May 3, 2014 (La Mesa) -- Today from 11 a.m to 5 p.m., Johnny B's restaurant in La Mesa will donate 10 percent of proceeds to benefit a new pocket park project called the "Lookout" planned in La Mesa's downtown vlllage.  The restaurant owner, John Bedlion, wlil also match the amount raised today. Drawings will also be held, along with a live auction. 

“The Lookout” at Legacy Park will become a permanent piece of art that will honor the City’s Centennial celebration. Located at the convergence of La Mesa Boulevard (known as Lookout Avenue until 1940), Allison Avenue, and 4th Street; The Lookout will serve a traditional gazebo function – as a gathering place for social interaction. Center city gazebos have historically occupied a special place in the heart of communities; this one will be no different. 

April 17, 2014 (La Mesa) – Harmonicas and more will be wailing on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the annual Spring Harp Fest at Harry Griffin Park, 9550 Midden  in La Mesa.

A donation of $10 is suggested.  Below is the tentative lineup of talent:

Hear our radio interview with term limits advocates Craig Maxwell and La Mesa Vice Mayor Kristine Alessio: http://kiwi6.com/file/257ktyze5y

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2014 (La Mesa) – An ad sent in a mailer to La Mesa residents by the La Mesa Term Limits Committee is sparking controversy.  The ad, topped by a no career politicians message, has two photos of convicted former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner – one in 1979, labeled “idealistic, committed, zeal of a new recruit” and the second in 2013 labeled “corrupt, drunk on power, self serving.”  The ad then admonishes voters to “keep all our reps honest with term limits.”

“How could the innuendo in this not be profoundly offensive to the current La Mesa City Council?” asks Anthony McIvor, a La Mesa resident, who calls the mailer a “regrettable smear” piece.

April 9, 2014 (La Mesa)--The city of La Mesa kicks off “May is Drowning Prevention Month” with several free learning and prevention activities at the La Mesa Municipal Pool. On Saturday, April 12^th from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m., the following classes will be held:

April 4, 2014 (La Mesa)--Learn to paint a masterpiece in just a few hours with step-by-step instruction at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room, 8364 La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa on April 8 from 6-9 p.m.. No painting experience is necessary.

By Shelly Trails

April 1, 2014 (La Mesa) –  La Mesa is gearing up for the unveiling of its Centennial Legacy Project – larger than life snail sculptures honoring the area’s species of  snails  (Helix aspersa) for which Mt. Helix was named.  But that’s not all.  Now a local entrepreneur has announced that she will launch “Escargot To Go,” a culinary delivery service specializing in farm-raised snails served up in buttery French tradition. (click "read more" below to read the full story.)

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.