Hard Decisions For School Board, Mt. Helix Internet Pioneer Does It Again, and High School Hoops Action

At Mount Helix Patch, we know that in your busy lives there may be some stories that you can't read about the day they happen. With the "Week That Was" column, we'll provide a roundup of the most important stories of the week.

Mount Helix resident, and local internet news pioneer, Ron James has launched a new website focusing on one of his passions: wine and food. The web site features deals from around the county and profiles restaurants, wineries, and people in the food and wine space. It can be found at wineanddinedeals.com. Check out Tom York's feature on James.

The premier week for new content initiatives at Patch saw the addition of a daily "Patchcast," a quick roundup of the top stories from around San Diego County. Produced by Carlsbad Patch editor Deanne Goodman, the Daily Video will keep you locked in on the region.

In a peaceful, but tention-filled special board meeting for the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, board members, parents, teachers, and citizens discussed the looming budget, and the tough decisions that will need to me made in terms of cuts on the "bare bones budget." Discussed were options for laying off as many as 60 teachers, stopping busing, and eliminating home school funding.

Volunteers are still needed to help in many aspects of the Kaboom! Build Day on Feb. 15, when a brand-new playground will be assembled at the Spring Valley-East County Community Center in only one day. There are myriad opportunities to lend a hand. To find out how, read the following story.

The Mt. Miguel girls basketball team strengthened their place atop the Grossmont League standing with a win over rival Monte Vista. The Monarch boys team, however, upset Mt. Miguel on the same night, making things in their league a little more interesting.