March 24, 2012 (La Mesa) -- It looks like a cannon ball with a handle, and it’s called a Kettlebell. This small exercise tool has been used in Eastern Bloc countries for hundreds of years, and it has made it to the USA.
"Women especially really enjoy kettlebell training because it targets the areas where they want to see measurable results" says Owner JJ Brawley, Head Coach and owner of La Mesa Fit Body Boot Camp.
March 24, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Earlier this month, an administrative law judge with the California Public Utilities Commission ordered San Diego Gas & Electric Company to prepare a plan that would give ratepayers the right to not have wireless smart meters.
March 24, 2012 (El Cajon) – On March 28 Cajon Valley Middle School is opening their doors to the public from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to showcase their new campus at 550 East Park Avenue, El Cajon.The school is highlighting all the new programs taking place: computer labs, a community garden, newcomer classes, art, music and dance exhibitions, AVID and Writing for Change programs, an extended day program, athletics, clubs and tutorial support.
“This 2011 annual assessment confirms the findings of the previous WMO annual statements that climate change is happening now and is not some distant future threat. The world is warming because of human activities and this is resulting in far-reaching and potentially irreversible impacts on our Earth, atmosphere and oceans.” --WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud
By Miriam Raftery
March 23, 2012 (Geneva) – The United Nation's World Meteorological Organization, representing 183 member nations, issued its Annual Statement onthe Status of the Global Climate today. The report concludes that climate change accelerated in the past decade and that 2011 was the 11th warmest year since records began in 1850.
Increasingly destructive tornadoes, floods and other indicators of global warming are also occuring with heightened frequency around the world. The new study found extreme weather events increased from 2001 to 2010 at an alarming rate consistent with global climate change. Worldwide, this included an increase in floods by 63%, drought 43%, heat waves 43%, heavy rain 43%, fires 25%, and tropical cyclones 24% among countries responding to the survey.
March 23, 2012 (San Diego) – Charles H. “Chuck” Latimer, 81, passed away on March 12 at his home in San Diego of natural causes. A retired Pacific Bell employee, he was active in labor causes and political campaigns in San Diego and East County.
March 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – A 17-year-old found her mother, Shaima Alawadi, unconscious in the dining room of her home at 565 Skyview at 11:15 morning. “Alawadi was transported to a local trauma center, where she is not expected to survive her injuries,” said Lt. Mark Coit with the El Cajon Police, who have assigned homicide investigators to the case.
March 23, 2012 (San Diego) -- A Giant Owl butterfly delights Mac Jarman, 5, of La Mesa, when it lands on his red hair. Mac was one a few lucky kids who got a sneak peek at San Diego Zoo Safari Park's Butterfly Jungle Friday. The three-week festival of flutter opens on Saturday.
Once a year, guests at the Safari Park are enchanted as thousands of butterflies flitter around them in a walk-through aviary called Hidden Jungle. Butterfly Jungle runs through Sunday, April 15. New this year, guests can use identification cards in the exhibit that will help them determine the names of many of the 30 species.
March 23, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- Do you live in a rural area? Do you hike or camp with your dog? If so, you have to be aware that there could be rattlesnakes or other poisonous snakes on and off of the trails and could even come into your yard or neighborhood. Do you know what your dog would do if he/she saw a rattlesnake? Many dogs inadvertently get bit by just sniffing in the bushes. Some are more curious when they see one and try to get closer to get a better look. Others are completely unaware and step right over top of them.
March 23, 2012 (Los Angeles) -- It looks like Simon Fuller has another hit on his hands. He owes his reputation to groups like the Spice Girls, albums by stars such as Annie Lennox, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Amy Winehouse, Adam Lambert, and franchise shows such as American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance.
Four from the San Diego Watercolor Society - Voe Naturelle
March 23, 2012 (San Diego) -- The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation is pleased to present "Four from the SD Watercolor Society- Voe Naturelle", an art exhibit featuring watercolors by Nell Bartlett, Ally Benbrook, Sue Blass, and Christine Waters. The exhibition will be on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor's Center Art Gallery from March 24 - April 13, 2012.
March 23,2012 (San Diego)—San Diego Police are looking for the driver of a dark grey truck with front left fender/headlight damage. The vehicle struck and seriously injured a pizza deliveryman at Montezuma Road and 63rd street in the College area at 10:40 last night.
March 23, 2012 (San Diego) – The Hunger Games is gripping, emotional, and gritty. It’s Hollywood’s second great survival film after Joe Carnahan’s The Grey. On top of that, it’s an indictment on the social disparities between the elite and lower class, and on American society’s obsession with reality television.
Editor's note: Assemblyman Brian Jones has issued the following response to Ms. Disenhouse's editorial: “To give a small group of people a monopoly over deciding what is true or false does a great disservice to public debate in this country. Those who believe Lord Monckton has his facts wrong are welcome to continue in that belief, but he is still entitled to participate in this critical debate. As someone who does not blindly accept conclusions arrived at without conclusive evidence, I am more than happy to accommodate Mr. Monckton sharing his point of view.”
By Masada Disenhouse
March 23, 2012 (San Diego)--It is ironic that freshman Assemblyman Brian Jones has chosen this Saturday, March 24 to emcee one of the world’s most egregious actors on the climate denial stage – after a winter of broken heat records. Regardless of your opinions on climate change, sponsoring an inflammatory charlatan such as self-titled Lord Christopher Monckton is offensive to many in San Diego County.
March 22, 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.
CBO says GOP budget would double cost of healthcare for seniors (Forbes)
Home sales show strength, prices rise (Reuters)
GOP budget calls for fire sale of public lands (Think Progress)
Wind energy poses threat to golden eagle population (Fox News)
California could decide the GOP nominee (Washington Post)
WORLD
Hundreds of houses damaged after strong quake hits Mexico (CNN)
France on high security alert after 4 killed in shootings at Jewish school (CNN)
Chevron execs barred from leaving Brazil over spill (Reuters)
Explosions rock Syrian capital (CNN)
Europe’s chief scientist warns against climate delays (Reuters)
Israel issues travel warning on Turkey (UT San Diego)
North Korea says it will launch long-range rocket (UT San Diego)
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.
March 22, 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 NEWS
Nudist purchases East County town (10 News)
Without San Onofre, are blackouts possible? (UT San Diego)
3 tubes at San Onofre plant fail during stress test (KPBS)
MWD accused of forming shadow government (KPBS)
A quiet divide: the Mayor and the Chamber (La Mesa Today)
Underground water storage for Santee? (Santee Patch)
LOCAL POLITICS
San Diego Congressional candidates speak on women’s health, gas prices (San Diego Reader)
Slater-Price endorses Democrat Dave Roberts for Supervisor (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Foulds gets maximum 12-year sentence in DUI double fatality (La Mesa Patch)
Video of 52nd Congressional debate hosted by KPBS (KPBS)
CA 52: Excluded from KPBS debate, independent Jack Doyle response (US independent voter network)
STATE
California struggling to prepare quake early warning system(Los Angeles Times)
Cal-State trustees okay pay hikes for two presidents (Sacramento Bee)
Judge rules state violated disclosure law [re Medicare cuts] (Sacramento Bee)
Wal-Mart to pay $2.1 million for overcharging (Sacramento Bee)
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.
March 22, 2012 (San Diego) – My first exposure to Vietnamese director Anh Hung Tran was in my Language of Film class at California State University, Fullerton. In this class, we had to watch at least two to three movies per week to analyze such film grammar as movement, color, rhythm, lines, space, etc.
March 22, 2012 (San Diego) -- It’s a wrap! The 19th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival has concluded, and its 2012 Premio Corazon Award winners have been announced. Below are the favorites chosen by judges and audience members.
March 22, 2012 (San Diego) -- Kristin Kjaero snapped this ultra close-up portrait at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in San Pasqual.
“We rode the "Caravan" down into the exhibit which we've never done before, and got to hand feed giraffes and rhinos,” she says. “Wow, so worth the experience!
East County Magazine Catches Up With Goalie of SDSU Women’s Water Polo Team
By Ryan Schuler
March 20, 2012 (San Diego)--San Diego State senior goalie Kelly Campoli is no stranger to individual awards. As a three-time team Most Valuable Player and All-CIF selection coming out of El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Calif., expectations were high for Campoli as she continued her water polo career at SDSU.
March 22, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa asks public help to eradicate graffiti as quickly as possible. La Mesa Police ask that you please report any graffiti you see around your business and home to the new graffiti hotline at 619-466-3789.
For further information regarding the La Mesa program see the City of La Mesa website.
March 22, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) -- The Friends of the Rancho San Diego Library will be holding a quarterly Half-Price Book Sale on Saturday, March 31, from 10:00-12:00. All books inside the store 1/2 price. Selected books and children's books on tables in the courtyard at the library located at:
11555 Via Rancho San Diego El Cajon, CA 92019 For information, contact Sherry Johnson, 619-670-5650.
For further information about the library including a map, and a calendar click here.
March 22, 2012 (La Mesa) – Three young suspects are under arrest for burglarizing a residence in the 7600 block of Seattle Drive in La Mesa.
Tuesday morning at 10:04 p.m., La Mesa Police received a call from a citizen who provided detailed descriptions of suspects who were breaking into the residence. The witness provided police with updates as officers responded to the scene.
March 22, 2012 (San Diego) Updated 11 p.m.--On March 20, Mexico City was rattled by the strongest earthquake since 1985. The 1985 quake had an intensity of 8.1 on the Richter scale and lasted 90 to 120 seconds. It rattled a country that had no civil defense system to speak off, one where a halting government response left a lot to be desired.
In contrast, on Tuesday the city was shaken by a 7.8 quake. Major buildings were evacuated in good order. Damage and injuries in the urban area were kept to a minimum, while in rural areas, prompt action by authorities helped to save lives.
March 21, 2012 (Santee)-The proposed 100 megawatt (MW) Quail Brush Generation Power Plant Project encountered more resistance at the San Diego Planning Commission meeting downtown Thursday morning.
Computer Lab, Flat Screen TV, Blu-ray DVD Player, Cable Access Benefits Kids and Seniors
March 21, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- Seniors and kids got their first chance to work in and enjoy a new computer lab/senior lounge Wednesday at the Spring Valley Community Center when the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, and Cox Communications held an open house for the new “Cox Tech Center.”
March 21, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The Easter Bunny has arrived at Grossmont Center and will be hosting an Easter Egg hunt and other fun activities this Saturday, March 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Festivities will be set up in Macy’s courtyard and include crafts, cookie decorating, sweet treats and prizes in every found Easter egg.
March 21, 2012 (San Diego) – Crash for Kids, the first annual golf tournament to benefit the San Diego Police Officers Association’s Widows and Orphans Fund and the San Diego Army Advisory Council, will take place on Monday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.The event will be held at The Santaluz Club, located at 8170 Caminito Santaluz E, San Diego.
John Holsheimer, convicted in fatal crash that killed Ramona mom Bridget Hale, among those arrested
By Miriam Raftery
March 20, 2012 (Las Vegas)-- Last week, federal authorities arrested 19 suspects in nine states as part of Operation "Open Market," an investigation into a transnational criminal organization operating mainly out of Las Vegas. According to a press release from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), crime ring's members bought and sold stolen personal and financial information online, then committed identity theft and counterfeit credit card trafficking.
One San Diegan was among those arrested: John Holsheimer, 53. He is charged with conspiracy, trafficking in and production of false identification documents--including the forged driver's license that he presented to California Highway Patrol the night he crashed head-on into Bridgette Hale of Ramona on Highway 67, killing the young mother.
Amber Pezzolla and Anique Hermann Lead SDSU With Three Goals Apiece
By Ryan Schuler
March 21, 2012 (San Diego)--It didn’t just rain, it poured. Yet, even the dreadful weather was not enough to stop the San Diego State women’s water polo team from earning an 11-5 victory over Bucknell University at the Aztec Invitational presented by Courtyard Marriott on Saturday morning, March 17 at the Aztec Aquaplex on the campus of SDSU.
The win improved SDSU’s record to 13-6, while the loss dropped Bucknell to 10-15 on the season.
March 21, 2012- The California Energy Commission (CEC) will hold a workshop at 5 p.m. this Thursday, March 22 at Mission Trails to discuss the proposed Quail Brush Generation Project being developed by Quail Brush Genco, LLC, a subsidiary of Cogentrix Energy.
According to project documents, the Quail Brush Generation Project is a 100-megawatt natural gas power plant under long-term contract with SDG&E. The power plant is designed to support renewable resources and deliver power only when needed.
March 24, 2012 (La Mesa) -- 
March 24, 2012 (El Cajon) – On March 28 Cajon Valley Middle School is opening their doors to the public from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to showcase their new campus at 550 East Park Avenue, El Cajon.
March 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – A 17-year-old found her mother, Shaima Alawadi, unconscious in the dining room of her home at 565 Skyview at 11:15 morning. “Alawadi was transported to a local trauma center, where she is not expected to survive her injuries,” said Lt. Mark Coit with the El Cajon Police, who have assigned homicide investigators to the case.
By Brian Lafferty
By Brian Lafferty
By Nadin Abbott
By Mike Lewis
Computer Lab, Flat Screen TV, Blu-ray DVD Player, Cable Access Benefits Kids and Seniors
March 21, 2012 (La Mesa) -- 
March 21, 2012 (San Diego) – Crash for Kids, the first annual golf tournament to benefit the San Diego Police Officers Association’s Widows and Orphans Fund and the San Diego Army Advisory Council, will take place on Monday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.
March 20, 2012 (Las Vegas)-- Last week, federal authorities arrested 19 suspects in nine states as part of Operation "Open Market," an investigation into a transnational criminal organization operating mainly out of Las Vegas. According to a 
Amber Pezzolla and Anique Hermann Lead SDSU With Three Goals Apiece
By Serena Scaglione
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