Book fair offered at Joan Mac Queen
     ALPINE — Joan Mac Queen Middle School will be holding a book fair beginning Monday, Nov. 21 through Dec. 2 at the school library from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
     A special parent day will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 30. This day is reserved for parents, staff, and community members to enjoy the book fair. Visitors will be treated to a cookie provided by the Bread Basket Restaurant. Students may come to the book fair that day only when accompanied by an adult.
     For more information one may contact the school at 445-3245.

'Tis the season to be healthy” holiday dinner
     CAMPO — Mountain Health and Community Services, Inc. will host a holiday celebration dinner on Friday, Dec. 2, 5-8 p.m. at the Jacumba Highland Senior Center and Saturday, Dec. 3, 5-8 p.m. at the Mountain Empire Community Center in Campo.
     Participants will be treated to a spaghetti dinner as well as a visit from Santa and a toy for every child. Please bring a canned good and/or a new unwrapped toy to the event. All proceeds will benefit children of East San Diego County.
     Volunteers are needed. For more information one may contact Stephanie Ross at 445-6200 ext. 166.

Celebrate the New Year in Alpine
     ALPINE — The Alpine Community Center will host a New Year’s celebration and dinner at the community center on New Year’s Eve.
     Tickets are $75 per person is purchased prior to Dec. 15, or $100 afterwards. Participants will be treated to food, entertainment, dancing and fun, as well as childcare for an additional charge. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis.
     For more information one may contact Sue Roff at 445-7330.

Coldwell Banker supports Toys for Tots
     ALPINE — Coldwell Banker Premier Properties in Alpine is please to be part of the Toys for Tots program for its 15th consecutive year.
     From now until Dec. 22, the Coldwell office, located at 2124 Arnold Way, will serve as an official collection center for toy donations.
     Please stop by and contribute a new unwrapped toy for an underprivileged child this season. 

Alpine Chorale hosts Holiday Concert
     ALPINE — The Alpine Chorale will be hosting their annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. at Boulder Oaks Elementary School and the community is invited.
    There is no cost and refreshments will be served. For more information one may contact Sheila Cochran at 445-8145.

Holiday Car Show in Downtown El Cajon
     The First Annual Cajon Classic Cruise Parade of Lights holiday car show will take place Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 8 pm on Main Street in Downtown El Cajon. 
     The family-oriented event features live music, pictures with Santa, plenty of holiday cheer, and hundreds of classic cars, custom cars and hot rods decked out in Christmas lights and decorations.
     Admission is free, don’t miss this special Holiday car show! 
     For more information on these events, call the El Cajon CDC at 401-8858, or visit on-line at www.downtownelcajon.com. 

Alpine Village Christmas coming Dec. 2
     ALPINE — Santa will arrive in Alpine on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m., riding down Alpine Boulevard for the 10th Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights, hosted by the Alpine Chamber of Commerce.
     Everyone is invited to participate in the parade, the only requirement is that the entry be decorated with lights. Lighted costumes, bikes, small trucks, golf carts, lawn tractors, etc. are encouraged. Participants will meet at the Alpine Woman’s Club parking lot at 6 p.m.
     Immediately following the parade, Santa and his helpers will light the Alpine Community Christmas tree and join in a holiday sing-along. Then stay for the greatest mountain of snow where sledding will be free.
     For more information one may contact the chamber at 445-2722.

VFW Auxiliary packs boxes for soldiers
     ALPINE — On Saturday, Dec. 3, 1st Lt. Juliet H. Calvin from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing will be coming to Alpine VFW Post 9578 located at 844 Tavern Road in Alpine at noon to pick up about 150 shoe boxes that were collected and assembled as part of the Ladies Auxiliary 'Support Our Troops' Project.
     The boxes are loaded with personal items for the servicemen. Thanks to the people that donated their time, effort and money to completing this project. A special thanks to Wal Mart of El Cajon for its donation of $500 to help fill the boxes.
     The gift boxes will be airlifted out to our troops in Iraq to brighten their Holiday.

Woman’s Club holds holiday home tour
     ALPINE — The Alpine Woman’s Club will hold a “Christmas in Alpine” home tour on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    The tour will take participants to the interiors of five magnificent Alpine homes, decorated for the holidays. Each home has unique features and all would be worthy of a 'Home Tour' any day, and the festive decorations are just an added bonus.
     Proceeds from the event benefit the Alpine Woman's Club Scholarship Fund.
     The Alpine Regional Center, at 1620 Alpine Blvd., will have specialty vendors, refreshments, drawings and tour tickets will be available there on the day of the event.
     For more information or to purchase tickets one may all Carol at 445-4024 or Ann at 445-4235. 

Lions, Tiger and Bears celebrates holiday
     JAPATUL — On Saturday, Dec. 3, Lions Tigers and Bears will hold a members-only celebration from 1 to 5 p.m.
     This is a private party for members — an opportunity to have an up close and personal afternoon with all the animals who make their home at Lions Tigers and Bears, including four Bengal tigers, an African serval, two bobcats, a leopard, and a menagerie of farm animals such as goats, chickens, cows and horses. 
     Although the facility is open to members only, it's easy to join. Individual memberships start at just $35, family memberships at $100. Members will also be allowed to bring guests for a nominal fee.
     For more information, please call Bobbi Brink at 659-8078 or visit the website at www.lionstigersandbears.org.

Alpine Sheriff’s substation collects for Children’s Hospital
     ALPINE — The Alpine Sheriff’s substation is currently collecting stuffed animals for the San Diego Children’s Hospital.
     From now until Dec. 12, donations of new teddy bears or other stuffed animals can be made at the substation located at the Alpine Creek Shopping Center.