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.

December 10, 2013 (La Mesa)--La Mesa is transformed into a Victorian wonderland on December 13-14 during its old-fashioned Christmas in the Village. The family friendly event features horse-drawn carriages, strolling minstrels, carolers and street entertainers along La Mesa Boulevard.

Carnival rides, ponies, puppet shows, live music stages, bonfires and an outdoor market round out the traditional holiday fun.

November 23, 2013 (Mt. Helix)--Sounds of the season will emanate from the Mt. Helix Park Amphitheatre on Sunday, December 15 from 6:30  to 8 p.m. during the annual Sing-along Christmas Caroling Party, a free family event.

Gina Seashore, known locally as That Music Lady, will be leading the caroling supported by a group of musicians.  Free, hot coffee and cocoa will be available and SPRITES (a local mother-daughter philanthropic group) will provide free, baked goods.  Santa will be visiting from the North Pole to hear the wishes of the younger carolers. Donations of canned goods will be accepted for distribution through the Journey Church food pantry. 

November 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee City Councils meet this week to discuss matters ranging from the future of Oktoberfest to choosing a new mayor.  Below are highlights from the agendas for each community.

November 5, 2013 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Term Limits Committee filed the paperwork today to get voter approval for an ordinance that will limit city officials to twelve consecutive years in office. The group needs to collect 3,306 valid signatures in 180 days to place the measure on the November 2014 ballot.

Vice Mayor Kristine Alessio recently tried to get the City Council to put the ordinance on the ballot, but only Councilmember Ruth Sterling supported her motion. Alessio said, "If the Council won't do its job, the people will get it done. That's the essence of our democracy."

By Miriam Raftery

November 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Five new cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, have been reported at area schools this week according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.  The new cases include a student at Maryland Avenue Elementary School in La Mesa here in East County.

There have been 216 cases of pertussis reported in the county so far this year, compared to last year’s total of 165 cases for the entire year, so the rate of whooping cough is on the rise.

East County welcomes “You Missed”, a new comedy program starring Diane Jean, Al Gavi, Chris Clobber, Young Lucas, and Charlie the Yellow Bird. 

“You Missed” is packed with humor, lots of strange stories from around the world, political perspectives from the right, left and people that just don’t give a damn.

“You Missed” is recording live  at the Space Bar in La Mesa on Sunday Nights from 6-7PM.  The show will air on KNSJ  89.1 Community Radio, Networking for social justice, Friday-Sunday at 4PM streaming worldwide on www.KNSJ.org. “You Missed” Pod Cast coming soon.

October 22, 2013 (La Mesa) – A motorcyclist suffered a fractured arm and abrasions when he was struck from behind in a three-vehicle collision at 3:43 p.m. today at the junction of Interstate 8 and State Route 94.

According to the CHP, an Acura Integra driven by a 21-year-old from Spring Valley traveling westbound on I-8 was attempting to take a transition road to southbound 125 when traffic came to an abrupt stop. The driver swerved and skidded into the next lane, striking a Honda Magna motorcycle from behind and ejecting its driver onto the roadway.  The Acura also struck a Suburban driven by a 59-year-old Bonita man.

Highlights of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee and San Diego agenda items for this week

Update October 24, 2013:  Supervisors unanimously approved the feasibility study on bringing veterans' services to libraries countywide.

By Miriam Raftery

County Supervisors and local city councils have several significant measures on their agendad impacting East County this week.

On Tuesday at 10 a.m., Supervisors will hear a proposal by Supervisor Dianne Jacob to extend the county’s outreach to veterans. This proposal is being introduced in response to an East County Magazine investigation that found a lack of County veterans’ services in rural East County. 

Supervisor Jacob’s proposal asks the County’s Chief Executive Office to report back in 120 days on the feasibility of using county libraries for veterans services, which would add 34 additional locations for  County Veterans Services representatives to meet with veterans.