OPENING SPEAKER TO HONOR MEMORY OF SLAIN SANTANA STUDENT

By Marisa Kezirian

August 17, 2009 (El Cajon) – Whether your fashion tastes are classic, sophisticated, or trendy, you'll find plenty to savor at St. Madeleine Sophie Center's Haute with Heart fashion extravangaza this Saturday, August 22, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, starting at 10:30 a.m.

Story and photos by Joel Ryerson

July 31, 2009 (Alpine)--"Look how close you are!" exclaimed Lynn Hopewell, a guest of the overnight event at Lions, Tigers, and Bears in Alpine. "When I was up in Las Vegas I saw the cats at the MGM Grand, but this is a totally different experience," added Hopewell, who was amazed at how close you could get to the big cats.

July 26, 2009 (El Cajon) – A vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed in the 600 block of South Mollison Avenue in El Cajon Friday shortly before 3 p.m., trapping an elderly driver inside. According to El Cajon Police, the 84-year-old male driver lost control and knocked over a fire a hydrant, damaged a high-energy electrical utility box, then flipped the vehicle upside down.

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2009 (San Diego's East County)-- Trauma Intervention Programs (TIP) of San Diego County, Inc., is a non-profit organization that partners with emergency responders to assist citizens in crisis following a personal tragedy, such as the sudden death of a loved one. Volunteers are called to the scene by police, fire, and sheriff and are trained to help fellow citizens who are in distress as a result of a traumatic event, such as an unexpected family death, victims of fire, crime, flood, suicide, homicide, or other traumatic incidents. Volunteers respond within their community.

By Marisa Kezirian

June 10, 2009 (Lakeside)—Once again at The Magic Horse Therapeutic Riding Center in Lakeside, the power of the healing horses and their ability to make life-enhancing differences for disabled people and their families proves successful, as rider Brittany Saber makes huge progress with her strength of mind and determination.

June 4, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – organizers of the East County Equality Torch Relay in support of gay rights have released a schedule ot events planned for this Saturday, June 6th. Participants can walk, bike, or drive to follow the torch and attend a 20 minute rally at each city hall in East County.

SCHEDULE:

El Cajon:

6:00am Start at Sycuan Casino

8:00am Program at City Hall

200 E. Main St.

Santee:

9:00 am Start at N Johnson Ave and Parkway Plaza

10:34 am Program at City Hall

10601 Magnolia Ave

June 1, 2009 (La Mesa) -- Jeff Gray, DDS, recently led a team from his La Mesa office on a 10-day humanitarian mission to provide dental care to people living in rural villages in the Dominican Republic. Originator of Smiles for Life, an annual fundraiser for children’s charities supported by more than 800 dentists nationwide, Gray has committed half of the SFL funds raised this year by his office to the Dominican project. Smiles for Life continues through the end of June.

May 28, 2009 (Alpine)-- The Alpine Little League presented a plaque to the Viejas Tribal Council on May 27th, expressing the organization’s appreciation for the Tribe’s ongoing support of their efforts to promote youth sports in the Alpine area community.

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2009 (Escondido)—After serving three tours of duty in Iraq, including urban combat zones in Fallujah and Haditha, former Marine Kevin Archipley and his wife, Karen (shown in photo) bought a farm in Escondido and resolved to help returning combat veterans adapt to civilian life.

May 3, 2009 (El Cajon)—Over 1,000 people turned out to sample Middle Eastern cuisine, dancing and wine-tasting at the third annual Chaldean Food Festival . Held at St. Michael’s Chaldean Catholic church in El Cajon, the event celebrates the culture of San Diego County’s 15,000 to 20,000 Chaldean Christians. Most are refugees from war-torn Iraq—including Monsignor Polis Khammi, who escaped after enduring death threats.

May 2, 2009 (San Diego)—It sounds too good to be true—but it’s real! Operation Fairy Godmother, a program offered by the Soroptomists International of Valle de Oro, will be giving away free prom dresses to all girls who present a valid high school I.D. card today. Now you can be like Cinderella. (Sorry, Prince Charming is not included.) The Soroptomists do, however, provide beautiful shoes and jewelry to accessorize your dream dress.

By Miriam Raftery April 20, 2009 (Carlsbad and El Cajon)– In an effort to provide more efficient and effective delivery of programs and services to help people worldwide, World Emergency Relief (WER) and Rescue Task Force (RTF), an El-Cajon based nonprofit organization, announce their merger following approval by the organizations' two boards of directors. The combined organizations will now move forward toward integration of the two nonprofit organizations into one corporate entity.

April 11, 2009 (El Cajon)—Holly, a former racing greyhound lost Thursday morning at Bradley Street and Highway 67 near Gillespie Field airport, has been found by El Cajon police following a doggedly determined search effort involving volunteers across the country. The brindle (brown striped) dog had only been in her new home for one day.