July 2010 La Mesa Blog Posts (15)

Sterling May Challenge Madrid In Mayor's Race

LA MESA – Art Madrid, the long-time mayor of La Mesa,

may finally have an opponent in the November election.

Word spread quickly through local political circles today that Ruth Sterling, a current council member who is not facing re-election for her council seat this year, had pulled papers, the first step in preparing for a run for the office.

Sterling has a week to fill out the papers and return them to the clerk’s office.

Sterling was not immediately available… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 29, 2010 at 8:00pm — 3 Comments

La Mesa Police Arrest Second Man In I-Pad Theft Scam

LA MESA -- The La Mesa Police arrested a man Tuesday for grand theft and robbery after a month long investigation into a Craig’s List scam involving I-Pads. Jesus Sanchez, of Santee, turned himself in after police detectives served a search warrant on his house in the 9300 block of Nalini Court, Santee on July 27, 2010.

On Thursday, police, working on additional information linking a second suspect to the crime, announced the arrest of Christopher Cook, of Alpine. Cook turned himself in… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 28, 2010 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Member Russell Buckley: Taxpayers Lose Again

I'm really bummed out. I just left the City Council meeting where our elected representatives voted unanimously to approve an MOU for non -safety workers that barely addresses our single biggest financial problem - pensions. Like almost every government institution in the state, La Mesa pays exorbitant pensions to its employees. They are far in excess of what private sector taxpayers receive. The most significant reason we got into this financial mess, and remain in this mess, is that the… Continue

Added by Russell Buckley on July 27, 2010 at 8:56pm — 3 Comments

Arts Business Planning Oktoberfest Arts Alternative

LA MESA – A La Mesa arts business – The Get Centered Clay Studio -- is trying to help other artists who can’t afford the booth prices at Oktoberfest still get a piece of the action. The arts event would be a few blocks away from the main event, but artists are hoping the crowd will pass through its event as well. The Get Centered Clay Studio filed this invitation to local artists:

We've decided to invite fellow artists to participate in… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 27, 2010 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

New Charter Middle School Launching In La Mesa

LA MESA – In education circles, the middle school years – grades six, seven and eight – are known as particularly challenging. Large schools, more complex academic work and the onset of adolescence often send good elementary students on a race to the bottom. Beginning in September, La Mesa parents will have a new choice for tackling these years.

Two long-time educators have been awarded a state charter to begin a new middle school, which they… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 24, 2010 at 9:30am — No Comments

Golf Tourney Backs East County Boys and Girls Club

SYCUAN RESORT -- La Mesa was well represented at the Boys and Girls Club of East County golf tournament and fundraiser. The Friday event at the Sycuan Resort was plagued by some of the highest temperatures of the year, but the beverage cart sponsored by Hooley's Bar and Grill kept the water supply up as the golf balls flew. Among the golfers were (pictured above) former NFL punter Evan Arapostathis (brother of La Mesa City Councilman Mark… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 18, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

Member Russell Buckley: Say No to Water Rate Increase

Sunday's Union Tribune included an editorial about the San Diego Unified School District's request for a parcel tax. While most of the editorial is not of direct interest to those of us who live in La Mesa, its introductory sentences are:

"In 2009, alarmed by such abuses as the city of La Mesa distributing costly fliers that suggested a gang invasion loomed unless sales taxes were raised, the state Fair Political Practices Commission tightened rules meant to prevent government agencies… Continue

Added by Russell Buckley on July 14, 2010 at 12:40pm — 1 Comment

Council Labors Through Dog Days Of Summer

LA MESA – In the months leading up to any election, there is nothing an office holder likes more than a quiet meeting with few cantankerous issues to cause stirs or create divisions in the electorate. If that is the case, Tuesday’s city council meeting would be the Pax La Mesa in what were literally the dog days of summer.

Things were so quiet, in fact, the La Mesa leaders had to call in a canine show and the leadership of the Helix Water… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 13, 2010 at 8:00pm — 2 Comments

Foothills Art Association

As you drive by daily you pass that odd shaped little building there on the corner of Le Mesa Blvd and Memorial, you know, right there by the ball park? That's the one. Porter Hall. I'm sure as you passed you've seen signs in the windows talking about art and perhaps seen the large advertising board outside inviting guests to visit. You've just never taken the time to stop. Have to get to that shop or that store. just no time, maybe another day. Hey. Did you know that Porter Hall is a full… Continue

Added by David Stanley on July 12, 2010 at 6:53am — 1 Comment

C. Hook Theater Ends Another Successful Run

Photos and story by Will Lavin, La Mesa Today correspondent

ROLANDO – C. Hook Theater, a young adult off-shoot of the Peter Pan Jr. Theater, presented “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’’ at the Kroc Center in West La Mesa this week.

The show drew large, appreciative audiences and maintained the professional polish that has become the hallmark of the 30 years of PPJT work among younger students. Steele Canyon High’s Zach Alper did a strong… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 11, 2010 at 10:08am — 1 Comment

Brazen Saturday Robberies By Teens Hit Grossmont, Vons

LA MESA – Crime by teenagers kept La Mesa police busy on Saturday with two incidents of brazen theft in unexpected places.

Both incidents involved strong armed robbery – at the Grossmont Center and a few hours later near the Vons on University Avenue.

Just before noon, a teenager asked a 23-year-old woman standing in the Jamba Juice store at Grossmont Center if he could use her I-phone. When she refused, the youth grabbed the phone and ran out of the store, pursued by… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 11, 2010 at 8:08am — No Comments

Police Investigating Shots Near Fletcher and Jackson

LA MESA -- La Mesa Police Thursday evening at 8:30 were investigating a report of shots fired near the intersection of Fletcher Parkway and Jackson Drive. Police said there were no reports of a shooting incident but several residents heard what sounded like gunfire.

In other police action Thursday, police released a photo from a surveillance camera that showed a robber hitting an Arco Station on Massachusettes Avenue early Thursday morning. The photo can be seen at:… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 8, 2010 at 8:43pm — No Comments

July 4th Traffic Patrols Stop 29, Arrest 2

LA MESA -- The La Mesa Police Department charged two motorists with Driving Under the Influence during its July 4th anti-DUI efforts

Police conducted a 4th of July DUI Saturation Patrol

for eight (8) hours and stopped 29 drivers; 17 of them were further evaluated for driving

under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Of those suspected drunk

drivers that were evaluated, 2 were arrested for DUI. In addition to the

arrests, 4 citations were issued for other… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 6, 2010 at 11:30am — 1 Comment

Knife-Wielding Man Robs Bank At Grossmont Center

GROSSMONT CENTER – At 12:26 today a man armed with a knife held up the Wells Fargo Bank at Grossmont Center.

La Mesa Police said the suspect, described as an Hispanic male, 25 to 29 years old, 6 feet tall with a heavy build and dark complexion, was wearing a dark colored baseball cap, dark shirt, blue jeans and gloves. Police said the suspect threatened a bank teller with a knife and demanded money. As the suspect left the bank, the security dye pack exploded and may have sprayed the… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 1, 2010 at 3:24pm — No Comments

New "Swami's'' Will Open in La Mesa Village

THE VILLAGE – La Mesa Boulevard is quietly building itself into a modest restaurant row. Perhaps as soon as July 12, Swami’s Café, the latest expansion of an Encinitas-based restaurant entrepreneur, is scheduled to open just two doors down from Cosmos Coffee Shop. The new, 48-seat establishment (pictured during on-going renovations above and below) will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and will specialize in vegetarian and healthy fare as well as… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on July 1, 2010 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment