**Secret Stairs:** I found out about the city's public stairs from Ken Kramer's "About San Diego" TV program,. I learned more about the three sets of secret stairs on the City website: http://www.cityoflamesa.com/index.aspx?NID=298 The 245 steps at the intersection of Windsor Drive and Canterbury Drive lead to the top of Summit Drive. When you reach the 245th step at Summit Drive, "you're on one of La Mesa's highest knolls, elevation 830 feet," according to the website. That route includes two cross streets. Go about 100 yards to the descending stairway; 184 steps on the down stairway takes you to Beverly Drive. The third stairway is on Fairview Drive near Alta Lane. As you see in the picture, it's nicely shaded as you climb 44 steps. You then cross Pasadena Avenue and climb up 16 steps and take a paved path to Vista Drive. "It’s only 60 steps total, but with the steep pathway it’s a good workout nonetheless!," according to the website. Be sure to look for the green "Caution Stairs" sign. Otherwise, you might be climbing up to someone's house.
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/mar/2… — March 28, 2013 6:01 p.m.
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**More from the Allied Gardens Community Council Town Hall:** Edward H: Thanks for posting the link to my story. I was about to post it, but my laptop has been very sluggish today. At the March 26 Allied Gardens Community Council Town Hall, a panel moderated by Andrew Keats, Voice of San Diego land-use reporter, discussed issues related to updating the 1982 Navajo community plan. Here's more of what was discussed: "Stop putting zoning in your community plan," advised Howard Blackson III, a principal and director of planning for PlaceMakers, LLC. Referring to the designation of 14 dwelling units per acre, he asked, "Is it a townhouse? A garden apartment? It could be a three-story tower. The character of the place is what matters." The Navajo Community Plan covers Allied Gardens, Grantville, San Carlos, and Del Cerro. Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI) makes planning recommendations for the area. Stephen Hasse, former NCPI chair and current San Diego planning commissioner, said "you can opt for no change" such as deciding that single-family homes in Allied Gardens, San Carlos and Del Cerro shouldn't be bulldozed for apartments. However, another alternative was to locate apartments at a shopping center site, he said. In a March 27 interview, council president and current NCPI chair Anthony Wagner said, "The Navajo Community Planners must share the responsibility for shaping our community’s development infrastructure -- taking into account current economics, the demand for growth in housing, and community sentiment. This newfound attention to our work demands that our community be provided with a real voice and allowed meaningful discussion and input to determine how our community will grow in the future. Call it a blueprint for success – ours and potential developers."— April 1, 2013 3:30 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
Thanks for posting, srsuave. How cool that you got to meet Ken. Check out his website and be sure to click on http://mybestpost.com, which he claims that has been 'continuously published on the world wide web since 1913.' Funny!— March 29, 2013 8:51 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
**Name That Park:** Can you identify the La Mesa park with the car-themed playground? The Mustang is a hint about the donors. If no one gets the answer, I'll give another clue on Saturday. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/mar/2…— March 28, 2013 6:10 p.m.
Harry Griffen Regional Park
**Canine Corners:** Dogs can run and play offleash at Canine Corners in Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street. The corners is divided into separate fenced areas for large dogs and small dogs that are 30 pounds and smaller. There are chairs for humans to relax while canines frolic. In case you're wondering about other parks in La Mesa, dogs are allowed in the parks on a leash no longer than 6 feet and must be attended to at all times. And animals are prohibited on any city-owned or operated athletic field. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/mar/2…— March 28, 2013 6:07 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
**Secret Stairs:** I found out about the city's public stairs from Ken Kramer's "About San Diego" TV program,. I learned more about the three sets of secret stairs on the City website: http://www.cityoflamesa.com/index.aspx?NID=298 The 245 steps at the intersection of Windsor Drive and Canterbury Drive lead to the top of Summit Drive. When you reach the 245th step at Summit Drive, "you're on one of La Mesa's highest knolls, elevation 830 feet," according to the website. That route includes two cross streets. Go about 100 yards to the descending stairway; 184 steps on the down stairway takes you to Beverly Drive. The third stairway is on Fairview Drive near Alta Lane. As you see in the picture, it's nicely shaded as you climb 44 steps. You then cross Pasadena Avenue and climb up 16 steps and take a paved path to Vista Drive. "It’s only 60 steps total, but with the steep pathway it’s a good workout nonetheless!," according to the website. Be sure to look for the green "Caution Stairs" sign. Otherwise, you might be climbing up to someone's house. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/mar/2…— March 28, 2013 6:01 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
**Another La Mesa Discovery:** I learned that Ken Kramer is a La Mesa resident, according to an interview in the La Mesa Courier. His program now called "Ken Kramer's About San Diego" is on KPBS and available for mobile viewing with a free PBS app. http://kenkramertv.com/ . It's an entertaining way to learn about the many stories about San Diego County.— March 28, 2013 5:55 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
That's funny! Your comment has me wondering what restaurants or types of food do people think that La Mesa needs to become a culinary wonderland? Are there any places that you think get us close to wonderland status?— March 27, 2013 10:40 p.m.
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**Fine-Free Friday:** Have an overdue book, CD, DVD, or other material owned by the County Library system? Gather up those items and take them to the La Mesa Library on Friday, March 29. The County Library policy is to forgive the fines when you return overdue materials on the last Friday of the month following the due date.— March 27, 2013 10:32 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
**Taste of La Mesa:** Tickets are now on sale for the Taste of La Mesa that's scheduled for Monday, June 10, at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive. General admission is from 6 to 8 p.m., and tickets are $35 in advance. VIPs get in at 5 p.m., and advance tickets are $60. Participating restaurants include Brigantine Restaurant of La Mesa, Casa De Pico, Edible Arrangements, Gingham, and Himalayan Cuisine. For more info, call the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce: 619-465-7700.— March 26, 2013 10:38 p.m.
neighborhoods/la-mesa -- La Mesa
Hi Matthew, Thanks for posting. I really enjoy your Reader movie reviews. My first thought is to call the police non-emergency number (619-667-1400) because the door is missing and there is damage inside the house. If the issue was only the exterior of the house and yard, and the house still had a door, I’d recommend contacting Code Compliance. When I attended a city council meeting earlier this year, I listened to a report about code enforcement in relation to deteriorating houses. Here's the link for Code Compliance:http://www.cityoflamesa.com/index.aspx… Here's some of what it says there: "To report a zoning code violation in your neighborhood, please submit the Zoning Complaint Form to the address below or file a Zoning Compliance Request online at Report a Problem. For tips on Residential Code Compliance, please refer to the checklist."— March 26, 2013 10:11 p.m.