Don't miss Oklahoma!
     ALPINE — Don’t miss the week’s performances of Oklahoma! by Alpine’s middle school students April 21 through 30 at the Alpine Woman’s Club.
The young actors and actresses, coached by Susan Lancaster, have been rehearsing and building sets since January.
     Performances will be held April 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30, and curtain time is 7 p.m. Saturday’s shows also include dinner — an Oklahoma style barbecue — for an additional $10 per person. 
     Tickets may be purchased at Boulder Oaks school or from any member of the cast and crew.

Wild Miles relay to finish in Pine Valley
     PINE VALLEY — The inaugural Wild Miles Adventure Relay, a 183-mile running relay set for May 21-22, 2005, will end in Pine Valley. The relay will consist of 250 teams of 10 runners each. The course consists of 30 legs with distances of three miles to a half-marathon on mostly rural roads. 
     The course will start on the desert floor in Borrego Springs and wind its way through or near the communities of Ranchita, Plaster City, Ocotillo, Jacumba, Boulevard, Live Oak Springs, La Posta and Boulder Oaks, and finish in Pine Valley. 
     Teams looking for additional team members or individuals looking to join up with a team are encouraged to post a message on the Wild Miles website message board.
     The event will benefit the Challenged Athlete Foundation, a non-profit organization which provides opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities to pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and competitive athletics.

Biggest rummage sale to take place
     ALPINE — The huge rummage sale at the Alpine Community Church, 2225 Victoria Drive, will take place from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., April 29 and 30. It will offer just about everything, from furniture to yard and garden equipment.
     Prices will be kept low and all merchandize will be in excellent condition. Spanish speaking interpreters will be on hand to assist.

AARP to offer driver safety course
     LA MESA — Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center will host its Driver Safety Course from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 7 and 14, at Grossmont Hospital’s Brier Patch Campus, Classroom 16, 9000 Wakarusa, La Mesa. Reservations are required. 
     The cost is $10. Call 641-7020.

Historical Society releases new book 
     ALPINE — The Alpine Historical Society recently completed a compilation of the writings of Alpine pioneer Neil Galloway. The articles were published between Feb. 15, 1962 and May 3, 1962 by the Alpine Echo newspaper. Mr. Galloway wrote about his fifty-three years in Alpine and the people he knew.
     Jim Hinds gathered all the articles, which were re-typed by Carol Walker exactly as originally printed—including typographical, grammatical and spelling errors. The book is $5, and is available at the Chamber of Commerce Office and the Historical Society Museum, 2116 Tavern Road, the last weekend of each month. 
     For further information, or to obtain a copy of the book, one may call Carol Morrison at 445-2544.    

Blood Bank comes to Alpine
     ALPINE — The bloodmobile will accept blood donations at a public blood drive hosted by Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 2569 Victoria Dr., Alpine, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm., Sunday, April 24.
     All donors will be awarded a T-shirt, as well as a voucher for a 8” x 10” portrait, compliments of SEARS Portrait Studio, a voucher for a Fantastic Sam’s haircut and a voucher for a Genie Car Wash. Donors also will receive a medical history review and mini-physical, which includes blood pressure, pulse and temperature checks.
     For donor requirements or to make an appointment, call the San Diego Blood Bank at (800) 4MY-SDBB.

Novelty dog show planned
     ALPINE — The Alpine Lions Club will present its First Annual Novelty/Fun Dog Show at 9 a.m., June 4, at the Tom C. Dyke Park on 1000 Tavern Road. 
     There are 20 categories for competition, from Dog Honoree mayor would like to take home but can’t to Dog who ate New York (and looks it too).
     There will be ribbons, food, prizes, and fun!
     For more information, contact Becky at 445-6201 or e-mail her.

Homemakers offer best deals in town
     CAMPO — The new Mountain Empire Homemakers thrift store, located at 987 Sheridan Rd. across from the Campo Senior Center, is regularly open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Homemakers use thrift shop proceeds to fund scholarships for local students and donate to other community programs.
     For further information, one may call Sue Fallgren at 478-2149.

BCLT celebrates Wrights field
     ALPINE — The Backcountry Land Trust is hosting a potluck and get acquainted day at Wright’s Field this Saturday, April 24, from 1 to 10 p.m.
     The public is invited to share in the day’s activities and meet BCLT members and learn more about plans to use the the preserve for education and other community benefits.
     Start at the home of Dave and Yolaine Stout‚ 1833 White Oak Drive. Follow Tavern Road south 1.5 miles, turn left just past Joan McQueen Middle School onto White Oak Drive, to the second house on the right.
     For further information, one may call 445-4443 or e-mail Yolaine Stout or Dave Stout.

Groups team up to love Alpine clean 
     ALPINE – The Alpine Chamber of Commerce will hold the “I love a clean Alpine” event on Saturday, April 30.
Participants should meet at the triangle in the center of town to pick up vests and trash bags. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with a free continental breakfast and safety demonstration. The Alpine Kiwanis Club will host a free lunch afterward.
     For more information or to register contact the chamber at 445-2722 or e-mail. 
     Backcountry Land Trust will hold a concomitant event at the Wright’s Field Preserve – Alpine’s first nature preserve.
     Volunteers will be working hand-in-hand with local students, who can receive community service letters for hours worked. 

Church takes itself out to the ballgame
     SAN DIEGO – Chapel of the Hills Church has planned an outing to Petco Park following morning worship on Sunday, May 1. People are encouraged to wear sporting clothes to church as the Church Bus will leave directly after the service.

Chapel of the Hills to host camp out
     Chapel of the Hills Church will host a camp out from 2 p.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3-5 at the Wooded Hills Group Camp. The area offers great hiking, pine and oak trees and mountain bike trails. The trip offers a variety of activities, meals, and music around the campfire. The cost is $35 per site.
     For more information, including directions and what to bring, contact Chapel of the Hills Church.

Project C.A.R.E. helps those who live alone
     Project C.A.R.E. may be able to help those who live alone or those concerned about a senior who lives alone.
     This is a community program that involves community service agencies and local businesses in providing services to any senior or disabled person. Programs include RUOK, Postal Alert, Gatekeeper, Vial of Life, YANA (You Are Not Alone), Safe Return and more. These free programs help maintain people in their homes. 
     For more information, call 740-4214.

Last chance to purchase discount tickets
     ALPINE — Early-bird-priced tickets for the upcoming Sage & Songbirds Garden Tour and/or “Ladies Sing the Blues” dinner concert purchased or postmarked by April 15 will be available at the discount rate of $12 per person for the garden tour and $30 per person or $50 per couple for the dinner concert.
     All proceeds from the event benefit habitat education programs for our schoolyards and backyards.
     For further information, one may call CHIRP at 445-7675.

Library to hold forum on community needs
     ALPINE — The Alpine Branch of the San Diego County Library will host a forum at the Alpine Community Center at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, to talk about the needs of the community and about how the library can do a better job of serving the community.
     The library wants to learn how to improve services to current customers and how to serve community members who are not currently using the library. 
     A trained facilitator will conduct the forum to be sure that everyone has an opportunity to participate.
     For more information, one may call Connie McKeever at 659-8390.

Spirit choir accepting new members
     ALPINE — Alpine children between the ages of six and 13 are invited to join the Spirit Choir. 
     Directed by Joanne Ginkel, with husband Ludwig Ginkel as production manager, the youngsters meet every Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Alpine Community Church. There they learn lively new fun songs and rehearse older ones. 
     The choir sings about once a month and on special holiday occasions during the church’s worship service. Contact Ginkel at 445 8480 for more information.

MOMS Club ‘Dress for Success’ suit drive
     ALPINE — For the month of April, the MOMS Club of Alpine/Mountain Empire will be conducting a women’s suit drive to benefit “Dress for Success,” a nonprofit organization that helps low-income women transition into the workforce.
     All donations to the suit drive should be in excellent condition, clean and on hangers to preserve the garments in ready-to-wear condition. Rockin’ Nails Salon (2710 Alpine Blvd., Suite D) will be accepting donations to the women’s suit drive throughout the month of April.
     For information, one may call Jennifer Doucet at 665-7287.

Kindergarten enrollment is underway
     ALPINE — Enrollment for kindergarten 2005-06 began April 11. Enrollment packets are available at Creekside Early Learning Center and at all Alpine elementary schools, the Alpine Union School District office, Viejas Indian School, and Joan MacQueen Middle School.
Children born on or before Dec. 2, 2000 are eligible to attend kindergarten. 
     To register your child for kindergarten, you must provide a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, a physical dated after April 2, 2005, up-to-date immunization records, and current proof of residence such as an electric bill, propane bill, water bill or tax bill.
     Please call CELC at 659-8250 for further information. 
The Creekside Early Learning Center office is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.