**Quarterly Property Crime Report:** Last month, I wrote about Police Chief Ed Aceves' report to the City Council about crimes committed during the first quarter of this year. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/jun/02/st…
My story included the chief's comparison between the first three months of this year and the first quarter of last year. It did not include specifics about property crimes. Thanks to Erin Jones, LMPD crime prevention specialist, for providing this information: Property crimes included 39 auto thefts committed during the first quarter of 2013 and 49 during the first three months of last year. There were 54 residential burglaries during the first quarter of this year, and 61 in 2012. The number of commercial burglaries rose from 26 in 2012 to 29 this year. Thefts rose from 255 crimes in 2012 to 347 incidents this year, a 36% increase related to factors like people leaving valuables in their cars or leaving vehicles unlocked. Aceves said at the council meeting that the police department has a new motto: "Hide it, Lock it, Lock it, or Lose It. " The police chief added, "Ideally, get your stuff; take it in the house."
— June 19, 2013 1:32 p.m.
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**Grossmont Center Summer Concert Series** The center's Friday concert series starts July 5 and continues through Aug. 30. Concerts are held from 6 to 8 to p.m. in Macy's Courtyard. There's a raffle for prizes during the band's first break, and each adult receives one complimentary ticket. Here's the schedule: July 5: Charly & Calico Ridge (Country, Pop/Rock) 12: Breez'n (Classic & Contemporary Rock) 19: Bill Magee Band (Blues) 26: Graceland (Elvis Tribute) August: 2: Manny Cepeda (Salsa) 9: Silver Beatles (Beatles Tribute) 16: Bayou Brothers (Cajun, Zydeco, Blues) 23: The Cat-illacs (Classic Rock) 30: BlueFrog Band (Blues & Rock)— July 2, 2013 1:24 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
**Cool Zones:** Since the temperature continues to rise, you may be interested in knowing about the Cool Zones in and around La Mesa. Places to keep cool include the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, the Christian Science Reading Room on La Mesa Boulevard, libraries, and Parkway Plaza in El Cajon. Here's some info about locations and hours that I found on the City's website site: http://ca-lamesa2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Vi…— June 28, 2013 9:23 a.m.
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**Back to the '50s Car Show Starts July 11:** The official starting date of the car show on La Mesa Boulevard is Thursday, July, 11, according to action taken at the June 25 City Council meeting. The council voted to waive a 90-day permit requirement for the La Mesa Village Merchants Association (LMVA), the event sponsor. The LMVA didn't apply for the permit until May 1. According to the City's permit requirement, that meant the show would not start until August. The council waived the requirement, and the show will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on eight Thursdays through August 29.— June 26, 2013 4:51 p.m.
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**Tip-A-Cop and Other LMPD Activities:** Police officers will serve as celebrity wait staff from 5 to 8 p.m. June 26 at Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill in Grossmont Center. The volunteers will work for tips that benefit the Special Olympics, according to the June 25 La Mesa Police Department "News & Information" bulletin. The bulletin also included information about police activity from June 17-24. During that time, police arrested 38 people and issued 99 citations. Of the 1,336 calls for service, 667 were 911 calls. The response time for Priority 1 calls was 5 minutes, 49 seconds. The response time for non-urgent calls was 18-51 minutes.— June 25, 2013 2:56 p.m.
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**Help Shape Our Region’s Future:** The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is inviting La Mesa residents to share their views about future issues at a workshop scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 27, La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive. Residents will give input on issues such as the economy, environment, transportation, public health, and social equity. SANDAG and its partners have embarked on creating San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan. It will build on local planning efforts, and incorporate emerging issues and innovative concepts, to form an overall vision for the region through 2050. Complimentary meals, cookies, and beverages will be served. RSVP to Sarah Strand at [email protected], 619-595-5609, or via the SANDAGRegion Facebook page.— June 24, 2013 9:28 p.m.
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**Reading is So Delicious at the County Library:** Have you signed up for the library's summer reading program? There are prizes and age-based categories for groups ranging from babies to adults. The goal for adults to claim a prize is to read or listen to four books, and you can claim a prize starting July 1. You'll find details here for all age groups: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/SRP…. Sign up online or go to the library. "Reading is So Delicious" is the theme this summer, and that's reflected in the La Mesa branch's events schedule: http://host.evanced.info/sdcl/evanced/eventcalend…— June 20, 2013 4:03 p.m.
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**AAA Imaging Receives State Honors:** State Sen. Senator Joel Anderson honored AAA Imaging this month as Small Business of the Year in the 36th Senate District. The Lemon Grove business owned by Jim Butcher and Pete Celestino and their families was celebrated for their hard work and dedication to the community, according to information provided by Mary England, president of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. AAA Imaging has been in business in Lemon Grove for the past 21 years. They purchased their property 15 years ago and continue to operate their printing business on the bottom floor and rent two apartments upstairs.— June 20, 2013 3:53 p.m.
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**AAA Imaging Receives State Honors:** State Sen. Senator Joel Anderson honored AAA Imaging this month as Small Business of the Year in the 36th Senate District. The Lemon Grove business owned by Jim Butcher and Pete Celestino and their families was celebrated for their hard work and dedication to the community, according to information provided by Mary England, president of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. AAA Imaging has been in business in Lemon Grove for the past 21 years. They purchased their property 15 years ago and continue to operate their printing business on the bottom floor and rent two apartments upstairs.— June 20, 2013 3:50 p.m.
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Chad, Here's the link for the Oktoberfest: http://www.lmvma.com/SeasonalEvents/Oktoberfest.a… The La Mesa Village Merchants Association handles booth rental. What kind of booth will you have? Based on your name, I'm sure it won't be boring.— June 20, 2013 12:54 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
**Quarterly Property Crime Report:** Last month, I wrote about Police Chief Ed Aceves' report to the City Council about crimes committed during the first quarter of this year. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/jun/02/st… My story included the chief's comparison between the first three months of this year and the first quarter of last year. It did not include specifics about property crimes. Thanks to Erin Jones, LMPD crime prevention specialist, for providing this information: Property crimes included 39 auto thefts committed during the first quarter of 2013 and 49 during the first three months of last year. There were 54 residential burglaries during the first quarter of this year, and 61 in 2012. The number of commercial burglaries rose from 26 in 2012 to 29 this year. Thefts rose from 255 crimes in 2012 to 347 incidents this year, a 36% increase related to factors like people leaving valuables in their cars or leaving vehicles unlocked. Aceves said at the council meeting that the police department has a new motto: "Hide it, Lock it, Lock it, or Lose It. " The police chief added, "Ideally, get your stuff; take it in the house."— June 19, 2013 1:32 p.m.