Bethel Assembly to re-create Jerusalem marketplace
    ALPINE — Travel back 2,000 years to see, hear, touch, and even taste what it was like to live in Bible times at the Jerusalem Marketplace,, which is not so far out of town as it sounds.
     The marketplace will be recreated at Bethel Christian Assembly, 1929 Arnold Way. 
     The adventure starts at 9:30 a.m. and will end at 11:30 a.m. from March 24 to 26.
     Families may explore authentic marketplace shops, become students in synagogue school, take part in games, dance to lively Bible songs, and sample tasty tidbits as you discover more about life when Jesus walked the earth.
     Jerusalem Marketplace is great fun for children of all ages; even teenagers will enjoy signing on as Tribe Leaders or Assistant Tribe Leaders who help younger kids. 
     For more information or to register your family, call Linda Cota at 445-5508.

MEHS drama sings ‘Happily Ever After’
     PINE VALLEY — The Mountain Empire High School Drama Club will be presenting the musical Happily Ever After for four performances. The play features all your beloved fairy tale characters: Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, the Big Bad Wolf, Two Prince Charmings and many, many more.
     It's a fun-filled night of fun and laughter for the whole family. Students from Mountain Empire's High School, Middle School, and Elementary schools make up this huge cast of dwarfs, rabbits, princesses, an evil witch, and more. 
     Performances are Thursday, April 21 at 4 p.m.; Friday, April 22 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m.; and a special matinee on Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7:00 for Adults and $3.00 for children 12 and under.

Kiwanis attends multiple sclerosis benefit walk
     ALPINE — The Kiwanis Club of Alpine is sending a team, to the San Diego Embarcadero at 8 a.m. on April 10 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s annual MS Walk to benefit the victims of multiple sclerosis. Walkers are treated to refreshments along the three-mile walk and have a great lunch provided by the society after the walk is concluded. The walk is generally over by noon.
     The Kiwanis Club is looking for additional “Alpine Kiwanis Trailblazers” team members, either as donors or walkers. No matter which you choose, you will have a sense of personal accomplishment and the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a difference in the fight against this disease.
     For more information, contact Dick Rabell, Team Captain, at 445-5712.

No-cost chipping available
     There is a no-cost chipping service for fire hazard reduction available to the following communities: Alpine, Descanso, Pine Valley, Japatul Road, Lyons Valley, Guatay, Morena Valley, Boulder Creek, Sherilton Valley, Morena Valley and Boulder Oaks.
To receive the free chipping service residents can call the Fire Safe Council office at 562-0096 and tell the coordinator you would like to have the service.
     Residential addresses must be clearly marked at the street and on the house. The pile must be accessible within five feet of road and or driveway. The chipping crew is not responsible for cutting or moving brush.
     No palm, cactus, poison oak, or ice plant will be chipped. No rocks, trash, construction materials or excessive dirt in piles.

Cedar Fire author seeks contributors
     EL CAJON — Vickie Bradeen is still looking for contributors it. She’s looking to bring in survivors of the Paradise Fire, as well.
     “There were a lot of unsung heroes in these fires,” Bradeen said, “and we could always use more stories about them.”
     Bradeen is also looking for someone to underwrite the costs of publishing. Does anyone know a company or organization that would be willing to help, or has connections in a place like Wal-Mart or Barnes and Noble?
     To contribute a story or help to underwrite the cost, one may call Bradeen at 749-9935

Sage & Songbird holds photo contest
     ALPINE — A photo contest, with three $100 winners plus a grand prize get-away, is being launched in conjunction with Alpine’s 2005 Sage & Songbirds Festival & Garden Tour, which will be held April 29-May 1. Everyone is invited to enter.
     All entries must be taken during the festival, but may be shot in any of the events, including the garden tour. Awards will be given in each of many categories.
     Work may be traditional photographic color prints or high quality digital prints, size 8x10. Digital prints may not be altered. There is no limit to the number of prints that may be submitted, but each must include a $5 processing fee.
     For complete rules and regulations, please visit www.chirp.org or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to CHIRP Photo Contest, P.O. Box 532, Alpine, Calif. 91903.

First Baptist offers evening Bible study
     ALPINE — According to the deacons of the First Baptist Church of the Willows, the initials R.I.S.E. stand for relationships, intentionality, servanthood, and empowerment, the focus of the Sunday evening 6 p.m. Bible study worship services.
     The speaker will be the Reverend C.J. Jackson, well known in San Diego as a powerful and dynamic speaker who plans to organize the lessons by quarters.
The second quarter, starting April 3, will be based on relationships with April sessions concerned with “enhancing your relationship with God.”
     May will emphasize relationships at home – marriage, parenting, dating and children while June will feature enhancing your relationships around your world including your church, your job and your community.
     The third quarter will discuss intentionality with July working on becoming a bold believer. August will deal with becoming bountiful in bearing fruit, and September with becoming spiritually disciplined.
     The fourth quarter covers servanthood. In October, the topic will be the confidence of a servant. In November it's the character of a servant, and in December it's the cause of a servant.
     And finally, the first quarter of 2006 deals with empowerhood. With the following titles; seeking spiritual satisfaction, tapping into your gift, and knowing who you are.
     First Baptist Church of the Willows is located at 3520 Alpine Boulevard. The public is welcome to attend these services.

Roping event will benefit England baby
     LAKESIDE — A family whose baby was born with a severe heart condition will be the beneficiaries of proceeds from the Maddie Jo England Benefit Roping competition Saturday, March 26, at the Sunbar Roping arena.
     Events will include two drawpots, a raffle and auction of rare items, including a George Strait autographed guitar, Justin boots and Western Horseman framed prints.
     The arena is located at 11055 Morena Ave. and books open at 9 a.m.
     For further information, one may call Monty Crist at 449-4618 or Dick Hastings at 417-1637. 

Boulder Oaks to host Western Days
     ALPINE — The Boulder Oaks Elementary School PTA is hosting Western Days Carnival for the youth of Alpine on Friday, Apr. 15. The evening will include games, a rock wall, a cakewalk, good music, great food and a silent auction.
     The program will raise money for the 460 students at the school. Local businesses are encouraged to help by donating goods or services.
     For more information, one may call PTA President Carrie Schimke at 445-8676, or e-mail her at boespta@yahoo.com.

Wild night of gambling funds health care
     CAMPO — Mountain Health and Community Services will hold Casino Night from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 14, at the Mountain Empire Community Center, at 976 Sheridan Road. For an advance ticket, the cost is a $50 per person donation. It will be $65 at the door and $100 per person for the High Roller ticket.
     The event will feature a catered buffet dinner, Casino Gaming by Casino Magic, High Roller Tables, High Stakes poker games, a costume contest, door prizes, a silent auction, and music. 
     A ticket gives one the barbeque dinner, a chance to win at the door prizes and grand prizes, plus $500 in casino money. The High Roller ticket affords the above benefits plus $200 extra in casino money and champagne. Also, it entitles one to a personal host to provide an endless array of food, snacks and beverages.
     All proceeds help cover expenses incurred by under/uninsured patient visits at Mountain Empire Family Medicine in Campo, High Dessert Family Medicine in Jacumba and Alpine Family Medicine in Alpine; and other expenses incurred in the operation of the Mountain Empire Community Center, including supplementing the Senior Nutrition Program and other activities, programs, community meetings and events.
     Participants must be 18 or over. There are two no-host bars, and for alcoholic drinks patrons must be 21 or over.
     For an advance ticket, one may call Lynn Neff at 478-5254 x35 or visit the website at: Mountain Health and Community Services.