City councils: El Cajon, 3 p.m. Tuesday; La Mesa, 6 p.m. Tuesday; Santee, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday School boards: Alpine Union School District, 5:15 p.m. Wednesday; Cajon Valley Union School District (El Cajon), 5:30 p.m. Tuesday; Jamul-Dulzura Union School District, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, 6 p.m. Tuesday; Lakeside Union Elementary School District, 6 p.m. Thursday; Lemon Grove School District, 6 p.m. Tuesday; Mountain Empire Unified School District, 6 p.m. Tuesday

La Mesa holds state of city address

La Mesa residents are invited to tune in to the first City Council meeting of 2022 at 6 p.m. Tuesday for the annual State of the City Address. Join Mayor Mark Arapostathis at this Zoom webinar or on Facebook Live. Find information about accessing the meeting at https://bit.ly/3qRGCaT.

Lemon Grove groups give away toys

Kids Fashion Week Network So-Cal, along with the Lemon Grove Lions Club and Improving Lemon Grove, recently sponsored their second “Lemon Grove Toy Give Away” at 13 Point Brewing Co. in Lemon Grove. More than 400 toys were given away, and Santa also made an appearance. The Lemon Grove Fire Department stopped by to help pass out toys. The toys were collected over the weeks by placing donation boxes in local businesses, where the community could donate toys. Contact Liana Lebaron at (619) 480-1750.

Work to begin in La Mesa’s Collier Park

The city of La Mesa will begin some tree removal work for the Collier Park Renovations Project, which will mean parts of the park will be closed from Monday through Friday 1/10-14. West Coast Arborists will remove roughly 21 trees within the work area. The large magnolia tree near the Spring House will remain. Timber from eucalyptus trees will be recycled and repurposed as site furnishings and nature playground elements at Collier and other city parks. This tree removal work must be done before Saturday, the start of bird nesting season, to avoid delays to the start of construction for the park’s renovation this summer. Trees will be replaced as part of the project. Collier Park is La Mesa’s oldest park. Its renovation is part of a long-term project based on community input. The proposed $3.5 million project is being completed with funding allocated from various sources. The renovation will include building recreational facilities and new restrooms, a lighted tennis/pickleball court, a shaded playground/fitness area, and an ADA-compliant path around the park. Other improvements will include security cameras, site lighting, new parking, a picnic shelter, sidewalks and upgraded landscaping, including low water-use vegetation and storm water quality enhancements. Construction is set to start this summer, which will mean closing the park and courts. The project should be finished in late 2023. Visit https://www.cityoflamesa.us/1652/Collier-Park.

Tree recycling still open in some cities

Grossmont College ‘tops out’ new building

A steel beam was hoisted recently to the top of Grossmont College’s new science, math and career technology complex, marking the topping-out ceremony for the $37.1 million construction project. The 59,000-square-foot building, spread across twin structures, will expand classroom, lab and office spaces for several programs. Scheduled for completion next spring, the complex will quadruple the space of the Veterans Resource Center and will include a one-stop center for counseling, tutoring and social interaction for the college’s student veterans. The new center updates a group of aging buildings to accommodate new technology and other student needs. Phase 1 was completed in 2020, and included the renovation and replacement of Building 31, home to the Administration of Justice program and Child Development Center. The passage of Proposition V, a $398-million bond measure approved in 2012, is the primary funding source for the construction and remodeling taking place at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. Proposition V has picked up after Proposition R, the construction bond approved by voters in 2002. Other Proposition V projects include a newly opened Ornamental Horticulture Complex and a Student Services building being built at Cuyamaca College. Visit www.gcccd.edu.

Lemon Grove substation seeks volunteers

The Sheriff’s Department’s substation in Lemon Grove is looking for East County senior citizens to volunteer as senior patrol members. Qualified volunteers should be at least age 50, be U.S. citizens or legal residents who have applied for citizenship, and have a valid California driver’s license and automobile insurance. Volunteers should be able to serve at least six hours a week helping the community. Senior volunteers do daytime patrols of Lemon Grove neighborhoods, business districts and shopping centers. Other duties might include traffic control; checking on homes of vacationing residents; and well-being checks on residents and seniors. Prospective volunteers also must pass a background check, graduate from a two-week Volunteer Patrol Academy course and be physically and emotionally able to perform the duties requested. Call (619) 337-2072.

The San Diego Blood Bank hosts these donor opportunities:

Those 17 and older, weighing at least 114 pounds and in good health may be eligible to donate blood. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended before donating. Appointments strongly encouraged. Photo ID required. Call (800) 469-7322 or visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org.

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