Chamber of commerce hosts 'Evening With Your Elected Representatives'
     ALPINE — Join your local elected representatives for a lively evening discussion of important hot topics affecting Alpine and the Back Country. Bring your questions, enjoy dinner and take advantage of the opportunity to meet friends, neighbors and government officials in an informative community event.
     The Alpine Chamber of Commerce’s 8th Annual Evening With Your Elected Representatives will be held on July 26 at 6 p.m. in the Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge. Among the big names expected to attend are Assemblyman Jay LaSuer, AUSD President Mary Wiggins, GUHSD President Jim Kelly, Padre Dam board member Joel Anderson, Sheriff Bill Kolender, Supervisor Dianne Jacob and Congressman Duncan Hunter.
     For reservations, one may obtain an RSVP card from the Alpine Chamber of Commerce. For further information, one may call 445-2722.

Free teen guitar class looking for musicians
     ALPINE — The free teen guitar classes have been taught by Father Acker of Alpine Anglican Church over the last three years. “We’re looking for a couple of student musicians to help us with our performances. We need a bass player and a drummer in middle or high school to help us out. This is a great opportunity for some performance playing.” Music styles are from popular to standard Rock cover songs. 
     For more information, call Father Acker at Alpine Anglican Church, 722-1772.

Wildlife Survey training offered
     SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Tracking Team is offering free training to volunteers interested in assisting with wildlife monitoring at Crestridge Ecological Reserve.
     Learn to recognize tracks of native mammal species, and join an experienced tracker on wildlife surveys. Training will take place on July 15 from 9:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Ranch House. 
     Please call (760) 715-4102, or visit www.sdtt.org for more information.

Country Western BBQ Dinner Dance
     ALPINE — On July 29, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Alpine Community Center will host a western dinner dance. Luis Sumaya will be giving dancing demonstrations from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and dance instructions from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. After your lesson you can dance to the music of Whiskey Ridge until 11 p.m. Dinner will also be provided and includes salad, BBQ chicken, potato salad, baked beans and rolls. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 or $25 at the door. Seniors, 60 and over, and ACC members are $15.
     For tickets and information, go to 1830 Alpine Blvd., or call 445-7330.

Line dancing class offered each Saturday at ACC
     ALPINE — For those struggling with the newest abdominal roller, protein shake or crash diet, consider a simple, fun and healthy alternative. Believe it or not, country line dancing in the park is the latest fad in exercise.
     The Alpine Community Center offers an outdoor fitness class every Saturday morning. Each session runs from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. and costs $7.
     For more information, please call 445-7330.

Arts and crafts camp held at Shadow Hills
     ALPINE — The Southern California Center for Youth, Nature and the Arts is presenting an exciting arts and crafts camp for children. Juniors (ages 5-9) will participate in a session from July 10-14, and youth campers (ages 10-14) will go from July 24-28.
     Each session will run from 9: 30 to 11:30 a.m. in room 3 at Shadow Hills School. The cost is $95 including all supplies and snacks. Art campers will receive a t-shirt/smock, learn to draw and use watercolor techniques, make greeting cards from their original artwork, paint wooden flower pinwheels, work with modeling clay, decorate a quilting square for the class quilt and enjoy music, friendship and fun.
     Space is limited so sign up your kids early! For more information, please call 445-0020.

Viejas hosts ‘Rods and Rides Summer Poker Fun’
     ALPINE — Car enthusiasts, collectors, cruisers, and anyone interested in spending a summer day among some amazing pieces of beautifully restored performance machinery should come to Viejas on July 15 for Rods and Rides Summer Poker Fun. The all day show will feature some of the most beautiful and eye catching American hot rods, street rods, muscle cars and classics along with cash prizes, live music and food. There will be a 7 a.m. cruise followed by a car show beginning at 11 a.m.
     For registration and cruise details one may visit www.viejas.com.

36th annual Pine Valley Days scheduled
     PINE VALLEY — The 36th annual Pine Valley Days will take place July 28, 29 and 30 in Pine Valley, hosted by the Mountain Empire Men’s Club.
     The three-day event begins with a deep pit barbecue at the Pine Valley Park. The barbecue cost is $7 per adult and $4 for each child under 12.
Saturday, July 29 begins with the biggest parade in East County. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and includes more than 60 entries.
For more information, one may contact Corinne at 473-9002.

Hispanic Heritage Month events planned
     JACUMBA — The Jacumba Branch library will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by having a series of events in September. 
     Saturday, September 2, a movie about Alejandro de la Vega fighting injustice and cruelty will have to deal with his greatest challenge yet, an evil mastermind behind a terrorist plot to destroy the United States, will begin at 1 p.m.
     Tuesday, September 12 at 6 p.m., poetry readings by Gary Soto, Ana Castillo, Kathleen Ann Gonzalez, Denise Chavez ad Esmeralda Santiago. 
     Tuesday, September 19 at 6 p.m., another movie, this one a true tale of how Mexican Revolutionary Pancho Villa allowed a Hollywood crew to film him in battle.
     Thursday, Sept. 21, will be a pre-school Hispanic story hour with Hispanic crafts and snacks.
     For further information, one may call 766-4608. 

ALFA half-price day held each Wednesday
     ALPINE — Wednesdays will be great deal days at the Alpine Library Friends Bookstore. Most items will be half-off! The used bookstore regularly has low prices, but from now on every Wednesday means slashed prices and smiling faces. 
     “We've received so many book donations that we need to turn the inventory over faster,” said Jill Sing, a bookstore volunteer. “We also hope to stay open later on Wednesdays…so all those returning from work can benefit from our half price reductions.”
     The bookstore, located in the Alpine Creek Town Center, is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Contact the Alpine Library Friends at the bookstore, by phone at 722-1277 or online at ALFA.