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September May 2013 2013
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Volume Volume 33 –– Number Number 95
Pickleball Play in INSIDE THIS ISSUE THIS Collier Park
By Jeremy Ogul
By Gina McGalliard
Senior moments A brain condition may keep old dogs from new tricks. Santee Surprise East County Page 5 destination provides an ideal getaway for lake lovers. Page 6
Everyone’s heard of tennis, paddleball, ping-pong and squash – but have you heard of pickleball? Pickleball, which has been steadily gaining in popularity for several decades, is a game played indoors or outdoors on onethird the size of a tennis court with perforated balls and lightweight paddles. Invented in 1965 in Washington by Congressman Joel Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell, the game was named after Pritchard’s cocker spaniel, Pickles, who had a habit of chasing stray balls. The first pickleball tournament was held in 1976, and in
LaDiscouraging Mesa Named the wily coyote Tree City USA for 33rd Year
ings in Collier Park. La Mesa residents Justine and Tim Frazee even serve as San Diego’s East County ambassadors for the USA Pickleball Association. The couple learned about pickleball from Tim’s mother, a former professional tennis player. Knowing the game was popular among seniors, however, and wary it was simply a watered-down version of other racquet sports, it took them almost a year before they tried it out themselves. But that changed on a trip to Tucson, Ariz. “We were there for five days,
Helix Water District Approves Rate Hikes
Cindy Patterson at first thought the mutilated feline carcass she saw on a neighbor’s lawn was the result of “some kind of barbaric torture.” She quickly realized that the cat was actually the victim of one of the many coyotes that prowl the residential streets of La Mesa after dark. Coyotes, wild members of the dog family, are native to western North America and have adapted well to suburban development over the past century. In fact, some of the highest coyote population densities in the world have been recorded in suburban Southern California, according to University of California researchers.
By Andy Cohen
Cohn returns Local restaurateurs take over Gingham’s old spot in the Village. Page 6 Mind for Music Local music teacher Evans Kontopols inspires and challenges students to reach their Bests Neighborhood potential. You voted; now see Page 7 who won our top awards. Page 11
The Helix Water District in a fall fell from 10.6 inches in 2010 and 3-to-2 vote Aug. 21 approved proposed 12.7 inches in 2011 to just 7.9 inches rate hikes for fiscal years 2013-14 and in 2012. Thus far in 2013, the San 2014-15, with plans to revisit addi- Diego area has received just over six tional rate hikes in subsequent years. inches of rain. The district cites drought condiDrought conditions affect the tions and the necessity to increase the water supply in two ways: With less amount of water purchased from the natural rainfall, property owners San Diego County Water Authority. It must use more water from the system to water is anticipated demand for purchased Players interested in joining La Mesa's East Countytheir groupproperty, can meet atincreasing By Genevieve A. Suzuki demand. But with less11rainfall, the water will increase by at least 16 Collier Park on Palm Avenue Wednesday and Friday mornings until a.m. percent over 2012-13, which was 21 supply in reservoirs is down, neces- For the 33rd year in a row, La Mesa earned the Having noticed a glut of “missing signs of being a Tree City USA, an honorpet” bestowed sitating the out purchase of additional percent higher than the previous year,and played four of the five days distinction 1984 the USA Pickleball Associathroughout her neighborhood, Patterson is upon the city by the Arbor Day Foundation for its to meet the higher demand translating to a projected increase ofwewater were there. We were hooked tion was formed. By the '90s, pickafraid coyotes are nabbing the family pets of commitment to effective urban forest management. $6.3 million to $36.6 million for theright from sources such as the Colorado away,” said Justine. “Because leball was being played all around uninformed residents. Mesa achieved Tree City USA recognition by fiscal year just begun. or the Sacramento it’sRiver a lot easier [when] River you’reDelta. La the country. “It just breaks my heart because I see all According to the San DiegoplayingAdditionally, the San Diego meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board on one-third size of a TheWater game has earned a County Authority, annual raindepartment, a tree-care ordinance, an annual commutennis court, and it’s a Helix muchWater, morePage 8 See See Coyotes, Page 4 devoted following in La Mesa, easier game to play than tennis.” nity forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, an Arbor where players meet to battle it out See Tree City USA, Page 5 See Pickleball, Page 2 on Wednesday and Friday morn-
‘Dr. A’ makes the grade By Jeremy Ogul
La Mesa Journal When a young Mark Arapostathis
San Diego State University and began first started acting in productions of the teaching in La Mesa-Spring Valley Peter Pan Junior Theater in 1976, few schools in 1992. Known as “Dr. A” to his could have predicted that he would be students, he currently teaches second By Genevieve A. Suzuki leading the city as an educator and city grade at Rolando Elementary but has councilmember morelike thanthe 35 years taught however, at Murdock and hardalso to believe, thisElementary organized HOA Lillian Palmer seems sweetlater. First elected to the La Mesa City Lemon Avenue Elementary. president is a crooning, sensual diva in her neighbor next door as she walks her dog, Council in 2006 and re-elected in 2010, In the early 1990s, Arapostathis took Sparky, a scruffy adopted pound pooch she other incarnation. Arapostathis’s political career hasabeen And over yet as director of the aPeter Junior it only takes few Pan minutes in affectionately calls “Sparkalicious.” Palmer, buoyed by the widespread connections Theater, a position he has held the svelte redhead, waves happily to her fellow Palmer’s presence to realize what a forceever and respect he has earned The nonprofit theater group lady since. is. A true entertainer, Palmer canbrings vamp residentsheinhas hermade Baltimore Drive townhome together 90 La Mesa children, ranging as an educator and public servant in the one complex, politely inquiring about events in like Vivian Leigh in Gone with the Wind city over his career. fromperform fourth-graders eighth-graders, minute, a scene tofrom Hitchcock’s their lives only a friend would know. La Mesa to put a blowout stage production Rebecca theon next, before suddenly droppingata BecauseArapostathis, she serves unlike as the many president the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community natives, stuck around after graduating Councilman Mark Arapostathis of her homeowners association, it’s not funny line from an old Cheech & Chong film. Center in San from Helix earned bach- Palmer said it Diego. all started at the family was voted Favorite Politician in surprising that she High wouldSchool. be on aHe first-name Lillian Palmer elor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees at this year’s Neighborhood Best. basis with at least half the neighborhood. It’s See Page209 SeeJournal, Dr. A, Page
HOA President Hits the High Note
Jewel of a Lady Music well done Historical View “The Riv” hires introduces the bands to give diners author who coined more value for their La Mesa’s motto. tabs. Page 12 Page 17 NEWS TIPS (619) 697-2500 x121 x124 Editor@LaMesaCourier.com
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