Video Documents American War Heroes Sleeping On San Diego Streets
Printer-friendly version homeless sleeping next to the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier museum, Downtown San Diego With all the vehicles on the streets of America sporting those little yellow “Support Our Troops,” ribbons, it is truly ironic that we have more than 200,000 veterans who are homeless. But not many Americans realize it. Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney, of Crystal Pyramid Productions, a San Diego video production company, shot footage at the 20th anniversary of Stand Down in 2007 for the Veterans Administration (VA). Stand Down is a three-day event that allows homeless veterans to come in off the streets for a shower, hot meals and a change of clothing. Additionally, the veterans also receive medical, dental and holistic treatment, as well as counseling and legal advice from caring volunteers. The San Diego Stand Down became the model for dozens of other Stand Downs that have been generated across the country by people who thought it a tragedy to have our war heroes sleeping on our streets. A homeless Iraq war vet and her pet Schulze and Mooney were shocked to learn of the huge number of homeless veterans in the U.S. After spending two days interviewing and getting to know some of the men and women who had served our country, some without limbs, and all without homes, Mooney broke down in tears. “Three days of reprieve from the streets and now they have to go back out there. We have to do something for them!” she told Schulze. He comforted her, “Why don’t we do what we do best? Let’s make a documentary.” Documentary producers Patty Mooney and Mark Schulze interview David "The Water Man" Ross who appears in "The Invisible Ones." It took a year for the couple to make “The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans”. They interviewed Congressman Bob Filner, Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee; Congresswoman Susan Davis, Chair of the Military Personnel Committee; Gary Becks, Director of Rescue Task Force; Dr. Jon Nachison, Co-Founder of San Diego Stand Down; Al Pavich, Former Commander and Retired CEO of VVSD (Veterans Village of San Diego); Darcy Pavich, Chaplain and Stand Down Coordinator; Brigadier General Bob Cardenas; Robert Schmidt, Director of Vince Lombardi Association; Jessica Brian and Michael Kilmer, Veterans Administration Outreach Therapists, and several homeless veterans. A homeless veteran at Chicano Park, San Diego All contributions to this documentary have been pro bono, even down to the music, box cover graphics, website creation and DVD replication. Mooney edited at night and on weekends, grappling with technical difficulties, and whenever she thought of quitting, she remembered, “there are veterans who are homeless tonight and we have to help them.” The couple delivered the completed DVD to Darcy Pavich, at the 2008 Stand Down. The chaplain’s eyes welled up as she said, “Do you know how many video crews have come and gone over the last 20 years who said they would send us clips? You are the first ones who did what you said you were going to do.” Churches, veterans associations, philanthropy clubs and others are welcome to request the DVD for free and share it with their members. All revenue generated from sales and showings of the documentary will go to homeless veterans organizations such as VVSD and the National Coalition for the Homeless. A website, www.theinvisibleones.org informs visitors how they may be of assistance to homeless veterans. Money is welcome; volunteering time is priceless. For further information on “The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans” go to www.theinvisibleones.org or call (619) 644-3000. Printer-friendly version
TALKING TURKEY: BEST THANKSGIVING OPTIONS FOR EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Credit: Leon Thompson Whether your holiday spirit hearkens for a traditional feast or offbeat alternative activities, you’ll find plenty of tempting choices in and around East County this Thanksgiving weekend. Here are a few of my favorite discoveries for ECM readers to savor: Wild turkeys outside Pine Hills Lodge, Julian. Credit: Miriam Raftery Feast in the Woods: Pine Hills Lodge in Julian is famed for its Thanksgiving feasts ($40 per adult, $24.95 for kids 10 and under). Reservations required for holiday meals served at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. Watch for wild turkeys on the grounds of this historic haven. This year’s gourmet menu includes carrot and ginger soup, Kensington salad with creamy apple cider dressing, roast Tom turkey with giblet gravy and cranberry orange relish, smoked ham with mango glaze, corn bread sage dressing with apples, nuts and dry fruits, candied baked yams, French and wax beans almondine, garlic mashed potatoes, and an array of tempting deserts. (www.pinehillslodge.com) Dixie Express will perform at the Dixieland Jazz Festival Dixieland Jazz Festival & Champagne Dinner: A Thanksgiving feast is part of the five-day music festival at the Town and Country Hotel November 26-30. Easily accessible from East County, this 29th annual event features many East County musicians with bands ranging from traditional jazz to Dixieland, swing and classic jazz style. Thanksgiving dinner buffet ($30 for walk-ins, $28 for festival attendees) features champagne, cheese and baguettes, fresh sliced fruits with honey-poppy seed dip, harvest salads ranging from creamy Waldorf to three bean, carved-to-order turkey or herb-crusted sirloin of beef, potaties, gravy, herb stuffing, candied yams, an assortment of vegetables, old-fashioned pies or chocolate-cherry black forest cake. (www.dixielandjazzfestival.org) Share Thanksgiving dinner with the Indians: The Barona Resort & Casino in Lakeside offers a Thanksgiving feast prepared by award-winning chef Dean Thomas in its fine-dining venue, the Barona Oaks Steakhouse. Wines paired to each course are also included. This tempting array includes roasted pumpkin soup with Vermont cheddar croutons, stuffed turkey tenderloin with cranberry-orange relish, roasted root vegetables and gravy, followed by pumpkin cheesecake topped with cinnamon gelato accompanied by a maple crisp. Cost: $42 per person. Or opt for the $29.95 all-you-can eat buffet at Barona’s Ranch House Buffet, offering a cornucopia of Thanksgiving dishes. Reservations recommended. (barona.com/about/press-releases/101606.html) Skate the Night Away: Southern California’s largest outdoor ice rink at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine is open all night on Thanksgiving, providing an idyllic way to work off holiday pounds under the stars after your Thanksgiving feast. Skating costs $12 for 90 minutes, including skate rental. (www.shopviejas.com) Midnight Madness Shopping Spree: Start holiday shopping when the clock strikes midnight at 12:01 a.m. on November 28th at the Viejas Outlet Mall in Alpine. Shop ‘til dawn to catch those early bird specials, then relax over a cup of coffee – free to the first 500 shoppers starting at 5 a.m. (www.shopviejas.com) Editor Miriam Raftery is thankful for the surprising cornucopia of delights East County has to offer. Printer-friendly version
WATER FOR CHILDREN AFRICA PRESENTS THE 12TH AFRICAN TRADE AND BUSINESS CONFERENCE NOV. 22
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 17, 2008 (San Diego) — The twelfth Annual Africa Trade and Business Conference sponsored by Water For Children Africa will be held November 21-23, 2008. Inspired after a visit to Africa with her mother, El Cajon resident Vickie Butcher founded the nonprofit organization to create infrastructure for bringing clean, safe water and medical supplies to help children in rural African villages. “We will have nonprofit, religious, and education groups, as well as members of the Peace Corps participating,” said Butcher, executive director of Water for Children Africa and chair of the conference. “The public is invited to our event, which will focus on shared knowledge of the many organizations serving people in need and providing development support in Africa. The conference will kick off on Friday, November 21st with a free Community Forum open to the public held at the Malcolm X Library from 2-4 pm. Chuck Ambers of the Casa Del Rey Morro Museum in Old Town will lead a discussion on safe water in rural villages in Africa and in our own community. The conference workshops hosted on Saturday, November 22nd at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park will culminate with a tour of the museum exhibit, ‘H2O = Life’ which is the motto of this non-profit organization. Vickie Butcher Presenters include Dr. Ronnie Lowenstein of Lowenstein & Associates from Washington D.C. and Mick Adkisson of Smart Technologies who co-chair the recently formed Water for Children Africa Technology Task force. Spotlighted will be emerging partnerships, eg., with SMART Technologies and Foshay Learning Center’s NetGeneration of Youth Cyberjournalist Ambassadors representing Congresswoman Diane E. Watson’s Los Angeles school district (eighteen students will interview participants and honorees); and with Panwapa, a program of Sesame Workshop and Merrill Lynch that cultivates global citizenship. A workshop presentation will be offered that highlights “Technology as a Tool of Transformation, Ensuring Economic, Educational Empowerment in Africa.” Saturday’s special guest luncheon speaker will be James Callan, Associate Administrator Risk Management Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture. The evening Maji Ni Maisha “Water is Life” Benefit Gala and Silent Auction will be held on the San Diego Maritime Museum’s USS Berkley located next to the Star of India on Harbor Drive. The evening will be dedicated to the late Director of San Diego State University’s International Student Center, Ron Moffatt. Bill Stumbaugh, assistant Governor of Rotary International for East County, will highlight activities of Rotary throughout the African Continent at a shared knowledge workshop panel on Saturday at 1 p.m. Emerging partnerships in smart technologies will be spotlighted and a Panwapa program created by Sesame workshops, which cultivates global citizenship. A workshop presentation will be offered that highlights technology as a tool of transformation insuring economic and educational empowerment in Africa. Individuals and organizations who have contributed to Africa as well as to our local community will be honored at the Gala and Silent Auction on the USS Berkley. Among them is Bishop George McKinney who will also serve as guest speaker at the Pray for Africa Day on Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 3 to 5 pm at Bethel AME Church on the corner of 31st and K Street. A candle light special ceremony with 54 flags provided by the United Nations Association representing the 54 Nations in Africa will be followed by a prayer for Africa by First Lady of Bethel AME Church, Rev. Dorisalene Hughes. Among those on the Honor Roll of Service to be recognized at the Gala are: Rev. John Ringgold of Bethel Baptist Church; Makeda Dred of the World Beat Center; Evangelist Mary Page of St. Paul’s Church of God In Christ; Alemi Daba and Walter Lam of the Alliance for African Assistance; Marnyce McKell, Connect International and Tema Sister Cities Society; Mr. Roque Borros of the Jacob Center; Mr. Rudy Johnson, Neighborhood House; Rotary District 5340 and the Makau Family Foundation for building a clinic and an orphanage in Kenya. All past Water For Children Africa Team members will be recognized. A special salute of appreciation will be extended to David Massey, Education director at the San Diego Natural History Museum for the guidance he and his staff have provided. Kathy Loper Events has chosen Water For Children Africa as beneficiary of the 2009 Super Run on January 31, 2009. For more information visit our web site. Registration information is available at the Malcolm X Library and online at www.waterforchildrenafrica.org or email water4childrenafrica@cox.net for further details or questions. Early RSVPs are encouraged. Printer-friendly version
WINGS & SNOW ART RECEPTION NOV. 20 – GREEN ANGELS & ORNAMENTS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 17, 2008 (El Cajon) — This holiday season, Sophie’s Art Gallery is going green with a collection of art made form recycled materials. Green angels are made from recycled wood, blue jean jackets saved from the landfill, and ornaments made from found objects. The public is invited to a reception on November 20th from 5:30 to 8:30 to help support Sophie’s in saving the environment. Live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Suggested donation is $20. The green holiday art collection will be on display form November 20 through January 5th. The art program is a project of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, which provides programs to assist disabled adults. The Center recently received a grant from Oprah Winfrey’s “Oprah’s Big Give” drive in recognition of its efforts to serve our community. For more information, visit www.stmsc.org, e-mail sophiesgallery@stmsc.org, or call (619)593-2205. Printer-friendly version