By Miriam Raftery

October 4, 2016 (Potrero) – “Finally! Kendrick was the last of the dogs at our shelter in Bonita which were rescued from the Border Fire in Potrero in June, “San Diego Animal Services posted on Facebook yesterday.

According to Animal Services, “The young man in the photo met Kendrick a few weeks ago and couldn't get him off his mind. His mom said if they came back on Saturday (October 1st) and Kendrick was still here, he could have him for his birthday which is this week. Kendrick hit it off with this family right away and was happy to leave with them today! His new family is going to take him on lots of hikes on the trail near their home!”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, ,left:  Stacy Taylor interviewing anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan on KLSD radio

By Janis Russell

September 22, 2016 (San Diego) - In 1995, 20-year-old Tariq Khamisa was shot and killed by 14-year-old Tony Hicks, a gang member. Hicks was convicted as an adult and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF), a nonprofit, was established in 1995 by Tariq’s father Azim Khamisa along with Tony Hicks’ grandfather, Ples Felix.

East County News Service

Sept. 12, 2016 (East County) – Fitness instructor, dancer and choreographer Dionne Thomas has been selected as keynote speaker at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual Women In Leadership Luncheon (WILL). Awards will be presented Friday, Sept. 16 at the Town and Country Resort Hotel in Mission Valley.

East County News Service

Photo via tkf.org

September 9, 2016 (San Diego) - Twenty years ago after the murder of his 20-year-old son Tariq, Azim Khamisa saw the need to address the epidemic of youth violence in the United States. He reached out to the grandfather of his son’s murderer, Ples Felix, in a spirit of forgiveness. Together, they founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation.

Source: La Mesa City Council Press Release

August 29, 2016 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber is beginning to gather items for the seniors that the Chamber adopts each year during the holidays. It is the goal of the Chamber to collect, purchase and assemble items and place them in large gift baskets.

Q & A with author of “Raising Ryland”

Source: Foothills United Methodist Church press release

August 21, 2016 (La Mesa) - “When the family dies I’m going to cut my hair so I can be a boy,” said Ryland Whittington when he was just four years old. His family was stunned.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 17, 2016 (San Diego) --San Diego area landlords: homeless people need your help.

The County of San Diego and its many partners are looking for landlords who are willing to rent apartments to help house 130 people who are currently homeless.

East County News Service

August 9, 2016 (Campo-Lake Morena) — A GoFundMe site has been established by Bill Holtwick to help raise money for huge medical costs needed to save the life of his wife, Pat.  Claudia Millerbragg, who runs a Campo-Lake Morena community forum, has confirmed that Pat Holtwick is a cherished community member who has devoted many hours to rescuing abandoned or abused animals.

“I am 71 years old and Pat is 66 and we just can’t keep up with physical and or the financial responsibilities. We are both on Social Security, and are on a very low/limited income,” Holtwick writes.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Toyota and Honda of El Cajon and Wells Fargo Dealer Services presented a $22,700 donation to the YMCA of San Diego County. The donation was made in appreciation of Toyota and Honda of El Cajon’s ongoing community support efforts. The funds will help the YMCA of San Diego’s mission of strengthening its community through offering programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Fundraising site set up to help pay mounting vet bills

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: "Sweet", the youngest foal at Fantasy Donkeys, died of a mysterious ailment shortly after the Border Fire

July 9, 2016 (Campo) – In one of the most dramatic rescues during the Border Fire, the Humane Society helped evacuate 55 miniature donkeys from Fantasy Donkeys’ ranch in Campo to three different temporary shelters.  But after the fire passed and the herd returned home, Nearly two dozen donkeys fell ill and one young foal, Sweet Child of Mine, or “Sweet” for short, died. 

Thus began a desperate effort to save the remaining donkey.  Seven have required round-the-clock care on site and four had to be rushed to the San Luis Rey Equine Hospital in Bonsall, where after intensive treatment for two weeks, they are now recovering. The ordeal has been a drain emotionally and financially, since owner Kim Fuson has had to take time off her job as a nurse to care for the ailing donkeys, while veterinary bills have climbed to nearly $20,000.

By Chisato Iversen

June 22, 2016 (La Mesa) -- From helping the blind to supporting Meals on Wheels and Toys for Tots, the La Mesa Lions Club has long been a driving force to help local people in need.  East County Magazine sat down for an exclusive interview with Marge Dyke, former La Mesa Lion’s Club president.

By Chisato Iversen

June 15, 2016 (La Mesa)-- Grace Kaminaka Tsuida, a student at Grossmont High School’s class of 1944, is a survivor of a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II.  As part of an AP class project at Grossmont High School , students documented the experiences of Grossmont students who were interned.  Their stories are documented in  Japanese American AP US American Reports  and can be seen in a special exhibit at the La Mesa Historical Society during June. 

Grace Kaminaka Tsuida  was born  Sept. 9,1926 in Lemon Grove. She made friends easily, like other children, until after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when the U.S. government sent her family and others to an internment camp.  After their release, they were given an apology from the government, though it failed to acknowledge the humiliation and confusion they experience.  Now, 67 years later, Grace’s niece, Judy Miyamoto, helped arrange for Grace to finally receive her Grossmont High School Diploma.

Now 90 years old, Grace granted an exclusive interview with East County Magazine.   Please read her compelling story.

By Mimi Pollack

June 3, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Last month, as I was walking around checking out all the booths at the San Diego Humane Society Walk event, I saw two sweet and funny little faces that drew me in. They were two senior chihuahuas named Fred and Ethel, like the couple who lived next door to Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on the “I Love Lucy” show. What perfect names for those silly little faces!

Fred and Ethel are two lucky pooches that were taken in by Lionel’s Legacy, a non-profit organization, out of El Cajon that specializes in rescuing senior dogs.