MICHAEL’S CRAFT STORE ROBBED AT GUNPOINT IN LA MESA: $1,000 REWARD OFFERED BY CRIMESTOPPERS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 5, 2009 (La Mesa) — On January 5, 2009, at 3:12 PM, two masked men entered the Michael’s Craft Store at 9108 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa and robbed customers and the store employees at gunpoint. The suspects entered the store and ordered employees and customers to the floor while they each waved a handgun around. The suspects took money and jewelry from several customers and also took an undisclosed amount of money from the store’s cash registers. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown type white sedan. No one was injured during the robbery. The first suspect was described as a black male, 30-40 years old, 5 foot, 11 inches tall, heavy set, wearing a beanie with either a bandana or scarf covering his face and a hooded jacket. This suspect was armed with a dark colored pistol. The second suspect was described as a white male, unknown age, 5 foot, 8 inches tall, wearing a black sweatshirt and either a scarf or mask covering his face. This suspect was armed with an unknown colored pistol. The police do not have any surveillance tape of the incident. This investigation is continuing. If you have any information on this case, please call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case. Printer-friendly version
FESTIVAL OF THE MONTH — MULTI-CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN LA MESA CELEBRATES OUR REGION’S DIVERSE HERITAGE
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 8, 2008 (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa’s 13th annual Multicultural Festival on January 18th aspires to be an afternoon of civic pride and festivities for the family in a celebration honoring our community’s rich diversity of cultures and international traditions. The ceremony, held on Martin Luther King Day weekend, also honors the slain civil rights leader’s vision. Entertainment will include, among others, the Morton Bay Fig Morris English Folk Dance Troupe, and the Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan Dance Theatre. The Festival is organized by the City’s Human Relations Advisory Commission, which has a mission to “explore issues and develop activities that will promote positive human relations in the City of La Mesa.” In this community building spirit, the festival is an all-volunteer event, including performances and refreshments. Commission Chair Tim Gustafson said the festival is “a celebration of our nation’s richly diverse heritage, in honor of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a world where people are judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.” Sixteen seventh and eighth grade students from La Mesa and Parkway Middle Schools will also be honored with certificates from the La Mesa City Council, in recognition their outstanding participation in the school district’s citizenship program. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Eugene Bailey, a retired naval Captain. While serving in the Navy, Dr. Bailey held leadership positions ranging from Human Resources Management, Race Relations, Recruiting, and Communications in addition to commanding two ships. The Festival will be from 3:30 — 5:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive. Admission is free. For more information, please call 667-1120. Printer-friendly version
SOCCER COMMUNITY KICKS OFF FUNDRAISING DRIVE TO HELP COACH HOWIE HAWVER, DIAGNOSED WITH LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 5, 2008 (San Carlos) — More than 1,500 students, parents, coaches, referees and soccer players from throughout San Diego County teamed up to host a fundraiser December 29th for Howie Hawver, the popular Patrick Henry High School soccer coach recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Friends of Howie Hawver raised over $15,000 to help pay his medical costs. More events are planned, including an online auction starting January 15th. “It was a very moving yet overwhelming feeling, in a good way,” Hawver told East County Magazine. “It’s just amazing.” The “Howie Hawver Day” event included a full day of soccer including local youth soccer teams, alumni games, allstars from the ‘˜70s, ‘˜80s, and ‘˜90s, old timers, and San Diego men’s outdoor teams. A silent auction/raffle conducted by soccer coach Charlie Cleaves helped make the event a success. “The San Diego soccer community wishes Howie Hawver a bright new year. We look forward to future games and more memories,” said Matt Robertson, soccer club coach at El Capitan High School. A fund to benefit Hawver has been set up at San Diego County Credit Union. Checks for donations should be made payable to Friends of Howie Hawver and sent to the attention of Michelle Swope, 312 East Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020. Artist and Grossmont High School history teacher John Neill will hold a silent auction on E-Bay beginning January 15th to sell a historical sculpture he is creating to benefit Hawver. “I have known Howie for 18 years,” said Neill, whose daughters have played on Hawver’s team when Hawver coached at Grossmont College. “He is not only a man who has had great impact on soccer in general in San Diego, but also in the lives of my daughters and thousands of other young ladies who have played soccer.” Neill’s historical art pieces have sold for $1,000 or more through galleries and by private commission. An artist’s rendering of the piece to be auctioned can be viewed at www.johnneill.com, where a link to bid on e-bay will be posted on the 15th. Hawver has coached for nearly two decades and holds a national “B” license, according to the San Diego Crusaders website. He has served as director of San Diego Spirit, spent 11 years as Grossmont College women’s soccer coach and eight years as varsity coach at Patrick Henry, where he was an All-Pacific Coast Conference player and team captain. In 2004, he was named Pacific Coach Conference Coach of the year. His achievements include four Pacific Coast Conference Titles, six Eastern League Titles, USYSA West Region finalist, three National State Cup finalists, and one National State Cup Championship. Most importantly for the girls he has coached, Hawver has moved over 60 players on to four-year university teams. Hawver continues coaching at Patrick Henry High School in the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego. “They’ve been incredibly supportive,” he says of his team. The soccer coach has medical insurance, but the insurer isn’t covering many of his high medical costs. As long as he continues to work as a coach in the field he loves, Hawver faces a catch-22. “Until I’m completely disabled, Medicare and disability insurance do not kick in,” he said. In addition to the art auction, additional fundraising events are planned including a youth tournament at North County Soccer Park on May 30th. For more information, check Hawver’s blog site at howiehawver.blogspot.com. For more information on Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a neurological disorder, please visit www.alsa.org and www.alsasd.org. Printer-friendly version