The San Diego Fifty-Sixers with the support of Starbuck’s Coffee of Escondido, Starbuck’s Coffee of Rancho Bernardo, and Starbuck’s Coffee of Poway are conducting their 2008 drive to collect donations of art supplies, coloring books, and puzzle books for Rady’s Children’s Hospital.

For twelve years, the San Diego Fifty-Sixers, a village collectors’ group, has created lighted village displays to brighten the lives of Children’s Hospital’s patients, families, and staff during the holidays. Their Lighting Up Lives mission statement is “We create a magical world on a tabletop to bring happiness to children suffering with reality.”


This year, members will collect donations of art supplies, coloring books, and puzzle books at the front entrance of Rady’s Children’s Hospital, Saturday, November 22 from 9:00 AM to noon.

Additionally, Starbuck’s shops will have collection baskets to accept donations daily from November 10th to November 20th. Collection baskets can be found at the following Starbuck’s locations:

Escondido

North County Faire 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway, #B255

Felicita & Centre City 1829 S. Centre City Parkway

Escondido & Valley 320 W. Valley Parkway

Valley & Harding 1485 E. Valley Parkway

Valley & I-15 1020 West Valley Parkway

Rancho Bernardo

Carmel Mountain 11885 Carmel Mt. Road, Ste. 909

Rancho Bernardo 11922 Bernardo Plaza Drive

Rancho Bernardo & Pomerado 12469 Rancho Bernardo Road

West Bernardo 11611 Rancho Bernardo Road

Poway

Poway & Community 13479 Poway Road, Ste. 602

Pomerado & Twin Peaks 14835 Pomerado Road

Poway & Oak Knoll 12202 Poway Road

More than 300,000 individuals in San Diego County live below the federal poverty level—with more than 813,000 people suffering from hunger.

This Thanksgiving Day, San Diegan’s have an opportunity to change those numbers by participating in the Sixth Annual Run for the Hungry Thanksgiving Day 5K & 10K. All participants are encouraged to bring one or more non-perishable canned goods which will be donated to the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry, a program of Jewish Family Service, for distribution to local families. Four-legged family members are also encouraged to participate. Participants can register their canine companions in “Riley's Run” and for a $10 fee, friendly, leashed dogs can accompany their owners and receive a special race bandana, enjoy water stations along the course, and receive a treat at the finish line.

Registration is easy and simple online (visit the website listed below) or by calling Kathy Loper Events at (619) 298-7400.

Proceeds from the event benefit Jewish Family Service’s Hand Up Youth Food Pantry and Foodmobile Program, and the San Diego Food Bank.

Run for the Hungry is guaranteed to be a great time, a great course, and for a great cause.

Singles! Please join us for a festive and fun-filled evening as Club One Christian Singles presents our 4th Annual “Christmas Gala & Dinner Dance” on Friday evening, December 12, 2008, from 6:30 pm to Midnight at Cornerstone Community Church in Wildomar. This special evening for singles includes a gourmet dinner buffet, DJ and dancing, and door prizes to be given away throughout the evening, in an alcohol-free environment.

Tickets are on sale now! Take advantage of the "Early Bird" discount price by October 19 for only $25.00! After October 19, tickets are $35.

For ticket sales and more information, please call  951.679.6780  or  951.452.9005.

The San Diego Chapter of the American Liver Foundation will hold its Sixth Annual Flavors of San Diego Culinary Gala on Monday, March 2, 2009 at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa.

The Flavors Gala is a national culinary event that spotlights 25 of San Diego’s premier chefs and creates an extraordinary gourmet experience for each guest.

Proceeds from the Gala will directly benefit the American Liver Foundation - San Diego Chapter, helping fund treatments and cures for over 100 known liver and gallbladder diseases which effect infants, children and adults. We are pleased to announce KUSI News Anchor Bridget Naso as our 2009 Master of Ceremonies and local celebrity, Bill Menish as our 2009 and Auctioneer!

During the Gala each chef prepares a five course gourmet dinner with wine pairings for their table of ten guests. Each table is adorned with beautiful centerpieces and uniquely decorated by his or her restaurant.

You can also enjoy a wonderful cocktail reception, appetizer samplings from all of the chefs signature cuisine and wine parings of their chef host and a silent auction

This is a memorable evening where San Diegans get to see these culinary masters at work—showcasing their imaginations and exceptional talents—while also benefiting the American Liver Foundation.

So please come out and support this great cause!

Response to this "Letters of Hope" posting has been tremendous -- thank you!

The Letters of Hope organization is asking for, simply that.  Letters of hope to send to our military personnel who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Cards and letters that offer love, support and understanding for our military -- along with donations of simple comfort items that are on our soldiers' wish list, such as wash cloths, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, books, magazines, DVDS and any kind of packaged junk food (a fun treat from home).

In the past year, Letters of Hope has touched over 1,000 soldiers, and we're looking for even bigger and better support in the future!  Please call 619-980-9638 or contact Stacy Lynes at the email link below for additional information and how your donations and letters can be accepted.

Did you know that last year more teens abused cough medicine and prescription painkillers than ecstasy, meth and heroin combined? The Partnership for a Drug-Free America encourages you to educate yourself about the prescription drugs teens are abusing. Communicate the dangers of abusing prescription drugs to your teen and Safeguard your medicine cabinet and ask your other family and friends to do the same.

For more information please visit www.drugfree.org.

Are you looking for a loan to start or expand your small business? If so, ACCION San Diego can help! ACCION is a non-profit organization that provides loans ranging from $300 to $35,000 to business owners who may not qualify for a bank loan. Money can be used for inventory, expansion, equipment, cash flow and more.

It's simple to apply; the application can be found on our website at www.accionsandiego.org and the process takes less than 2 weeks. If you are looking for a small loan under $2,000, ACCION San Diego also offers a Quick Loan with a turnaround time of 48 hours. If you have questions or need more information, please call (619) 685-1380. Let ACCION San Diego help you build your credit and make your small business dreams come true!

*ACCION San Diego is a non-profit organization providing loans for low-to-moderate income business owners that lack access to traditional financing.

Help keep your local beaches clean! Join San Diego Coastkeeper and the Surfrider Foundation in protecting San Diego's precious water resources. Volunteers will work outdoors maintaining the beauty of the beach by removing litter. All supplies provided - fun project for the whole family! Cleanups are from 9am -11am. For more information visit www.sdcoastkeeper.org or www.surfridersd.org.

MAY- Coastkeeper
10th – Del Mar – 15th Street/Powerhouse Park. Meet at the grassy area next to the Powerhouse.
24th – Mission Bay - Fiesta Island. Meeting point TBA
JUNE - Surfrider
14th Oceanside – Buccaneer Beach
28th - Pacific Beach - Crystal Pier. Meet by the north side of the pier.
JULY - Surfrider
26th – South Mission Beach. Meet next to public restrooms by the parking lot and lifeguard tower.
AUGUST - Coastkeeper
9th - Carlsbad - Tamarack. Meet at the end of Tamarack Street.
23rd - Pacific Beach Drive. Meet at the end of PB Drive.
SEPTEMBER - Coastkeeper
6th – La Jolla Shores. Meet by the lifeguard tower.
OCTOBER - Surfrider
11th - Torrey Pines State Beach. Meet at the lifeguard tower by the entrance to the South parking lot
25th - Mission Beach – Belmont Park. Meet at the grassy area on the south side of roller coaster
NOVEMBER - Coastkeeper
8th - Seaside Beach, Encinitas - Meet in the parking lot.
22nd - Ocean Beach Jetty - Meet at Dog Beach.
DECEMBER - Surfrider
13th - Imperial Beach Pier - Meet by the north side of the pier at the end of Elm St.