March 6, 2009 (El Cajon) --“ Fashions by Dress Barn will be modeled at the Heartland Lions Club's 21st annual Touch of Spring fashion show. The event also includes a champagne luncheon featuring chicken cordon bleu, a silent auction, and a raffle--all to benefit worthy causes. The fashion show will be held on Saturday, March 28th at the Elks Lodge, 1400 Washington Street in El Cajon. Cost is $25 per person. Doors open and silent auction begins at 11 a.m.; lunch will be served at noon, followed by the raffle prize drawings.

"There's No Substitute for Experience," Says Derby Director

March 1, 2009(La Mesa)--In the seventh year of its Soap Box Derby program, the Drew Ford and the Kiwanis Club of La Mesa will hold two days of Rally Races on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. The back-to-back races lead to the Annual La Mesa Soap Box Derby in late May. Winners of that contest are sent to the National Derby in Akron, Ohio, in July.

By Miriam Raftery

Northern lights images from Anza Borrego desert

February 22, 2009 (Anza Borrego) — In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, we thought it fitting to share with our readers the beauty and grandeur of the night sky as depicted by Dennis Mammana, world-famous night sky photographer and East County resident. His dazzling photos include rare shots of the Aurora Borealis (Northern lights) viewed from the Anza-Borrego desert, where he lives, as well as images of solar and lunar eclipses, comets, and other astronomical events taken around the globe. Also a prolific writer and instructor, Mammana teaches courses and hosts camp-outs locally, also leading astronomy and sky photography expeditions worldwide--such as an upcoming journey to China to view and photograph a total solar eclipse.

By Miriam Raftery

Mike Farrell with officers of Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club.

February 17, 2009 (Bonita) — Mike Farrell and his co-stars
on the popular M*A*S*H TV show raised public awareness about the human costs
of war. But
what many fans don't realize is that in his private life, Farrell has much
in common with the character he portrayed, Dr. B.J. Hunnicutt. Traveling
to global hot spots from Central American jungles to war-torn African villages,
he has gained fame internationally as a humanitarian, working tireless to draw
attention to a wide range of human rights issues.

February 16, 2009 (Descanso)--Here's something to roar about--Lions, Tigers & Bears is hosting "Breakfast with Bakari", an African lion at big cat sanctuary in Descanso, just east of Alpine.

Guests are invited to enjoy breakfast, visit with 13 rescued cats, other farm animals and their caretakers. You can also watch lions and tigers frolicking in the new Tiger Trails exercise enclosure funded through donations and past fundraising events.

February 9, 2009 (Mesa) “ Thanks to the generosity of La Mesa citizens, business leaders and elected officials who donated out of their own pockets, La Mesa’s annual flag day parade has been saved from the budget chopping block. The 14th annual event will take place on Saturday,

“We met the goal and then some,” an e-mail signed by Council members Ernest Ewin and David Allan stated. “Thank you, Shannon O’Dunn for your leadership in this effort.” O’Dunn (photo), a La Mesa resident, ran for La Mesa Council in the last election.

To commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2009, President-elect Obama has created a national day of service and is calling on all Americans to renew America together.

This call to service is extended to every American across the country, regardless of political party affiliation, to reignite our national spirit of volunteerism and community service not only on a single day - January 19, 2009 - but continuing commitment to our local communities throughout the year.    Renew America Together is not just about stepping up to serve for a single day, but about a continued commitment to our communities.

By Miriam Raftery

Hermes Castro with Sir Robert Swan, polar explorer who has invited Castro on his Antarctic expedition

Antarctica

January 7, 2008 (Fallbrook) — Invited by a famous polar explorer to join
an Antarctic expedition in March, Hermes Castro and his fellow students
at Mesa College are raising funds for transportation and special equipment
to help him fulfill his dream. But Castro has already come a long way
since September 2006, when he was struck head-on by a drunk-driver in Bonsall
while riding his bicycle to work in Fallbrook--tragedy that left him paralyzed
from the waist down.

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--For better or worse, these are the East County people who made headlines in 2008.  Some are famous--elected officials and sports stars.  Others are unsung heroes and ordinary citizens who found themselves in extraordinary situations, battling foes ranging from cancer to large-scale developments in their communities.  Some have aspired to amazing feats, such as a young paraplegic athlete striving to join an Antarctic expedition.  We've included heroes with heartwarming tales--and a few local leaders who made headlines for less-than-heroic deeds. 

San Diego's eastern region lost several prominent newsmakers in the past year,
among them:

Jack Hardebeck, M.D.:  Former chief of staff for Grossmont
Hospital and member of the Grossmont Healthcare District board, Hardebeck spent
nearly half a century serving East County.  A family physician and surgeon,
he chaired the Grossmont Hospital Foundation's philanthropy committee in 1998
and 1999.  In recognition of his efforts, Hardebeck received the Foundation's
Heart of Gold Award in 2004 and the Volunteer of Distinction Award in 2008. 

By Miriam Raftery

Aneesha Silvels

President-elect Barack Obama has called for a major expansion of the Peace
Corps and other public service programs, adding, "This will be a cause of my
presidency."  Obama's plan aims to double the size of the Peace Corps
from 7,800 to 16,000 volunteers by the organization's 50th anniversary in 2012.   "JFK
made their service a bridge to the developing world," Obama said of President
John F. Kennedy, whose administration founded the Peace Corps. 

December
16, 2008 (San Carlos) — On December 24th  at 2 p.m. Tifereth Israel Synagogue
in San Carlos will continue its tradition of holiday season generosity by providing
bags of goodies on Christmas Eve for area Fire and Police Departments, as well
as Hospital Emergency Rooms.  The organization seeks donations to help
local community service heroes and their families serving our community.