March 10, 2009 (El Cajon)--Cuyamaca College hosts a water-wise plant fair on March 14th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A large selection of water smart perennials, shrubs, trees, grasses, cacti and succulents, and more will be on sale from Southern California vendors. Now you can shop for water-wise plants--and support public education in an era of dwindling funds. Activities include lectures, ask the experts, kids' activities and a raffle that includes a home landscape redesign as grand prize.

March 6, 2009 (El Cajon) --“ Fashions by Dress Barn will be modeled at the Heartland Lions Club's 21st annual Touch of Spring fashion show. The event also includes a champagne luncheon featuring chicken cordon bleu, a silent auction, and a raffle--all to benefit worthy causes. The fashion show will be held on Saturday, March 28th at the Elks Lodge, 1400 Washington Street in El Cajon. Cost is $25 per person. Doors open and silent auction begins at 11 a.m.; lunch will be served at noon, followed by the raffle prize drawings.

By Miriam Raftery

Shepherd's Pie

March 7, 2009 — Sure 'n there's no finer place to hoist a pint of ale and toast St. Patrick's Day than at Hooleys Irish Pub and Grill, the most authentic Irish setting you'll find this side of the Emerald Isle! Charmed by the warmth of an Irish Pub in Ireland, Craig MacDonald and two friends created the original Hooleys in Rancho San Diego in 1999--importing all interior elements from Ireland, right down to the polished brass whiskey still and the old church pews supporting the bar. Now ten years later, Hooleys has opened a second location in Grossmont Center, La Mesa, featuring many elements from the Auld Sod. Fortunately, you don't have to choose which Hooleys in which to celebrate--since the proprietor has lined up double-decker bus to ferry party-goers from one Hooleys location to the other.

March 4, 2009 (El Cajon)—The Grossmont College Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds for educational programs benefiting students at Grossmont College in El Cajon, is seeking nominations for its 2009 Walk of Fame Alumni Award. The Walk of Fame, located on campus in the Main Quad area, is a display of several bronze plaques embedded in concrete that feature names of previous distinguished alumni.

Resurerction Flower,award-winning photo by mkona Schlesinger of Poway

March 4, 2009 (San Diego)—Many East County residents were accepeted into the 46th annual all-media Religious Art Festival of St. Mark's United Methodist Church by juror Hiroshi Miyazaki. In the poetry division Elaine Parker, Rancho San Diego won second place and Eldon (Mike) Meyer of Lemon Grove received two Honorable Mention Awards. Poway artists Mona Schlesinger and Janet Perkin received Honorable Mention Awards in art.

Dr. Omero Suarez' 11-year legacy transformed district March 2, 2009 (EL CAJON)--After more than a decade at the helm of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, Dr. Omero Suarez turned off the lights in his office a final time Friday, ready to embark on a new chapter in his life. He will be replaced by Dr. Cindy Miles, who begins her job today.

March 3, 2009 (San Diego)--At an inaugural celebration, Viejas Enterprises was awarded the East County Regional Business of the Year by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. The first "Bet on the Chamber" celebration, held at Viejas' DreamCatcher Lounge, recognized over 20 outstanding East County businesses.The Chamber annually recognizes businesses throughout East County that have made a substantial contribution to the community.

March 3, 2009 (Crest)--It may be un-"herd" of, but it is happening in Crest and it's not a baaad idea. The first ever "Running of the Goats" will take place on March 7, 2009 at the South Lane Park in Crest. This "running" will not reflect the danger as experienced in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, but it will greatly reduce the dangers of wild fires in the East County. (View video of a goats-run-wild event in another community here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDJP8yMbLjQ.)

March 3, 2009 (San Diego)--San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with San Diego County Sheriff's Department Fallbrook detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspect responsible for robbing the Washington Mutual Bank in Fallbrook.

March 1, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--Spring is in the air! This month's events include street fairs, music festivals, St. Patrick's Day celebrating, stargazing, train rides, eco-events, nature hikes, a free job search program, a soap box derby, and a baseball contest where winners can advance to finals at a Major League All-Star game. Also a "running of the goats" in Crest. No bull...No Pamplona, Spain--just 250 goats running wild--we kid you not!

By Pari Sanati

Before & After

March 1, 2009 (San Diego)— For many of us, recycling and watching energy and water consumption are now regular practices, far from the days when all these were new and perhaps daunting concepts. As the world makes the inevitable "greening" shift, environmentally conscious home and business owners are looking for new and interesting ways to continue contributing to a sustainable world.

Good Earth GreenScaped Buildings is helping quench the thirst for sustainability with its commitment to promoting green roofs and restorative buildings. Owner Jim Mumford says the current economic climate is actually a good one for going green. "One positive aspect we're seeing from our economic downturn and global warming fears is the need for bigger strides in low-impact development," Mumford said. "It's the retrofitting of older buildings, and also the building of new ones when the market picks up. Not only do green roofs have an aesthetic benefit, but their environmental and financial benefits can be significant."

March 1, 2009 (Washington, DC -- Congressman Bob Filner has re-introduced H.R. 937, the Visitors Interested in Strengthening America (VISA) Act. The bill gives Port Directors the discretion to issue humanitarian visa waivers to Mexican children making brief, pre-scheduled visits to the United States for medical, educational or recreational purposes. This legislation does not affect the number of legal or illegal immigrants living in the United States - the children and accompanying adults will visit for one day and then return home to Mexico.

By Janelle Eckardt

March 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Hello friends! Are you tired, run-down, listless? Do you poop out at parties? The answer to all your problems is in this little needle. Really! Acupuncture just might be your ticket to feeling better and living better. I've discovered a respectable acupuncture facility right here in the East County that actually serves the community without milking it dry. Just for reading this article you get a brief history of acupuncture, my personal account of a session, and a one-on-one interview with the owner of Healthy Community Acupuncture, in El Cajon.

Get the point?

Your guide to profitable and socially responsible investing
By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®

If your retirement assets took a beating in the recent stock market decline, converting an IRA to a Roth IRA may be one of the best tax strategies this year and could save you a fortune in taxes. But you need to understand the rules and play the game right.

By Dr. Joel A. Harrison

March 1, 2009 (San Diego) — On February 12, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. rendered its decision finding no link between autism and vaccines. While researchers, doctors, and public health officials feel vindicated, hoping that vaccination rates will increase, many parents of autistic children are distraught. Autism devastates families both emotionally and financially. People seek answers as to why, both to lay blame and to prevent future cases, and to obtain necessary resources. There are three interconnected issues surrounding the autism-vaccine controversy: 1) the science, 2) vaccination rates, and 3) helping families.