La Mesa California

People think of the holidays as being sentimental, romantic, nostalgic, with strong images of families. But for those who have lost a loved one those images, memories and expectations makes it more evident of what we do not have this year during the holiday season and what we have lost.…

Home of Guiding Hands received a holiday treat with a visit from former HGH CEO Mark Klaus, who brought author and motivational speaker Dr. Temple Grandin to speak to the organization’s front line workers and clients. Klaus is currently the executive director for the San Diego Regional Center, so it…

Sycuan Casino Resort presented $187,000 to 28 charities during its 2022 Annual Holiday Gift Giving ceremony on Dec. 8. “This event is always such a special one, because members of our team are given the opportunity to select a charity partner that is meaningful to them,” said Cody Martinez, chairman,…

The County of San Diego has opened seven test sites for influenza at former COVID-19 testing and treatment sites. The tests are no-cost. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins will be accommodated if scheduling permits. “This is a great resource for our families, friends and neighbors to conveniently find out if…

The Fit Factory gym owner Marc Barron said the idea of ‘the holiday 15’ is somewhat misleading as there are only a handful of celebratory days throughout the holidays. “The holiday 15— You have one day you consume candy on Halloween in October, then add two days in November for…

By Marie Waldron On December 5th the Legislature met for a formal organizational session. The main purpose was to swear in members for the 2023-2024 session, which reconvenes on January 4th. Despite the day’s formalities, my Caucus introduced a package of bills to address many significant problems that are affecting…

The final chapter on the 2022 high school football season was written last weekend with state championship games taking place across California. Saddleback College was the featured venue for all A and AA games while other divisions took place at host sites between participating teams. The San Diego Section qualified…

It is a story of two cities. It is a story of two people. And it is a story of second chances. Both fought addiction and found a path out, and now they spend their lives changing the lives of people fighting addiction when they think there is no way…

Eighteen months ago, Moxie Theatre modified their productions for Zoom viewers to attend live performances from the confines of home while Lamplighters Community Theatre temporarily dropped their curtain until opening their 83rd season to masked and vaccinated patrons in September 2021. Moxie Executive Director Jennifer Eve Thorn said the past…

Coming back this year with a shimmer, Noah Homes is opening up its facility ready for thousands of people to come stroll through its yearly holiday themed Enchanted Village. Located in Spring Valley, Noah Homes has served adults with intellectual and development disabilities since 1983, providing residential care and lifelong…

Animal sanctuary Lions Tigers and Bears will be introducing a new rescue at their Christmas With the Animals fundraiser from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 10. “We just finished restoring a habitat for Eddie the Jaguar, and we can’t wait for visitors to see him enjoying his first holiday…

By Marie Waldron California has 30% of the nation’s homeless and over half of its unsheltered homeless. $17 billion has been thrown at the problem, yet homeless numbers continue to grow. Between 2019 and 2022, the homeless population increased by over 22,000. We have become a national embarrassment. So what…

Each year, as store advertisements transform overnight from autumn-themed signage printed with falling orange leaves to wintery images of prancing reindeer and evergreen trees, holiday shopping begins in earnest. While some shoppers fill bags upon bags with items galore, a saying of unknown origin provides a more frugal hint on…

Parkway Plaza is ready for the holidays. Santa has arrived, and along with his friendly elves, the plaza is brimming with holiday treats for the entire family, starting off with the Salvation Army Fire Truck Parade and Toy Drive on Dec. 3 starting at 11 a.m. Parkway Plaza Marketing and…

The weighted vote at 2023 San Diego County Water Authority board meetings will increase for the Otay Water District and the Lakeside Water District but will Municipal Water District. The Nov. 17 SDCWA board meeting approved the Calendar Year 2023 weighted vote allocations for the CWA member agencies. The allocations…

By Marie Waldron As the Assemblymember for the new 75th Assembly district, I want to reach out and let you know how my office can be of assistance to you. We are honored and excited to be able to represent you in Sacramento and we are here to be of…

The seeding for this year’s San Diego Section football playoffs took on a decidedly different flavor with such teams as Cathedral Catholic left out of the elite Open Division and other teams such as Crawford receiving high seeds in the lower divisions. But it all added up to one of…

The on-going incredible saga of Liberty Charter High School senior Micah Sanchez continued at last Saturday’s California state cross country championship meet in Fresno by winning the Division V boys individual championship. Sanchez (15:13.8) won in commanding fashion with an 11-second margin over Menlo senior Justin Petre (15:24.6). Sanchez traded…

San Diego River Park Foundation is hosting a sock drive for homeless residents from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 4 in the organization’s headquarters parking lot at 4891 Pacific Highway. Foundation founder Rob Hutsel said there are two reasons the organization is collecting socks for residents experiencing homelessness who…