This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

APG seat falls open due to Cox resignation
Alpine residents who are interested in becoming members of the Alpine Planning Group will soon have a chance to interview for an empty seat on the board. A replacement member will be voted in at the next APG meeting.

Shiny new shopping venue opens its doors
The Alpine Regional Center opened its doors on May 1, with eight of the businesses starting up shop. In several weeks after all of the resident businesses have settled there will be an official grand opening.

WWII vets, airplanes go to the ‘prom’
Vintage airplanes soared last weekend above the 11th Annual Wings Over Gillespie air show, which featured a salute to the Midway.

Girls get career advice from successful women in science
East County girls heard from a female UCSD scientist at Cuyamaca College’s Parent and Daughter Career Night.

Postal thief pleads guilty to stealing $430,000 
Robert F. Lenz, 55 of Alpine, a former U.S. Postal Service manager pleaded guilty April 25 to stealing approximately $430,000 in postal money orders. He has agreed to pay restitution in full, which may lessen any time in federal prison or other type of confinement he may receive.

MEHS students recognized for outstanding work in essay contest
On April 20, three Mountain Empire Jr/Sr High School students were recognized for outstanding essays they submitted to the San Diego Union-Tribune HomeWords Essay Contest sponsored by the California Realtors Association.

Alpine fire medics receive life saving award
Alpine Fire Protection District Division Chief Bob Withers, last week, presented a team life saving award to Paramedic Rick Foehr and Emergency Medical Technician Julie Payne on behalf of the Heartland Communications Commission.

Sage and Songbirds garden tours dazzle hundreds of visitors
Now in its eighth year, the Sage and Songbirds festival offered hot jazz and cooling gardens last weekend.

Columns

Forlenza's Forum with Joe Forlenza: Planning for future Alpine parks
Forlenza discusses the current plans for revitalization of Alpine's active and passive parks.

While You Were Sleeping with Nancy Slaff: What is really at the heart
of the immigration debate?
Slaff looks at the current immigration policies, proposed changes by the administration and misconceptions about racism in America.

Class Action with Chuck Taylor: Granite Hills walk-outs should be fired
Taylor talks about the recent unauthorized walk-out by some teachers at Granite Hills High School.

School Rules with Moana Miller: New middle school kids are better and better
Miller is the Principal at Joan Mac Queen Middle School in Alpine.

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: Not every mother is a gourmet cook

Low Flow Pro with Mike Uhrhammer: Low Flow fun: Cowifornia and
the Spring Garden Festival

Sports

Alex Smith: from Helix High to No. 1 NFL draft pick
On Saturday, April 23, Smith, 20, became the county’s first-ever first pick in the NFL Draft when he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers.