By Sharp Health News Team

Reprinted with permission from Sharp Health News

March 23, 2018 (San Diego) - Helping a loved one “age in place,” or remain in their home for as long as they are able while maintaining dignity and quality of life, is ideal. However, knowing where to start and who might be able to help can be overwhelming.

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Guests got into the festive spirit at our East County Dining Club's recent Mardi Gras party, held at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Rooom in the heart of La Mesa's downtown village.

If you missed the fun, there's still time to RSVP for our next dining club event at Giardino's Italian Cucino in Lemon Grove on Thursday, March 29. Find the delicious details here - and RSVP by March 25 to reserve space! 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

March 21, 2018 (La Mesa) – The owner of a Mt. Helix home on Fuerte Drive in La Mesa was burglarized Wednesday afternoon by a thief who entered through a doggie door.

David Ward told ECM news partner 10 News that his dog recently passed away, but before he had a chance to block off access, a thief crawled through and bypassed the home’s security alarm.

An open letter to La Mesa Planning Commission Chair James D. Newland

By Dr. Anthony D. McIvor

March 18, 2018 (La Mesa) -- As 60-year residents of La Mesa, our family objects to The Phair Company’s La Mesa Summit housing proposal. Luxury houses (at $1million+) usually offer green energy and amenities, but the sum of them, for just a handful of buyers, cannot begin to offset the loss to the larger community, if the plan were approved as is.  

East County News Service

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

March 15, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Marque Urgent Care Center on Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa was evacuated and shut down yesterday, after an out of control SUV knocked out two pillars at the facility.

The burgundy-colored Honda Pilot also knocked over signs and hit a tree before being halted by a railing outside a nearby barbecue restaurant.

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.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type in “Sports” as your donation!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

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.