This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Local bag drive moves ‘fore’ward
When the first drives fly off the tees in the shotgun start in Drive for the Drive at noon on Oct. 13 at Riverwalk Golf Course in Mission Valley, they’ll carry the promise of funding for the 2005 Thanksgiving Gift Bag Drive. This annual project, now in its ninth year, was born in Alpine, expanded to other East County communities, and results in hundreds of bags of groceries, clothing, new toys, diapers, even teddy bears for needy families.

Meth arrest is third for Alpine man
For the third time, an Alpine man has been charged with possession of methamphetamine. He faces six years in state prison if convicted in part because of his prior record.

West Nile birds in Alpine add up to eight with Marshall Road case 
A recent case of West Nile Virus found in a bird that tested positive for the disease, brings the number of known cases among birds to eight. The bird, a Western Scrub Jay, was found by a homeowner on Marshall Road and reported to San Diego Vector Control. 

Drop anchor at ACC’s annual dinner dance extravaganza
Landlubbers and sailors alike will have a great evening at Anchors Aweigh, the annual AutumnFest staged by the Alpine Community Church,   

Alpine Elementary gets sun power 
The Alpine Union School District has entered into a second contract for construction of a solar electric generating system on a school campus. 
 
Planners revisit Jacumba POE proposal
Residents and board members at the Sept. 26 Campo/Lake Morena Planning Group meeting, discussed the pros and cons of a new international port of entry in the Jacumba area. The issue was brought back to the board from the August meeting, where the board had heard support for the POE, but wanted to get input from Jacumba and Boulevard residents. 

Alpine man bases local shop, acting career on the Old West
The Wild West is alive and well in Alpine at the Lost Trail’s Trading Post located at 5301 Willows Road, just East of the Viejas Outlet Center. The owner, Larry Freeland, is living proof that, if you do what you love, people will take notice.

Alpine fire fighter fund raiser brings in more than $32,000 
The Put your firefighters to bed fund-raiser, held on Friday, Sept. 30, at the Alpine Community Center was a great success, raising nearly $32,000 to purchase furnishings for the new fire station, including, of course, eight new beds. The district is anticipating the grand opening of the new station in late January.

Local female bodybuilder hits the ring at pro-wrestling event in Alpine
The turn out wasn’t as great as expected, but those who came to the pro-wrestling event on Saturday evening, Oct. 1, on the softball field at the Alpine Community Center were very entertained.  


Columns/Opinion

Forlenza's Forum with Joe Forlenza: It’s time to take the community survey

Class Action with Chuck Taylor: The value of homework is less than previously thought

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: Will you come to the mercy seat?

While You Were Sleeping with Nancy Slaff: Clash of ideologies on border is much like that of the Alamo

Alpine Sun Editorial: County needs to step up to the plate on rural West Nile

My Turn with Ann Pierce: Wright’s Field has many lessons to offer

Low Flow Pro with Mike Urhammer: Get free gardening tips at conservation garden festival 


Sports

Alpine Pony Baseball is here to stay 
Reflecting on favorite times growing up, many people could dream of memories on the baseball field — swatting at fastballs and sprinting around the diamond on a perfect summer day.

Steele Canyon brings record to 2-2 
Just how good are the Santana Sultans? Just how good are the Valhalla Norsemen? Both teams will find out when they put their respective undefeated records on the line in a highly anticipated matchup on Friday, Oct. 7, at Valhalla High School.