Fire station opens for tour
     ALPINE — The Alpine Fire Protection District invites the public to join local students for a tour of its new fire station at 1364 Tavern Road, on Saturday April 29, from 1 to 4 p.m.
     Fire officials will hand out wildland fire safety information and there will be fire personnel on hand to facilitate the tour. Firefighters moved in just over a month ago.

Homemakers hold bag sale
     CAMPO — The Mountain Empire Homemakers thrift store will hold the final days of its annual bag sale Thursday through Saturday, April 27 through 29.
Customers may visit the store, located on Sheridan Road near the community center building in Campo, and buy a full bag of goods for only $3.
     The proceeds to are used to provide scholarships for graduating seniors from Mountain Empire High School.
     For further information, one may call Jane at 478-5417.

Dump your hazardous waste
     ALPINE — There will be a hazardous waste disposal day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 29, at Bethel Assembly Church, 1929 Arnold Way, in Alpine.
     Anyone who lives in the unincorporated area is welcome to bring up to five computer monitors, 15 gallons of hazardous liquid, or 125 pounds per household. For further information, one may visit the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health web site at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh.

Kiwanis Club participates in walk for MS
     SAN DIEGO — The Kiwanis Club of Alpine is sending a team, the Alpine Trailblazers, down to the Embarcadero on Sunday, April 30 to participate in the 2006 MS Walk. Walkers have their choice of taking a 5K or 10K stroll along the San Diego Bay and raise money for Multiple Sclerosis patients.
     The Alpine Trailblazers are looking for additional team members or those who would like to pledge them with a donation. If you would like to walk or sponsor this team please call team captain, Jan Herold at 445-5255.

Alpine Roadrunners host fund-raiser
     ALPINE — The Alpine Roadrunner, part of U.S.A. Track and Field, is currently hosting a club fund-raiser to buy equipment. For $2 per ticket, participants will be able to enter a raffle for a 1994 Ford Taurus, which was donated to the club by the "Kids Are people too Foundation."
     The raffle will take place May 6 and interested people can check out the fully-loaded car on April 29.
At its most recent track meet, the club boasted several medal awards. Brenna Bahr received gold, Jasmine Smith took silver, and Chad Gaffney, Ty Christian Lewis, Cote Hubs and Chance Pickepaugh claimed bronze medals. The next meet will be held April 29.
     For more information, or to buy raffle tickets, one may call Coach K at 726-2501.

Vintage Alpine wine event coming in May
     ALPINE — The 16th Annual Vintage Alpine event will be held May 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Summers Past Farm located at 15602 Olde Highway 80 in Flynn Springs. The Kiwanis Club of Alpine is hosting the annual fund raising event for the children of East County.
     The afternoon will include a silent auction plus raffle items. Several well known local and San Diego restaurants, as well as local, California, and foreign wineries will be in attendance.
     Tickets may be purchased on line at www.alpinekiwains.org/vintagealpine or by calling 749-1145, or from any Alpine Kiwanis member. Tickets are $45 currently and $50 at the door.

ACT rehearsing for Love Letters
     ALPINE — The Alpine Community Theater (ACT) is currently rehearsing for a May production of Love Letters, by A. R. Gurney. Performances will be held on May 11, 12, 13, 19 and 20, at 7 p.m., and on May 21 at 1 p.m.
     Tickets for these performances are $10 each. The May 20 performance will include wine and cheese and tickets are $20 for this show only. Local residents Judy Grant and Patrick L. Grattan, Jr. will star in this production, which will be produced by Susan Lancaster and directed by Tim Arends. 
     Tickets are available at the Alpine Chamber of Commerce or, by mail at ACT, 1347 Tavern Road, #18, PMB Box 127, Alpine, CA 91901. For further information, please contact alpinecommunitytheater@hotmail.com.

Queen of Angels hosts blood drive
      ALPINE — The San Diego Blood Bank bloodmobile will accept blood donations at a public blood drive hosted by Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 2569 Victoria Drive, Alpine, Sunday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
     The bloodmobile will be parked in the lower lot. Donors will receive a variety of free gifts.
     For donor requirements, or to make an appointment, one may call the San Diego Blood Bank at 1-800-4MY-SDBB or visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

Wellness fair to focus on lifestyle
     PINE VALLEY — Information on health, community resources and fun for the entire family will headline the first annual Mountain Empire Community Wellness Fair. Admission is free and open to the public.
     The event will be held at Mountain Empire High School on Thursday, May 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Mountain Empire area fire and sheriff’s departments, the Southern Indian Health Council, and the Mountain Health and Community Services will man interactive booths at the event.
     For further information, to participate in a booth presentation, or to become a sponsor, one may call Dr. Laurie Mitchell at 787-0002.

ACC to hold BIG rummage sale
     ALPINE — The Alpine Community Church will hold its annual Gigantic Rummage Sale at the church, 2225 West Victoria, Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29.
     Available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be abundant household goods, children’s and baby needs, furniture, garden equipment, jewelry and more.
     Se habla Espanol.

Love Alpine clean this Saturday
     ALPINE — The second annual “I Love a Clean Alpine,” event will take place Saturday, April 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Participants will meet at the triangle in the center of town, 2157 Alpine Blvd. at 8:30 a.m. for registration and a free continental breakfast hosted by the Alpine Stagecoach Lions.
     All those interested are encouraged to bring friends, family, and neighbors to help in cleaning up Alpine.

LMVA holds training for forest volunteers
     MT. LAGUNA — Mount Laguna will be holding a volunteer training day on Saturday, April 29, at the Red Tail Roost volunteer headquarters.
     Trainees will get an overview of programs that LMVA offers, including visitor information services, interpretive and naturalist programs, trail maintenance, mountain bike, foot and mounted patrols, planting projects, and more.
     The event begins at 8 a.m. and runs all day. Participants should bring their own lunches, but the event will end with a potluck dinner at 4 p.m. This one-day training is free. 
     The Red Tail Roost is located on Sunrise Highway at mile marker 22.5, nine miles north of Interstate 8. 
For more information, contact alb@lmva.org or call the Cleveland National Forest Service, Descanso Ranger District office at 445-6235.

Historic buildings open for tours
     ALPINE — Three historic buildings will be open for viewing Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Alpine.
     The opportunity to view these buildings is provided by the Alpine Historical Society and the Alpine Woman's Club.
     The Alpine Historical Society offers two 1890's houses for viewing, the Captain Adam Beaty house and the Dr. Sophronia Nichols house, both located at 2116 Tavern Rd. For further information, one may call Carol Morrison at 445-2544.
     The third historic building is Alpine's original Town Hall, circa 1899, at 2156 Alpine Blvd., now home to the Alpine Woman's Club. This month the building is the site of a craft fair on April 29 and 30, which is open to the public. 
     For further information, one may call Joan Waterworth at 659-3946.

Woman's Club accepting applications from local students for $1,000 scholarships 
     ALPINE — The Alpine Woman's Club is again offering $1,000 scholarships to Alpine high school seniors who are enrolling in college. 
     Applications are available at area high schools, California Bank & Trust, Washington Mutual, Janet's Café, Alpine library, Alpine Chamber of Commerce, ALFA book store, Bread Basket Restarurant and the Alpine Community Center.
     The deadline for submitting applications is May 31 and recipients will be notified during the first two weeks in June.
     The Alpine Woman's Club holds numerous fund-raisers, including fall and spring plant sales, the Victorian Tea, and the Christmas in Alpine tour of Alpine homes decorated for the holidays. Proceeds from these events provide funds for maintaining the community's original town hall buildings and the annual scholarships presented to Alpine youth.

BCLT hosts second sunset walk
     ALPINE — The Back Country Land Trust will host a sunset walk through Wright’s Field on Sunday, May 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 
     Michael Wangler, Geography professor at Cuyamaca College, will lead a walk in Wright's Field and discuss the plants, wildlife, and a little history. Hikers should meet at the Joan Mac Queen Middle School parking lot before 6 p.m.

Local schools participate in essay contest
     ALPINE — The Alpine Historical Society is conducting its third annual essay contest during the month of May.
     All local third grade teachers were invited to participate and include the essay contest as a part of their local history unit of study. Entries must relate to one of three topics: Life in Alpine 100 years ago (an imaginary letter to someone who lives in another part of the country), my favorite historical person in Alpine, my favorite historical place in Alpine.
     Certificates and cash prizes will be given to the top three winners in each topic category. All three first place winners will be invited to read their award-winning essays aloud at the Alpine History Days Celebration on June 3 at the museum, located at 2116 Tavern Road, as well as to ride on the Alpine Historical Society’s float in the Viejas Day Parade.
     For more information, one may contact Don Tarr at 659-1378 or send an e-mail to alpinehistory@cox.net.

Meet the cats at Lions, Tigers and Bears
     ALPINE — Lions, Tigers and Bears, the big cat rescue located in Japatul, will host a free members-only celebration on Saturday, May 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. 
     Visitors will have a chance for an up close and personal afternoon with all the animals who live at the rescue, including four Bengal tigers, an African serval, two bobcats, and a leopard, as well as a menagerie of farm and ranch animals. There will also be a backyard barbecue featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, lemonade, cake and ice cream. Beer and wine will also be available.
     Although the facility is open to members only, it's easy to join. Individual memberships start at just $35 ($20 for seniors), family memberships at $100. Members will also be allowed to bring guests to this event for a nominal fee. 
For more information, one may call Bobbi Brink at 659-8078 or visit www.lionstigersandbears.org.