March 19, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - East County artists won five of the eight prizes in the 51st annual art showof St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 3502 Clairemont Drive, San Diego.

March 13, 2014 (La Mesa)- Hooley’s Irish Pub in La Mesa will be hosting its annual Sant Patrick’s Day Hooley Fest on Monday, March 17.  The festivities take place under tents in the parking lot at Grossmont Center outside the restaurant, starting at 5 p.m.

This year’s entertainment includes Tony Cummins, Times nominee for the Irish Music Awards, the award winning Jukebox, and American fiddle rock stars Lexington Field.

March 6, 2014 (La Mesa) - - The public is invited to join in the 2014 “Spring Into Health Living” on Wednesday, /March 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.  This is a health and wellness event featuring free health screenings, lectures and information for older adults provided by community service providers in the East County.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2014 (Mt. Helix)—The Mt. Helix Academy in la Mesa, which has students from kindergarten through ninth grade, takes pride in “happy kids who love to learn,” says Tracey Singer, marketing coordinator. So Singer wrote and directed a music video starring kids at the school “to show what a fun place we have,” he said. “To my knowledge we are the only school in San Diego, and probably the nation, that is marketing itself with original music videos.”

February 7, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- While on their month long inter-session break from Saint Augustine High School, two juniors put on a golf tournament to benefit Wounded Warriors. Tournament Director Louis Molina of Chula Vista had the initial idea to organize a golf tournament after speaking to wounded warriors on the golf course when he was younger. He invited his Saint Augustine High School golf teammate, Collin McNicholl-Carter of La Mesa, to be Assistant Director and Marketing Assistant.

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2014 (La Mesa) – A Draft Environmental Impact Report for the controversial Park Station at the Crossroads project in La Mesa is now available for public comments and review.

Originally, the developerm Kitzman, had proposed an 18 story highrise. That proposal has been scaled down to lower heights in the EIR, with a low-profile facade but talller buildings stepped up behind.  A tower in one section would soar to 110 feet—or about 11 stories, twice the height of the current 46 foot limit, thus it would require a variance to win approval by the Planning Commission and ultimately, the City Council. 

Despite the changes, the City’s analysis concludes that “no feasible mitigation measures exist to reduce potential impacts to scenic vistas.” 

January 27, 2014 (La Mesa) --In an on-going commitment to communicate with residents, the La Mesa City Council will host two Town Hall Meetings. These open-forum sessions provide an opportunity for citizens to share their ideas, comments, and opinions on issues in their neighborhood and throughout the City.

January 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has released a new report on poverty.  Included in the report are five-year estimates of poverty in our region, based on the American Community Survey in 2011.

El Cajon has by far the highest poverty rate in San Diego County, with 32% of individuals living below the poverty level and 49% living within 200% of the federal poverty level.   National City has the next highest level, a full ten points lower at 22% living in poverty.

By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery

Julian Rudd-Falls, Mark Gavit also contributed to this report

January 15, 2014 (La Mesa)- Students, faculty and community leaders turned out to celebrate yesterday’s dedication of the new performing arts complex at Helix Charter School.  The new center features a spacious theater, a black box room for smaller productions, dance room, a digital music lab, choir room, scene shop, and prop storage.

The dedication opened with students playing bag pipes and included the official ribbon cutting by Helix executive director Dr. Mike Lewis, a tour, speeches by education leaders and elected officials, and a dramatic musical performance from some of the students. 

“This landmark facility will benefit our students for many years,” said Grossmont Union High School District  (GUHSD) Superintendent Ralf Swensen.

January 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- On March 7^,  the cities of La Mesa and Santee will hold their annual Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants.  Pageant organizers are currently seeking outgoing residents ages 13-26 to participate in a program that has been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and includes a mentoring program for young women.  The pageants are sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and focus on community service. 

The 2014 titleholders will all receive scholarships which have been funded through past local talent and fashion show fundraising events. 

The contestants will be scored on personal interview, speech, poise and personality, sportswear, evening gown and an on stage question. There is no swimsuit competition.

January 7, 2013 La Mesa) --The San Diego East County Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce will hold a mixer on Tuesday, January 7 from 6-8 p.m. at BJ's restaurant in Grossmong Center, La Mesa. The event will feature two speakers:  Dr. Mummtaz Almansour & Paul Arvanitis. Our mixers are always well attended, full of movers and shakers as well as local dignitaries.

January 5, 2014 (La Mesa)--The Fourth Appellate District Court of Appeals on December 16^th ruled in favor of the City of La Mesa in an appeal of a lawsuit centered on a series of lease agreements to develop and operate housing facilities for older adults in La Mesa. The ruling in Briercrest Development, L.P. v. City of La Mesa will allow the City to recoup attorney fees. 

City Manager, David E. Witt said of the ruling, “It is a great relief to finally regain control of the City's property. The concept of this development area was to create a park (Briercrest Park) that promoted healing and surround the park with compatible uses. This decision will allow the City to move forward to put this property to a productive use for the community.”

By Mary Domb Mikkelson

January 2, 2014 (La Mesa) -- Have you ever had to take your break in a linen closet, sharing space with toxic chemicals and carts piled high with linens and cleaning supplies?   Had no place to sit and rest, no fresh air, no restroom, no access to food and water?

Our November shows are now online—including special reports on East County issues, interviews with top newsmakers, local musicians, authors, colorful characters and people making a positive difference in our community. Click here for a list of our November shows and guests with links to listen online.

You can also hear our show live when it airs on KNSJ 89.1 FM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. and reruns Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m.  Or listen live online during those hours at www.KNSJ.org.

December 19, 2013 (La Mesa)--Supervisor Dianne Jacob will be the featured speaker at the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 a.m. The event will be held at Marie Callender’s restaurant at 6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego.

Cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for guests with advancer reservation, or $25 at the door.