Hear audio excerpts from Morones' presentation from our East County Magazine radio show originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM:  http://www.kiwi6.com/uploads/new

By Miriam Raftery

August 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--Parishioners and guests at the United Church of Christ in La Mesa lined up to purchase T-shirts proclaiming “Love has no borders,” after hearing an impassioned presentation on the plight of border children August 17th.

Wearing a “Save the Children” tie, pediatrician Dr. Richard Short introduced guest speaker Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels (www.borderangels.com) .  The church congregation has committed to support Border Angels’ efforts to aid immigrant children and families fleeing violence and poverty in Central America.  Over 60,000 have flocked to America seeking asylum here, including families and children placed in detention centers here in San Diego County.

“Everybody looks to the president or the mayor. But what can we do?” Morones asked.  He emphasized that the Central American refugees are fleeing to numerous nations, not only the United States.

By Miriam Raftery

August  22, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Surveillance video of two Metropolitan Transit Service (MTS) security officers brutally beating a passenger in La Mesa has prompted suspension of the officers and a police investigation, as ECM reported.  But now an ECM investigation reveals that it may be only the tip of an iceberg.

A Facebook page titled “Stop MTS Harassment and Brutality!” with the logo shown at left was launched back on March 3, 2014 by Bertha Guttierez of Chula Vista.  Posts and links at the site reveal at least three additional excessive use of force cases involving MTS security officers, two of them also involving victims who alleged racial profiling , racial slurs and taunts by the officers.

August 9, 2014 (La Mesa) – La Mesa-based advertising agency Clark Marketing Solutions recently earned a 2014 Communicator Award of Distinction from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts for commercial music production.  The agency’s award entry was a jingle/music production package developed last year for automotive client Nelson Honda.

August 7, 2014 (La Mesa) – On Wednesday, August 13, La Mesa's Chamberof Commerce invites you to take mix, mingle and enjoy food provided by local businesses and the Chamber.

Church launches drive to save lives, help children fleeing violence

"Jesus himself was a refugee, who with his family fled to a foreign as an infant." --Rev. Kaji Dousa

Hear our interview with Doug Brunson from UCCLM: http://www.kiwi6.com/file/gvviv3lgb6

View or sign a petition to help the children: http://tableucc.com/witness/sign-the-petition-central-american-refugee-crisis/

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2014 (La Mesa)—United Church of Christ in La Mesa has stepped forward to help children from Central America who have sought refuge in the United States, fleeing violence, drug trafficking and threats of death.   The public is invited to a Border Children panel discussion on Sunday, August 17 at 3 p.m.  at the church, located at 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa.

 “We need to welcome the strangers. We need to help those in need,” Doug Brunson with UCCLM told East County Magazine in a recent radio interview, quoting Jesus.  “This is a crisis…something that needs to be addressed now,” he said of the 50,000 children.

By Miriam Raftery

July 30, 2014 (La Mesa)--Downtown La Mesa is getting a facelift.

Construction has begun on the Downtown village Streetscape Project, which will include new landscaping, sidewalks, outdoor lighting, benches, and enhanced pedestrian features, as well as upgrades to sewers and street signs.  The project will take several months with construction expected next year.

Suspects arrested for residential burglaries and Craig’s list sale of stolen property

July 30, 2014 (La Mesa) – Two separate incidents kept local police officers busy in the wee hours on July 26.

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2014 (La Mesa) - Basketball superstar Bill Walton, a Helix High School graduate in La Mesa, got his start playing basketball at neighborhood centers such as the Boys & Girls Club. He earned his way to the Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame and went on to play with the UCLA Bruins. He later became a National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player and won two NBA championships.

July 18, 2014 (La Mesa)-The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free senior discussion group program titled “Alzheimer’s Disease and Clinical Trials,” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The public is invited to attend and RSVP is not required. The speaker will be Mark Dobrina, lead clinical trials specialist, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital Research Dept.

July 12, 2014 (La Mesa)—A 9-month-old baby and a 4-year old child were left unattended inside a locked car at Grossmont Center on Friday afternoon amid sweltering heat.  Bystanders called 911 and were able to get the 4-year-old to unlock the door by the time Heartland Fire & Rescue crew arrived. The mother said she had been gone only five minutes; paramedics evaluated the children and released them  to their father.

July 11, 2014 (San Diego and East County) – Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), whose district includes several East County communities such as La Mesa, Mt. Helix and portions of El Cajon, will host a coffee with constituents this Saturday, July 12. The event will be held from 12-2 p.m. at the  Linda Vista branch library, 2160 Ulric Street in San Diego.

Dear  Readers:

A year ago when KNSJ radio launched, the station promised to air our live wildfire and emergency alerts. Saturday is their anniversary party - please send a message TODAY asking them to honor this promise!

In the July 2013 Chariot Fire the station did go live and I reported on the fire on Mt. Laguna.  For a few weeks, KNSJ aired our alerts with a delay of an hour or so, promising to improve technology to get real live alerts. Later KNSJ stopped airing wildfire alerts at all. I’ve pleaded with KNSJ to air Viejas Wildfire Alerts as promised, which we offer them free, to save lives and keep you safe. In the backcountry when power lines burn and some have no cell service,  battery-powered radio is often the only way to get news during fires.

KNSJ’s CEO says having the federal emergency broadcast system  in place is enough, but it’s not. It wasn’t activated during recent fires in East County.  KNSJ's CEO and Board  refuse to even guarantee a start date for alerts or an exact dollar figure that would guarantee these would air. They ask for more money, without delivering on promises made to donors who already gave to support getting alerts on the air.  KNSJ also has zero live broadcasting, even for breaking news during fires.

TAKE OUR POLL AND SEND A MESSAGE TO KNSJ:  Should the FCC ask KNSJ to keep its promise and air live Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts & have live news broadcasts during wildfires?

PLEASE VOTE HERE:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/poll/should-fcc-ask-knsj-keep-its-promise-air-live-viejas-wildfire-emergency-alerts-and-have-live-ne

Plus previews of coming attractions

by Ariele Johannson

July 2, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has a run-down on 4th of July festivities throughout our inland region. No need to fight traffic to watch fireworks at the beach when you can choose from an array of venues right here in East County—where our cities and historic small towns show their patriotic spirit with parades, picnics, festivals and fireworks.  You’ll hear about KNSJ radio’s anniversary celebration at Mission Trails.

Plus we’ll have a preview of some unique events coming up next week—from a firefighters’ fishing derby to outdoor musical theater, twilight walks, a star party, and a super full moon jazz concert amid fragrant fields of lavender!

By Mimi Pollack

June 28, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - How can one have a healthier and more meaningful lifestyle? The psychologist Dr. Michael Mantell likes to use acronyms when conveying his healing messages as he believes they are a helpful way for people to remember them. 

For him, the acronym PERMA is an important message as it stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Although coined by Marty Seligman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, it is a way of life for Dr. Michael Mantell and his wife Paula, who live in El Cajon and share an office in La Mesa near Grossmont Center. 

As Mantell says, “It is important in life to create positive emotion in every situation and be engaged or in the flow of whatever you are doing. Relationships are also valuable as is finding meaning in every moment and doing the best you can to accomplish and reach your goals.”

June 28, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The Grossmont Healthcare District, an East County public agency, is accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on its board of directors.