By Brian Lafferty

May 6, 2010 (San Diego)--When I saw Iron Man two years ago, I left the theater feeling it was a great movie but functioned more like a set-up for a better and bigger story. It raised my expectations for the sequel, which is out in theaters today. Iron Man 2 is bigger and better but not by much; it suffers from two major story flaws. Yet, I walked out of the theater feeling much more satisfied because everything that did work more than made up for what didn't.

By Brian Lafferty

April 30, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Re-imagining a classic movie like A Nightmare on Elm Street is very risky, primarily because there will be constant comparisons to the original. Wes Craven’s 1984 masterpiece has garnered a spot in the pantheon of horror films and spawned numerous sequels with varying degrees of quality. I happily report, however, that the reboot, directed by music video director Samuel Bayer, is a solid piece of filmmaking.

Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle!

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

By Brian Lafferty

April 16, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- As I walked out of the theater after watching Death at a Funeral, I was reminded of something the great director Howard Hawks once said about what makes a good movie: three great scenes, no bad ones. There are three hilarious, uproarious scenes which had me literally gasping for air from laughing so hard. At the same time, there was not a single scene that didn't work.

By Brian Lafferty

April 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Watching The Runaways was like going to a fun party; you have the time of your life before you spend the next day recovering. The energy this movie generated resulted in a nonstop simultaneous feeling of euphoria and heartbreak. It is a rollercoaster of a movie, one that constantly engaged me on an emotional level. It is a film that will stay with me for a long time.

Wasteful and mean policies of the right

By Walter Davis

April 11, 2010 (San Diego) -- Eugene Davidovich was acquitted last month of all charges along with most of the other citizens arrested in Operation Green RX. As reported, only one citizen, Donna Lambert remains within the clutches of the District Attorney. Operation Green RX was a misguided arrest sweep of people authorized to use medical marijuana. It has now become a national embarrassment to our local government.

By Brian Lafferty

April 2, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--The Last Song is one of those films I call a “Hit and Miss” picture. Movies that fall under this category typically have as many elements that work as those that don’t. One scene may be wonderful, the next may be forgettable. Some characters are great and some are not so desirable. This is basically how The Last Song works. It is not a bad movie but it isn’t great, either.

PARK: Louis Stelzer County Park
LOCATION: 11470 Wildcat Canyon Rd Lakeside, CA 92040

OVERALL RATING: 5 OAK TREES

By Dennis and Trever Richardson

March 29, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- This secluded park has a family-friendly environment with an educational orientation directed at teaching school children about local wildlife. The park prides itself on education, utilizing its proximity to the outdoors to teach children. Inside the visitor’s center, the park offers views of all types of snakes in enclosures and local plants categorized on the walls.

Stelzer Park recently won the ‘Parents Pick Stelzer Park as County's Best’ award for its great efforts to provide activities and education to children. It is also clean and orderly, with friendly staff who will answer any of your questions with facts and personal stories related to the subject. It is no wonder the park is so popular!

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:  

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.

“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”

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

By Mary Genser

March 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Want some spring decorations that really rock? These ornamental rock pots are ideal garden accessories to brighten up your home’s interiors. Use them to display artificial ivy, plants, flowers, or handy household items. They also make great gifts. Your only limit is your imagination!