November 13, 2012 (El Cajon) – “My Three Angels”, a play by Sam and Bella Spewack will be performed Nov. 29 through Dec. 7 at Grossmont College, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon.

In French Guiana at the turn of the 20th century, three convicts on work release find themselves helping the Ducotel family with more than their roof maintenance. With an evil-minded cousin trying to take over the family business and a cold-blooded nephew set on jilting his fiancé for an heiress, the family is in need of some divine intervention. The criminals with hearts of gold step in to set matters right and, in doing so; they redeem themselves as real-life angels.

November13, 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 reflecting 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.

• War opens inside GOP on immigration (The Hill)
• Can police collect DNA before conviction? Supreme Court to hear case. (Christian Science Monitor)
• Supreme Court appears ready to nuke the Voting Rights Act (Mother Jones)
• CIA Director David Petraeus resigns, cites extramarital affair (NBC News)
• Obama wins Florida, sweeping all battleground states (CNN)
• George P. Bush gears up for political run in Texas (KPBS)
• Obama, Boehner reiterate plan to work on ‘fiscal cliff’ but offer differing ways to do so (Washington Post)
• Marijuana legalization victories could be short-lived (Reuters)
• After Sandy, communities mobilize a new kind of disaster relief (Common Dreams)
• West Nile cases still climbing as temperatures drop (NPR)

WORLD

• To combat sanctions, Iran buys up gold (NPR)
• Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists ( UK Telegraph)
• Strong earthquake off Guatemala kills at least 48 (Reuters)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

November 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--County Supervisor Dianne Jacob has added a new tool to stay in touch with her constituents – social media.

Jacob, who represents District 2, is now active on Facebook and Twitter, in addition to putting out a print newsletter, The Jacob Journal, and maintaining a website – www.dianne.jacob.com. “I’ve always valued my close contact with folks in my East County district,” said Jacob. “These online tools provide more ways to expand those ties, and to let my constituents know about the pressing issues facing our region and the rest of San Diego County.”

November 13, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont College English Department is holding a Write-A-Thon, an all day creative writing fundraiser for the Department’s Creative Writing Program.  To participate you must raise a minimum of $50 in pledges to support literary arts programs and events.  Check-in is at 9 a.m. at 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon.

November 12, 2012 (San Diego) --  In summer of 2010, the County launched Live Well, San Diego!, a long-term plan to improve the health and well-being of all San Diego County residents. Today, the County Board of Supervisors received a report on the impact of Live Well, San Diego! on the region during the initiative’s second year. 

“The County is committed to improving the health and well-being of the region,” said Chairman Ron Roberts, County Board of Supervisors. “Live Well, San Diego! has made considerable progress and together we are building momentum to bring about positive change for residents.”

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2012 (El Cajon )—Congressional members Duncan Hunter and Susan Davis, community leaders, a  Navy color guard and citizens from across East County turned out this morning for a ceremony honoring veterans, celebrating the city of El Cajon’s centennial, and dedicating two legacy projects.

“May El Cajon continue to be the gateway to East County, a refugee to many, a thriving community and  place we all call home,” Chaplain Chuck Price with the El Cajon Police entreated in the invocation. 

For November 11 to 18, 2012For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

November 11 (Sunday, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm) — The Chino Farm will be hosting Jonathan Waxman to sign copies of his recent cookbook Italian, My Way published by Simon & Schuster. Mr. Waxman is the fourth chef in the recently launched Good Earth/Great Chefs Series, a collaboration between veteran bookseller Milane Christiansen of Vintage Works and the legendary Chino Farm.

November 11, 2012 (La Mesa)--A suspect armed with a knife attempted to rob the Cricket Wireless store located at 7014 University Avenue in La Mesa. 

On November 10 around 6:27 p.m., La Mesa Police Department received a report of an attempted robbery that had just occurred at the Cricket Wireless store located at 7014 University Avenue. An employee reported that the suspect entered the store, walked behind the counter and brandished a large knife.

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2012 (El Cajon)—Shaima Alawadi died a violent death in her El Cajon home, suffering multiple skull fractures.  A note found next to her body  told her to “go home” to her native Iraq, sparking fears in the community that the young Muslim mother of five may have been the victim of a hate crime.

But today, El Cajon Police Chief Jim Redman announced that the victim’s husband, Kassim Alhimidi, has been arrested and charged with her murder.

 We're making our list and checking it twice....finding you lots of great holiday coupons! Scroll down for some great bargains -- and check back for more holiday deals as our busy elves add new coupons each week.

If you would like to run a holiday coupon, e-mail ads@eastcountymagazine.org or call 619-698-7617. Happy holidays!

Lost Girls, by Caitlin Rother (Kensington Publishing Corp., New York, NY, 2012, 372 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

November 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--New York Times Bestselling author Caitlin Rother, a San Diego resident and journalist, has written a true-crime book that I am sure will resonate with all parents: Lost Girls. Pulitzer-nominated author Rother delivers an incisive, heartbreaking true-life thriller that touches our deepest fears. It is the story of John Gardner, who raped and murdered local San Diego teens Chelsea King and Amber Dubois.

Rother dedicates her book to the memories of King and Dubois, and all other girls and boys who have been lost to sexual predators. She feels that by shedding light on these dark events, she can only hope that it will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

By Bill Weaver

November 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Leaders in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College are speaking out to thank voters for passing Prop V, a $398 million bond measure that passed by about 56.5 percent. 

“We’re pleased that voters understand the critical facilities and technology upgrades needed to better educate and train our students in today’s ultra-competitive world,” said Governing Board President Bill Garrett. 

Prop V will fund upgrades, repairs and renovations  to classrooms, roads, labs and infrastructure, including helping to meet the needs of our region's many veterans.

By Brian Lafferty

November 9, 2012 (San Diego) – Practically every commercial I saw for Skyfall emphasized the action sequences.  Not surprising, since studios throw all the best parts in the trailers and ads.  Here's some irony for you: MGM and Columbia only thought they included the best parts.  Audiences who watch the official trailer and the TV spots think they're getting a dark action movie.  Wrong.  Unlike such recent spy films as Salt - which are ninety-percent action and ten-percent espionage - Skyfall is ninety-percent spy film and ten-percent action…as a James Bond movie should be.

November 9, 2012 (Washington D.C.)  -- A nationwide recall of Banana Boat spray-on sunscreens has been issued by Energizer Holdings, Inc., the U.S. Food & Drug Association (FDA) announced.  The voluntary recall follows five cases of consumers suffering burns after the product ignited on the skin. 

Read more for a list of products and additional details:  

November 9, 2012 (Alpine) -- Last Friday, November 2, Marie Curie, John Muir, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Henry Ford, Orville Wright and Amelia Earhart were spotted at Boulder Oaks Elementary School in Alpine!  Fourth and fifth grade students from Mrs. Newcomb, Mrs. Morales and Mrs. Golden's classes brought famous figures back to life at the school's annual Dead Scientists and Explorers Wax Museum.