Classic Cruise car show returns to El Cajon
     EL CAJON — The El Cajon Community Development Corporation will host the Cajon Classic Cruise from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday from May 18 to Sept. 28. 
     The Cajon Classic Cruise features more than 500 classic, custom and hot rod cars valued at more than $10 million. The free weekly event is centered on East Main Street at Prescott Promenade, just east of the Main and Magnolia intersection downtown El Cajon.
     A series of show events are planned, including an Independence Day celebration on June 29; a Salute to the American Hot Dog on July 20; National Night Out on Aug. 3; a VIP Parade on Aug. 24, and a special Halloween Car Show on Oct. 26. Raffle tickets will be sold every Wednesday for a fully restored 1952-1956 Chevron Short Tohkeim 39 gas pump to be given away at the Sept. 28 show.

New writers’ group to meet
     ALPINE — A new writer’s group is forming and will meet each Thursday at 1 p.m. in the recreation center of the Creekside Meadows Apartments, 1750 Arnold Way.
     Participation is free and activities will include discussion, support and critique of members’ poems, prose, plays, books, brochures, biographies, or biblical stories.
     For further information, one may call Grace Nichols at 445-2779.

Homemakers offer best deals in town
     CAMPO — The new Mountain Empire Homemakers thrift store, located at 987 Sheridan Rd. across from the Campo Senior Center, is regularly open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Homemakers use thrift shop proceeds to fund scholarships for local students and donate to other community programs.
     For further information, one may call Sue Fallgren at 478-2149. 

Blood Bank to hold Father’s Day drive
     The San Diego Blood Bank will host a blood drive on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18, just in time for Father’s Day.
     Participants will be given a Chargers Blood Drive T-shirt, a Padres bobble-head doll or a Padres video.
     Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in generally good health and weighs at least 110 pounds may qualify to donate blood. Blood supplies have been dangerously low this month, so donors of all types are urged to give.
     For more information or to make an appointment, contact the San Diego Blood Bank at 296-6393.

Ranger District to train volunteers
     RAMONA – The Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest will conduct volunteer training Saturday, June 18 at the District Office, 1634 Black Canyon Rd. in Ramona from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
     Volunteers will be trained to help provide forest visitors with accurate information about the trails and surrounding areas.
     For more information, one may contact Chris Nyce, recreation and lands officer on the Palomar Ranger District, at (760)-788-0250, extension 3325, or by E-mail.

Summer concert series features local performers
     SAN DIEGO – The Twilight in the Park summer concert series will begin on Tuesday, June 21 in the Spreckles Organ Pavilion of Balboa Park.
     This will be the twenty-fifth year of the free concert series, which is held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. The concerts feature volunteer performers from the San Diego community.
     For more information, contact Gail Greer at 281-6574.

Celebrate Alpine at the San Diego County Fair
     DEL MAR – Alpine businesses are invited to participate in a "Celebrate Alpine" event at the San Diego County Fair on Wednesday, June 22.
     Local businesses will be offered free booth space to demonstrate what they do or offer discount coupons and promotions. Restaurants may share tastes of their cuisine, and local artists and entertainers are invited to show their work and entertain the public.
     This year’s theme is "A Cinema Summer at the San Diego County Fair." For more information, one may fax their business name, contact name, address, e-mail and phone number to 445-2871.

Christian Community Theater performs classics
     LA MESA – The Christian Community Theater of El Cajon announces its performance schedule for its twenty-fifth summer season.
     This year’s shows include Grease, to show from June 30 through July 23, and Beauty and the Beast, to show from Aug. 4 through 27.
     The CCT box office is located at 1545 Pioneer Way in El Cajon and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. All performances take place at the Mt. Helix Amphitheater in La Mesa. Savings of up to 25 percent are available with the purchase of a season ticket.
     For more information one may call 588-0206 or 800-696-1929.

Parade of Ponds to tour 80 local gardens
     San Diego County will present the Parade of Ponds on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10.
     The parade will tour over 80 locations through the county, many of them in East County. Visitors will tour a pondless waterfall in Lakeside, a pond in Alpine and a waterfall in Ramona.
     The gardens will be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on July 9, and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on July 10. All monies raised from tickets sales benefit Lakeside's River Park Conservancy, a local non-profit environmental and community organization dedicated to acquiring and restoring critical riparian habitat, while creating an urban park with recreation opportunities and open space for youths, families and seniors.
     The two-day event is the largest of its kind in the world. The tour is self-guided, and the price of admission includes a guidebook with a map and directions to every water garden on the tour. Tickets are $20, and children ages 12 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets, call Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy at 443-4770 or Aqua Designs at (858)-577-0018.

Grammy-winning Rimes to perform at Viejas
     ALPINE – Country artist LeAnn Rimes will perform at Viejas Concerts in the Park Wednesday, July 27. Tickets are $70 per person.
     Rimes broke into the country music scene when she was only 13 years old, with a voice many have likened to the immortal Patsy Cline. Since her Grammy-winning debut album, Rimes has gifted fans with a series of best-selling CDs and hit singles.
     Viejas Concerts in the Park has reserved seating and general admission lawn seating, with wheelchair accessible tickets available upon request. All guests must have a ticket to enter. All shows occur rain or shine. Free parking and paid valet service is available.
     For updated information on upcoming performers throughout the season or to purchase tickets online. Tickets are also available at the Viejas Gift Shop or one may call 220-TIXS.

Descanso library continues summer reading program
     DESCANSO – The Descanso branch of the San Diego County Library, 9545 River Dr., continues its youth summer reading program this summer, offering reading events for teens and younger children.
     Reading events include a story time ever Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and a story and related craft every Friday at 1 p.m. The program will conclude with an end of summer reading party on Friday, Aug. 5 at 1 p.m.
     For more information, call the library at 445-5279.

Project C.A.R.E. helps those who live alone
     Project C.A.R.E. may be able to help those who live alone or those concerned about a senior who lives alone.
     This is a community program that involves community service agencies and local businesses in providing services to any senior or disabled person. Programs include RUOK, Postal Alert, Gatekeeper, Vial of Life, YANA (You Are Not Alone), Safe Return and more. These free programs help maintain people in their homes. 
     For more information, call 740-4214.

Spirit choir accepting new members
     ALPINE — Alpine children between the ages of six and 13 are invited to join the Spirit Choir. 
     Directed by Joanne Ginkel, with husband Ludwig Ginkel as production manager, the youngsters meet every Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Alpine Community Church. There they learn lively new fun songs and rehearse older ones. 
     The choir sings about once a month and on special holiday occasions during the church’s worship service. Contact Ginkel at 445 8480 for more information.

Kindergarten enrollment is underway
     ALPINE — Enrollment for kindergarten 2005-06 began April 11. Enrollment packets are available at Creekside Early Learning Center and at all Alpine elementary schools, the Alpine Union School District office, Viejas Indian School, and Joan MacQueen Middle School.
Children born on or before Dec. 2, 2000 are eligible to attend kindergarten. 
     To register your child for kindergarten, you must provide a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, a physical dated after April 2, 2005, up-to-date immunization records, and current proof of residence such as an electric bill, propane bill, water bill or tax bill.
     Please call CELC at 659-8250 for further information. 
The Creekside Early Learning Center office is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

East County NRA meets in Alpine
     ALPINE – The East County NRA is now holding meetings in Alpine at the Bread Basket restaurant. Regular meetings will now be held the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
     The chapter would like to extend an invitation to NRA members and people who would like to become members. Bob Maupin at Hi Pass sports will accept applications from new members and those wishing to become active in the NRA.

American Cancer Society hosts Relay for Life
     EL CAJON — The American Cancer Society will host the Relay for Life in East County on June 25 and 26 at Granite Hills High School, 1719 E. Madison Ave., in El Cajon.
     The relay is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people take turns running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one member on the track at all times. This year’s event will run from 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.
     Every year, Relay for Life brings together millions of people to raise money to help prevent cancer, save lives and diminish suffering from the disease. People can participate by joining a team, sponsoring a team, or just cheering the walkers on.
     More information can be found on the website, or locally by contacting Kathy Woodland by phone at 579-1389, or e-mail Liz Berle, publicity coordinator, or phone 606-1917.

SVDP sponsors Campo trail ride
     CAMPO — Everyone is invited to attend a trail ride sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul Villages on June 18.
     The riders will leave Rancho San Vincente, 2155 Campo Truck Trail, in Campo, at 9 a.m. and will return the same evening for a barbecue. A $25 donation includes a half-day trail ride and dinner. There will be a jackpot sorting event on Saturday and another on Sunday. The sorting events have an additional cost.
     Horse accommodations are available. Dogs are not allowed, and each rider will be required to fill out a release form. Please RSVP by June 10.
     For more information, contact Jerry Filweber at 507-2840 or Martin Mendoza at 742-1050.

Alzheimer’s Association to host workshop
     SANTEE – The Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego will host a free Alzheimer’s workshop Wednesday, June 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. at their East County office, 9065 Edgemoor Dr., in Santee.
     The workshop is an informative session designed to give people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones an overview of available services and to discuss issues important to them. These issues include the importance of ongoing medical care, available support and research.
     For more information, one may contact the Alzheimer’s Association at (858)-492-4400, extension 122.

Libraries present summer reading programs
     CREST – The Crest Library announces its summer reading program for teenagers, called "Joust Read."
     Registration for the program will be Wednesday, June 22, at 2 p.m., at the library, 105 Juanita Lane, in Crest. It will be followed by the first reading event at 2:30. Events will be held every Wednesday until July 6. The program will end with an awards ceremony on Wednesday, July 13.
     The Lakeside branch of the San Diego County Library will continue its summer reading program through Aug. 25.
     For more information, one may contact the Crest Library at 442-7083 or the Lakeside Library at 443-1811.

Volunteers needed for adult literacy program
     The San Diego County Library will resume its adult literacy program on July 1.
     The program provides free volunteer training and a tutoring network at all of its branch libraries.
     "By rebuilding this program, we intend to offer an additional portal to the resources of our global community for all of our residents, in a safe learning environment for all learners and tutors willing to commit time, resource and patience," said County Library director Jose Aponté said.
     The San Diego County Library serves 11 of the county’s incorporated cities and 21 unincorporated communities, as well as small communities served by two mobile library routes.
     For more information about becoming a volunteer or student, one may contact Outreach librarian Amanda Schukle at (858)-694-2108.

Youth sports foundation to host exchange
     The Sports for Youth Foundation will host two international basketball exchange sports events this summer.
     The foundation is accepting applications from Canadian and American boys aged 15-20 who are accomplished high school of club basketball players and good citizens in their school and community to participate in a junior basketball exchange in Brazil. The tour, which begins in August, will travel to Rio de Janeiro and other selected Brazilian cities. The registration deadline is July 30.
     For more information or a tour brochure, one may contact the Sports for Youth office at (425)-255-4645 or online.

Students needed for free computer class
     ALPINE — Alpine Elementary School and Grossmont Adult School will sponsor a free computer class at the end of summer.
     The class will be held every Wednesday evening beginning Sep. 1 and will run through Dec. 15.
     Students will be required to furnish two 3.5 floppy diskettes (PC format) by the second week. A $3 fee will be charged for a class booklet.
     For more information or to enroll, contact Linda Snider, class teacher at 644-7000 ext. 3481.