Mira Mesa says goodbye to Councilmember Brian Maienschein at a farewell get together at Callahan’s Pub & Brewery, Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 5:00 p.m. The public is invited to join local Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Business Members and Residents of District 5 in wishing well our Representative of the San Diego City Council. Brian has been on the City Council since being elected in November 2000. Due to term restrictions, he will pass on his seat to Carl DeMaio.

Coincidentally, the Chamber of Commerce meeting has been moved to Callahan’s to enable the Chamber Members the opportunity to wish Brian well. The meeting will start at 6:15 and run to 7:30. The topic of this meeting will be fire safety, and our second presentation will be from our Treasurer, Brian Wissinger of the Wissinger Financial Group, on the state of our economy.

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It was a great day for a three mile walk with over 10,000 people sharing the same goal: to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure here in beautiful San Diego. The clouds were dark and ominous, but the rain stayed away during the event held in Balboa Park. For those not familiar with this major fundraiser, the Komen Race for the Cure raises money by having groups and individuals pay an entry fee, and the challenge of raising an additional $125 in donations which would cover the cost of a mammogram.

A lot of money is raised, of which 75% of the net proceeds stays in San Diego to support the uninsured and under insured individuals touched by breast cancer in the areas of diagnostics, screening, treatment, services and education. The remaining 25% is used to support national research. The 2008 goal of $650,000 was exceeded by raising over $814,797, with more than 490 teams participating, and more than 10,660 people and their pets taking to the streets for this worthy cause.

The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman’s life is about 1 in 8. It is essential that women and their loved ones know that early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer. There are three simple steps to ensure that if you are the 1 in 8 to be diagnosed, you and or your doctor will find it in its earliest stages.

Three Steps to Breast Health:

1. Starting at age 40*, have an annual screening mammography. *Some women with a family history of breast cancer or other concerns may be advised by a trained medical professional to start earlier than age 40.
2. At age 20 – and at least every three years – have a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional. Women age 40 and over should have a clinical breast exam every year.
3. At age 20, begin doing monthly breast self-exams.

Save your life or that of someone you love by practicing the 3 Steps to Breast Health and encouraging loved ones to do the same. Although the Komen Race for the Cure has just passed, their next big event is the Komen 3-Day, which is a 3 day walk which covers 60 miles, Nov. 21-23, 2008 through the streets of San Diego. This is an amazing event for both the participants and the thousands who line the sidewalks of the course to show their support. Still, the cause continues and needs community support. Here is a brief history of Komen for the Cure:

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure® and the Breast Cancer 3-Day, the organization has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1.877 GO KOMEN.

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The October Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce meeting will be Tuesday, October 21st at 6:00 PM at the San Diego National Bank on Mira Mesa Blvd, next to In-N-Out Burger. The guest speakers will be San Diego Miramar College President Patricia Hsieh, and Chris Robbins from the City of San Diego Water Department.  Food and beverages will be provided by Extreme Pita for a $10 donation at the door. Exact change is greatly appreciated. The Business Spotlight will also be Extreme Pita.

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There was a Mayor’s Town Hall Forum last night at the Town Council meeting, in which the Mayor and his staff spoke directly to those in attendance about the city’s water supply challenges, and the need for everyone to conserve water now. The city is supporting the 20 gallon challenge, which basically asks us all to conserve 10% of our current usage (20 gallons per day). They outlined many ways that we can conserve, and also explained that if we do not reach our goal of 10% by the end of the year, we may face mandatory water conservation.

As a city, residents have currently conserved 6.3%, while the city (parks, recreation, city buildings, etc.) have conserved 11.5%.  We are close to achieving the goal, but as residents we need to do a better job. They also asked for residents to compare their water bills, as all the information is listed at the bottom of your statements. There are also tips to help you conserve. Mayor Sanders spelled it out simply “Water is the economy, it affects us all.” For more information, click on this link to the 20gallonchallenge or use the Mayor’s website for ways to conserve.

The second half of the double header involved the Principals from each of the schools in Mira Mesa, and President Hseih and her entire administrative board from Miramar College. It was a great opportunity to meet all of the Principals, and for them to tell us their goals for the upcoming school year. All were proud of the community and their support, but with the major budget cutbacks that each school faces they also stressed the importance of volunteers and the need of financial support.

We also heard from the representatives from Assemblyman George Plescia and Senator Christine Kehoe, and they informed us of a new ordinance banning over sized vehicles from parking on all city streets for extended periods of time. Also passed is the law banning text messaging on cell phones while driving which will take effect on January 1. As a quick reminder, October 20 is the last day to register to vote, so don’t delay. The Public Utilities Commission is holding a hearing on October 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Al Bahr Shrine Center  to gather information regarding the October 2007 San Diego fires. The public is welcome, and the address is 5440 Kearny Mesa Road.

Local resident Jack Barr reached out to the community to support the “Yes on D” initiative, which would make the temporary ban on alcohol at our city beaches permanent. Go to safebeachessandiego.org for more information.

Patrick Hubbard spoke at the meeting about the sign on Reagan Road that vandals destroyed a few weeks ago. He would like community support to replace the damaged sign, and the Town Council Board will address this at a future meeting.

Another hi-lite of the meeting was the donation from Diana Smith from the Womens Club to the Adopt - A - Wall program, supporting the efforts to paint the walls on Mira Mesa Blvd and surrounding areas. Time Warner Cable also donated $1000 to the efforts, and Mike Davis accepted the checks on behalf of HEROES and the Town Council.

For more details, go to the Mira Mesa Town Council website, and mark your calendar for the next meeting which is November 3.

If you want to keep up with what is going on in Mira Mesa make sure to subscribe to our free newsletter. Not only will you get the latest news sent directly to your inbox, you will also get lots of chances to win some great prizes from local merchants.

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Pardee Homes’ Monster Manor Returns to Mira Mesa. The Mira Mesa Theatre Guild proudly presents its 8th annual haunted house, Monster Manor, which runs on October 17, 18, 24-26, 28-31 in the Target Shopping Center. Each year the ghoulish, cursed home of the Ghastleys rises up in Mira Mesa. Inside the brooding old Victorian mansion, the former tenants return to try and scare away all who enter their abode. Each year, Monster Manor is completely rebuilt and redesigned so that the attraction’s experience is different from year to year. This year’s theme “What Lies Beneath” hints at what guests can expect. For the first time in the Manor history, spectators are allowed into the subterranean cavern of the Ghastleys’ Victorian Mansion.

Each year Monster Manor has grown more and more. More than half of the Manor’s 200 volunteers are made up of teens from the local high school, who earn Community Service hours for their help in building and acting at the haunt. All “profits” from the haunt go to various charities and non profit organizations; including but not limited to: Boy Scouts, schools, etc…the funds needed to produce the attraction come from many generous sponsors including Pardee Homes, AT&T, and the Target Shopping Center…to name a few.

Monster Manor is the only haunted house in San Diego County that caters to young children and families. During select days, the Manor transforms into a Caribbean Villa, with pirates running about searching for lost treasures. The Lite Frites’s Pirates’ Landing, as the daytime attraction is called, is designed for toddlers to preteens. It is a non-scary alternative to the nighttime attraction. Children are guided by friendly pirates to search for lost treasures. Along the way, they encounter helpful scalawags, manor guests and ghostly apparitions to help locate the treasures before the bad pirates can get to them.

So look for the giant 4,000-plus-square-foot haunted house in the Target Shopping Center, and experience a truly unique Halloween event that the whole family can enjoy. This is better than a huge bag full of Halloween candy, and the proceeds benefit our local community. To volunteer your time, money, or for more information, visit the Monster Manor website.

Lite Frite: Oct. 18-19, 25-26 from Noon - 4 p.m. for toddlers and up. Tickets are $5.

Night Haunt: Oct. 17-18, 24-26, 28-31 from 7 p.m. ’til close for ages 13 & up. Tickets are $10.

Photos courtesy of Randall Powell

If you want to keep up with what is going on in Mira Mesa make sure to subscribe to our free newsletter. Not only will you get the latest news sent directly to your inbox, you will also get lots of chances to win some great prizes from local merchants.

Popularity: 39% [?]

This Monday, Oct. 6, there will be a “double feature” evening of back-to-back meetings on two important community issues, water and education, in the community meeting room at the Mira Mesa Library, 8405 New Salem St., from 6 to 8:30 p.m. All Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch residents are invited to attend either or both of these meetings!

From 6 to 7 p.m., there will be a Critical Water Supplies Issues Town Hall, with Mayor Jerry Sanders and staff members from the San Diego Water Department presenting critical water issues facing our city and answering any questions you may have. To RSVP, please contact Stephen Lew at (619) 236-7174 or RSVPMayor@sandiego.gov.

As the Water Town Hall meeting draws to a close, Mira Mesa Town Council volunteers will serve light refreshments in the back of the room from 6:45 to 7 p.m. and there will be an opportunity to meet the principals and other guest speakers arriving for the annual Mira Mesa Education Night hosted by the MMTC, which will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

That program features the principals of all elementary, middle, and high schools which serve students from Mira Mesa, including Scripps Ranch High School, with an update on what is happening on their campuses, as well as an opportunity to meet the leadership at Miramar College. There are several new principals among the group this year. Following the series of brief presentations, “Education Night” will conclude with an opportunity to chat informally with a number of speakers – and enjoy more refreshments! For more information see www.miramesatowncouncil.org.

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The Charter School of San Diego (CSSD) has recently opened a classroom location in the local community. The Springbrook classroom, at 11385 Poway Road, Suite 101, San Diego, 92131, serves 7th – 12th grade students throughout the local area including the communities of Sabre Springs, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, and beyond. The Springbrook classroom will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, October 21, at 6PM, where parents and students can come to the classroom, meet the teachers, and learn about the program. Please contact Jessica Vadillo at (858)391-0402 or Jennifer Montgomery at (858)391-3009 with any questions. We hope to see you there!

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Mira Mesa Street Fair 2008 was a success! The 10th annual street fair had it all, from outstanding bands and entertainers to a wide variety of food and merchandise booths for all to enjoy. Many local banks and credit unions were there to answer questions about the current state of our economy and investment opportunities.

Carl DeMaio, Brian Maienschein, and Mayor Jerry Sanders were also present, as well as representatives from the Mira Mesa Town Council, Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Women’s Club, and various local churches and organizations. There were rides for the kids, huge construction trucks from Vulcan Materials, and Marvin Miles from Property Gallery had his Classic Woodie on display.

The Street Fair, hosted by the Mira Mesa Town Council and their Street Fair Committee, did a fine job presenting this event. The success was due to the help from the countless volunteers and community leaders committed to bringing this day in the sun to our local community. Especially all the Mira Mesa High School Volunteers in those brite blue shirts that were present to lend a hand setting up the tents, handing out fliers, and directing traffic. A good time was had by all. Here’s to next year being even bigger and better!

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The 10th annual Mira Mesa Street Fair will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27th, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, on Camino Ruiz between Mira Mesa Boulevard and New Salem. More than 100 crafters, businesses, non-profit groups, and food vendors will have booths at the event. The Street Fair will feature an expanded Fun Zone with rides for children and teens, and continuous entertainment on two stages.  There will be special attractions such as earth-moving equipment, military vehicles from MCAS Miramar and a demonstration of K-9 dogs in action. Vulcan Materials will host a rock-painting booth for children to create their own “rock art.”

MCAS Miramar is scheduled to supply armored vehicles along with military personnel who will help kids climb up and into them. SDG&E will host a lamp and light bulb exchange, providing compact fluorescent bulbs for the less energy efficient incandescent bulbs and halogen torchiere lamps. Entertainment will be hosted by Ray Pinnock AKA DJ Undaground. See the flyer for this year’s Street Fair and pictures of previous Street Fairs below.
Download this coupon for a free ride in the Fun Zone.

Mira Mesa Street Fair Committee: Mira Mesa Street Fair committee meetings are held at 6:30 PM on the Fourth Thursday of each month at the Mira Mesa Senior Center, and all Thursdays in September beginning on September 11th. Everyone interested in helping to put on this event in 2008 is welcome and encouraged to attend. Robin Stutsman and Mike Davis are co-chairs of the 2008 Mira Mesa Street Fair.

Mira Mesa Street Fair 2008 Sponsors: We are now requesting sponsors for the 2008 Mira Mesa Street Fair. Sponsors appear on the Street Fair program and are posted on the web site. Last year’s sponsors are posted below. If you would like to be a sponsor for the 2008 Street Fair, please download the sponsor information sheet or email StreetFair@MiraMesaTownCouncil.org.

We thank our sponsors for the 2008 Street Fair:

DIAMOND

KYXY 96.5 FM Radio www.kyxy.com
Vulcan Materials www.vulcanmaterials.com

RUBY

Hanson Aggregates www.hanson.biz
Mira Mesa Office Mall and Medical Building
Wells Fargo www.wellsfargo.com

OPAL

Callahan’s
Chipotle
Extreme Pita
Mimi’s Cafe
Submarina
Vons

To contact the Street Fair committee, call (858) 566-0288 or email StreetFair@MiraMesaTownCouncil.org.

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Taste of Asia: Goodness is Delicious

Date:     9-27-2008
Time:     10:00- 6:00

Location: The International Cottages, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

Event Description: Everyone is invited to Taste of Asia: Goodness is Delicious at Balboa Park’s International Cottages. Here you will be able to taste a variety of ethnic foods all while helping charitable organizations. There will be live entertainment showcasing the different cultures, games, arts and crafts!
Proceeds from this event will go to the American Chinese Culture and Education Foundation (ACCEF) and other charities. Funds raised will help fund schools for less fortunate children in Asia.

For more info visit www.tasteofasiasd.com or email the event organizers at info@tasteofasiasd.com.

Price: Adult $15 ($5 for charity donation, $10 cover first 10 tastings)
Children (under 12)  $5 Tasting Tickets available

Information provided by the Asian Business Association of San Diego

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