East County News Service

June 8, 2023 (La Mesa)-- It's the best breakfast deal in town.  On Saturday, June 10, Heartland Firefighters of La Mesa will host a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at La Mesa Fire Station 11 (8034 Allison Avenue) from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. For just $5, guests can savor pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and orange juice, as well as  receive emergency preparedness training.

The public can receive training in several areas: CPR, Basic First Aid, and Crime Prevention. There will be training “stations” for the public to receive the information.

By Miriam Raftery

June 4, 2023 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to bring friends, form a team with a creative name and vie for prizes in fun challenges at stations across Grossmont Center in La Mesa on Friday, July 28 from 4 to 7 p.m.  It’s all part of “Team on a Trek,” an event to raise funds for the nonprofit San Diego Oasis Learning & Wellness Centers.  The fun will also include music, entertainment and awards.

What is “Team on a Trek?”

“It’s essentially an Amazing Race type of event, but for all ages and levels,” says Oasis committee member Claudia Erickson.  Sponsors as well as teams are sought.

East  County News Service

May 28, 2023 (La Mesa) – Former La Mesa City Councilman Guy McWhirter died May 26, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.  A strong voice for La Mesa’s business community, who helped develop the village merchants’ association, McWhirter was also a long-time insurance agent and a Bishop in the Church of  Latter Day Saints for La Mesa's second ward in the 1990s.

A memorial service will be held on  Friday,  June 2 at 3 p.m. at the LDS church at 5555 Aztec Drive in La Mesa.

McWhirter was elected to the La Mesa City Council in November 2014 and served through 2018, after previously serving on the city’s planning commission.  In a 2018 interview with East County Magazine, he said serving on the Council had been “one of the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had,” adding that he enjoyed “working with people who want to make a difference.”

On the Council, he supported programs to boost business in the downtown village, from a farmer’s market to Oktoberfest. He supported efforts to help the homeless and approve the city’s landmark climate action plan.

 In a 2014 ECM interview, McWhirter provided his definition of leadership. “Be an example by being the hardest worker and have the ability of encouraging others by giving them a vision of what we are trying to accomplish.  Always listen and be willing to accept new ideas.”

Source: City of La Mesa 

May 27, 2023 (La Mesa) - May is National Bicycle Safety Month and the La Mesa Police Department is encouraging more people to get active and safely take bike rides. “Bicycling is a great means of transportation and recreation,” Chief Ray Sweeney said. “Let’s look out for one another and make sure everyone arrives safely at their destination. Share the road and share the responsibility.”

East County News Service

May 20, 2023 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to join the City of La Mesa in saluting “Old Glory” during the city’s annual Flag Day Parade.  The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Memorial Drive, University Ave. and La Mesa Blvd., then heads west through the La Mesa village to Acacia Ave.  The Grossmont High School Royal Blue Regiment and the Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard will lead the parade.

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) - San Pasqual Winery recently received a total of seven awards at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and 2023 Toast of the Coast International Wine Competition.  

San Pasqual Winery received the following awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Gold for their 2022 Riesling (San Diego County), Silver for their 2022 Albariño (San Diego County), and Silver for their 2018 Right Bank Blend (San Diego County). 

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, started in 1983 as the Cloverdale Citrus Wine Competition, is the largest and most well known in North America. This year, there were over sixty judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating 5,500 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries. 

San Pasqual Winery received four Silver awards at this year’s Toast of the Coast International Wine Competition, including: the 2022 Albariño (San Diego County), 2018 Right Bank Blend (San Diego County), 2018 Left Bank Blend (San Diego County) and 2016 Teroldego (Clarksburg).  

“We’re especially proud of our 2022 Riesling for receiving a Gold this year!” says winemaker, Linda McWilliams. “We have recently shipped a supply of Riesling to Germany for our wine & river cruise that we are hosting so that our participants can taste the differences and similarities between our Riesling and the ones they’ll discover there!”

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) - Visionary Youth Theatre presents Grease: School Version at the Visionary Performance Space (8674 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa) on June 30 – July 9.  The hit musical with a hip-shaking, rock ‘n’ roll score, Grease celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-socked, gum-snapping glory. The fun-loving spirit and immortal songs that make Grease a favorite among rock ‘n’ roll fans of all ages.

By Kathy Carpenter

April 26, 2023 (La Mesa) - Honky Tonk Angels delivers an electrifying dose of pure country energy with a powerhouse cast and a playlist of iconic hits that will have you singing along and cheering for these fierce, flawed and unforgettable women. Written by Ted Swindle, directed by Jonathan Sturch and with Jerrica Ignacio as music director, this musical revue is a must-see for fans of classic country music and the stories that come with it.

East County News Service

April 16, 2023 (La Mesa) – Renowned singer-songwriter Gregory Page is taking time out from his international tour to perform at San Diego Oasis in Grossmont Center, La Mesa with his haunting and illuminating songs. Opening the show will be local singer-songwriter Peter Boland. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of Helix Water District

April 13, 2023 (La Mesa) -- The Helix Water District Board on April 5 adopted a resolution declaring an end to Level 2 Water Shortage response, which had mandated up to a 20% reduction in water use.  The action follows heavy rains that have ended drought conditions locally.

East County News Service

April 8, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced yesterday that defendant Dwayne E. Groves Jr., 41, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 72 years formurdering 15-year-old twin sisters, Caira and Leah Christopher, in April 2020. Both were students at Helix Charter High School in La Mesa.

Source:  City of La Mesa

April 5, 2023 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa is developing a Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Plan). The Plan will be a comprehensive effort dedicated to improving parks, recreation programs, and services for La Mesa residents. This year-long effort will help set the framework for future planning, maintenance, development and rehabilitation of City parks and facilities.

April 1, 2023 (La Mesa) – Surfrider Pizza in La Mesa will donate 15% of all food and beverage sales on April 2 between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. to the James Cerebral Palsy Foundation (tax and gratuity not included). 

This applies to dine-in and to-go orders, but not to-go orders through a third party company. You must mention the fundraiser when you order, or print and bring the flyer in this article.

City also lifts pandemic emergency declaration, proposes enforcement of affordable housing rules

By Jessyka Heredia

March 21,2023 (La Mesa) -- At Tuesday’s meeting, the La Mesa City Council voted to have staff draft a project labor agreement, form a subcommittee to consider stricter regulation of tobacco sales, and create fees for monitoring compliance with affordable housing in the city, among other items.