This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

API scores continue to rise in Alpine School District  
The Sept. 19 Alpine Union School District board meeting brought good news to build on this school year. With the implementation of a strong reading program, ExCel, and a new Principal at Shadow Hills, the district is facing further growth in educational success, while the proof of higher API scores this year lends credence to practices that are definitely working for our Alpine students.

Grossmont school district selects new superintendent  
Robert J. Collins was named superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District at a Special Meeting of the Governing Board on Sept. 26. The selection followed a comprehensive national search conducted by the California School Boards Association. Mr. Collins will begin full-time on Nov. 1. 

Queen of Angels MUP approved after decades of work
On Friday, Sept. 21, the plans from the parish of Queen of Angels Catholic Church were under the scrutiny of the County of San Diego for what might have been the last time. The parish was presenting their plea to the county board for a MUP, multiple use permit, to enable them to move on with their plans to build their long awaited new church.   

Parolee suspected of killing woman
A parolee charged with killing a woman whose body was found off Buckman Springs Road was charged Sept. 21 with attempted rape of the victim. The prosecutor also filed a deadly weapon allegation that said Brittany Hart was killed with a hammer.  

Red carpet rolled out at annual Alps
The 2007 Alpine Alps Awards brought us an evening to remember. This gala event at the Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge celebrated the excellence in leadership and public service in our community. 
 
Back Country concert/campout to battle Sunrise Powerlink   
Missed Woodstock? No problem. Tickets are still available for Ranchita Rocks, a three-day outdoor festival and camp-out featuring concerts by 40 bands plus other performers right here in East County’s Back Country.

17th annual San Diego Music Awards rocks Viejas park
Last week, hoards of musicians piled into Alpine for a special yearly ceremony known as the San Diego Music Awards (SDMAs). This was the 17th year for the event and it went off without a hitch. There was a colorful mixture of performers, presenters and special guests, which made for a spectacular night.

Local teen actress performs in Joseph
Alpine teen Danielle Pupa joins the cast of 45 talented students as Young Actors’ Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first full-length musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Richard A. Higgins: Defending the Alpine Community Center

My Turn with Jim Lundquist: Keep Campo free of giant powerlink towers

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: True friendships are made in heaven

Hyp Talk with Judy Callihan Warfield: Improve your love life with hypnosis

The Chamber Community with Alpine Chamber of Commerce: Meet with your reps and then enjoy the Alpine Days parade

Class Action with Chuck Taylor: Promises made must be promises kept for Alpine school


Sports

Eagles soar above the competition in water polo

Alpine Mountaineer kick-offs