By Kristin Kjaero

May 5, 2015 (La Mesa) – On April 28 the La Mesa City Council voted unanimously to allow telecommunications equipment to be installed on streetlights and signals in the right-of-way in 11 locations around the City (map below), to enhance cellular phone and data transmission coverage.

The company will pay the City as a Right-of-Way Use Fee of 5% of adjusted gross revenues generated from the equipment or $500 per location, whichever is greater, and an annual fee of $500 to attach its equipment to a City pole. It will be required to apply for an encroachment permit, and will bear the costs of installation and maintenance.

May 4, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Myra Witzer, a strong willed woman in her late thirties, is determined to get married at any cost and Leonard Shank, an unassuming man in his early forties, is the guy she goes after and gets, much against his will. After several months of married life, Myra realizes that the chase excited her more than the capture and wants out. On the other hand, Leonard, who at the beginning wanted no part of the marriage, now wants to stay married to her more than anything. Now that he's fallen for her, will Leonard be able to convince her that he's her prince charming?

Event to benefit benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of East County, Fostering Opportunities Scholarships and Include Autism.

East County News Service

May 1, 2015 (La Mesa) -- San Diego Las Hermanas "(The Sisters") invites you to  their "Boots & Bling" fundraiser on Saturday, May 9 at the La Mesa Community Center. Grab your partner, throw on your cowboy boots and hats, and join the festivities including live Country Western music, BBQ dinner, drawings, live auction, card tricks and comedy magic, line dancing instruction, and entertaining antics by  Master of Ceremonies Yosemite Sam.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 30, 2015 (La Mesa) – With all the activities available this month, there has to be something for everyone here.

Events range from star gazing party on Mt. Helix to a free boot camp, s SANDAG public workshops on regional growth plans through 2050, what is arguable the community's most popular event, the La Mesa Flag Day Parade (if you're not in it, you're probably watching it)... and oh, so much more.

April 29, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa has once again updated its economic development webpage with refreshed Commercial Space Availability Reports. According to the most recent reports, dated April 2015, there is approximately 146,000 square feet of retail space available in the City; 150,000 square feet of office space; and 37,000 square feet of industrial space.  Retail vacancy is down over 20% from April 2014 and office vacancy is down roughly 14%. 

Note: The event has been relocated to the Vons Shopping Center, 8011 University Ave., from 9:00 am to 1200 pm.  The article below has been changed to reflect that.

April 29, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The City of Mesa has declared May “Drowning Prevention Month”. To help kick off the month, Heartland Fire & Rescue has teamed up with the La Mesa Municipal Pool for a drowning prevention event on Friday, May 1st. 

East County Magazine

April 27, 2015 (La Mesa) – Back in December 2013, the city of La Mesa installed roundabouts to slow down speeders at two locations on Harbison Avenue, at the Watson Way and Annapolis Avenue junctions.

By Bonnie Baranoff

April 27, 2015 (La Mesa) -- It’s a beautiful, sunny day in Southern California as patrons enjoy lunch and dinner at Himalayan Cuisine, and shopping at the Himalayan Bazaar in La Mesa. But on the other side of the world in Nepal and in parts of India and China, the scene is much different: it’s raining, it’s dark, and it’s destroyed.

Mr. Khem Kharel, owner of Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa and a native of Nepal, says that his immediate family in Kathmandu--his 84 year old mother, his brother, brother’s wife and other family members--are thankfully “fine, just scared” and hungry. He has been in touch with his family, briefly, by phone, two times since the epicenter of the massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the remote village of Barpak, in the northern-central Gorkha District, about 50 miles northwest from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu on April 25. The latest numbers report more than 4,400 deaths.

East County News Service

Photo: George Hodan, PublicDomainPictures.net

April 27, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Do you have a budding artist or a child that loves to learn Chess?  What about your sports enthusiast or do they love to work with wood and tools?  La Mesa Community Services is offering twenty-one (21) “Summer to Remember!” camps that will put a smile on any child’s face ages four years and up:  Archery, Art Smarts, Baseball, Basketball, Chess, Code to the Future, Dance, Day Camp, Engineering, Fencing, Flag Football, Golf, Gymnastic, Jump Rope, Kids in the Kitchen Cooking, Mad Science, Martial Arts, Multi-Sport, Tennis,  Woodworking, and Yoga Rascals.

Get Ready to Kick-off Summer with a fitness Boot Camp for all levels and instruction provided by Fit-X San Diego. Whether you are a seasoned athlete, just beginning a fitness routine, or merely thinking about increasing your physical activity this workshop is a “no risk” opportunity to learn what the Boot Camp craze is all about. Instructors will identify exercises for all fitness levels. Wear appropriate workout clothing, sports shoes, and bring a towel.  Not sure but curious? Join in the observer section – but dress appropriately and bring a towel anyway – you might catch Boot Camp fever!

April 17, 2015 (La Mesa) –On the Edge Art Gallery invites the public to Metamorphosis: a time of renewal and regeneration.  This local artists’ gathering and art sale will be held on May 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 14, 2015 (La Mesa) – A retirement, traffic circle safety on Harbinson after a crash, and permitting  projects after construction (from a chicken coop to a cave) were topics before the La Mesa City Council tonight.

The unmistakable star at the La Mesa City Council meeting today was Max, who is retiring at the ripe age of 7. That’s because Max is a chocolate lab and Police narcotic dog. Together with his handler, Officer Derek Cox, they have recovered over 2,700 grams of narcotics and made more than 156 felony narcotics arrests. To show he was on the job one last time, Max pawed up to inspect the Councilmembers’ desks as Cox made the rounds shaking hands. As handlers and dogs form such a strong bonds, Max is being allowed to stay with the family he loves.

East County News Service

April 11, 2015 (La Mesa)--You wouldn’t think of going on vacation, taking a new job or even retiring without some advance planning. But most people don’t plan ahead for what could be life’s most important decision.

By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –April is Women’s History Month.   It’s an appropriate time to share a story about a remarkable woman from East County’s past. Helen Gerrells Stoddard, a former resident of La Mesa , Lemon Grove and Ramona, was a prominent leader in the fight to win women the right to vote,  as well as a leader efforts that led to La Mesa becoming a city. She even earned a place in history at the national political level.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 7, 2015 (La Mesa) -- It was a perfect spring day in La Mesa for the outdoor swearing in of the new Police Chief, Walt Vasquez (photo, left), joined by his family (photo, below right).  The charisma and popularity he brings with him was clear to see in the size and responsiveness of the crowd.

Vasquez began his career in law enforcement in 1986 with the San Diego Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to captain, most recently overseeing SDPD's SWAT team, Canine Unit, communications,  property room, information services, and the chief's community advisory boards. 

Not surprisingly given this background, his speech today expressed the values he places on public service, teamwork, and community policing.

Below and in video, we give you Chief Vasquez's speech in full.