PRSRT STD ECRWSSEDDM U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 2629 Local Postal Customer
February 2013
On the Internet at www.LaMesaCourier.com
La Mesa Tobacco INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Volume 3 – Number 2
Policies Flunk Out By Eric Yates, La Mesa Patch.com
Blanket Praise Quilter Linda Anderson earns a Noteworthy nod with her creations. Page 2
Goodbye, Coach La Mesa's Rick White was an inspiration on and off the field. Page 4
The American Lung Association in California has given the city of La Mesa an F rating for its tobacco policies – prompting a retort from Mayor Art Madrid that the group should focus its efforts elsewhere. The annual report, released Jan. 16, issues grades for all cities and counties in California on local tobacco control policies including those for smoke-free outdoor environments, smokefree housing, and reducing sales of tobacco products. Overall, the association said the state of California “falls short in adequately funding tobacco prevention programs to protect children and curb tobaccocaused disease.” California earned an A grade for its smoke-free air policies but received a D for its low cigarette tax, an F for failing to adequately fund tobacco prevention and control programs, and another F for poor coverage of smoking cessation and treatment services. La Mesa received an overall F grade, and received F’s in two out of the three categories: Smoke-free Outdoor Air: D; Smokefree Housing: F; Reducing Sales of Tobacco Products: F. Madrid said that this is the second or third year that the city has received these grades, saying that the American Lung Association always focuses on “the low hanging fruit, local stores.” “I know that all local stores in La Mesa require an I.D. check when making a tobacco purchase,” said Madrid. “I have told them, the ALA, that their time and energy would be better served and more effective, if they focused their attention on those issues at the federal and state levels, where legislation will address all of their concerns.” La Mesa’s neighboring city, El Cajon, received the highest grade in the county, a B, for its strong smoke-free outdoor air laws, smoke-free protections for apartment residents, and effective tobacco retail licensing program. Other neighboring communities Lemon Grove, Santee, See ALA Grade, Page 3
Party on, La Mesa! By Genevieve A. Suzuki
Making History James D. Newland's new column recognizes the La Mesa Women's Club. Page 9 NEWS TIPS (619) 697-2500 x124 Editor@LaMesaCourier.com
ADVERTISE WITH US (619) 697-2500 x140 Sales@LaMesaCourier.com
They called it “The Party of the Century,” and it was. La Mesa’s community leaders, citizens and their families got dolled up to celebrate 100 years of the city’s incorporation at the La Mesa Commu-
nity Center Jan. 12. Mayor Art Madrid, the City Council, City staff, including assistant city manager Yvonne Garrett, who oversaw the Centennial Committee, Party co-chairs
La Mesa Winery to Open in Summer By Genevieve A. Suzuki
San Pasqual Winery is about to become the first La Mesabased winery, and its owners, Mike and Linda McWilliams, wouldn’t have it any other way. Currently based in Pacific Beach, the McWilliams decided to move the winery closer to their La Mesa home about a year ago. The move made sense since the San Pasqual Tasting Room is already in La Mesa Village. “We need more space and wanted to have it close to home,” said Linda, who moved with Mike to La Mesa 30 years ago. “Wine takes a lot of tending.” Because they wanted more room than their current 1,500foot spot, they began looking at the industrial area near Dixieline. After finding a 4,750-foot location on Center Drive, they went to City Hall to apply for the appropriate permits and promptly discovered that the winery would violate current zoning laws, which banned microbreweries, micro wineries, and production of alcohol or any fermented fruit products. The McWilliams went to see Mayor Art Madrid to tell him See Winery, Page 2
Linda Horrell and JoAnn Knutson, and a host of volunteers gathered together to happily toast the grand finale of a year’s worth of Centennial events. Upon entrance to the event, attendees were greeted by classic cars and La Mesa Women’s Club members, dressed in costumes from various eras. La Mesa’s Gary Burt crooned Sinatra tunes as guests selected different rooms reflecting several genres of music, including disco, rock ‘n’ roll and swing. Dancing the night away
wasn’t the only thing on the agenda – there was also an array of delicious choices from local restaurants, such as Anthony’s Fish Grotto, Casa de Pico and the Grove Pastry Shop. For those with daring spirits, opportunity drawings were available for entry as well. Although the night was quite chilly at 40-something degrees, the mood among revelers was warm as they dined, danced and dreamed of another 100 years for La Mesa. For more photos, see page 11.