East County Magazine

April 27, 2015 (La Mesa) – Back in December 2013, the city of La Mesa installed roundabouts to slow down speeders at two locations on Harbison Avenue, at the Watson Way and Annapolis Avenue junctions.

By Bonnie Baranoff

April 27, 2015 (La Mesa) -- It’s a beautiful, sunny day in Southern California as patrons enjoy lunch and dinner at Himalayan Cuisine, and shopping at the Himalayan Bazaar in La Mesa. But on the other side of the world in Nepal and in parts of India and China, the scene is much different: it’s raining, it’s dark, and it’s destroyed.

Mr. Khem Kharel, owner of Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa and a native of Nepal, says that his immediate family in Kathmandu--his 84 year old mother, his brother, brother’s wife and other family members--are thankfully “fine, just scared” and hungry. He has been in touch with his family, briefly, by phone, two times since the epicenter of the massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the remote village of Barpak, in the northern-central Gorkha District, about 50 miles northwest from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu on April 25. The latest numbers report more than 4,400 deaths.

East County News Service

Photo: George Hodan, PublicDomainPictures.net

April 27, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Do you have a budding artist or a child that loves to learn Chess?  What about your sports enthusiast or do they love to work with wood and tools?  La Mesa Community Services is offering twenty-one (21) “Summer to Remember!” camps that will put a smile on any child’s face ages four years and up:  Archery, Art Smarts, Baseball, Basketball, Chess, Code to the Future, Dance, Day Camp, Engineering, Fencing, Flag Football, Golf, Gymnastic, Jump Rope, Kids in the Kitchen Cooking, Mad Science, Martial Arts, Multi-Sport, Tennis,  Woodworking, and Yoga Rascals.

Get Ready to Kick-off Summer with a fitness Boot Camp for all levels and instruction provided by Fit-X San Diego. Whether you are a seasoned athlete, just beginning a fitness routine, or merely thinking about increasing your physical activity this workshop is a “no risk” opportunity to learn what the Boot Camp craze is all about. Instructors will identify exercises for all fitness levels. Wear appropriate workout clothing, sports shoes, and bring a towel.  Not sure but curious? Join in the observer section – but dress appropriately and bring a towel anyway – you might catch Boot Camp fever!

April 17, 2015 (La Mesa) –On the Edge Art Gallery invites the public to Metamorphosis: a time of renewal and regeneration.  This local artists’ gathering and art sale will be held on May 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 14, 2015 (La Mesa) – A retirement, traffic circle safety on Harbinson after a crash, and permitting  projects after construction (from a chicken coop to a cave) were topics before the La Mesa City Council tonight.

The unmistakable star at the La Mesa City Council meeting today was Max, who is retiring at the ripe age of 7. That’s because Max is a chocolate lab and Police narcotic dog. Together with his handler, Officer Derek Cox, they have recovered over 2,700 grams of narcotics and made more than 156 felony narcotics arrests. To show he was on the job one last time, Max pawed up to inspect the Councilmembers’ desks as Cox made the rounds shaking hands. As handlers and dogs form such a strong bonds, Max is being allowed to stay with the family he loves.

East County News Service

April 11, 2015 (La Mesa)--You wouldn’t think of going on vacation, taking a new job or even retiring without some advance planning. But most people don’t plan ahead for what could be life’s most important decision.

By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –April is Women’s History Month.   It’s an appropriate time to share a story about a remarkable woman from East County’s past. Helen Gerrells Stoddard, a former resident of La Mesa , Lemon Grove and Ramona, was a prominent leader in the fight to win women the right to vote,  as well as a leader efforts that led to La Mesa becoming a city. She even earned a place in history at the national political level.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 7, 2015 (La Mesa) -- It was a perfect spring day in La Mesa for the outdoor swearing in of the new Police Chief, Walt Vasquez (photo, left), joined by his family (photo, below right).  The charisma and popularity he brings with him was clear to see in the size and responsiveness of the crowd.

Vasquez began his career in law enforcement in 1986 with the San Diego Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to captain, most recently overseeing SDPD's SWAT team, Canine Unit, communications,  property room, information services, and the chief's community advisory boards. 

Not surprisingly given this background, his speech today expressed the values he places on public service, teamwork, and community policing.

Below and in video, we give you Chief Vasquez's speech in full.

East County News Service

April 2, 2015 (La Mesa)—Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. has announced plans to open a store in La Mesa on Grossmont Boulevard, off Jackson Drive, in the same center as Toys R Us and the new Ross for Less store.  The national chain of craft and home décor stores based in Oklahoma operates over 650 stores and is listed by Forbes and Fortune magazine among the nation’s largest retail companies.

April 3, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Looking for Easter Services or Passover Seders in La Mesa? Look no further, we have the information you need.

April 1, 2015 (La Mesa)—All the Perks Espresso Café has announced a 15-day fundraiser to benefit young, disadvantaged families of U.S. soldiers. From April 1 through April 15, the coffee shop at 8046 La Mesa Blvd. (in the La Mesa Springs Shopping Center) will donate 10% of sales to Support the Enlisted Project (STEP). The shop will also be a collection point where customers can drop off donated diapers, wipes, clothing, toys, household items, infant car seats, strollers, cribs, high chairs, items for new families, retail and grocery gift cards.

A little April Fool’s Day fun.

By Skye High

April 1, 2015 (La Mesa) –After planners twice rejected proposals for an 18-story and 10-story high rise mixed use development at Spring Street and Baltimore Drive in La Mesa, the developers of Park Station have submitted alternative plans  aimed at doing more with less. The new plan will include a vertical cannabis farm, cubicle style hotel, community garden, lounge and rotating restaurant powered by renewable energy.

East County Magazine invites you to join us for a night of wine tasting, wonderful food, spirited merrymaking, plus a sneak preview of our special La Mesa community news section! 

Join the festivities on Tuesday, March 31^st from 5:30 to 7:30 at the San Pasqual Winery & Gallery Tasting Room, 8364 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. Limited space - reserve now to enjoy:

• Delicious foods from Tiramisu Trattoria, Bo Beau's and Grove Pastry Shop
• Unveiling of Mesa Community special section on www.EastCountyMagazine.org!
• Live music by “one man band” Paul Nichols
• Tell us what you’d like to see covered in La Mesa
• Learn about opportunities to “be the media”
• Hear about opportunities for your business or organization
• Plenty of prizes and surprises!
  

April 11 in La Mesa

March 27, 2015 (La Mesa) - Noted author, five-time Emmy nominee and co-executive producer and head writer of the award-winning science fiction series, Quantum Leap, Deborah Pratt, will lead an array of local literary talent at an event titled Romancing San Diego 2.0. With her latest book, The Tempting: Seducing the Nephilim, this promises to be an entertaining and informative session. This accomplished actress will be the featured celebrity guest at the Grossmont Center in La Mesa., which will feature an author panel and book signing.