By Liz Alper

Photos by Liz Alper

June 22, 2016 (San Diego) - A sold-out crowd packed the Garden Room at Marie Callender's in the College Area for the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce's breakfast with La Mesa mayor Mark Arapostathis.

Emergency SOS!  KNSJ, which has the emergency broadcast network for East County, is off the air due to vandals. Help us get KNSJ back on the air -- and also support East County Magazine!

SATURDAY, JUNE 18:  4 to 7 p.m.

Don't miss our summer solstice celebration of artists, authors, musicians, and thinkers will support East County Magazine and KNSJ, nonprofit media in the public interest.

Performers include: Fabio Rojas playing Latin music, comedians Benji Garcia  Karl Weiss, classical Indian dance by Nilanjana, dancer Gargi Chttopadhyaya, Indian drummers Sai Payan and Dijan Ashtianti, novelist Scott Sigler, and hip-hop by Poalypse Gotadajuice.

Savor delicious foods and libations! Plus win fabulous prizes in our opportunity drawings and silent auction, includnig Julian carriage rides, harbor cruises, dinners, dance classes, designer hand-crafted jewelry(coral/turquoise/shells and hand-painted stone), wine lovers baskets, boutique gift certificates, original art "Neptune's Capture" by Denver Native American artist Michaela Beavers, museum-quality Central AmericanMata Ortiz pottery, music CDs, books, gallery framing, butterfly kite, restaurant and cafe gift certificates,  yoga lessons, bakery basket of goodies, old time photography shoot, antiques, Fiesta basket, yoga lessons,and more!

Open to East County Magazine subscribers (subscribe free at the top right side of our homepage), KNSJ members, and invited guests. 

RSVP today for early bird rates: ($19, or $17 each with purchase of two tickets, groups of 6 or more $13 each.)   At the door: $22.  Call 619-698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org to RSVP.

By Chisato Iversen

June 15, 2016 (La Mesa)-- Grace Kaminaka Tsuida, a student at Grossmont High School’s class of 1944, is a survivor of a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II.  As part of an AP class project at Grossmont High School , students documented the experiences of Grossmont students who were interned.  Their stories are documented in  Japanese American AP US American Reports  and can be seen in a special exhibit at the La Mesa Historical Society during June. 

Grace Kaminaka Tsuida  was born  Sept. 9,1926 in Lemon Grove. She made friends easily, like other children, until after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when the U.S. government sent her family and others to an internment camp.  After their release, they were given an apology from the government, though it failed to acknowledge the humiliation and confusion they experience.  Now, 67 years later, Grace’s niece, Judy Miyamoto, helped arrange for Grace to finally receive her Grossmont High School Diploma.

Now 90 years old, Grace granted an exclusive interview with East County Magazine.   Please read her compelling story.

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Grand Jury has issued a report critical of four cities in East County for failing to provide adequately for the needs of homeless people, including failing to apply for federal funds available for that purpose. The Grand Jury report, titled “East County Cities’ Lack of Response to Homelessness,” also made recommendations to improve the situation.

East County News Service

June 12, 2016 (La Mesa) - This month's La Mesa Conversations will be held this Thursday, June 16, at Bolt Brewery, 8179 Center Street in La Mesa from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

East County News Service

Photo Mt. Helix courtesy Allan Ferguson on Flickr

June 7, 2016 (Mt. Helix) – This summer, several fun events will be held atop Mt. Helix, including an astrononmy night, the annual heART of Mt. Helix festivities, and an Art in the Park children’s art camp.  Scroll down for details.

East County News Service

June 2, 2016 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its eighth annual Taste of La Mesa from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 6, at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa.

Participating restaurants as of press time include Anthony's Fish Grotto, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Bo-beau kitchen + garden, Brigantine Restaurant, Cali Comfort BBQ, Continental Catering, Cucina Basilico, Edible Arrangements, El Torito, Himalayan Cuisine, Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill, Luna Grill, Marie Callender's, O's American Kitchen, Pick Up Stix, Riviera Supper Club, Souplantation, Sycuan Casino, Tarantino Gourmet Sausages, Terra American Bistro, The Hills Local Pub, Tiramisu Trattoria, and Valley Farm Market.  Samuel Adams is the exclusive beer sponsor of the evening. Wine sponsors include Nonno’s Ristorante Italino, Riviera Supper Club, The Regal Bar and San Pasqual Winery.

East County News Service

June 2, 2016  (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa introduced a new website yesterday to capture the “essence of the City and its dedication to promoting quality of life in the Jewel of the Hills,” according to the city’s press release.

By Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2016 (La  Mesa) – Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera and other beloved characters from Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book will come to life to enchant and delight audiences in Visionary Youth Ballet’s presentation of “The Jungle Book Ballet.” This special program choreographed by Kiona Daelyn, Visionary’s Director of Dance Education, wil be held Friday and Saturday, June 3-4 at 7 p.m. at Visionary’s new studio (8693 La Mesa Blvd.) in La Mesa.

Review by Kathy Carpenter, Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

May 26, 2016 (La Mesa) - Do you believe in second chances? Neil Simon’s plays are semi- biographical; for Simon, perfect love happened twice. In Chapter Two, it happens for George Schneider, who loses his wife an early death and Jennie Malone who married the wrong man.

East County News Service

May 26,2016 (La Mesa)--The City of La Mesa shows its patriotic spirit with the 19^th annual La Mesa Flag Day Parade:  "A Salute to Old Glory!"  You can bring the entire family to this good old fashioned Red, White and Blue parade on Saturday, June 4th. The Grand Marshall this year is Cabrillo National Park in honor of the National Park Service's 100th anniversary.

East County News Service

May 23, 2016 (La  Mesa) –Climate change has impacts on everything from water to transportation issues.   La Mesa Conversations invites you to a discussion on The Future of Climate Change in La Mesa.  The discussion will be moderated by San Diego Union-Tribune environmental reporter Joshua Emerson Smith.

Panelists will include Amber Albrecht, senior communications manager for SDG&E, Kerry Davis, vice president of sales and marketing for Terra Steward/Foshay Solar Energy, and Kayla Race, director of operations and programs for Climate Action Plan.

East County News Service

May 18, 2016 (La Mesa) – Crime  Stoppers is offer a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of a couple caught on surveillance video at the Amaya Drive trolley station in la Mesa on March 28^th.  They are suspected of using a credit card stolen from an unlocked parked car in Encinitas the night before.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (La Mesa) – David Ben Gonzalez, 70, of La Mesa died during surgery following injuries sustained when he was hit by a car while crossing El Cajon Blvd. near Williams Avenue in La Mesa Tuesday night.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Applications are now being accepted for volunteer positions on the City’s boards and commissions. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2016, in the City Clerk’s office at La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue. Applications may be obtained at City Hall or from the City of La Mesa website, www.cityoflamesa.us.