Fund-raiser to aid burned out family
     POTRERO — The Kiwanians of Portrero will hold a spaghetti dinner to help raise funds for Epi and Lola Lopez, whose house was gutted by fire last week.
     The dinner will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10, at the 25771 Potrero Valley Rd.
     Donations of baked goods for auction, and of cash, are invited.
     For further information, one may e-mail tecatehope@Yahoo.com.

Committee to vote on APG rules
     ALPINE — The Coordinating Committee of the Alpine Planning Group will meet next Thursday, Feb. 16, to discuss the group’s standing rules and to vote on possible changes.
     At the beginning of each year, the APG must accept its standing rules with a majority vote prior to the March meeting. The coordinating committee is comprised of the APG officers: chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, immediate past chairman, and subcommittee chairpeople.
Changes that are expected to be discussed specifically include the rule regarding announcements of vacancies, and the item allowing the suspension of rules.
     The meeting will take place at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.

Alpine PTA hosts community read in
     ALPINE — The Alpine PTA council is hosting the third annual community read in at the Shadow Hills School gym on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. 
     Parents and students are invited to attend the evening where Rita Micklish, author of Sugar Bee will be doing a reading and talking with visitors. Listen to students and adult readers from Alpine, share their favorite stories, poems, and books. Please arrive early.

Audition for next ACT production
     ALPINE — After a very successful first production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Alpine Community Theater (ACT) is preparing for its next endeavor, The Dining Room, which will be presented during the month of May.
     Auditions will be held on Feb. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. at the Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd. ACT is seeking a talented cast of six; three men and three women between the ages of 16 and 76. Anyone interested in being a part of this production, either as an actor or backstage, is encouraged to attend the auditions. 
     Tim Arends will direct the play, which is being produced by Susan Lancaster. Sandy Bennett will supervise lighting and sound.
     For further information, one may e-mail alpinetheater@hotmail.com.

Docent Training and Field Trip Planned
     ALPINE — In response to numerous requests from Alpine residents, Carol Morrison, President of the Alpine Historical Society, has agreed to provide a docent training class.
     Docent training sessions will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, March 26. Both sessions will begin at 2 p.m. and will be held at the Alpine Historical Society Museum, 2116 Tavern Road.
     Please contact Carol Morrison at 445-2544 or send an e-mail to alpinehistory@cox.net if you plan to attend these informative classes.

ACC holds March Madness tourney
     ALPINE — The Alpine Community Center is pleased to announce the first annual “March Madness” doubles tennis tournament, to take place March 4, 5, 11 and 12. 
     The two-weekend event will feature team competition for junior’s, men’s, and ladies divisions, as well as mixed doubles.
     Tournament matches start Saturday, and Sunday, March 4 and 5. Consolation and semi-final matches will be held on Saturday, March 11 and conclude with the final four championships on Sunday, March 12. The tournament entry fee is $15 dollars for juniors, and $18 dollars for adults. The deadline to register is Feb. 28.
     For tournament details and registration, contact Rene Toscano, ACC teaching pro, at 722-1669 or e-mail retoscano@yahoo.com.

Mountain Health to host blood drive
     ALPINE — Mountain Health will host a blood drive at Alpine Family Medicine, 1620 Alpine Blvd., at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 2.
     To sign up, one may call Stephanie Ross, 445-6200, ext.166.

ALFA and AJC host tours ‘Inside Anne Frank’s house’
     ALPINE — The Alpine Library Friends Association and the Alpine Jewish Connection will host an exhibition entitled “Inside Anne Frank’s House,” from March 21 to 26.
     The walk through exhibit will be set up at the ALFA book store in the Alpine Creek Shopping Center, and will be a recreation of two rooms in which the Frank and Van Pels families hid during the Nazi occupation. The exhibit structure is entered through a small doorway hidden by a moveable bookcase.
The rooms are realistically furnished and one experiences what it was like to live in hiding.

Kiwanis hosts Sweetheart Ball
     ALPINE — The Kiwanis Club of Alpine is pleased to announce its Annual Valentine dinner dance, “The Sweetheart Ball,” which will be held at the Alpine Community Center on Feb. 11.
     A no-host bar is scheduled for 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following dinner, there will be dancing to the music of the “Idea’s.” The public is welcome to join in this Kiwanis celebration. There will be door prizes.
     For more information, or to purchase tickets, one may contact George or Pene Manale at 659-8727.

ANSA accepting 2006-07 registrations
     ALPINE — The Alpine Natural Sciences Academy, a program of the Mountain View Learning Academy, is now accepting applications for the 2006-07 school year.
     The intent of this program, for grades six and seven — and possibly eighth grade, contingent upon enrollment — is to provide a standards-based, self-contained alternative to the standard middle school setting.
     For more information, one may call Craig Champion at 445-4935.

ACC to host Valentine dinner dance
     ALPINE — The Alpine Community Center’s annual, romantic Valentine’s Dinner Dance will be held on Feb. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m., in the center ballroom at 1830 Alpine Blvd.
     Proceeds from the evening will benefit the programs held at the center. Advance tickets are $20 and include a full evening of dance music by the band “Project X” and a chicken dinner catered by the Bread Basket, complete with wine and dessert.
    For more information one may call 445-7330.

Woman’s Club to host Victorian Tea
     ALPINE — The Alpine Woman’s Club will once again present its now-famous Victorian Tea on Feb. 18, at its clubhouse at 2156 Alpine Blvd. 
     A wide variety of delicacies will be served at each of the two seatings, to be held at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
     Tickets are $25, with all of the proceeds going to the Alpine Woman’s Club’s Scholarship Program.
     For more information or to purchase tickets, one may contact Carol Walker at 445-4024.

Ham radio class offered
     ALPINE — There will be an entry-level, technician level ham radio class offered on Feb. 18 and 25, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building, located at 2425 Tavern Road, with instructor Steve Early. The class is free. 
     Anyone interested in attending any part of the class contact Stacy Magoffin at 468-3963.

Pine Valley library offers Black History Month programs
     PINE VALLEY — The Pine Valley Branch of the San Diego County Library, 28804 Old Highway 80, will present free programs in celebration of Black History Month.
     In addition to special speakers at the library throughout the month, on Wednesday, Feb 22, there will be an after-school African mask craft project. 
     The event begins at 3:30 p.m. and parents are requested to remain during programs.
     School groups are requested to phone a week in advance to reserve space. For more information, one may phone the library at 473-8022.

History field trip planned
     ALPINE — The Alpine Historical Society invites everyone on a field trip to the George W. Marston House in Balboa Park.
     Those interested in attending will meet at the museum, 2116 Tavern Road, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26. Carpooling opportunities will be available if desired. 
     The entrance fee is $4 for adults and $3 for children. If you are interested in going on the tour, please contact Carol Morrison at 445-2544 or send an e-mail to alpinehistory@cox.net.

Soroptimists of Alpine honor women
     ALPINE — The Soroptimist International of Alpine presents “Women honoring women” event on Saturday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to noon at Viejas’ Dream Catcher Lounge.
     A buffet brunch will be served in honor of the applicants for the “Making a Difference for Women Award 2006,” and the “Women’s Opportunity Award 2006.”
     Tickets are $25 per person. For more information, one may contact Becky Kirkwood at 445-6201, ext. 110, or e-mail beckybardoo@yahoo.com.

Library friends hold essay contest
     SAN DIEGO — The Library Friends of San Diego County, invites students and adults county wide to write essays on their “favorite library experience.”
     Entries may be submitted at any branch of the San Diego County Library by Saturday, April 29. 
     Essays should not exceed 500 words and participants are allowed one entry.
     The first place winner in each of two divisions will receive $100, second place winners, $50, and third place winners, $25. Winners will also be recognized at an official, televised meeting of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
     For further information, one may e-mail Lfsdcessay@yahoo.com, or call Dick Wayman at (760) 788-7908, Susan Davis at (858) 679-0410, or Katie Harte at (760) 436-9421.