By Dawn Celapino

March 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –Spring is a great time of year. Flowers are in bloom, the weather is beautiful, and there are a lot of great places to go hiking with your dog in San Diego County.

The following are important things to consider when hiking with your dog:  

March 21, 2010 (San Diego) --The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been awarded $16 million from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote physical activity and healthy eating.

March 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Rev. Don Hamer, former pastor of Sonrise Community Church in Santee and Zion Christian Fellowship in San Diego, died Wednesday, March 17 of a heart attack.
 

An e-mail circulated by the family to media and community groups said that Hamer passed away “during his morning devotions” with a family member at his side. “We are deeply saddened by this loss and ask that you join his family in prayer at this time,” the statement added.

Friends of missing teen Mickey Guidry’s family are mounting a search this weekend in the Anza Borrego desert. Volunteers are needed to scour a massive area. To date some 200 have signed up to participate. Searches will begin Saturday, March 20 at 9 a.m. and end Sunday, March 21 at 5 p.m. Volunteers should meet northwest of the intersection of S2 and Highway 78. 

San Diego County –  Previously convicted arsonist Shane Daniel McClung has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for intentionally setting a structure on fire near the community of Boulevard, in September 2009.

March 19, 2010 (Mission Valley) – A hazmat team is on the scene at 4025 Camino del Rio South in Mission Valley, where 19 people have fallen ill. Several are now hospitalized.

By Brian Lafferty

March 19, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The Bounty Hunter has, on paper, an interesting concept for a romantic comedy: a journalist (Jennifer Aniston) on trial for assault skips bail to help a snitch, who has information about a suicide case she’s investigating. Before they can meet, the snitch is kidnapped. Her ex-husband (Gerard Butler) is offered five grand to bring her back. As the lights went down and the projector ground to life, I thought this premise, contrived as it may be, could deliver some laughs. I wish I could say that was the case.

“My faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. –Mark Twain’s autobiography

March 19, 2010 (San Diego) – The San Diego State Experimental Theater presents “A Mark Twain Centennial Tribute.” The show runs through this weekend, with performances Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

This is the latest in a series of profiles of homeless persons in East County. If you know of a homeless individual willing to be interviewed, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

By Richard Darvas

March 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Days before Bryan Brzezowski’s sixteenth birthday, he began to hear voices, he recalled in an interview with East County Magazine. Paranoid strangers warned of outward threats. “Oh, this person’s out to get you. That person just wants to kick your butt.”

At 25 years old, he was diagnosed as a mild schizophrenic. Shortly after he became homeless in September 2008, the depth of his mental illness manifested itself in loudening delusions, self-identity confusion and unprovoked irritation, he recalled.

March 17, 2010 (La Mesa) – The body of Maria “Laura” Chavez Sandoval, of La Mesa was found today in the water off the coast of Rosarita Beach, Mexico. Sandoval, 55 was reported missing on Sunday by her husband. She reportedly took a taxi from La Mesa to San Ysidro and was last seen exiting the taxicab.

Sandoval left behind a “goodbye” note and was believed to be suicidal, according to a Sheriff’s missing person bulletin issued today shortly before the body was found.

March 17, 2010 (El Cajon) 5:30 p.m. -- A S.W.A.T. team and K-9 team was dispatched to a Doubletree Hotel  in San Diego this afternoon after a parolee escaped from El Cajon Police. The man broke into a hotel room  and fled from balcony to balcony, armed with a gun. 

The suspect is now in custody, Monica Zech, spokeperson for the City of El Cajon, has informed East County Magazine.

Note: An earlier alert based on a scanner report incorrectly stated that the hotel was in El Cajon. We regret this error.

March 17, 2010 (La Mesa) – Oraha Oraha (same first and last name) was arrested around 8 p.m. last night by La Mesa Police for stalking a 24 year old woman. She worked in the 8500 block of Fletcher Parkway.

A security guard working in the 8600 block had been alerted about previous stalking allegations. He saw Oraha’s green 1992 Camry station wagon, license plate CA #3WUL388, and notified authorities who arrested Oraha. Police suspect he may have stalked others in the area.

by: Sharon Courmousis, Sacred Rocks Reserve

Increase your enjoyment of living

"A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. " -- John Muir

This month's column includes:

Hunkering Down - essay

Chocolate cake with fudge icing - recipe

“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”

By: Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
President, Blue Summit Financial Group