Campo merchants hold spaghetti dinner
     CAMPO — Campo and Lake Morena business owners will hold a spaghetti dinner for Back Country residents from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., this Friday, Jan. 27, to celebrate the formation of the new Campo-Lake Morena Business Association.
     The dinner will be held at the Campo Community Center, 992 Sheridan Road. The requested donation is $4 per adult and $3 for children age 3-12. Dinner for children under the age of three is complimentary. 
     The dinner will feature an opportunity drawing. All proceeds will support the activities of the business association, which plans to organize special community events and promote the Campo-Lake Morena area as an attractive destination for local residents and regional visitors.

Relay for life holds organizational meeting
     ALPINE — The American Cancer Society’s 2006 Alpine Relay For Life, Aug. 19-20, will kick off this week, with an organizational meeting on Monday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m., at Exit Realty, 2702 Alpine Blvd.
     Local residents, businesses, schools, service organizations and churches in Alpine and surrounding communities of Descanso, Pine Valley and Boulevard are invited to participate in the relay as committee members, team leaders, volunteers, sponsors and donors. Relay For Life is the largest, non-profit fundraising event in the world, reaching 4,200 communities across the country, and raising more than $300 million this year for cancer research, treatment, education and patient services.
     For information about committee and volunteer opportunities, please call Carol Lewis at 445-6321 or log on to the website.

Fund-raiser to aid burned out family
     POTRERO — The Kiwanians of Portrero will hold a spaghetti dinner to help raise funds for Epi amd 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.

Kiwanis hosts annual 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, one may contact George or Pene Manale at 659-8727 to make reservations and to purchase tickets.

Library friends announce essay contest
     SAN DIEGO — The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC), invite students and adults countywide 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. 
     The entry form is posted here, and is at all branches of the San Diego County Library. 
     For further information, one may e-mail, or call Dick Wayman at (760) 788-7908, Susan Davis at (858) 679-0410, or Katie Harte at (760) 436-9421.

Viejas opens new recreation center 
     ALPINE — The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians will hold a grand opening ceremony for the new Viejas Recreation Center at Ipai-Tipai, on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 1 to 7 p.m. 
     The ceremony will welcome enrolled members of the tribe and offer an introduction to the center’s new facility and its many community programs and activities. The grand opening celebration includes a basketball tournament, food, children’s activities and games, facility tours, fireworks and prize giveaways.
     The new center is located at I-B Viejas Grade Road, across from the Tribal Hall.

Alpine historic buildings open for viewing
     ALPINE — Three historic buildings will be open for viewing this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28 and 29, 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. The building has a hand-dug basement and a nostalgic collection of pictures and memorabilia. For further information, one may call Joan Waterworth at 659-3946.

Granite Hills surfers host club fund-raiser
     EL CAJON — The Granite Hills High School Surf Club will hold its annual awards banquet and silent auction fund-raiser on Feb. 2.
     The Granite Hills surfers are not a school sponsored club, due to lack of funding, and rely solely on the annual silent auction to bring in the money necessary to keep the program going. Money raised will help the team buy surfing-related items.
     For further information, one may contact Sandi Steeber, silent auction committee member, at 445-5202.

Generator celebration planned
     CAMPO — Mountain Health and Community Services will hold an unveiling ceremony at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, to celebrate acquisition of its new generator.
     The generator will power its Campo health care center in the event of a disaster and the party will be held at the facility, located at 31115 Highway 94.
     Interested parties may RSVP with Kristie Coronado at 455-6200, ext.160.

Auditions planned 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.
     The Dining Room is a humorous and compassionate play from A. R. Gurney, the author of Sylvia, Later Life and The Cocktail Hour. Rather than the scenery changing around the characters, this play is unique in that the characters change around the scenery.
     Anyone interested in being a part of this production either as an actor or back stage, 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.

Mountain Health to host blood drive
     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.