SAN DIEGO -- Nine local residents were honored with Citizens of Courage awards as a precursor to National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The winners were saluted in front of more than 300 guests attending the 21st annual ceremony on Friday, April 16.

This year’s recipients were survivors of violent crimes and those who defied threats to their personal safety and testified in court. A facilities dog was also recognized.

This year’s Citizens of Courage recipients included:

Michelle Obama visited San Diego Thursday, where she toured a local community farm and spoke to farmers, volunteers and media as part of her campaign to end childhood obesity.

Obama addressed a crowd of about 250 people at New Roots Community Farm in City Heights to discuss her campaign’s involvement in The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities initiative.

“This is one challenge I care about deeply, not because I’m the first lady, I am a mother of beautiful children,” Obama said.

Construction of a long-planned, $228 million overhaul of San Diego’s downtown waterfront was on hold Thursday after being rejected by the state Coastal Commission.

The Coastal Commission vote late Wednesday was 5-5, but a majority was needed to approve the first phase of the project, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Those opposed to the plan said it would cheat the public out of prime park space, according to the newspaper.

In an effort to allow voters to see a more personable side of candidates rather than the side that’s already advertised on their Web sites, I’ve decided to feature one race in each edition of Campaign Corral and ask the candidates in the particular race a nonpolitical question.

On tap this Tuesday is Chula Vista City Council Seat 2 race. Of course, this CC will be complete with other happenings in the San Diego races. There could be more than what is listed here but I’m relying on candidates/campaign managers to email/call with info. With that said, you snooze… you’re not included.