Introducing Town Pulse by Gen Suzuki, our answer to Tom Blair and Herb Caen

Editor's note: Today we launch a new column: Town Pulse. It's written and compiled by Genevieve "Gen" Suzuki, a La Mesa mom and law school graduate. She'll look for our town's heart in its people and events.  She'd love your contributions and comments!  Submit items to townpulse@gmail.com.

When I saw the SHOP WITH A COP booth at Oktoberfest, I really dug the idea of a cop as a personal valet during the Christmas season. Unfortunately for me, I was shopping in the wrong store with that thought. Fortunately for San Diego's underprivileged tykes, Shop with a Cop aims to provide 300 of them with a "joyful holiday season." Although the La Mesa Police Department is no longer sponsoring Shop with a Cop San Diego–La Mesa co-sponsored it last year–it still supports the holiday program. SeaWorld will host breakfast for the children and their law enforcement partner. After enjoying a special show, the kids will head to Target in a procession of law enforcement vehicles with flashing lights and screaming sirens. Each child receives a $100 gift card to spend on themselves and their family. Contact Barbara Ardilla at 619-972-4665 for more information or to make a donation.

IF YOU SEE MAYOR ART MADRID, ask him for his business card. While the average business card measures 3.75 by 2.25 inches, Madrid's business card is about 2.5 by 1.3 inches. "It's a small city so we have small cards," chuckled the mayor. "If I were mayor of San Diego, it would probably be 8-1/2 by 11!"

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? La Mesa Councilman and Rolando Elementary School second-grade teacher Mark Arapostathis has taught a lot of students over the years, and many of them have gone on to make him proud. One such duckling is Karisa Archer, who was not only in one of his second-grade classes, but also served as his assistant director for the Peter Pan Junior Theater. Archer is now a first-year medical student at Loma Linda University. "She was taught leadership, character, and everything else," Arapostathis said. "Now she's gone on to become a doctor."

PIGSKIN PICK: City Hall administrative office assistant Eric Roark does more than help hapless small business owners file for their licenses. So far he's been winning his fantasy football and elimination leagues. Roark laughs off praise, but after making the top score in one league and being just one of the last six people standing in the other, he may be worth a stop on your way to Las Vegas.

GOT NEWS? It doesn't matter if it's an award for your child's perfect attendance at school or the Pulitzer Prize for three-dot columns. If it's news to you, La Mesa, we want it! Town Pulse comes out every weekday with tidbits about La Mesa and its residents. Hoot, holler and hooray your news to townpulse@gmail.com.