This week in The Alpine Sun

Stories

Alpine students get updated GATE
Greg Ryan, superintendent of the Alpine Union School District, asked Board of Trustees Chair Mark Price and member Mary Higgins, to discuss the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program for high achievers in the Alpine schools and the result was adoption of a new programs and consideration of several others.

APG gets OK for park purchase
Plans for an active park site in Alpine took a step forward recently, as specific sites for possible development were identified by the county.

Bus cuts need tuning, riders say
Nearly 20 Back Country residents gathered at the Mtn. Empire Community Center on Monday, Aug. 8 to discuss the future of public transit in the area.

Curtain is up on Alpine theater
Is Alpine ready for its own community theater? Could it enjoy a year-round schedule of dramas and musicals?  How about a summer stock offering two shows during school vacation designed to teach all aspects of theater?  And along with serious drama and comedy, at least one “G” rated show a year playing Friday matinees so that middle and high school students can experience live theater?  Does it all sound as if some folks are having pipe dreams?

Viejas jumps through new environmental hoops for proposed expansion project
A new expansion planned at Viejas casino will the first time the tribe will have to deal with the requirements of the compact signed with the state. The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians was one of several tribes in the state, and one of four in San Diego County, that signed revised gambling compacts last summer with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Alpine resident is the recipient of two miracles: high risk breast cancer and successful heart transplant
Alpine resident Pat Nixon, her story of survival and her plans to celebrate life.

Kiwanis Chili Cook-off spices up Alpine residents
Alpine residents by the hundreds came out to the Fourth Annual Kiwanis Chili Cook-off at the community park on Sunday, Aug. 7.

Campo residents reeling from invasion of angry protesters
The tension in Campo last Saturday was palpable as residents, deputies, and a noticeably beefed-up presence by U.S. Border Patrol agents and California Highway Patrol officers braced for action.

Did the three-week watch work?
            Whether or not the Minutemen action resulted in more apprehensions than might otherwise have been made, a number of residents north of the border between Campo and Jacumba have commented that they had fewer nights of disrupted sleep after the patrol started.

Opinion and columns

While You Were Sleeping with Nancy Slaff: Truth in advertising – a look at the latest campaign from President Bush

My Turn with Mike Thometz: Rural communities have paid a fair share of local fire protection

Forlenza’s Forum with Joe Forlenza: Sacred and celebrated places form the spirit of a community

Class Action with Chuck Taylor: Back-to-school countdown begins for local students and parents

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: Someone is knocking at your door

Sports

Local Alpine softball girls bring home gold from California State Games
The Alpine 12U Girls ASA Softball All-Star team brought home the gold medal recently from the 17th Annual California State games.

Stay cool and beat the heat on the court
You will enjoy playing tennis during those warm summer days if you remember to keep cool and drink lots of liquids. As afternoon temperatures climb, court surfaces can easily add another 10 degrees to playing conditions.