Alpine firefighters host open house, fund-raiser
     ALPINE — The Alpine Firefighters Association will host a fund-raising event on Sept. 30 at the Alpine Community Center from 7 to 11 p.m.
     The event will include hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert, a no-host bar, dancing, and an opportunity drawing and auction. Only 300 tickets are available for this fund-raiser with proceeds going to fund the purchase of eight new beds and furnishings for the new fire station. Tickets for the opportunity drawing are on sale now at the fire station and the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, if all 300 tickets are sold, the winner of the drawing could take home as much as $10,000, or one third of the ticket sales. Tickets for dinner are $35.
     For more information, and to purchase tickets for the dinner and drawing, one may contact the Alpine Chamber of Commerce at 445-2722, or any Alpine firefighter at 445-9066, or call 445-8810.

Viejas Fun Days coming up this weekend
     ALPINE — The annual Alpine Viejas Days will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 with various attractions all over town.
     The day starts at 8 a.m. at the Alpine Community Park with a pancake breakfast and a car show, and continues throughout the afternoon with a deep pit barbecue, booths, bands and fun. 
     The Stagecoach Lions Alpine Viejas Days Parade will step off at 3 p.m. from the Alpine Woman’s Club and march down Alpine Boulevard to the community center. At 6 p.m. Alpine’s first pro-wrestling matches will be held at the community center.
     For more information one may call 445-2722.

ALFA book sale goes on throughout Viejas Days
      ALPINE — The Alpine Library Friends Association will hold a book sale on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2. The group is currently looking for book donations.
     Quality book donations are welcomed by ALFA at the old Hallmark store in the Alpine Creek Shopping Center. A Book drop-box is located at the store’s entrance for deliveries anytime. The store is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. 
     Volunteers are also needed to sort books and help during the sale, call Christine at 659-0458 to sign up. For more information one may call 722-1277 or visit www.alpinelibraryfriends.org.

‘Between the Stripes’ fund-raiser for big cats
     ALPINE — The second annual Between the Stripes fundraiser for Lions, Tigers and Bears will take place Oct. 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. Participants will be able to take part in live and silent auctions, various activities and of course eat alongside the big cats.
     More than $150,000 is needed to pay for the chain link alone to build a new 250 by 150-foot enclosure.
     Tickets for Between the Stripes are only available in advance and numbers are limited. Adults are $75 and children under 12 can get in for $25.
     For more information, to become a member or to buy tickets please call 659-8078 or check online at www.lionstigersandbears.org.

No Campo VFW rib dinners until February
     CAMPO — The Campo VFW has announced that it will not be holding its rib dinner, normally presented on the first Friday of the month, until February. The steak frys, held on the third Saturday of the month will still take place.

Mtn. Empire Alums hold reunion in P.V.
     PINE VALLEY — Mountain Empire High School will host its 18 reunion on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Pine Valley County Park from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
     The event, entitled “Celebrating class of 1955's golden years,” will be a chance for MEHS grads to visit with old friends and remember the good times they had at school. Participants should bring a picnic lunch as nothing will be provided in the way of food or drinks.
     Those grads who plan to attend please respond to Pat Griffin at 440-6168 or e-mail her at pgriffin@cwnet.com or patg710@hotmail.com.

Kiwanis officers to be celebrated Saturday
     ALPINE — To honor its outgoing and incoming officers, the Kiwanis Club will stage an installation dinner, named “The Best Show in Town” on Oct. 1 at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., with social hour starting at 5:30 p.m.
     Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by dancing to the music of the “Ideas.” Business attire is requested.
     The new officers are President Joe Brunold, President-elect Ken Schuettehelm, Vice President Richard Higgins, Past President Debbie Jackson, Secretary Dave Truax, Treasurer Max Robinson, and Directors Harry Nelson, Charles Nelson, Faith Lewis and Bill Ferris.
     The outgoing officers include: President Debbie Jackson, President-elect Joe Brunold, Vice President Ken Schuettehelm, Past President Alfonso Martinez, Secretary Art Armagost, Treasurer Max Robison, and Directors Judy Marshall, Don Parker and Jim Cate.
The public is welcome and tickets at $35 a person with red or wine available at $10 a bottle, can be purchased from Dave Truax, 445 1666.

15th Annual Vintage Alpine coming up
     ALPINE — The Alpine Kiwanis Club will host the 15th annual Vintage Alpine wines tasting on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Highway 80.
     Participants will sample premium wines from California and the world and taste the best from restaurants throughout the county and explore the gardens of Summers Past Farms.
     Tickets are available now for $45 per attendee, $50 on the day of the event. For more information one may contact 445-5891 or e-mail vintagealpine@alpinekiwanis.org.

Campo fire fund-raiser
     CAMPO — The Campo volunteer fire department will host an open house and spaghetti dinner fund-raiser on Oct. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the firehouse, 437 Jeb Stuart Rd. in Campo.
     Visitors can come see the new fire house and community emergency operations center. There will also be a silent auction from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
     Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

Alpine leadership and public service awards coming up
     ALPINE — The Alpine Leadership and Public Service (ALPS) 2005 Gala Awards Dinner will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in the Dreamcatcher Lounge at the Viejas Casino. This Alpine Chamber of Commerce event recognizes those organizations and individuals that have demonstrated community leadership and public service for the benefit of the community.
     The chamber is now accepting nominations for the beautification award, business of the year award, organization of the year, citizen of the year and special recognition award. Nomination forms are available at the chamber, 2751 Alpine Blvd.
     For more information one may contact the chamber at 445-2722. 

Alpine Viejas Days parade steps off Saturday
     ALPINE — The annual Alpine Viejas Days parade will step off at 3 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 1 in the center of town. It will travel from the Alpine Woman’s Center down Alpine Boulevard to Tavern Road.
The road will be closed to traffic prior to the parade from about 2 to 5 p.m.

12th annual Alpine fire association open house
     ALPINE — Come meet your firefighters as the Alpine Firefighters Association and the Alpine Fire Protection District host the 12th annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1834 Alpine Blvd.
     There will be activities for the entire family including fire and rescue demonstrations. Many other agencies and community groups will be there to share their expertise with our citizens. The California Highway Patrol, San Diego Sheriff K9 and D.A.R.E. units, California Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, Alpine Paramedic 17, SDG&E, rattlesnake expert Tom Minga, the Burn Institute and the Alpine Kiwanis will provide child I.D. and fingerprint kits.
     There will be a huge raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, including two bicycles from Wal Mart.
Drop by and enjoy the day with your firefighters.

Grossmont holds career fair
     EL CAJON — The Grossmont Union High School District is hosting its annual “Got Plans?” Career and College Fair for students, grades 9 through 12, and their parents, on Oct. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at West Hills High School. 
     West Hills is located at 8756 Mast Blvd. in Santee. 
Admissions representatives from over 60 public and private universities, community colleges, vocational schools and the military will be on hand.
     Attendees may attend up to three half-hour workshops on what to do after high school. Some sessions offered in Spanish. Admission is free and this is open to the public.
For more information, one may call 644-8000 or log on to www.guhsd.net.

Laguna Mountain Rendezvous runs all week
     MT. LAGUNA — The 19th Annual Laguna Mountain Rendezvous will be held Oct. 4 through 9 off Highway 79 and Mesa Grande Road (just north of Santa Isabel).
     Included is an authentic 1700s to 1840s Rocky Mountain Fur Trader’s encampment. Become part of the past by attending the finest mountain man encampment in the Western U.S. Demonstrations of primitive survival skills, such as cooking, tool making, tomahawk throwing and black powder target shooting.
     One may register at the gate to participate in the events, but visitors attend for only $3 a day, while children under 10 and military may visit for free. Visitors may not bring dogs.
     The event is enjoyed annually by hundreds of fellow buckskinners and traders who travel from throughout the Western U.S. to carry on this very important part of history.
     Primitive and modern camping will be available on the site. Primitive Archery will use Primitive Bows and Arrows only. For further information, one may call Bill Clausen or Don Densford at 390-0614 or Dough Larner, weekdays at 800-488-1240. One may visit The Muzzle Loaders at www.sdcmi.com.

Miracle Mile of Quarters golf tournament
     EL CAJON — The 2005 Miracle Mile of Quarters Golf Tournament will take place Nov. 4 at the Singing Hills Golf Club in El Cajon.
     Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start at 10:30 a.m. Lunch and drinks will be served all day with cocktails at 5 p.m. The evening will end with dinner and a live auction at 6 p.m.

Alpine family medicine back to school drive
     ALPINE — Throughout the month of September, Mountain Health and Community Services will be holding a back to school drive to help needy children.
     Bring your donated pens, pencils, erasers, paper, notebooks, calculators or backpacks to Alpine Family Medicine, 1620 Alpine Blvd., Suite 119 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. All proceeds will benefit the children of Alpine and Mountain Empire.
     For more information, or to find out about drop-off locations in Jacumba and Campo, call Stephanie Ross as 445-6200, ext. 166.

Go hog wild in Campo
     CAMPO — The Campo VFW Post 2080, presents its annual Hog Wild picnic on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 301 Sheridan Road in Campo.
     Hog Wild will open at noon and food will be served at 2 p.m. including a deep pit barbecue featuring beef, pork and turkey, plus an assortment of side dishes. Tickets for members and children under 12 are $5, $8 for non-members and active military are free.
     There will be games for all ages, a silent auction and the Ladies Auxiliary bake sale. The event will also feature live music by “Blue Dawg,” from 1 to 6 p.m.

WWII pilot speaks at LMVA meeting
     MT. LAGUNA — The Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association has invited Blackie Blackburn to give a presentation at the Red Tail Roost on Oct. 8 from 6 to 7 p.m.
     Blackie is in the Commerative Air Force and owns the only operational B-29 from WWII that can still fly. Blackie is 82 years old and is one of a few remaining B-29 pilots who served in WWII. He is still a flightcrew member in the Commemorative Air Force. The name of his plane is Fi Fi.
     The public is invited to the presentation that does not include any refreshments or service. It is free, but donations to LMVA will be accepted.

Thanksgiving gift bag drive gold tournament
     SAN DIEGO — The East San Diego County Association of Realtors will hold the “Drive for the Drive,” thanksgiving gift bag drive on Oct. 13 at Riverwalk Golf Course, 1150 Fashion Valley Rd. in San Diego.
     Check-in begins at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at noon. Dinner, raffles and awards will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner.
     The cost will be $175 per player, with proceeds benefiting those in need, via charity efforts of the association. Golf registration is on a first-come basis with a tournament cut-off of 144 players.
     For more information or to register one may contact Daryl Handley, tournament director, at 440-5606.

Local students invited to design T-shirts
     DESCANSO — Local students are invited to enter the Design a T-shirt Contest sponsored by the Descanso Garden Club and the Descanso Friends of the Library.
     Winner will get a $10 gift certificate to Rancho Café in Descanso.
     All designs must be turned in to the Library by Oct. 15.
     Details are available at the Descanso branch of the San Diego County Library.

Mtn. Empire celebrates homecoming
     MTN. EMPIRE — Mountain Empire high school will celebrate its homecoming on Friday, Oct. 28 at the school, 3305 Buckman Springs Road. 
     The event will kick off with the junior varsity football game at 5 p.m. The parade of floats will go at 6:30 p.m. followed by the varsity football game with Vincent Memorial high school at 7:30 p.m. At halftime the homecoming court will be named and the king and queen will be crowned. There will also be fireworks after the game.
     For more information one may contact the school at 473-8601.