October 22, 2013 (San Diego) – In celebration of Disability Awareness Month and as part of its ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and responsible banking, Union Bank, N.A., has joined with KPBS to honor two inspirational individuals as local heroes.  The 2013 Disability Awareness Month honorees are: Linda Bounds, founder of L.E.A.P.S. (Lovingly Energetic Artistic Programs for Seniors) and BOUNDS; and Al Kovach, Jr., national senior vice president of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).  Both will be recognized with other heritage month honorees during a November celebration in San Diego.

September 26, 2013 (San Diego ) – JVD Golf and Promotions in Rancho San Diego is teaming up with the Strong Will Foundation to host the annual STRONG Will Foundation Golf Tournament, complete with helicopter ball drop contest and a chance to win $2,500—even for non-golfers.

The event will be held Friday, November 1 at The Crossings Carlsbad Golf Course, and benefits patients with traumatic brain injuries.  The tournament is named after Will Barton, who was shot three times at close range while walking home from work at Barrio Star.  With a bullet lodged in his brain, his chance of survival was less than one percent.

Sept. 23, 2013 (Spring Valley) – The Mulvaney family is sponsoring the 3rd Annual Jim Mulvaney’s Concert on the Green to benefit Noah Homes Inc. on October 5, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 12526 Campo Road, Spring Valley.  The concert will feature the Irish music of The Tim Foley Band.

September 14, 2013 (Alpine) – The 2^nd Annual Wine & Cheese “Friend-Raiser”, a benefit for the Back Country Land Trust at Wright’s Field is today from 6 – 9 p.m.  This event benefits land conservation, watershed stewardship and environmental education in East County.  Hosted bar, hor’doeurves, fruit and dessert plates will be available.

“Leaders inspire people to reach beyond themselves.”—Former Secretary of State Colin Powell 

By Janis Mork

September 5, 2013 (La Mesa)- More than 500 people gathered at Journey Community Church in La Mesa on August 8 and 9 to watch a videocast of the 10^th annual Global Leadership Summit broadcast from Willow Creek Church in Illinois to over 300 host sites in 100 countries.  Bill Yaccino, Connection and Formation Pastor at Journey Community Church, hosted the event.

August 8, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – About two weeks ago, two East County residents, Courtney Case and Victoria Haynes, rescued a female stray Chihuahua-Dachshund mix in Bakersfield. Now she is seeking donations to fund surgery for the rescued dog, which is needed to save her from a degenerative disease.

“She did not have a collar, her nails were painfully overgrown, and she had acquired a limp on her back hind leg,” said Case, an assistant manager at Partnerships with Industry in Santee. “After returning to East County, she had already found a permanent home with a loving family; they fell in love with her sweet and loving personality instantly. Her new family got her all cleaned up and named her Koa, but unfortunately her limp persisted. Koa was taken to the vet to get X-rays and she was diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome. This involves spontaneous degeneration of the head on the femur bone. Unfortunately, it was determined that she needs immediate surgery or her condition would worsen and cause her even more tremendous pain and no use of her back right leg.”

National and international leaders in social justice, politics, faith and entertainment to speak

August 6, 2013 (La Mesa)-- While the hallowed halls of downtown San Diego are echoing with strategies for staying in office and getting through the next week, more than 500 local participants are preparing to be inspired by some of the nation’s most effective leaders at the annual Global Leadership Summit, August 8-9, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  at Journey Community Church, 8363 Center Drive, La Mesa.

“This is a chance to hear from men and women who demonstrate influence in many arenas – politics, social justice, faith and entertainment – and tobe inspired to become confident truth-sayers in our own spheres of influence,” said Ed Noble, Lead Pastor.Speakers such as General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State, Mark Burnett, executive producer of Survivor and The Voice, Bob Goff, General Counsel to Uganda and Founder and CEO of Restore International, Liz Wiseman, executive strategy and leadership consultant and more will make the case for becoming a leader, not for a term of office or for a bottom-line result, but for life. 

August 3, 2013 (San Diego) – KNSJ 89.1 FM , the Network for Social Justice, will present its first-ever People’s Microphone Awards at the new public radio station’s launch party on Saturday, August 3 from 6-9 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Parks. Tickets are available at www.knsj.org.

The awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to social justice causes on behalf of people in their communities or our environment. The winners, a majority of whom will be present to accept their honors, are: Bonnie La Chappa, Elizabeth Lou, Dave Patterson, Estela de los Rios, Lori Saldana, Lisa Kove, Martha Sullivan and Ray Lutz with Decommission San Onofre,Donna Tisdale with Protect Our Communities Foundation, Cleveland National Forest Foundation, San Diego Dream Team, and Save Mission Trails.

July 6, 2013 (El Cajon) – The Kiwanis Club of El Cajon Valley presents Bunco at The Salvation Army, 1011 E. Main St., El Cajon on July 12, from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.  The evening will include a potato bar and raffles.  There will be prizes for 1^st and 2^nd, most wins most Bunco’s and a Boobie prize.  Bunco is a social dice game involving all luck and no skill.

By Ariele Johannson

June 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Any pet owner who has lost their pet - be it Schnauzer, iguana, Siamese cat, or parrot - knows how disconcerting and even agonizing it can be to find your pet has disappeared. Wouldn’t you want someone professional to help you locate your pet who considers your lost pet “a missing family member?"  Pet Search and Rescue detectives Annalisa Berns and K9 Handler Judy Britton help pet owners locate their lost pets intact; or in some cases, to get closure if the pet has not survived. These Pet Detectives use search dogs and a combination of techniques. Pet Search and Rescue has an impressive 80% success rate.

By Janis Mork

June 13, 2013 (San Diego)--“When I woke up, I was confused, I was terrified,” recalled Santee resident Johana Guzman, who was in a coma for two weeks after she was struck by a car while trying to protect her 2-year-old son.  With help from Sharp Hospital’s Rehab Services, she overcame her injuries and now helps others. “We are warriors,” she said. “Hard times are opportunities to be better,” she told ECM. “I believe inner strength heals us, helps us to see clearly the value of life. We must never give up our dreams.”

On May 31, Guzman was honored at the annual Victories of Spirit event at Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Four individuals and one organization received the Eagle Spirit Award, named for the most potent healing symbol of the Navajos. Honorees also included Mike Buxbaum, Anne Herman, and Zach Meno of La Mesa for patient achievement. San Diego State University Fitness Clinic for Individuals with Disabilities was honored for community achievement.

May 30, 2013 (Santee) – The Knights of Columbus of Guardian Angels Church, located at 9310 Dalehurst Rd., Santee, CA  92071, is having a large rummage sale on June 1 and 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday.

Some proceeds go to the Church pantry, which helps people in need, as well as other charity projects supported by Knights of Columbus.

May 27, 2013 (San Diego) – “Our school community was deeply saddened as we learned of the magnitude of the widespread devastation caused in the community of Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding areas. The absolute destruction has profoundly affected the lives of thousands of the residents in that area,” Chaim Heller, head of the San Diego Jewish Academy wrote in a letter to parents of students.  “Jewish tradition teaches us "Al Taamod al dam re'echa" (Do not stand idly by while our neighbors are in pain). San Diego Jewish Academy has a longstanding tradition of reaching out to help any and all who are in need. We believe that our Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and (acts of loving kindness) are essential components of our instructional program at San Diego Jewish Academy.”

By Janis Mork

May 22, 2013 (Alpine)- On May 21, Alpine Soroptomist had a special meeting to honor the organization’s Women of Achievement Award recipient, Brenda Killingbeck (pictured with program chair, Patty Tweed, and her two sons). She came with her sons,  Clayton, 9, and 6-year-old Mason.

“The Women of Achievement Award is awarded to a single mom in East County trying to make a better life for herself, who is trying to support her family, enhance her career, or change careers,” said Patty Tweed, program chair.

She introduced Killingbeck and read a short biography about Killingbeck, an Alpine resident and nurse whose actions helped locate a missing elderly man.

May 22, 2013 (Lakeside) – The Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society presents their Wild West Casino Night 2 on June 1, 2013 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, Lakeside, CA from 6-10 pm. It benefits Saving Horses Inc., a San Diego horse rescue charity.

Ticket price is $20/person & includes $200 in play chips. Beer or wine glasses are $20 each and come with 5 free drink tickets. Raffles, silent auction, door prizes, roulette, black jack, craps & poker tables.

Live music by the Honky Tonk Kings, food available for purchase by Descanso Junction Restaurant & Catering.