April 12, 2011 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free seniors discussion group on the “Feeling Fit Club,” featuring a presentation from Vickie Velasco, founder of the Feeling Fit Club, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27. The public is invited to attend. RSVP is not required.

By John Rene Gardner
Photos by Veronica Lavarello

April 11, 2011 (Ramona)--A dusting of snow in many places over Ramona Friday night gave way to a bright sunny Saturday, fine weather for the fourth annual, Rotary-Kiwanas Music Fest in beautiful Dos Picos Park.

It was a perfect setting to enjoy a sampling of San Diego County’s finest musical talent featuring Cactus Twang &Whyte, Aja Alycean, The Gilbert Castellanos New Latin Quintet, Baja Blues Boys, Brandon Burrill, Emily Grace Rajcic, Jason Winters, the Filthy Violets, Sage, Grand Canyon Sundown, Ramona Town Hall Brass Band, Sherm the Band, RHS Royal Blues Jazz Band, as well as Henry and the Seacreatures.

April 10, 2011 (Alpine) – Alpine Kiwanis hosts its 57th annual Easter Breakfast on April 24 from 7 a.m. to 12 noon at the Alpine Elementary School, 1850 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.  You're invited to hop on over to enjoy pancakes, sausage, eggs and more—all while benefitting local charities and events sponsored by Kiwanis.

April 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Thanks to ECM reader Tiffany Husted for alerting us to a website called www.Geebo.com. “It is a safer website like Craigslist but so much better!” Husted wrote. “They do not allow child solicitation, human trafficking, drugs, spam or scams. They double check their postings manually and automatically, unlike Craigslist.”

Craigslist has repeatedly been implicated for allowing prostitution and even human trafficking of children to be advertised. ECM research found that Geebo is a nationwide online classified ads site established in 2000.  It offers a safer haven to place and browse ads by reviewing all ads before publishing them to be sure content is appropriate. Geebo was first in its industry to remove personal ads and has never supported adult content, drug or gun sales. Geebo has also been recognized by human rights groups for its commitment to improve safety on the Internet.

April 9, 2011 (Borrego) – A female hiker, 61, was airlifted out of Palm Canyon in the Anza Borrego Desert this afternoon after suffering a possible fractured hip, Deputy Scott Bligh with the San Diego Sheriff Search and Rescue reports.

Copter 12, crewed by San Diego Sheriff’s and Cal-Fire personnel, were dispatched to assist Borrego Fire personnel.

April 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Jack Messina, a parolee described by Sheriff’s officials as a “person of interest” in a 1995 cold-case killing in Texas was airlifted out of an East County canyon Friday.

Messina failed to report to his parole agent, according to a press release issued by the Sheriff. He was found in an intersection at Sweetwater Springs Blvd. and Jamacha Blvd. with a GPS tracking device running low on battery. Deputies found him “very drunk” with his foot in a soft cast on a trail muddy from the recent rain.

Decision based on cost, but a local resident who started a national movement to ban smart meters claims they can harm health in some individuals

April 7, 2011 (La Mesa)—Helix Water District customers won’t be getting smart water meters anytime soon. The Board of Directors opted against the change.

“We don’t want to spend a million and a half dollars,” board vice president John Linden stated. The board also noted that among 322 pilot project customers who do have the smart meters, only 9 percent accessed the smart meter website to check their energy usage.

By Brian Lafferty

April 8, 2011 (San Diego) – Up until the last ten to fifteen minutes I was ready to give In a Better World, 2011’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar winner, a mixed review. At the time I didn’t feel it was a bad movie but it wasn’t a good one, either.

April 8, 2011 (Flinn Springs) -Guests are invited to stroll through a towering fragrant sweet pea maze--and cut your own sweet pea bouquets during this event, while they last!  The event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—however ECM’s editor arrived too late last year to snip the fragrant blooms, so early arrival is recommended. Viewing time starts at 9 a.m. and cutting time begins at 11 a.m. at a cost of $3 per bouquet.

April 7, 2011 (San Diego's East County) ---A cold storm system from western Canada will impact our area Friday morning through Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service predicts.

Rain and mountain snow are expected to begin early Friday morning and continue throughout the day. Cold air aloft with increase thunderstorm potential late in the day.

Popular chef/cookbook author’s new eatery opens today
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

April 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Not every new restaurant parks a tractor outside. But for Jeff Rossman, executive chef and owner of Terra American Bistro, the vehicle symbolizes his commitment to supporting local farmers.

“East County needs a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on sustainability and supporting local growers, artisans and families,” says Rossman, who is also the author of the new cookbook, From Terra’s Table: New American Food, Fresh From Southern California’s Organic Farms.”

SDSU Athletics

April 7, 2011 (San Diego)--The San Diego State track and field team will split its squad this weekend, sending student-athletes to both UCLA and Arizona State for the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational and Sun Angel Track Classic.

April 2, 2011 (Ramona) – This year, The Ramona Music Fest IV benefit concert will be 50 percent longer than in the past – a full six hours on April 9 from noon to 6 p.m. at Dos Picos County Park, 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd. in Ramona.

The nonprofit event, hosted by Ramona Kiwanis and Ramona Rotary clubs, will feature top local and San Diego-area performers plus emerging talent on two stages.

April 7, 2011 (San Diego) – California Highway Patrol officers are on heightened alert after two shootings around 7:10 a.m. this morning on Highway 163 in Kearny Mesa. One shot wounded a USD student and another bullet lodged in a vehicle owned by a Rancho Bernardo man.

Police shut down the freeway and found about 10 shell casings from a small-caliber gun along the side of the freeway between the Clairment Mesa and Balboa exits. There is no evidence to indicate that either victim was targeted.
 

Event showcases ornamental horticulture nursery and water conservation garden

April 6, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)--A garden party of sorts is on tap Saturday, April 9, at Cuyamaca College, but don’t expect cucumber sandwiches, tea, and the soothing strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D at this event. Instead, an international food court, a “bug zone,” and petting zoo for kids, a plant sale, horticulture demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors and exhibitors, and much more is in store at the 18th Spring Garden Festival, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.