December 19, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

Mass shooting at Connecticut elementary school:

• Fear of being committed may have caused Connecticut gunman to snap (Fox)
• After a 1996 mass shooting, Australia enacted strict gun laws. It hasn’t had a similar massacre since. (Slate)
• Feinstein says bills to ban assault weapons will be a priority (La Mesa Patch)
• Newtown tragedy could put mental health in spotlight (USA Today)
• 'I Am Adam Lanza's Mother'  (Huffington Post)
• How many more Mondays? Changing a culture of glorified violence (San Diego Free Press)
• Sandy Hook: Police say shooter forced his way into school (Christian Science Monitor)
• School adviser: Gunman a loner who felt no pain (U-T San Diego)

Other national news:

• Kerry favorite to become Secretary of State (CBS)
• Deficit deal offers chance for salvation for 112th Congress (The Hill)
• Boehmer offers debt ceiling increase in cliff compromise (Washington Post)
• Obama’s new offer on fiscal cliff could lead to deal (New York Times)
• Flight of hypocrisy: Feds fine oil companies, give pass to wind farms killing birds (Fox)
• Cyberattacks on US banks resume, aiming to block their websites-tied to Hamas (Christian Science Monitor)
• Good Tidings Of Great Joy: Google Maps App Released For iPhone (NPR)
• Turn that down: FCC orders TV ads to lower volume (RawStory)
• Government PR surges amid media cuts (UT-San Diego)
• Illegal immigration drops after decade-long rise (U-T San Diego)
• 'We've Got Bigger Fish To Fry' Than Going After Pot Smokers, Obama Says (NPR)
• Mormon Women Dare To Wear Pants To Church (NPR)

WORLD

• Death toll from Typhoon tops 1,000 in Philippines (CNN)
• 'Syrian jets bomb Palestinian camp in Damascus' (Jerusalem Post)
• Codex committee: you can’t tell people that nutrients prevent disease! (Alliance for Natural Health)
• U.S. Officials: Syria Has Prepared Several Dozen Chemical Bombs (NPR)
• Police in Facebook global arrests (BBC)
• Egyptian women claim judge barred them from voting (U-T San Diego)
• Why Africa's lions are rapidly disappearing (Christian Science Monitor)
• Lack of food stunts Chad children, damages minds (U-T San Diego)
• New Palestinian group declares 3rd Intifada (Jerusalem Post)
• Russia raids activists in 'revolution' probe (Jewish World Review)
• Egypt court gives Christian 3 years for blasphemy (U-T San Diego)
• The Israeli Periphery (Jewish World Review)
• Israeli expansion threatens West Bank Bedouin (Al Jazeera)
• E.U. Votes To Have A Single Regulator For Its Banks (NPR)
• Japan’s ABE sees difficult road ahead (Al Jazeera)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

Dec. 2, 2012 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers & Bears is celebrating the season with A Merry, Beary Christmas on Dec. 8 from 1-4 p.m. at 24402 Martin Way, Alpine.  There will be cocktails and an array of wine samplings, delicious cuisine from “Chubby’s” food truck and beautiful holiday gifts from over 20 vendors.

Suggested donations (made in advance) are for members $15 for adults, $10 for children under 12 and non-members $25 for adults and $15 for children.  The price will increase $20 at the gate.  Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

November 9, 2012 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers & Bears is holding its 2012 Christmas Party on December 8 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 24402 Martin Way, Alpine.  This celebration is a great way to show your support for the Big Cats by spending some time with them and finding unique holiday gifts from among the many vendors participating.  Delicious food and beverages will be available.

July 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Lions, Tigers and Bears, the nonprofit big-cat rescue facility located just east of Alpine, invites you and your family to come pitch a tent and spend a “Wild Night in the Country” camping out next to big cats. 

The overnight camps are offered JAugust 3, September 21, and October 26.   The “Ruffin’ It Package” asks you to bring your own camping gear, dinner and breakfast; LTB provides s’mores.

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2012 (Alpine) -- Looking for a wild time this weekend?

Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego's only exotic animal rescue facility, will be holding its annual fundraiser May 12 from 2:00  to 6:00 p.m. with a VIP reception from 1:00 to 2 p.m.
 
Festivities include silent and live auctions, ranch animal encounters, , food, live entertainment and visits with the big cats.

Story by Miriam Raftery; Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2011 (Alpine) -- "Oh, you're beautiful!" San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce President Scott Alevy exclaimed as his wife, Joanne, dished up a forkful of chicken.  But he wasn't complimenting her cooking. Instead, Alevy was admiring Raja--a 500-pound Bengal tiger that Joanne was feeding after winning a drawing at Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) in Alpine.

The Chamber hosted a fundraiser to benefit the big cat rescue facility last weekend, donating 100% of proceeds to help this worthy cause while providing a memorable experience for Chamber members. View our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFhE9h-O0Uw

Sanctuary Founder Makes Desperate Visit to Save Bears Headed for Game Farm

July 27, 2011 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) Founder and Director, Bobbi Brink, has just returned from an emergency visit to Norman, Oklahoma to assess the condition of two black bears, Delilah and Blossom, who are the lone residents of the recently closed Little River Zoo.  Brink has made arrangements to bring them back to Alpine to be cared for at Lions, Tigers and Bears Big Cat Sanctuary.

January 1, 2011 (Alpine) – Hit by a double whammy of storm damage followed by thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, the Alpine-based big cat rescue facility Lions Tigers & Bears is seeking help from the public in both cash donations and a wish list of items needed.

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2010 (Alpine) – “Although we are a long way from having all the funding, it looks as though Liberty will be able to call Lions, Tigers and Bears her permanent home,” founder Bobbi Brink wrote in an e-mail to supporters. Liberty is a black bear cub that was rescued and brought to the rescue facility in Alpine on July 4th. “Her new three-acre habitat will be located adjacent to the lion habitat, and will feature an animal and people friendly design.

Construction is now underway on the facility, which is being set up to accommodate up to three more rescue bears, "so Liberty can have a friend,” Brinks said. 

I

October 9, 2010 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers and Bears invites you to come spend a “wild and ghoulish night in the country” with Raja, Bakari, Conga and other wild creatures at this big cat rescue facility in Alpine October 29-30. Camp-outs sell out quickly, so call to reserve space at (619)659-8078.

San Diego American Association of Zookeepers Teams up with Lions, Tigers & Bears to show guests a wild time

By Tanya Huang
Photos by Arash Malekahmadi

October 19, 2010 (Alpine)--Roaming around the perimeter of Tiger Trails, Bakari watched the arrival of new faces through his piercing yellow eyes and welcomed visitors to the Lions, Tigers and Bears ranch in Alpine for a day of exotic escapades. It was a warm, sunny afternoon on Oct. 16 and the African lions, Bakari, Jillian and Suri lounged on the grass, enjoying the refreshing, cool water from their pool as guests sipped champagne, observing the cats in awe.

October 6, 2010 (Alpine) – The San Diego Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers invites you to Exotic Escapes, a fundraising event to benefit advancements in animal care as well as Lions, Tigers & Bears.

Hosted by Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine on October 16 from 1-5 p.m., this unique event will feature animal presentations from the San Diego Zoo, flamenco dancers and other live entertainment. Also savor wine tasting from local vineyards, samplings of fine cuisine, plus a live and silent auction and drawings. You can even win a chance to feed a lion or a tiger!

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.

July 9, 2010 (Alpine) – For years, the only “Bear” at Lions, Tigers and Bears, a facility in Alpine for rescued and abused big cats, was a miniature horse bearing that name. But now a black bear cub named “Liberty” has been brought to the facility by California Fish & Game Aget Kevin Brennan, who captured the yearling at a campground near Mt. Baldy in Angeles National Forest.

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

February 6, 2010 (Alpine) – Shrinking habitat in San Diego’s backcountry has led to inevitable clashes between mountain lions, humans and domesticated animals. But unlike some predatory animals, mountain lions can't be repatriated after capture due to their large, exclusive territory (up to 100 square miles), drastically reduced amount of remote habitat, and the growing number of lions being captured.

With few places to take captured cougars, authorities often must kill these carnivores whose ranges conflict with people. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that between 100 and 135 mountain lions are killed in California each year.

November 29, 2009 (Alpine) - How would you like to complete your Christmas shopping and help rescued big cats at the same time? On Saturday, December 5th from 1 to 5 p.m., a holiday party will be held at 24402 Martin Way in Alpine featuring food, wine, beer, a silent auction, and holiday shopping with over a dozen local vendors. 

Among the options for gift-shopping are local wineries and breweries, artists and artisans, and companies offering gourmet foods, spa and personal care products, clothing, kitchenware, and more. 

November 9, 2009 (Alpine) -- Hate holiday shopping? Here’s something to purr about. Lions, Tigers and Bears, a big cat rescue facility in East County, invites you to a holiday party where you can help big cats while shopping for those on your gift list.

Event Benefits Lions, Tigers & Bears

October 2, 2009 (Descanso) – For a wild night on the town, dine and visit with exotic big cats at Saturday night’s Between the Stripes fundraiser at Lions, Tigers & Bears big cat rescue facility in Descanso. Dubbed “The Mane Event,” the party runs from 2 to 6 p.m., with a VIP reception at 1 p.m. Advance ticket purchases required. Festivities include a silent auction, opportunity drawing, plus activities for children including face painting and jumpies.

Story and photos by Joel Ryerson

July 31, 2009 (Alpine)--"Look how close you are!" exclaimed Lynn Hopewell, a guest of the overnight event at Lions, Tigers, and Bears in Alpine. "When I was up in Las Vegas I saw the cats at the MGM Grand, but this is a totally different experience," added Hopewell, who was amazed at how close you could get to the big cats.

The occasion was a campout last weekend to help raise funds for exotic animals at East County’s big-cat rescue facility. About thirty five guests attended the event, which included a rustic barbecue dinner prepared by the crew. Guests brought their own tents and set them up in a grassy area right next to the Big Cat enclosures. Guests were free to roam around the area and check out the variety of wild cats in the enclosures, which included tigers, lions, bobcats, mountain lions, leopards, and more.

June 27, 2009 (Alpine_ Looking for a wild time? East County's only big cat sanctuary invites you to spend a wild night in the country with Raja and Bakari at Lions Tigers & Bears. Pitch a tent and set-up camp next to the big cats--or opt for more luxurious lodging--complete with wine and dinner.