January 27, 2012 (San Diego) – Around this time last year, Sanctum hit theaters. Set in a series of frigid, but gorgeous underwater caves, it boasted beautiful cinematography. Unfortunately, it was a dopey survival movie whose sole purpose was to kill off its cardboard characters in gruesome ways.
January 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –California Rare Fruit Growers have partnered with the Paul and Helen Thompson Endowment Committee to offer free bare-root fruit trees for schools, nonprofit organizations, and community gardens. Varieties available include apples, peaches, pears, persimmons, and pluots.
January 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – In response to numerous complaints from parents and residents who were not informed before the Grossmont Union High School District voted to change school boundaries, the District today announced that it will host two public information forums and accept public comments.
January 27, 2012 (Sacramento)-- State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson congratulated First Lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for making fresh fruits and vegetables the focus of the first major changes to school meals in more than 15 years.
January 27, 2012 (San Diego) -- Alvarado Hospital was recognized as part of the only hospital system in California—Prime Healthcare—named one of the nation’s top 15 by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare.
January 27, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College has announced new classes ranging from raising chickens to beekeeping to aquaponics. For details, scroll down:
January 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Saturday due to high winds and warm, dry weather that will create “explosive fire growth potential.”
January 27, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The winter series of the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase is coming to an end with eight concerts taking place in February! The Acoustic Showcase series offers a wonderful variety of some of San Diego's very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers.
Feb. 29 meeting will allow public testimony on Red Tape Reduction Task Force recommendations, including developers’ proposal to eliminate community planning groups and Resource Protection Ordinance
By Miriam Raftery
January 27, 2012 (San Diego)—A lawsuit filed by Californians Aware has succeeded in persuading the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to vacate votes that approved key changes made by a developer-stacked Red Tape Reduction Task Force without public input.The lawsuit alleged that the Board violated the Brown Act by voting on items not listed as action items on the agenda.Now, the County has announced it will hold a public hearing on February 29.
January 26, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) - President Barack Obama laid out some ambitious new legislative plans in Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech. Here’s a bipartisan sampling of reactions from local business and community leaders, as well as voters.
Scott Alevy, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, voiced support for some of the president's economic proposals, while voicing skepticism over other points in the speech. “Anything that brings jobs to Americans, be it jobs coming back from another company or creating jobs, is good,” said Alevy. “As a veteran myself, I love the idea of employing the veterans coming back with a Jobs Corps.”
President calls for trade reforms to bring jobs back to U.S., tax fairness and more
By Mia Myklebust and Miriam Raftery
January 26, 2012 (San Diego)—The State of the Union address traditionally reviews the condition of our nation and previews the President’s legislative plan for the future. This year, Barack Obama’s speech had added importance as his last State of the Union address before the 2012 election. The incumbent presidents challenges were to address successes of his current term and his long-term goals for a potential five more years.
The President provided evidence that economic recovery is underway. He touted his administration’s success in combating terrorism, eliminating Osama bin Ladin, ending the Iraq War and improving America’s relationships overseas.In addition, he laid out ambitious proposals for “an America built to last.” He issued repeated calls to action, among them:
Trade reforms and tax credits for businesses that bring jobs back to America
Tax “fairness” to help middle class Americans
Invest savings from ending the Iraq war into reducing the deficit and creating jobs
Creation of a Veterans Jobs Corps
Prevent high school drop-outs and provide incentives to stop tuition hikes
End oil subsidies, increase U.S. oil production, and support clean energy technologies
January 26, 2012 (San Diego)--The San Diego Public Library hosts the 46th Annual Authors Exhibition at the downtown library throughout the month of February. The Local Author Exhibit highlights the intellectual and creative accomplishments of writers in the San Diego region, and I am fortunate to be included among those. The aim of the exhibit is to bring exposure to local talent and to nurture the pursuit of the writing arts in San Diego.
January 26, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
LOCAL
San Miguel Fire Agency may contract out its mission (San Diego U-T)
Judge strikes down political fundraising limits in San Diego (LA Times)
Ex-Helix QB Smith one win away from Superbowl (UT San Diego)
Citing costs, poor service, charters ditch district special ed
Special Report: La Mesa Policing 2012—Can the robbery wave be stopped? (La Mesa Today)
Fair Trade La Mesa organizers hold monthly events (La Mesa Today)
Doug Manchester, cheerleader in chief (Voice of San Diego)
How to dodge lobbyist regulations, the expensive way (CityBeat)
STATE
Federal judge blocks California cuts to in-home care program (Sacramento Bee)
Plan would eliminate tuition to UC’s benefit (San Francisco Chronicle
Protesters briefly trap regents inside building at UC Riverside (LA Times blog)
Cal-State caps pay for university presidents (Los Angeles Times)
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.
January 26, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--A study has found that the nine community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties contribute a whopping $6.6 billion to California’s economy each year, provide jobs to thousands of county residents, and increase the pay students receive as the result of completing their education.
The results of the study will be presented January 30 at a Sacramento legislative summit with nine of the area’s state senators and assembly members. Legislators will meet in the state Capitol with members from boards of trustees and leaders of colleges and districts representing the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association (SDICCCA).
January 26, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
U.S.
General news
State of the Union: Obama calls for tax fairness (BBC)
Starbucks pro-gun policy prompts gun victims’ advocate group to announce nationwide boycott on Valentine’s Day
Army says suicides down, but violent crimes up (MSNBC)
Senate Dems make Mitt Romney the poster boy for tax reform (The Hill)
Wisconsin recall petition of Gov. Walker gets 1 million signatures (Washington Post)
Presidential election
South Carolina primary: Newt Gingrich defeats Mitt Romney (ABC)
Obama launches swing state tour (CNN)
Santorum hails delayed Iowa win as huge upset (CNN)
Bain Capital owns Clear Channel:
Romney parks millions in Cayman Islands offshore tax haven (ABC News)
January 26, 2012 (Lemon Grove)--The sound of drumbeats, horses' hooves and rifle fire, and the snap of flying colors amid the wide open spaces of the American West are yours on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. Descendants of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments of the famous African American Buffalo Soldiers will relive the glory days, when they were the advance guard in the nation's Western expansion.
Take our poll:Should the GUHSD have notified all residents by mail before changing school district boundaries?
By Miriam Raftery
January 21, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – At a Grossmont Union High School District board of trustees meeting on October 13, trustee Priscilla Schreiber asked Superintendent Ralf Swenson how workshops on proposed district boundary changes would be publicized.Swenson replied, “We are sending out mailers, putting things on websites, and we are working with our feeder districts to get the word out through their schools…”
But no mailers were ever sent to district residents. Nor did feeder schools (middle and elementary) notify parents of future high school students. Yet the district approved boundary changes November 10 that will affect thousands of students. Now a clamor has arisen among parents who had no idea such changes were in the works—and want the action reversed.
January 26, 2012 (San Diego)--Did you know it is illegal for drivers under age 18 to drive while using a wireless telephone, even if equipped with a hands-free device? Did you also know that your teen is more likely to be involved in a collision by having one passenger in the car, even if that passenger is you?
January 25, 2012 (San Diego)—Terence Jarvis and David White have been charged with a series of crimes that occurred during a 12-hour period on December 27 and 28, including the robbery and attempted murder of 18-year-old Grant Richman in the College West neighborhood.
Former director of The La Jolla Historical Society to assume leadership role on February 21
Rancho San Diego, CA—After an intensive search, The Water Conservation Garden has hired a new executive director to succeed retiring director, Marty Eberhardt.
January 24, 2012 (Lakeside) -- What could be more beautiful than a mid-winter’s sunrise over an East County mountainside?
Photographer Billy Ortiz shot these stunning images while hiking in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley, along El Capitan, over the Lunar New Year, marking an idyllic start to this Year of the Dragon.
January 25, 2012 (San Diego) – Raul Carranza has Muscular Dystrophy. He cannot walk, move his arms, eat or even breathe on his own. He requires round-the-clock nursing care—care denied after Medi-Cal slashed his nursing hours due to state budget cuts.
“Last year I moved away to UCLA by myself and lived away from my family for a whole semester,” he said. “Unfortunately I had to come back home to San Diego at the end of December." That's because the state cut his nursing hours, leaving him unable to survive on his own.
Council also approves program to promote composting by local gardeners
January 24, 2012 (La Mesa)—Gearing up for the city’s year-long centennial celebration, 2012 promises to be “a very busy, festive and memorable year,” said La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid during tonight’s State of the City address.
January 25, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Perhaps it is because of spring – that time of year of fresh starts and renewed resolve – that despite the challenges of the day, an air of optimism prevails at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges.
February 3 protest planned at Congressman’s El Cajon office
January 25, 2012 (Ramona)—Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows. On February 3rd, members of the liberal Ramona Forum will join forces with conservative members of the TEA party to demand the resignation of Congressman Duncan Hunter. The protest will be held at Rep. Hunter’s office, 1870 Cordell Street in El Cajon, from 1 to 4 p.m.
By Brian Lafferty
January 27, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The winter series of the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase is coming to an end with eight concerts taking place in February! The Acoustic Showcase series offers a wonderful variety of some of San Diego's very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers. 
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery and Mia Myklebust
legislative plans in Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech. Here’s a bipartisan sampling of reactions from local business and community leaders, as well as voters.
By Mia Myklebust and Miriam Raftery
Creations will be displayed at Parkway Plaza and auctioned; entry deadline extended to Feb. 15
BP and Amonix seek to reap the sun in East County
January 25, 2012 (San Diego)—Terence Jarvis and David White have been charged with a series of crimes that occurred during a 12-hour period on December 27 and 28, including the robbery and attempted murder of 18-year-old Grant Richman in the College West neighborhood. 
January 24, 2012 (La Mesa)—Gearing up for the city’s year-long centennial celebration, 2012 promises to be “a very busy, festive and memorable year,” said La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid during tonight’s State of the City address.
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