LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS IS RAISING FUNDS TO CREATE A COUGAR CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION STATION

EVENT HONORS LONG-TIME SUPPORTERS ANN & DON WALKER

By Miriam Raftery

January 28, 2010 -- Through the crisis and chaos in Haiti comes life – three new lives.

World Emergency Relief’s Rescue Task Force team from San Diego continues to save lives in Haiti. Darryl Hall, team leader, and the RTF team were delivering newly arrived medicines and medical supplies to a small clinic when they discovered a mother desperately holding onto her new babies. Her babies – triplets only hours old -- were fighting for their lives.

Drop-off centers established around the County, including SDSU, UC, coastal and East San Diego areas

January 27, 2010 (San Diego) – “Watching the horrors unfold on television, we wanted our students, our future leaders, to understand that they can make a different in the world through Gimilut Hasadim, deeds of loving kindness,” said Dr. Jeffrey Davis, upper school principal at San Diego Jewish Academy.

The school is collecting supplies from the public through Friday to deliver to victims of the Haiti earthquake.

IRT leader shares details in exclusive interview

By Marisa Kezirian and Miriam Raftery

January 22, 2010 (San Diego) -- Five years ago, San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) raised over 30 tons of donated supplies for Katrina victims in just four days. (photo). Starting Sunday, January 24th, the private school in Carmel Valley will seek to recreate those efforts for victims of the massive Haiti earthquake.

January 16, 2010 (La Mesa) - Roy Springer, MD, a doctor with Center for Family Health in La Mesa, has presented an $11,000 check to the challenge Center, a nonprofit fitness club in La Mesa dedicated to helping people with disabilities achieve independence.

“This give will provide a lot of health and life skills for those most often overlooked in these areas,” said Challenge Center president and founder Bill Bodry.

January 15, 2010 (San Diego) – Vera Valdivia, a former San Diego resident and alumni of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, is in Haiti and seeks help from San Diego County residents for children in a Haitian orphanage that she co-founded and helped build. The 7.0 earthquake which struck Haiti earlier this week has destroyed the orphanage, East County Magazine has learned.

“As of right now, Valdivia and the orphanage children are living outside in the harsh, earthquake-ravaged conditions,” Denice Menard, communications coordinator for Thomas Jefferson School of Law informed ECM today. “The latest thing I heard is that they are not close enough to Port Au Prince, so they are not getting anything.”  The orphanage cares for approximately 60 children who are in need of food, milk, and other supplies.

GHANA TRIBAL CHIEF TO SPEAK AT FEB. 25 FUNDRAISER IN SAN DIEGO

January 12, 2010 (San Diego)--While living in Encinitas in 2008, Jacqueline Prairie decided to act upon a life-long dream of helping children in Africa.

December 28, 2009 (El Cajon) -- A few months ago, El Cajon Fire Captain Dave Rickards sent a group of Army Rangers based in Iraq the department’s Breast Cancer Awareness shirts. Through a mutual friend, Captain Rickards was able to send this care package of shirts along with some other items in a gesture to show support for our troops fighting in the Middle East.

According to Captain Rickards, “Members of the El Cajon Fire Department are proud to wear their department logos with the pink lettering, showing their support in the fight against breast cancer. Sharing that pride with our troops is an honor.”

Dear Readers,

By Penny Raftery

Photos by Miriam Raftery and Leon Thompson

December 5, 2009 (El Cajon) – It was a frisky romp through Wells Park this morning, where I joined a pack of other dogs and their owners in the first-ever “Jingle Paws!” walk to benefit El Cajon’s Animal Shelter. Much to my delight, I discovered even more entertaining activities—such as a canine agility course, bobbing for hotdogs, vendors selling every imaginable gift item any dog could want, and even a visit from Santa Paws…er, Claus.

By Gina McGalliard

November 30, 2009 (La Mesa) --The Academy of Performing Arts, San Diego’s acclaimed dance studio which has sent numerous students on to professional ranks, has just relocated to La Mesa. The new four-studio home is located at 5120 Baltimore Drive in the same shopping center with a Discount Dance Supply Store.

By John Falchi

November 22, 2009 (San Diego) -- The Center for Social Advocacy (CSA), an El Cajon-based organization,  held its “Homeless in Our Community, Homeless at Our Border” awareness event at the San Diego Woman’s Club on November 6th. The program focused on a long-overlooked and growing epidemic of homelessness prevalent in the County, also recounting the haunting stories of real people facing desperate situations.

November 12, 2009 (El Cajon) - Visiting Angels and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America invite you to participate in a national candle lighting to commemorate Alzheimer's patients on Sunday, November 15 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside the Starbucks at 124 West Main (corner of Main and Magnolia) in El Cajon.