By Brian Lafferty

May 5, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) hosts the 19th annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival. The festival, rich in culture, talent, and Jewish soul, is organized and directed by Todd Salovey, associate artistic director, San Diego REP.

May 6, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- ECM editor Miriam Raftery snapped this image of last night's "super moon" -- the closest that the moon comes to earth in its orbit this year. 

This full moon shot was taken off Highway 79, between Santa Ysabel and Ramona, casting a golden halo as it rose.

 By Miriam Raftery

May 5, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – In March, ECM reported on military medic training at Covert Canyon in Alpine that reportedly includes maiming and shooting of live pigs.  Now Change.org has launched a petition to stop use of live animals in military medical training.

May 5, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The 7^th Annual Duncan L. Hunter Wounded Marine Golf Classic is May 7 at Cottonwood Golf Course, 3121 Willow Glen Road, El Cajon.  The tournament benefits wounded Army, Navy and Marine Corps personnel.  The Armed Services YMCA is the host sponsor.  Cottonwood Golf Club is donating the course, personnel and equipment for the event.

Ducheny Chastises Vargas for "Special Interest" Favors

May 5, 2012 (San Diego) -- Congressional Candidate Denise Moreno Ducheny took issue with Senator Juan Vargas's recent voting record and called on the Senator to back a strong set of foreclosure protection bills being discussed in the Senate this week. "The recent voting record of my opponent is a disservice to the residents of San Diego and Imperial Counties," Ducheny said in a statement. "He should be spending more time focusing on the needs of his constituents, not just those special interest groups who write his campaign checks."

“This legislative proposal is perhaps the most direct assault on national parks ever to be advanced at any level in any Congress in U.S. history.” – Maureen Finnerty, Chair, Coalition of National Park Service Retirees

 May 4 2012 (Washington D.C.) -- Legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives is falsely touted as improving U.S. border security. Instead, it would “have the potential to devastate 54 of America’s national parks, historic sites, national monuments and other popular park icons and negatively impact the nation’s economy,” according to a warning issued April 18 by the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR).

By Kate Yapjoco

May 4, 2012 (San Diego) – Terra American Bistro in East County is among area restaurants highlighted as part of Celiac Awareness Month in May.  An estimated 3 million Americans suffer from celiac disease, which is an autoimmune digestive disease.  People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye as well as many other food products.  During Celiac Awareness Month San Diego restaurateurs will be offering a wide, delicious, healthy array of gluten-free dining options.

May 4, 2012 (Ramona) -- Thomas (Bo Donovan) Becker, who lived in San Diego Country Estates, passed away on April 24 surrounded by his family.  A noted radio broadcasting personality, he also founded the award-winning Silvertree Inc. creative services firm and has been active in organizations ranging from United Way to the Better Businses Bureau. 

By Brian Lafferty