The 'Give Them a Hand' Award

A rose to all the volunteers who are helping nurse an injured miniature horse back to health.

Spike, as the horse was known by some, was mauled by a pack of pit bulls after they dragged him out of his Paradise Mountain corral four months ago. It took the assistance of many gracious volunteers (including a plastic surgeon, equine therapists, area rancher and others) to bring the little horse back to health. They now call him Chance.

His recovery was not always easy and required much time and effort on the part of all involved.

And the outpouring of support speaks volumes about the caring people of the region.

The 'Time to Hang it Up' award

A raspberry to the backcountry volunteer fire departments that are balking at new contracts requiring firefighters to take a physical exam.

As part of the county's new fire plan, volunteers would be covered by insurance, which means firefighters would have to take a medical exam. Many of the volunteers, including those in leadership positions, acknowledge that they could not pass the exams because of high blood pressure, weight or other health problems.

That includes the 73-year-old chief of the San Pasqual Volunteer Fire Department, who, by the way, can't lift more than 50 pounds or wear a breathing apparatus.

Don't get us wrong: We think it's wonderful that anyone would want to do this strenuous and often dangerous work, but maybe it's time for the older volunteers to retire and for others to get in shape before they end up hurting themselves or others.

And, in a similar vein, maybe it's time for their younger, fitter neighbors to step up and protect their communities.

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The 'Second Effort' Award

A rose to local officials who have come up with an alternate North County route for the multiple-day 2010 Amgen bike race organizers to consider.

The organizers recently rejected the suggestion it use the same route it took this year, which went from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido by way of Palomar Mountain -- not because it wasn't successful, but because they believed it was too hard to pull off with one less day planned for next year's contest.

Bright minds with the San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau came up with the alternate route that seemed more appealing to the race officials. Nonetheless, North County still only has a 50 percent chance of landing the annual event.

We can't think of a better venue for the race and these renewed efforts to land it again are successful.

RELATED LINKS:

RAMONA: Volunteers give mauled horse another 'Chance'

REGION: Volunteer firefighters may not sign contracts with the county

 REGION: New coastal route may persuade bike race to return next year