La Mesa Today's Blog – December 2009 Archive (14)

Christmas Walk Up Helix

By Chris Lavin

Mt. Helix -- Perhaps it is the concentric circles. Or maybe just the steep grade that gets even the healthiest hearts pounding. But there is something about a Christmas walk up Mt. Helix that is transcendent.

I start up by heading down, down the steep grade my home is set on and then down the long, steep decline from Lake Helix due west along Lemon Avenue. Then the climb begins.

Up a short slope to Alto and left. The hill, glorious homes and the… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 27, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

Preparing for the Worst

La Mesa -- The La Mesa Police Department is reminding local residents to take a few minutes to prepare for the worst.

With homes full of valuable gifts this time of year, home burglars are more active and police can have difficulties recovering stolen goods.

“It is important to protect your valuables by keeping accurate records,’’ police officials say. They recommend that when you receive or purchase an item, immediately note the serial number and save the receipt and warranty… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 22, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Holiday Shopping for Thieves Too

Downtown La Mesa -- A female shopper exiting a bus in downtown La mesa found herself targeted by a thief, La Mesa Police said.

The shopper was exiting a bus at Palm and Allison avenues on Friday at 2:36 p.m. when the thief followed her off the bus and stole the phone she was using to send a text message.

The victim was unhurt. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, about 20 years old, 5 feet -5 inches, 140 pounds with short black hair in a buzz cut, white shirt, light blue… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 21, 2009 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Sobering Facts on DUI

LA MESA -– City of La Mesa police officials are encouraging hosts of holiday parties and gatherings to think about how intoxicated friends and family will get home this year.

La Mesa police will participate in a special state-wide anti-DUI effort which will include conducting sobriety check points. According to La Mesa officials the first check point will be conducted here Friday Dec. 18.

The special anti-DUI effort will continue through Jan. 3 with special check points… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 17, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Jingle Bell Kroc

ROLANDO - - When Joan Kroc left much of her McDonald's money to build community centers, Wednesday night on La Mesa's western edge had to be what she had in mind.

Hundreds of local residents gathered at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center on University Avenue to celebrate the holidays. Entry fees were waived for those donating toys to the disadvantaged and barrels filled quickly to give the Salvation Army's annual toy drive a needed boost.

Maria Todaro,… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 16, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Park Station Promises Meetings

DOWNTOWN LA MESA -- The owners of a downtown La Mesa property that could become the site of a major redevelopment and high rise project are pledging to conduct a series of meetings with local residents and organizations interested in the proposal.

The proposed project -- called Park Station -- would be located between Baltimore Drive and Spring Street and… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 14, 2009 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Silent Night

MT. HELIX -- Due to the ongoing rain, Mt. Helix caroling was cancelled!

When your event is rained out in San Diego, you know you’ve had some bad luck. Still, we needed the rain and we can all sing tomorrow morning in the shower! In fact, if we’re lucky, kind rains like this will continue right through the Spring and leave our reservoirs filled for the summer ahead.

The Mt. Helix Park Foundation did announce the cancellation from their web site, but they also… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 13, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Christmas in the Village

THE VILLAGE -- Christmas in the Village opened Friday night after a long, wet day, and some of the energy of the event was dampened by the rain. The promised carnival rides stayed shuddered but as evening fell and fires started in the street, residents did turn out. There was a delightful performance by the La Mesa Middle School Orchestra and fires burned in the street and warmed passersby. Merchants also took advantage of the rain and had specials… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 11, 2009 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Grapes to the People!

THE VILLAGE -– Even amid a challenging recession, La Mesa Boulevard in downtown Village area continues its relentless upscale march.

During the tumult of another Christmas In The Village event, Mike McWilliams and his wife, Linda, quietly opened a tasting room extension of their Pacific Beach based San Pasqual Winery.

The McWilliams family, residents of La Mesa, spent nights and weekends preparing their new shop, located just a few doors west of Gio’s,… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 11, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Park Station Gets A Cool Welcome

DOWNTOWN LA MESA -- City officials conducted the first public meeting about a new retail/high rise residential project being proposed for downtown and if they wondered whether the project will be controversial, they now have no doubts.

Residents filled the usually sleepy council chamber even though this hearing on the Park Station proposal was ostensibly just… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 9, 2009 at 8:00pm — 2 Comments

La Mesa Crime Victim Fights Back

LA MESA -- Kim Dumas stood before the City Council and described herself as a crime victim.

But rather than ranting and raving and complaining about police work, she launched into her response to the burglaries and car thefts hitting her West La Mesa neighborhood.

"I'm a web designer so I built a website -- http://LaMesaNeighborhoodWatch.com,'' she said. And Dumas encouraged council members to join her in her… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 8, 2009 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Sales Tax Revenues Plummet

LA MESA -- The city council had a lesson in economics at its last meeting of 2009.

It was a sobering lesson.

Marney Cox, an economist for the San Diego Association of Governments, gave an overview of the current economic conditions. He warned the local leaders not to expect the financial challenges to blow over quickly.

"The changes we are seeing in the economy are structural," Cox said, explaining that an unprecedented 20 percent drop in local sales… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 8, 2009 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Egg-citement at City Council

LA MESA –- Not too many years ago, the fields and hills of La Mesa were filled with fruit trees and avocados. Chickens wandered through yards and local residents ate what they raised.

One La Mesa couple, recently moved to their village home, thinks it may be time to turn back the clock – at least a few hours.

Jill Richardson and her boyfriend, Richard Dean, a recent refugee from the New York City restaurant scene, appeared before the La Mesa City Council and… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 8, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Little Library, Big Numbers

LA MESA -- The little library in downtown La Mesa has been turning in big numbers.

Library officials report the facility loaned more than 50,000 items during October, making it the second busiest outlet in the county during that period.

The library is also attempting to keep up with the times by letting residents text-message research requests directly to the staff. The Text-A-Librarian program allows people to send their text messages to 619-LMS-6152 from 1 p.m.… Continue

Added by La Mesa Today on December 1, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments