Cost reduced due to a generous sponsor!

East County Magazine invites you to our Roaring '20s Jazz Age Party!

Sunday, November 17  6 p.m.

at Wine Works (8167 Center St., La Mesa, CA 91941)

Benefits East County Media, 501c3 nonprofit supporting East County Magazine local news reporting and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

• Celebrate the era of Great Gatsby, flappers, gangsters, silent film stars, ragtime. speakeasies and the Jazz Age
• Savor an elegant dinner and delicious desserts from Cupid’s Catering including charcuterie/appetizers(meats, fruits, cheeses), tri-tip, herbed chicken, portabello mushrooms (on request), ambrosia, salad, cheesecake, lemon marscapone cake
• Award-winning wines and sparkling wines available from San Pasqual Winery, the winemakers who led La Mesa to roll back its Prohibition-era ban on alcohol production
• Live jazz by the Joseph Luna duo (piano, sax, and vocal)
• Silent auction and raffle with amazing prizes
• Hear about local history during Prohibition from La Mesa Historical Society
• Dress in your best ‘20s attire or cocktail wear and party the night away
•  

Cost:  $50

Prepayment is REQUIRED for this special event.  To reserve space:

Reserve space now at early bird rates—seating is limited!

You’re invited to a Spanish paella feast and fundraiser on Sunday evening, October 20 catered by Paella Valenciana at a private Mt. Helix home to benefit East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts!

 RSVP by Oct. 5 for early bird rates for this fun and festive event, which also features live Spanish guitar music by the Malamaña duet, a raffle with prizes galore, Spanish tapas, and three varieites of paella, plus and a historical reenactment by Early California Speaks. 

Below are the delicious details:

By Lindsay Elias

September 27, 2024 (La Mesa) -- On Saturday, November 2, the La Mesa History Center will hold its 18th annual Home Tour: "Peaks of Preservation". The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The tour will showcase homes in Grossmont/ Mt Helix.

During the pre-sale, La Mesa History Center members can purchase tickets for $30, and non-members can buy them for $40. The deadline to purchase pre-sale tickets is October 30th. On the day of the event, tickets will be $35 for members and $45 for non-members.

East County News Service

September 8 ,2024 (La Mesa)-- From Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6, the quaint streets of La Mesa Village will transform into the largest German celebration in San Diego. This free event takes place Friday, October 4, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, October 6, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

This beloved Bavarian-style  festival has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands, drawing revelers for three days of vibrant live music, authentic German cuisine, and a plethora of German and Craft beers. This year, La Mesa Oktoberfest is set to exceed all expectations, capturing the spirit of Munich with unmatched enthusiasm and charm. From the traditional Bavarian decor and lively music to the delicious food and drinks, attendees can expect an unparalleled experience that honors the festival's rich heritage.

East County News Service

September 16, 2024 (La Mesa) – Many restaurants have set up outdoor dining sites since the pandemic. While some cities, such as San Diego, have since imposed barriers to outdoor dining that forced many to shut down, La Mesa aims to streamline the process for new outdoor dining sites to open, while retaining clear paths of travel to businesses. 

On Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the city will host an outreach session on outdoor dining at the La  Mesa Community Center in the Arbor Room, 4975  Memorial Drive, La Mesa.

“We want to hear from you!” A flyer states.  Objectives of the update are:

By Miriam Raftery

September 6, 2024 (La Mesa) – Caleb Carvalho, 14, was riding his bicycle to school yesterday morning when he was struck and seriously injured by a garbage truck at the intersection of University Avenue and La Mesa Blvd. 

A Go Fund Me site has been set up to help the teen, a freshman and football player at Helix Charter High School, with his medical bills as he faces long road to recovery.

His father, David Carvalho, told NBC 7 that Caleb’s pelvis was broken on both front and back. Currently hospitalized, Caleb will need rehabilitation and costly medical treatments. 

Caleb was in the bicycle lane but the trash truck driver didn’t see him, running over Caleb as the truck pulled into a driveway.

East County News Service

August 15, 2024 – The Element Dance Center in La Mesa announces its upcoming charity event, "A Night of Hope," gala benefiting Dancers Against Cancer. This extraordinary evening of compassion, talent, and philanthropy is set to take place on August 24 at Joan Kroc Theater, just east of La Mesa at 6611 University Ave., San Diego.

The Element Dance Center has consistently demonstrated a commitment to nurturing young dancers' dreams while fostering unity and giving back to the community. "A Night of Hope" is designed to raise awareness and funds for Dancers Against Cancer, a nonprofit organization providing essential support and assistance to dancers and their families affected by cancer.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Genevieve Suzuki,Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend.

August 9, 2024 (La Mesa)—La Mesa’s City Council will have two new members after the November election.  That’s because Councilman Jack Shu is retiring and Councilman Colin Parent, whose term  expires, is running for State Assembly.

Both Parent and Shu have endorsed two Democrats running for Council seats:  Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist and community volunteer, and Lauren Cazares, a policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The County Democratic Party and prominent Democratic officials have also endorsed Suzuki and Cazares.

The County Republican Party has not endorsed any candidate in this race. Two other candidates have pulled papers to run: fitness company CEO and  personal trainer Shawn Townsend, an independent, and Jose Fernandez, whose information is not yet available.

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Water for People, a global nonprofit, has presented its prestigious Kenneth J. Miller Founder’s Award for outstanding service to La Mesa resident Harold E. Bailey, Ph.D., P.E.  A registered civil engineer and former university instructor, Dr. Bailey has an impressive record of accomplishments for numerous local water-related organizations and agencies spanning more than four decades.

“As a past chair of the San Diego Water for People Committee who continues volunteering numerous hours serving on multiple event committees, and who has been a strong and consistent supporter of Water for People for over 15 years,” the organization’s award recommendation letter states, “Harold Bailey exemplifies outstanding service to Water for People’s mission of bringing clean water and sanitation to `everyone, forever’; he is well deserving of the Miller award.”

Update July 25,  2024:  La Mesa Police have identified the victim and clarified that the victim was stabbed, not shot.

By Miriam Raftery

July 13, 2024 (La Mesa) – Shortly after midnight, a man suffering stab wounds to his upper torso staggered across High Street in the 7500 block and fell down on a the driveway in front of an apartment building, a caller told police. Officers and fire department personnel immediately responded and rendered first aid, but the victim was declared dead at the scene.

“Based on initial information gathered by investigators, it does not appear the victim, a 25-year-old white male and resident of La Mesa, was shot while out on the street,” says Lieutenant Katy Lynch. “A light-colored sedan was seen driving westbound on High Street shortly before the victim was seen staggering across the street, but it is unknown if that vehicle is related to this incident.”

By Rachel Williams

July 11, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Here’s Why Your Voice Matters, La Mesa.

The La Mesa City Council voted unanimously on July 9 to let residents vote in November on whether to continue the ¾ cent sales tax extension used to fund public services.  Prop L, enacted in 2008, is set to expire in 2029.

According to a city press release sent by the city after the vote, the Prop L sales tax contributes approximately $12 million annually in local funding. Without Prop L funding, the City would need to make significant reductions to public safety services and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, parks, storm drains and other infrastructure, the release states.

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2024 (La  Mesa) – Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa presents Neil Simon’s classic comedy, The Odd Couple, July 5-28, with a twist. Instead of sloppy Oscar and neatnik Felix, the leads are female roommates​: Olive Madison and Florence Unger.

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2024 (La Mesa) – Today is the last day to savor margaritas and Mexican food at Por Favor in La Mesa, a favorite of village patrons for the past 50 years. The Marrujo family has sold its downtown La Mesa restaurant, but will continue to operate Por Favor in El Cajon.

The Alba Retaurant Group, established by Albert Morreales, has purchased the Por Favor site at 8302 La Mesa Blvd., according to SanDiegoVille.com.  The group owns several local restaurants including Farmer’s Table, Limoncello, and Smokey and the Brisket in La Mesa, as well as  Farmers Bottega in Mission Hills.

Alba reportedly plans to remodel the space for a new restaurant concept, though details have not been disclosed,NBC 7 reports.0

Will the new owners retain the Mediterranean Revival-style building’s historic features, such as its arched, stained-glass windows,interior balcony and  exterior concrete-and-stucco finish designed to resemble rusticated stone?

East County News Service

June 3, 2024 (La Mesa) – La Mesa salutes Old Glory at the annual Flag Day Parade this Saturday. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and travels west through the La Mesa Village, along La Mesa Blvd. Former City Councilwoman Ruth Sterling will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade.

"Ruth's tireless dedication, from spearheading the parade's committee to establishing the Flag Day Parade endowment, exemplifies the essence of our celebration," the city's press release states.

Free ice cream will be provided by the La Mesa Community Relations and Veterans Commission at the Lookout in Legacy Park at the corner of La Mesa Blvd, 4th St. and Allison Ave.

By Miriam Raftery

A report has been filed with La Mesa Police by a resident disturbed over anti-Semitic flyers found across her 73^rd Street neighborhood on Sunday morning.

“The police found them throughout at least West La Mesa, where I live, and have collected enough for evidence,” says Jane Peterson, who filed a report.  An officer advised her that “LMPD had already received calls and they were investigating it.” LMPD is interested in viewing any surveillance video community members might have to help identify those distributing the flyers and their vehicle (s),  she adds.  “I hope that La Mesa has a plan in place to stop this in its tracks immediately.”