October 31, 2012 (La Mesa) – Last year, La Mesa Council voted 3 to 2 against declaring La Mesa a “Fair Trade Town.”  But on October 12, Mayor Art Madrid signed a commendation letter posted on the Fair Trade La Mesa website. Under a rule change by the national Fair Trade Towns USA group, La Mesa has now been granted the designation despite Council's objection, drawing both controversy and praise.

October 25, 2012 (La Mesa) – Two visitors to the Baskin Robbins store in La Mesa tonight weren’t looking for Rocky Road or Rainbow Sherbert. Instead, the men forced employees to the floor at gunpoint, then robbed the ice cream shop located at 8807 La Mesa Blvd.

October 21, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Not only does their creativity bring a smile, but the breadth of ideas, ages and techniques will make a lovely, rounded exhibition. It is exciting each year to see what the students will come up with for the "Our Home, Our Planet" K-12 Environmental Literacy and Art contest. 

Awards will be handed out by Mayor Art Madrid on the Festival Stage of the "Sustain La Mesa" Environmental Festival at 10:00 a.m. on October 27 at Harry Griffen Park.

October 18, 2012  --  (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

STATE

• Foreclosures drop dramatically statewide (Sacramento Bee)
• Cal-Pers approves 85% rate hike for long-term care (Sacramento Bee)

LOCAL

• State denies SDG&E bailout (10 News)
• Judge delays SDG&E trial amid noose talk (UT San Diego)
• San Diego Supervisors vote to charge poor for their Sixth Amendment rights (Citybeat)
• Lawsuit says police shouldn’t decide who is a reporter (UT San Diego)
• Unplugging wind subsidies: Looming end of wind (UT San Diego)
• Bilbray, Peters spar in first debate (UT San Diego)
• The race for La Mesa (La Mesa Today)
• State Treasurer: Fire Poway bond staff (Voice of San Diego)
• CPUC launches  probe of San Onofre, its costs (UT San Diego)
• Charter school in La Mesa ranked eighth in state in API scores
• Real DeMaio doesn’t live up to ‘taxpayer watchdog’ name (Voice of San Diego)
• SDGLN won’t accept pro-Filner ads (CityBeat)
• Trailer Parks in La Mesa? One Council Candidate Welcomes the Idea 

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

October 14, 2012 (La Mesa)—A woman carrying her 2-year-old child in the 8000 block of University Avenue in La Mesa was pushed  from behind, then robbed of her purse at 7:30 p.m. last night. 

According to La Mesa Police, the victim was crossing the street when the man shoved her in the back, then stole her purse and fled.  Neither the woman nor her child were injured.  The suspect remains at large.

October 5, 2012 (La Mesa) – Oktoberfest has been a tradition in La Mesa for 35 years, growing from a small street fair to a three-day fest that now draws over 186,000 attendees and 400 vendors. La Mesa Chamber has partnered with La Mesa Village Merchants Association, founders of the event. 

This year’s festivities include not only such German favorites as bratwurst, beer, and a Raving Polka band, but also more contemporary favorites such as CarTune Dogs playing classic rock and Jumpin’ Jack Flash mobile music all weekend long.

October 4, 2012 (East County, San Diego) -- Heartland Fire & Rescue will be hosting three Fire Open House events on Saturday, October 13, 2012 in Lemon Grove, El Cajon and La Mesa. 

This is an opportunity to receive free safety tools and important lessons for you and your children.

By Janis Mork

September 29, 2012 (La Mesa)—At Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Briar Patch Campus, families flocked to the 11^th annual Kidscare Fest, a free event just for kids. Over 1200 kids were in attendance at the September 22 event.

September 24, 2012 (La Mesa)—A man who reportedly robbed the 7Q Liquor Store at 7401 El Cajon Blvd. in La Mesa at gunpoint is in custody tonight, thanks to the actions of a clerk and other witnesses.  Police apprehended Luis Alonso Cruz Magana, 24, of San Diego in the 4800 block of Jessie Avenue shortly after the robbery.

September 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Help tell East County’s story through  photos! 

The Far East Project, a print/multimedia anthology and performance project, is comprised of personal narratives, interviews and histories from East County communities and residents.  This living history project for our region is sponsored by San Diego Foundation Arts and Culture Foundation along with So Say We All.

You’re invited to submit photos that “capture the soul of East County” as you see it.  Deadline for entries is Sunday, October 7, 2012.

September 12, 2012 (La Mesa) – The volunteer citizens committee overseeing the expenditure of millions of dollars in construction improvements at Grossmont Hospital is seeking two additional members.

The Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight (ICBOC) is overseeing how the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is spending $247 million in capital improvement construction projects at the hospital in La Mesa. ICBOC members are uncompensated East County residents with experience in project management, large-scale construction operations, finance, labor and healthcare industries.

September 6, 2012 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join in kicking off the biggest community event in the region - 2012 Oktoberfest. The three-day Oktoberfest annually brings in over 200,000 people to La Mesa. The Chamber’s preview kick-off will be held September 12 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Continental Catering, 8238 Parkway Drive, La Mesa.

This event is free to Oktoberfest volunteers. Chamber Member & all guests pay $10 per person.

September 6, 2012 (La Mesa)--La Mesa Fit Body Boot Camp, a program designed to help its clientele achieve fitness and weight management goals in a fun and motivating atmosphere, will host an open house on Saturday September 8 from 4:00--8:00 p.m. The event includes an 80s band and DJ, plus a raffle with all proceeds going to Rady Children’s Hospital.

Talks on fitness and nutrition will be provided, as well as fitness demonstrations, chair massages, fitness games, entertainment and healthy food. Raffle prizes include an iPad2 and a six-month personal training program.

September 2, 2012 (La Mesa) – On August 30, La-Z-Boy hosted a special launch party at its new location at 8185 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa.  A private reception and ribbon cutting ceremony was held and guests were given a chance to browse the store’s selection of furniture and discuss decorating needs with La-Z-Boy design professionals. 

August 17, 2012 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police have issued a warning that a man in a “beat up” white small or medium pickup truck attempted to lure a 16-year-old female student into his vehicle. The girl was walking to Helix High School at 8 a.m. today in the 7500 block of University Ave. when the suspect pulled up next to her, got out of his truck and told her, “Hey, get in my car.”