Late Winter Rains Helpful, but 'April Showers' Needed

Weather Window: March 2012 Extremes for La Mesa

Suspend Implementation of New High School Boundaries for One Year.

The local K-8 superintendents should have been asked to request parent volunteers to serve and give input on the boundaries. ... There would have been a broader and more inclusive review.

We Need to Stop Being Cheap About Education

Tough times or not, our state has a large economy, but we are not paying proportionally to meet the needs of our educational system and this will only make us weaker in the future.

President Obama’s Running Mate in the Upcoming Election Is ...

I predict that Joe Biden will graciously step aside, and Hillary Clinton will be persuaded to run with Barack Obama in the November 2012 election. Remember, you heard it here first.

1/31/2012 Petition Deadline Passes, So Where’s PBID?

More PBID support materials have been distributed in the Village area. What did the petition results show? Do the property owners want PBID? Haven't they already decided?

If Kids Pass Exit Exam in 10th Grade, Let Them Leave School

All we need is one parent of a sophomore who passed both parts of the CAHSEE to sue a school district for a diploma for their 10th-grader.

How LASER Dentistry Can Work For You

Even right here in La Mesa, LASERs are used as an integral part of many a well-rounded dental repertoire to keep your teeth, gums and heart healthy.

Capitalism: Under the Microscope of Morality

It is impossible to introduce into society a greater change and a greater evil than this: the conversion of the law into an instrument of plunder. —Frederic Bastiat, “The Law,” 1850

La Mesa National Little League Prepares for Super Season

The San Diego Padres offered to fund all Minors level uniforms this season if the Minors teams were all in Padres uniforms from various eras.

Calling All East County Single Moms!

How many Single Moms would want to attend a 1-hour workshop if it were held during the week after work?

We Could See Forever: A Road Trip to the Back Country

Back in the car, we headed further down the road past Lucky Kid Ranch. One of the horses let us get up close to him. He had the eyes of a dreamer.

Mural Memorializes Longtime Lemon Avenue School Volunteer Joanne Smith

Devoted aide who would have turned 80 last week; she was at the school nearly every day for almost 40 years.

The Standards of ‘Smart’ Are Causing a Sense of Failure

Perfectly able and intelligent students consider themselves to be failures because of the emphasis on test scores and rankings, things that cease to matter in college.

The Trial of the Invisible Hand (Part I)

A courtroom drama: the “Invisible Hand of the market” is on trial, having failed to provide opportunities and prosperity to the residents of Earth as he had promised.

My Grandma’s Leaking Memories About the Japanese WWII Internment Camps

it breaks my heart to imagine my great-grandma’s disappointment when her hopes were dashed and she along with her children were forced to abandon the farm together.

Weather Window Returns: January 2012 Data Summary for La Mesa

For data-minded individuals and the generally curious, this monthly submission provides an overview of meteorological highlights from the past month for La Mesa.

California Exposed – Fewer Employees Than You Think

California has a paltry 110 state employees for every 10,000 residents. The national average is 142 state employees per 10,000 residents.

What’s So Unfair About Trade? Awful Hidden Cost Behind Cheap Products

The first in a series of essays that examine the question: “What’s so unfair about the way we buy and sell things in our economy? Why is ‘Fair Trade’ even necessary?”

Taxes Are a Civic Responsibility

All Americans should be concerned about the developing belief in our country that we can somehow have services yet not pay the price.

California Health Department Cites Smart Meter Health Risks in Report

The department asks county supervisors to sign a petition to postpone the CPUC opt-out ruling until independent investigations and public health hearings are conducted.

La Mesa Soccer Teams Strive to Win at Area All-Stars Tournament

Eight La Mesa AYSO teams recently competed in the Area 11v All Stars Tournament with the boys under 12 team advancing to play in the upcoming Regional playoffs in Garden Grove.

100 Kids Talking in the Grossmont High School Gym = Catalyst For Change

Can a 6-hour program for high school kids really change the way they think about each other? Challenge Day attempts to help kids see beyond stereotypes and much more.

Smiles Abound as Students Select from Bonanza of Books at Murdock Elementary

The Murdock Elementary PTA hosted it’s annual student bookswap with thousands of books being exchanged by Kindergarten through 6th grade students.

Higher Taxes are Not the Answer

We, as citizens of this great community and great state, will NOT pay any more in taxes.... It’s time for government to address the other side of the equation: spending.

La Mesa’s Centennial—Not Ready for its Close-Up! Cleanup Request Planned

At Tuesday’s Parking Commission meeting, I will make a motion to add to next month’s agenda discussion of allocating meter money toward a centennial cleanup of the Village.

PUC Orders PG&E to Offer Analog Meters as Sole Smart Meter Opt-Out Option

The proposed cost of this option has been lowered to between $5 (for low income customers) and $10 a month, but is still problematic.

10 Most Common Misconceptions About Gum Disease

Flossing is the only dental therapy that goes underneath the gum tissue where the bone-destroying bacteria live.

The Ones the Wolves Pulled Down: Village Shops That Recently Closed

Another "Store Closing" sign in our village. Goodbye to Spoil Me Rotten Dress Shop. Shops are struggling. Now is not the time to increase our property tax bill.

Is It OK to Fear on the Basis of Protection?

We are taught to fear those that may harm us, but if we justify our fear of someone because we are protecting our country, this just spreads the acceptance of those that we do not understand.

Playing by the Rules: A Forgotten Tradition?

Do the right thing and expect the right result; do the wrong thing and suffer the consequences.

PBID Critic: Exercise Your Right to NOT Petition Your Government

The Petition Phase is, for all practical purposes, the real vote and it's one that neuters rather than empowers you.

What Do I Do With This Petition If I Don't Want PBID?

Don't sign it. Don't mail it in. This is not our only option. Let's get together and find the solution that works best for all of us.

World Peace: The Value-Added Benefit of a Ron Paul Presidency

Unwavering in his dedication to the principles contained in our nation’s founding documents, thoroughly honest, Ron Paul is a statesman of the highest character.

Tooth loss and technology

When you lose a tooth, it is important to understand the options available to you, including doing nothing, getting a crown and bridge or getting a dental implant.

A New Year Is Just Another 365 Days, Isn't It?

So at the risk of sounding like a student of the Glass is Half Full University, I believe in the power of self. I believe that we are all put on this earth with a purpose.

Thank You, Capt. Carlos Medero!

La Mesa Police Department took the time to honor one of our heroes. The whole department—all the men and women serving our La Mesa community are our heroes.

Throwing Up Karma: It Hits at Jasmine Seafood in San Diego

You never know when you'll be strong enough to be the parent you have to be until you're in the middle of a busy Chinese restaurant with your child vomiting in your lap.

War or Peace: Which is America's Legacy?

As the hue and cry for further U. S. intervention in the Middle East reaches a fever pitch, should we not ask: Just who are we alienating and what might the consequences be?

Kempton Students Enjoy Seasons Greetings and Christmas Cheer

Kempton Elementary students enjoy holiday crafts and a visit from Santa.

The Complexity of Christmas: Why Can’t Holiday Be Cited in Spirit of Season?

I don’t think that banning displays of Christmas is achieving equal representation of all religions and beliefs, but actually heading in the opposite direction.