Vintage Alpine wine event coming in May
     ALPINE — The 16th Annual Vintage Alpine event will be held May 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Summers Past Farm located at 15602 Olde Highway 80 in Flynn Springs. The Kiwanis Club of Alpine is hosting the annual fund raising event for the children of East County.
     The afternoon will include a silent auction plus raffle items. Several well known local and San Diego restaurants, as well as local, California, and foreign wineries will be in attendance.
     Tickets may be purchased on line at www.alpinekiwains.org/vintagealpine or by calling 749-1145, or from any Alpine Kiwanis member. Tickets are $45 currently and $50 at the door.

District 52 candidate forum held at ACC
     ALPINE — The public is invited to meet the congressional candidates running for the District 52 Congressional seat occupied by Rep. Duncan Hunter, in a series of town hall forums.
     On Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m. at the Alpine Community Church, 2225 W. Victoria Drive, Alpine, the topic will be Lesson Plan for a Brighter Future and will cover education, equality, the economy and jobs.
The public will have the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and to ask questions.
     Each forum will feature questions to be answered by a panel of candidates. In addition to the pre-selected topics, each event will include a question and answer session for the public to inquire about any topic of interest. 
     Forums are free to the public, although a $3 donation is suggested to cover costs. Free refreshments will also be provided.

ACT rehearsing for Love Letters
     ALPINE — The Alpine Community Theater (ACT) is currently rehearsing for a May production of Love Letters, by A. R. Gurney. Performances will be held on May 11, 12, 13, 19 and 20, at 7 p.m., and on May 21 at 1 p.m.
     Tickets for these performances are $10 each. The May 20 performance will include wine and cheese and tickets are $20 for this show only. Local residents Judy Grant and Patrick L. Grattan, Jr. will star in this production, which will be produced by Susan Lancaster and directed by Tim Arends. 
     Tickets are available at the Alpine Chamber of Commerce or, by mail at ACT, 1347 Tavern Road, #18, PMB Box 127, Alpine, CA 91901. For further information, please contact alpinecommunitytheater@hotmail.com.

Queen of Angels hosts blood drive
      ALPINE — The San Diego Blood Bank bloodmobile will accept blood donations at a public blood drive hosted by Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 2569 Victoria Drive, Alpine, Sunday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
     The bloodmobile will be parked in the lower lot. Donors will receive a variety of free gifts.
     For donor requirements, or to make an appointment, one may call the San Diego Blood Bank at 1-800-4MY-SDBB or visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

Wellness fair to focus on lifestyle
     PINE VALLEY — Information on health, community resources and fun for the entire family will headline the first annual Mountain Empire Community Wellness Fair. Admission is free and open to the public.
     The event will be held at Mountain Empire High School on Thursday, May 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.
     The Mountain Empire area fire and sheriff’s departments, the Southern Indian Health Council, and the Mountain Health and Community Services will man interactive booths at the event.
     For further information, to participate in a booth presentation, or to become a sponsor, one may call Dr. Laurie Mitchell at 787-0002

Sermon series covers The Da Vinci Code
     ALPINE — The Alpine Anglican Church begins a four-week sermon series starting Sunday, May 7. The series will look at author Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code”, a best selling novel and soon to be released movie directed by Ron Howard and staring Tom Hanks.
     The series will cover the claim made by Dan Brown that the research and history are factual, even though the book is described as fiction. The series is part of the 8:30 a.m. service held at Alpine Elementary School.
     Guests are welcome to attend and discuss the book and message over refreshments. For more information one may call 722-1772.

2007 eighth grade trip to be discussed
     ALPINE — There will be an information meeting for families of seventh grade students at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 18, to discuss fund-raising efforts for the eighth grade trip and to sign up students.
     To be held in the Alpine Elementary School auditorium, the meeting is hosted by Holt Travel & Tours.
     The eight-day trip itinerary will include Virginia, Washington, D.C., the Pennsylvania Amish Country, and New York City and will take place during spring break of 2007. The sights of New York City will include Times Square, the Empire State Building and a spectacular Broadway show. 
     Registration will take place after the presentation and deposits of $150.00 will be accepted by check or credit card to reserve a spot on the trip. The students’ most recent JMMS report card is required. 
     For further information, one may call David Holt at Holt Travel & Tours, 445-9193 or e-mail dholt@HoltTravel.com. 

East County Junior Fair to
be held at Lakeside rodeo grounds
     LAKESIDE — The Eastern San Diego County Junior Fair 2006 will take place at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, highway 67 at Mapleview, in Lakeside, May 14 to 20.
     Various events will run throughout the week, and will end with a dinner and dance on Friday evening, May 19 and an auction held Saturday at noon.

Second annual Novelty Dog Show
     ALPINE —The second annual Alpine Novelty Dog Show will take place June 3, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Tom C. Dyke Park, adjacent to the Tavern Road on-ramp.
     This years event will include 16 different classes for participants including , Best Six Legs, The Dog That Ate New York, and Cutest Dog.
     Organizers are currently looking for sponsors to help pay for the event. For more information or to be a sponsor one may contact Becky Kirkwood at 445-6201 or beckybardoo@yahoo.com.

Community pancake breakfast benefits
Pine Valley Improvement Club
     PINE VALLEY — A community pancake breakfast will be held at the Pine Valley Clubhouse on Saturday, May 6, from 8 to 10 a.m.
     Breakfast will be pancakes, bacon, orange juice and coffee. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children.
     The event is being prepared by the Phyllis Memorial Group and benefits the Pine Valley Improvement Club.

BCLT hosts second sunset walk
     ALPINE — The Back Country Land Trust will host a sunset walk through Wright’s Field on Sunday, May 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 
     Michael Wangler, Geography professor at Cuyamaca College, will lead a walk in Wright's Field and discuss the plants, wildlife, and a little history. Hikers should meet at the Joan Mac Queen Middle School parking lot before 6 p.m.

Local schools participate in essay contest
     ALPINE — The Alpine Historical Society is conducting its third annual essay contest during the month of May.
     All local third grade teachers were invited to participate and include the essay contest as a part of their local history unit of study. Entries must relate to one of three topics: Life in Alpine 100 years ago (an imaginary letter to someone who lives in another part of the country), my favorite historical person in Alpine, my favorite historical place in Alpine.
     Certificates and cash prizes will be given to the top three winners in each topic category. All three first place winners will be invited to read their award-winning essays aloud at the Alpine History Days Celebration on June 3 at the museum, located at 2116 Tavern Road, as well as to ride on the Alpine Historical Society’s float in the Viejas Day Parade.
     For more information, one may contact Don Tarr at 659-1378 or send an e-mail to alpinehistory@cox.net.

Meet the cats at Lions, Tigers and Bears
     ALPINE — Lions, Tigers and Bears, the big cat rescue located in Japatul, will host a free members-only celebration on Saturday, May 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. 
     Visitors will have a chance for an up close and personal afternoon with all the animals who live at the rescue, including four Bengal tigers, an African serval, two bobcats, and a leopard, as well as a menagerie of farm and ranch animals. There will also be a backyard barbecue featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, lemonade, cake and ice cream. Beer and wine will also be available.
     Although the facility is open to members only, it's easy to join. Individual memberships start at just $35 ($20 for seniors), family memberships at $100. Members will also be allowed to bring guests to this event for a nominal fee. 
For more information, one may call Bobbi Brink at 659-8078 or visit www.lionstigersandbears.org.

Woman's Club accepting applications from local students for $1,000 scholarships 
     ALPINE — The Alpine Woman's Club is again offering $1,000 scholarships to Alpine high school seniors who are enrolling in college. 
     Applications are available at area high schools, California Bank & Trust, Washington Mutual, Janet's Café, Alpine library, Alpine Chamber of Commerce, ALFA book store, Bread Basket Restarurant and the Alpine Community Center.
     The deadline for submitting applications is May 31 and recipients will be notified during the first two weeks in June.

Chamber to discuss ADA at breakfast
     ALPINE — The Alpine Chamber of Commerce will discuss the latest happenings in ADA lawsuits that have been threatened against many local businesses at its next hot topics business breakfast.
     The morning meeting will be held next Tuesday, May 9 at 7:15 a.m. at the Bread Basket restaurant in the Alpine Creek Shopping Center. The topic is "ADA Compliant Grassroots Political Action."
     Breakfast will be served, for $15 and chamber members will have an opportunity to win the Borrego Springs Bank drawing, that is now at $250.
     For more information one may contact the chamber at 445-2722.

Picnic for peace to be held at Alpine park
     ALPINE — An interfaith celebration for world peace, sponsored by the Alpine Church of Spiritual Living, will be held Saturday, May 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Alpine Community Park.
     Interested individuals are invited to bring a picnic lunch and lawn chair to join the celebration of peace. Balladeer Joe Rothburn will be on hand serenading participants.
     Participants will also be able to set up tables providing information about their specific spiritual path.
     For more information one may contact the Church of Spiritual Living at 445-6459.

Essay contest winners to be recognized
     ALPINE — Winners of the 2006 Alpine Chamber of Commerce Education Committee’s essay contest will be recognized at a special chamber dinner on May 18, at 6 p.m., at the Alpine Community Center. Winners will read their essays at the dinner event.
     Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 15. Sponsorship tables will also be available for local businesses.
     For more information one may contact the chamber at 445-2722.

Friends of the Pine Valley library
to host annual rummage sale
     PINE VALLEY — The Friends of the Pine Valley Library will be hosting its annual rummage sale on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Pine Valley Clubhouse on Old Highway 80.
     Organizers are now accepting donations of gently-used items for the sale. Someone will be on hand at the clubhouse on Friday, May 19, for donation drop-offs.
     For more information one may call Ann Stickel at 473-8388. All proceeds from the rummage sale will benefit the Pine Valley Library.

Alpine Church presents SoulVoice
     ALPINE — On Saturday evening, June 3, four soulful women will lift hearts and spirits through song, at the Alpine Church of Spiritual Living.
     SoulVoice is a women’s a capella quartet begun by Val Cooper in October 2004. The quartet consists of Val Cooper, Susie Hall, Claudia Previn Stasny and Trish Marr. 
     Tickets are $15, and the concert begins at 7 p.m., at the Alpine Women’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd. Tickets are available from the Alpine Church of Spiritual Living, SoulVoice members, or at the door.
     For more information , or to purchase tickets, one may contact the church at 445-6459 or visit www.alpinechurch.com.