Pool

August 19, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Dive in and enjoy the movie Rio (rated PG) at the La Mesa Municipal Pool on August 21, presented by the City of La Mesa and the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation. The movie is free to the public and will be shown on a large screen. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and movie screening at 8:00 p.m..



Bring your swimsuits and something to float on to watch the movie from the pool, or a lawn chair to sit on the pool deck if you prefer to stay dry.

East County News Service

August 19, 2015 (La Mesa)—An 88-year-old man was struck and killed after his pickup truck broke down in La Mesa Monday afternoon.  The victim, Reynaldo Nava of Coronado, had pulled his disabled vehicle onto a section of land between I-8 and State Route 125.

Will travel to London to deliver the official Match Ball on the field for the USA v South Africa match

August 19, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Haley Harris, a 15-year-old sports enthusiast from San Diego, will be given the unforgettable experience of delivering the official Match Ball onto the field at Rugby World Cup 2015 in London, courtesy of DHL. Selected as the winner of the U.S. DHL Youth Leadership Scrum Contest, Haley will become a part of Rugby history by representing the U.S. on the world stage of Rugby World Cup 2015.  

By Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2015 (La Mesa)—Our staff has been hard at work ferreting information out on proposed initiatives seeking to weasel their way onto the 2016 ballot.  Here’s a scoop: La Mesa resident Pat Wright has proposed a ballot measure that would ask California voters to legalize owning ferrets as pets.

Submitted by the La Mesa Police Department

The La Mesa Police Department has been awarded a $34,363 grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to battle alcohol-related crime. This is important to the City of La Mesa in order to increase protection for youth and to keep our community safe.

Singer/Songwriter Brent Payne to perform October 17th

August 14, 2015 (La Mesa) --  The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce, “FallFest” as the name of their new event being heldOctober 16th and October 17th at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive in Grossmont Center.

The Chamber partnership on this new event with the well-respected Cushman family and the management team of Grossmont Center incorporates a strong marketing collaboration that will spotlight Grossmont Center as a destination for unique entertainment activities. This new entertainment experience will be produced in the Macy’s parking lot next door to Hooleys Irish Pub.

Submitted by La Mesa Sunrise Rotary

August 14, 2015 (La Mesa) --Ivan Alba, Elena Lujan-Alba, Isabel Alba and Lily Alba are four Allied Gardens residents who are going on an amazing journey at the end of August.  Read on and learn about their upcoming travels around the world.  All four of them are members of the La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club.

Photos courtesy of Sandra Small/ Photographer, Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

August 11, 2015 (La Mesa) --A group of very happy and thirsty La Mesa Chamber members gathered to visit this new wine bar and be a part of the ribbon cutting to welcome Proprietor's Reserve  to La Mesa on Thursday, August 6th.  Owners, Barbara and Michael Rammelsberg were on hand and greeted members, with their warm smiles and bubbly personalities.  Barbara was there early, setting up the area to be sure that the cheeses and other delicious food items were ready as guests arrived.  

After the  ribbon cutting, guests were escorted into the restaurant and were treated to hot chicken wings and their special meatballs and other delectable items.  This is truly a family run business, as the crowd was introduced to their sons who were also on hand to meet attendees and were also reminded that their grandson works in the bar, the Turquoise Room as a bartender.  Michael spoke to the group and shared his vision, experience and goals for this new addition to the La Mesa business community. 

August 11, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Applications are being accepted for several openings on the City’s Youth Advisory Commission. Applicants must live within the city limits of La Mesa and be at least 13 years old, but not more than 20 years old, at the time of appointment.

Participating on the Commission is a great way for young people in middle and high school to work with their peers to explore and develop activities that promote positive youth relations in the City and gain volunteer experience that can be applied towards community service hours.