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.

Popularity: 20% [?]

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% [?]

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!

Popularity: 15% [?]

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!

Popularity: 20% [?]