March 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Foreclosures and notices of default remain a problem for many in the county.  The San Diego County Library is sponsoring HOME Clinics at branches throughout the county during 2012 to help homeowners get the information they need.  The clinics provide homeowners in distress with the opportunity to speak with professionals regarding their options as well as educational sessions on how to keep their home.  

An ECM exclusive interview by Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2012 (Santee) – Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) announced last week that he is running for reelection.  In an exclusive interview, the conservative legislator shared highlights  and frustrations from his first term in the Legislature, as well as his priorities for the future if reelected in November.

With reapportionment, Jones 77th district will become the 71st Assembly District.  The district picks up some new areas including Pine Valley, Julian, Ramona, and Borrego Springs in San Diego County, as well as portions of Riverside County.

March 12, 2012 (Holtville) – “Why are billions of our tax dollars going to fund large-scale energy development on our public lands instead of to home and business owners for developing rooftop solar?” asks Terry Weiner with the Desert Protective Council and Solar Done Right. Massive solar and wind developments are planned for San Diego and Imperial County, many on public lands, others on prime agricultural croplands.

On Wednesday, March 14 from 7:30 to 11 a.m., activists from throughout California plan to stage a demonstration outside the Barbara Worth Resort in Holtville (Imperial County), where the “Renewable Energy Summit and Expo” is being held.

By Miriam Raftery

March 12, 2012 (El Cajon)—During Tuesday’s meeting at 3 p.m., the El Cajon Council will consider its options for filling the vacancy left by Jillian Hanson Cox’s resignation.

Council will determine whether to appoint someone to fill the vacancy between now and the November election, and if so, whether to accept applications and conduct interviews prior to selecting an appointee.

By Brian Lafferty

March 12, 2012 (San Diego) – Have any of you encountered the **** People Say Internet meme that recently flared up on the Internet? A great friend of mine introduced me to it weeks ago. Among them are **** Rich People Say or **** Guys Don’t Say Out Loud. I’m not one to get caught up in Internet memes, so I forgot all about it.

UPDATE: "Squawk!" initially scheduled to be performed by the SDSU Theater Department in the Visitor Center Outdoor Amphitheater on Saturday, March 17, and Saturday, March 31 has been postponed because of the impending rain on March 17, and the SDSU Spring Break on March 31.  "Squawk!" will now be performed on Friday, April 20, at 3:00 p.m.

March 11, 2012 (San Diego)--SQUAWK! will be performed by the San Diego State University Theater Arts Department on Saturday, March 17, at 3 p.m. in the amphitheater at Mission Trails Regional Park. 

The theme of this 90-minute play touches on human conflict and competition in a metaphorical story about the birds of the world - engaged in a bitter but comical struggle - in their search for a way to choose a winner of a peace song competition. The props are an umbrella and stick held by the performers using bird like movements and sounds. The performance is free and will be performed in the Visitor Center Amphitheater. 

By Susan Brinchman
 

March 11, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District will be dedicating three new pools throughout the district this spring thanks in part to funding provided by Proposition U.

The Granite Hills High School Aquatics Facility will be the first to be dedicated on March 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the official ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.  The special guest will be Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

March 11, 2012 (Sacramento) - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John A. Perez have announced their sponsorship of six bills known collectively as the California Homeowner Bill of Rights.

The bills aim to protect homeowners from unfair practices by banks and mortgage companies and to help consumers and communities cope with the state's urgent mortgage and foreclosure crisis.  The bill could bring relief to homeowners statewide include San Diego County, where one in 27 homeowners has faced foreclosure.

The measures, if enacted, would guarantee: