It’s that time of year!!! Time to recognize those Firefighters and all they do for us throughout the year.

For those of you who have never been to our cookie party in the past, it’s a blast.

What do we do?  We make up cookie/goodie platters for the Fireman of our community and then deliver them to the stations.

What can you bring? Yourself, a dozen or two of goodies for the platters (i.e. brownies, cupcakes, fudge, bread, or whatever your “specialty” is for the holidays”) Or you can just show up and help.

What will be doing all day?  We will be decorating cookies for the platters, making candy molds and making crafts for the trees at the stations, putting together the platters. You can come for as long as you want to help out. We do need people to “deliver” when we are done at 2:00.

Why are we doing this? Because we want to thank our community Firefighters for risking their lives each and every day to save ours.

When did this all start? Christmas after 9/11. After so many Firefighters and Police Officers lost their lives in the NYC attack.

So come join us and have a great time. In the past we’ve even made the news.
Supply list of items we use that you can bring if you want to or have them. It is not necessary to bring anything though, just your help in getting the cookies made/decorated and delivered is great:

Pre-baked shaped cookies
Crafts to make as decorations
Sprinkles
Food coloring
Whatever else you can think of and want to bring

P.S. IF YOU ARE A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT YOU CAN EARN COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS FOR THIS PROJECT.

We also want to send a special thanks to Larry’s (Callahan’s General manager) for his generosity. He has allowed us to have the cookie party at Callahan’s in case it’s a “rainy day” so we don’t have to reschedule.

What we will do is have it going on in the front room and patio (weather permitting). You can order food/drinks if you want and have a separate tab going.  We will have water and Ice Tea available. We hope to see you all there!

Invite You to a Public “Town Hall” Dialogue on Reforming the San Diego City Council

Wednesday, September 10, 6:00-8:00pm

Scripps Ranch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive

How can the Council enhance transparency and restore public trust?

What is the proper role of the Council in a Strong Mayor form of government?

These and other key questions are the focus of a bipartisan initiative that is currently underway at City Hall to reform the rules and policies governing the San Diego City Council.

The public has been frustrated by the infighting, lack of transparency, and financial troubles in recent years at City Hall. Moreover, as the city transitions to the Strong Mayor-Strong Council form of government, the City Council has had some difficulty in assuming its new role as an independent legislative body. With a new City Council taking office in December, there is a chance for real change.

The goal of this initiative is to generate ideas that would improve the transparency and effectiveness of the City Council in a Strong Mayor-Strong Council form of government. Everything is on the table: from the way the Council conducts its business and manages legislation to how the Council holds its meetings and interacts with the public.

This is a key opportunity for the public to let their feelings be known on how they expect a new City Council should operate to recover the city’s financial health and restore public trust and confidence in their city leaders.

Several City Councilmembers and City Council candidates will be on hand to directly hear from the public. In addition, ideas and suggestions from the initiative will be presented to the new City Council when it convenes after the November election.

Let your voice be heard…and share your ideas!

For more information, contact David Flaherty at 619-481-4278

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.

The course is especially designed for drivers age 50 and over. Auto insurance discounts are available from most companies (consult your insurance agent).

The eight hour course will be presented on two successive Thursdays; August 7 and August 14.

Courses each day will be from 1:00 to 5:00pm. Please arrive a few minutes early.

Attendance at both classes is necessary for credit and certificate. The course fee is $10.00, payable on the first class day. Space is limited to thirty students. Register by calling (858) 578-7325. For complete details click here.

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.

To Solicit Input from District 5 Residents

Public Invited to Share Concerns and Provide Ideas for New Councilman

SAN DIEGO – City Councilman-elect Carl DeMaio announced today that he will hold several “open houses” for residents to discuss their concerns and provide ideas as he works to shape his agenda and priorities for his first year in office.

“I am looking forward to hearing concerns and ideas from the residents in each community as we put together our strategic plan to guide our first year in office,” said DeMaio. “These open houses are just one way we are soliciting community input and we will be holding sessions like these on a regular basis.”

Three “open house” sessions are slated across District 5 at the following times and locations:

Monday, July 28 5:30-7:30pm

Rancho Bernardo Home of Carl DeMaio

18295 High Mesa Court, San Diego 92127

Thursday, July 31, 6:00-7:30pm

Mira Mesa Home of Mike Davis

7545 Dancy Road, San Diego 92126

Tuesday, August 5, 5:30-7:00pm

Scripps Ranch Information Center

11885 Cypress Canyon Road, San Diego, 92131

Residents can also email Councilman-elect DeMaio at carl@carldemaio.com with their ideas and concerns.

On June 3, 2008 Carl DeMaio was elected to the San Diego City Council to represent District 5—comprised of the communities of Rancho Bernardo, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Sabre Springs, Sorrento Mesa, Carmel Mountain Ranch, and San Pasqual Valley. DeMaio made history as a non-incumbent taking a Council seat by the widest margin in a primary—winning 66% of the vote. DeMaio takes office on December 8, 2008.

For more information, visit www.CleanUpCityHall.com. To schedule an interview, contact David Flaherty at 619-503- 0111.

The time is quickly approaching for another Mira Mesa Community Event. The Street Fair is a great way for local businesses and our residents to meet, enjoy great food and entertainment, and do some business in a fun, casual environment. If you plan on participating in this event, don’t wait until the last minute to reserve your spot. Vendor applications should be turned in prior to August 18th to avoid a late fee, and all vendor applications must be received before August 27th in order to participate this year. Originated by the Town Council in 1999, the Mira Mesa Street Fair is a premier event held on the fourth Saturday in September, which is the 27th this year. The Fair is located on Camino Ruiz, and runs from New Salem to Mira Mesa Blvd. Displays include Arts & Crafts vendors, local businesses, civic groups, the Kid’s Zone and 2 community stages. It is fun for the whole family. The most outstanding point of this event is that it is completely organized and hosted by community volunteers. Anyone that would like to volunteer, and volunteers are greatly needed, there are meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Mira Mesa Senior Center. The next meeting is July 24th at 6:30 p.m. for the Mira Mesa Street Fair Committee. Chairperson for the committee is Robin Stutsman. For more information on how you or your business can make this event a success, or to download your vendor application, please go to the Mira Mesa Town Council website, under Street Fair.

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.

Are you ready for the 2008 Del Mar Racetrack Season?

The Fair Season is over, and it is time to gear up for another outstanding season where the turf meets the surf. I am talking about betting on the ponies at Del Mar. The 2008 season runs from July 16th through September 3rd. Racing is six days a week, with Tuesday dark. The first four Fridays of the meet see racing begin at 4 p.m. instead of the usual 2 p.m. daily post. The final three Fridays have first post moved up to 3:30 to allow for the earlier sunsets. On all Fridays the musical action begin at the “Plaza de Mexico” shortly after the last race has been run. As usual, Del Mar fans will be the beneficiaries of special promotions during the meet: A beach towel will be given away on Saturday, August 2; a Del Mar logo cap on Saturday, August 16, and a Del Mar resort shirt on Sunday, August 24.

Fans will welcome back an always-competitive jockey colony that will be enhanced this year by the return of 2007 champion rider Garrett Gomez and the addition of Santa Anita and Hollywood Park leading jockey Rafael Bejarano. Rising star Joel Rosario headlines a list of returnees that includes Michael Baze, his cousin Tyler Baze, Corey Nakatani, Alex Solis, Victor Espinoza, David Flores, Mike Smith, Joseph Talamo, Richard Migliore, Jose Valdivia Jr., Martin Pedroza , Martin Garcia and Aaron Gryder. So grab the sports section of the Union Tribune, pick up the racing forms at the track, or mingle by the paddock and randomly pick your winners and head out to Del Mar for a fun day in the sun during this year’s event. It is amazing how excited you get on a $2 bet.

We had a great time during the opening day events this year, picked a couple of long shots, saw some very creative hats and a lot of beautiful ladies. Check out our photos from Opening Day 2008. We are working on a video which will be up soon. Thanks again to the staff at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for hosting such an outstanding event.

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.

The Mira Mesa Town Council approved $1000 towards the paint for this project at their last meeting and Frazee Paint and Wallcovering on Miramar Road has graciously volunteered to supply us with more paint as the project rolls along.

Now if you really don’t have the time or the ability to paint, there are other things you could do to help out. One of the coolest things that happened this past Sunday was a man stopped by in his car (out of the blue) and dropped off a big box of donuts to the volunteers. He was practically in tears when he dropped them off as he thanked us for the work we were doing. Now that made everyone feel good!

Now there are close to 80,000 of us living in Mira Mesa these days. If just a small percentage of us can spare a couple hours now and then we can clean this community up in no time. Please… make your plans to volunteer and let’s make Mira Mesa a beautiful place to live in!

If you would like to see some more photos that were taken of last Sunday’s event, you can check them out on Ted Brengel’s website.