By Brian Lafferty

February 1, 2013 (San Diego) -- Bullet to the Head is the second film in three weeks - Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Last Stand being the other - to star one of my favorite action heroes from yesteryear.  The addition of long-absent action director Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hrs.) ups the nostalgia factor.  Bullet to the Head recalls those 80s and 90s action crime films that Hill and Stallone are known for while keeping up with the 2010s. 

January 30, 2013 (San Diego) – The CPUC is holding a Public Forum on the Quail Brush Power Plan along with two other proposed power plants in San Diego County on Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. at Al Bahr Temple/Shriner’s Auditorium, 5440 Kearny Mesa Rd., San Diego. The CPUC’s proposed decision will prevent the emission of over 900,000 annual tons of greenhouse gases by denying purchase power tolling agreements.

Speakers see parallels between destruction by energy companies in our region to environmental degradation, erosion of protections for people around the world

By Miriam Raftery

January 31, 2013 (San Diego) – Idle No More, a movement for the rights of indigenous people and environmental protections that began in Canada, has spread around the world and has now taken root here in San Diego.  Earlier this month,  members of local Native American tribes met convened at a forum sponsored by Activist San Diego to share their concerns and invite all people to join the movement.

“We must stand up to unite, to respect the Mother Earth,” Dennis  Alto, a Viejas tribal member, said.  “We are not just addressing the red nations; we are addressing all people.”

The Idle No More movement arose in Canada as a protest against the Canadian Government passing bills which enabled the government to control lands reserved for native people and reduce environmental protections for lakes and rivers.  Tar sands, pollution from mining and other sources are polluting  the waters and the lands.  Tribal members draw parallels to what is happening in the U.S., where mining, dams, and now large-scale wind and solar projects are ravaging the environment , destroying cultural resources and the way of life for many indigenous Americans.

January 31, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- The AARP Tax Aide Program offers free tax preparation and E filing for seniors and low income residents and others in need in the East County Community.

Tax sites will be open the week of February 4, 2013 and continue until April 15, 2013

Listed below are the tax sites and phone numbers for appointments:

January 31, 2013 (Escondido)--Lovers, chocolate lovers, and art lovers unite! The Chocolate Festival returns to Downtown Escondido again this year on Saturday, February 9^th, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Grand Avenue will be transformed into the perfect destination for anyone looking for something different to do for Valentine’s Day this year. “For The Love of Chocolate” and “SweetArt” Festival, guarantees to satisfy the sweet tooth and the sweetheart.

By Janis Mork

January 31, 2013 (El Cajon)—A dozen trees in El Cajon have been found infested by an insect carrying a disease that is deadly to citrus disease and which has prompted a countywide quarantine, agriculture experts informed El Cajon Council members at yesterday’s meeting.

Mark Olson, a representative for the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program, wanted to give the community an update on the Asian Citrus Psyllid and the disease it carries- Huanglongbing (HLB). “It was recently found in El Cajon for the first time,” he said. “The good news is that the pest has been found and the disease has not shown up. We’re preparing for it though; it will probably show up in El Cajon.” 

January 31, 2013 (San Diego) – MTS has completed its transition from paper Day Passes to Compass Cards. To help riders, it has a new YouTube video (click here) showing how easy it is to purchase a 1-Day Pass on Compass Card from a Trolley ticket machine and to use it on MTS Trolleys and buses.

January 31, 2013 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: What is the purpose of National Wildlife Week, which I understand will take place in March 2013?

-- Melissa P., Burlington, NJ

National Wildlife Week is a program of the non-profit National Wildlife Federation (NWF) that is designed around teaching and connecting kids to the wonders of wildlife. Each year, the group picks a theme and provides fun and informative educational materials, curriculum and activities for educators and caregivers to use with their kids.

January 31, 2013 (El Cajon) -- A shooting in El Cajon may be gang related, Lt. Frank LaHaye with the El Cajon Police Department said.  A 21-year-old victim from San Diego and two companions were involved in a verbal altercation with an unknown suspect at 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, January 26 when the shooting occurred in the 400 block of N. Magnolia. The suspect is described as a black male, age 16 to 21, about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium build.

The victim has been hospitalized for treatment of his injury.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this shooting is encouraged to contact the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311.

January 29, 2013 (San Diego) -- Today, the City Council met in Closed Session to address civil enforcement actions that were filed against marijuana dispensary operators and property owners to compel compliance with the City’s zoning laws.

On a unanimous vote (with Councilmember Faulconer absent) and with agreement by the Mayor, the Council directed the City Attorney not to dismiss the cases. In order to preserve the status quo, the current zoning laws will be enforced. Dispensaries should not open in violation of existing laws.

By Rebecca J. Williamson

January 31, 2013 (Spring Valley) -- Who doesn’t like the thought of total deliverance? Spring Valley’s Total Deliverance Worship Temple offered up deliverance by hosting M.A.N.D.A.T.E.’s (a local gospel record label) 18^th-anniversary concert on Saturday, January 26, 2013. 

Nu Vision, Archie Robinson, J. Pierre, Evangel, Men 4 Christ, and others either performed, did introductions, or contributed to a fun, gospel based evening.

January 30, 2013--(San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

• Citrus Pest Spurs State Spraying In La Mesa (La Mesa Today)
• Board of Supervisors Approves Sale of 3-Acre Parcel to La Mesa For New Park
• La Mesa Winery to Open in Summer  (La Mesa Courier)
• County’s Equine Ordinance: Public input sought (Ramona Patch)
• Adios, Plaza de Panama project? (CityBeat)
• Watchdog Group Requests Council Transparency (La Mesa Courier)
• Nurse’s vision yields beds for homeless after surgery (U-T San Diego)
• Water war breaks out over PR contract (U-T San Diego)
• Padre Dam picks board officers (U-T San Diego)
• Mayor fires San Diego's lobbyists (Sacramento Bee)

STATE

• Governor Jerry Brown delivers State of the State address (Governor’s Office)
• Reactions to Governor’s State of the State address (Sacramento Bee)
• Calif. Speaker seeks to expand Medi-Cal for poor (Sacramento Bee)
• Doctors Ask Court To Review Medi-Cal Pay Cut (Sacramento Bee)
• Analysis: California budget fix relies on good times for the rich (Reuters)
• Secret hearings in case of Chandra Levy slaying (Sacramento Bee) 

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

The market will be held on Thursdays downtown starting March 21

By Janis Mork

January 30, 2013 (El Cajon) - Following approval at Tuesday’s January 22^nd City Council meeting, the City of El Cajon will now have its own farmers’ market in the downtown area. The City is working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and others to establish a certified farmers’ market on Thursday evenings, beginning March 21, at the Prescott Promenade, located at 201 East Main Street in downtown El Cajon. 

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2013 (Washington D.C.) –One day after a bipartisan coalition of Senators (four Republicans and four Democrats) introduced a framework for immigration reforms,  President Barack Obama has announced a four-part plan for comprehensive immigration changes 

The President's plan includes a pathway to citizenship, strengthening border security, cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers, and streamlining our legal immigration system.  For details on the President's plan, see http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/01/29/watch-live-president-obama-speaks-comprehensive-immigration-reform.  For the Senators' framework, see http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/562528/reform0128principlessenatefinal.pdf.

Suspect fled in light blue minivan

January 29, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police offers responding to a robbery report at Sierra Market, 3834 Massachusetts Avenue, at 8:34 p.m. last night found a 68-year-old clerk bleeding from a wound to his head.

The clerk told officers he was behind the cash counter when a black male with a goatee wearing a curly blond wig entered the store holding a handgun.  The suspect walked behind the counter, where he was confronted by the clerk.  A struggle ensued and the suspect used his handgun to hit the clerk on the head.  The suspect demanded that the clerk open the cash register. While the suspect was filling his pockets with money, the clerk struck the suspect on the back of the head with a liquor bottle.