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FREEBIE ALERT: IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH—TAKE A WALK WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEC. 30

 

By Nancy Clement

December 22, 2009 (La Mesa and Spring Valley) -- Start the New Year off right by walking your way to health!

 

Live Well invites you to come and “Take a Walk with your Community” at a fun-filled event that features a 30 minute hosted walk, free entertainment, refreshments and a special guest. This special event will occur simultaneously at both Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa and Lamar Park in Spring Valley from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 30th.


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ON THE SILVER SCREEN: “INVICTUS” IS ROUSING, WELL-WRITTEN, AND WELL-ACTED

By Brian Lafferty

December 21, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--Invictus is a movie that brought out a lot of the fan in me. It is a feel good film that had me cheering. It is one of the most rousing films of the year.

The movie begins with the release of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) after decades of imprisonment. Through sometimes shocking and powerful real news footage, which includes riots, we see Mandela winning the South African presidency against all odds. This news footage is real from 1994, but in Forrest Gump style Morgan Freeman is digitally, and seamlessly, inserted in the real Mandela’s place. It wasn’t even five minutes in and I was starting to cheer for him to succeed.


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WILL POWER REPORT: DOCTORS CHARGE “FACILITY FEE”


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NEW COLUMN! ADVICE FROM THE PURPLE MOUNTAIN SAGE: Reflections, Tips & Recipes from East County's Backcountry

 

by Sharon Courmousis, Sacred Rocks Reserve
 

The Gift of Today

 

The land is getting ready for winter. Flowers have died back mostly. The leaves have changed colors and dropped to the ground, a carpet of reddish-yellow, soon fading into earth colors. The seeds have popped from their husks and been harvested by birds. Squirrels have tucked away tons of acorns. Daylight pales early. Temperatures drop quickly as the sun disappears over the western sky. I want to sink into my own ‘cave’ with a fire in the fireplace, a good book, visitors dropping in for a cup of chili (recipe below) and a rowdy game at the community table.

 

The holidays are coming soon, and this time of year can bring joy… or dread.


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FREEBIE ALERT! WINTER SOLSTICE WALK DEC. 21

 

Cowles Mountain is the site of a Kumeyaay Indian solstice site and the Canyoneers are conducting a free walk up the mountain on December 21 at 6 am to view the sunrise on the first day of winter.


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DOLLAR-WISE DIVAS: SAVE MONEY – BE CREATIVE WITH GIFT WRAP

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

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

 

December 17, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - We all know the holidays can get extremely expensive. Not only do people buy many gifts to give away, they also spend a good chunk of change on gift-wrap for those gifts. There are ways you can save on gift-wrap, however. You just need to get a little creative. You can even use the money you save to buy more presents!


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GOOD MONEY: RETIREMENT PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES & CHANGES FOR 2009-2010

Good Money: Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing

Judy BommerRETIREMENT PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES & CHANGES for 2009-2010

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

December 2009 (La Mesa) -- Below is a brief discussion of some of the major opportunities available for you now and in 2010.  A check-up with your tax professional, and/or financial advisor is wise to ensure that you are taking advantage of all great tax and retirement planning strategies given your individual situation.


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ON THE SILVER SCREEN: "PRECIOUS" AGGRESSIVELY BLEAK BUT VERY REWARDING

 



By Brian Lafferty

December 5, 2009 (San Diego's East County) -- Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) is one of the most strong-willed characters I have seen in a long time. She’s pregnant, at sixteen, with her second child by her father. Her mother (Mo'Nique) is both physically and psychologically abusive, calling her mean names and always bringing her down. She’s illiterate. She’s harassed at school and on the street. She enrolls in an alternative school and the other students are initially mean-spirited. In her mind, the world is unfair and cruel, with very few people on her side.


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FREEBIE ALERT! FREE RINGTONES FROM NATURE


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DOLLAR WISE DIVA: SAVE MONEY ON GIFT GIVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS: BE CREATIVE AND CLEVER

!

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

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

December 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Ready or not – the holiday gift-giving season is here!  Our gifts to you are ideas and tips to help you spend less money and feel more relaxed and peaceful during this special time of year. It is important to remember why we are celebrating, and to not be caught up in a whirlwind of consumerism.


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FREEBIE ALERT! DONATE YOUR LONG HAIR AND RECEIVE A FREE HAIRCUT

 

November 25, 2009 (El Cajon) --La Dolce Belladonna, located in Fletcher Hills, is proud to be a participant in the Locks of Love Program as an approved hair salon that performs free haircuts by licensed, professional hair stylists.

 


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DOLLAR- WISE DIVAS: SAVE MONEY! BRAVE THE CROWDS AND SHOP ON BLACK FRIDAY

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

 

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

 


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DOLLAR-WISE DIVAS: FREE & LOW-COST ENTERTAINMENT YEAR ROUND

 

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

 

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

 

November 23, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - San Diego has excellent theater, and ticket prices are low enough (even free!) that everyone can enjoy great shows.


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MEDICAL MARIJUANA: DOES SAN DIEGO HAVE A SHERIFF ARPAIO?

 

LEFT HOOK COLUMN

By Walter Davis


Eugene Davidovich is a Navy veteran. His service connected health issues resulted in his doctor authorizing medical marijuana. Now, he faces four felony charges and the possibility of a long jail sentence.

 

According to Americans for Safe Access San Diego, the local District Attorney is aggressively pursuing users of Medical Marijuana in San Diego. Aggressive arrest tactics are reportedly in place despite state laws that make medical marijuana use legal and the recent federal guidelines that indicate federal authorities will not be pursuing charges against medical marijuana users in states where such use is legal.


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SIMPLE WISDOM: THANKSGIVING TIP

Do you have an easier time giving than receiving? At Thanksgiving attention typically turns to turkey (or tofu) and gratitude.

Paradoxically, giving thanks spotlights your ability to receive. The reason for this is that gratitude requires opening yourself to receiving. If you’re like many of us you may not always feel deserving. It’s easy to get caught thinking its better to give than get.


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CRAFTING WITH MARY: QUICK & EASY THANKSGIVING DECORATIONS

By Mary Genser

Thanksgiving Day
     Is not
  So far away—
There’ll be cloudy skies,
Apple and pumpkin pies—
And lots of turkey to eat.
Also every kind of sweet.
         Now—
  Go put up your feet
   And watch a game.
    I’ll do the same.

 

Editor's note:  Fortunately, before relaxing for her holiday celebration, our crafty columnist provided us with directions for making three Thanksgiving projects: holiday glass plates, autumn embroidery hoops, and fall foliage centerpieces.


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SIMPLE WISDOM: SUSTAIN YOUR SPIRIT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

By Penelope Andrade

 

Is self care last on your holiday list? Winter's dark, short days invite you inside your home and self to slow down, rest . . . rejuvenate. The holidays pull you out into festive, hustle bustle. Torn in two directions you may feel more acutely the stress of lives that don't suit you or nourish you. You remember previous holiday disappointments and hope for fulfillment . . . maybe this year.


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CALI COMFORT: A SPORTING STOP FOR HOME-COOKED MEALS AND DOWN-HOME COMFORT


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TRADE IN YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT LEDS--FREE!


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SYLVIA'S SOAPBOX: SCHOOLS DEAL WITH DIRTY DANCING, AMONG OTHER THINGS

 

By Sylvia Hampton

 

November 7, 2009 (San Diego)--Every parent and school official in the nation, upon reading about the gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl outside her homecoming dance by boys and men from age 15 to 21, was shocked and outraged. Who was responsible? Where did she get the liquor? Why was she allowed to leave the campus in a drunken state? Where were her friends? Who do we blame? How can we prevent these things from happening? And those boys and men. Where do these creatures come from?


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MARKETING MATTERS: HOW TO GIVE BUSINESS HOLIDAY GIFTS SUCCESSFULLY

 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH

 

By Rama Beerfas

 

November 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - While most people believe that the best time to give holiday business gifts is in the week or two leading up to Christmas, there are several compelling reasons to choose either Thanksgiving or New Year for business-related gift-giving.


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MARKETING MATTERS: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH

 

Planning for Effective Marketing – The How

 

By Rama Beerfas

 

October 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - We’ve talked about the details of our marketing program: the who, what where, when and why. Those are mapped out and ready to go. Now, we come to the “how.”
 


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DOLLAR-WISE DIVAS: SAVE MONEY WITH SPECIAL THANK YOUS FOR VETERANS


Take advantage of some of the hidden benefits of being a veteran!

 

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

 


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GOOD MONEY: ESTATE TAXES--WHICH WAY WILL THEY GO?

Good Money: Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing
 

ESTATE TAXES – WHICH WAY WILL THEY GO?

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

 

Estate Tax Reform

 

President George W. Bush's 10-year, $1.35 trillion across-the-board tax cut, passed in 2001, included a slow-but-steady reduction of the amount of wealth that is subject to "the death tax." Under the law, the value of an inheritance exempt from estate taxation increased from $1 million in 2001 to $3.5 million in 2009. In addition, the tax rate on inheritances larger than that decreased from 55% to 45%. And currently with a $3.5m exemption amount, this allows a couple who have done proper estate planning to leave a $7m estate completely free of federal estate taxes to their heirs.
 

But this tax is scheduled to revert to the 2001 pre-Bush levels (55% rate on estates over $1 million); unless Congress takes action this year and passes new legislation.

 


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“FREE DAY” AT NATIONAL FORESTS TO HONOR VETERANS DAY!

 

 

 

San Diego, CA, November 5, 2009 – As a thank you to Veterans and Armed Services Personnel, Veterans Day, November 11 has been declared a “Fee Free Day” for Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles and Los Padres National Forests.

 


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WILL POWER REPORT: INSTANT REPLAY FOR BASEBALL

Nothing but the Truth!
 

Instant Replay for Baseball

October 23, 2009 -- I love baseball- in spite of the drugs, the drinking, the cheating, and the high salaries. But I hate the egregiously bad calls which affect the outcome of games, series, careers, and franchises.


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TRICK OR TREATING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

 

Does the thought of going house-to-house Trick or Treating make you feel uncomfortable? How about mall Trick or Treating?

 


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DOLLAR WISE DIVAS: SAVE MONEY, CREATE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES FOR LESS!

 

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

 

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

 

October 22, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)-Costumes are not about how much money you spend. You could spend hundreds of dollars and still have a less-than-exciting costume. What make a costume great is a little creativity--along with a few accessories. For example, take a man in an ordinary suit, slick back his hair, give him a pencil thin mustache and a string tie, and voila – Clark Gable! Take the same man, in the same suit, give him a wide tie, spectators, and a waist chain, and you have a Mobster. The clothes you wear are a mere canvas on which to paint your costume.

 

If you need a little inspiration, check out these sites:


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“SPINNERS” SPARKLES: A SAVORY NEW KIND OF FAST FOOD RESTAURANT

 

Spinners Fresh Mediterranean Salads & Grill
2654 Jamacha Rd., Suite 101
El Cajon, California 92019
www.ilovespinners.com
619-825-5151
Open daily 11am-9pm

 

By Leon Thompson
The East County Eater

October 15, 2009 (Rancho San Diego)—Spinners is a treat for your taste buds--Mediterranean food like you have never experienced before. You won’t see food presented like this in any fast food restaurant anywhere. Each selection is served with colorful and delicious exclamations. My plate had slow-roasted gyros, pickled turnips, olives and rose-cut radishes--along with pita wedges and a spicy jalapeño hummus.  On my first visit,  I also sampled couscous, an amber-hued bulgar wheat dish, and fresh tabouleh on the side. The only thing ‘fast food’ about “Spinners” is the price.


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CRAFTING WITH MARY: THESE PUMPKINS ROCK!

By Mary Genser

October 14, 2009 (La Mesa) –Hand-painting pumpkin stones make delightful additions to your home during Halloween and throughout the fall holiday season. You can use them as decorations, paperweights, gifts or party favors.

 

To make your own festive pumpkins, you will need:


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