Walmart's low wages keep workers on the public dole, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for  its corporate profits

By Nadin Abbott

November 23, 2012 (La Mesa)-- Black Friday today was marked by a nationwide protest at 1,000 Walmart stores, including Grossmont Center in La Mesa.

Walmart workers are not unionized. So local volunteers and members of United Food & Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) staged the protest to give voice to grievances of Walmart employees who say they have been pressured to keep quiet and not participate in the demonstrations.

By Bill Weaver

November 7, 2012 (La Mesa) — Incumbents Emma Turner, Psy.D. was re-elected, as was William "Bill" Baber, a local attorney, to the La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board. Both are Republicans and both have shown support for public education in their district.

November 3, 2012 (La Mesa)--To date Brew Ha Ha Comedy has produced over 200 live stand-up comedy shows.  They currently have two shows per week in La Mesa:  every Wednesday at Haritna Mediterranean Restaurant and recently every Friday at The Holiday Inn, Mesa Grill. 

International headliner Chris Clobber and his partner businesswoman and Comedian Diane Jean started producing Brew Ha Ha Comedy at Twiggs in University Heights in October 2009.  Brew Ha Ha Comedy gives talented comedians an opportunity to work their craft, regardless of their age, sex, race or sexual orientation. 

Animal rescue operation announces push for volunteers, interns and grant writers to help continue mission of compassion to save animals in need. Sanctuary serves neglected population of animals.

November 3, 2012 (La Mesa) – The Helping Hands Animal Sanctuary of La Mesa announced on October 23 a unique holiday volunteer drive to help continue its mission of providing help to a neglected population of animals in need. The volunteer drive will seek individuals who are willing to assist with the rescue of dogs, cats, birds and other small animals in neighborhoods that may be overlooked by larger animal shelters.  The drive will begin immediately and continue through the end of the year.

By Miriam Raftery, Editor

www.EastCountyMagazine.org

October 31, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- With two cities (El Cajon and La Mesa) celebrating their centennials, much attention has been focused on our region’s past of late. But just how much do you know about East County’s colorful history? Take our quiz below to test your knowledge—and learn some fascinating facts.

October 27, 2012 (La Mesa) – Last night around 7:35 p.m., a male suspect robbed a female or her purse as she walked near Grossmont Center shopping mall in La Mesa. The suspect grabbed her purse from behind near the the intersection of Grossmont Center Drive and Healthcare Drive.  The victim lost her balance in the struggle and fell to the ground but declined medical treatment.

The suspect entered a silver, two-door vehicle that was being driven by another male.

October 25, 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:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

• Scout files show abuse in county (U-T San Diego)
• La Mesa ready to allow beer and wine-making (U-T San Diego)
• U.S. to study cancer risk near San Onofre nuclear plant (KPBS)
• Appeals court deals another blow to sprawling Fanita Ranch project (Santee Patch)
• DeMaio once attacked tax hike he now champions (Voice of San Diego)
• U-T San Diego publishes questionable poll in mayoral race (LGTB Times/Free Press)
• California woman survives car bombing, husband’s double life (ABC)
• Another DeMaio scandal: U.S. attorney Laura Duffy (LGTB Weekly)
• San Vicente Dam reaches full height (FoxCT)

STATE

• California has lowered number of uninsured children (Sacramento Bee)
• Jerry Brown accuses anti-tax group of illegal money laundering (Sacramento Bee)
• Medical pot growers ravage state forest habitat (Sacramento Bee)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

October 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club is having a Garage Sale Fundraiser on October 27^th, 7:30 am – 2:00 pm. at 6210 Lakeshore Dr. San Diego 92119 (San Carlos area). Merchandise available includes household items, electronics, quality clothing, children’s equipment and clothing, garden plants and cuttings, sports equipment, furniture and much more.

October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Brew Ha Ha announces comedy performances on Friday nights at the Mesa Grill, Holiday Inn La Mesa. The program debuts October 19 with comics from NBC’s Friday night, the Latino Laugh Festival and Comedy Central’s Danny Villalpando as well as the “Amazing” Al Gavi.

October 8, 2012 (La Mesa)—Last night at 9:06 p.m., La Mesa Police responded to a report that a man had pushed a woman in the 4200 block of Lowell Avenue.  During the investigation, it was determined that the male had an active felony warrant for his arrest for failing to register as a sex offender and was still inside the residence.

Officers spoke to the suspect, Michael Wilson, through the locked screen door for several minutes, but he refused to come out.  According to police, Wilson, 46, made verbal threats to the officers that he had a weapon and would not come out without a fight.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

On October 5, 2012 (La Mesa)—At 5:22 p.m. yesterday, La Mesa Police Department received reports of “shots heard” and a victim on the ground in the area of 5800 Amarillo Avenue. Upon arrival, La Mesa Police Officers found an unknown white male lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to the head.  He was transported to a local hospital and is in critical condition.

September 29, 2012 (La Mesa)—A man waiting at a bus stop in the 5200 block of Baltimore Drive in La Mesa reported that he was robbed at knife point at 6:05 this morning.  The victim told police that a gold-four door sedan pulled up by the bus stop. A man with a goatee got out and held a knife to the victim’s side while a woman grabbed the victim’s backpack.

September 27, 2012 (La Mesa) – A resident sleeping in an apartment at 5300 Marengo Avenue was awakened this afternoon by smoke. Seeing flames coming from her stove, she tried to douse the fire with water, which caused the fire to spread. She then evacuated the apartment, which suffered $50,000 in damages to the structure and contents.

September 24, 2012 (La Mesa) – Space Bar Internet Café hosts an Open Mic night on the fourth Thursday each month from 7:30-10 p.m. at 7454 University Avenue, La Mesa.

This week, poet Kate Harding, a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee, will join host Jim Moreno.  Her first collection of poetry, "Santa Monica Disposal and Salvage," has earned praise from Steve Kowit, Marge Piercy and Diane Wakoski. Writing under the pen name Penny Perry and as Kate Harding, her poems have appeared in numerous magazines, including Poetry International, Earth's Daughters, Spillway, and the San Diego Poetry Annual. Kate is the fiction editor for the new on-line Knot Journal. She was a fellow at the American Film Institute and her movie, "A Berkeley Christmas" aired on PBS. 

September 18, 2012 (La Mesa)—Comedians from Brew Ha-Ha will perform September 19 and 20 at Haritna, which was voted #1 Mediterranean Restaurant in San Diego’s A-list 2012. Haritna is located at 7303 El Cajon Blvd. at the corner of 734d Street in LA Mesa. http://www.haritnarestaurant.com.