September 12, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Live music, gourmet barbecue, an auction and dancing under the stars are among the attractions at “The Branding,” the Old West-themed fundraiser to benefit the East County Family YMCA. Over the past 17 years, the Branding has raised over $1.4 million to support youth programs and services.

August 30, 2010 (La Mesa)--Norm MacDonald, star of movies and Saturday Night Live (SNL), will take the stage at Challenge Center’s 13th Annual Comedy Night on September 11 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The event benefits the scholarship fund established by Challenge Center, a nonprofit gym in La Mesa that has achieved dramatic results helping patients with strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, as well as other debilitating conditions. Tickets for the event are $175.

August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Local firefighters will be participating in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual “Fill the Boot” campaign, raising money to help find a cure for the crippling disease. On September 2, watch for local firefighters stationed around the County to coincide with the annual Labor Day telethon hosted by actor Jerry Lewis for muscular dystrophy.

Hundreds of thousands now face starvation as crops, soils washed away
 

Rescue Task Force seeks help to save lives of Afghan women & girls at literary schools
 

By Miriam Raftery
August 19, 2010 (San Diego) –“The same floods that are hitting Pakistan are hitting Afghanistan. It’s just horrific,” said Gary Becks, founder of Rescue Task Force, a San Diego-based nonprofit that has its roots in East County. 

Becks has led relief efforts in some of the worst disasters on earth including the Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, major earthquakes, and the Cedar Fire. But the scale of devastation in Afghanistan goes far beyond even those catastrophes. Threats from the Taliban make relief efforts dangerous—and with farmlands washed away, the very survival of the Hazara people is at stake.

August 17, 2010 (Alpine) – Liberty, a yearling black bear brought to Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) rescue facility in Alpine on July 4th, was examined by veterinarian Dr. Jane Meier and LTB owner Bobbi Brink last week and positively identified as a female.

Fish & Game officials brought the bear to LTB in hopes of savings its life.  The animal was causing problems at a Mt. Baldy campground in San Bernadino, where six to 12 young bears are killed each year. But LTB may only be a temporary haven for Liberty, who will soon outgrow her temporary home and require a much larger and secure habitat. Brink urgently seeks donations to construct an expanded enclosure.

East County News Service

August 3, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directorshas unanimously approved a $25,000 grant to the non-profit San Diego Regional Fire & Emergency Services Foundation.  

One-of-a-kind equine-assisted rehab sessions provided by women for women

By Shirley Clukey
 

July 25, 2010 (Alpine) -- “This is too beautiful, too simple, too good not to share with others,” said Catherine Hand, founder and director of Dream Rider, at a recent training of volunteers. Dream Rider is an equine-assisted rehabilitation program for breast cancer survivors.

Don’t be fooled by the program’s name; it does not involve horse riding lessons and no horse experience is necessary. Using human to horse contact, music and the movement of the horse, a client is led through a gradual progression of exercises designed specifically for her rehabilitation needs. It starts with the simple act of lying prone on the horse’s back, and aligning her breath with that of the horse.

July 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Over 1,000 Beanie Babies will be distributed through Spirit of America projects to bring smiles to children in war-torn Afghanistan, thanks to the efforts of Parkway Middle School children, Fletcher Hills Kiwanis Club, and local author Diana Lindsay.  Lindsay, author of guide books on the Anza Borrego desert, is also the mother of Lt. Commander Jon Lindsay, a former Spirit of America volunteer.

Beads of Courage Arts-in-Medicine Program Coming to San Diego

July 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Local area leaders have teamed up with Beads of Courage to host a 2nd Annual Journey to Fight Cancer Golf Tournament & Luau at the Cottonwood Golf Course in El Cajon on Friday, July 23 starting at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start and scramble.

July 7, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Saddle up and head on over for an evening of innocent fun at the tables at Home of Guiding Hands 1st Annual Wild West Casino Night, Friday, July 16, 7–11 p.m. at Gio Bistro Wine Bar in La Mesa. Ticket includes hors d'oeuvres, a beverage of your choice, and $200 of gaming credit, opportunity drawings and door prizes. Net proceeds benefit San Diegans with developmental disabilities.

July 1, 2010 (Campo) – The second annual Robert Rosas Memorial Off-Road ride will be held on July 10th. Proceeds will benefit the family of slain Border Patrol Agent Rosas, who was shot and killed while on duty in July 2009 near Campo.

East County News Service

June 29, 2010 (Poway) – The public is invited to participate in the 22nd annual Make-A-Wish Golf Class July 23 at the Maderas Golf Club in Poway. San Diego County Credit Union is presenting sponsor of the event, along with the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

June 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Agent Richard Agundez, who won the Medal of Valor for his heroic efforts to stop the Granite Hills High School shooting, will retire tomorrow after 30 years of service with the El Cajon Police Department. He is one of the Department’s most highly decorated officers.

May 29, 2010 (Jamul)- Harmonica John and the Reggae Band PSYDECAR will perform at a post-Memorial Day gathering Tuesday, June 1 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. across the street from the fire station at 14024 Peaceful Valley Road in Jamul.