Local News

February 21st, 2008

Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club Honors Wounded Warrior

Escondido Councilman Ed Gallo did the honors recently, when the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club honored another of its Wounded Warriors in their Operation Hero Program.

Marine Corporal Jeremiah Hill was actually injured twice. The first was when he was out on patrol in his Humvee and an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) detonated next to his vehicle. He was knocked unconscious from the blast for several minutes and suffered multiple injuries, including a severe concussion. The second was when he was out on foot patrol and again, an IED went off very close to him. He again received severe concussive injuries.

Corporal Hill is now recovering at the San Diego Naval Hospital. He was accompanied by his wife, Danielle, and their seven month old daughter, Hannah.

The Operation Hero program honors one of our fallen military comrades. He is shown he has not been forgotten, that his contribution to our nation and its security is recognized and appreciated. As a small token of that admiration, at the conclusion of our program, Councilman Gallo presented a check from the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club for $500. The honored Marines are unaware of this so it always comes as rather a pleasant surprise.

The Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday morning, 7am, at Cocina del Charro Restaurant, 525 N. Quince, Escondido.

If you’d be interested in attending or joining, call 760.747.7119. Ask for Lyle or Evelyn.

L-R, President Maurice Weaver, Lyle Davis, Corporal Jeremiah Hill, City Councilmember Ed Gallo, Danielle Hill and daughter Hannah.

Seniors Have it ALL!

ALL Program gives seniors with diabetes access to the medication they need.

Vista Community Clinic is currently enrolling diabetic seniors (50+) in the ALL program. Funded through a grant from Kaiser Permanente, the ALL program provides free of charge to uninsured patients a medication combination (Aspirin, Lisinopril, and Lovastatin) that reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control, diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Treatment is essential.

For many seniors, prescription medication can be cost prohibitive.

"If our patients weren't getting their medications for free, many would be forced to choose which prescription they could afford to fill." Rachel Aguirre, Project Coordinator.

To be eligible, patients must be diagnosed with diabetes and be at least 50 years of age. Prospective patients can have been prescribed one or two of the drugs but not all three for more than three months. Prospective patients must schedule a provider visit with the Vista Community Clinic to determine eligibility. The Vista Community Clinic welcomes both insured and uninsured patients. Medication is free only to the uninsured and only through prescription.

The Vista Community Clinic offers comprehensive services for diabetics through the Diabetes STEPS Program. Over 400 patients currently receive a full spectrum of care including clinical services, health education, and psychosocial support, all at reduced costs.

Vista Community Clinic operates five clinic sites in the cities of Vista and Oceanside. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (760) 631-5000 or visit www.vistacommunityclinic.org

Teacher Who Didn’t Know How to Read . . . Keynote Speaker at Carlsbad Optimist Club

The Optimist Club of Carlsbad has scheduled John Corcoran, author of "Bridge to Literacy: No Child or Adult Left Behind" for Wednesday, March 12, 2008. Mr. Corcoran will be the keynote guest speaker at the quarterly evening meeting of the Optimist Club of Carlsbad, held at the El Camino Country Club, 3202 Valley Glenn Rd., Oceanside, Ca.

Mr. Corcoran taught school for 17 years without knowing how to read. He has appeared on The Oprah Show, Larry King Live and 20/20 discussing his own personal road to literacy, and his strong belief in the phonics system. He is an avid advocate for education who served under former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton for the National Institute for Literacy.

Event begins at 6:30pm, dinner available if desired. For reservations and/or general information about speaker contact : JEANNIE ESPOSITO (760) 727-9799. Note: no charge for attending this event, dinner is optional.

Past Escondido Chamber Business Leaders of the Year Meet To Select This Year's Recipient

Representing a variety of industries and disciplines, past recipients of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year Award are meeting now to decide on the 2008 recipient.

Committee chair is Mike Peters, Bank of Escondido president, the 2007 recipient.The award was first made in 1994 when Robert Crouch, of Mountain Meadow Mushroom, was honored. The following year, Angelo Damante, Mercedes-Benz of Escondido principal, was so honored, and following Damante Bob McClure, San Diego Wild Animal Park general manager, took the Chamber's top award. Bruce Dunn made a splash the next year as the Mission Pools leader was selected; he was followed by the first physician to win the award: Dr. Nicholas Tsoulos, of Children's Primary Care Medical Group. Realtor Paul Van Elderen, Hanson Commercial Real Estate president, The Raymond Companies Jack Raymond, orthodontist Larry Michel, of Hidden Valley Orthodontics, Attorney Carl Skaja, of Skaja & Daniels, and Baker Enterprises Mark Baker round out this exclusive list.

The Chamber's 2008 Business Leader of the Year recipient will be honored at the Chamber's installation and awards banquet on Friday evening, June 6th, at Orfila Vineyards. This year's theme: A Taste of Tuscany. At the event, public relations professional Tom Hogarty, principal of Hogarty Communications, will take the Chamber's chairman mantle from Floyd Farley, Graybill Medical Group CEO.

Tribute to Glenn Miller and the Fabulous Dorsey Brothers

This Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 7:30pm, the Tex Beneke Orchestra appears at the California Center for the Arts - Escondido
Some of the greatest music of all time will be re-created by an all-star cast in a tribute to Glenn Miller and the Fabulous Dorsey Brothers. This show features Debby Boone, The Pied Pipers, String of Pearls, Dorsey Brother alumni, and the Tex Beneke Orchestra.

Enjoy such hits as "Tuxedo Junction", "String of Pearls", "In the Mood" and "St. Louis Blues March". In a tribute to the Fabulous Dorsey Brothers the Tex Beneke Orchestra will feature such Dorsey classics as "So Rare", "Song of India", "Green Eyes" and "Tangerine".

Special guest star for this memorable evening is the lovely and talented Debby Boone. Debby Boone earned instant fame in 1977 when "You Light Up My Life" became an overnight hit.

Tickets are available at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido box office, or by calling 1-800-988-4253.

Liberty Tax Service Files Free Returns For Taxpayers Who Don't Meet Regular Filing Requirements

The tax stimulus package means rebates for most taxpayers, including people who would not normally file a tax return.

If you are eligible for a rebate, you need to file a 2007 tax return. Liberty Tax Service is offering to prepare tax returns at no charge until March 31st for select taxpayers who have no tax liability. Anyone who has questions can e-mail taxrebates@libertytax.com for more information. Or call: 760-233-0180.