By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

November 22, 2014 (San Diego)--People trampling over each other for cheap goods merely hours after celebrating what they are already thankful for. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when holiday gift buying begins.  “Unfortunately, Black Friday is a day when many shoppers become victims of crimes and injuries says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.”

"The first casualty of war is innocence."

- Tagline, Platoon (Oliver Stone, 1986)

By Brian Lafferty

November 18, 2014 (San Diego) – In the 28 years since Platoon's release, its tagline quoted above has become more and more relevant in light of the world events that followed it. This includes, but is not limited to, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. With the way things are going, it looks at this point like those are just for starters.

EarthTalk®

E - The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I hear that many school cafeterias have nutrition standards no better—even worse—than those of fast food chains. What can be done about this?      -- Betsy Edison, Nashville, TN

November 10, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Americans have done a great job making sure that our kids have something to eat at school regardless of socioeconomic status, with the National School Lunch Program providing low-cost or free lunches to upwards of 31 million students at 92 percent of U.S. public and private schools.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

November 10, 2014 (San Diego)--Cooler weather is upon us so why not put your best foot forward by keeping yourself free from accidents says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.  ‘Walk this Way’ and plan walk-able routes. Map out a well-lit route with sidewalks and crosswalks and little traffic. Let someone know when and where you are going. Walks are a great opportunity to educate kids about safety. Explain the different traffic signals, remind your kids to stop at the edge of driveways to watch for cars, and teach them never to cross streets without being in a crosswalk.

November 4, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes the Aztecs homecoming game, a hike by the light of the moon, the musical Mulan, an acorn harvest festival and a holiday open house at Summers Past Farms. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a free concert by the Pomerado Brass Quintet and the much-anticipated East County holiday tradition, the Mother Goose Parade.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

East County News Service

October 29, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes lots of fun festive activities including an ice-skating Halloween costume party in Alpine , an art and wine festival at a Ramona castle, and the trout fishing season opener at Santee Lakes. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including an Acorn Festival and a Hike by the Light of the Moon in our mountain regions.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

By Sharon Ann Hamilton

Dear Retirement Concierge,

I am retired and fortunately have adequate resources. I just don’t believe in spending money if I don’t have to and it is not hard because I have chosen to live a simple life for many years now. I do have my estate documents in order: trust, will, health care directive, and power of attorney for financial matters should I be unable to act for myself. Here is the situation: I want to make a couple of small changes in beneficiary recipients. Someone told me I could just handwrite a codicil and put in in my trust documents. Is that true? Attorneys are pricy these days and if I can do it myself without risk, I will.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 21, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - There’s a lot to cover for Halloween Safety and rather be a Pumpkin Head, let go over a few safety reminders advises Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.  Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you. Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.  Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always walk and don't run from house to house.

“Articles Concerning Trusts, Wills, Probate, Family Law & more”

By Stephen C. Ross, Esq.

October 10, 2014 (San Diego County) – The primary benefit of a revocable trust is often considered to be avoidance of probate. Although it is true assets held in trust avoid probate, there are several other benefits of a revocable trust to consider. The following are trust benefits that may, or may not, be important to you.

October 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County has some awesome autumn activities, from a spooky hayride in Julian to classic car cruisin’ at Santee Lakes, plus an international jousting competition—all in San Diego’s inland regions.

EarthTalk® E - The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: What’s the latest on efforts to ban plastic bags? How many U.S. locales have instituted some kind of ban, and have these initiatives made a dent in the amount of plastic litter?

                                                                                                               -- Melinda Clarke, New York, NY

October 11, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - California made big news recently when it announced the first statewide ban on plastic shopping bags set to kick in during the middle of 2015. Beginning in July, large grocery stores, pharmacies and other food retailers in the Golden State will no longer be able to send shoppers home with plastic bags, while convenience markets, liquor stores and other small food retailers will join the ranks a year later.

October 7, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County features an art show, a vintners’ harvest festival, a Fair Trade holiday sale, and the Pumpkin Express complete with a haunted train, among other attractions. Plus we’ll have a preview of some big events coming up later this month, from an Enchanted Garden Gala to the Borrego Days Desert Festival and HauntFest on Main Street.

Tips and tricks for business success and growth

By Rama Beerfas

October 1, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) –  Yes, it's that time of year again - the time to review what did and didn't work in your marketing plan in 2014 and to start building your new plan for 2015.

Here are five steps to building a strategic marketing plan for 2015:

Part III in a series

By the East County Eaters

Week 3:  Bleu Boheme (Kensington) and Cali Comfort (Spring Valley)

September 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)— For week three in our quest to bring you the most delightful and different happy hours across our inland region, we indulged in French cuisine and burgundy at Bleu Boheme, owned by a prominent San Diego retauranteur in Kensington. We also found fabulous half-price barbecue tri-tip and wings so hot they’re named for a local firefighters’ crew at Cali Comfort in Spring Valley, a sports bar and restaurant that has found the winning combination for hospitality.

September 24, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – This week’s Destination East County features some major events this weekend, including Oktoberfests, a major music festival and street fair, a fiesta,  a parade, plus concerts by the Eagles and a Barbra Streisand tribute artist.  Plus we’ll have previews of some delicious events coming up soon, including Julian Apple Days, the East County Vintners Harvest Days, a Pumpkin Festival, and Jacumba Hot Springs centennial celebration! Find all these events and more below.