By Miriam Raftery

(Canine Companions for Independence)

April 1, 2009 (San Diego County) – Disabled seniors and organizations that serve senior citizens can obtain free service dogs thanks to a grant provided by the Gary and Mary West Foundation. Canine Companions for Independence will provide dogs to help seniors throughout San Diego County with tasks such as opening doors, retrieving objects, and even alerting hearing impaired owners to ringing phones or doorbells. “CCI assistance dogs can help seniors in their homes or at treatment centers. We’d like to reach as many people as possible!” said Linda Valliant, CCI Southwest Executive Director in Oceanside.

“I really can’t imagine my life today or any time in the future without a CPI dog,” said Peter Wolcott of Santee, who relies on his golden retriever, Shelton, to fetch items and more. “It has enriched my life immeasurably, not only from the assistance aspect but also from the companionship aspect.” View a video by Rob Constantine of Wolcott and his CCI dog, Shelton:

Wild horse sculptures

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2009 (Borrego)—Visitors to Anza-Borrego may be startled by the vision of life-sized metal sculptures of dinosaurs, mastodons and other prehistoric creatures rising from the desert floor like sentinels of a forgotten era.  Other sculptures portray wild horses, birds of prey, tortoises, a saber-tooth tiger and Native American themes.  The creations by sculptor Ricardo Breceda are just some of the many surprises in store for those who visit the Anza-Borrego Desert, a treasure trove of hidden gems.

April 8, 2009 (Valley Center) - Remember Charlie Brown's quest to grow the Great Pumpkin? Now you can grow your own jumbo-sized jack-o-lantern. The San Diego County Farm Bureau is putting on the first Valley Center Pumpkin Growing Contest at the Valley Center Certified Farmers’ Market. Anyone interested in participating can pick up free pumpkin seeds from the farmers’ market manager, Lorrie Scott, at the Thursday markets during the month of April.

March 14, 2009 (El Cajon)--Singing Hills Animal Hospital is seeking a good home for two labrador retrievers whose owner boarded the dogs but died during surgery. The goal is to place both dogs together in the same home. According to an e-mail received by East County Magazine from a friend of the owner, the dogs are friendly and obedient. Jake, a brown male lab, is 6 years old and neutered. Rainy, a 5-year-old female black lab, has been spayed. Both dogs have had shots and been dewormed.

March 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.)--A tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid. Learn how you can take advantage of this $8,000 tax credit to buy the home of your dreams.

March 1, 2009 (Rancho San Diego)--"How can I get rid of my grass?" "What low water groundcover withstands foot traffic?" Can I have color in my garden without using much water?"

February 27, 2009 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon Teen Coalition presents a "Youth of the Year" Award to recognize those who go above and beyond in serving their community either through their leadership abilities and/or their quality or level of community service in El Cajon. Leadership can be defined as those individuals who consistently facilitate a team vision and help guide others toward success. Community service helps better the community through the value and impact of those served.

February. 17, 2009 (San Diego) — Due to a decline in commodity
costs, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) natural gas customers can expect
their heating bills to be 20-percent lower this winter than last year, the
utility company has announced.

February 17, 2009 (La Mesa) — TheWheelchair Dancers
Organization, sponsored by the Sharp Grossmont Foundation, is offering 8
weeks of free wheelchair ballroom dance classes. This is the
first wheelchair ballroom dance program ever offered in San Diego by
a professionally certified wheelchair dance instructor, William Valencia. Dance
classes start on Thursday, February 19, from 12 Noon-1:00 pm., Sharp Grossmont
Rehabilitation Center, 5555 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa, for wheelchair users
with or without partners.

February 12, 2009 (Santee) -- The Cameron Family YMCA in Santee will host their annual Free Gymnastics Day on Sat., Feb. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is a special day of fun in the branch's fully-equipped gymnastics center for boys and girls ages three to 13 years of age. The Cameron Family YMCA is located at 10123 Riverwalk Drive in Santee.

January 19, 2009 (Santee) — Sport Clips, providers of "championship haircuts"
for men and boys in a sports-themed environment, announced today a Cut-A-Thon
at their new Santee-area store to benefit the local Boys & Girls Club.

Customers that donate $5 to the organization on either Saturday, January 24
from 9 to 6 p.m. or Sunday, January 25 from 10 to 5 p.m. will receive a free
"MVP" haircut.

January 10, 2008 (San Diego) — This holiday season, arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) shot up 15% countywide. Whether more people engaged in holiday merrymaking or drowning their sorrows amid a bleak economy remains unknown, but Sheriff's credit increased enforcement action with the spike in drunk driving busts.

January 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
becomes the first multi-campus district in California to ban smoking starting
New Year's Day.

"In the long run, we have done something very valuable for this district,"
said governor board president Bill Garrett.

Deanne Weeks said the district has a responsibility to "be ahead of the curve." 

The East County Family Justice Center , opened in mid-December, will
offer a broad cross-section of services in one location for victims of domestic
violence and their children.

Assemblyman Joel Anderson, a supporter of efforts to assist victims of domestic
violence, announced the opening in a newsletter to constituents. ''Over 3,000
domestic violence incidents are reported in San Diego 's East County annually,''
said Anderson. ''Research shows that for every reported case there are two
more that go un-reported.''

Quintessential hometown fun

By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero

La
Mesa (December 1, 2008) — Santa Claus is coming to town!

On December 12-13, the La Mesa Village will magically transform with Christmas
lights, sparkling window displays and open fire pits. Visitors can enjoy carnival
rides, puppet shows, four stages showcasing homegrown talent, and ride ponies,
carriage, and fire truck.