Every year, the morning of Easter Sunday, thousands of intrepid souls trek to the summit of San Diego County's Mt. Helix. Once there, they experience the nearly century-old tradition of a community-based sunrise service held at the historic Mt. Helix Nature Theater. Constructed for that purpose in 1925, and located in a unique, privately-owned "public" park, the landmark serves as just one of the reasons this conically shaped peak has become a regional, cultural, and natural icon. Named for a rare gastropod, the 1,375-foot-high pinnacle also serves as a geographic beacon for the mostly unincorporated surrounding communities of Mt. Helix, Grossmont, Calavo Gardens, Casa de Oro, Spring Valley, and the adjacent, historically related municipalities of El Cajon, Lemon Grove, and La Mesa. Today, these semirural communities are renowned for their idyllic, family-friendly neighborhoods; classic early-20th-century Revival-style and custom midcentury Modern architecture; and long-standing commercial and civic institutions.

On February 16, 1912, La Mesa Springs, a community of 700 citrus farmers, home seekers, developers, and businessmen, incorporated into the City of La Mesa. Located amongst the rolling hills and mesa lands between San Diego and El Cajon, today's suburban city of over 56,000 is still renown for its small town character, featuring its historic "village" business district, family-friendly neighborhoods, good schools, and ample retail and recreational amenities. The area's centuries-old prehistory and history can be traced to the natural springs that attracted stockman Robert Allison in 1869. Allison Springs, later renamed, prospered and grew after the arrival of the railroad in 1889. After incorporation, the young city grew steadily, reaching 3,925 residents by 1940. Post-World War II La Mesa exemplified the exponential suburban growth of the region, expanding to the north and west of the old downtown to accommodate 50,000-plus residents by 1980--all were attracted, as today, to the "Jewel of the Hills."

On February 16, 1912, La Mesa a community of 700 citrus Farmers, home seekers,

In early 1952, eastern San Diego County's citizens voted overwhelmingly to establish the Grossmont Hospital District. Local civic leaders and physicians envisioned it as the vehicle for building a modern hospital to address the healthcare needs of their rapidly growing post - World War II communities. In August 1955, the district subsequently opened Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. For the next sixty-five years, the institution grew to to server suburban and rural residents spread over the 750-square-mile district. In dealing with the daunting challenges of modern healthcare, the governing board entered a precedent-setting lease for hospital operations with San Diego-based non profit Sharp HealthCare in 1991. Historian James D. Newland has partnered with Grossmont Hospital and the Grossmont Healthcare District in chronicling the inspiring story of this iconic regional institution.--

Beloved classics like paella, gazpacho, and flan need no translation, but new favorites are also waiting to be discovered. You will find them in this lovingly compiled tribute to Spanish cooking. Elizabeth Parrish, a native of Tarragona, invites readers to take a culinary journey through the home kitchens of Spain. Included are 165 easy-to-follow recipes, a glossary of Spanish ingredients, and eight pages of color photographs. Fascinating notes about Spanish culture and history and lively personal anecdotes throughout bring the regional cuisines of Spain to life. Book jacket.