A Q&A on healthy holiday eating from Susan’s Healthy Gourmet nutritionist Carissa Sanchez

November 16, 2011 (San Diego)--The holidays mean big meals, which can unfortunately lead to big numbers on the scale. As the nutritionist at Susan’s Healthy Gourmet, a service that prepares and delivers fresh, calorie-controlled meals to Southern California homes and offices, Carissa Sanchez understands how difficult it is to enjoy delicious holiday feasts while sticking to weight-management goals.

November 16, 2011 (El Cajon)--Acting El Cajon City Manager Rob Turner has announced selection of El Cajon Police Captain Jim Redman as the City's new Police Chief. He will replace Pat Sprecco, who has served as Chief since March 31, 2008 and will retire on December 9. 

Redman has been with El Cajon's Police Department nearly 24 years, starting his career as a patrol officer back in 1988.

November 16, 2011 (La Mesa)—A man robbed the Denny’s Restaurant at 4235 Spring Street in La Mesa today at 1:32 p.m. According to La Mesa Police, the suspect presented a note demanding money and simulated a handgun under his clothing, then fled with the cash. He was described as a white male, 30-35 years old, 6 feet tall, 200 lbs., wearing a green hat, beige colored pullover sweatshirt and jeans.

November 15, 2011 (El Cajon) --  Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble will perform a holiday-themed program, “Wintersongs” at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theatre. Wintersongs showcases music ranging from rousing Slavic folk carols and Eastern Orthodox sacred choral works to pre-Christian incantations for the longest nights of the year and Hebrew folk songs for Chanukah.

November 15, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Don’t waste your Thanksgiving leftovers or risk clogging drains to dispose of grease! You can now drop off used cooking oil and grease for recycling at the EDCO Station in La Mesa or four other EDCO recycling buyback centers in the county. 

This free service is provided by EDCO and New Leaf Biofuel, both locally-owned companies.

November 17, 2011 (La Mesa) -- TV and radio personalities, sports stars, elected officials, comedians and entertainers will be serving up fare at Hooley's Irish Pub & Grill in La Mesa from 5-9 p.m. tonight--all for a good cause. 

November 1, 2011 (Mt. Helix) --As part of a larger cast iron pipeline replacement project, Helix Water District crews will replace two 60-year-old valves at Mt. Helix Drive and Vivera Drive and install a new valve at Mt. Helix Drive and Alto Drive on Thursday, November 17.

Much of Mt. Helix is served by a single pipeline. As a result, construction activity will create a 10-hour water shutdown between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 242 customers on 20 streets in the vicinity.

November 11, 2011 (San Diego) Looking for a lively time over Thanksgiving weekend?  The public is invited to America's Finest San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival November 23 - 27 at the Town & Country Resort and Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle North in San Diego. The Festival features over 25 bands and guest artists from across the U.S. as well as bands with East County ties.

 November 14, 2011 (National) --  It’s you against the turkey. Are you going to come out of this thing a butterball or a better woman for it? Don’t succumb to stuffing yourself this Thanksgiving, says internationally-renowned fitness and nutrition expert JJ Virgin, co-star of TLC’s hit series Freaky Eaters. If you’re like most people during Thanksgiving, you mindlessly slip back into the kitchen to “clean” and nosh on seconds… and thirds… initiating the holiday-season binge that carries through New Year’s Eve.

Don’t give in and pack on the pounds unnecessarily! Instead, put the leftover triple-layer pumpkin pie back in the fridge and replace eating with these suggestions:

 November 15, 2011 (Valley Center) --  Bates Nut Farm will host the Annual Santa’s Coming-Craft Fair over Thanksgiving weekend. The Craft Fair will be open November 25, 26 and 27; Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Approximately 80 artisans will be selling a variety of handmade crafts and fine art, just in time to start your holiday shopping.

November 16, 2011 (San Diego) – Talented musicians from 41 schools in the East County Youth Symphony will perform a concert of classical music at 7 p.m. tonight in the Joan B. Kroc Theater, 6611 University Avenue in San Diego (one block east of La Mesa).

Update: The deceased has been identified as Mark Andrew Jones, 52, who resided with his family in Ramona.

November 14, 2011 (Ramona) – A Ramona resident who was not wearing a seatbelt died after being ejected from a vehicle in a rollover accident yesterday afternoon.  Two other men were taken to a hospital with injuries. The driver faces charges for driving under the influence,  ECM News partner 10 News reports.

According to a witness, the driver of the car, a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, may have been trying to avoid hitting a woman who was unlading her horse from a horse cart.