By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Tom Abbott, video by Nadin Abbott

December 27, 2012 (San Diego)-- The New Car Dealers Association of San Diego brings once again the San Diego International Auto Show, among the largest in the nation and the second largest in Southern California, to the San Diego Convention Center now Thursday through Sunday. The show this year features some old stand bys such as the Jeep Experience, where you can ride in one of several Jeeps to highlight the abilities of these vehicles. This year I rode a Trail Hawk Special Edition and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Limited, which is a four door model. 

View a video of the ride here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9pv9QI__bM&feature=youtu.be

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The power of social media has given rise to a new phenomenon seen across our region and around the world:  residents are taking to the streets, sending tweets, and discovering the power of the people.  They’re organizing online, launching petitions, posting viral videos on Youtube, promoting causes on Facebook.  A year aqo, in 2011, the world witnessed the power of citizen activism when the Egyptian government was overthrown.  Here at home, the rise in citizen activism in the past year has led to some remarkable achievements and some noteworthy upsets.

Here are some of the results of citizen activism in our region over the past year.

December 27, 2012 (La Mesa)—A fire that began in or near a wall heater yesterday morning swiftly engulfed a granny flat in the 8400 block of Sunrise Avenue.  After a neighbor reported the blaze, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews arrived within five minutes.  

Firefighters stretched hose lines inside the building to aggressively fight the fire, while other crews vented the structure to allow smoke and hot gases to escape.  The blaze was doused within 10 minutes and firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings. 

By Rebecca J. Williamson

December 27, 2012 (El Cajon)--The Marquez vs Pacquiao fight has nothing over the boxers (and stuffed animal lovers) at El Cajon’s Und1sputed Fitness and Training Center. Boxers Andy Murad and 14-year-old high school student Anthony Cesena were among those who pitched in to help during the Center’s toy drive, Christmas party, and fight club exhibition held Saturday, December 15.

Also recycle glass bottles and beverage containers from holiday parties

December 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--EDCO has sent a reminder for customers to recycle this holiday season. Paper gift wrap, gift boxes, greeting cards, cardboard and glass, metal and plastic beverage containers can all be recycled in customers’ commingled recycling containers. Holiday trees, wreaths, garlands and cut flowers can also be recycled by placing these in the designated green waste cans after all lights and decorations have been removed. For more holiday information, visit www.edcodisposal.com.

December 27, 2012 (La Mesa) – Looking for some laughs?  Brew Ha Ha Comedy presents Janice Remland performing live standup comedy at the Holiday Inn, Mesa Grill, 8000 Parkway Drive, La Mesa on Dec. 28.  The mixer will begin at 6 p.m. with the show time at 7 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—East County lost some prominent residents in 2012, from celebrities and pioneers to lesser known individuals who achieved extraordinary accomplishments in their lives or touched our hearts in their passing. 

Scroll down to read about those lost in 2012; click on their names to read more about these remarkable individuals.

December 26, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Business groups grow frustrated over impasse in ‘fiscal cliff’ talks (The Hill)
• Immigrants Welcomed: A City Sees Economic Promise (NPR)
• Nearing fiscal cliff, wind industry waits (North County NPR)
• American wind industry proposes to phase out tax credits (Hydrogen News)
• End the Wind Production Tax Credit (U.S. News and World Reports)
• NRA defends call for armed guards at schools (Reuters)
• Audits looking for undocumented immigrants on the rise (Christian Science Monitor)
• Few tests done at toxic sites after superstorm (U-T San Diego)

WORLD

• North Korea could have U.S. within missile range, says South (Reuters)
• Mayan temple damaged in tourists’ ‘apocalypse’ frenzy (Raw Story)
• India rape protests; reporter shot dead (Sky News)
• AP Exclusive: Palestinians aim to isolate Israel  (U-T San Diego)
• UN confirms Hezbollah fighting for Assad in Syria (Jerusalem Post)
• Thousands of Islamists clash with opponents in Egypt (Christian Science Monitor)
• Risk For Pakistan's Polio Workers Escalates (NPR)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

Decenber 26, 2012 (Cuyamaca) -- Turkeys for Christmas  may conjure up images of a holiday dinner.  But photographer Tom Lemon spotted this flock on Christmas Day while driving through Rancho Cuyamaca State Park.  He suggests these turkeys should be grateful that they're living in a protected area where hunting is not allowed--or, perhaps, hoping more folks will choose ham for their next holiday feast.

December 25, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- No, this isn't a preview of what East County might look like after a few decades of rising tides and global climate change.  This image of Cowles "island" is in fact Cowles Mountain, surrounded not by water, but a sea of clouds. 

Scroll down for a second image depicting the Grossmont Knoll and Cowles Mountain, adrift in early morning clouds viewed from Mount Helix.  Both of these magical images were photographed by photographer Tom Lemon.

December 26, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – On Christmas night at 7:12 pm., a La Mesa woman was driving south in the 1600 block of Glencoe Drive in Lemon Grove with her 10-year-old son.  As she passed a white two-door coupe, she heard a loud pop, followed by her passenger side window shattering. 

Fearing for the safety of her son and herself, she continued driving until she located a San Diego Police officer in the city of San Diego.  Deputies from the San Diego Sheriff Department were then contacted and sent to the scene.

December 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for mountains and deserts in East County from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 26.  Gusts up to 50 mph may occur near ridge tops.  Winds may make driving difficult, also producing blowing sand in desert areas. 

A hazardous weather outlook has also been issued for southwestern California.  Wednesday through Monday, a cold low-pressure system will bring light to moderate rain, with snow down to 4500 feet in mountain areas, along with strong winds.  Frost is possible in valleys and upper deserts Wednesday and Thursday nights.  Along coastal areas, a winds may create hazardous conditions for small crafts.

December 27, 2012 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis moved to put the finishing touches on the new federal courthouse downtown when her bill to name the building passed the House of Representatives. After extensive input from the San Diego legal community, Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to have Judges James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep on San Diego’s new federal courthouse.

“Displaying true dedication to public service, both Judge Carter and Judge Keep worked tirelessly on and off the bench to better the San Diego community,” said Davis. “The new San Diego Courthouse will be a fitting testament to their careers and inspire others in the community to continue to follow their path.”

E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

December 24, 2012 (San Diego)--Dear EarthTalk: It might seem obvious, but what would be the primary benefits of public transit as an alternative to the private automobile if our country were to make a major commitment to it?                                                        -- James Millerton, Armstrong, PA

The benefits of making a major commitment to building up and efficiently managing a larger and more comprehensive public transit network are many.

December 24, 2012 (Colorado Springs)--For over 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa's flight. You and your children can log on at www.noradsanta.com for live updates on Santa's trip around the world, including videos and Christmas activities for young and the young at heart.

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. ad misprinted the phone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, kids reached to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check radar for indications of Santa's flight south from the North Pole. Children who called were given location updates, and a tradition was born.