By Miriam Raftery

December 11, 2008 (El Cajon) — This year's holiday tea, sponsored by Friends
of East County Arts, Inc. served up something new along with the traditional
tea, scones and finger sandwiches.

"This is the first year that men have been invited," said Howard Bagley, director
of St. Clair Gallery and a strong supporter of the organization.  "In
24 years, they've raised a half million dollars," he said, adding that the
group has no significant overhead and donates all funds raised for worthy local
causes.  "It's all gone to schools and the arts, including the (East County)
Performing Arts Center."

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery; videos by Leon Thompson and Rob Constantine.

December
21, 2008 (San Diego's East County) — "When I first had my stroke, I couldn't speak or move my right side. I couldn't
walk," recalled Austin Junkin, 80, of Lemon Grove.  "Now I can do anything.  I
lift 100 pounds with ease," he said, demonstrating his physical prowess by
hoisting weights above his head inside the Challenge Center at Sunset Park
in La Mesa.

Challenge Center isn't any ordinary gym.  The facility specializes in
helping severely disabled patients, including those with spinal cord and traumatic
brain injuries, attain dramatic improvements even after other physical therapy
programs have failed. View
Video.

By Miriam Raftery

November 17, 2008 (San Diego) -- The twelfth Annual Africa Trade and Business Conference sponsored by Water For Children Africa will be held November 21-23, 2008. 

Inspired after a visit to Africa with her mother, El Cajon resident Vickie Butcher founded the nonprofit organization to create infrastructure for bringing clean, safe water and medical supplies to help children in rural African villages.

By Miriam Raftery

October
20, 2008 (El Cajon) - Over 800 people flocked to an Oktoberfest celebration
hosted by El Cajon’s Elks Lodge 1812, a tradition that dates back to
1975.

“I started the Oktoberfest,” said Giselle Howard (photo, left),
who was also the festival’s first Oktoberfest Queen.   “This
is why every year, they honor me.”  Still radiant at 86, Howard
wore her original dress and tiara as a fellow Elk pushed her wheelchair in
the Oktoberfest Parade.  The aromas of steak and bratwurst simmering on
a barbecue filled the air, along with scents of potato pancakes and other traditional
German fare.

Benefit for Community Projects

By Miriam Raftery

September
20, 2008 (RANCHO SAN DIEGO) - More than 200 people attended the La Bella Vida
Wine and Food Fest on September 20th, hosted by the Rancho San Diego/Spring
Valley Rotary Club in the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.

By Miriam Raftery

October 1, 2008 (Mesa Grande reservation) - Bouncing down a dusty dirt road with hairpin turns so narrow that we have to honk our horn to warn oncoming drivers, we descend past Lake Sutherland into a deep gorge.   We emerge in a hidden valley—home of the lower Mesa Grande Indian reservation.  The most remote tribal village in East County, Mesa Grande’s American Indians survived 19th century attacks that decimated more accessible tribes. 

We park in front of the tribal tutoring center, which doubles as a fire station.   A throng of smiling children quickly surrounds us, eager to greet Eleanora “Norrie” Robbins, PhD—better known as “Doc.”

By Miriam Raftery

Avery Titus rides tall in the saddle at The Magic Horse, guided by riding therapist/founder Robin Pawl. Before, he could not sit up on his own.

September 2008 (Lakeside)--Ten-year-old Avery Titus squeals with delight, pressing his face against the sun-warmed backside of Iggy, a quarterhorse at the Magic Horse Therapeutic Riding program in Lakeside.

"Before, he couldn't sit up on his own," recalled Avery's father, Clay. "Now he can sit and not fall over."

Avery has cerebral palsy, brain damage and learning disabilities. But his older brother, Chandler, observed, "That doesn't stop him from being this happy kid."

Magic Horse founder Robin Pawl has Avery demonstrate the exercises he's learned to do on horseback. Motions of the horse beneath him simulate pelvic movement, helping Avery to improve his coordination skills, strengthen his back muscles and improve his sense of balance.

"Reach for the stars!" instructs Pawl, as her pupil extends his arms skyward. Pawl walks on one side of the horse, Avery's father on the other side. Anna Gahagen, a volunteer, leads the horse with a rope in front. Avery leans over to retrieve a stuffed alligator from a mailbox and plastic rings off a pole.