New fire station opens March 17
     ALPINE — The public is invited to take part in a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Alpine Fire Station 17, on Friday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
     The new station, located at 1364 Tavern Road, has been under construction for more than a year and will finally open its doors after the dedication. Light refreshments will be provided for attendees.
     For more information, one may call the Alpine Fire Protection District at 445-2635.

Track and field program begins in Alpine
     EAST COUNTY — Sign-ups for the Alpine Roadrunner track and field program will take place Saturday, March 18 and 25, from 12 to 4 p.m., at the Alpine Elementary Auditorium.
     The Alpine Roadrunners will be the birth of U.S.A. track and field to the East County/ Alpine area. Ages four to 15 are welcome to sign up. Required documents for sign-up are, a physical (no more than one year old), a birth certificate, and medical insurance. Cost is $180 per athlete.
     For more information one may contact Alpine league presidents Kinya Lewis at 726-2501 or e-mail kinyalewis@sbcglobal.net.

Local MOMS Club holds rummage sale
     ALPINE — The MOMS Club of Alpine and Mountain Empire will hold its Annual Rummage Sale on Saturday, March 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Los Coches Wal-Mart lot, 13487 Camino Canada.
The sale features bargains on all types of maternity, baby and children's clothing, as well as baby and children's gear and toys.
     All funds generated by this event will be given to charities benefiting women and children.
     For further information, one may call Jennifer St. Hilaire at 722-6470.

Junior fair holds fund-raising auction
     LAKESIDE — The Eastern San Diego County Junior Fair will hold a barbecue and fund-raiser auction on Sunday, March 19, at the Lakeside Rodeo and Fairgrounds, at Mapleview and Highway 67, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Tickets for the event are $7 each, and funds raised will go toward the fair, to be held May 15 to 20. This year, the group is hoping to raise enough money to put in a permanent washing rack for the animals as well as fans to circulate air.
     For more information, one may contact Don Dyer at El Capitan High School, at 938-9100.

Bethel Assembly hosts dinner theater
     ALPINE — Bethel Christian Assembly located at 1929 Arnold Way, will be having a mystery dinner theater on March 31. Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. The show is, The Show Stopping Nun Nabber.
     This mystery dinner theater is filled with laughs, turns, twists, and a great dinner and dessert.
     The cost for tickets is $10 pre-sell, and $11 at the door. 
     For more information, or to purchase tickets, one may call 445-5508.

VFW offers rib dinners
     CAMPO — Campo’s VFW Post 2080 will serve its next monthly rib dinner on Friday, April 7. 
     The famous dinners will continue to be served the first Friday of each month.

Campo-Lake Morena roundup
     CAMPO — The Campo-Lake Morena roundup will take place Saturday, April 8 at DDD Ranch on Lake Morena Boulevard in Campo.
     Admission is $5 per person at the gate. Events during the day include all-day gymkhana, wild cow milking, ranch roping, bull riding, a mountain man encampment, an 1800s gunfight featuring the Hole-In-The-Wall Gang, and vendor booths and exhibits.
     For more information one may contact Mike Young at 478-2147 or Martin Mendoza at 742-1050.

Kiwanis prepare for pancake breakfast
     ALPINE — The 52nd annual Kiwanis Easter Sunday community pancake breakfast will take place April 16.
     Participants will enjoy a pancake breakfast, a visit from the Easter bunny, and visiting with residents and neighbors.
     Tickets are on sale now.

Gillespie air show takes off
     EL CAJON — Prepare for a historical journey as the 12th Annual Wings Over Gillespie Air Show lands at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, April 21 to 23. The 2006 air show rolls out the red carpet for “The Wings of the Silver Screen,” featuring the actual aircraft starring in our most beloved aviation film.
    There will also be activities for children, food vendors and live music and stage shows all weekend long. Air show admission is $12 for adults and $6 for military with valid ID. Children 10 and under will be admitted free.
     For more information, one may call 448-4505 or (888) 215-7000, or visit Gillespie Air Show.

VFW gears up for Easter
     CAMPO — The annual Campo VFW Post 2080 Bicycle Rodeo and Easter Egg Hunt will take place April 9. Egg Hunt, Bike Rodeo, food and prizes for the kids. Watch for details coming soon.

Second Vitalize Alpine event coming up
     ALPINE — All groups, associations and businesses are invited to take part in the second annual “Vitalize Alpine” event, which will take place March 17 and 18 at Boulder Oaks Elementary, 2320 Tavern Road.
     The event begins Friday evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with a celebration of progress and a presentation about the regional economy that affects Alpine. The event continues on Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a workshop to update the vision and project plans for 2006.
     Groups are encouraged to use the updated community group leader packet to orient your group to revitalization in Alpine and help them prepare ideas to send to the event.
     For information about using this packet with your group call Joe Forlenza 699-3782 or Paul Rohal 445-7333. To volunteer for the support team or donate food or beverages call Allegra Pajot 531-2110 or Carol Morrison 445-2544.

Moose Creek offers free compost workshop
     ALPINE — Compost and worm bins will be available to unincorporated county residents at a subsidized rate on Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Moose Creek Nursery.
     For more information one may contact Cindy at the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, at (760) 436-7986 Ext. 216, or e-mail Cindy@solanacenter.org, or visit www.solanacenter.org.

Moms group holds Pine Valley retreat
     PINE VALLEY — Women of all ages and seasons of life will soon gather together for the Pacific Regional Retreat for Moms in Touch, a prayer ministry that meets and prays regularly for children and schools. The theme for the retreat, which will be held at Pine Valley Bible Conference Center, is “Growing a Heart for Prayer” and the date for this retreat is March 31 to April 2. 
     The prayer retreat for the Pacific Region will draw women from California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Founder Fern Nichols will be the featured speaker, breakout workshops will be given by leaders in Moms in Touch, and there will be plenty of inspiring, uplifting worship music. Space is limited and reservations are being taken now.
     For more information or to make a reservation, one may contact Sue Mooney at (626) 963-4700 or go the Moms in Touch.

Republican Women host candidate forum
     EL CAJON — The Foothills Republican Women Federated will host a candidate forum for the 77th California Assembly District at its 10:30 a.m. general meeting on Thursday, March 16, at the Sizzler Restaurant, 1030 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon.
     Four of the five candidates vying for Assemblyman Jay La Suer's seat, who is term-limited out, will attend: Joel Anderson, Nancy Beecham, Debbie Beyer and Bill Jenkin. Jack Dale has a prior commitment.
     The buffet lunch is $15 per person. Please RSVP to Carolyn Stein at 460-9908.

ACC holds St. Patrick’s Day dinner
     ALPINE — The Alpine Community Center will hold a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on March 17, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the ACC located at 1830 Alpine Blvd.
     Attendees will be served corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, rolls and dessert, as well as a no-host bar serving beer and wine. The band “Kinda Mellow” will entertain dinner guests. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for senior and $5 for children under 12 years old.
    This event is sponsored by the ACC Senior Council. For more information, or to make a reservation, one may call 445-7330.

Education committee holds grand prix
     ALPINE — The Alpine Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee will hold an indoor grand prix and honorary mayor inauguration on Saturday, March 18, 6 to 9 p.m.
     The event will be held at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., and will feature dinner, karaoke, racing games and beer and wine tasting. The evening will also be the inauguration for Alpine’s Honorary Mayor Michael James.
     Proceeds benefit the Alpine schools and students. Ticket cost is $35 per person. For more information, or tickets, one may contact the chamber at 445-2722.

Kiwanis Club holds new membership drive
     ALPINE — On March 18, The Alpine Kiwanis Club will hold a new membership drive. Anyone interested in finding out what Kiwanis is all about and what it does for the community, please attend the breakfast meeting at 7 a.m. Meetings are held at Alpine Elementary School, 1800 Alpine Blvd., in the auditorium.
     For more information, and to make a reservation for breakfast, please call Doug Benson, 445-3328, Pat Stalker, 445-0805 or Dave Kebert, 445-0532.

Citizens Committee to discuss high school
     ALPINE — The Alpine High School Citizens Committee will meet Monday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center.
     Grossmont Union High School District superintendent Terry Ryan and other district trustees will be on hand at the meeting to update the public on the search for a school site in Alpine and answer questions from attendees.
     All Alpine residents are encouraged to attend. For more information about the committee or the upcoming meeting, one may call Terri King at 445-8968 or e-mail George Barnett at BigG88882@cox.net.