On Dec. 23, Congress approved reimbursing the Federal Emergency Management Agency up to $785 million for costs related to emergency shelters and services to asylum seekers. District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson is asking his four colleagues on the county Board of Supervisors to vote cohesively and request some of those…
La Mesa California
It was reasonably expected that the County of San Diego’s Transient Occupancy Tax revenue for Fiscal Year 2021-22 would be higher than for 2019-20 and 2020-21 when coronavirus restrictions reduced lodging, but the 2021-22 countywide total of $7,225,923.25 was 24.9 percent higher than the 2018-19 figure of $5,784,163.63. The 2021-22…
The city of La Mesa in February voted 3-2 to uphold an October 2021 appeal against a proposed marijuana dispensary filed by Communities Against Substance Abuse Executive Director Dana Stevens. An overview map provided showed the storefront’s proposed entrance would sit 1,950 feet away from Christ Lutheran church and school…
Starting the new year people often make resolutions only to be disappointed. But when it comes to staying healthy, San Diego Oasis, a nonprofit dedicated in helping older adults live rich and vibrant lives, is holding its annual Fitness Palooza on Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at…
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released their annual Homeless Assessment report to Congress on Dec. 19, which showed 582,462 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2022. The unfunded federally mandated count, a one-night tally of homeless individuals which takes place each January has…
Now in its 36th year, Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s annual Santa’s Korner Toy Drive serves local families in need who live in East County. Sharp Grossmont coordinated with various organizations, as well has the hospital’s prenatal services and adopted local families. On Dec. 14, hospital staff collected gifts on site before…
Coming on Jan. 1, 2023, the city of El Cajon is launching a new program designed to encourage clean neighborhoods and community pride with its Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a free City service created to enable local residents within the city to divert trash from the streets and improve…
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…
