By Kristin Kjaero

August 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – What a vibrant community we live in! August boasts five free concerts, three free movie screenings, two theater productions, the annual Helix High All Class Picnic, and the annual heART of Mt. Helix. There are free clubs for every age and interest at the La Mesa Library, a broad range of activities at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, and a number of classes at the La Mesa Community Center start in August. For those who love nature there are a number of activities as Mission Trails Regional Park and the Water Conservation Garden, and for the fitness oriented there are several walking groups, aquatics, and even a boot camp. Get out and find your bliss, and while you’re at it meet your neighbors.

July 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – There is a lot of free summer entertainment in La Mesa this month, including concerts in the park, a movie under the stars, community theater and a walking club, not to mention a host of club activities for all ages and interests at the library.

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.

March 12, 2015 (La Mesa) – In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day,  the Celtic musical group Highland Way will perform at Hooley’s Irish Pub, located at Grossmont Center in La Mesa on Tuesday, March 17^th from 1 to 4 p.m.

January 20, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has events ranging from a Sock Monkeys concert at a winetasting room in La Mesa to an art show and family nature walk at Mission Trails Regional Park. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Cupids and Canines pet adoption event at Grossmont Center to Circus Vargas bringing its big-top show to El Cajon. Stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.

By Mimi Pollack

June 28, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - How can one have a healthier and more meaningful lifestyle? The psychologist Dr. Michael Mantell likes to use acronyms when conveying his healing messages as he believes they are a helpful way for people to remember them. 

For him, the acronym PERMA is an important message as it stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Although coined by Marty Seligman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, it is a way of life for Dr. Michael Mantell and his wife Paula, who live in El Cajon and share an office in La Mesa near Grossmont Center. 

As Mantell says, “It is important in life to create positive emotion in every situation and be engaged or in the flow of whatever you are doing. Relationships are also valuable as is finding meaning in every moment and doing the best you can to accomplish and reach your goals.”

October 13, 2013 (La Mesa) – A shopper returning to his Ford Ranger  at 7:32 p.m. last night saw a man inside the vehicle going through belongings in the parking lot at Grossmont Center. 

The victim confronted the intruder, who fled.  An officer responding near Walmart pursued the suspect on foot and apprehended him. Lance Rodgers of El Cajon, 31, was booked into County jail on charges or burglary, possession of burglary tools, and resisting arrest.

May 13,2013 (La Mesa)—Late Thursday night, two customers were robbed at gunpoint while using ATM cash machines in La Mesa.

According to La Mesa Police, the first incident occurred at 10:50 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank, 5610 Lake Murray Blvd.   A male customer using the ATM was approached by a man asking for change. When told the customer had no change, the man pulled a gun and demanded the man’s wallet before fleeing.

Close to midnight, a woman depositing money at an ATM at the Grossmont Center Bank of America was robbed by a gunman who demanded cash.  She gave him money and he fled east.

Walmart's low wages keep workers on the public dole, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for  its corporate profits

By Nadin Abbott

November 23, 2012 (La Mesa)-- Black Friday today was marked by a nationwide protest at 1,000 Walmart stores, including Grossmont Center in La Mesa.

Walmart workers are not unionized. So local volunteers and members of United Food & Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) staged the protest to give voice to grievances of Walmart employees who say they have been pressured to keep quiet and not participate in the demonstrations.

July 27, 2012 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa will be participating in National Night Out on August 7 at the north Target parking lot at Grossmont Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The event will be an Emergency Preparedness Fair that is family friendly and an easy way to learn to prepare for disaster.

Explore emergency vehicles, get free child fingerprinting and receive free resources and information on putting together an emergency preparedness kit.  Target will provide free BBQ.  For more information call 667-7545.

January 2, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Pageant organizers are currently seeking outgoing women ages 13-26 to participate in the 2012 Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants, programs that have been a tradition in La Mesa and Santee since the late 1960’s. 

November 23, 2011 (La Mesa) – On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Grossmont Center will unveil new holiday décor complete with bright-colored pencil trees, retro colored lights and peace signs, bringing back nostalgic memories of holidays in the 1960s for the shopping mall’s 50th anniversary holiday season.