Week in Review

Starting to feel the holiday heavies? Want to get a jump on a New Years resolution? Join free Academia Fit classes at the

The campus is closed for winter break and will reopen Jan. 3 but students may register online. New students must take assessment tests to determine what classes you should take, attend orientation and complete other steps before starting classes. Classes cost $36 a unit and can be taken at Southwestern College, one of its Higher Education Centers or online. Fees are set to increase to $46 a unit after the spring semester. Parking permits at Southwestern cost $40 for a semester.

column took a peek at Xbox’s role in the future of smart TV.

While the Miracle Shopping Center is being torn down on Palm Avenue, on Imperial Beach Boulevard near 13th Street will be finished by mid-January, said Billy Charry, project manager with Cherry-Cherry LLC. Changes include a new facade and exterior and additional outdoor seating for La Posta Market.

An impressive Christmas light display is an annual tradition for many homeowners and businesses. Now it can lead to cash prizes. The Imperial Beach Business Improvement District’s will judge decorations and award $100, $50 and $25 to winners. Homes and businesses will be judged as separate categories. Post pictures of your decorated home in Patch’s Deck the House contest for a chance to win $100,000 for local schools.

Battery, Vehicle Theft in .

The City of Imperial Beach . To follow city tweets go to twitter.com/cityofib.

At the start of the month, the San Diego County Library Imperial Beach branch put out a mini mailbox for letters to Santa for local children. some of the present requests Santa got.

: Christmas Lights in IB.

San Diego County health officials those giving bicycles, skateboards and scooters as presents during the holidays to include properly fitted helmets as part of the gift. Wearing a helmet can reduce risk of brain injuries by 85-90 percent, say officials.

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office was investigating alleged political corruption at Sweetwater schools and Southwestern College, and on potential targets of that probe.

, to take place over the course of the next two months, is expected to demonstrate the potential impact of sea level rise due to climate change.

More than $14 million in federal money is that help homeless people and families deal with challenges such as mental illness, disabilities and domestic violence.

In Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, Robert Downey Jr. is back as the witty, irreverent hero. Patch film critic the follow-up to the 2009 hit.

The economy has decided not to take a break this holiday season, according to PNC Wealth Management economists who have found that —especially if your true love has asked Santa for a partridge in a pear tree.

The deadline for the contest which challenges local musicians to make a song about Imperial Beach . Auditions will be held in February to determine who will perform the song.

Imperial Beach is the kind of town that attracts and often creates creative people. Among them, was showcased in the IB Eyes photo column this year.