Photo:  At a recent rally in El Cajon, thousands of local Iraqi Christians implored America to send help for their families in Iraq fleeing genocide

By Miriam Raftery

September 7, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—Rescue Task Force, an international aid group that started in East County, announced today that it will send a multi-national team of veteran disaster responders to help refugees displaced in Kurdistan by ISIS or Islamic State terrorists. The RTF volunteers will bring medical and dental help along with humanitarian supplies.

The group will meet up in California with leaders Gary Becks and Larry Cutting. They will travel to Erbil and then trek to northern Kurdistan.

To date, 1.2 million people have survived the initial slaughter by ISIS forces and have fled to safe havens in Erbil and Kurdistan, faced with a stark choice of fleeing, converting to Islam, or being beheaded.  Most fled with only the clothes on their backs.

By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2014 (San Diego)--Three brothers in the Wise family went to war, serving in our military.  Beau remains on active duty in Iraq.  Jeremy joined the Navy Seals and Ben joined the Army’s elite Green Berets.  A suicide bomber took Jeremy’s life in Afghanistan in December 2009.  Just over two years later, in January 2012, Ben died in a firefight in Afghanistan.

August 27, 2014 (Jamul) - The Jamul Chaparros 4-H Club kicks off its new year on Tuesday, September 2nd at 6:30 p.m.  If you are 5 years to 19 years old and want to learn more about camping, arts and crafts, pygmy goats, rabbits, or poultry, you’re invited to stop by. Or perhaps you are into cavys, computers, or dog training?  The Chaparros have projects for all interests and age levels.

By Miriam Raftery

August 20, 2014 (Ramona)--On August 9^th, Brandon Dodson’s life changed forever.  The Marine Corps Staff Sergeant from Ramona was on combat patrol in Hemand Provice, Iraq when an Improvised Explosive Device, or IED detonated.  He lost both legs and suffered other serious injuries including a fractured pelvis, broken tailbone and broken hand, KPBS reports.

By Mimi Pollack

August 14, 2014 (San Diego)--The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Humane as “being marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals.” This is a good description of Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and co-host of Animal House on NPR.  Giving back to society and helping animals in need has been Dr. Gary Weitzman stated mission in life.

August 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--The  37th Haute with Heart Fashion Show will be held on August 16 to benefit disabled adult programs for St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon. This year’s show will be held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, featuring boutique shopping, live and silent auctions, opportunity drawings and a performance from the Center’s Singers and Dance Troupe.

Church launches drive to save lives, help children fleeing violence

"Jesus himself was a refugee, who with his family fled to a foreign as an infant." --Rev. Kaji Dousa

Hear our interview with Doug Brunson from UCCLM: http://www.kiwi6.com/file/gvviv3lgb6

View or sign a petition to help the children: http://tableucc.com/witness/sign-the-petition-central-american-refugee-crisis/

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2014 (La Mesa)—United Church of Christ in La Mesa has stepped forward to help children from Central America who have sought refuge in the United States, fleeing violence, drug trafficking and threats of death.   The public is invited to a Border Children panel discussion on Sunday, August 17 at 3 p.m.  at the church, located at 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa.

 “We need to welcome the strangers. We need to help those in need,” Doug Brunson with UCCLM told East County Magazine in a recent radio interview, quoting Jesus.  “This is a crisis…something that needs to be addressed now,” he said of the 50,000 children.

Hear highlights of Bill Walton's inspirational speech, originally aired on East County Magazine's radio show on KNSJ 89.1 FM,  here:  http://kiwi6.com/file/rdlekk220f

By Miriam Raftery

July 26, 2014 (La Mesa)—NBA Hall of Famer and former Helix High School superstar Bill Walton is best known for his exceptional achievements on the basketball court.  But he’s also proud to be in the boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame, and knows first-hand the importance of positive role models. 

So now he’s leading efforts to raise funds to build a Bill Walton Gymnasium at the Boys & Girls Club in La Mesa, giving back to the children in this community, where mentors before him helped young Walton to achieve his dreams.  On Thursday, Walton delivered an inspiration speech at the Boys and Girls Club’s new Brady Family Clubhouse. 

“What great leaders do is inspire pride and loyalty,” said Walton.  “Loyalty is that human attribute that allows us as a community to come together and be part of a team—and to realize that what we have is so special, as a result of our caring about what goes on.  It’s not about us; it’s about these young children here who just have these fantastic smiles…who are just so full of dreams and full of hope.”

July 7, 2014 (Lake Murray) –Goodwill Industries of San Diego will open a new retail store and donation center on Thursday, July 10.  The new site will be located at 6127 Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa (next door to Big Lots).

By Mimi Pollack

July 2, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - There is an old expression about a boy and his dog, but in this case it is a Tibetan spiritual teacher and his dog, Tashi, a nine year old Pomeranian, and the resident dog at the Drikung Kyobpa Choling [DKC] Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center in Escondido, CA. DKC was founded in 1996 by Drupon Samten, the spiritual director, and his long time assistant, nun, and fellow animal lover, Ani Chodron. Tashi was a gift to them.

Listen to our interview with Adrianah Castro and Wyatt Holcomb originally aired Friday, June 27  on KNSJ 89.1 FM. You can now listen online to our podcast of this interview here: http://www.kiwi6.com/file/2bxq7g0kbi

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Adrianah Castro, from Venture crew 1833 El Cajon & Wyatt Holcomb, Troop 355 Spring Valley



June 24, 2014 (San Diego's East County)-- Four Boy Scouts  from East County are being honored with the Medal of Merit for saving  a woman's life. On June 8th 2013, Sierra Holcomb, 21, Wyatt Holcomb,16, Adrianah Castro, 15, and Padraic French, 17, were attending a party at Shelter Island on June 8, 2013 when they heard someone yelling for help and to call 911. The four Scouts went to see if they could help and found a young woman lying next to her car unconscious, injured and bleeding.

July 12, 2014 (La Mesa) – Polonia United invites the public to attend a charity event to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. The benefit begins at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by a live music concert by artist Ivan Quiceno from 7-9 p.m. as well as a silent auction.  The event costs $25 per person and will be held at 4518 Mayapan Drive in La Mesa, CA 91941.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach:

http://www.navyoutreach.org/san-diego-native-serves-aboard-uss-constitution/



June 11, 2014 (Boston)--BOSTON - A 2011 Helix Charter High School graduate from San Diego, is part of a hand-picked Navy crew serving on the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, the USS Constitution.

By Leon Thompson



May 30, 2014 (Lakeside) -- “Heartland Charter School helped me get a job,”  said Andy Casteruita.  “I learned good work habits and leadership skills.” Andy is one of 49 students at the Heartland Coalition’s one year old Youth Build Charter High School with classes and an office on Orange Avenue in City Heights.

May 30, 2014 (San Diego)--Future Quest, which exists to ignite and equip youth ministries from all over southern California, will hold its seventeenth annual Youth Conference June 25-27, 2014. The conference is a ministry of the Foothills Christian Church in El Cajon.