November 14, 2013 (Alpine) – When Amy Gorence saw an email in her inbox from Scholarshare, she didn’t open it because she assumed it was advertising. It turns out she overlooked a notification that her daughter, Ryley, had won a scholarship for $529 through a contest, “Reading Makes Cent$,” at the Alpine Library.

Luckily, the folks with California’s official 529 College Savings Plan didn’t give up too easily. A few weeks later, Amy got a phone call asking if Ryley was still interested. “Interested in what?” she asked. The answer was a big surprise: Ryley’s name was chosen, out of all the entries from the San Diego County Library system, to receive $529 in a tax-advantaged savings plan for her college education. As if this weren’t enough good news, there’s more: the Alpine Library will receive matching funds—another $529—to spend on materials.

November 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest will conduct prescribed burning from November 2013 to May 2014, if weather and fuel moisture conditions permit.  The project will cover approximately 500-700 acres and will take place near the communities of Mount Laguna, Alpine, and Pine Valley.

The prescribed burns are for the purpose of assisting in providing community protection by slowing the spread of wildfires that occur under normal summer conditions as well as forest health.  Some drifting smoke may be visible during the period of burning along Sunrise Highway, Japatul Road, and Interstate 8.

October 24, 2013 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino & Resort has launched its annual Holiday Toy Drive to support the local Salvation Army. With the help of Viejas Team Members and guests, the goal is to provide 10,000 toys to deserving families in San Diego and Imperial Counties. That’s up from a target of 5,000 toys last year.

October 22, 2013 (Alpine) – A “Music of the Masters” chamber music concert will be presented on Saturday, November 9 at 3 p.m. at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 1460 Midway Drive in Alpine. Directed by Sylvia Lorraine Hartman, the concert will feature Gregory Lawrence, violin; Melissa Hartman, flute; Ian Lawrence, guitar; The Christ the King Singers; and Sylvia Hartman, piano and harp.

Tickets are $25 for the concert and include a wine and cheese reception with the artists following the concert (intermission is “no-host”). There will be a silent auction and an art display as well. Tickets are limited and sold in advance.  Tickets can be purchased online through PayPal, or by calling (619) 445-8968. For more information visit http://www.christthekingalpine.org/

October 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – On October 17, a shoulder-tap operation was conducted by the Sheriff’s Department and other agencies to see if retail outlets are illegally selling alcohol to minors in Santee, Alpine, Lakeside, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, and unincorporated El Cajon.

Deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Agents from Alcohol Beverage Control, and three minor decoys conducted a "Minor Decoy" and "Shoulder Tap" Operation at various locations in the East County. The operation involved minors who tested "on-sale" and "off-sale" establishments. The minor decoys tested retailers and servers at a number of locations in an attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages inside their establishments. Three employees sold alcohol to the decoys.

“Raja’s spirit will continue to live on as we uphold our promise to provide a safe haven for the unwanted and abused. Rest in peace Raja, you will forever be in our hearts.” -- Bobbi Brink

By Miriam Raftery

October 15, 2013 (Alpine) – Last week, Lions Tigers and Bears in Alpine held a memorial service for Raja, the beloved tiger patriarch who resided at the facility since his rescue from a Texas owner in 2002.  The 17-year-old tiger died October 7 of complications from chronic renal failure, a common cause of death in elderly felines.

October 3, 2013 (Alpine) – On Saturday, October 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, join Restoration Ecologist Scott McMillan of AECOM as the environmental consulting firm begins its initial effort to restore our very own populations of the rare and endangered San Diego Thornmint at Wright's Field in Alpine.  During this walk, he will introduce our group to this tiny member of the mint family, which is a federally listed endangered plant that only grows in San Diego County. 

For those interested in getting more involved, McMillan and BCLT will be recruiting volunteers for more hands-on restoration of the Thornmint populations over the next few years.  Learn more about the thornmint and how you can help out at this event.   Group parks and meets at Joan MacQueen Middle School - 2001 Tavern Rd, Alpine.  Sponsored by: Back Country Land Trust.  Full calendar of events for Fall 2013 is available at www.bclt.org.

September 23, 2013 (Alpine) – The Alpine Stagecoach Lions present the Alpine Viejas Western Days Parade and Craft Fair on September 29.  The parade will begin at Albertsons at 2 p.m. and continue down Alpine Blvd. to Alpine Creek Town Center where the craft fair and car show will be held.   Visit www.alpinedaysparade.com for more information.

September 15, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC) will host a bus tour of East County to learn about business opportunities, existing and future plans in the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee, and the communities of Alpine, Lakeside, Rancho San Diego, and Spring Valley. The tour will be held on Wednesday, September 25.  Those interested in attending must register by Friday, September 20. 

September 14, 2013 (Alpine) – The 2^nd Annual Wine & Cheese “Friend-Raiser”, a benefit for the Back Country Land Trust at Wright’s Field is today from 6 – 9 p.m.  This event benefits land conservation, watershed stewardship and environmental education in East County.  Hosted bar, hor’doeurves, fruit and dessert plates will be available.

September 5, 2013 (Alpine) – To celebrate its 22^nd anniversary, Viejas Casino and Resort is aiming to break two Guiness World Records  on September 13—playing blackjack with the world’s largest deck of cards and later, opening the most bottles of wine at one time.

August 12, 2013 (Alpine) – San Diegans will be able to revisit the sixties this fall at “60’s Rockin’ Mania – the ultimate battle of the bands” being held at Lions Tigers & Bears, September 7 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The concert showdown will feature Elvis impersonator James Kruk v. The Beatles “The Concert Experience.”

Guest will also be able to visit with the big cats and bears from 2 – 3 p.m., bid on door prizes and participate in opportunity drawings.  Food and drink will be available for purchase.  Guests are invited to bring blankets or low chairs.

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2013 (Alpine)--Sitarra, a Bengal tiger raised from a cub at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, has died of a ruptured disk.  The big cat rescue center is a no breeding facility, however Sitarra was one of two cubs born to Natasha, a pregnant tiger rescued over a decade ago.

Bobbi Brink, founder of the facility, called the tragedy “very sad news” and has said that the tiger was like a child to her.

Brink was near the tiger’s enclosure when Sitarra collapsed while running, unable to move her back legs. An MRI showed a ruptured disc and the animal underwent immediate surgery at an emergency animal hospital.  But Brink disclosed, “. It was discovered that her spinal cord had been severed by pieces of the ruptured disc and there was no choice but to let her go.”

July 21, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The County’s Planning and Development Services (PDS) staff is finalizing new Form-Based Codes for the communities of Ramona and Alpine.  Drafts of the new FBC for Ramona and Alpine are now available for review at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/pds/ordamend.html. The deadline for public comment is August 5.

According to the PDS July newsletter,  the new codes introduce new zoning/design criteria that will “encourage and promote the village character within these communities while revitalizing their economic capabilities.  Unlike traditional zoning which separates land uses and regulates individual uses on a property, a FBC deemphasizes uses and puts greater emphasis on regulating building appearances within given neighborhoods.  FBC also take into account the buildings’ relationships to one another, the public streets and the streetscape.”

July 3, 2013 (Alpine) – Viejas is planning four full days and nights of activities, all free, to celebration Independence Day this weekend. Activities include fireworks on the 4th, as well as music, outdoor movies, and the new ICONS show in the Viejas Outlets Show Court throughout the weekend. For a schedule of events, scroll down.