March 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) –  Photos taken at Lake Jennings during March may be entered in Helix Water District’s Lake Jennings Photo Contest.  Prizes of up to $100 will be awarded in adult and student categories. Photos can be of any aspect of the lake—wildlife, wild flowers, camping, fishing, boating, scenic views.  They can be up to 10 mg and must be e-mailed to:  lakejenningsphotocontest@helixwater.org.   An entry and release form must accompany each photo and can be found at:  www.lakejennings.org/photocontest/index.htm.  Contest rules are also posted at this URL.  Last year’s winners can be seen at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-Jennings/301972993198610

February 24, 2013 (Descanso)--If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, Community Emergency Response Tea.m. (CERT) members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training.  These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until professional help arrives.

The CERT training will be held in Descanso at the Town Hall on March 8-9 and March 14-16.  The classes themselves are free. 

Join the most fun event in town!

LIMITED SEATING -- RESERVE SPACE (619) 922-9057 

By Caprice Harrison

February 22, 2013 (La Mesa) – Bring friends and come on out for some terrific comedy tonight (Feb. 22) at Holiday Inn Mesa Grill,  8000 Parkway Drive to benefit East County Magazine (ECM).  Brew Ha Ha’s hilarious comedy team, Chris Clobber from HBO and Comedy Central and internationally known comic Diane Jean, will perform stand-up comedy for an evening of laughs. Show starts at 7 p.m., or come early to mix and mingle at 6 p.m. with our staff, readers and comics. Win prizes and surprises--including a Viejas gift basket, a winery tour, restaraunt gift certificates and more!

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 27, 2013 (El Cajon)--Young women between the ages of 10 and 24 who would like to represent the City of El Cajon or the communities of Rancho San Diego are encouraged to participate in the 2013 Miss El Cajon Pageant.

“The pageant is a rewarding experience for all who participate, with the chance to win a scholarship and to serve our community for an entire year,” a press statement for the event states.

January 22, 2013 (San Diego) -- The computer has become an integral part of genealogical research.  The San Diego Jewish Geneological Scoiety’s pursuit to understand family history has led to utilization of the latest technology from internet databases to DNA testing, to cutting edge software and social networking.  But, how safe and secure are computers and the information each of us shares and retrieve?  In this presentation Daniel Libby will cover the main concerns of computer security and safety.

Impacts will affect drivers, gun owners, renters, homeowners, immigrants, employers, and many more

January 1, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Starting today, your boss can’t ask for your Facebook password or username, thanks to AB 1944. Neither can universities, due to SB 1349.

Duke Cunningham won’t be able to run for office again under AB 2410, which bans those convicted of a felony involving bribes, embezzlement of public funds, perjury or offense of the public trust from becoming a candidate for any elective office in California.

These are just some of the new laws that take effect January 1, 2013.  Scroll down to read more--and how these legislative changes may impact you, your family, your workplace or your school.

January 2, 2013 (San Diego) -- Without carbon monoxide alarms, one neighbor’s faulty appliance in a multi-family dwelling can easily become a tragedy that affects ALL tenants. The California Office of the State Fire Marshal cited a recent study that found nearly nine in 10 California households do NOT have a CO alarm

All multi-family dwelling units, such as apartments, are required to have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm by January 1, 2013. Landlords are responsible for installation, so for tenants whose units do not have a CO alarm, now is the time to remind your landlord by requesting one.

The law enforcement agency will accept applications for three days only in January

December 15, 2012 (Sacramento)--The California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced today that it will accept applications in January from individuals interested in a career as a CHP officer.

“This is an opportunity to serve alongside some of California’s finest who provide the highest level of safety, service and security throughout the state,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “A career with a law enforcement agency like the CHP offers unlimited opportunities for someone who is looking for a challenge.”

People Encouraged to Protect their Properties, Keep Roadways and Storm Drains Clear

December 12, 2012 (San Diego County)--Winter rain is on its way, and San Diego County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is once again giving away free sandbags to people in unincorporated communities to help them protect their homes, neighborhoods and streets from flooding, erosion, mud and debris flows.

November 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Thanks to reader Tom Lemon for letting us know that the International Space Station will be visible over East County this week. You can check this NASA site to learn about viewing opportunities in your community: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/index.html. 

Best viewing will be on Saturday, December 1 around 5:40 a.m., Lemon advises.

November 15, 2012 (Santee) – Kaffee Meister a5 9225 Carlton Oaks Blvd., Santee is hosting Open Mic nights every Thursday evening.  The nights are hosted by the group Wood’n’ Lips, whose musicians, Gregory Gross, Bari Zwirn and Tim Woods, handle the lottery drawings for spaces and provide the guidelines for performers.

It’s an opportunity to perform in front of a small intimate audience and enjoy some quality coffee house beverages.  Visit www.kaffeemeister.com for more information.

Encourages customers to take charge of the credit with free credit score promotion and credit education.

October 8, 2012 (San Diego) – Consumers’ credit profiles affect their ability to borrow and the interest rates they’ll pay. And, lenders aren’t the only people who use credit scores to make decisions – many insurance companies, cell phone providers and landlords, do, too.

September 22, 2012 (Santee) – Santee Lakes announced last week that bicycles are now available for rent.  Wheel Fun of San Diego is partnering with Santee Lakes to offer a rental fleet to visitors and campers. With a variety of options,  guests can have fun cruising as a group in a double surrey or venture off on their own with one of the cruiser bikes.

September 23, 2012 (Spring Valley)--"Bullying is tough on kids.  It's tough for adults because no one teaches the grownups how to handle it!" says Scot Conway, Ph.D.  "Very often, adults end up playing the bully's game.  With every good intention in the world, adults end up giving power to the bully."