December 2, 2009 (San Diego)-- Christmas trees bring  beauty to many homes during the holiday season.  But they can also become fire hazards, turning holiday joy to tragedy if safety precautions are not followed.  (View a video  posted at YouTube to see just how fast a dry tree will burn.)

Rep. Hunter supports greater troop escalation than President seeks to deploy

December 2, 2009 – Local peace activists are staging rallies to protest President Obama’s announcement yesterday to increase troops in Afghanistan. Organizers say that funds would be better spent to address serious domestic issues, such as the healthcare crisis, unemployment, and more.

San Diego Coalition for Peace & Justice (SDCPJ) plans a rally this evening from 5 to 6 p.m. outside Congresswoman Susan Davis’ office at the intersection of University Avenue and Fairmont Avenue in City Heights. Davis has posted a poll on her website  asking constituents their views on the troop surge. An additional candlelight vigil is being planned by the Ramona Forum tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at 10th and Main Street in Ramona.

December 2, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Music Department’s Jazz Ensemble will perform a holiday program starting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Cuyamaca College Arts Center auditorium, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend.

Pennsylvania community college leader Stuart Savin is unanimous choice

December 1, 2009 (El Caj on)– The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously approved appointment of Dr. Stuart J. Savin as Cuyamaca College president, effective April 12, 2010.

November 30, 2009 (Lemon Grove) – If laughter is the best medicine, this may be the cure for those mid-winter blues.  Doug Williams, dubbed one of America’s most popular actors/comedians by Starz.com, will be performing at Sews and Shows in Lemon Grove on Saturday, December 12th.

Williams is host of “Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand Up.” Filmed in Washington D.C.’s historic Lincoln Theater, it features star comics and up-and-coming edgy talent performing before a live audience.’

Also named a BET's Comic View All Star, Williams will be starring in a 2010 Comedy Central Stand Up special. He has also appeared in The Mind of the Married Man, Ally McBeal, Comic View, It’s Showtime at

November 28, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – Rusty Nails, a.k. “The Executive Imposter” will entertain guests at the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce annual holiday breakfast. Festivities take place on Friday, December 11 at Peter Piper Pizza, 2983 Jamacha Road in El Cajon from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

November 18, 2009 (El Cajon) –Sophie's Gallery invites you to “rekindle the magic of the season” at its 10th Annual Holiday Show celebration, “Wings of Snow.” The exhibit features a collection of unique angels and winged mosaic pieces hand-crafted by developmentally disabled individuals from St. Madeline Sophie’s Center.

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2009 (San Diego) – A settlement agreement has been reached in two lawsuits between pageant officials and Carrie Prejean, a senior at San Diego Christian College in EL Cajon who lost her Miss California USA crown. The website TMZ claimed that revelation of a sex video made by Prejean prompted a hasty settlement.