Alpine Chorale holds holiday concert
     ALPINE — The Alpine Chorale will hold its 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.

Festival of Lights to be bigger and better
     CAMPO — Judging for this year’s Lake Morena Festival of Lights will be held Dec. 18 and festivities will include hay rides, live music, a community bonfire, and a full map of decorated homes for the community to enjoy. 
     Maps of all houses in the Festival of Lights will be available at most of the convenience stores as soon as they are made, so community members can do their own tours. 
     Lake Morena Community Church will host the bonfire and chili supper and the party can move inside if weather is uncooperative. Hay wagons, singers and judges will load up at 5 p.m. at the new church building, located at Oak Drive and Molchan Road for a ride through the community.
     All area residents are invited enter their decorated houses and yards, so the entire community can enjoy their beauty. To participate, get your house listed by calling John Long at 478 2541.

Southern Indian Health offers free flu vaccine
     ALPINE — The Alpine Clinic of the Southern Indian Health Council will be hosting a flu vaccination clinic on Monday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
     The immunizations will be given to any member of the public free of charge on that day. The clinic is located at 4058 Willows Road in Alpine. No appointment is necessary for the flu clinic.
     For more information one may contact Marla Hicks at 445-1188.

Firefighters hold 19th annual toy parade
     EL CAJON — Representatives from Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Heartland Fire Departments, The Salvation Army and Santa Claus himself will hold the 19th Annual Firefighter Toy Parade on Saturday, Dec. 17.
     The toy drive will benefit the East County Toy and Food Drive, San Diego’s largest and oldest toy and food drive. Officials will receive toy donations from the community beginning at 9 a.m. at the Target parking lot at 250 Broadway in El Cajon. The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians will also present a $15,000 check to the East County Toy and Food Drive founder, Stoney Stone.
     Organizers ask that businesses and families bring donations to provide assistance to thousands of their neighbors in need this holiday season. People are encouraged to bring toys to the Target parking lot between 9 a.m. and noon. A parade of fire engines, loaded with toys and decorations, will travel through the streets of El Cajon beginning at 11 a.m. and culminating at the Target parking lot.

Alpine Pony Baseball registration begins
     ALPINE — The Alpine Viejas Pony Baseball league will hold early-bird registration for the 2006 season, beginning Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Pony Fields behind Shadows Hills Elementary School.
     Other registrations will be held at the Shadow Hills Auditorium on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 10 and 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Jan 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Pony Field. The registration fee is $175 and include a jersey hat.
     There are open positions for team managers and coaches, as well as the Pony board, and all parents are encouraged to apply.
     For more information visit the Pony League website at www.leaguelineup/alpinepony.com or call 871-7376 or 886-8621.

Republican Women to install 2006 officers
     ALPINE — The Alpine/Mountain Empire Republican Women, Federated will hold its last meeting for 2005 on Dec. 19 at the Club House of the Mobile Home Park, 2400 Alpine Blvd. at 11 a.m.
     During the meeting, the group will conduct the installation of officers for the 2006 year. President Muriel Pappin, First Vice-President Barbara Howell, Second Vice-President Pauline Silver, recording secretary Lee Barron and treasurer Debbie Sweeney. Marilyn Kruso, past president, will install the new officers.
     For more information one may contact 749-1993.

ACC and American Red Cross host blood drive
     ALPINE — The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive sponsored by the Alpine Community center on Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 1-6:30 p.m. at the center, 1830 Alpine Blvd.
     Participants must be at least 17 years of age and have one piece of photo ID or two pieces of non-photo ID. All participants will receive a certificate for a free ice cream creation from Cold Stone Creamery.
     To make an appointment, or for more information, one may contact Judy Steinberg at 445-4294 or sign up at www.givelife.org, code: Alpine. Or one may contact the Red Cross at (800) 843-2949 extension 7066.

Donate car to charity for deduction of $500+
     Cars4charities offers the opportunity for you to get a year-end tax deduction and help one of over 250 respected charities at the same time. Donate your unwanted car to cars4charities and you’ll be eligible for a tax deduction of $500 or what it sells for, whichever is greater.
     Cars4charities will handle the entire donation process, from start to finish. They’ll turn your unwanted vehicle into cash and send the entire net proceeds to the charity you select from their list.
     To donate a vehicle simply log onto www.cars4charities.org or call 1-866-448-3487. To claim your 2005 deduction, your title must be signed and postmarked by Dec. 31.
     For more information, visit www.cars4charities.org or call (866) 448-3487.

Coldwell Banker supports Toys for Tots
     ALPINE — Coldwell Banker Premier Properties in Alpine is pleased to be part of the Toys for Tots program for its fifteenth 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.
     Residents are invited to stop by and contribute a new unwrapped toy for an underprivileged child this season.

Calvary Chapel holds Christmas services
     ALPINE — Calvary Chapel of Alpine, 2267 W. Victoria Dr., will hold a Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m., and a Christmas day service at 9 a.m. All those interested are invited to attend.
     For more information one may contact Calvary Chapel at 445-2589.

BCLT celebrates 15th anniversary
     ALPINE — The Back Country Land Trust of San Diego will celebrate its fifteenth anniversary this February 2006 with a special event to be held Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Alpine Woman’s Club at 2156 Alpine Blvd.

Classes offered at Calvary Chapel
     Calvary Chapel of Alpine will offer classes in parenting and Bible study after the first of the year.
     “Parenting Is A Ministry,” for two-parent, single-parent and blended families, will be held every Thursday for eight weeks. It begins Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. and costs $10 person or $15 per couple.
     Also an eight-week course, “Inductive Bible Study Seminar” will be held on Fridays and begins Jan 6 at 6:30pm. The cost is $30 or $25 pre-paid.
     For further information. one may call 445-2589.