Proceeds help fund special programs for San Diegans in need of hospice care

September 16, 2012 (San Diego) – The LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation, a non-profit organization that fulfills special requests from hospice patients and their loved ones, will host its 4th annual Remembrance Walk on Sunday, September 23 at Liberty Station.

September 15, 2012 (Alpine)—Meatball the bear, originally slated to be temporarily housed at Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine, will now be staying permanently at the rescue facility. Owner Bobbi Brink has issued a plea for public help to build a larger enclosure for the bear, which had been wandering into neighborhoods before it was captured and taken to LTB to save it from being killed.

September 11, 2012 (La Mesa) -- This year’s Park Appreciation Day is scheduled for October 20.  La Mesa’s parks are the jewels of the city – help make them shine for the centennial.

Individuals of all ages and groups can join in and help their community.  Civic, church or social groups can adopt a park. To find a project that all your members can do, contact us at 667.1300 or community@ci.la-mesa.ca.us.

Teen and Adult Protection Training; Women's Self-Defense. (Men are welcome, too!)

September 10, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- Jennifer stepped into the parking lot at night, and what happened next got her to join a martial arts class right away. Tonya had a close encounter with a man who was "losing it," and that got her to come find out what to do from Master Conway. Why would they come to him? Because his student Debbie saved her neighbor from a violent criminal. Because his student Myrna stopped the man who attacked her walking home from work in two moves. Because Conway has a long history of making sure what he teaches really works. It will work for you.

September 5, 2012 (Lakeside) – The Grand Ladies of the Old West host their annual dance on September 8 at the VFW Hall, Post 5867, 12650 Lindo Lake Lane, Lakeside from 6:00-11:00 p.m.  The “Honky Tonk Kings” will provide live entertainment at the event, which also features dancing, raffles, food and drinks.

The cost is $15 per person or $25 for a couple.  The event will benefit the 2012 donation to “Project Safehouse and Big Sisters League”. 

September 2, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Woman’s Club will be holding its monthly luncheon on September 18 at 12 p.m. at 2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine.  The Rhinestone Grannies will perform a variety of songs and dances at the event.  Some of the members of the Rhinestone Grannies include past CCT Senior Follies cast members.

The luncheon is open to all East County women as well as past and future members.  Space is limited, so please make a reservation prior to September 15 by contacting Judy Grant at 619-445-1987 or alpinejude@yahoo.com.

By Dennis Moore

September 5, 2012 (San Diego)--A NEW PATH, or PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing), is a voluntary, non-profit group of concerned parents of individuals suffering from addiction. They partner with health care professionals, the criminal justice system, recovering addicts and concerned members of society to seek better understanding of the illness and to create "therapeutic justice" for substance abuse related crimes. PATH's goals are  to reduce recidivism, save lives, heal families and move toward a healthier society.

On September 8, PATH invites you to the organization's annual “Strut for Sobriety” fashion show celebrating recovery from addiction.  The event, held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, will also feature a luncheon, awards, silent auction, live entertainment and boutique.( For full details, see http://www.anewpathsite.org/newevents1.html.)

September 5, 2012 (El Cajon) – Home of Guiding Hands is holding the 30th Annual Golf Classic Pro-Am Tournament on September 28 at Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort, 3007 Dehesa Road, El Cajon.  The event begins at 10 a.m. with registration and a Meet & Mingle with San Diego PGA Members.  The Shotgun start will be at 12 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner at 5 p.m.

August 28, 2012 (San Diego) – The 8^th Annual Strut for Sobriety! is presented by A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing), an organization founded by a Spring Valley mother.

The event takes place on September 8 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego.  The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a boutique and silent auction.  At 12:00 p.m. the luncheon, awards ceremony and fashion show will begin.

August 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Bellus Academy is offering complimentary spa services for active and retired servicemen and women September 4-8.  The award-winning salon and spa has three locations in San Diego, El Cajon, Poway and National City.

August 21, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) -- Church members from the Gathering @RSD packaged 3,200 meals to be sent to needy children and their families in the Dominican Republic. The church raised the money through collecting extra change. The effort was coordinated through the organization, Children of the Nations, which reach out to children in need in Africa and the Caribbean.

By Rebecca J. Williamson

August 13, 2012 (Santee) -- Around the world and here in East County, people are saying “yes” to the dress---a pillowcase dress. Sashay, spin, or strut in it! This dress is made out of a pillowcase (new or gently used).

Sewing the dresses is part of the “Church Ladies Projects” at the Santee United Methodist Church. These dresses are made for a variety of areas in the world to provide a quick and yet “funky cool” piece of clothing to the needy. Haiti is the destination for this particular project.

Several San Diego icons strut the catwalk for charity on August 18, 2012

 

August 11, 2012 (San Diego) --  St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) announced the lineup of celebrity models for its 35th Annual Haute With Heart Fashion Show today. On August 18, 2012 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, San Diego icons including local news anchors, radio DJ’s and even a World Series winning baseball player will strut their stuff in the 35th Annual Haute With Heart Fashion Show.  All proceeds from the fashion show, themed Let the Sunshine In, will benefit SMSC’s programs for nearly 400 adults with developmental disabilities.

July 28, 2012 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Officer Jarred Slocum, injured during a shooting last August on Prince Street will be medically retiring from those injuries.  He and his family will be moving out of San Diego.  The El Cajon Police Officer’s Association and the El Cajon Elk’s Lodge 1812 will be hosting a benefit for Jarred and his family at the El Cajon Elk’s Lodge 1812, 1400 East Washington Ave., El Cajon on August 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

July 18, 2012 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy held a Volunteer Appreciation Party on July 14 to thank all the volunteers who have given many hours of support over the years.  The 2011 Volunteer Appreciation Awards were distributed at the party.  The winners are:

By Nadin Abbott
Photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott 

By Miriam Raftery

July 8, 2012 (El Cajon) – “It’s a great way to give a local business a shot in the arm,” said Susan Barron, who organized a “cash mob” yesterday to aid her friend, Peggy Harris, owner of the Glamour Girlz Boutique at 124 East Main Street.  “July has been a really tough month for her and this was a winner.” 

The event was a "cashing" success—with more than 60 shoppers marching into the shop on Main Street to collectively spend over $2,000. 

July 5, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Brew Ha HA comedians will host two live comedy events aimed at raising money to help a new radio station get on the air in East County.  KNSJ Radio, FM 89.1, has been approved for an FM license to broadcast from Descanso and also streaming live broadcasts online.  The network will focus on social justice issues while also providing an on-air forum to showcase community news, highlight local musicians’ works, and air local emergency alerts.   

“She had an attitude of gratitude,” La Mesa resident Ethel Rudolph says of her mother, Titanic survivor Anna Sofia Turja

By Ellinoa Blake

July 1, 2012 (La Mesa)--In the heart of La Mesa lives a hidden historical gem: Ethel Rudolph, whose mother, Anna Sofia Turja survived the Titanic tragedy. In her cozy home, Ethel sat down with East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery and I to share her mother’s moving tale.

In honor of this year’s 100^th anniversary of the Titanic sinking after striking an iceberg, Rudolph recently visited Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum, which runs through September 9.  

She reflected, “It brought back a lot of nostalgia, things Mother had said.”

Scroll down to read her dramatic story, including a video interview describing an eyewitness account of one of history's greatest tragedies.

June 30, 2012 (Lakeside) – Tumbleweed Riding Club will be having a Used Tack Sale on July 7 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Club, 13315 Willow Road, Lakeside.  The gates will open at 7:30 a.m. for sellers to set up.

The cost is $5 per seller and is free to buyers.  Sellers must bring their own tables, chairs, racks, tarps, etc.