May 15, 2013 (El Cajon) – Concerned Citizens of El Cajon will be meeting on May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at IHOP, 1286 Oakdale Avenue, El Cajon.  The meeting will be to address concerns and solve problems.  Everyone is welcome and can bring their concerns.  Concerns can also be posted at http://www.elcajonneighbors.org/blogs.html.

By Janis Mork

May 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)- James Pearson from Ember Arts has been helping Ugandan women escape poverty by selling their beautiful Acholi beads in America. 

This fascinating story began in 2006, when Pearson first discovered the Acholi beads.  While visiting Uganda for a nonprofit, he saw women working in a rock quarry, doing back-breaking work for just a dollar a day.  Life was extremely difficult for these women, who were war refugees, and for their families.

By George Dominguez

May 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) --Daunting as it may seem, Joe “Tiger” Patrick II is walking across America to honor the fallen heroes of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.  This week, his journey took him through East County, where he met with local firefighters and paramedics.

"I felt a compelling need to do something to honor to our fallen heroes, to give people a close up view of those we lost.   This isn't a political statement, but an expression of love and respect for those who volunteered to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us here at home," said Tiger.  He honors the fallen by carrying a memorial mosaic panel which contains a picture of every fallen warrior.

April 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – ACES Foundation El Cajon Animal Shelter will be auctioning Barkitecture Animal Houses to raise money for the ACES Foundation. The event will be May 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at O’s American Bistro, #75 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon. 

Tickets are $25 and include an auction number, appetizers, and wine or beer.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.acesfoundation.org or at the door.

By Miriam Raftery

After high winds on April 8 ripped their trailer home off its foundation west of Jacumba in Bankhead Springs, Dewey St. Julien and Virginia Hogan found themselves homeless. They lived in their truck and later, a motel with help from Red Cross. Now they are on a list hoping to receive a home from Habitat for Humanity. 

“They asked how they could repay what blessings have come their way,” said Lorrie Ostrander, who has been assisting the young coupe.  So tonight, April 18, Julien and Hogan have organized a spaghetti dinner to benefit Julie Atherton, a Mountain Empire Health employee with breast cancer.

The dinner will be held at the Mountain Empire Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road in Campo.  Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $3 for children. A silent auction will also be held.

By Miriam Raftery

April 17, 2013 (La Mesa) – Community members are invited to support arts programs in local schools on May 2, 2013 from 5-8:30 p.m. when winners of the Golden Artistry Jewelry Design competition will be unveiled at the La Mesa Community Center’s Arbor Room, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.

Students from the Grossmont Union High School District compete annually in the competition sponsored by Golden Artistry. The program benefits arts programs in GUHSD schools. The winning design will be made into a dazzling piece of jewelry by master goldsmith Terry Whyte. You can vote for the Community’s Choice Award; this year’s theme is “growth.” View finalists: http://goldenartistrydesigncompetition.webstarts.com/

“When I was exposed to metalsmithing, it seemed accidental. I saw a professor silver solder a strip of silver into a ring form, and I knew I had to try to make a ring,” says Whyte.  Three weeks after completing his first ring, he recalls, “I was in business. Nearly three years later, I was accepted into an apprenticeship situation with an English goldsmith.”

April 11, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – You’re invited to enjoy an evening of bingo, black jack, craps, and roulette as well as silent auctions, raffles, food and drink. It’s all part of the fun at Casino Night 2013, hosted by the San Miguel Knights of Columbus, Soroptimist International and Kiwanis Club of Lemon Grove on Saturday, April 20.

Admission is $15; for an extra $10 you can purchase a chicken dinner from 5:30 to 7:30.  The Casino Night runs from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at 8086 Broadway (St. John of the Cross Knights of Columbus Hall) in Lemon Grove.

For more information, call JoAnne Burke at 619-469-8350.

April 9, 2013 (Santee)—The Santee community is organizing a benefit for a Santee family whose kindergarten boy is battling brain cancer.  Diagnosed just this past December, Dylan Pourner has become bed ridden, is on oxygen 100% of his time and is in the process of starting a "research" chemo after the last treatment failed to shrink his very large tumor.

The two largest benefits will be a Coffee Benefit April 16 from  6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a Concert Benefit April 20 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The "Coffee Benefit" will be held at Coffee Corner cafe at Mast and Carlton in the Pathways Community Church parking lot.  The Concert Benefit will be at the Pathways Community Church.

Frog race offers $10,000 first prize, all to benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center

By Caprice Harrison

April 3, 2013 (El Cajon) – St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon will host its 15^th annual, “Morning Glory Brunch- With a Country Flair” on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This special event is being held in the Center’s Organic Garden, located at 2119 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon. The event includes:

• Over 20 food and beverage stations from local restaurants
• Boutique shopping
• Live music and entertainment on multiple stages
• “Arts Alive!” floral creations by Jasmine Creek Florist
• The eighth-annual, “Frog Race” with $10,000 in cash prizes!

NEW features this year include: Children’s activities, arts and crafts, face-painting and a “Froggie Pond” with kid-friendly prizes! Each “froggie” is only $5 or, three (3) for $10. Each “frog” is $100 or $150 for two (2).

April 3, 2013 (El Cajon) -- The San Diego Army Advisory Council (SDAAC) presents their second-annual, “Community Salute to Heroes: Benefiting First Responders and Military Families,” on Saturday, April 6, from 7:00 a.m. to noon. The occasion is being held at Grossmont High School, located at 1100 Murray Drive, El Cajon.

This special event will include a 5k Crossfit Competition for all age groups. Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m., with races from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The 5K race will include individual competitors as well as teams. Age groups will be (1) under 17, (2) 17 to 24, (3) 25 to 40 and (4) over 40.

At 11 a.m., El Cajon Mayor Mark Lewis will receive a special “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his many years in public service.

April 2, 2013 (Chula Vista) –  On Friday, April 12, 2013 community volunteers Rob and Cheryl Shields will host the third annual “A Night to Remember Prom” at Eastlake Church in Chula Vista, CA. “A Night to Remember” is a free prom honoring students with special needs, ages 14-22 years old. Financial support and in-kind donations are needed to defray the costs of the event and to ensure students and their families can participate at no cost.

March 25, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove Academy joined local efforts to educate students and parents of the dangers of drugs and alcohol in East County by hosting its first Underage Drinking Forum on Thursday. The event, which took place on March 21, featured a complimentary pizza dinner, a presentation by a local drug and alcohol expert, as well as a separate break-out session for youth.

Retired narcotics officer and Executive Director of The Proactive Network Against Substance Abuse, Phil Hubbs, educated a group of nearly 40 parents about current drug and alcohol trends. He also showed parents a display of various household items such as hand sanitizer, whipped cream canisters and keyboard cleaner that kids use to get drunk or high.

On March 23rd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. San Diego Saddlery will be hosting a tack sale to benefit the nonprofit Saving Horses Rescue. They will be selling both new and used items and will be using the storefront next to the Saddlery.  The public is encouraged to stop by to support the rescue  and find some great deals. 

If you'd like to donate any new or gently used tack for the sale, just bring it by the San Diego Saddlery shop in El Cajon any time before the 23rd.  Donations are tax deductible.

March 17, 2013 (Julian) – All of Julian is invited to join the Fourth of July Parade Committee for an evening of fun, festivity and fundraising at Wynola Pizza on March 25.  The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Barn.

You can enjoy a pizza dinner plus locally produced wine and cider while supporting the parade. The committee will also offer raffle tickets for a ride on a vintage aircraft, an opportunity to purchase t-shirts worn on parade day 20 years ago, and share in the 50/50 drawing.

By Nadin Abbott

March 13, 2013 (Potrero)—Community members in Potrero are rallying to raise funds to help pay for the medical expenses of Gerry Fowler, who was critically injured on Sunday March 10 when he fell into the family's well, as ECM reported. Fowler, an independent truck driver, does not have medical insurance. 

Walena Arnold, owner of the Potrero General Store told ECM that the community is very close knit and that a fund has been created to help defray the medical costs.  Blood donations are also needed and can be made in Gerry Fowler’s name at the San Diego Blood Bank.