This week in The Alpine Sun


Lead Stories

Vacant seat on APG remains empty for now 
There has been much controversy in recent months about some of the actions of the Alpine Planning Group approach to filling vacant seats and the issue came to a head Thursday, Dec. 8, when tempers flared among members and a motion to declare vacancy of Scott Lamb’s former seat was denied.  

Airport planners say Highway 94 best train route 
In a presentation on Monday, Dec. 12 the San Diego Airport Authority strategic planning committee learned that the cost to put a new airport in Boulevard or Imperial desert would be close to $10 and $13 billion respectively — and that’s only off-site costs. 

There’s a - sort of - new church in town
A new church has begun in Alpine: the Alpine Anglican Church. It was not begun with long planning, but to fulfill a need to remain faithful to Holy Scripture and be in communion with historic Anglican Christians throughout the world.

Upcoming holiday concert one of many for Alpine Chorale
When Don Mildrum and Shari Roth belt out the lyrics to There’s No Place Like Alpine on a Sunday afternoon, the audience will quickly recognize, not only a familiar tune, but also that their favorite singing group, the Alpine Chorale, is having fun again.  

Music and drama figure large in ACC Christmas celebrations
Christmas week, which started a little early with the Dec. 11 children’s pageant, will be celebrated with more music and drama at the Alpine Community Church this Sunday, Dec. 18.
 
Driver safety lessons sweetened with a dollop of fun  
 

Columns/Opinion

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: Joseph was God’s special man 

Making the Grade with Steve Hunyar: Christmas is allowed in schools

My Turn with Cheryl Lenz: Attempt to bypass APG rules was a disservice to residents

My Turn with Tibor R. Machan: ‘Nationalization’ of schools makes a mess

Good Health Naturally with Dr. Daryl Crain: Bird flu hysteria: health leaders cry 
‘wolf’ and drug companies bring home the bacon

Forlenza Forum with Joe Forlenza: Variety gives vigor to business ‘ecosystem’


Sports

East County cross country standouts place high at state meet  
The 2005 high school cross country season concluded on a very uplifting note for the San Diego Section — and El Camino senior A.J. Acosta, in particular — at this year’s FootLocker national championship meet Dec. 10 at Balboa Park’s Morley Field. Acosta held off a late push by Lompoc Cabrillo senior Michael Coe to win the boys division, thus becoming the first San Diego runner in 19 years to win a national title. 

High School roller hockey, wrestling round-up, West Hills 4-0 in first ever season
West Hills improved to 4-0 in its first-ever CIF/Metro season by turning back the San Diego Jewish Academy, 7-5, on Dec. 7. Johnny Baxter led the Wolf Pack with four goals while teammates Andrew Delgadillo and Travis Peters also turned in four-point efforts. 

Muheize chosen as Silver Pigskin Award winner
It is an award in San Diego County high school sports like no other. In fact, there are only seven names etched on its titanium surface. One belongs to current USC standout Reggie Bush, who won this year’s Heisman Trophy on Dec. 10 in a runaway vote.