No permit, no debt repayment plan yet, but the clock is ticking

By Kristin Kjaero

June 9, 2015 (La Mesa) – Although the City Council sent them back to the drawing board with a requirement that means they must come up with a repayment plan for $37,229 they owe the City before any new special event applications from them will be processed, the La Mesa Village Merchants Association yesterday evening sent e-mails to all 2014 Oktoberfest vendors soliciting applications and payments for booth rentals for a 2015 Oktoberfest.

The e-mail states, “Even though it was very hot during the day, the event was a great success. We hope that you feel the same way and will consider joining us again this year.”

The Merchants group owes the City $33,996 for Police, Fire and other support services provided for the 2014 Oktoberfest, and said at the last City Council meeting that they’d spent the revenue from it on Christmas in the Village instead of paying back the City’s General Fund.

The e-mail gives the vendors a date, time, fees for booth rental (ranging from $500 for crafters up to $2,100 for food vendors plus $100 cleaning deposit), and where to send their checks, but does not mention the debt issue or problems with their previous application which triggered a City Council policy change regarding special event applications and permits.

May 28, 2015 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to “eat your heart out” at the 7^th annual Taste of La Mesa, featuring tastings from 29 local restaurants.  This year’s event will be held on Monday, June 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Community Drive).

May 30, 2015 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its 7th annual Taste of La Mesa from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 8, at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa. Presenting sponsor is Sycuan Casino. The event will feature networking and food sampling from local restaurants and food providers. In addition, local businesses will be on hand with exhibit tables. Parking is free and shuttle service will be available.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 9, 2015 (La Mesa) – There’s something for everybody going on this month in La Mesa. There are activities for every age and interest, as well as for mind, body and entertainment.

By Miriam Raftery

February 26, 2015 (La Mesa)—The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce celebrated the accomplishments of local police, fire, medical response and senior volunteers at its annual “Salute to Heroes” banquet on February 18^th at the Town and Country Hotel’s Golden Ballroom. 

The event also featured installation of officers and a “Come to the Cabaret” theme complete with New York cabaret singer Devlin, pianist Chris Drury, and a cabaret cake cooked up by Grove Pastry Shop.

This year’s honorees were:

December 20, 2014 (La Mesa)-- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces that the first breakfast meeting of the new year will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Marie Callender's, 6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego. The featured speaker in this breakfast series is La Mesa Police Chief Ed Aceves.

June 20, 2014 (La Mesa)--On Thursday, July 16, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to an evening mixer at Anthony’s Fish Grotto, 9530 Murray Drive in La Mesa from 5:30-7 p.m.. This popular location has been a favorite of locals for years, so guests can sample the food that has made them famous.

January 21, 2014 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s sixth annual Salute to Local Heroes will be a  Hollywood-themed night titled, “Lights, Camera, Action!”   The celebration will be held on Wednesday, February 19 from 5:30. to 8:30 p.m. at the Town & Country Resort Hotel (Pacific Ballroom), 500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley.

January 4, 2014 - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces that its first breakfast meeting of the year, with guest speaker Supervisor Dianne Jacob will be held on Tuesday, January 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Marie Callenderʼs restaurant, 6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego, CA 92120.

The public is welcome to attend, along with Chamber members, to hear from Supervisor Jacob, whose 2^nd Supervisorial district includes 620,000 residents – the largest of San Diego County’s five supervisorial districts.

February 10, 2013 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will honor eight local heroes at the 5^th Annual Casino Royale Night on Feb. 21 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Town & Country Resort Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle N., San Diego.  This year’s heroes are paramedics Ryan Ferguson and Paul Forney of American Medical Response, Battalion Chief Kelly Sisson and firefighter/paramedic Brandon Drips of Heartland Fire & Rescue, Officer Derik Cox and dispatcher Kathy Norman of the La Mesa Police Dept. and Don Kurban and Dick Thomas of the La Mesa Police Department Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol.

May 1, 2012 (La Mesa) --  The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announced that the fourth annual “Taste of La Mesa - Taste of the Century” event will be held on June 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. This year the Chamber has added “Taste of the Century” to celebrate the City of La Mesaʼs 100th Anniversary.

The evening allows guests to sample fare from many local restaurants and food providers, as well as winetasting and craft beers.

 
January 1, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to recycle your e-waste at Grossmont Center in La Mesa on Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15.

September 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Political wonks, mark your calendars! Three major political events are slated for September 16th.

La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosts a forum for La Mesa mayoral and council candidates. East County Democratic Club has a forum on ballot initiatives plus state legislative and Congressional candidates. In addition, the Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club has candidates for legislature, school boards, and more.