People Power

Inspiring Stories from San Diego's Eastern Region

OPERATION SANTA CLAUS: EL CAJON POLICE GIVE MONEY TO PEOPLE IN NEED-AND REWARD GOOD DEEDS

 

Hear our interview with El Cajon Police Officers Association representatives Travis Howard and Samson Pak: http://kiwi6.com/file/rr5i0levth

January 1, 2015 (El Cajon)—On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, El Cajon Police officers stopped 10 people—but instead of giving them tickets, they handed them  cash—thanks to two anonymous donors who gave the police money to help people in the community—and improve the way the community views law enforcement.


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DOG HOUSES NEEDED FOR RURAL DOGS IN COLD WEATHER

 

 

January 1, 2015 (Boulevard) – Boulevard resident Pam Lawless has launched a drive seeking donations of doghouses or igloo-style shelters for backcountry dogs in her community.


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CHARGERS AND COUNTY TEAM UP TO FIND FOREVER FAMILIES

 

Source: County News Service

December 28, 2014 (San Diego)--San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency has teamed up with the San Diego Chargers for their annual “Join the Team” Chargers calendar to raise awareness for children waiting to be adopted.  The collaboration has proven to be a winning team, year after year.


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NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET ASSOCIATION DONATES 7,000 TOYS TO CHILDREN IN EAST COUNTY

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2014 (El Cajon)--The Neighborhood Market Association held its sixth Annual NMA Toy Drive for disadvantaged  youth around San Diego on Sunday at the Crystal Ballroom in El Cajon, raising  over 7,000 toys that were given out to thousands of children throughout the community.


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VIEJAS SETS NEW TOY DRIVE RECORD: DONATES 14,000 TOYS TO SALVATION ARMY

 

Viejas Tribal government staff, Casino & Resort team members and guests helped reach toy drive goal

Link to video from Toy Drive “Big Reveal”:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3c8rQTaZqUCY0J5b0JFT193c0U/view?usp=sharing

December 16, 2014 (Alpine)--One of the biggest annual holiday toys drives in San Diego County just set a new record. The 2014 Viejas Toy Drive to support the local Salvation Army exceeded its goal …raising a total of 14,702 toys.


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SHERIFF'S SENIOR VOLUNTEER PATROL BRIGHTENS HOLIDAYS WITH "YOU ARE NOT ALONE" PROGRAM

 

December 13, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - During the holiday season, members of the Sheriff's Senior Volunteer Patrol (SVP) work hard to make sure seniors who live alone feel extra special. Throughout the month of December, Senior Volunteer Patrol members will be delivering gift baskets or hot meals to seniors enrolled in the Sheriff's You Are Not Alone (YANA) program.


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EL CAJON HOST LIONS CLUB DELIVER CHRISTMAS BASKETS

 

December 10, 2014 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club will deliver 100 Christmas food baskets on December 20th starting at 7 a.m.


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THE BRIGHTER SIDE OFFERS WOMEN WHO HAVE BREAST CANCER HOPE, HAPPINESS AND COMFORT

 

 

By Janis Russell

December 9, 2014 (La Mesa)- The Brighter Side is a boutique that offers services and products to women with breast cancer who are in recovery. Founded in Solana Beach in 1997, The Brighter Side opened its La Mesa store a year ago.


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CHULA VISTA POLICE RAISE MONEY, BUY GIFTS FOR CHILDREN OF MURDER VICTIM

 

December 2, 2014 (Chula Vista)--Detectives from the Chula Vista Police Department Crimes of Violence unit are raising donations from fellow officers and Department employees to provide the children of a murder victim some holiday gifts. Leonor Castillo was murdered by her ex-husband (the children's father) when he ran her over in a jealous rage on Friday November 28th on Elm Ave in Chula Vista. The suspect turned himself in at the Mexico border last night and was booked into County Jail on charges of Homicide.


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NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR EL CAJON CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

 

December 2, 2014 (El Cajon) – Nominations are now being accepted for El Cajon Citizen of the Year through December 19th. Do you know someone who has selflessly worked to better the El Cajon community?


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LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS ORGANIZE “BLACK LIVES MATTER” CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AND BLACK FRIDAY BOYCOTT

 

East County News Service

November 28, 2014 (San Diego’s East Coujnty)--Many are wondering how to best respond to the cries for justice coming from communities across the country in the wake of the situation in Ferguson. 

The San Diego Partnership of Churches is asking people in San Diego County to “prayerfully consider making this Black Friday a day of prayer and of participation in the nationwide boycott encouraging  shoppers to not to spend one dime on Black Friday,” says Mary Domb Mikkelson with United Church of Christ in La Mesa. “This is a form of nonviolent protest in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.”

Organizers plan a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 29 at 5:00 p.m. at Mission Hills United Church of Christ, 4070 Jackdaw Street, San Diego, CA 92108, (http://www.missionhillsucc.org/).


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TWO ALUMNI FROM EL CAPITAN IN LAKESIDE REACH NATIONAL FFA AWARDS COMPETITION IN KENTUCKY

 

By Tatiana Woliung, El Capitan FFA Reporter

November 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The El Capitan Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter announces that two of our alumni competed at the National FFA Convention in Louisville Kentucky this past month.


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LOCAL LEADERS COOK THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR FAMILY LIVING ON MINIMUM WAGE

 

East County News Service

November 25, 2014 (San Diego) - On Monday, City Councilmember Marti Emerald and Rabbi Laurie Coskey cooked and delivered a Thanksgiving meal to fast-food worker Nicolas Cervantes and his family.


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ADOPT A GRANDPARENT FOR CHRISTMAS

 

East County News Service

November 20, 2014 (Alpine) – Concerned about senior citizens who are alone over the holidays in convalescent homes, an East County businesswoman has started an “Adopt a Grandparent” program.


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SANTEE KIWANIS TEAMS UP WITH WEST HILLS HIGH KIDS IN ROADSIDE PRIDE EVENT

 

Story and photos by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

November 17, 2014 (Santee)--The Santee Kiwanis hosted a "Road Side Pride" event in conjunction with the West Hills High School Key Club.  The high school kids were out at 9:00 a.m. on Woodside Avenue on the Santee/Lakeside borderline cleaning up trash on Saturday, November 15th.


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ANIMAL TALES: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SIAMESE RESCUE ORGANIZATION IS THE CAT'S MEOW

 

By Mimi  Pollack

Photo: Riley

November 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Looking at her blue eyes and gorgeous coat, nobody would ever suspect that Riley was once a very sick seal point Siamese that was going to be euthanized.


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SALVATION ARMY THANKSGIVING DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD DRIVE NOV. 25

 

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon)--You can help a family in need during the holidays.  On Tuesday, November 25, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Salvation Army in El Cajon will hold a special “drive-thru food drive” at their offices located at 1011 East Main, El Cajon.  The Salvation Army Drive Through Thanksgiving Food Drive rallies the San Diego East County community to contribute Thanksgiving dinners for families in need. To participate, drive to The Salvation Army El Cajon Corps to donate a frozen turkey, and/or any of the fixings, or make a cash donation.


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PARTY WITH A PURPOSE AT THE RNB LOUNGE IN EL CAJON

 

November 12, 2014 (El Cajon) – The RnB Lounge at El Cajon Grand, 351 West Main Street, El Cajon, bills itself as a “party celebrating love.”   DJ Jam and DJ Artistic invite you out to The Grand in El Cajon every Wednesday night to party for a purpose. Each week you are invited to dance and enjoy live R&B, Sexy Hip Hop, Reggae and Spoken Word performances.


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PARTY WITH THE PRESS HIGHLIGHTS - THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

 

Photos by Nadin and Tom Abbott

November 6, 2014 (San Diego's East County) -- If you missed our "Party with the Press" benefit event, it was a great event!  We filled the Next Door Wine & Craft Beer Bar with our supporters.  A good time was had by all -- and it was all for a great cause: supporting our community journalism and wildfire alerts.

We savored a wonderful feast, thanks to Tiramisu Trattoria restaurantand our own East County Eater, who judged the winning culinary entries provided by our readers.  Next Door Wine & Craft Beer Bar served up tastes of some wonderful wines and beers.  We gave away a pile of prizes, played our East County Trivia Quiz, sipped and savored our way through a delightful evening.  We also thank SDG&E for its sponsorship of this event and for providing safety and energy saving tips for our guests.


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1ST ANNUAL ENCHANTED GARDEN GALA DRAWS A CROWD

 

 

By Janis Russell

November 2, 2014 (El Cajon)- The Water Conservation Garden hosted its 1st annual enchanted garden gala on October 18, a fundraising event to help the Garden’s award winning Ms. Smarty-Plants programs and provide seed money for a children’s garden with free play spaces and exploration-based exhibits to help kids learn more about global water cycles, watersheds and water conservation, and animal adaptations. The Garden hoped to raise $100,000 at the event.


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DR. GARY WEITZMAN - SAVING ANIMALS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

 

By Mimi Pollack

Photo: Gary Weitzman with Jake and Betty

October 11, 2014 (San Diego)--The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Humane as “being marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals”. This is a good description of Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, The Escondido Humane Society, and co-host of The Animal House.  Giving back to society and helping animals in need has been Dr. Gary Weitzman stated mission in life.


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SADDLEMAKER GARRY MCCLINTOCK INJURED IN ACCIDENT; BENEFIT PLANNED IN DESCANSO

 

October 9, 2014 (Descanso) – A “Trail Challenges” clinic will be held November 29th at Descanso Feed and Hay to benefit Garry and Ann McClintock.  Garry, a famed saddlemaker in Descanso, was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident.


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NEWSMAKERS: EAST COUNTY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JERRY FAZIO

 

 

 

 

Listen to our interview with Jerry Fazio online now:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

October 9, 2014 (San Diego's East County) Jerry Fazio, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego, sat down for an interview with East County Magazine Show host Miriam Raftery.  In the interview, which originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM on Wednesday, he shared stories and  insights from his 35 years with the nonprofit organization, as well as tips for successful nonprofit fundraising before his retirement on October 24.

For links to more of our recent coverage of Jerry Fazio and the East County Boys & Girls Clubs, click "read more" and scroll down."

Audio: 


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SAVING THE CHEETAHS

 

 

Only 10,000 cheetahs remain in the wild, and Dr. Laurie Marker aims to save the species

By Mimi Pollack

September 24, 2014 (Ramona) – Kumbali looked at us with soulful amber eyes. Those present were struck by the magnificence of this cheetah--the star attraction at a benefit event for the Cheetah Conservation Fund. The event took place last weekend  in the Ramona home of well-known wildlife photographer Roy Toft and his wife, Robin.


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SUCCESS STORIES INSPIRE JUVENILES IN DETENTION

 

(This article provided by the San Diego County Office of Education, which provides instruction to juveniles in County of San Diego Probation facilities.)

September 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - Super Bowl champion Gary Plummer spoke of his drive to be a professional football player. Gary Fenelli, vice president and general manager of Frank Toyota, spoke about his successes and failures in business. World-renowned fitness expert Clark Bartram spoke of belief in yourself. KyXy radio producer "Little” Tommy Sablan confided about his family’s struggles with heroin addiction.


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"WE LIKE IT WILD": PROJECT WILDLIFE TO JOIN HUMANE SOCIETY

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to our radio show Monday on KNSJ 89. 1 FM at 5 p.m. to hear our audio report on Project Wildlife’s event.

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2014 (Lakeside) – At Project Wildlife’s “We Like It Wild” event in Lakeside last week, guests had up close and personal encounters with exotic and local wildlife at the Pillsbury Ranch owned by Joan Embery, the San Diego Zoo’s ambassador.  They also heard a special announcement from the Project Wildlife’s executive director Beth Ugoretz, who said Project Wildlife plans to merge by November 1st with the San Diego Humane Society.

Gary Weitzman, president of the San Diego Human Society and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, emphasized that goal is to keep Project Wildlife “strong” and leverage the strengths of both organizations.  Project Wildlife’s focus on rescuing and rehabilitating local wildlife will continue, and the need is great, since the drought, wildfires and development have put increasing stress on local animals from birds and reptiles to larger animals such as raccoons and coyotes.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

JERRY FAZIO ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF EAST COUNTY

 

 

September 20, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - After 35 years, Jerry Fazio, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County Foundation, has announced his retirement.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ECM RADIO INTERVIEW: LA MESA-BASED BOYS TO MEN NONPROFIT IS MAKING WAVES NATIONALLY

 

Hear our radio show interview with Boys to Men co-founders Joe Sigurdson and Craig McClain. 

Listen here:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au... for details on how this nonprofit that started in La Mesa has  gone national to  mentor fatherless teen boys. Plus hear details about a September 20th Surf-a-Thon here in San Diego to benefit Boys to Men.  

For more information, click "read more" and scroll down. 

Audio: 


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IS FOR EVERYONE

 

By Leon Thompson

September 20, 2014, El Cajon - Estreanda Fulford-Yates is the President of ‘Living Independently is for Everyone’ a nonprofit Corporation that benefits individuals with any level of disability with the goal of independent living.  Participants receive life training, job training and learn social skills that accelerate their ability to live independently.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CASH MOB COMES TO LA MESA SEPT. 13 FOR “REVIVE THE BLOCK PARTY” TO HELP SHOPS IMPACTED BY CONSTRUCTION

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 8, 2014 (La Mesa)—The East County Cash Mob is back – and you’re invited to help several struggling small business owners in La Mesa’s downtown village all day on September 13th.

“Times have been tough with local construction on the city streets. Their business has dropped 80 percent,” says Susan Barron, organizer of the event, said of the impact that torn up streets from a downtown revitalization project is having on local merchants.

Cash mobs organize through social media to draw customers and support small businesses during tough times. To participate, simply come prepared to spend $20 or more at any of the following businesses:

 

  • Act ll                   8321 La Mesa Blvd.
  • Wildflowers          8323 La Mesa Blvd.
  • Amethyst Moon    8329 La Mesa Blvd.
  • O’Dunn Fine Art    8325 La Mesa Blvd.
  • Glamour Girlz    special invited guest inside Amethyst Moon

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