Wild Miles relay to finish in Pine Valley
     PINE VALLEY — The inaugural Wild Miles Adventure Relay, a 183-mile running relay set for May 21-22, 2005, will end in Pine Valley. The relay will consist of 250 teams of 10 runners each. The course consists of 30 legs with distances of three miles to a half-marathon on mostly rural roads. 
     The course will start on the desert floor in Borrego Springs and wind its way through or near the communities of Ranchita, Plaster City, Ocotillo, Jacumba, Boulevard, Live Oak Springs, La Posta and Boulder Oaks, and finish in Pine Valley. 
     Teams looking for additional team members or individuals looking to join up with a team are encouraged to post a message on the Wild Miles website message board or to contact the event organizer, In Motion, Inc. 
     The event will benefit the Challenged Athlete Foundation, a non-profit organization which provides opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities to pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and competitive athletics.

AARP to offer driver safety course
     LA MESA — Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center will host its Driver Safety Course from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 7 and 14, at Grossmont Hospital’s Brier Patch Campus, Classroom 16, 9000 Wakarusa, La Mesa. Reservations are required. 
     The cost is $10. Call 641-7020.

Historical Society releases new book 
     ALPINE — The Alpine Historical Society recently completed a compilation of the writings of Alpine pioneer Neil Galloway. The articles were published between Feb. 15, 1962 and May 3, 1962 by the Alpine Echo newspaper. Mr. Galloway wrote about his fifty-three years in Alpine and the people he knew.
     Jim Hinds, a member of the Historical Society, painstakingly gathered all the articles, which were re-typed by Carol Walker exactly as originally printed—including typographical, grammatical and spelling errors. The book is $5, and is available at the Chamber of Commerce Office and the Historical Society Museum, 2116 Tavern Road, the last weekend of each month. 
     For further information, or to obtain a copy of the book, one may call Carol Morrison at 445-2544.    

Novelty dog show planned
     ALPINE — The Alpine Lions Club will present its First Annual Novelty/Fun Dog Show at 9 a.m., June 4, at the Tom C. Dyke Park on 1000 Tavern Road. 
     There are 20 categories for competition, from Dog Honoree mayor would like to take home but can’t to Dog who ate New York (and looks it too).
     There will be ribbons, food, prizes, and fun!
     For more information, contact Becky at 445-6201 or e-mail her.

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.

Business owners invited to ‘Mega Mixer’
     ALPINE — The Greater East County Chamber of Commerce Alliance is hosting a “Mega Mixer” for businesses at the Alpine Community Center on May 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
     This is a free event for attendees. Come mingle and visit the business displays plus have a chance for some networking, door prizes and fun. There will be food for purchase.
     Contact the Alpine Chamber of Commerce at 445-2722 if you are interested in having your business represented.

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 MeadowsApartments, 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. 

Hat Parade to include Earth art display
     ALPINE — The Mother’s Day Hat Parade, to begin at 9:45 a.m., Saturday, May 7 at the Alpine Woman’s Club, will conclude with a display of visual, audio or written art, such as poetry, with an Earth Day theme. 
     The event culminates with the naming of the Volunteer Mom of the Year and judging of the hats and art entries.
The annual hat parade lets women create and show off fanciful headgear and other community members are invited to bring poetry and visual art or perform expressive art.
     For further information, or to book an entry, one may call 445-5249.

Menopause workshop offered
     ALPINE — There will be a free workshop on women’s health and hormones, 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at the World of Wellness, 13727 Camino Canada, Suite A-4, in El Cajon.
     Conducted by Dr. Gina Caserma, the workshop will cover topics relating to menopause, including hormone replacement therapy, alternative treatments, PMS, osteoporosis and diet.
     For further information and reservations, one may call 938-1800.

Chamber holds Alpine USA essay contest
     ALPINE — The Alpine Chamber of Commerce Education Committee will host the Third Annual Alpine USA Essay Contest award dinner at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 17 at the Alpine Community Center. The public is invited to attend.
     The contest is open to all students attending schools in the Alpine Union School District. One winner will be selected from each grade level at each school.
     For further information, one may call 445-2722.

Descanso Garden Club meets in evening
     DESCANSO — The Descanso Gardening Club will meet 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 19, at the Descanso Library, 9545 River Dr., guest speaker to be announced. The club meets monthly.
     For further information, one may call 445-4546.

Bloodmobile visits WalMart, high school
     LAKESIDE — The San Diego Blood Bank bloodmobile will accept blood donations at an open to the public blood drive hosted by WalMart and Subway, 13487 Camino Canada, El Cajon, Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The bloodmobile will be parked in the parking lot.
     Granite Hills High School, located at 1719 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon, will host the bloodmobile, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 16, in the gymnasium.
     For donor requirements, or to make an appointment, one may call the San Diego Blood Bank at (800) 4MY-SDBB.

Chapel of the Hills to host camp out
     Chapel of the Hills Church will host a camp out from 2 p.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3-5 at the Wooded Hills Group Camp. The area offers great hiking, pine and oak trees and mountain bike trails. The trip offers a variety of activities, meals, and music around the campfire. The cost is $35 per site.
     For more information, including directions and what to bring, contact Chapel of the Hills Church.

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.