By Kit-Bacon Gressitt

October 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Picture a serene summer night in Phoenix, Arizona, circa 1982.1

I lay on a crinkly table in a cluttered ER, joking with the doc, bribing him with a promise of homemade shortbread if he could fix my face without leaving scars, looking anywhere but in his eyes, and I noticed a police officer nearby.

By Janis Mork

October 6, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- In a class last week, 5^th degree black belt martial arts master Scot Conway taught kids different techniques of how to handle physical bullying by showing by example at the Bully-Stop Seminar at the Guardian Academy. Adults learned just by Conway explaining it. ECM participated in a few of the techniques with the kids.

First, Conway handed out a sheet of paper to the parents. The kids lined up in a line across the mat and properly greeted Conway as their sensei (teacher) by clasping their hands and bowing.  Then, the kids gathered in a circle around Conway on the mat. Conway explained that one of the biggest problems of bullying is when parents are in the school office and claims are made that the bully and victim are just friends, that they’re just having fun.

October 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Keller Williams Realty El Cajon will be a "Gold Sponsor" for the upcoming "Roy Richards Recovery Fund" golf tournament being held on Friday October 5 at the Carlton Oaks Golf Course in Santee. The office is helping to raise funds to help Richards recover from a life-threatening accident that resulted in a skull fracture with major brain injuries. He also suffered a broken rib and broken nose.

October 2, 2012 (San Diego, CA) -- On Saturday, September 22, the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF) sponsored a “Friendraiser” at the Mission Trails Visitor Center. Over 200 guests attended the event that raised funds for the foundation. Susan Hansen, the Executive Director of the SDBIF, stated, “…it was a great success. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were having such a good time at the Mission Trails Visitor Center, nobody wanted to leave.”

October 4, 2012 (Alpine)--The Alpine Woman's Club invites you to participate in a program to help maintain and preserve the historic Town Hall building. It was built in 1899 and is one of Alpine's most significant treasures. In 2006 it was designated an historic site by the San Diego County Register of Historic Places. As Alpine's original Town Hall, it has housed every type of event imaginable - graduations, movie nights, dances, weddings, funerals, Red Cross events during World Wars I and II, and much more.

October 1, 2012 (Jacumba) – “There is hope for the families who were affected by the wildland fire,” says Lorrie Ostrander, who has been organizing a fundraiser to help the 11 families who lost their homes in the Shockey Fire.  “With the help of Alpine Albertsons, Jacumba Women's Club, Jacumba Lounge, Manzanita Diner and other local residents, we are having a dinner." Donations will benefit the families who lost everything, she added.

The benefit dinner will be held on Friday, October 12 from 4-8 p.m. at the Jacumba Highland Senior Center, 44681 Old Highway 80 in Jacumba 91934.  A $5 donation at the door is requested.  

Donations can also be sent to:  

September 27, 2012  (San Diego)– Three adolescent girls, who suffered severe burns from a Halloween accident, car crash, and kitchen incident, will share their stories during a special fundraising dinner at a private residence in the San Diego area on Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 6 to 9 p.m.

September 25, 2012 (El Cajon )  - On Saturday, November 3,  the East San Diego County Kiwanis will host its 25th annual charity dinner dance, “Steak-Out.”  The Honky Tonk Kings will perform at the event, which will also include a silent option and opportunity drawings.  Festivities  will be held at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Ave. in El Cajon.

All proceeds from the event will help support the many fine organizations our Kiwanis club serves in the San Diego County area. Donations and prizes are welcome.

September 22, 2012 (San Diego) -- On Saturday, September 29, hundreds of East County residents will shine their belt buckles and don their best pair of jeans for East County Family  YMCA’s annual fundraiser called The Branding. The event, now in its 19th year, will be held in a western setting at McGrath Family YMCA in Rancho San Diego.

Since The Branding’s inception, thanks to the generosity of community members, sponsors, donors, and dedicated volunteers, The Branding  has raised more than $1.5 million.

September 19, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Recreation Department, together with Crest Kiwanis, present the annual ALL FORE R.E.C. Golf Tournament.  The tournament will be held at the Sycuan Resort, 5485 Casino Way, El Cajon, on October 5.  All proceeds from the tournament directly support activities that develop youth and provide positive choices through youth activity scholarships, youth sports, recreation classes and after-school programs.

Proceeds help fund special programs for San Diegans in need of hospice care

September 16, 2012 (San Diego) – The LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation, a non-profit organization that fulfills special requests from hospice patients and their loved ones, will host its 4th annual Remembrance Walk on Sunday, September 23 at Liberty Station.

September 15, 2012 (Alpine)—Meatball the bear, originally slated to be temporarily housed at Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine, will now be staying permanently at the rescue facility. Owner Bobbi Brink has issued a plea for public help to build a larger enclosure for the bear, which had been wandering into neighborhoods before it was captured and taken to LTB to save it from being killed.

September 11, 2012 (La Mesa) -- This year’s Park Appreciation Day is scheduled for October 20.  La Mesa’s parks are the jewels of the city – help make them shine for the centennial.

Individuals of all ages and groups can join in and help their community.  Civic, church or social groups can adopt a park. To find a project that all your members can do, contact us at 667.1300 or community@ci.la-mesa.ca.us.

Teen and Adult Protection Training; Women's Self-Defense. (Men are welcome, too!)

September 10, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- Jennifer stepped into the parking lot at night, and what happened next got her to join a martial arts class right away. Tonya had a close encounter with a man who was "losing it," and that got her to come find out what to do from Master Conway. Why would they come to him? Because his student Debbie saved her neighbor from a violent criminal. Because his student Myrna stopped the man who attacked her walking home from work in two moves. Because Conway has a long history of making sure what he teaches really works. It will work for you.

September 5, 2012 (Lakeside) – The Grand Ladies of the Old West host their annual dance on September 8 at the VFW Hall, Post 5867, 12650 Lindo Lake Lane, Lakeside from 6:00-11:00 p.m.  The “Honky Tonk Kings” will provide live entertainment at the event, which also features dancing, raffles, food and drinks.

The cost is $15 per person or $25 for a couple.  The event will benefit the 2012 donation to “Project Safehouse and Big Sisters League”. 

September 2, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Woman’s Club will be holding its monthly luncheon on September 18 at 12 p.m. at 2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine.  The Rhinestone Grannies will perform a variety of songs and dances at the event.  Some of the members of the Rhinestone Grannies include past CCT Senior Follies cast members.

The luncheon is open to all East County women as well as past and future members.  Space is limited, so please make a reservation prior to September 15 by contacting Judy Grant at 619-445-1987 or alpinejude@yahoo.com.

By Dennis Moore

September 5, 2012 (San Diego)--A NEW PATH, or PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing), is a voluntary, non-profit group of concerned parents of individuals suffering from addiction. They partner with health care professionals, the criminal justice system, recovering addicts and concerned members of society to seek better understanding of the illness and to create "therapeutic justice" for substance abuse related crimes. PATH's goals are  to reduce recidivism, save lives, heal families and move toward a healthier society.

On September 8, PATH invites you to the organization's annual “Strut for Sobriety” fashion show celebrating recovery from addiction.  The event, held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, will also feature a luncheon, awards, silent auction, live entertainment and boutique.( For full details, see http://www.anewpathsite.org/newevents1.html.)

September 5, 2012 (El Cajon) – Home of Guiding Hands is holding the 30th Annual Golf Classic Pro-Am Tournament on September 28 at Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort, 3007 Dehesa Road, El Cajon.  The event begins at 10 a.m. with registration and a Meet & Mingle with San Diego PGA Members.  The Shotgun start will be at 12 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner at 5 p.m.

August 28, 2012 (San Diego) – The 8^th Annual Strut for Sobriety! is presented by A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing), an organization founded by a Spring Valley mother.

The event takes place on September 8 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego.  The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a boutique and silent auction.  At 12:00 p.m. the luncheon, awards ceremony and fashion show will begin.

August 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Bellus Academy is offering complimentary spa services for active and retired servicemen and women September 4-8.  The award-winning salon and spa has three locations in San Diego, El Cajon, Poway and National City.

August 21, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) -- Church members from the Gathering @RSD packaged 3,200 meals to be sent to needy children and their families in the Dominican Republic. The church raised the money through collecting extra change. The effort was coordinated through the organization, Children of the Nations, which reach out to children in need in Africa and the Caribbean.

By Rebecca J. Williamson

August 13, 2012 (Santee) -- Around the world and here in East County, people are saying “yes” to the dress---a pillowcase dress. Sashay, spin, or strut in it! This dress is made out of a pillowcase (new or gently used).

Sewing the dresses is part of the “Church Ladies Projects” at the Santee United Methodist Church. These dresses are made for a variety of areas in the world to provide a quick and yet “funky cool” piece of clothing to the needy. Haiti is the destination for this particular project.

Several San Diego icons strut the catwalk for charity on August 18, 2012

 

August 11, 2012 (San Diego) --  St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) announced the lineup of celebrity models for its 35th Annual Haute With Heart Fashion Show today. On August 18, 2012 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, San Diego icons including local news anchors, radio DJ’s and even a World Series winning baseball player will strut their stuff in the 35th Annual Haute With Heart Fashion Show.  All proceeds from the fashion show, themed Let the Sunshine In, will benefit SMSC’s programs for nearly 400 adults with developmental disabilities.

July 28, 2012 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Officer Jarred Slocum, injured during a shooting last August on Prince Street will be medically retiring from those injuries.  He and his family will be moving out of San Diego.  The El Cajon Police Officer’s Association and the El Cajon Elk’s Lodge 1812 will be hosting a benefit for Jarred and his family at the El Cajon Elk’s Lodge 1812, 1400 East Washington Ave., El Cajon on August 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

July 18, 2012 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy held a Volunteer Appreciation Party on July 14 to thank all the volunteers who have given many hours of support over the years.  The 2011 Volunteer Appreciation Awards were distributed at the party.  The winners are: