MEHS drama sings ‘Happily Ever After’
     PINE VALLEY — The Mountain Empire High School Drama Club will be presenting the musical Happily Ever After for four performances. The play features all your beloved fairy tale characters: Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, the Big Bad Wolf, Two Prince Charmings and many, many more.
     It's a fun-filled night of fun and laughter for the whole family. Students from Mountain Empire's High School, Middle School, and Elementary schools make up this huge cast of dwarfs, rabbits, princesses, an evil witch, and more. 
     Performances are Thursday, April 21 at 4 p.m.; Friday, April 22 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m.; and a special matinee on Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7:00 for Adults and $3.00 for children 12 and under.

Sign up for novelty/fun dog show
     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.

No-cost chipping available
     There is a no-cost chipping service for fire hazard reduction available to the following communities: Alpine, Descanso, Pine Valley, Japatul Road, Lyons Valley, Guatay, Morena Valley, Boulder Creek, Sherilton Valley, Morena Valley and Boulder Oaks.
To receive the free chipping service residents can call the Fire Safe Council office at 562-0096 and tell the coordinator you would like to have the service.
     Residential addresses must be clearly marked at the street and on the house. The pile must be accessible within five feet of road and or driveway. The chipping crew is not responsible for cutting or moving brush.
     No palm, cactus, poison oak, or ice plant will be chipped. No rocks, trash, construction materials or excessive dirt in piles.

NRA holds meetings in Alpine
     ALPINE — The East County chapter National Rifle Association is now holding meetings in Alpine at the Bread Basket restaurant. 
     Regular meetings will now be held the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
     At the last meeting the group was entertained by retired Fish and Game representative Bob Turner with a slide show on American Mountain lions. 
     Bob Maupin at Hi Pass Sports will accept applications from new members and those wishing to become active in the NRA.

Boulder Oaks to host Western Days
     ALPINE — The Boulder Oaks Elementary School PTA is hosting Western Days Carnival for the youth of Alpine on Friday, Apr. 15. The evening will include games, a rock wall, a cakewalk, good music, great food and a silent auction.
     The program will raise money for the 460 students at the school. Local businesses are encouraged to help by donating goods or services.
     For more information, one may call PTA President Carrie Schimke at 445-8676, or E-mail her.

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.

Viejas Casino to host fun ride
     ALPINE — Viejas Casino and Turf Club will host the upcoming Alpine Challenge and Family Fun Ride. Registration is now open for the fifth annual 2005 Viejas Cyclist Challenges. There are four rides offered.
     The Pine Valley Ride will cover 75 miles with over 6,700 feet in elevation gain. The Metric Century ride will cover 62 miles with over 5,700 feet in elevation gain. The 20 Mile Ride offers a 2,200 feet elevation gain, and the Family Fun Ride will cover five miles around Alpine.
     The Pine Valley and Metric Century rides begin at 7 a.m. at the Alpine Community Center. The 20 Mile Ride begins at 9 a.m. and the five mile fun ride begins at noon from the center. 
     Registration fees are $50 for the Pine Valley, Metric and 20 Mile Ride. The five mile Family Fun Ride is $10. Tandems are a nominal charge. 
     Proceeds from this event benefit the San Diego Children’s Hospital and the Kiwanis Club of Alpine Scholarship Fund.
     The deadline for online registration is April 13. To register, one may visit the website at www.alpinechallenge.com or call 659-2070.
     Those who register on the day of the event are encouraged to show up at least a half hour before start time.

Wild night of gambling funds health care
     CAMPO — Mountain Health and Community Services will hold Casino Night from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 14, at the Mountain Empire Community Center, at 976 Sheridan Road. For an advance ticket, the cost is a $50 per person donation. It will be $65 at the door and $100 per person for the High Roller ticket.
     The event will feature a catered buffet dinner, Casino Gaming by Casino Magic, High Roller Tables, High Stakes poker games, a costume contest, door prizes, a silent auction, and music. 
     A ticket gives one the barbeque dinner, a chance to win at the door prizes and grand prizes, plus $500 in casino money. The High Roller ticket affords the above benefits plus $200 extra in casino money and champagne. Also, it entitles one to a personal host to provide an endless array of food, snacks and beverages.
     All proceeds help cover expenses incurred by under/uninsured patient visits at Mountain Health & Community Services and supplement other activities.
     Participants must be 18 or over. There are two no-host bars, and for alcoholic drinks patrons must be 21 or over.
     For an advance ticket, one may call Lynn Neff at 478-5254 x35 or visit the website at: Mountain Health and Community Services.

Cedar Fire author seeks contributors
     EL CAJON — Vickie Bradeen is still looking for contributors it. She’s looking to bring in survivors of the Paradise Fire, as well.
     “There were a lot of unsung heroes in these fires,” Bradeen said, “and we could always use more stories about them.”
     Bradeen is also looking for someone to underwrite the costs of publishing. Does anyone know a company or organization that would be willing to help.
     To contribute a story or help to underwrite the cost, one may call Bradeen at 749-9935