By David Dickens

March 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Steele Canyon Cougars finished the 2013 varsity baseball season, (4-11) in league, and (14-15) overall. Shortstop Tanner Perry was one of the bright spots last season, as he made all-league. Perry also plays basketball, and is the key senior amongst many returning this season.  Helping the turnaround, first year coach  and former Oakland Athletic Dan Nerat, will be commanding the Cougars this year to assist Perry and his teammates reach the promise land.

Hear our radio interview with Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat on KNSJ:  http://kiwi6.com/file/t6zfwlgfk1

 

By Janis Mork

March 5, 2014 (El Cajon)- Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat, who has her own healing center on Mt. Helix and was born and raised in Haiti, was recently selected as one of 22 ‘Brilliant, Beautiful, and Brave Black Women’ and her profile is on display in the women’s museum in San Diego until March 28.

They had looked for women who did a lot for the community, and that is what Murat has done.  In an interview with East County Magazine, she provided more details into her efforts to help people in Haiti and here in our local communities.

By Lizbeth Francisco, Hannah Haller, Faisal Imami, & Damien Martinez

The authors are seniors at Olympian High School in Chula Vista, CA working together to help refugees by organizing a petition for their cause.

March 5, 2014 (San Diego)-- Nations throughout human history have been torn apart by civil war, natural disasters, famine, and foreign and domestic wars leaving millions of people displaced in a region they once called home. Refugees, as they are called, are forced to live in horrid conditions, usually having to take shelter in government provided camps; these camps however, have no rules on sanitation, drug use, or hardly have an intact system of peacekeeping. Other refugees flee their home countries to seek asylum in other neighboring countries, not facing the same perils as theirs.

Area Environmentalists Chartering Buses for Trip North on March 15

March  2, 2014 (San Diego)--A large number of local environmental groups are joining forces for a big rally on March 15 in Sacramento to urge Governor Brown for a moratorium on fracking in California.  Activists expect this event to be the largest mobilization against fracking ever seen.

Over 150 statewide environmental organizations will be represented at the rally, called "Californians Against Fracking," which is scheduled to include a march around the Capitol area and a rally with speakers on the capitol steps.  With a new Public Policy Institute survey showing that 51 percent of Californians oppose the increased use of fracking in the state, organizers are expecting several thousand people to join the rally.   

March 5, 2014 (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 reflect 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.

• White House touts tax breaks in budget (The Hill)
• Majority of Americans now support gay marriage, survey finds (Reuters)
•  Who'll fund journalism? Meet the new Medicis (CS Monitor)
• Thermal Imaging Gets More Common But The Courts Haven't Caught Up (NPR)
• Shutdown cost national parks at least $414M (SacBee)

WORLD

• Ukraine mobilizes troops after Russia’s declaration of war(CNN)
• Ukraine crisis resurrects Cold War ghosts as U.S. warns Russia, Poland appeals to NATO (Washington Post)
• Will Mexico's capture of 'El Chapo' mean border instability? US agents on alert. (+video) (CS Monitor)
• Idle No More: Japan Plans To Restart Closed Nuclear Reactors (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Cary Hyatt

March 5, 2014 (San Diego East County)--On February 26, ECM Editor Miriam Raftery interviewed Assembly Member Shirley Weber  PhD, who represents the 79th district including the cities of La Mesa, Lemon Grove, San Diego. Chula Vista and National City.

Assemblywoman Weber’s legislation has been mostly focused on early childhood education, but she also spoke about her efforts to improve higher education in our region, prevent harassment of minority students, and restore cuts made to health and human services.

 You can hear the full radio interview on KNSJ 89.1 FM at this link, or scroll down for highlights.

March 3, 2014 (San Diego)--Apple picking is a trend nationwide – no, we’re not talking about plucking fruit. Thieves have been stealing Apple iPhones, which are costly to buy and hold their resale value.

There has been a rash of iPhone thefts at  San Diego State University, prompting numerous alerts recently.

March 3, 2014 (Sacramento)—Democrats have lost a supermajority in the state Senate, which means they can no longer pass tax measures or constitutional amendments without at least one Republican vote. That could mean a return to gridlock in Sacramento.

Update March 2, 2014:  The body of the missing fisherman has been found, ECM has learned.

March 1, 2014 (Ramona) – A search and rescue effort is underway at Lake Sutherland, where a kayar was found floating upside down at 5:20 p.m. in the Ramona lake.  According to Lt. Dave Schaller with the Sheriff’s office, the kayak is believed to be owned by a 55-year-old man who frequents the lake for fishing and is known to employees at the lake.

January 5, 2014 (San Diego) -- Sprinkled with stories and tips (such as how to connect with literary agents), this February 22 program is designed to inspire and empower writers of all levels and genres. Start with a glimpse at today’s dynamic book business including traditional, electronic, and self-publishing. Then  share ideas to help refine the writing craft, followed by suggestions for getting published and tips for promoting books.

Also on the afternoon’s menu are imagination workouts, writing prompts, self-assessments, and Q&A throughout. The workshop will be presented by  Laurie Gibson, the La Mesa resident who’s edited the work of more than 150 first-time authors. She’s also edited or proofread well over 250 books for numerous publishers, including recent editions of novels such as “The Color Purple” and the writing of business guru Brian Tracy. For several years, Laurie taught at the Extension programs of both UCSD and UCLA.