Bread Basket Restaurant hosts book signing for local author
     ALPINE — Author Kathleen Dorantes will sign copies of her new children’s book, Princess So-Wise, and will give a reading from the book next Thursday, Dec. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m., when the Bread Basket Restaurant hosts a party and book signing. 
     Children will have to opportunity to make a book to take home. All events are free, and copies of the book will be available for $10. The book is also on sale now at www.amazon.com.
     The Bread Basket Restaurant is located in the Alpine Creek Shopping Center, at 1347 Tavern Road.
For further information, one may call 659-0455.

Local Scouts to recycle Christmas trees
     ALPINE — Alpine Cub Scout Pack 105 will host its eighth annual Christmas tree recycling drive on Jan. 7.
     The Scouts have begun canvassing around Alpine to organize tree pick-up on Jan. 7 as well as collect donations which will benefit pack 105. Trees will be collected and then mulched in the old ranch area. Mulch will then be distributed free of charge to haul away. Please ensure that all tinsel is removed.
     Trees may be also be dropped off at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., between 7 and 11 a.m. on Jan. 7. Cash donations are also appreciated.
     To organize a pick-up, or for more information, one may call 440-6360 and leave a message with address information.

BCLT celebrates 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.

Granite Hills surfers hold fund-raiser
     EL CAJON — The Granite Hills High School Surf Club will be holding its annual awards banquet and silent auction fund-raiser on Feb. 2.
     The Granite Hills surfers are not a school sponsored club, due to lack of funding, and rely solely on the annual silent auction to bring in the money necessary to keep the program going. Money raised will help the team purchase two surf boards and other surfing-related items.
     For further information, one may contact Sandi Steeber, silent auction committee member, at 445-5202.

Christmas services:

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.

Candlelight service planned in Descanso
     DESCANSO — On Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will take place at Chapel of the Hills Community United Methodist Church, 25153 Viejas Blvd., in Descanso at 7 p.m. 
     The evening will include Christmas carol singing and Pastor Wesley will share a brief meditation entitled, “Simeon”. Accomplished young adult singers Timmy Simpson will be singing, O Holy Night.
     On Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, a celebration service will take place at 10 a.m. the congregation will engage in a processional to the manger offering wrapped and unwrapped birthday offerings to the representative Christ Child. Leone Murdock of the Dyer family, an accomplished organist, will help in the celebration along with Music Director Caroline Rogers.

Alpine VFW Post 9578 announces events
     ALPINE — The Alpine VFW, located at 844 Tavern Road, will hold several fund raising events in the coming months.
     Saturday afternoons, excluding Dec. 24, come out 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a freshly cooked burger from the grill, with all the trimmings, for only $4.
     Want to stay close to home on New Year’s Eve? Join the post members for an evening of fun and cheer to bring in the New Year with Karaoke Host George James.
     Every Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m., the post hosts “Cook Your Own Steak” with baked potato, roll and butter for $6.

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 6:30 pm. The cost is $30 or $25 pre-paid.
     For further information. one may call 445-2589.