Alpine celebrates Mardi Gras
     ALPINE — Five local businesses will hold Mardi Gras celebrations on March 1, 2, 3, and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
     There will be free beads, refreshments, drawings for a free gift basket at any of the five business locations. Participants include, Gems and Things and Courtyard Cottages, at 1935 Alpine Blvd.; Cottage on the Boulevard, at 2363 Alpine Blvd.; Alpine Porch and Antique Cottage Chic, at 1919 Alpine Blvd.
     For more information contact one of the shops, or one may call Gems and Things at 659-8978.

ALFA holds 50 percent off book sale
     ALPINE — The Alpine Library Friends Book Store is having a 50 percent off sale this Friday through Sunday, March 3 and 4. All proceeds from the event fund the Friends of the Library projects including building a new Alpine Library. 
     Categories with 50 percent off sale prices include: mysteries, thrillers, travel, children’s books, romance, science fiction, politics, business, law, computers, cooking, health, medical, diet, encyclopedias, almanacs, readers digests, and more.
     Stop in — Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The ALFA Book Store is located in the Alpine Creek Town Center.

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. 

ACC holds March Madness tourney
     ALPINE — The Alpine Community Center announces the first annual “March Madness” doubles tennis tournament, to take place March 4, 5, 11 and 12. 
     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.

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 center, 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, from 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.

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.
In the play, soon following the first act, actors begin to turn up missing. This mystery dinner theater is filled with laughs, turns, twists, and a conclusion you will not believe, all while you eat a great dinner and dessert.
     Ticket cost is $10 pre-sell, and $11 at the door.
     For more information or to purchase tickets one may contact 445-5508.

VFW to bring back rib dinners
     CAMPO — Campo’s VFW Post 2080 will resume serving its monthly rib dinners this Saturday, March 4. 
     The famous dinners will continue to be served the first Friday of the month. Steak dinners continue on the third Saturday of every month.

Church to celebrate anniversary
     ALPINE — “On The Rise” worshippers who meet Sunday evenings, will celebrate their first year anniversary with a pot luck supper on Sunday evening, March 5 before gathering for their regular service at the Alpine Elementary School.
     The young congregation met for the first time on March 6, 2005 for a Sunday evening service at the First Baptist Church of the Willows. The Rev. C. J. Jackson, the speaker, has now become the regular pastor. The congregation has grown to an average of over 50 regular attendees. 

Butterflies focus of garden club meeting
     ALPINE — Learn to identify and attract an array of beautiful Southern California butterflies to your own backyard, at the upcoming meeting of CHIRP Garden Club. 
     The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m., March 6 at Alpine Community Church, 2225 Victoria Drive, in Alpine.
     A just-released film showing spectacular, close-up photography of the secret lives of wild butterflies will be presented. Many species of live butterflies in all stages will also be exhibited at the meeting. 
     A demonstration of how to make concrete stepping stones for the garden will also be presented. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.
     For additional information one may contact CHIRP Habitat Hut at 445-7675.

Legion Auxiliary holds white elephant sale
     ALPINE — The Alpine American Legion Auxiliary is asking for contributions of gently used items for a White Elephant Sale on Saturday, March 11. Please, no clothing items.
     Bring donations to Post 258, at 3328 Alpine Blvd.

NRA holds family shooting sports camp
     ALPINE — The Lemon Grove Rod and Gun Club will host an NRA Family Shooting Sports Camp on Sunday, March 12, beginning at 8 a.m.
     The event will introduce families to a variety of shooting sports and outdoor activities, in a safe, supervised, and enjoyable environment. There will be a guest appearance by “Shooting Star,” Tom Knapp, world class shot-gunner. Activities will include gun and hunter safety, wildlife identification, hunting dog demonstrations, and one-on-one supervised shooting with certified firearms instructors.
     To get to the Lemon Grove Rod and Gun Club head south on Tavern Road approximately 3.6 miles to Sycuan Truck Trail. Turn right in Sycuan Truck Trail and continue three more miles to the gun club. There is a large sign on the right.
     For questions prior to the event, one may contact Jim Smith at 464-5073 or online at j.smith@cox.net. On the day of the event, the range contact is 445-4030.

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 Parking 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.
     The group is a local chapter of the nonprofit International MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club.
     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 towards 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.

VFW gears up for Easter
     ALPINE — The annual Alpine VFW 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.